Part II: The Murderous Ghost Chess Chapter Thirty-Seven: Biyou Villa (I)

Fang Guohuan had been traveling for days without knowing exactly how many, and on this particular day, he finally arrived in Suzhou. Within the city, buildings stood in layers, waterways crisscrossed, boats glided back and forth, stone bridges spanned the canals, and the town possessed a unique charm distinctive to the water towns of the south. Along the waterside streets, women gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing as they washed rice and clothes, chasing each other playfully. On the banks, shops were lined one after another, bustling with people and noise, the scene lively beyond compare. Young gentlemen idled on boats, waving their fans; courtesans laughed as they leaned from their windows, gazing out and sending songs and dances drifting through the air—truly a land of beauty. The sound of drunken revelry echoed across the water, for this was a city famed for its wine. The saying “Above is heaven, on earth are Suzhou and Hangzhou” was no exaggeration.

Fang Guohuan took his time exploring the city, then found a teahouse, where he bought some local street snacks for himself and found them to have a unique flavor indeed. In truth, the fame of Suzhou throughout the land owed much to its reputation for fine food.

After leaving the teahouse, Fang Guohuan remembered his old agreement with the gourmand Zhao Mingfeng: that when he came to Suzhou seeking him, he was to go directly to the city’s largest money house—Golden Yuan Bank—where someone would receive him. Not knowing the way, Fang Guohuan stopped an old man in his sixties, greeted him politely, and asked, “Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the Golden Yuan Bank?”

The old man looked him over, detecting a non-local accent, and replied, “Ah! Young master, you’re looking for Golden Yuan Bank? It’s easy to find—cross that stone bridge, turn through two streets, then take a right, and you’ll see it at the intersection. But if you’re new to these parts, walking on the banks might be confusing. Why not spend a little money and take a boat along the river? The boatmen know the way well.” Fang Guohuan was delighted by this suggestion, thanked the old man, and went down the stone steps to hail a small boat.

Once on board, the boatman asked, “Where to, young master?” Fang Guohuan answered, “Do you know the Golden Yuan Bank?” The boatman laughed and said, “The Golden Yuan Bank run by Master Zhao is the largest in Suzhou—who doesn’t know it!” He then set off, saying, “Steady yourself, young master, we’ll be there in no time.”

Fang Guohuan was amazed, thinking, “The Zhao family is truly a distinguished clan in Suzhou, their reputation immense.” Recalling that he would soon see Zhao Mingfeng, his heart was filled with joy. The boat sped through bridges and alleys, and Fang Guohuan stood at the prow, enjoying the view of the waterside scenery, feeling utterly at ease.

Before long, the boat drew up to a bustling street lined with shops, all facing the water. Among them was a grand establishment with a signboard inlaid with four golden characters—Golden Yuan Bank—that gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight. Knowing this was his destination, Fang Guohuan paid the boatman and leapt ashore.

At the entrance to the bank, a long bench had been set out, with three or four clerks sitting upon it, greeting the customers coming and going. Fang Guohuan approached, looking inside, and saw five or six clerks behind the counter, none too busy, and a slightly plump middle-aged man sitting behind the counter, sipping tea.

One of the clerks at the door noticed Fang Guohuan peering in, and, judging that he did not look like someone coming to deposit or exchange money, got up to block his way, saying, “Hey! This is a bank, not a place for loiterers. Please move along.” Fang Guohuan quickly replied, “Would you be so kind as to inform the manager? I have important business with him.” When Fang Guohuan had parted from Zhao Mingfeng in the past, Zhao had given him a jade pendant as a token, to be used when seeking him at the Golden Yuan Bank in Suzhou.

The clerks, seeing this young stranger asking to see the manager outright, were momentarily taken aback. One experienced clerk scrutinized Fang Guohuan, noting his refined bearing, and quickly said, “Please wait a moment, young master; I shall go and announce you.” He then went inside, approached the man sipping tea behind the counter, whispered a few words, and gestured toward the door. The man set down his cup, looked out at Fang Guohuan, and nodded to the clerk, who then returned to the entrance. “Mr. Wang, the manager on duty, asks you to come in, young master,” he said.

Fang Guohuan entered the bank and approached the counter, bowing respectfully. “I am Fang Guohuan. May I ask if you are Manager Wang?” The man nodded slightly in return and replied unhurriedly, “I am Wang Youke, not the chief manager. Our manager is inside, very busy. If you have business, you may speak to me.”

Fang Guohuan smiled, shook his head, and took out the jade pendant from his breast, handing it over. “Please present this jade pendant to your manager. Perhaps he will understand.” Wang Youke was startled, quickly rose to his feet, and examined Fang Guohuan anew, accepting the pendant with a hint of doubt. Seeing that the jade was of exceptional quality, not something ordinary people would possess, he realized his visitor was someone of importance and said, “Please wait, young master.” With that, he carried the pendant inside.

Very soon, a man hurried out from within, holding the jade pendant, with Wang Youke trailing behind, looking bewildered. The newcomer looked Fang Guohuan up and down, then nodded. “Are you Young Master Fang Guohuan?” he asked. Fang Guohuan was momentarily taken aback, then smiled in realization. “Indeed, I am.” The man beamed. “So you are truly Young Master Fang. Our young master’s instructions were precise. I am Zhang Jiang; we have been awaiting your arrival for some time.”

“So you are Manager Zhang,” Fang Guohuan replied. They exchanged bows. Zhang Jiang then turned to Wang Youke, saying, “Send word to the villa at once—tell the young master that Fang Guohuan has arrived.” Wang Youke acknowledged the order, and Zhang Jiang invited Fang Guohuan into the inner hall. The clerks exchanged glances, now understanding that this young man was no ordinary visitor but a friend of their young master. Thankfully, none had offended him earlier.

Seated in the inner hall, a clerk brought tea, and Zhang Jiang invited Fang Guohuan to drink. After a sip, Fang Guohuan asked, “Manager Zhang, how is Young Master Mingfeng?”

Zhang Jiang bowed and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Fang. The young master is well. Just a few days ago, he visited the bank with the young mistress to ask if you had arrived. Unfortunately, you missed the wedding by half a month.” At this, Fang Guohuan suddenly recalled, “Yes, of course. I had promised Young Master Mingfeng to come to Suzhou for his wedding with Miss Han, but now I am late. It has been over half a year since we last met.”

Zhang Jiang smiled. “The young master gave us instructions months ago: if someone arrives bearing the jade, we must receive him. At last, we have welcomed you.” Fang Guohuan nodded, then asked, “And how is Miss Han?”

At the mention of Han Xing’er, Zhang Jiang’s face lit up with pride. “Our young mistress is truly a celestial chef! All the top chefs from various cuisines in Suzhou had the fortune to sample her grand banquet at Tianwai Tower, which featured dishes from both north and south. They were left in awe and unanimously proclaimed her the greatest chef in the land, even presenting her with a plaque in her honor. You must know, with so many renowned chefs gathered in Suzhou, to be named the best by such masters is no small feat.”