Chapter 40

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu)'s fist was clenched tightly inside the wide sleeves of the robe, the fingernails almost digging into the flesh.

They could feel that the part of emotion belonging to Wang Hui within this body was raging violently, a blood‑heat mixed with humiliation and anger, surging straight to the crown of the head.

Such an outrageous insult!

Father Wang Jin's corpse has not even chilled, and these jackals are already pouncing, and as soon as they open their mouths they want to tear away the fattest piece of meat from the Wang Family!

Thirty thousand guan! That's almost one‑fifth of the Wang merchant house's Liuli industry's annual net profit! To think they could take it with just a thousand guan? How is that any different from outright robbery!

Wang Xiu forcibly suppressed the impulse belonging to Wang Hui, and with the cool reasoning from a later era quickly analyzed the situation before them.

Do not lose temper, absolutely not.

The Liu‑named steward before them is merely a small figure borrowing authority; getting angry with him is pointless and would only blow the matter out of proportion, causing a loss.

Refusing outright? Even worse.

He is invoking the banner of Gao Lishi. Who is Gao Lishi? He is the eunuch most trusted by the present emperor Li Longji, a cavalry general whose power dominates the court. Although Wang Xiu, based on historical knowledge, judges that with Gao Lishi's shrewdness and caution, he is unlikely to personally order such a crude extortion, he is not so foolish as to blackmail a Household Department Minister's family that has just died and whose imperial favor has not yet faded.

But this matter is, in ninety percent of cases, the doing of this Liu steward himself, hoping to use the general's name to scoop up a windfall.

The problem is, after all, he is a person from Gao Lishi's household. If a powerless fifth‑rank itinerant official directly rebuffs his face, he could go back and embellish the story with bad words before Gao Lishi; even if Gao Lishi does not care, it would be enough to bring endless trouble to the Wang Family.

Give?

Then that's even more unacceptable!

Today they took thirty thousand guan worth of goods with a thousand guan; tomorrow will someone dare to take a hundred thousand guan of goods empty‑handed? Once this fattest piece of the Wang Family is cut open, countless jackals will smell the blood and pounce, gnawing the Wang Family down to the bone.

Therefore, this matter must be handled well. Not only must the immediate crisis be resolved, but Gao Lishi must not be offended, and the Wang Family must not become a soft target in others' eyes.

In the blink of an eye, dozens of plans flashed through Wang Xiu's mind, finally settling on the optimal solution.

Retreat to advance, pull the firewood from under the pot!

He loosened his clenched fist, the muscles on his face that had been tensed by anger relaxed, even squeezing out a slightly embarrassed and flattering smile.

"Steward Liu, you... you see how this matter has escalated," Wang Hui (Wang Xiu)'s voice sounded a bit feeble, like a young Head of Family who had just taken over the business and had never seen a major scene.

He picked up the thousand‑guan voucher on the table and glanced at the long cargo list; his expression grew even more troubled.

"To be frank, General Gao favoring our Wang Family's goods is a huge blessing. Not to mention thirty thousand guan, even three hundred thousand guan of goods—if the General says a word, our Wang Family would smash pots and sell iron just to satisfy him!"

When those words were spoken, Steward Liu's arrogance thickened, his chin nearly lifted to the heavens. He knew that this fresh‑orphaned youngster, whose father had just died, had no backbone and would crumble at a scare.

"The Wang Head of Family truly is a person of great understanding," Steward Liu said with a forced smile, "We have always known that the son raised by Minister Wang cannot go wrong."

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) nodded repeatedly, a look of gratitude on their face, then turned the conversation, frowning, and said, "But... Steward Liu, there is something you do not know."

He picked up the list, pointing at the highly demanding Liuli screen and Liuli lanterns, sighed: "These items the General's residence wants are the finest in our merchant house, each must be hand‑crafted by master artisans, time‑ and labor‑intensive. With an order this large, the production period... is likely to be very long."

"And," he paused, carefully watching Steward Liu's expression, "for an order this big, I, a youngster who just took over the family business, cannot be the decision‑maker. When my father was alive, he held the General in great respect, often saying the General is the nation's pillar, the emperor's arm. Now the General's residence needs these items; if we make any mistake, use inferior goods, or delay the General's annex construction, then Wang Hui would be doomed beyond redemption!"

