Chapter Fourteen: Swift Counterattack
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year gradually intensifies in Yangzhou.
Red lanterns were hung in the streets and alleys, and vendors were hawking their New Year's goods. However, the atmosphere in the Yangzhou salt merchant circle became boiling because of a piece of news - it was said from the Shen family that Shen Rulan, who had been bedridden for two months and was rumored to be "out of breath", had miraculously "recovered"!
The news was like a thunderbolt, shaking the entire city of Yangzhou.
Some were shocked, some were skeptical, and some were secretly sweating – those who had coveted the Shen family's assets and kicked them when they were down were now starting to consider how to face this "resurrected" heir of the Shen family.
Shen Rulan sat on the soft couch by the window, covered with a plain brocade robe. Although she was still thin, her complexion had regained some color, and her eyes had become sharp and calm.
Granny Rong was brewing tea for her, her eyes filled with relief as she watched her young master finally recover.
"Granny, what's the commotion outside?" Shen Rulan picked up her teacup, gently blew on it to cool it, and spoke calmly.
Rong Momo replied with a smile, "Young Master, the news of your 'recovery' has caused an uproar throughout Yangzhou! When Lord Zhao of the Salt Transport Bureau heard about it, he was so shocked that he almost dropped his teacup; Cao Jin was furious in his villa and sent people everywhere to inquire about the news; and those small salt merchants who used to follow Cao Jin and wanted to share the Shen family's saltworks are now hiding and dare not show their faces!"
Shen Rulan smiled faintly: "As expected. They thought that if I died, they could swallow up the Shen family. Now that I'm better, they're naturally panicking."
Her successful "recovery" was not a fluke.
After capturing Ah Gui and identifying the poison, Rong Momo immediately asked an old doctor outside the city to prescribe an antidote and used precious medicinal herbs to treat her. In addition, she was young and in good health, and her body recovered at a speed visible to the naked eye after the poison was discontinued.
To lull the enemy into a false sense of security, she kept it a secret until the time was right, at which point she released the news of her "recovery."
“Oh, right, young master,” Granny Rong suddenly remembered something, “As for the second branch of the family, ever since the second master was imprisoned in the ancestral hall, the second mistress has been coming to Tingxue Pavilion every day to plead for him. What do you think…”
A cold glint flashed in Shen Rulan's eyes: "No need to see him. Shen Keqin colluded with outsiders and poisoned his clansmen. According to clan rules, he should be expelled from the clan and never allowed to enter Yangzhou again. Considering our blood ties, the fact that he is locked up in the ancestral hall is already the greatest mercy. Tell Second Aunt to behave herself, otherwise, even she and Sister Zhiwei will be implicated."
Rong Momo replied, "Yes! This old servant will go and report back immediately."
Shen Rulan looked out the window; sunlight streamed through the windowpanes and fell on the floor, warm and bright.
She knew that "recovery" was just the beginning; next, it would be her turn to fight back.
.
Zhao Dexian sat in the armchair, his teacup trembling slightly, spilling a few drops of tea.
He was stunned when he learned from the clerk that Shen Rulan had "recovered from her illness"—just a few days ago he was planning to take advantage of Shen Rulan's death to squeeze the Shen family and seize their salt quota, but now, Shen Rulan had actually recovered!
"How is this possible?!" Zhao Dexian slammed down his teacup, his tone filled with disbelief. "Just a few days ago, they said that Shen Rulan was coughing up blood and couldn't even speak clearly. How did she suddenly get better? Was it a false rumor deliberately spread by the Shen family to lull us into a false sense of security?"
The clerk bowed and said, "Sir, it shouldn't be false news. I sent someone to inquire near the Shen residence and saw Shen Rulan's personal maid go to Jirentang to get medicine. She said that the young master is able to get out of bed and walk around, and has also handled several salt-related matters. Moreover, many of the guards at the Shen residence have been withdrawn, so it seems that he is indeed getting better."
Zhao Dexian fell silent.
He recalled sending his advisor to the Shen family a few days ago to issue an ultimatum, forcing them to relinquish their salt permits and increase their "donations." Now, he deeply regretted his actions—if Shen Rulan held a grudge and caused them trouble in the future regarding salt taxes and permits, the consequences would be dire.
“No, we have to find a way to smooth things over.” Zhao Dexian stood up and paced around the study. “Shen Rulan is young, but he’s ruthless. We can’t afford to offend him. You should prepare a generous gift and go to the Shen residence under the guise of ‘comfort’. Be humble and say that I was anxious before and was afraid of delaying the salt tax, so I offended him. Please forgive me.”
The clerk quickly replied, "Yes! I'll go prepare right away!"
