Chapter 88 — The Bait
After being reminded, Xie Jing finally recalled that during the cholera outbreak in Heihe years ago, Fang Jiwu had indeed borrowed money from him. It had been so long that he’d completely forgotten about the debt. Now that the man had come to repay it, Xie Jing accepted it readily, invited Fang Jiwu in for tea, and the two sat down to catch up.
Dr. Lin and his group happened to be there as well, and since everyone knew each other, conversation flowed easily, clearing up many things.
Since following Dr. Lin to the provincial capital, Fang Jiwu had been diligent—working and studying medicine at the same time. Because Dr. Lin worked as a translator at the medical college, Fang Jiwu had also picked up some foreign languages, allowing him to take small side jobs. Through hard work, he’d managed to save twenty silver.
Xie Jing asked, “You’re still working under Dr. Lin?”
Fang Jiwu replied, “Yes. Dr. Lin is both my employer and my teacher.”
“Western medicine?”
“A bit of everything,” Fang Jiwu said. “Some traditional Chinese medicine theories are actually quite practical. Sometimes when treating colds, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) works faster—and costs less—than Western medicine.”
He told a story about once contracting typhoid. Dr. Lin, being a surgeon, wasn’t good at treating internal illnesses, so he referred Fang Jiwu to a colleague at the college. That doctor practiced Western medicine, but there was no effective drug for typhoid—he simply prescribed glucose and vitamin C and told Fang Jiwu to rest. The condition only worsened.
With no choice, Fang Jiwu sought help from an elderly traditional physician. After five days of herbal treatment, the fever broke.
From that day on, he made a new goal for himself: while continuing to assist Dr. Lin at the medical college, he would use every bit of spare time to learn Chinese medicine.
“I’ve already discussed it with Dr. Lin,” Fang Jiwu said. “Next year, I plan to enroll in the vocational education society’s medical program—to formally study TCM.”
Xie Jing was puzzled. “Why switch?”
Fang Jiwu answered honestly, “I’ve thought about it carefully. To become a Western doctor, I’d need several years in medical school. Even if I could afford the tuition, after graduating, it would still be hard to find a hospital job. Opening my own clinic would be far too costly—equipment alone would ruin me. And besides, most people can’t afford Western medicine.”
Dr. Lin smiled. “Indeed, that’s what I advised him too. Fang Jiwu is the most hardworking student I’ve ever seen—works all day, studies all night. He’s already built a solid foundation in a year, but his circumstances limit him. It’s too difficult for him to open a Western clinic. Since he’s already learned trauma treatment from me, why not learn TCM as well? That way, he can treat both simple injuries and illnesses.”
His plan was clear and steady, exactly what Xie Jing expected from him.
Xie Jing nodded. “Any medicine that can save lives is good medicine.”
At noon, Granny Kou invited everyone to stay for lunch. She served a home-style banquet—four cold dishes, four hot, and one soup. One of the main dishes was braised rabbit, generously portioned and wonderfully flavorful, spiced just enough with chili to bring out a bright, appetizing heat—perfect as a dish to go with wine.
Granny Kou brought out some homemade fruit wine, and everyone drank and praised it. The rabbit paired perfectly with it. The Lin sisters were still schoolgirls, so they weren’t given wine—only some unfermented grape juice.
Looking at the two girls, Fang Jiwu grew sentimental. Turning to Xie Jing, he said, “Seeing them reminds me of our clan school days. You were only there a few days, Little Xie, but you got along with everyone. I still remember—Second Young Master’s desk? No one else was allowed to touch it but you.”
Xie Jing replied, “That’s because he wanted me to copy books for him.”
Fang laughed. “You and the Second Young Master were close.”
In the past, Xie Jing would’ve denied it immediately, but with his current connection to Lord Bai Jiu, he thought a bit and simply said, “Fairly close.”
Since Bai Mingyu was Lord Bai Jiu’s beloved nephew, it was only natural that Xie Jing now viewed him with some fondness.
They went on reminiscing about old classmates from the clan school. Besides the little tyrant Bai Mingyu, Fang Jiwu spoke most often of his good friend Wang Jingqiu.
