Chapter 648 - 641_1
You can’t put all your eggs in one basket; the principle is always the same. It’s not that I fear Manager Liu won’t give it his all, but rather that those in black might be too tough to handle. So, even as I entrust this task to Manager Liu, I must have an additional plan and be prepared for both scenarios. If Manager Liu’s efforts don’t succeed, we need a fallback to confront those men in black and rescue Master Xue and the others.
Lin Yue pondered and then wrote a letter. She called in Liu Aniu and instructed him in a low voice, "Manager Liu, you must get there on time, and hand over the letter to him personally. After he has read it, make sure the letter is destroyed. I have no choice but to turn to them now, to make deals with them, but we can never share the same path. They oppose the government, and we can work with them but cannot leave any leverage in their hands. Even if they keep their word and don’t betray us, such a letter, if it falls into the wrong hands, would spell disaster for our family. Some things can be done, but should not leave any traces."
If it were any other matter, Lin Yue wouldn’t be so cautious. However, the black-clad assailants this time are from Capital City, and could have the backing of a powerful aristocratic family. These people do all sorts of evil behind the scenes, yet they like to present a facade of integrity and leverage the government for their own ends. If they ever got a hold of anything incriminating, it could bring about a catastrophic end for our family with the imposition of some trumped-up charge.
"Madam, rest assured, your servant understands and will carry out your orders faithfully," Liu Aniu replied gravely, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. An issue of such importance would not be addressed by Madam Lin with such seriousness were it a minor matter.
Lin Yue then took out two silver notes worth a thousand taels each. "This is two thousand taels. Give the silver note to him, and if they really need to take action, consider it a deposit. Once the matter is resolved, a hefty reward will follow. If their help isn’t required, treat it as money for the brothers to buy drinks with. We hope for their continued support on the road ahead, ensuring a smooth journey for us."
"Madam, this is two thousand taels. Is such a large sum necessary? We may not even need their help," Liu Aniu, now entrusted with greater responsibilities by Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu and having become more assertive, asked somewhat puzzled upon seeing Lin Yue offer such a substantial amount of silver.
"I can afford to lose two thousand taels. This is no ordinary trade. The background of these men in black is undetermined. If they take action, not only will it involve us, but they too will face significant risks. Two thousand taels is a trifle. Of course, it would be ideal if Manager Liu could resolve the issue smoothly on his end. Then this money can be seen as buying goodwill. Our business towards Capital City is burgeoning, and we depend on them to prevent mishaps on the road. Even common bandits dare not target our merchant caravans. Two thousand taels to secure the loyalty of brothers is worth it. Tying interests makes relationships stronger and more reliable, unlike those fickle bonds of convenience that could break over any minor issue."
"Madam is right, your servant was short-sighted and simplistic, fixated on the sum of two thousand taels without considering all the complex dynamics and relationships," Liu Aniu admitted, his respect for Lin Yue growing. He wondered how someone of her background, still so young, could be so astute and capable, understanding so much.