Carp Talk (Part 3)
Living up to last night’s bright stars, today is another sunny day.
It’s a pity that in this hot summer season, the bright sunshine may not necessarily bring people any joy.
However, for the Wan family father and son who went to the banquet, even if fireballs fell from the sky, they could not eliminate the irrepressible joy on their faces.
Thanks to the generous reward from Lord Sun, Wanzhe and Wanmian received their custom-made new clothes the day before the banquet. They looked energetic and proud.
After riding in the carriage for a short while, the father and son arrived at the gate of Sun's mansion.
When the carriage stopped, Wanzhe slowly leaned out from behind the curtain and looked out. He immediately saw the plaque of the Sun Mansion. It was new and luxurious, just the style he had always dreamed of.
After coming to their senses, Wanzhe and Wanmian got out of the car and slowly walked up the stone steps in front of the Sun Mansion.
Unlike his family, Chu Mo, this profiteer, although gave Xiao Lin and the others an invitation, was reluctant to even pay for a carriage. He led the two of them to walk for a long time under the scorching sun before reaching the Sun Mansion.
"I don't know why he's so stingy..." Mu You was sweating profusely. Even though he tried his best to walk under the shade of the trees along the way, he still couldn't resist the oncoming heat wave. So, while Chu Mo wasn't paying attention, he muttered to himself, "Why? Save it for marrying a wife?"
He could never stop talking, so Xiao Lin quickly rolled his eyes at him, signaling him to stop.
Mu You understood and quickly slapped himself a few times.
But it was during this glance that she happened to catch a glimpse of the Wan family father and son getting off the carriage.
Of course she remembered this man. He was Wan Mian who bumped into her that day!
They're here too? Are they also important figures in Beijing? Why haven't I heard of them?
Xiao Lin's intuition told him that their family was definitely not simple.
So, she followed Chu Mo, but her eyes were fixed on Wan Mian.
"Oh! Isn't this Master Wan? Please come in, please come in! My master is welcoming guests at home!"
As soon as he reached the door, the servants of the Sun Mansion came forward to greet him with smiles on their faces.
Wanzhe also responded politely, and then led Wanmian into the yard.
"Boss Chu! It seems you've finally honored me with your presence!" The servant was extremely flattering towards Chu Mo. "I thought you were so busy that you couldn't spare the time! Now that you've graced me with your presence, I'm sure you'll be overjoyed! Please! Please!"
Hearing the name "Boss Chu", Wanzhe, who had walked ahead, couldn't help but pause and look back.
Chu Mo is here too? Is he Chu Mo? Wan Zhe wondered.
However, he and Chu Mo had no old relationship, so he just glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and then continued on his way.
Xiao Lin didn't have to deal with the servants in the Sun Mansion, so he had the opportunity to observe every move of the Wan father and son.
She just looked and said nothing.
As Wanzhe and Wanmian stepped into the courtyard of the Sun Mansion one after another, they looked left and right, afraid of missing any details, as if mortals had leaped into the heavenly palace.
It was indeed the family of an official. The mansion was built in a grand and exquisite style with carved beams and painted rafters. Guests came and went in the mansion and had a great time chatting.
Walking on the road, Wan Mian was attracted by everything new here.
Suddenly, Wanzhe patted Wanmian's arm and whispered in his ear, "Be smart when you're seated. The guests attending this banquet are all dignitaries. You might as well take this opportunity to leave an impression on them. With their help, your future journey will surely be easier."
After hearing this, Wan Mian nodded obediently even though he had no idea what to do.
Led by the other servants of the Sun Mansion, Wanzhe and Wanmian arrived at their seats.
Just as he was about to sit down, Wanzhe saw Lord Sun standing in a place, surrounded by people.
At first glance, the people surrounding Lord Sun were all dressed in luxurious clothes, so they must be of high status.
And such a group of noble people has a fatal attraction to Wanzhe.
Without saying a word, he pulled Wan Mian, who had not yet sat on the wooden stool, and strode forward to congratulate Lord Sun.
"Congratulations, Lord Sun!"
Wanzhe used all his strength to make his voice drown out the cheerful conversation around Lord Sun.
