Back when Wang Daxia was implicated in Chen Dalao's murder case and interrogated as a suspect at the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen, Zhang Tianshi, who purchased this land, claimed the buyer's identity was too sensitive to disclose publicly. He later wrote the name on a slip of paper for the victim's family representative Thousand Household Chen and Shuntian Prefecture Governor Wang Niqiu to examine, which was burned immediately after reading.
At the time, Wang Commander assumed it must be someone too powerful for Thousand Household Chen to challenge, but never imagined it would be Lu Bing.
Lu Bing had married four wives. According to Ming dynasty rites, honorary titles for wives were only granted to the first wife and successive official wives, making the third wife ineligible for such recognition. However, Lu Bing's exceptional status led the court to repeatedly make exceptions. His third wife, Lady Zhang, was the daughter of Earl Zhang Rong of Anding - a noble lady from an esteemed family. Her father leveraged his connections to secure an honorary title for her, and with both her maternal and marital families being influential and formidable, the Ministry of Rites exceptionally approved Lu Bing's petition, granting Lady Zhang the title of First-Rank Honorary Lady.
When it came to his fourth wife, Lady Zhao, her father Zhao Zupeng was a compiler at the Hanlin Academy and had previously served as the enlightenment teacher for Lu Bing's sons Lu Yi and Lu Cai. Though holding a relatively low official rank with a poor reputation, Zhao Zupeng relied on his son-in-law Lu Bing's influence to engage in rampant corruption and abuse of power, much like Jia Yucun in "Dream of the Red Chamber" who served as Lin Daiyu's enlightenment teacher - becoming arrogant upon gaining power.
Zhao Zupeng's misconduct had offended officials at the Ministry of Rites. When Lu Bing petitioned for an honorary title for Lady Zhao, it was rejected. Given his father-in-law's unreliable behavior constantly causing trouble, Lu Bing didn't insist after the Ministry's refusal and ultimately abandoned the effort.
Thus, the tombstone bears first-rank honorary titles for three wives, with only Lady Zhao having the simple inscription "Tomb of the Deceased Wife Lady Zhao."
With all four wives buried together, they could conveniently form a mahjong table in the afterlife, keeping each other company.
It turned out that after his first minor stroke, Lu Bing sensed impending crisis. Being someone who plans ten steps ahead, he proactively invited Zhang Tianshi to select a burial site for him to counteract the ill fortune.
Zhang Tianshi, proficient in feng shui and yin-yang principles, used a compass to survey locations around the capital's outskirts and selected a plot in Sanlitun outside Chaoyang Gate - which happened to be the dowry land of Wang Daxia's mother.
Zhang Tianshi declared this an auspicious burial ground that would bless descendants.
Lu Bing couldn't appear personally because if he had attempted to purchase the land directly, the landowner would have undoubtedly offered it for free to curry favor with the powerful before he even made an offer.
Being financially secure and unwilling to incur favor debts, Lu Bing remained behind the scenes, instructing Zhang Tianshi to negotiate with Wang Daxia to acquire the Sanlitun land for conversion into a burial ground.
The tomb complex couldn't be completed in one day, especially since Lu Bing had four wives whose remains needed gradual relocation. When Lu Bing suffered another stroke a month later that temporarily paralyzed him, he urgently accelerated the burial site's construction to prepare for the afterlife, hoping to counteract his misfortune. If this failed, at least his children could conduct funeral arrangements calmly - simply carrying him over for burial.
Li Jiubao's father and brothers were generations of tile makers. Her father Li Wei had participated in constructing Lu Bing's current luxurious residence. Given his skilled craftsmanship, when the Lu family urgently needed workers at Sanlitun, they recruited both Li Jiubao's father and brothers.
In this sense, Li Wei ultimately became Lu Bing's grave digger.
Driven out by the tomb keeper, Wang Commander had no alternative. His former wife's dowry land had become Lu Bing's burial ground and was irrecoverable. He subsequently commissioned a broker to inquire about available land for sale in the capital's suburbs.Finally, Wang Commander took a fancy to a plot of land in Wulitun outside Zhengyang Gate and spent two thousand two hundred taels of silver to purchase it—adding two hundred taels from his own pocket. The land deed was registered under Wang Daxia’s name.
