Chapter Fifteen: Taking the Helm Again
January of the twenty-first year of the Qianlong reign.
The festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year in Yangzhou had not yet completely dissipated, but the salt merchants' residences along the Grand Canal had already returned to their usual bustling activity.
The red lanterns in front of the Shen Mansion still hang high, but they have lost some of the festive liveliness and gained a sense of composure after experiencing turmoil.
Shen Rulan stood by the window of Tingxuexuan, gazing at the winter plum blossoms sprouting in the courtyard, her fingertips gently stroking the window frame—although the conspiracy surrounding her had come to an end, the undercurrents in the Yangzhou salt market never ceased.
Shen Rulan's "recovery" acted as a reassurance, stabilizing the fluctuating morale within the Shen family.
However, Rong Momo knew that her health was damaged, so she strictly controlled the time she spent handling affairs each day. She was only allowed to look at the account books for one hour, and she had to stay in bed and rest the rest of the time.
But Shen Rulan knew very well that the head of the salt merchant family had little room to breathe—Cao Jin's threat had not been completely eliminated, Zhao Dexian's covetousness remained, and the Shen family's business needed her to take firm control of it herself.
That morning, just after Shen Rulan had finished breakfast, Shen Fu came in carrying a stack of documents and bowed, saying, "Young Master, this is the latest news from Cao Jin's side, as well as the trade accounts of Western merchants. Please take a look."
Shen Rulan took the document and first opened the secret report about Cao Jin.
The secret report stated that Cao Jin had been fined 50,000 taels of silver by the Salt Transport Commissioner for his involvement in the salt permit issue. Due to a broken cash flow, he had to mortgage his two residences in Jiangning. He was now in a state of utter distress and rarely even visited his villa in Yangzhou anymore. The Imperial Censor in the capital had submitted a memorial impeaching the Cao family for embezzling public funds from the Imperial Textile Bureau. Although the Emperor had not yet approved the memorial, the Cao family's favor with the Emperor had waned, and many officials who had previously fawned over the Cao family were beginning to distance themselves from them.
“It seems Cao Jin won’t be able to cause any trouble in the short term.” Shen Rulan put down the secret report, a cold glint in her eyes. “There’s no need to take any further action. Let him fend for himself. Shen Fu, send someone to the capital to keep an eye on the movements of the Censorate and the Imperial Household Department. If there is any news of the Cao family’s downfall, report back immediately—we need to wait for a good opportunity to kick him while he’s down and completely cut off any possibility of him retaliating.”
"Yes! This old servant will make the arrangements immediately!" Shen Fu bowed and replied.
Shen Rulan then opened the trade ledgers of the Western merchants.
The accounts show that a batch of glassware and clocks from France has departed from Guangzhou Port and is expected to arrive in Yangzhou next month; while the silk, porcelain and tea shipped by the Shen family to Southeast Asia have arrived in Manila smoothly, with profits 30% higher than expected.
She nodded slightly and said to Shen Fu, "Inform Manager Wang, who is in charge of customs affairs, to make arrangements in advance to ensure that the French goods can pass through customs smoothly after arriving at the port and avoid being harassed by customs; as for the Southeast Asia, have the branch office order another batch of tea. When the new tea is available in the spring, it will fetch a good price."
"This old servant understands!" Shen Fu wrote it all down.
"By the way, has there been any movement from Master Liu of the Canal Gang lately?" Shen Rulan suddenly asked.
Previously, the shipping guild attempted to raise freight rates due to Cao Jin's instigation, but Shen Rulan suppressed the attempt. She needs to confirm whether the shipping guild is behaving itself.
Shen Fu quickly replied, "Young Master, Third Master Liu has been behaving himself lately. After the incident last time, he personally came to the mansion to apologize and even sent ten boatloads of fine rice; the freight rate has also been restored to the previous price, and he even voluntarily reduced it by 10%, saying it was to apologize to Young Master."
Shen Rulan smiled faintly: "Third Master Liu is quite sensible."
