Chapter Ninety-Three: Cai Sheng's Plea

Of course Jia Zhengyi understood what was going on. In Gou Ye’s view, he had long since grasped the power standing behind the other party. This time, Gou Ye had come precisely to find a merchant clan tied to the noble faction that would be willing to shield him and speak on his behalf. If any merchant clan among the noble houses was willing to stand up for him, then Gou Ye would serve that clan in return. But that also meant making an enemy of the merchant clans aligned with Zhu Jin. Would the people above think Gou Ye was worth such a price? Or, to put it another way, would they be willing to incur enmity with another house for his sake?

This was no easy question to weigh. For the first time since stepping through the door, Jia Zhengyi knit his brows. As a representative, every word he spoke carried the weight of the merchant clan, and so did every reply he gave. He could not make the decision himself, but his suggestion would certainly become a point of serious reference for those above him.

Where there is danger, there is profit; besides, they were already standing against the imperial line, so what was there left to fear? After pondering to himself, Jia Zhengyi’s face once again broke into a smile. “Very well, Young Master Gou. I will do everything I can to communicate with those above. Whether it succeeds or not, I will give you an answer as soon as possible. Young Master Gu, might I ask whether your checkered shirt could be given to me? I should like to take it back and show it to the people above.”

After that, the group talked at length. Through further conversation, Jia Zhengyi truly came to see many things in Gou Ye that were unlike ordinary men: his insight into matters, his understanding of trade, even many of his ideas, all of which Jia Zhengyi had never before heard of. This only strengthened the conviction already forming in his heart. It was not until the hour of the midday meal that the discussion finally came to an end.

What gratified Gu Yuan most was that over lunch, Jia Zhengyi praised Gou Ye repeatedly, and continued to extol Gu Yuan’s fine eye for talent. From that moment on, Gou Ye looked at the sleazy middle-aged man and, all at once, found him much more agreeable. He was no longer quite so detestable.

Though Jia Zhengyi seemed sleazy to the extreme, he was actually rather swift and decisive in his work. Right after lunch, he hurriedly took his leave, eager to return and report. Normally, having come to the house of a duke, one would at least linger and curry favor for a few days. Yet Jia Zhengyi knew how to distinguish what mattered most at the moment. On this point alone, Gou Ye held him in some regard. His manner and caution in speech and conduct were proof enough that this branch representative of the merchant clan was not a title he held in vain.

Gou Ye and Yun Niang did not linger either. After the midday meal, they bade farewell to the duke, instructed Gu Shen about finding a physician, and then climbed into the carriage with Yun Niang. Looking at Gou Ye, she asked, “Brother Gou Ye, are we going straight home?”

“No. There’s something more important we need to do first. We’re going to Cai Sheng’s house.”

It had been many days since any news had come from Da Li, and Gou Ye was growing uneasy. Moreover, it had also been several days since he last saw Cai Sheng. The day he had gone to the brothel to look at the shop, it had still seemed as though the property had not been transferred, and he had no idea how Cai Sheng’s arrangements were progressing.

With that in mind, the two arrived before Cai Sheng’s home. If he remembered correctly, this was the place Cai Sheng had mentioned last time. Gou Ye knocked on the door, and a young girl opened it. “Who are you?”

At the sight of the adorable child, Yun Niang asked with a smile, “May I ask if this is Cai Sheng’s home?”

Hearing that Cai Sheng had visitors, the little girl darted away in an instant, shouting as she ran, “Father, someone’s here to see you!”

Seeing Gou Ye and the others standing at the door, Cai Sheng hurried over and bowed. “Manager, what brings you here?”

Gou Ye nodded and, together with Yun Niang, entered Cai Sheng’s house without ceremony.

The courtyard was not large, but it was planted with many vegetables. The house itself was that of an ordinary common family, plain to the point of simplicity. Hearing that someone had arrived, a woman came out from inside, and the little girl rushed into her arms. Cai Sheng immediately introduced her. “Manager, this is my humble wife.”

The woman bowed to Gou Ye. “This little one greets Young Master Gou.”

“Wife, quickly go and prepare tea for the manager and his lady.”

The woman quickly took the child and went back inside. In this age of male authority and female submission, everything still revolved around men. A man like Gou Ye, who treated Yun Niang so well, was truly not easy to find.

The two of them took their seats in the room and looked around. Seeing several children peeking out from the inner room, Gou Ye even made a face at them on purpose. At once, the children dropped the curtain and scampered away like the wind. Gou Ye laughed heartily, then turned to Cai Sheng and asked, “Where is Da Li? Has he come here yet?”

After Cai Sheng had his wife pour tea for them, and once she had taken the children away, he finally said, “He has. He’s been staying here these past few days. I cleared out the storage room for him. He leaves early and comes back late every day, and the two of us hardly get to speak.”

Gou Ye nodded. In that case, they would simply wait here for Da Li to return. Then he asked, “Cai Sheng, I passed by the shop a few days ago and saw it was still closed, with no sign of transfer at all. It’s already been more than ten days now. How is it that the matter still hasn’t been settled?”

“Manager, there’s something you may not know. For some reason, everyone who inquired about the price later vanished without a trace. Even though I took the liberty of lowering the asking price further, it still ended up being inquiries only, no purchases. I found it strange as well. By rights, the price was already very low—anyone buying it and reselling it would still make money. I have no idea why such a situation has arisen. I had planned to tell you when Da Li and I returned, never expecting you to come here first.”

At once, Gou Ye thought of the county magistrate and his wife. Surely it was the two of them stirring up trouble behind the scenes. They wanted to cut off all of his sources of income. With a cold snort, Gou Ye looked at Cai Sheng and said, “Very well. Set the shop matter aside for now. When Da Li returns in a few days, you need not follow him back. Just stay home for the time being and keep your wife and children company. If anything comes up on my side, I’ll send someone to notify you at once.”

At that, Cai Sheng said somewhat awkwardly, “Manager, I’ve been freeloading under your care all this time; that isn’t right either. I know what your present circumstances are like. Cai Sheng truly does not wish to add to your burden.”

Gou Ye remained calm and looked at him. “Are you thinking of leaving me?”

Cai Sheng immediately shook his head. “No, no. Cai Sheng believes that the manager’s future is bright beyond measure, and I am willing to follow you always, through wind and rain. It’s just that you are in a difficult time now, and I don’t want to weigh you down further. I’m asking whether, if the shop cannot be sold for the time being, I might continue my old trade. Rest assured, I can prepare everything myself; you need not spend a single coin. That way, you would not have to pay me a monthly allowance. It would ease your burden, and I would also have something to do.”

Gou Ye smiled and glanced at Yun Niang, considering the matter for a moment. Then he said to Cai Sheng, “How about this: for now, you may make use of the shop and carry on your business. Keep whatever income you earn for yourself. As for the salary I pay you each month, I’ll lower it to fifteen taels. When I need you, you can come back then.”