Joy of Life

“How is Lanshi today?” The old matriarch of the Ming family looked coldly at her son as she showed concern for her grandson.

Ming Qingda narrowed his eyes and said, “The child knows what is important, besides, he has been good to her these few years.”

The matriarch mockingly smiled. “Men are all like this in the end.”

The old woman thought for a bit then shook her head and said, “Let Lanshi interact with Yuan Dajia. A few days ago, I heard that student of the imperial envoy was opening a brothel in the city. Lanshi sold Zhuyuan Restaurant and isn’t feeling very happy about it. It’s the perfect time for him to discuss with Yuan Dajia about how to ruin the imperial envoy’s business. Since we have already set the rules, we cannot act in opposition to them.”

She continued coldly, “Yuan Dajia is the heir’s woman, so tell Lanshi to control his drooling. Besides, it’s not like you don’t know that the Fan family absolutely hates Yuan Meng. If Fan Xian finds out that Yuan Meng is in Suzhou, he would probably kill her at the first instant. It will be a little more dangerous for Lanshi [JW1] to interact with her.”

Ming Qingda nodded in agreement and prepared to back out of the room. However, his mother had him stay. After a moment of silence she said worriedly, “Our plans are only our plans in the end. I keep thinking that after Sir Fan junior brought the palace treasury under control with an iron fist, so it shouldn’t be so quiet.”

Ming Qingda thought about it then answered heavily, “Be at ease, mother. After all, we are a large family with respect and prestige. Without actual evidence, even the imperial envoy wouldn’t dare to strike out randomly.”

The matriarch’s eyebrows were all white, and the lines on her all showed a worldly-wisdom and coldness. She sneered coldly and said, “Not dare? He doesn’t even want 400,000 liang of silver. What he wants must be more. Who else under heaven, other than the Ming family, can give him this much silver?”

Indeed it is so. To be able to pull together 400,000 liang of silver in such a short period of time and have it delivered to Fan Xian’s hands—this kind of power was already enough to shock the world. Although Fan Xian, unbelievably, did not accept, this so-named world’s largest bribe could be entered into the history books. Fan Xian did not want 400,000 liang silver, so what he wanted and sought must be even bigger.

“I think,” Ming Qingda said without hurry, “it might not be a bad thing for the imperial envoy to not accept the silver. Look at September last year. The old Cui family once sent 20,000 liang of silver from Yishi Tavern. Sir Fan junior did accept it, but then he turned around and destroyed the Cui family. Whether or not he accepts the silver does not represent the thoughts of this strange man.”

Ever since ancient times, taking money to handle matters was heaven’s law and earth’s principal. It was rare to see someone like Fan Xian, who took the Cui family’s 20,000 liang of silver, but did not give them any benefit at all. Furthermore, in a lightning strike, he toppled the Cui family. This move completely destroyed Fan Xian’s reputation in bribery among the jianghu. The merchants of Jiangnan still remembered this matter with deep hatred.

The skin and flesh on the old matriarch’s cheeks was droopy. When she smiled, it was particularly terrifying. She mockingly said, “The Cui family was too petty and did not see the situation clearly. That precious son of theirs had offended Fan Xian in Shangjing, Northern Qi and was forced to kneel as punishment for half a night. Do they think 20,000 liang was enough to smooth things over? Sir Fan junior accepted the silver but not to do things for the Cui family. He only took it to show that he no longer bore them ill will about the Shangjing matter. As for what will happen, who knows?”

The old woman then furrowed her brows and asked, “How is Hui’er?”

Ming Qingda replied, “Her mood is better.”

Under the secret arrangements of the Eldest Princess, the Cui and Ming families had joined in marriage. Hui’er was a third generation of the Ming family, Ming Lanshi’s proper wife, Cui Zhiui. Although the leading figures survived under the protection of Yan Xiaoyi, the family was scattered and their wealth went with the wind. It was difficult for the new wife entering the Ming family to not feel frightened. Every day her face was awash with tears.

Finished speaking of these family matters, the matriarch pulled the topic back onto the proper track. She narrowed her eyes and said, “A while ago, the shopkeeper of Taiping money house came to say that the silver deposited was almost ready. But, a few days ago, you told me about Zhaoshang money house...what is that about? How come I’ve never heard of it?”

