MLMD -Chapter 305 Journey to Jinling

“How much silver are you planning to spend on these cannons?”

“The lord said five thousand taels of silver per cannon!”

“Are you planning to go by sea?”

“Yes!”

“Does your lord have any other requests?”

“Our lord wishes to meet with you personally to discuss some important matters!”

In a side hall, Yue Yang summoned the steward sent from the Wei Duke’s residence. Sitting squarely and confidently, he faced the steward, who stood respectfully before him and answered his questions.

Yue Yang sat in his chair, quietly observing this steward of the Wei Duke’s household. The man’s appearance was like that of a rural landowner, someone who looked as if he would immediately blurt out “Congratulations on your wealth!” the moment he opened his mouth.

Yue Yang asked slowly, “So, that means your sea vessels are ready as well?”

“I wouldn’t dare hide anything from Lord Hou; indeed, they are ready!” The steward answered honestly, revealing everything without concealment.

“One last question!” Yue Yang raised a finger. “Why is your lord coming to me to purchase cannons? Isn’t he afraid the emperor might grow suspicious?”

“Lord Hou, that’s actually two questions,” the steward said with a faint smile. “I am merely a servant, so there are matters I may not fully understand, but I am willing to share what I do know. My lord chose to buy cannons from you because of your illustrious military achievements over the years. As for the emperor’s suspicion, there is no need to worry. We are nobles whose fortunes rise and fall with the state. Since the founding of this dynasty, have you ever seen a noble rise in rebellion? Therefore, your concern is both unnecessary and unfounded.”

“Ah!” Yue Yang looked somewhat surprised at the steward from the Wei household. Though unremarkable in appearance, the man carried himself with a demeanor and presence that only someone from a prominent family could possess.

Thinking this, Yue Yang couldn’t help but chuckle at himself. “It seems I’ll have to make the trip to Jinling myself, then?”

The steward replied seriously, “Lord Hou, should you go to Jinling, my lord will certainly welcome you with utmost respect!”

After pondering for a while, Yue Yang finally decided, “Very well. Forget about all that ‘welcoming in slippers’ talk. Here’s what we’ll do: wait here for a few days. Once I’m ready, you will escort the cannons and accompany me to Jinling. In the meantime, ensure Tianjin prepares extra ships—if the vessels prove insufficient, the consequences will fall on you!”

“Yes, I guarantee nothing will go wrong!” Upon hearing that Yue Yang had agreed to personally travel to Jinling, the steward was so excited he pounded his chest in delight.

Yue Yang had to inform his family about the trip. The old lady, of course, had no objections; she merely reminded him to travel safely, then returned to attending her grandchildren, uninterested in other matters.

The Linglong sisters also raised no objections. These two wives were the ideal Chinese virtuous and obedient wives: once the husband had made a decision, they would not interfere. However, Hai Lanzhu raised a slight issue.

“Husband, can you tell me the real reason for going to Jinling? Surely it isn’t just to sell those cannons, and twenty thousand taels of silver doesn’t seem worth such a personal trip.” Wearing a jade-green cotton dress and holding a pencil as she reviewed some documents, Hai Lanzhu looked at Yue Yang with curiosity.

“Yes, Hai Lanzhu, I do have a reason for going,” Yue Yang nodded. “The main reason is that our funds are running a little short, so we need to open up a more stable source of revenue.”

Yue Yang’s words were not without reason. By this time, he controlled nearly eighty percent of Shanxi’s salt trade and had opened many factories and mines at Wulizhai. How could he possibly be short on silver?

The explanation was simple: Yue Yang, although earning a lot, spent even more. His primary income came from the sale of private salt, followed by revenue from factories. But as the saying goes, the more you earn, the more you spend.

Yue Yang had over thirty thousand soldiers under his command. Monthly pay alone consumed fifty to sixty thousand taels of silver, not including food, weaponry, armor, ammunition, or the yearly expenses of various regional departments. All these costs easily totaled over one hundred thousand taels per month.

Moreover, Yue Yang had invested heavily in road construction in the northern regions, resettling displaced people, cultivating wastelands, and paying taxes to the court—annual expenditures exceeding 1.5 million taels. Such massive spending could only be sustained through the profits from Shanxi’s salt trade and his factories. With his forces expanding this year, Yue Yang already felt some financial strain.

