Chapter 126: The Black Tide... Finally Emerges!

Chapter 126: The Long-Awaited... Black Tide!

Every banquet of this kind always begins in a rather dull fashion...

Lord Dong delivered his usual annual summary of the various events that had transpired in Jiangning over the past year, along with some vague hopes for the year ahead. Though the words were the same old rhetoric, this year’s speech was tinged with uncertainty due to the unusual circumstances. In truth, many present already understood the true state of Jiangning’s weaving industry far better than Lord Dong himself.

“Crab tonight…” Wang Wenzhuo of the Wang family murmured quietly, a faint aroma wafting up from downstairs. He then turned to speak with one of his stewards beside him: “What do you make of tonight’s affairs?”

The steward replied softly, “Naturally, we hope the Su family comes out on top, and it seems unlikely there will be any problems.”

“The Wu and Xue families aren’t pushovers either. Look over there—their people don’t appear too anxious, and as for the Su family… honestly, Ning Liheng there makes me a bit discouraged…”

The Wang family was a relatively small to medium-sized merchant in Jiangning, and they had long maintained a good cooperative relationship with the Su family. Naturally, they hoped the Su family would secure the imperial merchant title, which would benefit them as well. Yet Wang Wenzhuo’s gaze landed on Ning Yi, the Su family’s representative, and he felt this was the one uncertain element. The steward smiled slightly and said, “He’s just a scholar; no need to worry about him. We know the real management is in the hands of the Su family’s second young lady. Tonight, the Su family has prepared thoroughly. Now it’s just a matter of finishing the deal—there shouldn’t be any issues.”

“As long as the Xue family doesn’t pull any tricks, I’m at ease…”

The Xue and Su families were not on friendly terms, so the Wang family held little fondness for the Xue. Many within the circle suspected the recent assassination attempt on Su Boyong was orchestrated by the Xue family. Of course, such an accusation, if confirmed, would be grave and could not be openly spoken of.

Amid whispered conversations, Lord Dong’s speech gradually steered toward the main topic. The crowd quieted, immersed in the mingled scents of music and dishes, awaiting the evening’s pivotal event.

“Tonight, I invite everyone to appreciate the Qi family’s recently woven snow-patterned yarn. The silk threads used in this fabric are difficult to weave, resulting in a final product that is light, thin, and resilient. Please observe: this yarn is nearly transparent, with natural patterns resembling pure white snow lines. We employed special looms to control the number of silk threads…”

Night had just fallen. Upstairs in the Green Ripple Pavilion, all guests were seated. At the center of the room, the head of a weaving household unfurled a bolt of fabric. Surrounding round tables were laden with fruits and delicacies. After the presentation, officials and merchants discussed the fabric. Lord He then rose, smiling, inviting anyone interested to come forward and examine the cloth closely. People from each table moved toward the center, scrutinizing the quality and engaging in light-hearted exchanges with the Qi family’s representative.

Tonight’s gathering concerned the annual fabric supply, the imperial merchant title, and the future standing of weaving households in Jiangning. Naturally, the exchanges extended beyond mere competition for the title. Confident merchants would openly display their wares, hoping to attract cooperation or other proposals. The presentations had just begun. After the Qi family’s turn, a few people smiled and gathered around to inspect the cloth, while others sat chatting nearby.

“This yarn is quite good…”

“The technique to separate the silk threads has existed in the Wu family for a few years now…”

“But the Wu family’s fabric output is limited.”

“The Qi family is quite capable…”

While detailed discussions were impossible at this stage, those interested had already examined the quality. The evening would provide ample time to deliberate and negotiate. Even those less interested, such as the Su, Wu, and Xue families, would make an appearance to appraise the fabrics and offer polite remarks. With this, the atmosphere gradually warmed.

Following the Qi family, Lord He invited another household to summarize the year’s events. Attentive listeners included merchants who sometimes disclosed hints of information, serving as indicators for the coming year. This household did not present new fabric. Next came another… and so the proceedings continued.

As the sequence progressed, attention to the imperial merchant title momentarily waned, with eyes focused on matters of immediate benefit. The Wang family also took an interest in a particular fabric. Wang Wenzhuo discussed quietly with his shopkeeper, deciding to probe further during the banquet to gauge intentions.

About twenty families attended tonight’s gathering. Each had matters to discuss, though not all brought samples—participation was voluntary. When the gathering was halfway through, Lord He announced, “I now invite the Lü family to present a summary of the past year.” The murmurs from the previous fabric display gradually quieted, and all awaited the Lü family’s presentation.

