Chapter 243: Slander

Chapter 243: Slander

"Manager Yu, this batch of goods is being sent by Boss Hu from He County to Zhen Guan Workshop — it's preserved fruits."

"Fruits don't keep well. Go check the inventory against the list first. If everything's fine, have them delivered to Zhen Guan Workshop immediately."

"Got it, I'm on it!"

"Manager Yu, I also have twenty carts of goods from Boss Hao, all taken from Zhen Guan Workshop, to be sold in Lin'an Prefecture."

"Lin'an Prefecture? How much of the road from Xi Wu has been built out? The relay stations are far apart too. To send it to Lin'an, we'll need Na Tuo and his team to escort it personally, and the shipping fee will go up by ten percent."

"Boss Hao agreed to the ten percent increase, but he wants the Hao family name added to the next section of the road's naming rights."

"A true businessman, always grabbing for small advantages. Agree to it — add it, add it."

Yu Yandong was busy as a bee at the relay station, his feet barely touching the ground. Out of the blue, he spotted Na Tuo under a tree outside, awkwardly practicing Standard Speech with a notebook in hand.

"If you've got that much free time, why not come over and help me out?" Yu Yandong said sourly.

Na Tuo put away his notebook and said in his clumsy Yu language, "Master said we each handle our own affairs. Besides, I'll be running a trip to Qinzhou soon, personally ordered by the prefect. They're loading up the goods now; I'll be leaving with my men shortly."

Yu Yandong frowned. He had originally wanted Na Tuo to handle this Lin'an trip. Since Na Tuo was unavailable, he'd have to wait until Lei Bao got back the day after tomorrow.

"Alright then, go on. Take care on the road." Yu Yandong waved him off.

Before leaving, Na Tuo offered a kind reminder: "When I was at Zhen Guan Workshop earlier, I saw that fellow from Huizhou Prefecture again."

Yu Yandong's face instantly twisted in fury. "What! That bastard is bothering Shuang Geer again!" He rolled up his sleeves and barked to his subordinate, "You hold the fort here. I'm heading out of the city and will be back soon."

The relay station sat right by the city gate. Just past the gate was Zhen Guan Workshop. Yu Yandong galloped over and entered the familiar workshop unhindered, greeted with cheerful nods.

"Xiao Yu is here again!"

"Manager Tang is over in the sorting area, talking to someone."

Yu Yandong stormed into Zhen Guan Workshop and, sure enough, saw a fair-skinned, delicate-looking man chatting with Tang Jinshuang.

That man even wore a sly grin — to Yu Yandong's eyes, as sly as could be!

"Shuang Geer," Yu Yandong forced a smile and sidled up to him. "Not busy? If you're not busy, why not come see me?" His last words came out a bit timid.

Tang Jinshuang took a discreet step back to avoid him. "Why would I come see you!"

Then, a bit awkwardly, he gave an apologetic smile to the man across from him.

Seeing Tang Jinshuang's different attitude toward him and that other man, Yu Yandong's heart soured with jealousy. "Xu Wenjun, aren't you done with your business yet? Why haven't you returned to Huizhou Prefecture?"

Xu Wenjun appeared gentle and refined on the surface, but when he opened his mouth, it was a triple blow: "Manager Yu, your question is quite strange. I'm here to do business with Zhen Guan Workshop. How is that any of your concern? You keep popping in every few days, and anyone would think you were Jinshuang's husband. But I just asked Jinshuang, and he said you're just ordinary friends — isn't that right, Jinshuang?"

"Jinshuang! Jinshuang! How dare you call him Jinshuang!" Yu Yandong was fuming, itching to give this sarcastic bastard a shoulder throw.

Tang Jinshuang stopped him. "Enough! The relay station is swamped right now, and you're here causing trouble. Get back there quickly."

Scolded by him, Yu Yandong came in like a storm and left like a wilted plant. He didn't even have the strength to flick his whip when he mounted his horse.

"Heh, Manager Yu is so young and lively." Xu Wenjun chuckled.

