Chapter 1

A rogue is not frightening, what is frightening is a cultured rogue.

Master[1] Sun stroked the tip of his curly white beard and shook his bamboo brush; the thin legs hidden under the light green cloth knocked lightly against the table legs as such a thought arose unbidden within his heart. To use this as the opening lines to describe the history of the richest family in the Jiangnan region, would be sufficient to explain everything.

But as he squinted at the golden ingots stacked atop his table and thought about the gambling debts he owed, all concept of literary justice and ethics were thrown a thousand miles away within a flash.

His eyes followed the person who was wandering about the house, staring at the back of the chubby white young man who was pretending to be an expert[2] and putting on a look of appreciation as he gazed at the ink-filled interior;[3] on one hand viewing it with levity, and on the other issuing “En, En?” sounds of recognition, or the “Ze Ze” sighs of approval.

Master Sun could feel cold sweat trickling down.

Ever since he lost a gamble, everything of value within his house had already been sold, there wasn’t a single fart of a treasure ink left. Those were just ink that he had grinded himself at the very last moment, and anyone with a little bit of knowledge and appreciation would be able to tell that they were clearly fake goods. This useless little second-generation ancestor[4], truly was worthy of being raised by a family of rogues. But although it’s true that he is idle, good-for-nothing and ignorant, he is also a wealthy young lord, so he couldn’t just completely disregard his face[5].

Toward this wealthy family, Master Sun held both envy and hatred. Why was it that these vulgar mountain bandits could become rich? He was such a knowledgeable and talented person, yet he was actually reduced to this state where he had to rely on a rogue and help him write a family biography. To have to do this kind of work to display their accomplishments for the sake of face[6] that no learned man would be willing to accept, he felt extremely wronged.

He hurriedly took a few more looks at the gold ingots; he couldn’t wait to directly swallow them and let his heart settle.

That man who was sauntering about finally turned back to the chair. He wore a robe of fine silk imprinted with the image of a white dragon, wrapped tightly around his body: it highlighted more prominently the lines around his chest and abdomen. Before he sat down, he even affected an easygoing and unconcerned air, shaking his sleeves lightly before sitting down, hard.

Creak~

The flimsy chair discourteously let out this word of protest…

Both men’s expressions wavered a little, then immediately returned back to normal.

Master Sun smiled and clasped his hands together, “Aiya, Young Master Jin personally came to pay a visit in my humble house, it really is an honour. I heard that Young Master Jin has helped Old Master Jin and his Lady to manage the business from the southern sky to the northern sea.[7] For you to take the time out of your busy schedule to come here, this old man is really flattered.”

Hearing these words of praise, the man who was called Young Master Jin felt that he was very useful. In his heart he thought, as expected of a learned man, he is very observant and can tell that I’m busy managing my family’s business.

“Cough cough, Master Sun you have worked hard. You finished the first draft some time ago and I have already seen it on behalf of my father. It was well written, really, but I just think that……”

Master Sun stretched his neck and waited for him to say what he felt.

“I just feel that… I’m not particularly satisfied with the part about me.”

Master Sun let out a long sigh and said, “But Young Master Jin, Old Master Jin instructed me to write about the family history and their solitary business venture and the like, this… when this happened, Young Master Jin was still young.”

Young Master Jin did not look at him, merely lifted a cup of tea off the table and took a sip, his actions slow and draggy, and at the end he even lightly smacked his lips, then let out a long sigh.

Master Sun suddenly understood something, and adopting an exaggerated expression said, “Look at me, this old man has been confused. I heard that when Young Master Jin was born, it was a frost-filled August day, day and night was in the sky, the sky was filled with auspicious clouds, and the chicken and dogs were singing……”

“Cough.” Young Master Jin let out a heavy cough.

Master Sun continued, “Jin Qian [8] Sect was elevated to the most prosperous clan in Jiangnan, but that’s also because Young Master Jin’s fate [9] has indicated that there will definitely be wealth and riches. The moment Young Master Jin was born, Jin Qian Bang’s business has been overwhelming, Young Master Jin was born to be a noble.”

Young Master Jin smiled happily and nodded his head while saying, “You’ve flattered me.”

Master Sun glanced at the golden treasure on the table, then viciously gripped his thigh and hardened his heart, and continued praising, “Young Master Jin was not only born rich, but is a bright and talented person since childhood. At three he could read, at four he could practice martial arts. Even at such a young age, he held the admiration of all the unmarried young misses in the surrounding ten miles and eight villages, and now he is a refined man with a jade-like appearance. When doing business, he is like a dew in the mountain [10] , a charismatic figure; it really is true that a tiger would not father a dog!!!” [11]

Shaking his head as he finished his sentence, Master Sun quickly bowed his head and secretly wiped the sweat off his forehead. His heart cried out, “What a sin.”

