Chapter 85 – Holiday Gifts
The Tao family’s ancestors were all influential and prominent merchants, and their business had expanded tremendously over the years. After they entered the imperial court, their business only grew further, and they were now one of the richest families in Guangzhou and in the entire southern region. The maritime trade only comprised a fraction of their family’s business, and they had a fleet of seven or eight ships wholly owned by them. Although there weren’t many skilled copyists who were capable of reproducing nautical charts, it was not as if they lacked such talents. Listening to the words of Head Steward Tao, if the nautical chart wasn’t of great importance to the Tao family, in order to maintain secrecy, the Tao family didn’t intend to bring the copyists back after sending them here.
Pei Yan smiled as he replied “First make a copy of the nautical chart and we’ll discuss afterwards.”
Finding a skilled master copyist of maps may be hard to find for the Yu family, but for him, it was easy.
His “request” to Tao An was only a lure to entice the Tao family to participate in the auction, and the words of Head Steward Tao was exactly what he wanted. In addition to notifying the Tao family, he also disclosed this information to his second senior brother, the Minister of Public Works and the Grand Secretary of the East Court, Jiang Hua.
Jiang Hua’s eldest daughter-in-law, was the daughter of the Wu family in Huzhou.
The Wu family started their business in the shipping industry.
They also possessed a fleet of five or six ships.
Hi still needed to wait for the Wu family to arrive before deciding if he should grant the Tao family’s request.
With PeiYan’s vague reply, the Tao Head Steward would definitely delve deeper.
He contemplated if it was because PeiYan thought he was unqualified to discuss about it. Then it would mean that he had to ask Tao Qing, the current head of the Tao family and Tao An’s brother, to come to Lin’an City in person.
Of course, before that, he had to see the nautical chart first, to ascertain if it was indeed as per what Pei Yan stated, a new route from Guangzhou to the Arab Empire.
He exchanged a look with Tao An’s advisers who came along with him, and Tao An’s advisers went forward to introduce themselves to establish relationships with Pei Yan. After feeling that Pei Yan had formed a good impression of them, they left the two master copyists and retired to rest.
Whether the nautical chart was the genuine article or not, both of them had seafaring experience and could tell its authenticity with a single glance. The only thing that was uncertain was whether the route marked on the map was actually safe.
In the evening, Head Steward Tao obtained confirmation of its authenticity, and he immediately arranged to have those who came along in secret to deliver the message to Tao Qing.
Lin’an City is the Pei family’s territory, as long as Pei Yan wants to, he can immediately know when someone new arrives, not to mention that he had already sent people to keep watch over the Tao family’s movements.
Not only does he want to let Tao Qing know about this matter, he also wanted Head Steward Tao to secretly send a portion of the nautical chart back, and let the Tao family test-run a section of the actual voyage.
Such movements will leave a trail. When those powerful families learn that the nautical chart was not only real, but also safe, then that would be the best time to set a price.
He therefore instructed Pei Man, saying “We can let them send the front portion of the nautical chart to the Tao family, but we cannot let them get their hands on the latter portion.”
Pei Man nodded his head repeatedly in assent, his eyes were filled with excitement, which made him look very different from usual.
Pei Yan chuckled. “Are you bored?”
Pei Man grinned as he replied, “Not bored per say, just that there is nothing much to do in Lin’an, and I feel that my skills are getting rusty.”
Wasn’t that boredom?
Pei Yan chuckled and remarked, “Soon you will be incredibly busy.”
Pei Man knew that Pei Yan would definitely invite many powerful families to the auction, but as Pei Yan’s invitation list was not finalized and the invitations were not sent out yet, he figured he should still have some time to prepare. However, who knew that just as he left Pei Yan’s study, Hu Xing walked in with great enthusiasm.
When they crossed paths, they exchanged greetings.
Pei Man asked him, “What’s the matter with you?”
It was as if the New Year had already arrived as his face was overflowing with happiness.
