Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Shattered Alliance

Zhen Qian certainly had no intention of acting high-minded by claiming he wanted no compensation at all. However, if he opened his mouth too wide, the matter would only become more complicated. Remembering Lady Xing’s fiercely protective nature, he lost any desire to contest the family estate. With utmost sincerity, he declared, “All I ask is for the property my mother left me, and for Uncle to open the family library so I may have the books copied. I seek nothing else.”

Zhen Song stroked his beard, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He clapped Zhen Qian heavily on the shoulder and, with a sigh of admiration, said, “Well said! You have not fixed your mind only on wealth. Truly, the greatest treasure of the Zhen family is not riches, but the vast collection of books we have gathered in the library over a hundred years. Since you have asked, there is no reason to refuse.”

Zhen Qian had not expected Zhen Song to agree so readily, and his heart leapt with joy. In these times, when even printing was not yet widespread, every book in the library—painstakingly copied by hand—was a priceless treasure. Even members of the Zhen family found it difficult to borrow them. Now, Zhen Song was opening wide the doors for him; how could Zhen Qian not be delighted? Even the usually stern-faced Zhen Song seemed much kinder in his eyes.

“As for your branch of the family, I will write to your father to explain everything. You should also write, laying out your thoughts and the reasons for your decision. I believe your father will support you. I will speak to Lady Xing myself. If you have any other difficulties, you may raise them. Even if you leave Zhendin, you will always be part of the Zhen family.”

Zhen Qian, more than happy to let Zhen Song handle the formidable Lady Xing, was relieved to avoid dealing with her himself. Zhen Song’s authority far outweighed his own; if Lady Xing wanted to interfere, she would have to think twice.

Yet the matter was not completely settled. Even though Zhen Song no longer opposed the division of the family, much remained to be done. A single letter there and back would take nearly a month, and the dowry his mother had brought, now tangled in the family estate, was not something that could be resolved overnight. For now, there was nothing to do but wait.

He stayed two more days in the Zhen household. After discussing matters with Lady Xing, she was delighted—Zhen Qian’s willingness to split the family meant her son would no longer have to compete for the second branch’s inheritance. She readily promised to organize and hand over the properties and dowry that Lady Wang had brought with her.

Two days later, Zhen Song departed, and Zhen Qian found a reason to leave as well, journeying once more to the Qin family’s valley.

This time, Qin Hao sought him out directly, asking about the division of the family. Since Qin Hao would learn sooner or later, Zhen Qian did not intend to hide anything. Seeing Qin Hao initiate the conversation, he explained his plans. “Uncle Qin, are you concerned that my leaving the Zhen family will affect our cooperation?”

Currently, most of the Qin family’s business and food supplies depended on the Zhen family. Upon hearing that Zhen Qian was leaving, Qin Hao naturally wondered how it would affect them. After hearing the explanation, he felt uneasy. “So may I take it that, even after you leave, your support for the Qin family will not change? But what assurance can you give that nothing will go wrong?”

“If you have doubts, I have nothing more to say,” Zhen Qian shrugged. It would not be easy to convince Qin Hao. He and the Zhen family were indeed not the same, and Qin Hao had only agreed to cooperate because of his status as the legitimate eldest son. Now, Zhen Qian saw no point in explaining further. “So, Uncle Qin, what do you propose?”

Qin Hao had intended to press Zhen Qian, but, finding Zhen Qian unwilling to plead his case, he felt a surge of displeasure. “If you can guarantee the Qin family’s interests, I have nothing further to say. If not, I ask that you compensate the Qin family for any losses.”

Zhen Qian’s opinion of Qin Hao sank even lower. Truly mercenary! So eager to burn bridges. Fortunately, he had never regarded the secretive Qin family as long-term partners. His answer was cold: “Rest assured, Uncle Qin, my word stands. Even if I’m no longer with the Zhen family, the Qin family will still need buyers for their goods. We’ve worked together for nearly two months—why not continue?”

“Very well!” Qin Hao was surprised by Zhen Qian’s resolve; even after leaving the Zhen family, he was willing to cooperate. Their partnership so far had been pleasant, and changing partners now would be difficult. So Qin Hao went along, “Since you have promised, the Qin family is not one to go back on its word. But perhaps you could offer some guarantee, to put our minds at ease?”

“Of course,” Zhen Qian replied without hesitation. “I can provide the Qin family with one hundred bushels of grain and fifty jars of wine each month in advance, as a guarantee. Will that suffice?”

“Excellent!” Qin Hao clapped his hands, visibly relieved. “In that case, I have no complaints. May our cooperation continue to be fruitful!”

Thus ended a conversation that was far from pleasant. A rift had formed between them, one not easily bridged. Though Qin Hao made a show of detaining him, Zhen Qian had no desire to play along. Were it not for the Qin family’s usefulness, he would have ended things then and there.

Returning to the valley, Zhen Qian first inspected the distillery. After two expansions, it now boasted three complete production lines. If he wished, two hundred jars of wine could be produced each month. But this was not a permanent base; for now, the focus was on training skilled brewers. When a safer place was found, only one line would remain here, turning this site into a transit depot and storage cellar.

The cellar had been well excavated. With the help of gunpowder, Song Yi had, within just ten days, carved out a chamber large enough to store wine. In another month, it would be complete.

This was Zhen Qian’s first hidden stronghold. Though there were tensions with Qin Hao, relations had not yet deteriorated to open hostility, and he had no wish for complications at this juncture.

He spent five or six days in the valley, relishing the peace. Each day, he taught a dozen or so children to study and exercise; sometimes he would go into the mountains to try his hand at hunting. At night, he secluded himself in his room, recording memories from his previous life, fearing that with time they might fade. If possible, he would have been content to live out his days in such tranquility.

But just as Zhen Qian was savoring this rare peace, news came from the Zhen residence in Zhendin. He had no choice but to return home once more.