Chapter 136: Open Stratagem (Part Two)

"Do not dwell on it further. Once this matter blows up, your Wu family will undoubtedly face the execution of the entire clan and the confiscation of all property; there is no escaping it..."

The voice was calm, echoing softly through the upper level of the teahouse. Wu Qilong sat frozen, momentarily speechless. Having spent these past years hardened in the arenas of commerce, he was no mediocre or incompetent fool; ordinary fearmongering and intimidation could not easily rattle him. Yet this time was different. The earlier realization of the fading yellow cloth had laid bare Ning Yi's astonishing, interlocking scheme, and the revelations now being presented unfolded with a relentless, step-by-step logic. Ning Yi's demeanor was entirely natural as he casually tossed the concept of a clan's total annihilation right before him.

Probably very few people could recover their wits immediately after hearing such words, especially when it concerned their own survival and the total eradication of their family. Wu Qilong had not failed to consider the gravity of the fading yellow cloth beforehand, but at worst, he had expected mere penalties. Even if certain actions brushed against the crime of deceiving the emperor, such matters were rarely judged with absolute severity; there were always ample buffers and room for maneuver. This was precisely why he had previously found the notion of the Su family demanding one-third of the Wu family preposterously absurd. Yet it was precisely these few remarks from Ning Yi that directly pointed out a critical factor they had previously overlooked.

A war was about to break out...

Shopkeeper Liao had gone to the capital specifically to make the charge of deceiving the emperor stick against the Wu family...

When all these pieces were connected...

Ning Yi quietly sipped his tea, waiting for him to digest this influx of information before resuming his casual, conversational tone.

"What the Su family can do, many others in Jiangning can do as well. The moment you acquired that yellow cloth, the outcome here was already sealed. For your first delivery, you demanded a delay, and the news of the fading color was bound to be leaked."

While recounting a meticulously orchestrated plan that he had virtually masterminded entirely by himself, he simultaneously expressed a detached sort of regret to Wu Qilong and the entire Wu family, as if it were a matter that had nothing whatsoever to do with him: *When the time comes, we will simply have no choice but to have your entire family put to death.*

He continued: "Such an outcome wouldn't be ideal. Once everyone knows about it, the situation will no longer be something the Su family can control. Even if we don't go to the capital to make a fuss, others will still step in to exert their influence and bring the Wu family down. Naturally, the Su family will certainly continue pressing the advantage. Afterward, once your family is convicted and the market plunges into chaos, we will step in to seize your market share. How much effort it will take to secure the lion's share... well, the Su family will undoubtedly face some complications there."

"That is why I truly hope to resolve all these matters before the delivery for the imperial merchant contract is delayed." Ning Yi poured himself another cup of tea and shook his head. "Time will be a bit tight, but this is also to ensure that you hand everything over. There is no need to organize things too meticulously; whatever can be handed over, just turn it in. As for what cannot be digested, Tan'er surely knows how to draw the line..."

"Of course, the most important thing is sincerity, and that is paramount. If possible, I would show you that strategic proposal. Back then, I emphasized a few points to Tan'er: first, absolutely no delays—we have no time for negotiations. No matter what you say, once the deadline for the extension arrives and if things are not yet settled—even if the slightest detail remains incomplete—the Su family will release the news. Once released, the situation will slip beyond the Su family's control, and we will simply have to let fate take its course. The second point is really just a supplement to the first: there is only one chance, and the Su family will not entertain further discussions. If we require anything else, you will have to go and prepare it separately. Therefore, it is best to get everything settled in one go. You should be able to understand why these matters must be handled this way."

Having said all this in one breath, Ning Yi took a sip of tea. Wu Qilong placed both hands flat on the table and leaned back into his chair.

"Are you saying... my Wu family... must submit to your slaughter?"

"Phrased differently, but essentially that is what it means." Ning Yi pursed his lips and nodded, deeply approving of Wu Qilong's summary. "I believe this should be the most peaceful approach. Of course, with the reality laid bare before you, you certainly won't feel happy about it. But at this stage... perhaps you should step outside the situation and look at it from above. Much like a game of chess, once you are checkmated, you cannot realistically expect your opponent to spare you. Since checkmate has been reached, the next step is inevitably capture. Can you... understand this?"

Wu Qilong stared at Ning Yi as if looking at a madman, his mouth opening and closing several times without uttering a sound. Ning Yi met his gaze with unfeigned calm. After a moment, he nodded and murmured softly, "You understand. I am so glad..."

With a suppressed and heavy voice, Wu Qilong spoke, almost enunciating each word separately: "One-third... if we give that to you, then the formula for the vibrant gold brocade..."

"There is no formula," Ning Yi shook his head. "From beginning to end, there was never a correct formula. Because the cloth faded, Tan'er fell ill at the time. You must have felt that kind of psychological pressure yourselves these past few days. She had been researching it for three years, and she was fighting a solitary battle. Furthermore, Uncle Su was stabbed back then, which was why she collapsed."

"Then why on earth should my Wu family give you this one-third?"

"Ah, it is not just one-third; we must clarify this first so you can mentally prepare yourselves. One-third is what the Su family requires... There is a way, however. When the time comes, the Su family will help the Wu family pull strings and make arrangements in both the capital and Jiangning. Since the news will be temporarily suppressed, outsiders will not yet know that the Wu family is in trouble. When that happens, the Wu family will voluntarily acknowledge the penalty: first, spend money to grease palms at all levels, and the Su family will cooperate; second, proactively pay a fine to be used as military provisions; third, and most importantly..."

