Chapter 48: Homecoming

Old Wang knelt on the deck, tears streaming down his face. "Master, we're home." After speaking, he began to sob. Chen Xin turned away from the bow, walked all the way up to the steering tower, and looked ahead. The distant outline of Tianjin city was faintly visible. The person closest to him in this era was right there. In the blink of an eye, nearly two months had passed since he left. He had gone from being a mere bookkeeper to a promising prospective boss. He had opened up routes to both Japan and the Great Ming. Although his share was still small, at least he no longer had to worry about making a living.

"Chuanzong, once I disembark, I have to go with them to the Japanese dried seafood Dian first to deliver Proprietor Zhao's ashes and silver. After you dock, stay on the ship and guard it. You can hire a cart first, but don't stray too far from the ship."

"Yes, Brother Chen, don't worry. I'll stake my life on it." Lu Lvzi knew about Chen Xin's fifteen thousand taels. With this money, the group of clerks would have no worries about food and clothing. Now that they were right at the doorstep, absolutely nothing could go wrong.

After Chen Xin finished instructing Lu Lvzi, Song Wenxian came over to find him again.

"Brother Chen, in a bit we'll go with Hei Pao and the others to the Japanese dried seafood Dian first. Don't rush to unload the cargo on the ship. We'll wait for a chance to shake them off, then come back to retrieve the silver. By the way, is that Zhu Guobin dead set on following you?"

"He hasn't said anything, and he followed us the whole way. Still, better be careful. We'll think of a way to send him off for a bit when the time comes."

"If everyone's sent away, who's going to move the silver?"

"I have people on the shore. I live on Erdaojie in Jingdongfang, not far from the Dongyuan Japanese dried seafood Dian. I'll find a moment to notify them and have them come move it. That's safer."

"Put my share at your place too. Wang Yong can help."

"Mm. If Mr. Song can't come along then, just find another time to come by. Ask for the newly arrived Liu family at Jingdongfang."

"Alright. The last leg of a hundred miles is the hardest. Let's be careful in everything." Chen Xin nodded, and the two said no more.

Half a shichen later, the Zhu Yin ship docked at the pier where they had departed. Chen Xin and Song Wenxian followed Old Wang and the others off the ship. They hired a cart to load Proprietor Zhao's silver and entered the city through the Zhenhai Gate to the east. Now that the Later Jin had withdrawn, the city defenses were relaxed, and no one checked them upon entry.

"Brother Chen, you're back!"

Chen Xin looked up and saw it was actually Zhou Shifa. He was wearing a new padded coat and stood to the side, looking excited.

Chen Xin said in delighted surprise, "Brother Zhou, when did you get back?"

"I only returned a few days ago. My mother said Daixi went over to help the very next day. I truly must thank you."

"Brother Zhou, there's no need for such courtesy."

"Brother Chen, where have you been trading lately?"

"I made a trip to Dengzhou. Just bought some goods and came back. By the way, Brother Zhou, are you on duty all day today?"

"Yes, I'm off duty tomorrow morning."

"I'll have some more goods later. If it gets late, I'll have to trouble Brother Zhou to make an exception for me."

Zhou Shifa waved his hand generously and said, "No problem. Forget other matters, but when it comes to the city gate, just come to me and I guarantee I'll get it sorted for you."

Chen Xin saw that Old Wang and the others had already walked far ahead. He couldn't afford to delay, so he hastily said goodbye to Zhou Shifa and chased after them. After walking a stretch, the familiar sights of Dongmen Avenue made Chen Xin unable to restrain himself. Old Wang and the others ahead had already turned north into a street. He stopped following them and continued hurrying west. He planned to run faster, get to Jingdongxiang first to show his face, and arrange for people to meet him outside the city. He quickly reached the entrance of Jingdongxiang. As soon as he entered Yidaojie, he broke into a sprint. Everyone on Yidaojie turned to stare.

The buildings on both sides quickly receded behind him. Chen Xin ran panting to Erdaojie. That familiar little courtyard was so endearing. He pushed the gate wide open.

"Aiya, who is it? You scared me…"

Wang Daixi was sweeping up scraps on the ground and dumping them into a bamboo basket by the courtyard gate. She was startled. Thinking it was Deng Keshan and the others again, she was about to grumble a bit when she saw that familiar face. For a moment, she didn't react.