She hesitated for a moment, then continued, "Send an invitation to Master Liu. In three days, I will host a banquet at Wangjiang Tower and invite him to attend. Tell him that I am grateful for his previous 'righteous words' in maintaining the order of the canal transport."
Shen Fu was taken aback for a moment, then understood—this was both to appease the canal gang and to remind Master Liu that although the Shen family had weathered the storm, they still had the ability to control the situation, thus preventing him from acting rashly. "This old servant will take care of it immediately!"
Inside the study of the Salt Transport Commissioner, Zhao Dexian held the salt tax payment voucher sent by the Shen family, his expression complex.
The amount on the voucher was exactly as stated, and even the "donation" he had previously hinted at was paid by the Shen family as agreed, exactly 30,000 taels, no more and no less, just right to his acceptable bottom line.
"That kid Shen Rulan is getting harder and harder to handle," Zhao Dexian sighed to his advisor, putting down the voucher.
When Shen Rulan was seriously ill before, he originally wanted to take the opportunity to squeeze the Shen family and seize more salt permits, but Shen Rulan strongly resisted. Now that Shen Rulan has "recovered" and the Cao family has lost power, he has no bargaining chips to restrain the Shen family. He can only temporarily restrain his thoughts and maintain the superficial "harmony" between officials and merchants.
The advisor bowed and said, "Sir, the Shen family is currently very powerful and has formed an alliance with Yongsheng Escort Agency. It is not advisable for us to confront them head-on for the time being. Why not put the Shen family aside for now and start with other salt merchants? The Li family in the south of the city and the Wang family in the west of the city have recently shown signs of delaying their salt tax payments. We can take this opportunity to give them a warning and gain some benefits."
Zhao Dexian's eyes lit up, and he nodded: "You're right! The Shen family is not to be trifled with; other salt merchants don't have such a powerful backer. Go and make arrangements to go to the Li and Wang families tomorrow to urge them to pay their salt taxes. Be firm and let them know that the rules of the Salt Transport Commissioner's Office are not just for show!"
"Yes! I'll take care of it right away!" The clerk bowed and withdrew.
Zhao Dexian looked out the window, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.
He knew that as long as Shen Rulan was still alive, the Shen family would be difficult to shake; but he would not give up just yet—he would wait patiently for the next opportunity to strike against the Shen family.
Three days later, a special banquet was being held inside the Wangjiang Tower outside Yangzhou City.
Shen Rulan sat in the main seat, with Lin Zhennan, the chief镖头 (bodyguard) of Yongsheng镖局 (escort agency), on her left and Liu Sanye of the Caobang (canal gang) on her right. Shen Fu and Lin Xiao sat to her left.
"Third Master Liu, there were many misunderstandings regarding the canal transport matter before. I invited you here today to apologize."
Shen Rulan raised her wine glass to Third Master Liu, "This glass is for you, wishing you a prosperous business and abundant wealth!"
Master Liu quickly picked up his wine cup, put on a smile and said, "Young Master Chen, you're too kind! I was foolish last time, and listened to outsiders' instigation, which almost ruined our friendship. I'm the one who should apologize!" After saying that, he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.
Shen Rulan smiled slightly and drank the wine in her cup.
She knew that Third Master Liu was an opportunist, and as long as the Shen family had enough power, he wouldn't dare to betray them easily.
Halfway through the banquet, Shen Rulan turned to Lin Zhennan and said sincerely, "Chief Escort Lin, the Cao family sent men to rob our goods last time. It was thanks to you and Miss Lin's valiant efforts in protecting the goods that the Shen family's cargo was saved. Later, Miss Lin also went to the capital to gather information, which greatly helped the Shen family. I toast you and your daughter to thank you for your help!"
Lin Zhennan quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Young Master Shen, you flatter me! Protecting the goods is the duty of Yongsheng Escort Agency, and gathering information is just a small matter. The Shen family and Yongsheng Escort Agency have been cooperating for many years, and it is only right that we support each other!"
