Chapter Sixteen: A Display of Power

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In the northern city of Yuyang, on Xiangyun Street, the Crescent Moon Tavern, in a private room on the second floor.

Six exquisite dishes were arranged on the square table, and at each end of the table sat a small pot of wine.

A middle-aged man with a handlebar mustache and an elderly man in his fifties raised their cups, clinked them together, and drank. Through the window of the private room, they could see the bustling street outside, filled with carriages and a ceaseless flow of people.

“Manager Yan, how has the bank been operating lately?” The elderly man withdrew his gaze from the lively street and suddenly inquired.

“Elder Cheng, the bank’s operations have been much the same as always—steady, neither prospering nor declining. But the family’s required cut is always delivered,” replied the mustachioed Manager Yan, stroking his beard.

“If that’s the case, why did you especially invite me for a meal at the Crescent Moon Tavern today? I hardly believe you have time for such idle pleasures.”

“Elder Cheng, let’s not pretend. Don’t tell me you haven’t heard the news from the family—someone is to be appointed as the Chief Steward.”

Manager Yan picked up a piece of meat and chewed it thoughtfully.

“The family head has wanted to extend his reach into the northern city and seize new territory for some time. The fact that he sent you and me here first makes it clear enough. Now, if he appoints a Chief Steward, what’s so strange about it? With just the two of us, it’s difficult to accomplish anything significant here anyway.”

Elder Cheng poured himself another cup and drank.

“What you say isn’t wrong, Elder Cheng. But there’s only one bank in the northern city, and not much else besides. The two of us are more than enough to handle things here. You, as steward, oversee all personnel; I, as manager, handle the bank’s operations. One inside, one outside—we have plenty of room to maneuver.

But once a Chief Steward arrives, he’ll be above us both, and if he starts meddling, our word will count for nothing. And you know as well as I do, our finances are limited. When the Chief Steward arrives, your share will surely…”

Manager Yan fell silent, and Elder Cheng’s expression changed.

It was all too clear now. The two of them had been sent by Yang Yuanzhen to temporarily manage the Yang family’s holdings in the northern city. They had been here six months, neither achieving much nor suffering any loss.

The reason was simple: the two of them had been lining their own pockets. With such parasites, the family’s interests had taken a back seat to personal gain—how could anything great be accomplished?

But the arrival of a Chief Steward would change everything. Their absolute control would be lost, and someone would suddenly be placed above them—unacceptable to men accustomed to such comfort.

Elder Cheng grew anxious. He had grown used to his easy days and did not want anyone interfering.

“Manager Yan, since you’ve come to me at this time, you must have a plan. Don’t keep me in suspense—speak up.”

Manager Yan was in no hurry. He sipped his wine slowly, then said, “Elder Cheng, I hear the one being sent as Chief Steward is the family’s unappreciated second young master—poor cultivation, weak character, an ordinary, useless young lord.

From what I know, this second young master was sent here because he’s out of favor and holds far less status than the eldest. He’s been pushed out here, so dealing with him should be relatively simple. But I need you to stand with me if we’re to succeed.”

“Very well, I’ll follow your lead. I’m too old to be caught up in these intrigues,” Elder Cheng replied simply.

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Manager Yan, a man well-versed in dealing with all kinds of people, saw through Elder Cheng’s attempt to hedge his bets. The old man was in no hurry to tie himself to Yan completely.

But since Yan had invited him here today, he had every intention of securing Elder Cheng’s cooperation and had plenty of ways to wear him down over time.

“Don’t worry, Elder Cheng. We’ve both been here long enough. Now, eighty percent of the bank’s staff are our own picks. To sideline the second young master is hardly difficult. If we work together, we can render him powerless within the bank.

And I’ve arranged a little show for today. While we’re here eating, the outcome should be playing out as we speak.”

Manager Yan spoke with a mysterious air and would say no more, no matter how Elder Cheng pressed him. He simply kept urging Elder Cheng to eat and drink.

Meanwhile, twenty-two swift horses entered the northern city, passed through Xiangyun Street, and headed straight for Sitong Lane, just behind Xiangyun Street.

Sitong Lane was one of the city’s three largest markets, and the Yang family’s bank was located within.

The riders halted outside a bank in Sitong Lane. Yang Ze dismounted and strode inside, with Old Xie at his side. Eight skilled fighters of the initial Qi-Attracting stage and twelve household guards followed close behind.

