Chapter 128: Brother
Shi Yan poured a cup of warm tea and placed it by Shi Li’s hand: “Here, drink a cup of warm tea to cool your temper.”
Shi Li drank it down in one gulp, then slammed the tea bowl onto the table with a thud: “Cousin, you’re too unscrupulous. With this, what kind of person does that make me?”
“Everyone behind my back will surely curse me for shamelessly seizing the family business.”
Shi Yan poured another bowl of warm tea: “Don’t be angry, calm down some more.”
Shi Li drank it down in one gulp again, his chest still burning with fury: “No wonder Great Uncle curses you every day. You have a belly full of wits, all used to deal with your own grandfather, and even to pit your own cousin. You’ve gone too far!”
Shi Yan continued pouring tea: “Yes, yes, yes, I’m not upright, it’s all my fault. You’ll have to bear the bad reputation, and also show filial piety to Grandfather on my behalf, and manage the family business. I’ve wronged you.”
Shi Li drank three cups of tea and couldn’t drink any more, sitting there sulking.
Shi Yan continued to coax his cousin in a gentle voice: “You and I grew up together since childhood. In my heart, you’re like my own brother. I have to leave, so I can only turn to you for help.”
“You used to live with me before, no need to change name or surname, just alter one page in the family registry. Everything else remains the same. Grandfather won’t stop you from showing filial piety to your own parents.”
“Besides, only as Young Master Shi will you be qualified to propose marriage to Cousin Mengyi.”
At the mention of Wang Mengyi, Shi Li’s face reddened again. This time, however, it wasn’t from anger, but from guilt and unease; his gaze darted around, not daring to meet Shi Yan’s eyes: “I-I’m not worthy of Miss Wang.”
Shi Yan reached out and patted his cousin’s shoulder: “You were a bit short before, but now you’re Young Master Shi—how could you not be worthy? Your body is healthier than mine, you’re more handsome than me, and you’re skilled at managing the estates and grain stores. Go ask Grandfather to take you to the Wang Family to propose marriage. Uncle and Aunt will surely agree.”
Shi Yan’s words were as smooth as silk, each sentence striking right at Shi Li’s heart.
Shi Li’s face stayed red, but he said nothing, the vigorous anger in his heart slowly subsiding.
“Even if the Wang Family doesn’t agree, Grandfather will surely arrange a good marriage for you.” Shi Yan chuckled softly: “Marry early, have children, and continue the Shi Family lineage.”
Shi Li finally raised his head and met Shi Yan’s gaze for a moment: “Cousin, won’t you regret it later?”
“Giving up the family business for Sixth Sister Pei, abandoning your family—is it worth it?”
Shi Yan countered with a question: “If the Wang Family refuses the marriage and Cousin Mengyi insists on marrying a man into the family, would you be willing to become the Wang Family son-in-law?”
Shi Li hesitated for a long time: “I’ve always quietly admired Miss Wang. But I still don’t really want to be a son-in-law.”
Shi Yan picked up the thread: “Then you’re not as good as me.”
Shi Li was half-annoyed and half-amused, Zhang Kou poking at Shi Yan’s heart: “You’re more than willing. Unfortunately, Sixth Sister Pei only has training troops, money and grain, and seizing territory in her heart. Even for marrying a man into the family, there’s the handsome and powerful Young General Meng with hundreds of men under him—she might not choose you.”
Indeed, good brothers—each jab hits the mark.
Shi Yan replied without changing expression: “The battlefield of love is like the battlefield. He’s already retreated, and by Sixth Sister’s side now is me.”
Shi Li looked at his cousin whose face was as thick as a city wall and asked curiously: “Does Sixth Sister know you have this side to you?”
Shi Yan smiled slowly: “Sixth Sister has eyes as sharp as torches; she sees everything clearly, yet still keeps me around.”
Shi Li twitched the corner of his mouth.
