Chapter 134: Who Approves, Who Objects (Part Two)

"Zishan, do you think what Youxue came up with will really work?"

In the office room beside the official hall, Puyang Kai frowned deeply, looking at Bu Zhi with a worried expression.

In his eyes, there was a trace of dissatisfaction mingled with anxiety.

Bu Zhi took a sip of water and shook his head. "It's hard to say. At first hearing, it sounds absurd, but upon closer reflection, it seems to make sense. I'm not worried about whether this scheme will work, but rather whether it can be implemented. If it can be put into practice, it might just have an effect. The problem is, will those greedy merchants agree? Youxue is still a bit young; whether he can keep those people in line is indeed a huge question!"

Puyang Kai stood up and walked out of the office.

Standing in the doorway, he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the setting sun on the horizon, lost in deep thought. As the evening lanterns were just being lit, the North Market, after several days of depression, was regaining its former vitality. The Soaring Feather Pavilion was originally Chen Sheng's property, but now it belonged to the government. After a few days of reorganization, the Soaring Feather Pavilion had reopened. However, compared to its earlier days when fish and dragons mixed together, the newly opened Soaring Feather Pavilion showed distinct differences.

First of all, after being renovated, the interior had become much more spacious and tranquil. The rush mats and dining tables were arranged in an orderly fashion, with the distance between each table wider than before, separated by simple screens in between. In this way, even if someone was noisy, it would not disturb other guests.

One could say that the new layout of the Soaring Feather Pavilion was much more considerate and user-friendly.

However, this was no longer the ordinary tavern where anyone could walk in. It had been transformed, seemingly into a high-class establishment.

All the attendants had been replaced with brand-new, uniform attire, looking much more professional.

Upon stepping into the Soaring Feather Pavilion, one was no longer greeted by noise and chaos, but by a sense of elegance and charm. A pool had been constructed in the very center, with a pavilion built right in the middle of the water. Singing girls and dancers performed inside the pavilion, neither disturbing the guests nor allowing them to feel anything less than refined culture. Overall, the Soaring Feather Pavilion had not undergone massive construction, yet it felt completely different from before.

Manager Huang of the Gold Market could not help exclaiming, "Master Ma, this is the kind of place we ought to frequent."

Manager Ma also nodded repeatedly. "To think back when Chen Sheng managed this place, it was merely a haunt for vulgar folk. Now, this Soaring Feather Pavilion can be considered the pride of Haixi, completely transformed. However, I reckon the expense of drinking and dining here won't be small."

He looked at the ushering attendant and recognized him as a former servant from Chen Sheng's household.

The attendant quickly replied, "Reporting to Master Ma, County Magistrate Deng has issued an order: the Soaring Feather Pavilion will not be open to the general public. Only local members are permitted to enter."

"Members?"

This was a completely new term.

The attendant said, "Indeed."

"Then this membership... how does one obtain it? How much coin is required?" Manager Huang, looking somewhat disdainful of Manager Ma, stepped forward to ask.

"This membership cannot be obtained simply by paying money. First of all, to become a member, one must possess a certain status and standing. It must be reported by the neighborhood chief and then approved by the government before one becomes eligible."

"Ah? So troublesome?"

Manager Ma shook his head, showing a look of disdain. "Who would want to bother with such tediousness?"

"This is status!" the attendant replied. "It is a symbol of status."

A look of disdain similarly appeared on the attendant's face, making Manager Ma extremely embarrassed.

"How many people throughout Haixi can acquire this status? When you lords negotiate business in the future and bring guests to sit here, that in itself is a symbol of status. Manager Ma, this is not tediousness at all! Nor is it an honor that just anyone can attain..."

The implication was clear: a person of your standing might not even qualify for it.

Manager Huang was instantly amused and nodded repeatedly. "Well said, this status and standing cannot be bought with money."

