Chapter 185: A Manor Given Away for Free

With Zhao Jin's reputation and standing in the city, and his bonds with his companions, if he said each person's share of the dividends was seven hundred taels, no one would think he was lying to deceive them. Moreover, not distributing the dividends now and instead pooling this silver for unified use would indeed yield better results.

Zhao Jin was very clear on all this, but what he wanted was for everyone to receive tangible benefits. A thousand words and ten thousand arguments can't compare to the usefulness of gleaming silver ingots. Although his companions varied in wealth and had different attitudes toward this money, these seven hundred taels of ready silver were solid and real.

Seeing this silver, all doubts and arguments became utterly useless. Sentiment and loyalty are priceless, but they are also impossible to measure. By giving each person a share of silver, this loyalty was something everyone would feel solidly and firmly.

After the dividends were distributed, regardless of whether they valued the money or not, no one would harbor any doubt about the fact that Zhao Jin would not shortchange them.

Speaking of these matters, it sounds like statecraft, but in truth it was simply the right thing to do. Everyone had faced life and death together, experienced so many things, and toiled for a full year to build such a large enterprise. Without hindering the distillery's development, his companions ought to receive generous rewards.

After leaving the Ji residence, it was nearly lunchtime. In these final days of the twelfth month, the streets of Xuzhou grew increasingly desolate. Yet the sound of firecrackers could often be heard, and the occasional passersby on the streets were dressed neatly, with ruddy complexions outnumbering sallow ones. The various scenes did carry a bit of festive atmosphere.

The reason for such a change was not that the world had somehow improved; it was simply that the people of Xuzhou who made their living away from home had all returned, lending this withered city a little more vitality.

Other families had to celebrate the New Year, and the Zhao family had to as well. Zhao Jin had been busy outside for several days in a row, and on the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth month, he was going home.

He had long since prepared a full cart of New Year's goods: air-dried chickens and ducks, cured meats and hams, freshly slaughtered fat sheep, assorted dried fruits and pastries, along with sundries like bolts of cloth—all fine items. He didn't need to spend his own money to buy these; the shops that came to purchase liquor naturally knew to send gifts during the New Year festival to seek convenience.

These New Year's goods were shared a bit among his companions, and quite a lot was left for the distillery and the goods yard to improve the lives of the household guards and workers. What remained was this one cartload. Everyone, from top to bottom, suggested Zhao Jin take it with him. It was unthinkable that after a busy year, everyone else received benefits while the master himself went home empty-handed.

Watching Zhao Jin return home, He Cuihua could not help but grumble a few words. However, upon seeing that large cart of New Year's goods, she was also taken aback. Although Zhao Zhentang worked at the yamen, his identity as an executioner was taboo, so while he usually received plenty of perks, few people came to visit during the New Year festival. The New Year's goods had to be bought with the family's own money. Seeing so many things come through the door, she couldn't help but beam with delight.

The yamen would seal its gates on the twenty-fifth of the twelfth month and reopen on the twelfth of the first month. Matters of beheadings and executions would not occur until after the first month was out. It made no difference whether Zhao Zhentang reported for duty or not, so these days he was quite leisurely. Still, Zhao Zhentang was accustomed to spending time at the constables' office, chatting idly and drinking tea with a few acquaintances—very pleasant indeed.

Returning home and seeing the New Year's goods being carried in, Zhao Zhentang smiled and asked Zhao Jin, "I heard from Old Chen that you gave each of your little brothers seven hundred taels. Was that the year-end dividend?"

"Seven hundred taels?" The figure startled He Cuihua, who was nearby. Her attention immediately shifted away from the goods on the cart. Just as she was about to speak, she froze again, then muttered, "Seven hundred taels per person, and you have seven little brothers, isn't that five thousand taels? That much silver, and you just gave it away?"

Before Zhao Jin could even open his mouth, He Cuihua turned her head to glance over the cart, roughly calculated in her mind, and complained again, "How much is all this worth? You can give to others, so why don't you know to look after your own family?"

Zhao Jin scratched his head. His mother's reaction was within his expectations; ninety-nine percent of families in this world would react the same way upon hearing this. But he had a plan ready and explained with a wry smile, "Mother, the distillery is our family's. The silver and everything else are kept there. Moving it home only to move it back again would be far too troublesome."

Upon hearing this, his mother He Cuihua's temper immediately subsided somewhat, though she still muttered, "It's still far too much to give."

Zhao Jin looked to his father Zhao Zhentang for help. Zhao Zhentang smiled and said, "The child has grown up; he has his own ideas. Besides, those little brothers of Xiao Jin's have faced life and death with him. This silver is well spent."

He Cuihua shook her head and said, "Neither of you, father and son, are to go out today. Not a single one of you comes home, is the food outside really that delicious?"

For Zhao Zhentang, it was one thing, but ever since the distillery had gotten busy, Zhao Jin often did not eat at home. It was no wonder it drew his mother's grumbling.

But as coincidence would have it, that very evening he truly could not eat at home. Just after lunch, someone arrived bearing a invitation card, saying that Li Shun, the second manager of Cloud Mountain Trading House, was hosting Young Master Zhao at his home that evening to discuss the matter of selecting a new site for the distillery.

The relocation and expansion of the distillery was a matter of the highest importance to Zhao Jin, and he had mentioned it at home several times. Although He Cuihua was displeased, she could only let him go.

