Chapter 47

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

When Chen Fuzi came out, Deng Jijiu and Cao Jie and Wei Defu had already been chatting for a while, and at this moment they hurriedly rose together to welcome him.

Seeing Cao and Wei two people respectfully bowing deeply to him, Chen Fuzi instead waved his hand and said: "One does not visit the Three Treasures Hall for nothing—you two in the Capital attend literary gatherings here and banquets there, social engagements endless, yet you can spare time to come find me, so what exactly do you want?"

Cao Jie hurriedly smiled and said: "Xiansheng, these words truly shame this student; this disciple coming to the Capital to pay respects to Xiansheng should naturally be the priority, only the previous few..."

He was about to explain further, but Chen Fuzi sighed and said: "If you have no business and are just paying a courtesy call, then consider it done; if you have business but won't say it, and keep droning on here, I'm leaving."

Deng Jijiu sitting to the side laughed heartily: "Lao Cao, Defu, you two just honestly confess!"

Cao Jie and Wei Defu helplessly exchanged a glance, then the latter spoke: "Xiansheng, we won't hide it from Xiansheng; this trip to the Capital, besides congratulating Deng brother on his birthday, there is also an errand—the Court intends to recompile the Jixianglu, Li Canzheng reported our two names, tomorrow we must have an audience; when we see the Emperor, if we have no plan, it won't be easy to speak."

Chen Fuzi hearing this nodded and said: "This is a major matter; you two prepare well, don't just go through the motions."

Cao Jie seeing his attitude relaxed considerably and said: "Compiling books is time-consuming and laborious, but the most troublesome is insufficient manpower."

How many people does the Hanlin Academy have? Even counting clerks, they can be counted; how could they repair so many books?

By convention, whoever is responsible for compiling books is responsible for selecting members—most are chosen from among students; even if they can't do main text editing, selecting passages and copying is still good manual labor.

Chen Fuzi laughed and asked: "You need people? Doesn't your Xiangshan Academy have anyone?"

"The Academy naturally must bring some people; being able to participate is truly an honor, and without layer upon layer of selection, one couldn't even get in," Wei Defu said, "but outsiders don't know how many books Xiansheng has compiled—without ability or literary talent, even ten thousand coming would just be padding, of no use, only fit to help with miscellaneous tasks."

Cao Jie also chimed in: "Talent must be looked for at Taixue; besides, we two have been away for years and aren't familiar with the Capital; if one or two people could help outline and lead, guiding the outside students, it would be twice the result with half the effort, so we had to come find Xiansheng."

Chen Fuzi didn't oppose it, pointing to Deng Jijiu to the side and said: "You need people, why not strike this ready-made bell instead of waiting for me to cast one?"

Deng Jijiu laughed: "Others I've already agreed to, let them choose; first it can temper the students' tempers, second such opportunities aren't always available—only they're eyeing one person, I dare not agree, so I had them come ask Senior Brother themselves."

Cao Jie immediately said: "Xiansheng, there is one person Defu and I have long admired, that Han Li..."

"Zheng Yan won't do!"

Hearing the two words "Han Li," Chen Fuzi completely changed his previous smiling manner, immediately flared up, and flatly refused.

But after refusing, he seemed to realize it was hard to justify, and added: "Going to compile books takes years; Zheng Yan has many matters at hand and cannot be away so long."

Wei Defu said: "Xiansheng doesn't know; this time we students entered the Capital and heard the Hanlin Academy is also planning to compile the Yanshu; someone long proposed Han Li, waiting only to submit the plan before issuing a transfer order—since everyone is compiling books, rather than making wedding clothes for strangers, better to help us students; after all, we're our own people, and they won't steal your credit..."

"I've already heard of this matter and will arrange it myself," Chen Fuzi said, "You two if you have anything, come to me; can I not compare to him?"

The scene fell silent for a moment.

Who dares say they can't compare?

But who has business and dares to come find you, old sir?

Deng Jijiu seeing this looked at the time and said: "This matter can wait; it's past noon; you may not be hungry, but I am; I've prepared a table of food and drink at Xianhe Ju outside; let's go eat first."

He added: "Senior Brother, why not invite Zheng Yan too? Ask him what he thinks."

Chen Fuzi stood up first but said: "I ate lunch early and am full; you go eat; other matters can wait until afternoon."

Speaking, he looked to Xiao You to the side and said: "You go find Zheng Yan once; just say Deng Senior Brother wants to treat Cao Jie and Wei Defu to a meal and invites him to keep company, ask if he's coming."

The words hadn't fallen before he was out of the house like a puff of smoke, his steps very agile, not at all like a seventy-year-old man.

Cao Jie in the room sighed: "Long heard Xiansheng greatly favors this junior disciple, only thought it exaggeration; now seeing it, the rumors have not half an exaggeration, only insufficiency."

Deng Jijiu instead laughed: "Senior Brother isn't anything; when Fu Xiansheng was around... forget it, let's not talk about that."

He added: "Since that's the case, sit a while; wait until Zheng Yan comes to speak."

The three reseated themselves, not knowing that once Chen Fuzi left the house, he first sent off Xiao You: "You go to my Shu Zhai and bring the wooden box on the desk; I'll wait for you at Zheng Yan's—hurry!"

Saying this, he took three steps at a time and hurriedly went to Shangshe Xuezhai.

By now class had ended; the others in the room had gone to eat; entering, he saw Han Li was indeed still there, washing his hands in a basin to the side.

Chen Fuzi looked around each table and saw no food box, but walking a few steps closer, he smelled a fragrance; that fragrance was truly familiar, making his saliva flow at once.

Swallowing saliva and clearing his throat, Chen Fuzi then called out: "Zheng Yan!"

