Chapter 30 Chapter 30 [VIP]
Chapter 30
The four major families have their own gambling houses in Yangzhou. The largest one is Hongyuetian run by the Park family. The gambling houses opened by the other three families are quite regular. Their scale is controlled within the range agreed upon by both parties, and they never try to steal the limelight from the Park family.
After the Cui family fell, all their properties were confiscated by the imperial court, and the Qian and Lu families were the only ones left in Yangzhou to run such small gambling houses.
Tonight she went into the Lu family's gambling house.
Song Yunzhi was slightly shocked. When the imperial court came, the King of the Lu family surrendered to the court and was willing to hand over all his property and submit to the court.
If the Lu family was also involved, surrendering was just a cover.
There were many beggars at the door of the gambling house. Song Yunzhi put on the shabby green gown he wore when he first came to Yangzhou, and wore a straw hat. He hid in the dark, waiting for the secret signal from inside.
——
Qian Tong was also dressed simply tonight, wearing a tight-fitting suit with arrow sleeves inside and a scarlet cloak outside. He put on a prepared mask before entering the gambling house.
She walked through the crowded crowd on the first floor and went straight to a reserved room on the second floor.
Fu Yin followed her and closed the door as soon as she entered the room. When she turned around, Qian Tong in front of her had already walked to the window. She raised her hand to push open the window, flipped over, and jumped down nimbly.
Ah Yin, who had been waiting for a long time, helped the man up from the pile of grass. "Prince."
Qian Tong stood up, brushed off the hay that was stuck on him, and hurried to the carriage in front. "Let's go."
Fu Yin didn't follow. After making sure everyone had left, she closed the window, put on her mask, and went into the casino below...
The carriage drove along the street for about three quarters of an hour before stopping at the back door of the Red Moon Casino. It was a very ordinary black lacquered door, but as people approached, they could feel an eerie chill hidden in the darkness.
Qian Tong got out of the car and walked forward, but after taking a few steps, his way was blocked by two black-clad assassins.
Qian Tong took off his cloak and mask, revealing his true face. He stood under the light and waited for more than ten breaths before the other party made way. "Seventh Lady, please come in."
According to the rules, she can bring one person.
The one following her tonight is Yin.
Hongyuetian is the largest gold and jade cave in Yangzhou, and it is also the endless eternal night for countless people. Different from the bustling crowds in the front building, the noise here is cut off, and it is extremely quiet in the ears.
Someone led the way in front, and Qian Tong followed closely behind.
The light from the ox-horn lamp overflowed from the front and shone on the girl's fair face, flickering. The blurred beauty of light and shadow in the night made the girl's calm and indifferent gaze captivating.
The guide didn't go upstairs, but went down to the basement.
As Qian Tong stepped into the secret room, an impatient voice rang out from inside, "Mrs. Qian Qi has been so proud of herself lately, and she's become so arrogant. You're just a junior, and you're making us old bones wait for you. Is that appropriate?"
The person who spoke was a woman.
Qian Tong looked up and saw that the house was brightly lit. There was an aisle several feet wide in the middle with two wooden chairs placed on each side. Now there were two empty seats. The Cui family had gone bankrupt, so she was naturally absent.
The woman who was talking to her had her hair tied up in a bun and was sitting on the left side. She was wearing a dark red Shu brocade dress with a straight collar and a double-breasted front, and her five fingers were adorned with various gemstone rings.
When Qian Tong looked over, she was looking at him with the side of her eyes.
Qian Tong stepped forward and greeted her. "Madam Third, please forgive me. I haven't seen you for two years. I was afraid that my appearance might be impolite, so I spent a little extra time dressing up. I'm late, so please forgive me."
The Third Madam sneered and said, "What's the point of asking you to atone for your sins? We're both wealthy businessmen, and we're equals. How can I be qualified to ask you to apologize? Now that you're here, don't waste time."
"Thank you, Madam Third." Qian Tong sat next to the head of the Lu family.
The Lu family's king was naturally smiling. He turned around and greeted him warmly, "Qian family's king, I just arrived not long ago too."
