Mo Sang – CH 226

Chapter 226. A Difficult Problem

The next morning, Hei Ma, Datou, and Xiao Lu each went out to Yangjiaping to inquire about the shipyard.

Da Chang and Mazha carried baskets and went out to buy groceries, returning to continue cleaning.

There were too many small houses to clean, making it a real chore.

Li Sangrou sat in the courtyard, drinking tea, studying a map, and pondering the best Shunfeng route and where to begin.

The following day, Chuantiao returned, took the rags and buckets Da Chang handed him, and joined Mazha in cleaning and wiping.

A few days later, Hei Ma, Datou, and Xiao Lu returned one after another.

The Yangjiaping shipyard had a famous name: Guangshun Old Inn.

Guangshun Old Inn in Yangjiaping was indeed an old and well-established business. Hongzhou, especially the area around Jiangzhou City, was one of the world’s major shipyard hubs. Throughout Hongzhou, there were countless shipyards like Guangshun Old Inn, some with fifty or sixty years, seventy or eighty years, or even over a hundred years of history.

Yangjiaping was an ideal place for shipyards. Originally, there were fifteen or sixteen shipyards of varying sizes. Guangshun Old Inn was in the middle, neither too big nor too small, a mid-range shipyard.

Seven years ago, after Yang Wen took command of Jiangzhou City, Guangshun Old Inn began to flourish. Within a year or two, it had swallowed up or merged with the fifteen or sixteen shipyards in Yangjiaping, leaving only Guangshun Old Inn in the entire area.

The current head manager of Guangshun Shipyard, Yang Gan, took over five years ago. Manager Yang had an excellent reputation; everyone from the shipyard’s craftsmen to the merchants who order ships speaks highly of him—genuine praise, not the kind of praise given to Nanny Zhang. They said he was honest, knowledgeable, and generous—a rare and excellent manager.

As for the head accountant, Master Shan, everyone said the accounts were very clear, but nothing else was known. He was said to be quiet and rarely went out, spending all his time in the accounting room, either keeping records or checking accounts.

Yang Gan’s wife and children were in Hangzhou. Two concubines serve him in Yangjiaping. One concubine was brought with him when he took over as head manager. Later, she became pregnant, so he bought another maid and took her as a concubine. Now, one concubine had given birth to a son, and the other to a daughter.

As for the shipyard, they conducted business honestly, never owing money, never extending credit, and never forcing sales; their reputation was excellent.

After making inquiries, Li Sangrou was somewhat perplexed.

After dinner and tidying up, Li Sangrou sat there, holding a cup of tea, lost in thought. After a long pause, she looked at Da Chang and the others, then simply beckoned them to sit down.

“How do we get back the Guangshun Shipyard? Give me some ideas,” Li Sangrou said, holding her tea.

“We need ideas?” Hei Ma asked, puzzled. “There are twenty or thirty guards at the shipyard. One look at them and you can tell they’ve never really fought. They are just good for scaring thieves. If you ask me, we do not need any ideas; we can just go straight for it. You do not even need to lift a finger, Boss. Da Chang and I are enough!”

Hei Ma rubbed his hands together, eager to get started.

“Can we not just rob it?” Da Chang asked, glancing sideways at Li Sangrou.

“Look at what you are saying! How can this be called robbery? It originally belonged to us—no, it originally belonged to Madam Meng! Madam Meng entrusted us to get it back for her; this is, well, the light of righteousness!” Hei Ma clapped his hands, speaking with righteous indignation.

“Brother Ma is right!” Datou immediately clapped.

Da Chang ignored Hei Ma and Datou, only looking at Li Sangrou.

“The year after Yang Gan took over the Guangshun Shipyard, it changed hands from the Meng family’s property to the Yang family’s property, managed by Yang Wen’s branch, the Feng branch, of which Yang Gan is also a member.

