Chapter 50 — Cao Yunzhao
Time flies.
Another year passed in the blink of an eye.
Lord Bai Jiu had come from the provincial capital and had personally overseen the Heihe distillery for over two years.
The first year had been full of challenges, compounded by the epidemic, which had made many sweat with worry. Fortunately, all dangers had turned out to be false alarms, and misfortunes had been averted.
The second year, after establishing the Northern Three Provinces Chamber of Commerce, things ran much more smoothly. Lord Bai Jiu had delegated Bai Mingzhe to handle affairs externally while he remained in Qinghe, gradually arranging his next moves without ever leaving the house, slowly consolidating his position.
In the twelfth lunar month, as the year-end approached, the Bai household in Qinghe became lively. Visitors came continuously.
Bai Mingzhe was busy at the Heihe branch, while at home, Elder Master Bai and the second son Bai Mingyu received guests. It was only early in the twelfth month, but the household was nearly overwhelmed.
Many visitors were merchants from outside, delivering their last batches of goods at the Heihe branch and stopping by the Bai residence along the way.
These merchants were all members of the Northern Three Provinces Chamber of Commerce, and most had benefited from Lord Bai Jiu’s famous one-hundred-thousand-jar liquor order. They came to the Bai home only to leave gifts, not to see Lord Bai Jiu himself.
Elder Master Bai and Bai Mingyu hosted visitors for several consecutive days. Mingyu was beginning to feel overwhelmed, but these were no ordinary times; he couldn’t sneak away. Four or five servants kept watch over him. Both the Elder Master and the eldest young master had given instructions: by the fifteenth day of the lunar year, the second son should be sensible. Previously, if mischievous, it was excusable—but now, any disobedience would be deemed stubborn, and he along with everyone in his courtyard would be punished; no one could run.
Although the servants in the second son’s courtyard were occasionally scolded by the Elder Master and eldest young master, if Bai Mingyu studied diligently, the rewards for the courtyard would be substantial. Especially during birthdays: because Bai Mingyu and the Elder Master shared the same birthday, considered a minor celebration, the silver rewarded that day—three to five pieces—could equal a month’s wages. Although feared, everyone competed to be in the second son’s courtyard.
On this day, Bai Mingyu tried to sneak away. Taking a step or two back, he heard a servant at a side door call out: “Second Young Master, tea, tea!”
The loud voice drew Elder Master Bai’s gaze. “Second son, where are you going?”
Bai Mingyu shot the servant a glance, slowly turned back, and deliberately yawned. “Father, I’m a bit sleepy. I just want to wash my face and have some tea.”
Elder Master Bai said, “No need to go out. Stand here; I have tea.”
Bai Mingyu shuffled over, glanced at the window—still early morning. It had snowed heavily the previous day, and the courtyard was wrapped in silver-white. He could hear the rustling of brooms sweeping snow. Just imagining riding a horse and charging through the snow would have been exhilarating—but that remained only a thought. His father had never relaxed his supervision, and with the year-end approaching, there was no chance to play outside.
Elder Master Bai gave him tea and breakfast while advising: “You’re growing up now. I must teach you some things. Your eldest brother went to Heihe at about your age, starting as an apprentice. Yesterday, he sent a letter asking for advice. I thought about it…”
Bai Mingyu’s eyes lit up.
Elder Master sighed: “I still can’t bear it. Back then, there was no other way—I couldn’t leave Qinghe, so your brother went. But now, he’s capable. Even discussing it with him, I don’t want you to suffer that hardship. You should stay obediently with me first, learn social skills, learn three-tenths of the art of speaking, and then when you go out, I’ll feel at ease.”
Bai Mingyu swallowed his breakfast and muttered under his breath. Though quiet, Elder Master heard clearly and tapped him on the head with chopsticks, amused: “Your wings aren’t fully grown, yet you want to fly! And leave the province—why not fly across the world?”
Bai Mingyu protested: “It’s just selling liquor. My brother can sell it to Irkutsk. Why can’t I sell even farther?”
Elder Master was slightly surprised, but then laughed and nodded. “Alright, not bad. Eat quickly. After breakfast, I’ll take you to meet some merchants. If you behave well, I’ll even give you a horse.”
At the mention of a horse, Bai Mingyu perked up, finishing his breakfast eagerly.
Meanwhile, Lord Bai Jiu was attending to someone else in the east courtyard.
The master bedroom suite included a flower hall and a chess table. A half-finished chess game remained, and a small plate held a peeled orange.
A heated stove kept the room warm. A thick wool blanket lay on the bed, with two pairs of shoes neatly placed at the side.
A night attendant slept at the foot of the bed. His black hair lay neatly, eyelashes moving slightly with each breath, curled up in the corner, half-hidden under a thin blanket, face buried in a pillow, only the nose and sharply defined lips showing healthy color.
The winter sunrise was late. Having played Go half the night, Xie Jing still slept soundly.
Lord Bai Jiu, lightly asleep, heard a low groan and sat up, noticing Xie Jing’s calves trembling. He reached out to massage them. When he pressed, Xie Jing groaned in pain, quickly saying, “Master, don’t, it hurts. Let me rest a bit.”
Lord Bai Jiu paused, then slowly massaged. Xie Jing’s eyes watered.
“Cramps again?”
“Mm.”
“I’ll have the kitchen make some bone soup. If it hurts badly, the doctor will check.”
