Chapter 260

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

After the people were dealt with, Feng Laoniang, Shentu Hu, and their party went to Song Ji to claim credit.

Song Miao thanked them one by one, then had tea served, pastries brought out, and fruit offered.

People on both sides scrambled to sit down and talk; this one boasted about how sharp and decisive her mouth was, how pointed and hard her nails were; that one spoke of how many men he had, how imposing his momentum was — each afraid of falling behind, lest others snatch the credit away.

Every last one talked until their throats were parched and their mouths watering; only after the pastries were eaten did they take their leave.

Before leaving, they all gave assurances once more.

"Young Lady, set your mind at ease! You just mind your business; we have plenty of people here, we'll keep watch for you — you won't have to lift a finger. If he so much as shows his face, I'll give him a beating first, then drag him to the authorities!"

A matter like this, taken to the officials, would most likely be reduced from a big affair to a small one, or a small one to nothing — not as useful as them using evil to control evil, giving him a beating. Either way, they're butchers; they not only know how to slaughter pigs, they know how to beat a man — they won't maim or cripple him, they'll just make him hurt!

Some people simply won't learn their lesson unless they take a painful thrashing!

Feng Laoniang, bringing her daughter and son-in-law, had somewhat thinner manpower; judging by the show of force alone, they were truly at a disadvantage. She hurriedly chimed in to claim her share: "Young Lady, don't worry. My natal family has many people; every day they'll go around keeping an eye out for you. My son-in-law's elder brother is also a cart driver; once we're back, I'll have him spread word through the cart guild, so that old bastard won't dare act up again!"

As she spoke, she turned her head and shot her son-in-law a meaningful look.

With the mother-in-law giving the order, even more urgent than the wife's, the son-in-law hastily said: "Song Xiaoniangzi, rest assured! I'll go find people right now! I won't even let night fall!"

With both sides gone, everyone in Song Ji let out a breath of relief.

Only those two short-term hired women, who had barely managed to finish their work fast — an hour earlier than usual — and were just thinking of rushing back to report and claim credit, never expected the vicissitudes of fate; the matter was resolved so quickly that before quitting time even arrived, the man had already been caught.

The two of them, on one hand, breathed a sigh of relief, glad the food shop's reputation hadn't been affected, costing them their livelihood; on the other hand, they couldn't help but curse Xu Shifu over and over in their hearts.

— You'd better be capable!

Caught this fast, I didn't even get a chance to show my stuff!

And when Song Miao saw the two had finished their work, she called them out and got straight to the point: "The two of you have been working here for some days now. Earlier, a few candidates came — some couldn't handle the skilled work, so we sent them away; some couldn't stand the strict rules and quit on their own. But Er Niangzi has told me several times, and Si Niang and Dabing have also praised you, saying your hands and feet are quick and clever, and you're steady, reliable people."

She paused, then said: "I've long had the mind to hire you both for the long term, full days. Besides washing, scrubbing, and sweeping, there are other matters to entrust — I wonder if you're willing?"

Such an unexpected joy was practically a sleepy man meeting a pillow; who would refuse?

The two women vied to agree, thumping their chests in guarantee, saying they'd surely do a good job and wouldn't let the Young Lady down.

Song Miao said: "For now it's a trial — not only the food shop testing you, but you testing us, to see if we suit — tomorrow Er Niangzi will come find you to discuss wages."

Though they were short-term hires, because Song Ji had been busy this whole stretch, they'd been there nearly full days; under one roof, many things couldn't be hidden, so they naturally knew about the so-called household shareholder system.

They considered themselves early arrivals, and gritted their teeth wanting to perform well so they could be admitted as shareholders; they whispered to each other, practically floating on air.

Once the two short-term hires left, Cheng Erniang came forward. Seeing no one around, she first called out to Song Miao and asked: "Young Lady, do you have a moment?"

Song Miao had her sit first, then asked with a smile: "What is it?"

Cheng Erniang wrung her hands, head bowed, and said: "I truly have no face left. This manager position — Young Lady, perhaps you'd best give it to someone else……"

Song Miao had long noticed Cheng Erniang's mood was off these past two days. Seeing her bring it up on her own, she didn't rush to persuade, only said: "If it's to be given to someone else, who do you think would be suitable?"

