Before the dragon boat race, all the teams conducted a trial run on Longhu. The lakeshore was packed with townsfolk eager to watch the excitement, especially those who had placed bets, who watched with even greater fervor.
The grandstands along both sides of the lake were in high demand. Following Mingxi’s suggestion, Duan Pingchang bought as many of the lakeside seats as he could before the betting frenzy started. Those he couldn’t purchase, he rented, securing at least half of them under his control.
As betting on the dragon boat teams became increasingly popular, more and more people came to rent seats. Being a shrewd businessman, Duan Pingchang initially allowed others to rent their seats out first while tightly holding onto his own.
When the price of the grandstand seats skyrocketed several times over closer to the event, Duan Pingchang made a tidy profit even before the race began. He casually handed the earnings to his daughter as pocket money.
Mingxi refused to accept it, which displeased Duan Pingchang. In the past, she had never turned down the money he gave her.
Now, refusing him made him feel like an outsider.
Seeing her father so upset, Mingxi quickly took the money, finding the situation both amusing and exasperating.
The grandstand seats under Duan Pingchang’s control were rented to the capital’s elite officials and aristocrats, providing him an opportunity to network with these prominent families.
The money earned was secondary; building connections was the true goal.
Without Mingxi’s advice, how could he have reaped such benefits?
Previously, Duan Pingchang had earned a modest reputation in the capital, though it was tinged with ridicule over the 500,000 taels of silver he had lost, branding him something of a fool.
This time, however, Duan Pingchang regained fame, earning admiration for his sharp business acumen. While others had yet to see a trace of their winnings, he had already pocketed a profit.
Now, when people looked at him, their gaze was entirely different from before. Many secretly marveled—no wonder he was the richest man in Jiangcheng. He truly had the skills to match the title.
Duan Mingxi watched her father’s excitement and felt her own joy rising. The hardest part of any endeavor is the beginning, and now that they had achieved resounding success together, it was a promising start for their collaboration.
Xu Donglin had been invited by Duan Pingchang to watch the dragon boat trial runs at Longhu, along with Xie Fang as a companion guest. Though the so-called viewing stands were called such, they were actually waterfront shops built along the lake, with platforms on the second floors offering a clear view of the entire lake.
While the dragon boat race had been held in previous years, it had never been as popular as this year. Betting on the races had become a major event in the capital, attracting all sorts of participants.
Xie Fang, having received inside information from Duan Pingchang, knew that the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau’s team was staffed with skilled rowers and had a strong chance of winning, or at least making it into the top three. With this confidence, Xie Fang secretly placed a significant bet on their team. Invited by Duan Pingchang to attend the trial run, he gladly accepted.
With fine wine, delicious food, and a beauty playing music nearby, the atmosphere was lively. Despite being a merchant, Duan Pingchang was witty and well-spoken, sharing fascinating anecdotes from his years of business. With Xie Fang occasionally offering flattering remarks, the mood at the table was excellent.
“This year’s autumn fabric orders need to be prepared soon. The Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau will issue two batches of quotas,” Xu Donglin said, glancing at Duan Pingchang.
Duan Pingchang appeared astonished and quickly stood to bow deeply. “Your Excellency, I’m deeply grateful for your reminder. I cannot thank you enough.”
Xie Fang seized the moment to chime in, “Master Duan, you must properly thank our esteemed official. Do you know how many people are eyeing those two batches of quotas?”
“Of course, of course. I’ll drink a toast to His Excellency!” Duan Pingchang raised his glass, eyes reddening slightly. “If not for Your Excellency, I might have already lost everything. Back then, the 500,000 taels of silver I gathered were my entire family’s wealth.”
After speaking, he drained his glass in one gulp, poured another, and said to Xu Donglin, “So many mocked me for losing 500,000 taels, calling it a fool’s errand. But Your Excellency gave me a chance to work with the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, offering me a way out. I’ll never forget your life-saving kindness. Allow me another toast!”
Xie Fang almost rolled his eyes at the dramatic sentiment but couldn’t help but admire Duan Pingchang’s skillful flattery. He had not only lowered himself but also elevated Xu Donglin with the title of a life-saving benefactor. With such gestures, Duan Pingchang had surely secured a stable foothold in the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau.
No wonder Xu Donglin had decided to allocate part of the Mid-Autumn quota to him. Duan Pingchang had a knack for making people feel valued.
Xie Fang raised his glass as well, standing up. “Master Duan is right. I also drink to Your Excellency. Working under you has been my greatest fortune. Without Your Excellency, I might have been forced to pack my bags and leave after the last incident.”
Xu Donglin smiled, drank, and gestured for them to sit. He then looked at Xie Fang and said, “Your quick thinking saved you last time. Continue working diligently at the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, and other opportunities may arise.”
Xie Fang’s heart skipped a beat.
He was already at the top rank he could achieve within the bureau, short of taking Xu Donglin’s position. But if Xu Donglin wouldn’t move, his path forward seemed blocked. However, there were 23 other bureaus beyond the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau. Xu Donglin’s words hinted at the possibility of support for a promotion elsewhere.
Ecstatic, Xie Fang understood that Xu Donglin’s favor wasn’t due to his abilities alone but also because of his ties to the future Duan Wangfei. This realization made him reflect on Xu Donglin’s stance toward Duan Wang.
“Your Excellency, I am loyal to you and would never dare harbor any other ambitions. Whatever you ask of me, I will do,” Xie Fang said earnestly. “Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Xu Donglin looked pleased. Raising a wolf versus a dog certainly made a difference.
Duan Pingchang, who had long coveted the Mid-Autumn quota, considered Xu Donglin’s approval an unexpected blessing. With this matter settled, he felt more confident about his dealings with the bureau.
Meanwhile, cheers erupted from the lakeside, followed by shouts of excitement. Duan Pingchang stood and glanced outside before turning back with a smile. “The Crown Prince’s team came in first, and our Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau team ranked fourth.”
Xie Fang chuckled. “This is just a trial. No one is giving their all yet. It’s better to hold back for now.”
Xu Donglin suddenly remarked to Duan Pingchang, “If the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau wins the main race, aren’t you afraid of offending the Crown Prince?”
Duan Pingchang’s heart skipped a beat, but he replied with a resolute expression, “It’s a civilian competition, based on merit. If everyone resorted to cheating, how could the event continue next year? Winning through strength will only earn public praise. No one can go against public opinion, wouldn’t you agree, Your Excellency?”
Xu Donglin traced his fingers along his wine cup, pondering. Public opinion, indeed—this Duan Pingchang wasn’t just a savvy businessman; he could have made an excellent official as well.
“Well said.” Xu Donglin sipped his wine. The earnings from the race—whether the Crown Prince approved or not—were safely in his pocket. Public opinion was truly a useful shield.
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