Chapter 110 — Ten Wooden Crates
Xie Jing looked at them and asked, “Why do there seem to be fewer people today?”
Hu Da replied, “Oh, they upset their stomachs, so I let them rest.” He led Xie Jing outside and asked eagerly, “Young master, I know you have your own horses, but yesterday at the horse market we just happened to see a few beautiful chestnut horses. Could you take a look and see if they’re any good?”
Xie Jing was quite interested and followed them into the yard.
In the yard, six fine horses were standing: three chestnut and three black. One chestnut horse in particular stood out. Not only was it tall and powerful, but it had a white diamond-shaped mark on its forehead, and each of its four hooves had white markings. It immediately made a good impression.
Xie Jing looked around and nodded. “Not bad, all are quite good. What’s this horse’s name?”
Hu Da said, “It doesn’t have a name yet. Young master, would you like to name it?”
Xie Jing couldn’t think of anything particularly creative. He glanced at the stables and said offhandedly, “Then let’s call it Xie Yi.” He gestured to the others, “They can be Xie Er, Xie San, all the way to Xie Liu.”
Hu Da: “…”
Hu Da: “Good name.”
Although Xie Jing praised Xie Yi, he still preferred his own horse. He went to the stables, led Bai Shisi out, mounted, and rode out with a few people from the East Courtyard. Hu Da and the others followed on horseback. The last Sichuan man in line also led an unmounted chestnut horse—Xie Yi—which they had prepared for Xie Jing.
Upstairs, in the study:
Lord Bai Jiu was at the window, watching Xie Jing and his group ride off. After a while, he called in Steward Sun Fu and asked, “Have you gathered all the people I asked for?”
Sun Fu replied, “Yes, over thirty in total, all capable hands as you instructed.”
Lord Bai Jiu said, “Good. Later, a few people from the Xie family of Sichuan will arrive; let them follow along. Instruct everyone in the East Courtyard to follow the Xie family head and do as he says.”
“Has the Xie family head returned to Shanghai?”
“Yes, today is the birthday banquet of the young master of the He family.”
Sun Fu thought for a moment, then understood. Serving Lord Bai Jiu and knowing something about Xie Jing’s background, he guessed that Xie Siquan only needed the extra manpower for one purpose today. He asked, “Sir, since we don’t know the Xie family head’s methods, should we have our people carry some defensive equipment?”
Lord Bai Jiu shook his head. “No need. At most Xie Siquan might smash a few things to vent, but he won’t go too far for Jing’er’s sake.”
Sun Fu agreed and went to make preparations.
Lord Bai Jiu returned to the ledgers in the study but didn’t turn a single page for a long while. Eventually, his mind wandered elsewhere, so he put the books down and closed his eyes for a rest. He felt a bit envious of Xie Siquan—if he could, he’d want to make this trip himself, to personally vent his frustrations.
He thought of how much hardship his little Xie had endured, and it left him bitter.
Earlier that morning, someone reported on the textile bureau, and Lord Bai Jiu asked Bai Mingyu to come over, instructing him to purchase shares from several factories in the market—quite a substantial amount. Bai Mingyu stayed in the study for a long time, and when he came out, he was brimming with ambition and confidence, fully aware that Lord Bai Jiu planned something big in Shanghai, thrilled to be part of it.
Meanwhile, in the East Courtyard:
The thirty-odd bodyguards didn’t head straight to the He residence. Instead, a few Sichuan men took them to a residence and handed them black robes to change into. The garments were in Sichuan style, with silver buttons, distinctive in design.
The bodyguards exchanged glances but complied.
Once changed, one guard couldn’t help but ask, “Are all your buttons like this? Made of silver?”
The Sichuan man replied proudly, “Yes.”
The guard said, “But isn’t it said that wealth shouldn’t be flaunted?”
The Sichuan man was shocked: “Then what’s the point of making money if I only keep it in the house?”
The guard: “…”
Truly, these were Xie Siquan’s men—their sarcasm skills were highly honed.
The Xie family head was far more disciplined this time. Although he had asked for strong men, it turned out he needed them to carry boxes.
The Xie family had prepared enormous wooden crates, dividing forty men into ten groups, with four men carrying each crate.
The Bai family guards assumed the crates were full of goods. Judging by the size, they put in extra effort while lifting—but unexpectedly, the crates were empty.
The Sichuan men called out, others responded, and they carried the crates out with great momentum.
The Bai family guards followed silently. They suspected a fight might break out today; these Sichuan men clearly weren’t returning empty-handed.
At the He residence:
The He family didn’t host guests today, but many sent gifts. The gatekeepers accepted some but refused others.
Outside were a few guests brought by He Family’s Third Master, dressed in Western style, including several Japanese businessmen who were turned away.
The He residence steward said, “We cannot accept gifts from Mr. Ichikawa. Sorry, we cannot comply.”
“Why?”
“Because the lawsuit is unresolved. The students we recently helped haven’t been released. Cooperation with authorities is still ongoing. If we accept gifts from Mr. Ichikawa’s representatives, it might spark gossip, which is inappropriate.” The steward’s tone was cold and firm.
