Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Having lost all face, Xu Wensuo no longer had the confidence to remain at the Count’s estate. He returned home immediately, drowning his sorrow in alcohol. The news that Shen Lang had humiliated him spread quickly throughout the estate and soon reached beyond the walls of Xuanwu City. This wasn't because Xu Wensuo was famous, but because Shen Lang had already become a celebrity in the city.
After marrying into the Count's family and sweeping the tables at Tian Heng's gambling den, it would have been stranger if he hadn't become famous.
Xu Wensuo decided to determine his next steps after the scandal had died down a bit and didn't return to the estate for several days. As he spent his days drowning his sorrows in drink, someone came to visit him. It was Tian Heng, the leader of the Black Clothes Gang.
“You lost your face, and I lost my men. Shen Lang has become my sworn enemy.”
Seeing someone who had suffered a greater misfortune appear before him and murmur his grievances, Xu Wensuo felt a slight sense of relief.
“Master Xu, do you intend to just let that wretched Shen Lang be?”
“What else can I do if not let him be? Are you thinking of killing him?”
“Of course.”
“That’s impossible. The Count dotes on that man. Who in Xuanwu City could possibly touch him?”
“Correct. You’ve hit the nail on the head. As long as the Count protects him, no one can touch Shen Lang. Unless the Count decides to abandon him!”
“How could that be possible? Shen Lang isn't the fool rumors made him out to be, so the Count is overjoyed. Why would he abandon him?”
“Why would it be impossible? It is precisely because Shen Lang is so outstanding that the Count will abandon him.”
Xu Wensuo was startled. Tian Heng continued.
“Do you know what the Count’s greatest worry is?”
“That his son is far too incompetent.”
“Exactly. His heir is too incompetent, and the new policies are being implemented with fierce momentum. If Shen Lang is this brilliant, after the Count passes away, how could that simpleton Jin Mucong possibly control him? As the saying goes, disasters strike from within. The Count will grow fearful that the surname of the Xuanwu Estate will change from Jin to Shen.”
Xu Wensuo took a sip of his drink.
“There’s some truth to that.”
“Back when the estate held the son-in-law competition, the other candidates were so exceptional. Why do you think Shen Lang beat them?”
“Because he seemed to have no ambition, was incompetent, and had a bad reputation.”
“Precisely. But now, who would dare think Shen Lang is incompetent? He has shown himself to be truly exceptional, demonstrating to all that his intellect far surpasses Jin Mucong's.”
Xu Wensuo said.
“But that man, Shen Lang, shows no ambition. From what he’s done, he seems focused only on petty revenge, like extorting money from you and forcing me to apologize. These are not the actions of an ambitious man. The Count will think so as well.”
“Even if he has no ambition, we can make him appear ambitious, can’t we? I will spread vicious rumors outside—that Shen Lang is so brilliant while the heir Jin Mucong is so dull that in the future, Shen Lang will be the one to inherit the title of Count. Then, you can go before the Count and Countess and plant seeds of doubt. If ten times is not enough, then a hundred, or a thousand.”
“Are you saying that if many people say the same thing, a lie can become truth?”
“Indeed. A lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.”
“Even so, the Count will only become wary. That scheme will not harm Shen Lang in the slightest.”
“It is enough for the Count to become wary. In the end, that wariness will compel him to abandon Shen Lang at a critical moment. Me spreading rumors outside and you planting doubt inside are merely kindling the flames. We have a true finishing move to deal with Shen Lang.”
“What finishing move?”
“I cannot say just yet. Once the rumors have simmered enough and your vicious slanders have fanned the flames, we will use our finishing move to eliminate Shen Lang in a single stroke.”
“Is that really possible?”
“Of course. So, Master Xu, please return to the estate and help us stoke the fire.”
Xu Wensuo still did not want to return to the estate, but if it meant he could destroy Shen Lang, he didn't care if people pointed fingers and mocked him.
“Don't worry. I will return to the estate tomorrow and use this fire to burn Shen Lang to death. First, I will light a fire under the Count, then under the Countess. I will make both masters utterly wary of Shen Lang.”
Tian Heng extended his hand to Xu Wensuo.
“If you and I attack from both inside and out, no one in this world could withstand it. We will surely destroy Shen Lang.”
In that moment, their two palms met with a sharp clap.
* * *
As darkness fell, Xu Wensuo, disguised in long black robes, clutched a box to his chest and left his house through the back gate. Not long after he departed, two warriors began following him, one in front and one behind. Soon, they entered a secret garden.
It was a property separate from the Xu Clan's main residence, so not many people knew it belonged to them. One of the warriors led Xu Wensuo into the house, where he could only see a shadow on the far side of the room instead of the master of the house.
“My lord, this is a small token of my sincerity.”
Xu Wensuo placed a rather large box on the table. When opened, it revealed several thousand glittering gold coins.
“Isn’t this a bit much?”
Zhang Jin’s voice came from within.
“It is not much. Not at all.”
Xu Wensuo took out another, smaller box and placed it on the table.
“Since your lordship is newly married, I cannot visit you there. This is a gift from me to your wife. These are all jewels and ornaments that have been passed down in the Count's family for generations.”
He opened the small box, and the jewels inside gleamed.
“This isn’t all, is it?”
Xu Wensuo took out a booklet and said.
“Of course not. This is the secret intelligence I gathered from the Count's estate this month.”
A warrior entered and took the booklet inside.
