Chapter 98: The Same Person, Different Destiny...

Early the next morning.

The Eastern Lord arrived promptly at the north gate of Quanzi Village with thirty or forty men. Li Yuanjing, who had always been punctual, had prepared an equal number of hands and coordinated with nearly twenty ox-drawn carts. The two parties merged into a single procession and set off toward the county town.

If he had rashly approached the young lord Zhang Zhi Ji yesterday, Li Yuanjing’s heart would have been troubled, lacking full confidence. Yet the secret provided by Xiu Gu had now enormously boosted his assurance! After all, with this hidden card in hand, Li Yuanjing now possessed the leverage to negotiate with Zhang Zhi Ji.

Today was wind-swept rather than snowy, the gale fierce enough to evoke the ancient Ice Age, leaving not a single human trace along the road. Perhaps the news of the young lord’s arrival had spread, for the several bands of local bandits that had lurked near the official highway were suddenly more docile than rabbits, having long since vanished to their winter quarters.

At noon the party reached the county town smoothly. After dispatching Chen Chuxue to dispose of the new yarn and cloth from the textile workshop, Li Yuanjing and his companions made discreet inquiries and learned that Zhang Zhi Ji was lodging at the inn. They therefore headed straight there.

Though Li Yuanjing had been earning substantial sums lately and was no longer short of money, the workshop still required close attention; its steady, if modest, income offered a reliable sign of prosperity.

Yet when they reached the inn, all of them were momentarily at a loss. There, in the biting cold, knelt Liu Haoran and a middle-aged man strikingly like him—father and son, the renowned grain magnate Liu Yun and his heir of the Liu Ji Commercial Firm in Fengcheng County.

No matter how chilled they became, they dared not stir, only biting their lips in silent endurance.

“What is this?” the Eastern Lord exclaimed, then quickly composed himself. “Lord Li, these two are father and son, the famous great grain merchant Liu Yun and his son from the Liu Ji Commercial Firm in Fengcheng County.”

Li Yuanjing cupped his hands. “Thank you for the guidance, Lord Dong.”

The Eastern Lord felt reassured by Li Yuanjing’s calm demeanor, yet the sight of the kneeling men still left him uneasy. He could only rub his hands together, unsure what to do next.

Li Yuanjing steadied himself and addressed the personal soldier guarding the door: “Military officer, I am Li Yuanjing, an old acquaintance of the young lord. I have urgent business to see him and ask this brother to convey my name.”

The soldier’s eyes were half-lidded, scarcely glancing up. Yet the moment he heard the name, he jolted upright, stared, and turned to confer with his companions. A glance passed between them; then the head soldier stepped forward with a broad smile, bowed deeply, and said, “I see why you seem familiar. It must be Mr. Li. Mr. Li, please wait. I will go report at once.”

The onlookers outside were stunned. Who would have imagined that even the powerful Liu Yun, who found audience with the young lord as difficult as reaching heaven, would be denied entry, while this slender scholar could so easily command such deference?

Liu Yun and Liu Haoran had also seen Li Yuanjing. Liu Haoran leaned close to whisper an introduction. Liu Yun, startled, regarded Li Yuanjing with new eyes. Yet when Liu Haoran rose to speak, Liu Yun seized his arm and hissed, “Kneel still. Do not move.”

Liu Haoran froze, bewildered. Why had Li Yuanjing received such courtesy? Since he knew Li Yuanjing, why not borrow his influence? But Liu Yun offered no explanation, only glaring at his son.

Liu Haoran could only sigh inwardly: What dog’s luck had this young scoundrel Li Yuanjing stumbled upon that Zhang Zhi Ji held him in such esteem?

Li Yuanjing noticed the father and son’s furtive movements and the Eastern Lord’s growing agitation. Yet at another’s gate he would not act rashly. He waited with calm composure.

Soon laughter rang from within the inn. Zhang Zhi Ji emerged personally and clasped Li Yuanjing’s hand warmly. “Mr. Li, how have you come? I was just about to finish my business and then visit you.”

The words fell like a stone into still water. Even Liu Yun’s jaw dropped. How could the young lord, who looked down on all, address this poor scholar as “Mr.”? And his own son…

Liu Yun’s heart ached with the bitterness of different fates.

“Lord Zhang honors me,” Li Yuanjing replied. “I have a cargo to sell in the county town and learned you were staying nearby. I came to pay my respects.”

Zhang Zhi Ji laughed. “Splendid! Mr. Li, my brother has wine ready. Today we must drink a good cup!”

Li Yuanjing’s arrival lifted Zhang Zhi Ji’s spirits. He drew Li Yuanjing inside the warmly lit inn, leaving the crowd outside with jaws agape.

The Eastern Lord stared at their retreating backs, his old eyes gleaming. He kept rubbing his hands, blowing on them, lost in thought.

In the spacious, fire-warmed room, they exchanged pleasantries, drank several cups, and then set aside formalities. Li Yuanjing directly stated his purpose. He revealed every detail, including the three thousand taels of silver from Dong Ye, without omission.

“Lord, I have brought the silver. Have it transported here.”

Zhang Zhi Ji drained a cup and laughed. “Mr. Li, I understand your meaning and value your character. Yet I still lack military funds, though not to this extent. Since the silver belongs to Dong Ye, keep it. Use it well to repair the earthen wall for the common people.”

As for his own share…”

Zhang Zhi Ji smiled slyly. “Chen Dong is so sensible; I believe he has already prepared mine.”

Li Yuanjing knew Dong Ye’s subsequent moves but deliberately played the role Zhang Zhi Ji expected. He shook his head with a helpless smile. “You jest, Lord. No wonder men say a scholar is useless in the world. I have read myself foolish and nearly brought you trouble…”

Zhang Zhi Ji laughed heartily. “You are too modest, Mr. Li. You have not yet experienced the secular world, yet your wisdom and talent need no elaboration. In a few months at most, you will see those hidden catnips as clearly as daylight.”

Li Yuanjing’s calculated exposure of his “flaws” only endeared him further.

They chatted a while longer. Li Yuanjing, feigning hesitation, said, “Lord, regarding Dong Ye’s matter…”

Zhang Zhi Ji laughed, entirely in command. “Mr. Li, rest assured. This time you have caused me no trouble; you have helped me greatly. That sort of local tyrant has farmed here for years. Why should I not accept him? Moreover, not only must I take this Dong Ye, but let every soul know that Zhang Zhi Ji has accepted him.”