Chapter 417 - 379: Closing Down

Chapter 417: Chapter 379: Closing Down

July. The plum rains locked down the riverlands.

For more than twenty consecutive days, the sun was nowhere to be seen.

The air was so thick and sticky you could almost wring water from it. Mixed with the summer heat, it clung to the skin, leaving one feeling utterly miserable.

The common folk suffered terribly.

Freshly washed clothes hung under the eaves would not dry in three days, and would be damp again in five. They always carried a stubborn, musty smell, but people had no choice but to grimace and put them on.

The wealthy, however, had their own ways of coping.

Bamboo drying baskets were placed indoors. In a copper basin beneath, special fragrant charcoal burned, slowly and gently drying the semi-damp brocades and satins draped over them.

Before long, the garments would be dry, crisp, and imbued with a subtle, elegant, and lasting fragrance, only then deemed fit to be worn when receiving guests.

This drying charcoal was also a matter of great particularity.

Ordinary coal briquettes or firewood were absolutely out of the question. The smoke was heavy and the smell foul, which would ruin the expensive fabrics.

Only a certain fragrant wood from the deep mountains of Lingnan, which burned smokeless with little odor and instead released a faint, clean scent, was considered top-grade.

This wood was rare, and it required transport over a thousand miles by canal, making its price exorbitant to begin with.

This year’s plum rains caused the demand for fragrant charcoal in Jiangnan to skyrocket.

In Jiangzhou City, top-grade Lingnan fragrant charcoal instantly became priceless but unavailable—not a single piece was to be found.

Wangyou Inn.

As Jiangzhou’s premier "village of tender affections" and "gold-spending den," it naturally couldn’t do without these small fires to maintain its dignity.

The inn housed hundreds of girls, and the daily laundry—undergarments, dance skirts, and silk robes—piled up like mountains.

In this damp and stuffy weather, if the girls were made to greet guests in clothes that were half-dry or, even worse, faintly musty, Wangyou Inn might as well take down its sign.

With so much charcoal in use, oversights were inevitable.

Not long ago, a young servant boy doing odd jobs lost focus while tending to a drying basket. A spark shot out and landed on a skirt that was only half-dry.

Delicate silk ignites at the touch of fire. With a WHOOSH, the flames shot up, instantly setting ablaze dozens of dresses and skirts hanging nearby.

The backyard laundry room was immediately filled with thick, rolling smoke, the glow of the fire illuminating the endless threads of rain.

Fortunately, the inn had expert guards on duty year-round who responded at once. Aided by the falling rain, the fire was quickly extinguished before it could spread to other buildings. There were no casualties.

The losses, however, were very real.

Hundreds of silk dresses and skirts of all kinds were reduced to charred ash.

In any other year, while painful, it wouldn’t have been a devastating blow. They could simply have a new batch made.

But it just had to be this year.

Since the fifth month, the price of silk in Jiangzhou had soared to an astonishing high, and it was available in name only.

Even with stacks of silver, Wangyou Inn couldn’t find anywhere to purchase new stock.

Suddenly, many of the inn’s most popular girls were trapped in the awkward predicament of having no fresh clothes to wear.

’They can’t possibly entertain their lavish-spending, noble patrons in old clothes, can they?’

Having been in effective control of the Jiangzhou Xiang Sect for less than a year, Jiang Nanyue was deeply anxious about the matter.

If only Wangyou Inn had caught fire, it would have been manageable.

The Xiang Sect’s businesses were spread throughout Jiangzhou; she could always requisition a batch from another location to get by.

But, as misfortune would have it, troubles never come singly.

Within ten days of the fire at Wangyou Inn, seven other sizable brothels in Jiangzhou City controlled by the Xiang Sect also experienced similar fire incidents, one after another.

None of the fires were large and all were quickly extinguished, but what they destroyed was astonishingly consistent.

Silk garments left out to dry, and the storerooms holding fabric.

’Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, but seven times?’

No matter how slow she might be, Jiang Nanyue now understood completely.

This was no accident!

Someone was deliberately targeting them.

The methods weren’t sophisticated, even a bit dirty, but the effect was immediate.

Now, nearly half of the Xiang Sect’s high-end brothels in Jiangzhou were facing an embarrassing situation.

She immediately issued strict orders for all the establishments to heighten their security, add more patrols, and pay special attention to fire sources and clothing storerooms.

However, it had little effect.

Brothels were businesses that opened their doors to all. The daily flow of people was a tangled web of the good and the bad. How could they possibly guard against insidious attacks coming from who-knows-where at who-knows-what-time?

