Chapter 84: The Opening

Song Mingyuan acted with remarkable speed. Just after dinner, Gan Sui was summoned by the deputy magistrate, who claimed there was an urgent matter at the yamen.

Gongsun Yuqing had underestimated the parents of Song Yujun. He had assumed Song Mingyuan to be a straightforward scion of nobility, forgetting that his wife bore the surname Kong. The Kong family had been renowned since the previous dynasty, with disciples spread across the country. When the emperor proved cruel and tyrannical, it was the Kong family who first openly declared support for the founding emperor. At the birth of Liang, the new emperor, suspicious and wary, witnessed the downfall of many old ministers and their families. Only the Kong family, adept at self-preservation, retreated from the political stage as the emperor ascended. No one truly knew the extent of their power. Over the past three years, Song Mingyuan had swiftly woven the Kong family’s influence into every facet of Yangzhou. The informant Gongsun Yuqing had engaged to spread rumors hadn’t even made it out of the alley before being shadowed, and quietly ended up feeding the river fish.

By dusk, the salt guild was unloading their goods, members gathering in small groups to head home for supper. Suddenly, a squad of soldiers burst in: “Last night, thieves broke into the Weaving Bureau, stealing quantities of raw silk. A witness reported the culprit fled into your salt guild. We must search the premises.”

The salt guild’s chief steward stepped forward, “Sirs, we are in the peak season for salt distribution, and the guild is in chaos. Could you perhaps show some leniency?” As he spoke, he discreetly slipped over a stack of banknotes. “It’s hot—please use this to buy your men some tea.”

The officer leading the search was Kong Jun, the foremost disciple of his generation in the Kong family. He owed the Weaving Bureau’s lady a respectful greeting as his teacher-aunt, and had watched Song Yujun grow since childhood. With only two unruly sons of his own, he cherished Song Yujun as if she were a daughter. Now, not only had Gongsun Yuqing deceived Song Yujun’s affections, he sought to ruin her reputation. Kong Jun was eager to catch him and see him brought to justice, with no intention of cutting corners.

He threw the wad of banknotes back at the steward’s face. “You dare bribe an officer on duty? Are you courting death? Men, search the place!”

Before the chief could respond, the deputy steward shouted, “Our salt guild may be made up of laborers, but we live clean lives. You can’t just search us on a whim! Brothers, do you consent?”

“No! Absolutely not!” The salt guild members, notorious for their ferocity in the underworld, were less intimidated by the authorities when gathered in numbers. Besides, their master had close ties with the Salt Transport Commissioner and cared little for the Weaving Bureau’s authority.

Tensions soared, bloodshed imminent. Kong Jun had anticipated chaos and welcomed it—the messier, the easier to resolve. His men were seasoned fighters, unlike the salt guild’s workers. As the melee peaked, a distress signal was sent.

Song Mingyuan’s river defense troops swiftly flooded in; hundreds of soldiers entered the city. Only then did the deputy magistrate notify Gan Sui.

When Gan Sui arrived, the salt guild’s riot had already been suppressed. Pools of blood stained the gates, and river defense troops were organizing cleanup.

“Kong Jun, what’s happened?” Gan Sui asked.

“Investigating a case, but the salt guild resisted recklessly, sparking a riot. Our task is done; we found two hundred bolts of raw silk hidden in the guild’s rear warehouse…”

“If you wish to condemn, you’ll always find a charge! We’ve always dealt in salt, yet you officials collude with criminals. Wait till our young master returns…”

“Indeed, we’ll wait for your young master—but you’ll do so in prison. Take them away!” All current leaders of the salt guild were arrested. Gongsun Yuqing had not returned; guards waited at the city gates to ensnare him. “Gan Sui, our master asked me to convey this: ‘The opening has been made; now it depends on how you act.’ We are to cooperate fully with you.”

“Thank your master for me.”

“Thank your lady, rather.” Gan Sui glanced at the venerable salt guild manor, built up over decades. “In that case, let’s take the opportunity to look inside.”

The troublemakers had been removed; the remaining servants were isolated in a small courtyard. Gan Sui and Kong Jun walked through pavilions and towers, arriving at Gongsun Yuqing’s study. Before the study stood a massive camphor tree, its dense leaves rustling in the wind. The study’s doors were tightly shut, and the place was tranquil. “I never expected the salt guild to have such refined corners.”

“The salt guild has stood strong in the underworld for decades—not merely by force.”

“I’ve heard the founder was shrewd, though his son apparently lacked ambition…”

“Kong Jun, now that you mention it, we haven’t seen Gongsun Yuqing’s father, Gongsun Long.”

“He’s not in the main residence?” He turned to question those behind him.

“No.”

“That’s odd—no news of him going out. Are all exits sealed?”

“Before the trouble started, guards were posted at every side. Only minor thugs tried to escape; Gongsun Long was not seen.”

“Then there must be hidden passages. Let’s look inside.” Kong Jun pushed open the door, and as he stepped onto the second floor tile, a soft click sounded. Gan Sui immediately yanked him back. A fine blade grazed Kong Jun’s nose, embedding itself in the rosewood door, as black smoke billowed forth.

