Chapter 205

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Song Miao

Hearing this, Rui Fusheng instead looked as if he had suddenly understood, saying: "I was wondering how Xiang Xiong could do such a loss-making business. But in my opinion, even if that Song lady is perfect in every way, she lacks her maiden family's support, so she simply won't do."

"You and I travel south and north, naturally knowing that officials and merchants go together: with an official, there is commerce. Without an official backing you behind, no matter how much you earn, what good is it? Anyone above can just stretch out a finger and crush us!"

"Even with your great wealth, Brother, wasn't it earned through your own hard work? Relying on spending money to pull strings—doesn't that pain your heart?"

This sentence hit Xiang Yuan right in the heart!

He sighed: "Exactly. Others don't understand when this is said, but only people like us who built our fortunes from nothing know how hard money is to come by and how hard life is!"

Rui Fusheng said: "Brother once advised me, and now it's my turn to advise you—better to look further ahead. Officials who have made their fortunes can never be satisfied; their daughters and sisters aren't easy to marry. Better to find a family good at studying, make a match early, and support that brother in studying to become an official."

"Once you've helped him rise, he can later help your own line, and your children can follow the road he's blazed, with an elder in the officialdom to vouch for you."

"After a few years, whether it's a younger brother-in-law or an older one, once he passes the provincial exam and has money, with full support, how could he fail to rise? Once he climbs high and becomes a great official, you'll have his protection—worried you won't make enough money? Everyone will be rushing to send you gifts!"

Hearing this, Xiang Yuan shook his head and smiled: "Little brother, you're still young, thinking scholars are something special, just because you can calculate, they can't?"

"Last year I passed through Zhenzhou. There was a man in the leather trade surnamed Chu—you remember him, right?"

Seeing Rui Fusheng nod, Xiang Yuan continued: "As soon as we met, he cried and wailed to me, complaining that he had arranged a marriage for his son and supported his in-laws' brothers in studying. Now they've gotten official posts and risen quickly, but they turned their backs, won't even acknowledge his sister, sent a plate of silver to the door, saying it repaid old favors, and claimed that if the Chu family ever used their name to wander outside again, they'd report them to the authorities!"

"Officials are the most heartless! When low, they thank you endlessly; once in power, they stick scallions in their pig noses and ascend to heaven! Even blood brothers must be guarded against, let alone a married daughter, already water spilled! How much use do you expect her to be?"

Rui Fusheng was shocked: "Really? The last time I saw him, he was riding high!"

Xiang Yuan nodded: "I heard it with my own ears—how could it be false?"

Rui Fusheng couldn't help but sigh.

But after thinking, he said: "Even so, that person you mentioned is ultimately just an orphan girl no one can use. Marrying her into your home wouldn't be worth it—if you want a beauty, where are they hard to find? Brother, just say the word, from south to north, ten or eight stunning beauties, I can find them for you, keep them in your rooms, play with them however you like!"

"Let me give you an idea—who says bringing her home means she must be the main wife?"

Xiang Yuan hesitated: "What do you mean, little brother?"

Rui Fusheng spelled it out: "Brother, with your wealth, can't you take a concubine?"

Xiang Yuan shook his head: "That woman has a temper and skills; if asked to be a concubine, she probably won't agree."

"What does it matter whether she agrees or not?" Rui Fusheng didn't care. "Since she has no backing, we'll find a way. Once we have her, what if she's unwilling?"

Xiang Yuan hesitated for a long while, then said: "This... isn't quite proper!"

Rui Fusheng laughed heartily: "Brother, you usually do things decisively. Why are you being so wishy-washy today? Those who achieve great things don't fuss over small details. With your character, once she's in the room, would you really wrong her? Best to succeed at once, get her pregnant—at most she'll threaten suicide for a while. You coax her, give her some benefits, and she'll come around! In the future she'll help you think things through!"

"Women who look chaste and fierce—once you've had them, every single one becomes honest, no exceptions!"

"A woman's life isn't just about seeking support? Xiang Xiong, with your fine conditions, you couldn't find better even with a lantern. Does she think she's still a spoiled daughter, putting on airs here?"

"For now you're at the official inn, so you can't act. But didn't you say she's returning to the Capital soon?"

"On the road, crowds and tired horses—staying at inns, something going wrong is perfectly normal. Then, halfway there, give her a fait accompli!"

