Ze Tian Ji

The annual Grand Examination was often the time when the Four Great Markets made the most money. It was out of the question for them to pass on this All-School Martial Exhibition that was naturally meant for betting on. In fact, there were many people that suspected that, for the Li Palace to so swiftly disregard the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education’s objections and pass the proposal of the two Sacred Hall archbishops, the masters of the Four Great Markets must have been pushing it behind the scenes.

Of course, although the area outside Hundred Flowers Lane was now bustling beyond compare, the people of the Four Great Markets did not dare to disturb the tranquility of the Orthodox Academy. Business people were still business people.

What occurred soon after somewhat surpassed people’s expectations.

A steward of the Heavenly Fragrance Market, completely ignoring the vigilant stares of the Li Palace priests and imperial guards, slowly made his way up to the gate of the Orthodox Academy. Seeing this scene, the crowd was very much puzzled and perplexed. Just what was this steward up to? It must be known that the Heavenly Fragrance Market was the weakest of the Four Great Markets, always ranking last. The sudden emergence of a dark horse in this year’s Grand Examination, Chen Changsheng’s inconceivable feat of taking first rank of the first banner, had inflicted disastrous losses on the Heavenly Fragrance Market, so much so that there were even rumors that the Heavenly Fragrance Market had changed owners. Just where did this steward’s confidence come from?

Something happened which took the crowd even more by surprise. The gate of the Orthodox Academy actually opened and that steward walked inside.

”You’re saying…the Heavenly Fragrance Market is your Tang clan’s property?”

Chen Changsheng looked at that incomparably reverential steward in front of Tang Thirty-Six and said in shock, ”Why haven’t I ever heard about this?”

Tang Thirty-Six said, ”It was only done after the Grand Examination.”

Chen Changsheng replied, ”I heard that the backing of each of the Four Great Markets is extremely deep. It seems that the Pavilion of Divination might even own some. Why would the Heavenly Fragrance Market’s previous master be willing to sell!”

Everyone knew that the Wenshui Tangs were the world’s wealthiest clan. The problem was that the relationship between the Tianhai clan and the Tang clan was somewhat of a wreck. In the past few years, the Tianhai clan had been incessantly working in the dark to prevent the Tang clan’s influence from spreading into the capital. If the Heavenly Fragrance Market really did belong to the Tang clan, then the efforts of the Tianhai clan had all been for nothing. For this reason, he was rather perplexed at how the Tang clan had managed to accomplish this task.

Tang Thirty-Six chuckled, but didn’t explain.

Chen Changsheng was somewhat lost in the dark.

The steward gave Chen Changsheng a rather peculiar look. He thought to himself, if the Wenshui Tangs had not placed such a large stake on Sir, how could the Heavenly Fragrance Market have lost so much that it would be forced to sell? Of course, he didn’t dare to say this out loud. Turning deferentially towards Tang Thirty-Six, he said, ”Young master, according to the laws of the clan, the money within the market cannot be moved. I could only take Master’s own silver currently being stored with us and bet it all.”

Tang Thirty-Six did some mental calculations, then thought to himself, even if I won, it won’t be enough to buy Clear Lake Restaurant. Turning to Chen Changsheng and Xuanyuan Po, he said, ”How much money do you guys have? Give it all to me.”

When he borrowed money from others, it was only natural that he not write any sort of IOU. As for what he was borrowing money for, he was also too lazy to explain. When he borrowed money from someone, it showed his high regard for that person.

Most regretfully, these two schoolmates of his in the Orthodox Academy were so lacking in this aspect that it really made one look down on them.

Xuanyuan Po rummaged all throughout his luggage and found around seventy taels of silver.

Chen Changsheng was even more miserable. After searching all over, he couldn’t even produce a single piece of paper.