"I think Zhang Siniang is quite good — capable, efficient. Before, she followed Young Lady in Hua Prefecture for two months; now that she's come to the Capital, she knows the work and knows the people……" As Cheng Erniang spoke, her voice dropped lower, "I've thought it over carefully. Compared to me, Si Niangzi only lacks literacy and arithmetic — but I originally didn't know them either; it was all Young Lady who taught me. Since she's here, she'll learn in no more than two months."

Song Miao thought a moment, then said: "Why do you want to yield the position? What's the thinking? Tell me."

"It's still the cart driver's matter…… I stirred up such a huge mess, unsettling everyone from top to bottom. If not for Young Lady stepping in to clean it up, it still wouldn't be resolved……"

As she spoke, she looked more and more dejected.

"Actually, I wasn't entirely satisfied with him from the start. But there was so much going on then; Xu Shifu took the initiative to ask, and I thought: he's been used before, knows the routes — better to use the familiar than the new. Though he had some minor faults……"

"He put on such a performance before me, so attentive, so careful in every little thing. Hateful that I didn't detect a thing, blind as a bat. I misjudged a man like this, made such a grave error — how am I fit to be a manager……"

Song Miao said: "Zhang Siniang has her strengths, but doesn't Er Niangzi have hers?"

"I trust you, and want to use you as manager — not just because you came first, but because I respect your honest, steady character and careful work. This time you do nothing but blame yourself; do you think I've made no mistakes?"

"If one mistake means replacing the person, there aren't enough people in the world to go around — if the very first one has to be replaced, by your logic, didn't I misjudge you and misuse you?"

Cheng Erniang froze instantly, saying: "How can that be the same!"

Song Miao said: "Since I trust you this much, if you truly think for my sake, don't dwell on self-reproach. Just think hard about how to manage people and affairs — Zhang Siniang is good, so make use of her strengths. If you feel she's good at judging people, then consult her more on personnel matters later, or entrust them to her. If you feel Dabing is good at leading people, give the leading to Dabing."

"The more capable people you have under you, the more you must learn how to use them well — not the moment something crops up, think of yielding your post."

Speaking to this point, Song Miao asked again: "You've already erred once; in the same place later, don't err again — that is truly doing right by me. Yes or no?"

Cheng Erniang's throat tightened; she simply couldn't get the words out.

Seeing her like this, Song Miao changed the subject and said: "There's a matter I also wanted to find you for. Lately I've watched Xiao Lian practice calligraphy and recite texts — extremely diligent. Her study of medicine is no passing fancy; she can sit still, endure hardship, much like Er Niangzi — very able to eat bitterness. A few days ago I asked Chen Laoxiansheng for a favor……"

She explained the matter simply, then said: "Today the teacher came to say that Doctor Lin has sent word — have Xiao Lian come after the seventh day, pick a day to visit. She wants to test her first, then decide whether to accept her or not — you tell Xiao Lian, tell the child not to be nervous, just perform naturally."

Cheng Erniang jerked her head up at once and hurriedly said: "It's actually a doctor from Tianyuantang! Young Lady, why didn't you say so earlier? You quietly accomplished such a big thing! I never even dared dream of it! Young Lady, the two of us, mother and daughter…… truly don't know how to thank you enough!!"

Song Miao smiled: "Thank me for what? The matter isn't settled yet. If thanks are truly due, they should go to Chen Laoxiansheng."

She had been quite solemn before, but as she spoke her voice slowly grew gentle: "Er Niangzi must rally your spirit; don't just be timid. They say a daughter resembles her mother. If you don't stand on your own two feet, then later when Xiao Lian enters the medical hall, she could have been the leader — but because of an occasional mistake, she learns your way of doing things and yields to others. When you find out afterward, won't you be heartbroken?"

Cheng Erniang was startled awake.

"You are truly too harsh on yourself. Aside from for the food shop, for Xiao Lian,

most importantly, for yourself — do you really think you're no good?"

Hearing this, Cheng Erniang's heart truly felt like boiling water, burning hot.

She lifted her head and said: "Young Lady, trust me once more. I'll give it my all, live up to myself, and not let you down!"

Song Miao said: "I've trusted Er Niangzi not just once or twice. Just go ahead and do it — as long as you correct mistakes, what's so scary about making them?"

"I said before: there's no one in the world who doesn't make mistakes. Take me — do I have no flaws, no errors, know everything, perfect in every way?"

"Isn't it by relying on you all to help with suggestions and lend a hand that I've been able to prop up this food shop?"