Xiang Yuan still hesitated: "Not suitable. What if she cries out midway..."

"You're a grown man, afraid of what? If she cries out, she suffers and you suffer? If others break the door and see, how will she have any face?" Rui Fusheng laughed. "Brother, listen to me!"

"We're doing this for her good. As you said, a lone woman with no family, skills, and a house—how many would envy her? Here she at least gets a name and shelter from wind and rain. Another family might snatch her and abuse her in the inner quarters—your house is so quiet; once she bears a son or daughter, even if a main wife comes later, she'll hold her head high!"

After such a long speech, Xiang Yuan still seemed unable to decide, shaking his head: "Forget it, I'll think again. There's still some time!"

"Xiang Xiong, think it over well. Time waits for no one. If she returns to the Capital, it'll be even harder to act." After advising, Rui Fusheng wore a knowing smile. "After all, what beauty is it that makes Xiang Xiong so infatuated?"

Hearing this, Xiang Yuan leaned back in his chair, propped up his legs, crossed his legs, patted his thigh now and then, half-closed his eyes, as if pondering.

After thinking a long while, he shook his head, smacked his lips, and smiled: "She is a beauty, but ultimately too young, lacking some flavor, not enough punch. Still, I'm not the libertine I once was. Now older, I'm not obsessed with that as before. Apart from looks, I value her skills."

Rui Fusheng laughed: "Not even in the room yet, Brother, and you're already being modest for her. If so, tomorrow I must take a good look—see if she really lacks flavor!"

Outside the official inn, a middle-aged man got off a carriage with a child, giving careful instructions.

"You're always sensible; no need for me to repeat. When you go in and see them, don't hesitate—just be open and aboveboard!"

The boy was short but good-looking, quite likable. Hearing this, he nodded at once and said: "Yes, nephew will certainly behave well. Not only this time, but after entering the Capital, following the two young masters, I'll study hard and do things well, not letting Second Uncle lose face before the clan!"

Seeing his reaction, the middle-aged man stopped in his tracks and said: "Slow down."

He pulled the boy aside and said: "Child, I said before—I'm sending you to the Capital not to look after anyone. Your aunt also told me to explain clearly: this time you're going to study, not to serve people. Do you understand?"

The boy hesitated: "I understand, but the chance to be by Tingqing Xiansheng's side is truly rare. To take it and not give it to the two young masters seems hard to justify. Second Uncle, let me organize what I learn into writings and send them home regularly. How about that?"

The middle-aged man's face turned stern. He shook his head: "Improper!"

He continued: "You're young and don't know this is taboo. Content that senior scholars don't actively pass on must not be casually revealed—who knows what meaning might be read into a word that slips out? I'm sending you to the Capital to study with Tingqing Xiansheng because you have the best aptitude and are the right age."

"Just focus on your own studies. Write it down only for yourself—don't easily give it to others!"

After he said a few words, the boy couldn't help but say: "I'll only show it to the two elder brothers, as long as they don't pass it on..."

The middle-aged man smiled and shook his head, patting his adopted son's shoulder: "Your elder brothers have their own paths. You just study hard and get along with your fellow students. Even if not formal disciples, after long association, there will be feelings."

"If you can pass the exams and become an official in the future, you brothers can look after and help each other—better than anything. Better than now, when you're young and weak, distracting yourself by recording and sending things back."

The boy was still anxious: "With these notes, maybe the elder brothers could do even better..."

The middle-aged man said: "Everyone has their own fate. Even if they don't pass and you do, that's fine too. I had your aunt adopt you as a son—an adopted son is a son. If I didn't want to take your line, I'd have moved your genealogy to my branch long ago. But whichever branch, one brush can't write two Zhang characters."

"Once you have achievements, won't you repay the clan? Won't you love your brothers and be filial to me and your aunt?"

The boy hurriedly nodded, wanting to swear an oath right away.

After a few more instructions, the middle-aged man took the child into the door.

This middle-aged man was called Zhang Fu, the elder brother of Zhang Shi, wife of Yuan Jing, the xuezheng of Weizhou back then.

Back then, Lady Zhang saw her husband was unreliable in doing things, so to secure her son's future, she specially asked her natal family to help.

Elder brother Zhang Fu wanted to add two more slots. To send his own child to study with Chen Fuzi as well, he spared no effort in helping raise grain, and even sold his medicinal materials at half price, half-selling and half-giving them to Hua Prefecture.

