Chapter 102 — Partnership
Xie Siquan smiled: “Lord Bai Jiu, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Jing’er has been talking about you for the past couple of days, and I’ve been eager to come see you.”
Lord Bai Jiu replied: “Master Xie, you are too polite. By courtesy and reason, I should have come to meet you first.”
Xie Siquan took it as a reference to having obtained Xie Jing’s “indenture” and spoke bluntly: “Since you already know my identity, I won’t hide anything. Jing’er is my nephew. I am a man of little fortune, with only a few blood relations, and I don’t want him to drift in the world. How about you do a good deed, Lord Bai Jiu, and give me Jing’er’s contract? Whatever you paid to acquire him, I’ll repay a hundredfold.”
Lord Bai Jiu frowned slightly, still staring at the boots on the table.
“Or if you have other conditions, speak them. I have some influence in Sichuan. Go ahead, say what you want.” Xie Siquan’s tone was brazen, almost as if ready to throw money around. He had come to support his nephew.
Lord Bai Jiu shifted his gaze toward him: “My relationship with Jing’er is not as you think, Master Xie.”
“How so?”
“He and I share a deep bond.”
Xie Siquan snorted: “He? He’s still just a half-grown kid. How could he dare claim any deep bond with the Bai family of the North?” He had done his research before coming. Beyond the frontier, the Bai family practically ruled everything; even inside the borders, they controlled three major, century-old trading houses. Their Sichuan Xie family had only the advantage of distance and isolation. They didn’t intervene in the external power struggles, and while their inherited salt wells brought wealth, they were still realistic about their position.
Not to mention, even if Lord Bai Jiu knew Jing’er’s identity, “deep bond” was an exaggeration.
A guard came to report from outside, standing at the door without entering: “Sir, there’s a group demanding entry. We can’t stop them. Shall we fetch Chief Zhang?” If they called Zhang Huwei, things would turn serious.
Xie Siquan waved it off casually: “Oh, right. I forgot to mention when I came, I brought a few men. You know how it is in Sichuan; I can barely manage my own subordinates. Better we settle things quickly so I can take these unruly men back.”
Lord Bai Jiu said: “No need for Zhang Huwei. You go find Xie Jing. He can handle these minor matters.”
Xie Siquan: “…”
The guard at the door left.
Xie Siquan set the boots down and said awkwardly: “Why make Jing’er handle this? He’s still a kid; how can he control so many people?”
Lord Bai Jiu’s tone was calm: “He can manage while with me.”
Xie Siquan cursed him silently—this guy was even more cunning than He Dongting. He had come with repeated instructions that none of his men should harm his young nephew, intending to make a show of force, but Lord Bai Jiu had allowed Jing’er to intervene—who in their right mind would dare to act then?
Perhaps to avoid an awkward silence, Lord Bai Jiu unusually explained: “Master Xie, I know you brought many skilled men, but my guards are seasoned. I just didn’t want to harm the harmony between our families. Next time, please do not force your way in. The Bai family always welcomes friends with fine tea and wine.” He paused, then continued: “Jing’er grew up with me. At thirteen, he saved my life in Heihe and has never left my side since. I treat him as family. You are his elder; I naturally respect you.”
Xie Siquan frowned, sensing something odd: “Jing’er is your guard?”
“He’s only one of them.”
“You let him draw a gun?”
“Just to protect himself.”
“The North is turbulent,” Xie Siquan tapped his fingers on his leg, restless, sensing things could get out of control. “I can’t feel at ease with Jing’er by your side. Give me his contract; he saved your life, so reclaiming his indenture isn’t too much, right?”
Lord Bai Jiu shook his head. Before Xie Siquan could get angry, he explained: “There’s no such thing. Jing’er saved my life. Here, there is only a single employment contract; his stay or departure is entirely his choice.”
Xie Siquan was taken aback and studied the young man in front of him. The Bai family head was young, sharp-eyed, and composed, exuding an inherent nobility. Such people spoke sincerely and had no need to fabricate lies.
