Chapter 74 — Getting Rich (Part 2)
Grandmother Bai had other appointments and would be going out to visit friends soon. Bai Rongjiu stayed with Xie Jing for a while in the house, discussing the departure date, then left.
Xie Jing walked behind him for a bit before speaking up: “Master, after the New Year, could I—”
Bai Rongjiu interrupted: “No.”
Xie Jing was silent for a moment, then asked, “You didn’t even let me finish. How do you know it’s impossible?”
Bai Rongjiu smiled: “I don’t need to hear it to know what you’re going to say.” He shook his head, repeating, “You can’t come with me after the New Year. The time will be too short, and there’s too much to do. Going with Bai Er to the Eastern Province Railway is the real way for you to help me.”
Xie Jing thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
As Bai Rongjiu had said, the time was indeed limited—there wasn’t even time to return to the provincial government to pack properly. Bai Rongjiu demanded simplicity, and Xie Jing remembered this, immediately helping to organize their travel items.
Everything else was easy enough, except the clothing needed to be thick and warm.
Bai Rongjiu disliked the cold, and the destination was an extremely northern and freezing area.
As he packed, Xie Jing frowned repeatedly, several times thinking about asking to go along. Each time the words reached his lips, he swallowed them.
At noon, Bai Mingyu came to the small building.
Bai Rongjiu was taking an afternoon nap, while Xie Jing was still in the small front hall packing clothes. Two bundles of personal clothing had already been packed, and on the nearby table were four or five winter leather coats. Beneath them were three thick black mink coats, with a snow-blue leather cloak on top, the collar lined with soft fur—it looked warm just to see it.
Bai Mingyu approached quietly without disturbing Bai Rongjiu and tossed a small red bead at Xie Jing from the doorway.
The red bead rolled across Xie Jing’s body, rolling onto the floor at his feet.
He looked down and saw it was a polished red coral bead.
Before he could react, Bai Mingyu tossed several more beads over. If it weren’t for the thick plush carpet covering the floor, the noise alone might have woken the sleeping Bai Rongjiu inside.
Xie Jing finished packing Bai Rongjiu’s leather cloak and, with his hands tucked neatly, went to the door and saluted him: “Greetings, Second Young Master…”
Bai Mingyu quickly covered his mouth and, glancing inside, whispered: “Has Master Bai Jiu woken?”
Xie Jing nodded. Bai Mingyu’s cover was secure, and he couldn’t speak.
Bai Mingyu dragged him outside and, once in the corridor, spoke proudly: “Do you know what Mr. Huang told me this morning?”
Xie Jing blinked, thinking about how to reply, when Bai Mingyu couldn’t help but boast: “Mr. Huang called me over, praised me thoroughly… all that about business strategies, I won’t even tell you. You wouldn’t understand anyway—”
Xie Jing said nothing, thinking, you probably didn’t remember either.
Bai Mingyu, eyes sparkling, finally got to the point: “Have you ever played a game of Go with Mr. Huang?”
Xie Jing stiffened, trying to maintain a calm expression: “Usually, it’s Master Bai Jiu playing with Mr. Huang… I’m… not very good at Go.”
Bai Mingyu’s eyes lit up at that!
He cleared his throat, straightened his back, and looked at Xie Jing: “Do you know how many games I won against Mr. Huang this morning, out of three rounds?”
Xie Jing shook his head; he couldn’t imagine anyone playing worse than Huang Mingyou.
Bai Mingyu raised a finger, savoring it: “Three games. I won one. Mr. Huang is skilled, we fought evenly. Although I lost a few pieces in the end, it was a narrow loss—plenty of room for improvement.”
Xie Jing was surprised: “You lost? To Mr. Huang?”
“What’s there to be surprised about? Mr. Huang’s skill is exceptional—a national master. Losing to him is normal.” Bai Mingyu bragged, waving his finger in front of Xie Jing’s eyes, “Even Master Bai Jiu loses one or two games out of ten to Mr. Huang.”
Xie Jing: “…”
Xie Jing: “Did Mr. Huang actually say that to you?”
Bai Mingyu: “Yes.”
Xie Jing’s lips twitched, unsure how to respond.
