ROHYX Chapter 743 : Background (1)

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With Qiu Dashan's intervention, the Xiao family quickly agreed to their daughter's marriage to Tie Kui.

Tie Kui acted swiftly and immediately invited an official matchmaker to come and propose the marriage. Since he was no longer young, the wedding was scheduled for the second month.

That evening, Zhong Shan handed Tie Kui the gift registry and said, "There's someone named Tong Ge in here who gave an especially generous gift. Including cash and items, it's worth two to three hundred taels."

Tie Kui asked, "Do you know who he is?" As an old saying goes, 'If someone shows excessive kindness without reason, they are either a scoundrel or a thief¹'.

Zhong Shan shook his head. "No idea. Shall I send someone to investigate?" Giving such a heavy gift must mean he has some kind of motive.

Tie Kui nodded. "All right, go check it out. There's nothing to hide about this, so just investigate openly." If they were to investigate in secret, who's to say Yan Wushuang wouldn't become suspicious of him all over again once he found out? As for Yan Wushuang having sent people to spy on him, Tie Kui was also extremely disgusted by it. However, it was impossible to twist the arm past the thigh². He simply pretended not to know; that was all.

Zhong Shan said bitterly, "Tell me, when will this ever end?" Although they hadn't done anything shameful, being constantly watched like this felt awful.

Tie Kui comforted him, "Just endure it. Maybe it will pass soon." Given Yan Wushuang's nature, it was impossible to make him stop being suspicious, so Tie Kui would have to be extremely cautious in everything he did from now on.

Tong Ge's background was easy to investigate, and the results were obtained within two shichen³. Zhong Shan reported, "This Tong Ge is an escort guard from the Xinglong Escort Agency. He left the capital two months ago to escort a shipment and returned only a little over a month later. There's nothing suspicious about his identity."

Upon hearing that Tong Ge hadn't been in the capital recently, Tie Kui asked, "Escorting goods? Where did he go?" When he heard that it was , Tie Kui was somewhat puzzled.

Zhong Shan added, "He gave such a substantial gift, so he must be seeking something. I think he'll send a visitation card in the next couple of days. When that time comes, would you like to meet him?"

Tie Kui found the matter strange, but considering the other party had given such a valuable gift, and it was common knowledge that he was fond of wealth, he decided to meet him. Even if Yan Wushuang found out, he would have a response ready. "If he sends a visitation card, arrange a time to meet."

Early the next morning, Zhong Shan received a visitation card. Remembering Tie Kui's instructions, he said, "My General won't be back until tonight." He didn't extend an invitation, but if Tong Ge were determined, he would definitely come again that evening.

Just as Zhong Shan had expected, Tong Ge came again that night.

Tie Kui looked at Tong Ge and asked, "What do you want with me?" Tong Ge didn't have a very good reputation outside, and in a way, this was also Tie Kui's method of self-preservation. If he did nothing and remained upright and incorruptible, Yan Wushuang might become even more wary of him. Now that he appeared greedy, it could somewhat lower Yan Wushuang's guard.

Tong Ge said with a smile, "I wonder if we can speak in private?"

Tie Kui turned and walked inside, with Tong Ge following behind him. At the same time, Zhong Shan stood outside to guard against anyone who might be eavesdropping.

Once they were in the room, Tie Kui finally asked, "Can you tell me what it is now?" Tong Ge was acting so secretively that it could surely not be anything good.

Tong Ge took a letter out from the space behind his chest collar and handed it to Tie Kui. "Someone asked me to deliver this letter to you."

Xiao Sanzi did not dare to show himself. Most of their men in the capital had been lost, and he might soon be arrested if he appeared. After thinking it over, Xiao Sanzi thought of Tong Ge. He was a very loyal and righteous man whose words carried weight. Xiao Sanzi had accidentally saved Tong Ge's life in the past, so he asked him to handle this matter.

Tie Kui did not look at the letter. Instead, he asked coldly, "Who are you?" He had a feeling that something was off; if he was right, there was a high chance that the letter had been written by Han Jianming again.

