Chapter 317

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

This time, she waited a while before two bailiffs came out the door.

Seeing Song Miao, both of them looked somewhat ashamed.

"We originally wanted to wait until we had news later, then send someone to the food shop with word..."

"Master Qin summoned them to report back; they haven't come out yet. Right now only the two of us are free — it's really a bit embarrassing to come see you!"

Hearing them explain, Song Miao only then learned that as soon as she left yesterday, those familiar bailiffs had sent people to the Nanxun Gate Patrol Station.

Everyone started by sending subordinates to find subordinates; in reality the Current Manager, logically it should have worked perfectly, but at Nanxun Gate, top to bottom, every single one insisted the swindling old man and his pair of children had escaped by accident, and all the interrogation documents were lost as well.

They're all old Gong Ya hands; how could they not know there was fraud involved.

Seeing no result, the group later simply called in the patrol soldiers who had followed up on that swindling case for separate questioning — one by one, they all played dumb; pressed hard, they actively admitted punishment.

They're only patrol soldiers to begin with; demotion is impossible to demote further. Letting suspects go was an error, but the case isn't settled, they're not fugitives, at most a two-month salary fine, a demerit recorded, no transfer for half a year or a year. If someone bribed them, it's completely painless.

"Because it's collusion top to bottom, investigating would take some effort. Also a coincidence: after the Censor injured his legs, his cases were originally all transferred upward, but these past few days for some reason the Suanzao Alley gambling case was sent back, urging us to close it — busy with that now, can't spare full force for a moment..."

The other hurriedly comforted: "We also know Young Lady Song must be anxious; we've already put word out to contacts everywhere, described those people, told them to keep watch at all times — if convenient, have that coachman from that day come in, describe the three's appearances and builds. Maybe before we can dig anything out of Nanxun Gate, the lower levels will already have caught them!"

Hearing the Capital Prefecture Office was pressing the gambling case, Song Miao couldn't be certain, but she had a guess in her heart.

She didn't ask further, first thanked them, then replied: "All thanks to you sirs for helping. Yesterday I went to Nanxun Gate, saw the patrol station's atmosphere, and felt it might not be easy to deal with. I've already asked the coachmen at the food shop; since there were still people on that carriage, I asked them all together this morning too, and drew portraits — though only one person was drawn, I don't know if it'll be useful or not?"

As she spoke, she handed over the draft she had just drawn at Tianyuantang.

The two bailiffs opened it to look; before seeing the portrait, they saw the text on top, and were already very pleased.

One asked: "This is... written following the Sea Capture Document?"

The other praised: "I may not recognize every single character, but looking at this style, and recognizing a few readable characters, it's written exactly like what comes from those clerk officials' hands!"

Song Miao pointed at that wanted poster wall outside the Capital Prefecture Office, smiling: "I wrote it following the documents outside. If it saves the drafter some effort, then my trouble wasn't wasted."

And when the two flipped open the prepared text and saw the portrait behind it, they almost simultaneously sucked in a cold breath.

"This portrait... so lifelike! How was this drawn?? If portraits could be drawn like this in the past, wanted criminals would be catchable by not just three or five parts more!"

"Where did this come from? Those painters who draw Sea Capture portraits should all follow this standard!"

Song Miao said: "Many people helped to draw it like this, and no matter how alike the image, you still need people to help watch the wanted posters."

Worldly matters have always been: only when it concerns oneself can one be most devoted.

She first prepared the portraits and drafts completely; when the time comes, clerks and painters can directly apply them, saving time and restoring the suspects' descriptions from everyone's mouths to the maximum extent — truly mutually convenient.

Song Miao paused, then said: "My case is small after all; the Capital Prefecture Office doesn't know how many big and small cases in a day. Sirs have official duties; impossible to only mind my side and ignore other victims — what effort can I contribute? Don't know if I can hire an engraving master to print from this portrait; then post wanted posters everywhere. Though my small business, I'm willing to put up some silver for reward..."

When Shen Xingniang's incident happened, the Embroidery Workshop she was at put up over a hundred strings of cash as reward silver, drawing much city attention and discussion.

She now follows the example; though she can't put up that much, she'll supplement a bit. Even if they catch no one in the end, she must show an attitude, stir up some movement.

If the matter blows up, it might make those behind have some taboos.

"No need for yours first; the Capital Prefecture Office has its own reward money. This case has become ugly; that day many saw an old man swindling, it's already spread, quite uproarious. We'll write a note, ask superiors to approve more silver. If really can't find them, you can talk about putting up your own money — the food shop still has debts, right? You're a young lady; where's money easy to earn!"

"Exactly! And don't use yours first; if it truly reaches that step, we'll go find Censor Xin — he still knows some outsider acquaintances who roam around. Even if official channels fail, there are always small paths to help inquire!"

