Chapter 128 — The Sichuan Merchants’ Association
Huang Wanxing heard this and felt as if a timely rain had arrived. He hurried forward a few steps and personally invited Xie Siquan inside. “Master Xie, please, come in! Master Huang has been waiting for this moment for a long time!”
Xie Siquan didn’t bother with formalities and walked straight to the front. He sat on the Grand Minister’s chair and asked, “How have the discussions gone?”
Everyone spoke at once. Each merchant house had different financial strength, so what they could contribute varied. Some of the old-style Upper City salt merchants didn’t want to participate directly; they only sent their younger relatives with 2,000 silvers, merely as a formality. The families in Lower City affected by the bandits also acted differently. Some were scared out of their wits and advocated keeping the peace, while Huang Wanxing and the Shen family insisted on complete eradication to prevent future trouble.
Xie Siquan was about to speak when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Xie Jing leaned slightly forward and whispered, “Uncle, don’t say anything yet. Let them ask you first.”
Xie Siquan thought for a moment and sat patiently.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the conversation turned to him. The reason was simple: the Xie family had guns.
Upper City’s Xie family was providing fifty men and two hundred guns. They clearly couldn’t use all of it themselves. Who got more of the borrowed guns would obviously benefit their family. In these chaotic times, no one wanted to die unnecessarily; preserving lives was paramount. The Shen family, relying on their long-standing friendship with the Xie family, tried to speak softly: “Master Xie, our ancestors have sworn friendship with yours. In this bandit suppression, you must provide some guns to the Shen family…”
Other merchants overheard and stepped forward, scowling: “What, only your Shen family’s sons are valuable? My men are worth nothing?” One of them turned to Xie Siquan with a bow, saying, “Master Xie, though we don’t deal often, I have always respected your integrity. Now you’re sending men to fight bandits. Since your family is providing so much, let you take the first credit! I’ll say no more. My Zhao family only acknowledges you, Xie Siquan. I place all thirty of my men under your command to fight the bandits!”
This was masterful. Openly, it flattered Xie Siquan; covertly, it ensured the Zhao family secured part of the Xie family’s guns.
Many in the hall recognized the maneuver and began shouting in agreement.
Xie Jing stood behind Xie Siquan, hands behind his back, and lightly cleared his throat.
Xie Siquan spoke: “I am humbled by your words. But the bandit suppression is extremely dangerous. Gunfire on Yunmeng Mountain knows no bounds. I fear I may not bear this responsibility.”
All the merchants knew the danger. The greater the risk, the more they wanted to cling to the Xie family’s support.
“Master Xie, you’re being too modest. Since age thirteen you have served as family head; your talent is outstanding!”
“Yes, yes, Master Xie is sharp and capable, a true hero among men!”
…
Voices of praise filled the room, though some stayed silent at the back.
A few families who had long opposed Xie Siquan inwardly scoffed, thinking he was being taken advantage of. With so many resources, why not use them for something else? Sending men to fight bandits meant depleting his own strength to save someone else’s children.
After being praised for a while, Xie Siquan politely demurred, then accepted: “Very well. In that case, I shall accept this dangerous duty and will not refuse. But any commands given must have a clear code of conduct.”
Everyone replied, “Master Xie, speak freely; we will follow!”
Xie Siquan continued, “The Sichuan salt merchants have long competed among themselves. Why not take today’s opportunity to establish a Sichuan Merchants’ Association? Mutual benefit and support. What say you?”
The Xie family provided men and guns. No one dared argue. Once Xie Siquan spoke, a clever merchant immediately agreed, and others, seeing this, followed suit.
Due to the urgent threat of bandits, no formal date was set. The Sichuan Merchants’ Association was established that very day.
By unanimous decision, Xie Siquan took the top seat.
Some congratulated him outwardly but bled inwardly. Everyone knew the weight of this top position. Upper and Lower Sichuan would likely only heed one family in the future. Some regretted not contributing more resources earlier to secure a better position in the association. Jealousy and bitterness surged as they looked at Xie Siquan and his chair.
Forming the Sichuan Merchants’ Association was far easier than Xie Jing had imagined—almost no one opposed it.
On the way back, Xie Siquan sat upright in the carriage, unusually straight-backed.
Xie Jing smiled. “Uncle, that chair comfortable?”
Xie Siquan sighed in satisfaction. “Very comfortable. You pulled this off brilliantly. I’ve never felt so triumphant in Sichuan. Today, without deploying a single soldier, I vented my frustrations. Did you see their faces?”
Xie Jing nodded.
Xie Siquan laughed heartily. “Those old men were sarcastic before. Just now when they called me ‘Chairman,’ their faces turned green. It felt so good.”
Xie Jing said, “They’ll come to you again in a while.”
Xie Siquan asked, “Why?”
Xie Jing explained, “During the bandit suppression, the family heads stay in Sichuan, and the younger generations go with them. You have guns and men. To protect their children, some will want to hang back or just go through the motions. Naturally, they’ll come to you for coordination.”
Xie Siquan asked, “Did Lord Bai Jiu teach you this too?”
Xie Jing smiled. “Yes. He’s very capable.”
Xie Siquan felt a twinge of pride and said, “I’m capable too.”
“Mm, Uncle, you’re capable.”
His obedient nephew agreed with everything he said, making Xie Siquan feel as if he were punching a pillow. Just as he was about to speak again, he suddenly heard someone approaching on horseback, shouting his name.
Xie Siquan had the driver stop and lifted the carriage curtain to look. Indeed, it was a representative from a merchant house involved in the bandit suppression discussion.
The rider bowed while smiling: “Master Xie, my master has always admired your character. After meeting you today, he is even more impressed by your wisdom. He specially asks me to invite you to a gathering. A banquet has already been prepared; we hope you honor us with your presence.”
Xie Siquan asked politely, “Who is your master?”
The man replied, “My master’s surname is Zhao. Our property is the Dongsheng Salt Field in Lower City.”
During the meeting, Xie Siquan vaguely remembered a Zhao family merchant had supported him. He said politely: “Ah, Boss Zhao, long time no see. I should visit, but affairs at home keep me busy.” He gestured to Xie Jing. “And this child is with me. He isn’t used to attending banquets outside, so I must accompany him home.”
The man looked carefully and asked, “This young master seems unfamiliar to me…”
Xie Siquan smiled. “I don’t come to Lower City often. You don’t recognize him? He’s the young master of Fiquan Manor.”
Most of the Xie family properties had names with the character “Quan.” Fiquan Manor was the largest and specialized in salt. Upon hearing this, the man immediately understood and called out, “Young Master!”
Xie Siquan added: “Tell your master that another day I will host a banquet in Upper City and invite him.”
The man agreed eagerly, bowed, and rode off.
The carriage swayed slightly. Xie Siquan rested his elbow on his knee, looked at Xie Jing, and noticed his empty earlobes. He suddenly smiled and reached out: “Jing’er, you did well today. Uncle wants to give you something. How about it?”
