Chapter 271: Preparations Before Setting Off
To persuade Mr. Dongxi to travel north to Jianle City, Zhou Shennian had prepared at least three sets of arguments. However, as soon as he brought it up, Mr. Dongxi immediately decided to go north to Jianle City. This smooth sailing made Zhou Shennian’s heart feel heavy.
Mr. Dongxi’s decisiveness on this matter was vastly different from his predictions. Judging from this, his understanding of Mr. Dongxi was practically non-existent. When they reached Jianle City, how would he advise the Young Lord on matters concerning Mr. Dongxi?
With his heart full of unease, Zhou Shennian met Gu Yan and informed him of Mr. Dongxi’s plan to head north.
Gu Yan let out a sigh of relief and smiled, “With Dongxi heading north, the scholars of Jiangnan will surely have much more peace. If we can also get Dongxi to take a few steps in our direction, then regarding the scholars of Jiangnan, there won’t be any major issues at least until we return. The next step is Jiang Jianrong.”
“Regarding Jiang Cao Division, has the Young Lord already made up his mind?” Zhou Shennian asked, looking at the smile on Gu Yan’s face.
“Yes, Dongxi’s view of me reminded me.”
Gu Yan paused. In the past, he had charged forward with ignorance and fearlessness. These past two years, he had been cautiously avoiding his former self. Dongxi’s view of him reminded him that, firstly, his past ignorant and foolish self was the best weapon against the enemy; and secondly, while his past recklessness had its rashness, it also had its sharpness, and was not entirely without merit.
“I will go and find Jiang Jianrong directly. Jiang Jianrong’s family is wealthy but not noble. For him to reach the position of Cao Division at just over forty years old, besides his outstanding talent, he also possesses a rare keenness and tact. If I approach him, he will surely want to forge a good relationship with Prince Rui’s Mansion. With him to calmly appease the local officials, Huang Xianzhou and the wharf areas will not fall into great chaos.”
“I believe so as well,” Zhou Shennian said with a flattering bow and a smile.
“I’ll go now,” Gu Yan stood up and walked towards the exit.
Zhou Shennian also stood up and walked him out a few steps, then hesitated, “Young Lord.”
“Hmm?” Gu Yan stopped and looked at Zhou Shennian. Zhou Shennian steeled himself and said, “I thought persuading Mr. Dongxi to go north would be extremely difficult, but I didn’t expect that I…”
“Hmm?” Gu Yan looked at Zhou Shennian, who was struggling to speak, and smiled, “You think you misjudged, and feel guilty?”
“Not entirely guilt. I know too little about Mr. Dongxi, and I fear I won’t know how to advise you in the future,” Zhou Shennian said, bracing himself.
“That’s nothing. You’ll get to know him after a few more meetings and battles. By the way, you go and see Huang Xianzhou. It’s fine for you to talk to him more,” Gu Yan turned to leave.
“Okay, should I go now? Or…?” Zhou Shennian asked, chasing after him for two steps.
“The sooner the better. Go directly from Linhai Town to the Pingjiang Villa and wait for me there.”
“Okay, I’ll leave now.”
Zhou Shennian stopped and watched Gu Yan walk away, then called out loudly for someone to prepare a horse.
……………………
Jiang Jianrong, the Cao Division, received a message from a servant of the Prince’s Mansion: the Young Lord was coming to pay a visit. As he was pondering the word “visit,” the doorman rushed in: the Young Lord had arrived at the entrance of the Cao Division Yamen!
While calling for Mr. Ge to be brought quickly, Jiang Cao Division hurried out to meet him.
Gu Yan, with his hands behind his back and a leisurely gait, smiled and greeted the curious officials filling the courtyard.
Jiang Cao Division rushed out and met Gu Yan at the second gate, offering a deep bow.
“I have some matters to entrust to you. I thought it best to come in person when asking for a favor, so I came unannounced,” Gu Yan said with a casual expression and tone, but Jiang Cao Division’s heart was pounding.
The Young Lord’s demeanor was highly unusual.
Mr. Ge arrived quickly and stood under the corridor, not daring to step forward.
Gu Yan saw Mr. Ge, waved him over with a smile, and Mr. Ge quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.
“Let’s talk inside,” Gu Yan led the way into the main house where Jiang Cao Division worked.
