Chapter 48: Each Has Their Own Reasoning

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Jiang Yi had already told Yang Che, the Captain of Hanzhou, that the fire muskets and three-eyed muskets were intended for hunting. Their power and range were not impressive, and using them in battle carried great risks. If anything were to go wrong, Jiang Yi made it clear that he would not be held responsible. As for the gunpowder provided to them, he was even less concerned about their ability to reproduce it. The preparation of gunpowder required precise proportions and extensive repeated experiments. Jiang Yi would never undertake something uncertain nor hand over anything potentially detrimental to himself. The blueprints for the three-eyed musket and the gunpowder were given to Yang Che, posing no threat to Jiang Yi.

After a busy afternoon, Jiang Yi went to have hotpot with Shen Rong and Wu Shimia. His mood was relatively good that day. Were it not for the banquet scheduled for the next day, he would have indulged in a night of revelry with his family.

Early the next morning, Jiang Yi and his wife donned new clothes and went together to the Jubin Pavilion for the banquet. Pang Xiong served as their driver and bodyguard, accompanying the couple. Many esteemed figures in Hanyang had been invited and gathered at the pavilion. Upon seeing Jiang Yi and Shen Rong arrive, word spread that they were from the countryside. Despite their fine garments, many onlookers cast disdainful glances, their contempt palpable.

Shen Rong felt uncomfortable under their hostile gazes. No matter how fine their attire, they were still looked down upon by others. Jiang Yi strode confidently into the pavilion, completely ignoring those around him. “Be confident in yourself, and don’t worry about what others think,” he whispered to his wife, encouraging her. There would be many more such banquets in the future.

When the banquet began, Jiang Yi and Shen Rong were separated. Yang Che’s wife hosted the women’s gathering, ensuring that the men’s and women’s events did not interfere with each other. Behind the Jubin Pavilion lay three courtyards: Jiang Yi went to the eastern courtyard; Shen Rong to the western. Entering the banquet hall, Jiang Yi exuded an air of sovereign command. Those present were baffled: how could an ordinary country dweller possess such a commanding presence? Only the Prefect Ma Xu, Magistrate Wang Zhun, and Captain Yang Che knew Jiang Yi’s true identity. No matter how destitute he appeared, he was still the son of Emperor Yongkang, and his demeanor betrayed nothing less.

Seating was arranged by status. Jiang Yi was assigned to the western seats, considered third-class. The most honorable seats were to the east, followed by the north, with the south being the least prestigious.

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Jiang Yi’s eligibility to attend this banquet stemmed from his great contributions in repelling the invasion of the Fire Lotus Sect. He was invited to be publicly recognized and to familiarize himself with the attendees. In the future, everyone would need to work together to manage the region and fulfill the court’s mandates.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to attend this victory banquet. I hereby commend those who have valiantly resisted the Fire Lotus Sect invaders,” Wang Zhun declared, glancing toward Jiang Yi.

Most present had hidden within Hanyang City when the Fire Lotus Sect attacked. “Jiang Yi, you led the villagers of Funiu Village in fierce combat against the Fire Lotus invaders. Your merits are great,” Wang Zhun continued.

“We also did our best to defend our hometown and contribute to Hanyang’s safety,” Jiang Yi responded.

No one applauded or cheered; they thought his success was mere luck. A rustic bumpkin invited by the Prefect was nothing remarkable. Most looked down on Jiang Yi, believing he did not deserve to attend the banquet. Jiang Yi, however, cared little for their attitudes. His participation was merely to honor Yang Che.

“This is not my achievement alone; the whole village united to repel the Fire Lotus invaders,” Jiang Yi asserted. Indeed, without the villagers’ cooperation, he could not have driven off so many sect members.

The villagers of Funiu Village received only a small amount of copper coins and neither recognition nor invitation to the banquet.

“I hear your soap is in high demand, but I also hear your formula was stolen from the Li family. Care to explain?” asked a slightly plump middle-aged man named Wang Rengui. Earlier, when Jiang Yi bought land from Zhao Shengkui’s family, Wang Rengui sent agents to buy Jiang Yi’s land but was refused.

“Don’t listen to baseless rumors. I’m not the only soap maker,” Jiang Yi retorted. Wang Rengui was stirring trouble by accusing him of stealing the Li family’s soap formula.

“Do you have proof he stole the formula?” Chang Youliang suspected someone was spreading slander to stop Jiang Yi’s soap business.

Wang Rengui turned to Li Dongyang, “Li Dongyang, why don’t you tell everyone?”

“Jiang Yi’s soap is very similar to ours. I suspect he stole the formula,” Li said.

“Hmph. If you accuse me of stealing, show evidence. Mere words won’t convince anyone,” Jiang Yi said firmly.

He had expected resistance at the banquet. Besides, soap-making was not difficult. With the right materials and steps, anyone could make soap. The Lifu Department wanted to monopolize the soap trade long-term.

“Our Li family soap has a century-old legacy. As far as I know, before you started selling soap, your family was extremely poor, but after, you suddenly became wealthy,” Li Dongyang added.

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Most attendees found Li Dongyang’s argument somewhat convincing. They believed Jiang Yi had stolen the Li family’s soap formula. Everyone knew that Li Fu Soap was a century-old brand; no other soap maker existed in Hanyang.

“Heh, you claim to be right, and so do I. Instead of improving your soap quality, you resort to slander against competitors,” Jiang Yi said. He understood rivals were enemies; competition was natural. But he would not tolerate false accusations of theft.

“Since Prefect and Magistrate are here, let them judge,” Jiang Yi said smoothly, his argument reasonable enough to sow doubt about the theft.

Ma Xu and Wang Zhun exchanged glances; the matter was difficult to judge. Jiang Yi’s sudden rise from poverty was indeed striking.

“As I understand, two months ago your family was destitute. How do you explain your sudden wealth?” one asked.

“I hunted deer and wild boar and sold them to the Zhao family. Later, I accompanied Chang Youliang’s father on a tiger hunt. The Magistrate rewarded me, and recently I received a bounty for repelling the Fire Lotus invaders,” Jiang Yi explained, knowing every penny’s source was legitimate.

“I can vouch for him. I sent Zhao Tuo to buy a deer and a wild boar from his household,” Zhao Guangxian said. He despised the petty scheming ruining the banquet’s atmosphere.

“Wang Rengui, you first troubled Jiang Yi out of resentment because he refused to sell deer and land to your family,” Zhao accused.

“Don’t talk nonsense. I simply can’t stand him stealing the Li family’s soap formula,” Wang Rengui snapped.

Jiang Yi laughed at Wang’s words; how many would believe him?

“No more arguing. Write down your formulas. The Prefect and Magistrate will compare them,” Wang Zhun declared.

There must be differences between the two formulas; a comparison would reveal whether Jiang Yi had stolen Li Fu’s recipe. The question was whether Jiang Yi dared to write down his formula.

“I agree. After the officials review the formulas, we should burn them,” Jiang Yi said, welcoming the opportunity to prove his innocence.

“I agree as well, and request that the officials keep the formulas confidential,” Li Dongyang added. The fewer people who knew the formula, the fewer competitors.

Ma Xu and Wang Zhun nodded and ordered Jiang Yi and Li Dongyang to a private room to write down their formulas. Li Dongyang felt uneasy; he knew Jiang Yi had not stolen the Li Fu soap formula.