Ning Yi paused for a moment. "You must voluntarily take on several times your usual share of imperial tribute cloth. Only a quantity this large will ensure that the authorities do not confiscate the Wu family out of existence. Even with a war looming, tribute cloth will undoubtedly still be required—perhaps to be sent to the Jin state... This burden will be somewhat heavy. You will need to contract your market, hand over the ordinary fabrics your own mills produce to the imperial court, and perhaps purchase additional supplies from the open market. Moreover, as you know, Tan'er has improved the looms, increasing efficiency. Therefore, regarding the tribute cloth, the Su family will also have some spare capacity to assist, creating an outlet for your excess inventory as well."

"Thus, one-third to the Su family, and whatever amount is required for the imperial court's various expenses—I am not entirely sure if one-third will suffice—in any case, you will certainly be able to manage it. Then, over the next few years, although the Wu family's external markets will continue to shrink, you will have secured the imperial merchant status. After a few years, you will at least remain on the scale of families like the Lü clan, who formerly held the exclusive imperial contracts."

Wu Qilong brought his fist down heavily on the table.

"It is very difficult to accept at first; I understand." Ning Yi remained completely unfazed. "Still, what the upper echelons of the imperial court are truly like at this moment, neither you nor I can know for sure. Having any path is better than having none, wouldn't you agree? As for the other path—true, it is not entirely without a chance. Who knows, perhaps the fading issue might somehow be resolved? In any case, the Su family spent several years on it before they resigned themselves to fate, and Su Tan'er fell ill over it. Perhaps your luck is exceptionally good, and you will resolve the issue in a month or two, or ten days from now. You could choose to gamble on that chance. If you do, this side will release the news according to plan, and Shopkeeper Liao will lobby in the capital—in short, that is the process. Perhaps there are other solutions I haven't thought of yet. By the way, does your family have any reliable relatives within the imperial nobility? I feel such people might be worth approaching for help..."

"You—" Wu Qilong took a deep breath and pointed a trembling finger at Ning Yi. "You... it is you who are now driving my Wu family to our doom, yet you sit here wearing a detached expression and offering me advice? Heh..."

"You still don't understand?" This time, Ning Yi looked at him and frowned. "Matters of this scale... are not child's play. Most of the time in this world, you feel as though you have countless choices, but in the end, you realize there is only one choice left, and you simply have to follow it. Driving your Wu family to your doom? Why do you speak of it so lightly, as if this were no different from someone hitting me with a brick in the past? What do you expect me to say?"

"This entire affair was initiated by you. Is that what you want to hear? *'You cannot act like this, I warned you beforehand.'* Is that what you want to hear? Or perhaps: *'Even among old friends, hands rest on swords; at the crimson gates, the successful laugh and flick their caps'*? Your Wu family elder took that poem back to have it framed, and he even remarked at the time that business is simply business... Is that what you want to hear? It is meaningless. From beginning to end, I never intended to discuss these things with you. I only want to show you what the current reality actually is. As for how it came to be this way, that is something for you to reflect upon afterward. Bringing it up now—does it solve any problems?"

"No one is intentionally targeting your Wu family. It's just that someone stabbed Su Uncle—oh, let's not pretend this had nothing to do with you and that you were entirely unaware; that is the crucial point—and then you began scheming against the imperial merchant contracts. The cloth faded, and Su Tan'er fell ill. Once the Su family ran into trouble, everything that followed was merely the process of solving problems. No one desires bloodshed, and no one wants to exterminate an entire family. Solving the problem, pushing matters to their optimal conclusion—that is simply what resolving a problem entails."

"Before the night of the textile guild's annual banquet, no one knew it was you. It could have been anyone who stepped into this trap; whether it was you or the Xue family, it made no difference. Now I am telling you that there are two paths: first, your entire family lives; second, your entire family dies. Do I really need to spell out in detail how to choose? As for the Su family, just as I said, once checkmate has been reached, the next move is self-evident. Even if I let you choose, wouldn't the answer be glaringly obvious?" At this point, Ning Yi's expression grew genuinely solemn, and he shook his head with a sigh.

"To return to my earlier point, I know this is difficult to handle and hard to accept at first—that is true for anyone. Events unfolded too rapidly, the twists came too fast, and very little time was given to you for adjustment. Furthermore, you undoubtedly harbor resentment. *'Even if my entire family perishes, I won't let you gain a single advantage'*—most people would initially think along those lines. It is understandable. However, a single individual cannot possibly devise all the necessary countermeasures on their own; the stakes are simply too immense, and far too many decisions must be made."

Ning Yi paused, glanced at the fading daylight outside, and then turned back to look at him with sincere earnestness. "It is getting late. While I certainly don't mind staying here to chat longer... you should probably head back soon. Things are bound to become very busy from here on out: communicating information, devising countermeasures—*a myriad of years is too long; we must seize the day, seize every fleeting hour.* Matters like this require everyone to gather together if a viable plan is to be hatched. Do not waste time; every second counts."

With a parting smile, he observed Wu Qilong's expression, then picked up the small volume on chemistry lying on the table. Across from him, Wu Qilong pushed back his chair and stood up. As if suddenly remembering something, Ning Yi raised his head. "Oh, this pot of tea is on me."

Wu Qilong stood in silence for several seconds, but ultimately uttered not a single word. His complexion was a shifting blur of unreadable emotions as he hurried toward the stairs, turning back for one final look before descending from the teahouse. Ning Yi sat quietly, his head bowed once more as he took up his brush to write and sketch. Occasionally, he frowned in deep thought and recollection, pausing only to take a small sip of tea. The sheer, ruthless deadliness of his earlier words and ultimatum—along with the staggering scope and catastrophic severity of their potential consequences—seemed, in his attitude, to be of no greater significance than an outdated Persian pamphlet on chemistry: a matter of the most ordinary, trivial sort.

The afternoon was still early, casting his solitary silhouette into a long shadow across the teahouse...