Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Prisoner (Part I)

For the members of the Zheng clan waiting outside the ancestral temple for the outcome, the sudden turn of events inside the First Ancestral Temple caught everyone completely off guard.

They had originally expected a prolonged and bitter dispute, but in the span of just a single hour, everything was settled.

The Sixth House would continue to hold the reins of the Anyuan Hall, and the Southern Branch of the Zheng clan was now incorporated under the lineage of the Sixth House. This move instantly granted the precarious Sixth House Anyuan Hall—which had been walking through storms and winds ever since the passing of Zheng Dashi—an unprecedented and rock-solid foundation. Swallowing up the Southern Branch brought not only the immense wealth possessed by the Southern Branch of the Zheng clan, but more importantly, the two clan elder seats held in the hands of the Southern Branch, which now merged into the Anyuan Hall.

While Zheng Renji might not be able to fully control the Zheng Wei brothers, the Anyuan Hall had thereby gained a total of five clan elder seats. This surpassed the Zhujing Hall, making them the branch with the greatest number of clan elders in the entire Zheng clan. In the future, whenever issues concerning the interests of the Sixth House arose, the combined weight of these five clan elders would exert a tremendous influence over the entire Zheng clan.

At least for the next three generations, the Anyuan Hall would remain as steady as a boulder.

Through this turmoil, Zheng Shanyuan's control over the Council of Elders had been severely clipped.

That Zheng Shian should become a clan elder, succeeding Zheng Dashi's seat on the Council of Elders, also exceeded most people's expectations.

How could a man with crippled limbs, born a household servant, be allowed to grandly enter the Council of Elders?

You might feel resentful, but you had to accept the reality. Everyone clearly realized that Zheng Shian, upon entering the Council of Elders, was no longer that disabled old man whom they could privately gossip about or even curse behind his back.

He now stood above the vast majority of the Zheng descendants, becoming one of those eighteen great figures who could manipulate the life and death of the clan members.

"Brother Zheng, congratulations, congratulations!"

The Zheng Wei brothers, accompanied by Zheng Renji, met Zheng Shian in the marketplace.

The two men stepped forward eagerly to offer their greetings. After a brief moment of astonishment, Zheng Shian quickly adjusted his mood and repeatedly returned the courtesy.

When Zheng Yanqing had originally told Zheng Shian that he would send him into the Council of Elders, Zheng Shian had treated it as a joke.

Yet twenty-five days later, he had truly become the eighteenth elder of the Council of Elders, feeling as though he were living in a dream. While exchanging pleasantries with Zheng Renji, Zheng Wei, and the others, he secretly cast a glance at Zheng Yanqing, who was playing nearby with Zheng Hongyi. It was not only Zheng Shian who was observing Yanqing; Zheng Renji and his brothers were also secretly eyeing the boy.

Just how on earth had this child managed to pull this off?

Before Zheng Wei made his decision, Zheng Renji had not the slightest inkling of what Zheng Wei would choose.

Do not be fooled by the calm demeanor he had maintained inside the ancestral temple; in truth, the very instant Zheng Wei announced his incorporation under the Sixth House, Zheng Renji thought he had misheard. Fortunately, ever since taking over the Anyuan Hall, he had been tempered by a baptism of crisis.

The Zheng Renji of today was vastly different from the Zheng Renji of a few months ago.

As he looked at Yanqing, the words his father, Zheng Dashi, had spoken on his deathbed surfaced in his mind.

"Renji, your temperament is impulsive and lacking in steadiness. To be honest, your father does not feel entirely at ease leaving the Sixth House in your hands. The path ahead will be yours to decide. But there is one thing you must firmly keep in mind: you must win over Zheng Shian, even if it means treating him with the courtesy due to an elder of the previous generation. Originally, I wanted to lift up Yanqing to be a helper for Hongyi. But looking at it now, that boy has a brilliant mind and is by no means an ordinary individual. However, as long as you win over Zheng Shian, you win over him.

Even if that boy is seeking benefits for Zheng Shian, remember, the one who ultimately profits will still be us.

Therefore, since you cannot suppress him, you might as well assist him. As long as that boy is around, I can sit securely as the master of the Anyuan Hall."

