The Heir

Chaрtеr 87: А Соincidental Еnсounter

Оutside, the сlоuds hаd disреrsеd and the rаin had ceased. Zhen Niаng hаd just turned tо the lаst раgе of thе ассоunt boоk. She closеd hеr eуes for a mоment to сolleсt hеr thоughts.

In hеr mind, shе роndered: thе аcсоunts thеmselvеs naturаllу showed nо issuеs. Thе only prоblem seemеd tо bе that thе various taхеs аnd leviеs in Nаnjing wеrе а bit tоo numеrоus. Somе of thе tax itеms listed wеrе оnes shе hаd nеvеr even heаrd of.

Judging by the taxеs and levies rеcordеd herе, Zhеn Niang wаs certain that aside from the imperial shops, not a single merchant household in Nanjing could turn a profit.

Thus, these seemingly clear and legitimate taxes, item by item, appeared flawless on the surface but were actually the biggest problem of all.

Lost in thought, Zhen Niang unconsciously tapped the table lightly with her index finger.

Madam Fang sat nearby with Hua'er.

At that moment, Madam Fang gave Hua'er a meaningful look, signaling her to refill Zhen Niang's tea. Hua'er tiptoed forward, poured water into the teacup in front of Zhen Niang, and then stole a careful glance at her.

Truth be told, she felt this cousin was about the same age as her, yet facing her like this brought a certain pressure, almost as if she were dealing with an elder.

However, earlier that morning, she had seen her cousin laughing and joking with the Second Mistress, which made her seem like a girl her own age.

All in all, Hua'er was quite curious about this cousin.

"Thank you, little sister." Zhen Niang opened her eyes at that moment, then squinted slightly with a smile.

Hua'er let out a long sigh of relief; the earlier sense of oppression vanished. She now pursed her lips and smiled back at Zhen Niang before returning to sit beside Madam Fang.

Zhen Niang took a sip of tea to moisten her lips, then turned to Madam Fang and said, "Auntie, don't the taxes in Nanjing seem a bit excessive? Some of these taxes aren't even listed in the official tax codes. And what about the 'Principal and Surplus Silver'—the surplus silver is even more than double the principal amount. Is there no issue with that?" Zhen Niang inquired.

The so-called Principal and Surplus Silver consisted of the principal silver and the surplus silver.

The principal silver was the fixed quota set by the imperial court, collected based on a merchant's assets. However, the evaluation of tax officials in the Ming Dynasty depended on how much tax they collected. The more they collected, the better their evaluation, making promotion easier. Collecting too little could lead to demotion. Hence, the surplus silver emerged—additional levies imposed by local tax officials.

But no matter how one looked at it, having the surplus silver exceed double the principal amount was unprecedented.

"Ah, Miss Zhen, you don't understand. In Nanjing, if there's one thing we have in abundance, it's officials. The court in the north shares the emperor's burdens and works for the people's welfare, but the court here in Nanjing is full of people who eat without working, yet their expenses are especially high. Particularly the local tax supervisor—he collects taxes like slaughtering pigs. Over the years, aside from that Medicine Hall, the tenants renting our shops change almost every year, mainly because they can't afford the taxes. As for that Medicine Hall, I hear it has connections, so the tax supervisor naturally doesn't dare provoke them. But we aren't like that, so many of the taxes end up falling on our heads. Especially a few years ago, when the floods breached the dikes—just for the dike repair silver, our family was levied eight hundred taels. Later, another labor levy was added, bringing the total to twelve hundred taels. And not even a receipt was given. I heard it all ended up in the tax supervisor's pocket. But even so, we couldn't raise a fuss, Miss Zhen. My days have been difficult too... If you don't believe me, Miss Zhen, you can check with Inspector Ge. He should have records there." Madam Fang began to lament her hardships."I was merely asking, Auntie, why must you protest so vehemently? When I came, Seventh Grandmother did say that with so many overseers in Nanjing, your family has had a hard time of it these years—there has been both merit and toil." Zhen Niang set down her teacup and replied with a smile.

