Chapter 62: Secret Deliberations

As the host, Fan Yongdou didn't want to see his guests embarrassed, so he laughed and said, "Right, right, right—could it be that the Zhuangyuan Tower has someone backing it?" The others also looked curiously at Wang Dengku, waiting to hear how he would answer.

Wang Dengku took a sip of tea and said unhurriedly, "Have you ever heard of a tragic case in Xuanfu in the eighth year of Chongzhen?"

Fan Yongdou said, "You mean that family of several people who were wiped out? I've heard people talk about it—said it was bandits from the mountains who did it, robbing and killing. The authorities' wanted posters were pasted everywhere, and it's been nearly a year without hearing that the culprit was caught. Old brother, what does this have to do with the Zhuangyuan Tower?"

"The family that was wiped out was the original owner of the Zhuangyuan Tower. You lot are too busy earning silver to bother inquiring about such matters. I love eating and drinking, and I've handed my family business over to my son, so I have leisure time to be nosy," Wang Dengku said.

Everyone was startled upon hearing this, and they vaguely felt that something was amiss about the matter.

Wang Dengku raised his wine cup and took a small sip, then picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of bear paw, and savored it carefully with a face full of intoxication.

Huang Yongfa, the most impatient of the group, urged, "Old brother, what's the connection here? Hurry up and tell us!" The others also wore expectant expressions—merchants feared nothing more than offending those who must not be offended, and the more they knew about connections on both the white and black paths, the better.

Wang Dengku pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth, then looked around. Fan Yongdou waved his hand, and the two serving maids attending beside him turned and left the room. Wang Dengku lowered his voice and said quietly, "The current owner of the Zhuangyuan Tower is the nephew of the Datong Regional Commander. The Zhuangyuan Tower's business has always been thriving—they say its yearly profits exceed ten thousand taels. Someone wanted to buy it for twenty thousand taels, but the original owner absolutely refused. Not long after, well..."

The group finally showed looks of understanding. Every time they came to Xuanfu, they would host honored guests at the Zhuangyuan Tower. Though they weren't familiar with the owner, after learning the truth of the tragedy, they still felt a sense of sorrow at the fox's death mourning the hare.

Jin Liangyu said indignantly, "The man earned over ten thousand taels a year, and someone wanted to buy it for twenty thousand—anyone would refuse! And in the end they wiped out his whole family! Is there no law anymore?!"

Wang Dengku burst out laughing. He pointed at those seated and said, "If ordinary folk said such words, that would be one thing, but think about it, gentlemen—aren't the things we do also violations of the law?"

Fan Yongdou was startled and quickly changed the subject: "Come, come, let's not talk about this. Drink, drink! We're merchants—as long as we earn silver, that's enough. As long as we grease the right palms, the Xuanfu garrison is no trouble for us brothers!"

After everyone drank a few cups in silence, the atmosphere grew somewhat heavy. Fan Yongdou laughed and said, "Today is my father's birthday. Assistant Regional Commander Zhang, who commands the western route of the Xuanfu garrison, sent gifts over, and the Guard Commanders of Wanquan Right Guard, Left Guard, and Longmen Guard also sent congratulations. In a few days, when this batch of goods goes beyond the pass, we'll return with enormous profits. Then we'll take out more silver to spread around—what do you all think?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Those seated all had fortunes of hundreds of thousands or millions, and they never hesitated when it came to greasing palms. They knew that for every ten thousand taels spent, they'd earn back a hundred thousand—as long as the business could continue.

Wang Dengku pointed toward the east and said quietly, "Have the people over there arrived?"

Fan Yongdou gave a light cough and said, "If you gentlemen have nothing pressing, would you care to have tea in my study?" Everyone understood—there was business to discuss. They all expressed that they were full and satisfied, then rose and followed Fan Yongdou to the inner residence.

Fan Yongdou's study was located in a secluded courtyard within the inner residence. Few people usually came here; only those whose interests were intertwined would gather in this place to discuss major matters. Though it sat idle on ordinary days, the courtyard and rooms were kept spotlessly clean. Everyone in the Fan household knew that without the young master's orders, no one was allowed near this place.

After entering the room, everyone seated themselves in their usual spots. Fan Yongdou looked around, closed the door, and sat in the host's seat before saying quietly, "This time they sent a niru janggin over—equivalent to a Ming Assistant Regional Commander. His name is hard to pronounce—something like Gurmahun. This Assistant Regional Commander Gu told me that they've already established a state!"

