Early next morning, Zhou Changlin brought his wife and Zhou Dewu, carrying box after box of gifts, to Zhao Family Inn.
In the inn courtyard, Zhang Liang was assembling the veterans, preparing to return to Jinchuan.
When Zhou Changlin’s group appeared, the veterans turned their heads in unison.
Madam Zhou nearly collapsed in fright.
She had heard from Zhou Changlin yesterday about the veterans slaughtering bandits. Now each one looked like a man-eating monster.
“What are you doing?”
Zhang Liang stepped forward.
“We came to apologise to Mr Jin.”
Zhou Changlin kept his posture very low.
“Apologise?”
Zhang Liang glanced at Zhou Changlin, then at the boxes behind. “Wait here. I will see if sir is awake.”
Thinking only Jin Feng was there, Zhang Liang headed inside, but was stopped by a guarding veteran.
“Captain, Miss Xiao Bei is inside.”
The veteran dared trick Big Liu but not Zhang Liang.
“Ahem… I understand.”
Zhang Liang coughed, turned back. “My sir is tired these days and not yet up. Perhaps return another time.”
“No matter. I will wait.”
Zhou Changlin stood at the gate with his people.
They waited a full half hour before Jin Feng and Tang Xiao Bei rose.
Seeing Zhou Changlin, Jin Feng paused briefly, then understood.
Leaving the prefect’s mansion, he had guessed Zhou Changlin would apologise, but not so quickly.
“Sorry, Mr Jin. My wife and son were ignorant…”
Zhou Changlin bowed deeply as Jin Feng approached, but was cut off.
“You owe the apology not to me, but to her!”
Jin Feng pointed to Tang Xiao Bei. “Xiao Bei, you were the one involved. Handle this. I will visit the prefect’s mansion.”
Without waiting for reply, he mounted and left.
In feudal times, merchants ranked lowest: scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants.
Jin Feng was nobility. Their social gap was vast.
Though Jin Feng did business, no one saw him as a merchant.
Like capital families needing trade for expenses, who dared call a duke a merchant?
The more Jin Feng ignored him, the more unfathomable Zhou Changlin found him.
His attitude grew more respectful.
Jin Feng simply disliked wordy occasions.
Better to discuss chamber and escort agency with the prefect than pretend here.
The chamber was easy, a few taels of silver sufficed.
Escort agencies differed.
Governments always watched civilian armed groups. Anyone could not open one. It needed prefect-level signature and prefect soldier registration.
If the agency broke laws later, the signing prefect shared responsibility.
Prefects rarely signed.
Even for Jin Feng, the prefect pondered half a morning before agreeing.
Prefect soldiers were simpler. They adored Jin Feng now. Lieutenant Xiao stamped without question, insisted Jin Feng tour the camp, and offer guidance.
Jin Feng could avoid an agency, call veterans house guards as before.
But baron’s guard numbers were regulated by the Ministry of Rites. Dozens were fine.
Now over two hundred veterans, plus growing female troops, total over three hundred. Calling them guards was self-deception.
Da Kang’s oversight was lax. Many local gentry kept thugs. Unless offending big figures, no one checked.
But Jin Feng, used to rule of law, preferred legal status for veterans to avoid future leverage. He ran the errand.
Declining Lieutenant Xiao’s lunch invitation, he left the camp near noon.
Holding the escort document, Jin Feng was full of ambition.
With this, he could recruit veterans freely if affordable.
Truth lies at sword’s edge, dignity within cannon range. Sufficient force gave him voice.
If chaos came, this was his greatest lifeline.
Back at the inn, Zhou Changlin had left.
Tang Xiao Bei and Tang Dongdong counted gifts in the inner room. Seeing Jin Feng, both stopped and looked up.
Their eyes held gratitude.
“Brother Feng, thank you.”
Tang Dongdong bowed solemnly.
She thought years of effort needed to rival Zhou Changlin.
Yet so soon, the once mighty foe stood terrified before her, afraid to speak loudly.
Years of hatred eased somewhat.
She knew Zhou Changlin had not fallen; they had grown stronger with Jin Feng.
“Thanks between us is distant. This was my promise.”
Jin Feng said, “Pity we only made Zhou Changlin apologise.”
“His wife did not truly kidnap Xiao Bei. Making him apologise is enough. I am grateful.”
Tang Dongdong said.
She and Tang Xiao Bei knew Zhou family operated years in Guangyuan. This alone could not topple them.
“Sister, perhaps I beat his second son too. Then his wife might act.”
Tang Xiao Bei smiled.
“Nonsense. Forgot what I said last night?”
Tang Dongdong glared. “Full Warehouse made hundreds of spinning wheels. New factory starts soon. Textile mill will grow. I will beat Zhou family honourably, as Brother Feng says!
This is what our kin would want most.”
“Dongdong is right. I will design a loom. Then the mill spins and weaves cloth. We beat Zhou family fairly.”
Jin Feng scraped Tang Xiao Bei’s nose. “No more wild thoughts.”
“I know. Just joking with sister.”
Tang Xiao Bei stuck out her tongue. “Hardly escaped the pit, found such a good husband. I will not gamble my life with Zhou family.”
“Good you understand…”
Tang Dongdong’s eyes widened. “Wait, what did you say? Husband?”