"Ah, I dare not claim merit, only a bit of toil," Madam Fang said humbly upon hearing this, inwardly relieved.

"You're too modest, Auntie. Well, let's leave the account books here for now; I'll need to show them to Second Aunt later," Zhen Niang added.

"Very well, I'll take my leave. There's still commotion in the outer warehouse; I'll go check on it," Madam Fang said.

"Go ahead," Zhen Niang nodded.

Madam Fang then took Hua'er and left.

Watching Madam Fang's retreating figure, Zhen Niang shook her head. Though Madam Fang's words made sense, Zhen Niang knew that while the Ming tax eunuchs were notoriously corrupt, having dealt with Eunuch Yan, she also understood they dared not act recklessly on major matters—such as the levy for river embankments or the surplus silver.

These two items, though easy sources of graft, were precisely because they were prone to incidents that the court strictly supervised them. Whenever such silver was submitted, it required triplicate records.

Much like tax receipts in later times: one copy for the merchant, one for the tax office, and one kept at the Ministry of Revenue. Every year, the censorial inspectors would check the stubs. How could it be as Madam Fang said, with no receipt at all? If someone reported it, the tax officials would be in serious trouble.

Tax officials weren't foolish; there were plenty of ways to skim money without risking it on these conspicuous taxes and levies, which were most likely to cause trouble.

"Zhen Niang, the rain has stopped. Let's visit your aunt's house," Huang Shi entered at that moment.

"Alright, Second Aunt," Zhen Niang nodded, then called Xiao Ya to bring gifts for her aunt and told Er Gou to harness the carriage.

That Er Gou, though not skilled in proper ink-making, seemed proficient in everything else, even driving a carriage quite adeptly.

"Er Gou, take a turn past the front gate," Zhen Niang helped Huang Shi into the carriage and called to Er Gou, then climbed in with Xiao Ya.

"Right away," Er Gou nodded and set off, wielding the whip skillfully.

Rounding the corner, they reached the shop's main entrance. Zhen Niang lifted the curtain to look outside and indeed saw carriages lined up, loading goods to depart, with a dark-faced man around forty directing them.

This must be Ge Xunlan. Ge Qiu Jie didn't resemble him much.

At that moment, Ge Xunlan glanced over and caught sight of Zhen Niang. Seeing she was just a girl of about sixteen or seventeen, he paid no further mind.

"Father, that's Miss Zhen," Ge Qiu Jie, who had noticed, whispered in Ge Xunlan's ear.

"That's her?" Ge Xunlan frowned. This seemingly gentle, somewhat clever but not particularly striking girl had actually caused him to stumble unwittingly, ruining a well-laid plan. It was truly infuriating.

Thinking this, Ge Xunlan's face grew even darker.

The carriage had already passed by.

Zhen Niang's aunt lived on Sanshan Street not far away, an area mostly inhabited by wealthy families and some private residences of imperial princes and nobles.

Soon, the carriage arrived at her aunt's doorstep.The vermilion lacquered gate was flanked by two stone lions guarding the residence, with brass door knockers shaped like tiger heads. Such grandeur would have stood out in Huizhou, but here in Nanjing, especially on Jubao Street, it appeared rather ordinary.

Xiao Ya was the first to leap down from the carriage, then helped Zhen Niang and Huang Shi alight, while Er Gou went to knock on the gate.

Upon hearing that the visitors were the wife’s maternal relatives from Huizhou, the gatekeeper hurriedly sent someone inside to announce their arrival. Normally, under such circumstances, the carriage and guests would have been welcomed directly into the courtyard.

However, recently, he had overheard the maids in the inner quarters gossiping that Madam seemed to hold some grievances against her maternal family and had complained about them on more than one occasion. Thus, he dared not make any decisions on his own.

"Greetings, Second Aunt," said Eldest Cousin’s Wife Han Chen Shi, emerging with a delighted expression. She bowed to Huang Shi, then took Zhen Niang’s arm, turning to examine her from head to toe. "So this is Cousin Zhen! Truly a delicate and elegant beauty."