Bai Mingyu clapped him on the shoulder like a good buddy: “Little Xie, Mr. Huang said you’re too hasty when playing Go. You make a few moves and trap yourself. That’s not acceptable. He also said I should privately tutor you in Go.”
Xie Jing immediately shook his head: “No, I only like practicing sword and gun techniques. I have no interest in Go.”
Bai Mingyu said: “You train with swords and guns all day. You need to calm down, otherwise how will you win a girl’s favor later? My brother told me, he used to go to my sister-in-law’s place and play Go with her uncle, then find a chance to play with her. Are you planning to take a girl hunting in the mountains instead?”
Xie Jing laughed softly, not denying it: “Hunting in the mountains isn’t bad. I can roast wild rabbits for them.”
Bai Mingyu clicked his tongue, about to say, what girl would be so wild?—but before he could, an image popped into his mind: a girl in a red riding outfit, her curly hair tied with a fiery red bow, both delicate and spirited, holding a riding whip with a smile—Bai Hongqi. He had “used” her as a “wife” in Russia to avoid alcohol-related trouble, and now recalling her made his face flush.
Xie Jing started to leave, but Bai Mingyu stopped him: “Hey, could it be… is it her you like?”
Xie Jing asked, puzzled: “Who?”
Bai Mingyu mumbled a name.
Xie Jing read his lips, confirmed the three characters, and laughed: “Of course not. She’s the head of a branch of the family. I only respect her.”
Bai Mingyu visibly relaxed, then Xie Jing added: “After the New Year, we may have to work with her. Master Bai Jiu said we’d go to the Eastern Province Railway area.”
Bai Mingyu frowned. That area was indeed under Bai Hongqi’s oversight, and she handled many big deals. He had heard her skill was formidable.
He pulled Xie Jing’s hand and handed him the remaining coral beads, raising an eyebrow: “I don’t care. Little Xie, you’re my good brother. No matter what happens, don’t get involved with her. Agreed?”
Xie Jing received the string of coral beads, puzzled as he watched Bai Mingyu walk away.
Previously, Bai Mingyu and Bai Hongqi had been rivals—competing over business, manpower, and any remnants left by Master Bai Jiu. Without shared blood, it might have required injury to settle disputes.
Bai Hongqi was not a true Bai family member, but her loyalty to Master Bai Jiu matched Bai Mingyu’s.
Xie Jing’s impression of the two was deep-rooted. He quietly stored most of the coral beads and returned.
This time, Bai Mingyu returned with many treasures. The Qinghe Bai family likely rewarded him well. The coral beads were high quality and worth several dozen silver dollars elsewhere, yet Bai Mingyu had broken them apart to play marbles. Despite his outward maturity, his personality remained unchanged.
The New Year in Heihe was less lively than in the provincial capital but still festive.
The Qinghe Bai family held a grand banquet for guests.
Bai Rongjiu and Grandmother Bai sat in a private upstairs room, accompanied only by a few relatives, undisturbed by others.
Grandmother Bai could drink well; Bai Rongjiu drank a few cups with her before retiring.
Xie Jing wasn’t there—he had likely gone off with Bai Mingyu to play.
Bai Rongjiu chuckled softly, not sending anyone after them—let them enjoy the holiday.
He turned to a bookshelf, took out a scroll, and opened it. It was an unfinished portrait, with a handprint beside it.
Night had deepened, yet it was livelier than usual. Faint firecrackers could be heard from the street, with wind blowing snow onto the window.
The heated floor kept the room warm. The front hall smelled faintly of oranges and Buddha’s hand, and a pot of warm yellow wine had just been delivered.
Bai Rongjiu picked up his brush, carefully drawing the person on the canvas.
It seemed he had memorized every detail countless times. He instinctively knew where the next stroke should go. The figure gradually took shape, resembling Xie Jing—but slightly older, less childlike, with a proud spirit, clear eyes like stars reflected in a river, yet retaining the innocence and arrogance of youth.
He was the best young man raised by Bai Rongjiu.
When Xie Jing returned, he carried the scent of firecrackers and snow. He stood in the hall brushing snow from his shoulders and removed his thick outer coat before entering.
Bai Rongjiu sat, sipping tea, and said: “Put on another layer. Don’t catch a chill.”
