Chapter Thirty-One: Unfathomable

No one in Jiangning County City expected that Zhou An, the second-generation head of the Yixing Zhou clan, after leaving the residence of the Jiangnan Administrator Yang Qi, would quietly pay a visit to Liu Pingshan, the prefect of the county, bringing with him a sumptuous gift. Of course, compared to what he gave the Yang family, this could almost be considered modest.

Liu Pingshan received Zhou An in the flower hall of his own home. He had little regard for merchants and did not think much of the Yixing Zhou clan, who had gradually transformed from aristocratic gentry into a merchant magnate family. Even as the second-generation head of the Zhou family, Zhou An was not someone Liu Pingshan would usually meet in person.

However, Liu Pingshan was well-informed. He knew Zhou An had just come from the Yang residence, and that Yang Qi himself had received him. It was said the likelihood of a marriage alliance between the two families had greatly increased as a result.

This was the key reason Liu Pingshan agreed to meet Zhou An. He might look down on Zhou An, but he could not afford to slight Yang Qi. If, in the future, the Zhou and Yang families did become connected by marriage, with Zhou Chang becoming Yang Qi’s son-in-law, the Zhou clan would be tied to the most powerful family in Jiangnan. With an eye to the future, Liu Pingshan forced himself to be courteous and exchanged pleasantries with Zhou An.

Of course, the generous gift Zhou An brought also played a part.

“Master Zhou, you are too generous; I hardly deserve such honor,” Liu Pingshan said, offering a slight bow. “Please forgive my bluntness, but we have had little contact before. There’s no need for formalities—speak frankly, if you will.”

So direct was Liu Pingshan, dispensing even with the most basic courtesies—an unmistakable display of condescension and disdain.

A flicker of irritation crossed Zhou An’s heart, but he dared not reveal it. He clasped his hands and smiled. “Prefect, I have come to Jiangning to pay my respects to Administrator Yang, to propose a marriage on behalf of my son to his daughter. I have long admired your dedication to the county and your love for the people, so I took the liberty of visiting your esteemed residence. If my actions are improper, I beg your forgiveness.”

His attitude was humble, his tone gentle, but his words carried much meaning. He was subtly reminding Liu Pingshan that, should the Yangs and Zhous become in-laws, would a mere county prefect under Yang Qi dare to slight the Administrator’s future relatives?

At this, Liu Pingshan raised his brows and smiled coolly. “Ah? Master Zhou, you are certainly bold, seeking an alliance with Administrator Yang himself! And what does the Administrator think of this?”

“To be frank, Prefect, the Administrator has shown much appreciation for my son. He has agreed to recommend my son for official service at court. As for the marriage alliance, he said he would consider it carefully.” Zhou An smiled faintly. “The Administrator has protected Jiangnan from rebellion, ensuring continued prosperity. The Zhou clan is deeply grateful. Should the marriage not come to pass, we are still willing to offer half our family’s wealth to support his efforts in raising and training troops, to help restore peace to the realm.”

Zhou An’s words sent a jolt through Liu Pingshan’s heart, and his gaze toward Zhou An shifted.

Zhou An was making clear both the extent of the Zhou clan’s willingness to attach itself to Yang Qi and their determination. Half of the Yixing Zhou clan’s wealth was an astronomical sum. With such funding, Yang Qi’s future prospects would be limitless. The coldness at the corners of Liu Pingshan’s mouth faded, replaced by a feigned, enthusiastic smile.

“Such integrity and patriotism from the Yixing Zhou clan—truly admirable,” Liu Pingshan said, his smile growing broader. “In that case, I would gladly seek closer ties with your esteemed family in the future!”

The two men exchanged formalities, each probing the other. Gradually, Liu Pingshan discerned Zhou An’s true purpose: he wanted to borrow Liu’s hand to eliminate Kong Sheng—removing the obstacle for Zhou Chang to become Yang Qi’s son-in-law and avenging past humiliations.

Of course, such matters could not be spoken openly; they could only be tacitly understood. In Zhou An’s eyes, Prefect Liu wielded great power in Jiangning, second only to Yang Qi. If Liu wished to act against Kong Sheng, there were countless ways to utterly ruin him. Moreover, Kong Sheng and Liu Nian, Liu’s second son, were at odds; Liu Nian had recently suffered the humiliation of running naked through the city. Zhou An could not believe Liu Pingshan would sit idly by.

