Chapter 70 — Catching People
Huang Mingyou accompanied Elder Lady Bai for some small talk. The old lady was kind and gentle, always smiling as she spoke.
Xie Jing, meanwhile, pricked up his ears to listen to their conversation.
Elder Lady Bai seemed genuinely tired. After sipping her tea and resting for a bit, she turned to Xie Jing and asked, “How long have you been here? Has your Master Bai Jiu given you any tasks?”
Xie Jing stiffened, unsure how to respond, opening his mouth twice but unable to utter a word.
The old lady was amused. She patted his arm and said, “No matter, just chatting casually. If you can’t say, then don’t.”
Huang Mingyou also laughed, smoothing things over: “Elder Madam, don’t tease Little Xie like that. He’s too honest; one word from you and he takes it seriously—look at the sweat!”
Xie Jing poured tea for Elder Lady Bai, keeping his head low and serving respectfully. Climbing along with the cue given by Huang Mingyou, he didn’t speak a single word.
Elder Lady Bai knew the Eastern Courtyard had many talented individuals, but she had never seen someone so tight-lipped like Xie Jing—especially someone so exceptionally capable and handsome.
This time, Elder Lady Bai came alone, only bringing Huang Mingyou and a few bodyguards. She didn’t bring or notify anyone else. Xie Jing had wanted to accompany her to Bai’s trading company to rest, but she shook her head, smiling: “I haven’t been here for years. Let’s just wander about a bit and see what Heihe is like now. You don’t need to notify anyone; in a few days, I’ll come to the trading company to find you.”
Xie Jing nodded and, trying to use Huang Mingyou’s previous words, said, “Elder Madam, it’s different this winter from previous years. There are more merchants from other regions, and the locals are mixed in. Should I find a guide to accompany you?”
Elder Madam Bai asked with mild interest, “Oh? Who?”
Xie Jing said, “He’s actually my great-uncle. People outside call him Kou Laosan. He’s a jack-of-all-trades, skilled in driving carts, and familiar with Qinghe and Heihe markets. If the Elder Madam needs, I can have him come tonight.” He added, “He’s my relative; no one else knows. You can rest assured.”
Elder Madam Bai nodded, appreciating his thoughtfulness, and gave him the address of her hotel.
After finishing a pot of tea, Xie Jing escorted Elder Lady Bai and Huang Mingyou’s party to the door. Unable to bow outside, he clasped his hands and stood a little longer, watching them leave.
Far down the road, a bodyguard whispered something in her ear. The old lady glanced at the corner and indeed saw the young man standing tall like a pine tree, politely sending them off.
Elder Lady Bai smiled and shook her head: “Bai Rongjiu really did have some skill—he picked a good child.”
Huang Mingyou grinned: “Elder Madam, that’s not quite right. Master Bai treated him well and taught him properly!”
Elder Lady Bai glanced at him: “I forgot—you’re from the Eastern Courtyard too. No wonder you’re on the same side.”
Huang Mingyou laughed, completely unoffended, rather proud.
The Eastern Courtyard produced no ordinary talent.
That night, Xie Jing indeed called Kou Laosan.
Kou Laosan had long been a border trader, thoroughly familiar with Heihe. His son, Kou Pei Feng, had once been saved by Xie Jing and was now working with him at the provincial capital. Father and son both obeyed Xie Jing without question.
Kou Laosan came immediately after Xie Jing emphasized that everything needed to be handled carefully.
Kou Laosan said: “Little Xie, don’t worry. I’ll serve your distinguished guest properly. You mentioned suddenly sending a message, and I couldn’t find a horse, so I borrowed a strong blue mule. Will that do?”
Xie Jing examined it. The blue mule in front of Kou Laosan’s covered wagon was tall and sturdy, with newly shod hooves. He nodded: “This will do. They also have their own carriage, but it’s a foreign style. This mule cart is less conspicuous. Uncle, you bring the cart along. If there’s any cost, I’ll pay you double.”
Kou Laosan refused: “It’s just a few days. No matter, I’ll help you.”
Xie Jing didn’t argue, instead walking alongside and reminding him of the instructions. Kou Laosan nodded repeatedly.
Xie Jing added quietly: “Uncle, if the guest makes any moves, you can give a few coins to the teahouse waiter and send me a message. No need to specify details, just their whereabouts.”
Kou Laosan asked, “Why?”
Xie Jing: “Business matters.”
Kou Laosan understood, thinking Xie Jing was just keeping an eye on outside traders hoarding stock. He nodded: “Understood, I’ll watch!”
Xie Jing secretly placed a bag of copper coins and a few silver coins on Kou Laosan’s cart and sent him to the hotel where Elder Lady Bai stayed, watching from afar as Kou Laosan went inside.
The next day, Elder Lady Bai indeed used the covered mule cart.
Mule carts were common on the streets, so it wasn’t conspicuous. Without Kou Laosan’s message, Xie Jing wouldn’t have known where she went.
