Moma Liangshan

Chapter 26 Father and Son at Night, Reflecting Again

Wang Hao nodded and said, "Liang Zhongshu's 100,000 strings of cash for birthday gifts is the only source of wealth I can think of right now. But if we rob those 100,000 strings, we'll have made a permanent enemy of Cai Jing and Liang Zhongshu. I'm afraid more than half the high-ranking officials in Dongjing will be hostile towards our family." Wang Lun looked worried and said, "In that case, if things are exposed in the future, our family will definitely become the target of everyone's hatred!" Wang Hao pondered for a moment and said, "If we fail to retrieve the 'Flower and Stone Tribute,' Cai Jing and Gao Qiu will also join forces against me. At the very least, we'll be expelled from Dongjing." "In severe cases, your life could be in danger." Wang Lun then asked, "What if you robbed the birthday tribute that Liang Zhongshu was sending to Cai Jing, and then successfully delivered the flower and stone tribute to Dongjing?" Wang Hao replied, "I completed the task assigned by the Emperor and consolidated his favor. Cai Jing and Gao Qiu will harbor resentment and fear, and while they dare not openly attack, they will continue to plot in secret." Wang Lun was silent for a moment, then asked, "Have you made a decision?" Wang Hao replied, "Yes!" Wang Lun nodded and said, "Do as you see fit. You can mobilize all the troops in the stronghold."

Wang Hao said, "From Daming Prefecture to Dongjing City, there is only a land route, passing through many dangerous places such as Zijin Mountain, Erlong Mountain, Taohua Mountain, Sangai Mountain, Huangnigang, Baishawu, Yeyundu, and Chisonglin. Although Daming Prefecture is an important town in the north, it is far inferior to Dongjing City. I plan to send someone to Daming Prefecture to gather information, and at the same time, I will send Lu Zhishen with thirty brothers to lie in ambush at Erlong Mountain. As soon as Liang Zhongshu's birthday tribute passes Zijin Mountain, we will act immediately. After succeeding, all the valuables will immediately head south. At that time, I will send Yang Zhi with ten bodyguards to receive the goods in Cao County. After the handover, Yang Zhi and I will continue south until we reach Mingzhou. The Imperial Court..." "We'll set up a Maritime Trade Office in Mingzhou, where there are many overseas merchants. We'll sell all our valuables there." Wang Lun pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "Your plan is extremely meticulous, and you've done your utmost in personnel. Now it's up to fate." Wang Hao said, "Based on the estimated distance, it will take at least three months from when Liang Zhongshu's birthday tribute departs until we sell it in Mingzhou. According to Cai Jing's birthday calculations, Liang Zhongshu's birthday tribute will depart at the earliest in two months. In other words, it will take at least five months to salvage the tribute. Even if we successfully transport the tribute to Dongjing (Kaifeng) after five months, the Emperor probably won't look at my son with any respect."

Wang Lun, his face full of worry, said, "What should we do? Nearly half a year is too long; it's easy to lose interest in that. Besides, the Emperor is living a life of luxury and might soon forget about this matter. If we exhaust all our efforts, use every trick in the book, and snatch the money from the jaws of death to raise enough funds for the salvage of the precious stones, only to receive a paltry reward in the end, it will be a complete loss!" Wang Hao said, "The salvage of the precious stones must be done quickly, so I'd like to borrow 70,000 strings of cash." Wang Lun asked, "Who can come up with 70,000 strings of cash so quickly?" After a moment, he said, "Do you perhaps want to ask Master Chai for help?" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "Master Chai has plenty of land and jewels; he might not be able to come up with 70,000 strings of cash in a short time. Only wealthy merchants have that much cash. Therefore, I want to ask the owner of Fanlou—Master Li." Wang Lun frowned slightly and said, "Fanlou has stood the test of time in Tokyo for so many years; its owner must be someone with connections and influence. Master Li should be able to come up with 70,000 strings of cash, but it's certainly not a small amount. He might not be willing to help with this."

Wang Hao said, "I can give him something he can't refuse." Wang Lun asked, "What is it?" Wang Hao replied, "Shares in the newly built distillery." Wang Lun unconsciously raised his voice, saying, "The distillery is our family's foundation now. Letting an outsider interfere is like inviting a wolf into the house!" Wang Hao replied, "I have considered this, but now I have no choice. Father may not know, but the longer I live in Tokyo, the deeper my understanding becomes. Beneath Tokyo's dazzling glory lies a treacherous den of dragons and tigers. To move freely in Tokyo, one must be a tiger descending the mountain, a dragon crossing the river. If I am a tiger or a dragon, why would I fear a mere Tokyo wolf? If I am a dog or an insect, even if I avoid..." "That wolf from Tokyo, Master Li, will be followed by wolves from Nanjing and Beijing." Wang Lun understood that Wang Hao was telling the truth. He sighed and said, "All my life, all I've been able to support is this small family business at Liangshan. If you want to make your way in Tokyo, I'm willing but unable to help you." Wang Hao said, "Liangshan is our family's root. Without roots, no matter how high I climb, I'm just a floating weed. Even if I cover the entire pond, a single ripple is enough to send me scrambling. With roots, I'm an eagle in the sky. No matter how high or far I fly, I won't lose my way and will always find my way home." Wang Lun was deeply moved and said, "With our hearts united, father and son, we will surely overcome this danger and proceed cautiously."