Hu Xin didn’t intend to hide this from Pei Man, as Pei Man was the head steward in charge of all the servants in the Pei family. Furthermore, Pei Man was extremely capable. Just a few months after taking up his position, he had smoothly organised the family matters, whether large or small, internal or external, and got all the various maids and servants all under his control. Even if he did not tell Pei Man, those people who wanted to flatter Pei Man would take the initiative to tell him about it anyway. So why should he go against Pei Man, and make his own life difficult?
He also wanted to secure his position for as long as he could. If his position could be passed on to his son, that would be ideal.
“It’s someone from Huzhou’s Wu family.” Hu Xing said excitedly, “The eldest master of their family personally came to send our family New Year’s gifts. It seems like there’s a separate gift especially reserved for our third master.”
The eldest master of the Wu family in Huzhou was the head of the Wu family.
Their third master replaced the eldest house as the head of the Pei family and the other houses seem to have no qualms about it and didn’t make any trouble. But in Hu Xing’s eyes, those people may be enduring silently out of respect for the Grand Elder, but who knows their true intentions? Perhaps when the Grand Elder’s mourning period is over, they would start fighting again. Especially with the Li family patriarch house incident a few days ago, who dared to say that there wasn’t any involvement from the Pei family members? It may very well be another way for the other Pei family members to test Pei Yan.
This was the first Spring Festival ever since Pei Yan took over as patriarch. Therefore, the more New Year’s gifts they receive, the better, as it demonstrated the extent of Third Master’s ability, power and influence. If it was a family like Huzhou’s Wu family whom the Pei Family did not have dealings with previously, it would be ideal as it showed that it was due to Pei Yan’s own ability and relationship with them, and not because of the Pei Family’s influence. If it wasn’t for Pei Yan, how could the Wu family’s head come out personally to the Pei family’s estate and send new year’s gifts?
He was a firm supporter of Third Master.
For better or for worse, he was tied to Third Master.
Therefore, more people like the Wu family of Huzhou coming over would certainly be better.
Pei Man understood Hu Xing’s thoughts. He smiled and said “then you should quickly find Third Master and inform him. Do not let the Eldest master of Wu family wait any longer”.
Hu Xing nodded and both of them left to handle their separate business.
Hu Xing could not help but rub his head.
Pei Man seemed a little indifferent…
Could it be that he had done something to offend Pei Man?
But this was not the time to think about this. Hu Xing happily went to Pei Yan’s study.
Meanwhile, Pei Man went to see Ah Cao who came from the Yu family to deliver the New Year’s gifts.
The reason that Ah Cao could meet Pei Man was not because he was lucky enough to have seen Pei Man, but because of the importance Pei Yan attached to the Yu family, and people like Pei Man who served at his side naturally followed his will and thus also placed more importance on the Yu family.
Pei Man met Ah Cao at the building in front of the small side hall and asked intently about the Yu family’s new year gifts.
Those who were waiting in the small side hall for the Pei family’s stewards to register their gifts on the list could not help but get envious and spoke amongst themselves about the Yu family. There were people who weren’t used to the sudden ‘popularity’ of the Yu family, but did not dare to criticize the Yu family in front of the Pei family. Once they were out of the Pei’s residence, they were full of resentment as they said spitefully, “I heard that the eldest lady of the Yu family is very beautiful, with numerous young men clamouring to be their son-in-law. I wonder why is Master Yu so picky? Or does he have a separate agenda?”
As they were all dignified stewards of their respective families, although they were unhappy, they wouldn’t be like those countryside housewives and voice their displeasure openly.
Naturally, someone with similar thoughts added on, “I heard that the eldest lady of the Yu family was bold enough to wear the clothes of a male attendant and take control of the family affairs. If I had a nephew, I definitely would not let him marry someone like that!”
“That also depends on whether your nephew has the ability to obtain her” Someone said mockingly, “The Yu family already said, the lady is to stay at home and seek a son-in-law. Haven’t you heard? Even the second son of the Li family couldn’t meet their standards.”
