C30 The End of the Xiao Family

Today, the Immortal Wine Tavern was closed to the general public, having been entirely booked by government officials, and was heavily guarded by a substantial number of soldiers.

Inside, individuals clad in opulent attire and exuding an air of distinction were clustered in small groups, many wearing contented smiles, seemingly pleased with their recent gains.

The arrival of Lee Cha stirred quite a stir.

He had become the most prominent businessman in Yingchang Prefecture, with his ventures bustling with customers daily.

Rumor had it that this success was just the beginning; his trade caravan had established significant enterprises in the capital's commercial district and the affluent cities of Jiangnan.

The merchants in his wake had also profited handsomely.

Upon noticing Lee Cha, some greeted him warmly, while others observed with a cool detachment.

The tavern was a microcosm of life, brimming with flattery, envy, jealousy, ambition, and even outright hostility.

Before long, the trade fair's esteemed hosts, Prefect Liang and Commander Liu, arrived, prompting the crowd to swiftly shift their attention from Lee Cha to welcome the new arrivals.

Amidst a chorus of flattery, Prefect Liang and Commander Liu took their places at the head table, their faces beaming with smiles.

Commander Liu, as the Capital West Road Metropolitan Governor, oversaw the military affairs of sixteen prefectures, including Yingchang Prefecture, Zhengru, Chen, Xiang, and others, placing him in a higher official position than Prefect Liang.

However, as the top official in Yingchang Prefecture, Prefect Liang wielded considerable authority, with Liu Ze reporting to higher-ranking officials such as the Defensive Envoy and Patrol Envoy. Thus, there was no controversy as the two sat side by side.

Prefect Liang gestured toward Lee Cha and introduced him to Liu Ze: "Commander Liu, meet the most renowned merchant of Yingchang Prefecture, Boss Lee Cha."

Liu Ze expressed his astonishment, "Boss Lee's reputation has reached my ears even in Luoyang City. I had imagined an elderly figure, but to see such youth is truly impressive. He is indeed a formidable young talent."

Lee Cha responded with a fist-and-palm salute and a smile, "Excellency Liu flatters me. I am merely a humble merchant and hardly worthy of such high praise. It must be the generous commendations of Prefect Liang and the other esteemed gentlemen."

Prefect Liang offered a smile and remarked, "I assure you, I'm not overstating things. Boss Lee has built such a significant enterprise at a young age. Yingchang Prefecture will undoubtedly be looking to Boss Lee for support in the times ahead."

Lee Cha grasped the underlying message: they expected him to contribute more, invest more, pay more taxes, and make more donations—preferably directly into their pockets. Yet, his visit today was indeed to deliver money.

With a modest smile, he replied, "I'm hardly worthy of such praise. It's the duty of every citizen to support the rise and fall of their country. Having established myself in Yingchang Prefecture, it's my obligation to work towards its betterment. At today's market conference, allow me to set the ball rolling."

Prefect Liang and Commander Liu exchanged glances. They had been ready to swallow their pride and press for additional funds. But this year seemed to abound with surprises.

Lee Cha, rather than declining, had proactively broached the subject, a move that was quite atypical for a businessman.

Producing several documents, Lee Cha explained, "I previously loaned a million taels of silver to Xiao Mansion in Nancheng, with their shops and businesses pledged as security...

"Tragically, Boss Xiao passed away in an accident at the family estate recently. Subsequently, the Xiao Mansion was raided by bandits from Black Wind Ridge, and his son, Xiao Qingsong, has vanished."

He handed the papers to Prefect Liang and Commander Liu, stating, "The deadline for repayment was yesterday, yet Xiao Mansion has failed to settle the debt. Per the agreement, their shops and businesses now fall under the ownership of Lee Mansion."

The merchants in attendance were stunned into a commotion.

A million taels of silver!

While they were wealthy, their fortunes were tied up in the collective value of their shops, lands, and goods. Few among them could muster a million taels in liquid assets to lend.

And even if they could, they wouldn't dare to part with such a sum.

Could Lee's really possess such wealth?