As Zhao Dexian watched the advisor's departing figure, he secretly prayed: hoping that Shen Rulan would not be too fussy for the sake of the Salt Transport Bureau.
Cao Jin was in the villa, venting his anger on his subordinates.
Broken porcelain lay scattered on the ground, and the air reeked of alcohol and anger.
"Useless! All of you are useless!" Cao Jin kicked over the table next to him. "How could Shen Rulan possibly be better?! Wasn't the 'Heartbreak Powder' supposed to be incurable? Did you give me fake medicine to fool me?!"
The men knelt on the ground, trembling with fear: "Young Master, we wouldn't dare! That medicine was specially obtained from a Miao village in the southwest, it's definitely real... maybe Shen Rulan is just lucky, or maybe she found some antidote..."
"Luckily alive?" Cao Jin sneered, her eyes filled with resentment. "I think it's that good-for-nothing Shen Keqin who failed in his duties! And where is that A-Gui now? Was he captured by the Shen family?"
"Young Master, A-Gui has disappeared, Shen Keqin is imprisoned in the Shen family ancestral hall, our middleman is dead, and now all leads have been cut off..." the subordinate whispered.
Cao Jin's heart sank, and an ominous premonition surged into his mind. He suddenly realized that he might have fallen into Shen Rulan's trap—from the poisoning to the "recovery," it might all have been deliberately designed by Shen Rulan to lure him in and seize his weakness!
"No, we have to think of something right away!" Cao Jin slumped into a chair, his mind racing. "The Shen family definitely has evidence now. If they hand it over to the censors in the capital, our Cao family is finished! Quick, go and take stock of all our properties in Yangzhou. Sell what you can and transfer the money away. If something goes wrong, we'll have a way out!"
The subordinates quickly replied, "Yes! We'll take care of it right away!"
Cao Jin watched his subordinates' departing figures, his heart filled with fear and resentment.
He almost managed to eliminate Shen Rulan and seize the Shen family's business, but now, not only has his plan failed, but he may also bring trouble upon himself.
He clenched his fist, a fierce glint in his eyes: "Shen Rulan, you wait, I won't let this go!"
The first thing Shen Rulan did after "recovering from her illness" was to reorganize the internal affairs of the Shen family.
Citing the pretext that "Shen Keqin colluded with outsiders and placed his cronies in key positions," she ordered an investigation into the Shen family's managers in major salt fields, canal wharves, and branches. She transferred all of Shen Keqin's people from their core positions and replaced them with a group of loyal and reliable old men.
That day, Shen Rulan sat in her study and summoned Manager Zhang, who was in charge of the canal transport.
Manager Zhang is an old and loyal member of the Shen family, but he has been marginalized due to Shen Keqin's exclusion.
“Uncle Zhang,” Shen Rulan said gently, looking at Manager Zhang, “I’m sorry you had to suffer over the canal transport issue before. Now that Shen Keqin has fallen, we’ll have to rely on you to take better care of the canal transport.”
Manager Zhang bowed excitedly and said, "Young master, rest assured! This old servant will certainly live up to your trust and manage the canal transport in an orderly manner, and will never allow outsiders to take advantage of any loopholes!"
Shen Rulan nodded and handed Manager Zhang a document: "This is a letter from Master Liu of the Canal Transport Gang. He says he wants to cooperate with our Shen family again and is willing to reduce the freight by 20%. Go and talk to him. Tell him that cooperation is possible, but the safety of the canal transport must be guaranteed. If any 'accident' occurs again, the Shen family will switch to cooperating with the Water Transport Gang."
"Yes! This old servant understands!" Manager Zhang took the document, bowed, and withdrew.
Afterwards, Shen Rulan summoned Manager Li, who was in charge of the salt field, and Mr. Wang, who was in charge of the accounts, and arranged matters for them one by one.
After a thorough purge, the atmosphere within the Shen family mansion became much more disciplined, and everyone understood that this young mistress was not only ruthless but also extremely capable, and the Shen family's fate was still in her hands.
Three days later, the Salt Transport Commissioner's clerk arrived at the Shen residence with a generous gift.
Shen Rulan received him in her study.
As soon as the clerk entered, he greeted everyone with a smile and bowed, saying, "Young Master Shen, congratulations on your recovery! My master specially sent me to bring you some nourishing herbs and antiques to congratulate you. Please accept them."
Shen Rulan sat in the main seat and smiled faintly: "You're too kind, Master. Lord Zhao is very kind. I accept the gift and thank Lord Zhao for me."
The clerk quickly replied, "Young master, you are too kind! When I visited the Shen residence last time, I was quite offensive in my words. It was all due to my poor handling of the matter, and I hope you will forgive me. My master said that the salt tax is a matter of great importance to the country. He was just a little anxious because he was afraid of delaying the court's work. He had no intention of targeting the Shen family."
