Moma Liangshan

Chapter 25 Emperor Huizong's Flower and Stone Tribute, Cai Jing's Birthday Tribute

The group stayed at the inn for one night. The next day, the boatman came to report, saying, "Young master, the small boat is ready. When shall we depart?" Wang Hao replied, "Immediately." Leaving the inn and arriving at the riverbank, Wang Hao saw two small boats. Wang Hao, Yang Zhi, and the boat's owner rode in one; Ma Decao, Zhang Sangou, and the boatman rode in the other. Once aboard the boat, Wang Hao asked, "Sir, are you a villager from nearby?" The boat owner smiled憨厚ly and said, "I am a villager from nearby, surnamed Wang, the third in my family. You can just call me Wang San." Wang Hao looked at Yang Zhi and asked, "Where is the place where the ship sank?" Yang Zhi looked around and said, "Seventy steps north, that should be about it." Wang Hao frowned and said, "You ran aground first, then capsized. The water level where the Huashi Gang sank shouldn't be deep, right?" Yang Zhi said, "The Huashi Gang weighed over ten thousand jin, and the wooden boat was drafted very deep at the time. When the ship sank, the Huashi Gang rolled right towards the middle of the river. After the Huashi Gang fell into the water, I measured it with a bamboo pole, and it was about two zhang underwater." Wang Hao then asked, "How long has it been since the Huashi Gang fell into the water?" Yang Zhi replied, "Two years and three months."

Wang Hao thought to himself, "When a boulder falls into the water, a eddy will form upstream, carrying away the silt and causing the boulder to roll upwards. Finding it shouldn't be difficult!" He asked, "Are you sure the Huashi Gang fell into the water right here?" Yang Zhi hesitated for a moment and said, "During the summer flood season on the Yellow River, the water level is extremely high, and the surrounding mudflats will change significantly. I can only determine the approximate location." Wang Hao was indignant and said, "You should have tied a rope to the rock in the first place. Why is it so troublesome now?" Yang Zhi felt guilty and innocent, thinking, "When the boat capsized..." Afterwards, he had considered salvaging the Huashi Gang (a type of cargo ship). However, the cost was enormous, forcing him to give up. At that time, he was too busy escaping to even think about tying a rope to the Huashi Gang for future retrieval. Seeing Yang Zhi's grim expression, Wang Hao said, "You don't need to worry. You were the one who sank the ship, but today's events have little to do with you. As long as the boulder hasn't vanished, we have a way to retrieve it. Just focus on your work; don't worry about anything else." Yang Zhi bowed respectfully and said, "You are wise, sir!"

Wang Hao looked at Wang San and asked, "More than two years ago, a huge rock fell into the water here. Is there any way to pinpoint its location?" Wang San pondered for a moment and said, "Unless we hire a few water ghosts to search for it." Wang Hao asked, "What are water ghosts?" Wang San replied, "Water ghosts are people. The Yellow River is muddy, and there are strong underwater currents. Therefore, swimming underwater in the Yellow River is absolutely a life-threatening endeavor. Those fearless and skilled swimmers are called water ghosts." Wang Hao nodded and said, "Why hire several?" Wang San said, "Searching for something underwater requires at least three people. One person goes into the water, and the remaining two provide support from the boat." If someone is in danger underwater, those on the boat must go into the water to rescue them. If both are in danger, it means the rescue is impossible. The last person on the boat will immediately secure the rope tied to the person underwater from the side of the boat, row back, and drag the body of the deceased back to shore. Wang Hao continued, "How much does a water ghost cost?" Wang San replied, "At least one thousand strings of cash." Wang Hao said, "Three people would cost at least three thousand strings of cash?" Wang San said, "That's right." After thinking for a moment, he added, "If you want to salvage a boulder weighing over ten thousand catties, the cost of hiring water ghosts alone will probably approach ten thousand strings of cash."

