Chapter 817: We

But once fighting breaks out, the canal will be cut off for some time yet. When soldiers and disaster sweep through, who knows how many will die, how much everyone stands to lose.

Yet thinking along these lines, everyone felt puzzled again. The leaders of the Zhao Character Camp may be young, but they always act with steady thoroughness. Whatever we can think of, they can surely see just as clearly — can't they foresee this outcome?

The Zhao Character Camp is indeed fierce and elite; they even scared off the two thousand crack horsemen Ma Chonghao assembled. But if the court truly decides on a coordinated extermination campaign, then a hundred thousand, a million troops will swarm in — can the Zhao Character Camp really hold them off?

And if they can't hold them off, what then of this Qingjiang Great Market? The distillery? The salt market and trade fair in Xuzhou? And all the Zhao Character Camp's enterprises?

Anyone who thinks one layer deeper will inevitably arrive here. Yet having arrived here, many people just shake their heads unconsciously. They thought the same thing last time Ma Chonghao stirred up trouble — and how did that end? Everyone had a chunk of flesh carved off. Better be cautious this time. Until a clear outcome emerges, it's best to hold off on decisions.

Setting that aside, they turned to the losses they themselves were about to suffer — and just thinking of it made their heads and hearts ache.

Quite a crowd had already gathered around the Warehouse Commissioner Lian Ping'an. Everyone who felt their status and standing sufficient had come to cluster together, hoping to talk things over.

Lian Ping'an's face was ashen. He had not only his own business interests here but also official affairs to manage. If anything went wrong with the tribute grain, he would inevitably bear responsibility. What's more, his life and fortune both depended on the Great Ming. If the Zhao Character Camp truly meant to raise a banner in rebellion, he would certainly meet no good end — the thought alone chilled him to the bone.

Just as he was mulling this over, a young man who looked like an attendant came running over and called Lian Ping'an aside. Everyone followed with their eyes and realized that the Vice Director from the Revenue Branch Office had also come. This gentleman was even more on edge than Lian Ping'an, though at least he had the nerve to show up here. He hadn't dared wear any official robes, however — just plain clothes.

Those with sharp eyes could make out the scene over there: both Lian Ping'an and the Vice Director wore terribly grim expressions, and neither could come up with any plan.

"Why don't we see any government troops?" someone muttered.

The words were barely out before several people shot him scornful looks. The speaker realized his blunder, gave an embarrassed grin, and said no more.

Huai'an's prefectural seat, Shanyang, was very close by. Shanyang's Garrison Commander Qin had a thousand or so government troops under him, but those thousand-odd troops didn't even dare tangle with the martial-world men from the training halls, let alone clash with the Zhao Character Camp's forces. They'd come out the worse for it more than once or twice. Word now was that the truly capable young brawn under Commander Qin's command were all over at the Zhao Character Camp earning their keep. Commander Qin was perfectly happy to have nothing to do and, with a clear conscience, pocketed the pay for phantom soldiers. As for confronting the Zhao Character Camp — better save the trouble.

At this point, someone with a keen eye spotted something odd and muttered under his breath, "Those over there look like militia, not household troops."

The Zhao Character Camp had been in Qingjiangpu long enough that everyone could tell the difference between household troops and militia. Once they made this distinction, they all felt something was off. Surely a matter as grave as cutting off the canal ought to be done with household troops, not militia. Was the Zhao Character Camp being a bit too careless?

Just as the buzz of discussion swelled, the scene suddenly quieted. Outside, the clamor continued, but the innermost circle of the great merchants fell somewhat silent. Only then did those outside notice something amiss. Looking closely, they saw a middle-aged man in a fine silk gauze long gown walking over, escorted by several attendants.

Those with even sharper eyes noticed that even the Revenue Vice Director and Lian Ping'an over there were looking at this middle-aged man. Who on earth was he, to carry such an air of authority? Was there such a person in Qingjiangpu?

"That's Chief Steward Zhou, the Grand Chief Steward Zhou who runs Cloud Mountain Trading and the Qingjiang Great Market — one of Zhao Jin's top-ranking men. What's he doing here?"

"Today's whole scene is his doing. What's he got to be afraid of in coming?"

"That's an outsider's way of talking. The man in charge of the Zhao Character Camp's blades in Qingjiangpu is Sixth Master Dong. You know why he's ranked sixth?"

The onlookers buzzed with chatter. Idle folk were at ease; they didn't really think swords would be drawn. Watching these big shots they rarely saw in daily life, they discussed with great relish, and the scene grew noisy again.

Just then, Lian Ping'an came striding quickly this way, waving his hand and shouting as he walked, "Clear out all the irrelevant people! Anyone who won't leave, throw them straight into the river — the sight of them annoys me."

Once he gave the word, the other great merchants took the hint and each ordered their attendants to shoo people away. Before doing so, however, everyone glanced toward Zhou Xuezhi, who stood by the riverbank. Only when Zhou Xuezhi gave a slight nod did they set to work with confidence. Some even felt inwardly annoyed at Lian Ping'an — from now on, for at least several months or half a year, one of the two men whose word counted most in Qingjiangpu would be Master Zhou, and you start clearing the field without asking him first?

They hadn't expected that Lian Ping'an would walk up to Zhou Xuezhi, bow respectfully with clasped hands, and then say with an ingratiating smile, "Brother Zhou, please wait just a moment. No rush to talk until things quiet down here."

With that said, his face changed as he roared at the people nearby, "What are you standing there gawking for? Get an awning, a table and chairs, tea and refreshments over here — you mean to let Master Zhou bake in the sun?"