But Liu Pingshan had his own considerations. As a local official, it would be easy to “deal with” Kong Sheng, to find a pretext to imprison him. Yet Kong Sheng had once been Yang Qi’s son-in-law, and was also the descendant of his old friend. With Yang Qi’s attitude ambiguous, Liu Pingshan would not act rashly.

Liu Pingshan was a loyal subordinate of Yang Qi and knew well his master’s hypocritical side. Yang Qi prided himself on loyalty and affection; since Kong Sheng was the son of an old friend, even if the marriage fell through, he would maintain the appearance of protecting the young man.

So, no matter what Zhou An promised or implied, Liu Pingshan pretended not to understand. In the end, Zhou An could only leave in frustration, seething with anger.

For all his merchant cunning, Zhou An was no match for a seasoned official like Liu Pingshan.

As Zhou An was taking his leave, Liu Pingshan delivered a veiled warning. “Master Zhou, let the matters between the younger generation pass. We should both keep our houses in order—best not to stir up further trouble.”

Zhou An’s heart grew cold, but he bowed. “I understand. I take my leave.”

He knew full well the meaning behind Liu Pingshan’s words: the Liu family would not interfere with the Zhou clan’s attempts to retaliate against Kong Sheng, whatever means they chose, so long as Liu Nian was not dragged into the fray. Otherwise, the Zhous would face the wrath of the county prefect.

Liu Pingshan still bore a grudge over Zhou Chang’s previous scheme, when he persuaded Liu Nian to organize a tea gathering and plot to poison Kong Sheng—only to have the plan backfire disastrously. He had little good opinion of Zhou Chang: his own son, Liu Nian, might be a wastrel, but the young scholar the Zhou clan put forward was, in truth, a hypocrite with a venomous heart.

Dejected, Zhou An left the Liu residence, stepping into his understated yet extravagant carriage and hurrying back to his inn. He did not know that news of his visit to Liu Pingshan had already reached Yang Qi’s ears before he even returned.

After nearly ten years of rule in Jiangnan, Yang Qi’s foundation was deep. With the outbreak of chaos, he had tightened his iron grip on his domain. Nothing happened in Jiangning County City that escaped his notice.

Yang Kuan stood quietly in the flower hall, waiting for his master’s instructions.

Yang Qi’s expression was somewhat dark. The Yixing Zhou clan’s willingness to pledge themselves and offer such a costly token was pleasing, but their sudden eagerness was also cause for suspicion. He was certainly an ambitious man, but his ambitions were well concealed; should the Zhou clan harbor ulterior motives, he would not hesitate to crush them with overwhelming force.

It had been less than a day since Zhou An arrived in Jiangning, and already he had begun to stir up the city’s power brokers—deepening Yang Qi’s mistrust.

“Yang Kuan, what do you make of Zhou An’s visit to Liu Pingshan?” Yang Qi’s voice was cold.

A chill passed through Yang Kuan, but he answered respectfully. “My lord, I believe Zhou An’s visit to the prefect was simply another attempt to curry favor with the powerful. If I am not mistaken, he will likely visit several other officials in the coming days, bearing gifts.”

Yang Qi gave a cold laugh. “No, Yang Kuan. Zhou An’s real motive is Kong Sheng.”

Yang Kuan was startled. “My lord, do you mean Zhou An wishes to use the prefect to move against Kong Sheng? That does seem likely. Liu Nian, the prefect’s son, was humiliated in public just days ago; the Liu family must hold a grudge.”

“Zhou Chang and Liu Nian conspired to harm Kong Sheng, but their plan backfired disastrously—they lost everything in the attempt. They brought this upon themselves.” A trace of coldness touched Yang Qi’s lips. “Kong Sheng is the son of an old friend. If they seek petty revenge, I can ignore it. But if they threaten his life, I will show no mercy.”

“Zhou Chang’s nature is cruel and narrow-minded. That is the main reason I hesitate to give Xueruo in marriage to him.” He waved a hand. “Yang Kuan, send some wine and dishes to Kong Sheng, as a gift from me.”

A complicated look flickered in Yang Kuan’s eyes, but he accepted the order and withdrew.

Yang Qi’s gift to Kong Sheng was a public gesture of protection and care—a warning to all to know their limits. It was also a calculated act of generosity, meant to show the people of the city his magnanimity and loyalty.

At this point, Yang Kuan could not fathom his master’s true intentions. If he wished to give his daughter to Kong Sheng, why maintain such ambiguity toward the Zhou clan’s proposal? Yet if he favored the Zhou family, why did he continue to show such consideration for Kong Sheng and act as his shield?