“Who knows whether the truth is that they aren’t willing to marry the daughter out, or that she can’t be married off! I see that the girl is very bold and capable, which is definitely not what a girl from an ordinary family can achieve.” For those who knew the implied meaning, they all laughed and subsequently left.
The Yu family was unaware that Yu Tang was being ridiculed.
Ah Cao pointed to one of the brocade boxes and said specifically, “This is what our master got from the antique store. He said it looked very interesting, and thus gave it to third master as something to pass the time with or use as a paperweight.” The other stuff were things like some chicken, duck, fish and meat, tea, wine and candy, similar to what most neighbors usually give, nothing special.
Logically speaking, an insignificant family like theirs, the Pei family wouldn’t spend the time and effort to return the favour of gift-sending. They would just make a record of the gifts, and return gifts of similar value on the spot, like some rice, grain, oil and noodles, and occasionally send a red envelope or something similar. But for the Yu family, Pei Man thought that it would be better to send someone to return the gifts, so he smiled and took brocade box. In the evening, he personally delivered it to Pei Yan.
Pei Yan had already freshened up and changed into his daily clothes. He had a black mink fur overcoat on, and was reclining on the Luohan couch listening to the young attendant Ah Ming who had a thick gift list in his hand and was reciting it.
Ah Ming wore a red brocade cotton jacket. His face was round and chubby like a boy from a wealthy family, which made people feel festive.
Seeing Pei Man come in, Pei Yan gestured for Ah Ming to stop and asked, “What is it?”
Seeing that it was about to be the New Year’s, every day, there were people coming in and out, finding Pei Yan to ask for instructions.
Pei Man spent the entire afternoon in the hall with a burning furnace, so when he entered Pei Yan’s room that didn’t even have a fireplace lit , all the heat in his body dissipated at once, and his fingertips felt a little cold.
“This is from the Yu family.” After he handed the brocade box over to Pei Yan, he placed his hands in his sleeves, and then said somewhat sympathetically to Ah Ming, “You may leave. I will serve here.”
PeiYan had a naturally higher body temperature than others, so if the house had a furnace going, he would suffer from nosebleeds, and he couldn’t take the smell of the burning charcoal either. In winter, he could keep warm by using leather or cotton clothes, and thus those serving him would also have to suffer as well.
Ah Ming thought that Pei Man had something to say to Pei Yan in private. He nodded repeatedly and bowed towards Pei Yan before handing the gift list to Pei Man and running back to the house where he had a furnace going to warm up his body.
Although PeiYan liked experiencing the distinctive-ness of the four seasons, but he did not prevent others around him from wanting to stay comfortable like it was spring-time. He took the brocade box and queried, “What is this?” As he opened it, it revealed the bronze door ring.
“What is this?” Pei Yan cocked an eyebrow. He took it out and looked at it against the light.
Pei Man conveyed Ah Cao’s words.
Pei Yan quickly discovered the secret of the beast-shaped door ring.
“It’s pretty interesting!” He nonchalantly placed the door ring on the small table next to him and said, “This is probably a small trinket from the previous dynasty; the Yu family seem to be quite thoughtful.”
He had always been fond of these miscellaneous trinkets ever since he was a child, and he owned many such items, of which many were far more intricate and interesting than this, and this door ring was not uncommon. However, since it was a gift, he would not throw it away.
He’ll just leave it in the study as a paperweight.
PeiYan said to PeiMan, “I asked Hu Xing to arrange the guest room in the east for the Wu Family. Tomorrow I am going to host a banquet for them, so please make the necessary arrangements. If the Tao family wants to inquire about something, there’s no need to stop them.” Except for the two master copyists, the Tao family’s people stayed in the southeast guest room, which was separated from the Wu family’s people only by a flower garden, so it was very convenient if they wanted to inquire about something.