What's more, Xiao Mansion in Nancheng wasn't just a stakeholder in Lee's Trading House—it owned a substantial portfolio of shops and land, surely worth well over a million taels!

Regrettably, it had all fallen into the hands of Lee Mansion.

In the crowd, Xiao Mengde from the Northern Kingdom's Xiao Mansion's eyes flickered with greed as he subtly signaled Zhang Ming.

But Zhang Ming remained unfazed.

Prefect Liang and Commander Liu unfolded the documents and discovered not only the signatures and seals of Xiao Mengchang and his son but also duplicates of the shop and land deeds.

Essentially, this all but confirmed the authenticity of the contracts.

The sole issue was that these were blank contracts lacking the government's official stamp. Should the Xiao Mansion renege and take the matter to court, a legal battle would be inevitable.

Prefect Liang and Commander Liu turned their gaze to Lee Cha.

What was this young man up to?

Lee Cha smiled and declared, "To demonstrate the Lee Mansion's sincerity and resolve, we've decided to donate all of the Xiao Mansion's assets in Nancheng to Yingchang Prefecture and the Capital West Road Metropolitan Governor's office for military provisions."

Silence enveloped the room as everyone stared in astonishment.

Could this be for real?

Prefect Liang and Commander Liu instinctively straightened up.

Amidst the ensuing buzz, Prefect Liang managed to ask, "Boss Lee, you're not jesting with us, are you?"

After all, the Xiao Mansion's wealth in Nancheng was not merely a million taels, but tens of millions!

What was the annual tax revenue of the Northern Song Dynasty? At most, a little over a hundred million taels. Now, the Xiao family's fortune represented a tenth of that.

If Lee Cha's words held true, the potential for maneuvering was immense.

And the unsealed white contracts would cease to be an obstacle.

Lee Cha assured with a smile, "Though I am but a humble merchant, my reputation for keeping promises is paramount."

Not only the merchants present, but even the esteemed Prefect Liang and Commander Liu were staggered by Lee Cha's magnanimous gesture.

Had Boss Lee lost his mind to part with such a vast sum?

Just then, Xiao Mengde from the Xiao Mansion of the Northern Song Dynasty interjected, "Impossible! Esteemed officials, do not be deceived by Lee Cha's ruse.

"He has a cunning plan, offering up what belongs to others. Xiao Mengchang and his son are of our Xiao lineage. By the laws of the land, their estate should rightfully pass to us upon their demise! Should this behavior become commonplace, it will surely chill the hearts of merchants everywhere."

Prefect Liang and Commander Liu cast disapproving glances at Xiao Mengde, their eyes brimming with dissatisfaction.

Ten million taels of silver was a sum not even the emperor could resist the temptation of, much less them.

Xiao Mengde's scalp tingled under their intense scrutiny.

Yet, the thought of that vast fortune steeled his resolve, and he declared through clenched teeth, "The Xiao family is prepared to offer one million taels of silver to Lee Cha. However, the assets of the Xiao Mansion in Nancheng must be claimed by our Northern Xiao family."

Lee Cha raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Didn't the Northern Xiao family split from the Nancheng Xiao family? There was quite a scandal involving the authorities, accusing the Nancheng Xiao family of misappropriating your assets. And now you want to reintegrate with them?"

Xiao Mengde replied, "True, but our families share blood ties. What's so improper about relatives inheriting from one another? Besides, when the Nancheng Xiao family left, they took a considerable fortune with them. That was essentially a loan from us. Would they be where they are today without it?"

He paused before adding, "Whether by custom or by law, the Northern Xiao Mansion has every right to reclaim what's ours."

Despite finding him despicable, no one in the room spoke up against him.

His claims were factual, after all, and the staggering amount of ten million taels of silver was too significant to ignore. Had they not been unrelated, they too would have vied for a share.

Now Prefect Liang and Commander Liu were uncertain.

Since the establishment of the Great Song Dynasty, the state had maintained a policy of not competing with the people for profit, sparing civil servants and merchants from harm, which had allowed commerce to thrive.

