Chapter 4: The Ivory Trade

The following morning, He Yun saw Ren Pijiang off before heading to visit Wang Dian.

Wang Dian was a wealthy merchant in Jiangning who primarily operated an agency for indentured servants and acted as a human trafficking broker. He and He Yun were old acquaintances; the couple Qiu Fu and his wife, as well as Qi’er and Qin’er—all currently serving in Jiang Nian’s household—had been purchased by He Yun through Wang Dian. Experience had proven that these servants were all of good character.

Wang Dian lived by Xuanwu Lake in the outer city of Jiangning, not far from Jiang Nian’s residence in the inner city. When He Yun arrived at the gate of the estate, the two servants guarding the entrance, who were chatting on the stone steps, stood up in unison upon seeing him and hurried forward to greet him respectfully.

"Master He has arrived," one said.
"I pay my respects to you, Master He," added the other.

"I am here to see your master," He Yun said. "Is he at home at the moment?"

"Our master is in, Master He. You have come at the perfect time," the first servant replied. The other added, "Please step inside and wait for a moment, Master He; I shall go and announce your arrival immediately."

He Yun stepped through the gate and waited a short while before Wang Dian hurried out to meet him in person. Wang Dian was over fifty, neither sturdy nor tall. He wore spectacles, sported a thin, bifurcated mustache, a traditional skullcap, a long robe, and cloth shoes with layered soles. He looked less like a merchant and more like a scholarly tutor.

"A rare guest, Brother He! I have kept you waiting," Wang Dian said with a bow and a smile. Though Wang was older than He Yun, he addressed him as "Brother" out of respect.

"I am the one imposing on you," He Yun replied.

"Nonsense! Your presence is a pleasure, not an imposition," Wang Dian laughed. "Please, follow me to the study for tea."

As they walked toward the study, He Yun heard a chorus of chirping birds. Wang Dian was an avid bird collector; the veranda outside the study was hung with various cages containing parrots, thrush, and other species. Once they were inside, Wang Dian instructed a maid to pour a cup of fine tea for He Yun before asking, "I wonder what brings you to my humble home today?"

Wang Dian knew that He Yun never visited without a specific purpose.

"I have come today because I wish to purchase six servants from you," He Yun said, getting straight to the point. "I need a cook, some able-bodied laborers, and a refined young maid to serve as a head maid for Master Nian. All six must be of upright character and willing to accompany us to the capital. The head maid must also be well-trained."

Seeing a business opportunity, Wang Dian was pleased. "My agency has no shortage of servants, but finding six who meet such specific requirements will take some effort. If it were anyone else, I might try to get by with less, but since you are the one asking, Master He, I dare not be negligent. Grant me five days; I will certainly deliver six satisfactory servants to you by then."

He Yun shook his head. "I cannot wait that long. It would be best if they could be delivered today or tomorrow, as I must accompany Master Nian to the capital the day after tomorrow."

Wang Dian was surprised. "So urgent? If I may be so bold, you and Master Nian have lived in Jiangning for so long; why this sudden move to the capital?"

"There are reasons, but I ask for your understanding as I am not at liberty to disclose them," He Yun said.

Wang Dian nodded with a smile. "My apologies for the intrusion."

In truth, Wang Dian knew that Jiang Xuelian, Jiang Nian, and their steward He Yun were all shrouded in mystery. Jiang Xuelian had a son, yet no one—not even her own family—knew the identity of the father. Her family was not wealthy, and she and her son owned no land or property, yet they lived quite comfortably. The steward, He Yun, was a man of remarkable ability, skilled in both letters and martial arts, and possessed an astonishing network of connections.

Nine years ago, when the men of the Zhen family in Jiangning tried to forcibly take Jiang Xuelian for themselves, He Yun had managed to mobilize the then-Governor of Jiangning, Fang Kexun, to resolve the crisis. Six years ago, when Fang Kexun was transferred, Tang Jina succeeded him as Governor. He Yun turned out to be acquainted with Tang Jina as well, who then became his new protector. Wang Dian suspected that Jiang Nian was likely the illegitimate son of some great and powerful figure. For this reason, he treated He Yun with exceptional respect.

"Very well," Wang Dian said respectfully. "Since you are in such a hurry, I will make your request my top priority and do my utmost to deliver the servants you need today or tomorrow."

*If I handle this well,* Wang Dian thought to himself, *I can further strengthen my ties with Jiang Nian and He Yun. My eldest son, Zhen’er, currently holds a post in the capital; he could cultivate a close relationship with them.*

He Yun nodded and took his leave.

***

Later that morning, Wang Dian was in his study playing with a parrot—a bird with vibrant, colorful feathers, intelligent eyes, and an elegant posture. Beside him stood his son, Wang Mao’an, dressed in fine silks and precious accessories, though his appearance lacked refinement.

Wang Dian had fathered six sons; three had died, leaving three. Of the survivors, his favorite was the eldest, Wang Maozhen. Maozhen was robust and had studied both literature and martial arts since childhood. He had passed the martial examinations to become a third-rank military graduate and was currently a fifth-rank garrison commander in the Tongzhou Battalion in the capital. Wang Mao’an, the third son, was born to Wang Dian’s primary wife and was a full brother to Maozhen. However, he was neither talented in literature nor skilled in martial arts, and he currently managed the family’s agency business.

"Father," Wang Mao’an said respectfully, "aside from Meng Xiong, I have carefully selected four servants—a family of four. They are all of good character and are willing to relocate to the capital." After detailing the family, he added, "However, our agency does not have a top-tier maid available at the moment. We have two who are attractive, but one is a bit old—sixteen—and the other is timid and sickly. Which one would you like me to send to Master He?"

Wang Dian’s face turned stern. "I gave clear instructions that this matter is of the utmost importance. You must find a top-tier maid. An older one or a sickly one simply will not do."

"There is one way," Wang Mao’an suggested. "A girl is being kept by 'Limping Gu.' She is extremely beautiful and well-versed in etiquette. We could get her, but..." He hesitated.

"But what?" Wang Dian pressed.

"But Limping Gu considers her a treasure and expects to make his fortune from her sale. He is asking a very high price—eight hundred taels of silver."

Twenty taels were enough to cover the expenses for a common family for an entire year. In his many years of business, Wang Dian had sold countless maids, but rarely had he seen one sell for eight hundred taels.

"How arrogant of that Limping Gu!" Wang Dian sneered. "A cripple like him, who knows where he kidnapped that girl from, daring to ask for eight hundred taels!"

"Father is right," Wang Mao’an replied, "but I have seen her myself. She is truly exceptionally beautiful. Gu kidnapped her from Suzhou seven years ago and has been meticulously training her ever since. She is quite well-read and polite."

Wang Dian paused. "Summon Gu immediately. Have him bring the girl here; I want to see her for myself."