Chapter 325

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

The letter Lao Cao Fuzi wrote yesterday, and the invitation card was only given to Han Li in the evening; who would have expected his young nephew to arrive at the door this morning, leaving him somewhat surprised.

But he reacted extremely quickly; upon seeing the person entering behind, he immediately called out, "Xiao Meng!"

After calling out, he pointed to the messenger ahead and said, "My family has a nephew coming to see me; he has traveled a long way, and after all, I am his elder. It is noon now, I cannot have him come and just leave—I must treat him to a meal—I won't be going to that noon banquet!"

The person behind was shocked and alarmed, hurriedly saying, "Lao Lao Cao, please don't frighten me! At the banquet there will be Zhang Shilang of the Ministry of Personnel, the Left Selection Bureau, and two officials from the Inner Selection; the Festival Wine Director specifically instructed that you be invited to take the head seat... this... this, how am I to explain this to them!"

Lao Cao Fuzi put on a troubled look and said, "I have no choice! After all, it's my family's nephew, from a long journey, and he doesn't know what urgent matter it is—isn't there Old Chen? As long as Old Chen is here, I'll call him to help apologize for me at the time!"

At this time, valuing clan inheritance and elder kindness and filial piety from the young, they had caught this old teacher with this excuse to shirk, and the subordinates did not dare to press hard, so they agreed and asked, "Then what about the Ministry of Personnel's documents..."

"They are all going out! It's fine, definitely won't be delayed!"

Lao Cao Fuzi said this, gave a word to those around, slipped away like oil on his feet, not delaying a moment, patting his belly, and hurriedly ran off.

After the person had walked far away, those behind gradually reacted.

"... Eh? Does Lao Lao Cao have a nephew from outside the region?"

"That can't be right? His family has so few people, just one nephew, and a cousin's nephew at that—currently at the Censorate!"

"Then what 'crossing mountains and rivers'? 'Coming from afar'? It's just from Yu Jie, riding a horse, not even taking an hour!"

Everyone half-believed, half-doubted.

"Is there some other nephew we don't know about?"

"There shouldn't be! Usually we haven't heard of anyone coming from his hometown, nor any news..."

Just as they were speaking, suddenly someone said, "Could it be to avoid the banquet!"

Among the Taixue teachers, the old were many and the young few; forty or fifty years old was considered "strong and vigorous," and whether voluntarily or out of necessity, most had little interest in an official career, so naturally they were unwilling to dine with officials from various departments.

As soon as these words were spoken, someone immediately reacted and said, "Others are hard to say... but if it's Lao Lao Cao! He's capable of doing that!"

"What treat to a meal—could it be he's gone to Song Ji!"

"Definitely! Eating this social banquet versus going to Song Xiaoniangzi's place to eat good food—even a fool would choose!"

"How did he run into it! How come I don't have a nephew who knows to come at this time! Alas!"

"This old man, take me along!"

"Lao Lao Cao is too unkind; he should have taken me along! That nephew of his is Lao Cao Xiaofu, I taught him for a year! Since he's come, he should at least visit his old teacher!!"

This person said a sentence, then suddenly stopped, looking toward the door, and called out, "Lao Hu, where are you going?"

The one called Lao Hu was tiptoeing, already half out the door; hearing this, he shrank his neck, turned his head, and laughed dryly, "Go... go to Xuefang!"

"Going to Xuefang, why are you carrying your waist plaque!"

"I, I..." he "I"-ed for a long time, then became angry from embarrassment, "I taught that Lao Cao Xiaofu for two full years, and even corrected his essays hand in hand; since he's come, can't I go take a look??"

Near the door, several teachers simultaneously put down their brushes, rushed over, and dragged him back.

"What are you looking at! Lao Lao Cao has already slipped away, and you still want to slip?!"

"You leave, leaving us to dine with the Ministry of Personnel and the Inner Selection?!"

"Lao Lao Cao greets his own nephew, what are you joining in for! Is he your nephew?! When the Festival Wine Director asks, what will you use to fob him off?!"