When Wang Daxia returned home from his official duties, Wang Commander handed him the new land deed. "I accepted the silver returned by Miss Yingying on your behalf. Worried you might squander the money recklessly, I took the liberty of buying this land in Wulitun outside Zhengyang Gate. Keep it safe. The previous plot in Sanlitun outside Chaoyang Gate has already been converted into a cemetery by the buyer and cannot be redeemed."
Looking at the deed, Wang Daxia felt a pang of emotion. After all, this was his own father. Despite the family’s current financial difficulties, his father had still dipped into his private savings to contribute two hundred taels toward buying him land.
Wang Daxia was irritated that his father always took matters into his own hands under the guise of acting in his best interest, as if he were nothing but a spendthrift who would fritter away any money the moment it came into his hands.
Even in such dire straits, his father had still subsidized two hundred taels—surely that was an act of goodwill. Yet, while doing something kind, his father never spoke a single gentle word, always belittling and disparaging him as if he were an enemy. His father knew how to be polite and considerate when speaking to outsiders, so why was he so harsh and unfeeling toward his own son?
Doing good deeds but speaking harshly—what was the point?
Wang Daxia accepted the land deed and said, "The annual income from the Wulitun estate should be collected by the steward and used to support the household. There’s no need to give it to me."
Wang Commander felt somewhat comforted that his son was finally showing some responsibility, but he kept a stern face and said, "Now that you have a job, do you expect to keep living at home for free? I’m going to be dismissed this autumn. You need to take on the responsibility of supporting the family."
Wang Daxia choked back his words. If he didn’t have matters to attend to that evening, he might have argued with his father right then and there.
The family’s decline wasn’t my fault!
Wang Daxia stood up and said, "I have things to do. I’m heading out."
Wang Commander said, "It’s already dark outside. Where are you going? To see the young widow next door again? A widow’s doorstep is fraught with gossip. There have been plenty of unpleasant rumors lately—you need to rein it in."
Wang Daxia couldn’t help retorting, "Since you know it’s just rumors, why pay them any mind? How can a decent person be swayed by rumors? Become a slave to gossip?"
Wang Commander said, "A man must establish a family and a career before he can uphold the household. In the future, you’ll need to arrange a marriage and wed a respectable young lady from a good family. With all these rumors flying around about you and the widow next door, what decent family would be willing to betroth their daughter to you?"
Wang Daxia burst out laughing, "Oh? There’s such a good thing? That suits me perfectly!"
With that, Wang Daxia strode away, his mood suddenly lifting immensely!
"Come back here!" Wang Commander was so furious he nearly had a stroke. "Ungrateful son! Ungrateful son!"
It was Officer Mu who came to comfort him, "Don’t be angry. Daxia has always been like this. Focus on properly disciplining your second son, Daqiu—there’s still time. Daqiu has lost his mother now, Commander. You need to show him more care."
Wang Daxia hurried to Toutiao Alley and, under the cover of night, slipped in through the back door of the pharmacy that was under renovation.
Lu Ying had come here tonight to convene a meeting with her subordinates.
The pharmacy storeroom was brightly lit. On the southern wall hung portraits of White Lotus Sect followers. One of the portraits was circled in vermilion, with the words "Wu Dianyong, Branch Leader" written beside it.The White Lotus Sect maintained a strict hierarchy, descending from a single sect leader, four Branch Leaders (also called old officials or divination masters), eight incense masters (also known as altar masters), down to the lowest-ranking followers—male followers called "the masses" and female followers called "the secondary" or "second path." Even in a heretical sect, women held the lowest status.
Members of "the masses" and "the secondary" referred to each other as "fellow believers."
Lu Ying pointed at the portrait of Wu Dianyong. "He is one of the Four Great Disciples of the White Lotus Sect, holding a high position. This portrait was sketched by an artist from the Embroidered Uniform Guard a decade ago during the Gengxu Rebellion, when a covert agent witnessed him guiding the troops of Anda Khan."
