Chapter 359 Visit

Within the Chen family's industrial structure, while Xing Si Fang (Think and Reflect Workshop) didn't generate particularly eye-catching profits, it was nevertheless a crucial link in the overall strategic layout. Xing Si Fang dealt in writing implements such as brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. From the most basic consumable-type brushes used by low-level government clerks, to the brushes and ink used by important court officials and prominent aristocratic scholars for creative endeavors, to the specially customized functional pens and matching inks used by technical officials and officers of the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of War for drafting and transcribing blueprints, Xing Si Fang meticulously catered to every aspect of the writing realm. Moreover, the profound skills of Xing Si Fang's master craftsmen in calligraphy and painting mounting, restoration, and appraisal were unmatched in Anqing. These businesses allowed Xing Si Fang to maintain excellent relationships with high-ranking officials, nobles, and aristocratic families.

The reason why Kong Yan felt that expressing hesitation or any other sentiment at this time would be highly inappropriate wasn't because they genuinely felt a strong sense of loyalty to the Chen family that had controlled them for so long. The Chen family's control wasn't without its problems. Initially, the industries under the Chen family's jurisdiction could indeed be controlled, and they could loyally fulfill the responsibilities of servants to the Chen family as investors and masters. However, as these industries were passed down through generations in the hands of these servants, becoming century-old establishments where families invested time, effort, and dedication, becoming leaders in their respective fields, seemingly independent businesses with their own connections and influence, and even ascending to a higher social stratum, the Chen family's methods of control, while evolving to be more humane and respectful of each industry's own choices, never truly relinquished their grip. Kong Yan was naturally dissatisfied with the Chen family's control, even though that control and continuous support had brought Xing Si Fang to where it was today.

Of course, Xing Si Fang had slightly better access to information than other Chen family-controlled industries, learning about the truth behind the Chen family's downfall and the dynamics of the imperial court earlier than other merchants. When the name Chen Kai resurfaced, it caused a great stir among the merchants who had thought the Chen family was finished and had gone for a period of time with no one coming with official documents to take over jurisdiction, which meant that they could now be practically independent. Many merchants expressed their feelings clearly, and among them, there were naturally those who had already sided with the Daoming Sect; otherwise, it would have been impossible for the Daoming Sect to conduct such targeted persuasion work on those merchants afterward.

Xing Si Fang and Kong Yan weren't entirely concerned about the fact that Chen Kai, the rightful young master of the Chen family, was still alive. What they truly feared was the power of Dongping behind Chen Kai. Chen Kai had become the Director of the Third Division of the Civil Affairs Bureau immediately upon arriving in Dongping. Knowing this, Kong Yan could naturally sense the implications: Chen Kai was highly regarded in Yunzhou. He held the power to oversee officials, and in a place like Yunzhou with its vast, intricate, yet dynamic bureaucratic system, only someone who had Ye Tao's complete and unconditional trust could handle that position. And so far, it seemed that Chen Kai was doing very well. Regardless of whether Chen Kai had any designs on the Chen family's industries, as long as the Chen family wasn't completely extinct, the Chen family's status as the head of all these industries was a force to be reckoned with. In these times, people still recognized that. Showing loyalty to the Chen family, even if it conflicted with the greater national cause, was generally forgiven, understood, and sympathized with. But betraying the Chen family, no matter how much others praised and rewarded you, would inevitably lead to being gossiped about and judged behind your back.

But Kong Yan couldn't figure out what kind of person that Lu Zhen really was. Most people didn't believe that he was truly a fallen aristocratic scion from Zhenzhou. Being able to build a teahouse in a short period of time and make it the preferred gathering place for many noble women in Anqing within just a month wasn't something that ordinary people could do. But it didn't seem like it was due to the support of Sun Boping, the Minister of Revenue either. Although Sun Boping himself had visited Yuan Yuan Yuan (Round Affinity Garden) two or three times, and Sun Meier was increasingly treating Yuan Yuan Yuan as her top choice for drinking tea and socializing, Sun Boping had publicly refused Lu Zhen's offer to treat the Sun Boping family for free, settling Sun Meier's bill once. Although Sun Meier didn't go to Yuan Yuan Yuan any less frequently after that, many people knew about this incident, and everyone felt that Sun Boping and Lu Zhen didn't have a purely supportive or supported relationship; it was more like a relationship between a merchant and an important customer.

