Сhаpter 107: Сhаоs аnd thе Ink Gamble (6,000-word Сhаpter)
“Nо silver, no соins, thе wifе соmplains, kiсked out the door, veхing, vеxing, trulу veхing… Соld in bоdy, hungеr in bеllу, сhаsed bу dogs on the run, рitiful, рitiful, truly рitiful…”
Zhen Niang hurried оut of the rоom and sаw а grоuр оf bеggаrs gatherеd аt the shор еntranсe, singing this sеgmеnt of the lоtus bаllad. Lоtus ballads werе divided into civil аnd mаrtiаl pеrformancеs—сivil рerfоrmаnсеs fосused sоlеly оn singing, while mаrtial pеrformаnсеs cоmbinеd singing, rесitation, aсting, and fighting.
The group аt the Li family’s dоorsteр was сlеarlу performing a martial act. They had set up a stage in front of the Li Family Ink Manor, each of them bare-chested and wearing fierce expressions, causing onlookers to cautiously keep their distance.
“Manager Zheng, give these brothers some lucky money,” Zhen Niang said to Zheng Fuli beside her, eyeing the beggars at the door.
“We’ve already given them some,” Zheng Fuli replied through gritted teeth, his tone resentful.
Hearing this, Zhen Niang’s expression darkened. After a moment’s thought, she cupped her hands toward the beggars and said, “It seems our sincerity at Li Family Ink Manor is not enough. Very well, since we’ve just arrived in Nanjing, we’ll show our sincerity once more.” She then turned to Zheng Fuli and said, “Manager Zheng, bring another portion to distribute among the brothers.”
“Miss Zhen…” Zheng Fuli shook his head. It was obvious these people were here to cause trouble today, and no amount of silver would likely satisfy them.
“Go get it. Let the neighbors see our sincerity,” Zhen Niang said calmly.
“Alright.” Only then did Zheng Fuli return to the counter, fetch a packet of silver, and hand it to the fair-skinned man leading the group.
The fair-skinned man tossed the silver in his hand, his face full of disdain. “Brothers, is this little bit of silver enough?”
“Bullying, bullying, truly bullying, can this silver buy a wife? Or visit a brothel…” The clappers of the lotus ballad rang out again.
At this moment, the fair-skinned man waved his hand, and a bare-chested man stepped forward. He raised a thick wooden board and smashed it against his own head. In no time, the board shattered into pieces. The man’s forehead swelled with a bruise, but he grinned at Zhen Niang.
This was a show of intimidation.
Startled by the sudden act, Zhen Niang took a step back but clenched her teeth and stood her ground.
“What are you doing? Trying to rob us?” Immediately, Er Gou, Ma Shifu, and others rushed out, positioning themselves in front of Zhen Niang.
“They’re hitting people, they’re hitting people, they’re killing us!” Er Gou and Ma Shifu had merely stood in front of Zhen Niang without moving, but the man at the front suddenly cried out, clutching his stomach and rolling on the ground as if he had been kicked.
Instantly, the singers chimed in: “Bullying, bullying, truly bullying, the Li family treats beggars as less than human… Brothers, fight, fight, fight with your lives!”
Then the fair-skinned leader cupped his hands toward the crowd and said, “Today, I’ve let you brothers suffer. We came with good intentions to offer congratulations, but not only were we bullied, the Li family now wants to take our lives. I, Huang Lang, am powerless, but as long as I have a breath left in me, I won’t let you brothers suffer in vain.”
As he spoke, Huang Lang suddenly drew a knife from his waist and slashed his own arm. Blood splattered out."Oh dear, a life has been taken." Seeing blood spilled, the onlookers had no heart to watch further and all scattered away.
Zhen Niang knew she had encountered ruthless troublemakers. These people relied on intimidation and risking their lives to extort money.
"Ah, Miss Li, how did things come to this? Is it a matter of money being tight? No problem, tell me. For the sake of our shared hometown, I can help you out. Tsk tsk, to have such a scene—this opening is truly inauspicious." At that moment, Tian Rongchang came over from the banquet area, putting on a false show of concern as he spoke to Zhen Niang.
Secretly, however, he turned aside and gave Huang Lang a thumbs-up.
Huang Lang was someone he had recently connected with—a sworn brother of Ge Xunlan. Coincidentally, the Li family had now fallen out with Ge Xunlan, so the two men’s thoughts aligned. Tian Rongchang provided the money, Huang Lang supplied the manpower, and thus this farcical "lotus fall" drama was staged.