A crowd of people clamored and forcibly dragged Hu Fuzi back.

And after Lao Cao Fuzi went out the door, he cast the official business behind him to the back of his head, full of spring pride and swift hooves, soon arriving at the tea house outside.

That nephew was waiting; seeing his uncle arrive, he hurriedly put down his teacup, stood to welcome him, and since there was no one around, first exchanged greetings, then urgently said, "I saw your letter wrote something very important, saying there was a matter of an official taking bribes and perverting the law, telling me to take the documents, ask about the matter, and then put in real effort, not to be perfunctory—is that your meaning?"

Lao Cao Fuzi nodded and smiled, "If not me, who else could it be? I'm just a teacher; could there be someone else who's full and has nothing to do, running here to impersonate?"

The nephew hurriedly said, "It's not that, but just seeing the letter, I felt some misgivings in my heart; then the next day, that Han Li actually came in person to deliver an invitation card; I really didn't know the ins and outs, so I simply took leave to come to my uncle for peace of mind—what matter is it that makes you write a personal letter, and even gets Han Li to come out?"

It turned out that in recent years, Lao Cao Fuzi's correspondence was mostly written by his son on his behalf; recently, after his son went to Chan Prefecture for a post, it changed to him dictating and family members writing, and he rarely took up the brush himself.

Lao Cao Fuzi didn't think much of it, only laughing heartily, "It's nothing, it's nothing, don't panic! Because the time was urgent then, I was afraid they wouldn't write clearly and would delay the matter in the end, so I took up the brush myself; who would have thought that because I usually slack off, being diligent once would make you think it was abnormal!"

"It's a young lady we're familiar with; before, she had a stall selling breakfast behind Taixue; now her business has grown, her skill is truly excellent, and her character and conduct are also extremely good..."

He introduced her in a few sentences, then said, "Everyone has dealt with her for a long time; seeing her in trouble, everyone wants to lend a hand—if it weren't that Zheng Yan hasn't entered office, and many things can't be investigated and followed up as conveniently as with your status, we wouldn't need you; he could have finished it himself!"

Hearing these words, Lao Cao's nephew finally breathed a sigh of relief, and asked again about the so-called matter of taking bribes and perverting the law.

Lao Cao Fuzi said, "I'm not very clear on the specifics, but the detailed account has already been..."

Speaking to this point, he suddenly slapped his head and said, "Aiya, I've been foolish! Since you've come, let me go with you to Song Ji to ask the party concerned clearly; isn't that better than anything else?!"

"Uncle is busy here." The nephew hurriedly waved his hand, "How can I trouble you further—however, I don't know where that food shop is? If it's nearby, since I've already taken leave and come out, I can just go and ask myself!"

Lao Cao Fuzi, however, laughed heartily and said, "That won't do! This matter was originally started by me; besides, you came specially on a trip, and I, as your uncle, cannot neglect you—come, it's very close, I'll take you there!"

Saying this, he walked ahead with great enthusiasm.

Going outside, although there was an attendant leading a horse, after all Lao Cao Fuzi was old, and after all they still called for a carriage, bringing no family servants, just one uncle and one nephew, together heading to Song Ji.

At this time inside Song Ji, the people who had gone out in the morning to set up stalls and deliver goods had returned one after another.

To pull the firewood from under the cauldron, to give some trouble to those who had recently schemed against oneself, one also had to manage the business.

Song Miao first arranged for Wang Sanlang to make a trip to the Chen Family, helping to retrieve the corresponding manuscripts mentioned in Han Li's letter, then asked everyone about the morning's stall-setting and delivery matters, confirmed there was nothing wrong, before turning to the back courtyard to inspect the newly purchased ingredients.

Cheng Erniang was also tidying up; seeing Song Miao arrive, she hurriedly over and introduced them one by one.

"They are all seasonal vegetables; there was a time the Young Lady praised the winter melon and luffa I bought, saying they tasted sweet; today I finally met that old woman selling melons again, hurriedly bought a large winter melon, selected several jin of tender luffa, and also asked about her background."

