Chapter 126 — The Grand Preparations
Huang Wanxing had approached several nearby merchants in succession, asking them to join forces to suppress the bandits.
Because those bandits on Yunmeng Mountain hadn’t only targeted the Huang family—two other families had suffered, one even losing a life—Huang Wanxing’s request found immediate agreement. The other merchants said, “I agree, Brother Huang, not for any personal gain, but because innocent families and people in the surrounding areas have been affected. Until this threat is eliminated, Sichuan will never be at peace.”
Huang Wanxing repeatedly nodded, saying, “Brother Shen is right.”
“But our forces from Lower City alone are insufficient. There are too few guards and too few guns. We need the assistance of the major families from Upper City.”
Huang Wanxing gritted his teeth. “I’ll go ask.”
Now he bitterly regretted his earlier decisions. His business in Lower City had been going so well—why had he tried to seize a salt field in Upper City? If not for that, none of this would have happened, and now his son was trapped in the mountains with his fate unknown. Huang Wanxing cursed Li Chunlin in his heart; it was because of that man’s instigation that one wrong step had led to disaster.
Huang Wanxing personally went to Upper City, bringing lavish gifts to visit Xie Siquan.
By chance, Xie Siquan wasn’t home. Huang Wanxing waited in the small hall, unwilling to leave, his heart uneasy. He worried that the head of the Xie family was deliberately avoiding him. The more he thought so, the more he refused to leave, unsure if he would ever be able to set foot inside the Xie residence again.
When Xie Siquan returned, he met Huang Wanxing in the hall and casually clasped his hands in greeting. “Boss Huang, long time no see. The past few days have been busy. You know, our salt fields have gradually been reclaimed, and the procedures are quite troublesome.” He sat down and drank half a cup of tea in one go, then crossed his legs and said, “Speaking of which, Lower City still has a few salt wells. After the reclamation, we can still be neighbors. I hope you, Boss Huang, will look favorably on us in the future.”
Huang Wanxing, having only become wealthy in the past ten years and lacking the long-established status of a family like Xie’s, naturally responded with repeated pleasantries, flattering him with a smile: “Head of the Xie family, what are you saying? I should be the one asking for your favor. My subordinates were ignorant before and caused offense; I offer my apologies here…”
Xie Siquan asked, “That manager of yours, Li Chunlin—is it true he was kidnapped?”
Huang Wanxing choked for a moment and nodded.
Xie Siquan said, “I heard he was taken from your household? Perhaps they mistook him for you.”
Huang Wanxing went silent.
The remark pierced his heart, but he dared not show it on his face. After speaking some polite words, he finally tried to speak up: “Head of the Xie family, to be frank, I’ve come with a request.”
Xie Siquan asked, “What is it?”
Huang Wanxing replied, “A band of bandits has taken over Yunmeng Mountain, specializing in kidnapping for ransom. The victims in Sichuan City are not just my family. I’ve gathered all the cash I could, but it only suffices to ransom my mother. My young son is still held in the mountains…”
Xie Siquan asked, “You’re asking for money?”
“Easily done. Sign a written note. All your properties, lands, and salt fields can serve as collateral. I’ll have someone accompany you to the bank.”
Huang Wanxing’s lips trembled, but he said nothing.
Xie Siquan clicked his tongue and glanced at him, with a hint of disdain in his eyes. “Boss Huang, I heard you’re frugal—wearing one outfit for three or five years. But this is your own son; you wouldn’t begrudge spending life-saving money, would you?”
Huang Wanxing gritted his teeth. “I would not begrudge it, but this money cannot be spent blindly. My son had his ear cut by those bandits. My mother is still paralyzed in fright. Several merchants in Lower City were victimized. The Shen family lost a young man. Unless these bandits are eliminated, Sichuan will never see a day of peace.”
Xie Siquan asked, “So you intend to fund the suppression personally?”
Huang Wanxing said, “I have already discussed with other merchants in Lower City. We’ve agreed to collectively fund the operation. The Huang family is willing to provide money and men, but I humbly ask the Xie family in Upper City to set aside previous grievances and join us in this effort!”
Xie Siquan didn’t put him on the spot. “I’ve long considered this matter. Boss Huang, return home and await instructions.”
Huang Wanxing was stunned. “Head of the Xie family… does this mean… you agree?”
Xie Siquan raised an eyebrow. “Sichuan salt merchants, one lineage follows another. Why would I deceive you?”
Huang Wanxing felt deeply ashamed, his face red and white in turns. He stood and bowed deeply before leaving, hunched over.