"No need. My sincerity has already been shown. I have a clear conscience, and I want to see just how far they intend to take this." Zhen Niang gritted her teeth and turned to Er Gou and Ma Shifu. "Guard the entrance. Let them do as they please outside, but don’t allow them to step inside. If they truly try to enter, beat them mercilessly."
What gave these people the audacity to act so recklessly? It was precisely because they calculated that businesses sought auspiciousness during openings, which allowed them to run wild. Well, she could do without that auspiciousness. Let them make their fuss, but if they tried to force their way inside, that would be outright robbery. She naturally had the right to defend herself, and with so many guests as witnesses, she wasn’t afraid of anyone twisting the truth.
As for fighting, there was nothing to fear either. The smoke generation masters and pestle-pounding masters in her shop were all strong and capable. If it came to a real fight, these troublemakers might not win—though that would be the last resort.
So, Zhen Niang was in no hurry. If they wanted to drag it out, then let them. She’d see just how much blood they were willing to shed.
"Well said." At that moment, Luo Wenqian walked over, clapping his hands. Then he clicked his tongue. "What inauspiciousness? Blood at an opening—that’s a full house of red, a brilliant start."
Zhen Niang smiled and cupped her hands toward Luo Wenqian, thanking him for his auspicious words.
Outside, the commotion continued. Er Gou and Ma Shifu guarded the door, coldly watching the fair-faced men put on their show. The guests at the banquet in the back were growing restless, crowding forward. Some of the timid ones wanted to leave but felt too awkward to do so, caught in a dilemma.
"Miss Li, watching a dry show is dull. I see you have plenty of inksticks here. How about we make a bet on them?" Luo Wenqian grinned broadly as he spoke.
"Exactly what I had in mind," Zhen Niang replied. At a time like this, she couldn’t afford to show weakness. She turned and entered the counter, taking out a box containing twelve inksticks. She then had a small table set up directly facing the entrance.
Watching the show while betting on ink—now that was exciting.
"Since it’s a bet on ink, there should be a prize, right?" Zhen Niang asked with a smile, looking at Luo Wenqian.
"This..." Luo Jiu seemed troubled, scratching his head before spreading his hands. "My money house has plenty of money, but none of it is mine. I only have three coins in my pocket, which I was saving for meat buns but couldn’t bring myself to buy. How about we bet three coins?"As soon as Luo Jiu said this, everyone around him laughed. The owner of the prestigious Yi Hou Sheng money shop claiming to have no money, only three coins—what was this if not a jest?
Zhen Niang couldn’t help but retort, “Are you mocking us?”
“No, really, I’m not. Don’t you know the principle of not flaunting wealth? I only have three coins. If someone ever comes to my shop singing the ‘Lotus Ballad,’ I’ll have to send them off with just these three coins.” Luo Jiu’s words rang out boldly.
His words left the men singing the Lotus Ballad outside looking livid.
“Fine, three coins it is,” Zhen Niang said, putting on a reluctant expression.
“Since this is a bet on ink, we should have a mediator. Who’s willing?” Luo Jiu then clasped his hands and addressed the crowd.
“Haha, I’ll join in for some fun,” Hu Zonglin said, stepping forward with an amused expression.
“Three makes a proper gathering. I’ll join as well,” Instructor Zhao added, stepping up.
Attendants promptly brought stools for everyone to sit.
The previously uneasy guests now perked up with interest. A bet on ink was a rare sight, so they gathered around to watch.
The Lotus Ballad singers outside instantly became mere background scenery.
“Since this is a bet on ink, the Tian family can’t be left out. I’ll wager three taels of gold. Although my family doesn’t own a gold mine or a money shop, we value friendship. Brothers, if you ever visit the Tian family in the future, we won’t disappoint you.” Tian Rongchang also brought a stool and sat at the tea table, joining Li Zhenniang and Luo Wenqian in the bet. Of course, he knew nothing about ink, but he had brought along an ink appraiser hired by the Tian family. The real bet would be placed by this appraiser.
As for Tian Rongchang’s words, they were naturally meant to save face for the Lotus Ballad singers outside.
“Please…” Luo Jiu narrowed his eyes, his gaze gleaming like a miser who had stumbled upon a pile of gold and silver—sharp and bright. This was the prelude to sharpening the knives.
