Chapter 19

"Mr. Fan, I'll cut to the chase. You, Hu Niu, and your caravan must leave Yi County immediately. It's no longer safe to stay here. Lian Er, that old scoundrel, will use any despicable means..." When Xiao Letian saw Fan Lian and Hu Niu, he wasted no time and got straight to the point.

The caravan would split up from now on. They needed to select the loyal apprentices and second managers, form a team to escort the jewels Xiao Letian brought, and quickly return to Beijing. Once they arrived in Beijing, they shouldn't worry about the Internal Affairs Office; they should start by dividing the family.

That's right, dividing the family. Fan Lian and Hu Niu were already thoroughly disappointed with their elder. A person cold-blooded to this extent couldn't be dealt with. Although Fan Lian initially had some business concerns, after listening to Xiao Letian's plan, he was ready to act without hesitation.

"Mr. Fan, don't be attached to that bit of business outside the city. Times have changed. The future of the world lies in the sea. From now on, maritime trade will surpass land trade by a thousandfold. We need to open a trading company at the port, start with local business, and gradually buy large ocean-going ships to engage in maritime trade. That's the real gold mine..."

Xiao Letian, with his silver tongue, tried his best to persuade. He even pulled Fan Lian to a corner and whispered for a full fifteen minutes. Qing Sanye and Hu Niu watched in surprise as Fan Lian's expression changed like a kaleidoscope, and in the end, he deeply bowed to Xiao Letian.

"Since ancient times, wealth and honor have been sought in danger. Since Mr. Xiao has such grand plans, how can I, an old man, not follow? Everything will be done as you arranged. We'll go to Beijing today..."

After saying this, Fan Lian turned to Qing Sanye and said, "I'll trouble you, Sir San, along the way." Fu Qing, hearing this, quickly returned the bow, "No need to say more. We've been friends for so many years. I'll ensure the old boss arrives safely in Beijing."

With Qing Sanye's personal escort, everything would be easier. Even if Lian Er was arrogant, he wouldn't dare to harm the nobility of the Bordered Yellow Banner. Once the caravan entered Beijing and left Lian Er's territory, everything would be smoother.

In fact, during Fan Lian's illness, the caravan had already made all the preparations. When they heard the old boss's order, they didn't even take half an hour to get everything ready.

The manager of the Guangde branch in Yi County, Mr. Liu, was stunned. He never expected Fan Lian to act so decisively. He ran around the caravan like a clown, "Brothers, sirs, what's going on? Where are you going? The old boss isn't fully recovered, why are you leaving?"

Unfortunately, no matter how much he rambled, no one in the caravan paid him any attention. Even Luo Huo and a few others deliberately caused trouble, "Move aside, a good dog doesn't block the way..." and pushed Mr. Liu to the side.

This time, the caravan didn't have any actual goods to transport. The 110,000 silver taels were exchanged for jewels, making it easier for the caravan. In the end, over thirty high horses, carrying Fan Lian's most loyal subordinates, set off from the main gate, preparing to leave Yi County.

"Wow! You're quick! This morning, Mr. Fan was on the verge of death, but after lunch, you can leave? It's quite cold, don't catch a cold. I think you should rest a bit more..." As Fan Lian just walked out of the Guangde gate, he met Lian Er.

Lian Er, with his sarcastic tone, had over a hundred guards blocking the street in front of the Guangde gate. Wearing a white fox vest, Lian Er held a whip and stood in front of the caravan, smirking at Fan Lian.

"Old boss, step back..." Before Fan Lian could speak, ten musketeers led by Luo Huo stood at the front. Ten strong young men, each carrying a musket and a foot-long dagger, formed a wall to protect the caravan. More and faster chapters are available at.

Luo Huo and the others no longer had the cautious demeanor of small farmers. The killing aura they emitted instantly overwhelmed the hundred guards Lian Er brought. These ten musketeers, who had killed three people each on the night at the mountain temple, were far more powerful than the opium-addicted soldiers.

Moreover, Mr. Xiao was behind them, and even Qing Sanye was openly protecting them. What did they have to fear?

"Wow! Wow... What are you trying to do? Rebel? Fan Lian, a lowly commoner, a despicable merchant, dares to use force against me? Come on, shoot me in the head, let's see if you have the guts..." Lian Er, with a thug's demeanor, swung his whip, and with a sharp crack, the whip struck Luo Huo's shoulder, sending cotton flying.

"Staring at me? You dare to stare at me!" Qing Sanye, seeing Luo Huo's eyes, wanted to gouge them out. "A lowly commoner dares to stare at me? I'll beat you to death! You're not worth a donkey's price..." He cursed and whipped Luo Huo three more times.

"Stop... What are you trying to do, Lian Er? What law have we, the Fan family, violated? In broad daylight, why can't our caravan leave?" Fan Lian was so angry that he trembled.

"Why? Because your caravan has ten muskets! Because you're hiding weapons! Because I suspect you're hiding contraband! Because I'm in a bad mood today..." Lian Er laughed. "I've lived for over sixty years, and I've never heard a stinking merchant ask me why. I'm a banner man, and you're a Han. That's the reason..."

Fan Lian's head buzzed, almost fainting. "Lian Er... Don't go too far. The weapons our Fan family caravan carries are registered with the county office. We do legitimate business... We, we..."