Shen Rulan sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm: "You flatter me, sir. Lord Zhao is only acting on official business, I understand. Now that I have recovered, I will handle the salt tax matter as soon as possible and will not delay the court's duties."
Seeing that Shen Rulan had no intention of pursuing the matter, the clerk breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Young master is very understanding! Regarding the previously discussed quota for salt production and the 'donation,' my master said that it is entirely up to you to decide. As long as the salt tax can be paid in full, everything is negotiable."
Shen Rulan picked up her teacup and took a small sip: "The share of the riverbank will be 70% as previously agreed; the 'donation' amount will also be 50,000 taels as previously stated. Since Lord Zhao has given the Shen family face, the Shen family will not make things difficult for Lord Zhao."
The clerk was overjoyed: "Thank you, young master! I will go back and report to my lord immediately, and I will make sure he is at ease!"
After seeing the advisor off, Rong Mama came in and asked suspiciously, "Young master, why don't you take this opportunity to ask for more benefits? Zhao Dexian pressured you so much before, now that you're better, you can put him in his place."
Shen Rulan shook her head: "Zhao Dexian is the Salt Commissioner, who holds great power over salt taxes and salt diversion. If we push him too far, it will not benefit the Shen family. Giving him a way out now will not only show the Shen family's magnanimity, but also keep him in check and prevent him from easily provoking the Shen family again. This is the long-term solution."
Rong Momo suddenly realized: "Young Master has considered everything thoroughly!"
Just as Shen Rulan was tidying up internal affairs and dealing with Zhao Dexian, Lin Xiao from Yongsheng Escort Agency returned with important news.
Lin Zhennan hurriedly arrived at the Shen residence with the secret letter brought by Lin Xiao.
Shen Rulan received him in her study.
"Young Master Shen, congratulations on your recovery from your serious illness!" Lin Zhennan bowed and handed over a secret letter. "This is information that my daughter found in the capital. It concerns the Cao family. Please take a look."
Shen Rulan took the secret letter and read it carefully.
The letter stated that the Cao family's deficit in the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau had reached 500,000 taels, and they had been impeached multiple times by the censors. The emperor was already dissatisfied with the Cao family and had secretly sent censors to collect evidence of the Cao family's crimes of extortion and interference in salt administration in Jiangnan. Cao Jin was trying to curry favor with everyone in the capital, but no one was willing to cooperate with him, and he was in a difficult situation.
A glint of light flashed in Shen Rulan's eyes: "Excellent! This is a golden opportunity! Cao Jin has always wanted to seize the Shen family's assets. Now that the Cao family is in dire straits, it's the perfect time to strike back!"
She immediately said to Shen Fu, "Shen Fu, go and get pen and ink right away. I need to revise a few letters and send them to several officials in the capital who have a long-standing relationship with the Shen family. I need to subtly reveal to the censor who is investigating the Cao family the evidence that Cao Jin murdered salt merchants in Yangzhou, seized salt permits, and used insidious methods. Remember, the evidence must be concealed so that no one can tell that it was the Shen family who did it."
"Yes!" Shen Fu hurriedly went to prepare the writing brush and ink.
Lin Zhennan looked at Shen Rulan and secretly admired him: "Young Master Shen is a master strategist. Cao Jin is probably doomed this time!"
Shen Rulan smiled and said, "I must thank Chief Escort Lin and Miss Lin. If it weren't for the information you brought, the Shen family wouldn't have found an opportunity to retaliate so quickly."
"You're too kind, young master!" Lin Zhennan said. "Yongsheng Escort Agency has cooperated with the Shen family for many years. Only when the Shen family is well can Yongsheng Escort Agency be at peace. If you need anything in the future, please don't hesitate to give the order!"
Shen Rulan was not content with secretly collecting evidence; she also dealt Cao Jin a fatal blow in the business world.
She deliberately spread rumors that the Shen family was experiencing financial difficulties due to previous misfortunes and intended to sell their salt permit quota in the Jianghuai region—a wealthy area for salt merchants, where salt permit quotas were highly profitable and coveted by all salt merchants.
The news quickly reached Cao Jin's ears.
Cao Jin was being pressured by his family because of the Cao family's deficit and urgently needed money to fill the hole. Upon hearing this news, he was immediately tempted.
Ignoring his subordinates' advice, he believed this was the last chance to seize the Shen family's assets, so he immediately sent someone to contact the Shen family and express his willingness to purchase a share of the salt permits.