“Jingqiu wrote to me after going abroad,” Fang Jiwu said. “He’s studying chemistry at Cambridge University. His mentor values him highly, even wants him to stay on in the lab for a few more years. But he and a few senior fellows plan to return home soon—to contribute to the nation.”
Xie Jing said, “Everyone says now that industry builds the nation. When he returns, he’ll surely shoulder great responsibility.”
Fang Jiwu nodded with pride, no jealousy in his eyes—only joy for his friend.
Nearby, the Lin sisters were chatting with Li Yuan about their studies. They attended a girls’ school, whose rules were quite different from regular schools. Li Yuan listened with fascination.
Lin Zhifei asked, “Li Yuan, do you want to go to school too? There’s a boys’ school next to ours that’s taking new students!”
Her sister Lin Zhiyi chimed in, “Yes, come join us! Then we can walk home together after class.”
Li Yuan quickly shook his head. “No, I have to look after the shop.”
“Why?” Lin Zhifei frowned. “You should go to school.”
Li Yuan said gently, “You go to school to get jobs, right? But I already have one. So I don’t need to study.”
It made so much sense the girls were momentarily speechless.
After the meal, Dr. Lin and his family took their leave.
Granny Kou stopped Xie Jing and Li Yuan, brought them to her room, and said kindly, “I’ve been thinking about what that little Lin girl said today. Now that our shop is running well—we’ve got clerks in the front and a cook in the back, and I can manage the rest—we’re making a few silver of profit each month. I think it’s time to send you both to school.”
Xie Jing opened his mouth to object, but Granny Kou stopped him. “Let me finish, Jing’er. I’ve been thinking about this for years. Your contract with the Bai family is almost up. I say—don’t renew it. No need to keep serving others. You’re grown now; it’s time to learn a real trade.”
Xie Jing said quietly, “I won’t go. I’m fine following Lord Bai Jiu.”
Granny Kou sighed. “You can’t follow him forever.”
Xie Jing fell silent.
Li Yuan spoke up, “Grandma, I don’t want to go either. I don’t like studying. I like arithmetic. I can learn on my own. Since Xie Jing is studying under Lord Bai Jiu, he can teach me what he learns.” Then he hurriedly added, “The Bai family has a clan school, and Lord Bai Jiu is brilliant—better than anyone else, even studied abroad!”
“Really?” Granny Kou said doubtfully. She knew Lord Bai Jiu was extraordinary, but not to that extent.
Li Yuan nodded hard. “Yes! Xie Jing learns much more by staying in the East Courtyard.”
Granny Kou sighed, frowning, unsure what to say.
Xie Jing gave Li Yuan a look; Li Yuan nodded slightly and slipped out.
Left alone with Granny Kou, Xie Jing saw that the old woman looked unusually weary, a little sad. “Jing’er,” she said softly, “it hurts me to think of you waiting on others. No master is easy to serve. Even if they don’t beat you, they’ll scold you in anger. My heart aches just thinking about it. My Jing’er shouldn’t suffer such indignity.”
Xie Jing smiled faintly. Truth be told, he had never suffered such indignity. Not in the past, not now—his back had never bent.
That was precisely why he didn’t seem like a boy from such humble origins. Granny Kou had always protected him too well—raising in him a measure of pride and a backbone of steel, a child who never bowed easily to anyone.
And the only people who could make Xie Jing kneel were Lord Bai Jiu—and the old woman before him.
He moved closer and knelt halfway before her, speaking softly: “Grandma, my mother asked you to look after me. You’ve done more than enough. From here on, I know my own path.”
Granny Kou stroked his cheek, her eyes welling up again.
With his face resting against her palm, Xie Jing asked gently, “Grandma, did my mother ever tell you anything before she left? Please, tell me about her.”
Granny Kou looked at him for a long moment, sighed, and said, “You’re more and more like her.”
“In what way?” he asked.
“Your eyes, your temper—both the same,” she smiled faintly. “Stubborn as a mule. Never mind, I won’t push you anymore. Do as you wish. You’re grown now; make your own choices.”
