Chapter 78 – Inquiry
After obtaining the painting, Lin Jue would definitely think of a way to view the nautical map hidden within.
In her previous life, the person he found was Master Qian.
This explains why the painting in her memory had Master Qian’s seal “Spring Water Pavilion” on it. Because of that, in this life, Yu Tang was able to identify the Li family’s tactics.
However, owing to her interference, Master Qian has left and the Li family might not be able to find him anymore.
Even if they could, it would take considerable time and effort.
So who would the Li family find in this life to disassemble the painting?
How long would it take for them to study it privately?
Yu Tang tried to think from the perspective of the Li family and anticipate their actions. Regardless of what the Li family does, more importantly, she has to know if there’s still someone else lurking in the shadows. If so, who were they?
The maritime trade was a difficult field to navigate.
An average person would only contribute some funds as investment, which would yield the least amount of dividends. The ones who take the lion’s share of the profits would be the owners of the ships. However, organizing a fleet of ships was not easy. Not only do you need to have a ship, a skilled shipwright, an experienced captain, but you also had to have your own docks, warehouses and shipping permits from the authorities in the various cities……. Anything that can be solved with money wouldn’t be an issue. However, there were two challenging things, first, it was the shipping permits from the city’s maritime authorities, which can only be obtained through the court officials; second, was acquiring an experienced captain. The first required you to have several generations of officials in your family; the second, required you to have experienced sea captains in the family.
Having several generations of court officials in the family can ensure that no matter who is in charge of the City’s Maritime Division, their fleet will always receive approval and conduct trade without hindrance. And only with generations of prior sea captains in the family could they develop and train future captains and pass on their knowledge.
The Li family was neither a family with generation of officials nor do they possess a rich family heritage of experienced sea captains, so the only way was to find someone to cooperate with after acquiring the nautical map. Furthermore, as they are lacking in both points, it’s important for their collaborator to fulfil the two requirements.
In her former life, the Li family and the Lin family joined forces and started their maritime business in Fujian.
Therefore, it’s likely that their business partner should be one of the prominent families in Fujian.
Now, more than ever, Yu Tang deeply regretted that she came from an ordinary background and was thus unaware of the various power players and factors of change. She was unable to ascertain who the Li family collaborated with in her previous life.
She thought about it for a long while but still had not the slightest clue. She could only ask Supervisor Tong. “Over in Fujian, are there any such families?”
Although Supervisor Tong was well-informed, he lacked the ability and insight to assess the movements of the imperial court and observe how the various prominent and powerful families in the country influenced the economy and social strata.
He chuckled, saying, “I’m afraid there’s not many people in Lin’an or even in the entire state of Hangzhou who can answer your question! It would be best to ask the two masters of the Pei family!”
“The second and third masters of the Pei family?” Yu Tang already had the answer to her question in her heart, but she was reluctant to accept it, holding out the faintest hope that supervisor Tong might have even the smallest clue.
Supervisor Tong chortled. “Apart from those two, does Lady Yu know of anyone else? Gu Shen and the others certainly would know, but Lady Yu is neither their family nor friend, so they would definitely not reveal this kind of knowledge to just anyone who asked. The two Pei Family masters would be your best choice.”
Yu Tang showed a bitter smile.
She had only seen Second Master Pei once from afar during the funeral of Grand Elder Pei, and most probably wouldn’t recognize him if he stood in front of her. And as for Third Master Pei, she would very much like to find him, but he might not want to see her…
Yu Tang was caught in a quandary.
Supervisor Tong suggested, “Why don’t you ask your father to ask the local school’s scholar teacher Shen? He might have a clue.”
Yu Tang’s eyes lit up for a moment, but soon dimmed. She was afraid that if she asked around, she might not get the information she wanted, and instead cause her plans to be leaked.
“I’ll think about it.” She answered. She said her goodbyes to Supervisor Tong, and was about to head home, when Supervisor Tong’s son brushed past her, rushing to report, saying breathlessly. “Third master is back! He just arrived at the pier. Would you like to go over and say hello?”
“Of course we must!” Supervisor Tong exclaimed at once.
What a coincidence!
Yu Tang pondered for a moment before following Supervisor Tong towards the pier. “I’ll go with you and offer my greetings to Third Master Pei. Imperial Physical Yang came for a visit just a few days ago.”
Perhaps owing to the Pei family’s request, imperial physician Yang was more attentive than usual and gave Madam Chen a new prescription, which she took and felt much better.
On that basis alone, Yu Tang felt that she should take the initiative to express her gratitude to Pei Yan.