“Why is this only trivial information? What we need to know is the true financial situation of the estate. Exactly how many gold coins do they have? How much longer can they last with their current payroll? That is the key to bringing down the estate. No, the most important piece of information is the location of the estate’s secret vault.”
“Although I hold considerable power in the estate, I do not know the core secrets your lordship speaks of. But please do not worry. I have a lead, and it won’t be long before I discover the location of the secret vault.”
“Good. That is the most important task, more valuable than the gold coins you’ve offered in good faith. You must pay close attention to it from now on. And rest assured, we never neglect those who render meritorious service.”
“Then what about my son’s military service examination?”
“His chances of passing are eighty percent!”
Xu Wensuo was instantly overjoyed.
“Thank you, my lord. By the way, how long will you let that beast Shen Lang cause trouble? I can hardly bear another day of it.”
“He is but an insect, not worth mentioning. Crushing the Count's estate is the most urgent matter.”
Xu Wensuo wanted to kill Shen Lang immediately to quell the resentment in his heart. But he hid his feelings and simply listened to Zhang Jin’s words.
“Isn’t Tian Heng also trying to get rid of Shen Lang? You just need to cooperate with him from inside the estate.”
“Yes, I will return to the estate tomorrow and continue to plant seeds of doubt. It is a pity I cannot crush that wretched man myself right now.”
* * *
One evening, during the days Xu Wensuo was absent from the estate, Shen Lang returned to his room. Although he had won a great victory and crushed the spirit of a petty man like Xu Wensuo, Shen Lang was not satisfied. After gathering and investigating a great deal of information, he made a decision.
‘There will always be petty people who dislike you, slander you, and try to harm you.’
‘When judging others, one must always consider the absolute worst-case scenario.’
Always keeping these two maxims in mind, Shen Lang considered the problem from Xu Wensuo’s perspective.
‘How would a narrow-minded person like Xu Wensuo go about severely humiliating someone? No, after being so thoroughly humiliated, what would a narrow-minded person like Xu Wensuo do? He would naturally seek revenge on me. He might even think about it from morning till night, wanting to get back at me as soon as possible. He might even join forces with his fellow enemy, Tian Heng, to take revenge on me. If so... what methods would Xu Wensuo use against me, Shen Lang?’
Shen Lang had no intention of giving him a chance for revenge. What do you do when someone is filled with animosity toward you, constantly seeking to harm you? Wait to be attacked and then counterattack? That's what fools do. Such people don't live long. It is wiser to strike first, to stomp out the weed before it can even sprout.
My apologies, Xu Wensuo, but since it seems you intend to harm me, I must act first. Of course, due to unforeseen circumstances, an enemy might strike first, and one might have to counterattack after taking a hit. But Shen Lang had no intention of even letting such a situation arise.
‘Xu Wensuo, you're dead!’
I should make my move tomorrow. No, that’s not right. Time is money. I'll do it tonight, no, right now! You'll be dead by tomorrow, Xu Wensuo.
Shen Lang stood outside the Count's chambers. It was a time when everyone should have been asleep, but Shen Lang did not hesitate to call out.
“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law!”
“Hmph!”
That was his father-in-law’s voice.
“Oh? Lang, what is it?”
That was his mother-in-law’s voice. It was very gentle. See? This is the result of looking after one’s mother-in-law before one’s father-in-law.
“Master Xu left the estate in anger and hasn't shown up for days. The estate's accounting must continue as usual. In the past few days, there have been large outflows of gold coins, silver coins, and goods from the estate. If the ledgers are left empty for several days, it will be difficult to record the expenditures later. I happen to have some skill in arithmetic, so why don't I take over for a few days? When Master Xu returns, I can hand it back to him.”
“Did you really have to say this at this hour?”
‘Damn, is the great Count getting cranky just because I woke him up?’
Then, the Countess's voice came from inside.
“Lang is saying this with good intentions. Can’t you speak more kindly? Lang, come in and talk.”
Shen Lang waited outside for a moment before entering the room, just in case he saw something he shouldn't. The Count had a displeased expression, but the Countess, on the other hand, smiled warmly at Shen Lang.
“Speak honestly. What is your ulterior motive?”
What is the most important thing when dealing with family? Being honest!
“I suspect that Master Xu Wensuo has been embezzling the estate’s funds. I want to examine his account books.”
“Don't cause trouble.”
He could not just stand by and watch Shen Lang repay every slight, never forgetting even the smallest grudge.
‘It’s true that Xu Wensuo provoked you, but you already paid him back harshly and humiliated him greatly. It’s only been a few days, and you’re already thinking of harming him again?’
In contrast, his mother-in-law, who often felt her husband was overly lenient, highly valued this trait in Shen Lang. Moreover, she found Shen Lang’s honesty about his intentions quite endearing.
“Father-in-law, Xu Wensuo’s annual salary is only two hundred gold coins. Yet, his several sons are all adorned with gold and silver and dressed in all sorts of silks. Not only have they taken wives, but they also have several concubines. Furthermore, he owns a great deal of real estate in Xuanwu City and Nujiang Commandery, and has purchased over a thousand acres of land. No matter how you look at it, this far exceeds his salary.”
“Lang, when the water is too clear, no fish can live!”
This meant that the Count had some inkling of the situation but had chosen to turn a blind eye.
“Father-in-law, you are a very kind and noble man, so you judge everyone by your own standards. If the amount Xu Wensuo has embezzled is far greater than what you imagine and can accept, would you still let it slide?”
The Countess asked in a gentle voice.
“Lang, tell me. Why are you so determined to oppose Xu Wensuo?”