Volume One, Chapter 20: Many Come to Pledge Allegiance!
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Night had fallen over He Qingsong’s residence.
As the chief steward of the Qin family, He Qingsong managed all their shops and enjoyed generous benefits. The cost of living in Xianyang was higher than elsewhere, and real estate was expensive as well, but after years of hard work, He Qingsong had managed to acquire his own small courtyard.
Inside the main hall, He Qingsong sat upright and dignified, while below him were seated the various shopkeepers and master craftsmen of the Qin family. Some were in charge of selling Silk Rain brocade, some oversaw the sale of fabrics, while others were masters of weaving or dyeing.
These were people He Qingsong trusted, but who were also dissatisfied with the Qin family. Chen Liuyuan’s first and second apprentices were absent; though their monthly salaries had been cut, they gritted their teeth and endured it. After all, the Qin family was the household of the Marquis of Changping.
Working for the marquis’s household brought prestige.
He Qingsong looked at the dozen or so people gathered before him and spoke slowly, “I’ve invited you here because of the mess in the Qin family. The Second Young Master is slashing salaries across the board—what do you think about that?”
Zhang Shoushan, one of the managers in charge of Silk Rain brocade sales, his face full of rough features and a fierce look in his eyes, growled angrily, “If we’re not welcome here, we’ll find somewhere else that is.”
Wang Xing, the manager in charge of fabric sales, added, “Things were good when the eldest son was around. Now that he’s gone, everything’s fallen apart. We might as well go over to him.”
One of the master craftsmen said, “I heard Old Master Chen is working for the eldest son now, and life’s never been better. The eldest son is righteous—he won’t treat us unfairly.”
Their voices rose in a chorus of complaint, cursing Qin Youde’s shamelessness and discussing plans to join Qin Bao.
He Qingsong watched their reactions and smiled slightly. “Are none of you attached to the Qin family?”
“Not a bit!” Zhang Shoushan replied coldly. “I care for the Qin family, but do they care for me?”
Wang Xing added, “The Marquis and Qin Youde are blinded by greed. I don’t think their business will last—it’s not worth staying.”
Their resentment was palpable, their words full of indignation.
In the end, it all came down to self-interest. Not only were they bullied by Qin Youde, but their salaries had been cut as well—naturally, they were dissatisfied.
Seeing that the mood was ripe, He Qingsong stopped beating around the bush and came straight to the point. “I went to see the eldest son—he’s willing to take us in.”
“Anyone who wants to go, can go.”
“Once we’re there, your salaries will be the same as before, with no cuts at all.”
“And I’ll tell you one more thing: the eldest son now works for Princess Changle—someone whose word reaches the emperor himself. Come if you wish, if not, we’ll part on good terms.”
An excited murmur swept through the crowd, their faces lighting up with anticipation.
Zhang Shoushan rubbed his hands together and declared without hesitation, “I’m in!”
Wang Xing said, “Count me in too.”
All dozen or so present voiced their willingness—none refused.
Qin Youde’s penny-pinching ways were plain for all to see; anyone could tell the Qin family’s business was doomed.
To be a merchant, one must have principles.
One must keep their word.
One must build a lasting business.
Qin Youde’s crooked methods could never last.
With everyone’s support, He Qingsong gave his orders. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll all resign and go to the eldest son.”
With the matter settled, they drank heartily together before each went home.
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The next morning.
None of the Qin family’s shops opened their doors; most of the weaving and dyeing workshops had gone on strike. The once orderly workshops had descended into chaos, and word of it quickly reached Qin Youde.
Qin Youde stormed into the weaving workshop. Seeing it deserted, he demanded furiously, “What on earth is going on here?!”
“Second Young Master, these people have all quit,” replied Fan Jian, Chen Liuyuan’s first apprentice.
Qin Youde was livid. “Without us, they’d have starved long ago! They’ve had enough to eat and now they dare rebel? Are they trying to overturn the heavens?”
Fan Jian echoed, “They’re rebelling, plain and simple.”
Qin Youde ground his teeth. “Everyone who shouldn’t have come, has come. Everyone who should have stayed, has left. The nerve of these people!”
Fan Jian’s eyes were full of grievance.
What did he mean, those who shouldn’t have come?
Qin Youde demanded, “For everyone to leave all at once, something must be up. What’s going on?”
Fan Jian explained, “Word is they’ve gone to join the eldest young master.”
Smack!
Qin Youde slapped Fan Jian across the face. “Eldest young master? He’s a bastard!”
Fan Jian nodded obsequiously, not daring to utter a word.
Qin Youde, boiling with rage, checked the other shops and found all the family businesses and stores had ground to a halt. Panic rose in his chest, fueling yet more fury.