“I am a bit worried about Taiping money house,” Ming Qingda furrowed his brows and said. “I heard that Shi Chanli has taken a few large caches of silver from that money house. If the court, or imperial envoy have laid some kind of trap, I’m afraid things will go wrong when the time comes.”

He saw that his mother was deep in thought, so he continued, “Zhaoshang money house is a new one. They only started appearing in Dongyi last year. As you know, most money houses come out of Dongyi. I’ve had some people look into the shares and background supporting them, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I was thinking that if the palace treasury bidding is raised by the imperial envoy, our future cash flow needs to have a guarantee. Other than Taiping, we should leave another road.”

The matriarch opened her eyes and said with a cold smile, “What background do they have for you to trust them like this? Our family does the business of the palace treasury. We need silver like flowing water; how could a small money house have enough turnaround? Fan Xian’s trip to Jiangnan has played havoc with your thoughts...how immature.”

Ming Qingda felt a slight rage but maintained a slight smile. “Most importantly because their supporter is reliable. Guess who is behind that Zhaoshang money house?”

“Don’t play these game with me.” The old Ming matriarch stared with annoyance at her son.

Ming Qingda coughed a few times and said, “The investigation was clear. The majority of the shares of the Zhaoshang money house is property of the Shen family. The Northern Qi court pursued them relentlessly. The man who used to manage the Shen family accounts back then escaped to Dongyi, and then started doing this business.”

“The Shen family?” A spark of interest finally appeared in the old woman’s eyes. “Northern Qi’s arbitrator of the Discipline Commission, Shen Zhong?”

“Yes.”

She was silent for a while then laughed dryly. “The Northern Qi court raided the Shen family. The lady of the Shen family escaped, so there is a portion of the fortune that was never raided. Back in the day, Shen Zhong and the Cui family collaborated to control the smuggling from the palace treasury to Northern Qi. Who knows how much silver they saved away. If it is their family, this money house does have some wealth.”

“Most importantly, the true mountain behind the Zhaoshang money house is a powerful family in Dongyi.” Ming Qingda struck while the iron was hot. “Shen Zhong was killed by the Emperor of Northern Qi. It should have some connection to Sir Fan junior. Thus, Zhaoshang money house would certainly not work with the court or Northern Qi.”

Other than the massive wealth hidden in the Ming family fields and manors, the silver they used to do business with was mostly all deposited in Taiping, and the stamp to move money from Taiping has always been in the hands of the Ming family matriarch. Ming Qingda only had the empty title as master of the Ming family. In reality, he was only a puppet. Who knew what his true intentions were today in recommending Zhaoshang money house to his mother.

It was difficult to tell whether or not the old matriarch noticed her son’s thoughts. Her smile instantly vanished and she said icily, “Did you not find out how much Shi Chanli can mobilize in Taiping?”

Ming Qingda felt a drop of cold sweat trickling down his back. He forced himself to be calm and replied, “I put some pressure on Taiping, and the old shopkeeper could only break the rules and give me an actual number. It is unclear where the money Shi Chanli can use is from. It should be the Fan family’s. The total amount should be around 50,000 liang.”

The old Ming matriarch only sneered coldly and did not speak as she stared at her son.

Ming Qingda became nervous.

After an indeterminable amount of time, she finally sighed and said, “Don’t rush to contact Zhaoshang for now. First, the silver Shi Chanli can move is not much. It is not enough to cause trouble for us at the bidding. Second, behind Taiping money house is that strange Sigu Jian person. What this money house values the most is trust. You had them break their rules because Sigu Jian needs the Ming family to deliver goods to Dongyi. If you turn around and flirt with Zhaoshang money house, how could they be comfortable in their hearts? Third, even if it is the Shen family money behind Zhaoshang money house, that is not much. Even if there is the big family, you said in Dongyi...but Dongyi is very chaotic. The so-called big family might be a pain in Sigu Jian’s side. Why should we offend Sigu Jian?”

Ming Qingda raised his head. It seemed like he had never thought his mother would speak to him so warmly.