The group's expressions varied upon hearing this—some excited, some doubtful, some contemptuous, some indifferent. Fan Yongdou continued, "The state's name is Qing! Do you know who became emperor? It's that Fourth Beile—Hong Taiji!"

Everyone began murmuring among themselves. Wang Dengku stroked his goatee and pondered for a moment, then spoke: "This state name is excellent! I wonder which mastermind came up with it—truly brilliant!"

The others stopped their discussion and looked at him. Fan Yongdou asked, "Old brother, isn't it just a state name? What's so good or bad about it?"

Wang Dengku smiled smugly and said, "Our Great Ming reveres red—it is the virtue of fire. Qing is the virtue of water. Water overcomes fire! Isn't this the work of a mastermind? They intend to replace us!"

Everyone nodded in agreement upon hearing this. Jin Liangyu said doubtfully, "Can a name that says who overcomes whom really be so miraculous? Our Ming has hundreds of millions of people and territory spanning ten thousand li. Can those barbarians, with barely a million people in total, destroy our Great Ming? We just do business over there—I say we shouldn't meddle in anything else!"

Fan Yongdou laughed and said, "Old Jin, what we do can't be washed clean with a few words. How much silver everyone has earned from this over the years—you should all have a clear count, right? Besides, the Ming's current emperor is fatuous, the court is corrupt, the imperial army is incompetent, and the roving bandits only grow more numerous the more they're suppressed. I say this Great Ming doesn't have much time left!"

Wang Dengku said, "This matter is too big—let's take it one step at a time. Whatever they ask for over there, we'll try our best to give them. No matter who sits on the throne in the future, we won't lose out!"

Zhai Tang, who hadn't spoken until now, opened his mouth and said, "Brother Wang speaks sense. We're merchants—as long as someone wants goods and there's silver to be made in between, we sell to them. Old Fan, haven't we already prepared this batch of goods? What does this 'jinggin' fellow want now?"

Fan Yongdou laughed and said, "They said this time they want more grain and medicinal herbs. They know we've had drought for years—those roving bandits and grass-bandits are just starving mud-legged peasants. I've been thinking it over: their meaning is that the more grain we ship east, the more people here won't have food to eat, and the more will rise in rebellion. This way, bit by bit, we bleed the Great Ming dry. It's slow to show results, but it always helps some, doesn't it?"

Wang Dengku said, "I think they've had population growth these past few years. More people, yes—but even more fighting men. Fewer people farming means less grain, so that's why they want us to supply more food. As for medicinal herbs—could they be preparing for war again?"

Tian Shenglan laughed and said, "We just said we're merchants, and now you're meddling in other affairs again. As long as they have silver, ginseng, furs, and eastern pearls over there, whatever they want, we give them. After all these years in business, we can procure anything. Don't worry about those mud-legged peasants not having food—grain we have in plenty!"

Fan Yongdou laughed and said, "Old Tian is right. This time, Brother Wang's household will supply more grain; Old Tian and Old Jin will handle the ironware; the medicinal herbs and cloth will be handled by me, Boss Zhai, and Boss Liang; Boss Huang and Boss Wang will handle salt and miscellaneous goods. Does anyone have any objections?"

These were all established arrangements, and everyone nodded in agreement. Jin Liangyu suddenly said, "Old Fan, why do I hear from my shop managers that your household has been buying some firelocks and ammunition from the border troops? Are you planning to ship those out together this time?"

Fan Yongdou's expression shifted slightly, then he forced a smile and said, "That's nonsense. I did buy a few firelocks, but they're for defending my home. If I'd bought more, the imperial army wouldn't dare sell them to me anyway!"

Jin Liangyu sneered coldly, "Those bastards—give them silver and they'll sell anything. The court spends silver raising a pack of ingrates!"

Wang Dengku interrupted their dispute: "Enough, enough. Less idle talk—let's get down to business. Little Jin, don't meddle in matters that don't concern you!"

Jin Liangyu snorted in dissatisfaction and lowered his head, saying no more. The others began murmuring quietly about where to source goods, where to find porters and carts, and how many hands each household would contribute—all such trivial details.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the previously quiet courtyard, as if someone had run in. Everyone exchanged glances. Anger appeared on Fan Yongdou's face, and he stood up to go check the door when a panicked voice came from outside: "Young master! Terrible news! Our compound is surrounded by the imperial army!"