Moma Liangshan

Chapter 51 Wang Hao Sells Horses, Asks for an Exorbitant Price

As soon as Wang Hao finished speaking, Lü Shinang said, "Jiangnan is short of horses. I wonder if Young Master Wang would be willing to part with those few fine horses and sell them to us?" Wang Hao thought to himself, "We? It seems the three of you are in cahoots!" He said, "As long as you can afford the price, what's wrong with selling a few warhorses?" The three were all shocked. Liu Gu asked, "How much does Young Master Wang want?" Wang Hao thought for a moment and said, "Two thousand taels for one horse, five thousand taels for two horses, and ten thousand taels for three horses." Lü Shinang frowned and said, "In other people's business, the more you buy, the lower the price. But in Young Master Wang's business, the more you buy, the higher the price. Isn't that a bit insincere?" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "Things are valued for their scarcity. It is precisely because I am sincere in doing this business that I am offering this price!" Liu Gu said, "A warhorse in the Central Plains costs around three thousand strings of cash." "Young Master Wang's asking price is indeed a bit high," Wang Hao said. "These three horses are all warhorses, which I acquired from the Beijing Garrison Command. If it weren't for the pleasant cooperation with Boss Liu just now, I wouldn't have sold them for even 30,000 taels of silver, let alone 10,000!" Liu Gu wanted to haggle, but Lü Shinang suddenly stopped him, saying, "10,000 taels of silver is no small sum. Young Master Wang, could you give us a day to raise the money? It will definitely be delivered to the post station before sunset tomorrow." Wang Hao nodded and said, "Deal!" With Lü Shinang's decision, Liu Gu could no longer bargain and changed his tune, saying, "The total value of the calligraphy and paintings is 54,000 strings of cash. Do you want copper coins or gold and silver, young master?" Wang Hao replied, "Silver." Liu Gu said, "It will be delivered together tomorrow!" Lü Shinang and Liu Gu exchanged a glance and said, "Young master, you must be tired. We'll take our leave now and visit again tomorrow!" Wang Hao said, "Take care, we won't see you off!"

Stepping out of the post station, Liu Gu said, "Protector Lü, Wang Hao is clearly asking for an exorbitant price. Why did you agree to it?" Lü Shinang replied, "You know how scarce warhorses are. Wang Hao's willingness to sell us three warhorses is already a huge favor. We cannot push our luck!" Liu Gu said, "I practically gave up all my profits on the art and calligraphy. Is Wang Hao still not satisfied?" Lü Shinang shook his head and said, "Wang Hao has already made it clear that he is willing to sell us the warhorses precisely because you offered a high price for the art and calligraphy. In other words, as long as Wang Hao agrees to trade the warhorses, the previous favor has been repaid. As for the total price of the three warhorses, that's another matter!" Liu Gu stopped arguing and asked, "Where did the ten thousand taels of silver come from?" Lü Shinang said, "I will go to the main altar immediately to pay my respects to the Holy Duke." Liu Gu, his face solemn, said, "The Holy Duke is preoccupied with great affairs and countless matters. Is it inappropriate for you to visit him only for money and provisions?" Lü Shinang replied, "We lack connections to purchase warhorses, but Wang Hao may have them! If we can befriend him and continuously purchase warhorses from him, in time, it's not impossible to build a cavalry force of around a thousand!" Liu Gu said, "Wang Hao's warhorses are priced so high that even if he truly has a thousand for sale, we may not have that much money to buy them." Lü Shinang smiled and said, "This transaction is merely a test. Future interactions will be based on business." Soon, the two arrived at a fork in the road. Liu Gu cupped his hands and said, "Farewell, see you tomorrow!" Lü Shinang returned the gesture, saying, "See you tomorrow!"

