Fifth Master Deng entered at just that moment.
He was of average height and appearance, around thirty years old, but his skin was unusually fair—completely unlike someone who often traveled for business.
Though Fifth Master Deng looked plain, his eyes shone with intelligence, and his entire bearing was calm and composed, making it easy for people to take a liking to him.
One could say that to a stranger, at first glance, he might seem like a well-read scholar rather than a shrewd merchant.
As soon as he entered, Fifth Master Deng bowed to Master Deng.
“Father, I’m back.”
Deng Guang had previously told Wei Yu that his uncle was doing business in Qian’an Prefecture, though the latter had already returned a month ago.
However, since he couldn’t stay idle, Fifth Master Deng had been wandering around the nearby villages and towns lately. The Deng family had sent someone on a fast horse just yesterday to summon him back.
It was rare to see the whole family gathered together like this. Although Fifth Master Deng didn’t know the specifics, just as he was about to ask, Master Deng handed him a letter.
“Read this first. We’ll talk after.”Fifth Master Deng had to suppress his curiosity and lowered his head to read the letter carefully.
Moments later, after finishing the letter, he too was shocked.
He looked up and asked Master Deng, “Father, is this letter real?”
Now that his most capable son had returned, Master Deng couldn’t hide his joy and nodded repeatedly with a broad smile. “Yes! It’s real!”
He pointed at Deng Guang. “A few months ago, this nobleman met Guang’er in town. At the time, the honored one hadn’t revealed his identity and treated Guang’er as an equal. Guang’er even invited him to our home as a guest. It’s such a pity that none of us were home then—no one was around to properly host him!”
Speaking of it still pained Master Deng deeply—he regretted it as if his heart were bleeding. He could slap himself for choosing that day to go fishing outside the city with a friend!
Regret aside, what’s done is done. Master Deng could only sigh that fate didn’t align between himself and the noble.
But fortunately, his grandson had a strong connection with the honored person!
While Master Deng was talking, Fifth Master Deng looked over at Deng Guang.
Deng Guang felt nervous under the gaze.
His little uncle had always been the wisest in the family, and Deng Guang deeply respected him. He had always modeled himself after his uncle.
Unfortunately, his own aptitude was limited—he could never be like his uncle, who could come up with ideas for making money just by slapping his forehead.
Fifth Master Deng glanced at the letter again and then asked Deng Guang, “What is the noble’s temperament like?”
Deng Guang quickly replied, “Very good! Truly, Uncle, I’ve spent many days with the two nobles, showing them around the city. No matter where we went, they never once complained and always treated others with a smile… When someone stole my purse at first, it was the noble who helped catch the thief.”
After listening to Deng Guang, Fifth Master Deng lowered his gaze and sank into thought.
While he was thinking, the others didn’t stay idle.
Master Deng said, “This is also a great opportunity—if we can establish a connection with the noble, no one in Pingnan will dare to bully our Deng family in the future.”
Second Master Deng added, “Although the higher-ups will change next year, I think the current Prefectural Deputy will stay in position. If not, why would his wife start interfering in the affairs of the merchant guild?”
Third Master Deng’s wife, a fierce and outspoken woman, furrowed her brows and said, “Exactly! I really can’t stand those women in the inner quarters anymore. A few days ago, when I went with Sixth Girl to buy jewelry, we ran into that Third Miss from his family. She bought a whole pile of things and then demanded I pay for them—several hundred taels of silver!”
“What!” Third Master Deng was shocked. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
Third Master Deng’s wife rolled her eyes. “What would’ve been the point?”
Third Master Deng gave an awkward laugh and didn’t dare say more.
Because what she said was true—there was no point.
These grown men of theirs could do nothing but suffer in silence in front of the men from the Prefect’s family—let alone the womenfolk.
When the men lacked strength, the women had to suffer as well.
And when the big backer was too greedy, even the wealthiest family couldn’t sustain it forever.
So they needed a new backer.
Master Deng turned to Fifth Master Deng. “Old Fifth, what do you think?”
Fifth Master Deng looked down at the letter in his hand for a while. Then, suddenly, he smiled and looked up at his father.
“I’ll deliver the grain personally.”
Regardless of whether they intended to climb the Wise King’s social ladder, since the other party had sent a letter and revealed his identity asking for grain, whether or not he paid, the Deng family had to deliver.
He was royalty—they couldn’t afford to offend him.
Master Deng nodded. “Good. I’ll feel more at ease if you go in person. But take Guang’er with you.”
Being named, Deng Guang immediately puffed up his chest, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Yes, yes, bring him!
He was familiar with the nobles!
Fifth Master Deng had no objection.
Now that they had decided to deliver the grain, to avoid wasting the noble’s time, the Deng family discussed in detail how much grain to send, when to depart, who to send, and what supplies to bring. The conversation lasted a long time.
Once everything was settled—except for Fifth Master Deng—the rest, who hadn’t rested much the previous night, were visibly exhausted.
Master Deng dismissed the group.
The large family dispersed, and Fifth Master Deng was the last to leave.
He held the letter and walked out with Master Deng.
On the way, Master Deng said, “Your elder brother isn’t as good as you in business. He’s not one to expand new territories, but he’s good at maintaining what we already have. When you were young, our Deng family was still unknown. You couldn’t stand how petty officials bullied us and constantly demanded money, so you said you wanted to form a merchant guild to unite businessmen…”
Master Deng continued, “I know what you’re trying to do—you want to connect various merchants and gain control over regional prices. With enough contacts, there’s so much more you could achieve… But you must realize this is a dangerous path. If the court ever finds out, the consequences for our family won’t be light!”
Fifth Master Deng smiled. “If anything happens, just remove me from the family registry.”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Master Deng glared at him, but then sighed, “I know you’re doing it for the family, but Zhengde, commoners can’t fight the officials.”
Deng Zhengde’s smile faded.
Master Deng said earnestly, “In the past, we limited ourselves to Pingnan Prefecture so you wouldn’t stray down a dangerous road. But now, with the Wise Prince as a potential patron, go to him—pledge your loyalty sincerely. I believe—your father believes—the Wise Prince won’t hold anything against you!”