Book 58 Chapter 3 - One Million Taels of Gold
Translator: Foxs' Wuxia
This time the fake Situ Furong returning to Chang’an, the prestige could not be compared to the last time he entered the Pass to take refuge. In addition to the original cast: Ren Jun as Situ Furong, Song Shidao as Shen Wenjiang, Lei Jiuzhi as the Housekeeper, Kou Zhong as Cai Yuanyong and Xu Ziling as Kuang Wentong, there were more than twenty attendants, including Wang Xuanshu and Zha Jie. Each one was supplied with a household registration ID that would pass close inspection. Pang Yu was responsible for providing them, these were not forged documents at all.
Ba Fenghan and Hou Xibai remained in Chang’an, they were hiding in a residence arranged for them by Chen Fu.
From Ren Jun’s own mouth they learned about Big Miss Zhai Jiao’s recent situation. Due to the tense situation in Shandong, plus the loss of the protection provided by Dou Jiande and Liu Heita in the past, Zhai Jiao took Little Lingzhong and her subordinates to flee toward Liangdu, which was an absolutely safe choice, hence Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling lay down the load on their mind.
Since they had been in contact with Yin Zuwen earlier, plus Cai Yuanyong and Kuang Wentong were celebrities, whose name shook Guanzhong, who had been in Chang’an before to play polo in front of Li Yuan’s imperial self, after going through a routine inspection, which was no more than going through the motions, they entered the Pass without a hitch, and straight toward Chang’an.
By the time the boat docked at the Yong An Canal pier, Yin Zuwen, Chi Shengchun, the ‘Great Immortal’ Hu Fo, and the lingering-in-Ren-Jun’s-dream-and-pulling-his-soul beauty Hu Xiaoxian, Qiao Gongshan, Er Wenhuan, and so on have been waiting for a long time, which showed that they attached utmost importance to Situ Furong’s flying money business.
On the surface, naturally everybody was very happy to see each other, just like old friends who had been separated for many years gathered together. That very same evening Yin Zuwen hosted a banquet at Shang Lin Yuan to wash the dust from their feet. Wen Yanbo was also in attendance, but Xue Wanche, because he was following Li Yuanji in military campaign and had not returned, was unable to participate. Qiao and Er, two men, also failed to respond to the invitation due to official business.
After three rounds of wine, Ren Jun’s Situ Furong brought up the main topic first, “This time Furong is coming to Chang’an, the most important thing is of course to meet with old friends, but also to wish Xiaoxian a good health.”
Hearing that, Hu Xiaoxian immediately tittered and laughed tenderly, her charming eyeballs rolled around, in a charming manner that could bewilder people to their deaths.
It could be said that by this time, Ren Jun’s heart toward Hu Xiaoxian was obvious even to a casual onlooker. The murdering intent in Chi Shengchun’s pair of eyes flared up, but was immediately restrained, replaced by a smiling face, as he spoke with a chuckle, “May I ask Da Laoban, what is the second affair, is it the flying money business?”
Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong exchanged glances, their minds were interlinked; they both felt that this kid Ren Jun, when facing Hu Xiaoxian, immediately he was like shedding his mortal body and exchanging his bones [idiom] and changed into another person, his heroic spirit and the air of his wealth penetrated the dome of heavens.
Ren Jun said, “I have been preparing for this flying money business for many years, I have already established contact with all key figures in various regions. My, Situ Furong’s aim in doing business is just like this, either don’t do it, or do it the biggest and the best. In time of peace and prosperity, there is a peace-and-prosperity way of doing business; in troubled times, there is a troubled-times way of doing business.”
With overflowing interest, Yin Zuwen said, “In the letter that Situ Laoban sent to me, you said that you were going to set up a head office in Chang’an, I wonder if you are still going to carry it out as stated?”
Hu Fo said, “The road is not of peace and prosperity, demand for flying money is greater. I mentioned this to several friends in Chang’an, none did not say that this business has great prospects for the future, they also pointed out that only Situ Laoban is qualified to preside over this kind of money-making business. Strong financial resources are an important factor, and reputation [in commerce] is especially important.”
Wen Yanbo said, “I heard that Situ Xiong used Pingyao and several cities in the vicinity as pilot projects, I wonder how was the reaction?”
