Chapter 25: The Heavenly King Covers the Earth Tiger

"What? Lao Cai has dysentery? When did it start?" Han Yong stared at Proprietor Zhao in astonishment.

"Those two dog-sired father and son — Lao Cai can't even get out of bed, and Cai Shenju is about the same."

"We're supposed to set sail the day after tomorrow. Should we delay a couple of days and see how Lao Cai's condition is?"

Han Yong hesitated. Lao Cai had already gone to sea twice with Proprietor Zhao. The cargo on each ship belonged to multiple owners and was of high value — absolutely no mixing up was allowed — so the purser was an indispensable role. The cargo for this voyage was already stored at a place outside the east city wall. Every time Proprietor Zhao and Lao Cai disappeared, it was to receive and tally the goods.

Proprietor Zhao shook his head. "The cargo's already half loaded. This shipment is worth nearly fifty thousand taels — how can it sit on the shore for long?"

Han Yong said, "In that case, why not let Lao Cai board the ship anyway? Maybe he'll recover in a few days."

Proprietor Zhao fixed his eyes on him. "Let him board? Do you know whether he ate something bad or caught malaria? If he gets on that ship and somehow gives everyone dysentery, what then?"

Han Yong said, "True. What can be done about this?"

Proprietor Zhao lowered his head and paced two lengths of the room. His men were fine at fighting and killing, but only one or two could read, and none at all could keep accounts. This Han Yong, for instance, ran his own silver-exchange shop and had an accountant, but the man was extremely slick. Proprietor Zhao had searched a long time before finding Lao Cai, who was fairly reliable. Now that he was sick, finding a replacement was truly difficult.

Han Yong thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "What about the new Accountant Chen? He's fairly dutiful. Why not take him along?"

"Dutiful he is, but after all, it's been a short time."

"Short or long, once he's at sea, what could he possibly do?"

"And once we reach Japan? Selling and receiving goods all happens on shore, with large sums of silver changing hands. How can you trust someone whose background you don't know?"

"Doesn't he have a cousin? It works out perfectly — Cai Shenju can't go either. When Accountant Chen goes ashore, keep his cousin on the ship. At worst, give him a bit more silver when we return. It's both a favor to him and a form of leverage."

Proprietor Zhao thought for a moment, then agreed. "Mm, that's a workable idea."

In the shop, Lu You wore a look of regret. "The whole family has dysentery. Looks like they won't be able to work for several days. He said the meat they ate last night might have been bad. His brother's come back now to look after them."

Chen Xin looked indignant. "That meat seller has no conscience."

"Who says otherwise? But the Proprietor seems furious — he even cursed Lao Cai a few times, said he's holding things up. What's there to hold up in this shop? If the two of us work a bit harder, we should manage for a few days without trouble."

Chen Xin said, "We'll just work a bit harder these few days and help cover for them. After work, let's go visit Lao Cai's family. At noon I'll go buy some food first."

"Fine, but don't buy any meat."

As the two were discussing, they heard the inner courtyard door creak. They peered out and saw it was Lao Wang. Expressionless, he came into the shop and said to Chen Xin, "The Proprietor wants you."

"Right away. Please lead the way, Brother Wang."

Chen Xin followed behind Lao Wang. It was his first time entering the second courtyard. He glanced around — the courtyard was not small, but its layout was the same as any other residence. Only the main building on the north side had one room partitioned as a formal hall, its door open, used for receiving guests. Lao Wang led Chen Xin to a door in the northeast corner. This was Proprietor Zhao's study. The entire compound faced south, a kan dwelling, so the study, representing the Wen Chang star, was placed in the northeast position.

"Master, Accountant Chen is here."

"Mm, let him in."

Chen Xin gave Lao Wang a slight cupped-hand salute. People this rude hated rudeness in others most of all, so Chen Xin made sure to observe every courtesy. Lao Wang ignored him as always, turned his head, and waited outside the door.

Chen Xin paid it no mind, pushed the door open, and entered the study. Once inside, he found it nothing like the study he had imagined. The room held a rosewood desk, and on the desk were indeed arranged the four treasures of the study — brush, ink, paper, and inkstone — along with paperweights and a ruler, all complete. Unfortunately, everything was covered in a layer of dust, clearly long unused. In the middle of the study, quite incongruously, sat a drunken-lord reclining chair. The walls bore not a single painting or calligraphy scroll, but were covered with Japanese swords of every kind.

Proprietor Zhao stood in the room with his hands behind his back. Seeing Chen Xin enter, he spoke. "Accountant Chen has been in my shop for ten or twenty days now. Are you accustomed to it?"

