Chapter Sixty-Six: Back to Square One

Seeing the fierce look in Gou Ye’s eyes only made Zhu Ling feel even more delighted. She couldn’t help but admire Gou Ye’s youthful temperament, surprised at how calmly he managed to suppress his anger. She was in no rush and continued, “Fourth, I must admit, I underestimated you, Young Master Gou. I thought your talent was limited to making frozen treats, and I truly believed this was a craft handed down from your ancestors. What I didn’t expect was that you also possess remarkable skill in the realm of local delicacies. Is that an ancestral trade as well? I doubt it. That must be your own extraordinary talent, which I very much appreciate, and I hope to put to use for my own ends. My husband told me your snack business is thriving—even boosting the economy of Tumen Village. Yet now I hear that your snack business seems to be facing some problems, is that right?”

Zhu Ling looked to Magistrate Qin, who nodded gravely and said, “There’s an issue with the ingredients. I fear it might harm someone’s health if it continues, and the consequences could be severe. To prevent further losses, I decided to have my men shut it down immediately.”

Zhu Ling chuckled and stepped closer to Gou Ye. In truth, every time Zhu Ling approached, Gou Ye had to hold his breath, finding her perfume unbearable. Yet today, the scent seemed oddly fitting with her character. “This is truly a misfortune. How could you let such a good business become so careless, Young Master Gou? If something really went wrong, you’d put my husband in a difficult position. It’s for your own good. From now on, return to your village and tell everyone that all business in Tumen Village will fall under my management. I will supply the best ingredients and even provide those wonderful tools. I’ll cover all transportation costs. All I ask is that forty percent of the monthly profits come to me; the rest is theirs to keep. I’ll guarantee them the best locations in the county, take care of all advertising and crowds—leave it all to me.”

When Zhu Ling spoke, her face didn’t flush, nor did her heart race. She made it sound as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She then returned to her seat and took a long sip of tea. “That’s all—just these four points. Otherwise, you might say I’m bullying you. Each of these requests is reasonable. We don’t force you, Young Master Gou; this is an open negotiation and a modest request from my husband and me. You may sit here and consider it at your leisure.”

Damn your countless legs, Gou Ye cursed the ancestors of the two in his heart. Were these requests? No, they were outright threats. Gou Ye had come to negotiate in good faith, never imagining he’d be faced with such demands. He took a deep breath to calm the turmoil within him, then smiled and said, “Madam Zhu, your four requests each strike at my sorest points. Be it silver, my manuscript, or the livelihoods of my fellow villagers, each is dear to me—yet it seems I have no choice but to give them up.”

Hearing this, Magistrate Qin and Zhu Ling thought they had succeeded and eagerly waited for Gou Ye to utter the words they longed for. But Gou Ye went on, “Therefore, after much pain and deliberation, there’s no need to wait—I’ll tell you now. I can only agree to the first two points. You needn’t give me a hundred taels; I cannot accept it. I want nothing. The frozen treat business—consider it my gift to you both. However, let me be clear: I know my own business best. I don’t believe the frozen treat is the best it could ever be. When something new appears, who knows how long the old ways will last? As for the manuscript, I’m sorry, but I cannot comply. It is neither an ancestral relic nor a trick of opportunism; it is the fruit of my own effort, night and day, line by line. That book is my ambition, and it is my bottom line. I will never let it become a tool for the powerful to make money.”

Hearing these words, Yun Niang was overjoyed. She did not want Gou Ye to suffer, nor did she object to him bowing his head if he must, but she could not bear to see him lose all dignity out of fear of authority. His words now made her believe that this man was truly someone worthy of trust. At first, she had feared he would accept their demands; had he done so, she would have been bitterly disappointed in both his decision and in him as a man. She listened as Gou Ye went on resolutely.

“As for the business and the proposal that Tumen villagers follow you, Madam Zhu, I can answer on their behalf: Impossible! It may not be a trade that brings fame and glory, but it is their livelihood and their hope for the future. How could I trade away their lives and hopes? How would I face the elders and children of Tumen Village, or the memory of my departed mother? Magistrate Qin, Madam Zhu, I know you wield some power, but I cannot believe that beneath these clear skies, on the lands of Great Ming, you can do as you please, unchecked. I will watch you both. I will watch and see if justice will ever force me to bow. I will see how long your fortune lasts. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone with the money and documents. Whether you accept them or not is your concern—it has nothing more to do with me. As for whatever means you may use against me in the future, I hope you consider carefully. Even honest men have their breaking point.”

With that, Gou Ye didn’t bother with further courtesies but grabbed Yun Niang’s hand and strode out the door, as unrestrained as when he had last left. Magistrate Qin, who thought he had Gou Ye cornered, was furious. He clenched his fists and growled, “Gou Ye, Gou Ye, I’ll make you pay for every word you said today.”

Zhu Ling sat in silence. Moments ago she had been so self-assured, but now she felt a chasm open within her. She had thought everything was under her control, never imagining Gou Ye would display such spirit. He was utterly different from the man who had first walked in. It seemed she had underestimated him once again.

The next morning, Gou Ye sent Dalì and Cai Sheng, loading everything onto three ox carts—every last tael he possessed—and delivered it all to Magistrate Qin’s residence in the county.

Watching the carts loaded with money, all his savings, Gou Ye slung one arm around Yun Niang and pressed the other to his chest, sighing, “Yun Niang, with this, we’ve returned to square one overnight.”

Yun Niang, seeing his pained expression, assumed it was sorrow over his lost fortune but didn’t understand his words. She asked, “Brother Gou Ye, what does it mean to return to square one?”