Chapter 117
Chapter 117
“Father!”
Zhang Chong frowned.
“Come in.”
Zhang Jin entered and was about to whisper in Zhang Chong's ear. Shu Tingyu, the envoy from the Hidden Yuan Society, wanting to avoid any suspicion, prepared to excuse himself. Zhang Chong said to him.
“There's no need. Speak freely.”
“Xu Guangyun's workshop has burned to the ground.”
Zhang Chong's face twitched slightly. Why would the prestigious Prefect's family marry their second son, Zhang Jin, to a merchant's daughter? For money. Zhang Chong needed at least one hundred thousand gold taels to secure the position of Prefect of Yan Province after eliminating the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. He had intended for the Xu Clan to provide the entire sum, but now their workshop was gone? This was very bad news.
Just then, Shu Tingyu, the envoy from the Hidden Yuan Society, suddenly spoke up.
“Lord Zhang Chong, I have a younger sister at home. She is eighteen this year, with a face as beautiful as a flower.”
The meaning was perfectly clear.
*Zhang Chong, if you become the Prefect of Yan Province, our Hidden Yuan Society has more than enough money to help you. But you won't get that money without forging a deeper connection with us.*
Zhang Chong pretended not to understand.
“Well then, I shall take my leave.”
Shu Tingyu said no more, immediately bidding farewell and departing.
“Father, what Shu Tingyu meant just now was...”
Zhang Chong waved his hand.
“Their money is not easily accepted. It's better not to take it unless we have no other choice.”
“The Count of Xuanwu's fall is imminent, so you must soon proceed with securing the Prefecture of Yan Province. If the Xu Clan can't provide the funds because of this incident, it will hinder your great plans.”
“Do you like Xu Qianqian?”
Zhang Jin was silent for a moment before nodding.
“She is a remarkable woman. Though a merchant's daughter, she would be a wise and supportive wife to you.”
“But Father, you will need a great deal of money soon.”
“We must give the Xu Clan a chance. Although their workshop has burned, their most valuable assets are their reputation as the pinnacle of the silk industry and the sales channels, connections, and credit they've built over decades. If they can overcome this crisis, their reputation will remain intact, and they can rebuild the workshop.
As for the gold I need, as long as their reputation isn't tarnished, we can have them borrow it from the Hidden Yuan Society. Therefore, we shouldn't make hasty decisions like breaking the engagement. It would be a blow to one's character.”
“Yes, Father!”
Zhang Chong sighed and said.
“However, if the Xu Clan cannot overcome this crisis and collapses completely, they will be worthless. Then, no matter how outstanding Xu Qianqian is, she cannot become a daughter-in-law of our family. I hope it does not come to that. I may be a harsh official, but I do not enjoy seeing others suffer.”
“Father, should I return to Xuanwu City to see what's happening?”
“No. Helping the Xu Clan with their crisis is a small matter; attacking the Count of Xuanwu's Estate is the main event. Your visit to the Count of Jinhai's Estate is crucial. You cannot be absent.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Between you and Jin Mulan, whose martial arts are superior?”
“I do not know. But even Tian Heng was defeated by me in a single blow. I do not believe I would lose to Jin Mulan.”
“When you visit the Count of Jinhai's Estate and spar with Tang Yan, the one they call the 'Martial Fanatic,' you must use your full strength to gauge the depths of his skill. This is of utmost importance; you must not treat it lightly.”
“Yes, Father!”
“Compose yourself and prepare for the duel with all your might. Do not let Xu Qianqian's situation distract you. If fortune favors her, she will naturally become your wife. If not... then it cannot be helped.”
***
What should one do if they contract a venereal disease? Should they seek out one of the specialists whose flyers were plastered on posts around the city? Lin Zhuo was terrified, but he clung to a sliver of hope.
*Maybe it's not syphilis. Maybe it's just a fever down there. Or maybe it's some other, non-fatal venereal disease?*
Soon, Lin Zhuo disguised himself and visited a discreet clinic. There, he met an old physician who specialized in venereal diseases. Unlike the fakes who just posted flyers, this man was the real deal. He had served in the military before retiring to open a clinic in his hometown. The physician carefully examined Lin Zhuo's member. Lin Zhuo waited for the verdict on his fate.
“Old physician, is it syphilis?”
Lin Zhuo's voice was trembling. For the past few days, he had been living in a constant state of anxiety, unable to truly live. The physician shook his head, and Lin Zhuo was overjoyed.
*The heavens have saved me, pulled me from the depths of hell. I, Lin Zhuo, swear I will never again indulge in such promiscuity. If I break this vow, I will cut off my own member.*
Of course, a man's oath was usually just nonsense. The old physician said quietly.
“This isn't just syphilis. You also have cauliflower disease and a malignant rash. It's not just on your member; it's inside your anus as well. You must have experienced unbearable itching at times.”
A thunderbolt crashed through Lin Zhuo's mind.
*Is he sure? No! This physician could be wrong. It can't be. My path, Lin Zhuo's path, is destined for greatness. How could I possibly contract such diseases? I still have so much to do! I have to kill Shen Lang, play a major role in the destruction of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, and throw that lofty princess of Xuanwu City, Jin Mulan, into the government brothels. I can't die before I've finished any of it! The physician must be wrong. He must be! He looks respectable, but his skills must be lacking.*
Lin Zhuo went to see three more physicians, all of whom specialized in treating diseases of the pleasure quarters. Every one of them gave the same diagnosis, and they were all quite astonished.
