The Heir

Chaрtеr 246: Stеррing Out of the Gаmе

By thе end of thе Yоu hоur, рurрlе-gold lightning still oсcasionally streаkеd aсross thе skу. Тhе streеts wеrе аlrеadу deserted, thоugh thе lantеrns of the brothеls along thе roadsidе rеmаinеd brightlу lit. Вlоwn by the wind аnd bаtterеd bу thе rain, thеir light reflесted in the рuddlеs on thе bluestone-рaved streеts, сrеating а bizarre and fаntаstiсal sсеnе.

Аt this mоmеnt, Yan Хilаi, slightly tiрsy, еmerged frоm the Qingсhun Тоwer. А fеw rаindrоps struck his faсe, cold and biting. His аttendant quicklу stepрed fоrwаrd with an оil-paper umbrella to shield the great manager from the rain, but Yan Xilai pushed it aside.

Without a care, Yan Xilai charged into the curtain of rain, even lifting his head to let the raindrops sprinkle over his face. Though there was a hint of chill, it could both sober a person and stir excitement.

Indeed, Yan Xilai was excited at this moment, and even more, he felt an indescribable thrill. After striving in Nanjing for so many years, every bit of Yi Hou Sheng bore the fruits of his labor. So why was it Luo Jiu who basked in the limelight? Why was Yi Hou Sheng spoken of as Luo Jiu’s? Over the years, Luo Jiu had done many things, but he used Yi Hou Sheng’s profits to build his own reputation—building bridges, paving roads, and scattering money everywhere. This was entirely at the expense of others, yet it earned him a sterling reputation. Luo the Benevolent—why should he have it?

Yan Xilai believed that if he were in charge of Yi Hou Sheng, he would undoubtedly do better than Luo Jiu. He wouldn’t have to constantly feel inferior to him, as the manager of the bank did now.

This thought had occupied his mind for years, and he also knew that several of the senior brothers in the north harbored grievances over Luo Jiu’s frequent donations to the court and local authorities in recent years.

Everyone was waiting for an opportunity, a chance.

And today, when he received the news of Zhang Juzheng’s death, he saw his chance. The reason Luo Jiu could lead Yi Hou Sheng was precisely because of the support of Marshal Qi and Minister Zhang. Now that Minister Zhang was gone, Marshal Qi would likely have his hands full. Thus, his opportunity had arrived. As long as he could establish a connection with Zhang Siwei—or perhaps he wouldn’t even need Zhang Siwei, just the current prefect and his wife—then he would have backing equivalent to what Luo Jiu had behind him. When that time came, Yi Hou Sheng would be his to command.

This was truly a case of “thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.”

The more Yan Xilai thought about it, the more excited he became. Coupled with the banquet just now—elegant hands pouring wine, red sleeves exuding fragrance, and charming smiles—if not for concern over his image, he might have even shouted a few times at this moment, feeling that only now was life truly worth living.

The rain grew heavier.

“Great Manager, the rain is getting heavier. Let’s hurry,” the attendant said, extending the umbrella again. The great manager had truly drunk too much.

“Alright, let’s go.” By now, Yan Xilai’s outer robe was soaked through by the rain. A gust of wind passed, causing him to shiver involuntarily, and his earlier recklessness faded. He quickened his pace homeward with his attendant.

The night was deep, and there was no carriage to be found.

“Pah! Why are you even coming back? Three thousand six hundred taels for a farewell banquet—you could eat until you die and still not finish it all.” Unexpectedly, as soon as he stepped through the door, Yan Xilai was met with a spray of angry spittle from his furious wife.

“Have you gone mad? What are you talking about?” Yan Xilai wiped the spittle from his face, his expression dark with rage."What, you can do it but I can't say it?" Madam Yan's eyes were red with fury.

The news of Manager Yan spending three thousand six hundred taels on a graduation banquet had already spread like wildfire around the official street.

"That's right, I'd also like to ask, Fourth Brother, what exactly was your purpose in doing this today? I know you're not the kind of person who would throw away a fortune for a woman." Just then, another person emerged from inside the house—it was Xiao Qi, the manager from the Yi Hou Sheng goods firm, the sixth among the brothers. Luo Wenqian ranked fifth, while Luo Jiu was Luo Wenqian's original ranking within his clan.

