Ling Qingyu breathed in deeply and out slowly.
Though she had seen the painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” and dreamed about the reality it depicted, she was still shocked by the scene in front of her.
Along the edge of the Qiantang River was a busy wharf. Ships sailed into the wharf one after another. On the dock, footmen unloaded goods continuously. There were also street vendors selling food and groceries. From the wharf, there was a neighborhood with rows of houses like fish scales. There were tea houses, wine shops, motels, and butcher shops. Also shops full of silk, jewelry, spices, fireworks and paper horses. There were also specialty stores such as clinics, cart repairs, fortune-telling, and cosmetics. Everything was there. The streets were full of pedestrians shoulder-to-shoulder in endless streams.
Ling Qingyu already knew where and when she was. This should be a parallel world to her own. Its history deviated from her world at the end of the Tang Dynasty. Zhao Kuangyin did not become the emperor, but a duke. Instead, the founding emperor of the dynasty is Chai Rong. Wars were fought continuously for two generations, lasting around thirty years before the south was united and a peace treaty signed with the Liao empire. With sixty years of peace and prosperity, the seas were opened for trade and restrictions on industries lifted. The Zhou Dynasty’s economy boomed.
Ling Qingyu compared this history to what she knew of her own world. This place is basically the North Song Dynasty with some differences. In her world’s North Song, the emperor, Zhao Kuangyin, had emphasized literature over martial arts. The following emperors were less reliable. In this Zhou Dynasty, generals were still highly respected, but the emperors had been less reliable. The North Song emperor loved literature, yet these Zhou emperors loved luxury goods, especially the current Xiwen Emperor. He loved jewelry and spices. The palace was renovated every year, requiring the best woods and countless amounts of gold, silver, and jade decorations. His lavish spending depleted the treasury. To remediate his losses, he expanded maritime trade. Before this, one needed a license from the government before one could trade across the ocean. But now, all anyone needed was a set amount of cash to obtain a license. The only requirement was that no matter what type of ship, upon returning from trading overseas, it must submit a set amount of treasures. With this, seafaring was popularized and the ports became extremely prosperous.
However, Ling Qingyu couldn’t have imagined it was this prosperous.
Thinking about what she heard on the road, the north had been suffering from a drought and the south from flooding. These years have been so full of natural disasters that there were refugees everywhere. Yet, this port was still so lively.
“Miss, miss,” called Zheng Xi. Ling Qingyu woke from her daze and smiled at herself. This Zhou Dynasty already had countless problems and these did not arise in a short period. The most important thing for her now was to gather strength so she could obtain her revenge.
Zheng Xi arrived in front of Ling Qingyu and wiped his sweat. “I asked around and found that there is a ship sailing to Quan Province today. Originally, a wealthy family had reserved the entire ship, but after hearing that you are a girl, the madam made a kind gesture and allowed us to travel with them.”
Ling Qingyu nodded. Zheng Xi is Zheng-mama’s son. After leaving, she learned that Zheng-mama was her mother’s dowry maid. Mother had long since paid out the family’s contract. The elder son, Zheng Dong, managed her mother’s shop. The younger son followed her father as a courier in the shipping business. A year ago, her father tasked Zheng Xi with carrying a letter to Wu County. Luckily, this allowed him to escape the disaster.
After Ling Qingyu buried her parents, she bid Zheng-mama and Lu Xiu to stay in Wu County. One reason was to continue managing the two shops she left with Zheng Dong. Another was to monitor the Lin and Wu families. She only brought Zheng Xi on her trip to the Quan Province to retrieve her father’s ship, the Aeolus.
Ling Qingyu patted her chest. When she opened her mother’s dressing box, she had found bills worth tens of thousands of silver. Ling Qingyu carried this cash in a small pouch in front of her chest. When she left Wu County, she brought nothing else but these bills and the handkerchief her mother held when she died.
The passenger ship heading to the Quan Province was a medium sized vessel. After stepping aboard, Zheng Xi left for the sailor’s quarters. Meanwhile, a female servant wearing a yellow-colored outfit led Ling Qingyu to a small room in the back of the ship. “I will have to trouble miss to share with us.”
“Thank you older sister.” Ling Qingyu smiled and bowed deeply. She wore a cyan-blue dress. Instead of trendy hair decorations, she wore her long hair in a ponytail with a white flower at the base. She looked tall. Although plump, she presented an image of health and cleanliness. Even her smile carried a feeling of honesty that made her likable.”
The servant girl had a favorable impression and said a few more words, “Our lady is very kind. She heard from Wang Chengjia that your servant was looking for a ship and that you are an orphan girl who established her own household. She took pity on you. Otherwise, a normal person would never have been allowed on our Fan family’s ship.”
Ling Qingyu did not know about this Fan family’s influence, so she smiled and said, “It is only thanks to the lady’s kindness. Older sister, please convey my gratitude to the lady. If possible, this girl would like to kowtow to the lady as thanks.”
“There is no need for that. Not everyone who wants to meet my lady can do so.”
“I see. Then I will have to trouble older sister to convey this girl’s intentions.” Ling Qingyu pulled the servant girl’s hand over and deposited a silver ingot.
