Chapter 441: The Inn at Tai

The inspection lasted until mid-twelfth month. The situation was better than Liu Minyou had imagined. The Dengzhou Garrison's money shops had taken root in various places, and since the money shop and trading company premises were always together, settlement was extremely convenient. In large transactions along the Grand Canal and in Northern Zhili, fifty percent of merchants used Four Seas drafts, with no need to carry actual silver back and forth — both reputation and credit had been firmly established.

In the accounts, apart from the "ceremonial gift" item, everything else was done to a very standardized level, meeting the requirements of the trading company's head office and also conforming to the Finance Department's standards. Liu Minyou set a standard for that vague ceremonial gift category. Zhou Laifu and Wang Erya fought for a certain degree of flexibility, and Liu Minyou accepted it. In this border zone where two systems intersected, this was the best he could do for now. After the inspection, they set out on the return journey.

Liu Minyou and Wang Daixi hurried toward Denglai, and Wang Erya and Zhou Laifu came back with them. The party set out from Linqing Department and reached Jinan Prefecture in a few days. As was his custom, Liu Minyou did not enter the city. He stayed at the trading company's lodgings outside the city and sent someone into town to find the company branch, asking the branch manager to come for a face-to-face meeting.

As it turned out, Yang Yunnong came along too. This Deputy Director of the External Affairs Department had lately been handling Shandong officialdom matters. Because of the Dengzhou Garrison's powerful background, Xu Congzhi now regarded Yang Yunnong with extra favor, making this deputy director quite well-connected in Jinan Prefecture.

Now that winter had arrived, this big fat man was even more roundly rotund. Seeing his physique, Liu Minyou recalled his earliest days in Weihai, when Yang Yunnong had still been Chen Xin's direct superior. Now he had become a subordinate, and not even a direct one — he answered to Song Wenxian. Fortunately, this Yang Yunnong was extremely adept at reading the situation and never put on the airs of a former superior. Even when meeting Liu Minyou, he was exceedingly deferential.

"Lord Liu has truly worked hard." Yang Yunnong's face was full of anxious concern. The moment he entered the courtyard, he came up to help brush snowflakes off Liu Minyou's clothes. "In this freezing weather, look at those rich and noble households — none of them go out. Yet Lord Liu travels a thousand li on foot. If you ask the common people of Denglai, they rely first on Lord Chen, and second on Lord Liu. Others talk about 'a living Buddha for ten thousand homes,' but I, your subordinate, can beat my chest and swear that in Pingdu Department alone, no fewer than ten Battalion Commander enshrine living-Buddha tablets of you two lords in their homes. My own humble home has one, and I require every servant and maid in my household to have one as well. When drinking water, one must not forget the one who dug the well."

Before he had finished rambling, a snort of laughter came from behind Liu Minyou. Yang Yunnong craned his neck to look, then clapped his hands in delight. "I was just saying why I'd run into so many magpies today. So the Goddess of Wealth herself is here too."

Yang Yunnong hurriedly bowed to Liu Minyou, then circled around to the back to salute Wang Daixi. "Director Wang has worked hard, traveling everywhere for audits in this world of ice and snow. I recall when you first came to Weihai, you were just a little girl. Now you've blossomed into such a fine young lady. All the spiritual energy of heaven and earth must have been absorbed by Director Wang. And speaking of coincidence, this year Lord Song assigned me, this humble one, to handle the External Affairs Department's financial audit. When the time comes, I will still need to ask Director Wang…"

Wang Daixi suppressed a smile and said to Yang Yunnong, "Deputy Director Yang, don't plead for favors. Lord Liu's Inspectorate Department also keeps an eye on the Finance Department."

Yang Yunnong tilted his head. "Ah, what is Director Wang saying? I, your humble subordinate, have always given my full support to the Finance Department's work. Some other departments still make snide remarks, but I refute them to their faces. Is the Finance Department audit targeting you personally? Is it for Director Wang's own benefit? Just look at Director Wang. You live in a modest two-courtyard house, and your clothes…"

At this point, he finally noticed that Wang Daixi was wearing a fox-fur coat of no small value, and immediately changed tack: "Can your clothes compare to those of their concubines, who all wear sable? Director Wang does this for the greater good of our Dengzhou Garrison. I, your humble subordinate, have offended quite a few people over this, but I still have that temper of mine — I can't stand injustice. I absolutely cannot let Director Wang be worn out by work and still have to endure idle gossip…"

"Alright, alright." Liu Minyou cut him off with a laugh. "Lord Yang, that mouth of yours could talk the dead back to life. People say the External Affairs Department is full of smooth talkers, but I'd say all of them put together can't match your mouth alone."