Seeing that Cao Jin had taken the bait, Shen Rulan deliberately made things difficult for her subordinates for a few days. Finally, she "reluctantly" agreed to transfer ten salt permits in the Jianghuai region to Cao Jin at a "preferential" price, demanding that Cao Jin pay 100,000 taels of silver within three days.
Cao Jin was overjoyed, thinking he had gotten a great deal. He immediately borrowed money from all sides, even resorting to usury, to raise 100,000 taels of silver to buy the salt permit quota.
But when he received his salt permit quota and sent people to the corresponding salt fields to collect salt, he discovered that he had fallen into a trap. The salt fields corresponding to these salt permits had experienced a sharp drop in production due to excessive rainfall this year, and could not meet the demand at all. Moreover, the transportation route had to pass through Heifengling in northern Jiangsu, which was the territory of mountain bandits. The transportation costs were extremely high, the risks were extremely high, and there was no profit to be made.
Cao Jin then realized that he had been deceived!
He was furious, but he was already in a bind—the 100,000 taels of silver was a loan with high interest rates, and if he couldn't repay it on time, not only would he be hunted down by the creditors, but the Cao family would also be implicated.
"Shen Rulan! I will never forgive you!" Cao Jin roared wildly in the courtyard, but he no longer had the arrogance he had before.
Su Moqing learned from rumors circulating in the city that Shen Rulan had recovered from her illness, and her heart, which had been hanging in suspense for two months, finally settled down. She stood by the window, looking at the plum blossoms that were just beginning to bloom in the courtyard, and a long-lost smile appeared on her face.
These days, she would secretly send porridge to the Shen residence every morning. Now that Shen Rulan is better, she can finally stop this "secret" care.
She knew that Shen Rulan was the heir of the Shen family, while she was just a poor painter. There was a world of difference between them, and the feelings that had quietly grown could only be buried deep in her heart.
"Qing'er, what are you thinking about?" Su Wenyuan walked to his daughter's side and asked gently.
Su Moqing snapped out of her reverie and shook her head: "It's nothing, Father. I just heard that Young Master Shen has recovered from his illness, and I'm happy for him."
Su Wenyuan looked at his daughter, his eyes full of understanding, but he didn't say anything.
He gently patted his daughter's shoulder: "That young master of the Shen family is a capable man, but being in a high position inevitably means he has little control over his own destiny. I am very pleased that you can recognize your place."
Su Moqing nodded, feeling a little disappointed but also much calmer.
She picked up her paintbrush, sat back down at her easel, and began to depict the plum blossoms outside the window. She knew that Shen Rulan had his own world, while her own world lay within the ink, paper, and brush.
Shen Keqin has been confined to a side courtyard of the ancestral hall for almost a month.
Facing the ancestral tablets and listening to the ancestral hall bells every day, he was on the verge of a mental breakdown.
He tried to beg for mercy from Shen Rulan many times, but was stopped by the guards each time.
On this day, Shen Rulan finally arrived at the side courtyard of the ancestral hall.
Upon seeing him, Shen Keqin immediately rushed forward, knelt on the ground, and wept bitterly: "Rulan! Nephew! I was wrong! I was bewitched! Please forgive me! I will never dare to do it again!"
Shen Rulan stood before him, her eyes icy cold, devoid of any sympathy: "Second Uncle, you colluded with Cao Jin, poisoned our clansmen, and attempted to seize the Shen family's assets. According to clan rules, you should be expelled from the clan and never allowed to enter Yangzhou again. Considering you are of Shen family blood and the father of Zhiwei, I will spare your life and send you to guard a farm outside the city, never to return to the heart of Yangzhou. This is the Shen family's last act of mercy towards you. If you dare to cause trouble again, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Shen Keqin knew this was the best possible outcome, and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, nephew! Thank you, nephew! I will definitely guard the estate well and never dare to cause trouble again!"
Afterwards, Shen Fu, accompanied by two guards, escorted Shen Keqin to his estate outside the city.
On the day Shen Keqin left Yangzhou, a light rain was falling. He looked back at the direction of the Shen residence, his eyes filled with regret, but it was too late to turn back.
The 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, Lunar New Year's Eve.
The Shen residence was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, creating a festive atmosphere.
After a period of turmoil, the Shen family finally returned to peace.
With internal troubles resolved, Cao Jin is mired in financial difficulties and is about to face impeachment from the capital; Zhao Dexian has curbed his ambitions and dares not provoke the Shen family again; the canal gang, salt fields, and branch offices have all been reorganized, and everything is developing in a positive direction.
Shen Rulan stood by the study window, watching the fireworks in the courtyard, a faint smile on her face.
This crisis made her understand the complexity of human nature, and it also made her more mature and resilient.
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