Chapter 251

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Song Miao

Qin Zong was not the sort of temperament to endure reproach; he couldn't help but defend himself: "I saw Zhengyan say he's afraid he won't be back until after the Beginning of Autumn, after he's wrapped up the follow-up matters of the Huai Prefecture Riverway; isn't there still plenty of time……"

How could Qin Jie not know?

He dared entrust the matter to his younger cousin precisely because he understood Han Li wouldn't be back for a while; he just felt the matter wasn't urgent and hadn't taken it very much to heart.

But this is one time, that was another time.

Both are Military Patrol Commissioners, yet Zhang Zheng of the Left Courtyard has already handled the matter properly; with such diligence and initiative, one can guess the next step is to write to Huai Prefecture to claim credit, while I'm still spinning my wheels here, thinking myself free of trouble!

Although I don't know what Han Zhengyan wants this stove for, as long as he gets this pretext, big or small, the Zhang fellow has always been very adept at handling things; he will certainly use this to connect with Han Li and curry favor.

Qin Jie realized that all along, he had been far too complacent.

This time, a single stove, plus a few words from a superior, woke him up at once.

People who can and dare scold others aren't hard to find, but to scold with such momentum as a deterrent, and to praise so effectively; capable at getting things done, and on top of that possessing the protective amulet of a student status, so cheap to employ, not even needing to claim credit — in all these years, only Han Zhengyan has appeared.

But officials like him, who see the other's value and want to snap them up for cheap use, are many.

He had fully assumed that, based on past friendship, with relations between the two sides so close of late, speaking would naturally be easy.

But looking at it now, if a superior reaches out, can I refuse? If a colleague inserts themselves, can I stop them?

Most critically, he hasn't a shred of confidence that Han Li would refuse others' invitations for his sake.

Relationships are cultivated; I haven't been attentive enough, while droves of people want an opening to be attentive and can't get one.

He cut in: "Enough chatter. The Left Courtyard's Zhang Zheng has already found a craftsman. I don't care how you do it — produce a result by today!"

Qin Zong started, saying: "Zhengyan went to find Zhang Xunshi too! I thought……"

Qin Jie said irritably: "He can look for whoever he likes; can you or I control that??"

Qin Zong saw his older cousin was at the point of exploding at the slightest spark, and dared not speak further.

Qin Jie said: "What are you standing there dazed for! Hurry up and go find them!"

Seeing Qin Zong perform a salute and about to run off, he shouted again: "Waiting! Don't just know to find people…… forget it, go on!"

Qin Zong couldn't advance, couldn't stay; he wasn't a man without temper either, a bellyful of fire with nowhere to vent; he waited a moment, then ran off in a huff.

Meanwhile, Qin Jie rang the bell again to summon someone, called his household retainer, and instructed: "Go back and tell the steward to quickly find a craftsman who can make a burning stove; that stove isn't made by ordinary methods……"

As he spoke, he handed the man a letter: "Tell the steward to search according to the letter; say someone found a maker at the Zhu Family Bridge Tile District, go inquire who that person is, and if there are fellow craftsmen who can be introduced; we need a result today, prepare fast horses, send the news out tonight — send it to Han Li in Huai Prefecture!"

The retainer heard the urgency, took the letter, and hurried off.

Having settled household matters, Qin Jie still wasn't at ease; he summoned a trusted subordinate, explained the ins and outs without mentioning Han Li, only saying he had an acquaintance who wanted to find such a burning stove, and finally said: "Ask the patrol officers and patrol soldiers below; they know the local terrain, see if they know any craftsmen."

The trusted man acknowledged, and indeed passed the order down just like that.

Half a day later, feedback came from all sides; all replied they hadn't heard of it, let alone knew any craftsmen.

The trusted man merely carried out orders; having got the news, he went to report back, nothing more.

But there's no such thing as an airtight wall in the world.

Qin Jie was being secretive here, yet next door in the Left Courtyard, when they looked for craftsmen, they didn't avoid the slightest taboo; the Right Courtyard's censors and Chai Guan heard the commotion, and seeing this side also searching, curiosity was inevitable.

