Chapter 45

The Cup Filled with Wine

“General Hu Sha, you’re late! You owe us a penalty drink!” Zhang Yuehui, who was quite familiar with Hu Sha, naturally invited him in.

Seeing that everyone’s expressions were somewhat stiff, he feigned regret. “Ah, it’s my fault. I thought everyone here is working for the Da Qi royal court, and you’re all my major clients in the business, so I took the liberty to invite everyone to drink together. I hope I haven’t delayed any important matters for you, gentlemen?”

“Of course not,” Wanyan Jun replied with a calm expression, “I originally thought General Hu Sha was busy with military matters and wouldn’t be able to come, so I didn’t invite him. It was my oversight.”

Regardless of their personal feelings, they still had to maintain appearances of unity in public.

“Ah, if I had known that Lord Wanyan is also a guest of Young Master Zhang, I could have just heard the second-hand news from you. Why spend that extra money myself!” Hu Sha chimed in.

As they spoke, everyone had already taken their seats, with Wanyan Jun naturally sitting in the main position.

The sound of a copper bell rang in the elegant hall, and the servants filed in, pouring wine and serving the eight delicacies of the banquet.

Clearly, everyone was eager to win Zhang Yuehui over, the information broker, and no one was genuinely interested in second-hand news.

Second-hand information meant losing the initiative, and everything would become passive.

Hu Sha, who was the most impatient, started talking excitedly about his relationship with Zhang Yuehui, revealing that he had already spent a lot of money buying intelligence from him. It turned out that Qiao Yin Zhi was originally one of Zhang Yuehui’s agents, and this connection had been “sold” to Hu Sha.

In a chaotic world, a spy couldn’t even control their own allegiance and had been traded multiple times.

Hu Sha raised his glass. “I must thank Young Master Xie Que Shan for his help in releasing Qiao Shi from Wang Xue Wu. Now she is working by my side. She’s familiar with the Xie family and Lidu Prefecture, so she will be useful in the future.”

Xie Que Shan smiled as he lifted his glass and drank it all, his gaze lingering behind the cup in deep thought.

When he let Qiao Yin Zhi go, he hadn’t asked where she was going. She had blood relatives in Hu Sha’s hands, so naturally, she wouldn’t run too far. Returning to Hu Sha’s side seemed like the safest option, which was understandable.

Only now did he realize that the source of this connection was Zhang Yuehui... A young businessman who could effortlessly manipulate information and control such a vast network. His power was immense.

This couldn’t have been built from scratch; it must have come from connections with influential people or family heritage.

Suddenly, Xie Que Shan thought of something.

“Boss Zhang, may I ask if you have any ties with the Guan Yang Zhang family?” Xie Que Shan asked abruptly.

Zhang Yuehui smiled upon hearing the question, but there was a coldness in his eyes. “After the Spring Surprise, the Guan Yang Zhang family was held accountable for failing to deliver grain and was exterminated. I happened to fall out with my father and escaped, narrowly avoiding death.”

The atmosphere at the banquet froze.

The Spring Surprise, Xie Que Shan’s defection, the fall of Youdu Prefecture—someone had to be held responsible for the incident, so the Zhang family was blamed, accused of not supporting the front lines in time, which led to the rebellion.

But why couldn’t they deliver the grain? Wasn’t it because the emperor hesitated?

Yet, who would ever acknowledge the emperor’s fault? Only the ministers were blamed for not doing enough.

One small mistake, and a new orphan was created in this chaotic world.

But this orphan didn’t quietly die in some corner of the world. Instead, they built an empire from scratch and became the largest black market dealer in the Yu Dynasty.

Zhang Yuehui’s words, although casually spoken, carried hidden sharpness. The true culprit of the Spring Surprise was Xie Que Shan, so how could there not be hostility?

However, after a brief moment of tension, Zhang Yuehui laughed heartily. “But my father, he had a bad temper, unreasonable, and he never liked me. Thanks to you, he’s dead now, and no one’s bothering me anymore.”

Heartless and shameless, flipping morality on its head.

Wanyan Jun also laughed heartily. “So, you two have a history! You should drink together. If it weren’t for Young Master Xie’s change of allegiance back then, how could Boss Zhang have built such a big business?”

Zhang Yuehui immediately raised his glass. “Young Master Xie, I toast to you, for your brilliant decision that gave us nameless people a way out.”

“I dare not take credit,” Xie Que Shan replied with a smile. “I was only doing this for the Da Qi royal court. In the future, I will rely on Boss Zhang’s business more.”