The Guangshun Shipyard’s transfer from the Meng family’s name to the Yang family was officially processed; all the necessary documents were complete and accurate. Madam Meng signed and affixed her seal, and all the large and small seals are clearly visible and complete,” Li Sangrou sighed, speaking slowly and deliberately.

“If Madam Meng could step forward and take over the Yang family’s Feng branch and have her take back the shipyard, it would be difficult but barely justifiable. But now, Madam Meng’s fate is unknown, right? What right do we have to take it?

This shipyard operates honestly and fairly. Manager Yang Gan is kind and upright. What right do we have to rob it?

Even thieves have their code of honor. Even robbing requires a justifiable reason.” Li Sangrou sighed again.

“The Boss is right!” Hei Ma frowned, agreeing before fully understanding.

“Furthermore, Hongzhou has just been incorporated into the Great Qi territory. The Shizi and Master Wen are currently extremely busy and have not even had a chance to sort things out yet. If we were to seize Hongzhou’s businesses, would that not be undermining the Shizi and Master Wen’s foundation?

If this escalates, everyone in Hongzhou’s businesses will be living in fear, right? It will cause a huge mess. Sigh!” Li Sangrou sighed repeatedly.

She genuinely hoped for something like Yang Wen, who was known for his wickedness.

“This is difficult,” Da Chang said sympathetically, looking at Li Sangrou. He always struggled with these kinds of situations.

“Exactly, we need a pretext to rob them, right?” Hei Ma thought he understood.

“We cannot rob them.” Da Chang glared at Hei Ma.

“How about we kill Yang Gan? And that guy surnamed Shan, too; kill them both,” Xiao Lu offered as a good idea.

“Why kill Yang Gan and that guy surnamed Shan? What does our gang rule say?” Hei Ma slapped Xiao Lu on the head.

“I was just talking nonsense, just talking nonsense.” Xiao Lu shrank back.

Their Boss’s gang rule was that killing someone without cause was punishable by death.

Da Chang brewed Li Sangrou another cup of tea. Hei Ma, frowning and resting his chin on his hand, pondered deeply.

Datou was focused on peeling and eating walnuts. Giving advice was never his forte. Xiao Lu had already offered a terrible suggestion, so he contentedly waited for his Boss to come up with something. He’d tried his best.

Chuantiao and Mazha, one intently watching the water boil, the other solemnly spreading the leftover tea leaves on the railing to dry.

It was not that they were not trying; they just were not good at this kind of thing their Boss was talking about. If it were something like begging for food while swimming, they could come up with some ideas.

Li Sangrou sighed repeatedly.

She knew discussing it with them was useless. Sigh, she’d been thinking for three or four days and still had not come up with a good solution. Oh well, she’d think about it tomorrow.

……………………

Mid-month, Meng Yanqing and his group arrived. Li Sangrou instructed Dong Chao to order ten boats from the Guangshun Shipyard in Yangjiaping. After Dong Chao returned, the group hired three or four boats and headed towards Yuzhang City.

Nanny Zhang herself took a boat and went with them to Yuzhang City.

Her instructions from her mistress were to wait for Boss Li and then follow her. Wherever they went, she would naturally follow.

Li Sangrou and her group traveled upstream along the Zhang River at a leisurely pace, arriving at the foot of Yuzhang City in a few days.

Outside Songyang Gate of Yuzhang City, the dock stretched southward, and the streets and houses of varying heights that lined the dock also stretched southward.

Now, the dock stretching southward was clearly visible. The former bustle and prosperity were now interspersed with continuous ruins, amidst which men, women, and children bustled about.

The ship slowly moved forward along one side of the dock. Li Sangrou stood at the bow, looking at the ruins and bustling activity on the shore. The setting sun cast a faint warmth upon the scene of activity.

The military report said that the Shizi had led a large army in a surprise attack on Yuzhang. The attack was so swift that the Yuzhang garrison did not even have time to close the city gates before the mighty Qi Army swept through.

