Chapter 135: The Open Stratagem (Part One)

Early winter afternoon, sunlight filtering through the teahouse, the atmosphere tense, as if two forces faced off.

“It really was you…” Old Qiulong muttered under his breath. To be honest, this was not how he had imagined things unfolding. Although he had previously speculated about Ning Yi, about Su Tan’er, and about the situation the Wu family was facing, and had even drawn some preliminary conclusions, he had never expected Ning Yi to utter such words today.

After all, speculation is just that—speculation—and it always needs to be verified. In the past couple of days, whenever he greeted Ning Yi or sat before him now, he was still pondering how to probe, how to glean any hints from the other’s behavior. Just moments ago, hearing Ning Yi speak of chemicals and metals, he wondered if this fading fabric was truly connected to him. It was all part of a gradual process of stacking the chips towards certainty. Yet unexpectedly, Ning Yi merely glanced at him once and then tore down all assumptions, confirming the doubts in his heart.

This was simply irrational. After the plan was set, would one choose to reveal everything now? Not in a formal setting, not after careful thought, but just like this—on an early winter afternoon, in a seemingly casual place—uttering such matters offhand. A flood of disbelief surged through Wu Qiulong’s mind. Even though he had mentally prepared for Ning Yi’s trap, the sudden chaos was indescribable.

However, Ning Yi just looked at him briefly, then lowered his head and began pouring himself some tea.

“You look angry. Why?”

His tone was indifferent. Ning Yi took a sip from his cup, expression unchanged. Yet Wu Qiulong clenched his teeth tightly in an instant.

Why angry? Of course because…

Because of regret…

He suddenly laughed aloud, glanced around, then leaned back in his chair. “So it really was you… Everyone missed it…” Ning Yi shook his head, seemingly unconcerned. “The matter between the Su and Wu families has come to this; who did it doesn’t really matter… How bad is the situation over there?”

Unprepared for Ning Yi’s calm, matter-of-fact question, Wu Qiulong was stunned for a moment before letting out a bitter laugh. “You don’t know how bad it is?”

“Not really clear. Things at home have been chaotic lately. Besides, I haven’t inquired about this for over a month.”

“You…” Wu Qiulong tilted his head, eyes wide. “You haven’t inquired?!”

This matter had shown signs months ago—indeed, the Su family had been preparing for years. It had grown to affect countless people and matters, with tens or even hundreds of thousands of taels involved in recent months alone. At such a time, when he found a key person, this person casually said they hadn’t looked into it for over a month?

He fixed his gaze on Ning Yi, the absurdity unspeakable. Ning Yi studied him a moment, then smiled and closed the book beside him. “It’s almost time to settle things anyway. Tan’er has mentioned it several times at home recently. I heard she’s started spreading rumors outside. Probably around now.”

“...So the rumors were hers after all?”

“Right?”

“Yeah.” Ning Yi nodded earnestly, voice low but clear. “There’s no concrete information yet, but we’re considering releasing them. Your contract with the Weaving Bureau—the first batch’s delivery date should be approaching. That’s about when it’ll be.”

The absurd atmosphere seemed to fill the entire teahouse. Wu Qiulong could understand the words, yet felt as if he were trapped in an utterly unreal scene. Ning Yi’s tone was calm, his demeanor sincere, as if nothing was off-limits to say, as if he were an indifferent spectator narrating events. That Su Tan’er had begun spreading rumors, then would release concrete information, and Ning Yi said this so openly—it was a spectacle unlike any Wu Qiulong had ever witnessed. Such words, such negotiations, such confrontations—it was utterly preposterous.

Yet the most ironic thing was that no matter how clearly he understood these steps, he could not stop the other from saying them.

Wu Qiulong stared at Ning Yi in disbelief, unable to find words. Ning Yi sipped tea, occasionally glancing outside the teahouse, waiting for him to regain composure. After a long moment, Wu Qiulong drew a deep breath, clenched his teeth, and nodded. “So you think the time to lay all cards on the table has come, right?”

Ning Yi pursed his lips thoughtfully, shook his head, then nodded again. “Uh, not exactly… but maybe. Overall, this isn’t my business. You and Tan’er need to come to terms yourselves.”

“So… what are you in this?”

“Fate… a whim… maybe anything goes.” Ning Yi smiled. “Anyway, you already realized it. Since you came today, and I have time, and you want to discuss this, telling you doesn’t hurt. Actually, if told earlier, you’d have had more time to consider and adjust. I think that would be better for the Su family as well.”

He raised his cup and took a sip.

Wu Qiulong steadied his emotions and leaned closer to the table. “Then, Ning Liheng, what do you think is best?”

“Whatever Tan’er wants, give it to her.” Ning Yi shook his head. “That saves a lot of trouble.”

“How would I know what your lady wants?”

