Nanyang Storm 1864

Chapter 33 Two Young Masters (Welcome enthusiastic readers to vote for the monthly recommendation ticket, thank you for your support.)
Tongzhou hometown
"Hmph, don't talk nonsense to me. I am the law in my territory." Zheng Guohui said confidently in the shocked eyes of the two young masters.

In front of him were two middle-aged men in green cotton robes. One of them was a bit fatter and was Zheng Yulan, the eldest son of the Zheng family salt merchant.

This person looks kind and sunny, but in fact he is very deceptive.

The other one was tall and thin, and looked very similar to his brother Wang Xueyin. One could tell from their eyes that they were brothers. He was Wang Xuemao, the second son of the Wang family salt merchants.

Wang Xuemao remained calm despite being imprisoned. He stared intently at Zheng Guohui and said, "General, since you are speaking so recklessly in front of us, I'm sure you won't let us return home alive."

This statement is clearly pointed out, but it is actually a test.

Just from this calm demeanor and intelligence, he is at least one level higher than the self-admiring third son of the Zheng family, Zheng Yufang. He is definitely a powerful figure.

"Do you think so or not?" Zheng Guohui asked back.

"So what?

We are but weak scholars, and can only wait for our deaths. Our lives depend on the General's whim, and are not worth mentioning."

Wang Xuemao's expression remained unchanged. He just stared at Zheng Guohui's expression, trying to find some clues from it. Then he continued calmly.

“Such treatment

The general could only get two corpses and a little satisfaction, as well as two irreconcilable rivals from the Weiyang family, the kind that would not stop until one of them died.

So what if it isn’t?

General, what you are seeking is wealth, and our Wang and Zheng families happen to be very wealthy. This is a fact known to everyone and there is no need to hide it.

Both sides can take it step by step. I believe that a solution can always be found. It’s just a matter of how much effort it will take.

If our Wang and Zheng families want to do salt business in Jinling in the future, they will naturally have to cooperate with the general. I believe that profit sharing and mutual benefit are the right way.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could go one step further and form a Qin-Jin alliance?

What the general wants to do is to sell private salt. If the Zheng and Wang salt companies had not entered the market to provide protection, this business would probably not last long and the profits would be extremely limited.

Even if our two families are destroyed, the imperial court will allow other salt merchants to enter the Jiangnan market and will never give up.

In that case
Why don't we cooperate and discuss the specific market share? We can always come up with a compromise plan. General, do you think this is a good idea?"

Sure enough, he is a very powerful person.

Zheng Guohui secretly admired them in his heart and began to respect Wang Xuemao and Zheng Yulan more and more.

Zheng Yulan seemed to be slow to speak but quick to act, with an honest and kind face, but in fact she was full of evil ideas.

If you are deceived by his honest appearance, you will definitely suffer a great loss.

"Haha, you are indeed a smooth talker who disregards the laws of the country and even tries to win over and bribe this general. Don't you even know how to write the word "death"? " Zheng Guohui said with a chuckle.

Wang Xuemao looked at Zheng Yulan speechlessly, not believing a single word the young general said.

Just now you were talking about "lawlessness" and now you're talking about "imperial law"? Do you really think we are three-year-old children who can be fooled?

Smart people don't speak in secret.

Wang Xuemao forced a smile and said;
"General, you're joking. Please don't tease us. The Zheng and Wang families have built a foundation over the past 130 years, and their connections reach all the departments of the imperial court and even the emperor. I would like to share this with you, General."

Is this seduction through power?
Zheng Guohui was really impressed by the sixth brother in front of him. If he didn't have the ambition to go to Southeast Asia to make a career, and dividing the land and becoming a king was his ultimate dream, he might really be tempted.

Just a moment
First it was bribery, then it was the beauty, "If we could form a Qin-Jin marriage, wouldn't it be wonderful!", and now it is "I would like to share with you the lord the 130 years of heritage of the Zheng and Wang families."

Most people really can't withstand these three attacks. Wang Xuemao is not bragging, he is really capable.

Just imagine

With the strong financial resources and connections accumulated over the years by the Zheng and Wang families, if they work together to smooth things over, they might be able to get Zheng Guohui the title of general, which would be extremely tempting.

Unfortunately, Zheng Guohui is not interested in this, which is like flirting with a blind man.

Zheng Guohui reminded them calmly, "Gentlemen, what I can do for you is lower the price of the old hen soup to 3000 taels of silver per pot. Please order a few, and after I leave, the price will return to 5000 taels per pot."

"Sir, can you lower the price of these flatbreads? Three hundred taels each, is that okay?"

"Five hundred taels, this price is only valid for now. How much do you want?"

Wang Xuemao glanced quickly at Zheng Yulan, who then stepped forward and said, "Order six basins of old hen soup. Supply us with one basin every three days. Also, 60, no... 80, flatbreads. Two per person will barely fill our stomachs."

"Okay, fifty-eight thousand taels of silver in total. Write an IOU."

"Please wait a moment, General." Zheng Yulan had no choice but to find paper and pen to write an IOU. Zheng Guohui signaled the people around him to put it away.

These two young masters are very rich. After being detained in the camp for more than a month, the IOUs for taxi fares have reached nearly 10 taels.

Adding the 5 taels of silver in front of him, the total has exceeded 8 taels. Such a valuable person, of course, must be kept by his side to ensure peace of mind.