Tang Jinshuang replied with polite distance, "Forgive his behavior, Mr. Xu. He's young and inexperienced, easily riled. Please be lenient with him next time."

Xu Wenjun raised an eyebrow — was that a protective stance?

"Having troubled Manager Tang for several days at Zhen Guan Workshop, I've seen the depth of your workshop. On behalf of the Xu family of Huizhou Prefecture, I'd like to sign a three-year order for fruit preserve jars — but only for lychee ones."

Tang Jinshuang had spent days accompanying this gentleman from Huizhou on tours of the workshop and finally landed this big deal. Naturally, he was overjoyed. "Rest assured, Mr. Xu, Zhen Guan Workshop will not disappoint."

As Xu Wenjun came out of Zhen Guan Workshop, his coachman and servants waited outside. Two maidservants in the carriage rushed to greet him. "Master, please get in the carriage and rest. You could have just sent a manager — why go yourself? Lingnan's weather is so hot. We've suffered so much on this trip!"

"Exactly. This Zhen Guan Workshop didn't even have the owner show up. They just sent a manager to accompany us — and an unmarried man at that. Who knows what schemes they're up to? How tacky. If you ask me, they should send someone else!"

The two maidservants, sharp-tongued, took turns persuading him.

As the master, Xu Wenjun couldn't even get a word in. He boarded the carriage. The blazing sun outside couldn't melt the cold in his eyes, but a gentle smile lingered on his lips. "I've heard the owner of Zhen Guan Workshop is also a man like me. Perhaps there's a kindred spirit there."

The two maids exchanged glances, their faces even more disdainful. They not only muttered insults about Tang Jinshuang but also made a few disparaging remarks about the workshop's owner.

Tang Jinshuang quietly stood by the carriage, holding two jars of packaged fruit preserves. The coachman, neither cracking his whip nor urging the horses forward, didn't alert the master inside. He lingered there as if he hadn't seen Tang Jinshuang at all, only slowly driving off after the maids finished their chatter and wondered why he hadn't started moving.

The muddy past wasn't a lie, and Tang Jinshuang wasn't immune to malicious speculation — but what bothered him more was the strange feeling behind this whole affair.

"The master is wise. This Mr. Xu is a clever man, and he just signed a three-year contract with the workshop. I can't understand why he would deliberately let his servants slander me like this," Tang Jinshuang said, clutching the newly signed contract as he arrived at the Song residence. In Meng Wan's study, he was utterly perplexed.

Meng Wan's desk was very large. He hadn't gone out that day and was currently bent over a painting. But "painting" wasn't quite right — the artwork was interwoven with characters, resembling ancient oracle bone script. Above the painting were symbols Tang Jinshuang had never seen, and below was normal text.

Tang Jinshuang was captivated until Meng Wan finished a page and gently set down his high-quality ivory brush. "You don't know the Xu family's background, so of course you don't understand Xu Wenjun's intentions."

Meng Wan shook out his aching hand, rummaged through the bottom drawer of his bookshelf for a moment, and pulled out two letters, handing them to Tang Jinshuang. "As it happens, Uncle Zhu took a job in Huizhou a while back, planning to open a Shijian Relay Station there. He investigated several prominent local merchants and country gentry, including the Xu family. Later, when Xu Wenjun heard about Uncle Zhu's origins and wanted to come to Xi Wu Prefecture to do business with Zhen Guan Workshop, Uncle Zhu looked into his matters more thoroughly. Read these two letters, and you'll understand."

Tang Jinshuang took the letters, his heart pounding. The worst-case scenario was that Xu Wenjun was a fraud, not a member of the Huizhou Xu family at all. But when he opened the letters, he found things more complicated than he had imagined.

The first letter was a brief summary, not very detailed, but it already revealed many issues. When Third Master Zhu first arrived in Huizhou, this is how he commented on Xu Wenjun's situation:

"Mr. Xu has a son named Wenjun, the seventh in line. In his youth, he was exceptionally bright and often praised by his tutors. Later, due to a broken hand, he lost the chance to pursue the imperial examinations and languished for several years. By the age of sixteen, he was given a shop on the verge of bankruptcy, but in just two years, he turned it around — quite a capable fellow."

