Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Tian Family’s Plan

Guoyuan escorted Meng Di and the others all the way back to the inn.

The capital city of Linzi in Qi was flourishing in commerce, and the city was dotted with inns everywhere. It was unimaginable in other states to see an inn with a courtyard large enough to accommodate hundreds of people.

Meng Di politely declined Guoyuan’s offer to leave armored guards behind. It was not wise to bear the mark of the Gu clan too early; Meng Di still wished to observe the situation among the various powers of Qi.

The influence of the martial contest was considerable. The innkeeper hurried over to offer congratulations, and Meng Di seized the opportunity to propose buying the inn.

“There’s no need for that. This inn is a gift to you, Sir.”

Oh? Meng Di was surprised. Was the martial fervor of Qi so intense that it reached this extent?

“It is my master’s wish. Please accept it.”

“Your master is…?”

“Lord Chang of the Tian clan.”

So it was Tian Chang, son of the Tian clan. Meng Di recalled Guoyuan’s ambiguous smile upon learning where he was staying, and suddenly understood.

“No need for formality, Brother Han,” came a hearty laugh from outside the door. A handsome young man strode in. “Tian Chang comes uninvited, forgive my intrusion.”

“Lord Tian,” Meng Di saluted, “I cannot accept a gift without merit; it would be better to purchase it at a fair price.”

“No, no, I actually have a favor to ask. This courtyard is just a token of our acquaintance. Please do not refuse, Brother Han.”

“Oh? What assistance might I offer you, Lord Tian?”

Tian Chang glanced around; the innkeeper quickly excused himself and left. Su’er and Liuxiazhi also withdrew at Meng Di’s signal. Before leaving, Su’er stared at Tian Chang for a long moment, leaving him quite puzzled.

The two were distant relatives, and had interacted in childhood, but Su’er had grown into a young woman and wore a veil, making recognition impossible.

“Has Lord Tian come regarding the family contest?” After inviting Tian Chang to sit, Meng Di asked.

Earlier, on the way back to the city, Guoyuan had briefly mentioned that after the martial contest, the younger generation of several families would engage in a wager— the prize was the distribution of the yield from a vast salt field by the sea, spanning tens of thousands of acres, for one year.

Qi was rich in sea salt, and salt fields were the prize all families vied for. This particular field had changed hands several times, but none could monopolize it. Eventually, the major families agreed to manage it jointly, and the yield was distributed according to the results of the younger generation’s wager. Of course, in past years, the Gu and Gao families always claimed the lion’s share.

The contest involved martial arts and archery, with a tacit understanding among the families that no family power was to be involved— only each young lord’s own retinue or recruited warriors could compete.

Could it be that the Tian family, usually so reserved, now sought to challenge Gu and Gao for a greater share? This differed from what Meng Di had previously understood. While the salt field’s profits were tempting, the distribution was already set; even dominating the contest would not yield much more, unlike the Tian clan’s usual low-profile ways.

“You jest, Brother Han. The distribution of the salt field changes little each year. The contest mainly encourages the younger generation to value martial prowess.” As the eldest son, Tian Chang was well regarded by the clan head, Tian Qi, and understood the true priorities.

To recruit talents before Guoyuan could, even if the profits increased, placing himself in the limelight would be a loss.

Now Meng Di was even more puzzled.

“Brother Han, are you from the state of Lu?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I’ve heard Lu has a certain Doctor Meng, quite formidable, who even tamed the bandit Zhi from the Great Marsh. Is this true?”

“Does Lord Tian take such an interest in Lu?”

“It’s a neighboring state—naturally, one must know a little.”

“There is indeed such a man, named Meng Di.”

Tian Chang’s eyes brightened, and he asked eagerly, “Your caravan is large, so you must have many connections in Lu. Have you had dealings with him?”

“Dealings? Certainly! And we’re quite well acquainted.” Meng Di secretly found this amusing.

“Excellent!” Tian Chang was overjoyed. “Could you introduce me to him?”

“No problem. Is Lord Tian hoping to do business with Doctor Meng?” Meng Di agreed readily.

“Indeed, a major transaction. If it succeeds, you will be well rewarded, Brother Han,” Tian Chang’s eyes gleamed. “But it must remain secret. If word gets out, not only will the deal fail, but we might even suffer losses.”

“Clearly, Lord Tian is skilled in business. Rest assured,” Meng Di patted his chest in assurance.

It was their first meeting, so they did not delve too deeply. After a few more casual exchanges, Tian Chang took his leave.

“Master, this man is just an ordinary merchant. Why show him such favor?” The innkeeper followed Tian Chang out, whispering, still feeling regret at giving away such a large courtyard.

“I suspect he is no ordinary merchant,” Tian Chang replied with a meaningful smile. “He claims to be a Yue man, and Doctor Meng is said to hail from Yue as well. Can you really believe there’s no connection?”

Su’er emerged from the inner chamber, smiling softly. “I never expected my husband’s reputation to have spread to Qi already.”

“There’s something odd here,” Meng Di mused. “The Tian clan’s interest in Lu seems more than merely reserved.”

Su’er gently took Meng Di’s hand, her voice tender. “Though my father is a branch of the Tian clan, he’s never been involved in family affairs. You need not worry about me—do as you see fit.”

Meng Di’s heart warmed. Gazing at her bright, beautiful eyes, he promised solemnly, “Don’t worry. I will see my father-in-law’s affairs through to the end.”

Gao residence.

Gao Zhang stroked his long beard, staring coldly at the hall below, saying nothing.

“Father, is it the Gu clan come to complain?” Gao Li stood for a long while before he could no longer hold his tongue.

“Foolish! The Gu and Gao clans watch over each other. How could such a trivial matter harm our harmony?”

Seeing Gao Li still stubbornly holding his head high, Gao Zhang sighed helplessly and pinched his brow. “As for your elder brother, I will speak for you. You may leave.”

The Marquis of Qi was growing old, and the crown prince’s position remained unsettled. As prime minister, Gao Zhang sensed the undercurrents within the court and had no energy to worry about the affairs of the young anymore.

“Summon Lord Tian to the residence,” Gao Zhang instructed after a moment’s thought.

He referred to Tian Qi, the current head of the Tian clan.

The Tian clan was not originally from Qi; Prince Chen Wan of Chen fled to Qi and was favored by the Marquis, changing his name to Tian Wan. His descendants flourished, gradually forming a powerful family.

The Tian clan produced many skilled generals and, despite suppression by the Gu and Gao clans, managed to stand firm. The previous clan head, Tian Wuyu, rendered great service in the succession of Marquis Zhujiu. The branch Tian Rangju was ennobled as Grand Marshal, nearly overshadowing the other two clans.

This led to intense suppression from them. With Yan Ying’s covert support, the Tian clan was constrained at every turn, struggling to move forward. Even Tian Kai, the successor, was sabotaged and unable to lead.

When the second son, Tian Qi, took over, he changed the clan’s ostentatious ways, adopting extreme discretion and always deferring to the Gu and Gao clans. He accompanied them to court, content to be their junior.

To show he had no ambitions to compete, he willingly sacrificed wealth: collecting taxes from the people with small measures, but lending them grain with large ones.

Over time, the other two accepted this status. Having an obedient yet capable junior was not a bad thing, and relations gradually improved.

As for Yan Ying’s claim that Tian Qi was buying the people’s favor, Gao Zhang scoffed. What use was popular support? In the face of spears and halberds, did the people’s words matter?