Song Shidao’s Shen Wenjiang replied cheerfully, “The response was enthusiastic beyond expectation. In both the supply and demand aspects, we feel reasonable interest to engage in business and operate the bank, none of the merchants do not feel greatly satisfied with the convenience.”
Ren Jun spoke indifferently, “There is no end to making money off the street. I, Situ Furong, regard doing business as a bridge to spread good karma in making friends. Flying money business not only can promote trade and commerce, but also raise tax for every transaction depending on the size of the transaction - for the imperial court, and thus increase the revenue of the state treasury. To the imperial court, there are a hundred benefits without a single harm.”
Wen Yanbo smiled and said, “Huangshang must be very happy.”
Ren Jun’s gaze fell on Hu Xiaoxian’s pretty face, he spoke with complete confidence, “I’m a businessman, words of politeness I don’t know how to speak, in business, we speak business. I decided to set the capital of the opening of the bank as ten shares, each share is a hundred thousand taels of gold. Five shares will be mine, while the rest will be divided among old friends. If we make money in the future, the profits will be distributed according to the number of shares owned. Of the five shares that I have, three-shares-worth of after-tax profits will go to the national treasury.”
Kou Zhong and the others cried inwardly, ‘Showtime!’ One hundred thousand taels of gold were not a small amount, furthermore, it would be paid in real gold and white silver, even a rich man like Chi Shengchun, he would have no choice but to ask Xiang Gui’s direction to raise the money, and when he went to see Xiang Gui, his track would be under Ba Fenghan’s close surveillance.
Emotionally moved, Wen Yanbo said, “Restricted by the rule of official position, Yanbo has no chance to participate, moreover, I can’t even come up with half a share of the capital. But I am extremely touched by Situ Xiong giving thought to the imperial court in all respects. Tomorrow morning during the morning court, I will report as things really are to Huangshang. Huangshang ought to be very supportive of this.”
Yin Zuwen nodded and said, “Situ Laoban is indeed straightforward and agile, plus you have deep understanding of the way to succeed in doing business; count me in for a share.”
Song Shidao said, “Furong Ye is a businessman used to conscientious style, and his accounts are very clear. This aspect, gentlemen can jointly send someone to oversee, in order to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings on any item in the accounts. We are setting up our head office in Chang’an, precisely so that it will be convenient for all Laoban to supervise together.”
The ‘Great Immortal’ Hu Fo said, “Situ Laoban meticulous thought makes me feel reassured. It’s a pity that Hu Fo is financially weak, so I can barely take one share.”
Ren Jun laughed and said, “Da Xian is too modest!”
Everyone could not help casting their gaze to Chi Shengchun to see how he was going to make his move.
Remaining calm and unruffled in the midst of chaos Chi Shengchun said, “In order to avoid Da Laoban from expending a great deal of effort to find partners, how about Shengchun undertake the purchase of the remaining three shares?”
Ren Jun let out a long laughter, he said, “Hereby the bank is established. I would be grateful if Wen Daren would present a memorial to Huangshang, beseeching Huangshang to bestow our bank a name. After the accumulated funds of one million taels of gold are melted down, it will be cast with that name. At present, only gold can go through both inside and outside the Great Wall, hence if we obtain Huangshang’s favor, the bank’s reputation could immediately spread all over the world.”
Wen Yanbo cheerfully said, “Bestowing a name should not be a problem.”
Yin Zuwen raised his cup and said, “Let’s drink for our bank to be thriving and prosperous.”
In the warm atmosphere, everyone raised their cup and toasted each other.
Back at Situ Furong’s grand residence in Chong Ren District, coming out to meet them was actually Hou Xibai, who was acting as Song Shidao’s assistant, “There’s a spy!” he spoke in a low voice, while signaling with his eyes upward.
Everybody understood, they knew that a certain group had already sent a martial art master to eavesdrop on their conversation, and they had already guessed that the other party would do this, therefore, even if there were no outsiders present, they would still maintain their fake identities and converse using Pingyao local accent, even if they had to limit their talk to one or two sentences.
This moment, Ren Jun immediately put his true color as Situ Furong on display. Sitting in the main hall, he ordered everybody to set up the head office and deal with various matters related to raising the capital. He even ordered Kou and Xu, two men to go to the palace tomorrow to make a report, and assigned them the heavy responsibility of establishing contact with key people of the imperial court.
When they knew that the spy has left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and gathered at the round table in the main hall for a meeting. Wang Xuanshu and Zha Jie participated.
