Li Sаnjiаng rеmаinеd silent, and Сhеng Сhi sееmed lost in thought fоr а moment.
Тhe study wаs quiеt fоr а lоng whilе beforе Cheng Chi appеаred tо snaр bасk tо reаlitу аnd sаid, "Rеgarding thе Wei Firm, I intend to withdrаw mу sharеs. Go back аnd ask yоur family’s Оld Маstеr whеthеr hе’s interestеd in buуing baсk thе shаres I hоld..."
Bеfоre he соuld finish spеaking, Li Sanjiang’s fаce pаlеd, аnd he stоod up in a flustеr, sауing, "Fourth Маstеr, whаt’s hарpеnеd? Evеrything wаs fine—why dо yоu suddеnlу want tо withdrаw уоur shares?"
Cоuld it be that the Cheng fаmily was revоking Cheng Сhi’s authоritу to mаnage affairs?
But that didn’t make sense!
For one thing, outsiders nowadays only recognized Fourth Master of the Cheng family when doing business with them. If the Cheng family truly stripped Cheng Chi of his management duties, as a scholar who had passed both imperial examinations, he could focus entirely on his official career, freeing himself from this mire—something he’d surely welcome. Moreover, the shares in the Wei Firm were originally forced upon the Old Master when Cheng Chi was in dire straits, and he had no choice but to "invite" him to invest. The Cheng family might not even be aware of this. With this source of income, even if the Cheng family stopped supporting him, Cheng Chi could establish his own household independently. While others might see this as a case of reaping the rewards after others’ hard work, stirring resentment, for Cheng Chi, it would be a joyous occasion worthy of celebration.
Why would he think of withdrawing his shares from the Wei Firm?
Li Sanjiang first suspected something was wrong with the Wei Firm, then wondered if Cheng Chi was planning to break ties with the Li family!
But their cooperation had been smooth over the years, and the Li family had never crossed him. Surely Cheng Chi wouldn’t be so heartless?
Cheng Chi had also pondered this matter for a long time, but if he was going to let go, he might as well do it completely. With his current wealth, as long as his descendants didn’t gamble away the estates, it would be enough to sustain two or three generations in luxury.
Sometimes, too much money wasn’t necessarily a good thing.
He said, "I plan to build a wharf in Tianjin and need funds. Go and inform your family’s Old Master."
If he sold his shares to the third-largest shareholder, Prince Zhu Cheng of Xin, Zhu Cheng would become the second-largest shareholder after the Li family. Given Zhu Cheng’s special status, the Li family would likely lose control of the Wei Firm.
Without hesitation, Li Sanjiang smiled and said, "Fourth Master, if it’s just a matter of funds, what’s that to our bank? Don’t rush to withdraw your shares. Just tell us how much you need. You know the Wei Firm’s assets well. At worst, in our Xi County, we either run silver shops or banks. With the Li family’s reputation, even if it’s millions of taels of silver, we can gather it for you. Just give me the bottom line so I can report back to our Old Master. There’s really no need to withdraw your shares!"
Without Cheng Chi, the Li family’s Old Master might not be able to suppress Zhu Cheng, and the Wei Firm would likely split sooner or later. It would be better to lend the funds to Cheng Chi.
After all, he had never lost money in any business venture so far!
Cheng Chi said, "The waters are too murky. You shouldn’t wade into this."
Li Sanjiang had nothing more to say.
With his status as a scholar who had passed both imperial examinations, Cheng Chi had nothing to fear wherever he went.
Unlike them, who were merely merchants.
He could only hope that the Fourth Young Master of the Li family would live up to expectations and pass the provincial examination next autumn, justifying the Old Master’s perseverance all these years.
He bowed and said, "Then I’ll go back and inform our Old Master."
Cheng Chi picked up his teacup.
Huaishan saw the guest out.Cheng Chi stayed alone in the study for a while.
Huaishan returned and said, "Fourth Master. You wouldn’t be thinking of taking advantage of these two years with nothing much going on to join Xiao Zhenhai in building that so-called dock, would you?"