"To answer the Proprietor, I am accustomed."

"Lao Cai tells me you've learned all the accounting duties?"

"I can manage some. Much credit goes to Shopkeeper Cai's daily guidance, and the two clerks have treated me very well."

Proprietor Zhao was not skilled with words. After a few questions, the conversation stalled. Chen Xin, familiar with his temperament, did not prattle on either. The study fell silent for a moment.

Proprietor Zhao had intended to make polite conversation, but found it truly awkward, so he simply stopped beating around the bush.

"Do you dare go to sea?"

"Dare or not, the Proprietor has only to give the order."

"Not afraid of dying at sea?"

"I am afraid. But my parents always taught me to keep to my place and repay kindness with gratitude. Even in times of danger, I dare not forget. The Proprietor showed me the grace of recognition. Whatever the Proprietor commands, I will do my utmost to carry out."

Proprietor Zhao nodded. "Lao Cai said you value loyalty and sentiment. He didn't misjudge you. Mm, I hear you also have a cousin?"

Chen Xin thought briefly. Proprietor Zhao's question could have two purposes. One might be to bring the cousin into the shop to set his own mind at ease. The other might be to let him know that he was aware Chen Xin had relatives in Tianjin, to prevent him from entertaining other ideas.

"To answer the Proprietor, I have two cousins. Both are living with me at present."

"Two? Didn't Lao Cai say one cousin?"

"A few days ago I sent word back to Jizhou saying I'd found lodgings in Tianjin. This other cousin, surnamed Lu, followed along as well."

Proprietor Zhao furrowed his brow. This man had more than one cousin. After thinking a moment, he said, "I'm still short a cook on my ship. Would your cousin be willing to take the job? He could earn several dozen taels of silver upon returning."

Hearing this, Chen Xin understood that Proprietor Zhao still did not fully trust him. But this was not a bad thing for Chen Xin — having an acquaintance at his side was always reassuring. So he agreed without hesitation. "This cousin I just mentioned will certainly be willing. I'll accept on his behalf for now. Thank you for your consideration, Proprietor. In the future, I will redouble my efforts in your service."

Proprietor Zhao said, "Very well. Then go home, pack your traveling gear, and bring suitable clothing and writing supplies."

"Yes. May I ask when we depart?"

"It should be the afternoon of the day after tomorrow. A sea voyage is always a perilous path. You need not come to work tomorrow — settle your household affairs. Come to the shop the afternoon of the day after tomorrow." Then he called out loudly to Lao Wang outside, "Lao Wang, go find the Lady and get ten taels of silver for Accountant Chen."

Lao Wang acknowledged from outside, and his footsteps were heard fading into the distance.

Chen Xin hesitated upon hearing this. "Then tomorrow, won't Lu You be alone in the shop? Perhaps I should still come."

"No need. What money can the shop possibly earn? You may go home now. Remember, aside from your cousin, speak of this to no one." Proprietor Zhao said no more to Chen Xin, reclined into the drunken-lord chair, and closed his eyes to rest.

Chen Xin, seeing this, saluted and withdrew from the study. The opportunity he had been waiting for was finally in hand. Standing in the second courtyard, he took a deep breath to calm his mood. Just as he was feeling pleased, the door to the third courtyard suddenly creaked open. Chen Xin peered over — a rosy, lovely face appeared before his eyes. Why did it look so familiar?

"It's you!" Chen Xin finally realized. It was that young girl he had encountered at the Confucian Temple.

The girl spotted him at the same moment, her face full of surprise. She clearly had not expected to run into Chen Xin here. Her right hand pointed at Chen Xin as she stammered, "You, you, you—"

A moment later, a look of delighted surprise appeared on her face. She glanced left and right — no one was around — and her eyes curved into crescent moons again.

She whispered, "You little fellow, didn't I tell you to wait at the Confucian Temple? How did you find your way to my home?"

Chen Xin had no time to reply. His mind raced — he didn't understand what she meant by telling him to wait at the Confucian Temple. But right now the Proprietor was in the study. The urgent matter was to figure out this girl's identity. Given his frivolous behavior at the Confucian Temple that day, which was gravely at odds with the steady image he had cultivated in the shop, it would be very bad if the Proprietor learned the details. This had to be handled carefully.

At once, Chen Xin lowered his voice too. "Who says this is your home? This is clearly my home."

"Talking nonsense again. My father bought this courtyard. How could it be your home?"