Kou Zhong said, “We are now in the danger zone, so in each step we take we have to be careful, to avoid one wrong word and the whole tray fall over the floor.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Lei Jiuzhi laughed and said, “It was really hard for me to hold back just now.”
Hou Xibai said with a sneer, “Of course you shouldn’t talk, don’t forget that you are acting as a slave.”
Lei Jiuzhi pretended to act like a slave; polite and modest, he replied, “Thank you Hou Ye, for reminding me, when I said it hard for me to hold back, I was talking about struggling hard to restrain myself from laughing, just by looking at Yin Zuwen and Chi Shengchun acting as if they would surely eat us up, I wanted to roar in laughter.”
Flattering him a little bit, Kou Zhong said, “Lei LaoGe came up with Zhu Xiang Da Ji [grand plan of punishing the Xiang], I guarantee that Old Chi and Old Yin will enter the trap without knowing what hit them.”
Zha Jie was baffled, “What strange plan brilliant scheme?” he asked, “Is it possible to reveal a little bit so that Xiashu [subordinate] and Xuanshu Gongzi know what’s going on, so that we can cooperate with all our strength?”
Lei Jiuzhi replied ambiguously, “It won’t be wise to reveal it. My divine plan and wonder consideration is that there should be no one coming to disturb us tonight, because Furong Ye is travel-worn, and in extreme need of rest. Therefore, whatever it is that you want to do, you must make arrangement tonight, as soon as possible.”
Frightened, Ren Jun said, “Did I go too far just now?”
Kou Zhong laughed aloud and said, “Who would know the real Situ Furong’s haughty manner? Right now, my eyebrows are knitted, and my head is full of ideas. Xiao Jun, you might as well take the initiative and pursue Hu Xiaoxian boldly, if you catch up with her, she is yours. The angrier Chi Shengchun is, the more successful you are.”
Greatly delighted, Ren Jun said, “Thank you, Shaoshuai!”
Kou Zhong gave Zha Jie a vague signal with his eyes, and then he winked and said, “Xiao Jie, do you want me to accompany you for a night meeting with beautiful women?”
Pleased beyond his expectations, Zha Jie nodded promptly.
Lei Jiuzhi sighed and said, “Too bad I am old! I have lost that kind of mood.”
Hou Xibai said, “Lei Dage is at most in your early fifties, how could you say old?”
Kou Zhong’s heart was moved, he said, “True! How can Lei Dage be considered old? How about going out with us?”
Lei Jiuzhi’s old face slightly blushed, he offered excuses, “How could I bear hardship like you guys? Now it is cold weather, frozen ground [idiom: bitterly cold], I think that the best place must be lying down inside a warm blanket.”
Kou Zhong said to Xu Ziling, “Let’s split up first, and then we go see Lao Shi together. Ha! Tonight will be a very interesting night, everything will be done according to plan.”
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling left Situ Mansion, they immediately felt that someone was watching them.
Xu Ziling signaled with his eyes that the watcher was in the dark, atop the magnificent house across the street. The two boys did not pay attention, they kept walking in the direction of Bei Li. Exiting the street, they turned into Qi Xing Avenue, which was parallel to the Vermilion Bird Boulevard, only separated by one big street, An Shang Avenue, and continued along the Imperial City toward the North Bridge. Pedestrians, carriages and horses were going back and forth in unending stream. Approaching the Bei Li, which never slept, the atmosphere became even more lively.
Kou Zhong leaned closer to Xu Ziling and said, “That idiot is really following us, nine out of ten I say he is sent by Chi Shengchun. Should we put a display of severity immediately on taking office [idiom: initial show of strength] first?”
Xu Ziling laughed and said, “You want to beat him up? If his eyes are swollen and his face black and blue, how can he see that we, two crappy gamblers are losing money?”
Kou Zhong raised his eyebrows at Xu Ziling, he ??laughed aloud and said, “You got that right!” And then he lowered his voice and said, “Brother! It was only now that I regained the feeling of being an ordinary person, I have no business being the pain-in-the-butt Shaoshuai. It strains me out that I nearly cannot breathe! The heavy burden on my shoulders is even more exhausting that it makes me call Niang all day long. His granny’s bear, shall we go to Ming Tang Wo or Six-Happiness?”
