A Pawn's Passage

Qi Xuansu let out a sigh after Zhang Yuelu ended the conversation.

He finally felt the weight of being the head of the household when the entire family, young and old alike, depended on him.

Qi Xuansu contacted Chen Jianchou again. “Chou Zheng, find Zhang Wuyue immediately, then have him contact me using your Cloud Message. Hurry. I’ll be waiting.”

As the secretary to the Chief Deputy Beichen Hall Master, it was not difficult for Chen Jianchou to mobilize Beichen Hall’s resources. Through Ke Qingqing, he could also draw upon the strength of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, so finding a single person was hardly a challenge.

After receiving Qi Xuansu’s order, Chen Jianchou immediately contacted several people and confirmed Zhang Wuyue’s whereabouts. Discovering that he was still in Lion City, Chen Jianchou promptly boarded a flying ship bound for Poluo.

Several hours later, Chen Jianchou found Zhang Wuyue in a restaurant.

At the moment, Zhang Wuyue was surrounded by several attendants and groupies. After all, he was a young master of the Zhang family and Zhang Yuelu’s cousin. Although the Zhang family had many descendants, none were as closely related to her as he was.

Zhang Wuyue himself might not amount to much, but Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu were both influential figures, so naturally, there were people eager to curry favor by hovering around him.

Moreover, Zhang Wuyue’s port business was not something one man could manage alone. It required a large workforce, and many people depended on him for their livelihood. As time went on, more and more people gathered around him.

Chen Jianchou was from Nanyang. The moment he appeared, someone recognized him. “Are you Mage Chen?”

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone in the room jumped to their feet, filled with nervous respect.

Chen Jianchou said, “I am Chen Jianchou. I have business with Young Master Zhang.”

Zhang Wuyue naturally knew who Chen Jianchou was. He had never expected that, having just quarreled with his sister, his brother-in-law’s secretary would come looking for him almost immediately. He suddenly felt uneasy.

In truth, this was a common human failing. People dared to throw tantrums at their parents because they knew their parents would never truly do anything to them. Yet they dared not lose their temper with their superiors, because their superiors actually could make them pay for it.

Likewise, a child might act out before their mother because she was softhearted, but they usually would not dare behave the same way toward their father, because the father might genuinely give them a beating.

Zhang Wuyue’s mindset was much the same. After all, he and Zhang Yuelu had been close for many years. She had watched him grow up, and no matter how angry she got, she would never truly do anything to him. But Qi Xuansu was different. He did not even show much respect to his own mother-in-law, let alone a younger cousin like Zhang Wuyue.

As for how formidable this brother-in-law’s methods were, Wang Jiaohe and Li Tianlan were the most recent cautionary examples.

Zhang Wuyue slowly rose to his feet. “Daoist Chen, what brings you here?”

Chen Jianchou glanced around at the others. “I’d like to speak with Young Master Zhang in private.”

Zhang Wuyue said, “Everyone, leave.”

The room was emptied in an instant.

Once only the two of them remained, Chen Jianchou took out his Cloud Message, connected it to Qi Xuansu’s side, and handed it to Zhang Wuyue. “Young Master Zhang, the Chief Deputy wishes to speak with you.”

Zhang Wuyue suddenly felt as though the Cloud Message in his hand had become much heavier. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Brother-in-law.”

Qi Xuansu’s voice came through. “Tian Zhong, how have you been lately?”

Zhang Wuyue replied, “Everything’s alright.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Then why have I heard that you’ve disowned your cousin?”

Zhang Wuyue was instantly rendered speechless.

Qi Xuansu did not press the matter further. He merely gave him a mild warning. “Your cousin was deeply hurt. Don’t ever say something like that again.”

By now, Zhang Wuyue had calmed down considerably. He already regretted his outburst to some extent. Since Qi Xuansu had offered him a way to back down, he naturally accepted it. “Alright.”

Qi Xuansu continued, “When you have the chance, go apologize to her.”

After all, Zhang Wuyue was still young. He was hot-blooded and rebellious by nature. Even though he feared Qi Xuansu, that rebellious streak flared up again, and he stopped caring about the consequences. So Zhang Wuyue said nothing.

Qi Xuansu had once been a young boy himself, so he understood Zhang Wuyue’s feelings all too well. Rather than getting angry, he simply asked, “What? You’re not willing to?”

Zhang Wuyue said, “Brother-in-law, I shouldn’t have said those hurtful things. That was my mistake. But I still don’t think I was wrong in this matter. Big Sister is too rigid. Everyone has been doing things this way for years. Why is it that I’m the only one who can’t?”

Qi Xuansu asked, “When you say ‘everyone,’ does that include your cousin and me?”

Zhang Wuyue’s tone immediately softened. “Of course not.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Since it doesn’t include us, then let me ask you this. For all these years, neither your cousin nor I has done anything like this. So why should you be allowed to?”

Zhang Wuyue replied, “Because you’ve never lacked money. Big Sister has the Heavenly Preceptor’s backing, and you have the Yao family’s support. Your adoptive mother bought you the Princess Xuanzhen Mansion that’s worth over a million Taiping coins. Of course you don’t need to do things like this to stay high and dry.”

Qi Xuansu remained unruffled. “Very well, then let me ask you another question. Nobody’s money comes from thin air. Why do the Heavenly Preceptor and the Yao family give us money? Is it because they’re simply kind-hearted?”

Zhang Wuyue answered, “Because you’re talented and have promising futures. Their financial investment today is for even greater political returns tomorrow. It’s an extremely worthwhile investment. Just like when the Lu family invested in the First Emperor. Farming gains tenfold in profit, trading jewels gains a hundredfold, but the profit from establishing the ruler of a nation is immeasurable. If either of you become the Grand Master, the return won’t even be measurable in Taiping coins.”

