Chapter 149

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Xiang Yuan had long since inquired and knew Song Miao had come with a group of students, taking on the logistics food duty for river digging and channel repair.

He was not afraid of the students coming to cause trouble at his door; after all, scholars were often useless, and he could make up any excuse to brush them off. Moreover, since everyone had taken on an official government task, if they came to his door, he could even accuse them of using power to oppress him.

Ordinary commoners feared the government, but someone like him, who had done big business, seen much, and had connections with people inside, not only was not afraid, but at certain times was quite confident he could handle things.

If a fuss was made and dragged on, in the end the government cared more about face; as a traveling merchant, what was there to fear?

But right now, these dozen or so healthy women, though he did not know them, seeing them sizing him and Xie Hu up without stop, and with many people outside craning their necks to look, Xiang Yuan actually felt somewhat uneasy in his heart.

Who could control the mouths of loafers and idle women on every street and alley?

Using such a righteous reason as flood control for Huazhou, spending five hundred strings to buy a favor—ordinary people hearing it wouldn't think so much, nor could they know the merchant's bitterness. Once he refused, one could guess with one's toes how he would be pointed at by a thousand people afterward, and how his peers would gossip.

He steadied himself, smiled, stepped forward, and pointed to the inner room of the grain shop: "One thing for another; borrowing grain or buying grain cannot be explained in a sentence or two—Young Lady Song, you and I go inside to discuss in detail."

Now it was Xiang Yuan's turn to be anxious about "one thing for another"!

Song Miao smiled and said: "As long as Master Xiang agrees, afterward it won't be up to me! If you can help recommend, not only will this young lady be endlessly grateful, but the Huazhou commoners present, and many people in the Zhou Zhong, will all be endlessly grateful—afterward it will be transferred to the Zhou Ya to follow up, but I don't have such great authority, nor can I make the final decision!"

After speaking, she smiled and looked at Xie Hu, asking: "If Master Xie finds it inconvenient, surely he can recommend one or two peers to take on Master Xiang's favor?"

Asked this by Song Miao, a few steps away, Xie Hu's expression grew even uglier, almost forcing out a smile.

He was a prominent and wealthy local merchant.

If Xiang Yuan were just a passing monk and things became ugly, he could turn and run, but he was one who could make the monk run but not the temple.

Usually, when the yamen came asking for donations or grain, he could always fob them off with words, but right now, before countless commoners, he absolutely could not be perfunctory.

What merchants wanted was reputation; other businesses might only need merchant-circle reputation, but a rice shop had to do business big and small. Once its reputation was ruined, who would buy from you if they could buy elsewhere?

Just then, someone outside the door suddenly asked: "Last month when the four counties and our city suffered flood damage, did the Xie Family donate grain or not?"

"Seems they didn't donate?"

"Didn't donate?"

"If they had donated, wouldn't they hang up a signboard? Didn't you see the Liu Family Cloth Shop on East Street donated a hundred bolts of hemp cloth, and at their door they hung five or six banners naming them charitable donors of cloth—almost covering the big door—and it's been over a month, still flapping in the wind!"

Xie Hu silently cursed in his heart.

Everyone assumed merchants were rich, as if money were picked up from the ground or picked from trees; once disaster struck, or there were old, weak, orphaned, or miserable people, they all turned to merchants for help.

But life was inherently difficult; who knew how many disasters and hardships in a year—donate this time, donate next time; for building bridges, repairing roads, pitying orphans and aiding the suffering, still more donations—didn't he need to eat, and didn't a whole group of subordinates need feeding?

But such words could naturally not be said in public; they would only invite curses.

He only had time to glance at Xiang Yuan, then said in one breath: "What is Young Lady saying? Even without Brother Xiang's favor, if the yamen comes looking, I certainly won't shirk."

Having come to this point, Xie Hu instead resigned himself to fate; looking at the many people outside, he said loudly: "For digging channels and repairing embankments in Zhou Zhong, I am also a Huazhou person; having received much care from elders and fellow townsmen for my business, though I cannot give much, I donate one hundred shi of grain to express my humble heart!"

Song Miao gave him no chance to regret at all; immediately she performed a salute and said: "Master Xie is righteous! Then it's settled. Now, before so many people in the city, we cannot let Master Xie suffer a loss—apart from the Commendation Order Decree, in the future when the Zhou Ya erects a stele, the Xie Family Grain Shop will surely be listed on it!"

She added: "Whether rice or flour, any kind will do, but I don't know which shopkeeper the yamen will send this afternoon to contact and confirm the transport arrangements?"

While speaking, Song Miao looked toward the few people standing behind Xie Hu—actually wanting to settle the follow-up right then and there.

What could Xie Hu say?

He had no choice but to point out a shopkeeper and report the other party's name.

Everything was settled at once; Song Miao only said she still had duties on her person, and regardless of how much Xiang Yuan urged and begged her to stay, she left six dan of money, brought along twelve laundry women, and left immediately.

A group of Huazhou commoners waited until there was no more excitement to see, then slowly dispersed; whether on the way or going home, they couldn't help but spread what they had seen and heard today.