Supervisor Tong took Yu Tang along to the pier with a smile.
The pier was still as lively and bustling as always. When everyone saw Third Master Pei from afar, they all would bow in respect, but he remained expressionless and distant.
Yu Tang slanted her lips in distaste as she made her way over together with Supervisor Tong.
Pei Yan noticed Yu Tang the moment he looked over.
Her raven black hair was tied in a high bun, and she wore standard brown attendant’s garbs. Instead of making her blend in, it only served to make her skin look brighter and silkier in comparison and showed off her beautiful and clear complexion. Her overly large clothing caused her originally petite curves to become more pronounced like mountains and valleys, poorly concealing the fact that she was a woman dressed as a man. What’s worse was her walk. She walked without a care, swaying her hips here and there, totally unconcerned that people would notice.
How can she go out again in such an attire?
Why isn’t Yu Wen doing anything?
Pei Yan furrowed his brows, and his face darkened as Yu Tang approached. When Yu Tang got closer, he said irritably, “Lady Yu, why are you here? Are you again asking for help from Supervisor Tong?”
The first time he saw Yu Tang, she was trying to pull a fast one on Supervisor Tong.
This girl, she was meticulous in her ways and did things with a purpose in mind.
She definitely didn’t come to find Supervisor Tong for no rhyme or reason.
Yu Tang was happy to hear Pei Yan addressing her.
She was worried that Pei Yan would ignore her presence. As long as he was willing to speak with her, she was confident of finding a way to have Pei Yan help her.
“Third Master Pei,” she enthusiastically went forward and bowed to Pei Yan saying, “Imperial Physician Yang came to examine my mother and changed her prescription. I have yet to properly express my heartfelt thanks to you.”
That’s unnecessary.
Just don’t use the Pei family’s name to do anything that would damage their reputation.
If it were someone else, Pei Yan would have reprimanded the other party without mercy, but as he had misunderstood Yu Tang before, so he felt that he ought to close one eye and forgive her several times as compensation.
Therefore, despite his discontent, he remained silent as he carefully studied Yu Tang.
Pei Yan then discovered that Yu Tang’s eyes were exquisitely beautiful. Not only were they shining bright like onyx, but they were also sparkling with life, as though they could speak.
Just like her now, although she had a smile on her face and appeared cheerful, but her eyes revealed some craftiness, which reminded him of those scheming fox spirits mentioned in books. Although he had no idea what a fox spirit looked like, he felt that if there were fox spirits, they should resemble how Yutang looked now.
The problem is, even if he knows that Yutang is trying to manipulate him like a fox spirit, he has already decided to forgive her several times for her misdemeanours, so he can’t just go back on his decision and scold Yutang, right?
Pei Yan took a small step away from her and said calmly, “Lady Yu, what are you trying to do?”
He looked the same as usual, but Yu Tang inexplicably felt his momentary hesitation and concession.
Yu Tang didn’t know the reason for Pei Yan’s change of heart, but she sensed perceptively that ever since Pei Yan helped their family to obtain justice, Pei Yan’s attitude towards her became significantly gentler.
Was it because he realized that he had misunderstood her previously?
All these were just purely conjecture, but Yu Tang wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
She decided she had to seize this opportunity and find a way to get the information from Pei Yan.
“Third Master Pei, you are really impressive!” Perhaps because Pei Yan was too cold and haughty, or that Pei Yan’s status in Lin’an City was too noble, Yu Tang did not view him the same way as Li Jun, Shen Fang and others. She flattered Pei Yan unreservedly. Moreover, he had seen her at her worst, so there was no need for pretence, “This eagle-eyed clarity of yours, at a glance, you already knew I had something to ask you. “
When Pei Yan saw her being so forthright, he felt a sigh of relief instead, and he became more relaxed.
What he hated the most were those people who ran around in circles and beat about the bush. Was it because they thought he was too gullible, or they wanted to appear smart before him? Such tiny, unimportant matters and yet they expect him to spend his time guessing their motives and intentions when he had already known them right from the start.
“Speak.” Pei Yan said.
Yu Tang was overjoyed.
She didn’t expect Pei Yan to be so forthcoming.
Maybe she had been using the wrong way to communicate with him before.
As Yu Tang thought this, she asked, “Can I speak with you in private?”
Pei Yan looked at the pier where people were coming and going, and felt that this was not a suitable place to hold a conversation. However, he simply took a few steps towards the side and stood under an old banyan tree, and said, “State your business.”
He acted as though her concerns were not important enough for him to find a better place.
What arrogance!
Yu Tang could not help but mutter internally, but one has to be humble when under authority.
