Chapter 151

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

When the voices from outside drifted in, Wu Gong was biting on a few stalks of water celery.

The water celery was still in season, picked extremely tender, and stir-fried to just the right doneness — crisp and refreshing; as soon as upper and lower teeth met, one could clearly hear the "crack" of its straight stems snapping.

With one bite through, sweet juice burst from the tender stems into his mouth.

That juice carried a hint of the water celery's unique, faint astringent taste, blended into the fragrant, spicy meat slices and the rich, fatty broth, complementing each other perfectly.

Eating such a fine dish, he was actually a bit oblivious to everything outside.

But those four characters — "Song" and "Young Lady" — even separated, were still like they had diamond drill bits, drilling through the "meal cover" he had wrapped around himself outside.

Wu Gong wolfed down the rice and dishes in his bowl, then hurriedly ladled himself another spoonful of the stir-fried pork with both sauce and meat, immediately set that bowl down, and instructed the attendants: "I haven't finished eating yet, you absolutely must not clear my bowl!"

Speaking, he turned his body; although he did not rise, his eyes watched the so-called "Xie Yuanzai" entering from outside the door.

The visitor was naturally Xie Hu of the Xie Family Grain Shop.

It was mealtime just then; he entered the door, saw many people inside, paused a moment, then seemed to react and withdrew again, waiting right at the doorway.

Song Miao, hearing the relay from the courier, happened to come out; seeing the man outside, she was slightly startled, went out to welcome him, called out "Xie Yuanzai," and moved to lead him into the front hall.

Xie Hu waved his hand, saying: "Just a few words, I won't go in and sit long; this time I've come to apologize to the Young Lady."

These words came out of nowhere; Song Miao listened in bewilderment and said: "Where does this talk of apologizing come from?"

Xie Hu then said: "At noon I just promised the Young Lady to donate grain and rice, truly wanting to contribute for the county; who knew that just now I got word — it's such a coincidence — my shop in the eastern city took a big order and sold out all its stock."

"Since I've taken a deposit, and it's legitimate business, I can't decline; I was wondering, the grain and rice I promised the Young Lady, could they be delivered later?"

He added: "It's not that I won't honor it, just later — when the new grain and new rice arrive, I'll donate an extra one hundred shi!"

Song Miao immediately heard the subtlety in this.

The Xie Family is a well-known major grain merchant in Huazhou City; who could buy up all their stock in one go?

He couldn't even be bothered to find a better excuse.

This talk is only enough to fool a three-year-old child.

But Song Miao showed not the slightest displeasure, only asking: "I wonder, this 'later' — how late exactly?"

That Xie Hu said: "As soon as the road opens and the grain arrives, I'll immediately have them arrange it — either way, it won't be past the fourth month."

He vowed solemnly: "Digging canals and building channels is a major affair; Young Lady, rest assured, I won't default. But whether it's the canal or the embankment, neither can be done in a day or two; please wait a little — good food fears no delay!"

Song Miao almost wanted to laugh.

Once the road is open, would I still be in such a rush to use your one hundred shi of grain to warn the monkeys by killing the chicken?

She spoke directly: "Xie Yuanzai, today I heard of your family's good deeds from several aunties — building bridges, repairing roads, digging canals in the county, you've contributed much over the years. Though I only run a small stall in the Capital, I count as a merchant too, and I ask myself I cannot match your benevolence and righteousness."

"I greatly admire Yuanzai's conduct; now I'll open the skylight and speak plainly — the county needs to dig canals and channels, but because the roads are impassable grain cannot arrive, that's why we came knocking. If your shop truly cannot because of a big deal, that is perfectly reasonable, no one would blame you in the slightest. But if there are other hidden circumstances, water affairs are directly managed by Cen Tongpan; I'll have to report it truthfully upward."

The smile on Xie Hu's face froze instantly; in his heart he couldn't help cursing "motherfucker."

