The Incense Monopoly Order

Chapter 37: Subtle Thoughts

"Dad, what happened?" Shang Wenshu asked impatiently.

The expression on Shang Jinliang's face when he came back was not because he knew that Shang Mingshu and Mu Xiaoniang had a conflict, but because Shang Wenshu was very nervous after seeing Wen Yan.

"At the beginning of the year, the Shi family announced that they would join forces with Ziyang Academy to hold a literary gathering before the Autumn Examination, during which they would enjoy tea tasting and tea-fighting competitions."

"Has something unexpected happened?" They knew about this a long time ago. Even the entire Huizhou Prefecture and surrounding tea merchants brought their best tea to participate, and each company was actively preparing.

Although the gathering of literati was proposed by the previous prefect, Prefect He also actively promoted it after taking office and even offered to participate in it personally.

Shang Jinliang sat at the head of the table, his face etched with rage. "Their steward came looking for Wen Sanlang, threatening to bring him to the Dali Temple and two officials from the Ministry of Justice to show him off. He then tricked Wen Sanlang into helping them swap the poisoned tea with ours at a gathering of scholars. Magistrate He was also one of the judges."

Magistrate He took over this job from the previous magistrate. Naturally, he would not refuse the promise made by the previous magistrate and the opportunity to interact with the merchants and students of Huizhou Prefecture.

"They are so vicious!" Shang Wenshu was filled with indignation.

Shang Mingshu listened silently.

Shang Jinliang was also furious: "In business, it is important to be open and honest, and to be able to handle gains and losses with an open mind. In the past, I only thought he was cunning and ruthless, but now I know he is unscrupulous and truly not a kind person!"

"Dad, they hurt us so much, we can't just let it go!" Shang Wenshu gripped the armrest of the chair tightly.

"I'm not a weakling. If he bullies me, don't blame me for giving him a tooth for a tooth!"

Watching the father and daughter grow increasingly angry as they talked, Shang Mingshu gently fanned the fan in her hand: "What do you want, Dad?"

"This matter must be reported to the governor first," Shang Jinliang said after careful consideration, "to prevent innocent people from suffering."

Shang Wenshu:?
Shang Mingshu smiled knowingly.

Shang Wenshu was puzzled: "Dad, if you didn't tell the prefect in advance without any evidence, how could he confront the Shi family? He might even be sued for slander."

"Of course I wouldn't say it was the Shi family's doing." Shang Jinliang looked at Shang Mingshu. "What Mingshu did earlier when she ran into the Japanese pirates at the dock is something you can emulate."

If someone informed him in advance that the tea at the dock was in danger, then someone could inform him in advance that someone had poisoned his Shang tea during the tea competition. The prefect would believe what happened at the dock, and would then secretly watch and catch the person red-handed.

"Dad, I don't think this method is appropriate." Shang Wenshu was a little anxious. She always felt that this was not a good way to go. If they missed such a good opportunity, they should pretend they didn't know, make a big deal out of it, and defeat the Shi family in one blow.

"Wenshu, the Shi family is unjust, and you despise them. We knew the tea was poisonous, but we disregarded human life to deal with the Shi family. Aren't we accomplices?" Shang Jinliang prided himself on being a Confucian businessman, so how could he disregard human life? He lectured Shang Wenshu sternly, "Dad allowed you to manage the bank's accounts and not restrict you from interfering in the family business. He hopes that you will be able to make a living in the future. Whether you work on your own or share my burdens, you must never forget our Shang family's ancestral teachings!"

Shang Wenshu lowered her head after being scolded, feeling a little ashamed.

Shang Jinliang, still solemn, asked loudly, "What are the ancestral teachings of our Shang family?"

Shang Wenshu's words were sonorous and powerful: "Virtue is never alone, and the business path is broad; goodness is the foundation, and the road to wealth is long."