The Third Madam looked down on his unwillingness to offend anyone. She looked away with disdain, her gaze fixed on the empty seat beside her. She said slowly, "Cui Wanzhong can't come, so today only the three of us are left. If you have any ideas, please speak up tonight."
The Third Madam gestured to the Lu family's Patriarch, "Lu Daozhong, tell me first, has the Lu family's business been affected since the imperial court arrived in Yangzhou?"
Lu Daozhong had a round face, and he seemed to be smiling as soon as he spoke. "Thanks to the care of the Third Madam, my Lu family can finally breathe a sigh of relief."
"You're probably thanking the wrong person. The one you should be thanking is Miss Qian Qi. It was she who helped you divert the fire. The first fire in the court burned all the people on the Cui family." The Third Lady glanced at Qian Tong and asked, "Am I right, Miss Qian Qi?"
Qian Tong's expression remained calm. "Madam Third thinks too highly of me. It's just a matter of grudge. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."
Speaking of grudges, there's always something to talk about. The Third Lady suddenly felt a bit teasing in her heart, "When your eldest lady married into the Cui family, she was so glorious, and so many people envied her behind the scenes. They all said that this marriage would break the curse that the four major merchants could not marry."
The Third Lady paused, "Oh, what a pity..."
, and listened to her without saying a word.
, I felt relieved. "They say that it's hard to reason with young people, but they will understand naturally when they grow older. I have verified this. The tragedy of the eldest lady is enough to teach the seventh lady a lesson. I believe she understands it now. Why are you two?"
, is a scar on the Qian family’s heart.
The incident of breaking up the couple two years ago that shocked the Park family was even more of a wound in Qi Niangzi's heart.
As soon as the Third Madam met her today, she stabbed her twice. The Lu Family's King was afraid of a quarrel, so he tried to smooth things over, "Third Madam..."
The Third Lady had already made up her mind tonight to deliberately cause trouble for the King, not fearing any offense. She said insincerely, "Look at my mouth. I'm sorry. Will the Seventh Lady mind?"
Although she apologized, she stared at the changes on her face.
Waiting for her to turn against him.
Qian Tong, who was standing opposite, was not annoyed. He smiled and said, "A small episode on the road to growth has now become a joke. After all, the Third Madam is the elder, so it's okay to laugh at the younger generation."
The Third Lady was a little surprised. "After not seeing you for two years, Seventh Lady is truly impressive. Who could have thought that the woman who was waiting outside the door two years ago..."
"Young Master." A guard's greeting outside the door suddenly interrupted her.
The head of the Lu family hurriedly stood up. The Third Lady was stunned for a moment, then sighed deeply. She picked up the teacup beside her, opened the lid, and scraped off the tea foam. After the person outside came over, she said slowly, "I won't eat her. Look how anxious you are. I woke you up in the middle of the night."
The man stood before her, his young face handsome and elegant, his brows gentle and refined. He called out pleadingly, "Third Aunt."
"Okay, now that you're here, just sit down and listen together. Let's see if I'm making things difficult for her, or if she's just very capable and keeps teasing us." The Third Lady turned her head.
Qian Tong had seen him long before when someone called him "Young Master." Just like the day he'd seen him at the Qian residence, after two years, the eldest son of the Pu family still retained his demeanor. His already steady demeanor was now enhanced by the vicissitudes of time.
He sat down next to the third lady. When he raised his eyes, he could see the girl opposite him. Their eyes met, and they were both very calm. He smiled gently.
Qian Tong nodded in response.
The third wife didn't beat around the bush and directly attacked Qian Tong, "Tell me, how did you get the salt permit from the court?" It was still three years. She really underestimated her.
"Madam Third must have misunderstood. My Qian family has been mining salt for a hundred years, and we have rich experience and mature craftsmanship. Yangzhou is currently recovering, and the amount of tax paid by the Qian family each year has increased rather than decreased. If we replace the Salt King at this time, I'm afraid it won't be so easy to get started. Not to mention the sudden drop in taxes, the market will be in chaos. Who will be willing to bear the consequences?"
So, her Qian family got the salt permits through real ability, and the Third Lady didn't believe her lies, "You are very confident."
