Chapter 50: Funeral Affairs

A small lantern hung in the courtyard. Hai Gouzi and Zhang Erhui stood guard with five-chi-five-cun hardwood staves, while Wang Daixi yawned repeatedly as she tended the fire by the stove.

Liu Minyou checked all six silver bags one by one. After confirming he was not dreaming, he immediately arranged that night's security plan. Hai Gouzi, Dai Zhenggang, and Zhang Erhui would all skip the night shift and sleep early; when the night shift ended, they would come out to stand guard in the courtyard. Even Liu Minyou himself, uncharacteristically, did not work overtime. Worried that Chen Xin might fall asleep, he personally stood watch inside the room, pacing back and forth in agitation.

Wang Daixi had it the worst. She still had to work the night shift, and now Liu Minyou also demanded she cook for those standing guard. She had been working nonstop every day recently, utterly exhausted, and had visibly lost weight. Despite all the commotion Liu Minyou stirred up, neither Chen Xin nor Lu Lvzi was affected in the slightest, and both soon fell into a deep sleep.

This time Chen Xin did not keep it from Dai Zhenggang. Dai Zhenggang first saw Lu Lvzi's thousand-plus taels of silver in his own room, then went to Chen Xin's room and saw copper ingots turned into silver ingots — completely dumbfounded, he remained somewhat dazed even now. Later, when Lu Lvzi told them Chen Xin was about to become an official, Dai Zhenggang slowly recovered. Once he understood it was a military household post, though he felt some resistance, after all Chen Xin was a Company Commander, and he heard a Battalion Commander post was not far off. Dai Zhenggang felt that following Chen Xin would surely bring ever-brighter prospects. His emotions stirred, he was just like Liu Minyou — restless in the courtyard, lost in thought, now and then picking up and putting down his wrought-iron staff.

"Brother Liu, how much silver is in there?" Hai Gouzi poked his head in from the doorway.

"Go on, stand your own post. It's plenty, anyway. You're not to go out blabbing about it everywhere — and the same goes for Erhui."

Zhang Erhui also poked his head out to answer, then craned his neck to peer into the room, trying to see just how much silver there was. Liu Minyou shooed them both back to the courtyard to stand guard. They muddled along like this. Liu Minyou thought all night but still could not figure out how Chen Xin had come by so much silver. Not until the fourth watch drum sounded could he hold back no longer, and he shook Chen Xin awake.

Chen Xin, bleary-eyed, looked left and right. The window paper was still dark. Disgruntled, he said, "The sky's not even bright yet — what are you fussing about?"

"Quick, tell me — what exactly did you do to earn this much silver?"

Chen Xin rubbed his eyes and gave a rough account of his dealings with Song Wenxian, but omitted the incident during the boarding.

Liu Minyou listened in amazement. "Then how did you end up becoming an official? And I heard it's at Weihai."

"Mm. Got lucky in Dengzhou — ran into the new Provincial Governor and got the matter settled. A Company Commander post isn't worth much, but Weihai is a good location. We'll set up a private port there. On ordinary days we'll use inconspicuous ships to quietly haul goods to the private port. Once the cargo is ready, we'll run a sea-trade voyage ourselves. With Weihai east of Dengzhou, let's see how the Dengzhou naval forces can check it. I'm not giving up that many shares to those lords again."

Liu Minyou said, "If you're going to Weihai, do we keep this shop running or not? Business is so good right now — it'd be a shame to abandon it."

Chen Xin nodded. "Now that we have more people, we can't rely on dresses alone to make money for long. This style will soon spread everywhere along the Grand Canal, and there'll be plenty of local imitations in Tianjin. It'll quickly turn into a price war."

Liu Minyou was still reluctant. "But our Orchid Dress Shop's brand has already made a name."

"Of course we'll keep this dress shop. Tianjin needs a foothold, and it's convenient for purchasing goods — I can't keep relying on that dried-seafood shop. Besides, I'll probably still come to Tianjin often. As long as the Provincial Governor and the Coastal Defense Circuit cover for us, the Guard Commander won't dare say anything. I'm not asking him for wages anyway."