He walked over to Lord Sun, his hands clasped in his hands, his face etched with congratulations. "Your family is truly elegant and refined. The moment I entered, I felt that this style perfectly matched your character!"
"Hey! Boss Wan! You're here!" Lord Sun stroked his beard and waved at Wan Zhe with a smile. Then he spread his hands and pointed at the other person beside him. "Let me introduce you. This is the Minister of Personnel, Lord Wang Hu! A high-ranking official! Hahahaha!"
"Oh! I'm here to pay my respects to Lord Wang!" Wanzhe was quick. As soon as Lord Sun finished speaking, he bent down and bowed deeply.
"No need for formalities." Wang Hu waved his Pipa sleeves lightly, then put his hands behind his back. "Is this your son? He's quite handsome. Is he married?"
"He's still single, but I'm trying to find one for him. Does your Excellency have any idea of a suitable girl for my son?"
"Well, I haven't seen it yet. No matter, if we are destined to meet, we will meet again even if we are thousands of miles apart."
Wang Hu's light-hearted "It's okay" intentionally or unintentionally extinguished the last bit of hope in Wanzhe's heart.
His words were not just a simple courtesy, but a rejection and warning to him.
Wanzhe also knew in his heart what his weight was.
After all, at the moment, the Wang family's power in the court was at its peak, and he was just a small businessman, so how could he catch his eye?
The conversation I just had was just a casual act.
"father!"
During the seemingly harmonious conversation between the three people, a voice came from behind Lord Sun.
When they turned around, they saw a girl in gorgeous clothes. She was muttering in the distance, trotting over with her skirt lifted up, and naturally took Wang Hu's arm.
The girl was quite pretty, with almond eyes full of spring, a face as beautiful as peach and plum, and skin as white as cream, but even that couldn't hide her beautiful complexion.
No matter who it is, including Wan Mian, they can't take their eyes off such a beautiful girl.
"Dad, why are you here? It's so hard for me to find you." The girl pouted again, which made her look even more charming.
At just one glance, Wan Mian's heart was moved - he seemed to have seen the grace of this young lady in his eyes.
"Look at you. You're getting married soon, and you're still so unrestrained."
Wang Hu jokingly reached out and hooked the girl's nose.
Wan Mian's heart tightened as he heard this, and he stammered, "Marry... marry?"
"That's right, my precious girl is going to marry the eldest son of Lord Sun's family next month, hahahaha!" Wang Hu and Lord Sun exchanged glances, and they both laughed heartily.
I don’t know whether Wang Hu saw through Wan Mian’s thoughts and deliberately mocked him, or whether he just wanted to make the matter public. Wan Mian always felt that their laughter was too wild and unrestrained, and it made him very uncomfortable to listen to it.
He felt bad after all.
But their laughter grew louder and louder, drowning out all the voices present in Wan Mian's ears and striking directly at his heart.
He felt humiliated.
At this moment, he suddenly understood how unbearable their status as descendants of a merchant family was in front of these children of officials.
"That's really cause for celebration! Congratulations! The two newlyweds are a perfect match!"
Wanzhe cupped his hands high, fearing that the two adults wouldn't be able to see the joy he wanted to show.
On the contrary, Wan Mian stood aside silently, seemingly lost in thought.
These scenes were seen by Xiao Lin who was sitting beside them.
Mu You had no intention of meddling in other people's business at all. How to make back the cost of this banquet had already occupied his entire mind.
Chu Mo did the same, sitting with his back to the Wan family father and son, picking up dishes and eating them by himself.
Xiao Lin couldn't rely on them, so he just tilted his head and watched the "show".
At the banquet, Wanzhe and Wanmian, as unknown small families, were arranged to sit in the corner. Even Xiao Lin and Mu You, who came with Chu Mo to drink and eat meat, were better off than them.
The entire housewarming party was more like a private banquet for a prominent family than a banquet for all kinds of people with whom we were destined to be friends.
Those who have the best time to talk are always the dignitaries, while the little people like Wanzhe and Wanmian have to be polite even when picking up food.
Although Wanzhe had long been accustomed to it, Wanmian saw all of this and kept it in mind.