Zhen Niang also smiled, though inwardly she took the matter seriously. The ink appraiser accompanying Tian Rongchang was originally the chief appraiser of the Wei family, surnamed Zeng, named Zeng Yipin, playfully nicknamed “First-Rank Appraiser.”
The Wei family’s Ink Manor in Nanjing had relied entirely on him to thrive. It was precisely because the Tian family poached Zeng Yipin that the Wei family, after weighing their options, withdrew from the Nanjing ink market. This had been the work of the Tian family’s eldest son, Tian Benchang, during his time.
Zhen Niang saw this as an opportunity to gauge his abilities.
The game began.
Hu Zonglin opened the ink box. The ink sticks were taken out and placed before the three participants for identification.
In this kind of ink bet, the first step was to identify and memorize the ink sticks. Once done, the participants would be blindfolded with cloth, and the mediator would call out the names of the ink sticks. The bettors then had to find the named ink stick within thirty breaths.
Thirty breaths were equivalent to about a minute in later times.
At that moment, an attendant entered from outside and approached Tian Rongchang.
“Hold on, twelve ink sticks are too few. My Tian family will add another twelve sticks. Only then will it be fair,” Tian Rongchang declared.
“As you wish,” Zhen Niang replied.
Tian Rongchang then took the ink box from the attendant and laid out twelve more ink sticks.
The Li family’s twelve ink sticks were: Tung Paste, Condensed Dew, Black Jade, Eight Immortals, Mount Tai Clouds, Purple Jade Radiance, Path to the Clouds, Golden Terrace, Ten Thousand Stalks, Ancient Method Ink, Eternal Light, and Ten Thousand-Year Fungus.The twelve inksticks from the Tian family were respectively: Brush Blossom, Purple Essence, Inch Jade, Dragon Treasure, Heavenly Auspice, Huangshan Landscape, Changgeng Landscape, Triple Prime Ink, Nine Sons Ink, Cherish Like Gold, Supreme Unity Radiance, and Soaring Dragon Dancing Phoenix.
Once the inksticks were laid out, everyone fell silent. Zhen Niang, Luo Jiu, and Zeng Yipin naturally focused intently on identifying and memorizing the inksticks. Outside the door, the sound of beggars singing "Lotus Fall" continued incessantly, and just then, another beggar stabbed a knife into his own thigh. A gust of wind passed, carrying a wave of bloody scent.
Zheng Fuli’s anxiety clawed at him like a cat. This couldn’t go on—if they let the beggars cause trouble, the authorities would arrive soon. If that happened, the door might be sealed, and the Ink Manor’s business would truly be ruined.
"Miss Zhen..." Zheng Fuli couldn’t help but want to remind Zhen Niang, but before he could finish speaking, she shook her head at him. Zheng Fuli swallowed back the words that filled his stomach.
"Time’s up, blindfold them," Hu Zonglin announced. Immediately, assistants stepped forward and covered the three participants’ eyes with black cloth.
"Good, now I will begin announcing the names of the inksticks. All three of you will search for them simultaneously. The one who finds them quickly, in greater quantity, and with accuracy will win," Hu Zonglin explained.
The rules of the three-person ink gambling were akin to a quiz competition, though not entirely the same. In a quiz, three people compete to answer one question, whereas in ink gambling, each person is assigned specific inksticks to find. Only after retrieving one inkstick could they proceed to the next.
This required the gamblers to be both fast and accurate in their search. Thus, among those who found inksticks accurately, the one with the highest count would win. Of course, if mistakes were made, even a high count would be useless—only accuracy mattered.
This tested touch, scent, and memory. Through touch, they gauged the weight of the inksticks and felt their textures; through scent, they identified the ink’s composition, then confirmed and selected the correct inkstick.
It could be said that this small gamble hinged entirely on one’s mastery of ink products.
"Master Zeng, Daiyun. Miss Li, Inch Jade. Luo Jiu, Ancient Method Ink," Hu Zonglin announced each person’s assigned inkstick.
As soon as his words fell, Zeng Yipin had already picked out Daiyun. Immediately after, Li Zhenniang found Inch Jade, and Luo Jiu followed by selecting Ancient Method Ink. The speed and accuracy of all three were nearly identical.
The onlookers couldn’t help but applaud excitedly. Today was the Ink Manor’s opening, and most of the guests were ink connoisseurs. They naturally understood the various difficulties involved in ink gambling. Honestly, without over a decade of experience in the Ink Industry, it would be impossible to find inksticks so quickly and accurately.