Xie Jing drank his tea in one go, smiling: “Not cold. Master, feel my hand.”
Bai Rongjiu touched it to ensure warmth, then intertwined their fingers and brought it close, asking: “Where did you run off to?”
“With the Second Young Master, setting off some fireworks. Did you hear it just now? There was one set with forty thousand shots—loud! We set it off in the street!”
Bai Rongjiu chuckled and nodded slightly: “I heard.”
Xie Jing recounted the outside events. Bai Rongjiu rested his chin on his hand, listening, occasionally responding, smiling at him.
Xie Jing blushed, his voice lowering, and leaned over to kiss the corner of Bai Rongjiu’s lips.
Bai Rongjiu didn’t move, just looked down at him.
After a moment of playful kisses, Bai Rongjiu laughed, placed his hand on Xie Jing’s neck, and kissed him properly.
His Jing’er didn’t know how.
He needed to teach him.
After the New Year, Bai Rongjiu led the team on their journey.
Sun Fu stayed on the opposite bank, and many staff remained there. The traveling party was small, with only Zhang Huwei and Wang Su as close bodyguards.
Xie Jing went with Bai Mingyu to the dock to see them off, watching the ship sail away.
Huang Mingyou also came to the dock, hands tucked in his sleeves, squinting and smiling: “When your Master Bai Jiu returns this time, I wonder how much commotion he’ll cause.”
Bai Mingyu urged his horse, eyes gleaming: “Of course! That’s my Master Bai Jiu. Across the three northern provinces, there’s no one more formidable!”
Xie Jing continued watching the river.
The Bai family’s Master Bai Jiu had been outstanding since childhood. Wealth, clothing, education, and character—all the best.
By age three, he memorized books; at five, he began Western-style education, attracting envy wherever he went.
In the northern provinces, in nearly a century, there had only been one Bai Rongjiu.
*
March, the year of the Gui Chou [1].
Northern Provincial Capital, Governor’s Mansion.
The meeting room was chaotic. Several rounds of argument had passed. Conservative officials stuck to their views, while radicals openly clashed with them.
“Few merchants can afford ships to transport goods overseas themselves. Most rely on foreign merchants, but the routes are long and vulnerable to deceit, making profit uncertain!”
“Yes, if trade routes open, foreign ships will flood in, one nation after another. The northern three provinces could become a playground for foreign merchants, letting their ships roam freely…”
“And concessions…”
General Bai slammed his hand on the table angrily, silencing everyone.
He hadn’t noticed that most of his cigarette had burned. His uniform was open at the collar, and though over fifty, he still radiated authority. He glared at the speaker: “Concessions! I can’t stand those concessions! Sooner or later, we’ll drive those foreign devils home. If soldiers can’t move and money can’t move—then I, Bai, will open this trade route!”
An earlier speaker hesitated, then forced himself to say: “But how can the Bai family alone set a precedent? Governor, please reconsider!”
General Bai stared coldly, muscles twitching, when a subordinate knocked and handed him a sealed letter.
Irritated, General Bai opened it, suddenly laughing loudly, stamping out his cigarette. He handed it to those nearby: “Look! Look! Bai Rongjiu did a good thing!”
The letter wasn’t a report as much as an account of recent conflicts on the river.
Bai Rongjiu’s men had clashed several times with Japanese merchants. The Japanese didn’t know Russian cargo ships were mixed in and accidentally damaged a Russian ship. The Russians pursued them with cannon fire but couldn’t catch them. This incident created enmity.
Someone hesitated: “If the Japanese are angered…”
General Bai: “So what? Conflict is good—it means they are threatened. The more they react, the bigger the threat. Good boy! To anger the Japanese like this means a big gain! Bring me the governor’s seal! The regulations for land and water trade are set: add 1,000 river buoys, 500 floating markers, convoy protection, allow night navigation—!”
The northern Bai family controlled many pawnshops, tied to moneylenders.
The Bai family supplied the funds.
Heihe supplied influence.
General Bai of the provincial governor’s office personally provided crucial support.
All conditions were right, only the final step remained.
This battle had no smoke, but fierce competition raged.
Bai Rongjiu advanced steadily, swallowing territory piece by piece.