Chapter 85 – Holiday Gifts
The Tao family’s ancestors were all influential and prominent merchants, and their business had expanded tremendously over the years. After they entered the imperial court, their business only grew further, and they were now one of the richest families in Guangzhou and in the entire southern region. The maritime trade only comprised a fraction of their family’s business, and they had a fleet of seven or eight ships wholly owned by them. Although there weren’t many skilled copyists who were capable of reproducing nautical charts, it was not as if they lacked such talents. Listening to the words of Head Steward Tao, if the nautical chart wasn’t of great importance to the Tao family, in order to maintain secrecy, the Tao family didn’t intend to bring the copyists back after sending them here.
Pei Yan smiled as he replied “First make a copy of the nautical chart and we’ll discuss afterwards.”
Finding a skilled master copyist of maps may be hard to find for the Yu family, but for him, it was easy.
His “request” to Tao An was only a lure to entice the Tao family to participate in the auction, and the words of Head Steward Tao was exactly what he wanted. In addition to notifying the Tao family, he also disclosed this information to his second senior brother, the Minister of Public Works and the Grand Secretary of the East Court, Jiang Hua.
Jiang Hua’s eldest daughter-in-law, was the daughter of the Wu family in Huzhou.
The Wu family started their business in the shipping industry.
They also possessed a fleet of five or six ships.
Hi still needed to wait for the Wu family to arrive before deciding if he should grant the Tao family’s request.
With PeiYan’s vague reply, the Tao Head Steward would definitely delve deeper.
He contemplated if it was because PeiYan thought he was unqualified to discuss about it. Then it would mean that he had to ask Tao Qing, the current head of the Tao family and Tao An’s brother, to come to Lin’an City in person.
Of course, before that, he had to see the nautical chart first, to ascertain if it was indeed as per what Pei Yan stated, a new route from Guangzhou to the Arab Empire.
He exchanged a look with Tao An’s advisers who came along with him, and Tao An’s advisers went forward to introduce themselves to establish relationships with Pei Yan. After feeling that Pei Yan had formed a good impression of them, they left the two master copyists and retired to rest.
Whether the nautical chart was the genuine article or not, both of them had seafaring experience and could tell its authenticity with a single glance. The only thing that was uncertain was whether the route marked on the map was actually safe.
In the evening, Head Steward Tao obtained confirmation of its authenticity, and he immediately arranged to have those who came along in secret to deliver the message to Tao Qing.
Lin’an City is the Pei family’s territory, as long as Pei Yan wants to, he can immediately know when someone new arrives, not to mention that he had already sent people to keep watch over the Tao family’s movements.
Not only does he want to let Tao Qing know about this matter, he also wanted Head Steward Tao to secretly send a portion of the nautical chart back, and let the Tao family test-run a section of the actual voyage.
Such movements will leave a trail. When those powerful families learn that the nautical chart was not only real, but also safe, then that would be the best time to set a price.
He therefore instructed Pei Man, saying “We can let them send the front portion of the nautical chart to the Tao family, but we cannot let them get their hands on the latter portion.”
Pei Man nodded his head repeatedly in assent, his eyes were filled with excitement, which made him look very different from usual.
Pei Yan chuckled. “Are you bored?”
Pei Man grinned as he replied, “Not bored per say, just that there is nothing much to do in Lin’an, and I feel that my skills are getting rusty.”
Wasn’t that boredom?
Pei Yan chuckled and remarked, “Soon you will be incredibly busy.”
Pei Man knew that Pei Yan would definitely invite many powerful families to the auction, but as Pei Yan’s invitation list was not finalized and the invitations were not sent out yet, he figured he should still have some time to prepare. However, who knew that just as he left Pei Yan’s study, Hu Xing walked in with great enthusiasm.
When they crossed paths, they exchanged greetings.
Pei Man asked him, “What’s the matter with you?”
It was as if the New Year had already arrived as his face was overflowing with happiness.
