Chapter 112
After leaving the mansion, these leaders stood at the gate and looked at each other, and finally they all looked at the leader of the circle on duty, hoping that he would make a decision.
The leader of the Shanggang Circle saw how they were both anxious about eating meat and afraid of getting beaten, and smiled, saying, "No one's eaten yet! How about I treat you to a few drinks at Manlai House?"
The laid-off circle leader was the most impatient. Without waiting for the food and drinks to be served, he pulled the former circle leader aside and asked anxiously, "Tell me, is this business viable?"
The leader of the Shanggan Circle glanced at him and said, "Why are you so anxious? The Second Young Master didn't give it to us for free. He also has conditions. Since we both have something to ask for, let's talk slowly. There's no rush."
The Mengdui leader slammed his palm on the table and said in a stern voice, "In my opinion, there's no point in talking. We have land! We can grow it and sell it ourselves. What can Han Yunkai do to us?"
The Mengwang chieftain lived close to the Tusi Mansion, so he knew a bit about its affairs. After a moment's hesitation, he twirled his beard and said, "I was a little concerned when you said Fu Ting would get a share of the opium business if Taiye took over. Actually, this matter still requires the Second Young Master's approval."
"Then find a way to get him to agree. Why should we be afraid of a weaned brat? We were able to force him to turn against the Lan family before, and we can still take the business from him now."
The Mengwang chieftain smiled bitterly, "How could it be that easy? Han Yunkai was led on this journey by Lan Yingde himself. The fierce army or the horse bandits, which one is easier to deal with? Everyone knows that the opium business is hugely profitable. But in the entire Yunxiang, apart from the old chieftain who started this business, who else in the Meng Dynasty has found a way to do it? Why didn't Tao Touren of Lisheng Meng do it? He is Lan Yingde's father-in-law! He controls one of Lan Yingde's horse caravans. Han Yunkai controls the route and sales. We don't have much room to bargain with him."
The leader of Mengdui said whimsically, "Didn't that guy named Yang Laoliu go with Lan Yingde? He's Lan Yingde's confidant, so he should know the route and the buyer."
The Mengwang chieftain spat out the tea dregs in his mouth with a "Puh" sound and rolled his eyes at him. "You also said he was Lan Yingde's confidant. He didn't go with Lan Yingde. I'm afraid Lan Yingde planted a nail in Han Yunkai's heart. How dare you use such a person? You killed your people halfway and buried them in a pit. Where can you find people like him?"
Feng Xiaosai helped his father carry the drunk Tao Da home. On the way back, he glanced at his father and said, "The master asked you to do something, but you just threw it to Tao Dad. Isn't that a bad idea?"
Feng Er spat at him, "You know shit! Our family is all under the master's banner. I used to just greet and nod to those chiefs when we met, and we didn't have a deep relationship. If I go to their door myself, isn't that telling them that the master is trying to trick them? Tao Da is different. When the old master was still alive, Tao Da had a lot of dealings with those chiefs. They don't even need Tao Da to take the initiative, they will go to him to inquire about the news."
Seeing his son suddenly realize something and then look at him with admiration, Feng Er said proudly with his hands behind his back, "You're still a young kid, you haven't even grown all your hair yet! Come learn a few more tricks from me, your father!"
As Feng Er had predicted, Tao Da was kept busy for the next few days, with notices pouring into his house like snowflakes. He also dutifully informed this man of the mansion's opium profits over the years, exaggerating them.
"Of course I make a lot of money. Every time I come back from opium trading, the silver dollars weigh me down so much that my mule foams at the mouth."
"The gun wasn't purchased. Lan Yingde traded it for a very expensive Western medicine from the soldiers in Tengchong."
"Bah! How can we earn more by selling to those middlemen than by selling directly to the British or French? Let me tell you this, take the tea forest over by the hawthorn tree, for example. We only get a few coins per pound when we pick and sell it, but after it passes through Lan Yingde and the master, it can be exchanged for gold bars. Otherwise, why would the old chieftain insist on marrying into the Lan family? Lan Yingde has explained all the ways to make money to the master."
"Stealing goods? Who would dare? Lan Yingde's close disciple and the master are escorting the goods together. Don't you think about the master's previous temper? Doesn't he want to live? Besides, who can you sell it to if it's stolen? If those opium dealers knew the goods were stolen, they would definitely eat you up and swallow you up with the goods."