Unless they closed up shop, but that was tantamount to cutting off their own arm.

’Where could I possibly get so much silk for this emergency?’

Sitting alone in her embroidered chamber, Jiang Nanyue felt for the first time how being in charge was far from the grand, satisfying experience she had imagined.

Before, she only had to manage her own affairs, and her days were carefree.

Now, every single matter, big or small, within the Jiangzhou Xiang Sect could eventually land on her desk, leaving her mentally and physically exhausted.

However, she also enjoyed it.

Faced with the current crisis, her thoughts naturally turned to Chen Li.

The master’s Textile Workshop was still shipping goods, so it must have some inventory.

She had already sent someone riding through the night to Liyang Mirror Mountain to ask for help.

But she knew that distant water couldn’t quench an immediate thirst.

The round trip, plus the time for transport and tailoring, would take at least a month to complete.

’Can the establishments even stay in business for that month?’

’I have to find another way, a batch of ready-made goods to solve the immediate crisis.’

Jiang Nanyue’s gaze fell upon the Cao Family.

The Cao Family managed the Jiangzhou Textile Bureau. In theory, no silk in Jiangzhou could bypass them.

And the Cao Family’s eldest son, Cao Wenshou, happened to have a beloved Qing at Wangyou Inn named Nan Zhi, whom he had reserved exclusively for himself. She lived in a private courtyard and did not receive other clients.

Having Nan Zhi act as an intermediary would be perfect.

That evening, Jiang Nanyue hosted a banquet at Wangyou Inn.

Nan Zhi personally kept him company while Jiang Nanyue played music and sang to liven the mood.

Cao Wenshou, carrying the lazy air of someone pampered and privileged, became more talkative after a few cups of fine wine, especially with a beauty like Jiang Nanyue—as charming as she was powerful—personally pouring for him.

Jiang Nanyue tactfully explained her predicament with the silk shortage, hoping the Cao Family could lend a hand and release a batch for her emergency.

Cao Wenshou toyed with his wine cup and shook his head. "Mrs. Jiang, it’s not that I am unwilling to help, but I’m afraid... my hands are tied."

Jiang Nanyue gave a faint smile. "Young Master Cao, you jest. Everyone knows that Jiangzhou’s switch from rice to mulberry cultivation has been a great success this year. Countless new mulberry fields were added in the two counties of Mirror Mountain and Liyang, so the silk production..."

Cao Wenshou set down his cup. "The production capacity is there, but we can’t collect the silk. Mrs. Jiang, you’re an insider, so I won’t be coy. Based on the scale of the new mulberry fields, the estimated increase in silk should be at least one million two hundred thousand bolts. But as of now, the Textile Bureau has only managed to bring in, at the very most, eight hundred thousand bolts. We’re still short two hundred thousand bolts just to meet the Court’s quota."

Jiang Nanyue’s heart sank at his words.

"If we had stock in the warehouse, I would certainly pull some strings for you, if only for Nan Zhi’s sake," Cao Wenshou sighed. "But right now, there really is nothing! The Duke of England and Governor Xu are at their wits’ end over this two hundred thousand bolt shortfall. The Court’s quota is fixed, and so is the deadline. If we fail to complete the task, no one can bear the blame when the Holy Emperor’s wrath descends."

At this, Cao Wenshou tried to persuade her again. "Mrs. Jiang, take my advice. The path of silk is a dead end right now. If the girls need clothes, you’d be better off using high-quality cotton as a substitute for now."

Jiang Nanyue shook her head decisively.

’What kind of place is Wangyou Inn?’

Its patrons were all either rich or noble. They could tell the difference between fine silk and cotton with a single touch.

Using cotton would be lowering their status, dragging the prestige of a top-tier brothel down to the level of a common pleasure house. It was self-sabotage, and absolutely out of the question.

Cao Wenshou toyed with Nan Zhi’s delicate hand and said, as if nonchalantly, "In my opinion, Mrs. Jiang, you might as well just close those few establishments for a while. Wait for things to blow over, get everything in order, and then reopen."

Jiang Nanyue shook her head even more firmly.

The Jiangzhou Xiang Sect had a vast number of personnel, and its daily expenses were astronomical.

Every day they were closed meant a loss of real silver.

The people under her all depended on this business to live.

As long as they were making money, they were naturally respectful to her, the new Incense Attendant.

But if she cut off their source of income, never mind the sect’s upper echelons who might use the opportunity to cause trouble, even the people at the bottom would likely start to stir up chaos immediately.