Hu Xin didn’t intend to hide this from Pei Man, as Pei Man was the head steward in charge of all the servants in the Pei family. Furthermore, Pei Man was extremely capable. Just a few months after taking up his position, he had smoothly organised the family matters, whether large or small, internal or external, and got all the various maids and servants all under his control. Even if he did not tell Pei Man, those people who wanted to flatter Pei Man would take the initiative to tell him about it anyway. So why should he go against Pei Man, and make his own life difficult?
He also wanted to secure his position for as long as he could. If his position could be passed on to his son, that would be ideal.
“It’s someone from Huzhou’s Wu family.” Hu Xing said excitedly, “The eldest master of their family personally came to send our family New Year’s gifts. It seems like there’s a separate gift especially reserved for our third master.”
The eldest master of the Wu family in Huzhou was the head of the Wu family.
Their third master replaced the eldest house as the head of the Pei family and the other houses seem to have no qualms about it and didn’t make any trouble. But in Hu Xing’s eyes, those people may be enduring silently out of respect for the Grand Elder, but who knows their true intentions? Perhaps when the Grand Elder’s mourning period is over, they would start fighting again. Especially with the Li family patriarch house incident a few days ago, who dared to say that there wasn’t any involvement from the Pei family members? It may very well be another way for the other Pei family members to test Pei Yan.
This was the first Spring Festival ever since Pei Yan took over as patriarch. Therefore, the more New Year’s gifts they receive, the better, as it demonstrated the extent of Third Master’s ability, power and influence. If it was a family like Huzhou’s Wu family whom the Pei Family did not have dealings with previously, it would be ideal as it showed that it was due to Pei Yan’s own ability and relationship with them, and not because of the Pei Family’s influence. If it wasn’t for Pei Yan, how could the Wu family’s head come out personally to the Pei family’s estate and send new year’s gifts?
He was a firm supporter of Third Master.
For better or for worse, he was tied to Third Master.
Therefore, more people like the Wu family of Huzhou coming over would certainly be better.
Pei Man understood Hu Xing’s thoughts. He smiled and said “then you should quickly find Third Master and inform him. Do not let the Eldest master of Wu family wait any longer”.
Hu Xing nodded and both of them left to handle their separate business.
Hu Xing could not help but rub his head.
Pei Man seemed a little indifferent…
Could it be that he had done something to offend Pei Man?
But this was not the time to think about this. Hu Xing happily went to Pei Yan’s study.
Meanwhile, Pei Man went to see Ah Cao who came from the Yu family to deliver the New Year’s gifts.
The reason that Ah Cao could meet Pei Man was not because he was lucky enough to have seen Pei Man, but because of the importance Pei Yan attached to the Yu family, and people like Pei Man who served at his side naturally followed his will and thus also placed more importance on the Yu family.
Pei Man met Ah Cao at the building in front of the small side hall and asked intently about the Yu family’s new year gifts.
Those who were waiting in the small side hall for the Pei family’s stewards to register their gifts on the list could not help but get envious and spoke amongst themselves about the Yu family. There were people who weren’t used to the sudden ‘popularity’ of the Yu family, but did not dare to criticize the Yu family in front of the Pei family. Once they were out of the Pei’s residence, they were full of resentment as they said spitefully, “I heard that the eldest lady of the Yu family is very beautiful, with numerous young men clamouring to be their son-in-law. I wonder why is Master Yu so picky? Or does he have a separate agenda?”
As they were all dignified stewards of their respective families, although they were unhappy, they wouldn’t be like those countryside housewives and voice their displeasure openly.
Naturally, someone with similar thoughts added on, “I heard that the eldest lady of the Yu family was bold enough to wear the clothes of a male attendant and take control of the family affairs. If I had a nephew, I definitely would not let him marry someone like that!”
“That also depends on whether your nephew has the ability to obtain her” Someone said mockingly, “The Yu family already said, the lady is to stay at home and seek a son-in-law. Haven’t you heard? Even the second son of the Li family couldn’t meet their standards.”