“Poison!” Gan Sui and Kong Jun retreated hastily. The study filled with dark smoke. Gan Sui surveyed the courtyard: “The study must conceal a Five Elements and Eight Trigrams trap. One misstep and you’ll be struck by hidden weapons.”

“This study is indeed remarkable. What now?”

“I’m not well-versed in the Five Elements, but I’ll do my best.” The two began investigating the study, while Gongsun Yuqing drew near the city gate.

As he approached, soldiers stopped him: “Young master, routine inspection.”

Gongsun Yuqing sensed danger and tried to flee. Hidden sentries swarmed in, blocking all exits. Realizing escape was impossible, he prepared to surrender, when suddenly an arrow flew from the rear, piercing his back. He died before uttering a word. His servant was so terrified he wet himself.

“Don’t kill me, please! I know nothing!” The soldiers seized him and returned him for questioning.

Meanwhile, Gan Sui had discerned the mechanism. Donning armor, they entered carefully.

“Follow me; do not step wrong.” Gan Sui treaded cautiously. Fortunately, they entered without mishap. “There must be some control mechanism.” On the desk lay a shipping map. Gan Sui studied it closely: within was a tiny island, with a barely visible depression at its center. He pressed it gently. The floor opened to reveal a narrow hole, about a foot wide, descending into darkness where stairs could be glimpsed.

Gan Sui and Kong Jun exchanged glances, lit torches, and descended. The deeper they went, the broader the passage became. At the bottom, they found a small chamber, at its center a large bed. An elderly man, hair white, stirred at the sound and slowly sat up.

“Who are you?”

“Are you Gongsun Long?” Gan Sui asked, a flash of intuition.

“It’s been ages since anyone called me that. Are you officials?”

“We are. I am the guard captain of the Weaving Bureau; this is the prefect of Yangzhou.”

“Greetings, gentlemen. Since you’ve found this place, I suppose that beast has met his end?”

“There is no enmity between father and son overnight. Yet you seem not to care for your son?”

“He was never my son—not at all!” Gongsun Long grew agitated. “My real son was murdered by him. He’s a wolf in my son’s skin, seeking my death and to destroy the salt guild’s legacy. He is not my son…”

Gan Sui and Kong Jun exchanged glances; the old guildmaster seemed unstable.

After a bout of anguish, Gongsun Long calmed himself, then knelt suddenly. “Though I am incompetent, I cannot let the salt guild perish in my hands. Our members are simple laborers, supporting their families through honest toil. They have been exploited by villains; most are innocent. I beg you to show leniency.”

“The law will decide their fate. Those who are not ringleaders shall not suffer overly.”

“Thank you, sir.” Gongsun Long coughed up blood. “I am near the end of my days; to see daylight again is a mercy of heaven. Under the camphor tree in the courtyard, I buried last year’s account book. Please retrieve it; it may aid you. I have endured until now to witness the downfall of those fiends.”

“Let’s go out first.” The chamber was stifling, its odor unpleasant. Kong Jun struggled to bear it. Supporting Gongsun Long, they left the secret room. In the study, Gan Sui took the salt shipping map from the desk. The three prepared to depart, but a strange fragrance wafted in. Gongsun Long grew agitated, stepping onto a stone slab. Kong Jun swept Gan Sui out the door with a swallow’s glide. The study exploded in a thunderous blast, shocking them both. Gan Sui spat blood.

Kong Jun steadied himself, then asked, “Are you alright?”

“I’ll manage. Clearly, someone sinister lurks behind all this. Have you sent people to the salt merchants?”

“Not yet.”

“Kong Jun, quickly mobilize troops to surround the Salt Merchant Guildhouse, and detain Chairman Liu. If we delay, he’ll be silenced. If they went so far as to murder Gongsun Long, others surely won’t be spared.”

“I’ll do so at once. I’ll leave my best men with you—take care.” Kong Jun departed.

Knowing about the account book, Gan Sui set out to retrieve it. The camphor tree was large, its roots tangled and deep. Gan Sui had his men dig beneath. With dozens of torches, the courtyard was brightly lit. Soon, they unearthed a chest. Wasting no time, Gan Sui hurried back to the county office.

Meanwhile, Kong Jun’s actions at the Weaving Bureau drew the attention of the Salt Inspector.

“Master Song, what’s going on? Mobilizing troops and arresting people—you mean to turn Yangzhou upside down?”

“Master Zhu, please let me explain…”

“Master, master…” Kong Jun returned. “We have found conclusive evidence and need to surround the Salt Merchant’s residence. Please issue the order.” The patrol force was inadequate; more men were needed.

“Let me see the evidence first. Most of Yangzhou relies on the salt merchants. If we offend them today and they strike tomorrow, the whole city will be thrown into chaos.”

“Master, there’s no time. The situation…”

“The merchants’ reputation is at stake; we must be cautious, not hasty.” The Salt Inspector refused to consent. “Show me the evidence first.”

“Lord Gan is searching the salt guild’s estate and will soon…”

“So, there is no evidence yet. Master Song, arresting people without cause is serious—you know that.”

“Master Zhu, this is urgent. I won’t argue. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility before the Emperor.” Song Mingyuan trusted Gan Sui’s judgment, knowing he wouldn’t act without certainty, and was willing to vouch for him.