However, the paintings that Lu Zhen had sent to Xing Si Fang for mounting several times had astonished the artisans at Xing Si Fang. Those colorful ink paintings were clearly in the new literati painting style that had become popular in recent years, with some Dongping influences, created by Dai Qiuyan. Dai Qiuyan's paintings rarely circulated outside, but her style was imitated by many. However, while the style could be imitated, the painting materials and tools couldn't. Those in Xiling who were learning the colorful ink style either went to the only store selling pigments and painting tools owned by Ye's Workshop, located in Danyang, to buy those expensive professional pigments, or they tried to mix their own, but the purity and quality of the pigments weren't very good. But the colorful ink paintings that Lu Zhen had brought several times were not only very bright and pure in color, but the application of colorful ink wasn't something that someone in the experimental exploration stage could achieve. If Lu Zhen were interested in releasing these paintings, they would definitely become sought-after objects for calligraphy and painting collectors in Anqing. And someone who could possess so many high-quality paintings with such pure "Dongping style" was definitely worth investigating. Of course, these things were currently only circulating within Xing Si Fang, and no one had leaked such information to the outside world.

And Lu Zhen, this time, said that he had a major work that he wanted Kong Yan to see before deciding how to mount it. Kong Yan considered it for a long time before agreeing, but from the surface, it was just a normal visit from the rising star Lu Zhen to the renowned Kong Yan.

This was Tan Weixin's first public appearance as Lu Zhen's wife. Those who had secretly seen Tan Weixin before were a matter of course, but Tan Weixin's appearance at the Kong family mansion was astonishing. Tan Weixin had never been an approachable person, but of course, she had never been a difficult person to get along with either. However, Tan Weixin, who had a long-term weak body and had been heavily protected for a long time, naturally had a noble feeling that made people feel awe and不敢靠近 (bù gǎn kàojìn – not dare to approach). And the nobility revealed by Tan Weixin was mixed with a strong intellectual component. Although Kong Yan, unsure of the origins of Lu Zhen and his wife, had led the younger generation of his family to greet them in the front yard, he still felt a sense of shock upon first seeing Ye Tao and Tan Weixin. These two were indeed not high-profile people and wouldn't be aggressive, but the calmness and composure they exuded were definitely not something that a fallen merchant or ordinary aristocratic scion could possess.

"Mr. Lu, the painting you mentioned?" After politely welcoming Lu Zhen and his wife into the living room, Kong Yan dared not underestimate them even more. The few people standing beside them, although dressed very plainly, had a posture and an air of contained energy that made the several retainers in the Kong family mansion feel very uneasy. Their assessment was that they probably couldn't beat even two of them combined… Who could possess bodyguards of this level?

"Old Mr. Kong, please take a look." Ye Tao nodded. Guan Huan, disguised as a servant, walked into the living room holding the painting in a box. He had only recently arrived in Anqing to strengthen the security around Ye Tao and his wife, and also to inform them that the various deployments in other areas had been basically implemented.

"This is… this is…" When the painting was unfolded in front of Kong Yan, he could hardly believe his eyes. This was the first time Xing Si Fang had received a work brought by Lu Zhen that had the artist's signature.

Kong Yan didn't dare to reach out and touch the painting. Instead, he stood up and instructed the younger members of the Kong family and the servants around him, "Everyone, please withdraw. Except for these guests, everyone else must leave the living room and stay at least thirty feet away."

Everyone sensed Kong Yan's seriousness and understood that the visitors must be extraordinary, so they left without a word. After everyone left, Kong Yan carefully asked, "Mr. Lu… who exactly are you?"

The work unfolded in front of Kong Yan was a colorful ink landscape painting, depicting a harmonious spring scene where grasslands and mountains met. However, the signature on the painting was Dai Qiuyan, and the date of its creation was this spring. This work was the first time Dai Qiuyan's work had appeared in Xiling, and considering Dai Qiuyan's identity, it was clear that such a painting couldn't have ended up outside. Therefore, the identity of this Lu Zhen became even more perplexing.

"Old Mr. Kong, only we and you are here. If even half a word of what is said here leaks out, the consequences will be very serious. I hope you understand that neither you nor I would like such consequences," Ye Tao said calmly. He rarely used such a blunt tone of threat, but that didn't mean he wasn't good at using it.

"This old man understands," Kong Yan said, nodding without any temper.

"My surname is Chen, and I am currently the Director of the Third Division of the Civil Affairs Bureau of the Northern Frontier Pacification Office."

"Chen Kai?" Kong Yan almost cried out. He suppressed his voice and asked, "How can you be here? … Young… Young Master."

"Whether it is you, or the young masters of the other merchant houses, isn't that still a question right now?" Ye Tao said with a faint smile. "However, Old Mr. Kong need not worry too much. The Chen family has been in business for many years and knows how much effort your family has put into Xing Si Fang over several generations. Actually, the elders in the family thought less about it in the past. At that time, there were many things to do in the family, and the staff was also mixed, so there wasn't much thought given to treating each family differently. Fortunately, now Chen is the only one left in the family. Instead, I have a lot of time to think about these things carefully. Old Mr. Kong, what exactly are you thinking now? I believe you know what has been happening recently. You should also know why our Chen family spent so much effort to establish so many industries."