Chapter Forty-Eight: Lin Tianyu

The next day dawned bright and clear. The streets were slowly regaining their order, soldiers in uniform joining the townsfolk to sweep the roads and clear away debris. There were few pedestrians about. Wang Xiaoshan arrived in a hurry, sat down and gulped several mouthfuls of porridge before he began to speak.

“Gan Sui’s trip this time yielded little, I suppose?”

“Has the court banned maritime trade?”

“You truly have a knack, junior brother. The notice was posted, claiming rampant pirates and a month-long market ban. This trip was in vain.” Wang Xiaoshan, thinking of a month’s lost silver, felt a pang in his liver.

“It’s not entirely wasted. I’ve been observing these days; there’s a shop ahead selling excellent dried goods—smoked fish, dried shrimp, and such, all very marketable. We can transport some back. True, it won’t bring the profit of maritime trade, but at least we won’t lose out this time.”

“Junior brother, not doing business is your loss.”

“There are also saris and other garments here worth importing. Pretty things always stir a girl’s urge to shop,” Banxia added.

“And those sea vegetables… Now that I think of it, there’s opportunity everywhere.” Wang Xiaoshan was cheered, finished his breakfast quickly, and waited for Gan Sui to go sourcing with him.

Gan Sui ate at his usual measured pace, then helped Banxia upstairs to rest before heading out.

The Lin Family Army was camped in the city square’s open ground. Passing by, Gan Sui’s eyes flickered. “Brother, please wait a moment. I wish to thank the general.”

He went straight there to request an audience. Lin Tianyu was inside, studying his strategy maps, when a soldier reported a scholar had come to visit.

Lin Tianyu, needing a change of pace, said, “Let him in.”

“What brings you here, sir?”

“I’ve come for two things today. First, to thank you for saving my family yesterday. Second, I’ve read some tactics specifically aimed at pirates, and I hope they may be of some use to you, General.”

“Oh? Such material exists? Let me see it.”

The two discussed as they read, and before they knew it, an hour had passed. Gan Sui then remembered his brother waiting outside the camp and hurried out. “Sorry, Brother. I lost track of time talking.”

“My legs are about to break,” Wang Xiaoshan grumbled.

“I’m sorry, truly. Let’s hurry.”

Banxia, having suffered misfortune on this journey, was not in mortal danger but still needed careful nursing. Since Gan Sui had business to run with Wang Xiaoshan, he told Anzi to keep an eye on Banxia, not letting her out. Even if she wasn’t hurt out there, exhaustion would be bad for her health.

Though Anzi was small, he carried out Gan Sui’s instructions meticulously. If Banxia didn’t listen, he wouldn’t make a fuss, just waited with his big bright eyes, looking pitifully at her. Banxia couldn’t stand that look and retreated to her room.

When the physician finally announced Banxia was out of danger and could walk about, Banxia nearly leapt for joy, her eyes shining as she looked at Gan Sui.

Gan Sui couldn’t help but smile at her. “You’re so grown up, yet always eager to play. Even Anzi isn’t as playful as you.”

“I’m not grown up at all—at my age, in modern times, I’d still be a schoolgirl with a backpack. How can you scholarly types understand the moods of us underachievers? Life without snacks and shopping is no better than a salted fish.”

“Always with your twisted logic. There’s a night market tonight; we can stroll around together.” In a few days, they’d be heading home, and Gan Sui didn’t want to keep her confined. After all, this trip was meant for her to enjoy.

“Gan Sui, you’re the best, love you so much, mwah!” Banxia planted a kiss on Gan Sui’s cheek, then bounced out to share the good news with Anzi.

Gan Sui touched the spot she’d kissed—this playful teasing and running off was something he must properly address.

The night market was ablaze with lanterns, some places as bright as daylight. Gan Sui held Banxia’s hand in one, carried Anzi in the other. Banxia’s hands were full of snacks, always passing them to Gan Sui and Anzi. Wang Xiaoshan claimed exhaustion from the day’s work and didn’t join them, but really, who wanted to watch others flaunt their happiness when alone? He missed his wife, missed home.

“Mr. Gan…”

Gan Sui turned. “General Lin.” He was about to salute.

“No need for ceremony when out enjoying yourself. Is this your lady?”

“Thank you, General, for saving us that day,” Banxia said, bowing. Anzi also thanked him, “Thank you, Uncle General.”

Lin Tianyu stared at Anzi, growing more familiar the longer he looked. “Madam Gan, have we met before?”

Banxia was puzzled—surely not.

Suddenly Lin Tianyu said, “I remember now. Last year in Yunzhou, this child found my jade pendant…”

“Oh, yes, I recall. Anzi did receive a jade pendant from you.”

“What a twist of fate! Thousands of miles apart and we meet again. Since we are destined, let’s share a cup of tea together.”

