"Miss, you are kind-hearted. I'm still hungry. I'll tell you everything I know later." Liu Dapeng chuckled, a man of considerable厚脸皮. Seeing that Zhan Feiyu and the others had already eaten, he didn't mind the leftovers on the table. He grabbed a spare bowl and chopsticks and began to eat.
He Nuan looked at him speechlessly, then got up and moved the bowls and plates closer to Liu Dapeng.
A moment later, He Nuan returned with a teapot and cut a plate of fruit. "Autumn is dry. Miss, you should eat more fruit."
Liu Dapeng devoured his meal and sniffed the air. He leaned forward and saw the rich tea aroma accompanied by a faint, sweet, and mellow milky fragrance.
"You're wasting precious things!" Liu Dapeng accused He Nuan with a pained expression. Although he was a fake Liu family member, he had learned a thing or two over the years of swindling.
Last year, Liu Dapeng met a tea merchant in Huaian Prefecture. After a lengthy conversation, they were almost like brothers. It was then that he tasted top-grade black tea, with a clear amber liquor and a pleasant aroma, carrying a faint scent of grapes.
When the wealthy merchant boasted that this black tea was a tribute item, costing at least five hundred taels per jin, and that it couldn't be bought even with money if one lacked the proper status, Liu Dapeng felt like spitting out the tea and selling it. Now, as He Nuan served the tea, the familiar aroma, even mixed with milk, was unforgettable to Liu Dapeng. This was top-grade black tea worth twenty taels per cup.
"You know about tea?" Zhan Feiyu smiled.
As Zhan Feiyu was too young to drink tea easily, He Nuan either made flower tea or brewed milk tea with fresh milk from the tea leaves sent by Scholar Gu and Yin Wuyan, so as not to harm her spleen and stomach.
This pot of tea was likely worth over a hundred taels. Liu Dapeng wiped his face fiercely and became even more obsequious towards Zhan Feiyu. "How could I possibly know about such things? I've only heard about them and know a little bit. It's like showing off one's meager skills before an expert."
Zhan Feiyu nodded in agreement. He was a dedicated swindler. "Tell me about the Liu family's situation."
Being able to afford tribute tea, this young lady's status was definitely extraordinary. Liu Dapeng no longer dared to be flippant. "Liu family members and their relatives live in Liu Family Town. However, at least half of the shops in Huaian Prefecture belong to the Liu family. Miss, you can tell from the signs outside. Any shop belonging to the Liu family has a small seal of the character 'Liu' below the sign."
At least one-fifth of the fertile land in Huaian, Xuzhou, and Anfeng prefectures belonged to the Liu family. This meant that one-fifth of the population in these three prefectures were tenant farmers of the Liu family.
The remaining land, apart from that owned by various families, was held by a very small portion of the common people. And the grain from the three prefectures, apart from taxes, was sold to the Liu family's shops.
The Liu family's main household had various workshops, including textile and embroidery shops, tea mountains, and medicinal fields, as well as pottery and utensil production. Basically, their daily life was inseparable from the Liu family's workshops. The collateral branches of the Liu family each managed some shops, which were almost spread across the three prefectures.
The imperial merchant Liu family was indeed not to be underestimated. Zhan Feiyu recalled Old Master Chen, who managed Chen Ji in Nanxuan Prefecture. Compared to the Liu family, he was insignificant.
That was also true. The Chen family was the maternal family of the First Prince, a scholarly lineage. The Chen family's influence was in the imperial court, while the Liu family was a truly wealthy merchant family that could rival the nation's wealth.
"What is the Liu family's family tradition?" Zhan Feiyu picked up her teacup and took two sips under Liu Dapeng's pained gaze. The faint tea flavor neutralized the milkiness, which was perfect for cleansing the palate after a meal.
Liu Dapeng smiled proudly, with a hint of showing off. "I can't say it's particularly good, but the Liu family would never trample on people's lives! After the ancestral worship every year, the Liu family rewards clan members who have made significant contributions. Last year, Liu Fifth Master alone received a reward of one hundred thousand taels!"
An ordinary commoner couldn't save ten taels a year. One hundred thousand taels was an amount that many people couldn't even imagine, an amount they couldn't earn in ten lifetimes.
