Chapter 43: Head Merchant Ma's Lightning-Fast Surrender

Nobody expected that Ma Wenbin would cave in at lightning speed after holding out for less than three days.

As a sinful capitalist under a decaying feudal society, how could Ma Wenbin possibly be someone who lived a spotless life and conducted business by the book?

Such people simply could not survive in this kind of social environment.

This surprise inspection struck precisely at his Achilles' heel; his workshop was directly sealed, and his business license was confiscated.

Ma Wenbin, who had just bought himself the title of a student at the Imperial Academy and walked with an airy, weightless swagger, first went to the Directorate of Palace Works, only to be met with a closed door.

Just as An Xin had anticipated, eunuchs who came from the imperial palace would not easily step out to lock horns with local officials.

Moreover, the Directorate of Palace Works was no longer as glorious as it had been a dozen years ago. Ever since Emperor Jingsun ascended the throne and executed Jiang Wenhuan, the powerful Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonies who once overawed the court, the eunuchs of the Twelve Directorates still retained grand reputations among the common people, but their actual power had drastically shrunk. They could no longer casually meddle in court politics as they once did.

Upon returning from the Directorate of Palace Works, the once-arrogant Ma Wenbin turned into a deflated ball, utterly wilted.

Especially after learning that the county magistrate intended to slap him with the charge of "colluding with bandits," he was frightened out of his wits!

He was as terrified now as he had been arrogant before.

He obediently fetched the bank drafts and hurried to the county yamen.

Unexpectedly, he was met with another closed door; the yamen refused to accept even the bank drafts he had prepared.

At this point, Ma Wenbin completely panicked.

Like a headless fly, he begged everyone he could reach, desperately hoping just to see Magistrate An face-to-face and plead guilty.

However, since An Xin wanted to make an example of a chicken to frighten the monkeys, how could he possibly let him off so easily!

Four or five days passed in this manner. Ma Wenbin hit a wall everywhere he turned; his workshop was sealed, his storefronts were closed, a massive volume of orders was delayed, and numerous creditors came knocking at his door. Overnight, he became like a battered drum beaten by everyone.

Driven to a dead end, Ma Wenbin collapsed to his knees right before the front gates of the county yamen, and only then did he finally get to see the magistrate.

Did Magistrate An want to see him?

Naturally, he did not.

Therefore, when An Xin saw Ma Wenbin, his face remained cold.

"Eunuch Liu came to see me yesterday and put in a good word for you."

An Xin looked down at Ma Wenbin, who was kneeling on the ground.

Ma Wenbin was stunned. Clearly, he had not expected that Eunuch Liu, who had consistently refused to see him, would secretly send someone to intercede with the magistrate on his behalf.

Could it be that his godfather still loved him after all?

"I refused him," An Xin said.

"Ah? Even my godfather's words didn't work? Is the magistrate really this daring?"

Hearing this, Ma Wenbin felt another shock ripple through his heart.

"However, I am willing to give you another chance. The weaving industry in Wuren County has not grown to where it is today easily, and your family's workshop has also poured considerable effort into its development. As the magistrate of Wuren, I hope to see the county's economy develop and the people live and work in peace and contentment."

An Xin brought the conversation back around.

Ma Wenbin's emotions had been like a rollercoaster, twisting through countless turns, but upon hearing this, they finally settled to earth.

"Thank you, Magistrate, for sparing this humble one! In the past, I was ignorant and failed to understand your painstaking efforts. From now on, I will surely conduct business with integrity and repay your immense kindness!"

While letting out a sigh of relief, Ma Wenbin repeatedly kowtowed, each knock landing with a loud thud.

An Xin felt the sincerity in Ma Wenbin's kowtows—not because of those resounding knocks, but because of the eight thousand taels in bank drafts presented beforehand.

Through examining the account books earlier, An Xin knew that the entire floating capital of the Ma family amounted to a little over six thousand taels. To scrape together those eight thousand taels, the Ma family had suffered a heavy blow and had to sell off a considerable portion of their estate.

