Baidao Jinsha

That punchable expression made Wang Shouzhe's mouth twitch twice. He took several deep breaths before steadying his emotions, then waved a hand. "All right, all right. You didn't do anything wrong. Sit down and speak."

Wang Lici immediately found a stool and sat, though only the edge of her bottom touched it. She put on the appearance of a well-behaved girl attentively listening to her Fourth Uncle's teachings.

"I can tell that Ancestor Longyan rather likes you," Wang Shouzhe said. "While we're on the ship, keep her company and talk to her more. Make her happy."

So that was what this was about? As long as she wasn't getting scolded, it was fine.

Wang Lici relaxed from her tense state and nodded repeatedly in agreement. She shifted her bottom toward the back half of the stool and sat up a little straighter, then habitually pulled out a piece of candied fruit to calm her nerves and began eating it with serene delight.

Her utterly carefree manner made Wang Shouzhe's eyelids jump.

Without revealing anything, he took two books from his robe and tossed them to her. "These are Selected Poems of Longzuo and Notes of the Cuiju Mountain Hermit. Your Fourth Uncle bought them in East Port just now. I hear they have considerable literary depth."

After a pause, he added, "This morning, when I heard you reciting the famous piece Ascending Tianlan to Observe the Firmament at Night, you delivered it with both feeling and rhythm. It seems you have quite a talent for literature. Read these two books thoroughly as quickly as possible, then recite them to Ancestor Longyan to relieve her boredom. Ancestor Longyan likes diligent children who study hard the most. I'm sure she'll be very pleased."

"Huh?"

Wang Lici's eyes went round. She even stopped chewing her candied fruit. Her slightly baby-fat cheeks were filled with horror. F-F-Fourth Uncle... y-you... are you a demon?

"Mm, your expression of mingled shock and delight greatly gratifies your Fourth Uncle," Wang Shouzhe said gently. "Do you like them?"

Tears rolled down Wang Lici's cheeks, yet she could only endure her grievance and force out a "joyful" smile. Choking back sobs, she said, "Th-thank you, Fourth Uncle. I like them so much..."

"Lici, seeing you weep with joy shows that your Fourth Uncle's painstaking intentions were not wasted." Wang Shouzhe stroked her head apologetically. "Speaking of which, it's all your Fourth Uncle's fault. This trip was too rushed, so I only had time to buy two books. Once we reach Baidao Guard, I'll definitely buy you several more. Perhaps our family will produce a great literary master in the future."

Wang Lici was as despondent as death itself. She felt the colors of life drifting away from her, leaving only a field of gray darkness before her eyes.

Fortunately, there was still candied fruit.

The sweetness in her mouth seemed to become the sole brilliant splash of color in her gray-white future, the wellspring of hope.

"Oh, right." Wang Shouzhe frowned again. "Snacks like candied fruit are fine once in a while, but too much will damage your teeth and make you gain weight easily. Look how round your face has gotten. Hand them all over. Your Fourth Uncle will keep them for you."

Boom!

Those words struck Wang Lici's head like a bolt from the blue. Her tears surged out uncontrollably as she reluctantly pulled out a packet of candied fruit.

"Is that all?"

Then she pulled out another packet.

"Hehe~"

Then another.

After producing a full five packets in all, Wang Lici clutched the two books and burst into tears. "There's no more, really no more. Fourth Uncle, it's getting late. I-I'm going to study..."

Then she darted away in a wisp of smoke, as though fleeing a mountain of blades and a sea of fire.

Only after she had run off did Wang Shouzhe chuckle. In high spirits, he brewed himself a pot of tea and drank it. Little girl, did you think your Fourth Uncle couldn't handle you?

Disciplining his grandniece was merely a small interlude.

After resting briefly to compose himself, Wang Shouzhe took out the booklet his future brother-in-law, Chen Fangjie, had given him and slowly began reading through it. The Wang Clan had heard of Baidao Guard, but the clan possessed little relevant intelligence, and what information it did have was rather outdated.

The Donggang Chen Clan had far more dealings with Baidao Guard, so its intelligence was naturally detailed. This booklet recorded some of Baidao Guard's powers, clans, current situation, and the traits of people who should not be provoked lightly.

The more Wang Shouzhe read, the more alarmed he became. The powers within Baidao Guard were indeed far more tangled and complex than those of Changning Guard, beginning with the dozens of aristocratic clans, large and small.

Some of those aristocratic clans were relatively weak and occupied an island alone. Others were powerful enough to span several islands, or even more than a dozen.

The main island among them was called Jinsha Island. It was said that a thousand years ago, the island had been rich in gold dust, sparking bloody struggles among several Profound Martial Aristocratic Clans. Only after the Great Qian Government dispatched experts to suppress them by force and established Baidao Guard here did the situation stabilize. Several centuries later, the gold dust had been completely mined out. The Profound Martial Aristocratic Clans that remained carved up Baidao among themselves, gradually giving rise to the current state of affairs.

Because Baidao Guard was geographically complex and remote, and because the gold dust was now gone, the Great Qian Government's control over this place had gradually weakened. As a result, quite a few independent cultivators who had committed crimes and were wanted, disciples expelled from aristocratic clans, and pirates or bandits seeking to wash themselves clean all came to Baidao Guard to try their luck.