"However, eight families were punished. They failed to discipline their children and indulged their younger family members in their misbehavior, thinking that as long as they were far from the three prefectures, no one would know. But secrets can't be kept forever. The offending children from these eight families were not only beaten but also fined. The most profitable businesses were also handed over to other clan members. There are punishments and rewards. Our Liu family is not like those unscrupulous merchants who are rich but unjust."
By the end, Liu Dapeng had forgotten that he was a swindler. He held his chin high, his eyes shining with pride, as if he were proud to be a member of the Liu family. "Our Liu family has no shortage of money. As long as it can be solved with money, it's not a problem. There's no need to cause loss of life."
There were also prodigal sons among the younger generation of the Liu family who were fond of beauty. As long as they spent money, they could get a few more beautiful concubines. If that wasn't enough, they could buy some geishas. You could have your pick of plump or slender beauties, so why would they forcibly abduct civilian women?
As for fighting and causing trouble, no one in Jiangnan Dao dared to provoke Liu family disciples. As for outside, as long as they didn't disgrace the Liu family's reputation, it would be settled with money.
Of course, sometimes they encountered tough opponents, and then they could only consider themselves unlucky. Therefore, Liu family disciples might not have many other skills, but their ability to read people's expressions was definitely strong. Before they took action, they would always inquire about the other party's background. As long as it wasn't someone they couldn't afford to offend, it would be fine; at worst, they would just pay money.
Zhan Feiyu swirled the tea in her cup and pondered. Didn't Liu Hefeng act similarly in Fengzhou back then? As long as he didn't kill people, injuring or crippling them would only result in compensation with money.
Uncle Wu's late son died of illness due to his timidity. Even if they had reported it to the prefectural yamen, it would have only resulted in a compensation of a few dozen taels of silver. As for human life, hah, as long as Liu Hefeng didn't personally execute someone, it had nothing to do with him.
Even if they truly overstepped, there would naturally be servants and guards to take the blame.
Liu Dapeng secretly glanced at Zhan Feiyu. She looked like a kind and beautiful young lady, but when she was silent, Liu Dapeng inexplicably felt an indescribable pressure. He hadn't felt this way even when he met the eldest young master of the Liu family.
Zhan Feiyu stood up. "Alright, if you remember anything else about the Liu family, you can come here."
"I'm familiar with Xinglong Inn. I'll lead the way for you." Liu Dapeng, with a fawning demeanor, scurried over and opened the door to the private room. It was rare to encounter a young lady from a noble family who didn't lack money, and she was also kind. A little bit of her generosity would be enough for him to eat and drink for several years.
The innkeeper and the waiter were worried that there would be a fight in the private room, as Zhan Feiyu was willing to spend ten taels a day for a courtyard, so she must have a significant background. But Liu Dapeng was from the Liu family, so helping either side would offend the other.
"Get out of the way, shopkeeper, you're blocking the path." Disdainfully pushing aside the obstructive shopkeeper, Liu Dapeng was determined not to miss any opportunity to curry favor with Zhan Feiyu. As for the innkeeper and the waiter, they could go cool off.
The courtyard was not large, but it had five rooms. It was separated from the three-story main building of the inn by a small courtyard. Moreover, the courtyard had a side door, making it elegant and quiet.
Zhan Feiyu went to rest, and He Nuan followed to serve her.
Liu Dapeng quickly stepped forward to help He Sheng unload the luggage from the carriage, and he didn't forget to get friendly. "Brother, I still don't know the young lady's surname. Where are you from?"
He Sheng cast a cold glance at him and said in a flat voice, "Don't ask what you shouldn't."
Liu Dapeng's back chilled from his gaze. Hah, he thought this was just an ordinary guard. Frightened, Liu Dapeng dared not inquire further. Indeed, the more you know, the faster you die.
Perhaps it was He Sheng's terrifying gaze, but Liu Dapeng didn't dare to linger shamelessly. As soon as he walked out, he saw a group of people approaching. Liu Dapeng immediately became vigilant and glared angrily at the person walking in front. "Wu Qiang, what are you doing here?"
Glancing contemptuously at Liu Dapeng, Wu Qiang bowed and flattered the middle-aged man behind him. "Master Zhang, this courtyard is spacious and quiet, and the chef at Xinglong Inn makes excellent vegetarian dishes."
Master Zhang didn't care about the size of the courtyard, but when he heard that he could eat vegetarian dishes, he nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, we'll stay here. Go and make arrangements."
Wu Qiang's face lit up with joy, especially when the servant beside Master Zhang dropped a five-tael silver ingot for him. "I'll go and do it right away."
After seeing Master Zhang off, Wu Qiang finally straightened his back.
"Wu, are you stealing my business?" Liu Dapeng rushed over angrily, grabbed Wu Qiang's collar, and said, "Did that scoundrel Tian Si betray me?"
Pushing away Liu Dapeng's hand, Wu Qiang tidied his clothes and snorted proudly. "Don't interfere with me receiving distinguished guests. These are honored guests from Fengzhou, and they will be honored guests at the Liu family. You, Liu Dapeng, cannot afford to offend them!"
Liu Dapeng was impersonating a collateral relative of the Liu family and had not been exposed for years. Wu Qiang's wife was a daughter of the Liu family. Although she was several generations removed, she still bore the surname Liu. Therefore, Liu Dapeng and Wu Qiang in Huaian Prefecture were like kings who never met, always vying with each other.
However, Liu Dapeng was clever and adept at swindling. Wu Qiang could only learn from him. This time, for an extra five hundred wen, he learned from Tian Si that two honored guests from Fengzhou were coming.
All the inns and taverns, big and small, in Huaian Prefecture were full, leaving only this courtyard at Xinglong Inn. Wu Qiang had already met Master Zhang first, snatching Liu Dapeng's business.
Thinking of this, Wu Qiang ostentatiously tossed the five-tael silver ingot and looked triumphantly at Liu Dapeng. "I won't waste my breath with you. I still need to arrange accommodation for Master Zhang. Move aside, move aside."
"Bah, you're showing off for five taels of silver." Liu Dapeng looked at Wu Qiang with disdain. After he had spoken a few words earlier, the young lady had rewarded him with ten taels of silver!
Liu Dapeng blocked Wu Qiang, who was about to walk towards the side door. "Go wherever it's cool. I'm telling you, this courtyard is already occupied by guests, and they are also honored guests you cannot afford to offend. Don't even mention Master Zhang, who just left; he is also someone you cannot afford to offend!"
Liu Dapeng had this much foresight. Zhan Feiyu did not put on airs of a young lady from a noble family, but he knew that the more a family cultivated its members, the more low-key they would be. Those who were arrogant and overbearing were often prodigal sons.
When He Sheng came out to check, the fight between Liu Dapeng and Wu Qiang had already ended. It wasn't the first time they had fought. Although they both used ruthless moves in secret, they never hit each other in the face.
"You wait for me!" Wu Qiang, groaning in pain, supported his waist, glanced at He Sheng again, and then limped away.
His abdomen had also taken a few punches. Liu Dapeng smiled fawningly at He Sheng. "Brother, don't worry, I can handle this small matter."
He Sheng nodded silently, closed the door, and went back inside.
After washing up, Zhan Feiyu went to bed. However, after only half an hour of sleep, she was woken up by the noise outside.
He Nuan heard the movement, put down her needlework, and pushed the door open to come in. Seeing Zhan Feiyu sitting on the bed with her hair down and a slightly dazed look, He Nuan's eyes were filled with a smile at her adorable appearance. "Miss, it's almost time to get up."
Rubbing her eyes with her soft, plump little paws, Zhan Feiyu finally became a little more awake. "Why is it so noisy outside?"
"Someone is trying to take over the courtyard. My brother is outside." He Nuan wrung out the cloth, handed it to Zhan Feiyu to wipe her face, and then brought her clean clothes. "They are from Fengzhou, surnamed Zhang."
Zhan Feiyu's first thought was of Assistant Prefect Zhang, as Assistant Prefect Zhang's official position was obtained by relying on the Liu family. However, she immediately dismissed the idea. Assistant Prefect Zhang was an official of the imperial court. No matter how powerful the Liu family was, they were merely merchants. His status was not suitable for making a grand public appearance in Huaian Prefecture to offer condolences.
