Chapter 1587

Yongdu's southeast has a place called Seven Li Ping, where Yongdu's merchant magnates gather; near the New Year, it was originally the busiest time for merchant activity. Since ancient times officials and merchants have been intertwined—officials look down on merchants, merchants resent officials—yet because of mutual interests they remain entangled. However, the sudden palace upheaval in Yongdu has left all merchants unable to see the situation clearly, and many feel afraid, worried that their past indiscriminate patronage will be exposed, and this turmoil implicates them.

Although Yongdu's Seven Li Ping has many wealthy merchants, the foremost figure remains Zan Buliu; his Xinglong Firm is Da Yong's largest merchant house, ranking among the top three in the Central Plains, his business radiates across the land, with branches of Xinglong in every state. Zan Buliu is absolutely a man whose trade reaches the four seas and whose wealth flows to the three rivers. In private he maintains close contact with Hu Xiaotian, through whom Hu Xiaotian obtains many scarce goods, and Zan Buliu also gains considerable wealth from Hu Xiaotian.

Zan Buliu's principle in Da Yong seems to be neither too close nor too distant—he avoids getting too near anyone, yet also avoids easily offending anyone; he pays respects to every Buddha statue in temples. Even if he cannot please everyone, Zan Buliu never lightly offends anyone, which is his business creed. For this he has spent much silver, yet he also cautiously keeps his distance from everyone, giving the impression that each interaction is for profit, not personal friendship.

Zan Buliu's mansion in Seven Li Ping is not conspicuous, but its location is auspicious in feng shui; the two bronze lions before the gate were a gift from the late Emperor Xue Shengkang, awarded to honor his merit. Fifteen years ago, when Da Yong suffered a once-in-a-century flood, Zan Buliu opened his purse and donated five million taels of silver, becoming a model for Da Yong's merchants.

These two bronze lions stand before Zan Buliu's mansion and have become his most treasured possessions; he had a pair of crystal covers made to protect them. After the first snow cleared, servants began sweeping the snow off the crystal covers.

Hu Xiaotian stepped on the snow to arrive before Zan's manor; the two servants were wary of this unexpected visitor. After all, since last night Yongdu has been on edge, and Zan Buliu had specifically instructed that unless someone from the palace came, all outsiders were to be told he was ill and not see them.

Naturally, the altered Hu Xiaotian had no special privilege to enter; he said little, directly handing one of the servants a seven‑colored crystal sea‑horse pendant. This was something Zan Buliu had given him years ago; the servant took the pendant inside, and shortly thereafter came out flustered to invite Hu Xiaotian in.

In Zan Buliu's warm room lingered the smell of tobacco; he had just been smoking a pipe, the scent not yet dissipated. Before Hu Xiaotian entered, someone had already prepared a pot of good tea, and the brazier had been freshly stocked with charcoal.

When Hu Xiaotian entered the room, Zan Buliu was still lounging lazily on the sitting mat. After the servant left, he hurriedly jumped down from the couch and bowed deeply to Hu Xiaotian, saying: 'I did not expect your visit, my lord; please forgive any lapse in courtesy.'

Hu Xiaotian felt puzzled; he had changed his appearance with a disguise, so how could Zan Buliu recognize him? Could it be solely because of this pendant?

Zan Buliu said: 'Nowadays rumors everywhere claim you are colluding with Prince Yan to overthrow the Yong dynasty. Though your appearance has changed, your stature remains the same, and besides, this seven‑colored crystal horse is a gift I gave you; if there were no urgent matter, you would not come in person.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled, guessing Zan Buliu was also speculating and could not definitively determine his identity, yet he saw no need to conceal it; he nodded and said: 'Master Zan, I have come uninvited in these urgent times; I hope you will not take offense.'

Upon hearing his voice, Zan Buliu finally dared to be certain the person before him was Hu Xiaotian; he laughed: 'My lord, what are you saying? If you came to Yongdu and did not seek me, I would be the one offended.' He invited Hu Xiaotian to sit, personally poured him a full cup of tea and handed it over, vaguely guessing that Hu Xiaotian's visit this time must be related to the Yong dynasty upheaval.

As expected, Hu Xiaotian sipped his tea and said: 'I need not beat around the bush; Master Zan, you must have heard of last night's events—I would like you to do me a favor.'

Zan Buliu replied: 'If I am able to do it, I will spare no effort.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Prince Yan and I are sworn brothers; if something has happened to him, how could I, as his brother, stand by idly? Master Zan, you have many connections in Yongdu—could you inquire about his whereabouts?'

Zan Buliu thought to himself, 'Hu Xiaotian, Hu Xiaotian, you have indeed given me a difficult problem.' He stared at Hu Xiaotian for a while before saying: 'Master Hu, are you wearing a mask? You look utterly flawless.'

Hu Xiaotian, hearing him beat around the bush, realized Zan Buliu was still unsure of his identity; he smiled faintly, turned away, then after a moment turned back, having restored his original appearance.

