Chapter 91 – Heading South “For the Future of the North”
Bai Mingyu was released from the woodshed after several days of confinement, but things between him and Xie Jing still felt tense. Or perhaps it was only one-sided — the people of the East Courtyard didn’t notice any difference in Little Xie’s behavior. To them, it seemed like the Second Young Master was simply sulking.
Whenever Bai Mingyu went to the study and saw Xie Jing serving personally, he couldn’t help but get nervous whenever the boy stood too close to Lord Bai Jiu.
On the desk was a plate of freshly washed crabapples. Lord Bai Jiu was listening to one of his stewards’ reports, and as he listened, he casually handed one fruit to Xie Jing. Xie Jing took it, standing behind him and nibbling quietly.
Bai Mingyu watched him finish one and reach for a second. Just as he was about to take another, Lord Bai Jiu caught his hand.
Bai Mingyu’s eyes dropped to their joined hands, and sweat broke out down his back — he was so nervous he could barely breathe.
Lord Bai Jiu tapped Xie Jing’s hand lightly and said evenly, “Don’t be greedy. You won’t eat your meal properly later.”
Then he turned back to the steward, continuing calmly, “The cargo ships at Ai Hu Wharf aren’t urgent. Unload the furs first, bring the miscellaneous goods to the provincial capital gradually. Also, send those crates of medicine to Renhe Hall. Find someone efficient to handle it.”
The steward agreed and asked, “There’s plenty of fine fur this year — should I select some for delivery?”
“If there are good ones, pick a few, preferably light-colored.”
“Just happened to get several fine snow mink pelts, I’ll have them sent to the capital as well.”
While business was being discussed, Bai Mingyu couldn’t stop watching Xie Jing. He had never realized the boy had so many little movements — pouring tea one moment, cracking nuts the next, neatly placing a small dish of pine nuts beside the master. At the slightest gesture from Lord Bai Jiu, he was already grinding ink, anticipating his needs before a word was spoken.
Bai Mingyu thought, Who could resist this?
Little Xie was far too skilled — always brushing fingertips or grazing a hand. No wonder Lord Bai Jiu couldn’t control himself.
When Bai Mingyu saw Xie Jing’s hand nearly touch the master’s again, he glanced nervously at the others and coughed loudly, trying to interrupt.
At first Xie Jing didn’t understand, but later began glancing his way occasionally.
Bai Mingyu gave him warning looks, only for Xie Jing to chuckle softly and go right on working.
By day’s end, Bai Mingyu’s throat was hoarse from all the fake coughing.
Lord Bai Jiu thought he’d caught a chill while locked in the woodshed and even summoned a doctor.
Xie Jing accompanied the doctor in. After a careful check, the doctor frowned oddly and said, “The Second Young Master is robust — strong as an ox. No illness at all.”
Bai Mingyu sat there fidgeting, snapping, “I told you, I’m fine!”
But Xie Jing said earnestly, “Please take another look. He often visits the East Courtyard — if he’s contagious, it could spread.”
Bai Mingyu ground his teeth. He endured the whole examination, and when the doctor confirmed he was healthy, he blocked Xie Jing’s way and said, “Wait — I’ve something to tell you.”
Xie Jing stopped and looked at him.
Bai Mingyu circled him twice, frowning, and finally muttered begrudgingly, “Lord Bai Jiu’s affairs aren’t for me to speak of, but remember — don’t be too bold in the East Courtyard. There are many eyes watching—”
Xie Jing replied calmly, “Everyone in the East Courtyard already knows.”
“What?”
“Lord Bai Jiu told them himself.”
Bai Mingyu was stunned. The realization that he was the last to know made him feel like a fool. “Don’t get too smug! Even if the Master favors you now, that won’t last forever. Eventually he’ll… he’ll need heirs…” He trailed off, scowling, then rephrased, “Anyway, it’s best to keep a low profile.”
Xie Jing looked at him silently.
Bai Mingyu, unsettled by the stare, snapped, “Did you hear me?”
Xie Jing thought to himself, In the last life, Lord Bai Jiu had no one but me. As for heirs… well, there’s this so-called son standing right here.
Indeed — Bai Mingyu had once knelt to Lord Bai Jiu, wanting to be his “son.”
Now, that “son” was right before him.
Bai Mingyu glared. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Xie Jing said mildly, “The Second Young Master misunderstood. I was merely thinking your throat sounds hoarse — you should have some cooling herbal tea later.”
“I’m not drinking that stuff.”
“Then at least try some herbal tea.”
He didn’t know what that was, but unwilling to admit ignorance, Bai Mingyu nodded stiffly. “Fine.”
The “tea” turned out darker and more bitter than medicine — double the coptis root.
He was forced to drink it for three days. During that time, he didn’t dare go near the East Courtyard or the study at all.
Half a month later.
Bai Hongqi was summoned to the East Courtyard. After half a day of discussion, her southward journey was decided.
She’d heard of the plan before, but now that it was settled, sorrow welled in her chest. Born in the north, she had never once left her grandmother’s side. Now, she didn’t know when she’d return again. Thinking of her grandmother and Lord Bai Jiu, her eyes turned red.
