Chapter 161: Linjiang Warehouse

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing saw Wang Yang's expression and grew concerned. "I don't know what you're after with Liu Yin, but I must warn you: don't provoke him in Jingzhou. Never mind how the Prince of Badong might react—just consider Liu Yin himself. Though he's of humble origin, he's now Jingzhou's Chief Secretary, ranking second only to the Prince of Badong in official status, with real power to match. Moreover, he holds the additional post of Governor of Nanyang. You're registered in Jiangling and are a student at the prefectural academy—you're technically under his jurisdiction. Fighting him here would be foolish."

Wang Yang smiled. "I understand, Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Xie Lady Xie Niangzi, don't worry."

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing's breath caught. "W-what's there to worry about? I'm not worried at all! I just mentioned it in passing—whether you listen or not is up to you..."

"Yes yes yes, Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Xie Lady Xie Niangzi isn't worried."

"Not worried? I just said I'm not... hey?" Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing was confused. She couldn't tell if Wang Yang was agreeing that she wasn't worried—or if he'd rephrased it to reassure her, which would mean he still thought she was worried!

By then, Wang Yang had drained his cup and held it up to Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing, showing the bottom.

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing couldn't press further. She reluctantly drank her cup, looking slightly wounded.

She watched as Wang Yang refilled her cup with the wine jug, recalling his earlier mention of three toasts. She sniffed. "So tell me—what's the real reason for this third cup? Are you asking me to help you again?"

"This third cup isn't just for my sake—it's for both of us. Ten thousand folding fans will be ready in five days and stored at Linjiang Linjiang Huozhan. Prepare a boat and crew. At midnight on the fifth day, have your people wait by the warehouse gate. Hei Han will lead them inside to load the goods."

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing frowned. "Midnight? Why so late? Why load at night for a proper business?"

Wang Yang answered quickly: "You don't understand, Fourth Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Lady Xie Lady Lady Xie Lady Xie Niangzi. Ten thousand folding fans are no small number. By now, many shops in Jingzhou are copying them. Our advantage in selling to Jiankang lies in being first. During daylight, there are too many eyes. If word leaks, others will rush to ship copies to Jiankang too—even if slower than us, they'll still steal market share... meaning, they'll steal our business."

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing stared at Wang Yang without speaking.

Wang Yang's expression remained calm. "Also, the area around Linjiang Linjiang Huozhan is too busy by day—carts and horses come and go constantly, causing traffic jams and delays. At night, the roads are clear, no idle onlookers, quiet and orderly—perfect for counting goods. Loading the boat will be much faster."

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing nodded, convinced. "I see. Then perhaps we can meet that night—to toast the fans' success."

"I can't. I have something else to do."

Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Xing frowned. "What?"

Wang Yang stretched, smiling. "Something big."

Five days later, at dusk.

Wang Yang rushed to see Wang Tai, pale and breathless, barely able to stand.

"Oh my, sit down, sit down!" Wang Tai gripped Wang Yang's hand—chilled from prolonged immersion in cold water. "Nephew, what's wrong?"

"Uncle! The Prince of Badong has already shipped the grain to Linjiang Linjiang Huozhan's warehouse! It departs at midnight! I just signed the documents under the watch of the Wang Fu guards! The loading and transport are all under my name! Even the warehouse is registered to me! Uncle, what do I do?! Those... those are official grain from the Ever-Normal Granary!"

Wang Yang's voice trembled more with each word; by the end, he nearly wept.

Of course.

Wang Tai had already discovered that though the warehouse at Linjiang Linjiang Huozhan was registered under Wang Yang's name, the actual operator was mysterious—his true identity unconfirmed, but likely tied to the Prince of Badong's household.

Coupled with the Prince's earlier scheme to have Wang Yang falsely listed as a participant in the Ever-Normal Granary's construction, Wang Tai now suspected the Prince intended to use Wang Yang as a decoy to smuggle official grain—and when caught, pin everything on him. A clever plan indeed.

Seeing Wang Yang only now realize the danger, Wang Tai sneered inwardly but spoke soothingly: "Nephew, don't fear—I'm here. Even if he's a Garrison Prince, he won't easily make a Langya Wang clan member his scapegoat. Tell me slowly: how much grain is stored? Where is it being sent? And how can you be certain it's from the Ever-Normal Granary?"

Wang Yang's lips quivered, his eyes wide with panic and helplessness.

"I don't know how much—only that both warehouses are full. I don't know where it's going. But I swear, it's Ever-Normal Granary grain! I saw the seals of the grain merchants on the sacks!"

"Grain merchant seals?"

Wang Yang clenched his hands tightly, knuckles white. "Yes! Normally, grain merchants don't stamp their sacks—but before entering the Ever-Normal Granary, they must! It's a court regulation to assign responsibility and prevent fraud—substituting sand for grain, poor quality for good! I only know this because I helped draft the granary's charter!"

Wang Tai fell silent. Though all signs pointed to the Prince smuggling official grain, such a grave matter couldn't rest on Wang Yang's word alone. Fortunately, the city gates were still open—if he'd arrived even a moment later, there'd be no way to verify.

He rose and paced two steps. "Can you still enter the warehouse?"

Wang Yang nodded frantically. "Yes—I have the warehouse deed."

"Good. Nephew, this is too serious. I can't rely on your account alone. I'll send someone with you—to confirm one last time—"

Wang Yang interrupted: "Uncle, I—"

"I don't doubt you! But you only saw the sacks—you didn't see the grain itself. The world is full of strange things. What if the sacks don't contain grain at all..."

"Uncle, that's impossible!"

"Nephew, nothing beats seeing with your own eyes. The Prince of Badong is unpredictable—what if he's filled those sacks with something bizarre? Wouldn't we be spared a false alarm?"