So she really was the Proprietor's daughter. Chen Xin groaned inwardly and quickly saluted. "So it is the Young Lady. This student has been remiss. I am the new accountant, called Chen Xin. I was presumptuous that day at the Confucian Temple. Please, seeing that I went to the temple to pray for your family's blessings, do not take offense."

Miss Zhao did not believe him at all. "I will take offense. Still lying. How could praying for blessings involve seeking out Confucius? I'm not taking the top scholar exam."

"I'm asking for Confucius's elder brother."

"Confucius's elder brother?"

"Yes, his elder brother is Kong Fangxiong. I'm asking him to bless the Proprietor with prosperous fortune, and the Young Lady with great wealth and honor."

Miss Zhao covered her mouth and laughed softly, looking thoroughly amused.

Chen Xin seized the moment and added, "However, Kong Fangxiong has a bad habit — the person being blessed must not know about it, or it won't work."

Miss Zhao blinked. "As if I'd believe you..."

Just as Miss Zhao was speaking, the study door creaked open. Proprietor Zhao appeared in the doorway, staring coldly at Chen Xin. Both had been speaking very quietly; he had only heard voices conversing without catching the content. But an unmarried young woman speaking with a strange man was always improper. A flicker of displeasure toward Chen Xin rose in his heart.

"Father! So this is the new account keeper?" Miss Zhao abandoned Chen Xin, walking over to stand affectionately at Proprietor Zhao's side.

Proprietor Zhao ignored her and asked coldly, "You two are acquainted?"

Chen Xin, afraid Miss Zhao might say something careless, quickly interjected, "Yes. That day after you agreed to hire me, Proprietor, I went to the Confucian Temple to pray for blessings for you. I happened to meet the Young Lady and gave her directions, which is how we became acquainted."

"Oh." Proprietor Zhao's expression eased slightly, and with the same puzzlement as his daughter, he asked, "Going to the Confucian Temple to pray for blessings for me? What kind of blessings?"

Miss Zhao thought he was about to mention Kong Fangxiong and couldn't help laughing again, the corners of her mouth lifting. Her father detested glib talkers most of all — she was eager to see how Chen Xin would get a face full of dust.

"Confucius's disciple Duanmu Zigong is the patriarch of Confucian merchants, one of the Ten Sages of the Confucian Temple. This junior was praying to him, asking him to bless the Proprietor with boundless wealth and a lifetime of peace."

A smile finally touched Proprietor Zhao's scarred face. Men who sailed the seas liked hearing the word "peace" most of all. He nodded. "So that's it. You are indeed a scholar — rare that you know so much. Go back to the shop first. Later, collect your silver from Lao Wang and settle your household affairs."

"Yes, this student takes his leave." Chen Xin bowed to each of them and hastily made his escape.

Miss Zhao had not expected Chen Xin to produce yet another answer. Her mouth hung open for a long moment before she remembered to return a curtsy.

Once Chen Xin had exited the second courtyard, Proprietor Zhao's face hardened as he asked her, "Was what he said true?"

"It's true he gave me directions, but I didn't see whether he prayed for Father or not."

"Hmph. A young woman should not always be running about outside, still less speaking with men she doesn't know."

Miss Zhao tugged at Proprietor Zhao's hand, swinging it. "Father, that day I got separated from Old Zhang, didn't I?"

"When there's nothing to do from now on, stay home more and keep your mother company. I'll be going out again in a couple of days. Don't spend all day running wild outside."

"I know."

A quarter-hour later, Chen Xin strolled unhurriedly out of the shop, the ten taels of silver from Lao Wang tucked in his bosom. He had narrowly bluffed his way through, and Miss Zhao hadn't reported him either. Otherwise, Proprietor Zhao would certainly have formed a poor opinion of him, and this chance to go to sea might have vanished. Miss Zhao was a strange girl too, speaking without rhyme or reason — when had she ever told him to go to the Confucian Temple?

Shaking his head, he walked on. Passing by the Confucian Temple, he glanced at it unconsciously — and that glance nearly made him stumble. On the pillar of the memorial archway outside the temple was conspicuously pasted a large slip of paper, bearing several large characters: "The Heavenly King Stamps the Earth Tiger — Meeting Place to Buy an Old Woman." It was exactly the secret code he had made up on the spot with Miss Zhao. It must have been posted a couple of days ago. No wonder she had just said to go to the Confucian Temple.

Chen Xin's mouth fell open. It took him a long moment to recover. "This is a rendezvous. Could it be this little miss has taken a fancy to me? She's decent-looking, but far too young — hasn't even matured yet. And so foolish — arranging a rendezvous without even writing a time."