"Route? How would I know? It's Feng Er's eldest son who follows the master. Why don't you ask Feng Er? Besides, it's useless for you to know. Can you speak foreign languages? Our master studied abroad. Only he can deal with those yellow-haired devils."
Tao Da's actions were truly remarkable; the leaders, if not entirely convinced by him, believed at least 80% of what he said. He felt he had done a brilliant job, and was sitting at home, cross-legged, humming a few smug words, when he suddenly received a call from Li Shengmeng.
The uncle from Lishengmeng invited him to the Manlai Restaurant. He read the post over and over again, almost unable to believe his eyes. The Tao family was doing well in the salt business, but now they were eyeing opium?
Although he was confused, he still went to the appointment. When he saw the Tao family's uncle, he understood. Another one who refused to obey his father!
After three rounds of drinks, thinking that the Tao family was almost a relative of the mansion, he gently reminded them, "What do you think? Just go about your business and don't make the master angry. The master feels guilty towards the Tao family and won't treat you unfairly."
The Tao family's master wouldn't listen to these words. Ever since they learned the Lan family's marriage with the Tusi family had fallen through, everyone in the family, save the master and the second son, had been overjoyed. The wife, in particular, was so excited she went to the monk's room to offer him some incense, muttering to herself, "This little bastard has finally gotten what he deserves."
He was also very excited. With the Lan family gone, no one would stand up for the second son, that son of a bitch. The knife hanging over his head was finally pulled out. As long as his mother remained the principal wife, the position of heir after his father attained enlightenment would be his.
Isn't it because Lan Yingde gave him a caravan that the second brother is so arrogant? Now the master has agreed to split the opium business. This opium is more valuable than salt! If he can get a piece of the pie, then he will have nothing to worry about!
He raised the pot and poured wine for Tao Da: "Master divided the business into shares for everyone. If he really feels guilty towards our family, he should give us more."
Tao Da turned his wine glass and glanced at him, then smiled and said, "Is this what the old man meant?"
Grandpa Tao hesitated and said, "Ever since the marriage fell through, my father has been ill, and now I am the one who manages the family."
Tao Da understood that if a child is not born from the same mother, it will be troublesome. It is difficult to persuade a dying ghost with sweet words, so he will not care about this trivial matter!
He reported to Yun Kai in detail what had happened to him from Master Tao. Yun Kai raised an eyebrow in surprise and said, "I was still struggling to figure out how to get my uncle promoted without offending Master Tao, but he himself presented me with the opportunity!"
When he heard him calling Tao Da, the second uncle of the Tao family, his eyebrows twitched, but he pretended not to hear.
Yun Kai lowered his head and thought for a moment before sighing, "I was thinking of compensating their family, but there was an idiot out there looking for death. Forget it, if he wants it, just give it to him!"
The leaders collectively made their choice, and Grandpa Tinglai was forced to resign. Yunkai took advantage of the situation and made things worse, forcing Grandpa Tinglai to leave while his two sons remained in the mansion.
The uncle and nephew sat in silence in the study. Finally, Grandpa Tinglai smiled sadly and said, "You've already secured your position as chieftain. Why bother to kill me?"
"Oh!" Yun Kai pretended to be puzzled and said, "My seat is secure? Why don't I feel that?"
Grandpa Tinglai begged for mercy, "Yunkai, Second Uncle begs you, just let your two brothers go to Mengshang with me! I lost, completely lost, I will not dream of this position anymore."
Yun Kai sighed softly, "Second Uncle, if you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?"
"Otherwise, I'll stay and let your two brothers go to Mengshang. You just want to keep a hostage, so it doesn't matter who you keep!"
"You're right. It doesn't matter who we keep." Yun Kai nodded and said, "But why should I listen to you? If I go against you and see you regret your decision, I can finally let go of the anger in my heart!"
Master Tinglai leaned back dejectedly in his chair. "I know you hate me. If I hadn't had evil intentions, you wouldn't have broken off your engagement with Miss Lan. I've failed Big Brother and done things that have wronged you all. I don't ask for your forgiveness, I only ask that you don't vent your anger on me. Let me bear the consequences of my sins alone! You can ask me to become a monk or imprison me, just let me atone for my sins alone!"
Yun Kai said coldly, "Second Uncle, you're mistaken. I don't mean to torture anyone. I just think that the Buddha in Mengshang is not as virtuous as the one in the official Buddhist temple, and I'm worried that my brothers will miss out on their studies and their learning of the truth. Please hurry up and leave. If I don't see you, I'll be less angry and it will be better for my brothers."
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