Tong Ge replied without changing his expression, "I am an escort from Xinglong Escort Agency, not anyone's subordinate. This time, I am simply delivering this letter on someone's behalf."

Tie Kui stared at Tong Ge, who showed no fear whatsoever. After a moment's thought, Tie Kui asked, "I heard you previously escorted a shipment to . Are you specifically responsible for escorting goods to Liaodong?" Escorts in an agency were usually assigned to a particular region. Those familiar with a particular route and its conditions would usually handle that route.

Tong Ge nodded. "Yes. My mother is from Tieling, and I can speak the dialect there." For this reason, he was responsible for escorting goods in that region.

Tie Kui suggested, "If you're interested, we can do business together."

Tong Ge wanted to refuse, but considering that the escort agency had been receiving fewer assignments lately, he could not help but fall silent. The agency was no longer reliable, so he had to find other ways to make a living.

After a while, Tong Ge said, "I don't know much about medicinal herbs, so I could easily be deceived." In the Northeast, there were three treasures: ginseng, deer antler, and sable fur. However, someone has monopolised the trade in these items. If he got involved as an outsider, he might not even know how he died. Moreover, even if he managed to buy them, he wouldn't know if they were genuine. If he bought counterfeit goods, his small savings wouldn't cover the loss.

Tie Kui said with a smile, "My brother-in-law runs a medicinal herb business in Anshan." His brother-in-law in Anshan was originally a physician. Later, after Tie Kui earned military merit and became a general, his brother-in-law opened a medicinal shop. As long as such a shop was managed properly, it would always make money.

Having stayed in the capital for a while, Tie Kui was familiar with the prices there. Powerful and noble families there prized items such as Liaodong ginseng, deer antler and sable fur. Prices were several times higher than in the Northeast, sometimes even ten to twenty times higher. Such huge profits had long tempted Tie Kui, but he had always lacked a suitable partner.

Tong Ge's eyes lit up. If that were the case, the business could indeed be done. "Many goods in the capital are also in high demand in Liaodong." By trading between the two regions, a single trip could fill bowls and basins to the brim⁴ if things went smoothly.

Tie Kui nodded. "You frequently escort goods, so you're more familiar with this than I am. You can decide what goods to trade."

Tong Ge often escorted shipments and had a general idea of what was in demand on both sides. In the past, he had the intention, but not the capability. Now that he had this opportunity, he naturally wanted to seize it. If successful, it would also provide his brothers with a way to earn money. Tong Ge asked, "General Tie, how should we divide the profits?" Even between close brothers, accounts should be settled clearly. Better to make things clear now to avoid trouble later.

Tie Kui said, "I'll take fifty per cent, you take thirty, and the rest goes to my brother-in-law." Seeing Tong Ge hesitate, Tie Kui added, "I will assign some men to you to ensure everything goes smoothly."

Hearing this, Tong Ge had no further objections.

After finishing the business discussion, Tie Kui said, "You only came here today to talk business with me. No matter who asks, answer in this way. Understand?"

Tong Ge naturally understood the meaning behind these words. "General Tie, rest assured. I've been navigating the jianghu⁵ for many years, so I know very well what should and shouldn't be said. Today, I simply came to discuss business with you." Having spent so many years in the jianghu⁵, how could Tong Ge not know that what he was doing today was very dangerous? It was just that he owed Xiao Sanzi his life. Let alone delivering a letter, even if his life were demanded, he could not refuse. Otherwise, he would find it impossible to continue living in the jianghu⁵ in future.

Zhong Shan walked in and asked Tie Kui, "Kui Zi, what did you say to Tong Ge? Why did he leave with a smile on his face?" Just by looking at his expression, one could tell it was something good.

Tie Kui replied, "I asked him to do business with me, and he agreed." It would both make money and serve as a good cover—k!lling two eagles with one arrow⁶.

Zhong Shan hadn't expected it to be about business. "I thought something had been sent over from that side!" 'That side' naturally referred to the northwest. The other party's secrecy had made him overthink things.