"You flatter me, Eldest Cousin’s Wife. At this rate, I’ll be floating up to the heavens. You’ll have to fetch me a ladder, or I’ll blame you if I can’t come back down," Zhen Niang replied with a cheerful laugh.

Madam Han Li had given birth to two sons. The eldest, Han Song, had already begun taking over the family’s raw silk business and spent most of his time traveling. The younger son, Han Bai, had initially been placed under the tutelage of an elderly scholar from the Han clan and had since earned the title of Xiucai. He was now studying diligently at the academy, preparing for the next year’s provincial examination to become a Juren.

Han Chen Shi was Han Song’s wife, also born into a merchant family. She usually assisted her mother-in-law in managing the household and had won Madam Han Li’s favor. As for the second cousin, Han Bai, he was not yet married. However, Zhen Niang had once heard Seventh Grandmother mention that her eldest aunt intended for Han Bai to pursue an official career. Naturally, it would be best for him to marry into an official’s family.

But for a merchant’s son to marry an official’s daughter, unless Han Bai succeeded in the provincial examination this time, the prospects were rather slim.

Privately, Zhen Niang had also heard from her mother that Seventh Grandmother had once considered arranging a match between her and Second Cousin. Fortunately, her eldest aunt had not been keen on the idea. Otherwise, Zhen Niang would have been in a difficult position. Given her circumstances, if she dared to refuse, her mother would surely have torn her skin off. Yet, agreeing to marry her own cousin was something she could not accept.

Now, however, all was peaceful.

What Zhen Niang admired most about the Han family was her legendary uncle-in-law, Han Yigui. Although he was considered wealthy, he had never taken a concubine.

In his early years, Han Yigui had been a small peddler selling coarse cloth. Seeing the potential profit in Li Mo, he began visiting the Li family daily, hoping to secure Li Mo’s goods for sale.

At that time, Li Mo was Tribute Ink, and a small merchant like Han Yigui had no qualification to obtain such goods. Yet, Han Yigui persisted, visiting Li’s Ink Manor rain or shine, day after day. His determination eventually moved Old Master Li, who agreed to supply him with Li Mo’s ink.

Thus, Han Yigui earned his first pot of gold. Over the years, he accumulated modest capital. Later, when sericulture flourished in Huizhou, he recognized the profitability of raw silk and shifted his focus. Starting with purchasing cocoons, he gradually expanded into the raw silk trade, eventually becoming a silk merchant under the Nanjing Weaving Bureau—truly a case of enjoying the shade under a great tree.

Back then, Old Master Li had been impressed by Han Yigui’s diligence, resilience, and steady character, and thus betrothed his only daughter to him. At the time, Old Master Li had made Han Yigui swear an oath: unless he remained without a son, he was never to take a concubine.Han Yigui agreed, and for the decades that followed, he kept his word. It was said that not only did he refrain from taking concubines, but he even avoided visiting brothels and drinking alcohol.

This was truly commendable.

"Ha, I thought you'd be holed up at home for the rest of your life. I never expected you to come all the way to Nanjing this time. Perfect timing—let's have a good chat." Madam Han Li also came out to greet them. From a distance, she was delighted to see Huang Shi and warmly invited her inside, but she didn't even glance at Zhen Niang, leaving her completely ignored.

Zhen Niang rubbed her nose.

This situation was something Zhen Niang had anticipated. It seemed her aunt was still upset about her refusal to lend money.

While her mother-in-law could behave this way, Chen Shi couldn't afford to be impolite. So, she smiled and greeted Zhen Niang, "This is your first visit, Zhen Niang. Come, let me show you around. There's a small wooden pavilion up ahead where your aunt has specially planted several peonies. They're already budding—let's go take a look."

"That's definitely worth seeing," Zhen Niang replied, and she followed Chen Shi as they strolled around the Han residence.