She smiled and stood up, lifting her chin, and said, "Go on with your work!"

Cheng Erniang answered loudly, and sure enough rolled up her sleeves and strode toward the back courtyard.

This young lady from Fuzhou walked along, unable to help piling layer upon layer of halos onto her master, countless in number, thinking to herself—even so, the example the young lady gave was truly wrong; her own family was clearly a perfect person!

From then on, for decades afterward, no matter what position she held or what task she undertook, Cheng Erniang never again spoke a word of reluctance; given any assignment, she gave her all and did her utmost, never failing again.

Seeing that the matter of the carriage driver had gradually settled and the food shop was running smoothly, Song Miao finally found some free time and went to the home of Liang Yan Wuguan's fellow disciple Yang Mian, seeking out this man's uncle.

The other party was indeed an expert; upon hearing Song Miao explain, although he had never done the same before, he quickly understood, thought for half a day, and said, "It can be done, but I only know how to make furnaces; as for that rotating hook hanging from the furnace top that the young lady mentioned, I don't know how to begin."

Song Miao said, "Uncle just needs to make the furnace, leaving an opening at the corresponding place; as for that hook, I'll find someone to help forge it later!"

The two returned to the Song family, quickly settled on the location for building the furnace, agreed to build two, one large and one small, and also negotiated the price.

Perhaps out of regard for the fact that her nephew was a fellow disciple, that Yang Gufu was indeed very courteous, offering a very fair price; after taking the deposit, he couldn't help but ask, "Young lady, what do you plan to roast in this furnace once it's built?"

"Roasting chickens and ducks, roasting geese, roasting squab and quail, and also pigs and sheep—any livestock or poultry can be roasted."

"But surely there's no need for such a tall, such a large furnace?" Yang Gufu clicked his tongue.

Song Miao smiled and said, "I originally wanted to make an earthen furnace, but with so much rain in spring and summer, I feared water would collect in the dug earth and it wouldn't be easy to clean—originally, if it were just ordinary poultry, it could be made smaller, but I also want to use it to roast pigs, and this pig is not a suckling pig, but a large pig."

"Can a large pig taste good when roasted?" Yang Gufu couldn't help but ask.

"Whether it tastes good or not, I can't say; wait until the furnace is built, and if there's a chance, come taste a bite and you'll know—large pigs are different from small pigs, with less fat, roasting them makes them more fragrant, and they're not as easily cloying."

"I have a method, a seasoning; after marinating, the roasted skin is especially thick, both crisp and thick, with plenty of meat juice; roasted with bamboo charcoal, the meat is fragrant and tender, with a crisp bite; among them, the five-layer pork, pork neck, twisted cut, and pork intestines are especially delicious; pork skin dipped in sugar, pork meat dipped in sauce..."

Song Miao said while speaking, and across from her Yang Gufu swallowed his saliva.

He hurriedly said, "If there's a large pig, young lady, save me a portion of good meat!"

Song Miao smiled and said, "Done! But the first few times will be to test the furnace, and I dare not use a large pig; we'll see then. I don't only know how to roast large pigs; ordinary roasted geese and roasted ducks can also be made. Actually, the most suitable is squab, because the portion is small, one person one bird, eating it takes no effort at all!"

Yang Gufu swallowed his saliva and smiled, "I can see it now; young lady, you're not sincerely offering me wages—once the furnace is built, I'm afraid after you roast a few batches, the money for my furnace-building will be earned back!"

Then he chattered on, repeatedly urging, "Other things can be eaten, but that large pig—I've rarely heard of it—if it's really made, be sure to save some for me!"

On this side, Yang Gufu found several small workers, brought people, prepared materials, entered the Song Ji Back Courtyard, and began clanging and banging to build the furnace; on the other side, inside Nan Lu Academy, there was also clanging and banging, blocking the dog hole.

Passing students saw the situation, and seeing the teaching instructor standing by, one or two dared not approach, but hurriedly ran off, spreading word to each other, inquiring everywhere what had happened, each one extremely anxious.

Inside the teaching hall, an old teacher sat with an unpleasant expression on a master's chair, and already half a day had passed; before him, not a single page of the essays had been turned.

Finally, a group of people entered through the door, all discussing in a clamor.

"Simply outrageous, saying seal and sealing it!"

"Managing so strictly, why not make the canteen good, like Taixue, give more subsidies to the students; if they also learned the three-dormitory system, surely more students would be willing to strive!"

