Chapter 202

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Han Li did not respond.

Cen Dezhang fell silent for a moment, looking at the cloth bundle on the table; his heart itched as if ten thousand ants were scratching it, unbearable in the extreme, and he finally reached out, pulling it over to himself.

He opened it and looked; first he saw a pair of straw sandals placed on the very top. The shoes were very large, and though they might not fit his feet, they were woven with great care — not a single stray grass tip or fragment was visible; one look showed that thought had been put into them.

Moving the straw sandals aside, underneath were two meditation cushions, rolled into bulky cylinders, each a good inch thick.

The cushions were made of ordinary grass rope, straw-yellow in color, but right in the middle there was a ring of white — originally the victim had used white dried grass from who knows where, and had specially woven a large swastika character.

Since the former dynasty's Empress Wu Zetian defined the swastika character, implying "the gathering place of all auspicious virtues," and because this character is simple to write and is an auspicious symbol, the common people love to use it even more; walk around the market for a circle, whether it is the bottom of bowls at stalls and shops, or the purses, clothing, and hats of pedestrians on the road, it can practically be seen everywhere.

Such an ordinary character, yet with an extremely auspicious meaning, nevertheless made Cen Dezhang's hair stand on end when he looked at it.

He wanted to speak, but did not know how to begin; for a long while, he only let out another long sigh.

Han Li heard him sigh, and seeing his reaction, hesitated for a few breaths, then said: "Brother Cen is a Zhou Tongpan; I am but a common student — our identities differ, and by rights I should not say this — but I am also a commoner."

"I know Brother Cen's character; these words are both to the point and to the person."

"In my youth I accompanied my teacher to survey the terrain and record water conservancy data in Brother Cen's jurisdiction, and received much care — not only were food and lodging arranged, but you also proactively assigned people to accompany us as guides; because of Brother Cen's generous invitation and single-minded dedication to the task, my teacher even specially stayed an extra half month, visiting local elders, consulting county records, and helping to revise the county dam map."

"Three years later, I accompanied my teacher on a return visit to old grounds; the water channels and embankments had already been modified to seven or eight tenths according to the original map, and upon inquiry, it was indeed Brother Cen's doing during his term, and even his successors continued to follow it."

"The locals, when speaking of it, all praise that former County Magistrate Cen for personally handling everything, loving the people like his own children; during his term he built embankments and bridges, diverted water to irrigate fields; hearing where there were good rice strains, he would think of every way, even going himself, running seven or eight trips if necessary, to seek them out and bring them back for trial planting in the county and then distribution; he also increased subsidies for county school students, allocating quotas to every village and town; the common people felt deep gratitude."

"My teacher at the time also told me: if one becomes an official in the future, one need not be a high official; a petty official has a petty official's way — to serve as a county magistrate to the level of Brother Cen, one's life would have no great regrets."

Hearing this, Cen Dezhang showed not the slightest trace of pride, only a trance; after a long while he said: "Before I only managed one county; the population was limited, and though affairs were miscellaneous, people also had distinctions between crafty and honest; in the end... whatever it really was, I just worked hard myself and did it; now serving a whole prefecture, personnel entanglements..."

Han Li then said: "If superiors are decent, subordinates naturally work comfortably; but if this decency makes no distinctions, is scattered everywhere, mistakes are not pursued, perfunctoriness goes unchecked — who would then be willing to work properly?"

"Human nature differs; there are good ones, naturally there are also bad ones; when evil officials borrow power, the harm within — you who have been an official for many years, surely know better than I?"

"To be soft-hearted and soft-handed toward such treacherous and wicked officials is to be cruel-hearted and ruthless toward the common people."

"The past few prefectural officials could not deal with Qian Zhongming; in the end they were either demoted or transferred, but they had all done their utmost — it was merely limited by ability. Sir clearly has the ability, can accomplish things, yet responds in this way; a civilian official does not act as master for the people, only pursuing harmony and amiability — you yourself are fine, you have family assets, you have backers as guarantors; but what are we commoners to do?"

As he spoke, he pointed at the shoes and cushions on the table, saying: "We peddlers and porters — what are we to do?"

Cen Dezhang lowered his head for a long time, then said: "Zheng Yan speaks the truth."

Han Li finished speaking, did not linger further, performed a bow, and left on his own.

Cen Dezhang sat alone behind the table for a very, very long time; one moment looking at the cushions before him, the next at those shoes.

In the end, he took off the soft shoes on his own feet and tried them on.

Sure enough, they had not been measured; the straw sandals' length and size were not very suitable, but once on his feet, stepping on the ground, tying the slipknot, walking around — they did not hinder in the slightest.

He walked a circle in the room; when he returned to his seat, he took off the shoes, looked at the grass knot, and felt his heart even more empty and hollow, somewhat unbearable.

Just as he was in a trance, he heard a knock on the door; not long after, a retainer came in carrying two food boxes, saying: "Zheng Yan said the official has not yet eaten, and sent me to deliver some food."

Cen Dezhang had no appetite for any rice, but the retainer had already brought it over, so naturally he could not refuse.

Very quickly, three or four dishes and one large bowl of porridge were set on the table.