“Young master, what exactly do you do? Are you a male courtesan? In all my life, I have never seen one person with seven or eight different venereal diseases at once. You have truly broadened my horizons!”
Lin Zhuo asked, trembling.
“Are you certain it's syphilis?”
“I am certain. One hundred percent. I make my rounds in the brothels. Syphilis may be rare, but I've seen two or three hundred cases myself. There is absolutely no mistake.”
In despair, Lin Zhuo's entire body shook as he asked.
“Th-then, can it be cured?”
“It cannot.”
“N-not even if I cut it off?”
“The symptoms may only be visible on your member for now, but the poison has already spread throughout your body. Cutting it off would be useless. Go home. Eat and drink your fill. You don't have many days left!”
***
Inside the Count of Xuanwu's Estate.
Shen Lang was painting a portrait of Jin Mulan. It was the calm before the storm. The attacks on the Count of Xuanwu's Estate were intensifying, the noose tightening around them. The day of the decisive battle over Gold Mountain Island was drawing near, yet Shen Lang showed no signs of tension. He remained carefree, spending most of his days eating, drinking, and idling away his time. And he wasn't alone; he dragged those around him into his leisure.
Of course, it was Mulan, not Shen Lang, who had suggested the painting session. She had seen the portrait he had painted of Xiao Bing. The lady was quite conservative, however, refusing to wear less clothing or strike any coquettish poses, which prevented the great Master Shen Lang from fully unleashing his artistic soul.
“My love, could you stick your bottom out just a little more? It's the most beautiful one in the world, you know. I must capture its explosive curve, make it truly pop. Come on, give it a try.
You were named all wrong, my lady. What kind of name is Jin Mulan? It makes you sound so rigid. With curves like yours, they should have named you after your best asset.”
Just then, Jin Zhong's voice came from outside. Jin Zhong never dared to step into the courtyard Shen Lang occupied. Ever since Shen Lang had moved in, there were far too many things one shouldn't see.
“Young Lady, Young Master Su Jianting of Marquis Zhenyuan's Estate has requested an audience. The Master summons you.”
Shen Lang frowned. This time, Jin Zhong hadn't summoned him as well. What did that mean? It meant the Count didn't want Shen Lang to meet Su Jianting, the heir to Marquis Zhenyuan. Who was this person? Mulan had been enjoying the sweet, if embarrassing, moment of being teased by Shen Lang. But the moment she heard the name Su Jianting, her expression turned icy.
The two names, Su Jianting and the Marquis Zhenyuan's Estate, were taboo in the Jin clan. Not only was Su Jianting Mulan's cousin, but the two had been betrothed before they were even born. But eight years ago, when Mulan was only thirteen, the engagement had been broken. Since then, the relationship between the two families had grown completely cold, to the point where they had all but cut ties. And now, that cousin had come to visit the Jin clan once again!
Shen Lang glanced at Mulan's expression, then, without a word, stood on a chair and wrote three words on the wall.
*Su Jianting! The first to be eliminated from my list of enemies!*
There were two types of tortoises in this world. The first was the Black Tortoise, a defensive but stubborn breed. The other was the vile tortoise that lived for ten thousand years by looking out only for itself. If the Count of Xuanwu was the former, then Marquis Zhenyuan, Su Nan, was the latter.
The bird that sticks its neck out is the first to be shot by the hunter's arrow; the rafter that juts out is the first to rot. Marquis Zhenyuan clung to this truth, living his life in constant deference to the King's will. Though he was clearly the leader of the old aristocracy, he acted as if he had nothing to do with them. For this reason, the King had not yet turned his blade on the Marquis Zhenyuan's Estate. The King knew that if he did, he would face the Marquis's fierce counterattack.
If attacked, Marquis Zhenyuan would instantly transform from a self-preserving tortoise into the leader of the old aristocracy to protect himself, and the old nobles would immediately rally around him to oppose the King. A united front of the scattered old aristocracy was the worst-case scenario for the King. The King's plan was to set aside the major powers for now, deal with the smaller nobles one by one, and finally, take on the great houses. By then, even if Marquis Zhenyuan wanted to fight back, he would have no one left to help him.
Marquis Zhenyuan, Su Nan, was of course aware of this. But his philosophy was that he didn't need to run faster than the hunter, only a little faster than the other members of his herd that the hunter was chasing. And what would he do when all his peers were dead and it was his turn? That would be a problem for at least a decade later; for the next ten years, he would be safe.
The King was over fifty years old this year. How much longer would he remain on the throne? Within a decade, a struggle for succession was bound to erupt in the State of Yue. The Crown Prince and the Third Prince, in particular, had comparable power, guaranteeing a fierce contest. Moreover, the State of Yue had to contend with the external states of Wu and Chu, meaning the political situation abroad would not remain as stable as it was now.
When that time came, the situation both inside and outside the country would be incredibly tense. Where would the King find the leisure to deal with Marquis Zhenyuan? The Crown Prince and the Third Prince would be too busy trying to win the Marquis over to their side in their struggle for the throne. Everyone mocked Marquis Zhenyuan for his weakness, but he thought them all fools. It was true that the prominent bird dies first, and that when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold. But there were no absolute truths in this world. Every truth had to be applied according to the times.