Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Merchant Pang Family

Mu Changfeng remained silent, gazing intently at Kong Sheng’s resolute face just within arm’s reach. Suddenly, he clasped his fists in a brief salute, then sprang away in a swift arc.

Watching Mu Changfeng’s fleeting figure darting off like a shooting star, Kong Sheng couldn’t help but smile wryly to himself. Though you are a chivalrous wanderer of the martial world, do you not fear causing a sensation with such open displays of agility in broad daylight?

He had met Mu Changfeng on several occasions, and every time, Mu appeared and disappeared in this high-flying fashion, leaving him at a loss for words.

The crisp jingle of camel bells and the thunderous stampede of hooves echoed as a dust-laden caravan hurried through the east city gate. Standing by the roadside, Kong Sheng fixed his gaze on a banner fluttering high among the caravan, recognizing it as a trading party from the Central Plains. Because war had blocked the main trade routes, caravans from Jiangnan and the heartland were forced to detour south of the mountains, driving up the cost of moving goods.

When would the long-awaited news arrive? Kong Sheng’s mind grew restless once more. Now, the harsh winter of Jiangnan had set in. It had been two months since Sima Chengzhen and his disciple left Jiangning; by his reckoning, the time was nearly due. Could something have gone wrong, something he hadn’t foreseen or planned for?

Mounting his horse in one swift motion, Kong Sheng squeezed its flanks and called out, “Go!”

Whirlwind let out a piercing cry and galloped away, hooves pounding along the official road toward the mist-shrouded riverbank.

Meanwhile, the grand caravan wound its way into the city, watched eagerly by crowds lining the streets. This was the caravan of the Pang family, one of the most prominent merchant clans in Jiangning and the entire eastern region of Jiangnan. The Pang family’s trading network stretched not only through the Central Plains but also to Ganluo and the Western Regions. In truth, the prosperity of half of Jiangning’s commerce rested on the Pang family’s shoulders.

Of course, compared to centuries-old families like the Zhou clan of Yixing, the Pang family was little more than a nouveau riche upstart.

Few noticed a single carriage from the Pang caravan quietly breaking away and heading directly for the alleyway where the Yang residence stood. When the carriage arrived at the rear gate of the Yang household, a weary-looking middle-aged man in a black cloak stepped forward and knocked. A servant in blue was already waiting to let him in.

Wrapped in his cloak, the man hurried straight to Yang Qi’s study. Yang Kuan had been waiting by the door; seeing him approach, he gestured for the man to enter on his own.

Nodding to Yang Kuan and steadying himself, the man pushed open the door. Yang Qi stood within, hands clasped behind his back, his expression grave as he slowly turned.

With a deep, respectful bow, the man greeted him: “Pang Liang pays his respects, Master!”

Yang Qi smiled faintly and waved his hand. “Rise, Pang Liang. You’ve had a long journey—well done.”

The man called Pang Liang was, in fact, the current head of the Pang family. No one knew that ten years prior, Pang Liang had been Yang Qi’s trusted servant, originally named Yang Liang. Later, Pang Liang had secretly left the Yang household to establish his own business, and within a few years, rose to become a renowned merchant in Jiangnan, possessing considerable wealth and influence.

Clearly, this was all by Yang Qi’s design and support. Without the backing of the “King of Jiangnan,” even the most capable man would have struggled to make a name for himself in the crowded world of commerce.

The Pang family, it turned out, was a shadow force raised outside the household—a secret financial foundation underpinning Yang Qi’s power. This was a closely guarded secret, one that would shake all of Jiangnan if it ever came to light.

In the Yang household, only two or three people knew Pang Liang’s true identity. Other than Yang Qi himself, only Yang Kuan was privy to it. Not even Madam Zheng or Yang Xueruo had any inkling.

Pang Liang took a ledger from his robe and presented it respectfully. “Master, this is a complete list of all goods I have brought back on this trip. Please look it over.”

Yang Qi smiled. “No need to scrutinize it, I trust your work. Just give me a summary, Pang Liang, and tell me about the situation in the Central Plains and around Ganluo.”

“Sit.” Yang Qi seated himself slowly and indicated the seat beside him for Pang Liang.

But Pang Liang dared not sit, remaining respectfully standing. “Master, I transported two hundred thousand bushels of Jiangnan grain for sale at high prices, making a considerable profit. On my own initiative, besides regular goods, I also purchased a hundred fine Turkic stallions and five hundred broodmares from Western traders. They are being kept at the paddocks outside the city…”

At this moment, Pang Liang felt slightly uneasy. This venture, sending vast quantities of Jiangnan grain to the Central Plains and Ganluo, had reaped a fortune in times of national crisis. Encountering horse merchants on the southern border near Ganqing, he had decided of his own accord to spend most of his profits on a troop of Turkic horses, laboriously transporting them back to Jiangnan, worried that Yang Qi would be displeased.

Yang Qi’s eyes flashed with delight, though only for an instant. In these times, grain and horses were both crucial strategic resources. For Yang Qi to rise in power, he needed a formidable military force, and breeding warhorses was paramount.

A hundred Western stallions and five hundred broodmares, added to the horses he had secretly accumulated in recent years, could easily yield thousands of fine steeds within two or three years if bred and raised properly. With them, he could form a fierce cavalry, giving him the means to contest the Central Plains or, if necessary, carve out an independent realm in Jiangnan—a fortress belonging solely to the Yang family.

Yet Yang Qi was deeply shrewd and suspicious by nature. Even when facing his most trusted aide, he would never reveal his true thoughts. Though inwardly exultant, his outward demeanor remained calm and placid. “Pang Liang, when it comes to trade, you’re in charge. I won’t interfere too much. As long as you serve me faithfully, your reward will come in time.”

“And those horses…” He paused briefly. “Keep them penned, and have them well trained and bred. Spare no expense in maintaining the paddocks.”

A glint flashed in Pang Liang’s eyes, and he felt a wave of relief. His risky decision had been a test. Had he misread Yang Qi’s ambitions, he would have faced harsh punishment. Though Yang Qi neither praised nor rebuked him, his instructions to “take good care of those horses” spoke volumes.

Having gleaned the answer he sought, Pang Liang dared say no more and bowed deeply. “Master, I will devote myself to your service without a moment’s neglect!”

“Very good. You’ve had a long journey, go and rest.” Yang Qi smiled warmly and, unexpectedly, rose to gently pat Pang Liang on the shoulder in a gesture of intimacy. Startled and flattered, Pang Liang bowed repeatedly as he retreated from the study.

Once Pang Liang had withdrawn, the smile vanished from Yang Qi’s face, replaced by a cold smirk.

To think he dares to test me… It seems that a servant left too long in the wild inevitably grows some ambition. But I fear not your ambitions; just as I made the Pang family, so can I unmake it.

At this thought, Yang Qi cleared his throat.

Yang Kuan entered promptly, bowing low. “Master, your orders?”

Yang Qi smiled coolly. “Assign men to watch Pang Liang closely. Report any unusual activity to me at once.”

Yang Kuan felt a chill run through him, quickly answered, and hurried out.

He didn’t know what had aroused Yang Qi’s suspicion of Pang Liang, but he understood well enough: a man in power seldom trusts anyone completely, not even the most loyal of servants. If Yang Qi could set him to watch Pang Liang, it was just as easy for him to appoint others to watch himself.

In truth, Yang Qi knew full well that Pang Liang might harbor minor ambitions, but would never dare betray the family. Still, cautious and suspicious as he was, any hint of trouble would be nipped in the bud.

Yang Kuan was about to make arrangements when he saw Pang Liang returning in haste.