Wang Hao frowned and asked, "Why?" Wang San replied, "Just pinpointing the location of the boulder costs three thousand strings of cash. To tie ropes to it for retrieval, multiple people need to work together underwater. Therefore, ten thousand strings of cash isn't an exorbitant price." Wang Hao pondered for a moment and then asked, "And this ten thousand strings of cash doesn't include the cost of retrieval, does it?" Wang San answered, "The water ghosts only handle securing the ropes, not the retrieval itself." Wang Hao asked again, "How much does retrieval cost?" Wang San said, "I don't know." Yang Zhi, standing nearby, said, "Back then on the shores of Taihu Lake, loading the 'Flower and Stone Tribute' onto the ship cost approximately seven thousand strings of cash." Wang Hao said, "Now that the 'Flower and Stone Tribute' is on the water..." "If we go upstream, the cost will probably double. And after loading, we still have to travel hundreds of miles upstream to reach Tokyo. In other words, even if everything goes smoothly, it will cost at least 50,000 strings of cash." Yang Zhi looked at Wang Hao, hesitated several times, and then said, "To be honest, after the Flower and Stone Tribute arrives in Tokyo, it will cost another 20,000 strings of cash to transport it to the Imperial Gardens." Wang Hao asked, "Why another 20,000 strings of cash?" Yang Zhi replied, "The Flower and Stone Tribute is enormous, and we need to demolish many houses along the way, and even a stone bridge." Wang Hao continued, "The demolished houses need compensation, and the stone bridge needs to be rebuilt; all of this costs money. Isn't that right?" Yang Zhi replied, "Yes!"

Without realizing it, Wang Hao picked up the folding fan at his waist, as if talking to himself, "I never imagined that a folding fan could be worth 70,000 strings of cash!" The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he shouted, "Return to Tokyo!" Five days later, Wang Hao returned to Tokyo in a fit of resentment.

Seventy thousand strings of cash were equivalent to at least three years' worth of income for Wang Hao. Inside Erlibao, the three Ruan brothers returned from their business, which suddenly reminded Wang Hao of something: "Yang Zhi was originally a commander of the Palace Guard, but he failed in transporting the tribute of precious stones and flowers and fled to avoid punishment. Later, Emperor Huizong granted a general amnesty, and he intended to return to the capital to resume his post. However, he was harassed by his superiors and spent all his money, forcing him to sell his ancestral sword. While selling the sword, he was extorted by a ruffian, accidentally killed someone, and was exiled to Daming Prefecture, where he became Liang Zhongshu's subordinate. The first time Liang Zhongshu delivered ten thousand strings of cash as a birthday gift to Cai Jing, it was robbed, and the search for the culprits lasted a year without success. The following year, on Cai Jing's birthday, he again robbed another ten thousand strings of cash as a birthday present. The second time, to prevent robbery, he assigned Yang Zhi to escort the shipment, but they encountered Chao Gai and seven others. Based on the timeline, this year should be..." This was the first time Liang Zhongshu had sent 100,000 strings of cash as birthday tribute to Cai Jing. When Chao Gai robbed the tribute, the weather was hot, so it must have been summer. Now it's only late spring; there should still be time. Wang Hao looked at his folding fan again, thinking, "Why not go all the way? Cai Jing and Gao Qiu have already made things difficult, trying to bankrupt me. It wouldn't be unreasonable for me to lead a group to rob Liang Zhongshu's birthday tribute. The first time, Liang Zhongshu, relying on his power, flaunted his 100,000 strings of cash without any precautions; robbing it shouldn't be difficult. Even if things are exposed later, as long as the tribute of flowers and stones for Emperor Huizong is delivered on time, with the Emperor's protection, Cai Jing won't dare to openly attack, after all, the 100,000 strings of cash are all the people's hard-earned money." Thinking this, Wang Hao suddenly understood.