That evening at dinner, Xie Siquan mentioned the plan to suppress the bandits.
Xu Jun asked, “You came back this afternoon and didn’t even have time to change clothes before seeing him, just to discuss the bandits?”
Xie Siquan handed a piece of fish belly to Xie Jing and casually said, “Not exactly. I just wanted to dampen Huang Wanxing’s spirits a bit.”
Xu Jun said, “The suppression will require long-term planning.”
Xie Siquan replied, “We always say that every year, but the bandits have been acting intermittently for years. This year is particularly severe—they even came into the city to kidnap people. Now it’s only Lower City. If those bandits get silver, recruit men, and take half the city, what about all of Sichuan?”
Xu Jun frowned in silence.
Xie Siquan continued, serving Xie Jing while speaking: “You’ve probably noticed something odd. Those bandits only demand cash. Bandits don’t usually have such preferences. No food, no grain, no gold or jewelry—just cash for ransom. This doesn’t look like ordinary bandit extortion. It seems they lack provisions and are outright stealing money.”
Xu Jun quietly speculated the same. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly: “If that’s the case, we must plan carefully. I sent people to ask the patrols today. There are reportedly many guns and even a mountain cannon.”
Xie Siquan sneered. “What kind of bandits are these?”
Xie Jing finished the vegetables in his bowl and, seeing his uncle reaching for more, blocked him: “I’m full.”
Xie Siquan said, “Full? You barely ate anything. Xu Jun could eat three big bowls at your age.”
Xie Jing said, “I’m like you, not Second Master.”
Xie Siquan teased: “I ate that much back then. Listen and eat more so you grow taller.”
Xie Jing replied, “I’m already taller than you, and you eat less than me now.” He handed a piece of fish gill to Xie Siquan. “Uncle, eat this too.”
Xu Jun picked it up and put it in his bowl, saying, “Your uncle’s taste is picky. Let him be.” Xie Siquan had maintained his authority as head of the family for years, and though he appeared intimidating, he ate poorly under stress. Others often assumed he was hard to please; Xu Jun knew his pride and played along.
After dinner, Xie Jing left first.
Xie Siquan and Xu Jun sat drinking tea, frowning.
Xu Jun pondered, “We don’t have enough men. Even if Upper and Lower City combine forces, how many guards are there? Other families lack Hu Da and the others’ skills—they may have never even held a gun. It’s better to hire professionals. As for money, we can manage. The household has cash, and the other families can contribute. If it’s still insufficient, I can write to Guanzhong to ask my father for support. Temporarily, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
Xie Siquan said, “Money isn’t an issue. I can borrow from He Dongting if needed.”
Xu Jun, surprised, looked up: “Aren’t you usually at odds with him?”
Xie Siquan said unhappily: “Better than being bullied at home. Your father may be a scholar, but he wields a stick better than anyone.”
Xu Jun smiled: “Fathers and sons never hold overnight grudges.”
Xie Siquan retorted: “Nonsense! We don’t have overnight grudges.”
Xu Jun fell silent, unsure if Xie Siquan had just gotten the upper hand.
Xie Siquan frowned again: “People are easy to recruit, but guns are hard to find. The ones we have are from years ago. With the chaos outside—commanders and generals fighting—it’s harder to get guns than to ascend to heaven…”
Just then, they heard noise in the courtyard, as if many were moving heavy objects. Xie Siquan and Xu Jun hurried to see.
In the inner courtyard, Xie Jing had ordered several flat wooden crates brought over. They were well-sealed, and the movers handled them carefully.
Xie Siquan asked, “Jing’er, what’s in these? Why are there so many, and why bring them here?”
With no outsiders in the Xie courtyard, Xie Jing opened one crate, revealing straw padding inside. “Uncle, look.”
At first, Xie Siquan didn’t notice anything. He pushed aside the dry straw and felt the cold metal beneath his fingers. Soon, he pulled out long guns, his expression changing. “This…” He forced the words down. Looking around at the numerous crates and the people still carrying more, he murmured, “So many?”
Author’s Note:
On overnight grudges:
Xie Uncle (proudly): “You topped the Xu clan exams, but the old saying goes: spouses have no overnight grudges.”
Xu Jun: “…Alright then.”
Xie Uncle: “If you want to call me ‘Dad,’ go ahead. After all, I’m like a father as the eldest brother, hahaha!”
Xu Jun: “You’re done :)”
Xie Uncle: “Buying guns is too difficult!”
Xie Jing: “Not too bad.”