The Lü family’s head gave a brief overview. A servant brought forward a brocade box, which he patted with a smile and said, “Our Lü family’s smoked tea silk has long been appreciated. Recently, we expanded on this concept and produced a new fabric, as yet unnamed. We offer it for your evaluation and welcome your guidance…”

He opened the box, revealing a bolt of black fabric. Gasps arose from the crowd, and Wang Wenzhuo’s mouth parted slightly. Almost simultaneously, he and his steward glanced sideways, casually observing the reactions of others, especially members of the Su, Xue, and Wu families. The Lü family’s smoked tea silk was already renowned in Jiangning, and this new fabric posed a potential challenge to the three dominant families. After a moment, he refocused and smiled with his steward.

“It seems these three families each have their trump cards and are unfazed by the Lü family.”

“Indeed.”

“But this black fabric is truly impressive. I’ll go take a look.”

Wang Wenzhuo rose. Among the merchants present, many had been scrutinizing the expressions of the Wu, Xue, and Su families. The Wu family members maintained graceful smiles, engaging politely after each presentation and asking questions. Their demeanor had not changed. The Xue family appeared confident, and so did the Su. Ning Yi, the Su family’s temporary head and their foremost talent, kept his right hand casually tapping the lid of a brocade box on the table, exuding an air of quiet confidence. Liào, the shopkeeper, did not engage with him but chatted quietly with colleagues before rising to approach the Lü family’s display. Su Zhongkan followed.

Though the Lü family’s fabric did not threaten the top three, it was still considered excellent in Jiangning. The new fabric stirred a minor wave of excitement at the gathering. Wu Chenghou of the Wu family stepped forward to discuss it with Su Zhongkan, offering high praise. When the time for free appraisal ended, the black fabric was displayed prominently at the front for all to see throughout the banquet.

As the next family took the stage, the previous chatter persisted but gradually subsided. Attention shifted to other merchants. The lingering impression of the Lü family’s black fabric remained. When Lord He mentioned the Xue family’s “Dachuan Cloth Shop,” the atmosphere suddenly snapped into silence. The moment nearly everyone had anticipated had arrived.

At a round table, Ning Yi ceased tapping his fingers. Liào and others straightened their posture. Xue Yanchao smiled, holding a wooden box as he stepped forward to recount the Xue family’s successes over the past year. The grand hall on the second floor fell into a hush, all eyes fixed on the Xue family’s forthcoming reveal and the Su family’s reaction. When the Xue family displayed a luxurious purple fabric, the entire room’s atmosphere froze for several breaths. People waited silently for others’ responses, most gazing toward the Su family. Even the Xue family’s members cast attentive looks in that direction. The Su family shopkeepers exchanged glances.

One second, two seconds passed… Finally, Liào swept his gaze around and, smoothing his robe, smiled and stood to approach the fabric. As he took a step forward, Ning Yi frowned, his fingers falling again as he reclined in his chair.

Suddenly, the hall erupted into a clamor of whispered conversations. People rose and began moving forward.

“The Su family hasn’t responded?”

“What’s going on?”

“No counterattack from the Xue family?”

“The Su family has been preparing for years. An assassination on Su Boyong was meaningless; Su Tan’er still stands…”

“This all-or-nothing gamble by the Su family is paying off…”

“The finale—the imperial merchant title likely belongs to the Su family…”

“The Wu family is still uncertain, but if they had the means, they would have made their move last, as usual…”

“True patience, the real buildup, is like this…”

“Su Yu can finally rest assured entrusting the family to his granddaughter…”

Amid the murmurs and laughter, the scene grew lively. As one of Jiangning’s three great weaving families, despite surprise, the Su family was given due respect. The atmosphere was animated, yet everyone bore their own feelings. After the Xue family placed the purple fabric forward, Xue Yan returned to his seat expressionless, speaking quietly to his brother.

“I think Su Tan’er might really clinch the imperial merchant title tonight…”

“Earlier, Su Zhongkan and Su Yunfang’s faces looked strange, haha…”

The banquet still simmered with suspicion and discussion. Lord He raised his hand but could not fully quiet the crowd. He then called on the next family. Wu Chenghou rose with a smile and brought forward a brocade box. The crowd showed mild surprise as he began speaking.

The hall quieted. Wang Wenzhuo glanced at Wu Chenghou, frowning. “Why does the Wu family come right after the Xue family?”

“Indeed…” The Wang steward nodded, puzzled, before returning to their earlier conversation. “Whatever happens, if the Su family secures the imperial merchant title tonight, they will be at peace. If Su Tan’er cannot inherit the family business, the consequences will be grim…”

“I’m ready for what comes after today…”

They spoke anxiously about previous matters. Wu Chenghou’s tone was dry, and most listened warily, their doubts unchanged. Nearby, the Xue brothers frowned, whispering, “Heh, we always thought the Su family made the assassination of Su Boyong too complicated…”

“The reaction is fierce, but no surprise. Hopefully, they’ll slip up in the end…”

“I still don’t believe they have a fabric that can surpass everyone else, despite all the hype…”

“Su Tan’er falling ill leaves the shopkeepers with no choice. No matter what, at the last moment, they will… wow.”

