Chapitre 45: Assistance from the Noble (Part One)
Liu Ge, I apologize for the trouble I've caused…"
Noticing Er Liu's hesitance, Fang Yi felt a sense of unease. Observing the expressions of the surrounding vendors and Old Ma, he sensed that something was amiss. Logically, after catching the thieves, they should not be treated in such a manner.
Although Fang Yi had spent most of his life on the mountain, it did not mean he was entirely unfamiliar with society. Besides listening to radio broadcasts from the town, his master had imparted numerous experiences about navigating the world.
The wisdom shared by the old Taoist, however, was derived from decades ago, even predating the liberation. Yet, Fang Yi believed that regardless of the era, thieves were always the dregs of society. It was not uncommon for ancient people to execute thieves in public; so why, after capturing a few, were they met with such coldness?
"It has nothing to do with me…"
Er Liu sighed upon hearing this. As a temporary employee of the management office, he realized that any benefits would not accrue to him. He feared that Fang Yi and his friends, having just set up their stall for the first time today, would struggle to continue in this market.
"Xiao Fang, since you're a friend of Man Ge, perhaps you could ask him to intercede for you later…" Er Liu patted Fang Yi on the shoulder, shaking his head as he turned to leave. Despite his fondness for Fang Yi and his friends, he understood his limitations in front of Director Gu.
"What on earth? Such a trivial matter, yet it feels so convoluted." Watching Er Liu's retreating figure, Fang Yi scratched his head. When he turned to Old Ma, he found him packing up the stall, and he could easily guess the underlying reason.
"Xiao Fang, I advise you not to set up your stall today. Instead, have Old Man Man help you approach Director Gu privately to see how this can be resolved…" After tidying up, Old Ma spoke to Fang Yi apologetically, "I can't afford to offend them, so I won't be setting up today…"
"Aren't they just a bunch of thieves? Is it really that serious?"
Fang Yi shook his head, somewhat exasperated. After Old Ma left, he noticed a peculiar phenomenon at his stall; the prime shady spot that had once been bustling was now deserted, with the neighboring vendors having packed up and left.
Though a sense of trepidation lingered in his heart, Fang Yi was not one to shy away from challenges. He resolutely continued selling his wares. Surprisingly, with fewer people around, his business improved significantly. In just over half an hour, he sold a string of star and moon beads and another of small wooden beads, earning several hundred yuan.
"It seems I truly need to learn more about this business…"
As the saying goes, "Different trades are like different mountains." Fang Yi excelled in meditation and chanting, but he found himself quite inexperienced in the art of trading. He struggled to answer many of the customers' inquiries; otherwise, he could have closed more than just two deals.
"Hey, Yi Ge, why did Ma Ge leave?" Just as Fang Yi was pondering a customer's question about the origin of the star beads, the plump man and San Pao squeezed through the crowd, momentarily taken aback by the vacant stalls around them.
"Perhaps he fears retaliation from them…" Even Fang Yi, despite his naiveté, could discern Old Ma's intentions.
"Surely not?" The plump man exclaimed, "Most of that gang of thieves has been caught. I heard Officer Bai say they would be sentenced to several years in prison; no one would come after us…"
While heading to the police station to testify, the plump man felt a twinge of anxiety. After all, they were just country folk, drifting in Jinling City without roots. If the thieves were not convicted, it would undoubtedly lead to future troubles.
With this concern in mind, the plump man and San Pao were less assertive while testifying, almost conceding to the scar-faced man's narrative of a mere brawl.
Sensing the plump man's apprehension, the girl whose bag had been stolen called them aside, assuring them that she would leverage her connections within the system to bring the thieves to justice. This encouragement allowed the plump man and San Pao to recount the entire incident as witnesses.
"Let's not dwell on it; when Man Ge returns, he'll know what to do…"
After hearing the plump man's words, Fang Yi replied, "Today's business has been good; I sold two strings of beads. You and San Pao stay here and sell, while I go take a look around to see how others conduct their business…"
Earlier, several sales had slipped away due to Fang Yi's inability to answer customer questions. He now intended to disguise himself as a customer, wandering around other stalls to glean insights on the inquiries he found perplexing.
"Hey, Man Ge is here…" Just as Fang Yi made space for himself, he looked up to see Man Jun, drenched in sweat, pushing his way in from outside.
"Man Ge, have you finished eating?" The plump man grinned, offering him a cigarette, while San Pao flicked a lighter near Man Jun's mouth, both displaying a subservient demeanor.
"You boys are still here selling?"
Man Jun, who had initially been seething, found his ire dissipating in light of their enthusiastic service. With a wry smile, he said, "Let's pack this up for now. Tonight, Fang Yi, you'll accompany me to Director Gu's home so we can explain the situation…"
"On what grounds? We haven't done anything wrong…"
Before Fang Yi could respond, the plump man interjected, raising his voice. Including the two strings of beads Fang Yi had sold earlier, they had made around eight or nine hundred yuan that day. Even after deducting the capital owed to Man Jun, they would still net four to five hundred yuan—half of the plump man's previous month's salary.