The servant girl weighed it and estimated that it was around one to two liang. She laughed with happiness and responded, “Please rest here in comfort. Our ship is fast so we should arrive in Quan Province in only a few days.”
Ling Qingyu bowed again and escorted the servant girl out of the room before relaxing. Immediately after, she began planning her actions in Quan Province.
—
In the ship’s main cabin, a young woman rolled up her sleeves to pour from a teapot decorated with plum blossoms into her cup. The clear tea carried a mystifying fragrance that emitted a fresh and clearing sensation to touch one’s heart.
“Good tea,” praised a blue-dressed young man.
“Ming Liang brought it. It is biluochun picked before sunrise. Of course it is good tea.” Fan Ye sipped the tea and glanced at this person who only ate, drank and wouldn’t leave. “You are a son of the Fan family. How do you have time to play around. You should be worried about hurting uncle’s heart.”
As the son of the current minister of commerce, he had a horrible reputation. After becoming a scholar at age fifteen, he didn’t continue his education. Instead, he spent his time fooling around and had innumerable romantic affairs. He was the odd one of the Fan family.
“My father has always been okay with me since my big brother is responsible.” Fan Zheng laughed and moved closer to Fan Ye, “Anyway, this time I must congratulate my cousin on this promotion. You gained a good position.”
“What good position,” sighed Fan Ye. “This time, the Quan Province is starting a Department of Maritime Affairs. Of course regulating maritime trade is a good thing and I will try my best to manage it well. But, this trade used to be under the jurisdiction of the Guangzhou department that is controlled by the Wang family. Since the emperor is interested in exotic fragrances these days, there’s been an increase in trade and profit from delivering fragrant treasures from Luoyang, Biangliang, Hangzhou and Chuanshu. Merchants have also increased in numbers, resulting in enormous transactions. We probably don’t even know half of it, but most have already been controlled by the Wang family.”
“So this time, the emperor wants the Fan family, that retains a middle ground, to be in charge of the Quan Province’s trade department?” Fan Zheng played with the empty cup in his hand. It was a top quality, crystal clear porcelain. Just seeing it would make one full of joy. He said laughingly, “Since maritime trade is so hot right now, this position cousin received is quite lucrative.”
Fan Ye glared at him. “Lucrative position? More like a dead position! Right now the Wang family has the Imperial Consort Wang’s support. In control of maritime trade is also Grand Secretary Dong with Empress Dong’s support. There is also a Dong family member acting as the chair of the financial department. Considering the lucrative position of controlling Quan Province’s new Maritime Affairs Department, both families are greatly interested. Even if I made one mistake, I wouldn’t even know how I died. You bastard. Are you here to make fun of me as a pastime?”
Fan Zheng was about to speak when he heard footsteps outside. He immediately stopped and looked toward the entrance.
“Lady,” called out a voice as the footsteps stopped outside the door.
Lady Fan glanced at the two men and dropped the bead curtain. “Come in Shan Yao.”
Shan Yao walked into the cabin with her head lowered. She glanced at the bead curtain with the corners of her eyes and bowed. “Lady, this servant has brought the young miss to my cabin.”
“Oh?” Lady Fan glanced at Fan Zheng’s figure behind the curtain and laughed, “How is the young miss? Does she have manners?”
“The miss is quite young but also quite well mannered. Even from a glance, one could see she is an honest girl,” responded Shan Yao with her head lowered.
“She is so pitiful. To have to start a female household at such a young age.” Lady Fan waved Shan Yao away and pulled back the bead curtain. She smiled toward Fan Zheng. “No wonder sixth brother showed a kind heart for her.”
Fan Zheng laughed but did not reply. Previously, he had encountered this young miss trying to find a ship heading to Quan Province with her servant. His heart moved. He knew that Lady Fan had a kind heart, so he mentioned it to her. As expected, Lady Fan allowed the young miss on their ship. But hearing her words, it was obvious that she thought he was doing this to fool around. So, he wouldn’t answer her. Only a laugh, but no words.
“Six brother, you are not young anymore. It is time to find you a partner,” said Fan Ye as he frowned.
“The Wu family did suggest a few to father. One is the Wang family’s third house’s second miss. Another is Wu family’s fifth miss. There is another, the second prince’s wife’s step-sister. Cousin, who do you think is most suitable for me?” Fan Zheng laughed but within it laid a hint of coldness.
Fang Ye was speechless. Uncle’s new wife not only forced Fan Zheng away but now dared to control his marriage. The Fan family had always been neutral in the struggle for inheritance of the throne. Only by staying neutral did the family manage to stand for hundreds of years. The wife from the Wu family obviously wanted the Fan family to climb on the second prince’s boat. Did she think that the Fan family men were all idiots? Thinking about his uncle’s love for her, he couldn’t help but shake his head.
“The father of that little miss used to be a maritime merchant.” Fan Zheng thought for a bit and continued. “Since she is going to Quan Province, if cousin can help her then please do.”
“Ha,” laughed Fan Ye. “A woman. If she wants to participate in sea shipping, then I will help her if I can.”
Seeing his cousin’s judgmental smile, Fan Zheng shook his head and said no more. He looked outside the window toward a bustling scene. His mind turned toward other subjects as he began to talk with Fan Ye about the spring drought. Thoughts of the little miss disappeared without a trace like waves in a pond.
