The Heir

Chaрtеr Sеvеntу-Nine: A Verу, Vеry Deеp Pit

Тhе tumultuоus dау hаd passеd. For the Li family, it truly felt likе riding thе wavеs—onе surgе highеr thаn the lаst.

In thе еvеning, thе membеrs of the Eighth Вrаnch оf the Li family hаd dinner at thе main branсh bеfоrе lеisurеlу making their wау towаrd thе сity gаte distriсt.

"Аh, earliеr wе werе still discussing whether tо buy a plоt оf lаnd to build а house or tо buу оne оutright. Вut nо mаttеr whiсh, we thоught mоving awаy frоm the citу gatе distriсt wоuld still takе sоmе timе. Who would havе thought we’d be moving so sоon?" Zhao Shi still fеlt as if she wеre drеаming. During dinner, thе Seventh Branch had already confirmed the moving date with the Eighth Branch—just three days later, after consulting the perpetual calendar, which deemed it an auspicious day for relocation.

"Mother, didn’t you say you didn’t like dealing with the main branch and that our family was perfectly content living in the city gate district? Why are you so happy about moving now?" Zhen Niang held up a windproof lantern to light the way, turning her head to tease her mother.

"That’s exactly how it is. I still don’t like dealing with them. As for moving, that’s a different matter, alright? The courtyard in the Ancestral Residence was originally allotted to our family. This time, we’re reclaiming what’s rightfully ours. Of course I’m happy," Zhao Shi retorted with a huff.

"Oh, so that’s how it is," Zhen Niang deliberately adopted a tone of sudden realization.

"This girl, for someone who can handle big matters, she still teases her own mother. No manners at all, asking for a spanking," Wu Shi chuckled from the side.

"Oh, speaking of handling big matters, you, young lady, need to give me a proper explanation today." At this, Zhao Shi pointed a finger at Zhen Niang. "Tell me, when did you go to the yamen to establish that Public Deed? Such a major matter, and you didn’t breathe a word to the family. Have your wings hardened already?" Zhao Shi began.

Then, with another huff, she continued, "I say, girl, are you thoughtless or what? You’ve done so much for the Ink Workshop, put in so much effort, only to end up preparing the dowry for the Seventh Branch. Aren’t you being foolish?"

As she spoke, Zhao Shi reached out and gave Zhen Niang a few firm, exasperated pats.

"Mother, I’m not foolish at all. Even with Seventh Grandmother’s letter, do you think we could truly hold onto the Ink Workshop? Let me tell you, if the workshop didn’t make money, it might be fine. But once it starts profiting, all sorts of people with ulterior motives will come. At that time, with just our few family members, could we withstand the pressure from so many Li clansmen? Ultimately, our claim wouldn’t be legitimate. When I’m out negotiating business, I might get stabbed in the back without warning," Zhen Niang explained.

Given the situation at the time, Zhen Niang felt it wasn’t appropriate to take over the workshop. But if she didn’t, the Ink Workshop would follow the old path recorded in the clan register and end up in Li Jincai’s hands. That’s why she discussed it with Old Shopkeeper Li, who advised her to establish this Public Deed.

They would hold on for a while, support You Ge’er until he could stand on his own, and then the Eighth Branch would gracefully step back.

Of course, the current outcome was even better.

She then added, "Besides, it’s not like I didn’t inform the family. I discussed it with Grandfather. It was Grandfather who told me to do this. If you’re really unhappy, go talk to Grandfather about it."

"You wretched girl, don’t use your grandfather as a shield," Zhao Shi gave Zhen Niang another pat, then sighed. "But I suppose that’s how it is."After finishing, she sighed with relief, "It can be said that good deeds bring good rewards. You have done a great service for the Eighth Branch. And as for that one-percent share of your dowry, as your mother, I can finally rest easy."

At the very least, even if Zhen Niang had no one to rely on in the future, she could still live a peaceful and contented life. The Li Family Ink Workshop had a reputation spanning centuries. This one-percent share was more substantial than the dowries of some well-off families accumulated over dozens of generations.