’Once morale breaks, the team is hard to lead. Would those watching like tigers not seize this chance?’

"Young Master Cao, is there truly no other way? Do you know of any other merchants willing to sell? The price is negotiable."

Jiang Nanyue pressed on, unwilling to give up.

Seeing her persistence, Cao Wenshou set down his cup, his tone becoming somewhat meaningful. "Mrs. Jiang, you still don’t understand. If you don’t close your doors, someone isn’t going to give up."

Jiang Nanyue’s heart leaped, but she feigned confusion. "What do you mean, Young Master Cao?"

Cao Wenshou sighed softly. "Mrs. Jiang, there are some things I shouldn’t say. But for... Nan Zhi’s sake, I’ll give you a hint. The secret about the Magistrate of Mirror Mountain County, Luo Pingyuan—it first came from Drunken Creek Pavilion, didn’t it?"

Surprise flickered across Jiang Nanyue’s face. "Is that so? I’ve been busy with mundane matters lately, so I haven’t heard. Is something wrong?"

Cao Wenshou said coolly, "It’s nothing. It’s just that someone hopes to quiet things down. That’s all you need to understand, Mrs. Jiang."

Seeing Jiang Nanyue lower her head in silence, Cao Wenshou smiled. "Don’t worry, it shouldn’t be for too long. A month at most, perhaps. In a few days, the Duke of England, Governor Xu, and my old man will all be heading to Liyang personally. Once things over there are settled, this will probably all be over."

’The Duke, the Governor, and the Cao Family Patriarch, going to Liyang?’

Jiang Nanyue was shaken to her core.

’For these three to travel to a single county at the same time, their goal must be enormous.’

She showed none of this on her face and thanked Cao Wenshou. "Thank you for the advice, Young Master Cao. I understand."

After a few more rounds of drinks, Jiang Nanyue saw that Cao Wenshou was getting drunk, so she had Nan Zhi attend to him and help him rest.

She returned to her private embroidered chamber and stood silently by the window, watching the endless night rain outside. After a moment, she had made her decision.

She had her maid summon the Incense Protectors and ordered, "Relay my words. Starting tomorrow, all seven of the Jiangzhou Pavilions are to cease operations. The official story is that we are renovating and repairing the buildings. As for when we will reopen, they are to await further notice."

The four Incense Protectors exclaimed in surprise, "Cease all operations? The losses will be immense, and the people under us might..."

"Just do as I say."

Jiang Nanyue’s tone was as sharp as hammered steel. "Losing some silver is better than inviting a greater disaster. Go and give the order."

The four Incense Protectors asked no more questions and left to carry out her command.

Jiang Nanyue knew this decision would inevitably cause considerable turmoil and criticism.

But Cao Wenshou’s hint had been clear enough.

Someone was warning her, pressuring her.

And they were clearly not someone to be trifled with.

If she refused to bow her head, the next fire would likely burn more than just a few clothes.

Closing the businesses was a way to cut her losses and a temporary retreat from the sharp edge of the conflict.

At the same time, she had to immediately report the news that the Duke of England and the others were about to gather in Liyang to Chen Li.

After everyone had left, she quickly opened her wardrobe, took out a set of coarse cloth clothes, and changed. She then sat at her dressing table and carefully disguised her bewitching face.

In a matter of moments, the captivating Jiang Nanyue who could topple kingdoms vanished from the mirror. In her place was an ordinary woman with a slightly sallow complexion and pleasant but by no means outstanding features.

She then used a cloth of the same color to wrap up her cloud-like black hair completely.

Once everything was ready, she picked up her bag and pulled open the door.

Her steps froze.

In the small hall outside her chamber, a candle burned quietly.

Two figures, who had appeared there at some unknown time, stood silently before the door, waiting for her.

On the left was a beautiful middle-aged woman in a long, lotus-root purple court dress, her hair swept up in an elegant coiffure, her beauty breathtaking.

On the right was a pale-faced, beardless, and effeminate-looking man. His hands were tucked into his sleeves, and his eyes, cold as a viper’s, were locked firmly on Jiang Nanyue.

They were none other than the Silk Lady and the Dust-Cleaning Slave, two of the Xiang Sect’s Twelve Celestial Fragrances.

Jiang Nanyue’s pupils contracted. A chill shot up from the soles of her feet to the crown of her head.

The effeminate man, the Dust-Cleaning Slave, spoke in a high, thin voice, asking slowly, "The hour is late. Where... might you be going?

...