Only then did Liu Minyou feel at ease. He had poured a great deal of effort into the dress shop and truly could not bear to part with it. He then chatted with Chen Xin for a while about shop matters over the past days. When Chen Xin learned that Deng Keshan was in charge of the saleswomen, he said to Liu Minyou, "If Deng Keshan is handling money alone, there might be problems. If this goes on long-term, we should change it."

"I know that too, but we've been short-handed all along. Deng Keshan is sharp — he picks things up after just a few tries. Now he can even fill out the two-dimensional forms on his own. And he's very diligent, going to the docks every day to hawk the clothes."

Chen Xin laughed. "Of course he's diligent when there's money to be made. Forget that slippery rogue for now — let's talk about that Pan Jinlian in his courtyard."

"You mean Shen Lou's wife. When Deng Keshan came by during the night shift earlier, he said she'd been beaten again. Sigh, I don't even know if I should still let her come work."

"How is her work at the shop?"

"Not bad. It's rare that she can write, and she can handle simple arithmetic. Now all the sorting and card-writing tasks are given to her. It's just Shen Lou who's the trouble."

Chen Xin said, "Then that's fine. You run a dress shop — just look at whether the person meets the job requirements. Everything else is her own affair. So for this woman, if she can do the work, let her. If she leaves, it shouldn't be you making her leave. Don't hold back because of Shen Lou."

Liu Minyou thought it over. It did make sense. Being overly cautious would only arouse suspicion. Shen Lou had been making scenes lately, and though most neighbors on Erdaojie paid no mind, there were still a few whispers. If not for pitying Shen Lishi, Liu Minyou would truly have considered finding someone else.

"Mm, I'll follow your advice on this. What about all this silver? We can't just leave it at home."

"At daybreak I'm going to the dried-seafood shop. You take the silver and deposit it at moneylenders — use three different ones, six thousand taels each. Have one issued as a huipiao draft, redeemable in Jingshi."

"You're going to Jingshi?"

"Maybe not for a while yet, but I'll definitely go."

"Why go to Jingshi?"

"Because I still need to purchase a Battalion Commander rank, and... Tianqi is about to die."

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Chen Xin rose early. When he stepped out, Wang Daixi was already up cooking, Zhang Erhui was taking down the shop-front door panels to prepare for opening, and Zhou Laifu's wife along with Shen Lishi were already waiting outside the shop front. Chen Xin greeted them and went straight out.

Chen Xin called Lu You and hurried to the dried-seafood shop. The shop was closed for business today. Lao Cai was hanging a wooden sign reading "Sold Out" on the door panels. His expression was deeply dejected. When Cai Shenju saw Chen Xin arrive, he came over and quietly asked about what had happened. After Chen Xin explained to the two of them, both sighed with sorrow. Cai Shenju looked at Chen Xin with a face full of gratitude — the sea was so dangerous; thank heaven this Brother Chen had gone in his place, otherwise how would he still be alive.

When Chen Xin reached the second courtyard, the mourning hall had already been set up in the main hall. Only Lao Wang was there. Upon asking, he learned that Hei Pao and Ba Zi had gone to Han Yong's home — the owner of that silver-refining shop also had a home in Tianjin.

"Mr. Chen, you've come." Miss Zhao, dressed in hempen mourning garments, appeared before Chen Xin.

"Yes. I could not sleep in peace, so I had no choice but to come early."

"I hear it was Mr. Chen who slew the enemy with his own hands. Xiang'er thanks you first, sir." Miss Zhao said this and performed a wanfu curtsy.

Chen Xin paused briefly and did not continue the topic. "It was my duty. How is the Lady faring?"

Zhao Xiang's eyes reddened again. Somewhat choked up, she said, "She has not taken a drop of water till now, only muttering to herself. Only yesterday did I learn that my elder brother passed away years ago. I can only pity my mother..."

Chen Xin let out a long sigh. His usual eloquence had fled him. He entered the mourning hall to pay his respects. Miss Zhao went behind the curtain, and after he had performed the four prostrations, she came out again to return the courtesy. With Lady Zhao so overwhelmed by grief, Miss Zhao was handling everything. Chen Xin looked at Zhao Xiang's haggard face and said, "Miss Zhao, please restrain your grief and take good care of your health. Right now, the Lady is counting on you."