The next day, Wang Hao went to visit Mr. Han, the owner of Xiao Fanlou. Upon seeing Wang Hao, Mr. Han hurriedly greeted him, saying, "Young Master Wang, please let me know if you have any business; I will certainly pay you a visit." Wang Hao shook his head and said, "Mr. Han, there's no need for such formalities. I have something I'd like you to inquire about." Mr. Han said, "Please, Young Master, give me your instructions!" Wang Hao said, "Grand Tutor Cai holds a high position and wields great power. I wonder when his birthday is? I've just arrived in Dongjing (Kaifeng). Although the Emperor has bestowed upon me an official title and a royal fan, my foundation is still weak. The Eight Immortals Wine is famous throughout the land; when Grand Tutor Cai celebrates his birthday, wine will certainly be indispensable. I wish to prepare in advance and brew a special batch of wine for Grand Tutor Cai." "Just a small token of our appreciation!" Boss Han said with a smile, "Ten days ago, the steward of the Cai family specifically ordered six hundred jars of Eight Immortals Wine from my uncle's place for his birthday three months from now. My uncle and I were just about to discuss this matter with you, young master, but we didn't expect you to be so prescient!" Wang Hao said, "That's for the best. Go directly to Zhu Gui and have him arrange this properly. The Emperor previously assigned me a task, and I can't leave for the time being." Boss Han said, "The Emperor's affairs are of paramount importance. These trivial matters will naturally be handled by us; there's no need for you to trouble yourself." After bidding farewell to Boss Han, Wang Hao returned to Erlibao.

Inside Erlibao, Wang Hao summoned Yang Zhi and the three Ruan brothers, saying, "Tomorrow, the Ruan brothers, Ma Decao, Zhang Sangou, and I will return to Liangshan. The matter is personally ordered by the Emperor and cannot be neglected. Yang Zhi will remain in Dongjing to prepare for the salvage of the Huashi Gang. Do you all understand?" Everyone agreed. After leaving the hall, Ruan Xiaoqi complained, "I thought our young master was a fearless hero, but he's become the Emperor's henchman, busy doing everything for him. It's made us brothers miserable!" Ruan Xiaoer scolded, "Seventh brother, don't be ungrateful! Since following the young master, has he ever mistreated you? Have you ever thought about the food, drink, and clothing you've received?" Ruan Xiaoqi was speechless, but Ruan Xiaowu chimed in, "Second brother, Seventh brother is just complaining. The young master treats us brothers..." "It's not bad, how could we not know? It's just that we commoners are really not used to being around the Emperor all the time!" Ruan Xiaoqi quickly chimed in, "Indeed! Indeed!" Ruan Xiaoer said, "You two are getting on in years, and you haven't settled down yet. When you have wives and children in the future, you'll know how difficult it is to have a stable job." Ruan Xiaoqi and Ruan Xiaowu quickly shook their heads. Ruan Xiaoqi said, "Second brother, don't scare us. Our family has enough with you carrying on the family line. Fifth brother and I haven't had enough fun yet!"

Several days later, Wang Hao and his men returned to Liangshan Marsh, where Lu Zhishen had arrived several days earlier. Seeing Lu Zhishen's exceptional skills and knowing he was a close friend of his son, Wang Lun immediately treated him as an honored guest, providing him with the best food and drink day and night. Upon arriving at Liangshan, Wang Hao first went to pay his respects to Wang Lun, saying, "I've encountered a difficult situation and need your help!" Wang Lun nodded and asked, "What is it?" Wang Hao replied, "Cai Jing and Gao Qiu have secretly tricked me, assigning me the task of salvaging the precious stones. This is difficult, but we have no choice but to do it!" Wang Lun asked, "Is there any hope of success?" Wang Hao replied, "Yes, but it will cost a fortune." Wang Lun asked, "How much?" Wang Hao replied, "Seventy thousand strings of cash." Wang Lun gasped, saying, "Even if we sell everything we own, we can only raise half at most. What should we do?" Wang Hao said, "I've received news that Cai Jing's son-in-law, Liang Zhongshu, is preparing to send one hundred thousand strings of cash worth of birthday gifts to Dongjing (Kaifeng)." Wang Lun's eyes lit up, and he said, "You want to rob them along the way?"