“Who knows whether the truth is that they aren’t willing to marry the daughter out, or that she can’t be married off! I see that the girl is very bold and capable, which is definitely not what a girl from an ordinary family can achieve.” For those who knew the implied meaning, they all laughed and subsequently left.
The Yu family was unaware that Yu Tang was being ridiculed.
Ah Cao pointed to one of the brocade boxes and said specifically, “This is what our master got from the antique store. He said it looked very interesting, and thus gave it to third master as something to pass the time with or use as a paperweight.” The other stuff were things like some chicken, duck, fish and meat, tea, wine and candy, similar to what most neighbors usually give, nothing special.
Logically speaking, an insignificant family like theirs, the Pei family wouldn’t spend the time and effort to return the favour of gift-sending. They would just make a record of the gifts, and return gifts of similar value on the spot, like some rice, grain, oil and noodles, and occasionally send a red envelope or something similar. But for the Yu family, Pei Man thought that it would be better to send someone to return the gifts, so he smiled and took brocade box. In the evening, he personally delivered it to Pei Yan.
Pei Yan had already freshened up and changed into his daily clothes. He had a black mink fur overcoat on, and was reclining on the Luohan couch listening to the young attendant Ah Ming who had a thick gift list in his hand and was reciting it.
Ah Ming wore a red brocade cotton jacket. His face was round and chubby like a boy from a wealthy family, which made people feel festive.
Seeing Pei Man come in, Pei Yan gestured for Ah Ming to stop and asked, “What is it?”
Seeing that it was about to be the New Year’s, every day, there were people coming in and out, finding Pei Yan to ask for instructions.
Pei Man spent the entire afternoon in the hall with a burning furnace, so when he entered Pei Yan’s room that didn’t even have a fireplace lit , all the heat in his body dissipated at once, and his fingertips felt a little cold.
“This is from the Yu family.” After he handed the brocade box over to Pei Yan, he placed his hands in his sleeves, and then said somewhat sympathetically to Ah Ming, “You may leave. I will serve here.”
PeiYan had a naturally higher body temperature than others, so if the house had a furnace going, he would suffer from nosebleeds, and he couldn’t take the smell of the burning charcoal either. In winter, he could keep warm by using leather or cotton clothes, and thus those serving him would also have to suffer as well.
Ah Ming thought that Pei Man had something to say to Pei Yan in private. He nodded repeatedly and bowed towards Pei Yan before handing the gift list to Pei Man and running back to the house where he had a furnace going to warm up his body.
Although PeiYan liked experiencing the distinctive-ness of the four seasons, but he did not prevent others around him from wanting to stay comfortable like it was spring-time. He took the brocade box and queried, “What is this?” As he opened it, it revealed the bronze door ring.
“What is this?” Pei Yan cocked an eyebrow. He took it out and looked at it against the light.
Pei Man conveyed Ah Cao’s words.
Pei Yan quickly discovered the secret of the beast-shaped door ring.
“It’s pretty interesting!” He nonchalantly placed the door ring on the small table next to him and said, “This is probably a small trinket from the previous dynasty; the Yu family seem to be quite thoughtful.”
He had always been fond of these miscellaneous trinkets ever since he was a child, and he owned many such items, of which many were far more intricate and interesting than this, and this door ring was not uncommon. However, since it was a gift, he would not throw it away.
He’ll just leave it in the study as a paperweight.
PeiYan said to PeiMan, “I asked Hu Xing to arrange the guest room in the east for the Wu Family. Tomorrow I am going to host a banquet for them, so please make the necessary arrangements. If the Tao family wants to inquire about something, there’s no need to stop them.” Except for the two master copyists, the Tao family’s people stayed in the southeast guest room, which was separated from the Wu family’s people only by a flower garden, so it was very convenient if they wanted to inquire about something.