Qian Tong said calmly, "Senior, your compliment is incredible."
The Third Lady simply pointed out: "Did you exchange it for the account book?"
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sudden silence beside him, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. The head of the Lu family wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and glanced at Qian Tong with sympathy.
He originally thought that no one from the Qian family would come tonight, but he didn't expect that the seventh lady of the Qian family was not afraid of death.
There were four nine-light ceramic lamps on three tiers in the room, one behind each person. The bright light didn't allow any expression on her face to be hidden in the darkness. Qian Tong smiled and said slowly, "The Cui family's ships are ten thousand-stone ships. If we calculate based on the market price of one hundred workers per catty of loose tea, the Cui family's ten ships are enough for my Qian family to mine salt for several years. What's more, there's more than just loose tea on board. Tea leaves and wax tea are even more valuable. And my Qian family's salt business is a gamble on human lives and salt permits."
She raised her eyes and looked at the Third Madam, "The Qian family has been in business for many years, and they will still settle this account."
The Third Madam understood and seemed incredulous. She was too bold and could not help but laugh sarcastically, "You want to take over the Cui family's business?"
Qian Tong did not deny it, "It depends on whether Third Madam is willing to give the Qian family this opportunity."
The Third Madam turned to look at her nephew beside her and jokingly said, "Look, after not seeing her for two years, is this still the young lady from the Qian family that you knew back then? She's become quite powerful now."
The eldest son had a blank expression on his face, "Aunt San, let's get down to business."
Okay, let's get down to business. The Third Lady looked at the ambitious man across from her, "You blew up the Cui family's ship in the strait, but you unreasonably drew the court's attention to my Pu family. My Pu family hasn't yet come to terms with you on this matter, yet you've started negotiating a price with me. Tell me, what are you capable of doing to take over the tea business?" The Third Lady raised her chin, "Look, the King of the Lu family is also waiting for this deal. Do you think you can beat him?"
Lu Daozhong didn't dare to look at Qian Tong. He lowered his head and smiled embarrassedly.
Qian Tong replied, "The account book."
The Third Lady stopped laughing and began to seriously inquire about the youngest of the four great families. Slowly savoring what she had learned, she suddenly realized, "So you're going to bargain with me for the account book you risked your life to get back."
Qian Tong said: "People die for money and birds die for food. If people don't work for themselves, heaven and earth will punish them. The Third Madam should also understand this principle."
Silence fell on my ears again.
Each of them had their own thoughts. Qian Tong quietly waited for the Third Madam's consideration. Except for the initial greeting, she never glanced at Mr. Park opposite her.
The eldest son also lowered his head to drink tea, as if he didn't hear their conversation and had no intention of intervening.
After a while, the Third Madam said to Lu Daozhong, "Lu Family King, thank you for coming here tonight. I will see you alone later."
The Lu family's patriarch knew the outcome was certain, but he had no salt permits and no tea leaves. He was anxious, "Madam, just a piece of the pie..."
The Third Lady interrupted impatiently, "Aren't your cloth, silk, and spices selling well? Why are you so anxious and greedy?"
The King of the Lu family lowered his head. Victory or defeat was already decided and he could not change anything. He stamped his feet and walked out unwillingly.
As soon as Lu Daozhong left, the Third Lady asked Qian Tong, "Do you have that ability? How old are you? Oh, nineteen. Ordinary young ladies would have been married long ago, but I heard that the Seventh Lady has found a son-in-law. I wonder when they will get married?"
"Did you bring the account book?" Young Master Park suddenly interrupted and asked Qian Tong.
Qian Tong didn't look at him, but lowered his eyes slightly, "If you want it, I can give it to you anytime."
Mr. Park: "Okay, here's the tea."
The Third Lady was stunned. Why was he interfering tonight? Perhaps knowing that he still had feelings for her, she whispered, "Don't forget what you promised the King..."
The eldest son said: "You don't need to remind me, Third Aunt. I remember it all. The Cui family is gone, and someone has to take over the tea business. The Park family promised the three big families not to touch their plates. I think the Qian family is more suitable than the Lu family."
He can say whatever he wants.
