Chapter 283: Lou Shuwang

"So, Jin Hang disagrees with helping us on the western front; they want to handle it themselves because of their connection with Wang Ren, is that right?"

"They didn't say they want to handle it themselves; they just demanded seventy percent."

"That's practically the same thing. And regarding Mount Huang, the news is back. The timber isn't an issue, but the journey there is desolate, with nine out of ten homes empty and too many displaced people. Uncle Chen, you'll need to inspect things when it's transported back. We'll also need some people from Prime Minister Zu. Tomorrow, Uncle Chen, you and I will pay a visit to his residence."

"Is... Zu Shiyuan already a Prime Minister?"

"It's still a few days away, but barring any unforeseen circumstances, I hear he's certainly to be the Right Prime Minister..."

A breeze swept through the spacious private room of the teahouse. Muffled sounds from the bustling square outside drifted in through the window, engulfing the conversation within the room in their din. On one side of the room were several people, led by a young nobleman between twenty-five and thirty years old. His attire was not ostentatious, yet its luxury was evident at a glance. He carried himself with a steady composure, and his speech was simple and precise.

As they spoke, three other young people—one man and two women—were seated by a window on the opposite side, appearing somewhat less formal. The two women were young and beautiful, but their attire was overly vibrant, clearly indicating they were courtesans. We recognized the young man seated between them; his name was Lou Shuheng. He wore a slightly frivolous smile, pointing and gesturing as he spoke to the crowd in the square outside.

It was already early August, and Emperor Fang La, the Sage Duke, was due to ascend the throne in a few days. A festive atmosphere had already begun to permeate the city. On the other hand, certain special prisons had started to clear out inmates, also to add personnel to the newly established court. For several days now, an execution spectacle had been performed daily at noon in the square located east of Hangzhou city.

These individuals who were executed differed from the common people who were summarily killed. In the Hangzhou of old, most of them held various identities: officials, influential families, or great scholars. As he was establishing a new dynasty, Fang La understood that he lacked pragmatic civil officials and truly prestigious supporters. After Hangzhou fell, although most such people were killed, a contingent still remained.

Between July and August, some had been persuaded to surrender, while many others remained defiant. It was said that recently, the prisons were scenes of daily persuasion attempts, but each person also had a deadline. If they remained unpersuaded past their deadline, they were brought to this square to be beheaded, with no further consideration.

During the period when Hangzhou fell, blood flowed like rivers in the city. Lou Shuheng had initially been afraid of seeing blood and had hidden at home. But not anymore. Having missed the initial chaos, he now watched the executions with great interest these past few days. Although Hangzhou was now a conquered city, since those being killed were primarily prominent figures, friends became enemies. Especially under Fang La's propaganda of "equality before the law, without distinction of rank," many people would come daily to watch and cheer on the executions of officials and powerful families. As rows of heads fell and blood gushed, he felt excellent engaging in revelry with the women in the teahouse private room.

Of course, today was a little different. His elder brother had arranged to speak with several stewards, and consequently, took up half of his room.

Lou Shuwang, the eldest son of the Lou family, had arrived rather abruptly today, and Lou Shuheng was somewhat unsure what his brother was thinking. When they were children, the three siblings had a good relationship, but ever since Lou Shuwang, whose studies had not gone well, took charge of the family business, Lou Shuheng's feelings toward his elder brother had somewhat faded. One was destined for commerce and managing the family estate, while the other could pursue an official career, creating a perceived barrier between them. Of course, even though Lou Shuwang was away from home for much of the year, both Lou Shuheng and Lou Shuwan held a very capable image of their elder brother in their minds, perhaps second only to their father, Lou Jinlin.

With his elder brother present, Lou Shuheng felt a degree of suspicion and restraint. Sensing the forced casualness of the man beside them, the two beautiful women also seemed somewhat nervous. At the round table, Lou Shuwang gave his instructions meticulously, then gently waved his hand, dismissing the stewards. He stood up, walked to the window on this side, found a chair, and sat down. "Shuheng."

"Big Brother!" Embracing the two women, Lou Shuheng smiled brightly, a hint of forced flamboyance in his demeanor. Lou Shuwang also smiled. "You've been back for a while, but I've been too busy, it's rare we get together... Not bad, eh?" He glanced out the window, then at the two women beside Lou Shuheng.