When Yama fight, the little ghosts suffer.

When that Cen Tongpan first took office, he still wanted to burn three fires, but after contending with Qian Kongmu a few rounds, he lost and his fire went out, and he withered considerably.

But no matter what, he is still a Tongpan; if he can't handle Qian Kongmu, if he has the mind, could he really not handle a merchant like myself?

If at that time Qian Kongmu stands by and watches, what do I do?

Even if Qian Kongmu finally speaks up for me, opens his eyes, in the middle I'll definitely suffer losses and hardship; in the end will anyone come to compensate, who would compensate?

Think with your toenail covers, and you know for sure there's no compensation.

But if I agree to donate grain or lend grain now, Qian Kongmu's side is the Current Manager; how would I explain that?

The more Xie Hu thought, the angrier he got; the more he thought, the more vexed.

Officials fighting with clerks — what does it have to do with a businessman like me?? This time I'm truly an innocent victim of calamity!

If not for that Xiang Yuan...

Despite many years of business dealings and deep friendship, at this moment he almost couldn't hold back, wishing he could stuff that Xiang Yuan into a carriage right now and kick him back to his hometown.

Seeing Xie Hu's expression changing unpredictably, Song Miao waited a moment, then said gently: "I'm just a cook, I don't manage affairs, and I have no power or hope; Yuanzai coming to find me is just borrowing me to pass a message, right?"

As she spoke, she looked back, saw this place was quite close to the outer hall, then walked another seven or eight steps outward.

Seeing Song Miao move, Xie Hu hesitated a moment in his heart, but ultimately followed.

Seeing him follow, Song Miao knew in her heart, and said solemnly: "I'm no good at anything else, but my mouth is tight; Yuanzai, please speak."

"The Young Lady is straightforward, so I won't speak polite formalities." Xie Hu sighed, "You've also done business, you know a merchant's difficulties. I can't say much else, I'll just leak one sentence — this conscription of corvée labor is exceptionally rare; I hear they provide a meal and a bit of subsidy. The Du Shui Jian officials who came should know many people are eyeing the inside, wanting benefits, right?"

He paused, then said: "If the yamen's runner ye comes out and says grain can be donated or lent, I absolutely won't refuse a single bit — Young Lady, please don't make things hard for this merchant Xie; several hundred people below are waiting to be fed."

"I'm putting my words here today; if I get good news, I'll definitely be the first to send grain and rice over. In the future if you want to buy, I'll only charge cost price, not a single Portion of profit!"

"You should know, I'm also a Huazhou person..."

Xie Hu came quickly, and left quickly.

Song Miao did not quarrel with him, did not lecture any grand principles, and did not even bring out the Du Shui Jian or Cen Dezhang the Tongpan to apply pressure.

The Xie Family truly isn't black-hearted outwardly; even Xie San'er's parents, mentioning this employer, have more good words than bad. Today the aunties and sisters at the Washing Clothes Workshop also mentioned his family often does good deeds.

Moreover, just as Xie Hu said, making things hard for him serves no purpose.

Looking from another angle, his luck is truly rather bad; originally he just kindly lent out a house, who could have thought it would stir up so much trouble?

Turning back into the front hall, just stepping over the threshold, Song Miao saw a person standing behind the door.

She froze a moment, and called out: "Wu Guiren?"

Wu Gong sighed and said: "I originally still feared that person would make things hard for you, said I'd come here to help watch... who knew, alas... Huazhou clerks are cunning and crafty, to actually this extent."

As it turned out, although he had only caught a few scattered sentences, he was long accustomed to handling official business in various places, so how could he fail to piece together the general gist?

"That is only to be expected. When Young Master Han returns, tell him about it, so he can be prepared."

After Song Miao finished speaking, she also bowed to that Wu Gongshi, saying: "Many thanks for your concern for me, sir. The rice wasn't even finished, yet you specially came to help keep watch."

That Wu Gongshi barely managed to press down his bristling beard.