An hour later, in Qingxi Town, Muzhou, Lü Shinang arrived before an altar. A group of local militia approached, and the captain stepped forward, saying, "Greetings, Protector Lü! May I ask what brings you to the main altar?" Lü Shinang didn't mince words, saying, "Important business. Quickly take me to see the Holy Lord!" The captain dared not delay, saying, "Protector Lü, please follow me." After passing the altar, going around three temples, and crossing two stone bridges, the two arrived at the foot of a mountain. The captain said, "Ten steps ahead is the forbidden area. I have no right to go there. Please go there yourself, Protector Lü!" Although Lü Shinang was always traveling, he had been to the Qingxi main altar more than ten times and had entered the "Bangyuan Forbidden Area" several times. He was well aware of the rules and said, "Thank you!" He then began to climb the mountain. The mountain path was narrow and rugged, with tall and dense vegetation. Sentinels were everywhere, but their voices could only be heard, not seen. After climbing for more than three miles from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside, a huge stone wall rose abruptly from the ground. Swords, spears, and banners stood atop the stone wall, while logs and stones piled up, and shouts of battle and drills echoed continuously. Lü Shinang stood beneath the stone wall and called out loudly, "Guardian Lü Shinang requests an audience with the Holy Lord!" One guard peered out to verify Lü Shinang's identity. After confirming that it was correct, another guard went to report, and the remaining guards lowered the basket and welcomed Lü Shinang inside.

Climbing the stone wall, one arrives at a platform spanning several dozen feet. On this platform are all sorts of weapons: swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, forks, stone locks, wooden dummies, and plum blossom stakes. A hundred or so burly men have gathered there, some engaged in group combat, some in pairs, and some practicing solo—it resembles a medium-sized martial arts arena. Lü Shinang moves among them, frequently greeted by acquaintances. Beyond the platform lies a huge stone cave, beside which a mountain spring gurgles, forming a pool. The water is crystal clear, with several red carp swimming within. Just then, a long spear descends from the sky, plunging vertically into the water. Lü Shinang watches intently; the spearhead is submerged in the sand and gravel, the shaft protruding three inches above the surface. At this moment, a burly man strode over and shouted, "Long time no see, Protector Lü, how have you been?" Lü Shinang turned around and said, "So, someone under the Holy Duke's command actually managed to make Protector Wang Yin drop his steel spear?" Wang Yin was indignant and said, "If Deng Yuanjue and Shi Bao hadn't joined forces against me, how could you have made such a fool of yourself?" Lü Shinang was puzzled and asked, "What could have caused the three protectors to fight each other?" Wang Yin smiled sheepishly and said, "Deng Yuanjue and Shi Bao got a jar of fine wine and wanted to enjoy it all by themselves. I couldn't stand it, so I taught them a lesson!" At this moment, Deng Yuanjue and Shi Bao stepped forward. Shi Bao shouted, "Wang Yin, don't try to twist the truth! It was you old codger who tried to steal the Eight Immortals Wine from Protector Deng and me, but you didn't get any wine and ended up in a sorry state!" The monk next to him also said, "A monk doesn't lie! Protector Wang, we've already shared a bowl of Eight Immortals Wine with you. You're not only ungrateful, but you also rely on your strength to try and steal it?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Wang Yin said, "You only gave me a bowl, but you two ate the whole jar. What's worse, these two just happened to be drinking right at my doorstep!" The eight protectors all had residences in Bangyuan Cave. Lü Shinang, who managed the finances, was often away on business and rarely stayed overnight at the main altar. He said, "Since the wine is all gone, as protectors, it would be best if we stopped fighting and made peace!" Wang Yin suddenly said, "There were two jars of wine. We've only drunk one now; the other jar is hidden in the mountains by Shi Bao." Shi Bao laughed and said, "There is indeed one jar hidden in the mountains, but you, Wang Yin, are no match for the combined strength of me and Protector Deng, and you..." "How about it?" Wang Yin said, "Now that Protector Lü has joined forces with me, it's hard to say who will win!" Lü Shinang, not expecting Wang Yin to drag him into this, quickly said, "I came here on urgent business and cannot be delayed. Please forgive me, Protector Wang!" Wang Yin wouldn't allow it, saying, "If you and I join forces, we will surely win within a hundred moves. A delay could take a long time!" Lü Shinang disliked fighting and said, "Does Protector Wang know who I've come here for?" Wang Yin said, "I've been working at the lower headquarters for half a month. How could you know?" Lü Shinang said, "It's for the owner of the Eight Immortals Wine—Wang Hao!" Wang Yin's eyes lit up, and he said, "Wang Hao..." "He's opened a restaurant in Hangzhou?" Lu Shinang shook his head and said, "Wang Hao has come to Hangzhou, but I don't know if he'll open a restaurant here." Wang Yin's smile faded, and he said solemnly, "Wang Hao is quite famous in Dongjing (Kaifeng), a favorite of the emperor. Does he have ulterior motives for coming to Hangzhou in person?" Lu Shinang said, "The news from the government is that the emperor has newly established Laoshan County and rebuilt the Jiaozhou Maritime Trade Office within its territory, and Wang Hao is the magistrate of Laoshan County. Wang Hao's trip south is to recruit craftsmen in Mingzhou. He's staying in Hangzhou to pawn a batch of antiques and paintings." Wang Yin pondered for a moment and said, "Pawning..." "The calligraphy and paintings can be handled by Liu Gu; why do you need to personally intervene?" Lü Shinang said, "Protector Wang, you may not know, but Wang Hao's entourage includes three excellent warhorses. I wish to purchase them and have come to consult the Holy Duke!" Wang Yin asked, "Warhorses are scarce; even Wang Hao would have had a hard time acquiring them. Is he willing to part with them?" Lü Shinang said, "He is willing to sell, but the price for three horses is 20,000 strings of cash!" Wang Yin said, "It is a bit expensive, but we should still buy them." After saying this, he looked at Deng Yuanjue and Shi Bao and said, "Let's pay our respects to the Holy Duke together with Protector Lü!" The two nodded and entered Bangyuan Cave together.

