Chapter Thirty-One: The Duel

Qin Hao’s hearty laughter echoed within the room, his nod laden with meaning. “I suspect Wang Qun has already introduced you to the situation here. To be frank, the Qin family is somewhat reclusive, preferring little contact with the outside world. The matter of Zhen Lang is a first for us—it’s put us in a bit of a bind!”

“May I ask, Uncle Qin, what troubles you? Please speak plainly.”

Zhen Qian knew things would not proceed so easily. It would be strange indeed if the Qin family did not lay out some terms.

“You’re a straightforward man, Zhen Lang, so I’ll be equally forthright,” Qin Hao smiled slyly, like an old fox. “The Zhen and Qin families have traded for years. I trust your family, I trust Wang Qun, and naturally, I trust you. The Qin family has dwelled deep in these mountains for many years, rarely dealing with outsiders. I hope your distillery won’t bring any trouble to our household.”

“That is only natural. The distillery is established here precisely to avoid attracting outside attention, so it doesn’t conflict with the Qin family’s wish for seclusion.”

“Good!” Qin Hao stoked the flames in the earthen pit until they blazed brighter, dusting off imaginary particles from his hands. “Let me be clear. First, the distillery is its own entity and has no ties to the Qin family. Second, each month, the distillery must help transport one hundred bushels of grain here for the Qin family. Third, the distillery must provide the Qin family with one hundred dou of wine monthly. If you agree to these three points, you may set up your distillery here.”

“Uncle Qin, may I ask a question?” Zhen Qian wasn’t surprised by the terms and wanted clarification. “The first point is acceptable. Regarding the second, is the grain delivered free of charge, or is it only transport? As for the third, may I consider it the fee for renting the Qin family’s land? Please clarify.”

Qin Hao was secretly astonished at the young man’s sharpness—he could not underestimate him. “Both the second and third points are to be provided free of charge by the distillery. You may consider them as rent, if you wish. Does my answer satisfy you?”

Zhen Qian pressed for more details, inwardly cursing Qin Hao for being a crafty fox. Qin Hao had not spent a single coin yet was reaping numerous benefits, treating him as a hired laborer for the Qin family.

A hundred bushels of grain seemed little, but at the lowest price in Zhendin, one bushel equaled ten dou, each dou worth seven copper coins. A hundred bushels amounted to about seven strings of coins, and with transport, the total wouldn’t be less than ten. Add the monthly hundred dou of wine, and the cost easily exceeded twenty strings. Did Qin Hao take him for a fool?

“May I ask, Uncle Qin, whether you know the cost of purchasing an estate outside?”

Qin Hao was puzzled by the sudden shift in topic. “I’ve lived in the mountains for so long that I’m unfamiliar with matters outside. Why do you ask?”

Zhen Qian silently cursed the old fox. Even if he hid in the mountains, he should know about the outside world, or else those merchants would have long since sold off the Qin family.

“Uncle Qin, you may not know, but now, within ten miles of Zhendin city, a courtyard with three entrances can be rented for just five hundred copper coins a month. To buy one outright costs only fifty to sixty strings. Would I agree to your terms?”

Qin Hao understood Zhen Qian’s reasoning. Zhen Qian knew well that Qin Hao was making exorbitant demands. Why pay twenty strings a month to the Qin family when he could simply buy a remote estate for much less?

“What terms would you accept, then?”

“I can help the Qin family transport one hundred bushels of grain here each month, but you must pay for the grain itself. As for wine, I can provide as much as you need, but the price must be negotiated beforehand. Do you agree?”

Qin Hao shook his head. “Impossible. The Qin family cannot accept those terms.”

“Then there’s nothing more to discuss.” Zhen Qian said no more, glanced at Wang Qun, and declared, “Let’s leave it at that.” He walked outside. Qin Hao made no effort to stop him, nor did he try to resume negotiations.

Zhen Qian looked up at the sky; the sun was already slanting westward, likely past two or three o’clock. If he returned to Zhendin now, the city gates would surely be closed.

Wang Qun had brought more than ten carts of goods today, and since the transaction with the Qin family had not yet concluded, he would not be able to return tonight. He followed the path out front, heading to find Xiao Zhu and the others.

Inside, Qin Hao looked at Wang Qun with a peculiar smile. “Your young master is truly shrewd, meticulous in his dealings and tight-lipped. One could mistake him for a seasoned merchant.”

Wang Qun’s face twitched. He hadn’t known Qin Hao would propose such harsh terms, but was relieved Zhen Qian didn’t accept. He was curious about Zhen Qian; this was not the cunning one would expect of a mere scholar, but of a veteran merchant hardened by years of business. He had not seen it coming.