Lin Xiao also stood up, picked up his wine glass, and raised it to Shen Rulan: "Young Master Shen, there's no need for such formalities. If the Shen family ever needs anything in the future, Yongsheng Escort Agency will certainly not refuse!"
Shen Rulan looked at Lin Xiao, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes. This Miss Lin, though a woman, possessed the boldness and courage of a man.
After the banquet, Shen Rulan and Lin Zhennan signed a long-term cooperation agreement—all freight shipments from the Shen family to the north and south would be escorted by Yongsheng Escort Agency, with freight charges calculated at 90% of the market price.
This contract was not only a mutually beneficial business deal, but also marked the Shen family's inclusion of the Yongsheng Escort Agency, an important civilian martial force, into their network of relationships, further consolidating the Shen family's position in Yangzhou.
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The atmosphere in the Su family courtyard in Lianhua Lane was unusually heavy.
Although Su Wenyuan's condition had stabilized for a period of time due to the use of the old ginseng given by Shen Rulan, it suddenly deteriorated recently, with his cough worsening and even making it difficult for him to get out of bed.
Su Moqing had a doctor come to see her, and the doctor said that she needed to use expensive medicinal herbs to keep her alive, but the family's savings had long been exhausted, and they were almost out of money even to buy ordinary medicinal herbs.
That day, Manager Chen of "Moxiangzhai" came to the Su family's courtyard in person. Looking at Su Wenyuan on his sickbed, he sighed and said to Su Moqing, "Miss Su, your father's illness can't be delayed any longer. I've come this time to give you some advice—I can give you fifty taels of silver in advance. You just need to paint more popular themes, such as peonies of wealth and nobility, pomegranates with many children, and paintings of a hundred children. These paintings are very popular among salt merchants and officials' families and can fetch a good price."
Su Moqing frowned deeply as she looked at the unfinished "Ink Orchid Painting" on the painting table. She had always preferred to paint orchids and bamboo, believing that they possessed the qualities of a gentleman, symbolizing nobility and integrity; while the peonies and pomegranates with many seeds that Manager Chen had asked her to paint, although magnificent and rich, lacked a certain elegance and were not her preferred subjects.
"Manager Chen, I..." Su Moqing wanted to refuse, but seeing her father's painful appearance on the sickbed, she swallowed her words.
Shopkeeper Chen noticed her hesitation and earnestly advised, "Miss Su, I know you like to paint orchids and bamboo, but orchids and bamboo don't fetch a good price! Your father is waiting for money to treat his illness. We can't just watch him suffer for the sake of so-called integrity, can we? Painting those wealthy themes is just a change of subject matter. It's not asking you to do anything against your conscience. What's so unacceptable about it?"
Su Moqing remained silent.
She knew that Manager Chen was right; her father's illness could not be delayed any longer. But she was unwilling to give up her beloved orchids and bamboos to paint subjects that catered to the market.
She stood before the painting table, looking at the unfinished "Ink Orchid Painting," then at her father on his sickbed, her heart filled with a fierce struggle—should she uphold her principles or bow to reality?
Finally, she gritted her teeth and said to Manager Chen, "Manager Chen, I promise you. You can prepay me twenty taels of silver, and I will start painting right away. I will definitely be able to paint two peony paintings of wealth and prosperity for you within three days."
Upon hearing this, Manager Chen smiled and said, "Good! Miss Su is indeed a reasonable person! Take this twenty taels of silver first, and let me know if it's not enough!" After saying that, he took out twenty taels of silver from his sleeve and handed it to Su Moqing.
Su Moqing accepted the silver, but her heart was filled with bitterness.
She looked at the "Ink Orchid Painting" on the painting table, sighed softly, put it away, then took out new Xuan paper, ground ink and mixed colors, preparing to paint the "Wealthy Peony Painting" that she did not like.
A few days later, Su Moqing finished painting two peony paintings as promised and delivered them to "Moxiangzhai" in exchange for the remaining thirty taels of silver.