Later, when Xu Wenjun came to him on his own, Third Master Zhu investigated more deeply. It turned out Xu Wenjun was indeed a member of the Huizhou Xu family, but the son of a concubine — his mother a mere maid-turned-secondary-wife with no backing. Mr. Xu's legal wife had died early, leaving one son. His second wife bore two sons and another son, and the many concubines produced even more children. Xu Wenjun had fifteen or sixteen siblings in total, stuck in an awkward middle position.

If it were just that, he could have lived comfortably on the property he inherited after his father died. But Xu Wenjun was clever — he stood out among his siblings, repeatedly praised by tutors in the private school for his intelligence. Mr. Xu gradually began to value him, for what merchant wouldn't want their offspring to break free from the merchant class and enter officialdom?

Even in Huizhou Prefecture, where scholars were a dime a dozen, the Xu family had only three xiucai, and not a single juren to speak of. When Zhu Zening had earned his Associate Jinshi, Third Master Zhu nearly emptied his purse to smooth his son's path — a testament to merchants' obsession with the imperial examinations.

Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to last. At age eight, Xu Wenjun got into an argument in the private school and had his right wrist broken, ending his chance at the examinations.

What followed was a description of his various schemes, how he laid low, and how shrewd he was.

Tang Jinshuang wasn't foolish. After a moment's thought, he understood. "He deliberately let his servants act that way — those two maids are spies sent by his legal mother?"

Meng Wan put the two letters away and smiled. "Something like that. His brothers aren't easygoing either, and the concubines are restless — who knows whose scheme it is?"

Meng Wan had too much to deal with to play these games with Mr. Xu. He was staying at the Song residence, and being cursed at by maids wasn't a big deal, but for the sake of Zhen Guan Workshop's face, he needed to send a warning to this Mr. Xu.

Glancing at the setting sun outside, he realized it was almost time to pick up Song Tingzhou from work. Changing into a coat, Meng Wan walked out, saying as he went, "Tomorrow I'll go to the relay station. Summon Xu Wenjun there. Tell him I have more to discuss regarding the partnership."

"Yes, Master. I'll send someone with the invitation right away." Tang Jinshuang felt ashamed for troubling his master with such a small matter.

When Meng Wan arrived at the government office gate with his umbrella, Tang Rouniang was also outside. Meng Wan smiled and called out to her, "Rou Niang is here today too. Want to come in and wait with me?"

Tang Jinrou knew that her brother was serving as a manager under Meng Wan, and although the former misunderstandings had been resolved, after years of awkwardness, she still wasn’t used to speaking cordially with Tang Jinshuang. When she saw Meng Wan, she didn’t know where to put her hands or feet.

"No need, Meng Fulang. I'll just wait here," Tang Jinrou said nervously.

Meng Wan stepped onto the stairs leading into the government office, then thought of something and stepped back. "Rou Niang, by now you know all about your brother's experiences over the years. You won't look down on him, will you? You are his only family."

Tang Jinrou waved her hands repeatedly. "How could I! I don't look down on him… that's what my brother means."

Meng Wan sighed. "That's good. Last New Year's, he was lonely and miserable, missed you terribly, and was absent-minded for days on end."

Tang Jinrou blurted out without thinking, "This New Year's, I'll invite him to my home."

Meng Wan's eyes curved into a warm smile. "That would be wonderful. Life is short—we should all cherish the people around us."

Tang Jinrou was deeply moved. "What you say is right."

Song Tingzhou emerged from the government office, his eyes immediately landing on Meng Wan. His stern face instantly softened. "Wan'er, let's go home."

Meng Wan allowed himself to be led back. "Alright. Today Mother is cooking again—braised fish and stir-fried shrimp. We'll go back just in time to eat it ready-made."

Tang Jinrou stared blankly at their retreating figures until Magistrate Zhang came out to call her. The two of them also left together, and from a distance one could hear Tang Jinrou's slightly hesitant voice: "Husband, this New Year's, could I invite my brother to our home for the holiday?"