Bangyuan Cave was vast and deep, taking Fang La and dozens of men two to ten years to fully explore. The *Zizhi Tongjian Changbian Jishi Benmo* states: "In Qingxi County, Muzhou, there is a cave called Bangyuan, about forty li in width and depth." The four entered the cave, crossed three underground streams, and navigated five forks in the road, arriving at a wooden door. Two guards stood watch on either side of the door. Wang Yin asked, "Is the Holy Lord in his room?" The guard replied, "Yes." Wang Yin said, "Announce him." He knocked three times, and a deep voice came: "What is it?" The guard replied, "The four protectors, Wang Yin, Deng Yuanjue, Shi Bao, and Lü Shinang, pay their respects!" Before he finished speaking, rapid footsteps sounded, and half a breath later, the wooden door opened, revealing a robust man seven feet tall with sword-like eyebrows and fierce eyes. The man had a high-bridged nose with a slightly tucked tip, giving him a somewhat sinister air; he wore a black brocade robe with bright yellow embroidery on the collar and cuffs, like a thousand-year-old flame, an inextinguishable fire. The four men, seeing the man open the door, quickly bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Your Majesty!" The man was none other than Fang La. Fang La spoke, "The four protectors have come together; is there something important?" Wang Yin replied, "Protector Lü has acquired three warhorses and has come to present them to Your Majesty!" Fang La was surprised and said, "The Song Dynasty is short of horses, especially in Jiangnan. How could Protector Lü have acquired three warhorses?" Lü Shinang answered, "A new favorite has emerged in the Song Emperor's entourage, named Wang Hao, who is currently in Hangzhou. His entourage includes three warhorses. I expressed my intention to purchase them, and he agreed, but he is asking for 20,000 strings of cash. This is a huge sum, and I dare not make a decision on my own; therefore, I have come to report to Your Majesty!"