Hearing the two speak like this, Song Miao specially added a clause: "Besides those three swindlers, the night before last another group came demanding debt. Though I don't know if the two sides are connected, it's also a clue."

She described that group once, finally saying: "I'll also inquire here; if I get news, I'll report back. Even if no progress, Er Niangzi, Si Niang and them bring breakfast daily; they'll ask a sentence now and then when they come — not urging. This matter may not have results for a while; we all know that in our hearts."

Between people it's always mutual.

Not to mention Song Miao was already familiar with several bailiffs; even if it was her first time reporting a case, her advance and retreat, her conduct, truly already helped the yamen do much, making this case extremely worry-free to handle. As long as not encountering those bullying-soft-fearing-hard evil bailiffs, all would be willing to exert effort properly — which proper duty-holder doesn't want to solve cases, doesn't wish to eliminate harm for the people, uphold justice?

The two took the portraits; one first found the yamen's usual craftsman, sent Song Miao's drawn portrait over, had him carve blocks accordingly for printing. The other went to seek superior approval for reward silver — the clerk saw the rough draft, didn't change a bit, just copied it once, signed his own name, truly not delaying a moment, immediately put it in the latest batch of drafts and sent it out.

After the runners carried the drafts away, that clerk still didn't forget to joke to the bailiff who brought the drafts: "Next time there's this kind of pre-written draft, must send it to me again!"

— Simply too worry-free!

The two bailiffs ran back and forth here; waiting for several others to come out from the superior's Gong Ya, busy a while, finally slightly freed their hands. Hearing Song Ji's situation, and learning what Song Miao said, though the printed Sea Capture Documents and portraits weren't ready yet, they couldn't help but each exert effort first — either calling their own contacts, or ordering friends and old acquaintances to help.

Song Miao and that escort guard left early morning; after finishing the portrait and document matters, midway turned to a few more places to handle some things. Only with difficulty returned to the food shop; the sky was already completely dark.

Upon entering, several people welcomed her up.

First Zhang Siniang and Big Pancake said the rice and dishes were already prepared, inviting her to eat first.

Then Cheng Erniang said although today everywhere encountered a bit of the unexpected, fortunately there was early preparation, all handled past. Tomorrow everything that should be prepared is prepared well, telling her to rest assured.

Then several short-term hire women anxiously crowded over, some pouring drinks, some moving armchairs, some holding basins, some pouring water, some bringing clean cloth towels.

Song Miao first took a woman's towel, using the basins and water everyone brought to wash hands and face, thanked them, then told today's Capital Prefecture Office matters, and took out a portrait copy — but she had drawn two copies at Tianyuantang; the better one given to the yamen for block carving, this one brought back though slightly inferior by one or two points, looking already enough to intimidate.

For a moment, the originally chaotic front hall, almost only everyone's breathing sounds could be heard.

After a moment, someone said: "This portrait, drawn like it's alive! Scarily lifelike!"

And Wang Sanlang had stood slightly farther at first; now seeing the portrait, unconsciously stepped a few steps closer. Just one glance and he cried: "This... this isn't that old man from the other day??"

Earlier Song Miao had drawn once based on his description, but only a few points similar, not like this scroll. Saying exactly alike is not an exaggeration at all.

"Take this to search; as long as he shows his face, I can definitely recognize him — Young Lady, can there be an extra portrait? My sister carries a needlework pole all over the city; she keeps a copy on her, who knows she might really see him!"

"If possible, I want a copy too! My little uncle does labor at various docks; also goes here today, there tomorrow. Their docks have many people; have everyone look, maybe someone has seen him!"

One by one, all saying they want to contribute effort.

Song Miao drank a teacup of tea in one breath, only then said: "I've already asked the Capital Prefecture Office sirs to help; when the time comes they'll print several dozen more. Everyone can take some back."

Also said: "This time the food shop encountered some trouble; everyone coming and going is inconvenient not to mention. Coming out to work is just to support the family; who expected to be implicated — matter blown up like this, most afraid it'll affect family. If everyone worries, it's perfectly reasonable. Whether resigning or taking leave, it's all fine with me..."

Her words just out, Cheng Erniang and them hadn't even had time to express stance, when those short-term hire women snatched the conversation one by one.

"Young Lady, my days at Song Ji though not long, early treated this place as my own home! Last night I already sent my two little ones back to Yantian Town countryside; best to wait until after Mid-Autumn to return! Even if there's trouble, though I don't know who's behind it, could he still stretch his hand to Yantian to make things hard for my family??"

"I'm not afraid either—what leave to ask, what job to quit! Business is so good lately we can barely keep up! If I really left, wouldn't I be dropping the load at a critical moment!"