The news quickly reached the yamen.

Head Clerk Qian Zhongming received a reply from his subordinate and didn't even have time to drink tea, asking urgently: "What does this mean? What does it mean that grain must be transported this afternoon?"

The subordinate recounted what had happened in the grain shop, and added: "That young lady appointed the end of Shen Hour; presumably after leaving the yamen, she will send someone to discuss the grain transport time."

He added: "The grain of five hundred strings is actually not much and doesn't hurt the overall situation; it's just that once this opening is made, they will take it to urge the other grain merchants to lend grain."

He reminded: "Because last time you promised, the various counties below said they would finalize the corvée roster after this month, but these past few days, Water Supervisor Wu Gong and the student Han Li, the two leading a group, have been tinkering here and there inside the yamen, and have also been reviewing old gazetteers everywhere; it's heard they have already divided the places to be dug into sections, only waiting for all people and things to be in place."

"Yesterday that Wu Gong was still urging, saying it doesn't matter if materials aren't ready; let the corvée laborers arrive first, and people can start digging the channel."

"Although I've temporarily fobbed them off, the reason used is that there is currently no grain; even if the people arrive, there's no rice to eat. If they solve the grain within these few days, it really won't be good to keep dragging it on..."

Hearing this, Qian Zhongming felt only annoyed.

Digging channels and repairing embankments was originally a good thing; once the shovel moved, money could be made everywhere.

Cen Dezhang had previously wanted to stir things up, but after being dealt with several times by me, he had become honest; now, big and small, inside and outside, almost everything was up to me to say.

But this group that had come now, apart from being mere runners, the most troublesome were the two individuals.

The first was that Wu Gong; he was truly annoying, urging every day inside the yamen, wishing he could stuff his mouth shut.

The second, and most annoying, was that student Han; one had to consider his reputation and writings, and also guard against him coming up with random ideas.

He thought for a moment and said: "You go find Xie Hu of the Xie Family Grain Shop once; just tell him what I instructed, to let him think of a way to push this matter off—just a young lady, isn't she easy to brush off?"

One could guess without thinking that the grain shop was unwilling to lend grain.

Saying it was a loan, but who knew when the silver and grain allocated from the Capital would arrive?

If they never arrived, what if they simply didn't pay it back?

Right now the city had suffered flood damage, prices in the city rose day by day; it was exactly the time to make money—who would give up the money right before their eyes!

And as long as the grain could be delayed, then his own people could also be delayed a bit longer; after the silver was fully sent down below, they could arrange it again.

Head Clerk Qian arranged for someone to go find Xie Hu, while inside the Xie Family Rice Shop, Xiang and Xie, the two, put away the six dan of money, returned to the back, but were each annoyed.

Xiang Yuan, as soon as he entered the door, said to Xie Hu: "Brother Xie, this time it was this younger brother who caused trouble; I don't want to implicate you."

He added: "I know the rice price is just right this time; I won't let you suffer this hidden loss—I won't take these five hundred strings either; just leave them for Brother Xie to buy this batch of grain. Having disturbed you for many days and caused so much trouble, consider it as compensation."

At this very moment, toward Xie Hu, he was truly righteous in a thousand ways, generous in ten thousand.

But Xie Hu only sighed, shook his head, and said: "Xiang Xiong, you and I have been friends for many years; how would I stand on ceremony with you over a few hundred strings of cash? It's just that this time it isn't a matter of money."

"The yamen has actually come calling several times already, wanting each grain merchant to contribute grain; only the Merchant Guild agreed among themselves that they absolutely could not open this breach, otherwise afterward it would never end."

"If it were only some grain, Xiang Xiong, you speak the word, no matter how much I wouldn't bat an eye; it just so happens that this time it would violate what the Guild previously agreed upon."

The Merchant Guild, in order to hoard and drive up prices, was unwilling to lend grain to the government; such an agreement naturally could not be spoken aloud in front of the common people.

Xie Hu lent the house to Xiang Yuan — first, because the two had longstanding friendship; second, it was merely a favor along the way, benefiting another at no cost to himself — but now he has been dragged into it, at once losing several hundred strings' worth of grain, and has become the one who stuck his neck out; who knows how he will be stabbed in the backbone, truly aggrieved at heart, yet he cannot even ask for this favor to be repaid, else he would appear petty!

That Xiang Yuan's business could grow this large, naturally he has his extraordinary qualities.

He immediately said: "Let me host a banquet, invite them for a meal, and explain things for you."

And also said: "I'll go try again; if I can persuade that young woman, have her take the silver and go back to open her shop, this trouble will naturally be gone."

Xie Hu hurriedly said: "Enough, enough! You see how seasoned and clever she is in her dealings, you know she's a woman with a mind of her own; if you go to her door and fail, and offend her instead, then bring a group of women to her door..."

"You just watch me!" Xiang Yuan gave his ironclad guarantee.

No matter how generous his words, how could his heart not ache?