Since ancient times, merchants had held low social standing and were even categorized among the "five fools" [despised occupations]. No matter how wealthy they were, they were not necessarily respected. For these merchants, gaining social recognition and appreciation was undoubtedly a great honor. Just as the attendant said, this was not something that could be obtained merely by having money! That's right, in future transactions, bringing business partners here to sit would represent identity, status, distinction, and immense prestige.

*Well, I'll go find the neighborhood chief to discuss this matter later...*

As time passed, similar scenes repeated themselves continuously.

The musicians in the pool pavilion strummed their instruments, adding a touch of elegance to the Soaring Feather Pavilion.

Climbing up to the second-floor terrace, visitors were instantly struck by a refreshing sense of novelty.

In the empty hall, a master seat was placed right in the middle, flanked by dining tables and rush mats.

"When you lords discuss matters in the future, you can dine right here. The downstairs will not disturb upstairs, nor do you need to worry about anyone coming to interrupt... Please take your seats, the young master will be here shortly."

Manager Ma and the others sat down apprehensively, looking around.

The atmosphere on the second floor was distinctly different from the first.

A horizontal plaque bearing the "Song of the Great Wind" hung on the main wall, written in a bold, sweeping, and masterfully skillful cursive script.

This "Song of the Great Wind" was precisely what Deng Peng had requested from Chen Gui in Guangling County. *A great wind arises, and the clouds fly high!* It fit the name of the Soaring Feather Pavilion perfectly.

"Gentlemen, what do you suppose Young Master Cao wants to discuss with us by summoning us here?"

"Manager Ma, aren't you asking blindly? None of us have ever spoken with Young Master Cao, and even Master Wang didn't get to see him. How could we possibly know what it's about? However, I reckon this Young Master Cao is extremely arrogant! Previously, when Master Wang visited County Magistrate Deng, the magistrate received him in person. But this time, when Master Wang sent gifts, the gifts were accepted, but Young Master Cao refused even to see him. Later on, everyone should be a bit careful and watch your words so as not to offend Young Master Cao, otherwise, we'll be in trouble..."

The speaker was Pan Yong, Manager Pan of the carpentry guild. He was not very tall, with a round face, short and plump, giving people a very affable impression.

However, one must not underestimate him simply because of his friendly appearance.

Pan Yong controlled the largest carpentry merchant guild in the North Market and was rumored to have connections with sea bandits and thieves, handling stolen goods for them.

In fact, none of the prominent merchants in the North Market had completely clean backgrounds.

It was just that on the surface, they still managed to put on a respectable human facade...

"Manager Pan, aren't you just talking nonsense?" Manager Huang said dismissively. "Since we are all sitting here today, who would dare offend Young Master Cao?"

"Manager Huang, I am only giving you well-intentioned advice. Why must you speak rudely?"

"I simply can't stand your nonsense."

Just as the two sides were about to get into a dispute, they suddenly heard someone shout loudly downstairs: "Young Master Cao has arrived!"

The man's voice was extremely booming, instantly drowning out the argument upstairs. At the same time, the elegant zither music that had been echoing downstairs stopped abruptly. Sitting upstairs, one could clearly hear the sound of horse hooves from below. Following that came the sound of footsteps—not just one person, but many people marching. Yet if one didn't listen closely, many would mistake it for the footsteps of a single person...

Orderful and uniform!

Cao Peng wore a black padded heavy robe, secured with a white jade belt from which hung a deep purple sachet. On his feet were a pair of scholarly shoes with white soles and black uppers. His robes fluttered as he stepped into the Soaring Feather Pavilion. Behind him walked Dian Man and Xu Yi, both broad-shouldered and fierce-looking like guardian deities.

After the three of them went upstairs, the crowd immediately stood up, wearing obsequious smiles on their faces.

Looking at these people before him, Cao Peng suddenly felt a strange sensation in his heart.

A year ago, he was still a poor wretch lying sick in bed, breathing his last. Yet a year later, he had already become the young master of Haixi County.