Although Li Shun and Zhao Jin had dealt with each other several times and could be considered acquaintances, Zhao Jin dared not be careless. He first notified Chen Sheng, then brought along Ji Xiang and Liu Yong, leading twenty household guards, to attend the banquet together. This was also to guard against a possible trap.

Li Shun's home was a three-courtyard residence located near Hubu Hill, the finest area within Xuzhou city. As far as Zhao Jin understood, the several leading figures of Cloud Mountain Trading House and Cloud Mountain Tower had all purchased properties there.

Seeing Zhao Jin arrive, the steward at the gate hurried inside to announce him. Before long, Li Shun personally came out to welcome him, his face full of smiles and his words exceedingly courteous.

Although Li Shun was much older than Zhao Jin and, with Cloud Mountain Temple backing him, was a figure of some standing in Xuzhou city, he still had to humble himself before Zhao Jin. This young master's fearsome reputation was built on human lives and a flourishing business. A sharp blade and crushing wealth—anyone would know their place.

"... These two are my brothers..." Zhao Jin introduced Ji Xiang and Liu Yong to Li Shun. Li Shun smiled and exchanged a few polite words. The moniker "Eight Little Heroes" might be tacky, but quite a few people truly did call Zhao Jin and his group by that name. Li Shun naturally knew the specific identities of all eight.

"... My men have followed me here. I must trouble Manager Li to arrange for them to warm themselves by a fire," Zhao Jin said, as if casually.

In dealings between prominent households, it was only proper for the host to arrange for the guest's retinue. Zhao Jin's remark was actually somewhat impolite, but by deliberately emphasizing it, the host could not simply gloss over it. With these twenty well-trained, able-bodied young men stationed within the residence, no matter what happened, Zhao Jin and his group could seize the initiative.

However, everything was perfectly normal. Li Shun led the three of them to the main hall, where wine and dishes had long been laid out, attended by two comely maidservants. The setup was clearly prepared solely for Zhao Jin.

After three rounds of wine and the customary pleasantries of the banquet, Li Shun waved his hand for the maidservants to withdraw and, smiling, got down to business.

"... Three li west of Fangcun Market, there's a place called Gao Family Manor, with over two hundred households. The manor sits right beside the official road..."

Although Zhao Jin's sphere of activity was near Xuzhou city, he had made a point of studying the surrounding environment. Hearing the name Fangcun Market, he could immediately determine its general location. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Wouldn't that be in the no-man's-land?"

Li Shun nodded with a smile. The so-called no-man's-land referred to the border region where Xuzhou, Pi Prefecture of Huai'an Prefecture, and Su Prefecture of Fengyang Prefecture met. Because the authority and responsibilities of the three local governments were vague and overlapping, quite a few lawless elements gathered there. Li Shun continued, "There are several sweet-water wells there. The terrain is high in the north and low in the south, so it can somewhat avoid the flooding of the Yellow River. The surrounding area is flat and open, and with bustling places like Fangcun Market and **** nearby, it's convenient whether for buying grain or selling liquor. It's precisely the place you're looking for, Young Master Zhao."

"If it's such a good place, how come suddenly no one wants it?" Zhao Jin asked with a smile.

The land in Xuzhou was barren, but it also had the advantage of transportation links. Many villages and towns prospered because they were situated at crossroads. That Gao Family Manor was in a no-man's-land; chaotic as it was, it also had the convenience of connecting the three regions. It had well water, land, and some topographical advantage in avoiding floods. What was even rarer was that it wasn't close to any major power, giving it great freedom. Whether for conducting legitimate business or for shady dealings that couldn't see the light of day, it was a prime location, one in a hundred.

Such a fine place would surely be contested by various powers. For it to suddenly become vacant like this was truly bizarre. When things are abnormal, there's usually something fishy going on. With Zhao Jin's caution, he could naturally deduce this.

Ji Xiang and Liu Yong exchanged a glance, but neither made a sound. In settings like this, they were always somewhat nervous. Watching a figure like Li Shun chat and laugh with ease, they never quite knew how to respond. Ji Xiang and Liu Yong could also guess that the other's lighthearted words contained multiple layers of meaning, but often they couldn't see through them. Yet every time, Zhao Jin could handle it with composure and ease, which filled them with admiration. When Zhao Jin was with them, he seemed like a peer of the same age, but once in such a setting, he appeared far more mature and composed.

Hearing Zhao Jin point this out directly, Li Shun smiled and said, "Even if you hadn't asked, Young Master Zhao, I would have told you. This Gao Family Manor was a property of our temple's Xiao County lower court. It only came into my hands on the nineteenth of the twelfth month. After going to inspect it, I felt this manor was tailor-made for Young Master Zhao's distillery, so I came today to ask."

Before Zhao Jin could speak, Li Shun continued, "For this manor, I only ask two thousand taels. Young Master Zhao, at this price, it's practically a gift."

The smile had already faded from Zhao Jin's face. This was truly abnormal. A manor in such a good location with over two hundred households—two thousand taels was indeed giving it away. Li Shun was being so direct; what exactly was his aim?

"For three years after the relocation, I want thirty percent of Fragrance Distillery's output, and at a price ten percent lower than what you give others." Li Shun stated his condition.

Hearing this, Zhao Jin finally relaxed. Placing a heavy bet for great wealth—this did seem like Li Shun's style. Moreover, the manor being a property of Cloud Mountain Temple made it even more reasonable. Knowing the habits of those Cloud Mountain Temple disciples, temple property had nothing to do with them personally; what mattered was converting it into benefits for themselves.