Volume One, Chapter 17: Two Million Taels
As Shen Ji was now wanted and the half jade pendant had been recovered, Song Fanghuai finally slept soundly.
The next morning, the servants of the Song family could clearly see that Song Fanghuai’s spirit had improved greatly.
As he ate the breakfast the servants brought him, Song Fanghuai began to ponder once more.
Yes, once Qing Wu made contact with them, the Song family would need to start preparing to transport the silver.
In truth, they already had a thorough plan in place.
That silver could not be transported directly.
It had to be melted down first.
They would build workshops near the silver’s hiding place, and then send core members of the Song family quietly to the workshops to melt the silver.
As long as the silver was melted before transportation, it would be very safe.
“Master, bad news!”
Just as Song Fanghuai was lost in thought, the steward hurriedly ran in.
“What now?”
Song Fanghuai looked up with displeasure.
His mood had just started to improve, and now something else had to ruin it?
Couldn’t he just enjoy his breakfast in peace?
The steward said nervously, “Shen Ji and a group of people have broken in!”
“What?”
Song Fanghuai’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at the steward.
“Shen Ji brought people...”
Before the steward could finish, screams rang out from outside.
Shen Ji?
This worthless man was wanted throughout the city, yet he still dared to lead people to the Song residence?
Song Fanghuai suddenly felt his mind struggling to keep up.
This useless man—was he really that bold?
After a brief moment of shock, Song Fanghuai burst into laughter. “How can this be bad? This is clearly a good thing! Capturing an imperial fugitive is a great achievement! Ha ha...”
Such a narrow view!
How could this be called bad?
This was a gift of merit delivered straight to them!
It was a windfall from the heavens!
“But...”
The steward was frantic, “The people with Shen Ji seem very skilled; our guards inside the residence are no match for them!”
Hmm?
Song Fanghuai frowned.
Shen Ji had accomplices?
Oh, he understood!
That useless man must have bribed some desperate outlaws with the gold and silver he took from the Song family.
“No big deal!”
Realizing this, Song Fanghuai remained calm. “If he’s making a fuss, the authorities can’t be unaware. Tell everyone inside to hold their ground; the officials will arrive soon! Later, I’ll reward them handsomely!”
“Yes!”
The steward quickly took his leave.
Song Fanghuai stood, leisurely wiped his mouth with a damp cloth, and then walked toward the outer courtyard.
He wanted to see just how capable this useless man really was.
Perhaps Shen Ji, seeing no chance of escape, wanted to go down fighting with the Song family.
Or maybe he intended to kidnap the head of this imperial merchant family, so the soldiers would hesitate to move against them, allowing him to escape Qingshou City.
Such ambitions were grand, but as always, foolish.
Besides, several experts from the residence had gone with Qing Wu.
Otherwise, with just the henchmen Shen Ji bribed, they wouldn’t have been able to break into the Song residence.
As Song Fanghuai approached the outer courtyard, the guards at the gate were completely overwhelmed, retreating with looks of terror.
Shen Ji and Chi Chi, flanked by over a dozen protectors, walked inside as if they faced no opposition.
A bunch of useless cowards!
Watching the guards cower without advancing, Song Fanghuai cursed inwardly.
Still, he remained unruffled.
The soldiers would arrive soon!
He was more than willing to watch the spectacle.
“Shen Ji, you really have no fear!”
Song Fanghuai coldly regarded him. “Wanted throughout the city, yet you still dare to bring people to my Song residence? Should I call you bravely ignorant or simply brainless?”
Shen Ji shrugged. “I didn’t want to come either, but she insisted.”
He gestured toward Ning Shu beside him.
He truly didn’t want to be here.
The matter was already settled; why bother coming?
He’d rather have a good sleep.
Ning Shu glared at Shen Ji, displeased. “I’m giving you a chance to take revenge with your own hands, and you’re not even happy?”
“Uh-huh...”
Shen Ji half-heartedly smiled and said no more.
He hadn’t forgotten the time she hung him upside down.
Hmm, better make a note of it.
He would settle the score with her later when the chance arose.
Listening to their exchange, Song Fanghuai instinctively looked at Ning Shu.
Though still dressed in male clothing, anyone paying close attention could tell she was a woman.
“Who are you?”
Song Fanghuai frowned as he looked at Ning Shu.
Dressed as a man, she was stunning, and in female attire, she would surely be a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
How could such a beauty be associated with a worthless man like Shen Ji?
Was she blind?
“You’ll soon find out.”
Ning Shu answered coolly, seemingly unwilling to waste words on Song Fanghuai.
“Is that so?”
Song Fanghuai sneered, glancing over at Shen Ji and his group. “You lot are really fearless!
The soldiers will arrive any minute, yet you still dare to associate with a wanted fugitive!”
“If you leave now, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened!”
“You all look young; I advise you not to do foolish things for a little silver.”
“If you truly need silver, just tell me...”
Song Fanghuai spoke persuasively, like an elder who could not bear to see youth go astray.
Hearing this, Ning Shu’s guards all looked at her with astonishment, which quickly made Song Fanghuai realize that Ning Shu was their leader.
Ning Shu was momentarily stunned by Song Fanghuai’s words, then gently nodded. “We do indeed lack silver...”
They were not just lacking; they were short a full one million taels of silver!
Hearing this, Song Fanghuai was overjoyed.
Just as he had suspected!
Who would have thought such a stunning beauty could be in need of silver?
It seemed silver was truly万能—the universal solution!
“Ha ha! I knew you lacked silver!”
Song Fanghuai laughed heartily. “Alright, to capture this brazen fugitive, I won’t hold what just happened against you! No matter how much Shen Ji gave you, I’ll pay double that!”
“...”
Shen Ji looked at Song Fanghuai with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. “Are you sure you can afford to pay double?”
He had given them one million taels of silver.
Was Song Fanghuai really offering two million?
“Ridiculous!”
Song Fanghuai scoffed, then said to all, “You probably don’t know that the silver Shen Ji gave you was a reward from me to him. Do you think I can’t pay double?”
Not just double, five times over if necessary!
These people seemed quite capable.
First, keep them stable.
When the soldiers arrive, no matter how much silver they get, they’ll have to return it intact.
No big deal!
Ning Shu raised an eyebrow at Song Fanghuai. “Are you really willing to pay double?”
She hadn’t wanted to waste words with him, but suddenly found this Song Fanghuai somewhat... endearing?
“Of course!”
Song Fanghuai smiled confidently. “The Song family is the imperial merchant! This amount of silver is nothing to us!”
Ning Shu lightly bit her lip and then looked at Shen Ji. “He said that so convincingly, I’m almost tempted. What should I do?”
Shen Ji chuckled dryly. “That’s not fair! You’re selling me out already?”
“No choice, money moves hearts!”
Ning Shu smiled faintly, rare for her. “They say people die for money, birds die for food, right?”
At that moment, Ning Shu’s eyes flicked toward Song Fanghuai again.
People die for money, birds die for food!
If the Song family properly acted as imperial merchants, would they be short of silver?
Yet they abandoned their rightful role to collude with the fire-worshipping cult’s demons!
No one knew what they were after.
Hearing their words, Song Fanghuai was reassured.
Money can indeed move mountains!
“Enough!”
Song Fanghuai smiled at the group. “Tell me, how much silver do you need?”
Ning Shu parted her red lips lightly.
“Two million taels!”