“Brother Qin, you’re not being fair—pulling this in front of my young master. Where can I hide my old face now?”

Qin Hao was unconcerned. “Each seeks their own benefit. If you open a distillery here and I gain nothing, what prestige would the Qin family have?”

“You can’t say that. Even I wouldn’t accept your terms; there’s no way to negotiate. Don’t bully Zhen Lang for being inexperienced.”

“He…” Qin Hao grinned sheepishly. “Your young master is clever indeed; fooling him is no easy feat.”

“Enough! Let’s talk about today’s transaction.” Wang Qun did not wish to dwell on this matter, steering the conversation toward the goods he had brought. “I brought everything you requested. Are the items I need prepared?”

“Of course…” Qin Hao laughed heartily.

Zhen Qian followed the path ahead, hearing a commotion and cheers somewhere in front—something seemed to be happening. He walked toward the sound.

A crowd had gathered in a clearing, shouts rising and falling, each person excited as if injected with vigor.

“Go on! Don’t disgrace the Qin family!”

“Fight! A grown man losing to a woman—isn’t that shameful?”

The noise was confusing, and Zhen Qian couldn’t make out what was happening. He had no intention of joining the crowd but saw Xiao Zhu and Xiao Mei squealing with excitement, eager to join in. He was puzzled; these two girls were not usually like this. What had them so animated today?

“Xiao Zhu, Xiao Mei, what are you doing?”

Xiao Zhu was tiptoeing, trying to peer into the crowd. She was about to protest being pulled aside when she saw it was Zhen Qian. Her face lit up. “Master, come quickly—Ju Niang is fighting someone!”

“What?” Zhen Qian could hardly believe his ears. That troublemaker girl again… Why ‘again’? In his subconscious, Ju Niang was never one to behave. Not even here could she avoid starting trouble. Secretly, Zhen Qian hoped she would suffer a little loss for once.

“What happened? Why is Ju Niang fighting?”

“It’s not a fight—it’s a contest!”

Hearing Xiao Zhu’s explanation, Zhen Qian squeezed through a gap in the crowd and saw, at the center, a young woman in martial attire and a man clad in animal skins engaged in hand-to-hand combat.

The woman was Ju Niang. Agile and nimble, her movements were clever and quick, while the unknown man’s style was bold and aggressive, full of strength. His fists swept fiercely by Ju Niang’s sides, his attacks enveloping her, and she seemed on the verge of defeat.

Ju Niang, stubborn as ever, darted about in her red short tunic, her figure accentuated by the fit. Despite being locked in combat, she had not yet been bested.

What struck Zhen Qian most was that Ju Niang’s husband, Wang Tie Zhu, was cheering wildly with the crowd, utterly unconcerned about her losing.

“Truly, like wife, like husband!”

Before Zhen Qian could finish reflecting, the man suddenly changed his stance, his hand swooping like an eagle’s claw toward Ju Niang’s shoulder. Ju Niang shifted lightly, ghost-like, sliding along his arm and drawing close. Her palm pressed his shoulder, and using a spinning motion, she lifted her foot and kicked his calf. The man stumbled and fell.

“Well done!”

The crowd buzzed with admiration. Ju Niang, like a proud hen, bounced about the field, while Zhen Qian’s face darkened.

The fallen man sprang up, his face flushed with shame. “Again!”

“Fine—who’s afraid of whom!” Ju Niang rolled up her sleeves, ready to go again, but Zhen Qian could not bear it any longer and shouted, “Ju Niang! Stop!”

Ju Niang, infuriated at being interrupted, turned toward him. Seeing it was Zhen Qian, her anger only grew. “Mind your own business!”

Zhen Qian was also exasperated. This was pure troublemaking. Fooling around at home was one thing, but making a scene outside brought ridicule. “Enough nonsense. When we return, I’ll speak to Aunt Wang about this. Let’s see what you do then.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Why wouldn’t I? Look around—can you find another woman as wild as you?”

The two stared angrily at each other. Ju Niang was clearly furious; Zhen Qian had always indulged her, never making her this mad before.

“You bully me! You used to say it was good to be like wild geese, free and unbound. You’ve changed!” With that, Ju Niang began to sob.

“Did I ever say such a thing?” Zhen Qian was speechless. What kind of situation was this? Women in the Tang dynasty were known for their openness and boldness, but there had to be a limit. Zhen Qian was at a loss. He shook his sleeves and pushed through the crowd, not knowing where to go—he just wanted to find a quiet place to curse his fate.