Miss Zhao looked at him for a moment, nodded, and said, "I had always thought my elder brother was still here, and I habitually disobeyed Mother. Only now do I understand how bitter her heart has been. Now that Father is also gone, I am her support. Xiang'er has grown up."

Chen Xin studied her carefully. In truth, by later generations' standards she would only be a first-year high-school student. People in this era generally matured early, and after yesterday, Miss Zhao did seem to have steadied considerably — no longer the half-grown, smiling girl from the Confucian temple.

Chen Xin helped tidy the cloth and silk prepared for receiving mourners' return gifts, stacking them into a neat pile, then said in a low voice, "If there is anything I can do, please give me your instructions, Miss."

"The mourning hall is all set up now. We have no relatives or friends in Tianjin. I only wish for him to be laid to rest soon. May I trouble Mr. Chen to help find a burial plot and purchase a coffin?"

"Yes. I shall go attend to it shortly." Chen Xin glanced at the mourning hall. Staying here made him somewhat uneasy.

Song Wenxian arrived at that moment. He first paid his respects to Miss Zhao, then went into the hall to offer sacrifices. After coming out and hearing the tasks Miss Zhao had assigned, he shook his head. "Buddhist and Daoist rites must still be performed. Although the fourth-seven-day rites have already passed, what should be done must be done. We should also hire some professional mourners, or it will be too desolate."

Miss Zhao thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll trouble you both to find some monks and Daoists to perform the rites. Professional mourners won't be necessary — without true filial devotion, fake weeping only adds vexation. I imagine Father would not have liked it either. I am but a young woman and do not understand too much. I ask Mr. Chen to take charge of the arrangements."

The two exchanged a glance and agreed. Chen Xin did not wish to linger here long. He and Song Wenxian hastily took their leave and came out. Walking onto the main street, Chen Xin's spirits were low, and he trudged along with his head down.

Song Wenxian sized him up and said, "This Miss Zhao seems to have quite a favorable impression of Brother Chen. The marriage match Brother Chen mentioned — could it be this proprietor's daughter?"

Chen Xin tilted his head up, drew a deep breath, and did not answer. Seeing his expression, Song Wenxian guessed it was likely so. He laughed. "Zhao Haiming worked the seas for many years. If Brother Chen could marry this proprietor's daughter, your financial strength would be even greater. Moreover, it would also help win the loyalty of men like Hei Pao. Brother Chen, you are a shrewd one."

Chen Xin shot him a glare and changed the subject. "I'm no Zheng Yiguan. How does Mr. Song have the leisure to tease me here? Have you deposited your silver yet?"

Song Wenxian said, "I haven't deposited it yet, actually. I'll go handle that now. As for the rites and burial plot — Miss Zhao explicitly said Brother Chen is in charge, so I won't meddle."

This man was truly thick-skinned — he'd swung by, earned goodwill, and now ducked the work. Chen Xin looked at him and smiled. "Brother Song, please go about your business. I'll handle these trifles."

Song Wenxian turned to leave with a grin, but after a few steps he came back. "See, I meant to tell you something just now, but you sidetracked me and I forgot. With Zhao Haiming just passed away, the proprietor's daughter must observe mourning. I'm afraid this marriage of yours won't happen anytime soon."

"Observe mourning? For how many months?"

"Three years! Well, twenty-seven months, actually."

Chen Xin's expression did not change. Noncommittally, he said, "So that's how it is."

Seeing he was unwilling to say more, Song Wenxian could only say, "These next two days you'll be busy with Zhao Haiming's funeral affairs, so I won't disturb you. The day after tomorrow, in the evening, I plan to host Vice Regional Commander Qian at a banquet — at the Qunfang Pavilion. You should come too."

Chen Xin calculated the time. A burial usually took two or three days. He agreed.

Just as Song Wenxian left, Chen Xin spotted Deng Keshan's gaunt figure approaching from the distance.