Zheng Guohui walked out of the small courtyard where he was held with steady steps. This place was originally the residence of the second wife, but now it was taken over by the first wife with money, and it would be demolished and rebuilt after the New Year.

These two salt merchant sons were detained here, and Zheng Guohui would come over from time to time to visit them and chat with them.

Watching the general leading his personal soldiers away, Wang Xuemao quickly turned to look at Zheng Yulan, who had a simple and honest expression.

Zheng Yulan just shook her head solemnly and murmured;

“I can’t see through it, I really can’t see through it.

I was staring at the general's expression while you were talking, but I didn't detect any emotional fluctuations. He seemed to be completely unconcerned, but how is this possible?

Wealth, beauty and power are what every man desires, but they cannot create a ripple in this man's heart.

With all the people and things I've experienced over the years, no one has ever been able to resist me. It's so strange."

"Me too. It seems we all underestimated the general." Wang Xuemao looked frustrated.

Of these two people, Zheng Yulan, who looks honest, always makes the big decisions.

They racked their brains but couldn't figure it out. Zheng Guohui wanted not only this, but much more.

As time approaches

The Zheng clan made great efforts to prepare for the Winter Solstice Festival, and the ceremony became increasingly lively. The dozen or so houses that had been demolished in front of the mansion's gate had now been leveled and turned into a square paved with bluestone.

Two tall stone archways were erected, facing the entrance of the Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall. They were built at great expense and looked very imposing.

The front of the first stone archway is inscribed with "Establishing the Capital in Jiangnan" and the back is inscribed with "Victory in Every Battle", which is to promote the great achievements made by Zheng Guohui in leading the Tongzhou militia, establishing the capital in Jiangnan and protecting the land.

The front of the second stone archway is inscribed with "Wuwei spreads far and wide", and the back is inscribed with "Benefiting the hometown". This is to promote the achievements of Zheng Guohui, a third-rank official who guarded the city of Jinling and eliminated the bandit problem in the south of the Yangtze River.

In the future, every time he is promoted, a stone archway can be built in the square of his hometown, which is the honor of the entire Zheng clan.

Big red lanterns are hung on the high poles around the bluestone square, and the mansion's gate has four layers of lintels and flying eaves, which makes it look very classy.

Even if the Tongzhou prefect passed by the door, he had to get off the sedan chair and walk through as a sign of respect.

Whether riding in a sedan chair or on horseback, one had to get off when passing the gate of the mansion and either lead the horse or walk through. This was the power of authority.

Cart after cart of grain, wine, fruits, vegetables, and whole carts of slaughtered beef, mutton, and pork were delivered to the mansion free of charge, leaving the onlookers all amazed.

Two days before the Winter Solstice

The Zheng family really couldn't fit in the house, so fortunately they lined up 20 large pots in a row in the bluestone square. From morning till night they started frying meatballs, roasting meat, making dumplings, steaming buns, and roasting fish. They were really busy.

The strong aroma filled the air around the bluestone square, attracting a large crowd of onlookers and almost all the homeless children in the city, all of whom were drooling.

It just so happened that there was a Tzu Chi Association at that time, setting up a pot of porridge in the bluestone square, which attracted a bustling crowd and became the most lively place in the city.

If you can't eat meat, it's still a good thing to have a bowl of porridge.

Tzu Chi directly put up a banner to provide free funding for food, clothing and education for homeless and poor children, but they must live and be managed in a centralized manner, be healthy and free of disease, and be between the ages of seven and 12.

It’s a great thing that there are people willing to help raise the child.

Not only did homeless children from all over the city flock to the school, but even many children from poor families came to sign up under the guidance of their parents.

Tzu Chi provides food and accommodation, and also invites private school teachers to teach. Such a good thing is hard to find even with a lantern.

In just a day and a half
They accepted 1366 children. Many people from surrounding counties and villages rushed here with their children overnight after hearing the news, fearing that they would not be accepted if they arrived too late.

In the current Tongzhou city, everyone calls the master of the Zheng family "Mr. Zheng the Good Man". No matter who mentions him, they will give him a thumbs up and praise him as "really kind and righteous" and "a really good man".

This afternoon
Zheng Guohui was helping to write banners in the yard. These would be posted in the clan ancestral hall or in each house. There were too many people asking for his calligraphy, all wanting to get a taste of the power and get good luck.

It was difficult to refuse since he was his family member, so Zheng Guohui simply agreed to the request and opened a calligraphy and painting stall at home.

As he was writing, his staff teacher Zheng Xin hurried in and whispered in Zheng Guohui's ear, "Sir, Uncle Eleven is back."

"What...oh!"

Zheng Guohui suddenly came to his senses, his face filled with surprise and joy. He immediately put down the brush in his hand and said, "Come on, take me to see Uncle Eleven. I have so much to ask him."

“The students knew about this, so they arranged for us to wait in the study room in the front yard.”

"Very good, let's go."

Looking at the backs of the two people hurriedly leaving, the others were a little confused at first, until someone who knew the situation blurted out, and everyone suddenly realized.

Oh, it turned out to be my eleventh uncle who had been in Southeast Asia for more than a year, Zheng Shouzhong, the illegitimate son of the Zheng family!
(End of this chapter)