The old lady wandered casually, buying herbs and specialties, even a few barrels of the local distilled spirit—the new batch from Heihe’s distillery.
Receiving word, Xie Jing pondered briefly, then resumed his usual composure.
Since Bai Mingyu dared to act, they weren’t afraid of exposure. Using Master Bai Jiu’s name, even if Bai Mingyu found out, the matter was already done—they’d only get minor punishment in the Eastern Courtyard.
Xie Jing calculated quickly and relaxed, continuing to monitor the Japanese merchants as planned.
Back at the hotel, Elder Lady Bai had her guards open a new barrel of liquor. She sniffed it out of habit, frowning slightly.
Huang Mingyou, aware that Qinghe Bai’s spirits were top-notch, also sniffed eagerly, suddenly exclaiming: “Why does this have no aroma?”
Elder Lady Bai poured two cups and tasted it with him. She remained expressionless, but Huang Mingyou’s face turned red. He winced and said, “So hot! Strong as fire down the throat, but hardly any aroma—how strange!”
Elder Lady Bai explained: “This is vodka, from Russia. That’s how it is there, unlike our Northern regions.”
Huang Mingyou asked: “I saw many bottles like this on the street. Heihe distillery uses machines—if selling across the river, they must have made a batch. Isn’t this too much?”
Elder Madam Bai replied slowly: “When did these appear on the streets?”
“Within the last two days.”
“Where produced?”
“All from Heihe Distillery.”
She stroked her chin and smiled: “Bai’s son has some courage, hiring people to handle it and prompting other distilleries to follow suit. He’s provoking the market; if someone wants, they’ll profit. That’s all.”
Huang Mingyou asked: “If there’s business, why share with others?”
Elder Lady Bai wrote a single character on the table, pointing at it with her finger and smiling at him.
He leaned over: it was the character “Jiu” (“wine”).
She tapped her knuckles on the table and said: “He wants wine.”
At Bai’s trading company, only one room on the second floor was lit, the rest of the courtyard dark.
Xie Jing, wrapped in a thin cotton robe, read a letter from Bai Mingyu by kerosene lamp.
Bai Mingyu had boldly gone alone across the river, transmitting messages with flag signals. The letter in Xie Jing’s hands was concise, full of exciting news.
The letter explained: in Manchuria, a barrel of vodka cost 7 rubles. Near Lake Baikal, the cost rose to 60 rubles per barrel. Bai Mingyu and his brother Bai Mingzhe’s assistants sold the liquor in Irkutsk for 80 rubles per barrel—people scrambled for it.
“…The further west we go, the higher the price, sometimes reaching 100 rubles or more. I monitor the situation constantly, contacting in time. The trading company and distillery matters are entrusted to you. You understand. If any issue arises, contact my brother. Remember: we need wine—lots of it!”
Xie Jing’s heart raced. At 60 rubles per barrel, their profit would already be tenfold. Bai Mingyu’s news suggested a potential twentyfold profit! The Heihe distillery was running machines day and night; one big order could yield hundreds of thousands in silver.
Xie Jing quickly calculated the timeline: from this winter until next spring, profits would peak around June or July. He smiled, excitement barely contained.
Suddenly, footsteps approached outside, and the door opened slightly.
Bai’s trading company had guards after the last bandit attack, so Xie Jing was startled. He clutched the letter and shouted, “Who’s there?!”
The door creaked further, revealing a tall figure clad in white leather, a handsome man with pale lips, exuding authority just by standing there.
Xie Jing froze, then both thrilled and nervous: “Master, you’re here?” He quickly pulled out a chair for the Master.
The Master sat, eyes scanning Xie Jing, and asked calmly: “What’s in your hand?”
Xie Jing feigned ignorance: “Ah?”
The Master tugged his arm, bringing him closer, exposing the letter. Xie Jing climbed onto his lap, head against his chest.
The Master didn’t comment, opening the letter and scanning it quickly, then smiling lightly.
Xie Jing kept his head down, murmuring “Master” against his chest.
The Master pinched his chin gently, lifting his face: “I underestimated you and Bai Mingyu. You didn’t come to Heihe for leisure—you’re here to accomplish something significant.”
Xie Jing blushed, unsure if it was from the words or the pinch. His mind scrambled, so he leaned into the Master, rubbing against him and whispering for mercy.
The Master chuckled: “How old are you? Still acting stubborn?”
Xie Jing murmured: “When I was little, I didn’t know how.”
“Now that you’re grown, you can act stubborn?”
“Master taught me.”
The Master’s eyes darkened slightly, brushing his cheek.
Xie Jing tilted his head, rubbing against the hand softly: “Master, don’t be mad. I just wanted to try if I could do it. I want to do something, to help you.”
The Master studied him for a moment, voice softening: “Speak, I’m listening. But if you try any sweet talk again, there will be punishment.”