"This man has a black mole between his left eyebrows. Though his name is unknown, the manager of the Myriad Goods Trading Company, Wu Dianyong, shares the same feature. However, Wu Dianyong is larger and sports a full beard that covers nearly half his face, making it difficult to confirm with certainty."
Wang Daxia remarked, "It's been ten years—middle-aged spread is natural."
Ding Wu added, "When I delivered gifts to the owner of the Myriad Goods Trading Company, Wu Dianyong was present, indicating he is a trusted aide. Based on my observations over the past few days, he manages warehouse operations and doesn't appear in the shop. Whenever large shipments arrive, he personally inspects and tallies them."
Lu Ying said, "Investigate this Owner Wang's background. If Wu Dianyong is confirmed as one of the Four Great Disciples, then Owner Wang's status within the sect is likely not low."
Ding Wu reported, "While building relationships with shop owners in Headline Alley through gifts, I gathered some intelligence. Owner Wang spends little time at the Myriad Goods Trading Company throughout the year, often traveling to manage his businesses and shops in places like Jinan and Tianjin. His trade extends beyond Shanhaiguan. He typically inspects his various shops and returns quarterly to review accounts, staying no more than ten to fifteen days before departing."
"This time, Owner Wang arrived about eight days ago. Whenever he's here, he invariably dines at the Lakeside Inn at the end of Headline Alley, ordering the 'Eight Lake Delicacies' and always the sweet and sour fish. He tips generously, so the staff compete to serve him—this according to the inn's manager."
Ding Wu had been diligent, leaving early and returning late, networking extensively and even baking peach cookies to foster goodwill, quickly establishing a foothold.
Wang Daxia laughed, "What a skilled informant! It's fortunate Brother Ding didn't end up guarding the Embroidered Uniform Guard's warehouse. You clearly have the makings of a scout—our guard needs talent like yours."
These words resonated with Lu Ying, who had noticed Ding Wu's exceptional performance and glanced at him a few more times.
Sensing her gaze, Ding Wu maintained a composed exterior, eyes fixed downward as if detached, but inwardly he was thrilled: She's looking at me. She's finally acknowledging me. Thank goodness I bathed and changed into clean clothes before going out tonight, avoiding any body odor.
Lu Ying stated, "So here's the problem: Based on past patterns, Owner Wang will leave in two days. His position in the White Lotus Sect should be at least that of a Branch Leader. However, it will take at least five days to tunnel into the Myriad Goods Trading Company. We can't let this big fish slip away—we need to find a way to delay him."
Wang Daxia suggested, "Just follow him. A running monk can't hide his temple."
Lu Ying shook her head. "That might work within the capital, but beyond it, tracking him across vast distances would be difficult and could easily alert our target."Wang Daxia's mind raced. "Let's set a trap to cause trouble and find an excuse to delay him for a few days..."
Wang Daxia excelled at deception and soon devised a plan.
The next day, as expected, Merchant Wang began packing for his departure the following day. Following his usual routine, he went to Lakeside Tavern for one last meal of the "Eight Lake Delicacies."
That morning, an undercover Embroidered Uniform Guard disguised as a spice merchant conducted a transaction with Myriad Goods Trading Company, selling two carts of Western perfumes to the company. The trading company paid with two hundred taels in silver notes. The goods were inspected and stored on the spot, completing the transaction.
In the afternoon, Commander Wu from Shuntian Prefecture Yamen arrived at the trading company with his officers and said, "Someone has filed a complaint at Shuntian Prefecture Yamen, accusing you of using counterfeit silver notes. They took the silver notes you gave them to Three-Link Bank to exchange for silver, but were immediately exposed. The bank drove them out, and they lodged a complaint with the yamen, vehemently protesting their innocence. They claimed the silver notes were issued by your Myriad Goods Trading Company and insisted on a face-to-face confrontation. Two hundred taels is a significant amount. Please ask your boss to come with us!"
Author's Note: Wang Commander: The main account is ruined, time to start over with a new one.
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