Chapter 41

Shen Yong opened his mouth, then, stunned, didn't dare say a word. He changed the subject.
"Third Miss, Boss Pan lent us a cart for loading, but with so much cargo we clearly don't have enough hands. What shall we do?"
Not only were there tens of thousands of catties of tea, there were also tens of thousands of bolts of cloth to move, it would take a lot of manpower.
Mu Wanqing sighed softly. "Countless bolts of cloth to haul, mountains of tea to move, it's really too much. Who can understand the hardships in my heart?"
Shen Yong: …
He thought to himself, there are countless people who'd love to sample such "hardship."
Mu Zicheng couldn't help but chuckle aloud. My sister is simply adorable.
Mu Wanqing paused for a moment, then said seriously, "Go to the Qingyang Escort Agency and hire guards. You should know how many men we need, right?"
"I know." Shen Yong's eyes lit up, that was a good idea. Those who run escort agencies aren't ordinary folk; they can move in both the legitimate world and the underworld, and they've got real muscle.
Because Xinyang City hosted a tea market, merchants flocked there every year, bringing prosperity to the whole city.
The freight business sprang up to meet the demand; escort agencies proliferated like bamboo shoots after the rain. The most famous was the Qingfeng Escort Agency, led by a retired bigwig from the Six Doors, he was well-connected on both sides of the law.
"You'd already thought of that?" He smacked his forehead. "What a stupid question. You have the acumen, the strategy, everything is under your control."
Mu Wanqing smiled faintly. "On the day we depart, you and your brothers will escort this shipment. Keep several miles' distance from the convoy that's escorting the exiles, this is top secret; only a few of us need to know. Meet me every other day to exchange information."
A few miles' separation would keep the two teams apart, but if trouble arose they could still lend each other a hand.
"Good." Shen Yong understood, they were playing for big stakes this time, with astonishing gains that would certainly make others envious.
Their own backgrounds weren't clean either; they'd set the Fifth Prince up more than once.
So they'd keep a low profile and get rich quietly.
He joked, "Aren't you afraid I'll take off with the whole shipment?"
This cargo was worth hundreds of thousands; he'd never seen that amount of money in his life.
Mu Wanqing fixed him with a steady gaze, a cold smile at the corner of her mouth. "What did you say? I didn't quite catch that, Guard Jiang."
She enunciated those last three words with particular weight; if she dared make this arrangement, she had certainly made thorough preparations.
Shen Yong: …
Alright, the most damning piece of leverage he had was in Mu Wanqing's hands.
If the Fifth Prince learned his men had betrayed him like that, he would unleash furious reprisals.
"Third Miss, I'll do as you say. Whatever you decide, we'll do."
"After we split the money, you can go wherever you like, settle down somewhere for good, or even return to the Fifth Prince's mansion if you prefer."
Shen Yong fell silent. He had once thought of going back, but now, could he really return?
There are no walls without cracks; secrets get out.
Yet strangely, he felt not a shred of regret.
He'd been selling his life to the Fifth Prince, earning a few hundred taels a year at best, ten years would only yield a few thousand taels.
But pull off a job with Mu Wanqing and they'd stand to make at least tens of thousands of taels.
Money is a man's courage; money is a man's confidence.
Then he'd take the money to some bustling Jiangnan town, buy a house, land, and a shop, and live as a wealthy man, just the thought made him excited.
With the capital far away and communications poor, even if the Fifth Prince wanted to act, he'd have to find people first.
Mu Wanqing gave him a cool sideways glance; his thoughts were plain as day to her.
There is no absolute loyalty in this world, it all depends on whether the price for betrayal is high enough.
Mu Wanqing pressed the lower-grade tea into tea bricks, and half of the mid-grade tea was turned into bricks as well. The rest, ten thousand catties of mid-grade and top-grade tea, were sealed and packed up to be taken away.
During that time she taught Boss Pan and Guo Er hands-on, until they'd fully learned the process.
It moved the two of them to no end, what an honest, straightforward young lady.
Besides that, she wandered the estate every day, fascinated by all sorts of plants. She'd curiously question the farmers and ask them for seeds.
She wanted seeds of every kind of plant, and she didn't take them for free, she paid for them.
The farmhands found her strange; she looked every bit like a wealthy scion, so why was she so interested in crops?
The village head specially reported it to Boss Pan, who thought it perfectly normal, a pampered scion born to silk and satin has never seen fields before; everything is new to them.
"If she wants it, give it to her, it isn't worth much anyway."
"Yes."
And so Mu Wanqing collected seeds of the five grains: rice, wheat, yellow millet, colorful small millet, hemp, beans, and so on, all of these are drought-resistant.
As for hemp, it can be made into hemp clothing or used to make Xuan paper.
She also collected vegetables and fruits, anything she saw she gathered up.
It was half a month before Guo Er hauled the fabric in from elsewhere.