So that day the group agreed to visit Xin Feng, Censor Xin, at his home, and chatted about this matter as idle talk.

Although Xin Feng still leaned on a crutch, unable to stand long or walk far, with the palace dispatching an Imperial Physician every ten days for treatment, and the Empress Dowager bestowing medicine, after recuperating for nearly a hundred days, he was already much better.

Most importantly, his heart knot was untied; having won such appreciation from the Emperor and Empress Dowager, he truly felt extraordinarily refreshed at heart; though he constantly reminded himself to suppress it, not to bare fangs and brandish claws, not to act arrogant and overbearing, otherwise losing his own reputation was a small matter; Zhengyan wrote such an article, if it implicated the other party, he'd have no face to show — even so, his face still glowed with health.

His person wasn't at the Capital Prefecture Office, but his heart had long since flown back; he couldn't wait to recover, return to work, show his hand to everyone, let outsiders know his treasured blade wasn't old, he could still solve cases and catch thieves; though he had no opportunity at the moment, hearing the idle talk, he couldn't help but join in the analysis.

Someone said: "Both looking for stove-makers; I'm afraid it's the same affair — maybe some superior mentioned it in passing, and the two of them are rushing to curry favor!"

Subordinates facing a Military Patrol Commissioner are separated by far too many ranks; speaking naturally, they have absolutely no taboos.

But Xin Feng thought for just a moment and immediately shook his head: "If it were some superior, Qin the Official would've long since arranged for you lot to inquire everywhere; why would it be like now, just asking in passing!"

"Arranging wouldn't work either! Normally there's a mountain of things to do, the work never finishes; where's the spare time to find him some stove!"

"Exactly; if it weren't for their own doing, making us patrol the streets three times a day, each time still having to report to the patrol station, where would we get off so easy as now! Patrolling streets all day is fine, but no need to do any other proper work!"

"Just for the superiors to see! Heard a while back the Emperor was coming down to inspect the dikes and question the river; fearing trouble on the road, the higher-ups panicked, terrified some spot wasn't secure!

"Just them panicking is bad enough; they do nothing themselves, only know how to drive us around in circles!"

Just as they were talking, someone suddenly said: "I ran into a Left Courtyard brother yesterday; he seemed to mention a bit, saying they're searching for the stove quite earnestly — not a troublesome matter, if they come across a likely one, ask an extra question; seems Zhang Xunshi is privately helping someone, and once they find the person, they still plan to find someone going that way to carry the news to Huai Prefecture……"

"Because Huai Prefecture was mentioned, I thought it sounded off at the time, turned back and asked another question; they said it was to send to the Young Master Han — you say, the Young Master Han of Huai Prefecture, couldn't it be our Young Master Han?"

The moment these words came out, the whole room fell silent.

"What would Young Master Han want a stove for? Doesn't match at all!"

"He's a student, not a cook!"

The speaker had no intention, the listener took it to heart.

If not for his leg lacking strength, Xin Feng would've leapt up in alarm right then.

"Aiya! It's Zhengyan! It must be Zhengyan! I remember now!!"

He hurriedly said: "Is it Song Xiaoniangzi!? Do you remember, last time when we lodged at her place, Qin Zong treated us to a meal, laid out a full banquet……"

"Aiya, the pomelo peel stuffing time?"

"The pickled vegetable minced meat time??"

"Was it the ginger milk pudding??"

A group of people couldn't remember the banquet dishes, only remembered the food!

Xin Feng hurriedly said: "That braised chicken! Afterwards Song Xiaoniangzi said the braised chicken's flavor wasn't enough, the skin not crisp enough, the meat not fragrant or tender enough, because it had been steamed too long in the food box, and was roasted done then simmered then roasted again, so it wasn't that delicious."

"She even said that when she gets a chance in the future and saves up some money, she'll find someone to build a stove in the back courtyard, and then roasting chicken, goose, and duck will all be possible—do you all still remember?!"

"Ah! I was there that time! Me and Wang Lao Er, and that neighborhood head and his wife were there too!"