"Let me offer you a few words of advice. Do not think that you can act lawlessly just because you are doing work for the Directorate of Palace Works. If real trouble arises, those people may not necessarily protect you, nor would they be able to. Eunuch Liu can save you once, but he cannot save you twice. Conduct yourself well in the future. Wuren County still holds immense potential; if you ever cross me again, I will show no mercy."

An Xin said in a deep voice.

"Yes, yes, yes! This humble one understands everything!"

Ma Wenbin kowtowed frantically, the sound echoing heavily. After enduring nearly ten days of turmoil, the so-called "godfather" and his status as a student of the Imperial Academy no longer mattered to him. He had seen the reality of the situation, and the arrogance born from those titles had long since been cast to the back of his mind.

"Go."

An Xin picked up his teacup.

Watching Ma Wenbin's panicked and scurrying figure depart, An Xin set down his teacup and walked out the door.

The wind in the daylight of October was already somewhat chilly.

Yesterday, An Xin had laid eyes on a ball-less eunuch for the very first time.

It was somewhat novel, but apart from a slightly higher-pitched voice and a clean-shaven chin without a beard, the man was no different from ordinary people.

The reason the eunuch had come to intercede on Ma Wenbin's behalf was not out of any lingering affection for Ma, but rather because the Emperor had just rewarded the family of Imperial Concubine Rong—who had given birth to an imperial prince—with ten thousand bolts of silk. With the end of the year approaching, the pressure on the Directorate of Palace Works soared. To meet the palace's quotas, they had resorted to pleading with An Xin, hoping he would let the Ma family off so they could resume silk production and relieve the pressure on the Directorate.

In essence, the Emperor had indirectly saved the Ma family.

However, once Ma Wenbin went back and reopened his workshop, his entire production capacity would undoubtedly have to be dedicated to the Directorate of Palace Works. Given the style of the Directorate, the days ahead for the Ma family might not necessarily be smooth sailing either.

Not far away, Wan Zewen hurried over from the covered walkway. Ma Wenbin hastily bent his waist and stepped aside to let him pass.

His original arrogance had now been thoroughly beaten out of him.

When Wan Zewen saw An Xin standing outside the door, he trotted over quickly. "Sir, the Zhang brothers, Zhang Qian and Zhang Liang, have arrived."

"Bring them over."

An Xin recalled the two brothers he had seen at the archers' camp.

Before long, Zhang Qian and Zhang Liang followed behind Advisor Wan.

"Your student, Zhang Qian,"

"Your student, Zhang Liang,"

"Pays respects to the Magistrate!"

The two walked up to An Xin and executed a deep bow, bending all the way down.

An Xin watched them straighten up and praised with a smile, "Good, full of spirit!"

The gazes both brothers cast toward An Xin were filled with respect and deep affection. Clearly, An Xin's campaign to gather troops and suppress the bandits represented the hope of revenge for them.

It was also a ray of light that helped them tear through the darkness in their lives.

"I have heard all about the two of you. While the past was undeniably sorrowful, the road ahead remains bright. I hope you can transform the grief inflicted upon you by the past into armor for suppressing bandits and slaying enemies, and use the edges of your swords to cut down those ruthless and evil miscreants who bring disaster to the people!

To uphold the clear skies and bring light back to this world."

An Xin inspired them.

"My younger brother and I are willing to be that sword!"

Hearing this, Zhang Qian said with tears welling in his eyes and a voice stirred with emotion.

Zhang Liang's eye sockets also turned red. "Slaughtering wicked men is this student's lifelong aspiration. Since those bandits murdered our loved ones, we will ensure those bandits are left with no way out!"

An Xin nodded. "From today onward, you two shall stay by my side."

Hearing this, the two brothers hesitated.

"The Magistrate is going to teach you true skills! Why aren't you thanking him quickly!"

Advisor Wan hurriedly prompted them.

An Xin could guess what the brothers were thinking. "Sharpening the axe does not delay the work of woodcutting. After a short while, I will naturally send you back to the military camp. By then, your contributions to the archers' camp and to eradicating bandits will be even greater!"