Xu Ziling replied, “Six-Happiness is too conspicuous, Ming Tang Wo is a bit safer. The stalker is precisely the fellow traveler who eavesdropped our conversation before, his skill can be considered not bad. Such a martial art master can’t possibly have leisure time to follow us for a whole day, twelve sichen a day. My guess is that after seeing us gambling a couple of hands, he should go back to report to Chi Shengchun.”
The two boys did not talk any more. Upon reaching the Ming Tang Wo, they gambled fiercely, which provoked other people’s raised eyebrows. They even lost money deliberately, before slumping away in deject like a defeated rooster.
As expected, no one followed them in secret anymore.
After parting company with Xu Ziling, Kou Zhong went to see Zha Jie in a wineshop nearby. The two men sat in a corner, they called the waiter and ordered a few side dishes to accompany the wine.
Kou Zhong narrated his meeting with Qingqing and Xi’er in details, and finally concluded, “Because they have had unpleasant experiences, they are very guarded and extremely wary of men. What they need the most is a sense of security, therefore, Xiao Jie, you must move Xi’er’s heart with sincerity. Graceful words, flowery speech will produce the opposite of the desired result; you must not show that you are too useless either, because they will feel that in the world in chaos, only outstanding heroes have the ability to protect his women. Don’t be afraid! I will wave the flags and shout battle cries [idiom: give support] on the side for you. However, in the end, to fight for Xi’er’s fragrant heart, you still have to rely on yourself.”
Zha Jie’s heart grew big and shrank small at the same time, he said, “How could I rely on myself?”
Putting the air of an expert, Kou Zhong taught the path to take, “What you just did won’t work, you acted like you are wimpy and without confidence. It’s not that I deliberately am flattering you, but you and Xi’er are really a good match. In term of outward appearance, Xiao Jie, you are tall and handsome; in term of strength and status, not only your martial art skill is outstanding, but even more, you are a core figure in our Shao Shuai Army. After Li Shimin becomes the emperor, your future outlook will be bright, whether you will take an official post or do business, it will be your choice.”
Chided by him, Zha Jie was very embarrassed, finally he stuck out his chest a little and said, “Thank you Kou Ye for your encouragement, but I never dared to speak to Xi’er, I am afraid I have already left a very bad impression in her heart.”
Kou Zhong cheerfully said, “Don’t worry! She practically did not remember you.”
Severely shaken, Zha Jie’s countenance changed, “What?” he said.
Inwardly Kou Zhong blamed himself for talking irresponsibly; trying to remedy the situation, he said, “When I said she did not remember you, I meant she did not remember your words and mannerism, and I mean that everything can be started afresh. Not speaking has a not-speaking advantage, which made her think that you are not making graceful words, flowery speech, but that you are an honest and reliable person. You could use the expression showing in your eyes and your action to win over her favorable impression toward you.”
Staring blankly, Zha Jie said, “Could it be that I just stare at her without talking?”
Having a headache, Kou Zhong said, “Of course I don’t want you to act like a mute, otherwise how could your relationship develop one step further. Ay! Husbands and wives must have committed sin in the previous life or perhaps it is a marriage predestined by fate! You should act like your normal self, just consider what I said just now as total nonsense, all right?”
Inside the study room of the Feng Mansion, finished listening to Xu Ziling’s report on the current situation, Feng Deyi nodded and said, “There shouldn’t be any problem in this regard, with Yin Zuwen’s participation, Pei Ji will definitely speak good words for you guys. With Li Yuan’s support, the opening of the bank will be where the water flows, a canal is formed [idiom: a matter of course], but how are you going to transport the crucial five hundred thousand taels of gold as the principal for the issuance of the money tickets? That is not a small amount. I am afraid that even the real Situ Furong would also have to spend a lot of effort to raise it. And then you still need to cast and engrave your future bank’s precious trademark on the gold ingots to be sent to various banks as soon as possible.”
Xu Ziling cheerfully said, “In the past, we took a large amount of gold from the treasure house, more than a million taels. To date, only less than half has been used. Currently, it is being shipped via the boats. Therefore, in order to escort this batch of gold, although we sent a large number of martial art masters to accompany the shipment this time, it won’t raise suspicion.”
Feng Deyi said happily, “So that’s how it is. Your move of giving someone a taste of his own medicine is extremely brilliant.”
