Moma Liangshan

Chapter 163 Quanzhou Branch, the Lin Family

The friendship between Kong Jian and Lin Yi stemmed not only from shared interests but also, importantly, from their connections to the Fujian Ming Cult. Of the eight provinces of Fujian, only Quanzhou was prosperous, while the rest were impoverished. Kong Jian was also the leader of the Quanzhou branch of the Ming Cult. A year prior, due to the shared lineage between the Fujian Ming Cult and the Manichaean sect in Zhejiang, Fang La granted Kong Jian the exclusive rights to sell Quanzhou Baxian wine, thus establishing the wine shop. The common people were eager to join the Ming Cult because they could receive relief during famine years, and the Fujian Ming Cult's greatest source of wealth was the Quanzhou branch under Kong Jian's leadership. Fujian is mountainous, often lacking sufficient food supplies and difficult to transport relief grain by land. In past famine years, Kong Jian would transport Quanzhou's wealth by sea to Zhejiang to buy grain, then transport the purchased grain across the Min River to the sea, where it was distributed by the Fuzhou branch to its followers in northern Fujian. In Quanzhou, seagoing vessels represented wealth, while the vast majority of Ming Cult members were poor people from the lower classes. Therefore, through various efforts, Kong Jian finally managed to get in touch with the second son of the Kong family.

Although the Ming Cult was feared by the government, it enjoyed a very good reputation among the common people. Lin Yi, known for his chivalrous spirit, did not refuse when Kong Jian asked to borrow the Lin family's ships, and even tried to persuade his elder brother, Lin Xiao, several times. Lin Xiao and Lin Yi were born of the same mother, and Lin Yi had withdrawn from the competition for the Lin family heir early on, so Lin Xiao always felt a sense of indebtedness towards him. Therefore, when Lin Yi approached him, Lin Xiao only gave a few instructions before dispatching three ships for Lin Yi's use. Although Lin Wei, the head of the Lin family, had been retired for many years, he remained the highest decision-maker of the Lin family. In addition, Lin Xiao and Lin Yi were very filial, making this head of the Lin family in Quanzhou increasingly mysterious.

Lin Yi took Wang Hao's visiting card and said, "Do you want me to inform my father now, or should my elder brother meet with Wang Hao first?" Kong Jian said very seriously, "Wang Hao is an official!" Lin Yi frowned slightly and said, "We can't afford to offend the government. Let Father meet with Wang Hao directly!" Then he asked, "When and where?" Kong Jian replied, "Within three days. The location will be decided by the Lin family!" Lin Yi thought for a moment and said, "You should come with me to meet my father!" Kong Jian said, "Very well!"

Passing through three gates, the two arrived at an exquisitely decorated courtyard. Artificial hills were piled up, surrounded by green water, and adorned with pine and bamboo. Black soil was filled into the crevices of the artificial hills to nourish the flowers. The two walked along a bluestone path, crossed a pine arched bridge, and arrived before a main hall. Inside the hall was a large mahogany table, on which lay Xuan paper and charcoal pencils. Behind the table, a man who appeared to be in his fifties was intently flipping through two books, occasionally calculating with his charcoal pencil on the Xuan paper. The man was none other than Lin Wei, the head of the Lin family, and the two books were written by Wang Hao and [other author's name missing].

Kong Jian and Lin Yi waited for a long time in front of the main hall before Lin Wei finally noticed them and asked, "When did my son arrive? And who is this guest?" Lin Yi replied, "I just arrived too. This gentleman is Kong Jian, the owner of the Eight Immortals Wine Shop in the city." Lin Wei glanced at Kong Jian and said, "Although I am not a connoisseur of wine, I can tell that Eight Immortals Wine is the finest among wines, and the owner of Eight Immortals Wine is a genius of the world. It's a pity we haven't met!" Lin Yi was overjoyed and said, "Lord Wang Hao, the owner of Eight Immortals Wine, has arrived in Quanzhou and has asked Kong Jian to deliver a visiting card. He wishes to see Father!" Lin Wei did not respond but said, "I have accepted your visiting card, but I have some family matters to discuss with Yi'er!" Kong Jian was a shrewd man and understood Lin Wei's implied meaning. He said, "I also have some matters to attend to at the shop, so I will take my leave." After Kong Jian left, Lin Wei said, "Wang Hao's personal visit couldn't have been without purpose." Lin Yi was puzzled and said, "Besides our family..." "This money is nothing special. If it were any other official, they would only visit our family to try and make some money. But Wang Hao's wealth far surpasses ours. Surely he wouldn't be here just to make money, would he?" Lin Wei sneered, "The Emperor appointed Wang Hao as the magistrate of Laoshan County and ordered him to rebuild the Jiaozhou Maritime Trade Office. Judging by the timeline, the Jiaozhou Maritime Trade Office should be opening soon!" Lin Yi quickly realized, "Our family are maritime merchants. Could Wang Hao's visit be for maritime trade?" Lin Wei said, "Judging from Wang Hao's many achievements, he is not only insightful but also extremely courageous. Cooperating with such a person will bring us many business opportunities, but also many political risks. Therefore, I don't know how to deal with Wang Hao." Lin Yi said, "During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang assisted Liu Bei, and Zhuge Jin assisted Sun Quan. In recent years, my elder brother has managed all the affairs of the family and the outside world very well. If Wang Hao really makes some demands, perhaps I should handle them!"

Lin Wei smiled and said, "They say no one knows a son better than his father. Tell me, what do you admire about Wang Hao?" Lin Yi said, "I like adventure, but Wang Hao is even bolder than me!" Lin Wei nodded and said, "Wang Hao is the emperor's chosen son-in-law. As long as he doesn't make any major mistakes, even if he falls from grace in his official career, preserving his wealth and status won't be difficult. If you really go to Wang Hao's place, remember to keep a low profile!" Lin Yi seemed a little impatient and asked, "When will Father meet Wang Hao?" Lin Wei replied, "Tonight, at the manor!" Lin Yi said, "I will arrange it immediately!" Lin Wei said, "Tell the steward that Wang Hao is my honored guest and must not be neglected in the slightest! Also, you personally go and fetch Wang Hao to the manor!" Lin Yi replied, "Yes!"

After returning to the wine shop, Kong Jian said, "I heard that Young Master Fang has also arrived in Fujian?" The waiter replied, "He was in Jianzhou five days ago, and he should be almost in Fuzhou by now!" Kong Jian said, "Fang La is about to launch an uprising, and Fang Tianding's arrival in Fujian must be to win us over. He and Wang Hao are old acquaintances. Do you think we should tell him about Wang Hao's whereabouts?" The waiter pondered for a moment and said, "Will the leader respond to Fang La?" Kong Jian said, "Among the eight provinces of Fujian, Quanzhou is the most prosperous. The people there, including our brothers, are all doing well." "We have to go, but precisely because of this, the Quanzhou branch has always had the fewest men. If I'm not mistaken, the other seven branches will definitely support the uprising, and then the leader will inevitably follow the wishes of the majority of the followers and respond to Fang La. At that time, if we refuse to rise up, it will be considered a rebellion against the Ming Cult. If the government can hold out, our brothers will naturally be safe, but if the government cannot hold out, our brothers will be in serious trouble!" The servant asked, "Does the leader think the government can hold out?" Kong Jian replied, "No!"