Not only that, he also drew many disciples from the clan school, and arranged for the managers and clerks from his own shop to come help, and even proactively contacted the procurement of large quantities of timber, bricks and tiles, and the like — it could be said he held nothing back.

Seeing such conduct, Han Li naturally took note; first he had the Zhang Family arrange for the Eldest Sister to take shifts on the river, and also set up a grass shed with a signboard.

As a result, the Zhang Family Yi Guan's reputation suddenly resounded throughout Hua Prefecture, and many people in the various counties and villages of Weizhou also came to know the medical hall's name.

This month, the Zhang Family Yi Guan's patients increased greatly; upon inquiry, almost all were referrals, and tracing the source, it was indeed because someone was cured in that grass shed and went back to spread the word, so many came seeking its fame.

Besides the grass shed, Han Li also had them set up a cargo shop on the river; although everything sold was at fair prices, with no markup, the sheer volume of people was overwhelming — a place of four or five thousand people, with over a thousand living in shacks, unable to easily enter the city to shop, needing to solve all their eating, drinking, and daily needs, so naturally many things had to be bought.

Not only that, he also agreed to add one more quota to go to the Capital to study under Chen Fuzi.

Zhang Changzi had three sons in total; the eldest son and second son were too old in age, the youngest had just learned to walk, already past the age limit set by Han Li, so he brought the clan's best student over.

This little boy was named Zhang Yong; he turned ten last August, a fine seedling for study, a pity he lost his parents from childhood.

Zhang Changzi was the clan head, and had supported him for several years; seizing this opportunity, he simply adopted him as a foster son, and bringing him this time was to have Han Li size him up and grant an academic approval.

After entering, asking left and right, Zhang Fu only then learned that Han Li had not yet returned.

He was not anxious either, found a table, ordered a pot of tea, sat down to wait slowly; while waiting, he taught Zhang Yong how to conduct himself once he went to the Capital.

"Although you go to study, you are ultimately entering as a disciple, not an ordinary teacher-student relationship; the bond is closer, you must treat them as parents, the words 'filial piety' applied to elders are perfectly fitting — not to the point of deliberate flattery, but you must observe their preferences and taboos, especially since the teacher is advanced in years, in diet you must be extra careful, do not let a moment's negligence cause something bad to happen..."

While Zhang Changzi taught his foster son here, in the rear kitchen, Song Miao was frying fish.

Small white fish with upturned mouths; according to Zhang Siniang's words, this species even when fully grown is only half a palm in size; remove scales, gills, and intestines and all internal organs, wash clean the black membrane inside the belly, marinate briefly with ginger, scallion, and salt, wipe dry the fish body's moisture, then directly use lard to fry.

Plenty of oil, medium-high heat; the fish go into the wok in sequence; the moment they slide in from the wok's edge, a "sizzle" sounds, the fish skin almost instantly contracts and sets, releasing the aroma of deep-frying.

Lard is most suitable for frying fish; lard itself carries an extremely rich meaty fragrance, small river fish carry the unique freshness of river delicacies; the two collide, that hint of fishiness is simply blasted away by the hot lard as if by a thunderclap, leaving only the burnt fragrance of fried fish mixed with the aroma of fat, especially the fish's fresh taste amplified again and again, simply fragrant to the extreme.

The fish body wiped dry enough, when pan-fried and deep-fried, it is not easy to break the skin or lose the skin.

Wait until a wok of fish is fried golden yellow all over, first scoop them out, add firewood and increase the fire, wait for the oil wok to become hot again, then use high heat to re-fry once more, scoop out and drain the oil, put them in a large basin.

The seasoning is very simple: mustard seeds and Sichuan pepper freshly roasted and used immediately, piping hot ground into powder together with salt, sprinkled over the fish bodies, the large basin gently tossed and turned, letting the dipping sauce inside mix evenly with the fish.

A basin of small fish, the outer skin a golden yellow color full of burnt fragrance and temptation, the fish skin fried by hot oil until it bubbled, patterned like tiger skin, some places darker in color, some still pale yellow, the fish tail burnt yellow, the edges even carrying a hint of oil sheen, stiff and stubbornly standing upright, but it is very obvious that once teeth touch it, it will surrender on its own, crumbling into a fragrant mouthful of crispness.