Steward Liu frowned, a hint of impatience in his heart: "What exactly are you trying to say? Whether it can be done or not, give me a straight answer!"

"It can be done! Of course it can be done!" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) said immediately, then rose from the seat, bowing deeply to Steward Liu, with an utmost humble attitude.

"Only, to ensure absolute safety and not tarnish the General's reputation, I wish to go personally to the residence to pay respects to General Gao!"

"What?" Steward Liu was stunned; he hadn't expected Wang Hui to make such a request.

Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) hurriedly explained, with utmost sincerity: "Steward Liu, think about it— the styles, dimensions, colors on this order are merely words. I'm afraid our craftsmen might misinterpret and produce something the General doesn't like. Therefore, I wish to consult the General in person, to see if the General has any special preferences or requirements for the annex's Liuli decorations. We will certainly follow the General's wishes and do our best! Only then can we demonstrate our Wang Family's respect for the General!"

These words were watertight and reasonable.

Steward Liu for a moment could not find any reason to object. Not letting him go? Could it be that he himself wants to obstruct, preventing the Wang Family from wholeheartedly serving the lord?

Wang Xiu looked at Steward Liu's fickle expression, sensed the timing was right, and immediately added the final piece of firewood.

He hurried to the nearby writing desk, opened a locked drawer, took out an exquisite wooden box, and handed it to Steward Liu with both hands.

"Steward Liu, you have labored so much for the General's residence, truly hard work. This is a small token, not a formal tribute, but I hope you will accept it. In the future, our Wang Family will continue to rely on your care."

Steward Liu instinctively opened the wooden box, and saw two ingots of fifty taels of snow‑flake silver lying quietly inside, shimmering temptingly in the light.

One hundred taels!

That's almost a year's profit for a steward like him!

Steward Liu's eyes instantly sharpened; the doubt and displeasure on his face were instantly replaced by greed.

He weighed the silver in his hand, a cold sneer in his heart.

"This kid is somewhat shrewd, but still too young. Want to see the General? See him if you must! Do you still dare to lodge a complaint against me before the General? Moreover, this order is the one I delivered; when the time comes I will say it was the Wang Head of Family himself who hurried to honor the General, proactively sending the goods, and I couldn't stop it. The General receives a tremendous benefit and will be pleased; there will be no way he will hold me accountable."

He thought this through, tucked the silver into his pocket, cleared his throat, and assumed a "I'll give you credit" demeanor.

"Hmm, you make a valid point. Since you are so eager, we will arrange it for you. Prepare yourself; tomorrow at dawn, come with me to the General's residence."

"Thank you, Steward Liu! Thank you for making this possible!" Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) showed a look of ecstatic joy, repeatedly bowing, respectfully seeing Steward Liu out of the gate.

Only after Steward Liu's figure disappeared around the street corner did Wang Hui's smile instantly fade, replaced by a cold stillness.

"Head of Family, you really intend to go see General Gao? What if... what if this truly is General Gao's intention, then our Wang Family..." the worried old steward behind him said as he stepped forward.

"Fubo, don't worry." Wang Hui (Wang Xiu) turned, patted the old steward's shoulder, his gaze revealing a depth and confidence incongruous with his age.

"Whether it's a fox or a tiger, after meeting tomorrow, it will naturally become clear."

He is not going to walk into a net of his own making; he intends to pierce that thin veil.

This Steward Liu gave him an excellent chance, a direct line to Gao Lishi. Crisis, crisis, within danger lies opportunity. If maneuvered correctly, this "danger" can become the Wang Family's "opportunity" to stand firm in the Kaiyuan court!

"Fubo, go to the storeroom, fetch the ink slab of Duanxi fish‑brain jelly my father treasured, and also prepare a pair of top‑grade Liuli paper. Tomorrow, I will bring a substantial gift to pay respects to General Gao."

"Understood, Head of Family." The old steward, watching his Head of Family's mountain‑steady silhouette, felt his previously uneasy heart suddenly calm.

He seemed to once again see the figure of Wang Jin, who years ago devised a plan to pacify the south and stir the world.

No, perhaps this young Head of Family will go farther than his father.