20demayo Chapter 190 Salt Merchant
Chapter 190 Salt Merchant
Nianyao was about to go back to catch up on her sleep when she suddenly stopped and turned around, saying, "Ninth Brother, what happened between you two back then? Was it the Princess..."
Qin Jiu interrupted her: "It's not her fault, it's my fault."
Nianyao walked back to Qin Jiu and looked him up and down: "Ninth Brother, why are you protecting her so much? Is it because you truly like her or..."
Qin Jiu gave a bitter smile: "The child is mine, but that doesn't mean I'll acknowledge the child and not the mother. She comes from a good family, so she can raise the child safely. In ordinary families, if an unmarried woman has a child, she'll either be drowned or kicked out and her whereabouts will be unknown."
Nianyao's eyes darted around: "Then Ninth Brother, tell me about Jingzhao Manor. Surely you can tell me that."
Qin Jiu asked, "What do you want to know?"
Nianyao asked, "Why is Jingzhao Manor so rich? Also, does your father have some connection with the former emperor of Nanyue... um?"
Qin Jiu glanced at Nian Yao: "All you do is daydream all day."
Seeing that Qin Jiu was softening, Nian Yao pressed him down onto the stool and said, "Brother Jiu, just tell me, I'll give you a shoulder massage."
Qin Jiu leaned slightly to avoid her fist: "I'll skip the shoulder massage, but it's a royal secret, Chief, what do you think..."
Nianyao readily agreed, "How much? Name your price."
Qin Jiu was about to say five hundred taels, but seeing Nian Yao's expression, he hardened his heart and said, "One thousand taels."
Qin Jiu thought that even if Nian Yao didn't cheat, she would at least try to bargain. Unexpectedly, Nian Yao readily took out an exquisite purse from her bosom, then took out two folded silver notes from it, and slapped them on the table: "Here you go."
Dust bills rose as Qin Jiu carefully unfolded the silver notes, which looked quite old: "Chief, where did you get these?"
Nianyao said nonchalantly, "My father gave it to me before I got married, saying it was my mother's dowry. My father said that dowries are meant to be kept at the bottom of the trunk and should not be used unless absolutely necessary. But now it's absolutely necessary, so I can use it."
The silver notes in Qin Jiu's hand suddenly felt heavier than bricks.
Nianyao added, "I couldn't even bear to give Luo An to him, but now I've given it all to Ninth Brother."
Qin Jiu placed the silver notes in Nian Yao's hand: "Chief, I dare not accept the dowry."
Nianyao slammed the silver notes onto the table again: "Ninth Brother, this is wrong of you, in Shangyan..."
The banknotes were old and couldn't withstand her rough handling; they shattered into small pieces. Just then, a cold wind blew by, and the fragments of the banknotes danced in the wind before quickly disappearing.
Nianyao let out a scream: "My dowry..."
Qin Jiu picked up the last small crumb left on the table: "Boss, what else do you want to hear?"
Nianyao rested her chin on her hands, looked at Qin Jiu, and pretended to listen attentively: "Poverty makes people lose their ambition. I have no money now, so of course I will listen to whatever Brother Jiu says."
Qin Jiu stared at the small fragments between his fingers: "Given enough time, everything will eventually drift away in the wind, like silver notes, or even feelings..."
Time truly is the best healer; love and hate may not be forgotten, but they are no longer so deeply etched in one's memory. Those you cherish most, upon reflection, seem insignificant. The mountain villa you thought you'd never return to, one day, you still find yourself on your way home…
No one can escape the arrangements of fate, no matter how far they wander. Qin Jiu flicked away the shards of metal from her fingers and began to tell her story:
The Jing family had been merchants for generations, and by the time of Jing Zhao, their business was booming, leading them to venture into the salt trade. Initially, the Jing family did not obtain salt permits and relied entirely on smuggling.
After the fall of the Southern Yue Kingdom, the Jing family, amidst the chaos, became a well-known salt smuggler. However, their success attracted envy and the Jing family's caravans were repeatedly robbed and raided, suffering significant losses.