Qi Xuansu couldn’t help but chuckle. “You actually see things quite clearly. At least you understand that much.”

Instead, Zhang Wuyue found himself growing confused. At first, he had assumed his brother-in-law had come to reprimand him on his sister’s behalf. But now it seemed things were not so simple. What exactly was his brother-in-law trying to do? Given Qi Xuansu’s status, if he truly wanted to discipline him, it would take no more than a single sentence. Why go through such a long-winded conversation?

Qi Xuansu asked, “So, is talent alone enough to reach the top?”

Zhang Wuyue replied, “No. You also need backing.”

Qi Xuansu continued, “Your cousin is exceptionally talented. She’s a Banished Immortal, and she has the support of the Heavenly Preceptor and the Zhengyi Sect. Does that guarantee she’ll become the Grand Master?”

Zhang Wuyue answered, “No. That’s because she has rivals, and those rivals are just as talented and well connected.”

Qi Xuansu said, “If that’s the case, and everyone’s comparable in every respect, then what does it come down to in the end?”

A look of realization crossed Zhang Wuyue’s face. “Ability and luck?”

Qi Xuansu said, “Luck can’t be forced. The only thing you can compete with is ability. You say your innate talent isn’t good enough. That’s something you’re born with, and there’s no changing it, so I won’t comment on it. But what about your ability? Is that lacking too? Do you honestly think you’re useless?”

It was a classic provocation, and young people usually fell for it.

Zhang Wuyue immediately shot back, “Of course I’m not useless.”

“Now that’s more like it,” Qi Xuansu said. “If you’d admitted you were useless, I wouldn’t have wasted another word on you. I’d have let you fend for yourself, and I’d have persuaded your cousin to pretend she never had such a disappointing relative. But since you’ve still got some fighting spirit, then as your brother-in-law, I can’t simply ignore you. I’m going to give you a chance.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wuyue’s spirits immediately lifted. “What chance?”

Qi Xuansu said, “Your cousin doesn’t want you receiving special treatment, and I can’t go against her, so I won’t give you any favors outside the rules. That said, you should know about the construction of the new port on the Southern Continent, shouldn’t you?”

Zhang Wuyue’s eyes lit up. “Of course, I do. Once it’s completed, it’ll be the largest port on the entire Southern Continent.”

Qi Xuansu said, “The new port project is under Sage Huangfu’s supervision. I have a good relationship with him, so I can put in a word and arrange for you to work there under him. But let me make this perfectly clear. I won’t ask Sage Huangfu to give you any special treatment or open any back doors for you. That said, the Southern Continent is full of opportunities. Aside from the Tianji Hall and the Shibo Hall, there are practically no competitors. It’s an untapped gold mine where gold lies everywhere. How much of that gold you can carry away will depend entirely on your own ability.”

Zhang Wuyue felt as though he had emerged from a dead end into a bright new village beyond the woods. He hurriedly said, “Thank you, Brother-in-law.”

Qi Xuansu replied, “Don’t thank me just yet. I’m only giving you the opportunity. If you still fail to make something of yourself, then that’s because you lack ability. By then, you should go home and live off your family. Don’t ever say that your cousin and I didn’t look out for you.”

“Of course. If I waste the opportunity you’ve given me, Brother-in-law. You won’t even need to scold me. I would die of shame myself,” Zhang Wuyue hurriedly said.

Zhang Wuyue fully understood now. Trading under the names of Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu amounted to nothing more than small-time dealings. But if he seized the opportunity Qi Xuansu was offering, he could truly build a great enterprise, perhaps even one that would grow into a giant comparable to the Nanyang United Trading Company.

By then, he would be a figure of consequence in his own right. He wanted to see which woman would still look down on him.

Qi Xuansu said, “First, go apologize sincerely to your cousin. Then buy a ticket to the Southern Continent. Remember to tell Chen Jianchou the name of the ship, and I’ll arrange for someone to meet you.”

Zhang Wuyue agreed without hesitation, all traces of reluctance gone.

Qi Xuansu ended the call.

Zhang Wuyue returned the Cloud Message to Chen Jianchou, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Chen Jianchou said, “Young Master Zhang, if you have no objections, shall I contact Secretary Ke for you?”

Zhang Wuyue nodded. “Sorry for the trouble, Daoist Chen.”

Chen Jianchou immediately contacted Ke Qingqing.

“Daoist Ke? This is Chen Jianchou. I’m with Tian Zhong right now. Tian Zhong just finished speaking with Chief Deputy Qi. He would now like to see Chief Deputy Zhang. Could you arrange it? We’re in Lion City. Very well. Please ask Chief Deputy Zhang to wait a moment. We’ll be there right away.”

Chen Jianchou ended the call and turned to Zhang Wuyue. “Chief Deputy Zhang is waiting for us.”

A few days later, Qi Xuansu received a letter from Zhang Yuelu through the rapid post talisman.

Tian Yuan, I’ve thought about it carefully. This matter can’t be blamed entirely on others. I bear responsibility as well. If I had handled things more tactfully, perhaps none of this turmoil would have happened. Sometimes, I’m too rash, and I fail to keep my emotions in check. Although you have a fierce edge, you’re often able to keep it under control. In that respect, I should learn from you.

“Also, mutual trust is something built over time. There are things I shouldn’t have kept from you, nor should I have tried to bear them alone. That only creates distance and suspicion between us. I should communicate with you more. Just as you said, Daoist companions are meant to support each other as they move forward. So I’ve reflected deeply on myself. I’ll do better from now on.

“Lastly, Tian Yuan...thank you. 🙂

At the end of the letter, she had drawn a simple smiling face.

Qi Xuansu carefully stored the letter away in his magical receptacle.