A Pawn's Passage

Advantages and disadvantages always come together. Qi Xuansu had no family clan. The downside was that he lacked a foundation, had no margin for error, and had no one to back him up. The upside was that his interpersonal relationships were exceedingly simple, making it difficult for others to cause trouble in his name.

After all, everyone knew that Qi Xuansu was an orphan from the Wanxiang Daoist Palace. If someone claimed to be Qi Xuansu’s relative, no one would believe it. The Yao Family and the Zhang Family did have ties to him, but neither family had any need to borrow Qi Xuansu’s name when their own names carried far more weight.

Zhang Yuelu was different. The Zhang family was both her support and her constraint.

Recently, Zhang Yuelu had just learned of something.

As the largest trade hub in all of Nanyang, Lion City had the largest port. Every day, countless cargo ships docked there to load and unload goods, so the port district was filled with various transport vehicles. Previously, each merchant used their own vehicles for their own goods. Recently, however, the port authorities had issued a new regulation prohibiting outside vehicles from entering. Only designated vehicles could be used in the port district.

These designated vehicles were supplied by a newly established company, and the regulation had been directly approved and issued by Xie Jiaofeng.

At the time, Zhang Yuelu had been locked in a struggle with a group of old Daoists. She was overwhelmed every day and had neither the energy nor the attention to spare for such minor matters. Only after the Heavenly Preceptor ordered her to close her doors and decline visitors did she finally have the time and energy to reflect on her recent affairs and discover this issue.

Fundamentally, this matter was no different from controlling the supply channels of a marketplace. However, the interests involved and the forces behind them were on an entirely different scale.

To monopolize a marketplace, one only needed to deal with low-level officials and the vendors. But monopolizing transportation vehicles at a major port was another matter entirely. The stakeholders were not powerless merchants. These wealthy magnates had powerful backing, including the Heavenly Court and the Nanyang United Trading Company. The officials involved were not minor clerks either, but people at the level of Deputy Mansion Master. Anyone capable of getting all these parties to cooperate clearly possessed immense influence.

Maritime trade was an enormous source of wealth. Merely touching it meant earning a share of the spoils, let alone monopolizing an entire segment of it.

Zhang Yuelu immediately summoned Xie Jiaofeng and demanded an explanation, asking whether there had been some sort of illicit collusion.

Xie Jiaofeng pleaded innocence, insisting that he had not taken a single Ruyi coin.

Naturally, Zhang Yuelu did not believe him. She threatened that if he continued withholding the truth, she would have the Beichen Hall branch investigate the matter.

In the end, Xie Jiaofeng stammered out the truth. The company’s nominal owner was merely a merchant from Lion City, someone insignificant whom Xie Jiaofeng did not even regard seriously. The true owner behind the scenes was someone else—Zhang Wuyue.

The moment Zhang Yuelu heard that name, it felt as though she had been struck across the face with a heavy club. She was left speechless.

Zhang Wuyue’s father was her father’s biological brother. That made Zhang Wuyue her cousin.

The closeness of their relationship was self-evident.

Zhang Wuyue was much younger than Zhang Yuelu. In Zhang Yuelu’s memories, Zhang Wuyue was always a mischievous child. Whenever he saw her, he would run over with a smile and follow her wherever she went, calling her “Big Sister.”

In the blink of an eye, this tiny tot had started a company. How had he gotten involved in this sort of thing?

Even though Zhang Yuelu rarely spent time at home, every time she saw Wuyue, he was much the same as before. He still called her “Big Sister,” still treated her with the same familiarity, and would occasionally tease her about when she would actually tie the knot with Chief Deputy Qi.

How had things come to this?

The relationship between Zhang Yuelu and Zhang Wuyue was no secret. Plenty of people knew about it. Once Zhang Wuyue stepped forward, someone as shrewd as Xie Jiaofeng naturally understood the implications and opened every possible door for him.