Yang Ze walked briskly, sizing up the bank as he went.

The front doors looked somewhat shabby, with patches where the paint had peeled away. Inside, aside from two servants, no one else was present. The furnishings appeared old and worn.

Seeing this, Yang Ze finally understood what his father meant when he described the place as neglected. Everything was from a bygone era, unchanged, no wonder the profits were so mediocre.

The sudden arrival of more than twenty people startled the two servants, who hurried forward to inquire.

Yang Ze stated his identity, and the servants, suddenly understanding, quickly led him toward the rear hall.

After passing through several doors, Yang Ze’s view finally broadened as they reached a spacious courtyard. At the far end stood a building with a plaque reading “Assembly Hall.”

Now, more than a dozen people stood outside the Assembly Hall. One of the servants had run ahead to announce their arrival, and those inside had prepared a formal welcome.

As soon as Yang Ze appeared, a horse-faced man stepped forward with the others and bowed.

“Welcome, Chief Steward,” they intoned in unison, their voices echoing in the courtyard.

“Are you Yan Min or Cheng Fangchao?” Yang Ze asked, naming the bank manager and steward.

The horse-faced man shook his head. “I am Deputy Steward Zhu Rongyao. Manager Yan and Elder Cheng went out early this morning and have yet to return.”

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Hearing this, Yang Ze’s eyes narrowed. How interesting. Yang Yuanzhen had notified the northern city well in advance of his arrival today, yet both principal supervisors were absent, leaving only an unfamiliar deputy steward to greet him. The implication was all too clear.

“So, they all think I am weak and easy to push around,” Yang Ze thought, his gaze sweeping over Zhu Rongyao and the others.

Since Yan Min and Cheng Fangchao dared act this way, it was obvious that most of these men were their people. Had he been the old Yang Ze, perhaps he would have been powerless and simply waited to be sidelined. But the present Yang Ze had seen such scenes in his previous life.

“Have them come see me as soon as they return. Meanwhile, where are the storeroom and the account books? I wish to inspect them. Also, bring me a report on recent personnel changes—I want to review everyone’s details. And I need a copy of our plan for the northern city, so I can make arrangements.”

Yang Ze issued a string of orders and strode toward the Assembly Hall. But before he could reach the door, Zhu Rongyao blocked his path.

With a faint smile, Zhu Rongyao said, “Chief Steward, I am not authorized to handle these matters. You’ll have to wait for Manager Yan and Elder Cheng to return. Your residence is on the other side; allow me to show you the way.

As for your people, we don’t have enough rooms at the moment. They’ll need to find lodging elsewhere for now.”

The moment Zhu Rongyao finished speaking, the people behind Yang Ze grew indignant. This was nothing less than an attempt to expel them, without even arranging accommodation.

But Zhu Rongyao couldn’t care less. He was merely parroting Manager Yan’s instructions. This second young master had been sent here after being sidelined, and there was no way they would let him seize power. They were fully prepared to marginalize him—the day’s events were just the beginning.

Yet as he finished, Zhu Rongyao noticed that Yang Ze hadn’t moved and showed no intention of following him.

“So, you’re saying that with Yan Min and Cheng Fangchao absent, I am to go with you now, and my men aren’t allowed to stay here?”

Zhu Rongyao hesitated, feeling something was wrong, but on reflection, that was indeed what he had just said. So he nodded.

He had barely nodded when a slap landed across his face, sending him flying. He crashed into a pillar outside the Assembly Hall, crying out as a tooth flew from his mouth.

“You—you dare strike me?” Zhu Rongyao’s eyes blazed with murderous fury. Though only at the initial stage of Qi-Attracting, he had never suffered such humiliation in public.

“Strike you? Not only will I strike you, but it would not be excessive to kill you here and now. This is the Yang family’s bank, I am the second young master of the Yang family, and Chief Steward of this bank. Yet you, some nobody of a deputy steward, dare defy me, presume to restrain me, and invoke Manager Yan and Elder Cheng’s names? Your intentions are clearly malicious.”

Yang Ze spoke each word with force, stepping forward to stand by Zhu Rongyao’s side. With a swift kick, he sent Zhu Rongyao flying again, tumbling out the door to land right at the feet of Manager Yan and Elder Cheng as they entered.