"Daixi, what are you doing?" …

"Ya! Brother Chen is back! Hey, Brother Chen is back!" Wang Daixi jumped for joy, threw down the broom, and shouted into the courtyard. She came over and tugged at Chen Xin's sleeve. Liu Minyou, Dai Zhenggang, and the others rushed to the doorway one after another, while the young followers threw themselves at him, hugging him affectionately.

Hai Gouzi wore a silly grin. Not knowing what to say, his hand kept tightly gripping Chen Xin's clothes. Zhang Erhui loudly shouted "Brother Chen." Chen Xin patted each of them on the head.

Liu Minyou chuckled as he looked at Chen Xin. This friend of many years was tanned almost to the complexion of those trackers, and his face had thinned. But it was good that he was back. Going to sea in this era was no joke. Everyone had been very worried these days. The business was getting better and better, and the ones they worried about in daily life were him and Lu Lvzi. In a blink, he noticed Chen Xin was alone and asked, "Where's Lu Chuanzong? Didn't he come back with you?"

Chen Xin shooed the young followers aside, pulled over the refugee and Dai Zhenggang, and whispered, "I have to go to the Japanese dried seafood Dian right away. I can't stay here long. You go to the Wei River bank immediately. There's a cargo ship flying a blue-backed Dengzhou Coastal Defense Circuit official banner. Lu Lvzi is on board. Find him first when you get there. I have some goods to move."

Liu Minyou said, "You brought goods yourself? But we have a batch of goods to rush out today. If everyone leaves, what about these goods?"

Chen Xin glanced around the courtyard. Only then did he realize it had been turned into a garment-making workshop. He was slightly surprised, but this was no time to ask. He only said to Liu Minyou, "We'll talk about other things tonight. For now, never mind these goods. Listen to me, go to the dock. My goods are very important. I'm off."

Chen Xin hurried out the door again. He ran all the way to the Dongyuan Japanese dried seafood Dian and happened to run into Old Wang's group right at the entrance. Song Wenxian was anxiously looking back, and when he saw Chen Xin running over from this direction, he came up and scolded Chen Xin. Chen Xin quietly said to him, "The people to unload the goods are arranged. In a bit, find an excuse, and we'll go get the silver."

Hearing that he had gone to find people, Song Wenxian stopped complaining. Now it was like a piece of fatty meat was already between his chopsticks, and he couldn't help but subconsciously lick his lips. However, no matter how anxious he was, he had to see Proprietor Zhao delivered first. Hei Pao and Ba Zi were mid-level cadres; he couldn't lose their loyalty.

The two then followed Old Wang and the others, entering through the side gate in the alley of the Japanese dried seafood Dian. The one who opened the door was Old Xu. Seeing Old Wang's mournful face as he held an urn, her expression changed. She stood at the doorway at a loss. Only after a moment did she step back, let out a cry, and run toward the third courtyard.

Chen Xin and Song Wenxian followed at the very back. Everyone entered the second courtyard. They heard weeping quickly erupt from the third courtyard, and faintly heard Old Xu loudly calling for the maids. It seemed Lady Zhao had fainted. Old Wang and the others knelt dejectedly on the ground. Only Song Wenxian, mindful of his status, remained standing.

After waiting for a good while, the weeping gradually subsided. Old Xu, Juxiang, and a few others supported Lady Zhao as she came out. The moment she exited the gate of the third courtyard, Lady Zhao saw the urn Old Wang was holding. She let out a miserable cry and fainted again. Chen Xin quickly ran into the main hall and brought out a chair. Old Xu and the others lifted Lady Zhao onto the chair. They pressed her philtrum and fanned her. After a long while, Lady Zhao slowly came to. She slumped in the chair, her eyes staring blankly ahead, her lips trembling slightly.

"Madam, the Master passed on the fifth day of the sixth month. That day, Old Wang failed to protect the Big Boss. It was all because that man suddenly burst out of the cabin. I truly didn't see him, otherwise, even if it cost me my life, I would have protected the Big Boss. Please punish me, Madam, Miss." Old Wang knocked his forehead against the floor with a thumping sound.