Even if their superiors reproached them afterward, it would amount to no more than a scolding and a warning of not letting it happen again.

Zhang Yuelu felt utterly exhausted, both mentally and physically. She waved her hand weakly and dismissed Xie Jiaofeng.

Ke Qingqing noticed that something was wrong and came to Zhang Yuelu’s side, asking softly, “Chief Deputy, are you alright?”

Zhang Yuelu rubbed her face and forced herself to buck up. “I’m fine. Help me contact Zhang Wuyue.”

Ke Qingqing acknowledged the order and connected the voice transmission talisman. “This is Ke Qingqing. Chief Deputy Zhang wishes to speak with Zhang Wuyue. Alright. Please connect him as soon as possible.”

A moment later, Ke Qingqing said to Zhang Yuelu, “Chief Deputy, the connection is established.”

Zhang Yuelu pulled the voice transmission talisman in front of her. “Tian Zhong.”

Tian Zhong was Zhang Wuyue’s courtesy name.

A young man’s voice came from the other end. “Big Sister, you were looking for me?”

Zhang Yuelu asked, “I heard you’ve come to Nanyang recently. Why haven’t you come to see me?”

There was a brief silence from Zhang Wuyue before he laughed. “Big Sister, you’ve been so busy, so I didn’t dare disturb you. Are you calling to put me on trial?”

Zhang Yuelu said, “I’m not busy now. Are you still not coming to see me?”

“The Heavenly Preceptor had barely left, and you expect me to walk straight into the line of fire?” Zhang Wuyue said with a chuckle. “Big Sister, you have to understand your little brother’s predicament. I can’t compare to you. You’re not afraid of family discipline, but I am.”

Ke Qingqing could see Zhang Yuelu’s expression growing darker, yet Zhang Yuelu’s tone remained calm. “Do you have time right now? I’m in a bad mood and would like someone to talk to.”

“What, did you have a fight with my future brother-in-law? Big Sister, have you heard those rumors about him? The ones about some Tawantin Princess visiting him in the middle of the night, wrapped in a blanket? Haven’t there been plenty of rumors like that over the years? If you ask me, it’s all complete nonsense and shouldn’t be taken seriously.” Zhang Wuyue’s tone was relaxed and teasing. “Or is it because the Heavenly Preceptor reprimanded you, and you’re feeling upset? It’s fine, you can tell me anything.”

Zhang Yuelu still maintained her composure in tone. “I’ll wait for you at Tianfu Palace.”

Then Zhang Yuelu ended the conversation.

Ke Qingqing stood beside Zhang Yuelu, watching her warily.

Zhang Yuelu leaned back in her chair. “My little brother has really grown up. He’s learned how to scheme now.”

Choosing her words carefully, Ke Qingqing said, “Everyone grows up eventually. Perhaps only Miss Yin never will.”

Zhang Yuelu sighed. “That’s why everyone likes Little Yin. It’s not without reason.”

About an hour later, a young man arrived at Tianfu Palace. It was Zhang Wuyue.

Ke Qingqing had been waiting for some time. To be fair, if she did not know the circumstances, her first impression of the young man was quite favorable. He seemed like an optimistic and cheerful young man, full of vitality, very different from Chief Deputy Qi. Sometimes, Ke Qingqing felt that Chief Deputy Qi was too gloomy, fierce, and sharp. The youthful, bubbly spirit was the one thing he lacked.

Upon seeing Ke Qingqing, Zhang Wuyue greeted her with easy familiarity. “Hello, Sister Ke.”

Ke Qingqing wanted to remind him to use official titles while at work, but she lacked the confidence to do so. She merely replied, “Young Master Zhang, the Chief Deputy is waiting for you. Please follow me.”

With that, Ke Qingqing led the way. Zhang Wuyue quickened his pace to walk beside her. “Sister Ke, give me a hint. What exactly does my cousin want with me? At least let me know what I’m walking into.”