Then everyone in the room reacted.

"It was Young Master Han looking for her!"

"Why didn't you say so sooner! If you'd said sooner, I would have asked around for him!"

"Going around in circles without making things clear—isn't this just delaying things?!"

"Ask around again to find out if it really is Young Master Han looking for her; if not, wouldn't that be a waste of effort, working for the higher-ups for nothing?!"

"It must be Brother Han! Both Military Patrol Commissioners of the two courtyards are putting in effort, and it's being sent from Hua Prefecture, and the surname is Han—besides him, who else could it be!"

"Never mind whether it is him or not; even if it isn't, just consider it asking around once for Song Xiaoniangzi—aiya, why didn't she say so sooner! Looking for Young Master Han for this matter, how could it be as useful as asking us!"

"Exactly, exactly! He's just a scholar; no matter how skilled his brush is, on the streets and alleys, inside and outside the city, could he possibly be more familiar than us?!"

"And Cheng Erniang too—she comes to deliver meals every day, but if she'd just mentioned it once, someone would have already built that stove for them!"

"Aiya, you say, if we find a craftsman and build the stove early, can we pick a day to go together and buy that plump chicken and plump duck that Song Xiaoniangzi just roasted?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room fell silent again; no one spoke, only the sound of "gulu" swallowing saliva could be heard.

And the loudest "gulu" was accompanied by a long sigh exhaled from the nasal cavity.

Everyone couldn't help but look toward the sound—it was Xin Feng.

Seeing everyone looking at him, he coughed dryly and said: "Never mind whether there's anything to eat, everyone help find one! Right now it's hot, so it doesn't show much, but when autumn and winter come, think about it—that'll be hot roasted chicken and duck, roasted fat goose!"

He also said: "Find it first; once found, there's no need to report to the higher-ups, so Zheng Yan won't owe them two favors! It's just a burning stove! I, Lao Xin, have money!"

He patted his chest as he spoke.

"Speaking of which, this time we owe a lot to that Song Xiaoniangzi for helping catch Lv Mao—that's how I have today; after returning to the Capital, she's been so kind to take care of my whole family, and I don't know how to repay her—I'll pay for this!"

Knowing Xin Feng had been bestowed medicine, gold, and a residence by the Empress Dowager and was well-off financially, no one stood on ceremony with him, and they all agreed.

Xin Feng also said: "I've been away these days, and it's all thanks to you brothers working hard; once my legs and feet are nimble, I'll pick a day to set up two tables at Song Ji—treat everyone to a gathering! Bring your families! You all hurry to find the stove, don't let that table be without roasted fat chicken and duck!"

The room instantly became noisy, everyone happy, all cheering.

Originally thinking it was a private matter for an official, not public duty, even if they helped, the benefit might well be snatched away by others and have nothing to do with themselves, so naturally they perfunctorily went through the motions.

But now it's different—it's doing business for one of their own; once done, they'll all have something to eat—that plump, crispy, meat-fragrant roasted fat chicken and duck!

So after a group of Chai Guan left the door, they began to discuss among themselves.

"Speaking of building stoves, we should go northwest—I heard they're very skilled at firing kilns and building stoves over there!"

"Not necessarily; the south also has stoves—I heard there are quite a few people roasting salted pork in the Yanjin and Baima County area, so they must have stoves!"

"If looking for a northwest person, we should go to Niuhang Street and Zhu Family Bridge Tile District!"

"My home is nearby; I'll ask on the way back tonight."

"Some craftsmen with skills from the south mostly live around the West Gate—Xiao Meng?"

Xiao Meng immediately agreed: "Saves trouble! I happen to be going to the West Gate tomorrow morning anyway, so I'll ask along the way!"

On this side, the group led by Xin Feng, here preparing to set aside those surnamed Qin, Zhang, and even Han, rubbing their hands together, so they could claim this merit for themselves.

On the other side, those concerned about the stove Song Miao mentioned were not only the people from the Capital Prefecture Office.