Ba Zi also buried his head, making whimpering sounds. A flurry of footsteps came from outside the main hall. The long-absent Miss Zhao appeared at the doorway, wearing a pretty dress, her hairpin askew. She must have just gotten up. Her face pale, she came to Lady Zhao's side.

"Mother, Mother." Miss Zhao called out a few times, then choked with sobs. The maids and serving women wept even harder, a chorus of crying. …

Chen Xin, standing nearby, advised Lady Zhao, "Madam, if you are grieving, it's better to cry it out. Don't hold it in and harm your health."

Miss Zhao hugged Lady Zhao's leg and said, "Mother, listen to Bookkeeper Chen. Talk to me."

Lady Zhao seemed stupefied, her eyes staring blankly, showing no reaction.

Song Wenxian had originally come just to make an appearance. Seeing Lady Zhao unresponsive, he couldn't help but grow anxious. He couldn't deliver his polite platitudes and thus couldn't find a reason to leave. Seeing that Chen Xin was also at a loss, an idea struck him. He went before Old Wang, took the urn containing Proprietor Zhao's ashes, and came beside Lady Zhao.

"Madam, we failed in our duty to protect him. We await your judgment. When Proprietor Zhao was on his deathbed, he entrusted us to bring his ashes back. Though it was a journey of countless rivers and mountains, we have finally brought him back. Please, Madam, take them, so that the funeral arrangements can be handled."

Song Wenxian held the urn before Lady Zhao's eyes. Lady Zhao's gaze slowly fell upon the urn, and finally, with a cry, she burst into tears. Everyone's hearts settled. It was good that she cried; otherwise, holding it in would surely have led to trouble. Lady Zhao clutched the urn to her bosom, pressing her head against Miss Zhao's. She wept until her nose ran. Old Xu quickly handed over a handkerchief.

Song Wenxian finally found an opportunity to speak. "What's done is done. Madam, please restrain your grief. The most urgent matter now is the funeral. Madam and Miss have suffered a sudden great blow and should not overexert yourselves. Let me and Bookkeeper Chen take charge of the arrangements, with Brother Hei Pao and the others assisting."

Lady Zhao wiped away a handful of tears and said through her weeping, "Mr. Song, do as you see fit. I told him long ago, don't go to sea. Is that silver so easy to earn? He just wouldn't listen. He originally said he'd settle Xiang'er's marriage when he returned, so he could see his grandchild sooner. Who knew that now even the fourth seventh-day ritual has passed? What more is there to say? Wuwuwu…" Lady Zhao spoke a few more words but could not continue.

Song Wenxian saw that although Miss Zhao was also crying, she was clearly more composed than Lady Zhao. He turned to Miss Zhao and said, "If Miss agrees, I will go with Bookkeeper Chen now to start handling matters. Additionally, there are still goods on the ship belonging to the Big Boss and other lords that urgently need to be dealt with."

Miss Zhao's face still bore a few glistening teardrops. She looked at Chen Xin and said, "Once Bookkeeper Chen has finished with the outside matters, could you come here to help? I'm just a young woman and don't understand many things."

"That is my duty in the first place. Even if Miss hadn't asked, I would still come."

Miss Zhao wiped away her tears, her demeanor having regained considerable calm. She nodded and said, "In that case, Mr. Song and Bookkeeper Chen, please handle the urgent matters first. Having Uncle Wang and the others here is enough. You've also been traveling outside for two months. Don't overwork yourselves. Rest at home today. The fourth seventh-day ritual has already passed anyway; there's no rush for a day or two."

Chen Xin and Song Wenxian were both somewhat surprised by Miss Zhao's speed of recovery. However, the two indeed had business to attend to. After bowing to Miss Zhao and Lady Zhao, they withdrew. As Chen Xin reached the side gate, Miss Zhao suddenly called out from behind, "Bookkeeper Chen, please be sure to come early tomorrow."

Song Wenxian heard this and glanced at Chen Xin a few times. Chen Xin agreed from the side.

After walking out of the alley, neither was in the mood to talk. They hurried all the way to Zhenhaimen Avenue, hired a donkey cart, and soon arrived at the dock.

From a distance, Chen Xin saw Liu Minyou and a few others by the dock. The moment he got off the cart, he pulled Liu Minyou over and asked, "Minyou, have you rented the carts for moving the goods?"