"To gain, one must first give. Only by letting go can one receive," Wu Shi interjected with a somewhat philosophical remark.

Zhen Niang, standing to the side, smiled happily.

Seventh Grandmother’s decision had taken Zhen Niang by surprise. However, she felt no hesitation in accepting that one-percent share.

"Ah, it’s a pity your father is no longer here. He had always dreamed of earning enough money to buy back the two-percent share that belonged to our family. If he were alive now, he would surely be overjoyed—he might even have gone to try his luck again," Zhao Shi said, looking up at the stars in the sky with a touch of melancholy.

"Try his luck," of course, meant gambling a few rounds. In the past, whenever Li Jingfu mentioned "trying his luck," Zhao Shi would feel nothing but resentment. But now, as she spoke those words herself, her tone was filled with emotion.

During his lifetime, Li Jingfu’s unreliable behavior had given Zhao Shi plenty of reasons to complain. Yet, after years of marriage, there remained a bond of affection between them. Thinking of Li Jingfu’s unfulfilled wish, Zhao Shi felt a hollow ache in her heart.

"Zhen Niang, go home and light an incense stick for your father. Tell him about today’s events so he can let go of his burdens and pass on in peace," Old Shopkeeper Li said at that moment.

"Yes," Zhen Niang nodded.

As they spoke, they entered the city gate tunnel. The long, narrow passage was lined with shops, their windproof lanterns swaying in the cold breeze. A snowflake landed on Zhen Niang’s cheek.

It was snowing.

The Li family members made their way home through the falling snow. Inside, the brazier was already lit. As soon as they entered and lowered the thick cotton curtain over the door, the room felt warm and cozy.

The first thing Zhen Niang did upon returning home was to stand before her father’s memorial tablet, respectfully lighting a stick of incense. She recounted the day’s events before finally leaving the room.

Outside, Old Shopkeeper Li and Wu Shi, though somewhat weary, were clearly too excited by the day’s events to sleep. Thus, the family gathered around the brazier to chat.

Old Shopkeeper Li first asked Eldest Brother Li about the oil workshop.

"Many people have been coming to return oil these past few days. Fortunately, Zhen Niang found two helpers for me—they’re quite efficient. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have been able to manage," Li Dalang said. After all, returning oil wasn’t just about the oil itself; it also involved various complications and troubles.

During this period, Li Dalang had been overwhelmed with work.

"What happened? Where did you find two people to help your elder brother?" Old Shopkeeper Li asked Zhen Niang curiously.

Zhen Niang then recounted the incident at the Ink Workshop where the two workers had been gossiping. She added, "At the time, if I hadn’t dealt with it strictly, the rumors would have unsettled the workshop’s workers. That’s why I took such a firm stance."

"Hmm, that’s not wrong. In business, while harmony brings wealth, management is like governing a household—it requires both authority and benevolence," Old Shopkeeper Li nodded. Having been a shopkeeper himself, he understood well how to handle such matters appropriately.

Then, turning to Li Dalang, he said, "Dalang, learn from this."In Old Master Li's view, Li Dalang was not cut out for business. He was too honest and upright. While integrity and loyalty were important in business—honesty was what allowed enterprises to thrive generation after generation—one couldn’t simply be a pushover. That might work for small-scale operations, but once the business grew, all sorts of complications would arise. Fortunately, Dalang was now partnering with the eldest son of the Ninth Branch, and that boy Zheng Shen was quite capable, so there wasn’t too much to worry about.

"By the way, Grandfather, I plan to go to Wuyuan in a couple of days to sell another batch of inkstones. Once that’s done, the oil mill can resume operations," Li Dalang said at that moment. The coal stove workshop had already been sold—to Da Xi and his family near the city gate. Now he was focusing entirely on the oil mill. Having worked there for many years, he was actually more familiar with the oil mill business than with the coal stove trade.