By late March, Heihe cargo wagons shuttled frequently; ships made 509 trips. By early June, this increased to 1,632 trips. By late September, with more ships purchased and Russian vessels hired, trips skyrocketed. Along the riverbanks, shipments increased—beyond liquor, exports included silk, porcelain, and medicines—totaling 3,204 trips.
Border merchants were busy. In the first year alone, tax revenue in the three northern provinces rose nearly ten million silver dollars.
Despite stricter Russian alcohol bans, Bai Rongjiu’s convoy led northern merchants to diversify, gradually establishing a trade route.
By late autumn and early winter, the river in Heihe was cold.
Five large ships sailed upstream, preceded by two small boats. Men on the small boats beat drums to announce the convoy.
Each large ship had over ten men hauling it to the dock at the Shile River junction.
Some merchants tried to exchange goods as the ships approached, but seeing the Bai family flag, they dispersed. Some lingered, hoping to trade for glassware or soap. The ships entered the harbor steadily, without stopping.
Dock workers were ready, unloading goods efficiently. Bai Rongjiu’s party was respectfully received and escorted to carriages.
Bai Rongjiu had grown slightly taller during the year, looking a bit thinner, still handsome. His eyes were dark and cold, like ink in a frozen pond. The cold weather made him wear a crow-blue fur cloak, accentuating his pale, almost translucent skin.
In the carriage, he coughed lightly. An attendant immediately handed him warm wine: “Master, are you feeling chilled again?”
Bai Rongjiu shook his head: “No, just a lingering chill from the previous days. How far to our destination?”
“Just a bit further to the trading house. Master, are we staying a few days?”
Bai Rongjiu considered: “Leave Sun Fu behind for minor matters, let him coordinate with Bai Mingzhe. The rest come with me to the South. Hong’er mentioned the Eastern Province Railway several times; I’m worried they won’t handle it well.”
The attendant tried to persuade: “Master, you’ve traveled far and must be tired. Perhaps rest here a few days before going to Nanfang…”
Bai Rongjiu looked at him. The man’s heart skipped, lowering his head without further argument. He nodded and went out to issue instructions.
Eastern Province Railway, Nanfang District.
Years ago, travel between China and Russia required overland transport via Qiqihar, Ai Hu, then Heihe. Now, the railway directly connected the provinces, bypassing Chinese territory. Transport was cheap—only 75 kopecks per shipment—popular among merchants, attracting many Russians, sometimes tens of thousands.
Nanfang was bustling, full of taverns and casinos, brightly lit at night.
In a casino, a handsome young man sat rolling dice. He leaned back, listened to someone behind him, and laughed, pushing all his chips forward.
He won the tenth consecutive round, accumulating over five thousand silver dollars.
The Russian players were anxious; some tried to leave, and the young man didn’t stop them.
A wine-seller girl, hoping for luck, approached and realized the young man holding the chips was about seventeen or eighteen, handsome, eyes cold as stars, lips well-shaped, exuding aristocratic pride. She tried to approach, but a pale, neat footman blocked her: “Miss, our young master is unavailable.”
The girl protested: “What’s unavailable? He’s a man, I’m a woman—natural for us to be together—”
The young man finished counting chips, scooped them up, and called: “Li Yuan, let’s go! Exchange the money.”
Li Yuan, dressed as a gray-robed footman, hurried after him. The casino was crowded. He wanted to protect Xie Jing, but Xie Jing moved quickly and carefully, even kicking a drunken chair aside to clear a path.
Li Yuan, out of breath, followed and saw Xie Jing exchanging chips for thin silver notes, silver coins, and a few copper coins.
Xie Jing carefully collected everything, even the copper coins in his sleeves—nothing missing.
Li Yuan looked angrily at the cashier: “Xie Jing, aren’t you giving him a tip? We won yesterday, but didn’t give him anything.”
Xie Jing raised an eyebrow: “Why should I give him the money I worked hard to win?”
Footnotes:
[1] The Gui Chou (??) year is the 50th year in the 60-year Chinese sexagenary cycle, corresponding to the Year of the Ox (specifically the Metal Ox in recent cycles). In the chapter, it probably is referring to the year 1913.