She took the money, went to the pharmacy to get medicine for her father, and bought some nourishing ingredients before hurrying back to the Su family courtyard.
But seeing her father still in pain after drinking the medicine, Su Moqing's frustration deepened.
Having grown accustomed to painting the elegance of orchids and bamboo, she suddenly found herself painting the vibrant colors of peonies, only to feel that the peonies under her brush had lost their spirit and were filled with the stench of money.
Unable to bear the oppressive feeling any longer, she decided to go for a walk to relieve her frustration.
Before she knew it, she had walked to the vicinity of the Shen residence again.
Looking at the majestic gate of the Shen family mansion, she felt a mix of emotions. She was grateful for Shen Rulan's help, but she also understood that their social statuses were vastly different, so she dared not approach and could only watch from afar, like an outsider.
Just then, a carriage slowly stopped in front of the Shen residence. The curtain was lifted, and Shen Rulan stepped out of the carriage.
Today she wore a light blue satin robe with a dark floral pattern of lotus scrolls, over which she wore a dark blue velvet jacket with cloud patterns, without a hat. Her forehead and temples were shaved very clean, with a bluish tinge, while the hair at the back of her head was carefully combed and braided into a long, tight, jet-black braid that hung down her back, making her features appear even more refined and her forehead broad.
Although he was still thin, his complexion was much rosier than when he was ill, and he exuded a calm and composed demeanor.
As Shen Rulan stepped off the carriage, her gaze inadvertently swept across the distant streets and alleys, where she immediately spotted that hesitant and lonely figure.
It was Su Moqing! After not seeing her for several months, she seemed even thinner, with an unyielding sorrow between her brows, like an orchid blooming alone in the cold wind, making her all the more endearing.
Shen Rulan paused in her steps.
She should have gone straight to the manor to deal with the pile of affairs, but looking at Su Moqing like that, a strange emotion suddenly welled up in her heart, making her change her mind.
She whispered a few instructions to the maid beside her, then walked straight to the side gate of the Shen residence without looking back.
A moment later, a maid named Chun'er quickly approached Su Moqing, curtsied, and said respectfully, "Miss Su, my young master said that while cleaning his study the other day, he found several lost embroidery and painting manuals from the previous dynasty, which are quite helpful for meticulous figure painting. They've been gathering dust in the mansion. I've heard that you are skilled in this art. If you have some free time, you could come with me to the library to take a look and perhaps learn from them."
Su Moqing was stunned.
The excuse was clumsy and abrupt, but how could she not know that it was Shen Rulan's good intention? He saw her predicament but did not want to hurt her dignity by giving her charity, so he used the painting manual as an excuse to give her a reason to get closer.
She hesitated for a moment.
The longing for the ancient painting manual, and the long-suppressed impulse to see Shen Rulan again, finally overcame the concerns.
She raised her head and whispered to Chun'er, "...Thank you for leading the way, sister."
Chun'er smiled and nodded, leading Su Moqing through the side door into the Shen residence, heading towards the library.
Inside the library, it was still so quiet that you could hear the pages turning.
Shen Rulan was already waiting there. She did not sit in the main seat, but leaned leisurely against a bookshelf, holding a copy of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" in her hand, and was engrossed in reading it.
Hearing footsteps, Shen Rulan looked up and saw Su Moqing walk in. A gentle smile flashed in her eyes. She put down her book and went to greet her: "Miss Su, please forgive my abrupt invitation."
Su Moqing quickly curtsied, her voice a little nervous: "Young master, you flatter me. Thank you for your concern and for going to the trouble of finding a painting manual for me." She dared not look up; her heart was pounding, and even her cheeks were burning.
Shen Rulan smiled and shook her head, leading her to the painting table: "It's just an old item that I found by chance. Rather than letting it gather dust in the mansion, it's better to show it to someone who understands it. That way, it can be put to good use."