A few days ago, a Chinese worker died in a Japanese textile factory. Students protested, exposing the murder publicly. The Japanese didn’t apologize or compensate, instead having some students arrested. Newspapers covered the story, shocking the city. He Dongting worked tirelessly, consulting prominent lawyers in Shanghai. Lawyer Bei even defended the students pro bono. Yet the students remained detained. Shanghai’s citizens were now highly wary of Japanese goods and businessmen.
He Third Master and his entourage stood outside, embarrassed. He said angrily, “What kind of hospitality is this? If guests arrive, why not let them in?” He tried to force entry.
The steward calmly blocked him: “The master ordered that today is a family banquet. You may enter, but no one else.”
He Third Master shoved him: “Who gave you the right to speak for the He family?”
The steward replied, “The master said if you cause trouble, you’ll be expelled as well.”
He Third Master was furious and humiliated.
Suddenly, laughter came from outside: “Since it’s a family banquet, can the Xie family of Sichuan come in?”
The steward looked up and quickly greeted, “Master Xie.”
Xie Siquan wore a thin silk shirt with a white standing collar. A few braids were adorned with coral beads, tied up high, with the rest cascading down his shoulders. His appearance was striking but clearly gender-neutral. Just his presence made people instinctively step aside, especially with over forty men behind him, carrying the wooden crates.
The steward stepped back to give way. Xie Siquan climbed the steps without ceremony. Passing He Third Master, he said with a laugh: “Old Third He, hasn’t your branch separated from the main family? Why are you still lingering here? Trying to use your nephew’s birthday to make some money for yourself?”
He Third Master was furious.
Xie Siquan looked at the guards at the door and sneered, “Whose payroll are you on? If you can’t even guard the door, you might as well let me help He Dongting kick people out!”
The steward broke into a cold sweat but didn’t dare offend him. He bowed and personally led him inside: “Master Xie, please, the master is waiting.”
The door guards still only let He Third Master in alone. He had boasted to Japanese businessmen before, so now he was extremely embarrassed.
Those sent by Ichikawa were accustomed to arrogance. After being rejected, they snorted at He Third Master and left. He Third Master tried to intervene but was slapped and told angrily: “None of what you said can be done properly. Ichikawa has long been dissatisfied with you. Resolve it with him yourself!”
He Third Master was slapped in the street, red and pale-faced.
Xie Siquan entered the courtyard but didn’t go in. He signaled his men to set down the crates and called out for He Dongting.
He Dongting hurried out, followed by family members. Today’s banquet guests were all He family members. The eldest, Madam He, wore a crimson outfit, assisted by He Shuwei. They followed a step behind He Dongting.
Ten enormous wooden crates were set down, and everyone relaxed slightly.
Someone whispered: “This is Sichuan’s richest, Xie Siquan, Shuwei’s uncle. He must know Shuwei is having a small birthday celebration and came to support him.”
Some looked enviously at the crates, marveling, “Such big boxes! I wonder what treasures are inside?”
Some wondered: “The Sichuan Xie family hasn’t visited for years. Two years ago—” They avoided mentioning past trouble at the He residence.
“Perhaps they came to make amends?”
He Shuwei bowed distantly to his uncle from Sichuan.
Xie Siquan didn’t look at him, only at He Dongting: “I gave you enough time. Have you decided?”
He Dongting nodded, “I have. I’ve spoken with my mother; we’ll rewrite the family genealogy in a few days.”
The crowd murmured. They didn’t know the details, but the words “family genealogy” caught everyone’s attention, and all eyes fell on He Shuwei, some even glancing at Madam He.
He Dongting had mentioned Xie Jing before, but Madam He had other intentions. She protested, “Dongting, absolutely not!” She tapped her cane on the ground repeatedly. “You’re foolish! How can you just accept an outsider? Every time, outsiders cause trouble! How can you still trust the Xie family?”
Xie Siquan, displeased, said, “You He family people should mind your words. I take responsibility for what I’ve done, but don’t blame me for what I haven’t!”
He Dongting opened his mouth, but Madam He cut him off: “In short, I don’t accept him. I only recognize Shuwei!”
Xie Siquan clapped and laughed: “Do you think I’d let Jing’er recognize you? You He family have raised him poorly. I won’t leave my treasure here. Honestly, even if you want recognition, it depends on my mood! Your family is unlucky—if it’s mine, I’ll take it. I’ve been waiting for someone to inherit my legacy!” He looked at He Dongting, smiling but cold: “You haven’t decided yet today. If you had, no one would have stopped you.”
He Shuwei hesitantly called out, “Uncle—”
Xie Siquan interrupted: “No need to call me. I’m completely severed from you and your family. We won’t see each other again.”
He Shuwei was shocked. “What do you mean?”
Xie Siquan said, “Exactly what it sounds like. I don’t recognize you.”
He had his men open the crates—all empty. Xie Siquan swept his gaze over everyone, stopping at a few leaders. “Madam He, you must have misunderstood. I didn’t come for your family’s wealth—I came to reclaim mine. My sister married into the He family, bringing a dowry of millions, all lacquered and gilded. Now my sister is gone, and you He family just raise a child and try to keep this wealth? Ridiculous. You’ve raised this—” He pointed to He Shuwei, sneering, “—and you think he’ll inherit your estate? Dream on. After all these years, it’s time to return things to their rightful owner!”
Author’s note:
Uncle Xie: Just mocking, a Sichuan specialty, you’re welcome.
