Chapter 3: Making Efficient Use of Storage Space! The Shen Family!

Very quickly, this bandit hideout was completely cleared out. More than forty bandits were all dealt with. Numerous imperial soldiers dug a huge pit and buried all the bandits’ bodies inside.

“Reporting to the Captain,” a company leader hurried over to Liu Lei. “There is a large cache of gold, silver, and jewels inside the bandit den. These are the spoils of their raids.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Lei waved his hand. The soldiers followed him closely, with Zhu Ying among them. Soon, they reached the innermost room of the bandit hideout. Through the door, they could see a dozen or so chests. Opening the lids revealed copper coins from the Hongwu era, silver, a small amount of gold, and various precious jewels.

“These scoundrels actually plundered so much wealth,” Liu Lei said, visibly shocked.

“Captain,” Zhu Ying spoke up, “these bandits might not be ordinary criminals. There’s no way just these few could have amassed such riches.”

Liu Lei turned to Zhu Ying with a smile. “If you have something to say, speak up.”

“I personally killed five bandits today. Judging from their fighting skills, they were well-trained, not disorderly rabble. Also, their accents are not that of the Ming. They sound more like those from beyond the border, the Jianzhou Jurchens,” Zhu Ying explained slowly.

Hearing this, Liu Lei nodded. “You are right. I realized the same during the fight. These bandits acted as one, far from ordinary. It seems they might indeed be barbarians from outside the border causing trouble in our great Ming.”

“Very well,” Liu Lei said with a smile, waving his hand. “Carry all this wealth out and transport it back to the county town. Since these bandits are connected to the Jurchens, we must report to the Commandant, who will then report up the chain. This is beyond our authority.”

“Understood, Captain,” the soldiers responded.

Looking at the treasure trove of gold and silver, the eyes of all the soldiers gleamed with greed. However, with Liu Lei and two other company leaders present, no one dared to steal. This was the era of the Hongwu Emperor—corruption was ruthlessly punished, and military discipline was strict. Any theft, no matter how minor, could mean death or even annihilation of one’s entire family.

“These bandits truly were wealthy,” Zhu Ying said, approaching a chest filled with silver, astonished.

“But,” he thought, “I have a one-cubic-yard storage space. Taking a little won’t be noticed. After all, this is all plunder, and it hasn’t been inventoried yet.”

Immediately, Zhu Ying crouched down, placing one hand inside the chest and gripping the bottom with the other, testing its weight.

“Zhu, you can’t carry that alone,” an old soldier laughed nearby.

“I just want to see how heavy this chest of silver is. I’ve never seen so much silver before,” Zhu Ying replied cheerfully.

“Wow, it really works!” he exclaimed after transferring one hundred taels of silver into his storage space unnoticed. “I can’t be greedy. This amount is enough to support an ordinary family for years.”

No one noticed this process.

They set off, returning to the city. This bandit den was over ten miles from Ansha County, so the journey back took time.

...

Beiping Prefecture! The Shen family, known as the wealthiest in Beiping and reputed to be the richest in all of Ming, was famous throughout the region. Rumors spread among the people that the Shen family’s wealth rivaled the state treasury; they were said to be so rich they could rival entire nations.

At the Shen residence’s main hall, the elderly Shen Wansan sat in the seat of honor, flanked by his many sons.

“Father,” the eldest son, Shen Rong, said with a cold smile, “everything has been arranged. That boy has already been enlisted in the Danning Prefecture army.”

“Once enlisted, he cannot rest from battle. Only injury or thirty years of service can grant retirement. Moreover, Danning Prefecture lies on the frontier, facing the Northern Yuan and many barbarian tribes. Bandits are rampant. It is far more dangerous than the inner prefecture military,” Shen Rong continued.

“Zhu Ying won’t live to return,” Shen Wang also said with a smile.

“Mm,” Shen Wansan nodded. “For the prosperity of the Shen family, we have ultimately failed him.”

“But compared to the glory of the Shen family, Zhu Ying alone means nothing. Now that he is enlisted, the marriage contract between him and our family is no longer valid.”

“Rong’er,” Shen Wansan said, turning to his eldest son, “you will personally go to the Lü family in Ying Tian Prefecture. If this succeeds, the status of the Shen family will be even more secure.”

“Please rest assured, Father,” Shen Rong promised immediately. “Our fourth sister will certainly become the concubine of Young Master Lü Hao.”

“Does Yan’er have any objections?” Shen Wansan asked.

“Our fourth sister dislikes Zhu Ying entirely. She would welcome the marriage alliance with the Lü family,” Shen Rong said with a smile.

“That’s good,” Shen Wansan nodded in satisfaction. “Our Shen family's legitimate daughter deserves better than a fallen youth.”

Hearing this, Shen Wansan’s sons all smiled excitedly.

Who was Lü Hao? The younger brother of the current Crown Prince's favored consort Lü, who wielded immense influence over the Eastern Palace’s affairs. Lü’s son was the Crown Prince’s eldest, likely to become the future heir. Lü would probably become the Crown Prince’s official wife, even the Empress one day.

Such a prestigious opportunity was not one the Shen family would miss. Merchants valued profit above all and would do anything for it. This chance to forge royal connections was too valuable to pass up.

“Father,” Shen Rong suddenly said, “to prevent Zhu Ying from bringing shame upon us in the future, I think we must handle this matter decisively.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Wansan’s expression darkened slightly. After a moment of thought, he nodded. “Very well. You handle it. If you need funds, draw from the family treasury.”

“Rest assured, Father,” Shen Rong said with a smile. “I will make sure this is done perfectly, leaving no room for the Shen family to be blamed.”

Outside the hall, suddenly the doors were flung open with a crash. A stunning young woman in a light blue dress rushed in, her face flushed with anger and frustration.

“Father,” Shen Yuer said furiously, “how can you treat Brother Zhu Ying this way?”

Hearing her voice, Shen Wansan and his sons turned their gaze to her. Upon seeing her, they all sighed with relief.

“This matter does not concern you. Step back,” Shen Wansan said coldly.

“If you don’t want our fourth sister to marry Brother Zhu Ying, why not tell him directly? Why do you want to see him dead?” Shen Yuer demanded angrily.

“Illegitimate daughter, when will you learn your place? Step back!” Shen Rong frowned, his voice sharp.

“Step back!” Shen Wansan’s gaze avoided her completely.

Shen Yuer’s face was full of resentment and helplessness, but the worry in her eyes was sincere and deep.

...