Chapter 154: Yang Strategy (Part 1)

The Son-in-Law

An early winter afternoon. Sunlight. A teahouse. The atmosphere was like a tense standoff.

“So… it was really you…” Honestly, this wasn’t how Wu Qilong had imagined things would unfold. Although he had already been guessing about Ning Yi, about Su Tan’er, and about the situation facing the Wu family, and had even drawn some preliminary conclusions, he truly hadn't expected Ning Yi to utter such a sentence, at least not today.

Guesswork, after all, is just guesswork; it always requires a verification process. For the past two days, he had greeted Ning Yi and now sat across from him, still pondering how to probe and discern clues from the other's behavior. Just moments before, hearing Ning Yi mention things like “chemistry” and “metals,” he had wondered if the fabric fading was indeed related to him. This was part of a gradual process of building up evidence towards a conclusion. Yet, unexpectedly, the other person merely glanced at him and directly overturned everything, confirming the doubts in his mind.

This was originally unreasonable. After setting up a scheme, would one choose to reveal it at this very moment? Not in a formal setting, not after careful deliberation, but simply, casually, in this seemingly leisurely early winter afternoon, in a teahouse? A flood of shock surged within Wu Qilong. Even though he had mentally prepared for Ning Yi to be behind the scheme, the sudden rush of confusion was indescribable.

However, Ning Yi merely glanced at him, then lowered his head and began pouring tea for himself.

“You seem very angry. Why?”

Ning Yi's words were faint. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his expression remained unchanged. Wu Qilong, however, almost instantly clenched his jaw.

Why so angry? Of course, because…

Because of regret…

He suddenly chuckled, turning his head to look around, then leaned back against the chair. “So it was really you… Everyone missed it…” Ning Yi shook his head, appearing somewhat unconcerned. “The matter between the Su family and the Wu family has reached this point. What difference does it make who did it?… How bad is the situation over there?” Wu Qilong was taken aback that Ning Yi would ask such a question with a calm, matter-of-fact expression. He paused, then let out a laugh of disbelief. “How is the situation? Don’t you know?”

“Not entirely clear. Things at home have been chaotic lately, and besides, I haven’t really inquired about this matter for over a month.” “You…” Wu Qilong tilted his head, eyes wide. “Haven’t inquired for over a month!?” This affair had begun to show signs several months ago; in fact, one could say the Su family had been preparing for it for years. It had now escalated, affecting countless people and things, with untold numbers still rushing about in a panic because of it. The money involved in just the past few months alone likely amounted to tens, even hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. At such a time, when he had finally found a key person, that person was here, casually saying they hadn't inquired about it for over a month!?

He stared at Ning Yi, finding the situation absurd beyond words. Ning Yi watched him for a moment, then smiled and reached out to close the book beside him. “I simply calculated that it was about time. Tan’er has mentioned it several times at home recently; I hear she’s started spreading rumors outside. So, it’s probably around now.” “…The rumors were indeed spread by her, weren’t they?” “Yes, that’s right.” Ning Yi nodded sincerely, speaking softly but clearly, almost as if discussing an act of helpful charity. “These aren’t the specific details yet, but they will be released. Your first delivery date with the Bureau of Weaving and Dyeing should be approaching soon. That’s when things will be ready.”

An air of absurdity seemed to permeate the entire teahouse. Wu Qilong could understand the words being spoken, yet at the same time, he felt as if he were in a completely unrealistic setting. Ning Yi’s tone was calm, his attitude sincere, as if he had nothing to hide, speaking with an air of complete detachment, narrating everything from an observer’s perspective. Su Tan’er was now spreading rumors, and soon, specific information would follow—he revealed all this without any pretense. He had never encountered such a person before; this manner of speaking, negotiating, and confronting was utterly ludicrous.

Yet, there was one deeply ironic point: no matter how clearly he understood these steps, he was utterly powerless to stop the other person from saying them.

Wu Qilong stared absurdly at Ning Yi, momentarily unable to formulate a reply. Ning Yi, meanwhile, drank his tea and glanced outside the teahouse, waiting for him to compose himself. After a long moment, Wu Qilong finally took a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and nodded. “So, you believe it’s time to show your hand, is that it?”

Ning Yi pursed his lips in thought, then shook his head before nodding. “Er, not really… or perhaps yes. Overall, this isn’t my affair. It still needs to be settled between you and Tan’er.”

“Then… what exactly is this for you?” “A chance encounter… a momentary whim… perhaps anything, really.” Ning Yi smiled. “Anyway, you’ve already realized it. Since you came today and I’m free, and you want to discuss this, telling you isn’t a problem. In fact, if you’d known earlier, you would have had time to consider and prepare. I think that would have been better for the Su family too.”

He raised his cup and took a sip of tea.

Wu Qilong calmed himself and leaned closer to the table. “So, Ning Liheng, what do you think is best?” “Whatever Tan’er wants, just give it to her,” Ning Yi said, shaking his head. “That will save a lot of trouble.”

“How am I supposed to know what your wife wants?”

“Sincerity. Everything you can offer, everything the Su family’s main branch can take…” “…Everything!?”

“Yes, everything.”

