Explore Chapter 70 of 'The Story of the Golden Powder Family' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
It is said that since his quarrel with Bai Xiuzhu last time, Yanxi found home even more dull. He spent his days and evenings outside, indulging in poetry and wine with a group of friends. On this day, while having a light drink with Xie Yushu, Liu Baoshan, and others at a tavern, he suddenly saw Jin Rong looking flustered, searching upstairs. Jin Rong whispered in his ear, "Seventh Master, there's an urgent matter. Liu ChunjIang Young Master Liu has sent someone to ask that you come over immediately." Seeing Jin Rong's unusual expression, Yanxi knew there must be an important predestined affinity involved. He apologized to the others and hurried downstairs.
Arriving at Liu ChunjIang's residence, he saw ChunjIang with a worried expression, pacing back and forth in the study. As soon as he saw Yanxi, he rushed forward, grabbed his hand, and said, "Seventh Brother, you've come just in time. I've encountered a disaster!" Yanxi asked in shock what had happened. ChunjIang sighed and said, "It was my own recklessness. I shouldn't have listened to others' encouragement and partnered in that smuggling business. Now the ship has been seized by the customs, the owner has been arrested, and my name is also involved in the official business. I hear the case is serious. If handled strictly, not only will my future be ruined, but I might also face a lawsuit. My father is extremely strict. If he finds out, he will definitely not tolerate me. Right now, I'm like an ant on a hot pan, with no way out."
Yanxi pondered and said, "This matter is indeed tricky. Is there anyone you know in the customs who can put in a word?" ChunjIang stamped his foot and said, "If I had connections, I wouldn't be in this state! The officer in charge is newly appointed and unyielding. Now there's only one way. I've heard that Supervisor Hua of the General Taxation Bureau has good relations with your family. If we can ask him to give a hint, those below won't dare to investigate deeply. But... I have no deep ties with your honorable family. How can I presumptuously ask for such a favor?" After saying this, he looked eagerly at Yanxi.
Yanxi, seeing his distress and remembering their usual friendship, said, "We are close friends. Saying such things is being too formal. Although my father has some dealings with Supervisor Hua, for this kind of matter, directly asking might backfire. I have another method. The secretary-general of the customs supervisor, Zhu Yishi, is an old schoolmate of my elder brother Feng Ju from their study in England. They are very familiar. I can ask my brother to mediate. It might be effective. But we need to prepare some 'expenses' cost to grease the wheels at various levels. That will make it easier to speak."
Upon hearing this, ChunjIang felt as if granted amnesty. He repeatedly bowed and said, "Seventh Brother, your chivalry makes me utterly grateful. As for the cost, I've barely scraped together five thousand taels of silver here. But I fear it's insufficient. My mother still has some private savings. I'll go back and try to get more." Saying this, he took out a bank passbook. Yanxi looked at the amount and shook his head. "I'm afraid it's not enough. For such matters, if we don't act, it's fine. Once we act, we must spend money. Moreover, there's more than one layer of intermediaries. Here's what we'll do. I still have two checks, worth about three or four thousand taels. Let's use them first. You can repay me when you're better off in the future."
ChunjIang was even more grateful upon hearing this. Yanxi immediately returned home. He found Feng Ju and tactfully explained ChunjIang's situation. He said only that a friend was implicated, the case wasn't serious, and pleaded with his elder brother to ask Secretary-General Zhu for a favor to settle it leniently. Feng Ju initially refused. He said, "You young people always like to meddle in such idle matters." Unable to withstand Yanxi's repeated pleas, and with the promise of gifting a newly acquired landscape painting by Ni Yunlin, Feng Ju finally agreed to try.
The next day, Feng Ju indeed visited Zhu Yishi. Zhu Yishi, out of regard for Feng Ju and having received some benefits, spoke to the supervisor. He said that Liu was a first-time offender, misled by others, and the value of the goods wasn't large. A light punishment would suffice. The supervisor granted the favor and wrote, 'Considering it's the first offense, impose a fine as a warning.' Those below, receiving the instruction, naturally went along. Within three to five days, the ship and goods were returned, and the case was closed.
Liu ChunjIang's disaster was thus resolved without a trace. He was immensely grateful to Yanxi. On this day, he prepared a lavish feast, inviting only Yanxi. He also sealed a one-thousand-tael silver certificate as a reward. Yanxi firmly declined. He said, "If I sought your reward, I wouldn't have handled this matter. Helping a friend in urgent need is what should be done. You've just resolved your affairs and need money now. Keep it quickly."
ChunjIang would not listen. He insisted that Yanxi accept it. While they were pushing and refusing, his servant brought out a brocade box. Opening it, inside were ten golden gold bars. ChunjIang said, "This gold is from my mother's private savings. It was originally prepared for emergencies to save my life if something happened. Now, thanks to Seventh Brother's fortune, the matter is resolved. Keeping this gold would only sadden her. I know Seventh Brother doesn't care for this, but it's a token of my sincerity. Please keep it. Whether to give as gifts or for备用, it's better than sitting with me. The silver certificate is to thank Brother Feng Ju and the intermediaries. This gold is specifically to thank you, Seventh Brother, for your efforts. If you don't accept it, you're looking down on me."
Yanxi, seeing his sincere words and knowing the Liu family was quite wealthy, felt that this gold wouldn't harm their foundations. If he refused further, it would seem hypocritical. He also recalled that he had indeed advanced some money and taken some risks for this matter. So he sighed and said, "Alright then, I'll accept it for now. But you must be cautious in the future. Never get involved in such risky affairs again." ChunjIang repeatedly agreed. After the feast ended, Yanxi took the gold and left.
Returning to his own room, looking at the gleaming gold, Yanxi felt little joy but rather some melancholy. He thought, "Helping a friend in urgent need is my duty. But now I've accepted so much gold, it's like a transaction. It shows that human relationships in this world ultimately can't escape the word 'profit.' Even a good friend like ChunjIang can't avoid this vulgarity." He also thought about his recent emotional entanglements. The household expenses were heavy. Outwardly, he seemed lively, but inwardly he was somewhat stretched. This gold could temporarily cover the shortfall. But coming this way, it didn't feel entirely honorable. After some random thoughts, he eventually locked the gold bars in a cabinet.
After this, Liu ChunjIang regarded Yanxi as a life-and-death friend. Their interactions became even closer. Through this incident, Yanxi's reputation among the young masters grew even louder. They all said that Seventh Master Jin was chivalrous and generous, with means that reached the heavens. People seeking his help to mediate affairs gradually increased. But that's a story for later, not to be mentioned now.