Gu Yan entered the room, looked around carefully, then turned to Jiang Cao Division and smiled, “It’s a bit urgent, so I’ll be direct. I need to go back, and I’ll be leaving in the next two days. The Maritime Tax Bureau case will be handled by Huang Xianzhou as usual, but you’ve likely heard about Huang Xianzhou. Therefore, I’ve written to General Yang, asking Yang Qifan to stay in Linhai Town until I return. With Yang Wu there, you don’t need to concern yourself with Linhai Town, but beyond Linhai Town, I’ll trouble you, Jiang Cao Division.”
Gu Yan cupped his hands towards Jiang Cao Division and was about to turn away. Jiang Cao Division was stunned and turned around, asking, “Your words, Your Excellency, I don’t understand.”
“I’m not young anymore, and I need to go back to finalize my marriage,” Gu Yan stood and explained seriously, tapping Jiang Cao Division’s shoulder with his horse whip. “No need to see me out.”
“Hmm?” Jiang Cao Division was momentarily dazed, and Gu Yan had already strode forward two or three steps.
“Young Lord!” Jiang Cao Division grabbed the front of his long gown and was about to chase after him, but Mr. Ge pulled him back. “Esteemed Master, there’s no need to chase.”
Jiang Cao Division stood and watched Gu Yan leave through the second gate. “What’s wrong with him?”
“I heard about this the day before yesterday,” Mr. Ge said in a low voice. “News came from the Prefectural School. It’s said that the Prince’s Mansion in the Capital City learned about that Miss Li. We don’t know what the Mansion’s intentions are, but we know the Young Lord asked the Fourth Mistress Wei to accompany that Miss Li to Jianle City, and they are said to be leaving in the next two days.”
Jiang Cao Division raised his eyebrows, looking speechless.
Mr. Ge chuckled, “It seems the Young Lord is truly serious about that Miss Li, and is truly in a hurry. When he’s in a hurry, he reveals his true nature. His demeanor just now was exactly how we saw him in the Capital City.”
Jiang Cao Division frowned and remained silent. After a moment, he said with a wry smile, “But his words just now… sigh. The first two sentences about leaving are fine, but when he mentioned Huang Xianzhou, that I should have heard about him, he didn’t say what I should have heard. ‘Don’t concern yourself with Linhai Town’ is a warning not to interfere in Linhai Town’s affairs, but what about the last sentence? Beyond Linhai Town is entrusted to me. This ‘beyond,’ this ‘entrusted,’ where should I handle it?”
The wry smile on Mr. Ge’s face deepened. “Also, the Young Lord’s anxious demeanor clearly shows he doesn’t want to say more.”
“You say his demeanor just now was like his past self in the Capital City, but we’ve seen his demeanor over the past year or two! He’s been like this often!” Jiang Cao Division patted his forehead repeatedly. “We need to find out. The Mr. Zhou by the Young Lord’s side?”
“Yes, I’ll go and find Mr. Zhou now.” Mr. Ge stood up and walked out.
……………………
Huang Xianzhou and Mr. Yao stood on a large rock outside the camp, watching the sun rise above the horizon, its golden light spilling onto the boundless sea.
Huang Xianzhou took a deep breath facing the sunrise. “Full of vitality!”
Mr. Yao also took a deep breath facing the sunrise. “Indeed, it’s very nourishing.”
Huang Xianzhou glanced back at Mr. Yao. “You actually believe that superstitious nonsense.”
“Demonic creatures cultivating their arts all focus on absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, there must be some truth to it.” Seeing Huang Xianzhou about to retort, Mr. Yao quickly added, “Even the Sage said to respect ghosts and gods and keep them at a distance, but even the Sage never said they don’t exist.”
“Then take a few more breaths,” Huang Xianzhou said irritably.
Mr. Yao smiled and was about to speak when a soldier rushed out from the camp gate, waving and shouting at them.
“They’re calling us,” Mr. Yao gestured to Huang Xianzhou.
Huang Xianzhou also saw it. He and Mr. Yao slid down from the large rock one after another and hurried towards the camp gate.
Zhou Shennian met Huang Xianzhou and gestured with a smile, “Let’s talk outside, the scenery is nice.”
Two attendants carried two armchairs and placed them down as Zhou Shennian indicated.
Seeing only two armchairs, Mr. Yao greeted Zhou Shennian and went into the camp gate.
“Is the Young Lord coming?” Huang Xianzhou looked towards the camp.
“No. Let’s go sit over there. I only arrived after midnight, I’m very tired,” Zhou Shennian said, supporting his waist as he slowly sat down.
“What happened?” Huang Xianzhou observed Zhou Shennian, his heart tightening.