Moreover, there were still plenty of interested customers; if they could close a few more sales, they might even earn over a thousand yuan today. Thus, the plump man was reluctant to pack up and leave.
"Plump man, just listen to Man Ge; I'll explain everything to you slowly…"
Man Jun, bemused by the plump man's eagerness, lowered his voice, "Those individuals have connections with Director Gu. You think he'll allow you to continue selling here after you've sent them to the police?"
Most people in the antique market were aware of the ties between Director Gu and that group, but previously, it had only been hearsay. After all, without evidence, no one dared to speak openly about it.
However, on the day of the incident, Man Jun had been drinking with Director Gu. He witnessed Director Gu nearly lose his temper upon receiving the call, openly stating that he wanted to expel those disrupting the market's peace, including Fang Yi and his friends.
At that moment, Director Gu had ceased drinking, instructing Er Liu to investigate the situation while he himself went to the police station, leaving Man Jun alone at the restaurant.
Having witnessed this, Man Jun realized that the previous rumors were likely true. If Director Gu had not received any benefits from Scar Ge, he would not have been so invested in the matter. After settling the bill, Man Jun hurried back to the market.
Although Man Jun had been in the market for many years and had a wide network, as the saying goes, "An arm cannot twist a thigh." Ultimately, he was just a merchant. If Director Gu insisted on expelling Fang Yi and the others, Man Jun would find himself powerless.
Thus, Man Jun believed it best for Fang Yi and his friends to pack up their stall, then, after Director Gu finished work, visit his home with a substantial gift. Based on Man Jun's understanding of Director Gu, this approach would likely resolve the issue.
"Man Ge, but Director Gu has accepted our money…" Upon hearing Man Jun's words, the plump man's mouth fell open in shock, while Fang Yi also began to comprehend the source of his unease.
"Ah, this is my fault; I should have insisted on a receipt…"
Man Jun slapped his bald head in frustration. Had there been a receipt, Director Gu might not have directly expelled them; instead, he would have issued a penalty for disturbing the market's peace. Yet, Man Jun had instructed Fang Yi not to obtain a receipt, effectively placing the knife in Director Gu's hands.
"Man Ge, we cannot pack up this stall…" Fang Yi brushed his hand across the glass of the stall, casually collecting three copper coins into his palm.
"Why not?" Man Jun asked, puzzled. He had thought Fang Yi would be the most level-headed among the three, yet he was the first to voice opposition.
"Man Ge, as the saying goes, 'When the devil is one foot high, the Taoist is ten feet tall.' Even Director Gu cannot truly harm us…"
A smile crept onto Fang Yi's face. His words were not unfounded; he had quietly consulted the divination earlier, and the three inconspicuous copper coins revealed the hexagram of Water and Mountain, signifying the thirty-ninth hexagram of the I Ching.
The hexagram, symbolizing being trapped in a predicament and facing difficulties in progress, suggested that it was favorable to act toward the southwest and unfavorable toward the northeast. It also indicated the appearance of a significant figure. As long as one steadfastly adhered to the righteous path, fortune would surely follow.
At that moment, Fang Yi and his companions were situated in the southwestern direction. This meant that as long as they remained firm in their position, they would encounter a benefactor that day. Besides Fang Yi's desire to avoid burdening Man Jun with money and effort, this hexagram also provided him with the confidence to stay.
"He may not be able to harm you, but he can certainly make you leave the market…"
Upon hearing Fang Yi's words, Man Jun was at a loss as to whether to deem him foolish or naïve. As the de facto head of the antique market management, finding an excuse to dismiss a small vendor like Fang Yi was hardly a challenge for Director Gu.
"Fang Yi, why don't we heed Man Ge's advice and take a step back?" The plump man sensed the gravity of the situation reflected on Man Jun's face, and his tone grew hesitant.
"Plump man, I didn't see you retreating during the fight…" Fang Yi chuckled, saying, "It's alright; just trust me. We're not going anywhere today; let's see what Director Gu can do to us."
Fang Yi rarely consulted divination, as predicting the heavenly secrets was a serious matter, and the phrase "Heavenly secrets must not be leaked" was not mere superstition. Much like how ancient people would only seek omens when embarking on long journeys, divulging too many heavenly secrets could invite disaster.
Fang Yi's practice of divination stemmed from the old Taoist, differing from the folk traditions of divination. The backlash from the heavenly secrets would be somewhat milder, and since this hexagram did not concern wealth but merely sought auspiciousness, its impact on him was not significant. However, he had no means to discern who the benefactor might be.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone