Chapter Seventeen: When Golden Winds and Jade Dew Meet

As soon as the words were spoken, absolute silence enveloped the vast courtyard. Everyone’s expression seemed to freeze, their gaze fixed in astonishment upon Zhan Ting.

A sum that could not be bought with a thousand gold? Even ten thousand would not suffice? The old saying goes that gold has a price, but jade is priceless. Yet after years of turmoil in Chu, even copper coins were scarce, not enough for full circulation; from the state treasury to local coffers, money was desperately lacking. More often than not, cloth and grain served as the common equivalent of value. It was clear, then, that gold—as the highest tier of currency—was something many people could live their whole lives without ever seeing, a legendary commodity with value but no market.

But human ingenuity knows no limits; if gold was unattainable, one could trade equivalently. By the standard calculation—one tael of gold equals eight taels of silver, and a tael of silver can be exchanged for about fifteen hundred coins—ten thousand taels of gold would be twelve million coins.

That number, taken alone, was staggering. Yet for the highest families and clans, it was not unheard of; after all, according to the Book of Southern Qi, in the biography of Wang Kun, it was recorded that the governor of Guangzhou could collect bribes reaching three million coins just by making a circuit around the city gates.

The chroniclers may have exaggerated, but the Zhan family in Qiantang were merely ordinary gentry. The highest office held among them was a fourth-rank assistant minister, their estate built up through generations of diligent management. Since the passing of their elder patriarch two years ago, their fortunes had waned. If they truly had to compensate Dou Qi with over twelve million coins, it would be little short of ruin.

Some, out of kindness or dislike for Dou Qi, tried to give Zhan Ting a way out, saying, “Don’t be hasty, Zhan Sir. The matter is complicated, both sides hold their own account. If it’s truly hard to judge, why not go to Linwu Mountain and seek verification from Master Du himself…”

The Way of Celestial Masters in Yangzhou was governed from Linwu Mountain in Wu County, also known as the Left Shrine of Profound Mystery. It was divided into two temples—the Left Shrine and the Profound Mystery Temple—magnificent halls amid serene scenery, with thriving incense offerings.

Zhan Ting replied, “Thank you, sir! I am not one to take on everything, nor am I flush with money. It’s only that I have just returned from paying respects to Master Du, and heard him mention personally that he sent venison to seven followers, among whom was Dou Sir…”

“What? Master Du came to Qiantang?”

“No one heard of it…”

“Perhaps he traveled incognito, so it’s natural we didn’t know.”

Dou Qi, full of swagger, swept his gaze around. “Now you’ve nothing left to say, have you? Zhan Ting, you know what’s wise. Since you admit it, come, how do you plan to compensate me?”

Zhan Ting stepped aside and gestured invitingly. “Please follow me to the back. Whatever Dou Sir requests, I will do my utmost to satisfy.”

Dou Qi snorted and strode away first. Zhan Ting then turned apologetically to Sir He. “This is all due to my poor management, causing you inconvenience. These past days’ rent will not be collected; someone will deliver it to your residence.”

With that, he followed Dou Qi, leaving behind a tall, imposing figure that drew sighs from the crowd. “Truly a man of his word! I pale in comparison.”

“They say Zhan Ting of Qiantang is the modern Zigong, master of commerce. But to me, he resembles Zhuangsun Shi—broad-minded, gracious, self-possessed, winning hearts!”

Both Zigong and Zhuangsun Shi were disciples of Confucius. Zigong excelled in economics and business, his style far outshining his peers—a clever man who could earn and enjoy, greatly favored by the master. Zhuangsun Shi, on the other hand, was studious and deep-thinking, renowned among the disciples for his loyalty and trustworthiness. He loved making friends, never holding grudges or caring for insults, earning the grand epithet “the ancient master of friendship.”

Xu You narrowed his eyes. With his acute senses, he already detected the scent of intrigue. But as it was not his affair, he need not trouble himself. Smiling, he said nothing, saluted Sir He, and departed with Zuo Wen.

