Chapter 707: So Much in a Single Night

Ma Chonghao's face was solemn as he said gravely, "I received an urgent report in Nanjing stating that Zhao Jin of Xuzhou intends to rebel. In emergencies, one must act expediently. While sending an urgent report to the capital, I set out ahead of time to nip the danger in the bud."

His words sounded high-sounding, but the expressions and actions of the three men just moments ago had all fallen into Lian Ping'an's eyes, and he understood a great deal. Lian Ping'an's expression remained earnest, but his speech grew much more hurried: "You lords have come this time to accomplish great things, and the matter must be urgent. I dare not disturb you further. After your long and tiring journey, please accept these two thousand taels of silver as a token. Suppressing rebellion and killing traitors is enormously costly; this can at least serve as a small supplement. If there is anything else you need, please do not hesitate to ask. If I can accomplish it, I will certainly do so..."

He had come with mournful words and left with crisp efficiency. This shift left everyone feeling a bit embarrassed. However, the sum of "two thousand taels of silver" made the eyes of the three men in the room light up. This granary commissioner, Lian Ping'an, had also seen that their expedition lacked just cause and was merely using their power to intimidate. Feeling that their position was not entirely secure, he was about to leave. Yet even under such a judgment, he could still produce two thousand taels of silver. Adding this to the offerings from the salt merchants, this trip had already not been in vain.

If they could succeed, how great would the benefits be? Every heart burned with fervor.

When Lian Ping'an had arrived, Ma Chonghao had not come out to greet him, but he took the initiative to see him off. Just as they were about to leave, Lian Ping'an hesitated for a moment and then spoke: "To be honest with you, my lord, the Cloud Mountain Carting Firm was originally my property, but it was seized by Zhao Jin. If you, my lord, are willing to uphold justice for me, then when the time comes, this carting firm will still need your lordship's considerable support."

A smile appeared on Ma Chonghao's face as he said indifferently, "If the matter fails, so be it. But if it succeeds, I want twenty percent."

Lian Ping'an did not show excessive excitement. He merely cupped his fist and said, "For this journey to Xuzhou, how confident is your lordship?"

"If you understood military affairs, you would know exactly what kind of power my nearly two thousand elite cavalry represents. And besides, when my Brocade Guard Imperial Guard marches out in force to arrest a rebel, who would dare resist? He might not fear my hundred-odd men, but does he not fear my two thousand elite cavalry? Even if he were recklessly bold, does he not fear the imperial court, or the million-strong army of the Great Ming realm?" Ma Chonghao spoke with brimming confidence.

Lian Ping'an was brought to a halt by these words. He let out a long breath and said with emotion, "The might of Heaven is vast and majestic. How could a country rat understand Heaven's might? Your lordship's words truly part the clouds and mist to reveal the blue sky. I understand now."

He had thought the man was about to say his farewells, but unexpectedly, Lian Ping'an bowed again and said with a smile, "For your lordship's side, I also have silver to offer for tea and lodging. A mere thousand taels; I hope your lordship will not disdain it."

Ma Chonghao understood in his heart that without that conversation outside, Lian Ping'an would not have offered this thousand taels of silver. He smiled and said, "Consider this thousand taels as given to my company of men."

Seeing that Lian Ping'an wanted to say more, Ma Chonghao said leisurely, "Commissioner Lian, after the matter is accomplished, will we still care about this three thousand taels?"

Lian Ping'an suddenly saw the light, smiled, bowed, and took his leave.

Not many words were spoken, but the silver was delivered in solid, tangible form. Three thousand taels of silver was not a huge pile, so it was simply laid out right there in the hall. Under the lamplight, the gleaming white was dazzling to the eye.

"Damn, this is three thousand taels?" Xu Tiebiao muttered.

Shi Ping'ao could not tear his eyes away from the silver, yet he tried to feign composure, swaying his head as he sighed with emotion, "I always heard this place was the wealthiest under heaven, but I never truly felt it. Today I have witnessed it, truly witnessed it."

Ma Chonghao's breathing had also grown somewhat heavy. He said in a muffled voice, "This is still because they were intimidated by that scoundrel Zhao Jin. They dare not come openly. If we accomplish our great undertaking in Xuzhou, mountains of gold and seas of silver won't be rare at all."

Before anyone could speak, another announcement came from outside: "... So-and-so of the Wang family of Qingjiangpu has arrived..."

The three men were stunned for a moment, then quickly composed themselves, and then burst into loud laughter. Ma Chonghao, however, called Ma Liu in and said, "Quickly clean this place up. Don't let the guest see it."

After saying this, Ma Chonghao could not help but feel pleased with himself and said with a smile, "Soon, there will be more silver to place here."

After the Wang family arrived, their actions were much the same as Lian Ping'an's. They first spoke of how their family had been oppressed by Zhao Jin and how they had finally awaited someone to uphold justice. Then they presented gifts—nothing insubstantial, but a solid two thousand taels of sycee silver. Following that, they raised a matter: if the rebel Zhao Jin was captured, they wanted a share in the Qingjiang Great Market and the market in Xuzhou. The specific profit shares and prices could all be negotiated.

Perhaps each family had stationed men outside the encampment to keep watch, for as one family left, another arrived. They never ran into each other, yet the sequence and timing were perfectly managed. The Yang family, the Xie family, the Bai family, the Li family—the most prominent families of Qingjiangpu came one after another.

They all began with tearful complaints, then inquired about the details, offered silver, and put forward their own conditions. They all followed the same script.