Who doesn't like their kindness being discovered and thanked for?

He said: "A mere trifle, what is there to thank for!"

He added: "You make such good dishes every day, I don't even know how to thank you!"

Speaking, he also cupped his hands toward Song Miao and hurried back to that table.

And Song Miao looked up to see that inside, the students at both tables were not eating, but had set down their bowls and chopsticks, each and every one looking toward her and that Wu Gongshi, all looking rather tense, some even already standing up, looking as if they were about to come over.

When Wu Gongshi went back, not knowing what he said to the crowd, they only then seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, some holding up bowls to show the empty bowl bottoms, grinning at Song Miao, others pointing at those vegetable plates eaten clean, even the soup all taken to soak rice.

Song Miao also smiled at the crowd, about to return to the back kitchen, when outside another person hurried in, entered the door, and asked for "Song Xiaoniangzi".

This time it was Xiang Yuan who sent a servant to deliver a message, asking if Song Miao had time around Xu hour tonight, he wanted to bring Liang Yan to visit and express thanks.

Song Miao thought for a moment, only said she was free, and agreed.

At the end of You hour, the sky was already completely dark, when Han Li returned with Kong Fuyang.

As soon as he returned, he wanted to find Song Miao to speak.

Song Miao signaled the two to eat first, saying: "The dishes will get cold soon, it's nothing urgent, we'll speak in a bit."

The dishes made by that kitchen in the official post station still had a lot left — truly, today Song Miao's two side dishes went too well with rice, leaving no room for the other dishes to shine at all.

At this moment the two stir-fried meats were just half-warm, mixed with hot rice, there was another kind of flavor.

Especially those meat slices inside, whether pork belly or front leg meat, soaking longer made them even more flavorful, and the soup juice because it had been simmered, placed for this half an hour, surprisingly still had not separated oil and water, but remained thick soup and delicious flavor, fresh and spicy.

Song Miao calculated the time and came out from the back, and sure enough the two had just finished eating.

She went up forward, originally intending to discuss business, but unexpectedly just as she approached, that Kong Fuyang asked: "Song Xiaoniangzi, what is this dish called? It goes extremely well with rice!"

Song Miao smiled: "It is Small Stir-fried Pork, this dish has many methods, today I used the Lingling eating method, stir-fry first then simmer, with soup, fragrant and spicy, very much a rice-killer."

That Kong Fuyang didn't catch it clearly for a moment, so asked again what "ling".

Song Miao casually said: "Traversing all rugged gorges, first meeting a smooth slope — such is Lingling."

Kong Fuyang immediately reacted, clapped his hands laughing: "So it is Master Chengzhai arriving!"

He asked again: "Then today, do I and Zheng Yan count as 'first meeting rice-killing dishes'?"

He was originally talkative, tonight especially so, asked about the dish, then pursued asking if Song Miao's Xiang Yuan matter had any follow-up, also asked if he needed to go himself, knock on their door and scold them and so on.

Song Miao replied one by one, first saying Xiang Yuan agreed to bring a child to visit in a while, also said no need to help for now, if there's anything she can't handle, she will definitely call.

She finished speaking, then looked toward Han Li who had been sitting to the side listening to the two's conversation, saying: "There is precisely one matter I want to entrust to Young Master Han."

Han Li had long sat up straight, at this time said: "Just speak, no matter."

"A few days ago I heard Young Master requested twenty blank commendation orders from Cen Tongpan, but don't know if you could lend me one for temporary use?"

Han Li immediately nodded, turned to Kong Fuyang at the side, said: "If you have time..."

He only said this one sentence, Kong Fuyang already actively stood up, saying: "I'll go get it!"

Han Li handed over the keys on his person, also said: "Also that matter you mentioned yesterday about the number of sluice gates and material quantities needed for the three western counties from here, I calculated it this morning, trouble you to verify again yourself, when you come out later, conveniently tell me if there are any errors or omissions."