"Of course."

"Then… then let's buy more pastries? My brother loves sweets."

"Alright, we'll go shopping together before the New Year."

---

That summer, in West Wu Prefecture, many local merchants began to stir. Starting as early as June, ripe lychees were carried from the mountains by merchants to the post stations in the local counties, then in batches from those county stations to the Zhen Guan Workshop on the outskirts of the prefectural capital for processing.

When the lychee fruit preserve jars were actually produced, everyone was overjoyed. Everyone could foresee the enormous profits these lychee fruit preserve jars would bring.

However, under Meng Wan's sole control over the Glaze Workshop, the lychee fruit preserve jars did not sell for the astronomical prices they had imagined.

Meng Wan intended to use the lychee fruit preserve jars to earn money while also building roads—the two mutually beneficial endeavors. Only if the roads were good could his commercial stations be established throughout the country. But considering various factors, he did not want things to become too out of control. He wanted to position the fruit preserve jar as a mid-to-high-end product, not marketed at an exorbitant price.

Later, as the roads were fully built and the output of fruit preserve jars increased, the price would be lowered further. But that would be at least ten, twenty, or even more years down the line.

For now, almost all merchants in West Wu Prefecture who were involved in cooperation with Zhen Guan Workshop were dizzy at the sight of the enormous profits before them.

Early in the morning, Meng Wan wore a thin light blue gauze robe, took several thick notebooks, and boarded a carriage, heading straight for the Shijian Post Station near the city gate.

The post station was bustling; the large costs he had invested were beginning to pay off. The bulk would naturally stay with the station to fund further expansion. The remainder would be used to coordinate with Song Tingzhou's renovations of the county and prefectural schools, followed by the construction of academies—that was his key focus for the second half of the year.

"Master!"

"Good day, Master."

"Master is here."

Xue Sheng followed behind Meng Wan, carrying his books, while Meng Wan strode forward briskly. Outside the reception hall, Yu Yandong was watching Xu Wenjun like a hawk. Seeing Meng Wan arrive, he withdrew his gaze and hurried over.

"Master."

Without pausing his steps, Meng Wan instructed, "Call all the managers who are not currently busy to a meeting."

"Yes!" Yu Yandong replied respectfully.

Xu Wenjun had already guessed something when Meng Wan entered the post station. Seeing Yu Yandong's deferential attitude, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.

Although he had long heard that the master of Zhen Guan Workshop and the post station was the Prefect's husband, like most merchants new to West Wu Prefecture, he merely thought it was a gimmick—using Prefect Song's name to rake in money, and even the shops might have been acquired through coercion.

But from the attitude of these people, it seemed not to be the case.

With a hundred thoughts spinning in his mind, Xu Wenjun stepped forward proactively. "Master Meng."

Meng Wan turned his head to glance at him and replied quite politely, "Please wait in the reception hall, Mr. Xu. I still have matters to attend to."

Without waiting for Xu Wenjun to respond, he immediately instructed the managers who had gathered, "Bring all the contracts you've signed this month."

Seeing that Xu Wenjun couldn't even get a word in, the maidservants beside him were furious. Watching Meng Wan, a gē'er, mingling among male managers and wielding more authority than their own master, they couldn't help but make sarcastic remarks. "What kind of tactless person treats guests like this?"

"No wonder that so-called Manager Tang yesterday had such a seductive demeanor—he's just copying his superior."

"Who knows how he made his money—it's disgustingly filthy."

Xue Sheng stood before the two Xu family maids, staring at them with icy eyes.

"Wh-what? Can't we even say a few words?" The two looked guilty and spoke falteringly, but since they hadn't been talking loudly, they assumed no one would hear them, so they raised their voices further.

"What's the matter?" Meng Wan turned back to ask Xue Sheng.

Xue Sheng replied coldly, "Fulang, these two maids were just slandering your reputation with foul and offensive words."

Meng Wan said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Then send them to the government office. Say that the two of them have slandered me, and let the magistrate judge as he sees fit."