This saying is the ancestral motto passed down by Shang Mingshu's great-grandfather. He was a peddler who had never attended school, but he held scholars in high esteem. When he was old, a poor scholar arrived in the village. He often supported his grandfather and taught him to read. This led to his grandfather's boldness in making a fortune, Shang Jinliang's prosperity, and Shang Mingshu's current extravagant lifestyle.

"Have you told Wen Sanlang about Dad's plan?" Shang Mingshu said in a soothing voice.

"Of course I have to tell you. Wen Yan is a kind-hearted boy, and he's filled with gratitude towards me. If I don't tell him, I'm afraid he'll worry and do something that might harm him." Shang Jinliang mentioned Wen Yan with a comforting look on his face. "I just hope that after this autumn's exam, he'll be able to pass it."

Shang Jinliang has high hopes for Wenyan.

The last time he had high hopes was for Du Zhong, but Du Zhong's talent was in medicine, and although he could practice medicine, he had no ambition to be an official. He couldn't force him, and could only feel regretful.

"Sister, Dad is knowledgeable and experienced. What he thinks and worries about is beyond your and my comprehension. It is truly commendable that Dad can tell a woman like you and me about the important matters of the family. We will be right if we listen to Dad." Shang Mingshu patted Shang Wenshu's hand, smiled faintly at Shang Jinliang, her bright eyes full of admiration.

Shang Jinliang was very pleased and nodded frequently, stroking his green beard.

"It's getting late, and Miss Mu is still waiting for Dad. Let's not disturb him from resting." Shang Mingshu teased Shang Jinliang and left holding Shang Wenshu's hand.

Stepping out of the main hall, the two sisters walked side by side under the lanterns of the servants, walked around the nine-turn corridor and entered the courtyard. Shang Wenshu looked up at the starry sky. At the turn of autumn and summer, the stars were shining brightly and the night was as dark as ink.

"Third sister, the world is vast, and I am just a speck of dust."

Shang Mingshu hurried her steps: "Eldest sister, are you still bothered by Dad's scolding just now?"

Shang Wenshu shook her head gently. "I'm not holding a grudge, I just feel narrow-minded. After listening to what Dad said, all I could think about was catching the Shi family red-handed and then wiping them out. I really... really hate them."

In the past, when merchants were small, the Shi family suppressed them everywhere. Mrs. Shi and Shi Qingyu saw that they and their mother were always condescending and mocked them. Now that their father has expanded the tea business and the tea-horse trade, the Shi family realizes that the ants they looked down upon in the past can now stand on equal footing with them, and they begin to use despicable means one after another.

"Eldest sister, my second sister and I both hate them." Shang Mingshu held Shang Wenshu's hand that was hanging from her sleeve, "Dad hates them too, but Dad is well-versed in the books of sages and follows the way of a gentleman. He is also more than twenty years older than you and me. He has traveled a lot and experienced the affairs of life. He must have planned everything thoroughly and has a broad mind. How can an ordinary person compare to him?
"Eldest sister, there's no need to belittle yourself. I think the same thing as you, but I'm not as bold as you in speaking out and sharing my deepest thoughts."

In fact, her thoughts were darker than any of them could imagine.

"Third sister, you are so nice and always comfort me." Shang Wenshu held her sister's hand.

She was really lucky to have a sister like Shang Mingshu. Whether it was the conflicts between her and her second sister, the ideological differences with her father, or the love entanglement with Wen Sanlang, Shang Mingshu could help her solve the problems.

"I suddenly realized that my third sister seems to be omnipotent..." Shang Wenshu couldn't help laughing as she spoke, "Dad is right, people really need to read more."

However, she felt sleepy when studying, and could not persevere in learning martial arts, so she ended up being neither good at literature nor martial arts.

"Sis, you've praised me so highly. I must hurry back to my room and study by lamplight, lest I fail to relieve your sorrow and boredom in the future and ruin my great image in your heart."

Shang Mingshu stood on tiptoe and straightened her chest, as if to shield Shang Wenshu from the wind and rain, which made Shang Wenshu laugh.

(End of this chapter)