Mu Wanqing didn't linger. She arranged for the escort agency to come pick up the goods, and only after everything was in order did she take her leave of the two of them.
The two were reluctant to see her go. Though picky about food, she sometimes cooked a delicious meal, it had completely charmed them.
Mu Wanqing took something out. "Brother Guo, you couldn't stop praising the osmanthus cakes last time, here's the recipe. It's yours."
Guo Er was both surprised and delighted, he hadn't expected her to be so generous before she left, and she even gave him a recipe for a pastry as a parting gift.
The osmanthus cake was genuinely delicious: crisp and delicate, with a rich fragrance that suited his palate perfectly.
It could be sold outside, too, another way to make money.
“Thank you, young master. I’ve prepared a set of ceremonial garments for you as well, please accept it.”
He had originally brought two boxes of gifts; now, with a few more added, it was the proper exchange of courtesies.
This was the right thing to do, and Mu Wanqing didn’t refuse.
“Brother Guo, here’s the recipe for your favorite, fresh meat mooncakes.”
Guo Er took the lightweight sheet, glanced over it, and saw that it wasn’t just the fresh meat mooncake recipe but one for red bean paste mooncakes as well.
He felt deeply moved, there was even one more than Boss Pan had given, and she was so thoughtful without making a fuss. “Kid, listen to Brother Guo: don’t be so honest from now on. The world is full of bad people; hearts are complicated.”
Mu Wanqing blinked with innocent, wide eyes and smiled sweetly. “But the people I’ve met have been kind. Brother Guo has taken good care of me, and Boss Pan has helped a lot too.”
Guo Er couldn’t help but sigh; the child was naive, they all wanted something in return.
“Where are you headed?”
Mu Wanqing’s face lit with longing. “I’m going to the border to see the frontier scenery, the lonely smoke over the vast desert, the long river and the round setting sun. It sounds so beautiful.”
Guo Er opened his mouth, wanting to dissuade her, border posts were harsh and cold, sand filled the air; where was the beauty in that?
But after spending time with her, he knew Mu Wanqing wouldn’t be turned aside once she’d made up her mind; there was no stopping her.
Mu Wanqing cupped her hands in farewell, climbed into the carriage, and rode off with her long-train of goods, behind them stretched a long escorted convoy.
Guo Er watched the carriage fade until it was out of sight and sighed, “I wonder if we’ll meet again in this life?”
Boss Pan felt no pangs of regret; he was in a fine mood. “Almost certainly not. What is their status, and what are we? To have met at all was already a rare fate.”
He had walked away with two family recipes he could pass down, he was pleased as punch.
No wonder the young master was noble, his family had deep roots and countless secret recipes.
Guo Er was shrewd; he sensed something off. “Do you know who he is?”
He had never really known Mu Wanqing’s origins, he didn’t even know if the surname Mu was real or a false name.
Mu Wanqing wouldn’t say, and he didn’t press.
“No, no, I don’t know.” Boss Pan’s heart skipped; he denied it vehemently.
Guo Er’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Pan, you’re not being honest.”
Boss Pan laughed awkwardly and deliberately changed the subject. “Come on, come on, we should discuss cooperating over those two secret recipes.”
Guo Er refused outright. “These were given to me by my young brother. I won’t use them for business.”
Boss Pan was taken aback. “It was just a bit of play-acting, surely you won’t take it seriously? Don’t be silly. Who’s going to earn more money?”
He nearly let something slip and was terrified at how close he’d come to saying too much.
Guo Er’s eyes narrowed further. Mu Wanqing wouldn’t expose herself, she was simply too honest, this old fox might be trying to trick it out of her. “Who exactly is he?”
“Ah, I’m starving, let’s eat.” Boss Pan patted his large belly and set off briskly, his stout frame surprisingly quick on its feet.
Guo Er snorted in annoyance. What a fellow.
Mu Wanqing and her party pressed on day and night for several days.
Thanks to her careful planning, nothing went awry along the way.
She sent two people ahead to scout, booked inns in advance, and checked the road conditions to avoid unnecessary trouble.
She also appointed two guards to handle provisioning, so many people required someone in charge of food and clothing.
Shen Yong managed the whole affair, supervising with a few brothers at his side.
Everything ran like clockwork.
One evening the group checked into an inn.
They had taken over the whole inn; Shen Yong and the escort agency each provided two men to keep watch that night.
With so much cargo, caution could never be excessive.
Mu Wanqing ordered a few signature dishes, washed up, and waited for the meal. The room buzzed with chatter; everyone joined in, and the mood was warm and friendly.
Second Master Mu had put on a bit of weight, but his thoughts were elsewhere. “Qing’er, we’ll see your mother tomorrow, won’t we?”
He’d never been apart from his wife for so long and missed her dearly.
“We will.” Mu Wanqing answered confidently, she had arranged it.