This shift in status made Cao Peng feel as though he were in a dream.

Taking a deep breath, he nodded toward the crowd and walked straight to the master seat.

Dian Man and Xu Yi took their seats on either side of the master seat, flanking Cao Peng. Immediately afterward, ten robust men mounted the tavern stairs; two stood at the staircase entrance, while the other eight lined up on both sides. Every single one of them was broad-chested and heavily built, and all of them openly wore weapons...

These ten robust men were retainers of the Xu family.

Standing there, they exuded an aura of fierce intimidation.

"Young Master Cao, this humble one is Huang Zheng of the Gold Market."

"This humble one is Pan Yong of the carpentry guild."

"This humble one is Ma Tao of the drapery shop."

"..."

The merchants stood up one after another, bowing with cupped hands to pay their respects to Cao Peng.

Cao Peng maintained a poker face, nodding in return to each one of them.

That's right, he was young!

Yet precisely because of that, he had to put on airs even more.

These were all seasoned scoundrels; if you showed them the slightest bit of pleasantness, they would climb all over your head.

Sometimes, necessary silence is more useful than a thousand words. Cao Peng understood this principle very well, nor did he need to exchange pleasantries with these people. If it were Deng Peng, he might still bother with superficial courtesies. But Cao Peng had no such worries; the role he was currently playing was that of the premier young master of Haixi. Moreover, he was a young master with real power, holding military command in Haixi... even if his forces numbered fewer than two hundred men.

"You are all veterans of Haixi, and prominent figures of this county."

Cao Peng spoke in a leisurely tone, and the merchants immediately fell silent.

"Everyone take a look and see if everyone has arrived."

"They've arrived, everyone is here!"

"Very well. From this moment on, no one else is permitted to come up."

Just as Cao Peng finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps came pounding up the stairs.

A middle-aged man ran up, panting heavily. Despite the freezing weather, sweat poured from his head. As he ran, he kept cupping his hands in apology.

"Apologies, apologies. Master Ye is late, late by a step. I beg your magnanimity, Young Master."

"And this is..."

Cao Peng frowned, asking slowly and deliberately.

"Ah, this humble one is Ye Bei of the rice market. Some matters at the shop delayed me, causing me to arrive late. I beg Young Master Cao's forgiveness."

As he spoke, Ye Bei made to sit down.

Xu Yi's face darkened. With a wave of his hand, two robust men stepped forward and directly removed the dining table in front of Ye Bei.

"Manager Ye, what time did you leave your house?"

Ye Bei looked at the empty space in front of him and, hearing Cao Peng's question, couldn't help trembling slightly.

"This humble one..."

"Manager Huang, is it?"

"This humble one is here!"

"What time did you leave your house?"

"Reporting to the Young Master, when this humble one learned the Young Master was hosting a banquet, I closed my shop after noon. I left the house after the meal hour [around 3-5 PM] and arrived by dusk [around 5-7 PM]."

"And Manager Ma?"

"Oh, this humble one and Manager Huang are much the same, both arriving before dusk."

Cao Peng smiled. "Manager Ye, look at Manager Huang, Manager Ma, and everyone else present—they all arrived before dusk. This household also arrived at dusk, yet you alone are late, coming as the very last one... Since you are so busy, you might as well go back. We are all very leisurely here."

"Indeed, indeed. At this hour, what business could there be?"

A group of merchants chimed in hurriedly, completely ignoring Ye Bei's pleading gaze.

"Young Master Cao, this humble one..."

"Shut your mouth!" Cao Peng's voice suddenly pitched higher. "When County Magistrate Deng invited you to drink, you didn't come; now that I invite you to drink, you arrive tardily. Could it be that everyone present here is somehow inferior to your noble self? Such grand airs for a mere peddler of rice."

Cao Peng's face turned gloomy.

Even if someone wanted to plead for Ye Bei, they couldn't help swallowing their saliva and obediently shut their mouths.