Ke Qingqing replied, “Young Master Zhang, the Chief Deputy is simply in a bad mood and wants someone to talk to.”

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Wuyue asked again, “Sister Ke, has my sister only been in a bad mood these past few days, or has she been unhappy for a long time?”

Ke Qingqing replied with half-truths. “To be honest, Young Master Zhang, ever since the Heavenly Preceptor arrived, the Chief Deputy hasn’t smiled once. Chief Deputy Qi hasn’t helped either. He hasn’t even tried to comfort her, nor has he taken the initiative to contact her.”

Zhang Wuyue laughed. “My future brother-in-law probably doesn’t have the time. The Southern Continent is enormous, much bigger than Nanyang. Naturally, there are countless matters demanding his attention. I heard they’re building a new port on the Southern Continent that’s supposed to be a huge business opportunity.”

Ke Qingqing’s heart skipped a beat, though she quickly smiled. “It certainly is a big business.”

Under Ke Qingqing’s guidance, Zhang Wuyue arrived at Zhang Yuelu’s office.

Zhang Yuelu was seated behind her desk, reviewing case files.

After Zhang Wuyue entered, Zhang Yuelu did not even raise her head.

Ke Qingqing softly announced, “Chief Deputy, Young Master Zhang has arrived.”

Only then did Zhang Yuelu slowly lift her head and look toward Zhang Wuyue. “You’re here.”

“Big Sister.” Zhang Wuyue behaved with perfect obedience.

Zhang Yuelu put down the file in her hand and gestured for Zhang Wuyue to sit.

Zhang Wuyue had already sensed that something was amiss and sat down slowly.

Zhang Yuelu said, “Tian Zhong, ever since I went to Jade Capital, we’ve seen each other less often, and I’ve paid less attention to you. What have you been busy with lately?”

Zhang Wuyue’s heart tightened, but he still answered, “Big Sister, you know me. I’ve been slow-witted since childhood and could never compare to you. The path of a Daoist priest wasn’t right for me, so I could only keep the title in name and go into business instead.”

“Business.” Zhang Yuelu remained expressionless. “What kind of business are you in?”

“It’s related to maritime trade,” Zhang Wuyue answered vaguely.

Zhang Yuelu glanced at him. “Be specific.”

Steeling himself, Zhang Wuyue replied, “Just making a living around the port, nothing major. It’s nowhere near my future brother-in-law’s scale.”

“Why bring up Tian Yuan? He doesn’t do business.” Zhang Yuelu’s tone turned slightly cold. “What even qualifies as a major business? The Nanyang United Trading Company? Let me remind you, Wang Jiaohe’s precedent is not so far in the past.”

“Of course I wouldn’t dare follow Wang Jiaohe’s old path,” Zhang Wuyue said, following her lead. “Sometimes I wonder, how big does a business have to become before it can truly be called big?”

Zhang Yuelu said, “As far as I know, your business is already quite large. Other people’s vehicles aren’t allowed into the port district, and everyone is required to use your transport. Is that true?”

Zhang Wuyue fell silent.

Ke Qingqing placed a cup of tea on the small tea table beside Zhang Wuyue.

Zhang Wuyue steadied the teacup with one hand and softly said, “Thank you, Sister Ke.”

Ke Qingqing merely smiled faintly before stepping back.

Zhang Wuyue lifted the teacup and took a sip. The scalding tea burned all the way down, yet his expression did not change in the slightest. He softly said, “If not for the fact that both you and my future brother-in-law served as consecutive Chief Deputies of the Poluo Daoist Mansion, I might still be drifting aimlessly around Shangqing Prefecture. Of course, staying in our hometown wouldn’t have been bad, but Nanyang offers far broader horizons for me.”

Zhang Yuelu took a deep breath. “So you used my name to get Xie Jiaofeng to issue that regulation?”

This time, Zhang Wuyue offered no excuses. He merely looked up at Zhang Yuelu and called out, “Big Sister!”