Jin Xiao Bao smiled, the pair of sparkling black eyes that were resting atop his white and tender round face curved so much that they resembled two slits. “Master Sun is indeed a talented person, just a hint and you could come up with this amazing work. It’s not that I want to brag, this Young Master, can be considered a talented person from a good family, yes. It’s just that the ladies of the gentry within these ten miles eight villages harbour some misunderstandings toward our family. Master Sun is merely telling the truth, so they can now cast aside their prejudice and with me… with me… he… he… listen to poetry, draw paintings, admire the moon and the snow, do some of these… refined things and such, hehe, alright, just write it like that.”

Master Sun let out a sigh of relief in his heart, which lady of the gentry would be so blind as to fancy you, this unaccomplished in both the literary and martial arts, greedy and lecherous idler that is destined to bring doom to the family. Even that old man in Jin Qian Sect who feeds you also relied on looting and plundering to get to where he is now, but anyone who knows about the Jin family would know that it is a nest of robbers.

Jin Xiao Bao saw that he was full of smiles, and naturally did not know that this person was silently cursing him, only that his own distinguished image and his outstanding family history would soon be compiled into a book. Thinking about how many beautiful ladies would be mesmerized by his rich and wealthy elegant young master image and that soon, his time of spring would come, [12] he was at once proud and delighted.

After getting up and bidding goodbye, Jin Xiao Bao strode out of Master Sun’s house.

Two servants, Zhao Cai and Jin Bao, ran forward eagerly, “Young Master, Young Master, how was it?”

“Me, this Young Master, didn’t really do anything. I just gave a little hint and that old man was immediately enlightened.”

“Hehe.” Zhao Cai smiled in delight, “Young Master, look, don’t you think my idea was good.”

“It’s good, I’ll reward you with a pot of dog stew when we get back.”

“Ah……” Zhao Cai’s shoehorn face[13] became even longer.

Young Master Jin laughed hehe twice, “I’m jesting you, look at that unambitious look of yours. Me, this Young Master will give you both a bonus.”

Zhao Cai’s face immediately blossomed, and Jin Bao’s perpetually wooden face that usually speaks only a few sentences a day, upon hearing his master mention a bonus, immediately became happy and heartlessly laughed along, “I wonder what this old man would weave.”

Zhao Cai viciously pinched his bottom.

Jin Bao looked at the Young Master’s darkening face, and forcefully swallowed back the loud cry that he was about to let out.

Zhao Cai uttered a haha and pushed Jin Bao behind him, “Young Master, look at his stinky mouth, what does he mean by weave. Our Jin Qian Bang’s Young Master has a glorious image, that’s household knowledge.[14] Just randomly picking a person on a street, who wouldn’t know that the Young Master of Jiangnan’s wealthiest Jin family, that guy, is a character. Am I right, Jin Bao.” [15]

“Yes, yes,” Jin Bao nodded his head and bowed at his waist.

That Jin Xiao Bao was really easy to please, he casually prodded Jin Bao’s bottom with his foot but didn’t create a ruckus, instead he walked off with a wide smile.

Translator’s Notes

[1] 夫子 (Fu Zi) is loosely translated to ‘Master’, but this refers to someone who is learned. A scholarly man (especially in Chinese classics e.g. Confucianism)

[2] 装老成 (Zhuang Lao Cheng) to pretend to have a lot of experience (even though that is not true)

[3] 墨 (Mo) = Ink, specifically black ink that one dips a writing brush into.

[4] Two things to explain: ‘second generation’ is a condescending term for the offspring of wealthy families (their parents worked hard to achieve their wealth whereas they are born into it and are often useless), ‘little ancestor’ is a term for those rich young master figures who can’t be offended (or rather that one cannot afford to offend).

[5] 不能拂了人家的面子 (Bu Neng Fu Le Ren Jia De Mian Zi): the equivalent of the modern F-off 🙂

[6] Basically, the family biography he was tasked to write should be written in a flattering manner, to increase their face/ 面子 (Mian Zi), which is kind of synonymous with the concepts of ‘reputation’ and ‘honour’.

[7] 天南海北 (Tian Nan Bei Hai) = Far and wide.

[8] 金钱 (Jin Qian) = Gold and riches

[9] Chinese fortune-telling (the method varies, sometimes it’s palm reading, other times it’s Chinese astrology/ numerology)

[10] 显山露水 (Xian Shan Lu Shui): refers to a person who hides his thoughts and behaviour

[11] A tiger would not father a dog: an outstanding father would have an equally outstanding son

[12] Time of spring = time for him to find love (many people would be enamoured by him)

[13] 鞋拔子 (Xie Ba Zi) is literally ‘shoehorn’; used to describe someone with a long-shaped face

[14] Household knowledge: every household knows about it (famed)

[15] ‘Character’ (人物: Ren Wu) here refers to a person who is very distinctive (in a good way)