Seeing Wang Yang still unconvinced, Wang Tai continued: "Secondly, it's for your protection. It's late, and you're leaving the city—better to be cautious. You've seen Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian's swordsmanship—he'll keep you safe. I'll rest easier knowing he's with you."

Wang Yang glanced at Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian, visibly reluctant. "I can use my own guards. No need to trouble Master Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian."

"Your beautiful bodyguard may be lovely, but she's no match for Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian. More importantly, Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian serves as a witness. If the Prince of Badong is determined to pin this on you, your testimony alone won't suffice. But with Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian present, I can legitimately intervene."

Wang Tai cut off further protest. He turned to Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian's impassive face. "Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian, protect my nephew. Understood?"

"Understood."

Wang Yang and Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian left the city before the gates closed, heading straight for Linjiang Linjiang Huozhan.

Night. The moon shone like a white ribbon.

The sky stretched over open fields; the wooden gate stood tall. A patrol of guards moved in rhythm.

Shadows shifted, lanterns swayed—over a dozen men guarded the entrance alone.

It couldn't be helped. To be near the river for transport, the warehouse had to be built outside the city. Without city walls for protection, official aid couldn't arrive quickly in an emergency—so defenses had to be strengthened.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

The guard raised his lantern—recognized Wang Yang, and instantly beamed. "Oh! Young Master Wang! What an honor to see you at this hour! Just send word—we'll handle it! No need to come yourself!"

Wang Yang smiled faintly. "I'm here to inspect the goods. Lead the way."

"Of course! Young Master, this way!" "Let me guide you!" "I'll hold your horse!"

Several men answered at once, all eager to serve.

The manager himself stepped forward. "Young Master, this way—I'll light your path!" He didn't even glance at the deed.

Wu Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Sima Qian stared at Wang Yang in surprise. For the first time, he saw in this fake scholar the bearing of a superior—not the haughty arrogance of a lord looking down, but a quiet, effortless authority. His smile was warm, his request casual, yet delivered as if it must be obeyed—as natural as wind stirring leaves or rain wetting flowers.

He'd never seen this in Wang Yang before.

Somehow, this fake scholar had actually pulled it off.

——————

Note: Historical records only state Liu Yin served as Chief Secretary; they do not mention his additional role as Governor of Nanyang. However, the Guang Hongming Ji includes a letter titled "To Governor Liu Jingrui," and Jingrui was Liu Yin's courtesy name. Moreover, it was common for a provincial Chief Secretary to concurrently hold a prefectural governorship—akin to a deputy provincial governor also serving as city mayor. In the Southern Dynasties, Jingzhou Chief Secretary concurrently serving as Governor of Nanyang appears to have been a tradition.

For example: Yu Yu Dengzhi of Liu Song (Nan Shi: Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Lady Xie Hui, as Jingzhou Inspector, appointed him Chief Secretary and Governor of Nanyang); Xiao Yingzhou of Southern Qi (Nan Qi Shu: Emperor He appointed Xiao Yingzhou as General of the Champion, Western Middle Secretary, Governor of Nanyang, and Acting Head of Jingzhou's civil and military affairs); Liu Liu Zhilin and Liu Zhiheng of Zhuge Zhuge Liang (Nan Shi: Liu Liu Zhilin was appointed as Chief Secretary and Governor of Nanyang); He Ge (Nan Shi: appointed as Acting Chief Secretary and Governor of Nanyang); Wang Jun (Zhuge Zhuge Liang Shu: appointed as General of the Far-Advancing, Acting Chief Secretary, and Governor of Nanyang). Examples abound; I list only a few.

Ps: The titles mentioned above—"General of the Western Pacification," "Western Middle Secretary," etc. —are all variants of Jingzhou Chief Secretary. In the Southern Dynasties, provincial Inspectors held military titles like Zhen, Ping, or Zheng. Since the Chief Secretary was a military office, his title often reflected the general's designation. Hence, the Gao Seng Zhuan records a monk meeting Liu Yin as "Chief Secretary Liu Jingrui of the Zhenxi Army." Zhenxi was the general's title. The Nan Qi Shu, compiled during Zhuge Zhuge Liang, notes that when the Prince of Badong was appointed Jingzhou Inspector, he was granted the title Zhenjun General.

I suspect "Zhenjun General" is a textual error for "Zhenxi General." Three reasons: First, the Nan Qi Shu elsewhere records Xiao Zilong: "In the eighth year, he replaced Prince Prince Yufu's son Xiang as Acting Commissioner, Governor of Jingzhou, Zhenxi General." Prince Prince Yufu's son Xiang was the Prince of Badong—Zilong succeeded him in the post of Zhenxi General.

Second, newly appointed Jingzhou Inspectors were typically granted Zhenxi. For instance, the Prince of Badong's uncle, Prince of Yuzhang Xiao Ni, held Zhenxi General when appointed Jingzhou Inspector. Zhenjun was three ranks higher than Zhenxi—it would be unreasonable for the Prince of Badong to receive such a high title immediately.

Third, the Nan Zhuge Zhuge Liang-era Gao Seng Zhuan refers to Liu Yin as "Zhenxi Chief Secretary."

I heard illustrations are allowed—I'll test the waters.

This image is from the 1972 Zhonghuashu Bureau edition of Nan Qi Shu, Volume 16, "Office List." The Prince of Badong's Zhenxi General title is one of the "Four Zhen Generals."

【67】 Southern Dynasties military titles were complex. To us, they may seem like mere word variations—but to contemporaries, each title carried distinct meaning and profound impact on life. The compiler of Nan Qi Shu was a member of the Southern Qi imperial clan; these distinctions were common knowledge to him. Combined with the text's format, the details are abbreviated. If you don't yet grasp what each title signifies, don't worry—these will unfold gradually as the world expands.