Twenty-five

Chapter 25: Poor Choice of Companions

"Gently untie your sash, slowly peel off your outer garment, reveal your fair skin, and let out that faint, intoxicating fragrance. I can't help but want to take a bite out of you... Zhaoniang, why are you looking at me like that? Don't let your imagination run wild; it's time to eat the zongzi." Duan Mingyu bit off half a rice dumpling and offered a lecherous grin.

Yang Zhaoniang arched her brows, looking at the dumpling as if it were her sworn enemy, and took a fierce bite. "Who's letting their imagination run wild? It’s clearly you... Hmph, anyway, only a ghost would believe you."

"Brother Xu, have the accounts been tallied? Why don't you have a dumpling and take a break?" Duan Mingyu called out.

"It’s done, it’s done! Young Master, guess how much silver we made today?" Xu Zuye asked with a beaming smile.

Duan Mingyu retorted, "Just tell me straight, why the hell are you asking me to guess?"

Xu Zuye held up three fingers. "Three thousand taels. Three thousand taels on the very first day of business! This old man is truly impressed."

Duan Mingyu said bashfully, "A mere trifle, a mere trifle!"

Now that he was a man of means, he had to remain calm—composed. There was a world of difference between having money and not having it. As the saying went: "When you're poor, you raise pigs; when you're rich, you raise dogs. When you're poor, you eat wild herbs at home; when you're rich, you eat wild herbs at the hotel. When you're poor, you ride a bicycle on the street; when you're rich, you ride a bicycle in the living room. When you're poor, you want to get married; when you're rich, you want a divorce. When you're poor, your wife doubles as your secretary; when you're rich, your secretary doubles as your wife. When you're poor, you call the house cleaner 'Auntie'; when you're rich, you call the nanny a 'Filipina maid.'"

The gap between poverty and wealth was indeed that vast. Duan Mingyu had experienced it firsthand, so he sat there chuckling at his dumpling with excitement, much to the exasperation of both Yang Zhaoniang and Xu Zuye.

Looking at Xu Zuye’s seemingly innocent expression, Duan Mingyu felt his anger flare. *Playing the innocent, are we?* It was this old man who was the culprit for dragging him into this mess. He could have just been at home counting his money! Tomorrow he still had to go to the magistrate's office to work. Duan Mingyu sighed toward the heavens, "Poor choice of companions!"

Xu Zuye rubbed his nose. "You brat, didn't you also snag the position of Deputy Chief Constable? Don't act like a spoiled brat after getting what you wanted. If it were me..."

"What would a brute like you know? A fine horse may run a thousand miles, but it’s no good at plowing fields; a plow ox may be diligent, but it’s no good at guarding the house. Am I even the type to do this kind of work?" Duan Mingyu said bitterly.

Yang Zhaoniang clapped her hands and hopped off the stool. "Why are you always comparing yourself to animals? By the way, can you lend me some money?"

Duan Mingyu asked, confused, "How much?"

"Just a few hundred taels will do," Yang Zhaoniang said expressionlessly.

Duan Mingyu spat out the water he had just taken a sip of and immediately gave Yang Zhaoniang a sharp rap on the head. "Just a few hundred taels? What on earth does a young girl like you need that much money for?"

Yang Zhaoniang pulled a long face. "Don't you think there have been a lot more beggars and displaced people in Bianliang lately? Our Beggar Gang is planning to seize this opportunity to recruit more members. Sigh, there are hundreds of people who need to eat..."

"Nonsense!" Duan Mingyu cut her off just as she was about to lay out her grand vision. "With those bratty kids of yours—that pathetic excuse for a Beggar Gang—if their parents ever found them, they'd just drag them home by the ears and tan their hides."

Yang Zhaoniang said indignantly, "Hmph, vulgar!"

Duan Mingyu ignored her protest, lost in thought. It was true; why had the number of displaced people increased so much lately? One reason was the endless warfare, which had brought production to a standstill and caused a loss of labor. Another reason was usury.

In the late Tang Dynasty, usury was divided into official and private loans. Official lending was the most active; the government lent money at monthly interest rates as high as fifty, sixty, or even seventy percent. Private usury had even higher rates, sometimes reaching twenty percent. Borrowers had to sign contracts, and if they couldn't repay on time, they would have to sell off their property, land, and even their wives and children. It was no wonder that so many families were ruined and destroyed.

Inspired by Yang Zhaoniang, Duan Mingyu said, "Old Xu, tomorrow you go and recruit fifty displaced people. Once they're here, drill them ruthlessly. We can only rely on ourselves to protect our business."

Xu Zuye stood up straight. "Young Master, rest assured. I guarantee the task will be completed."

Duan Mingyu said, "Alright, everyone go and rest. Zhaoniang, where is your grandfather?"

Yang Zhaoniang pouted, "He's in his room meditating. Go yourself if you want to find him; don't think about ordering me around again!"

Duan Mingyu was speechless. When he looked back, Yang Zhaoniang had already stormed off and vanished.

Duan Mingyu quietly walked to Yang Yanguang's door. Just as he was about to knock, Yang Yanguang spoke.

"Come in, the door isn't locked," Yang Yanguang said.

Duan Mingyu pushed the door open to see Yang Yanguang looking full of vigor. He was deeply puzzled—how could this old man be more energetic after meditating than if he'd taken some kind of stimulant?

Duan Mingyu praised, "A master indeed! Elder Yang, you truly are a master!"

Yang Yanguang replied, "Everyone has their own strengths. Speak, what do you want? Whenever you open your mouth, it’s never for anything good."

Duan Mingyu felt stifled. *Fine, I need something from you, so I’ll endure it.* "Elder Yang, I believe you saw it today. Ever since I started this business, I’ve been plagued by constant trouble and bad luck..."

"What exactly are you trying to say, you rascal?" Yang Yanguang asked.

Duan Mingyu sighed, "It’s a long story!"

"Then make it short."

Duan Mingyu’s face twitched. "If I make this short, I won't be able to explain it clearly."

"If you can't explain it clearly, then don't say it at all," Yang Yanguang said flatly.

*Fine, you win!* Duan Mingyu said, "Alright, short it is."

He gave a dry cough. "Elder Yang, I’ve offended a local gang, and today I nearly lost my life..."

Yang Yanguang opened his eyes. "I know all that. I saw it today."

"Then why did you stand by and watch without offering a helping hand?" Duan Mingyu asked indignantly.

"I twisted my ankle."

Duan Mingyu: "..."

Yang Yanguang asked, "What is it you actually came here for?"

Duan Mingyu took a deep breath. "I would like to ask you to teach me martial arts."

Yang Yanguang stroked his beard and said in a slow, measured tone, "I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate."

Duan Mingyu stood up angrily. "Aren't you afraid I’ll kick you out right now and leave you to sleep on the streets tonight?"

Yang Yanguang rested his hand on his sword. "And what if I refuse to leave?"

Duan Mingyu looked at Yang Yanguang, mentally calculating their combat power, and swallowed hard. "Fine, you don't leave—I will!" With that, he turned and headed for the door.

Yang Yanguang said, "Your room is the third one on the left after you go out. Please close the door when you leave, thank you."

Duan Mingyu lost his usual fiery temper and instead sighed powerlessly. He got up, closed the door, walked back, and pulled up a stool to sit down.

Duan Mingyu’s face twitched uncontrollably. This old man really didn't consider himself an outsider...

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