“Sincerity. Everything you can afford to offer, everything the Su family’s main branch can swallow…”

“…Everything?!”

“Yeah, everything.”

They locked eyes for a moment. Wu Qiulong’s smile was cold and sarcastic; Ning Yi’s expression was calm, sincere as a child of three. After a pause, Wu Qiulong drew a deep breath. “Alright, Ning brother, give me an example. This ‘everything’—what does it represent?”

“Everything means everything. Recently, the Su family has arranged holdings in places like Luzhou, Shouzhou, Guangzhou, Hezhou, Xuanzhou…” Ning Yi seemed to count on his fingers. “In these places, business shares that can be relinquished, some convenient real estate, a few fabric formulas—I heard Tan’er mention several kinds. One is that tightly stitched method… your Wu family’s unique technique. Some shares and businesses need to be coordinated for a smooth handover, then…”

Before he finished, Wu Qiulong slammed his palm onto the table. “Ning Liheng! Do you know what you’re saying? Today, here, in front of me, you want half the Wu family!?”

“Probably not half.” Ning Yi glanced at him. “The Su family has had turmoil lately. The Wu family has deep roots. Tan’er alone can’t take half the Wu family, only trying to take as much as possible. Even a third is already nearing saturation. With that third, even without the imperial merchants, it’s enough to prove Tan’er’s qualification to be head of the Su family. But that’s not the most important thing.”

“What’s she most angry and concerned about this time? What the Su family is most angry and concerned about? You should understand. When the time comes, sincerity is key. There’s only one chance…”

“Dream on!” Wu Qiulong ground his teeth and spat. “You really think you’ve got the Wu family cornered over this little matter? The Wu family has stood for so many years…”

“It’s human nature. Everyone thinks that at first.” Ning Yi interrupted calmly. “Dreaming, foolish talk, greed swallowing more than one can chew. Who would really give away so much? That’s why I said it’s almost time to be clear. In about a month and a half, what needs to be done will be done.”

The faded fabric…

“We’ll have the Weaving Bureau delay delivery and see how long your Su family can hold out.”

“Yes, delay…”

“So you spread rumors, say it’s our Wu family’s fabric fading. Go ahead. Even if it causes some temporary impact, the truth will only be determined when the Wu family’s delivery is made. What can you do?”

Ning Yi glanced at him and sighed. “Yeah, whatever’s going to be said will be said. Actually, we don’t want it to drag on until ten days from now. Once the news spreads, other fabric merchants will prepare themselves, and it’ll be harder for us to take over. Better you take it yourselves… Oh, by the way, Shopkeeper Liao has already gone to the capital. Don’t know if you knew that…”

“You…”

“I heard he used to travel back and forth in the capital, knows several big fabric merchants, has many connections. This time he took some silver there. The Su family’s main branch has barely any left; he took it all. Mainly to make it look like the Wu family committed treason against the emperor.”

Wu Qiulong’s face twisted in fury. Ning Yi smiled and shook his head. “I actually understand your thoughts. Fading fabric is just that—fading fabric. To call it treason is exaggeration. But the emperor has always been lenient over the years. Orders to wipe out families won’t come easily. The Su family has connections, the Wu family does too, but none are too strong. Both sides are maneuvering, depending on the higher-ups’ mood. Still, it’s a bargaining chip. Tossing tens or hundreds of thousands of taels definitely counts. If the Wu family admits fault, the outcome might be better.”

“Uh… if you’re sincere, Tan’er would have Shopkeeper Liao help speak for the Wu family. The penalty won’t be light, but wiping out the family is too extreme…” Wu Qiulong ground his teeth and smiled bitterly. “You know treason charges don’t come lightly…”

“But war’s coming, Qiulong.” Ning Yi poured tea from the pot, filling Wu Qiulong’s cup. “Throughout history, what’s most needed in war? Money. Everyone sees business opportunities in war. Haven’t you thought about that? Although the Wu dynasty claims wealth and prosperity, the state is always short on money. Armies don’t move without supplies. Once troops mobilize, how much money is needed to fill the bottomless pit? It’s never enough. We don’t know when the war will start, but all decisions will be made before it. Does anyone know if a decision has been made yet?”

He looked at Wu Qiulong. “If no decision yet, there’s still room to negotiate. But… will it be decided tomorrow? Or by the end of this month? Next month? Even if it drags on, it’s no matter… Once decided, the emperor, prime ministers, officials in various ministries—all will scramble for money.”

“Your Wu family has deep roots—how much silver can you really muster? I’m not clear on this, but probably a lot. Hundreds of thousands? Millions? Am I exaggerating? Just so happens this is the moment…”

Wu Qiulong’s face had gone pale. Ning Yi sighed and softened his tone. “Don’t overthink it. If things escalate, the Wu family will definitely be wiped out. No escape…”

…!~!