Only then were those who'd been annoyed thoroughly convinced. A man who'd spent years navigating officialdom could change his face at will, and everyone could guess: if the government armies really did wipe out the Zhao Character Camp, the very man giving the order to carve Zhou Xuezhi into a thousand pieces would be none other than this Warehouse Commissioner Lian Ping'an.

The Qingjiangpu magnates loved their comforts and put on grand airs; this was their usual style even when they came to the canal on ordinary days. So the awning, tables, and chairs were set up in no time, and tea and refreshments were promptly served.

Everyone clustered around Zhou Xuezhi as he sat down, then exchanged glances. None dared sit down after him. Lian Ping'an raised his voice and said, "Let's go one at a time — don't vex Brother Zhou."

Having said that, Lian Ping'an immediately pressed forward, lowered his voice, and said, "Master Zhou, though Little Lian mishandled a few matters earlier on, I've been diligent and obliging ever since, and I've helped our Zhao Character Camp quite a bit. If things truly blow up, Little Lian wouldn't dare stand in the way. I'm even willing to offer half my family fortune to support Master Jin. I only ask that, for the sake of past goodwill, you spare Little Lian's entire family and let us live. As for the warehouse, the tribute grain, and the like — Master Jin may simply take them as he pleases!"

Zhou Xuezhi gave a highly theatrical start, then asked with feigned bafflement, "What does Commissioner Lian mean by that? What 'blow up'? What 'take the tribute grain'? Aren't those crimes against the law of the land?"

Even someone as slick as Lian Ping'an couldn't help gritting his teeth at that moment. The canal is blocked — you've dared to obstruct the grain transport — and now you talk about breaking the law? Can you really be this shameless?

He thought it, but he kept it to himself. Lian Ping'an lowered his voice even further, his plump face nearly pressed against Zhou Xuezhi's. "Master Zhou, could it be that Master Jin means to rebel? To undertake some great enterprise?"

"Nonsense! Our Master Jin respects the law and upholds his duties — how could he ever commit such treasonous, heinous acts!" Zhou Xuezhi's expression instantly chilled as he spoke angrily.

At this outburst, the surrounding magnates who'd been craning their necks all jumped in fright, and quite a few teacups were knocked over in the commotion.

Lian Ping'an nearly dropped to his knees. But the next moment, Zhou Xuezhi's face settled into an expression of grave sorrow, and he said in a low voice, "Do you think we wanted to do this? We had no choice — we were forced into it. Our Third Master has suffered a grave injustice, yet has no place to seek redress. He could only gather people here and raise a ruckus, to see if the court might hear of it and help right his wrong. This, too, is a last resort!"

Who would dare force your Zhao Character Camp? Who would dare wrong those masters of yours? Lian Ping'an truly felt the urge to throw a punch, but he managed to hold it in. He forced a sympathetic expression onto his face and said with concern, "Just what sort of grievance is it? Could you tell me, Lian? Perhaps I might even be able to help?"

"Our Third Master's father was falsely accused of plotting rebellion by the Lu Prince Estate and was seized by the Depot Guard and thrown into the Celestial Prison. Truly, there is nowhere to seek justice — we could only resort to this desperate measure!" Zhou Xuezhi declared.

Lian Ping'an stood stunned for a moment before it registered. For a time, he didn't even know what to say. He merely gave a hollow laugh and said, "Brother Zhou, please wait just a moment. Let me go speak with the gentleman from the Revenue Office, and then explain to all the good folk of Qingjiangpu — see if we can't come up with some solution."

Zhou Xuezhi nodded indifferently and picked up the teacup beside him. Lian Ping'an hurried off toward the Revenue Vice Director, so he didn't hear the clatter of the teacup lid rattling against the cup behind him. Naturally, he didn't notice Zhou Xuezhi's hand trembling, nor the soft breath Zhou Xuezhi let out — clearly, he had been extremely tense just moments before.

The Revenue Vice Director listened to Lian Ping'an's report, frowned and glanced in this direction, then turned and left without the slightest pause. Lian Ping'an immediately headed back toward the Qingjiangpu magnates.

"So His Excellency Han just left like that?"

"The moment he heard it involved the Depot Guard and a rebellion case, and realized that this Xuzhou crew wasn't actually planning to revolt, he couldn't be bothered to get involved. He's gone home to play with his grandson!"

"He's got a broad heart, all right — just waiting to scrape together enough here in Qingjiangpu to retire on."

"Forget about him. What do we do about this mess? Cutting off the tribute grain transport — the court will never let this slide. Never mind grievances and all that; when the time comes, they're bound to send a massive army to wipe them out. Who knows what this place will be reduced to in the fighting."

"Even if they fight, it won't happen that fast. Think about it — who in the Southern Metropolitan Region north of the Yangzi would dare make a move? That fellow at Wolf Mountain or the one in Xuzhou? The most urgent thing right now is to move the goods we have on hand. Otherwise, once the fighting really starts, this shipment will be stuck on our hands, and we can forget about doing business with the capital and the north."

"That makes sense. I doubt their rebellion and fighting will last that long, but our business has to keep going for the long haul. Why don't we all go to the people backing us and ask them to make inquiries in the capital on his behalf?"

"Have you lost your mind? A major rebellion case involving the Depot Guard — you think you can just stick your hand in? The capital is in utter chaos right now; no one knows who'll end up in charge, who'll gain power. Do you want to drag your own patron into this along with your business? The most urgent thing is to ship the goods out — otherwise we really will take a huge loss! Hire big carts from their Cloud Mountain Trading? Haul the goods to Lake Luoma and load them onto boats there?"

"Ai, hiring those big carts — the freight charges will eat up a huge chunk of the profit. Really…"

"Breaking even is good enough. Settle this business quickly, and then take cover where you can. Heaven only knows how big this affair will blow up!"

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