Just when everyone was in a state of panic, the late Emperor of Nanyue and his consort Qin Feng, who was then the regent princess and general, came to discuss cooperation with a hundred men. The Jing family, in alliance with merchants, raised funds to support Nanyue's restoration. If the restoration succeeded, half of Nanyue's salt permits would go to the Jing family.
Salt is the most important commodity in the world. Smuggling salt is a capital offense; if Southern Yue fails, it's a capital offense; if they succeed, the Jing family's fortune will be limitless. Looking at the group of expressionless experts outside, their swords gripped tightly, Jing Zhao decided to take a gamble.
The late emperor of Nanyue left a hundred men to Jing Zhao. Jing Zhao led them on a long journey, lobbying merchants to raise money. The Jing family also promised smugglers that they could now trade under the Jing family name without having to worry.
The first emperor of Nanyue was in charge of fighting the wars, while the Jing family was responsible for raising funds. The Jing family sold all their valuables to show their determination to support the cause. When Nanyue was successfully restored, the Jing family was so poor that they had to eat porridge to survive.
The late emperor kept his promise, granting the Jing family salt permits and bestowing upon them the entire Dongshan region. In addition to the salt business, the Jing family also acquired land, banks, pawnshops, teahouses, and more over the years, and their reputation for wealth and power quickly spread throughout the land.
Despite being a meritorious official in the restoration of the kingdom, Jing Zhao did not become arrogant. Instead, he made several trips to Bianjing to offer tribute. After the Jing family moved from Qingxi to Jing Zhao Manor in Dongshan, the late emperor of Nanyue was invited to visit several times. Even though the late emperor had passed away many years ago, Jing Zhao Manor still reserved a separate courtyard for him.
Nianyao seemed somewhat disappointed: "That's all?"
Qin Jiu was both amused and exasperated: "What do you think?"
Nianyao tapped her face lightly with her finger: "How many concubines did your father marry?"
Qin Jiu said, "...There should be about twenty of them."
Nianyao said, "Then you must have countless brothers and sisters?"
Qin Jiu said, "No, only about twenty survived."
Nianyao thought of the concubine Qin Jiu had mentioned and sighed, "Your father's life is comparable to that of an emperor. Your concubines live more exciting lives than the imperial harem."
Qin Jiu said, "Anyway, Jingzhao Manor is bigger than the imperial palace."
Nianyao finally asked, "Did your father like the late emperor?"
Qin Jiu said, "It shouldn't be that bad. No matter how rich he is, he's just a businessman. If he tries to scheme against the late emperor and Qin Feng, he'll be the first one they deal with if the Southern Yue Kingdom is restored."
Nianyao said, "So, he has the intention but dares not act?"
Qin Jiu rubbed his forehead: "Chief, the late emperor was your mother-in-law."
Nianyao smiled and said, "I've heard that your father and the late emperor had a close relationship. I was just guessing. Ninth Brother, what are your plans when you return to Jingzhao Manor this time?"
Qin Jiu said, "It's not about what I do, but what General Xue does. The term 'official-merchant' sounds good, but in reality, a merchant is nothing in front of an official."
Nianyao didn't understand: "Since the Jing family was willing to support the restoration of Nan Yue before, why are they unwilling to support the unification of Nan Yue now?"
Qin Jiu said, "Boss, merchants fight for profit, not power."
Nianyao still didn't understand: "What do you mean?"
Qin Jiu said, "Back then, although the Jing family were businessmen, their business wasn't this big. My father wanted to take a gamble. At that time, Southern Yue was in chaos, and a slight misstep could cost you your head. The Jing family also hoped to have the late emperor as their backer, so it was a win-win situation."
Things are different now. If Nan Yue succeeds, the Jing family's business will at most only reach this level. If Nan Yue fails, regardless of who unifies the world, the Jing family's position as the head of the Chamber of Commerce will be something the new leader will try to win over.