Not mentioning that she had a favor to ask of him, and apart from him there was no better option.
“It’s like this.” Yu Tang did not dare voice her displeasure, as she was afraid that once she did, she would lose this opportunity as well. She went forward quickly, and at a reasonable distance and she said evenly, “Master Wu invited my father to join in the maritime business. During my previous visit to your residence, I saw that you had those beautiful painted glass glazed fan doors in your drawing room. They were really beautiful …… “
She carefully observed Pei Yan’s expression.
PeiYan listened with casual interest, without the slightest hint of pride.
Evidently, the one who thought that those stained glass doors were beautiful was only grand elder Pei.
Yu Tang didn’t mention it again as she continued, “I thought you might be familiar with those merchants selling imported goods and thus want to seek your advice. In Fujian, which noble families have their own fleet of ships and among them, who has the most formidable fleet? Basing on this, we can see if we should follow Master Wu to join in the business.”
She was spouting all sorts of nonsense, but Pei Yan did not suspect otherwise.
Yu Wen was unreliable. This was his first impression after he learned that when Yu Wen fell for the trick, he needed his daughter to obtain the silver for the sale of the painting. Although participation in the maritime trade was uncommon in Lin’an City, but in Hangzhou, there were many young ladies who liked to invest in fleets of ships and earn some silver for themselves to buy some cosmetics, beauty products and whatnot. Moreover, this eldest young lady of the Yu family is a restless one.
As for whether this was her own idea, or that she’s doing it under Master Wu or Yu Wen’s name, it didn’t matter as he had already decided to make compensation to her. As long as she was the one obtaining the benefits in the end, such matters were things he had no interest in finding out, nor the energy to.
“Why don’t you invest in the fleets over in Ningbo instead? They mostly deal with porcelain and silk. For Fujian and Guangzhou, they handle porcelain and spices, – silk and porcelain are worth much more than spices.” Pei Yan remarked offhandedly and then told Yu Tang what she really wanted to know, “In Fujian, the largest fleet belongs to Fuan Peng family. Their family has an official posted in the city maritime shipping division and have at least 20-30 sea veterans. Even so, five years ago, there was an accident at sea, but it happened to all the ships that sailed in the same period, and not only just the Peng family. Should you wish to participate in the fleet in Fujian, the Peng family would be the best choice.”
Chapter 78 – Inquiry
After obtaining the painting, Lin Jue would definitely think of a way to view the nautical map hidden within.
In her previous life, the person he found was Master Qian.
This explains why the painting in her memory had Master Qian’s seal “Spring Water Pavilion” on it. Because of that, in this life, Yu Tang was able to identify the Li family’s tactics.
However, owing to her interference, Master Qian has left and the Li family might not be able to find him anymore.
Even if they could, it would take considerable time and effort.
So who would the Li family find in this life to disassemble the painting?
How long would it take for them to study it privately?
Yu Tang tried to think from the perspective of the Li family and anticipate their actions. Regardless of what the Li family does, more importantly, she has to know if there’s still someone else lurking in the shadows. If so, who were they?
The maritime trade was a difficult field to navigate.
An average person would only contribute some funds as investment, which would yield the least amount of dividends. The ones who take the lion’s share of the profits would be the owners of the ships. However, organizing a fleet of ships was not easy. Not only do you need to have a ship, a skilled shipwright, an experienced captain, but you also had to have your own docks, warehouses and shipping permits from the authorities in the various cities……. Anything that can be solved with money wouldn’t be an issue. However, there were two challenging things, first, it was the shipping permits from the city’s maritime authorities, which can only be obtained through the court officials; second, was acquiring an experienced captain. The first required you to have several generations of officials in your family; the second, required you to have experienced sea captains in the family.
Having several generations of court officials in the family can ensure that no matter who is in charge of the City’s Maritime Division, their fleet will always receive approval and conduct trade without hindrance. And only with generations of prior sea captains in the family could they develop and train future captains and pass on their knowledge.
The Li family was neither a family with generation of officials nor do they possess a rich family heritage of experienced sea captains, so the only way was to find someone to cooperate with after acquiring the nautical map. Furthermore, as they are lacking in both points, it’s important for their collaborator to fulfil the two requirements.
In her former life, the Li family and the Lin family joined forces and started their maritime business in Fujian.
Therefore, it’s likely that their business partner should be one of the prominent families in Fujian.
Now, more than ever, Yu Tang deeply regretted that she came from an ordinary background and was thus unaware of the various power players and factors of change. She was unable to ascertain who the Li family collaborated with in her previous life.
