Chapter Forty-Nine: The Truth of the Gambling House

Recently, Han Qing had grown closer to the Zhao family, causing Young Master Bai the Second no small amount of panic. He had spent some time reflecting at home, but upon returning, the world seemed to have changed.

“Year after year, the Zhao family has always been beneath us. Now, they show a hint of ambition, but unfortunately, people age and lose their edge,” Young Master Bai said fearlessly, never having taken the old Zhao patriarch seriously. Yet the Zhao family’s greatest error was their decision to ally themselves with Han Qing. Was this not a blatant slap to the Bai family’s face?

“This swarm of merchants really think themselves capable!” he said coldly, his dissatisfaction unmistakable.

“Master, the Zhao family is merely grasping at straws. In a few days, they’ll remember who truly holds power in Beijun City,” remarked one of his retainers lightly, though there was a faint note of resentment in his voice. Young Master Bai didn’t dwell on it. For now, his only concern was to remove Han Qing’s title as a salt merchant. No matter what means were required, the Han family’s salt shop must not be allowed to continue.

But Han Qing was no pushover. The Bai family’s repeated meddling had not escaped his notice; he was simply waiting for the right opportunity. His informants had recently gotten a good look into the Bai family’s gambling house and uncovered some illicit dealings. More importantly, the place was entangled in several murder cases. It operated unchallenged in Beijun City only because the county magistrate Bai shielded them. But if things escalated?

Han Qing had heard news that soon, an official from the capital would arrive to personally select the Imperial Merchant. When that time came, who knew what secrets might be revealed?

As for Young Master Zhu, he had recently become rather close with the Zhao family. “You’ve really taken over their business? But I heard the old Zhao patriarch has several brothers, none of whom are easy to deal with. Why would they let an outsider manage things?”

The rumors outside grew ever more exaggerated. What was merely lending a helping hand had somehow been twisted into Han Qing being gifted the Zhao family’s business.

“They wanted the Imperial Merchant qualification, so they asked me to devise a strategy,” Han Qing replied without concern, paying no heed to the swirling rumors. The matter itself had developed too hastily, and misunderstandings were inevitable, which might only make some people even more suspicious.

“But the Bai family has been Imperial Merchants year after year. Isn’t the Zhao family just dreaming?” Young Master Zhu asked.

“That’s so, but perhaps things will be different this year,” Han Qing said nonchalantly, sipping his tea.

“Will it go to the Zhao family?” Zhu stared at him in disbelief.

“No,” Han Qing answered firmly, leaving Zhu thoroughly puzzled.

“Why help them, then?”

“You’ll understand in a few days,” Han Qing replied, keeping his counsel.

Meanwhile, Zhao’s eldest uncle, upon hearing that the most profitable cloth shop had fallen into an outsider’s hands, flew into a rage. Forgetting propriety, he stormed off to confront the old patriarch, but the old man refused to see him. Cunning as ever, the patriarch knew that suddenly entrusting such a lucrative business to someone else would stir discontent, so he used his illness as an excuse to avoid visitors.

“Has the old man lost his mind? Are you all going mad with him?” the eldest uncle demanded of his brothers, who all shook their heads.

“Brother, we only just found out ourselves. If Zhao Chengzhang hadn’t spoken up, we’d all still be in the dark,” one of them replied.

Seeing his brothers deflect blame, the eldest uncle wasted no more time and went straight to visit the Han family—an unusual occurrence.

When Han Qing saw his visitor, he seemed unsurprised. “Is there something urgent you need?”

“Why are you meddling in our family’s business? We’re grateful you saved the old patriarch, but isn’t this reward rather excessive?” the uncle demanded, his words tinged with accusation.

Clearly, he didn’t know the full story and was simply lashing out, somewhat arrogantly.

“Your family’s business? I was asked to help. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the others at home,” Han Qing replied lightly. They hadn’t even realized how far their business had declined, yet here they were blaming outsiders.

Had it not been for courtesy, Han Qing would have had him thrown out long ago.

The uncle’s face darkened to the color of a coal pot, incensed at the young man’s arrogance.

“What? Can’t you tell I’m asking you to leave?”

“Very well, just you wait!” the uncle fumed, his words tumbling out unguarded in his anger. But his departure restored quiet to the Han household.

After he left, Zhao Chengzhang, who had been hiding in the courtyard, emerged slowly. “You really do have a way with people. My uncle always uses his seniority to control us, especially forbidding any reforms in our ready-made clothing shops…” Zhao Chengzhang remarked with a sigh. They bore some responsibility for the current state of affairs, but the situation had unfolded in an unexpected way. On reflection, he realized he had been careless.

“I’m not buying it. Since I’ve accepted the benefits, I’ll do what I promised,” Han Qing said, glancing up without further explanation. The meager three percent share was hardly worth his time; his true aim was to use the Zhao family to suppress the Bai family. Each side took what it needed—gratitude was not part of the equation.

At this time, Han Qing’s mother also heard some rumors and began to suspect her son of harboring wolfish ambition, planning to scold him after dinner. Yet before she could begin, Xiuxiu found an excuse to pull her away.

“Husband, I’ve been reading a few books, but some parts are still unclear to me. Could you explain them?” Xiuxiu asked.

Han Qing nodded, not quite understanding. In his mind, Xiuxiu was a quick learner, and the books he gave her should not have been difficult. Was this just a pretext?

Seeing Xiuxiu’s eagerness to learn, his mother decided not to interrupt. “Xiuxiu, is there something in the classics you don’t understand?” Han Qing asked.

“No, it’s just… Mother looked very upset earlier. I think she wanted to scold you for what happened this afternoon,” Xiuxiu said uneasily. She didn’t want the two to quarrel, so she had found an excuse to intervene.

“But sooner or later, Mother will still be angry.”