In the Xu Family Wuguan, after finally finishing the morning drill, the martial students wiped sweat and gathered in small groups to talk.

Liang Yan was extremely thirsty; he took water and didn't join the crowd, standing right there to drink.

Having practiced martial arts at the Xu Family Wuguan for some days, the fellow disciples got along well with each other and the atmosphere was fine, but for some reason, toward him and toward Zhu Zhan, everyone was indifferent.

Liang Yan wasn't the type to put a hot face to a cold butt; he tried to strike up conversation twice, but seeing the people opposite didn't care to respond, he didn't insist, only going in and out with Zhu Zhan.

At this moment he drank half a waterskin in one breath, looked up and didn't see Zhu Zhan, and was about to go find him when he hadn't taken a few steps before he heard someone speaking nearby.

"Little Yang, you're supposed to learn the Eight-Step Formation this afternoon—why did you take leave? Missing you, how can the formation be arranged!"

Little Yang laughed and said: "I'll make it up properly tomorrow—my aunt and uncle are back!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the people gathered around all became excited.

"Your aunt and uncle are back—can they build another earth kiln for your family?"

"Exactly! Last year your kiln broke, and all the yam eggs and taro we saved had nowhere to be roasted! Digging earth pits and earth stoves, either the shell and meat got burnt together, or they weren't cooked—your family's kiln was best, big and easy to use, a pity it got soaked and rotted by water!"

"Stop talking! Just because last year the kiln was soaked and ruined, at the Lantern Festival I didn't even get to eat the roasted chicken and duck my family made!"

"This time don't build an earth kiln; can you build another kind? Otherwise when the city floods again, it'll get soaked and ruined!"

Little Yang nodded: "Exactly, my aunt said my uncle can build a stove taller than a person, one that isn't afraid of being soaked by water; before they go back, build the stove, and it'll always be useful in the future—just wait!"

Liang Yan immediately thought of words he'd heard before when in Hua Prefecture.

Song Jiejie had said that after returning to the Capital, if there was a chance, it would be best to place two stoves in the back courtyard; then roasting goose, roasting chicken and duck, baking biscuits, etc., would all be useful.

Only what she wanted to build wasn't an ordinary earth kiln; she had to see where a suitable craftsman could be found.

—Would this Yang Mian's uncle count as a suitable craftsman?

If it were his own matter, Liang Yan definitely wouldn't ask, but this time it was for his sister's food shop; even if he might get a cold shoulder, he still very much wanted to contribute more.

Seeing it was nearly lunchtime, everyone went into the room in twos and threes slowly, only that Little Yang walked in the opposite direction; Liang Yan hurried forward, called out "Yang Mian," and asked: "I want to ask you something—can your uncle build stoves for others too? If so, how much silver money for one?"

That Yang Mian heard someone call him and answered in one breath; he was still smiling, but seeing the person was Liang Yan, the smile on his face disappeared at once; and hearing him say he wanted to ask something, he was about to refuse, when he heard the latter part.

"What are you building a stove for?" he blurted out.

"Asking for my sister—her family can use it!"

Yang Mian hesitated for a moment.

If it were asking about other matters, since he'd long heard people say this newcomer had bad character, he definitely wouldn't bother with him, but right now it was asking about his uncle's craft at home, and he even wanted to bring him work and business; Yang Mian suddenly didn't dare shirk it.

He said: "I don't know; I'm going home right now; I'll ask, and tell you tomorrow."

Liang Yan couldn't wait until tomorrow.

He said: "Where is your home? Or I'll go back with you now and wait at the door; once you've asked, come out and tell me?"

Yang Mian never expected Dui Mian to be so persistent; he was greatly surprised, but still felt uncomfortable, and couldn't help saying: "Your family is so rich, why not go out and find a skilled craftsman to make a burning furnace? Why come to us!"

Liang Yan was stunned and said: "Where does my family have money?"

"You're still pretending! Everyone knows! Your surname is Xiang, right? Why did you change your surname? A real man doesn't change his name when he walks or his surname when he sits! Your father even did that kind of thing, what do you have to be afraid to admit?!"