Fortunately, the Donggang Chen Clan had operated on Jinsha Island, Baidao Guard's main island, for many years. Its connections were broad and its foundations firm. With the Chen Clan watching over them, ordinary people would not dare provoke them casually.

As long as they did not recklessly stir up trouble, safety would not be much of an issue. Otherwise, Chen Fangjie would never have dared let Wang Shouzhe come to Baidao Guard. If something serious happened, how could Chen Fangjie possibly escape blame?

Yet chaotic as Baidao Guard was, it had also given rise to some distinctive industries found nowhere else.

For example, the Black Market!

The Jinsha Black Market was an enterprise of one of Baidao Guard's only two Celestial Family Clans, and it had already existed for two hundred years. In the Black Market, every identity could be disguised and concealed. So long as you had money, you could buy whatever you wanted in the most secretive manner, or quietly sell off your own goods as you pleased—even prohibited items or stolen goods!

The Black Market did not care who you were, much less where your money or goods came from. It was only responsible for maintaining order, reputation, and taking its cut.

Order and reputation were precisely the foundation upon which a black market survived.

Those who went to the Black Market were usually extremely sensitive about their identities and origins being exposed. The slightest rustle of wind or whisper of grass would make them turn away. From this, it was clear that for the Jinsha Black Market to stand firm for two hundred years and grow ever larger, it must place extraordinary importance on reputation and order.

The moment he saw this information about the Black Market,

Wang Shouzhe vaguely formed a few suspicions. Ancestor Longyan had likely come for the Black Market, and with Wang Shouzhe's intelligence, he had mostly guessed the purpose of her trip as well.

His brows immediately furrowed. This was something he did not wish to see. Once they disembarked, he needed to speak with Ancestor Longyan. Some things simply did not need to be taken that far.

But she was, after all, the ancestor. Once she had made up her mind to do something, she had likely pondered it for a long time. How could he possibly persuade her?

Wang Shouzhe's expression grew increasingly grave as his fingers tapped rapidly against the table and his mind raced.

Time passed bit by bit.

More than twenty shichen flashed by, and the enormous seagoing vessel docked at the deepwater harbor of Jinsha Island in Baidao Guard.

Wang Shouzhe and his party emerged from the Junyao and caught the strong scent of the sea breeze. It had to be said that the Junyao merchant vessel was truly steady at sea. They had reached Baidao Guard safely, without shock or danger.

At this time, Chen Fanghua of the Chen Clan came forward and respectfully cupped his hands. "Young Master Wang, in accordance with the Young Clan Leader's instructions before his departure, I have been assigned to arrange lodgings and serve as your party's guide."

Wang Shouzhe smiled inwardly. His future brother-in-law was probably afraid he might wander around the island recklessly and encounter danger, so he had specifically arranged for a clansman to handle even his lodging and itinerary.

"Then I'll have to trouble Brother Chen." Wang Shouzhe was unfamiliar with Jinsha Island, so having someone make arrangements was naturally for the best. Besides, he had to accept this kindness from his future brother-in-law Chen Fangjie.

Knowing that "Young Master Wang" had female relatives with him, Chen Fanghua had specially arranged for a carriage. Ancestor Longyan, Fourth Aunt, and the eldest maid all boarded the carriage. Wang Shouzhe and the two family retainers, Wang Zhong and Wang Yong, were temporarily assigned three fine horses.

Afterward, Chen Fanghua and a family retainer led Wang Shouzhe's party toward Jinsha Island's inner city.

As they traveled, Chen Fanghua chatted with Wang Shouzhe about Jinsha Island's local customs. For instance, Jinsha itself was the largest island in Baidao Guard, but because its soil contained a great deal of rock and various other impurities, very little fertile farmland could be opened up.

"Therefore, half the cargo on that ship was grain crops, as well as all kinds of meat and poultry, while the rest was daily necessities. Such ordinary goods actually bring decent profits in Baidao Guard," Chen Fanghua said without concealing this common commercial knowledge, clearly hoping to build a closer relationship with Wang Shouzhe.

"Great Qian Law stipulates that grain must not be speculated upon, does it not?" Wang Shouzhe asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Young Master Wang, Great Qian Law does not exert much binding force in Baidao Guard," Chen Fanghua said with a smile. "Besides, we are not speculating in grain. We are exchanging goods for goods. Though Baidao Guard produces little grain, it is rich in all kinds of seafood delicacies and oyster lime. Transporting those inland can still earn a little gross profit."

Wang Shouzhe also knew that in an era like this, maritime trade was bound to be highly profitable, but it was also extremely difficult and risky. Building a merchant vessel was not only expensive, but required profound specialized knowledge.

Furthermore, training sailors and professional navigators was exceedingly difficult. If a seagoing vessel met with disaster through the slightest mishap, it would mean a ruinous loss.

Thus, for an ordinary clan to cross into the maritime trade business was nearly an impossible matter. No wonder the Donggang Chen Clan had grown ever more prosperous in merely a century.