At that moment a guard knocked and stepped inside. “Third Miss, Officer Zeng has arrived.”
Everyone in the room stood. Mu Wanqing waved with a smile. “Officer Zeng, long time no see.”
Officer Zeng looked at the rosy-faced girl and allowed himself a quiet breath of relief. “You’ve finally returned. My heart has been tied up with worry.”
She had said she’d be away for a while, but then vanished without a trace. If not for Madam Qian and Mu Ziang, he might have begun to suspect she’d run off.
Shen Yong said with a teasing edge, “What’s to worry about? Third Miss, what kind of person is she? A marvel! She sells others out, and they still help her count the money.”
Mu Wanqing’s mouth twitched. Could people not phrase things? “Is that a compliment or an insult?”
Shen Yong didn’t think he’d said anything wrong, he rather fancied himself smooth and capable. “Of course it’s praise. Third Miss, you are the cleverest person alive, there’s no one like you.”
Mu Wanqing could only smile at people so blissfully unaware of themselves. Fine, her expectations weren’t high. As long as they obeyed, that was enough.
Whether their words were flattering or grating didn’t matter.
Shen Yong was positively gleeful. “Officer Zeng, you don’t even know of Third Miss’s great deeds. Let me tell you.”
He rattled off the events of recent days in a lively, twisting narrative, full of ups and downs, utterly engrossing.
Having pulled off this venture, Shen Yong was overflowing with stories to tell; but his companions had all shared the experience, who didn’t already know?
At long last seeing Officer Zeng, he’d finally found someone to boast to, or rather, someone to pour his heart out to.
After hearing Shen Yong, Officer Zeng looked utterly baffled. “You’re making this up. Even the plots in plays aren’t this outrageous, I don’t believe it!”
“Brother Shen, that’s not how you brag…”
What nonsense, getting tens of thousands worth of goods without spending a single cent.
Seeing his disbelief, Shen Yong grabbed his arm. “Come on, I’ll show you our spoils.”
They left arm in arm; they returned with Shen Yong dragging a limp Officer Zeng by the legs.
Officer Zeng stared blankly, as if questioning his life choices. What had he just seen? Mountains of goods, all given away for free!
He was shaken to the core. “Third Miss, that ninety-nine thousand taels of silver, you really didn’t spend any of it?”
Mu Wanqing produced a box packed with silver notes, a thick stack.
The proof was right before his eyes; Officer Zeng had no choice but to accept it. His eyes gleamed unusually bright. “Third Miss, I knew you were formidable, but I never imagined this level of power.”
Mu Wanqing only smiled and said nothing.
Officer Zeng had always loved money above all; seeing such a golden opportunity, how could he not fall to his knees?
“Third Miss, I beg you, next time, you must take me along.”
As for face, what was it worth? Not a single coin.
Shen Yong wasn’t pleased. “Officer Zeng, you can’t steal me away, I’m sticking with the Third Miss.”
Under the prior agreement, as the one in charge Mu Wanqing took forty percent; those who worked with her got fifty percent; those who stayed behind received ten percent.
This haul had come from her selling the secret recipe; she didn’t propose changing the split, and everyone felt thankful and admiring toward her.
They respected this kind of righteous magnanimity.
Mu Wanqing used the opportunity to cement her authority and fully win over this group; her words now carried more weight than anyone else’s.
Officer Zeng shot him a glare. “I knew the Third Miss first.”
Shen Yong had tasted the pleasure of following a big shot, how could he let go? “I stood shoulder to shoulder with the Third Miss; our bond isn’t ordinary.”
Second Master Mu couldn’t stand it and blurted out, “Stop lying, how could a young girl have that sort of bond with you?”
A girl’s reputation was precious; absolutely no messy rumors could be allowed to spread.
Shen Yong froze. “Ah, I almost forgot the Third Miss is a girl.”
The main reason was Mu Wanqing always dressed in men’s clothing and carried herself boldly, and others kept calling her “brother,” which gave him the wrong impression.
Mu Wanqing: …This one has to go!
Realizing his mistake, Shen Yong hurried to explain, “I mean, whether the Third Miss is a man or a woman doesn’t matter. What matters is… Third Miss, I would brave any danger for you, go through fire and water without hesitation.”
It was his first public declaration of loyalty, and the other guards quickly chimed in.
“Third Miss, I’m truly in awe of you, if we could have a few more of these runs, I’d be delighted.”
“Third Miss, with you in charge we can all rest easy; we’ll follow your orders.”
“Third Miss, pick me! I obey you most of all; they’re not as obedient as I am!”
Following Mu Wanqing meant money to be made, excitement, and endless thrills.
They’d wanted to say these things for a while, just embarrassed to go first.
They feared her methods and schemes, but her generosity and boldness made them feel secure.
Officer Zeng gaped and couldn’t help but remind them, “Everyone, have you forgotten you’re guards of the Fifth Prince’s residence?”