They all went to a teahouse. General Lin, though a stalwart man, was especially fond of Anzi, asking in detail about his studies, his interests, his favorite foods.

Banxia couldn’t help but ask, “General, do you prefer sons or daughters at home?”

Lin Tianyu smiled sheepishly. “I haven’t any children yet.”

Now Banxia was surprised. Lin Tianyu was clearly frank. “I’ve been engaged several times. The first fiancée had a distant cousin she grew up with and refused to marry, eloped with him, and sadly drowned in a river. The second, two days before the wedding, choked on a date cake and died. The third was wed, but died in childbirth, both mother and child. People say I bring misfortune to wives. Perhaps it’s better this way, since I’m always away. If I had a wife, she’d mostly be left alone. Better not to harm another girl.”

Banxia didn’t know what to say—his fate was truly tragic. No wonder he liked children so much. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. Fate is mysterious, and every missed chance means she wasn’t the right one. Such a good man as General Lin will surely meet someone better.”

Lin Tianyu gave a wry smile, accepting reluctantly.

“Mr. Gan, all your plans from the other day are set. Within the next two days, we’ll cast the net.”

“Excellent. Let’s drink a toast in advance to your victory, General.”

“To success!” Lin Tianyu drained his cup, saw Anzi wanting crab, and hurried to help him crack it.

“What did you do?” Banxia whispered to Gan Sui.

“I taught him the old Qi Jiguang tactics against the pirates, adapted for him.”

Ah, that was a powerful weapon against pirates.

“They hurt you, so they must pay.”

“Gan Sui, I adore your bossy tone.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Wasn’t this just shamelessly flaunting their affection?

Banxia ducked her head in embarrassment.

At the next table, a man spoke up, “I say, His Majesty is growing wiser. I hear that from now on, maritime trade will be nationalized. Those pirates won’t dare run wild then.”

Lin Tianyu drank a cup in haste, then poured another.

“General, don’t drink so fast, you’ll get drunk.”

“Drunk—better drunk!” He drank again. “A man who can’t protect his wife and child—what right has he to speak of wisdom? Nonsense.”

This was blatant disrespect. If the wrong person heard, the consequences would be dire. Just then, the general’s adjutant entered.

“General…”

“General is a bit drunk. Help him home to rest.”

Fortunately, Lin Tianyu said no more, and the group parted ways. Banxia sighed—there truly is no such thing as perfection. Even a man like General Lin had many troubles.

The next morning, Banxia was still thinking about General Lin over breakfast. Seeing Wang Xiaoshan’s worldly air, she asked, “Do you know General Lin?”

“He? He’s actually the Imperial Uncle.”

“What!”

“His Majesty’s first wife was General Lin’s sister, but she died within two years of entering the palace. General Lin and His Majesty were close once, but after her death, they broke entirely. General Lin has been stationed outside and never returned to the capital. His Majesty and the former Empress were childhood sweethearts. Yet less than half a month after her death, he promoted Consort Xiao. Our teacher also resigned as Grand Tutor over this and retired to the countryside.”

“What a sad story. Honestly, men are never good.”

The three men, two grown and one small, felt deeply wounded by this unwarranted blame.

Before their departure, Bai Lian asked Wang Xiaoshan to bring back some pearls—for jewelry or powder, they’d be useful. Wang Xiaoshan had checked several pearl farms but wasn’t satisfied; today he planned to visit the largest one, and Gan Sui thought Banxia should pick some for herself too. He’d heard pearls were nourishing.

They arrived at the pearl farm. In ancient times, breeding techniques weren’t advanced, so Banxia had low expectations. But she was astonished—the farm was about the size of a football field, workers all performing their duties with no sign of chaos. Wang Xiaoshan examined the pearls, regretting he hadn’t brought more money. If he could import more, the profits would be substantial, but all his funds were already tied up in goods.

As they were selecting pearls, a little girl approached Banxia and grabbed her hand. “Sister…”

What was happening? Banxia tried to pull her hand away. “I don’t know you.”

“You saved me on the street that day.”

Banxia remembered—she’d rescued this little girl. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. If not for you…”

“Let go of my sister. She’s my sister, not yours,” Anzi said, pushing the girl away.

Banxia picked him up. “No mischief.”

Anzi felt wronged. Clearly she was the one stealing his sister. Bad girl.

“Min’er…” came a man’s voice behind them.

“Father, this is the benefactor I told you about. She saved me that day.”

Zhu Qingmo saw Banxia was just a young woman, and was moved by her bravery. “Thank you, madam, for saving my daughter.”

“No need to thank me. Anyone would have helped in that situation.”

“That’s not true. Many ran past me that day, but no one helped. Only you.” Zhu Min’er felt that day had been truly hopeless.

“Please, choose as you like. Don’t be shy—take anything you fancy.”

“Master Zhu, would you care to cooperate?” Gan Sui seized the opportunity.