It seemed that on this day, he suddenly understood why the sons of merchants had to work so hard to gain fame and fortune.
Wan Mian did not enjoy the banquet to his heart's content.
Even though the table was filled with delicious delicacies, he thought they tasted like wax, as if every bite was a charity to him.
He didn't know what was bothering him.
Perhaps it was the eloquence of Wang Hu and Lord Sun? Or was it that Lord Wang's beautiful daughter was about to get married? Or was it that even if he had dressed up to the nines for the banquet, he still looked out of place?
A sour feeling surged in his throat, but he had to swallow the bowl of "more noble" rice in front of him.
After a long time, the banquet ended amid the laughter and joy of the guests. Watching the adults bowing and bidding farewell one by one, Wanzhe also planned to take Wanmian away.
But who would have thought that just as the two were about to step out of the door, they were stopped by a voice behind them.
Wanzhe hurriedly turned around and saw that it was Lord Wang Huwang, so Wanzhe forced a smile and greeted him.
"What can I do for you, Lord Wang?"
"Boss Wan, you've been in the rosewood business for a while, right?"
Wanzhe looked at Wang Hu's hand stroking his beard up and down, and although he had doubts, he still responded softly.
"That's unfortunate!" Wang Hu clapped his hands and laughed. "I just need an old hand like you!"
Wanzhe looked at Wang Hu with a confused expression.
Wang Hu also noticed his gaze, so he glanced around warily. Then he pulled Wan Zhe's elbow to the end of the corridor. Seeing that there was no one around, he slowly spoke: "Boss Wan, a few days ago, I was ordered by the emperor to find a capable person to manage a private forest farm in Wu County in the southwest. I was worried that there was no one qualified, and what a coincidence that I ran into you, wasn't it?"
Although Wang Hu was so enthusiastic, Wan Zhe still didn't understand the situation and let out an awkward laugh.
"Oh, that's what happened." Wang Hu put his arm around Wanzhe's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "That forest farm is the largest private forest farm in Kuixi. It's called private, but all the timber purchased by the court, big and small, comes from here..."
"The original owner unfortunately passed away due to illness. The Emperor, who was on good terms with him, agreed to the boss's request and ordered me to find a suitable person to take over. There are countless fir and nanmu trees in the area, and the quality is top-notch! You are an expert in this field, so I think it's appropriate for me to send you there. You don't have to do any work on a daily basis, just clearing and transporting the wood. It's a lucrative job!"
Wang Hu's words made perfect sense, but the more he exaggerated how wonderful this job was, the more Wanzhe kept asking himself in his heart - if it is so good, there are countless large and small wood merchants in Tianling City, why him?
Could it be...
"My Lord, you have chosen me..." Wanzhe stammered, "But is there anything I can do for you?"
Wan Zhe's question startled the naive Wan Mian beside him, but it happened to coincide with Wang Hu's thoughts.
Seeing that he was a smart man, Wang Hu's mouth corners dropped instantly, and he put his lips closer to him: "Boss Wan, you just need to reduce his portion every time you take inventory, resell these timbers to make some money, and then we can split the profits 30% to 70%."
Upon hearing this, Wanzhe was instantly panicked.
This is a crime of reselling at the mildest, but it is a serious crime of deceiving the emperor! Once the truth is revealed, you will lose your head!
Wang Hu understood Wan Zhe's intentions and was afraid that he would refuse, so he quickly comforted him, "Don't be afraid, Lord Wang. This matter is only known between you and me. Besides, I think Boss Wan will not be able to refuse this..."
"From what I understand, Boss Wan's business isn't going well, is it? He's only made a killing recently thanks to Mr. Sun's furniture purchase. He probably lives on his own, isn't he?"
"The rosewood business is still tied to the rich and powerful. Ordinary people can't afford it. Yes, Boss Wan, you're planning to change careers, but the Wan family has been in the rosewood business for generations. You don't want to let the Wan family down. Changing careers is really a bad idea..."
Wanzhe and Wanmian's expressions suddenly turned ugly, and they felt a chill down their spines.
"What do you think? Boss Wan, have you thought it through?"
Wanzhe clenched his teeth, his eyes filled with fear.