Based solely on the military report, it seemed as if the capture of Yuzhang was simply a matter of the Shizi leading the Qi Army in a swift advance.

But now, these ruins silently testified to this surprise attack—an attack of iron and blood.

“Boss, Boss, look! There really is a huge camphor tree! Wow, this tree is enormous! Uncle Blind said it is a spiritual root of the world. Has Uncle Blind been to Yuzhang?” Hei Ma stood on the mast crossbar, pointing to a patch of greenery outside Songyang Gate, exclaiming in amazement.

So there really was a huge tree!

The closer they got to Songyang Gate, the more sprawling the ruins became. Three or four li from the gate, the boats were stopped.

Meng Yanqing stepped forward and, together with the guards, carefully checked the travel permits. After each document was checked, the boat docked at the pier. The group paid their fare, disembarked with their luggage, and headed towards Songyang Gate.

Da Chang, who was following Li Sangrou, was exceptionally tall and conspicuous. The group had not gone far after exiting the gate when Bai-Cheng, riding at full speed, came galloping towards them. Seeing Da Chang from afar, he quickly waved.

Li Sangrou gestured for Meng Yanqing and the others to go first, while she and Da Chang stood aside, waiting for Bai-Cheng to catch up.

“Greetings to the Boss! Greetings, Master Chang, Master Ma, Master Lu, and Masters Li!”

Bai-Cheng rushed forward, dismounted, and respectfully greeted each of them. Looking at Li Sangrou, he smiled and said, “A message came from Jiangzhou City saying the Boss has arrived. The Commander and our master have been waiting anxiously for her.”

“Master Wen, are you busy? Where is the Commander?” Li Sangrou followed Bai-Cheng forward.

“The Commander went out of the city to survey the terrain. My master summoned the merchants of Yuzhang today and is talking to them,” Bai-Cheng replied with a smile.

“They are all busy. You should go back first. We will find a place to stay. Once we are settled, I will go see your Commander and Master Wen. Where are they staying?” Li Sangrou asked with a smile.

“The Garrison Commander’s Office. It is on that street ahead.” Bai-Cheng pointed in the direction, said nothing more, and bowed to bid farewell to Li Sangrou and the others.

Yuzhang City was largely intact. Meng Yanqing and his group, who had left earlier, had already chosen an inn, and Li Sangrou and the others followed suit.

After settling in, Li Sangrou came out and strolled around for a bit. When she reached the garrison commander’s office, she saw groups of twenty or thirty merchants in fine silk robes emerging. Li Sangrou stopped and watched them walk away before entering the garrison commander’s office.

Wen Cheng stood at the east wing entrance. Seeing Li Sangrou emerge from the moon gate, he smiled and went to greet her. After taking a dozen steps, he bowed deeply with his hands clasped.

“How could I accept such a favor! It has been months since we last met, sir. Why are you being so polite?” Li Sangrou quickly returned the bow.

“This bow is to thank you for the two boatloads of silver,” Wen Cheng said, bowing deeply again.

“I would not dare accept such a favor. It was not me who gave the silver,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“This bow is a reward from Boss Xie for his great service.” Wen Cheng straightened up and bowed again. “This time, it is the proper way to show respect.”

“Sir, you are too kind. The money is not mine, and the credit was not bestowed by me. I truly do not deserve it,” Li Sangrou said, stepping aside.

Wen Cheng finally finished his greeting and led Li Sangrou into the side room, where Bai-Cheng had already prepared tea.

“This is autumn tea from the mountains by the lake. It is quite good. Boss, please try some,” Wen Cheng gestured to Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou picked up the crystal cup, watching the bud and leaf of the autumn tea slowly sink. She smelled it and took a sip.

“The entire Hongzhou is ideal for tea; good tea is everywhere,” Wen Cheng said, also picking up his cup and admiring the movement of the tea leaves.