Lou Shuheng chuckled, "Haha, Big Brother must know them, right? Guan Xin'er and Chen Tong. You know, one's from Zhucui Pavilion, the other from Huaping Tower. They used to be constantly at odds, neither willing to yield to the other. Look at them now, both so obedient. Right?" He hugged the two women tightly. They had originally been top courtesans from famous brothels, but now they merely echoed his laughter. Lou Shuheng lowered his voice, "But Big Brother, don't tell anyone, when they're together, there's a truly different kind of thrill. Big Brother..."

He didn't finish his sentence before Lou Shuwang gently interrupted him. "Let's not talk about that. You've seen the recent situation, Little Brother. A new dynasty has just been established, and everything needs to be rebuilt. Money is pouring into the family coffers, and all our stewards have been dispatched. You can... you can do this, or that, whatever you like, as long as it benefits the family, anything is permissible. You know, Little Brother, even our sister has been taking on responsibilities lately. Do you really plan to continue like this?"

"Uh, Big Brother, anyway, you and Father..."

"I'm not saying it's forbidden, but there must be limits, you know," Lou Shuwang said with a smile.

"I know, but..." Lou Shuheng put on a playful grin, his hands moving restlessly. Beside him, Guan Xin'er let out a soft giggle, leaning her body against Lou Shuheng and resting her head on his shoulder, whispering, "You're naughty."

Lou Shuwang picked up the teacup in his hand, then looked at it as if it were empty. Lou Shuheng said, "Ah Tong, help Big Brother..." Before he could finish, a sudden roar echoed through the private room: "Get out!" Before Lou Shuheng could react, the teacup, along with its contents, exploded on Guan Xin'er's face. The next moment, Lou Shuwang, having abruptly stood up, kicked Guan Xin'er in the abdomen, sending her flying out with a shriek. The woman named Chen Tong stood up with wide eyes. Lou Shuwang had already swung a nearby chair and brought it down towards her head. Chen Tong raised her hand to block, but was sent sprawling along with the chair. The floorboards of the room resounded with loud thuds.

Lou Shuwang stood there, his face grim. "Do you understand?"

It was only then that the women's cries and screams continued. Lou Shuheng was utterly stunned. Although his elder brother had been traveling for business in recent years, he wasn't known for a fierce temper; having received an education, he was generally gentle and refined. Lou Shuheng had never seen him in such a state. At this moment, he instinctively stammered, "Wh-what..."

"In Hangzhou now, you have everything, and you have nothing," Lou Shuwang said, pointing towards the square outside. Then he turned and walked towards the door, speaking as he went, "You're watching this now because you didn't see what happened twenty-something days ago. Back then, you were in this room, guarded, and people could be killed however they liked outside. It looked good. But twenty-something days ago, if you had stood outside and watched, those who were disemboweled, those who were buried alive... I saw it..."

He paused. "Little Brother, do you understand? Hangzhou is still the same now. If it were before, I wouldn't dare to hit someone in this building, or engage in a physical fight. But now, anything goes. I know you've taken a few women back; a couple of them died, it doesn't matter. A man can indulge, but there must be restraint... When we did business before, if we lost, at most our family would go hungry. Now, if we lose, we'll be just like them. Little Brother, do you understand? There are only two steps now: one step forward, where we are now, that's heaven. One step back... *whoosh*, and we fall."

He opened the door. Outside stood the guards. Lou Shuwang pulled out one of their knives but immediately returned it. When he turned around, he had a dagger in his hand and walked directly towards Guan Xin'er on the floor. "You don't understand. I'll make you see clearly."

Lou Shuheng was utterly horrified. "Brother! You, you, you... what are you doing..."

Pleas and screams filled the room. Lou Shuwang grabbed the woman, stabbed her violently, then again. He inflicted eight stabs amid her screams before finally letting her go. The room was a bloody mess. Lou Shuwang's hands, clothes, and even half his face were covered in blood. He turned sideways, blinking. "Do you understand? If you don't understand, it's fine. It'll be just like this..."

As he spoke, he walked towards Chen Tong, who had crawled to the corner of the room. The woman had just been struck by the chair; although she had raised her hand to block, blood was still gushing from her head. She couldn't get up and was crying and desperately begging for mercy. Lou Shuheng shouted from the window, "I understand! Brother, I understand!"