"Since you look down on everyone here, there is no seat for you here... Guards, throw this rice peddler out!"

"Understood!"

Two strong men stepped forward and, without another word, hoisted Ye Bei up and carried him away.

"Master Ma, Master Huang, I am wronged..."

Before Ye Bei could finish, the retainers dragged him to the top of the stairs and tossed him down.

Ye Bei let out a miserable scream as he tumbled down the stairs. In the tavern upstairs, absolute silence reigned, and everyone's face turned as pale as paper.

"I happen to have a bad temper!"

Cao Peng did not drink wine; instead, he poured a bowl of water to moisten his throat.

He looked at the merchants seated before him, his expression shifting in an instant into a broad smile. "Some matters County Magistrate Deng can tolerate, but I cannot... Perhaps some of you might say, 'You are merely the magistrate's brother-in-law, yet your airs are even bigger than his, and your temper is even worse?'"

"Ah, dare not, dare not!"

"Hehe, let me finish." Cao Peng said, "What I want to say is that this is simply my personality: If someone treats me with one foot of respect, I return ten feet of respect. If someone shows me disrespect, I will ruin his entire family. A true man should seek swift justice and vengeance—why bother with so many rigid rules? Second Brother, Third Brother, am I right?"

Xu Yi and Dian Man nodded repeatedly. "Indeed, a real man ought to be just like this."

"Manager Ye didn't give me face, which means he didn't give County Magistrate Deng face, which means he didn't give Prefect Chen face, which means he didn't give the Imperial Court face!"

The merchants swallowed collectively in unison: *You motherfucker are the most unreasonable one here!*

Slapping such a massive accusation onto someone was utterly ruthless...

What did it mean not to give face to the Imperial Court?

Not giving face to the Imperial Court—wasn't that equivalent to treason?

"I see no reason for Manager Ye's rice shop to remain open!" Cao Peng tapped his finger lightly against the dining table, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd.

This kid was truly out to exterminate someone completely!

"Manager Huang!"

"Ah, this humble one is here."

Hearing Cao Peng call him, Manager Huang gave a startle, immediately stepping forward and prostrating himself on the ground.

Cao Peng acted as though he hadn't seen it, taking another sip of water on his own. "Over the past three years, Manager Ye made a fortune in Haixi and earned a lot of wealth. As the saying goes, 'With every bowl of porridge or rice, we should think of how difficult it was to produce; with every thread of silk, we should constantly remember the material toil.' I believe this saying is wrong! As human beings, we must possess a heart of gratitude. While porridge and rice certainly require thought as to their origins, without the Imperial Court, where would the porridge and rice come from?"

"Quite true, quite true..."

"Yet Manager Ye did not pay a single coin of taxes to the Imperial Court over the past three years!"

"This..."

"Therefore, I believe such tax-evasion behavior deserves severe punishment!" Cao Peng's expression softened considerably as he looked at Manager Huang and said, "Manager Huang, if I were to let you take over Manager Ye's rice shop, how would you handle it?"

When Cao Peng brought up the issue of taxes, everyone present held their breath in absolute fear.

Manager Huang was trembling so violently he looked like a sheet of paper. One had to know that over the past three years, Haixi didn't even have a county office—where was one supposed to pay taxes? True, they had paid plenty of "peace money," but it had all gone to Chen Sheng, not the Imperial Court. Yet Cao Peng's next sentence made Manager Huang instantly overjoyed. He raised his head in shock to look at Cao Peng, while the others looked at him with eyes full of envy.

"This humble one will surely do utmost service for the Imperial Court."

The transition from extreme grief to extreme joy happened so fast that Manager Huang felt as though he had fallen into a dream.

Cao Peng nodded with satisfaction. "What I want is precisely Manager Huang's attitude!"

With that, he clapped his hands. "Huban, bring the things up."

*As legend has it, updating at midnight is truly punishing...*

*Begging for monthly tickets, begging for recommendation votes!*