She thought about it for a long while but still had not the slightest clue. She could only ask Supervisor Tong. “Over in Fujian, are there any such families?”
Although Supervisor Tong was well-informed, he lacked the ability and insight to assess the movements of the imperial court and observe how the various prominent and powerful families in the country influenced the economy and social strata.
He chuckled, saying, “I’m afraid there’s not many people in Lin’an or even in the entire state of Hangzhou who can answer your question! It would be best to ask the two masters of the Pei family!”
“The second and third masters of the Pei family?” Yu Tang already had the answer to her question in her heart, but she was reluctant to accept it, holding out the faintest hope that supervisor Tong might have even the smallest clue.
Supervisor Tong chortled. “Apart from those two, does Lady Yu know of anyone else? Gu Shen and the others certainly would know, but Lady Yu is neither their family nor friend, so they would definitely not reveal this kind of knowledge to just anyone who asked. The two Pei Family masters would be your best choice.”
Yu Tang showed a bitter smile.
She had only seen Second Master Pei once from afar during the funeral of Grand Elder Pei, and most probably wouldn’t recognize him if he stood in front of her. And as for Third Master Pei, she would very much like to find him, but he might not want to see her…
Yu Tang was caught in a quandary.
Supervisor Tong suggested, “Why don’t you ask your father to ask the local school’s scholar teacher Shen? He might have a clue.”
Yu Tang’s eyes lit up for a moment, but soon dimmed. She was afraid that if she asked around, she might not get the information she wanted, and instead cause her plans to be leaked.
“I’ll think about it.” She answered. She said her goodbyes to Supervisor Tong, and was about to head home, when Supervisor Tong’s son brushed past her, rushing to report, saying breathlessly. “Third master is back! He just arrived at the pier. Would you like to go over and say hello?”
“Of course we must!” Supervisor Tong exclaimed at once.
What a coincidence!
Yu Tang pondered for a moment before following Supervisor Tong towards the pier. “I’ll go with you and offer my greetings to Third Master Pei. Imperial Physical Yang came for a visit just a few days ago.”
Perhaps owing to the Pei family’s request, imperial physician Yang was more attentive than usual and gave Madam Chen a new prescription, which she took and felt much better.
On that basis alone, Yu Tang felt that she should take the initiative to express her gratitude to Pei Yan.
Supervisor Tong took Yu Tang along to the pier with a smile.
The pier was still as lively and bustling as always. When everyone saw Third Master Pei from afar, they all would bow in respect, but he remained expressionless and distant.
Yu Tang slanted her lips in distaste as she made her way over together with Supervisor Tong.
Pei Yan noticed Yu Tang the moment he looked over.
Her raven black hair was tied in a high bun, and she wore standard brown attendant’s garbs. Instead of making her blend in, it only served to make her skin look brighter and silkier in comparison and showed off her beautiful and clear complexion. Her overly large clothing caused her originally petite curves to become more pronounced like mountains and valleys, poorly concealing the fact that she was a woman dressed as a man. What’s worse was her walk. She walked without a care, swaying her hips here and there, totally unconcerned that people would notice.
How can she go out again in such an attire?
Why isn’t Yu Wen doing anything?
Pei Yan furrowed his brows, and his face darkened as Yu Tang approached. When Yu Tang got closer, he said irritably, “Lady Yu, why are you here? Are you again asking for help from Supervisor Tong?”
The first time he saw Yu Tang, she was trying to pull a fast one on Supervisor Tong.
This girl, she was meticulous in her ways and did things with a purpose in mind.
She definitely didn’t come to find Supervisor Tong for no rhyme or reason.
Yu Tang was happy to hear Pei Yan addressing her.
She was worried that Pei Yan would ignore her presence. As long as he was willing to speak with her, she was confident of finding a way to have Pei Yan help her.
“Third Master Pei,” she enthusiastically went forward and bowed to Pei Yan saying, “Imperial Physician Yang came to examine my mother and changed her prescription. I have yet to properly express my heartfelt thanks to you.”
That’s unnecessary.
Just don’t use the Pei family’s name to do anything that would damage their reputation.
If it were someone else, Pei Yan would have reprimanded the other party without mercy, but as he had misunderstood Yu Tang before, so he felt that he ought to close one eye and forgive her several times as compensation.
Therefore, despite his discontent, he remained silent as he carefully studied Yu Tang.
Pei Yan then discovered that Yu Tang’s eyes were exquisitely beautiful. Not only were they shining bright like onyx, but they were also sparkling with life, as though they could speak.