Each sentence was a veiled remark, and each person harbored their own thoughts.

The group laughed and raised their glasses in a toast.

Hu Sha said, “Brother Zhang, you can sell any kind of information here. If we have your help, everything will be twice as easy.”

Zhang Yuehui replied, “I wouldn’t say I have everything, but I can offer all sorts of information. Within my capabilities, whatever you want to know, as long as the price is right, we’ll get it for you.”

“Does that mean anyone with money can buy any information from Boss Zhang?” Xie Que Shan suddenly asked.

This question caused the atmosphere to chill.

Zhang Yuehui smiled, his expression unreadable. “At my Guailai Hall, there are no distinctions between Qi people or Han people, only customers. Of course, as long as the money is enough, you can buy any information, but that depends on whether you gentlemen think highly of me.”

Xie Que Shan secretly smiled. Zhang Yuehui appeared to be a frivolous, pleasure-seeking young man, always wearing a smile, indulging in wine, women, and wealth. Yet, his true skill was in hiding a dagger behind a smile, and a needle hidden in silk.

Such a clever person, how could he not know that both Hu Sha and Wanyan Jun had their own agendas? Yet, he deliberately brought these two together at the same table, feigning unity and cooperation.

After an entire meal, everyone had been led around by the nose by Zhang Yuehui.

He didn’t take anyone’s side. No matter how much wine was poured, Zhang Yuehui’s loyalty could never be bought. He wasn’t anyone’s underling, but the owner of Guailai Hall.

Whether you were Wanyan Jun with his immense power or Hu Sha with his overwhelming military might, it didn’t matter to him.

His ambition was far greater than just being a businessman and making a fortune. What was he truly after?

“I wonder, Boss Zhang, do you have any information about my third uncle, Xie Zhu? General Wanyan is struggling with the shipbuilding department,” Xie Que Shan continued, probing further.

Zhang Yuehui smiled. “That would be quite expensive. I wonder if Young Master Xie is willing to spend the money?”

“Afraid it would be money wasted.”

“I understand,” Zhang Yuehui relaxed, “In business, it’s all about trust. I’ve taken a liking to you, Young Master Xie. I’ll give you a piece of information today as a gift and as a friend. In the future, you must entrust your big business to me.”

“Oh?” Xie Que Shan set down his cup, listening attentively.

“Your second sister, Lady Gantang, has suddenly returned to Lidu Prefecture. Don’t you find that strange, Young Master Xie?”

“She’s just come back to mourn, and to spend the New Year with her family. What’s strange about it?”

“Yucheng fell last month, and the Marquis of Pingnan surrendered. But Lady Gantang took a detachment of elite Yucheng troops and left the city under cover of night. Now, only Lady Gantang has entered Lidu Prefecture, but what happened to that detachment of Yucheng troops?”

Xie Que Shan’s heart skipped a beat.

The fact that Yucheng had been captured by the Qi forces was already known, but there had been no mention of Lady Gantang’s whereabouts. Xie Que Shan had originally thought that maybe his second sister had left the city just in time to escape danger. Or perhaps the Marquis of Pingnan had secretly protected his family and sent them out of the city without letting the Qi forces know.

His people, whom he had sent to investigate, hadn’t returned yet, but Zhang Yuehui already knew.

This person was not to be underestimated.

“If that army is hiding near Lidu, it would be bad for our future plans,” Hu Sha frowned, his tone becoming more ruthless, “Your second sister…”

Xie Que Shan immediately raised his gaze, his killing intent unmistakable: “My surname is still Xie.”

With that, the mood soured, and the wine no longer tasted pleasant. Even with Wanyan Jun present, Xie Que Shan still showed a hint of anger and stood up to leave.

“I will handle this matter. Don’t interfere too much. Keep your hands off my family.”

…

The banquet ended in an awkward silence, and the elegant hall was left with plates and cups scattered about.

Zhang Yuehui remained alone at the table, carelessly pouring more wine, drinking cup after cup.

With a bit of drunkenness settling in, accompanied by the sound of silk and bamboo instruments, he quietly sang, “Do not return to your hometown while young, for returning home will break your heart…”

The usual smile on his face had long since disappeared.

He staggered to his feet, pushed open the window, and cold wind and snowflakes rushed in, melting against his warm face.

The lonely night swallowed up all traces of the world in an instant.

He found himself envying Xie Que Shan, even though he was a traitor condemned by the world, he still had family.

But what did he have? Only a page full of calculations.

Suddenly, he thought of that girl—the one he had lost. Where was she now?