"It's precisely because our business is good and what we make is delicious, so conspicuous, that we've attracted villains! If you can all pull together as one rope, the villains will find no fun and might just leave—but if you quit your job, where outside will you find a mistress as good as this one!"

Though it's a bit hard, the pay is truly enough, and besides, as long as you do well, there's nothing to worry about; once a short-term hire turns long-term, they'll pay you at the long-term rate that very month—the wage increase alone is quite considerable, not to mention the rumor of sharing in the oil.

The many short-term hires had already figured it out in private, knowing that once the food shop officially opened for business, the mistress would produce a dry share for those below to divide.

And as long as you stayed long enough, if seventy percent of the elders agreed, your own name could be added.

Who, from morning till night, isn't trying to earn a few extra melons and dates?

The food shop's business—the people working inside know it better than anyone; it's not just steadily improving, but rising incredibly fast.

They had been worrying about having no way to show loyalty, and given this opportunity, they practically fought to speak.

Thanking everyone for weathering the storm together, and seeing that it was truly too late, Song Miao asked Qi Biaotou to one side to help arrange the escorts, to hurry them home first.

After sending off the many young ladies and the big cakes, the room suddenly fell quiet.

Song Miao had eaten her rice, looked around, didn't see Xu Erlang, knew things probably hadn't gone well, and didn't rush to ask.

After she finished tidying up, she went to the front hall and asked Qi Biaotou to come sit.

The moment the other sat down, he immediately said: "I was just about to tell Song Xiaoniangzi—I sent someone back to ask, and Erlang and his father went out to look for people and ask about things; they hadn't returned by the You hour of the afternoon, I'm afraid they're up to the wine table talking business!"

Just as they were speaking, the two heard a light knocking at the door; one looked up, one turned to look, and saw a person standing outside, wearing a blue cloth robe, carrying a large basket in one hand and a bamboo basket in the other.

"It's Young Master Han!" Qi Biaotou stood up and kindly went to help receive the things.

The visitor was naturally Han Li.

"Newly acquired sweet melons, apricots, pears, and also small flat peaches—I tasted them; the melon is quite sweet, but the plums are sour—though it doesn't matter, they can be given to the escort masters to refresh themselves in the evening."

He handed the basket to Qi Biaotou, saying this, but at the same time shook his head at Song Miao, who had already stood up, gesturing that she needn't move; he himself walked to the table, placed the bamboo basket on the tabletop, then went to one side to pour water and wash his hands.

This whole set of movements was very familiar, needing no greeting from Song Miao; seeing that Qi Biaotou held the basket without moving, he specially added a sentence: "Trouble the biaotou to help take it and divide it up; we still have some here, no need to set aside a separate portion."

Staying up late is hardest, and staying up dry is even harder; if there's something to eat, moving your mouth a bit can make you more alert.

Qi Biaotou saw he wasn't just saying polite words, so he stopped being polite; from the miscellaneous room he called out an escort, and had the other carry the basket around to distribute the fruit.

Song Miao glanced and saw that inside the bamboo basket there was still one bamboo tube of sheep's milk, and the rest were all fresh fruit; besides the various kinds Han Li had just mentioned, there were also ten or so oranges.

She asked curiously: "Young Master, where did you get so many fruits? Are there already tangerines for sale now?"

Han Li wiped his hands and came over, saying: "These are Dongting oranges sent from the south; they should only be available in autumn, but because there is a cold spring in the mountains, they always ripen a season early; my senior brother got a cageful, and since he couldn't eat them all, I asked for some; we have many people here, so it's just right to divide them."

He then asked: "Is there any progress today?"

Song Miao hadn't spoken yet when Qi Biaotou was already shaking his head, helping to introduce the situation, and added: "But Song Xiaoniangzi has already drawn a portrait of that old man, and it's very lifelike! Once the sea capture document from the Capital Prefecture Office is posted, we'll also take copies around to search; as long as the person is still in Jingcheng, we'll catch them for sure—they probably can't hide!"

Speaking, he lifted the paper covering the portrait on the table and pointed it out to Han Li.

The latter looked at it seriously for a while, and after a long time, asked: "Young Lady's painting skill is truly unique; I don't know where you learned it? Using it to pursue suspects and escapees is truly formidable!"

Song Miao said: "My mother taught it—my family cooks; besides written recipes, the most important thing is painting, but I only learned five or six parts; it's all outward appearance without the spirit, I can't apply color, and it's very stiff; by my family elders' reckoning, at most I'm a black-and-white painter."

She brushed past the matter in a few sentences, then said again: "Young Master comes at just the right time; I was just about to ask—do you know anyone familiar in the Censorate? I may have a clue here about an official taking bribes and perverting justice, worth a postscript of ten thousand strings of copper..."