Xie Jing shook his head: “No need. A couple more bowls of rice and it’ll be fine.” He had been like this since the opera troupe days—bad food, more pain, but his growth spurt over the past two years made it bearable.
Lord Bai Jiu tapped his head, laughing: “Are you hungry here? Get up; let’s eat.”
Xie Jing, growing rapidly, opened his eyes, ready to get up. Lord Bai Jiu helped with his trousers and warned: “Be careful, it’s cold outside. Don’t catch a cold or you’ll cry tonight.”
“I didn’t cry…”
Lord Bai Jiu touched the corner of his eye: “Not crying? Then what’s this?”
Xie Jing blushed, quickly putting on shoes and coat.
When Lord Bai Jiu got up, Xie Jing had washed and dressed, holding a hot handkerchief, ready to wipe his face.
“Master, what shall we wear today?”
“Something thick.”
“Going out?”
“Not far, just the main hall. We have distinguished guests.”
Xie Jing prepared clothes, assisted Lord Bai Jiu with dressing, and they had breakfast together before going to the main hall.
Soon, Huang Mingyou arrived. Excited, he wanted to drag Xie Jing back to the bedroom: “Yesterday’s chess game kept me up all night. I finally figured a counter! Witness it, Little Xie!”
Xie Jing, fifteen and nearly as tall as Huang, stopped him: “Sir, Master is waiting for a guest. Maybe… I can accompany you to watch a performance?”
Huang Mingyou, who loved little besides chess and theater, perked up: “Oh? Another troupe? From where?”
Lord Bai Jiu subtly nodded.
Xie Jing led Huang Mingyou to the theater: a troupe had arrived that morning. Huang Mingyou eagerly followed, listening to explanations.
On stage, Chai Xuehe, twenty-seven or twenty-eight, sang. He wore a long robe, no makeup, looking friendly and heroic. He noticed guests and bowed politely after a few lines.
Huang Mingyou introduced himself, and Chai Xuehe, having heard of him, bowed again: “Honored! I’ve long wished to meet you. Last time, thanks to Boss Shang, I received your calligraphy.”
Huang Mingyou praised Chai Xuehe, noting his “Zhuge Liang” performance was excellent. Chai Xuehe modestly suggested singing a piece for him, and Huang Mingyou delightedly agreed.
Chai Xuehe was polite and gentle, even teaching Huang Mingyou some stage movements. Huang Mingyou admired him greatly.
Chai Xuehe noticed Xie Jing standing behind and, after a moment, exclaimed: “You’re Xie Jing?”
Xie Jing nodded.
Chai Xuehe exclaimed: “No wonder!” Then studied him closely, admiring his looks and physique, remarking: “No wonder Boss Shang praises you every year—he wasn’t exaggerating. You’re truly handsome.”
Xie Jing, not used to compliments, especially about looks, felt awkward.
Chai Xuehe brought him some costume pieces. Huang Mingyou restrained Xie Jing from removing them, approving. Xie Jing stayed still—he would rather perform acrobatics than play chess all day.
Chai Xuehe asked: “Can you do flips?”
Xie Jing, seeing Huang Mingyou satisfied, agreed, performing three smooth flips. The silver scarf accentuated his long, lean figure.
Chai Xuehe and Huang Mingyou praised him. Xie Jing actually knew many tricks but didn’t want fame—he preferred to study accounts and help his master.
After observing the performance, Xie Jing tried to sneak away. Climbing down from the stage, he ran a few steps and collided into someone.
Lord Bai Jiu held him, ruffling his hair: “In such a rush, hiding from work?”
Xie Jing saw a man in a suit and thick coat approaching. Smiling, he said: “Not hiding—I saw those flips. Beautiful! What’s your name?”
Xie Jing stared blankly.
Lord Bai Jiu’s long-awaited guest was none other than Cao Yunzhao, Young Master Cao.
Cao Yunzhao was a theater enthusiast, sometimes performing himself. He came from a prominent family, hiring top actors. Seeing Xie Jing stare, he reached out—but Lord Bai Jiu held him back: “What are you doing?”
Lord Bai Jiu said calmly: “I haven’t asked what you want yet.”
Cao Yunzhao said: “Just wanted to speak with him a bit. Can’t talk?”
Lord Bai Jiu didn’t release him, walking and explaining: “This child is shy around strangers. Ask me anything you wish.”
Cao Yunzhao wanted to turn to Xie Jing but Lord Bai Jiu diverted the conversation to family matters.
Cao Yunzhao sighed: “What else can I do? Father is fine, but my elder brother fears I’ll go to Beiping. I don’t want to argue. I spend my days with old men doing Tai Chi, saying nothing truthful, smiling while thinking the opposite. I can’t bear that. Better to stay in the North, enjoy theater, practice plays. After the New Year, I’ll organize a charity performance; tickets are sold out.” His eyes lit up. “Bai Jiu, may I borrow your boy?”
Lord Bai Jiu interrupted: “Good. I’ll donate a batch of grain for you.”
Cao Yunzhao: “Ah, thanks! And him…”
Lord Bai Jiu shook his head: “Not lending.”
Author’s note: Double update combined—sorry for the late update!
Mini-scene:
Young Master Cao: “Bai Jiu, what’s wrong? I used to take you to meet idols, spend money to have them dine with you. Now you don’t even let me watch?!”
Lord Bai Jiu: “Yes.”
Young Master Cao: “???”
Boss Shang: free PR success.