Damn that Qin Bao!
He actually dared to poach from the Qin family.
Not acting alone, Qin Youde went to Wu Shi and reported the situation in the workshops and shops. “Mother, that bastard is too much—what should we do?”
Wu Shi had recently been riding high. Qin Sheng had been appointed to office as a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of War’s Armory Division, and now held a noble title. As Marchioness of Changping, she was basking in prestige, and no longer had Qin Bao in her sights.
Wu Shi said confidently, “Qin Bao is nothing—he has no status. Our family is different now. Gather the men from the marquis’s household and go to Emerald Garden to seize them.”
Qin Youde hesitated. “What if the princess intervenes?”
Wu Shi snorted, “Your father is a government official now—there’s nothing to fear. Besides, Qin Bao can’t stay with the princess forever. Without her protection, he’s nothing. Do you really think the emperor would back him? Or that he has some other identity?”
“You’re right!” Confidence returned to Qin Youde’s face, and he said cheerfully, “Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll go gather the men now.”
Wu Shi watched her son leave, hoping Qin Bao would be put in his place. She wanted those who had left the Qin family to see that defecting to that wretch Qin Bao would get them nowhere.
...
At Emerald Garden.
He Qingsong arrived with Zhang Shoushan, Wang Xing, the other master craftsmen, and apprentices.
A bustling crowd filled the courtyard, buzzing with anxious conversation as loud as a marketplace. With so many people, the main hall could not hold them all, so Qin Bao received everyone in the courtyard.
“Silence!” Qin Bao called out sternly.
Instantly, all fell quiet.
Tension was etched on every face, each worried that Qin Bao might go back on his word.
Having left the Qin family, there was no return for them. If Qin Bao didn’t take them in, they would be outcasts everywhere.
Qin Bao spoke directly, “Your willingness to come is a testament to your faith in my character. I am deeply grateful.”
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“All who have come today, I will accept.”
“Your salaries will remain exactly as they were when I was at the Qin family—there will be no changes. In the future, adjustments will be made based on your individual abilities.”
Qin Bao’s voice rang out, “In short, if you follow me, you’ll have food to eat and money to earn.”
“The young master is righteous!” He Qingsong was the first to shout, his heart full of joy.
“The young master is righteous!” The others echoed, finally letting go of their worries.
Qin Bao accepted them all, then exchanged a few words with each. As someone who had overseen the weaving and dyeing workshops, he knew every manager, craftsman, and apprentice by name. He spoke to each of them, leaving everyone thoroughly satisfied and free of doubt.
While He Qingsong, Zhang Shoushan, Wang Xing, and the others were rejoicing, Wang Shisan came in to report, “Young Master, Qin Youde has arrived outside the residence with over twenty retainers, demanding that you hand everyone over.”
A commotion broke out among the crowd.
Anxiety and fear showed on every face—for none of them could afford to cross the Marquis of Changping’s household.
He Qingsong stepped forward. “Young Master, if this gets out of hand it won’t be good for you. Perhaps we should quietly slip away through the back.”
Qin Bao replied confidently, “Qin Youde is nothing but a bully—weak with the strong and strong with the weak, a useless fop. What is there to fear?”
“The Qin family has given you no way to live, and Qin Youde is reckless and arrogant. You are leaving with honor. Are you to stay and suffer simply because the Qin family says so?”
“Come with me.”
Qin Bao grew solemn. “Let’s settle this today, so you can work with peace of mind.”
Seeing his composure, He Qingsong and the others finally relaxed a little.
They followed Qin Bao to the front gate.
Qin Bao strode to the entrance, where Qin Youde stood, blustering and posturing. Qin Bao sneered, “Well, if it isn’t the Second Young Master, fresh from a stint in prison—already eager to go back?”
Qin Youde’s temper flared instantly. “Qin Bao, you’re a castoff—a nobody! What right did you have to arrest me?”
“Seize him! Grab Qin Bao!”
Determined to teach Qin Bao a lesson, Qin Youde intended at the very least to give him a beating to vent his rage.
Would the princess hold him accountable?
Hmph! He and Qin Bao were brothers—wasn’t it normal for brothers to fight?
Qin Youde felt certain of victory and grinned broadly.
But then, Qin Bao drew a black token from his sleeve and shouted, “On the authority of the Black Guard—who dares to make a move?”
Instantly, all of the Qin family’s thugs froze.
Terror swept their faces. Better to offend the magistrate than the Black Guard—for once in their hands, even if you survived, you’d be left skinless.
The Qin family’s retainers lost their nerve completely and began retreating in panic.