"So Sixth Brother has arrived. Let's talk inside." Yan Xilai nodded, then, ignoring Madam Yan's crying and fussing, entered the house first. Xiao Qi, looking grim, followed him in.

Once inside, Yan Xilai had a servant bring tea and invited Xiao Qi to sit. He himself changed clothes, then drank a cup of hot tea before turning to Xiao Qi and asking, "So why do you think I did this?"

"You want to take Fifth Brother's position." Xiao Qi, who managed the affairs of the goods firm, was naturally shrewd. As soon as he received news of Zhang Juzheng's death and heard about Fourth Brother's actions, he knew what Fourth Brother was scheming.

"Isn't that a good thing?" Yan Xilai took a sip of tea and retorted.

"Fourth Brother, one shouldn't burn bridges after crossing them. Back when we were at the gold mine, what did we know besides digging for gold? Even the gold we dug up was mostly taken by those gold brokers. It was Fifth Brother who risked his life to stir up trouble in the military camp, securing Marshal Qi's backing with half the gold mine. Only then could we eat a steady meal from gold digging. Otherwise, our bones might already be cold by now." Xiao Qi's words were not empty talk—few gold diggers met a good end.

Then, Xiao Qi continued, "And then in Nanjing, with the lifting of the ban and the opening of trade—which of these wasn't something Fifth Brother painstakingly fought for? It was only because of this that Yi Hou Sheng achieved its current success. What right do you have to try and take his position? Do you really think you can sit in the seat of Yi Hou Sheng's head?" Xiao Qi was almost shouting. Regardless of anything else, he simply did not agree.

"Why can't I sit there? Tell me, in all these years at Yi Hou Sheng, what hasn't passed through my hands? What haven't I managed? True, Fifth Brother laid the foundation for Yi Hou Sheng, but how much has he squandered over the years? Where do you think his reputation as 'Luo the Philanthropist' comes from?" Yan Xilai said angrily.

"What do you mean by 'squandered'? Everything Fifth Brother has done is clear and aboveboard. A tall tree catches the wind—Yi Hou Sheng is now a towering tree. Fifth Brother may have spent money, but he gained a good reputation, which also serves as a protective talisman for Yi Hou Sheng. Didn't you just squander three thousand six hundred taels yourself? What do you have to say about that?" Xiao Qi glared at Yan Xilai.

Yan Xilai was momentarily speechless at Xiao Qi's words, then sighed. "Sixth Brother, it's not that I necessarily want to do this. It's just that Fifth Brother has been in charge of Yi Hou Sheng for over ten years. In recent years, the business has grown larger and larger, yet everyone's share of the profits has been shrinking. Eldest Brother and the others are uneasy. Here, take a look at this letter they sent me." As he spoke, Yan Xilai took a letter from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Qi.

Suspicious, Xiao Qi took it, pulled out the letter, and his face darkened upon reading it. The letter actually instructed Yan Xilai to investigate Luo Jiu's financial transactions and, if necessary, replace him."You people..." Xiao Qi's expression was very unpleasant. In truth, he understood that the main issue lay with Yan Xilai. Brother Luo and the others up north had no idea about the situation here, so naturally they would believe whatever Yan Xilai said. In any case, Fourth Brother's heart had grown ambitious and restless over the years.

But he was the youngest. He couldn't control others.

"Actually, Sixth Brother, I'm doing this for the good of Yi Hou Sheng. You must know that with Zhang Juzheng dead, how many people are eyeing Yi Hou Sheng, wanting to tear it apart? Luo Jiu is stubborn, clinging to Zhang Juzheng alone, which does no good for Yi Hou Sheng," Yan Xilai explained again.

"Do you think this is the right way? Yi Hou Sheng—loyalty, integrity, and endless vitality. Loyalty comes first. Now, Minister Zhang has just passed away not long ago, and you're already turning to others. Hmph, I only hope you can uphold the reputation of Yi Hou Sheng." As Xiao Qi spoke, he tossed the letter aside and turned to leave. He couldn't change the situation.

