Chapter 12: Zhang Kun's Astonishment

Dagou Village lay about twelve or thirteen li from Spring Village. In less than an hour, Li Yuanjing and his companion arrived outside Dagou Village.

Though its name was not particularly pleasing, Dagou Village was a native settlement, and its geographical location was far superior to that of a small Hakka mountain village like Spring Village, wedged between mountain crevices. The village was nestled in a wide valley, as broad as a great ditch, and outside its borders, three or four meters of earthen ramparts stood firm. Within the village, though most houses were still humble earthen dwellings, several families had constructed three-story stilted buildings of rammed earth. The sense of security these substantial structures provided simply could not be compared to what Spring Village offered.

Wang Youdao was a powerful figure in Dagou Village. As soon as Li Yuanjing gave his name, the guards made no trouble for him and soon allowed him to enter.

Arriving before Wang Youdao’s stilted house, Li Yuanjing instructed Zhang Kun to wait by the door, then brought out the fish he had carried and the half-jin of white sugar tucked in his bosom, asking the household servant to announce his arrival.

…

"Master, I’ve asked so many people, but lately, even rabbit skins can’t be found, let alone wolf pelts," wailed Mrs. Wang with tears in her eyes. "And that wretched Bald Zhang lost our snow-white sugar. How are we to offer congratulations to that important guest now…"

Within Wang Youdao’s stilted house, the brazier filled the sitting room with a spring-like warmth. Mrs. Wang was sniffling and wiping her tears as she spoke.

Wang Youdao, already irritable, grew even more so at the sight. He slammed his teacup down with a sharp retort: "Crying, always crying—what good does it do? Do you really believe Bald Zhang lost our snow sugar just like that?"

Mrs. Wang, not entirely witless, caught on quickly. "Husband, do you mean Bald Zhang is plotting against us?"

Wang Youdao sneered. "By himself, he wouldn’t dare! But if one of our rivals is fanning the flames, that’s another matter. Over the years, we’ve made a fair bit of money—someone’s bound to be coveting what we have."

Mrs. Wang broke out in cold sweat, her face turning ashen, at a loss for what to do.

"Master, Madam," a servant announced carefully from outside, "a scholar calling himself Li Yuanjing is here. He says he’s from Spring Village and a descendant of one of your old friends…"

At this, Wang Youdao’s eyes narrowed. Mrs. Wang started and quickly said, "Husband, should I…"

"You go rest for now. He’s a younger fellow of mine. I’ll see him, and then we’ll talk further."

Wang Youdao had regained his composure, his manner calm as still water.

"Yes," Mrs. Wang replied meekly, hurrying to her inner room.

…

"Wang Uncle, forgive my intrusion," Li Yuanjing said courteously as he entered the Wang family’s sitting room, setting down several fish and bowing respectfully to Wang Youdao.

"My dear nephew, you’re too polite! Come, have a seat, sit here. I haven’t yet thanked you properly for your help last time," Wang Youdao said warmly.

After Wang Youdao had sent rice to Li Yuanjing, his opinion of the young man had changed for the better. Later, when Li Yuanjing sold fish in the county, his tact and understanding had impressed Wang Youdao even more, and he felt the young man had done him a significant favor.

Now, seeing Li Yuanjing again, Wang Youdao greeted him with even greater warmth, inviting him to sit and personally pouring him tea.

After a few words of small talk, Li Yuanjing wasted no time. Smiling, he took out the half-jin of white sugar from his bosom. "Wang Uncle, after receiving your silver last time, I happened upon a traveling merchant on my way home and managed to buy something good. I hope you’ll take a look at it for me."

As he spoke, he unwrapped the oiled paper, revealing the dazzlingly white sugar within.

Wang Youdao’s eyes lit up at the sight of the fine sugar. He quickly tasted a pinch. Even with all his self-control, his expression changed, and he looked intently at Li Yuanjing, as if searching for a clue. But Li Yuanjing, having faced a thousand such situations in his time, revealed nothing, waiting as gently and patiently as ever.

Laughing, Wang Youdao said, "My dear nephew, your luck is enviable—even I, your uncle, must admit it. Would you be willing to part with this snow-white sugar?"

By now, Wang Youdao had guessed that Li Yuanjing’s sugar was not bought from a mere traveling merchant, but he was wise enough not to ask questions he shouldn’t. Li Yuanjing’s willingness to bring him the snow sugar spoke for itself.

"Wang Uncle," Li Yuanjing replied humbly, "if I have been fortunate, it’s all thanks to your support. If you need it, please take it."

Seeing that Wang Youdao did not pry further, Li Yuanjing grew even more courteous.

Wang Youdao burst into laughter. In that moment, he felt as if the young man were his lucky star, solving yet another pressing problem for him.

He said eagerly, "Yuanjing, since you trust your uncle so, how could I treat you unfairly? The current price for snow sugar is around one tael and seven or eight qian per tael. You have nearly five taels here—I’ll give you ten taels of silver."

As he spoke, he drew ten silver taels from a drawer beneath the table and set them before Li Yuanjing. Lowering his voice, he added, "But, Yuanjing, your uncle has one small request. If you come across such treasures again, would you sell them to me first? Don’t worry—I’ll always pay above the market price!"

Though Wang Youdao spoke with a flourish, the perceptive Li Yuanjing quickly understood: this sugar was of great use to Wang Youdao and had helped him once more. Outwardly, however, Li Yuanjing feigned delight. "Thank you for your support, Uncle Wang. I’ll never forget your kindness!"

Ten bright silver taels in hand, and with Wang Youdao personally walking him out amidst enthusiastic farewells, Li Yuanjing had left quite an impression.

Zhang Kun, waiting at the door, was dumbfounded. If Philanthropist Xue was the foremost figure in the region, Wang Youdao was certainly among the top three or four. Zhang Kun, of course, knew who Wang Youdao was. Yet to see the famous Wang Youdao treat his employer with such warmth—he was stunned. Perhaps, he thought, becoming a long-term worker for his young master was indeed a wise choice.

Li Yuanjing had no time for Zhang Kun’s astonishment. He took his leave with a smiling bow to Wang Youdao.

Suddenly, shouts rang out nearby. "Stop! Don’t let that wretch escape! Catch him!"

Li Yuanjing turned to see a young man he recognized well, running desperately toward them, terror and despair written on his face. Behind him surged more than a dozen burly men, all brandishing sticks, hot in pursuit.