He never understood how a law-abiding small businessman like him could catch the eye of Lord Wang.
Although the forest farm he mentioned was indeed a good job, it was still not worth it to guarantee the lives of his entire family.
But on second thought, even if he did not agree to Lord Wang, their family would still be manipulated by power, and the future could be imagined.
It’s not right to accept it, and it’s not right to reject it.
"So...when do we need to leave?"
"No rush, three days later." Wang Hu's voice was deep and every word was clear. "Three days later, your family will leave by carriage."
Three days? Isn't that urgent?
After a long moment, Wanzhe went through a mental struggle he had never experienced before, and finally uttered a few words: "I'll think about it..."
"Of course you can, but if the duck that's in your mouth flies away someday, it will be a pity for Boss Wan."
After saying that, Wang Hu continued stroking his beard and swaggered out of the door, leaving the Wan family father and son alone in the corner looking at each other in bewilderment.
"Dad...this..."
"Let me think about it... Let me think about it..."
Even though Wanzhe clenched his fists, he still couldn't stop his hands from trembling.
Perhaps, the future destiny of their Wan family will diverge here.
At this time, the Wan family father and son could never have expected that at the end of the corridor where they were talking with Wang Hu, there was a door and window, and behind the window stood Xiao Lin and others who were eavesdropping.
In an empty corner, Xiao Lin engraved this foul deal between them in his heart.
Mu You also noticed something was wrong and immediately turned to face Chu Mo, who was still eating a bunch of grapes, and asked, "Isn't this... illegal?"
"As for people, it's important to have self-knowledge, and it's also important to do things knowing they can't do..." Chu Mo remained calm, popping another grape into his mouth and tapping his fingers in the air. "They, too, are doing things knowing they can't do."
It was another piece of nonsense, and Xiao Lin was getting a little impatient listening to it.
Mu You, on the other hand, was a man who would never waste time on internal conflicts. He would speak his mind without holding back. "Boss, can you please speak frankly? We haven't even graduated from high school yet, so we can't understand such profound principles."
"Then tell me, what do you want to ask?"
Xiao Lin immediately took a step forward, then retreated: "I... I just want to know, is Wan Mian the protagonist of our mission?"
These words aroused Chu Mo's interest. Then, he put his hands behind his back, holding the bunch of grapes with his fingertips. Suddenly, a round grape rolled to the ground as he waved it.
He raised his eyebrows, revealing his demonic mole: "Yes, but you are slow, and now you have missed the first perfect opportunity to conquer."
In an instant, Xiao Lin and Mu You both widened their eyes and looked at Chu Mo infatuatedly.
At this moment, a sparrow was standing on the eaves of the house, which Xiao Lin and others had not noticed. It could not stand the heat either, so it flew over their heads, circled the courtyard wall, and landed on a carriage outside the Sun Mansion.
"Go! Go! Go!"
Seeing this, Wang Hu's personal butler immediately waved his hand to drive him away, and then bent his waist and greeted Wang Hu.
After getting on the carriage, Wang Hu sat comfortably, and the butler followed behind him.
After a while, the coachman started the carriage.
Wang Hu straightened his clothes and was about to take a nap, but the housekeeper couldn't sit still and interrupted his rest: "Why did you choose Mr. Wan to manage the forest farm?"
Wang Hu sneered, slowly closed his eyes, and sighed softly: "Wan Zhe is just a chess piece of mine. He has no connections, and I can't find out his background. This will prevent those villains in the court who want to say nonsense in front of the emperor from doing anything..."
"Even though he's mine today, if the truth is revealed, he'll be a discarded pawn tomorrow. Even if he betrays me, so what? Wanzhe is just a seemingly talented guy I met at Lord Sun's banquet..."
"He and Lord Sun were the ones who had a genuine relationship. I was just a poor soul who was bewitched by them. In the end, all of this was still their fault. For me, it was just a little less money in my account, but for them, it was a catastrophic disaster."
The butler suddenly understood and clapped his hands in admiration, "So this is why you, sir, are attending this banquet! You are truly a sir. I admire you!"
Under the scorching sun, on the long street, shops are lined up and people are crowded, but dangers are lurking on every side.
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