Hai Lanzhu knew of her husband’s financial situation, but though she was capable and virtuous, she had no grasp of financial matters, unlike the Linglong sisters. Despite her reluctance at Yue Yang traveling so far to Jinling, she could only let him go.

“Husband, do you really have to go in person? Can’t someone else go?”

“I must go myself. Some matters need to be discussed directly with the Wei Duke, and we also need to handle the other nobles carefully. Jinling is too chaotic; if anyone else went, they would be ignored.” Yue Yang was resigned but firm. His trip to Jinling aimed to secure the private salt trade thoroughly. Entering someone else’s territory as an outsider could stir immense trouble; sending another in his place wouldn’t be effective.

For the Chinese, this day marks the arrival of spring, when everything revives and hibernating dragons begin to stir, signaling the start of the agricultural year. In northern China, February 2 is also called the “Dragon Raises Its Head” Day or Spring Dragon Festival, while in the south it’s known as the Qingming Festival or historically as the “Vegetable Gathering Festival.”

Jinling had a custom of haircuts to shed the old, which many people today may have heard of. But an older custom was peculiar: “On February 2, every household welcomes daughters back to speak their grievances.” This meant married daughters returned to their parental homes to recount their experiences in their husbands’ families. Parents would advise on thrift, filial piety, and family harmony. After enduring a month of hardship at their in-laws, daughters could rest at their parental home, go on outings with friends, and enjoy a few relaxing days. Today, daughters mainly return home to visit and converse with parents, sharing stories and enjoying family life.

Thus, during this festival, Jinling’s streets and alleys were crowded with young wives visiting their parental homes, accompanied by their husbands.

Yue Yang strolled slowly along the Qinhuai River, dressed in a teal silk long robe.

Arriving in Jinling, one cannot ignore the Qinhuai River. Anciently called Longcang Pu, later Huai Shui, most of the river lies within Jinling’s city limits. The segment flowing through Nanjing is famously called the “Ten Li Qinhuai.” It was known as “the area of the Six Dynasties’ moonlit elegance, gathering the city’s most refined people,” making it one of the most prosperous places of ten generations. Hence, it was celebrated as “China’s most historically and culturally significant river.”

But Yue Yang was less interested in history than in the phrase “gathering the city’s most refined people.” That was his favorite.

“Lord… this is the famous Ten Li Qinhuai of Jinling!” Mao Xiang, walking behind Yue Yang, pointed ahead and smiled. “We’ve come too early; if you came in April, it would be truly beautiful. At night, poets, travelers, and young women on the river make it impossible to move through.”

Yue Yang smiled. “Bijiang, from your tone, I gather you’re already quite familiar with this place.”

Mao Xiang blushed and stammered, “I… Lord… you jest. I only used to come with friends to compose poetry, nothing beyond that!”

“Hahaha… Bijiang, I’m not mad at you. Why are you so nervous?” Yue Yang laughed heartily, startling a few birds perched on the riverbank.

This trip to Jinling involved forty cannons, two hundred gunners, and five hundred personal guards. Yue Yang brought along only three others: his captain Chen Dazhi, Mao Xiang, and Fang Yizhi. Chen Dazhi was for protection, while Mao Xiang and Fang Yizhi were intimately familiar with Jinling, especially the Qinhuai River.

Mao Xiang, fearing Yue Yang might suspect him, tried to deny it, but Fang Yizhi mercilessly exposed him: “Don’t listen to Bijiang. You have no idea, Lord. He is a regular here; every girl on this river knows him well!”

Embarrassed and angered, Mao Xiang shouted, “Fang Yizhi! You reveal my secrets in front of Lord Hou! Do you think you’re in the clear? Who was detained in Qinghe Fang for unpaid dues if not me and Chaorong? If we hadn’t rescued you, you’d still be scrubbing dishes there!”

Hearing their bickering, Yue Yang shook his head with amusement. Though both appeared honest, they were quite mischievous inside.