Fine, from childhood to now, he’d never gained the upper hand against his cousin.
His body was slightly weak—that was Shi Yan’s only flaw, but he had wits as numerous as holes in a sieve.
The two brothers bantered for a bit, then began discussing proper business.
“Eighty percent of market price is indeed a bit low.” Shi Li, tempered since childhood, was very shrewd in business: “But given Sixth Sister’s face, the Shi Family will take this deal.”
“Next time you come to buy grain, it’ll be at future market price.”
Shi Yan quickly switched to the role of Pei Family Village steward: “Good, this time one million shi of grain. I’ll pay thirty percent deposit first; once the grain is delivered to Pei Family Village, I’ll pay the final payment.”
“In addition, I want to order a batch of seeds. The best ones.”
“The best ones aren’t cheap.” Shi Li took the abacus, fiddled with it a few times, and pushed it in front of Shi Yan.
Shi Yan glanced at it, reached out to adjust it, changing it to a number: “Just this price.”
Shi Li was somewhat helpless: “This price is basically cost price. Doing business without earning silver—wouldn’t that be working for nothing?”
Shi Yan smiled and replied: “How could it be for nothing? The Shi Family and Pei Family Village have good relations; if trouble comes in the future, Sixth Sister Pei won’t stand idly by. Such friendship can’t be bought with a bit of silver.”
Shi Li glanced over: “Even though Cousin has been driven out of the family, he still bears the Shi surname. Even for Cousin’s sake, Sixth Sister wouldn’t ignore the Shi Family.”
Shi Yan put on a righteous face: “If you think that way, you’re underestimating Sixth Sister too much. Without sufficient benefit, why would Sixth Sister easily step in?”
Shi Li could only yield: “Fine, we’ll sell the seeds to you at this price.”
After settling the business, the two brothers sat facing each other and drank.
Shi Yan poured wine for his cousin and raised his cup in toast: “Cousin, from now on, the heavy burden of the Shi Family rests on you.”
Shi Li clinked cups with Shi Yan: “Speaking of it, I’m the one taking a huge advantage. Talking more would make me too shameless. Cousin, rest assured, I’ll definitely hold the Shi Family steady. If Cousin wants to return later, I’ll hand it back with both hands. If Cousin achieves his wish, I’ll stand with you in mutual assistance.”
Shi Yan raised his brow with a smile and drained the cup.
……
After buying the grain, Shi Yan went to buy salt.
Pei Qinghe was too lazy to haggle with the Zhan Family; Shi Yan was different. He went to the Zhan Family under the banner of Pei Family Village.
There’s no reason to turn away business delivered to the door. Zhan Fei quoted a high price, his attitude arrogant: “You’ve left the Shi Family and sought refuge in Pei Family Village. I’m only willing to sell you salt for your grandfather’s face.”
Shi Yan’s stance was even tougher: “The Guangning Army was badly defeated, Anle County massacred, Sixth Sister led eight hundred men to defend Changping County and drove away the Xiongnu barbarians. Uncle Zhan’s illicit salt team—how does it compare to the Xiongnu barbarians?”
“I’m here today with silver to buy salt, also giving Uncle Zhan an opportunity. Does Uncle Zhan really want to shut my goodwill out the door?”
Zhan Fei’s arrogance was immediately suppressed.
The Zhan Family’s illicit salt team might have some chance against mountain bandits, but it was far inferior to imperial court troops. Against Xiongnu barbarians, it would just be sending them to their deaths.
Pei Qinghe’s defense of Changping County revealed such sharp edge and strength as to deter hearts.
Shi Yan took out his ever-present red gold abacus, his fingers flying, and calculated a number: “How about this price?”
The price was only slightly above cost, barely some profit, not pushing people to the wall.
Pinched just right.
Zhan Fei had to agree to the deal through gritted teeth; after Shi Yan left, he smashed a set of tea bowls in rage: “Bad luck! Stay away from that kid from now on!”
