Chapter 77: Hao Ren and the Black and White Impermanence

The morning three days later.

As the mist over the Bohai Sea was just beginning to dissipate and the temperature had yet to rise, a fleet of over a hundred ships, fully loaded with cargo, sailed away from the port of Tianjin Guard.

The hundred-plus ships moved in unison like dragons entering the sea, startling the fish on both sides into scattering and retreating.

On the treasure ship in the center, Zhang Yunxiu stood at the bow, watching the deep blue seawater, smelling the cool, briny sea breeze, and letting the rising morning sun spill over his body.

Sunlight spilled over his shoulders, feeling like a free man.

"Young Master, Boss Hao is here." Just as he was preparing to continue enjoying the view, Han San brought a man dressed like a wealthy merchant onto the deck.

Zhang Yunxiu turned to look and saw that the man was about forty years old, short and stout, with a strawberry nose, bulging eyes, and a protruding belly; he walked just like a giant toad.

He wore a round-collared robe made of gold-threaded ramie silk, stepped in black boots inlaid with jade beads, and wore three emerald jade thumb rings on his ten fingers.

Just one look was enough to make one feel he was full of ostentatious wealth.

This man was Hao Ren, the owner of the most famous fabric shop in the capital, "Seven-Colored Clouds."

This man had no family background to rely on, and his business was not very large at first; the true turning point was the early years of Wanli, when Feng Bao ascended to the position of Director of Ceremonial.

He had spent a large sum of money early on to connect with Feng Bao's steward, Xu Jue.

The two became thick as thieves, digging holes and breeding maggots together, sharing the same pair of trousers. From then on, with the help of Feng Bao's influence, he took whatever he wanted.

In a mere ten years.

He had managed a small shop into the largest fabric firm in the capital.

He had branches in places like Suzhou and Nanjing.

In his own words, looking at people was just like doing business.

The better the goods, the sooner one must strike while they are cheap.

Therefore, when he learned that Zhang Yunxiu was handling affairs for the Emperor, he voluntarily brought out ten thousand taels of silver to purchase goods, with the profits to be split equally between the two afterward, purely as a gesture of support.

As the two continued, Zhang Yunxiu also wore a smiling face for this financier: "Boss Hao, you have really helped me a great deal. Rest assured, after we return, I will certainly make your generosity clear before the Emperor."

"Then this little one thanks you, Young Master Zhang." Hao Ren smiled, cupping his hands in a salute.

He was very clear about his own status, using "this little one" instead of "I" when replying to Zhang Yunxiu.

Hearing this, Zhang Yunxiu felt even more favorably toward this nouveau riche man.

Knowing when to advance or retreat and having a sense of propriety—though this man seemed flamboyant, his ability to conduct himself and his boldness were truly likable.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu show goodwill, Hao Ren also became more enthusiastic and tentatively said, "Young Master Zhang, this little one has heard that the goods you are selling this time are mainly salt? That stuff is indeed highly profitable, but I fear it might not be easy to sell it all off at once."

Besides, going to Joseon to sell salt, that stuff isn't so easy to handle either.

"Don't you worry about it; you'll know when the time comes," Zhang Yunxiu said mysteriously.

"Very well, this little one will wait for Young Master Zhang's brilliant plan to unfold." Hao Ren gave a fawning smile, his three large gold teeth emitting a dazzling light under the reflection of the sun.

Taking advantage of the gap while the two were talking, Han San also chatted with the black-faced man: "Boss Zhao, don't say I didn't help you, my old brother. You gave me a hand back then, and now I'm giving you a hand."

"Rest assured, I know." Boss Zhao nodded steadily. Originally, when Han San was still a Small Banner Officer, he was already a Trial Hundred-Household.

As it turned out, this kid Han San had hit the jackpot, first finding that Zheng Guotai, who was the brother of the current Consort De.

He caught the eye of the Zhang brothers and was promoted a rank for nothing.

Following by Zhang Yunxiu's side for over a year, he had risen rapidly and was now wearing the official robes of a Vice Thousand-Household.

He had changed to a large mansion and even married a beautiful concubine.

Yet he was still lingering in the position of Trial Hundred-Household.

Watching Han San's boundless glory, he could have bitten his back teeth to pieces.

Fortunately, this guy still had some conscience and didn't forget his old big brother when there were benefits; this time, he had specifically named him to come on this sea voyage.

As long as he boarded this ship, after returning, not to mention Vice Thousand-Household, a Hundred-Household position was guaranteed.

Just as Boss Zhao was thinking this, Han San patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "As long as you keep a good watch, the Young Master won't treat us poorly. In the future, let alone Thousand-Household, even a Town Commander of a garrison, you can sit in that seat."

"Then I shall have to rely on you, Master Han San." Boss Zhao smiled, saying with a hint of banter.

"Pah, pah, pah! Boss Zhao, you are really going to be the death of me." Han San hurriedly spat a few times and said in a fluster, "If it weren't for you, how could I have today's glory? In the future, you should still just call me Old San."

"Look at how scared you are." Boss Zhao waved his hand.

"Han San! Han San." Just as the two were chatting happily, Zhang Yunxiu's voice suddenly rose. Han San dared not delay, hurriedly taking leave of Boss Zhao and trotting to Zhang Yunxiu's side.

The two looked at each other, Han San cupped his hands in a salute, and Zhang Yunxiu signaled for him to skip the formalities, then asked, "The things I had Wang He prepare, did you send people to bring them all?"

"They are all brought." Han San nodded and added, "How could I dare forget the Young Master's instructions? As long as it was the fake stuff in Wang He's hands, we brought it all out, intending to sell it all off during this opportunity."

"I trust you with your work." Zhang Yunxiu smiled, then glanced at the restless Boss Zhao behind on the deck, seeing him as sturdy as an ox, with a face like black charcoal and an air of ferocity.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, what a brave warrior.

It was truly a pity for this man to be a Jinyiwei torturing prisoners. It would be better to be a vanguard, charging into battle and winning merit on horseback.

Following Zhang Yunxiu's gaze, Han San felt a surge of joy and introduced him: "Young Master, that man is Zhao Dazhuang, whom I recommended. Because he is dark-skinned, the brothers in our Jinyiwei all call him 'Black Boss'."

"Black Boss?"

Zhang Yunxiu frowned, feeling it was not quite right.

Clicking his tongue, Zhang Yunxiu looked at Han San and then at Zhao Dazhuang, and seeing the two, one white and one black, he couldn't help but tease, "Look at how you've been raised all white, and he is all dark and oily. Standing together, you two really look like Black and White Impermanence."

"Correct, the two of us little ones are the Black and White Impermanence who claim lives." Han San smiled, taking the opportunity to show his loyalty, "The Young Master is the King of Hell in the underworld; whoever the King of Hell wants to die, the two of us little ones will go and hook their souls."

Zhang Yunxiu laughed heartily, and Hao Ren, who was to the side, couldn't help but click his tongue: "Master San is truly loyal. With a White Impermanence like you, Young Master Zhang, who would dare to act against Young Master Zhang in the future?"

"Boss Hao, you call me Master San, I really can't bear that." Han San hurriedly pushed the title away with a smile.

"What's there to be unable to bear? A prime minister's gatekeeper is a seventh-rank official. I am a commoner, and you are a dignified Great Thousand-Household, what are you afraid of?"

Hao Ren's expression tightened, and he replied solemnly. Zhang Yunxiu did not want to hear Hao Ren's flattery anymore and urged him directly, "Enough, just rest well these few days. Whatever skills you have, wait until we reach Joseon to display them."

(End of chapter)