“Uncle, the North is unstable lately. Let me stay longer to help you.”
“Precisely because of that, I’m sending you south.”
“But—”
“Bai Mingyu is still here. Don’t worry.”
He handed her a sealed letter. “You’ll have twenty guards traveling with you. When you reach Qingdao, several respected merchants will meet you there to assist. I’d have sent more, but too many would draw attention. Once you arrive in Fujian, find Managers Zhang and Wang — they were formerly of the East Courtyard. Show them this letter, and they’ll know what to do.”
Bai Hongqi accepted it and knelt, kowtowing deeply. When she rose again, tears spilled despite herself. Her voice trembled, “Uncle, once I leave, I may not see you for years. Please visit Grandmother often in my stead — and take care of yourself.”
Lord Bai Jiu waited until she was gone before sighing softly.
Outside, Bai Hongqi ran into Bai Mingyu, who had hurried over upon hearing the news.
“You—you’re really leaving?” he stammered.
She nodded, eyes misty.
Bai Mingyu looked stricken. After a pause, he blurted, “I’ll talk to Lord Bai Jiu — why must you be the one to go?”
She bit her lip. “If not me, then you?”
“Ah?” He blinked, dumbfounded.
“If I were a man, I’d surely outshine you!” she said, eyes red but chin stubbornly raised. “If you can’t handle what Uncle assigns you, write to me — I’ll come back myself!”
Bai Mingyu’s heart twisted painfully.
He didn’t even know whether he envied her, or pitied himself — the sourness tangled into a lump of grievance. “That’s all you have to say to me?”
Her eyes, red as a rabbit’s, met his — fierce yet fragile.
Seeing her like that, his heart clenched.
From afar, it looked like the once-proud Second Young Master was bowing and whispering softly, his temper turned to mush.
Bai Hongqi boarded the train south. Lord Bai Jiu sent Bai Mingyu to see her off.
The station was crowded. Through the carriage window, Bai Mingyu suddenly remembered something and tapped the glass. She pushed the window open. “What is it?”
The whistle blew — the train was moving.
Bai Mingyu suddenly turned and ran.
Her farewell sadness turned instantly to confusion. What now?
Moments later, heavy footsteps approached — the door banged open, and there he was, breathless.
“You—why are you here?!” she exclaimed.
“I just remembered one of your trunks,” he said, throat working.
“It’s too heavy. I’ll help you move it down so it’s easier for you.”
Ears red, he avoided her gaze and went straight to work. Indeed, her soft-sleeper cabin had several large trunks. He hauled one down and, at her direction, opened it and set aside a few books on the table.
He sat opposite her, staring at the vase of fresh flowers and muttered awkwardly, “The train’s moving… I’ll get off at the next stop.”
“You’re mad! The next stop is past Shanhaiguan!” she said, incredulous. “Who escorts someone that far?”
He snorted, “I want to. Mind your own business.”
She twisted a lock of hair around her finger, their eyes met — and she turned away quickly, flustered.
He stayed on the train past Shanhaiguan before finally disembarking.
When Lord Bai Jiu learned the next day where he’d gone, he couldn’t help laughing, “I said to see her off, not send her halfway across the country.”
Steward Sun chuckled. “The Second Young Master only wanted to be thorough — Miss Hongqi’s first time traveling far, after all.”
“How long till he returns?”
“He’s already on the train back — overnight journey. He’ll be here by morning.”
“Good,” Lord Bai Jiu said. He turned a page and asked, “Where’s Jing’er? Haven’t seen him today.”
“Went to the stables this morning. Probably up the mountain with Zhang Huwei. Should I send someone?”
“No need. Tell the kitchen to prepare more snacks and a bowl of sweet glutinous dumplings.”
The steward smiled knowingly. Every time Xie Jing went riding, he came back starving — and no one in the East Courtyard loved sweet dumplings more than he did.
That bowl, clearly, was meant for him.
Lord Bai Jiu handled affairs in the study. By afternoon, light refreshments had been served — untouched. After an hour, he finally sent someone to look for Xie Jing.
Moments later, a messenger arrived. “Found him?” Lord Bai Jiu asked.
“Master, the Old General sent word — he requests your presence.”
Closing his book, Bai Rongjiu rose. “If Jing’er returns, have him eat first. No fruit.”
“Yes, sir.”
He headed to the front courtyard.
The Bai estate was vast — though the courtyards weren’t formally separated, two gardens and an opera pavilion lay between them. The Old General, fond of birds and fish, had filled the front courtyard with dense trees, rockeries, and ponds glittering in the sunlight.
When Bai Rongjiu arrived, the Old General was feeding a red-beaked parrot. Seeing him, he beckoned with a smile. “Come, look — how’s my new parrot?”
“It’s fine,” Bai Rongjiu said.
“Better than yours?”
Bai Rongjiu’s expression didn’t change. “Who does Grandfather mean?”
The Old General glanced up. “You’ve kept your East Courtyard quiet, but with that young man constantly by your side — how could anyone fail to notice?”