At the time, Zheng Renji had taken those words lightly.

Yet when Zheng Yanqing was enfeoffed as a Cavalry Captain and became the disciple of Lord Zhangsun, he finally understood the true meaning behind Zheng Dashi's words.

Yanqing's path was growing broader and broader, no longer something a single Zheng family could restrain.

Since he could not be restrained, they might as well let go and give him their full support! When Yanqing had Zheng Weishan convey his intentions to the Anyuan Hall, Zheng Renji had not truly believed that Yanqing could bring the dead back to life. But since he was willing to try, they might as well give it a shot.

Anyway, the situation had already deteriorated to the extreme; could it possibly get any worse?

Yet Zheng Yanqing had once again astonished Zheng Renji...

He had actually pulled it off, and his methods were so brilliant—so brilliant that even Zheng Renji could not fully see through them.

How had Yanqing persuaded the Southern Branch of the Zheng clan to change their minds?

And how had he managed to move Cui Zhiyin to step forward, prompting Zheng Shanguo to make a personal visit?

All these doubts paled in comparison to the sheer shock delivered inside the ancestral temple today. Even Zheng Yuanzhou was standing on Yanqing's side?

"Brother Zheng, I heard that your relationship with the Zhang family of Wuxian is quite good?"

Zheng Wei asked tentatively, immediately drawing Zheng Renji's attention.

Zheng Shian replied, "I have some business dealings with Third Young Master Zhang. As for whether our relationship is good, it is really my little grandson who is close with the Third Young Master."

Zheng Wei froze for a moment, raising his head to look at Zheng Yanqing.

*Third Young Master Zhang...* He acutely sensed that Zheng Shian's form of address for Zhang Zhongjian carried an elder's pride.

Today, Zhang Zhongjian was a titan of a generation in the south.

He controlled the silk and damask trade across most of Jiangnan and held sway over more than seventy percent of the sugarcane fields. More importantly, Zhang Zhongjian possessed the secret method for producing granulated sugar and rock sugar. Backed by the imperial court's trust in the Zhang family and armed with abundant capital, he had quietly emerged as the wealthiest merchant in Jiangnan. Ever since the five generations following their southern migration, the Southern Branch of the Zheng clan had fallen into decline, long since unable to compare to their former glory.

Had it not been for this, they would never have considered returning to the ancestral fold.

At this thought, Zheng Wei instantly fostered the desire to befriend Zheng Shian.

Though his own Zheng family branch was prosperous in the south, compared to the Zhang family, the gap was clearly vast.

"Zheng Wei, what on earth do you mean by this?"

Just as Zheng Wei was pondering how to cultivate a relationship with Zheng Shian, an angry voice rang out. Zheng Shize rushed out from the market tavern, storming right up to Zheng Wei. "We had an agreement beforehand! Why did you suddenly change your mind halfway?"

Naturally, Zheng Shize was furious!

In order to win over Zheng Wei, he had given up one of his own clan elder seats.

Now, taking control of Anyuan Hall had vanished like a bubble, and he had thrown away a clan elder seat for nothing. He had taken a massive loss...

Zheng Wei raised his head and smiled. "Nephew Shize, since you asked, I might as well make things clear.

Ever since my Zheng clan migrated south, though we speak of returning to our ancestral roots, our foundation remains in Jiangnan. And in Jiangnan, we are not the only ones who hold sway."

"So what if you aren't?"

"The Zhang family of Wuxian has promised to cede the sugarcane fields in Xin'an and Xuancheng commanderies and share the profits of the granulated sugar business in those two commanderies equally with me."

"Ah?"

"The condition was that I must join the Sixth House."

Zheng Wei's expression remained calm, as if he felt no shame whatsoever about breaking his word. In truth, ever since the five generations following the southern migration, the Zheng clan had heavily focused on developing commerce. By now, their business had reached a bottleneck, and they desperately needed a new stimulus to grow and expand.

Xuancheng Commandery and Xin'an Commandery were roughly equivalent to the Jiangxi region of later generations.

These areas were ideally suited for cultivating sugarcane, but for Zheng Wei to secure fields there on his own would have been fraught with immense difficulties. It was then that the Zhang family stepped in. Zhang Zhongjian had discussed with Zheng Wei the joint development of sugarcane cultivation in the two commanderies, a prospect that overjoyed the Zheng family.