The two were chatting idly, having just finished a cup of tea, when footsteps sounded outside, and Bai-Cheng’s voice came in: “The Commander is back.”

Wen Cheng hurriedly went to greet him. Li Sangrou stood up and followed behind him, exiting the room and watching Gu Xi stride in.

Compared to last time, Gu Xi seemed a bit thinner and darker.

Indeed, he had been on the go for the past few months.

“Why did it take you so long? A month ago, Jiangzhou City sent word that you had arrived.” Gu Xi rushed up to Li Sangrou, looking her up and down.

“Waiting for Meng Yanqing and the others.” Li Sangrou smiled at Gu Xi.

“Waiting for Meng Yanqing? What happened? What are you going to do?” Gu Xi raised his eyebrows.

Wen Cheng also looked at Li Sangrou in surprise.

“I thought something was wrong, but then I realized I did not need them. But since I’d already called them, I had to wait for them to arrive so we could all come together.” Li Sangrou sighed.

“What do you mean by ‘something was going to happen’? What was going to happen?” Gu Xi chuckled, asking as he stood on the veranda, hesitating whether to go into the side room or usher Li Sangrou into the main room.

Li Sangrou pointed to the side room. “They are serving tea right now. Would you like some?”

“Let’s talk in the side room then.” Gu Xi stepped into the side room.

“What’s going on?” After sitting down, Gu Xi looked at Li Sangrou and asked again.

“The Meng family,” Li Sangrou said, sighing, “has quite a few properties that, starting ten years ago, were gradually transferred to the Yang family’s name, becoming Yang family property. She wants me to help her get these properties back.”

Gu Xi raised an eyebrow. “You were originally planning to just snatch them away?”

Wen Cheng choked on his tea.

“After thinking it over, I realized I could not snatch them away,” Li Sangrou sighed.

“I just promised the merchants in Jiangzhou that we would treat everyone equally, north and south of the river. Please, Boss, show mercy; you really cannot rob us,” Wen Cheng said, bowing slightly as he spoke to Li Sangrou.

“Meng does not intend to appear in public as a Yang family wife anymore. Yang Wen’s branch of the family is effectively wiped out. Even if Yang Wen’s son is brought in, these businesses will have to be managed by the Yang clan until he comes of age and gets married. That’s difficult,” Gu Xi said, looking at Li Sangrou.

“Even if Meng rises again,” Wen Cheng spread his hands and smiled bitterly, “she is a Yang family wife, and her businesses are Yang family businesses.”

“Why would she want to take them back? For the money?” Gu Xi frowned, thought for a moment, and asked.

“She does not lack money. It is not about the money; I think it is about pride,” Li Sangrou sighed again.

This matter, at least for now, left her helpless.

“This pride…” Wen Cheng sighed, shaking his head.

“It’s difficult.” Gu Xi frowned, thought for a while, looked at Li Sangrou, and shrugged with a wry smile.

“Yes, I’ve been thinking about it for almost half a month, and I have no clue what to do. Let’s put it aside for now; we will find a way eventually.” Li Sangrou picked up her cup and sipped her tea.

“Hongzhou has just returned to the Great Qi, and people’s hearts are not yet settled. Boss, you must be understanding.” Wen Cheng looked at Li Sangrou and said with a forced smile.

“I am just thinking of you. Otherwise, she would have already snatched it, and everyone would be ready.” Gu Xi glared at Wen Cheng.

“I am also thinking about this for Boss.” Wen Cheng quickly smiled.

“If she cannot do anything, what method can you come up with? Are you good at this kind of cunning and forceful seizure?” Gu Xi glanced at Wen Cheng.

Wen Cheng did not speak; saying anything more would only make things worse.

“When have I ever cunningly seized anything? Never mind, let’s not talk about this. What are you having for dinner? I heard the silver fish is good. How’s your cook? Let’s eat first.” Li Sangrou sighed.