Yang Yunnong waved his hands repeatedly. "Lord Liu, what are you saying? I, this humble one, talk a lot, but it's all honest words from the heart. When I speak, I just want to pour my heart out to people, so I end up with a bit too much chatter. How could I compare to Lord Chen or Lord Liu, whose every word is worth gold? Even Lord Song — one sentence from him is worth a hundred of mine. So when I, your subordinate, follow you lords, I must listen more and learn more. At most, I just put the lords' words into plainer language and pass them on to the people below."

A female voice suddenly cut in: "Yang Yunnong, stop your blathering here. If you're as good as you claim, then treat us to an outing in Jinan Prefecture — out of your own silver, and no using External Affairs Department funds."

Yang Yunnong shuddered at the sound of this voice. He stole a glance over and saw Wang Erya emerging from a side room with disheveled hair, still tying the sash at her waist as she walked.

Yang Yunnong immediately plastered on a smile. "Today I truly must have checked the almanac before leaving home — every deity under heaven has arrived. Lord Liu is right here. Even if you gave me a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare use External Affairs Department funds. I, this humble one, must pay out of my own silver. I'll take everyone to see Baotu Spring, and then we'll go eat some Zhipan roast meat…"

Wang Erya spat. "Yang Yunnong, have you no shame? I've seen those few springs before. Take us to see Mount Tai. I've passed back and forth several times and haven't even caught a glimpse of Mount Tai's shadow. If you dare say no today, I'll have a proper reckoning with you about the Liaocheng matter. Lord Chen clearly assigned the External Affairs Department to handle Liaocheng, but you egged on the trading company's Liaocheng branch manager to send gifts and do your External Affairs Department's work for you. When I tell those shareholders, let's see how you explain yourself."

"I'll treat, I'll treat. Shopkeeper Wang, what are you saying? Is your humble subordinate such a stingy person?" Yang Yunnong broke out in sweat on his forehead, watching Liu Minyou and Wang Daixi's reactions from the corner of his eye. He really had done that in Liaocheng — trying to take advantage of the trading company and then pocket the ceremonial gift money himself. The only saving grace was that Wang Erya had discovered it early and immediately sought out Yang Yunnong to give him a thorough scolding. Although Yang Yunnong hadn't returned the money, he hadn't swallowed that silver either. Otherwise, this time's cross-audit would have exposed him completely.

Wang Daixi pursed her lips in a smile, then said to Yang Yunnong, "Director Yang, sweating in the dead of winter — you should go on a diet."

Yang Yunnong gave an embarrassed laugh and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead. "Your subordinate's accounts can all stand up to scrutiny. Mount Tai it is, then. With so many deities gracing me with their presence, this is good fortune I've cultivated over several lifetimes — how could I possibly refuse?"

Seeing Yang Yunnong agree, Wang Daixi quickly turned around and happily grabbed Liu Minyou's sleeve. "Brother Liu, can we spare a few days? Let's all go see Mount Tai together."

Liu Minyou frowned as he calculated. He had planned to rush back before the New Year, preferably a few days early, to review and approve the accumulated matters. He had originally entrusted Chen Xin to handle the approvals on his behalf, but he had no idea whether Chen Xin had been slacking off. Moreover, Chen Xin's management style was always oversimplified, and Liu Minyou was deeply worried that the approvals might not be clear enough or might have omissions.

Seeing Liu Minyou hesitate, Wang Daixi tugged his sleeve and shook it twice. "Brother Liu, I haven't been out in so long. Those elderly folk in Denglai who go to offer incense make a trip to Mount Tai every single year."

Liu Minyou looked down at Wang Daixi, shook his head with a smile, and said, "Let's go then. We'll move a bit faster."

Yang Yunnong and Wang Erya both stared wide-eyed at the two of them for a moment. Then they exchanged a glance with each other and turned their heads away as if nothing had happened.

………

"Are you guests looking for lodgings? Come to our place, it's the best — we have opera and singing…"

"Guests, come to my establishment! We have meals and rooms, and a stable with someone to feed your horses…"

Outside the city of Tai'an Department. Liu Minyou's party led their horses forward amid the calls of touts on both sides. Their attire was refined, and they had attendants leading horses — clearly no ordinary family — so the touts were extremely eager, following alongside the group and ceaselessly pitching their establishments. Sha Monk and several guards flanked Liu Minyou, keeping those people from getting too close.

Liu Minyou felt as if he were back in Jiangnan. Here, inns clustered thickly, shop signs stood like a forest, and incense shops were as numerous as cattle hairs. Even in the twelfth month, crowds still surged. He had never imagined that Tai'an Department in Shandong would be so prosperous — even more bustling than Jinan at this time.

Yang Yunnong, who had roamed all over Shandong, was thoroughly familiar with every locality. He explained to Liu Minyou as they walked: "My lord, Mount Tai is acclaimed as the foremost of the Five Sacred Mountains. Temples and shrines abound on the mountain, and every year countless pilgrims come here to offer incense, some from as far as Shaanxi, Huguang, and beyond. The greatest numbers, of course, come from Shandong, Northern Zhili, Henan, and Southern Zhili. The twelfth month is actually not that busy. The twenty-eighth day of the third month is the birthday of Your Majesty Yuanjun, the goddess of Mount Tai. On that day, the men and women coming to offer incense number no less than a million. Silver, cash, and incense offerings pile up like mountains. That is when you truly see Mount Tai's liveliness."