Lou Shuwang had already crouched down. He paused, then extended his hands. Chen Tong shrieked, thinking she was about to die. The next moment, Lou Shuwang gently embraced her.

The man softly said, "It's alright, it's alright. Don't cry... I'm sorry, I scared you."

A moment later, Lou Shuwang stood up from the ground, discarded the dagger, and looked at his younger brother. "This is how it is now. If you start a fight, someone might die, and no one will care if they do. If you're afraid, you can only move forward, ensuring others can't kill us... Don't be like this anymore. Think about it. Start helping out the family in a few days... I'm going to wash up."

After he finished speaking, he left the room, instructing the guards to deal with the body. He went downstairs alone to change his clothes and wash his hands and face. Throughout the process, his hands trembled slightly, but he eventually completed everything and returned to the room. His younger brother was still sitting in the chair by the window, but his gaze could finally move. He walked over and sat down in a chair on the other side. The two brothers said nothing. Yet, his presence calmed Lou Shuheng. After a moment, Lou Shuheng finally recovered his composure. After all, he had seen dead bodies in recent days; this time, it was merely a bit more shocking.

There was still some time until noon, but more and more people were gathering in the square. Lou Shuheng's gaze drifted aimlessly through the crowd when, at one point, he suddenly saw a figure. His mind was still reeling from Guan Xin'er's death, but this figure was somehow impossible for him to ignore. He looked a few times, then a few more, furrowing his brow. After a moment, he glanced at his elder brother, then stood up by the window.

Lou Shuwang followed his gaze; the area was packed with people. "What is it?"

"That, that..." Lou Shuheng frowned, "That looks like Ning Liheng... No, it is him! How is that possible? Over there... he's almost out of sight. He's with his maid, Xiaochang."

As for Ning Yi, Lou Shuwang had only met him once when Ning Yi and Su Tan'er first arrived in Hangzhou. After that, he left Hangzhou to conduct his business. He had rushed back when Hangzhou was under siege. After the city fell, knowing his family had sided with Fang La, he deliberately allowed himself to be captured by the rebel army, during which time he witnessed many deaths. However, recalling their initial meeting, because Ning Yi was a live-in son-in-law, Lou Shuwang had naturally never given him a proper look. Upon his return this time, he had vaguely heard a word or two about an unpleasant dispute between the Su family and his own, but with too many urgent matters, he had naturally dismissed it from his mind. Looking at his younger brother now, however, he seemed to harbor some lingering resentment.

At this point, the minor conflicts from back then could largely be seen as inconsequential. Lou Shuwang paid no mind to the Su family; he simply sat there watching. His younger brother then spoke somewhat incoherently about rumors of Ning Liheng's escape and some fighting in Huzhou. Lou Shuwang casually poured a cup of tea and offered it to him.

"Are you sure it's him?... Then don't overthink it. There are too many people; you won't find him if you go down now, but as long as he's in Hangzhou, you'll eventually find him. Ning Liheng... there are a few people here who might be useful if you're looking for someone. Lou Jingzhi, Prime Minister Lou's son, I know him; he's recently shown interest in our business. You're a playful sort, so take a few days to get acquainted and seek him out... There's also a man named Xing Zheng; he has extensive connections. We have two deals that need to go through him. You can send him some things and have him inquire for you. And also... are you sure that was Ning Liheng?"

"Yes, I'm certain... and he had a maid named Xiaochang with him just now..."

"Then there's nothing else to it. You need to understand that with your intelligence, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to in Hangzhou now. If you want to do something, go do it yourself; I won't interfere..." He finished, then thought for a moment. "Oh, do you like that Su Tan'er?"

Lou Shuheng froze for a moment. "That, that wretch..."

He didn't finish his sentence, as if he couldn't find enough adjectives. When Hangzhou fell, he had assumed she had fled, but now suddenly realizing she was still here, Lou Shuheng couldn't think of what to do. Lou Shuwang watched him, then after a long moment, nodded. "Understood..."

The square outside was already crowded, and the noisy sounds drifted over. Ning Yi walked through a relatively long passage. Although he was supposedly captured, the Iron Blade Camp hadn't imposed many restrictions on him; he could go out and move around, though someone would have to accompany him if he went too far. However, he wasn't there to watch the executions.

Shortly after, he saw an acquaintance: Qian Xiwen, the head of the Qian family, an old man he had thought had escaped by boat at the very beginning of the city's fall.