But the Third Lady also knew that the Qian family had already obtained the salt permits, and apart from the sea transportation where the Pu family could strangle her, there was no other way to control her.
Giving her tea leaves actually helped her gain better control.
——
Half an hour later, Qian Tong came out. The oil in the lamp hanging on the corridor wall had burned halfway. It was getting late, so she walked a little fast.
"Tong'er."
Suddenly someone called her from behind.
It has been a long time since she heard this name. To be more precise, it has been a long time since she heard this voice calling her. Qian Tong paused and suddenly felt a little dazed in time and space.
Master Park walked up to her from behind and handed a bottle of medicine to Ah Yin beside her, but he was talking to Qian Tong, "The medicine in the inn is gone, you can come and get it anytime."
Qian Tong came back to his senses, "Thank you, Master. I have some more, but I haven't used them much recently."
"Injured?" he asked.
Qian Tong remembered the talkative shopkeeper in time and did not deny it anymore. He replied, "It's just a minor injury."
Her injury was minor, and Master Park knew it very well. He paused for a moment, not knowing whether he was sympathizing with her or feeling sorry for her. He said in a low, hoarse voice, "Thank you for your hard work."
Qian Tong turned his neck and happened to see Ah Yin who had retreated to the door at some point.
It's not appropriate for the two of them to be alone.
She pursed her lips, raised her face and looked at the young master she used to be most familiar with. She looked him in the eyes, letting the pride in her eyes become clearer. "I didn't feel tired, but you, the eldest young master, have been through wind and rain for the past two years. Remember to take care of yourself."
"My Lord, goodbye."
She turned and walked towards the door, her scarlet cloak blown by the wind like a blooming peony. Her steps were firm and decisive, and she did not even look back, and soon disappeared into the night.
——
Song Yunzhi waited in the Lu family gambling house for an incense stick of time, and then he heard a long crow's cry coming from inside.
Song Yunzhi didn't hesitate and rushed in instantly.
There were too many people in the casino, and he couldn't hear where the sound came from. Fortunately, the crow's cry was intermittent but never stopped. He followed the sound to the backyard of the gambling house, and then found the person playing the flute in a dark room.
Not copper coins.
He is the youngest son of the prefect Lan Mingquan, known as Young Master Lan.
Song Yunzhi had seen him at Cui's house before. At that time, Young Master Lan was the center of attention, handsome and bright, hiding behind the wife of the prefect. Everyone wanted to curry favor with him. But now, he was covered in dirt, with his hair disheveled, his clothes in disarray, and even one shoulder exposed. He sat in a pile of hay in a mess, staring at the visitor blankly.
Soon Young Master Lan recognized who the visitor was.
He was so impressed that at his engagement party, Qi Niangzi also brought her brother-in-law.
The other person's appearance was so dazzling that it outshone him at that time. He thought that no one would forget such a face.
"Did she ask you to come and save me?" Young Master Lan suddenly became excited, crawling a few steps towards Song Yunzhi, his expression unable to conceal his emotion, "I knew that everyone in the world is cold and indifferent, but she is different. She won't stand by and watch someone die. She will definitely come to save me.
Song Yunzhi looked at the person opposite him who was crying and laughing at the same time, his face turned ashen.
After realizing that he had been deceived by the witch again, he hated her to the extreme and even felt a little powerless.
Lan Mingquan used his public office to amass wealth, and his family had long been sent back to Kyoto by the court, awaiting His Majesty's decision. At this moment, Young Master Lan should be on the ship being taken back to Kyoto.
Why is he here?
He should have gone to find the witch immediately to see where she had gone tonight, but he was the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and the Prince of Song, whose heart was as bright as the moon. He could not stand by and watch her die. Moreover, he had delayed here for too long and could not catch up with her.
He asked the still crying Young Master Lan in a cold voice, "Why are you playing this?"
Young Master Lan wiped his tears and explained, "I used to have a good relationship with Lady Qi. She once told me that if I was in danger, I could blow this sound and she would come to my aid."
So after he was locked up here, he kept blowing the flute when no one was watching him. After blowing for seven days and seven nights, she finally heard him and sent people to rescue him.
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