On the last day of July, after a gap of twenty days, Shao Shuyi resumed his archery lessons.
It was also on this day that Cheng Ji's younger cousin arrived.
Well... squat and thickset, face packed with sinister flesh, a downright villainous look about him...
Shao Shuyi could not help casting a sidelong glance at Cheng Ji. *Are the two of you truly cousins?*
"My name is Liang Tai, from the Pizhou Myriad Household Office." The newcomer looked at Shao Shuyi, then quickly ducked his head.
"The Liang surname?" Shao Shuyi was taken aback.
"His ancestors were displaced refugees. Later, one joined Chiliarch Liang's retinue and was bestowed the surname," Cheng Ji murmured, leaning in close.
Shao Shuyi understood and smiled. "Brother Liang is sturdy, powerful, and skilled in his craft, not to mention a maternal cousin to Officer Cheng. Naturally, he can be trusted. Tomorrow, come with me to the warehouse."
"I hardly deserve to be called 'Officer,'" Cheng Ji said hastily, waving his hands.
Strange as it was, when Wang Huadu or Yu Yuan addressed him as "Officer," he never took much issue with it. Yet whenever Shao Shuyi addressed him that way, Cheng Ji flushed red, thoroughly embarrassed.
"Deserve it? Of course you do!" Wang Huadu chuckled from the side. "Brother Shao, you don't know yet, but this fellow has already been made a squad leader. He has ten men under him now!"
"Oh?" Shao Shuyi was both surprised and pleased. "Brother Cheng's skills are superb, so becoming a squad leader is hardly a surprise. If you ask me, it's overdue—you should have had the post years ago."
"It's only because he lacked money for bribes," Wang Huadu said with a grin. "If they hadn't run out of anyone remotely useful, who knows what year or month Officer Cheng would ever have become a squad leader?"
"A squad leader is no real official. I don't deserve the title of Officer," Cheng Ji insisted, still somewhat bashful.
"Nowadays even merchants are addressed as 'Officer,' and anyone who can read a few characters gets hailed as 'sir'..." Liang Tai muttered under his breath.
Shao Shuyi burst into laughter. "Did you hear that? From now on, you're Officer Cheng."
Cheng Ji glared at his cousin, then retrieved his bow tips and bowstring. "Get ready for archery practice."
"Alright," Shao Shuyi agreed with a nod.
"Brother, aren't you going to practice with the cannon?" Yu Yuan trotted over to Shao Shuyi's side, holding the bronze hand cannon in one hand and a bundle in the other.
"No more of that," Shao Shuyi said, waving a broad hand with a laugh. "If a bandit is seven or eight paces away, I might not even hit him. Miss with that one shot, and you're as good as dead."
Yu Yuan's mouth fell open, at a loss for words.
This bronze hand cannon was a weapon of distinguished service! With two lead balls, it had felled a ferocious Lake Tai water bandit and a veteran martial artist employed at a warehouse. How could it be dismissed so disparagingly?
Shao Shuyi did not bother explaining.
The circumstances under which this thing could be used were far too unforgiving: it only hit at point-blank range, reloaded at a snail's pace, packed tremendous recoil, and essentially offered only a single chance to fire. It was practically useless.
Had most people not been unfamiliar with firearms, granting him the element of surprise, he might never have managed to kill anyone with a hand cannon in the first place.
It was better to practice archery properly. A bow had greater range, a faster rate of fire, and high accuracy; in a real fight, it could truly save one's life.
As for the hand cannon, at this stage it was best kept as a secret weapon for an ambush.
Chatting and laughing, the group soon got down to business.
Cheng Ji supervised Shao Shuyi's archery, while Wang Huadu practiced on his own with the sickle-axe.
The newcomer, Liang Tai, proved quite enthusiastic and went right over to instruct Wang Huadu.
He even found time to teach Yu Yuan how to handle a hand cannon properly and swiftly—according to him, that was precisely how the men of the Huzhou Artillery Wing operated their firearms.
Shao Shuyi took it all in, quite pleased.
Liang Tai was an honest, straightforward man, which was good. Otherwise, Shao would have had to find a way to purge him from their circle, or at least push him to the margins.
*Twang!*
The bowstring vibrated, and an arrow whistled through the air. Shao Shuyi devoted himself earnestly to his shooting practice.
***
After a full day of archery, his shoulders and arms aching fiercely, Shao Shuyi called everyone over to eat.
The meal was simple and crude, doing little more than filling their bellies.
