Chapter Forty: Luring the Snake Out of Its Hole

Zhen Qian was overjoyed; he hadn’t expected to uncover so many issues on this outing. It seemed he truly couldn’t just lock himself away at home, building castles in the air. He was about to leave, patting the dust from his clothes, when Song Yi called out, “Master Zhen, I’m afraid it’s not suitable for me to handle this matter. If the kiln sets a price, should I agree or not?”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Song. Just go ahead and do as you see fit. I trust those I employ, and I won’t use those I don’t trust—that much I understand quite clearly.”

Song Yi was deeply moved by Zhen Qian’s trust, but the thought of being entrusted with such a significant responsibility made him uneasy. He reminded, “Master Zhen, Drunken Immortal Tavern will open its doors in a few days, but we haven’t yet appointed anyone to oversee the purchasing. Shouldn’t we settle on someone soon?”

Zhen Qian had no desire to involve himself in such affairs; he’d wear himself out for little reward. “Didn’t I say that all matters within Drunken Immortal Tavern would be overseen by you, Uncle Song? I’ll have someone check the accounts regularly, but I won’t interfere otherwise.”

Song Yi hadn’t expected Zhen Qian to hand over complete authority for the tavern to him. He’d thought himself little more than a manager or a senior employee, but it now seemed Zhen Qian intended him to run the place as his own.

“Master Zhen, I’m not sure that’s appropriate.”

At this, Wang Qun leaned in and whispered in Zhen Qian’s ear, “Eldest Young Master, Steward Xing was able to line his own pockets only because he controlled the purchasing for the inner household. In other taverns, the owner always holds the purchasing power, precisely to prevent collusion and deceit. Perhaps you should reconsider?”

Zhen Qian was untroubled by such concerns. As long as the financial power and accounts were firmly in hand, letting subordinates profit a little caused no harm. After all, if you kept the water too clear, there’d be no fish. If things were too tightly controlled, it could backfire.

But as he was about to reply, Zhen Qian’s eyes suddenly gleamed and he turned to Wang Qun. “You mentioned just now that Steward Xing managed the inner household’s purchasing and embezzled funds. The accounts must be reviewed by Lady Xing each month—she can’t possibly be unaware.”

Wang Qun, puzzled by the sudden turn in conversation, nodded, “Though Steward Xing managed purchasing, all expenditures required Lady Xing’s approval, and she inspected the accounts monthly. Even if she didn’t intervene, she’d know what was going on.”

“Excellent,” Zhen Qian said, a cold smile on his lips. “In that case, Lady Xing has been shielding Steward Xing. As long as we catch him taking bribes, Lady Xing will have no choice but to yield.”

“You already have a plan?”

“It’s thanks to your reminder,” Zhen Qian replied with a smile.

Wang Qun’s expression stiffened—when had he offered any such reminder? The way Zhen Qian’s mind jumped was truly astonishing.

“Uncle Song, I need Song Yu’s help with something,” Zhen Qian said.

Song Yi quickly responded, “Master Zhen, you’re too polite. Just say the word.”

Song Yi called Song Yu over—a plainly honest man with no trace of guile. Zhen Qian explained directly, “Brother Song, here is the matter. In the next few days, you’ll go to the marketplace and visit several shops that regularly do business with the Zhen family. I suspect Steward Xing is colluding with these merchants to defraud the family. You will pose as the purchasing manager for Drunken Immortal Tavern and place some orders for ingredients. Don’t engage in much conversation at first. Once you’re better acquainted, hint that you want kickbacks for purchases. You can even ask for a large sum. Record their methods and report back to me.”

As soon as Zhen Qian finished, both Song Yi and Song Yu were visibly startled, their expressions uneasy—it sounded as if he were warning them.

“Master Zhen, I’m not sure this is proper.”

“Don’t refuse just yet,” Zhen Qian said. “There’s no other way. If any of the Zhen family appear at those shops, they’ll be recognized at once, and those merchants will check into their identities. You’re the best fit, Brother Song. Besides, Drunken Immortal Tavern will need to purchase ingredients from these vendors in the future. It’s just as well you help me with this.”

Had Zhen Qian not always seemed so easygoing, with none of the arrogance of a wealthy son, the Song family might have suspected a hidden meaning behind his words. When they ran their own small eatery, everything was handled within the family, and there was no opportunity for embezzlement. Still, they’d heard plenty about shady dealings in other taverns. Being asked to do this left them shaken; being caught would mean not just losing their livelihood, but also risking legal trouble.