After some laughter, Mao Xiang asked Yue Yang, “Lord Hou, since we’ve arrived in Jinling, why hasn’t the Duke seen you yet? Doesn’t he want the cannons?”

Yue Yang replied calmly, “It’s obvious, isn’t it? The Wei Duke wants to build some leverage before our meeting. Don’t worry; since he isn’t anxious, neither are we. Let’s enjoy a few days here; eventually, someone will be eager to meet us. Come, Bijiang, take me to the girls you know well!” With that, Yue Yang strode ahead.

On the Qinhuai River, painted barges of various sizes moved about. These were either stationary buildings or elaborately decorated boats used for sightseeing, entertainment, or hosting young women for guests.

Qinghe Fang, a famous brothel on the Qinhuai, was run by Madam Qian Niang, who managed six or seven painted barges. Today, after waking past noon, Madam Qian Niang lazily sat by the window on one barge, watching the quiet river. She sighed, “Those damned Japanese pirates! Come they might not, and it’s ruining our business. If this continues, we’ll be starving.”

At that moment, a small black-hooded boat approached. These boats were unique to southern waterways, pointed at both ends, covered with half-round bamboo canopies coated in black lacquer.

The boat tied securely to the barge, and a burly boatman announced, “Miss, we’ve arrived. Please board the barge!”

The curtains lifted, revealing a twelve- or thirteen-year-old maid in blue and a thirty-year-old attendant in plain clothes. Together they helped a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl disembark. She was slender, holding a willow branch, with graceful eyes and cherry-red lips, exuding charm.

Once aboard, a pink-dressed thirteen- or fourteen-year-old maid ran up, smiling, “Is it Miss Xiaowan? My lady has been waiting for you!”

The girl giggled and tapped the maid’s head, teasing, “You’re sharp-eyed, little one. I’ve just stepped on board, and you’ve already rushed to greet me. What favors do you want this time?”

The maid covered her head, protesting, “Miss Xiaowan, last night my lady spoke of your arrival. I’ve been looking everywhere and only just saw you!”

The girl laughed, tapping the maid affectionately on the forehead. “You little rascal, your mouth is as sweet as honey. No wonder Xiangjun cherishes you so much!”

The maid giggled adorably.

At that moment, a door opened, and a beautiful young woman of sixteen or seventeen stepped out, wearing light green, her almond-shaped face radiant. She scolded playfully, “Dong Xiaowan! We’ve waited so long. Now that you’re here, you tease my maid? What punishment do you deserve?”

Dong Xiaowan ran up happily, embracing her. “Sister, it’s unfair. I came straight here, didn’t even have tea, yet I’m blamed!”

The newcomer laughed, leaning in and saying softly, “All right, all right. I misjudged you, Xiaowan. Now come inside; I’ll serve tea and apologize properly.”

“Humph, that’s better!” They exchanged smiles and hugged, laughing together.

Madam Qian Niang, noticing their joy, reminded them, “Ladies, it’s windy outside. If you catch a chill, it won’t be pleasant. Better go inside.”

“Thank you, Madam Qian!” They thanked her and stepped quickly into the barge.

Then two more black-hooded boats approached, with several scholars standing at the bow of the lead boat.

Qian Niang’s heart leapt with joy. The pirate rumors had reduced tourists drastically, and her business had suffered. Seeing guests finally arrive, she ran to the bow, recognizing them, waving a handkerchief, and calling out:

“Are those Lord Mao and Lord Fang?”

“Hahaha!” The men on the boat laughed. “It’s Madam Qian! Long time no see. How have you been?”

“Oh… doing well! Lord Mao and Lord Fang, rare guests! Come, come, have a drink!”

In the past, Qian Niang would not have been so enthusiastic—they were famous on the Qinhuai River but poor, not lucrative customers. But now, with business slow, every bit of profit counted.

“Hahaha… please forgive the intrusion!” Mao Xiang laughed to Yue Yang. “Lord, this is the famous Madam Qian. Every girl under her care is skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. You won’t be disappointed!”

Qian Niang’s sharp eyes immediately brightened. Seeing Mao Xiang and Fang Yizhi standing respectfully beside Yue Yang, a glint of excitement lit her eyes.