Meanwhile, at the Bai residence.
Lord Bai Jiu was dining alone. The food was plain, tasteless; after a few bites, he set down his chopsticks.
Someone outside reported, “Master, Miss Hong is here.”
“Let her in,” he said.
Bai Hongqi entered swiftly, her eyes bright with urgency. Looking around, she said, “Master, I have something to tell you in private.”
He waved everyone out. She stepped closer and whispered, “I’ve gotten word—a shipment is arriving at Yu Port.”
It was a batch of military supplies—but illegally obtained. The buyer was unknown, but the sellers were clear: Japanese merchants. The Bai family’s network along the border—land and sea—was extensive. Once the Japanese ships docked, Bai Hongqi was notified immediately. After confirming, she rushed to inform Lord Bai Jiu.
“Master,” she said, “if it were anywhere else, I’d ignore it. But Yu Port is too familiar. The Japanese are unloading directly at the docks. They’re few in number and can’t guard it well. They’re looking for middlemen to move it. I say we strike first—make them pay a little price…”
Lord Bai Jiu thought for a moment. “If this were true, you wouldn’t be the first to hear of it. Who told you?”
She froze, thought back, and said, “Someone at the Yu Port docks—an unloader who overheard something.”
“Find Wang Jiu,” Lord Bai Jiu said calmly. “He runs the Azure Dragon Society now. Tell him to investigate.”
She quickly agreed and stood to leave.
“Wait,” he said. “This is serious—don’t let word spread. Did you come here by carriage?”
“No,” she replied. “I wore a padded cloak and a hood, came by rickshaw.”
“Smart,” he said. “Have Zhang Huwei escort you back. He’ll stay nearby these days to protect you. Be cautious.”
She nodded and left hurriedly.
A few days later, Wang Jiu’s men reported back. The Azure Dragon Society had many eyes and quickly found the truth: the dock worker was real, but behind him stood someone from the provincial capital—a staff officer under General Bai, named Guo Yizhen. That man had been watching this shipment closely and had deliberately leaked the information to the Bai family.
Lord Bai Jiu listened, face calm as still water. “He wants to use our ships.”
The shipment was too large; only the Bai family’s fleet could carry it.
Bai Hongqi sat nearby, head bowed in shame, unable to speak.
Bai Mingyu, also present, muttered, “Never seen such a greedy woman—didn’t even check the facts before rushing in.”
Bai Hongqi glared at him, eyes reddening.
Lord Bai Jiu picked up a pearwood paperweight from his desk and said evenly, “Hands.”
Both of them stretched out their hands. Bai Hongqi, out of guilt; Bai Mingyu, out of reflex. When he realized what was happening, it was too late—Lord Bai Jiu gave a sharp smack! across his palm.
Bai Mingyu was stunned, staring at him in disbelief but too afraid to protest.
“You’re punished,” Lord Bai Jiu said coolly, “for speaking without understanding. Do you know why the Bai family never trades with Japanese merchants?”
When he shook his head, the Master continued, “Hong’er’s foster parents were killed by the Japanese. She’s always followed the rules. If she broke them this once, she had reason.”
Even so, he gave Bai Hongqi a light slap on the palm. “And you—remember this lesson. Don’t act rashly again. Don’t let yourself be used.”
The blow was gentle, but tears welled in her eyes. She wiped them away roughly, cheeks flushed red. “Uncle Jiu, I was wrong. But what should we do now? I’ve checked—this Guo Yizhen has changed masters three times, came from the capital just last year, and now he’s highly favored by the military.”
Lord Bai Jiu said, “Anyone bold enough to play such games must have backing. We’ll watch and wait.”
After the two younger ones left, Lord Bai Jiu sighed softly. Xie Jing poured him a cup of tea and gently massaged his temples. “Tired, Master?” he asked quietly.
“Mm,” Lord Bai Jiu murmured, his brow relaxing only after a long while. “The northern provinces may look peaceful, but in truth, they’re divided. Even the Governor’s Office… is far from stable.”