To his chagrin, he realized he was still dirt poor, completely broke.
After purchasing the bronze hand cannon, the last bit of his paper money had been pretty much cleaned out. As for grain, once he paid Cheng Ji's instruction fee for the month and fed everyone, barely anything remained. What little was left, along with some pickles and salt, he had given to Wang Huadu.
This was his fourth month on the job, yet he had never managed to save a copper. Essential expenses were simply too high; there was nothing to be done.
Fortunately, after tomorrow he would receive his wages again—and this time, he would be issuing them to himself. The thought brought a distinct touch of satisfaction.
"In a few days, I need to make a trip to the riverbank, perhaps for two days," Shao Shuyi said, looking toward Yu Yuan. "You take over the external accounts for the time being."
"Understood," Yu Yuan agreed with a nod.
"The new warehouse keeper is a descendant of an old acquaintance of the Zheng family. Treat him with some courtesy; don't make an enemy of him."
"Yes, Brother."
"Gounu, Foya, the two of you come with me," Shao Shuyi added. "The elder Officer Zheng might come along, but that isn't certain. If he doesn't go, we'll have to make all the decisions ourselves."
Liang Tai said nothing, but Wang Huadu spoke up: "Are we going to that Shen family you mentioned?"
"Not to the Shens themselves, but to their warehouse along the river," Shao Shuyi said, shaking his head. "I heard that Old Master Wansan went to Taicang a couple of days ago. It's a major affair; we must stay sharp."
"Shen Wansan is nearly sixty and hasn't shown his face in years. Why would he go to Taicang?" Wang Huadu asked in surprise.
Shao Shuyi asked, "What is Shen Wansan's actual name? And who is Shen Rong?"
"Shen Fu," Wang Huadu replied with a chuckle. "Shen Rong is his son. Brother Shao, didn't I tell you there are perks to being a courier household? You hear all kinds of news from travelers. But honestly, how could you not know an extraordinary figure like Shen Wansan?"
Shao Shuyi smiled helplessly.
"Still, you've really come up in the world," Wang Huadu remarked with an appreciative click of his tongue. "A figure like Shen Rong isn't someone ordinary folk ever get to meet."
"We probably won't see him this time," Shao Shuyi said. "The elder Officer Zheng mentioned that the Shen family is sending someone named Lu Zhonghe. I'll be negotiating with him, and we can set the brokerage aside for now."
Wang Huadu understood. They had linked up with the Shen family, so that dog Sun Chuan no longer mattered.
"Will they have you go out to sea in the future?" he asked again.
Shao Shuyi pondered for a moment. "Probably not. The winds and waves at sea are treacherous; I truly have no desire to go."
"Then don't!" Wang Huadu urged at once. "Once Baijianu returns, our group will be together day and night, sticking by each other. We won't have to fear anyone bullying us."
Yu Yuan looked on with a trace of longing at the prospect.
Shao Shuyi smiled faintly. Wang Huadu possessed a heavy streak of outlaw romanticism; he often fantasized about banding together into a sworn brotherhood to swagger through the local districts, believing it would be grand and keep bullies at bay.
There was a grain of sense to it, but Shao Shuyi did not quite support the idea—at least not at this stage.
"Enough," he said, waving a hand to cut Wang Huadu off. "Come by Old Locust Tree tomorrow. I'll take you to get a new set of clothes made."
***
Shao Shuyi's plan to visit the riverbank warehouse was unexpectedly delayed.
On the third of August, just as he borrowed a carriage from Zheng Fan and prepared to set out, a messenger sent by Lu Zhonghe arrived, instructing him to meet at Wenchao Pavilion west of Sima Bridge on the fifteenth of August.
Zheng Fan, who was still serving as acting shopkeeper, laughed heartily when he heard the news. "I don't have time to go watching the tide; I have to make a trip to Suzhou. As for the joint venture with the Shen family, just aim for a forty to fifty percent share of the profits. Handle it as you see fit."
Shao Shuyi's thoughts stirred. "How many parts of the profit does the Third Young Master want?"
Zheng Fan hesitated for a moment. "Forty or fifty percent is fine. That isn't what matters."
Shao Shuyi nodded. That was the bottom line.
He asked further, "What if I can secure more?"
Zheng Fan looked slightly surprised and could not resist cautioning him, "You must not damage good relations."
"The Shen family conducts commerce across all of Jiangnan, and they abide by the principle of 'business is business.' They aren't so petty," Shao Shuyi said. "Securing an extra ten percent shouldn't be an issue. To them, thirty thousand pieces of celadon aren't a massive venture. Giving up ten percent of the profit is something they might simply laugh off."