He had always thought she was merely a young woman, to be kneaded round or flat at will; who knew he would turn around and be outmaneuvered by her, losing five hundred strings for nothing, and still owing her a favor — this kind of favor-debt is harder to repay than money; he even somewhat regretted why he didn't just throw three hundred strings at her at the start, but insisted on...

Xiang Yuan was about to speak further when someone came in from outside to deliver a message.

This time it was for Xie Hu.

"Master, Headman Xiao Qian has come, saying he has something to report to you!"

Never mind how Money Hole's subordinates came hurrying here to convey instructions to Xie Hu; on the other side, Song Miao left the Xie Family Grain Shop together with a group of laundresses, chatting idly along the way.

The women heard she had come from the Capital following the students, cooking for the channel-digging corvée laborers; every one of them gave her face, praising her nonstop.

Someone else said: "Young Lady, why give any silver? Next time there's this kind of spectacle, don't give money, just send someone to call us, I'll be the first to come help!"

For a moment the rest also chimed in without cease.

Song Miao hurriedly thanked them, chatted and laughed with everyone for a while, and when they reached the Washing Clothes Workshop, the two sides finally parted ways.

She hadn't gone far before the sky started raining again.

Although she had brought an umbrella, because the rain was truly too heavy, she and Big Pancake were still soaked half through; they hurried back to the yamen first, waited until they wiped dry the dampness inside the room, changed clothes, rested a bit, and only then went out to the front hall.

By now it was afternoon; because she had been busy for most of the day, only now did she free her hands, yet she hadn't managed to go procure supplies.

But today she had finally accomplished the matter, and her heart was at ease; even though the torrential rain outside blocked her way, her mood wasn't much affected — instead she poured herself a pot of tea, found a table nearest the main gate, took out the draft texts and brush and ink she had prepared these past two days, reading and slowly revising, and from time to time lifting her head to watch the rain in the sky.

Just as she was sitting there, Big Pancake had also finished tidying up and came out the door; seeing Song Miao writing, he didn't dare disturb her, only sat quietly to one side.

Because he had said before that he wanted to learn characters, only since childhood he'd had no chance; today having leisure, Song Miao gave him a sheet of paper, taught the first few characters, and had him practice by tracing them in the air on the table with his finger.

With someone teaching him, Big Pancake thanked her repeatedly, practicing with vigor; Song Miao then went about her own business.

After much difficulty she finally finished revising; she looked up, saw the water clock in the corner — the hour was truly not early — yet the rain outside showed no sign of stopping, so she stood up and walked out the door to look.

At this moment a flash of lightning streaked across the horizon; not long after, a crack of thunder exploded, and then rolling peals of thunder approached from far to near, practically bursting beside her ears.

Seeing the rain now like drifting duckweed, now like swift arrows, beating her clothes until they were about to get wet, she was just about to retreat back inside, but saw under the eaves at the side of the doorway quite a few people taking shelter — some carrying pole-loads, some with back-baskets — and now that the rain was heavy, the whole lot of them finally couldn't help retreating into the front hall.

Some ordered tea for themselves, some pooled money with acquaintances to buy water; but there was an old woman who kept huddling under the eaves, half her clothes soaked, her shoes wet too, sitting curled against the wall, frowning at the sky.

Her clothes were patched, her shoes were worn-through showing toes, all caked in mud; before her she had placed a bamboo basket, covered with straw — though one couldn't know what was inside — and beside it a steelyard scale, plus several large taro leaves, clearly the basket's contents were for sale.

Song Miao truly couldn't bear seeing such a person; she thought a moment, stepped forward and called out "Granny," then asked: "What are you here selling?"

The old woman, seeing someone ask the price, was overjoyed, hurriedly pushed aside the straw covering the bamboo basket before her, showed Song Miao the contents, and said: "All picked this morning, absolutely beautiful water celery, and garlic leaves — I picked them out one by one, not a single rotten leaf; does the young lady want some?"

And also said: "Kept them a whole day, then the rain came, got them all wet; I'll give the young lady a cheap price!"

Song Miao looked; though kept a day, they were still quite fresh, the vegetables very clean; seeing the quantity wasn't large, and the quoted price was much lower than the vegetable stall's, she bought the lot; after paying, she said: "Elder, in such heavy rain, I'm afraid it won't stop for a while; why not go inside and take shelter, so you don't catch cold from the wet?"

The old woman sighed, saying: "Young lady's kind heart, but to sit inside one must buy tea or water, one cash a cup; my daughter-in-law is ill, this money must be kept to hire a doctor for her."

And also said: "Everyone says Huazhou has a flood disaster, everything's gone up in price; I thought vegetables here should sell for more than back home, so I came specially at dawn; who knew I hadn't sold long before I ran into this heavy rain, trapping myself here — I'm afraid I can't even return tonight, and still have to find lodging, which will cost more money, alas!"

Song Miao was somewhat surprised, and asked: "Granny, aren't you a Huazhou person? With roads blocked everywhere, how did you get here?"

"I'm from a village below Linghe Town; I came by boat."