"She said she's a farmer from the countryside below; every three-six-nine market day she comes to the Capital to sell vegetables, all near Da Xiangguo Temple—I was thinking, if the taste is good this time, next time when someone goes to the Capital, let them first come to the food shop to pick out some vegetables?"

Song Miao nodded and said, "That luffa last time was truly good, and the winter melon was also extremely sweet; today let's try again; if the taste is similar, next time you can discuss with her and see how to arrange it."

Cheng Erniang followed closely at her side; seeing Song Miao go to look at the meat, she said, "This time's meat is also not bad, Young Lady, isn't it?"

She added: "Shentu Hu said this pig was well raised, specially reserved for us, with five-flower meat, two-blade meat, and all that, plus a fine cut of pork; the mutton's fat and lean are also good. It's just the fish from the fish shop isn't very fresh anymore, and I don't know what's going on. Feng Niangzi said lately the fish pulled from the river has a strong muddy smell again. But the Young Lady instructed that if there's no good fish, then shrimp, crabs, turtles, snails—whatever—must also be brought back. Old Lady Feng heard we wanted some, so she went to others and got two buckets of green crabs from the south."

"Big ones and small ones, the males were passable, but the females were tiny little ones. Not only couldn't you pick, you had to buy the whole bucket at once—and even so, I heard they were snatched back from the dock, and the price was terribly high!"

Cheng Erniang pointed to a wooden bucket nearby and said: "I thought there were guests booked for an upper-class dinner tonight. Though I didn't dare ask for much, I gritted my teeth and brought back one bucket. Young Lady, take a look—are they too small? Can they be used?"

Song Miao lifted the grass cover. Seeing the crabs inside all had their claws and pincers bound, she pinched the sides of a crab shell, picked one up, and held it up to the sunlight for a look.

Just as Cheng Erniang had said, they were very small.

The one in her hand was at most three taels or so, with a green back shell, but its claws were white with a bit of muddy red in the middle.

Picking up several more in succession, Song Miao examined them carefully again before nodding. "These are good crabs, especially the females inside. I've heard the south has given this kind a name, called 'yan zai crabs.' Well-raised ones have more roe than meat, and salt-baked they're extremely delicious. After noon, when the guests come to check the menu, I'll casually ask about swapping the fish for crab and using this method—would that work?"

As she spoke, she heard someone outside calling "Xiao Song," "Xiao Song" over and over.

Song Miao immediately recognized it as Lao Cao Fuzi's voice. She carefully washed and dried her hands, then went outside.

By this time Lao Cao Fuzi had already gotten down from the carriage, and beside him another person was paying the driver.

That person looked to be in his thirties or forties, and his dress and bearing did not resemble an attendant.

Song Miao greeted him first, then couldn't help asking: "Sir, weren't you setting exam papers at the school? I heard Young Master Han say you're so busy your feet don't touch the ground. How did you find time to come over?"

Lao Cao Fuzi chuckled: "You have urgent matters here. Fortunately, Xiaofu came along, so I thought I might as well bring him over. Whatever it is, you can say it to his face—better than choosing another time to call on him!"

Speaking, he introduced both parties, then finally laughed: "The nephew of mine at the Censorate is precisely him!"

Song Miao first returned the courtesy, then ushered the man into the room. After they sat down and tea was served, she did not avoid Lao Cao Fuzi, but in front of both of them introduced the whole matter from beginning to end.

That Lao Cao Yushi was very serious. As he listened to Song Miao, he kept asking questions. When she finished, he asked again: "The young lady says all this, but I wonder if there is any evidence or corroboration? It doesn't need to be much..."

Song Miao replied: "There are records filed in the various departments as proof. When I verified it earlier, I made transcriptions. The other day I asked Han Li, Young Master Han, for help. He took them home. I've already sent someone to fetch them. I expect they'll be back shortly."

Both sides asked and answered. Song Miao then asked: "May I ask, Sir Lao Cao, if this matter is true and there is evidence, and the official's impeachment succeeds, what final result could there be?"