Wang Hao said, "I'll trouble Father to take care of Daming Prefecture, Erlong Mountain, Yuncheng County, and Liangshan Marsh these days." Wang Lun nodded, then suddenly asked, "Who would be the best person to send to Daming Prefecture to gather intelligence?" Wang Hao replied, "Ma Decao." Wang Lun inquired, "Your henchman?" Wang Hao said, "That's him." Wang Lun was suspicious and said, "He's just a young lad, usually acting like a commoner. Is it appropriate to entrust him with such an important task?" Wang Hao replied, "My son trusts him..." "I'm confident. Espionage isn't about martial arts prowess or intimidation; it doesn't require superior skills or a formidable presence. This man's ordinary appearance makes him easy to conceal, his quick wit allows for adaptability, and he's bold yet meticulous, making objective decisions. He'll certainly be competent as the eyes and ears of Daming Prefecture. Even more valuable is that Ma Decao is literate." Wang Lun said, "I was originally a scholar, and before joining the outlaws, I taught at a private school in my hometown for several years. Some of the young men in the stronghold were my students. Ma Decao and Zhang Sangou studied at my private school for half a year."

Wang Lun seemed to recall some past events and continued, "Back then, our family had some surplus grain. The children's school fees were entirely voluntary, and I didn't care much whether I paid for them or not. Unexpectedly, over time, I gained some reputation, and because we had an ancestral iron sword, I was known in the village as the 'White-Robed Scholar.' Later, natural disasters and man-made calamities forced me to take you and some fellow villagers who had suffered misfortune to wander around. We experienced theft, robbery, and hard labor. Later, we met Master Chai, who provided us with two cartloads of grain and five knives. With these things, we stumbled upon Liangshan Marsh and built this fortune."

Wang Hao hadn't expected Wang Lun to have such an experience. He said, "No matter how difficult things are now, they can't be as difficult as the days when you, Father, were starving and wandering. I'm confident I can overcome this difficulty!" Wang Lun nodded and said, "I believe in you. Go to Dongjing City with peace of mind. I will take care of Liangshan Marsh, Yuncheng County, Erlong Mountain, and Daming Prefecture for you." Wang Hao said, "Thank you, Father." Before they knew it, most of the candles on the stage had burned down. Wang Lun said, "Go back and rest. In the next few months, you will have to work much harder than I do." Wang Hao bowed and took his leave.

This time, Wang Hao only stayed at Liangshan Marsh for two days. Upon returning to Dongjing City, only Zhang Sangou remained by his side. On the way, Wang Hao asked, "Zhang Sangou, do you have any dreams?" Zhang Sangou unconsciously touched his forehead, and after a long while said, "To serve you well, young master, save some money, and get married in a couple of years." Wang Hao said, "Haven't you thought about making a name for yourself and achieving something great?" Zhang Sangou said, "I'm not cut out for great things. I'm content just to follow you and see you subdue those officials." Wang Hao said, "At the New Year, I'll reward you with one hundred strings of cash so you can use it to get married. Are you satisfied?" Zhang Sangou said, "Satisfied! Satisfied!" Wang Hao then... Wang Hao asked, "Don't you ever dream of one day commanding respect and admiration, with people fawning over you and revering you?" Zhang Sangou, puzzled, replied, "Everyone has their own life. How others see me is their business; I don't seem to care." Wang Hao sighed, "I understand these principles, young master, but it seems I can't put them into practice." Zhang Sangou said, "I believe there's nothing you can't do, only things you're unwilling to do. You are a thousand times stronger than me; if I can do it, you certainly can!" The master and servant exchanged questions and answers, and three days later they arrived in Tokyo.

Wang Hao still felt he hadn't fully grasped the world of Bianjing (Kaifeng). As usual, he first visited Li Shishi. Many admired Li Shishi, but very few could catch her eye. Wang Hao was one of the few who could see her frequently. His reputation among the elite scholars was half due to the Eight Immortals Wine and half because of Li Shishi. It turned out that only two people in Bianjing could enter Li Shishi's room: Emperor Huizong and Zhou Bangyan. Emperor Huizong was not only an emperor but also a master of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, unparalleled throughout history. Zhou Bangyan was the culmination of the graceful and restrained style of poetry and the founder of the regulated style, a contemporary sage of ci poetry. Wang Hao, from a humble background, was frequently received by Li Shishi, undoubtedly shrouding him in mystery in the minds of the elite scholars.

When Li Shishi saw Wang Hao arrive, she asked, "I heard that you went down the Yellow River and found the Emperor's tribute of rare stones?" Wang Hao replied, "I've roughly determined the location, but haven't confirmed it further." Li Shishi asked, "Why?" Wang Hao didn't hide anything and said, "To complete the Emperor's mission, a total of 70,000 strings of cash are needed. And I can only come up with one-tenth of that." Li Shishi said, "I never imagined that you, my brother, who is considered to be making a fortune every day, would be so poor." Wang Hao smiled helplessly and said, "Making a fortune every day doesn't mean I'm incredibly wealthy. I'm just a future rich man." Li Shishi chuckled and said, "A future rich man, my brother, that's quite a novel way to put it."