"Dad!" A clear voice rang out, and Hu Niu jumped out of the black carriage, quickly supporting Fan Lian. Seeing Hu Niu, Lian Er leered and shouted, "Bring my concubine over. Today, I'm going to consummate the marriage..." He then pulled out a letter from his chest, held it high, and shouted to the crowd.

"You all say I'm unreasonable. Today, I'll explain. This is a marriage contract written by the Fan family patriarch, Hu Niu's own uncle, entrusting Hu Niu to me as a concubine. Is it illegal for me to take my own concubine today?"

The crowd was immediately in an uproar, whispering and pointing at Hu Niu.

"Wow, Lian Er has a marriage contract? This is difficult. Why would a good girl run away from her marriage?"

"Isn't it because Lian Er is too old? Who would want their daughter to marry an old man... Oh, look, she has big feet?"

"Indeed, this is Mr. Fan's fault. A concubine's daughter with big feet, marrying into Lian Er's family is a blessing for her. She shouldn't be picky. Does she want to marry a top scholar? How unvirtuous..."

The old men, women, and middle-aged women in the crowd all blamed Hu Niu. Xiao Letian was almost enraged, ready to rush out of the carriage. But Fu Qing grabbed him, pointed to the back of his head, and whispered, "Don't move, I'll handle it!" He then lifted the curtain and stepped out.

"Lian Er, what play are you putting on today?" Qing Sanye jumped off the black carriage and walked towards Lian Er with a smile.

Lian Er knew Fu Qing was in the caravan and guessed he would support Fan Lian, but he wasn't afraid. He had a valid reason today, and the letter from Fan Ru was his strongest argument. Lian Er scanned the black carriage and looked at Fu Qing with a determined gaze.

"Wow, who is it? It's Fu Qing? I gave you leave. It's almost the New Year, why not go back to see your sister? I know you're trying to transfer to Beijing, so I won't keep you for the wedding... When you get to Beijing, if you need money, just ask me. I watched you grow up, I'll definitely help..."

No matter what, Lian Er was older, and calling Fu Qing his nephew wasn't out of place. Fu Qing smiled and bowed, "Thank you, Sir. But today's matter..."

"Fu Qing, you can't interfere today. I have a marriage contract. Even if we take this to the imperial court, I have a valid reason. If you insist, it will hurt the relationship between our families!" Lian Er waved the letter, as if holding Hu Niu's life in his hands.

According to feudal etiquette, although Lian Er was despicable, he had a valid reason in both law and human sentiment. In ancient times, a marriage approved by the family patriarch was binding. Moreover, in late Qing, binding the feet of Han women was a custom, and unbound feet were discriminated against, even by street children.

This was why the crowd blamed Hu Niu. In their eyes, marrying Lian Er wasn't a bad match, and Hu Niu shouldn't feel wronged.

Fu Qing shook his head, "Sir, you have your reasons, but today, your reasons don't hold."

"Why?" Lian Er's eyes bulged, but Fu Qing's words almost choked him. "It's simple. Fan Lian has decided to divide the family. Fan Ru's marriage contract is now invalid. It's past noon, and we should set off. I also want to return to Beijing, so I'll accompany Mr. Fan..."

When Qing Sanye said "divide the family," the crowd and the soldiers were all in an uproar. "Divide the family? How is that possible? The Guangde business is so big, it would be a pity to divide it..."

"Exactly, if the younger brother proposes a division, the elder brother will have the upper hand in dividing the assets. Fan Lian might end up with nothing!"

"Hey, you're right. This might happen. Even if they take it to Beijing, they might lose..."

Lian Er was stunned. He looked at Fan Lian and then at Fu Qing, as if he couldn't believe his ears. "What nonsense! Divide the family... Fan Lian, are you crazy? You have a huge family business. Are you not afraid of being left with nothing? Your life's work will be gone..."

At this moment, Fan Lian straightened his back and said with unprecedented confidence, "I, Fan Lian, am a man of integrity. I would rather be penniless than give my daughter as a gift. Whether I beg or not is none of your business, Lian Er."

Fu Qing was no longer polite. He looked around, his cold eyes fixed on the soldiers, including those who had learned archery from him, and shouted, "Today, I'm going back to Beijing with Mr. Fan. Anyone who stands in my way is opposing me and the Fucha family. Listen carefully..."

Qing Sanye's roar frightened the hundred soldiers, who all shrank back. At the front of the caravan, Luo Huo, with red whip marks on his face, said resentfully, "Set off..." and led his horse forward, with no one daring to stop him.

Lian Er was so angry he was about to go mad. Veins bulged on his bald head, and in the door of the Guangde branch, Mr. Liu was frantically signaling him to look at the black carriage.

With a sharp crack, Lian Er's whip made a flower in the air. "Who dares to leave? Fu Qing, if you want to take this to the imperial court, I'll accompany you... Men, surround the caravan, capture the bandits, and arrest Fan Lian for colluding with bandits..."

With a command, the street erupted. Another forty or fifty soldiers appeared from the other end of the road, and County Magistrate Liu and Wang Hu also approached, completely surrounding the caravan.

"Right in this carriage, in this black carriage, the bandit leader surnamed Xiao is hiding inside..." Mr. Liu of the Guangde branch suddenly rushed out, pointing at the carriage Xiao Letian was in, shouting.

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