Cen Dezhang asked first, learned that the retainer had already eaten, then picked up his chopsticks and began to eat and drink slowly.

He had matters weighing on his heart, and fundamentally tasted nothing; absentmindedly he messily ate two mouthfuls, and finally could not swallow; he put the bowl back on the table, but looked at that retainer, called out to him, then said: "Following a superior with my indecisive personality, one who needs prompting in every matter — this half year has truly been hard on you all."

That retainer had endured for half a year; now seeing him bring it up voluntarily, he could endure no longer, and said: "Since the official knows we suffer, then show the bearing of a superior! To speak honestly, I have served several masters before; if speaking of leniency and thickness, not one matches the official — but here with the official, I sleep the most uneasily — always afraid that tomorrow the subordinates will stir up some trouble again, and in the end the official's good nature will let it be covered up, and then we have to go help wipe their asses!"

"Just now that Han Li also told us many of the official's past deeds in the county; how is it that the bigger the office, the more tied hand and foot you become!"

The more he spoke the more agitated he became, recounting once again Cen Dezhang's many faults — faults he had also counted to his face countless times before, all to no avail.

Cen Dezhang's face was full of shame, and he said: "What you say is right; I shall strive to change."

He thought secretly: The summer flood season knows not which day it will arrive; even if the new river channel is truly needed, as Zheng Yan said, when it comes to maintenance later, it will still require men and materials; if it cannot function, and floods are encountered, and I continue indecisive and irresolute — even if a Qian Kongmu is toppled now, in the future there will still be a Sun Kongmu, a Li Kongmu; will I again be manipulated by others?

A thousand-li embankment is destroyed by an ant hole; this time a major incident was nearly caused; if this continues in the future, and a true great disaster breaks out, how can it be cleaned up?

At worst, both left and right, it is losing office and post; before, I thought only of the two words 'harmony and amiability' in everything, and also feared bringing trouble to my father-in-law; in the end I got no good result either — better to show some ruthlessness.

Thinking to this point, he turned his head, and saw the straw sandals and cushions placed to the side just now.

Gritting his teeth, Cen Dezhang steeled himself and said: "Tomorrow morning arrange two teams of men and horses to go patrol each county; the prefectural yamen too — whoever is absent without cause, late, or leaves early, once caught, all shall have salary deducted and be admonished..."

"Those who repeatedly use illness as an excuse to avoid duties, first persuade them; if they do not repent, then persuade them to retire..."

Cen Dezhang had after all been an official; he knew to catch people one must first catch discipline; at this moment, one, two, three, four — a string of orders spoken out, unexpectedly had proper form and appearance.

That retainer was so happy he nearly shed tears.

As long as there is an attempt, slowly changing — regardless of the result, regardless of whether it can be persisted in — it is always better than a dead pig's head, pouring a whole bucket of boiling water on it and getting no reaction at all.

He hurriedly said: "Yes! Yes! This lowly one will go pass the word down below right away!"

Speaking, he ran out in quick steps, so excited he nearly tripped over his own feet.

And Cen Dezhang sat alone behind the table, recalling his own behavior just now, only feeling that although the resolve was not well made, as long as a start was made, it seemed not as difficult as imagined.

Try once more; if I truly lack that ability, then honestly petition to resign!

In the world there are those who love being officials; naturally there are also those who do not love it, who cannot be officials! As long as I explain properly to my father-in-law and uncle, surely they will not force me.

Thinking like this, Cen Dezhang's heart relaxed all at once, and he also gradually felt hungry; he picked up bowl and chopsticks again, casually picked up some vegetables, and drank two mouthfuls of porridge.

While eating, his mind could not help but keep calculating.

— Best to also make a trip to the new river channel and embankments tomorrow, and also run through Liu County's water channels; that place is closest to the new river channel, and by the way see if there is time to go to the fields and ask about the grain situation...

Perhaps I cannot finish in one day; may need to split it into two days...

Huh? What is this dish?

He blankly lowered his head, and saw a few three-Portion-long water spinach stems soaking in the porridge, and also two water spinach stalks with ink-black leaves and green stems.

The water spinach stems were stir-fried both sour and spicy, crisp, using just a little oil, and mixed into the porridge; the porridge water carried the plain porridge's own faint sweetness, softening that sharp sourness and piercing spiciness, extremely appetizing.

The stir-fried water spinach — who knows what seasoning was added — was wonderfully fragrant, wonderfully mellow, and also had an extremely rich, heavy salty-freshness.

The vegetable leaves had already softened, even approaching a dark green; left this long, they naturally had no wok-breath.

But earlier when the vegetables were stir-fried the seasoning was a bit heavy, and now half a day had passed; the water spinach leaves had soaked up the flavor thoroughly, so they were actually slightly salty, but that saltiness had freshness as aftertaste, and the vegetables had their own clear sweetness; the three combined, and with a big slurp of plain porridge going down, the saltiness was neutralized at once.

Summer is exactly the time to use such dishes to eat with plain porridge!

A basket of rice, a bowl of vegetable soup!

Cen Dezhang too!