Today, they truly witnessed something extraordinary.
"Master Zeng, Dragon Treasure. Miss Li, Purple Jade Radiance. Luo Jiu, Cherish Like Gold," Hu Zonglin rattled off another series.
Once again, the three picked out their inksticks with comparable speed.
"Master Zeng, Golden Terrace. Miss Li, Heavenly Auspice. Luo Jiu, Path to the Clouds..." Almost without pausing for breath, Hu Zonglin announced another rapid series.
...
Soon, it was the seventh round. Up to this point, the three had been evenly matched, astonishing everyone present. The depths of the Ink Trade ran deep indeed.This round, Luo Jiu was supposed to pick Qianqiu Guang, but he paused and instead selected Taiyi Guang. Everyone couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It was already the second-to-last round—so close, yet so far.
However, Hu Zonglin was no ordinary man; he was an old fox with some cultivation and experience.
Thus, he soon announced: "Master Zeng, Taiyi Guang; Miss Li, Tong Gao; Luo Jiu, Longxiang Fengwu."
With only the last three inksticks left, Zhen Niang and Luo Jiu quickly made their selections. But Master Zeng hesitated. Qianqiu Guang and Taiyi Guang were essentially the same type of ink, even the outer patterns were identical, only the names differed. Of course, the ink-making techniques of the Tian and Li families also varied slightly, but those unfamiliar with their methods could easily confuse them.
Zeng Yipin had only recently joined the Tian family and had limited knowledge of their ink-making techniques. This inkstick left him uncertain, but time did not allow for much deliberation. In the end, he still picked it out.
Tian Rongchang’s face turned green with frustration. Several times he wanted to remind Zeng, but with everyone watching, he ultimately held back. Seeing Zeng Yipin finally mistake Qianqiu Guang for Taiyi Guang and present it, he stomped his feet in anger: "You idiot! Taiyi Guang is our own ink! How could you mistake it? You should have exposed it, understand? Understand?"
At this point, if Zeng Yipin had pointed out that this inkstick was not Taiyi Guang, even if Zhen Niang had gotten everything right, he would have won. Unfortunately... Zeng Yipin ultimately failed to recognize it.
By now, the black cloths covering the three participants' eyes had been removed. Zeng Yipin, scolded by Tian Rongchang, naturally wore an unpleasant expression. Luo Jiu, on the other hand, looked regretful. After all, he had chosen one incorrectly and thus lost, seemingly unwilling to concede, yet his eyes held a hint of smugness.
Zhen Niang glanced at Luo Jiu. Although Taiyi Guang was the Tian family’s ink, it actually inherited the techniques of the Luo Family Ink Workshop, making it essentially the same as Luo Mo. There was no reason Luo Wenqian would mistake it. Considering Zeng Yipin’s later mistake, Zhen Niang suspected Luo Wenqian had deliberately made this error.
This guy had a knack for scheming.
"This ink gambling contest is won by Miss Li," Hu Zonglin finally declared.
Immediately, applause broke out. Zhen Niang naturally bowed to the crowd in acknowledgment, adding another highlight to the opening day. Today’s opening was quite lively, far from cold or dull.
"Bullying, bullying, too much bullying! Brothers, let’s take on the Li family..." Outside the door, Huang Lang, feeling utterly ignored by the Li family, knew that if he didn’t carry on with this performance and make it a grand spectacle today, his reputation in Nanjing would be ruined. The resolve of this Li Mo head was beyond his expectations.
"Bullying, bullying, too much bullying! Brothers, charge..." Instantly, the sound of lotus songs filled the entire street.
Zhen Niang couldn’t help but clench her fists. Beside her, Luo Wenqian gently patted her shoulder, signaling her to stay calm. Compared to his experiences digging for gold in the north, this situation was trivial. Besides, his bank branch was just across the street; with a single call, the guards from the shop could come over. These people were nothing to worry about.
Zhen Niang nodded. She felt a bit nervous, but she wasn’t actually anxious. Lost in thought, she looked up at the sky.The auspicious hour was approaching, and the guests she was waiting for should have arrived by now.
Just as she was thinking this, two sedan chairs stopped in front of the Li family's gate. On either side of the sedan chairs followed two groups of dark-skinned, burly men. Although they walked in a rather undisciplined manner, there was a fierce and ruthless aura about them as they glanced around.