Zan Buliu gazed at Hu Xiaotian before him, marveling inwardly: 'No wonder he dares to appear openly in Yongdu; possessing such miraculous skill to change his appearance, even if we met face to face, who could recognize his true self?'

Zan Buliu said: 'I have heard something about this, but I do not have deep ties with Prince Yan.' As he spoke, he noticed a hint of a mocking smile at Hu Xiaotian's lips, instantly feeling his face flush; saying such things to someone as perceptive as Hu Xiaotian was actually unnecessary.

Hu Xiaotian nodded, gently set down his Chazan, and said: 'It seems I have come to the wrong place.'

Seeing Hu Xiaotian about to rise and take his leave, Zan Buliu panicked: 'My lord, please hear me out.'

Hu Xiaotian picked up his Chazan again: 'Master Zan, speak plainly; whether as brothers, friends, or partners, honesty is always better.'

Zan Buliu said: 'I will say something I perhaps shouldn't; as for Yong's state affairs, Master Hu, why do you need to concern yourself too much?'

Hu Xiaotian replied: 'If you know you shouldn't say it, Master Zan, why waste more words?'

Zan Buliu was left speechless by his words, suddenly realizing that while he faced no obstacles in business, his political vision fell far short of Hu Xiaotian's. Hu Xiaotian's visit today was to seek help; if Zan Buliu resolved this trouble for him, he would surely have smooth passage in Hu Xiaotian's territory thereafter; otherwise, his southern trade routes might be cut off by Hu Xiaotian, who might even expose his past private dealings with Dakang—a crime punishable by death and extermination of the clan. Thinking this, Zan Buliu broke out in a cold sweat.

Hu Xiaotian asked: 'What do you know of Li Chen Zhou?'

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian shift the topic, Zan Buliu inwardly relaxed: 'Li Chen Zhou is of a distinguished lineage, deeply trusted by the Emperor; I do not know why he has suddenly turned to support the Ming Prince.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Master Zan, do you not see who is truly behind this palace upheaval?'

Zan Buliu replied: 'I am merely a merchant; I do not know the inner workings of the palace.' Realizing this might make Hu Xiaotian think he was deflecting, he hastily added: 'However, judging from the present situation, it seems Li Chen Zhou and the Ming Prince had long been in collusion.'

Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'As an outsider, no one really knows what exactly happened; now you should understand why I asked you to help me find Prince Yan.'

Zan Buliu pondered: 'Everyone is searching for Prince Yan now; he would hardly dare remain in Yongdu—he may have already fled.'

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: 'Prince Yan is shrewd and never muddled on major matters; before Li Chen Zhou acted, he had already tightly controlled all the gates of Yongdu—unless Prince Yan grew wings, he could not escape from here.' Xue Shengjing had no wings, but Hu Xiaotian did; if he wished, he could easily slip out of Yongdu.

Zan Buliu said: 'My lord, are you saying Prince Yan might still be hiding somewhere in Yongdu?'

Hu Xiaotian replied: 'The more dangerous a place, the safer it can be; Prince Yan has lived here for so long, Yongdu surely harbors many of his latent forces, and even if Li Chen Zhou possessed heavenly powers, he could not uproot him overnight.'

Zan Buliu said: 'My lord, although I am not deeply acquainted with Prince Yan, I do have some understanding of who interacts with him frequently; I will investigate this matter as best I can, and if I obtain any news I will report it to you immediately.' After some hesitation, he finally decided to undertake this task for Hu Xiaotian.

Hu Xiaotian expressed satisfaction with Zan Buliu's words, nodded, and said: 'Thank you for your trouble, Master Zan; I have one more request.'

Zan Buliu respectfully replied: 'My lord, please give your orders.'

Hu Xiaotian sighed: 'Master Zan, I must confess that I came to Yongdu at great risk intending to rescue Liu Changsheng and his son, but now it seems I have not only failed to save them, I have actually harmed both father and son.' Although no definite news of Liu Changsheng and his son has yet emerged, the incident that occurred last night in Cien Garden has spread throughout the capital; being in Cien Garden, Liu Changsheng and his son likely cannot escape blame.

Zan Buliu said: 'I understand; I will have someone inquire about this matter.'

Hu Xiaotian also did not wish to linger; he rose to take his leave, and before departing Zan Buliu added: 'Master Hu, in these troubled times it is best to depart swiftly; I am not fearful, but I sincerely worry for your safety.'

Hu Xiaotian smiled: 'Thank you for your concern, Master Zan; I have my own means of response.'

Zan Buliu knew Hu Xiaotian would not leave soon, sighed, and said: 'Even if you intend to stay, it would be best these two days not to show yourself in public.'

Hu Xiaotian clasped his fists and said softly: 'At noon the day after tomorrow, I will await your good news at the Eight Directions Pavilion.' This statement set a deadline for Zan Buliu.

Zan Buliu could not help but wryly smile: 'Whether there is news or not, I will certainly come as promised.' (To be continued~^~)