With straw sandals, with vegetable soup, if the civilian official does well, the common people can live a little better!

Dinner was arranged for several tables, and porridge and dishes were also sent to the Zhou Ya; altogether several dozen people's meals — with so many things made, the time spent was naturally much longer.

On top of that, after eating, she chatted idly with the kitchen crew for a while; by the time everyone was sent off and the leftovers cleared, the hour was already not early.

Song Miao finished washing up, went to the kitchen to check the stove and the hot water sitting on the stove, then closed the door.

Just about to return to her room, unexpectedly, she ran into an acquaintance halfway.

"So late, and Song Xiaoniangzi still isn't sleeping!"

— It was Kong Fuyang, just returned from outside.

He was still yawning, but upon seeing Song Miao, he perked up at once and hurriedly asked: "Did you get to eat that braised goose liver today??"

Song Miao smiled: "I ate it!"

And added: "Young Master is kind-hearted, afraid I'd miss this one bite, you even specially instructed everyone; actually I love the other things too, next time no need for such trouble."

Kong Fuyang said proudly: "Other things are other things, goose liver is goose liver — how much liver does one goose produce? If I didn't say it in advance, you're someone who stands on ceremony, they'd definitely snatch it all up, where would any be left for you!"

He paused, with an air of having followed the rules perfectly, tilted his head back and boasted: "I haven't even mentioned you also said you liked eating goose intestines!"

Song Miao saw his teeth bared in a grin, found it truly funny, couldn't help saying: "By Young Master Kong's logic, don't you like absolutely everything?"

Kong Fuyang laughed hoho hehe: "Song Xiaoniangzi only just realized??"

And added: "Song Xiaoniangzi's skill is such that anything from your hand, I like it all — today those stir-fried goose intestines eaten with crispy bean sprouts, truly delicious, aiya, pity the goose didn't live up to expectations, grew so large yet so little intestine, so short, why not coil a few more times in the belly, really not enough to eat!"

Just as they were talking, a gust of wind suddenly blew from behind.

Song Miao had already felt this Young Master Kong was unusually excited tonight; being farther away she couldn't be completely sure, but now the wind came full in her face and she indeed caught a faint whiff of alcohol, so she knew they'd most likely been drinking tonight.

She didn't call it out, just smiled: "Then another day, when I'm back in the Capital, if there's a chance I'll stir-fry a plate specially for you, Young Master."

Speaking, she stepped aside, said her farewells, and asked Kong Fuyang to go first.

Just as she stepped aside, before she could finish speaking, Kong Fuyang responded twice, also said "safe travels," took a few steps, but couldn't help turning back.

His eyes were clearly already very sleepy, yet he forced them wide open, suddenly called out "Song Miao," and said mysteriously: "I got something today, not good to show others, can't show it in public — what's the point of fine clothes at night!"

"Lao Lu isn't here, counting it up, only you're left — have to show you!"

As he spoke, he fished around in his pocket, fished and fished, and pulled out a purse.

Song Miao saw he spoke clearly, walked in a straight line, not zigzagging; this was the main path between the two doors, guest rooms right beside it, voices could be heard, so she wasn't worried he'd go drunken-crazy; moreover with his anxious, excited look, afraid tonight if he didn't show her that "fine clothes" he wouldn't sleep well, so she stood and waited.

And Kong Fuyang took out the purse, opened it, and inside was actually another cloth bundle.

Inside the cloth bundle, there was still a sheet of oil paper.

Watching layer upon layer, such careful protection, it truly aroused Song Miao's interest.

When the thing inside was finally revealed, it was a small square seal.

"Did you bring a handkerchief?" Kong Fuyang just finished asking, then shook his head, "Never mind, use mine!"

Saying so he indeed took his own handkerchief, pressed the small seal hard onto it, then held up the handkerchief and seal to Song Miao's face; even though he tried his best to suppress it, the showing-off meaning was hard to hide — "See it? Isn't it absolutely beautiful??"

"Zheng Yan said when he was tired these past days, he wanted to change his mind, so in his leisure he carved a few strokes, made a few; just finished carving a couple days ago — this is Qingtian stone begged from Min Fuzi, that alone would be something, but he even carved it himself stroke by stroke!!"

Song Miao looked at the seal, then at the handkerchief; indeed a very pretty name seal, so she praised it seriously, and finally said: "Presumably Young Master Han and you are extremely compatible, and he values you highly, to put such care into it!"

Kong Fuyang already had wine in him, got this one sentence, was truly happy; overjoyed, he wished he could spread his joy across the world, make everyone as proud as him; couldn't help saying: "I'll secretly tell you, Zheng Yan carved three name seals, one for me, one for Lao Lu, and one more — guess whose?"

He was about to say it, then heard voices behind, turned his ear to listen, simply couldn't bear to speak — it was actually Lu Wenming and Han Li coming toward the back courtyard.

Kong Fuyang's smile instantly froze, inexplicably he seemed sober, his whole body gave a start, he hastily stuffed the seal and cloth into his pocket, whispered "No more guessing, just pretend you heard nothing! Leaving leaving!", and with feet like they were oiled, he slipped away running.