The old matriarch finally came to a conclusion. “There can be some small interactions with Zhaoshang money house. As for the palace treasury, we must still use Taiping money house for the purpose of safety.”

Ming Qingda did not dare to say anymore. He always felt that behind his mother’s warmth was a knife that killed without showing blood. However, he felt unsatisfied in his heart. When doing business, it was important to put money in different places. How can everything be put in Taiping?

The judgments of the mother and son deviated a little from each other. It was this slight deviation that caused very troublesome matters.

...

...

“If the imperial envoy can suffer us for a few years, then we will do as you intend and go on like this. If he...is set on condemning the Ming family to certain death, you know what should be done.”

Ming Qingda bowed and acknowledged his mother’s words. A moment of silence later, he said, “The Junshang conference begins next week; I’m worried there isn’t enough time.”

The matriarch looked at him coldly. “Killing is not a job to be rushed. As for the Junshang conference, the Ming family has nurtured the Jiangnan martial artists and protected them under the gaze of the court for many years. Shouldn’t they repay us in some way?”

The killing mentioned was about Fan Xian, and the Junshang Conference was certainly nothing like the Martial Conference Zou Lei had wanted to use to defeat Fan Xian.

Qing Kingdom had a so-called jianghu, but the real jianghu looked nothing like the stone stage beside West Lake.

There were so-called aces among the wilderness. No one knew in how many places the aces at the level the Jiangnan water bandits worshiped were hidden.

The Junshang Conference was where the so-called aces of the so-called jianghu truly gathered. The Junshang conference was never known by people, and no one knew just how powerful they were.

If Fan Xian truly wanted to exterminate the Ming family, a centuries-old large family, they would have ways to counterattack. The Shadow of the Sixth Bureau and the professional assassins were playing a game of hide and seek all over Jiangnan with the Dongyi swordsmen. The defensive power around Fan Xian was not as tight as it looked.

It was clear that Ming Qingda did not approve of this suggestion and mockingly said, “Someone that even Dongyi can’t kill? I don’t believe the Junshang Conference can do it. Besides, don’t forget, mother, the imperial envoy is a martial ace in his own right. He also has the Tiger Guards the Emperor gave him and, most importantly, that Northern Qi sage girl, Haitang, should also be around him.”

The old Ming matriarch looked pityingly at her own son. “Killing someone is to be done at all costs. It is not a game of looking at the possibilities of success. If other people want to kill our whole family and you are still considering whether or not you can kill the other party, then you will never have a chance to kill them.”

Qing Mingda gave a pained smile. “So what if we can kill Fan Xian? The Emperor will be angry; the world will be angry. Will we still be able to survive?”

“Naturally, it has to be done perfectly. We have to give the people under heaven a believable answer,” the old matriarch said coldly. “If we can kill Fan Xian, then it would be Dongyi’s Sigu Jian who did it. What does it have to do with us? Besides, Sigu Jian has already been a scapegoat for many things these years, so one more won’t matter.”

Ming Qingda mockingly said, “Perhaps this excuse can only fool ourselves. It won’t be able to fool the people under heaven. It will fool the Emperor and the Overwatch Council even less.”

“If we can kill Fan Xian, maintaining the peace would be best,” she said expressionlessly. “However, if such a day comes, I believe that our heroic Emperor of Qing Kingdom will not shake the foundations of his rule or the entirety of Jiangnan just for a dead illegitimate child. If the matter can be suppressed, the Emperor will be sure to do so.”

“One live Fan Xian is worth more than 10 Ming families, but 10 dead Fan Xians cannot compare to one broken Ming family. The Emperor does not like our family, but he cannot destroy us. So the Emperor hopes that Fan Xian will be able to bring us in good shape into the hands of the court...if you can understand this point, then I can hand this family to you with ease in my heart.”

A thread of hatred rose on the old matriarch’s face. “At that time, I will throw in this life of mine too.”

All sorts of feelings welled up in Ming Qingda. Crying, he said, “What nonsense are you saying, mother?”

He smiled coldly in his heart. The old woman had indeed become old. She saw the situation in a truly muddled way. If we acted as you intended and killed Fan Xian, how could the Emperor leave the Ming family alive? Throw in your life? Do you really think your old life is worth that much?