After a short pause, he continued, “Jiancheng will return to Chang’an tomorrow to welcome Bi Xuan. Fu Cailin and his party reportedly arrived at Shanhai Pass five days ago, they should reach Chang’an within ten days. If you have something to do, it would be best to complete it as soon as possible, in the next few days.”
Xu Ziling spoke heavily, “Kou Zhong wants to see Li Shentong.”
Feng Deyi trembled slightly, he said, “Is it the right time now? He and Yuanji will return the day after tomorrow. I am afraid that one thing goes wrong, our entire plan will go down the drain.”
Xu Ziling said, “Kou Zhong once saved Li Shentong’s life, we …”
Feng Deyi cut him off, saying, “The kindness of saving one’s life won’t be too effective in this situation. If you want to persuade Li Shentong, it would be best to convince Xiuning Gongzhu first. She has the closest relationship with Li Shentong, with she talking to Li Shentong, it would be half the work, twice the effect. If she disagrees, she will still not betray Kou Zhong.”
Xu Ziling secretly felt a headache for Kou Zhong, but he had to agree with Feng Deyi’s view. Nodding in agreement, he said, “To see Xiuning Gongzhu, we can make arrangement via Shen Luoyan, no need to trouble Feng Lao.”
Feng Deyi said, “If Li Shentong is willing to stand on our side, and then have him persuading Xiao Yu and Chen Shuda, it will be a bit easier. Ha! You, Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong have become a guarantee of confidence, with you fully supporting Li Shimin, who would dare to doubt that there is absolutely a great chance of success?”
Xu Ziling sighed and said, “I saw Shi Zhixuan!”
Stunned, Feng Deyi repeated, “You saw Shi Zhixuan?” Momentarily, he did not seem to understand the meaning of these words.
And so Xu Ziling told him what really happened. He said, “To have my identity exposed like this, I really I don’t know whether it is a blessing or a curse.”
Feng Deyi muttered to oneself irresolutely for half a day, he said, “Not to have your identity revealed, naturally it would be the most ideal. Who could have thought that unexpectedly there is a secret tunnel connecting Guo Yue [state father-in-law] Mansion and the Taiji Palace? Based on your strength, things may not be without any chance of success at all. It would be best if you could delay this matter until Shimin comes back, and carry it out when everything is deployed properly. With this arrangement, I think it would be difficult for Shi Zhixuan to object.”
Accepting the advice, Ziling said, “It should be so.”
Feng Deyi laughed and said, “This matter has disadvantages and advantages. At least no one will doubt that you are working together with Li Shimin, because Shi Zhixuan and Ci Hang Jing Zhai have always been the two cannot exist together. Outsiders will think that Shi Zhixuan is throwing his lot with your side.”
Smiling wryly, Xu Ziling said, “That may be the only benefit.”
Feng Deyi spoke solemnly, “Shi Zhixuan is a naturally evil person, whether he is happy or angry, it’s hard to fathom, yet he has unlimited destructive power. All along he is the big trouble in our belly, therefore, we must destroy him before the uprising, otherwise he might make us ruining the enterprise for the sake of one basketful at any time. The person that he definitely will not allow to unite the world is Li Shimin, because it would represent Ci Hang Jing Zhai acquiring the complete victory.”
Xu Ziling nodded and said, “Feng Lao sees it very accurately. This moment Liao Kong Dashi has settled in the Dong Da Shi, I will come to see him tomorrow to talk with him, he should be more resourceful than us.”
Feng Deyi said, “There is one more thing I want to remind you, be careful about Yin Zuwen’s Seven Needles to Control the Mind that you told me about, if he suspects anything, he could randomly grab any one of you, deals ruthlessly with you, and it will be very easy to find all of our secrets.”
Xu Ziling remembered Lei Jiuzhi’s wretched state that day, and that he had to undergo a long period of recuperation before recovering - he could not help shuddering though not of cold. He said, “The most likely person he would grab would be Cai Yuanyong or Kuang Wentong, and then Kou Zhong or myself will make them eat big loss.”
“Where would you hide the five hundred thousand taels of gold?” Feng Deyi asked.
Xu Ziling replied, “It will be hidden in some secret place outside the Situ Mansion, I guarantee that no one will know, it will be completed before the banquet, otherwise it will be difficult to escape Chi, Yin and the others’ eyes and ears.”
Feng Deyi said, “You have done a good job, until now you still have not made half a wrong move.”
Xu Ziling bade farewell and left.