The Qingjiang Great Market, the properties surrounding the Qingjiang Great Market, the Cloud Mountain Carting Firm, the markets and salt market in Xuzhou, the Han Well Distillery, Zhao Jin's various estates and properties in Xuzhou, the estate and workers on the Wild Grass Flats, and even the harbor at Clam Port—every single property belonging to Zhao Jin or connected to him, these wealthy merchants of Qingjiangpu knew of them all, and they all wanted a share. Their appetites were enormous.

The silver they offered was very generous; each family gave two thousand taels. Compared to this outlay of silver, if they could succeed in their gamble, what they stood to gain would far exceed it.

Ma Chonghao personally handled the greeting and sending off of every guest. When the main guest was brought into the room, his own agents and the attendants outside would naturally probe and chat with the guest's followers. Before long, Ma Chonghao had gathered some information.

It turned out that from the moment Ma Chonghao's large force had entered Qingjiangpu, the various wealthy merchants of Qingjiangpu had already sent men to observe. After watching, each of them had formed the same opinion: these government troops were far stronger than the Zhao Character Camp. This force, assembled from various elite units, was fully equipped with armor and weapons, their morale high, every man exuding a fierce, murderous aura that inspired awe and fear. Moreover, in the understanding of every household—whether they knew military matters or not—everyone believed that one cavalryman was worth at least three infantrymen, and some even thought one could fight ten. Those with a bit of knowledge even believed this thousand-odd cavalry could fight a hundred men each!

With such a comparison, how could the Zhao Character Camp, dressed in coarse cloth robes, wielding long spears, and performing those dull, tedious drills every day, possibly be a match? Once they reached this judgment, everyone understood what they should do. But they could not bow and scrape too low; they also knew their own fortunes were vast, and if they showed the slightest weakness, a large chunk of flesh would be bitten off.

Yet, having seen the imposing manner with which Ma Chonghao led his troops to the Qingjiang Great Market during the day, everyone knew even more clearly what to do. To so grandly and publicly declare Zhao Jin a rebel—this was proclaimed in front of a large crowd by an Assistant Commander of the Brocade Guard, an officer in charge, leading elite troops. Therefore, even if the matter was not set in stone, it was as good as done.

Seeing this, thinking of this, and after that final wait-and-see, once the watchers saw Lian Ping'an enter this encampment, everyone knew what to do.

When Ma Chonghao's trusted aides reported these words, their faces were full of excitement. Ma Chonghao himself remained calm. Another guest was arriving soon, so Ma Chonghao turned and went back into the house, but a smile surfaced on his face. He could not help but clench his fist. The matter was succeeding, proceeding exactly according to his plan!

After the last guest from the Li family left, the gifts laid out in the hall were hastily taken away. Everyone thought more new guests would come to visit. It was only when they heard the sound of the night watchman's clapper signaling the third watch outside that they realized it was already very late.

They waited another half a watch, but no more guests came to the door. The guards outside also hurried in to report that there was no one left outside watching and waiting. Only then did Ma Chonghao order the gates to be closed.

After the gates were closed, the several leaders did not rush to rest. Instead, they brought out all the silver that had just been delivered and laid it out in the guest hall. Under the lamplight, it was a dazzling expanse of gleaming white and glittering silver, a blindingly bright sight. Yet Ma Chonghao, Xu Tiebiao, and Shi Ping'ao no longer felt the excitement they had earlier.

"These people actually investigated more thoroughly than I did. There are several businesses I didn't even know about," Ma Chonghao remarked casually.

Xu Tiebiao bent down, scooped up a silver ingot, and tossed it in his hand. He said in a muffled voice, "These businessmen never make a losing deal. The fact that they're so willing to spend money means those things will definitely make them a huge profit. We mustn't let these small gains before our eyes dazzle us."

Shi Ping'ao also nodded gravely. Ma Chonghao smiled and said, "We'll take this silver. When the time comes to share the profits, we'll do it as we see fit. At that juncture, will they have any room to talk?"

All three laughed. Shi Ping'ao stared at the silver and said, "In one night, thirteen thousand taels of ready silver. If I hadn't experienced it myself, I would never have believed it."

"Damn, I'm getting fired up! Old Ma, let's leave tomorrow morning. The sooner we get to Xuzhou, the sooner we get rich!" Xu Tiebiao tossed the silver ingot back onto the pile, slapped his thigh hard, and stood up, roaring with full drive.

Ma Chonghao chuckled, but remained seated. He said leisurely, "Tomorrow, have these merchants send over wine and meat to reward the brothers below handsomely. Then take out another three thousand taels to distribute as a reward. Let everyone have some hard currency in their pockets, so they'll have confidence following us."

"We're not going to Xuzhou?"

"What's the rush? The big ones came to deliver silver today. Tomorrow, the medium and small ones will all have to come and deliver theirs. If we leave without taking their silver, wouldn't that leave them anxious and worried?" Ma Chonghao said leisurely.

Xu Tiebiao gave a thumbs-up, unable to hold back any longer, and sat there roaring with laughter.

The next day, the weather remained humid and hot, but the previously dejected men from Nanjing and Wolf Mountain were all stirred up. The aroma of wine and meat filled the entire camp. Every man received a share of silver money, and all were beaming with joy. Had their superiors not strictly enforced discipline, these men would likely have gone out to whore and gamble wildly.

By now, the anxiety and resentment they had felt after crossing the river had long since been swept away. If they could receive so many benefits just in Qingjiangpu, how much more could they get by going to Xuzhou and accomplishing the task? Just thinking about it made one unable to suppress a smile.

Second update of the day. Updates will resume as usual tomorrow!