"Your eyes truly see nothing but coin," Zheng Fan said helplessly. "Do as you like! But remember one thing: don't damage harmony. If you truly manage to wrest another ten percent, I will naturally speak on your behalf and have the Third Young Master reward you."
"I would never dare claim such credit entirely for myself," Shao Shuyi replied, subtly stating his stance.
Whether Zheng Fan caught the underlying meaning or not, he merely waved his hand impatiently. "Make your own decisions."
Shao Shuyi had no objections. Returning directly to his room, he took up a brush, penned a letter, and handed it to Lu Zhonghe's servant to carry back.
Thus, Shao Shuyi waited until the fourteenth of August, setting out in the dead of night to arrive by the following morning.
"This is really quite a distance," Wang Huadu complained after climbing down from the carriage. "We must already be west of the old town of Kunshan, aren't we?"
The so-called old town of Kunshan was the former seat of the department before the government offices were relocated to Taicang. Many people still resided there, particularly prominent, wealthy clans who had laid out extensive, magnificent private gardens. In short, the vicinity of the old town was the gathering place for the "old money" of Kunshan Zhou, tracing their lineage back as far as the Southern Song dynasty, whereas Taicang and Liujiagang were dominated by the "newly rich."
Shao Shuyi looked around and noticed a deserted garden nearby, which local commoners had already cleared into farmland to grow grain and vegetables. Further off lay a stretch of ponds and wetlands, divided by numerous man-made dikes and coffer dams, with a half-collapsed pavilion standing right at the center of the marsh.
Without question, this place had once been a scenic retreat for some high official or noble. Now, through land reclamation, the wetland scenery was disappearing step by step.
It seemed even the old money were not having an easy time of it.
"Is that Accountant Shao up ahead?" A call came from not far off. Shao Shuyi looked toward the voice and spotted the Lu family servant who had come previously to deliver the notice of the postponed meeting.
"Keep an eye on the carriage, and feed the horse when you get the chance," Shao Shuyi instructed Cao Tong, who was acting as their driver. After smoothing his clothes, flanked by Wang Huadu and Liang Tai, he walked forward.
"Accountant Shao, hurry along! My master is very busy and can only spare you the time it takes an incense stick to burn," the servant chattered the moment they met, his eyes darting toward Wang and Liang as he spoke.
Liang Tai kept his head down obediently, clad in a semi-worn military uniform.
Wang Huadu, dressed in his newly tailored robe, glared at the servant. "Your master puts on a bigger display than the real officers at the government offices."
The servant gave a cold sneer and did not even deign to respond.
Shao Shuyi's expression did not shift in the slightest, nor did his pace falter as he strode forward.
Wenchao Pavilion lay just ahead. Surrounding it were colorful banners fluttering in the breeze, amidst a bustling din of voices.
The structure had first been erected during the Chunxi era of the Southern Song dynasty and had undergone two major renovations. Situated two li southwest of the old town of Kunshan, right beside the Lou River ferry known as Xijin, it was the traditional site where the people of Kunshan Zhou gathered to watch the tidal bore.
During the Tang dynasty, the great bore surged all the way to Suzhou; in the Song, it passed Yiting. In the present dynasty, due to changing geography, the tidal volume had receded, and the bore no longer reached the old town every year. This year, however, owing to severe drought, the incoming ocean tide surged violently inland once again, reaching the vicinity of the old town and drawing clouds of spectators.
Outside the pavilion stood a vast array of vehicles, predominantly ox carts with fewer horse-drawn carriages. Without exception, the carriages were lavishly adorned, clearly belonging to prominent households.
Across the open grounds, cloth awnings had already been erected. Behind them, one could glimpse the silhouettes of women and children, while on the outside stood bondsmen and servants clutching staves—evidently entire families turned out to watch the bore.
Yet some chose not to put up awnings, following the prevailing open customs.
Shao Shuyi could not help stealing a few extra glances. Women and young ladies from unknown families were dressed in splendid finery, chatting and laughing freely without shying away from onlookers.
"One of these days, I'll—" Wang Huadu was watching as well, his heart itching with every glance, until he finally choked out half a sentence.
Shao Shuyi chuckled.
Truth be told, they were all adolescent youths; yearning for women was only natural.
"We're here," the servant said, turning his head.
Shao Shuyi and his two companions halted their steps, watching quietly as the servant went in to announce them.
Chapter 36