Gradually, Xie Siquan lowered his guard. Suddenly, Lord Bai Jiu asked: “You’ve asked so much, Master Xie. May I ask—since Jing’er is your only blood relative, what about that young master of the He family?”
Xie Siquan narrowed his eyes: “You’re investigating me?”
Lord Bai Jiu said calmly: “I only agreed to help Jing’er learn about his origins. Jing’er has only his grandmother nearby and still worries about family.”
Xie Siquan’s expression softened. He sighed: “I came late. How much have you found, and how much does Jing’er know?”
Lord Bai Jiu paused: “We just got news. He hasn’t been told yet.”
He took a large manila envelope from the drawer, packed full, and handed it to Xie Siquan.
Xie Siquan glanced at the character “He” on the cover and took it.
—
East Courtyard Gate
Xie Jing had been summoned. As he ran over, he saw both sides already have their hands stopped.
The Sichuan men, even dressed modestly, were as reckless as Xie Siquan himself. Their earlier provocations had claimed half the advantage in the fight. Meanwhile, the Bai family men, though strong, dared not act against instructions.
The Sichuan men froze upon seeing Xie Jing and fell into line.
The East Courtyard guards saw Xie Jing arrive, believing orders had been given, and brightened: “Little Xie! Can you handle this?”
Xie Jing was confused: “Handle what?” He looked at the Sichuan men, eyes landing on the one trying to hide. “Hu Da, what’s going on? Why are you here? Did uncle come too?”
Hu Da, caught red-handed, didn’t know where to put his hands, and laughed awkwardly: “Young master, why are you here? Weren’t you at the dock?” He had checked earlier.
Xie Jing said: “I did go, just came back. What are you doing?”
The East Courtyard guard tried to speak, but Hu Da cut him off: “Exchanging! We’re just exchanging skills. We saw these guys are good, wanted to learn, just fooling around!”
The guard sneered: “Our marksmanship is better. Want to show off?”
Some guards noticed the change in address and asked Xie Jing: “Little Xie, do you know these people?”
Xie Jing rubbed his temples: “Yes, they just arrived. There must be some misunderstanding. I’ll apologize for them.” He reassured the East Courtyard guards and asked Hu Da: “Where’s uncle?”
Hu Da and the others blushed, standing silently.
A guard said: “I saw one in Lord Bai Jiu’s study, completely unreasonable, even putting his feet on the table!”
Xie Jing: “…”
Xie Jing: “I’ll go see.”
He hurried to the study. Outside, he heard voices and laughter. Curious, he knocked and entered. His eyes landed on Lord Bai Jiu and his uncle, Xie Siquan, chatting happily. Xie Siquan had a thick envelope and patted Lord Bai Jiu’s shoulder: “Good, let’s stop here for today. We get along well. What you said makes sense, but I have my own plans. You cooperate, that’s enough.”
Lord Bai Jiu nodded: “Alright, everything as you say.”
Xie Siquan rubbed his chin, chuckling: “You’re a good man. Since I received your items, I’ll give you a gift too.” He pulled a card from his pocket, placing it on the table: “Come tomorrow night. I guarantee you’ll get those two factories.”
Lord Bai Jiu accepted and nodded in thanks.
Satisfied, Xie Siquan picked up the envelope and gestured to take Xie Jing away.
Xie Jing glanced at Lord Bai Jiu, who nodded slightly. He followed, curious: “Uncle, what were you talking about just now?”
Xie Siquan coaxed: “Uncle heard you were well taken care of in the East Courtyard over the years, so he came to thank Mr. Bai. There’s a banquet tomorrow—you’ll come too, we’ll invite him for dinner.”
Xie Jing nodded.
But when they reached the East Courtyard gate, he stopped.
Xie Siquan asked: “What’s wrong? Not going home?”
Xie Jing said: “You go first, uncle. I still have work to do.”
Xie Siquan frowned: “It’s already evening. What work could you have? Bai family doesn’t make you work night shifts, do they?”
Xie Jing mumbled: “I’ll go back when I finish.”