Just like her now, although she had a smile on her face and appeared cheerful, but her eyes revealed some craftiness, which reminded him of those scheming fox spirits mentioned in books. Although he had no idea what a fox spirit looked like, he felt that if there were fox spirits, they should resemble how Yutang looked now.
The problem is, even if he knows that Yutang is trying to manipulate him like a fox spirit, he has already decided to forgive her several times for her misdemeanours, so he can’t just go back on his decision and scold Yutang, right?
Pei Yan took a small step away from her and said calmly, “Lady Yu, what are you trying to do?”
He looked the same as usual, but Yu Tang inexplicably felt his momentary hesitation and concession.
Yu Tang didn’t know the reason for Pei Yan’s change of heart, but she sensed perceptively that ever since Pei Yan helped their family to obtain justice, Pei Yan’s attitude towards her became significantly gentler.
Was it because he realized that he had misunderstood her previously?
All these were just purely conjecture, but Yu Tang wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
She decided she had to seize this opportunity and find a way to get the information from Pei Yan.
“Third Master Pei, you are really impressive!” Perhaps because Pei Yan was too cold and haughty, or that Pei Yan’s status in Lin’an City was too noble, Yu Tang did not view him the same way as Li Jun, Shen Fang and others. She flattered Pei Yan unreservedly. Moreover, he had seen her at her worst, so there was no need for pretence, “This eagle-eyed clarity of yours, at a glance, you already knew I had something to ask you. “
When Pei Yan saw her being so forthright, he felt a sigh of relief instead, and he became more relaxed.
What he hated the most were those people who ran around in circles and beat about the bush. Was it because they thought he was too gullible, or they wanted to appear smart before him? Such tiny, unimportant matters and yet they expect him to spend his time guessing their motives and intentions when he had already known them right from the start.
“Speak.” Pei Yan said.
Yu Tang was overjoyed.
She didn’t expect Pei Yan to be so forthcoming.
Maybe she had been using the wrong way to communicate with him before.
As Yu Tang thought this, she asked, “Can I speak with you in private?”
Pei Yan looked at the pier where people were coming and going, and felt that this was not a suitable place to hold a conversation. However, he simply took a few steps towards the side and stood under an old banyan tree, and said, “State your business.”
He acted as though her concerns were not important enough for him to find a better place.
What arrogance!
Yu Tang could not help but mutter internally, but one has to be humble when under authority.
Not mentioning that she had a favor to ask of him, and apart from him there was no better option.
“It’s like this.” Yu Tang did not dare voice her displeasure, as she was afraid that once she did, she would lose this opportunity as well. She went forward quickly, and at a reasonable distance and she said evenly, “Master Wu invited my father to join in the maritime business. During my previous visit to your residence, I saw that you had those beautiful painted glass glazed fan doors in your drawing room. They were really beautiful …… “
She carefully observed Pei Yan’s expression.
PeiYan listened with casual interest, without the slightest hint of pride.
Evidently, the one who thought that those stained glass doors were beautiful was only grand elder Pei.
Yu Tang didn’t mention it again as she continued, “I thought you might be familiar with those merchants selling imported goods and thus want to seek your advice. In Fujian, which noble families have their own fleet of ships and among them, who has the most formidable fleet? Basing on this, we can see if we should follow Master Wu to join in the business.”
She was spouting all sorts of nonsense, but Pei Yan did not suspect otherwise.
Yu Wen was unreliable. This was his first impression after he learned that when Yu Wen fell for the trick, he needed his daughter to obtain the silver for the sale of the painting. Although participation in the maritime trade was uncommon in Lin’an City, but in Hangzhou, there were many young ladies who liked to invest in fleets of ships and earn some silver for themselves to buy some cosmetics, beauty products and whatnot. Moreover, this eldest young lady of the Yu family is a restless one.
As for whether this was her own idea, or that she’s doing it under Master Wu or Yu Wen’s name, it didn’t matter as he had already decided to make compensation to her. As long as she was the one obtaining the benefits in the end, such matters were things he had no interest in finding out, nor the energy to.
“Why don’t you invest in the fleets over in Ningbo instead? They mostly deal with porcelain and silk. For Fujian and Guangzhou, they handle porcelain and spices, – silk and porcelain are worth much more than spices.” Pei Yan remarked offhandedly and then told Yu Tang what she really wanted to know, “In Fujian, the largest fleet belongs to Fuan Peng family. Their family has an official posted in the city maritime shipping division and have at least 20-30 sea veterans. Even so, five years ago, there was an accident at sea, but it happened to all the ships that sailed in the same period, and not only just the Peng family. Should you wish to participate in the fleet in Fujian, the Peng family would be the best choice.”