He sighed. “I saw from the start the boy had promise. It’s no wonder you like him. But it’s a shame to keep him confined — send him to me, let me train him for a few years. He’d be of great use.”
Bai Rongjiu smiled faintly. “Grandfather misunderstands. He isn’t your pet parrot.”
“Oh?”
Bai Rongjiu reached out, gently tapped the cage — the parrot fluttered its wings and crouched on the perch. “Once you clip its wings, it’s no longer a bird of prey. He’s too wild for your training. You wouldn’t manage him.”
“You mean Xie Jing? He doesn’t seem that way to me.”
“You’ve barely spoken to him. He’s young, but his bones are iron. Even if I agreed to send him, you couldn’t control him. He listens only to me.”
The Old General frowned. “In time, the East Courtyard will need a mistress.”
Bai Rongjiu’s tone was light. “Even so, whoever she is must win respect.”
He already had someone in his heart — that had never changed.
Seeing his firmness, the Old General dropped the subject. They talked instead about the northern situation — the brewing chaos making marriage the least of concerns.
At dinner, he kept his grandson to eat with him.
When the servants had withdrawn, the Old General said, “There’ll be an industrial and commerce conference in Shanghai soon. Both north and south will attend. I want you to go personally. And while you’re there, don’t rush back — Mr. Huang says several of the clan’s students abroad are returning this year. Take them to see the world and handle some business. Everyone’s pursuing national revitalization through industry — we should too.”
Bai Rongjiu asked quietly, “Must I go?”
“Yes.” The Old General nodded. “You offended Japanese traders back in Russia. They lost two merchant ships — they’re holding you responsible. Better to stay clear for now.”
“They also sank our ships,” Bai Rongjiu said calmly. “Fishermen died.”
The old man tossed a peanut at him, laughing in exasperation.
“Don’t feed me that nonsense. I heard those ships were empty! Save your performance for outsiders — I don’t fall for your pity act.”
“Then perhaps the rescue was just too quick,” he replied mildly. “No one had time to die.”
The Old General studied him for a long time before sighing. “I’ve heard about what happened in Yu Port. The Japanese are demanding an investigation. You were reckless.”
“I had no choice.”
“Why?”
“For the future of the North.”
The Old General frowned. “Even if you wanted that batch of arms, you should have discussed it with your uncle. Now they’ve gone to Commander Feng and Guo Yizhen — both ambitious men. The 28th Division was already elite. With new arms, they’ll grow even bolder. The North will descend into chaos — what future is that?”
Bai Rongjiu said, “My uncle didn’t give the supplies only to Feng Zhenbei. Two divisions in the provincial capital received some — except for one person. Grandfather, can you guess who?”
The old man froze. “The Young General… Bai Junrui?!”
Bai Rongjiu nodded. “Him.”
The Old General sat back heavily. His son, Bai Xiliang, had two divisions of loyal old soldiers who obeyed only him. Commander Feng’s 28th Division was strong but too radical — constant friction between them. The young general, Bai Junrui, though promising, lacked military achievements; few obeyed him. The northern forces, though united in name, were seething underneath.
“Last year,” Bai Rongjiu said, “when I brought the fleet home, the last few ships turned back to Ai Hu. You know what they carried.”
The Old General’s eyes darkened. Outwardly, the cargo was cotton and cloth — but what was unloaded at port was armaments, in even greater quantities than at Yu Port.
“That shipment,” he asked slowly, “it’s in the Young General’s hands?”
Bai Rongjiu nodded.
The Old General was silent for a long time.
Between three armies, the true victor is the one who hides behind the frontlines. Whether the old loyalists or the radicals fought, both would bleed. And the one who stayed hidden — that was the real winner.
“My uncle’s been planning this for years,” Bai Rongjiu said. “Buying arms in secret, grooming the successor. The North must reform, adopt new systems — the old ministers can’t, Feng Zhenbei can’t. Only the Young General can. Everything I’ve done — Russia, Yu Port — was for the North’s future. It had to be done.”
The Old General regarded him deeply, then sighed. “You’ve kept this secret well. You must have foreseen this since you first went abroad.”
Bai Rongjiu neither confirmed nor denied.
“Your ambitions are too great,” the old man said finally. “But the Bai family can’t take such risks. Go to Shanghai next month — stay a few years before returning.”
“But the North—”
“The North has me,” he interrupted.
That was final.
Bai Rongjiu quietly finished his rice, set down his chopsticks, and rose to bow farewell.
The Old General watched him leave. Only when the figure was gone did his expression soften, a hint of pride glimmering in his eyes.
“I don’t even know who he takes after,” he murmured. “Such nerve…”
An old servant lit the lamp beside him, chuckling, “Who else but you, sir? Lord Bai Jiu’s the very image of your younger self — same temper, same will.”
The Old General smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
General Bai had once stood in front of the guns, pitting himself between factions to balance them — to protect the family’s chosen heir. And he would do the same.
The Bai family’s greatest strength wasn’t its fortune, nor its armies, nor its officials — it was Lord Bai Jiu.
As long as he lived, the Bai family would never fall.