That Lao Cao Yushi answered in detail, saying that according to the severity of bribery and perverting justice, it ranged from salary deduction and demotion to removal from office. If especially serious, there was even the possibility of imprisonment and exile, and so on.

"If it's as the young lady says, and there really is a high-ranking minister involved, then the matter might become even bigger..."

He said this, saw Song Miao's brow slightly furrowed, clearly looking worried, and then added: "But you can rest assured. We at the Censorate fear most that the involved official's rank is too small and the matter too narrow. As long as the matter is true, once it's made a big fuss, even without me speaking, my colleagues at the Censorate will continue to pursue it!"

Lao Cao Fuzi had not interjected until now. Hearing this, seeing that the important matters were all finished, he comforted Song Miao: "Don't be afraid. Although the current Emperor is benevolent, he is also very discerning of right and wrong. Over these years, apart from Lu Wang relying on his special status to repeatedly impeach in court with no results, on other matters His Majesty is quite able to listen to advice. Even if it's a purple-robed official, as long as he commits a crime, he will not be indulgent."

Song Miao knew the late Emperor had no sons, and the current Emperor came by adoption. When the late Emperor was seriously ill, there had been considerable voices in court wanting to respectfully invite Lu Wang, that is, the then Emperor's younger brother, to inherit the throne.

But after the late Emperor died, he left a last will, and there was the Empress at the time. Today Empress Dowager Yang had a firm attitude, and a host of ministers supported her. In the end, it was a younger son of a collateral branch, that is, the current Emperor Zhao Yu, who took the throne.

Perhaps because of this, the current Emperor, out of concern for his reputation, is somewhat hesitant and restrained when it comes to this uncle.

For many years, Lu Wang has either claimed to be weak and infirm, unable to travel long distances, or said he received a dream from the late Emperor asking him to guard the Capital. He always had various excuses and refused to go to his fief. But at the same time he made friends with ministers in court, always trying to interfere in politics. Though he hasn't caused any major trouble, he has made quite a stir.

Lao Cao Fuzi only mentioned it casually. Song Miao naturally didn't think too much. She was still speaking when she heard a commotion outside. Not long after, a mule cart stopped at the door. It was Wang Sanlang returning.

Seeing people, Song Miao hurriedly told him to bring over the official documents, manuscripts, and such, for Lao Cao Yushi to examine.

The latter glanced through them briefly, put the things away, and said: "The young lady has organized them very meticulously. Truly useful! I'll take them back to sort out. After verifying once more, I'll draft a memorial to submit!"

As he spoke, he had already stood up.

Seeing it was nearly the si hour, Song Miao hurriedly stood up too: "Sir, since you've come, you must eat some rice before leaving!"

She turned to look at Lao Cao Fuzi.

The latter had been waiting half a day already. He hurriedly pressed down his nephew and said: "It's already noon. Eat before you go! Didn't you see Song Xiaoniangzi is hosting guests? You don't eat, but I still want to eat!"

Lao Cao Yushi hesitated for a moment, about to decline, when Lao Cao Fuzi said again: "Uncle is treating you. As a junior, don't chatter so much!"

As he spoke, he looked eagerly at Song Miao and asked: "Xiao Song, what's there to eat right now? Two or three simple dishes will do!"

Song Miao said: "There are excellent green-shell crabs. I'll make two crab dishes. But crab meat is very cold. I'll serve ginger tea with it. You drink another cup?"

Lao Cao Fuzi furrowed his brow and shook his head: "No need! My stomach is very good! Since I was small I haven't liked that ginger spiciness. It burns the tongue and scrapes the throat!"

Even so, Song Miao knew that old people mostly have weak stomachs and spleen, so she didn't take it seriously. She went to the back courtyard, thought for a moment, called Zhang Siniang over, and instructed: "Si Niang, pick out more old ginger, peel it, smash it finely, squeeze out the ginger juice. I want to keep the ginger pulp to use."