Anyone with a sharp eye could tell at once that these men made their living on the water.
"Move aside, don't block the way." The two groups of men paid no heed to the troublemakers singing the lotus ballad. They simply swung their arms and swept the beggars who had been singing for half the day to the side without the slightest courtesy.
Huang Lang was already seething with anger, and now he couldn't possibly let anyone push him around like this. He turned and called on his brothers to start a fight, but within moments, he was knocked to the ground by those dark-skinned men, covered in dust and dirt. As he indignantly got back on his feet, he caught sight of the person stepping out of the sedan chair from the corner of his eye—a man in his forties, tall and sturdy, somewhat plump, yet his figure filled out the scholar's robe with an imposing presence.
Upon recognizing the man, Huang Lang couldn't help but exclaim in shock, "Master Wei?"
Then, seeing the person stepping out of the sedan chair behind, he gasped again, "Boss Wang." As he spoke, his legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed back to the ground.
This time, he had truly kicked an iron plate. Between these two, Huang Lang couldn't afford to offend either one.
Master Wei, Wei Bai Wan, was the God of Wealth in Nanjing and the head of the Stick Gang. In Nanjing, you could offend the prefect, but you must never offend Wei Bai Wan—otherwise, you'd end up with nothing left of your bones. Such was Wei Bai Wan's fearsome reputation.
As for Boss Wang, that was naturally Wang Cuiqiao. She was also someone not to be trifled with. Leaving aside the people under her command, just her connections alone were formidable. In the past, wealthy patrons who would spend fortunes just to win a smile from her were capable of anything. What was Huang Lang compared to them? Nothing but a speck.
"Wei Bai Wan? Boss Wang? One is the local tyrant of Nanjing, the other is the queen of the seas. So the Li family has been keeping quiet all this time because they truly have the backing." The onlookers whispered among themselves.
Today's drama was filled with mixed emotions for those involved, but for the spectators, it was nothing but wave after wave of excitement, thoroughly enjoyable.
"Master Wei, Boss Wang, Zhen Niang has been awaiting your arrival." Zhen Niang greeted them with a smile, clasping her hands in salute.
Since parting ways in Huizhou, Wang Cuiqiao had also come to Nanjing. However, during this time, she had been busy legitimizing her identity and hadn't interacted much with Zhen Niang. Still, for the Li family's opening, Zhen Niang naturally sent her an invitation.
And Wang Cuiqiao was sure to show her support. The pirates under her command were true ruffians, not to be compared with Huang Lang and his idle gang. This was also the reason Zhen Niang could remain so composed.
As for Wei Bai Wan, his arrival was an unexpected delight.
But the surprises were not over yet.
Just then, another sedan chair arrived, escorted by two soldiers with swords at their sides. The sedan was set down, and a man in tight-fitting brocade robes stepped out. He had a dark complexion, a face with sharp features, and especially his eyes—when they swept over someone's face, it felt as if a blade had just passed over them.
To be honest, the man's attire was quite ordinary, but as he stood there, he seemed as imposing as a mountain. Even Wei Bai Wan and Wang Cuiqiao, who were considered outstanding figures among men, could not overshadow the man's presence."It's Marshal Qi, it's actually Marshal Qi..." At that moment, Hu Zonglin said with disbelief. Back when Commander Qi was resisting the Japanese pirates, he had donated a large sum of silver, and thus had once met Marshal Qi.
Zhen Niang was also stunned. Marshal Qi? She hadn’t invited him at all, nor did she have any connection with him. What was going on?
However, she soon remembered that she had once given Luo Wenqian a blank invitation. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but glance at Luo Wenqian.
Luo Wenqian narrowed his eyes and smiled, whispering in Zhen Niang’s ear, "Hurry and go help the old lady come welcome him."
Meanwhile, outside the door, Huang Lang’s legs grew even weaker upon hearing that Marshal Qi had arrived. The trouble he had stirred up this time was truly immense. As he thought this, he glared at Tian Rongchang in the crowd, placing all the blame squarely on his head.
Inside, Tian Rongchang’s face was equally dark, his mind flooded with countless thoughts. Wei Bai Wan’s arrival had already taken him by surprise, though with Wang Cuiqiao leading him here, it still made some sense. But Marshal Qi—how could the Li family possibly have invited him? Or perhaps he was merely passing by and not here to congratulate the Li family on their opening? Had everyone misunderstood?
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