Liu Minyou saw the sweat on his forehead and laughed easily. "Look at you, so anxious. Lu Lvzi said it's just some copper ingots. What's the rush? The carts were rented long ago. Lu Lvzi insisted on waiting for you, otherwise we would have moved them already."

Chen Xin didn't explain. He boarded the deck and said to Zhu Guobin, "Brother Guobin, how about this: Lufang and Brother Ning are both injured and can't stay on the ship long. I've hired a donkey cart. I'll trouble you, Guobin, to escort them to my place with young Brother Zhang Erhui over there. Find a physician to look at them first." …

Zhu Guobin was a straightforward man. Hearing this, he immediately agreed, "Alright, Brother Chen, whatever you arrange is fine."

Qin Lufang then shouted, "Brother Chen, don't worry about us — I can still help carry things."

"Alright, see that big fellow over there? He alone can match ten oxen. You're wounded — once you've healed, you can help Brother Chen again. For now, everyone listen to me."

After sending off Zhu Guobin and the other two, now that they were all partners, Chen Xin waved a hand. Lu Lvzi opened the bottom hold and, together with Wang Yong, passed the Japanese dried seafood above to the second deck. They did not carry it off the ship; Liu Minyou and the others merely piled the goods into a second-deck cabin, gradually revealing the silver bags beneath. Lu Lvzi wrapped them in outer sacks and passed them up one by one. Dai Zhenggang lifted them with ease and placed them onto the two hired carts on the shore. Chen Xin and Song Wenxian together had over thirty-six thousand taels of silver, more than thirteen hundred kilograms, but it was not heavy for the two freight carts. Once the dozen or so silver bags were all loaded, Chen Xin also placed the banjiu foot gun into a sack and put it on the cart.

Chen Xin had Liu Minyou sit on the cart, with Wang Yong and Dai Zhenggang guarding the rear. He repeatedly urged Liu Minyou to keep a close watch, and told Dai Zhenggang he must guard the door of the room where the goods would be stored. Though the two found it odd, they agreed readily. Then the carter cracked his whip, and the cart slowly headed toward Zhenhai Gate.

The remaining few then brought out the ten-thousand-plus taels of silver belonging to that lord in Tianjin, stored on the third deck, and loaded it onto a single cart.

Song Wenxian, his own money already moved out and his mood much relaxed, said to Chen Xin, "Brother Chen, I can tell you now — that lord in Tianjin is Vice General Qian Zhongxuan."

Chen Xin said indifferently, "Why didn't you seek out the Provincial Governor here in Tianjin?"

Song Wenxian smiled. "The Provincial Governor of Tianjin these days doesn't count for much. His real authority is no more than a grain intendant — he can't compare to the Deng-Lai Provincial Governor. Why would we seek him out? Will Brother Chen be coming along?"

"Not today. I'd rather go back and keep an eye on things, for peace of mind. In a couple of days, Mr. Song, where will you be staying at night?"

Song Wenxian laughed heartily. "Ah, that — Brother Chen need not trouble yourself. Wielding blades and spears is not my forte, but nestling among rouge and green is something I can manage."

Chen Xin shook his head. This scholar was truly amusing. He too boasted casually, "Then I'll have this young brother escort you. His staff technique is excellent — handling two or three men is no problem." Song Wenxian looked at the lean and wiry Hai Gouzi, slightly doubtful, but in broad daylight, others would not necessarily know the cart carried silver. As long as he reached the city gate and found Vice General Qian's retainers, he would be safe. He then took his leave of Chen Xin and hurried toward Zhenhai Gate.

Only Chen Xin and Lu Chuanzong remained on the dock. Lu Chuanzong, seeing that Hai Gouzi had also left, said to Chen Xin, "Brother Chen, then it's just the two of us to start moving the Japanese dried seafood. If we're quick, we might still make supper."

Chen Xin smiled faintly, clasped his hands behind his back, and said, "This dried seafood isn't silver — why would we need to do it ourselves? Go hire some porters to move it, and rent a few more carts while you're at it. Haul it all to the Japanese goods shop in one trip. Tell them to hurry — I still have a pile of things to do."

Lu Lvzi scratched his ears. "Right — I'm not a tracker or a porter now. I'll pay your Luo Sect to do the hauling. Haul yourselves to death, damn you."