The two men stared at each other for a moment. Wu Qilong’s smile was cold and sarcastic, while Ning Yi’s expression remained calm, as sincere as a three-year-old child. After a pause, Wu Qilong took a deep breath. “Alright, Brother Ning, perhaps you could give an example. What does this ‘everything’ entail?” “’Everything’ means everything. Those places where the Su family has made arrangements recently, uh… Luzhou, Shouchou, Guangzhou, Hezhou, Xuanzhou…” Ning Yi seemed to be counting on his fingers. “In these places, the business shares that can be transferred, some convenient properties, uh, several fabric formulas—I heard Tan’er mention a few. There’s one with very tight stitching, what was it called?… It’s your Wu family’s unique method. After all, some shares and businesses need to be coordinated for a smooth handover, and then…” Before he could finish, Wu Qilong’s palm slapped down on the table. “Ning Liheng! Do you know what you’re saying?! You’re here today, in front of me, demanding half of my Wu family!?”

“It should be less than half,” Ning Yi said, glancing at him. “The Su family has also experienced some turmoil recently, and the Wu family has deep roots. Tan’er alone couldn’t possibly take half of the Wu family; it’s merely about taking as much as possible. Even a third of the Wu family would be nearly saturating for us. With that third, even without being imperial merchants, it would be enough to prove Tan’er’s qualification to be the head of the Su family. Besides, that’s not even the most important point. What she’s angriest about, what she cares about most, what the Su family is angriest and cares about most this time—you should understand. When the time comes, you must be sincere. There’s only one chance…”

“Dream on!” Wu Qilong gnashed his teeth. “You actually think you’ve got my Wu family cornered, just over this trivial matter? My Wu family, for all these years…” “It’s human nature. Everyone thinks like that at first,” Ning Yi calmly interrupted him. “Dreaming, a fool’s dream, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant with insatiable greed—who would simply give these things away? That’s why I said it’s about time to make things clear. In fact, in the past month and a half, everything that needed to be done on our side is almost complete. The faded fabric…” “We’ll get the Bureau of Weaving and Dyeing to postpone. Let’s see how long your Su family can last.”

“Yes, postponement…”

“So, go ahead and spread rumors that my Wu family’s fabrics fade. Say whatever you want. Even if there’s a temporary impact, a definitive conclusion can only be reached when my Wu family makes its delivery. What can you do then?”

Ning Yi glanced at him and sighed. “Hm, what needs to be said will certainly be said. In fact, we don’t want to wait more than ten days, because once the news spreads, other fabric merchants will have made some preparations. Then it will take more effort for us to acquire things. It’s always better for you to hand them over than for us to come and take them ourselves… Oh, by the way, Manager Liao has already gone to the capital. I wonder if you knew about that…”

“You…”

“I heard he used to travel back and forth in the capital, knows several major fabric merchants, and has many connections. This time, he brought some silver—it was all the Su family’s main branch had left, so he took it all. The main purpose is to frame the Wu family for deceiving the emperor.”

Amidst Wu Qilong’s contorted expression, Ning Yi smiled and shook his head. “Actually, I know what you’re thinking over there. Fabric fading, exaggerated, becomes deceiving the emperor. But His Majesty has always been lenient over the years, so edicts like confiscating property and executing entire clans naturally won’t be issued easily. The Su family has connections, and the Wu family also has connections, though neither are extremely influential. If both sides are working their networks, it simply depends on the mood of those in power. However, this is still a bargaining chip. Throwing down tens or hundreds of thousands of taels of silver will certainly be effective. If the Wu family accepts the penalty, the outcome might even be better. Er… if you show sincerity, Tan’er will even have Manager Liao speak on behalf of the Wu family. The penalty won’t be light, but confiscating property and executing the clan is, after all, too extreme…” Wu Qilong smiled, grinding his teeth. “You also know that deceiving the emperor won’t easily lead to such a sentence…”

“But there’s going to be a war, Qilong,” Ning Yi said, holding the teapot and refilling the cup in front of Wu Qilong. “Throughout history, what’s most needed for war? Money. Everyone sees business opportunities in war, but have you considered this? Although the Wu Dynasty is verbally prosperous and developed, the state is always short of money, no matter the time. Before the armies move, supplies must go first. Once troops are mobilized, how much money is needed to fill that bottomless pit? It’s never enough. We don’t know when the war will start, but all decisions will certainly be made before it does. Does anyone know if the decision has been made yet?” He looked at Wu Qilong. “If it hasn’t been decided, there’s still a chance to maneuver. But, tsk… will it be decided tomorrow? Or by the end of this month? Next month? Even if it drags on, it doesn’t matter… Once the decision is made, His Majesty, the prime ministers, and officials at all levels of the Three Departments and Six Ministries will all be worried about money.

As for your Wu family, with such deep foundations, how much silver can you truly bring forth? I’m not entirely clear on the specifics, but it must be a lot, right? Millions of taels? Tens of millions? Am I speaking too much?… It just so happens that you’ve run into this…”

Wu Qilong’s face had already gone pale. Ning Yi sighed and gently consoled him. “Don’t overthink it. Once this matter escalates, your Wu family will certainly face confiscation and extermination. There will be no escape…”!