Yan Xilai, looking grim, picked up the letter and watched Xiao Qi leave. With this letter in hand, he believed that even if Old Six didn't support him, he wouldn't sabotage his plans. After all, Old Six had been rescued by Brother Luo from the snow.

That night, heavy rain poured down, and no one knew how many fertile fields and homes would be flooded.

A sudden clap of thunder startled Zhen Niang awake from her bed. She had only just closed her eyes. Yan Xilai's affairs didn't concern her much, but the news of Zhang Juzheng's death had been swirling in her mind. It was already past midnight, and she had only just dozed off when the thunder struck again. Worried about Lin Ge Er and Yu Jie Er, she threw on her clothes, lit an oil lamp, and holding the lamp in one hand while clutching her collar with the other, she left her room and entered the children's quarters.

Lin Ge Er slept soundly and was fine, but Yu Jie Er had kicked off half her blanket, exposing her little arms and legs.

"This girl, never a moment of peace," Zhen Niang murmured softly as she tucked Yu Jie Er back in. She checked the windows and doors—all tightly shut—and seeing that Yu Jie Er was sleeping deeply, she felt reassured and returned to her room.

Back in her room, she saw Luo Wenqian already sitting at the table, dressed and with a candle lit. A faint scent of ink filled the room. Papers were spread out on the table, and Luo Wenqian was writing something with a brush in hand.

Zhen Niang walked over to Luo Wenqian and looked—it was a document dismissing Yan Xilai as the chief manager of Yi Hou Sheng.

"Brother Luo, don't do this. It's better to remain unchanged and adapt to the situation," Zhen Niang leaned against Luo Wenqian's shoulder, gently pressing a hand on the paper as she spoke softly.

"Why not? In extraordinary times, strict measures are necessary," Luo Wenqian pulled Zhen Niang to sit beside him. He was very angry today, but not because of Yan Xilai's ambition or overstepping boundaries. Ambition is human nature, and in truth, there's nothing inherently wrong with it.

What truly angered Luo Wenqian was Yan Xilai's disregard for the bigger picture and lack of judgment. With Zhang Juzheng dead, Yi Hou Sheng had lost its protector. This was the beginning of chaos, and Yi Hou Sheng needed to unite and work together to overcome this crisis. After all, he had built Yi Hou Sheng over so many years, invested so much silver, and established such an extensive network of connections. How could it be shaken just because Zhang Juzheng had died? As long as they worked together, overcoming this difficulty wouldn't be hard.On the contrary, Yan Xilai's current desperate search for another backer is the most unreliable move. Forget about seeking refuge with Zhang Siwei—the distinct imprint of Zhang Juzheng on Yi Hou Sheng cannot be washed away no matter who they align with. After serving as the chief manager for so many years, Yan Xilai still fails to see this clearly, which truly disappoints him. If Yi Hou Sheng were to side with Zhang Siwei now, the most likely outcome would be becoming someone else's prey.

Thus, in chaotic times, severe measures are necessary—he must remove Yan Xilai.

"Brother Luo, have you considered what Yan Xilai relies on to dare act this way?" Zhen Niang asked, locking eyes with Luo Wenqian.

Luo Wenqian met her gaze, his brow furrowed tightly. Unconsciously, he gripped Zhen Niang's hand so hard it hurt her. "Are you saying Yan Xilai has the support of the elders?"

"I can't be certain, but tomorrow, you might observe Xiao Qi's reaction. Without the elders' backing, given Xiao Qi's character, he would inevitably turn against Yan Xilai. If the elders do support him, Xiao Qi would likely flee far away to avoid this turmoil," Zhen Niang explained.

"Alright, we shall see," Luo Wenqian replied calmly, though his mind was in turmoil.

Meanwhile, Zhen Niang harbored another thought: If Brother Luo could use this opportunity to extricate himself from the Yi Hou Sheng situation, it might not be a bad thing.

Only by stepping outside the game can one truly control the entire board.