“Just a small matter,” Zhou Shennian shifted to sit more comfortably and looked at Huang Xianzhou as he sat down. “Fourth Mistress Wei has accompanied Miss Li to Jianle City, and the Young Lord is worried, so he’s going back too.”
Zhou Shennian paused, looking at Huang Xianzhou.
Huang Xianzhou was stunned for a moment before reacting, “A marriage matter?”
“Yes!” Zhou Shennian confirmed with a nod.
“What about the case? The Maritime Tax Bureau?” Huang Xianzhou blurted out.
“The Young Lord has arranged everything. You just continue to handle the case in your hands. Every three days, write a summary and submit it to the Young Lord. You can give it to General Yang. General Yang is stationed in Linhai Town until the Young Lord returns,” Zhou Shennian said.
“What if I need to apprehend a criminal? I am of low rank and minor official. General Yang cannot interfere in local affairs,” Huang Xianzhou said with a frown.
“If you need to apprehend a criminal, you will issue official documents to the various yamens as usual, just like when the Young Lord was in Jiangnan,” Zhou Shennian said, looking at Huang Xianzhou.
“Is the Young Lord coming back?” Huang Xianzhou asked after a moment of silence.
“Why do you ask that?” Zhou Shennian chuckled.
“The Young Lord is steady and meticulous, always acting after careful consideration. To suddenly return to the Capital for a marriage matter is too frivolous,” Huang Xianzhou stared at Zhou Shennian.
Zhou Shennian leaned closer to Huang Xianzhou and lowered his voice, “The Young Lord stayed in Jiangnan for only one thing: to rectify the Maritime Tax Bureau. As you can see, the Maritime Tax Bureau is closely related to the livelihoods and governance of Jiangnan. In your opinion, how long will it take to sort out the Maritime Tax Bureau? Half a year? A year?”
“Not only Jiangnan, but the Maritime Tax Bureau is also closely related to the imperial court,” Huang Xianzhou sighed. “A year is too rushed. It requires patience, two or three years, four or five years, even seven or eight years.”
“Is the Young Lord going to delay his marriage for seven or eight years? He should take advantage of this moment, now that it’s just beginning, to go back and resolve his marriage matter,” Zhou Shennian patted Huang Xianzhou.
“That’s true,” Huang Xianzhou sighed in relief.
“Don’t worry. In Linhai Town, if anything happens, you can talk to Old Shopkeeper He. Outside of Linhai Town, Jiang Cao Division is a good person,” Zhou Shennian said with a smile, looking at Huang Xianzhou.
“Jiang Cao Division? Alright, I understand,” Huang Xianzhou nodded repeatedly.
……………………
A sliver of a moon peeked in and out from behind the clouds.
Gu Yan, dressed in a silver-white long gown, looked at Wu Miaozhen kneeling before him.
“The Cheng Zi Gang is almost completely consolidated?” Gu Yan asked in a deep voice.
“Yes.”
“I will be leaving for a while, about half a year. During these six months, the rules will remain the same, except for this,” Gu Yan paused, looking down at Wu Miaozhen. Wu Miaozhen looked up, meeting Gu Yan’s gaze, waiting for him to continue.
“Your martial arts affairs naturally have their own rules,” Gu Yan said slowly, word by word.
Wu Miaozhen looked at Gu Yan, then, holding her breath slightly, asked, “Those new people from the north have taken away a lot of our work.”
“Yes, that is your affair,” Gu Yan looked up at the sliver of moon disappearing into the clouds.
“The Red Fox Gang, the Wan Zi Gang, the Shun Zi Hao, the Wu Family, and the Black Head from Jiangbei, each has their patrons,” Wu Miaozhen looked up at Gu Yan.
The sliver of moon disappeared into the clouds, and Gu Yan’s figure and face merged with the darkness.
“Under the heavens, all land belongs to the king; all who live on its shores are the king’s subjects,” Gu Yan looked down at Wu Miaozhen. “Look after yourselves.”
Wu Miaozhen looked at Gu Yan, who had disappeared into the darkness, took a deep breath, and slowly stood up.
For these six months, in this Linhai Town, under the king’s land and subjects, they, the people of the martial arts world, would follow the rules of the martial arts world and resolve their disputes.
This side of the Young Lord, these few words, had already given her a significant advantage.
Wu Miaozhen looked around, a warm smile on her face. In these six months, she would either die, or she would change the rules of the wharves in Linhai Town!