Sir He raised his head, watching Xu You leave. The brilliance in his eyes flashed again and vanished, a faint, elusive smile tugging at his lips.

In the courtyard, Qiu Fen stood by the door, hurried over in three brisk steps. “Young master, why are you only now returning? Sister Lü Shuang has awakened and wishes to see you.”

“I lingered at the tavern a while, and saw quite a spectacle on the way back,” Xu You replied, his concern evident. “How is Lü Shuang feeling?”

“Much better. She’s able to get out of bed and walk a few steps, and just had a bowl of sesame porridge.”

“Good. Go ahead, I'll come soon.”

After sending Qiu Fen away, Xu You and Zuo Wen went to the central chamber and knelt across from each other on the mats. Smiling, Xu You asked, “Another fruitless effort, I suppose?”

Zuo Wen sighed in frustration. “Is Qiantang so full of wealthy households? It's so hard to find a decent residence… I viewed three more this morning; all were suitable, but either already sold, or the owners refused, or the price asked was over a million coins—utterly unreasonable!”

A million coins for a house was not unheard of—multimillion or even ten-million prices were recorded in history. But Qiantang was not a major thoroughfare like Jinling or Wu County; truly million-coin properties were rare. Likely, Zuo Wen’s eagerness these past days had been noticed, and so the price was deliberately raised to fleece a fat sheep.

“If it’s hard to find, let’s pause for now. I’m finding living here at the Zhibin Pavilion quite agreeable—perhaps there’ll be another spectacle to watch in the days ahead…”

Before he finished, a voice called from the courtyard, “Is Xu Sir residing here?”

Xu You’s expression shifted slightly at the sound, then quickly returned to calm. Rising with a smile, he said, “Speak of the devil, and the devil arrives! Feng Hu, come with me to greet our guest.”

As expected, the visitor was none other than Sir He, whom Dou Qi had accused of theft earlier. Xu You stepped into the courtyard, hands overlapped and extended straight ahead, slightly above shoulder height—a gesture of respect.

Sir He returned the salute. “I am He Ru from Jingkou, here unannounced. I hope Xu Sir will forgive the intrusion.”

“You flatter me. An honored guest at my humble door brings glory. Please, let us converse inside.”

He Ru lowered his eyelids. “I shall not refuse your hospitality.”

Xu You led the way, and He Ru followed without protest, his sleeves flowing, his gait like a mountain breeze—bearing himself with notable grace. Inside, Zuo Wen stood silently behind Xu You, eyes fixed on He Ru, not daring to be distracted. He Ru seemed unconcerned, or perhaps his gaze was always downward, paying little mind to Zuo Wen’s vigilance. He said, “Just now, your righteous words in my defense touched me deeply. I have come to thank you personally.”

“I spoke up for fairness—it’s only human. Besides, I was not the only one to speak for you; don’t let it weigh on your heart.”

He Ru nodded, apparently not skilled in conversation, and soon fell silent. But Xu You, seasoned through countless social occasions, was a master of both finance and human relations. Oddly, he showed no desire to warm the atmosphere, and simply sat quietly on his mat.

After a while, He Ru suddenly said, “Did you know, Sir, that in ten days’ time, the Zhibin Pavilion will no longer belong to the Zhan family?”

Xu You smiled faintly. “I am but a transient; today I reside here, tomorrow I depart. The pavilion’s ownership is honestly of no concern to me.”

“If Xu Sir is truly a passerby, then it matters not. But if you plan to settle in Qiantang, you cannot ignore this matter.”

“Oh?” Xu You’s smile deepened. “Can you give me a reason?”

He Ru placed both hands upon his robe, slowly straightening his posture. His eyes shone, his entire demeanor undergoing a remarkable transformation. With calm assurance, he said to Xu You, “Because you are a scion of the Xu family of Yixing, your house has suffered disaster and been banished to Qiantang. If you do not seize this opportunity, it will be ever more difficult to establish yourself here.”