The Ming Dynasty had regulations prohibiting the construction of gardens within the city, but small and large courtyards still existed. The Han family's main residence was a large house with front and rear sections, with a small eastern courtyard beside it. In the backyard stood a small wooden pavilion, connected by winding corridors and verandas. Together with the front and rear courtyards, it had a distinct Huizhou-style garden feel, quite grand in appearance.

Currently, her aunt, uncle-in-law, and eldest cousin and his wife lived in the main residence. The small courtyard beside it was reserved for the second cousin to live alone, providing him with a quiet place to study. As for the pavilion in the back, it was generally used to entertain guests.

After strolling around with Chen Shi, Zhen Niang returned to the small wooden pavilion. Unexpectedly, she saw two middle-aged men sitting opposite each other at a stone table in front of the pavilion, drinking tea and chatting. One of them was dressed like a farmer, but his eyes were sharp and alert, making it impossible to underestimate him.

The other man, however, Zhen Niang recognized—he was the gentleman who understood medicine and had traveled on the same boat to Nanjing.

"Zhen Niang, this is your uncle-in-law," Chen Shi introduced the man dressed like a farmer.

"Greetings, Uncle-in-law," Zhen Niang quickly bowed.

"Enough, enough, no need for such formalities. We're all family," the man laughed heartily, his temperament quite straightforward. Yet, there was a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

In these times, people often judged others by their clothes rather than their character. Han Yigui knew that strangers who saw him dressed as a farmer would inevitably look down on him. But this Miss Zhen from Huizhou did not. Her manners were respectful yet carried a touch of warmth—the perfect etiquette for relatives who didn't interact often.

A hint of warmth prevented estrangement, while respect ensured she wasn't too abrupt. Just from this greeting, one could tell that Miss Zhen was upright in her conduct. Moreover, the girl had good judgment.

Little did Han Yigui know that while wealthy people dressing as modestly as he did weren't common, they weren't unheard of either. In her previous life, Zhen Niang once brought her family's ink to a trade fair, where she met a southern snake-raising tycoon with billions in assets. He wore a pair of liberation shoes, a simple jacket, and carried a snakeskin bag, astonishing many who saw him.

Thus, Zhen Niang was not fooled by Han Yigui's farmer attire.

At that moment, the other gentleman also noticed Zhen Niang and nodded at her with a smile."Greetings, sir." Having not exchanged names that day, Zhen Niang addressed him as such.

"Greetings, young lady," the gentleman replied with a smile, then added, "By the way, after disembarking that day, you left in such a hurry that the Li couple searched for you for quite some time."

Seeing the confusion on Zhen Niang's face, he explained further, "The Li couple are the ones whose lives you saved with the medicinal ink."

"Oh," Zhen Niang nodded in sudden understanding.

"Saving lives with medicinal ink? Is there a story behind this?" Han Yigui asked curiously.

The gentleman then recounted the events on the boat that day to Han Yigui, who listened and nodded repeatedly, his admiration for Zhen Niang growing even more.

"So, Zhen Niang, do you know who this gentleman is?" Han Yigui pointed to the man and asked Zhen Niang, having gathered from their conversation that they had only met by chance.

"I was just about to ask," Zhen Niang replied respectfully.

"He is Zonglin, the head of our Huizhou Merchants Guild and a cousin of Lord Hu," Han Yigui said with a hearty laugh.

"Please don't say that. It's hard to tell how much longer I can truly hold this position. Besides, even as the head, my words carry little weight these days," Zonglin waved his hand dismissively, his demeanor still retaining an air of scholarly elegance.

Zhen Niang naturally understood who her uncle-in-law meant by "Lord Hu"—the renowned anti-pirate general Hu Zongxian. Unfortunately, Hu Zongxian had taken his own life in prison the previous year.

Given this, she imagined that Zonglin's position in the guild must be rather precarious.

What surprised Zhen Niang, however, was that this Zonglin was a merchant. With his refined and scholarly demeanor, he seemed more like a man of letters.