Kong Fuyang hearing Han Li actually kept his matters in mind, prepared them early in the morning, was at once both happy and anxious, agreed repeatedly, only greeted Song Miao briefly, and hurried away.

Once the person left, Han Li said: "Xu hour is very late, also don't know what Xiang Yuan's matter is, how about I sit in the corner, also good to look after — do you mind?"

Song Miao thought for a moment, said: "Then I'll trouble you, also that commendation order — although I say borrow, if really used, does it matter?"

Han Li gently said: "If you need to use, it must be for a proper purpose, naturally doesn't matter."

Song Miao smiled, said: "I want to use it to hook that Xiang Yuanwai's medicinal materials, save him calculating against people all day."

Also said: "This person is very good at business, what he brings are mostly for epidemic prevention, even if not used now, when digging canals and connecting rivers later also usable — I guess he mostly won't give, perhaps bluff once and he'll run, if willing to give, actually exchanging a commendation order is also very good, what does Young Master think?"

Han Li smiled looking at her, said: "I think it's very good, this matter is all decided by Stall Owner Song."

Finished speaking of that commendation order, Song Miao then told of today's Xie Family Rice Shop Xie Hu coming to the door.

Han Li finished listening, said: "I originally also knew this matter would certainly not harmonize, already made other arrangements, only the trouble is too much, originally prepared to wait one more day, seeing it like this, no need to wait."

Since ancient times, accumulated clerks have a nickname, called "Standing Ground Officials", holding power in hand, and thoroughly knowing local miscellaneous affairs and personnel, most difficult to deal with.

Cen Dezhang a single Tongpan can't even control his subordinates, on what grounds does he demand merchants help act as spearmen?

You must know the interests involved are huge, one mishap, both sides fall out, it's truly possible to see knives and blood.

Conscripting corvee labor, hearing it sounds like just four simple characters, actually inside the doors and pathways are far too many.

First is work type.

Laborers assigned to different tasks, completely different experiences.

Most comfortable naturally is assigned to the kitchen, although also hard, but neither suffer sun and rain, and can eat full.

In between there are second-best, worst is being assigned to dig river sections.

Same assigned to dig river, assigned to different river sections, doing the work also differs greatly.

Some river sections underneath have more mud and sand, digging is easy, some have more gravel underneath, although uncomfortable, not to the point of too hard, if assigned a place encountering a few large stones blocking the way, three or four people can't lift them, truly crying with nowhere to cry.

Besides these, there are also work site time periods, dates, etc.

All assigned to morning, you can't sleep long before having to climb up and work a day. If assigned work all during farming busy season, home fields also can't be tended.

And these assignments are all controlled layer by layer by village heads and clerks.

Want good work? Good time? Good time period?

No problem, pay money!

This time's matter, obviously the lower clerks haven't collected enough money, so the people above keep dragging, unwilling to handle affairs.

Hearing Han Li say trouble, Song Miao couldn't help but ask another sentence, saying: "But don't know where the trouble lies?"

"I originally wanted to transfer to Weizhou, but Zhi Rang, the road is long and travel is difficult……"

Song Miao was stunned and asked, "Is Linghe Town under Weizhou's jurisdiction?"

?? Thank you to the kind onlookers for sending me this gift…… such a neat and tidy gift! Does this number have some special meaning, hehehe:) I'll take it as a small jade, thank you for the small jade you gave me~

? Thank you, book friend, for sending me the Peach Blossom Fan; I've already given it to Xiao Miao to fan herself with ^_^

? Many thanks to Bing Ning Yan Han and Mai Dou Ai Xiao Du for each sending me one Sachet; they both seem to smell of Hulless Barley, and they smell very Comforting:)

? Thank you Special Mission Cat Cat for sending me four Peace Talismans, book friend, San Yu Yi, and book friend three for each sending me one Peace Talisman; may everyone be safe and sound together =3=