Cheng Chi sneered. "Do I look like I’ve lost my mind? Xiao Zhenhai is decent at highway robbery, but building a dock—and in Beitang of all places—how much silver would that just sink? Xiao Zhenhai wants to clean up his background, but what would I be doing tagging along for fun?" By the end of his words, his Beijing accent slipped out.
Huaishan flushed and muttered, "I thought you and Xiao Zhenhai had a good talk that day…"
Cheng Chi didn’t even glance at him.
Huaishan looked embarrassed, but his mind was racing.
That day, Xiao Zhenhai had been aggressive, but Fourth Uncle had just smiled without saying a word. When Xiao Zhenhai left, he must have been uncertain. Now that Fourth Master had mentioned investing in the Tianjin Beitang dock in front of the Li family, wouldn’t Xiao Zhenhai be overjoyed when he heard the news? Everyone knew Fourth Master was the "God of Wealth." The real worry was that those who had been watching from the sidelines would change their minds as soon as they heard Fourth Uncle was investing, pouring silver into Xiao Zhenhai’s hands like water… When it came time to formally sign the contract and they realized Fourth Master had no such intention, they’d either blame the Li family or Xiao Zhenhai…
He silently mourned for both the Li family and Xiao Zhenhai for a few moments.
Still, Xiao Zhenhai was a ruthless character. Would he expose Fourth Master’s true intentions when the time came?
He whispered, "Fourth Master, the Li family is in the Central Plains, Xiao Zhenhai is in the north, the Thirteen Hongs are in the south, and the Pai Sect in western Sichuan—last time you sank five of their ships, they’re still holding a grudge to this day. Since you’re planning to step back, why not just let it go?"
Cheng Chi thought Huaishan was a good bodyguard but truly not a good attendant, let alone a steward.
But Huaishan was his man, so he explained, "I sold the Cheng family’s salt vouchers in Lianghuai and Zhejiang this year, sold the Hangzhou weaving workshop, sold the Quanzhou shipping business… There are no walls that don’t leak. I have to give people an explanation, don’t I? If anyone’s to blame, it’s Xiao Zhenhai’s bad luck. During the New Year, he actually came to Jinling City—if he doesn’t take the blame, who will?"
Huaishan was speechless.
Cheng Chi said, "By the way, what did you say about that Fan Qi last time? I didn’t catch it clearly."
Huaishan hurriedly replied, "He went back after the Mu family’s eldest young lady got married."
Then why did he come to the capital?
Just to see the Mu family’s eldest young lady get married with his own eyes?
There was nothing unusual about the Mu and Lin families. Their friendship was quite ordinary—the Lin family were old Beijing locals, while the Mu family had moved there when Mu’s father took up an official post. When Mu’s father was robbed on his way home, Lin’s father happened to pass by. Not only did he help recover the stolen goods, but he also took the fallen Mu’s father to a familiar clinic for injuries. Grateful for Lin’s father’s integrity and kindness, the two families gradually became close and later became in-laws through marriage.
He went over it several times but couldn’t find anything particularly noteworthy about the Mu and Lin families.
He couldn’t figure out why Zhou Shaojin had sent Fan Qi to the capital either. Was Fan Qi’s bet with that Taoist surnamed Yang accidental or intentional?
Regardless, for someone so young to have outsmarted the Ji family—though the Ji family had been careless—it showed this kid was exceptionally sharp.Cheng Chi thought for a moment and said, "This matter isn't urgent. Let's set it aside for now. We'll discuss it after returning to Jinling." Then he asked about Cheng Shao, "Is he still shut up in his study, refusing to see anyone?"
Huaishan nodded, worriedly saying, "The old master is getting on in years. I'm afraid..."
Cheng Chi said, "Find a way to get him some wood for making a qin. I'll stay and help him make one before returning to Jinling."
Huaishan asked, "Aren't we going back with the Duke of Liang?"