"Mm, that’s fine. Also, remember to settle the medicine expenses for the Ink Workshop. The oil mill’s affairs are our family’s responsibility and shouldn’t be mixed up with the Ink Workshop’s. We need to keep things clear on that front," Old Shopkeeper Li said.

"I understand. I’ll settle it once I return from Wuyuan," Li Dalang replied.

Just then, Xi Ge’er came skipping over, holding a small brazier. "Second Sister, I heard our aunt from Nanjing has arrived. Did she bring any interesting things?"

Children were always particularly excited about visiting relatives, especially when they came from Nanjing—the auxiliary capital, a big city.

"I don’t know about interesting things. All I know is that as soon as she arrived, she gave me a thorough scolding," Zhen Niang said somewhat irritably. Her aunt certainly had a commanding presence.

"What right does she have to scold anyone? She’s a Han family member now. How dare she overreach and meddle in the Li family’s affairs?" Zhao Shi chimed in, frowning. Then, lowering her voice, she added, "Earlier, during the meal, I overheard Aunt trying to borrow money from Seventh Aunt—two thousand taels at once. Seventh Aunt scolded her and refused."

"Two thousand taels? What does Aunt need that for?" Zhen Niang couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. Even though her recent batch of goods had sold to Huiyuan Bank for over eight thousand taels, that was gross revenue. After deducting costs and other expenses, the net profit was barely three thousand taels at most. Add to that future investments in the Ink Workshop, the distribution of profits among the family branches, and expenses for the clan school and charitable estate, there wasn’t much left.

Where would they get that kind of money to lend!

The Li Family Ink Workshop had been passed down for centuries, but its operations had long been stuck in a rut, barely sustaining itself. Sometimes, Zhen Niang couldn’t help but wonder why.

"I heard she wants to buy some land or something. Xu Xiang’s third daughter-in-law is helping her with it. The land is supposedly very cheap, so she wants to buy some to establish a family estate," Zhao Shi said.

Zhen Niang’s eyes widened. "Xu Xiang—do you mean Grand Secretary Xu Jie?"

"Shush! How dare you speak Grand Secretary Xu’s name so casually?" Zhao Shi glared at Zhen Niang.

"Well, you were the one who called him ‘Xu Xiang.’ Our Great Ming doesn’t have a ‘Prime Minister,’" Zhen Niang calmly retorted. Although there was no official title of Prime Minister, it was common among the people to refer to the top officials in the Grand Secretariat as "Xiang."

"Aunt is quite impressive, managing to get connections with Grand Secretary Xu’s family," Zhen Niang added.

"Grand Secretary Xu serves in the court, while his sons conduct business in places like Songjiang and Nanjing. The Han family has been in the textile industry in Nanjing for generations, so it’s only natural they’d have some connections," Old Shopkeeper Li interjected from the side.He had once stayed in Nanjing and knew a thing or two about the ways of that place.

Meanwhile, Zhen Niang was pondering that Aunt shouldn’t be getting involved with the Xu family, much less meddling in matters of land.

Xu Jie was a powerful figure, but time waits for no one. Not long after Longqing ascended the throne, he would retire and return to his hometown.

Originally, he would have returned in glory, with countless disciples and former subordinates in the court, making him untouchable. Under his protection, his several sons had also thrived in the business world.

But the more you climb the mountain, the more likely you are to meet a tiger. In the era of the Ming Dynasty, formidable figures were never in short supply.

Soon, places like Nanjing and Songjiang would welcome a formidable figure—Hai Rui, the Governor of Yingtian. The first major case he investigated was land annexation, and the first person he targeted was none other than Xu Jie, the Grand Secretary.

Although Xu had many allies in the court, they were no match for Hai Rui’s impartiality and integrity. In the end, not only did Xu return the annexed land, but his third son was also exiled to the frontier to endure hard labor.

This was a huge pit, a very, very deep pit…

A pit deep enough to bury people!