Xue Jin’s words trailed off as his gaze froze on the front. Even while chatting, everyone was listening to Wu Chenghou. Suddenly, a bolt of golden brocade unfurled before them. Wu Chenghou’s words were unremarkable, but the golden fabric drew all eyes. The box also contained golden-dyed silk threads as raw material, the color bright and dazzling, extraordinarily splendid. Wu Chenghou continued, “This resplendent gold brocade is dyed using a special formula found by our Wu family. The weaving was overseen by Luo Shenzhen, so…”

He paused with a smile, then stopped his introduction. At some point, Ning Yi in a blue robe had risen and crossed several tables, approaching the golden brocade beside Wu Chenghou. Everyone remained seated as he moved closer, then paused. All eyes turned toward him.

Lord He thought for a moment before rising slightly: “Ning, nephew, Wu family has not finished speaking yet. This is not the time to step forward. Please return to your seat.”

Such respectful terms as “nephew” implied a good relationship, and Lord He’s tone was kind.

Yet there was no response.

Silence fell. Gazes flickered between Ning Yi and the Wu family. Some began to realize something, and then others gathered more thoughts…

“This isn’t right…”

“What’s wrong…”

“No, no, no…”

“The Wu family…”

“The Su family is in trouble…”

Suddenly, a snowballing realization swept through the room, though no one spoke. Eyes exchanged complex glances, growing more tangled. The mood turned restless, as if voices were about to erupt. Liào approached Ning Yi, trying to coax him back. Wu Chenghou glanced at Ning Yi for a long moment, smiling with a hint of confusion, then chuckled.

“Ah, no matter. Ning, nephew, if you wish to take a look, by all means. No harm in that. Speaking of which, a few days ago I spoke with Ning, nephew, about a matter. Our family has also prepared new fabric. If you feel inspired, we’d be honored if you composed a poem—needn’t be perfect, just to borrow your name. Anyway, the fabric is out now, no need for more introduction. Luo Shenzhen’s craftsmanship is certainly worthy of praise. Come, come, everyone, don’t be shy. Please offer your insights, haha, I won’t say more…”

Several close Wu family stewards stood, but few spoke. Faint whispers flitted through the hall.

“It’s happened…”

Wang Wenzhuo frowned, rubbing his fingers, his expression unreadable.

“The Wu family?” Xue Yan leaned back, incredulous, then let out a complex, bitter laugh. “Heh.”

Ning Yi and Liào were in everyone’s sight. Liào said something, but Ning Yi frowned, silent. He looked at Wu Chenghou and then at Wu Qilong and Wu Qihao, who were approaching with smiles. His gaze sometimes drifted elsewhere. For a moment, he seemed resolved to step forward, but Liào grasped his shoulder.

In the following moments, the hall seemed split in two: one side pale, the other noisy. Ning Yi finally sat back down, staring at the center of the room with a complicated, unfathomable expression. Such a look was familiar to many merchants—one of passionate ambition swallowed suddenly by the darkness of the marketplace. Complex, indescribable, speechless disbelief.

Many had guessed at what was unfolding. Even if uncertain, the atmosphere was palpable.

Buzzing murmurs filled the air.

The Wu family returned to their seats. The golden brocade was placed forward, but the divided feeling lingered. Whether pale or lively, the sensation of accelerated tension remained.

All awaited the final conclusion. They glanced at the still-smiling Wu family, then at the silent Ning Yi at the Su family’s table, and the few composed shopkeepers whispering among themselves. The Xue family had also deduced much. Xue Sheng sighed deeply, frowning at his two sons.

“A truly biting dog does not bark. That’s the Wu family’s strength—silent and calm, watching the noisy crowd as they quietly turn the tables. Heh, the Su family’s recent grand gestures have been in vain. This move is ruthless. The tripartite balance of power in Jiangning’s weaving industry will vanish. After the Su family’s fall, others must learn a lesson… sigh.”

Though the Xue and Su families were at odds, his sigh bore no schadenfreude. It felt like witnessing the twilight of an era—the sky ablaze with fiery clouds, the last embers fading, tinged with melancholy and regret.

Not because the Su family was weak, but because the Wu family was overwhelmingly formidable behind the scenes.

Xue Yan looked at Ning Yi seated there. Over the past month, this scholar had played the smallest role, seemingly a lone sheep among wolves. He had little room to resist. Once, it seemed laughable, but now the loneliness of his silhouette evoked pity. He could neither act nor did he act.

Finally, at a certain moment, Lord He’s voice rang out, drawing everything to a close...

All fabric presentations had concluded. Now, it was time to openly request monthly votes, recommendations, and anything else one could ask for. The end of the month had come—please cast your votes if you have them, recommendations are also welcome.

What follows may well be a different kind of great tide.