"You're dreaming! Taixue can do it because Taixue has court subsidies; does Nan Lu have any? Not to mention the students, even the Taixue canteen has court subsidies!"

"But it can't be done this way; blocking is not as good as guiding. Today they seal the dog hole, won't they dig another dog hole tomorrow?"

"They say the Emperor descended; if he came to inspect our academy, saw the dog hole, and saw students crawling out and in, it would truly be unsightly, so they sealed it..."

"Do you believe it?"

Just as they were speaking, everyone looked toward the old teacher behind them.

One couldn't help but ask, "Master Ruan, I heard that Lin Yiwen's father went to find Shan Chang Xu—is there such a thing?"

Ruan Laofuzi's old face turned red, and he said, "Ashamed; it was this old man meddling, which brought unwarranted disaster upon the academy..."

"This... what exactly happened?"

Master Ruan had no face to speak, and waved his hand, saying, "Let's not talk about this; blame only my lack of foresight, alas!"

He said this, sighing and groaning as he went out the door.

—Who could have thought that Lin Yiwen's father would be so unreasonable.

He came to visit in person, and the other party could be considered courteous, but in his words, he was very firm; after much persuasion, he finally conceded—actually saying to let that Song family young lady become a concubine!

Too outrageous!!

After he took his leave and left, thinking this matter was settled, who knew that afterward the other party went to find Shan Chang.

No one knew what he said, but after Lin's father left, Shan Chang Xu called the teaching instructors over, had them seal the dog hole in the outer wall, and ordered people to patrol day and night, not allowing a single student to sneak out.

Others might not know what happened, but Ruan Laofuzi could guess seven or eight out of ten.

—Most likely Lin's father filed a complaint!

Right now it was all his own unintentional fault; not only were the teaching instructors forced to patrol day and night, but even the teachers were often called to help, and as for the students, they were even more pitiful!

Alas... one's own selfishness led to this; saddled with such a father, what a pity for Lin Yiwen, and even more pitiful for himself, having no face to face the other professors!

Master Ruan left, but he didn't know that after he left, the people behind had already begun to discuss.

There's no wall without leaks under heaven; he sent an invitation to the Lin family, ran into a soft nail, and finally caused the academy to seal the dog hole in broad daylight—almost everyone knew about it.

"Old Ruan is too stubborn; if he had inquired more, looked at how the Lin family and the Song family acted, he would have understood seven or eight out of ten!"

"It's also because Lin Yiwen writes good essays; perhaps he had a heart to cherish talent!"

"I only say this among you; this student... alas, with such character, how good can his essays be? Moreover, they're not even top-notch; not to mention comparing with Taixue, even within our academy, if you took out ten fingers, he wouldn't rank!"

"Don't say it, Old Ruan is coming in!"

"Forget it; perhaps it's not because of Lin Yiwen's father; maybe the Emperor really descended, and they had no choice but to block the hole..."

"Oh please, even if the Emperor descended, isn't he inspecting the embankment; could he come to our place?"

"... grain and fodder, troops have all been mobilized; once Hua Prefecture has trouble, they can set out on the same day..."

On the river, Emperor Zhao Yu personally led a group of ministers to inspect the embankment.

Recently the river water rose sharply; news from the west said rain upstream was unceasing, and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau also said rain was imminent in the Jingji region, fearing the summer flood would come.

He was very worried; he personally inspected all the embankments and river channels everywhere, and after listening to a report from his subordinates, he finally felt a little more at ease.

Finally the journey ended, and Zhao Yu was about to depart when he saw several people standing in the crowd not far away, all with white hair and sparse beards.

He walked over.

Seeing that the group wanted to salute, he quickly called for them to be excused, saying, "I didn't expect to trouble several ministers to come out..."

A few more warm words to soothe them.

Across from him were naturally several Taixue old masters such as Chen and Cao.

After exchanging a few words on both sides, Zhao Yu inquired about the Taixue students, then asked about the elders' recent health; speaking and speaking, Cao Du suddenly wiped away a tear and said: "His Majesty once descended to Taixue several years ago, and the students competed to report it; during those few years, without much urging, each knew to strive forward—and now this place is not far from Taixue, this subject dares to ask—may I ask if this batch of students has any opportunity to see the Imperial Countenance?"

Taixue was originally the gathering place for young scholars and Emperor Reputation.

Zhao Yu agreed: "I was just about to go see the New Students."