"Are they from the collateral branches of the Zhang family?" Zhan Feiyu put on her clothes and sat on a stool. She glanced at the bronze mirror. "Style my hair simply."
In the alley outside the side door, He Sheng was a man of few words. Fortunately, Liu Dapeng was sharp-tongued. With He Sheng backing him, he managed to corner Wu Qiang into silence.
"First come, first served. Wu Qiang, you were incompetent and delayed Master Zhang's affairs. Not only did you not admit your mistake, but you also dared to shift the blame and came here to cause trouble." Liu Dapeng said sarcastically. He knew with his toes that this scoundrel Wu Qiang must have said something nonsense when he went back, otherwise, why would Master Zhang be so furious upon arrival?
Master Zhang's face was grim. Although he was dissatisfied with Wu Qiang, he was also unhappy that the courtyard had been taken.
After traveling all the way from Fengzhou, they were tired from the carriage and horse journey. They arrived in Huaian Prefecture without even a meat dish, which was already annoying. Now, they couldn't even stay in an inn that was good at making vegetarian dishes.
"Enough!" Master Zhang roared with a dark face. Wearing a dark purple round-collared robe, his stern expression made him even more imposing. "I want this courtyard. You move out. Don't make me say it a second time!"
Master Zhang's words were directed at He Sheng. As for Liu Dapeng and Wu Qiang, Master Zhang didn't pay them any attention. Let alone being distantly related to the Liu family, even direct descendants of the Liu family would have to show some respect to Master Zhang.
After speaking, Master Zhang looked at the servant beside him. "Have Chang Song and Young Master Qiu returned from the prefectural yamen? Send someone to pick them up to prevent them from getting lost, and give them fifty taels of silver as compensation from our Zhang family."
Fifty taels? Liu Dapeng and Wu Qiang, who had been arguing red-faced just now, immediately showed greed. They were indeed honored guests, and their generosity was truly remarkable. Unfortunately, they wouldn't be able to earn this fifty taels.
He Sheng didn't even look at the fifty tael silver notes handed to him by the servant and repeated in a deep voice, "My young lady has already taken this courtyard."
Master Zhang's face darkened. He hadn't expected that after he had made it clear that the Zhang family was an official family, and Zhang Changsong had gone to visit Prefect Chu, this person would remain unmoved.
"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!" As soon as Master Zhang finished speaking, the guards behind him suddenly rushed forward, and one of them threw a punch at He Sheng's face.
Even though Master Zhang knew that the young lady who had moved in earlier had a background, he was only hitting a servant. Moreover, this was Huaian Prefecture, the territory of the Liu family. Who could be closer to the Zhang family than the Liu family?
Liu Dapeng and Wu Qiang thought there would be a bloody battle, but they only saw He Sheng accurately grab the guard's wrist with his right hand, twist it, and then give a light push.
The guard who attacked first was like a paper figure. Pushed off balance, he stumbled and crashed into the wall next to him. With a bang, he was bleeding from his head, which showed the force of He Sheng's push.
Master Zhang was stunned. He looked at the guard sitting on the ground, his face and head covered in blood, and pointed at He Sheng, roaring, "Bold villain, how dare you injure someone in broad daylight! What do you take the laws of Daqing for? Come, report to the authorities immediately!"
Liu Dapeng looked at He Sheng, who was standing at the door, with concern. Master Zhang clearly knew Prefect Chu. If this was reported to the authorities, and he was caught in prison, he would probably lose a layer of skin even if he didn't die.
Just as Wu Qiang was about to run an errand to the prefectural yamen, the sound of horse hooves echoed. Everyone looked up and saw three horses galloping towards them. All three riders were wearing plain white mourning clothes, straw sandals, and straw ropes tied around their waists. At a glance, they could tell they were from the Liu family.
"Master Zhang?" Liu Li dismounted and cupped his hands towards Master Zhang. "There was a lot going on at home, so Liu Li is a step late."
Shedding his official demeanor, Master Zhang, despite being an elder, avoided Liu Li's salute. "Nephew, there's no need for formalities. Please accept my condolences."
After some polite greetings, Liu Li glanced at He Sheng and the guard with a bloody head. "..."