The issue of tens of millions of taels of silver was monumental. Should Xiao Mengde escalate matters to the Kaifeng Prefecture, they would face considerable difficulties.

Regrettably, they both exhaled a sigh of disappointment.

This scoundrel had a knack for stirring up trouble, and had it not been for his antics, their records of achievements would have been notably enhanced.

Just then, Lee Cha burst into laughter. "Boss Xiao, are you certain you want to challenge me?"

Xiao Mengde felt an ominous premonition, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably. Yet, he asserted with conviction, "Those assets rightfully belong to the Xiao family!"

Lee Cha turned to Prefect Liang and Commander Liu and declared, "Gentlemen, I have come to report that Xiao Mengde and his son have been in collusion with the bandits of Black Wind Ridge, trafficking military supplies. They've flouted the law, smuggling salt and weapons."

Prefect Liang and Commander Liu's faces turned ashen, and the crowd was once again abuzz with shock.

Xiao Mengde's face paled. "You're falsely accusing me! Gentlemen, for decades I've been diligent and honest. I've never skimped on taxes and have frequently opened our stores to relieve those struck by disaster. How could I engage in such unlawful acts? I implore you, gentlemen, to take my side."

The officials paid no heed to Xiao Mengde, their gazes fixed on Lee Cha. "Boss Lee, can you present any proof?"

With a smirk, Lee Cha produced a red ledger. "Indeed, I have irrefutable evidence. This ledger was discovered at the Xiao Mansion on the night it was plundered by bandits, while I was there to help extinguish the blaze."

"It meticulously details every transaction the Xiao Mansion has had with the Black Wind Ridge over the past decade, in handwriting that matches Shopkeeper Xiao's to a tee."

"To verify these transactions, one only needs to examine the Xiao family's accounts."

The onlookers gasped, the air turning cold with the revelation.

It was no mystery why the Xiao family's enterprise had flourished so greatly over the last ten years.

But why would the Xiao family deal in military supplies? Could it be an act of rebellion?

Their minds raced to the recent uprisings in the south. Could there be a connection to the Xiao family?

Xiao Mengde bellowed, "I refuse to believe this. It must be a forgery."

He strode towards Lee Cha with determination.

Lee Cha, protecting the ledger, retreated several steps. "The truth or falsehood of this matter is for the officials to discern. As an interested party, what exactly are you intending to do?"

Prefect Liang signaled to the soldiers nearby, and immediately two stepped forward, blocking Xiao Mengde's path.

Lee Cha then passed the ledger to Prefect Liang, who quickly skimmed through it before handing it off to Commander Liu.

Shortly thereafter, Governor Chen from Yingchang Prefecture arrived in haste. He scrutinized the handwriting closely and gave a nod to Prefect Liang and Commander Liu.

"Indeed, these are the writings of Old Master Xiao and Xiao Mengchang."

Prefect Liang spoke calmly, "Seize Xiao Mengde and the entire Xiao family. Take them to the prefectural office and seal off all properties and businesses belonging to the Xiao Mansion."

Xiao Mengde collapsed to the ground in shock. His eyes searched the crowd for Zhang Ming, but Zhang Ming had already vanished.

Prefect Liang then turned to Commander Liu, "Commander Liu, regarding the appeasement officer..."

The appeasement officer was an official dispatched by the Capital West Road Metropolitan Governor, under the jurisdiction of Commander Liu, who found himself in a quandary over how to proceed.

Commander Liu, pounding the table in fury, exclaimed, "Chief Eunuch Zhang reported to me last night that he discovered the Appeasement Ambassador Li Denghui abusing his authority to supply contraband to the bandits at Black Wind Ridge.

"I've had him arrested, but there hasn't been time for interrogation. It seems this affair is indeed tied to him and the Xiao family!"

Prefect Liang admitted, "It seems I bear some responsibility in this matter as a Prefect..."

Lee Cha's thoughts raced.

Zhang Ming had acted with such decisiveness, sacrificing his pawn to save his king. Such a shame...