Sure enough, on the painting table were three beautifully bound ancient painting catalogs: embroidered copies of "Portraits of Emperors Through the Ages," "Ladies Wearing Flowers in Their Hair," and "The Night Banquet of Han Xizai." The paper was yellowed, and it was clear at a glance that they were ancient treasures.
Su Moqing picked up a painting manual titled "Ladies Wearing Flowers in Their Hair," gently opened it, and immediately her eyes revealed a look of amazement—the ladies in the painting manual had delicate and smooth lines, elegant and beautiful colors, and the details of their clothing and jewelry were depicted vividly, more exquisite than any painting manual she had ever seen.
"This...this is really a painting manual from the previous dynasty?" Su Moqing couldn't help but ask, her tone full of surprise.
“It is indeed a relic from the previous dynasty. My grandfather found it at the antique market in the capital back then,” Shen Rulan replied with a smile. “If you like, you can take your time looking at it here. If there is anything you don’t understand, we can discuss it together.”
Su Moqing nodded, calmed down, and carefully examined the painting manual.
The two sometimes discussed the brushwork and artistic conception in the painting manual, and sometimes recalled the scene of painting in the library last time. The atmosphere gradually became relaxed, as if they had returned to that peaceful time at the beginning.
However, a subtle, indescribable atmosphere still lingered in the air.
They both deliberately avoided talking about Shen Rulan's serious illness and the worries and concerns that followed, but the feeling of estrangement and familiarity that came from going through thick and thin together was ever-present and lingered between them.
During the conversation, Shen Rulan suddenly coughed a few times unintentionally. Although the sound was soft, it brought Su Moqing back to her senses instantly.
She immediately looked up, her eyes filled with undisguised concern: "Young master... are you still not fully recovered? Did you catch a cold outside?"
Seeing the genuine worry in her eyes, Shen Rulan felt a warmth in her heart. She waved her hand and said in a relaxed tone, "It's nothing, just a little bit of post-illness lingering. A few coughs now and then are nothing to worry about."
Su Moqing was still a little worried and advised, "Young Master, you should rest more, avoid mental and physical exertion, and drink more warm and nourishing soups, which will be good for your recovery."
"Okay, I'll remember." Shen Rulan replied with a smile, feeling even warmer inside.
Before we knew it, the sky was gradually darkening.
Knowing it was time for Su Moqing to leave, she reluctantly placed the painting manual back on the painting table and said to Shen Rulan, "Young Master, it's getting late, I should go back now. Thank you very much for the painting manual today, it has benefited me greatly."
Shen Rulan nodded, took out a brocade pouch embroidered with orchid patterns from her sleeve, and handed it to Su Moqing, saying casually, "While searching through painting manuals just now, I found some old pigment samples, some of which are rare colors from the West, such as Prussian blue and gamboge. They are bright and do not fade easily. I am not very proficient in meticulous brushwork, so keeping these pigments would be a waste. They might be useful to Miss Su, so please take them."
Su Moqing took the brocade pouch and felt its weight in her hands—the weight of the pouch was far greater than that of a "pigment sample".
She gently opened a corner of the brocade pouch and, sure enough, saw a few small boxes of paint and a stack of silver notes inside, which, at a glance, amounted to at least one hundred taels.
She instantly understood Shen Rulan's intention, her cheeks flushed, and she hurriedly tried to push the brocade pouch back: "Young master, this is too precious, I cannot accept it..."
“Miss Su, please don’t refuse.” Shen Rulan interrupted her, her tone gentle yet firm. “These are just some unused paints and loose silver. If you don’t accept them, it means you look down on these trinkets, and it would be a waste of my good intentions. Your father is waiting for money for medical treatment, so consider this money as an advance on your painting fees. If you have any new paintings in the future, you can show them to me, and that will be considered repayment for these fees. How about it?”
Looking at the sincerity in Shen Rulan's eyes, Su Moqing was filled with mixed emotions.
She knew that Shen Rulan was helping her through the difficulties in this subtle way, while also protecting her dignity.
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