Chapter 5: A Salted Fish Turns Over

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The street in front of the Lulutong Carriage and Horse Shop finally regained its quietness.

The shopkeeper politely thanked Li Xubai, “Many thanks to the young gentleman for stepping up so gallantly.”

Li Xubai waved his hand dismissively, “It’s nothing.”

Following the landlord’s instructions, the shopkeeper smiled and asked, “May I ask, young gentleman, are you here to rent a carriage or to buy one? I have full authority to negotiate the price.”

Li Xubai replied, “I’m here to sell a sedan chair.”

“To sell a sedan chair?” The shopkeeper was momentarily stunned.

“Yes.” Li Xubai pointed to a spot not far away. “It’s that wedding sedan chair. Do you accept it?”

“Yes, yes.” The shopkeeper quickly regained his usual calm smile. “May I ask how much you intend to sell it for?”

Li Xubai frankly shook his head, “I don’t know.”

The shopkeeper couldn’t help but laugh; he had never met someone so straightforward and blunt.

“Um, if you trust me, young gentleman, may I take a look at the sedan chair first and then offer you a reasonable estimate?”

Li Xubai nodded, “Alright.”

The shopkeeper’s keen eye circled around the wedding sedan chair once, casting a quick glance that already formed a calculation in his mind.

He cupped his hands and said to Li Xubai, “Young gentleman, please come inside and tell me more.”

Without hesitation, Li Xubai added, “And my three elder brothers.”

“That’s no problem at all.” The shopkeeper warmly welcomed all four inside the shop, ordered the assistants to bring good tea and snacks, invited the Ma family brothers to rest downstairs, and personally led Li Xubai upstairs.

Once upstairs, Li Xubai knew he’d come to the right place and that his earlier gamble had paid off.

Perhaps this gamble would truly transform a rickety vehicle into a motorcycle.

The elegant private room upstairs was exquisitely decorated, fragrant incense curling in the air. The assistants were all robust and handsome, impeccably dressed and handling themselves with polished manners and focused eyes.

Li Xubai showed no restraint, quickly devouring the entire plate of snacks and looking at the shopkeeper with eager eyes.

The shopkeeper rather liked Li Xubai’s frankness and ordered more plates of snacks to be brought in.

Li Xubai smiled, “I’ve been hungry for a long time; otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought about selling a sedan chair.”

The shopkeeper nodded, “No worries. Everyone has unfortunate times. From your demeanor, young gentleman, I can tell you’re destined for greatness.”

Li Xubai ate a few more bites and drank several cups of tea before the gnawing hunger finally eased.

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Seeing Li Xubai catch his breath, the shopkeeper spoke frankly, “Young gentleman, to be honest, the wedding sedan chair you brought is made with ordinary materials and craftsmanship. Although it’s been cleaned well, it’s only about eighty percent new, so it won’t fetch a good price.”

Li Xubai was well aware of this.

A sedan chair seized by the casino’s enforcers couldn’t be expected to be of high quality.

Whether he sold it for more or less was just a matter of gaining some pocket money.

He nodded, “Just speak plainly.”

The shopkeeper continued, “Originally, the chair was only worth three taels of silver. Within my authority, I can add some for you, making it six taels in total. Does that sound acceptable?”

This far exceeded Li Xubai’s expectations, and he quickly nodded, “Thank you, shopkeeper.”

With this matter settled, the shopkeeper brought up another topic, “Young gentleman, you seem like a scholar—meticulous and righteous. May I be so bold as to ask if you’d consider working at our carriage and horse shop?”

Li Xubai was taken aback.

If this had been the old Li Xubai, he would have scoffed even at the grandest merchant house, let alone a mere carriage shop.

But he was the new Li Xubai, from Blue Star, having experienced both poverty and wealth.

He knew well that in life, money isn’t everything, but without money, one cannot survive.

He did not agree rashly, instead asking, “May I ask what you want me to do?”

The shopkeeper appreciated Li Xubai’s caution. Despite his own hardships, he did not act impulsively.

He nodded, “Lulutong Carriage and Horse Shop is the largest in Bianliang because ninety percent of the city’s nobles and officials buy their carriages from us. This business accounts for eighty percent of the shop’s revenue, so the selection of assistants is especially important. I see you are sharp and literate, so I dare to propose inviting you to be a private room attendant.”

Li Xubai almost blurted out an acceptance but paused thoughtfully. “I’ll need to discuss it with my family first.”

“Of course, please take your time. I will be waiting here for your good news.” The shopkeeper gently coaxed, confident Li Xubai could not refuse. “If you agree, I’ll set your wage at six taels of silver.”

Li Xubai’s reason told him that if he took another chance, that rickety carriage would surely turn into a motorcycle.

When leaving, the shopkeeper handed Li Xubai a sealed package of six taels of silver and, as a token of thanks for his chivalrous deed, also gave him a four-tiered food box.

Li Xubai accepted it without hesitation.

“Wow, look at that huge smoke over there!” an onlooker exclaimed.

Travelers stopped and looked toward the northwest side of Bianliang City.

Thick black smoke covered nearly half the sky, and the air was filled with a strong burnt odor.

“It’s the Imperial Palace! The Imperial Palace is on fire!”

“That looks like the Yuqing Zhaoying Palace!”

“Look, the military patrol is heading that way!”

Li Xubai stood atop the highest point of Zhou Bridge, staring in shock as squads of silver-armored soldiers rushed toward the billowing smoke.

A turbulent mix of black and white smoke, along with tongues of orange flames, churned in the northwest sky.

Though Zhou Bridge was far from the palace, the townsfolk standing there could still see the raging inferno shooting toward the clouds, feel the heat-warped air, and nearly suffocate from the stifling atmosphere.

Amid crackling flames, sharp and continuous explosions rang out.

From the heart of the blaze came a deafening, overwhelming roar. Black and white smoke, red-orange flames, and a dense mushroom cloud of dust soared into the heavens.

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“My second brother is back!” Since Li Xubai and the three Ma brothers had left carrying the sedan chair, Li Yunuan had been waiting at the door. She rushed over excitedly when she saw Li Xubai emerge with the food box.

In his past life, Li Xubai was unloved by both father and mother. Whenever he left, no one waited or longed for him; if he had died outside, no one would have cared.

Suddenly transported here, he was not yet accustomed, but the feeling of being cared for was quite pleasant.

“Come, let’s eat.” Li Xubai gently smoothed Li Yunuan’s hair, his expression warm. “Second brother bought meat.”

The Li family hadn’t smelled meat in months, barely scraping by on meager food. Both Li Xizhang and Li Yunuan looked increasingly haggard.

While eating heartily, Li Yunuan curiously asked, “Second brother, is Lulutong Carriage and Horse Shop big? Are you going to start working there tomorrow, Second Brother?”

Li Xubai had just recounted the events and now raised a brow with a hint of pride, “Yes, I have to go. They pay well.”

“A merchant!” Song Shiyu sneered disdainfully.

Li Xubai seemed to understand where Song Shiyu’s hostility stemmed from. Anyone facing suspected counterfeit goods would not show a friendly face. He endured the provocation without arguing, turning instead to Li Xizhang: “On the way back, I stopped by Miao Shoutang. The doctor will come soon to examine your leg injury.”

Li Xizhang opened his mouth, “Second brother, I…”

Li Xubai patted his shoulder, “Your leg is healed. It’s time to find some work. I won’t support someone who lives off others.”

Li Xizhang was stunned.

Without expression, Song Shiyu added a cutting remark, “You really are just a stubborn mule.”