Tie Kui glanced at the letter on the table and said, "This is the actual purpose of Tong Ge's visit today!" As long as Tong Ge remained silent, there wouldn't be any danger.

A feeling of 'just as expected' arose in Zhong Shan's heart. "Why not open it and take a look?" Yan Wushuang's actions had been chilling, so Zhong Shan felt that if the northwest side was sincere, it could be considered.

Tie Kui said, "Go ahead and open it."

After reading it, Zhong Shan whispered, "This letter was written by Yun Qing." In the letter, Yun Qing wrote that he hoped to be informed of anything important happening on Tie Kui's side, and that he would agree to any conditions Tie Kui proposed.

Tie Kui took the letter from Zhong Shan and read it once. The handwriting was sharp—one could tell at a glance that it was written by a man. However, Tie Kui's gaze fell on the lower left corner of the letter, where the seals of both Yun Qing and Yuxi were stamped.

Zhong Shan could not help but say, "Kui Zi, you can't agree to this. It's too dangerous." The meaning of the letter was very obvious: it hoped that Tie Kui would pass information to them in the future. If they were caught, their lives would be in danger because Yan Wushuang's surveillance was so strict.

Tie Kui did not respond to Zhong Shan's words.

Early the next morning, Tie Kui handed Zhong Shan a letter. "Go find Tong Ge and discuss the business matter with him. Also, have Tong Ge pass along this letter."

Zhong Shan felt that this letter was a burning hot yam⁷, but he still asked, "Kui Zi, can you tell me why exactly you want to help Yun Qing?" Zhong Shan knew that Tie Kui could not possibly be doing this for money, but he did not know the real reason.

Tie Kui shook his head. "I can't tell you for now. You'll know in the future." Telling Zhong Shan now would only cause him further worry.

Zhong Shan said bluntly, "Kui Zi, be honest with me. Is this related to your background? Otherwise, you wouldn't take such a risk." Yan Wushuang was a ruthless and merciless person. If someone betrayed him merely for money, it would not be worth it. Zhong Shan also knew very well that Tie Kui was not truly greedy for wealth, so the only possibility was that it had something to do with his origins.

Tie Kui did not deny it, but he did not nod either. "Don't ask about this again in the future. When the time is right, I'll tell you."

Hearing these words, Zhong Shan knew that his guess was correct. He responded, "I won't ask about it again."

That day, as soon as Tie Kui met Qiu Dashan, he raised this matter and even invited Qiu Dashan to invest. "As long as nothing goes wrong on the journey, the money earned from just one trip would be enough to support us for several years."

Qiu Dashan shook his head. "This is a business you built up yourself, so I won't blindly meddle in it." If he invested in it, wouldn't that mean competing with Tie Kui for profit? That was something he could not do.

Seeing that Qiu Dashan firmly refused to invest, Tie Kui dropped the matter. Still, he would remember it. Once money was earned, Qiu Dashan would certainly receive his share as well. Of course, the reason Tie Kui deliberately told Qiu Dashan about this matter was to prevent Yan Wushuang from causing trouble again in the future. When that time came, Qiu Dashan could help mediate things.

Footnotes Full List

无事献殷勤，非奸即盗 (wú shì xiàn yīn qín, fēi jiān jí dào): Someone who is unusually attentive or generous likely has ulterior motives.
胳膊扭不过大腿 (gē bo niǔ bù guò dà tuǐ): The weak cannot prevail against the strong; one cannot oppose a more powerful force.
时辰 (shíchen): 2 hours
满盆钵盂 (mǎn pén bō yú) — idiom meaning "earning a lot of money"
江湖 (jiāng hú): (lit.) "rivers and lakes", a metaphor for the world of outlaws, martial artists, or unofficial society.
一箭双雕 (yī jiàn shuāng diāo): achieving two goals with a single action.
烫手山芋 (tàng shǒu shān yù): a troublesome or dangerous matter that is difficult to handle.