Liu Minyou sighed. "So that's how it is."

Zhou Laifu added from the side, "Your subordinate has also heard of this. Mount Putuo Luojia is much like Mount Tai — it's said to be the cave residence of Guanyin, the Great Being. In early spring, the number of people crossing the sea is such that worshippers taking a step and then prostrating themselves cover the entire mountain."

Liu Minyou smiled. "So these places are all scenic areas. I once heard people in Yangzhou talk about Yangzhou during the Qingming Festival — in the third month, it's also a sea of people, extraordinarily lively. It's a pity I never got to see it."

Wang Daixi's eyes sparkled as she listened, and Wang Erya also looked quite intrigued. Seeing this, Yang Yunnong, terrified that these two women might next demand he treat them to a trip to Yangzhou, hastily changed the subject: "Lord Liu, let's stay tonight at that biggest one up ahead. It'll be more convenient for climbing the mountain tomorrow."

Wang Daixi looked around and said doubtfully, "Aren't these ones here already quite large? The biggest inns in Dengzhou Prefecture are no more than this."

"That one is even larger. I, your humble subordinate, have traveled far and wide, and this one suits my taste the best."

Wang Daixi naturally didn't understand, so the party followed Yang Yunnong onward. The touts, seeing that these people were unmoved, finally gave up their efforts and gradually faded away.

After walking a while longer, the roadside suddenly became much tidier. Both sides of the road were lined entirely with mule and donkey stables, with dedicated hands inside feeding the animals. At a rough glance, Liu Minyou thought it was a cart and horse agency and paid it no mind. But as they continued on, over twenty establishments in a row were all horse stables and donkey stables. Curious, Liu Minyou asked, "Deputy Director Yang, are all these many mule and horse agencies here for renting to people climbing the mountain?"

"Replying to my lord, this is already the inn. These stables are all for guests to stable their horses and donkeys."

"So many? All belonging to a single inn?!"

"That's why I, your subordinate, said this one is the biggest. My lord, look — the next twenty-some establishments are all actor lodgings, where you can also listen to opera. They all belong to the same establishment."

Liu Minyou surveyed the street in astonishment. The shops and establishments lining both sides of this road, over a li long, all belonged to a single inn — something he had never seen anywhere in the Great Ming.

From the actor lodgings nearby drifted the lilting sounds of opera singing and calls for wine, creating an atmosphere of bustling excitement. Serving hands carrying dishes and charcoal braziers shuttled back and forth among them.

Further ahead, the actor lodgings gave way to elegant music rooms and small gateways. Some alluring women at the doorways cast flirtatious glances at Liu Minyou's party, not avoiding them in the slightest even though they saw women like Wang Daixi in the group.

Sha Monk stared dumbstruck again. Wang Daixi rolled her eyes at those women, while Wang Erya acted as if she didn't see them. Yang Yunnong grinned and discussed them in low tones with Zhou Laifu.

After walking over a li, they finally reached the entrance. The reception hall was extremely spacious, with neatly dressed serving hands coming and going, bowing and making way whenever they saw guests.

Yang Yunnong walked up to the counter with practiced ease and announced loudly, "Lodging — top class."

A shopkeeper stood up and said respectfully, "My lords, peace be with you. The inn fee is three qian eight fen of silver, the mountain fee one qian eight fen. Upper and middle-class rooms require an additional surcharge. Upper and middle guests all receive meat meals; lower guests receive vegetarian meals. Upon returning from the mountain, all guests are provided a congratulatory banquet. Once the congratulatory banquet is eaten, those seeking office will gain office, those seeking sons will gain sons, and those seeking wealth will gain wealth."

Yang Yunnong cut him off. "No need to go on. We'll all take upper rooms."

The shopkeeper immediately had someone assign them rooms and register them in the ledger. A group of serving hands stood to the side, waiting to lead them to their rooms.

Taking advantage of the waiting time, the shopkeeper asked them, "Do the honored guests have horses?"

Yang Yunnong answered, "Naturally we do."

"Jiang Er, go with these lords' esteemed attendants and lead the horses into the stables. Feed them some fine fodder — don't delay the lords' business."

A serving hand immediately went out the door and led the attendants off to tether the horses.

The shopkeeper continued to the group, "If the honored lords climb the mountain tomorrow, upon descending, our humble establishment also has young ladies to attend you. In addition to the private opera performance at the congratulatory banquet, there are also the actor lodgings outside for diversion. Whatever you need, just tell a serving lad, and it will be delivered to your lords' rooms…"

Liu Minyou gazed around the luxurious hall and murmured, "Five-star."

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