Zhen Qian had no idea the waves his words stirred in the Song family’s hearts, nor did he mean to threaten them. It wasn’t arrogance—he simply didn’t need to. He could spot discrepancies in much more complex accounts; what was a tavern’s books to him? If the Song family managed to cheat him here, he’d be better off burying his head in a brick wall.

The Song family couldn’t have guessed he had such a knack for auditing. Seeing that Zhen Qian truly wasn’t warning them, Song Yu hesitantly said, “Do you really think I can fool them? What if I make a mess of things?”

Originally, Zhen Qian had considered sending his clever page, Wang You, but realized his own fame would make recognition likely for anyone connected to him—better not to startle the quarry.

“Don’t worry. I won’t blame you if it doesn’t work out. Just play the part of a manager looking to pocket a little extra. Don’t be eager to uncover secrets. If they’re willing to bribe one manager, they’ll try the same with you. Just tell me how it goes.”

Entrusting such a task to an honest man, Zhen Qian wasn’t confident they’d catch Steward Xing, but he hoped greed would get the better of those involved.

After returning from Drunken Immortal Tavern, Wang Qun followed Zhen Qian closely. Before Zhen Qian could enter his own room, Wang Qun pulled him aside, his expression grave. “Eldest Young Master, tell me honestly—why must you make such a scandal of Steward Xing? Do you have other intentions?”

Zhen Qian, realizing it was pointless to keep secrets from those close to him, decided to lay his cards on the table. “Uncle Wang, you’ve watched me grow up. If there’s anyone in the Zhen family I can trust, you’re one of them.”

“Then tell me—what are you planning?” Wang Qun had already guessed Zhen Qian’s intentions, but wanted to hear it directly.

“My position in the Zhen family needs no explanation. Lady Xing has long been unable to tolerate me—the same goes for my father, though he won’t say it for the sake of the family’s reputation. After my fall and memory loss, it’s clear I won’t last long here. I might as well plan my departure early.”

“So you intend to use Steward Xing’s case to threaten Lady Xing—but have you considered how your father will feel?”

Wang Qun didn’t say the idea was wrong, but pointed out the true crux: Lady Xing was an obstacle, but the real issue was his father’s approval and, indeed, the family’s. Without it, he’d be acting against tradition. Lady Xing had no power to expel him.

“I know,” Zhen Qian admitted sheepishly. “Uncle Wang, you’ve been in the Zhen family for more than twenty years. The Zhens settled in Hengzhou a century ago, and over the years, many have left—ostensibly to ‘spread the branches,’ but often because of family discord. A great tree always has withered leaves. The Zhen family is large and supports many idle mouths; few truly help. Especially for those of secondary birth, it’s hard to get the family’s support. That’s the main reason I wish to leave.”

“My position is delicate. I’m the legitimate eldest son in name, but with Lady Xing’s own children, if I were content to idle away my days, perhaps she’d tolerate me. But if I try to accomplish anything, it threatens her children directly—of course she resents me. Why should I insist on being a thorn in her side?”

“Do you truly not want the family business? It’s an immense fortune—enough for three lifetimes. Can you really let it go?” Wang Qun had thought Zhen Qian might be using retreat as a stratagem, or plotting to seize power, but was shocked by his resolve to leave. He admired the courage but was still stunned.

“I won’t leave empty-handed. My mother’s share is rightfully mine. I’ve thought it through—better to forge my own path than live under another’s roof. But for that, Lady Xing must agree. She’ll never consent to me taking my mother’s portion, so I’m left with no choice but this tactic.”

“As for my father, I don’t foresee much trouble. I won’t be the first Zhen man to split from the family, and leaving doesn’t mean severing all ties. For a father in a dilemma, it might well be a relief.”

“If you see it so, all the better,” Wang Qun said, realizing that Zhen Qian’s recent actions all pointed to his long-formed intention to strike out on his own. Even his contingency plans were in place. “So where will you go after leaving the Zhen family? Don’t tell me you haven’t thought that far ahead.”

A mysterious smile crossed Zhen Qian’s lips. “Don’t worry, Uncle Wang. I’ve already planned ahead. A hundred li from Zhending lies Luquan County, near the Jingxing Pass—convenient transportation and bustling with merchants, no less than Zhending. I’ve already sent someone to inquire; news will come any day now.”