Zheng Wei said, "Shize, I am a businessman. Whoever can bring me profits is the one I will cooperate with.

It is very obvious that from the very beginning, your contact with me did not bring me any benefits at all. Aside from the title of clan elder... I spend most of my time in the south; what use do I have for the name of a clan elder? But by joining forces with the Sixth House, I gain both fame and fortune.

You can laugh at me for being mercenary, or you can mock me for being vulgar. But let me tell you: the world rushes hither and thither for profit, and the world bustles back and forth for gain. Even the ancients were like this, so what did I do wrong? Therefore, Shize, I can only say I am sorry to you."

Zheng Renji, on the other hand, was overjoyed.

The fact that Zheng Wei would not be staying permanently in Xingyang was a blessing for him, as it would make it much easier for him to maintain control over the Anyuan Hall.

Red-faced with anger, Zheng Shize pointed at Zheng Wei, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

At that moment, Zheng Shanyuan and Zheng Shiji happened to pass by. Zheng Shanyuan halted Zheng Shize's unseemly outburst, then gave a faint smile. "Nephew Renji, you truly have formidable means... And Uncle Zheng, congratulations on entering the Council of Elders. In the days to come, we shall have to trouble you to put more effort into the development of the Zheng family."

With a mocking and insincere expression, he turned and walked away with his entourage.

Zheng Shian was sharp-witted enough; Zheng Shanyuan's remark carried a heavy undertone of sowing discord.

Thus, the moment Zheng Shanyuan's back disappeared, Zheng Shian immediately spoke up. "Nephew Renji, now that the matters in Xingyang have been settled, there is little meaning in me remaining here. Moreover, Yanqing must continue his studies, so I plan to return to Luoyang with Yanqing in a few days.

As for the agricultural estate in Gongxian, once I return to Luoyang, I will send someone over to look after it."

*I am not fighting you for power, nor do I have any intention of replacing your position as the head of the main branch of the Anyuan Hall. Having the title of clan elder is already more than enough to satisfy me.*

*Therefore, I am leaving Xingyang.*

Zheng Yanqing had been keeping a close eye on the developments here. Hearing Zheng Shian speak thus, he couldn't help but inwardly raise his thumb in praise of a brilliant move.

His grandfather had not let success turn his head just because his status had changed.

On the contrary, he remained clear-headed, employing the tactic of advancing by retreating. His return to Luoyang happened to align perfectly with Yanqing's intentions. At the same time, it clearly stated his attitude, dissolving any lingering misgivings Zheng Renji might have harbored. Truly, an old ginger was pungent—though Zheng Shian's personal abilities were not extraordinary, his skill in reading expressions and fathoming the human heart far surpassed ordinary people. Zheng Yanqing nodded gently.

Zheng Renji also breathed a sigh of relief.

Zheng Shanyuan's parting words had indeed left him with lingering concerns.

Yet Zheng Shian's cooperative stance instantly swept away those worries. *You respect me a foot, and I will respect you a yard*—Zheng Renji understood this principle very well. Since the other party had made it clear that they acknowledged him as the master of the Anyuan Hall, Zheng Renji had to make a reciprocal gesture. After all, the Anyuan Hall's ability to weather this crisis was entirely thanks to the efforts of the Zheng grandfather and grandson.

"Yanqing's future is of the utmost importance, and it is only right that Uncle wishes to return to Luoyang.

Now that Yanqing has become the disciple of Great General Zhangsun, he indeed needs to remain in Luoyang. However, for Uncle to wash your hands of everything and seek leisure is simply out of the question. How about this: I humbly request Uncle to manage our properties in Luoyang. The old soldiers there hold Uncle in high respect, and managing them will be much smoother than leaving it to Weishan... Just now, the Great General privately informed me that he will soon step down as the Great General of the Right Martial Guards, and His Majesty intends to appoint him as the Prefect of Yong'an. Weishan is no longer young and possesses fine martial arts skills; leaving him in Luoyang would be somewhat wasting his talent, so I intend to let him follow the Great General."