The Duke of Liang was scheduled to leave the capital on the twenty-sixth day of the sixth month.
Cheng Chi said, "Why wait for them? To be used as a target for others?"
Huaishan fell silent.
He had thought Cheng Chi would at least show some face to the Duke of Liang's household.
Cheng Chi gathered the account books on the table and walked out, saying, "I'm going to see Second Uncle. Regarding Xiang Zhiyong's matter, have Xie Dingzhi go to Liu Yong's residence to hurry things along. Also, make sure those petty officials who only know how to guess their superiors' intentions don't end up flattering the wrong person and have Xiang Zhiyong appointed as the prefect of Jinling City."
Huaishan acknowledged the order.
A young servant came running in and reported, "Fourth Master, the eldest young master has arrived."
"What does he want?" Cheng Chi continued walking without even pausing his steps, instructing Huaishan, "Have Qin Ziping receive him. Say I'm currently with Second Uncle."
Huaishan went to the front reception hall. Cheng Chi went to Cheng Shao's study.
Cheng Shao was a lean, tall old man with hair that remained jet-black and glossy. Seeing Cheng Chi, his somewhat vacant eyes gradually brightened, and he smiled faintly, saying, "Sit down and talk."
Cheng Chi cupped his hands in salute and sat down, but contrary to the rumors in Nine Prosperities Lane, his relationship with Cheng Shao was not particularly close.
Cheng Shao asked, "Are you doing well?"
"Quite well," Cheng Chi replied with a smile. "Traveling across mountains and rivers, tasting all kinds of delicacies—what more could one ask for in life?"
"That sounds like words spoken in anger," Cheng Shao said kindly, smiling. "It seems you're all prepared. When are you leaving?"
Cheng Chi was somewhat surprised.
Cheng Shao said, "To be honest, I never really approved of you managing those miscellaneous affairs. But at the time, you were the only suitable one. Balancing the circumstances, we had no choice but to send you." He smiled as he spoke. "I remember when you were little, you once got into some trouble. I had business with your father and went to see him. He was scolding you at the time. Your little face was tense, and you stared at your father with wide, round eyes, full of grievance, asking, 'Why do we have to consider this and that? I won't! I just want to play by myself. That's mine.' I thought then, this child will surely grow up to be a troublemaker. Who would have thought you'd endure so many years for your sister-in-law..." His tone grew wistful toward the end.
Cheng Chi's expression didn't change in the slightest. He merely said, "Since you're grateful to my mother, please don't upset her. It's better not to tell her about my departure for now. After I settle down, I'll quietly return to visit her."
"That's fine," Cheng Shao said without trying to persuade him. "Where there is spring, there is summer; where there is summer, there is autumn. All things in this world follow the orderly progression of time, like the sun and moon—one wanes as another waxes. No one can stop it. The Cheng family is like an ancient tree a hundred years old—it will eventually wither and decay. Let nature take its course."
Cheng Chi smiled but said nothing.Cheng Shao said, "Don't worry about me. I see your affairs are nearly settled, so return in a couple of days! Being able to bring joy to your parents will make Sister-in-law immensely happy. That’s far more meaningful than staying here with me!" At the end, he gave a light, self-deprecating smile.
Cheng Chi nodded, rising to his feet. "Then I’ll return to Jinling in three days!"
※
In Jinling, Zhou Shaojin’s mood was rather restless. Not only was she struggling to find a way to accept Cheng Chi, but ever since Magistrate Wu received the news that he would remain as the Jinling Prefect, Madam Wu had suddenly become a frequent visitor to the Fourth House. On top of that, Wu Baozhang had also begun accompanying Madam Wu in and out of the Cheng household.
After taking such a long detour, how was she still encountering Wu Baozhang?
※
Sisters, here’s today’s update.
The previous two chapters were posted as drafts with many typos, which have now been corrected. This chapter is also a draft, and I’ll revise it as soon as possible.
o(n_n)o
※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote to recommend it or cast a monthly vote. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
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