Han Li was drying his hands; hearing the noise, he turned and looked, stunned for a moment; seeing no one else around, he asked: "Senior Brother, why have you come?"

Chen Fuzi first sighed and said: "I've told you to be careful in your conduct and not offend people recklessly—now look, even the Hanlin Academy is coming to conscript laborers, and who knows whose instigation it is!"

He told Han Li of Cao Jie and Wei Defu's purpose, then of the Hanlin Academy compiling the Yanshu, and said: "Do you want to go or not?"

"Who can't compile books? It's still a former dynasty's history book; what do you want me to do?" Han Li frowned; "Very tedious; don't call me."

Chen Fuzi laughed and scolded, then said: "How many books did I compile back then? Didn't Fu Xiansheng compile for many years? Why can't you be called when it comes to you?"

"How can others compare to Senior Brother? What books did Senior Brother compile back then, and what books did Fu Xiansheng compile?" Han Li smiled, but stepped forward, dragged a chair for Chen Fuzi to sit, then added: "Besides, I'm organizing Fu Xiansheng's documents; without years of effort, no progress can be made; how can I spare attention?"

Hearing his junior disciple's approach of first stepping on then pulling up, though very blunt, precisely because of this bluntness, it made Chen Fuzi feel very comfortable.

He couldn't help smiling and stroking his beard, then said: "You can say this to me, but taking it to say to others would be hard to explain."

One is an official matter filed by the Court; the other is a private matter of our own school.

Although with Fu Jiu's prestige and achievements, it wouldn't be difficult to file an official matter in the Court to organize his writings from life, but for his disciples, naturally they wouldn't want outsiders meddling in their own three mu of land.

But in such a situation, this reason cannot be a suitable reason.

Just as they were speaking, suddenly they heard footsteps outside; it was Xiao You running over, sweating profusely.

"Xiao You."

Chen Fuzi waved to the person coming.

After receiving the wooden box the other delivered, he opened it; inside was a thick stack of official documents.

Laying those documents one by one on the table before him, Chen Fuzi then said to Han Li: "You made too much of a splash before; the Three Departments and Five Offices keep sending borrowing letters, which I and your junior brother have been suppressing—look, choose a suitable place and hide for a while; even just registering a name is good; wait until this matter passes before speaking."

Taixue has always had hairy-headed monasteries but no Censorate officials.

Since the former Emperor's reform, Shangshe students have an additional internal examination every three years; as long as they pass, they can obtain office without participating in the imperial examinations, only the official posts and errands differ.

From then on, this department, that bureau, all set their eyes on it.

They'll be colleagues in the future anyway; better to start work early than late. Borrowing Taixue students costs not a single coin of silver.

And for the students, going early to serve under various offices lets them learn the ropes of miscellaneous affairs, see more, learn more, and find out which places are good and which are bad — it counts as a fine opportunity.

Only such secondments tend to be extremely limited in scope, and also require Taixue to stand guarantor, to vouch for the students' conduct and ability, lest any mishap occur. For someone like Han Li, whose teacher never stepped forward, yet who was already being courted by this one and that one outside — that is truly a rare case.

Han Li stepped forward to look at the documents on the desk, and was surprised: "So many? Aren't they afraid I'll speak nonsense about them outside?"

"There are always those who don't believe in evil." Chen Fuzi smiled. "Besides, once you go in you sign the papers; you can't speak the specific matters outside. Moreover, most of them probably think you're illiterate and safe to scold. Getting acquainted early, becoming familiar — that counts as a precaution; it might even save you a bit of face."

"Do I only scold by citing specifics? The ways to scold in this world are countless." Han Li shook his head, merely finding it amusing.

Chen Fuzi also laughed, only saying: "It's still Cao Xiangong who misled people; most likely it's your yellow dog that made people remember deeply."

"They've all become officials, yet they'd still trust people so lightly? I don't believe it — there's mostly deceit in it."

Han Li spoke while picking and choosing among them; before long he pulled out one, saying: "This one then — I'll pack up my things here, and report for duty these two days."

Chen Fuzi leaned over to take a look.

"Capital Prefecture Office." He nodded. "Good. Xiao Qin came to find me a while back, just saying that during the Upper Yuan Festival cases in the capital suddenly surged; he's new and quite at a loss, and on top of that his superiors gave a deadline — drag it further and it'll be handed over to the Department of Criminal Investigation."

As he spoke, his expression carried a certain self-satisfied pride: "He knew you once worked two years under Fu Yan on post, very effective in criminal cases; he wanted to ask you to help. He came several times, I turned him down each time."

"Today you picked the Capital Prefecture Office; don't rush. In a moment I'll send someone to call him. The Qin family is wealthy — just right, I broke my brush washer the other day — if I don't squeeze a few good ones out of him, I won't be surnamed Chen!"

Han Li said: "Going to the Capital Prefecture Office, I may not be assigned to his unit."

"I've already sold him enough face; if even that can't get it done, then his ability is lacking." Chen Fuzi just heh-heh laughed.

Business concluded, his eyeballs rolled, and he added: "Zhengyan, your senior brother Deng Qi is hosting a midday banquet for Cao Jie and Wei Defu, calling you to accompany them — these two came from afar, at least give them face, will you go keep them company for a meal?"

Han Li hesitated a moment, then said: "Another day — in two days isn't it Senior Brother's birthday celebration? At the birthday banquet there'll be plenty of chances to pay respects. Senior Brother's banquet will mostly be at Xianhe Ju or Huicai Lou, full of acquaintances; being seen would be awkward."

"You're still afraid of being seen?" Chen Fuzi grew anxious at once. "I see you're hiding good stuff, just want to eat it all yourself!"

Han Li froze.

"You still play dumb? I smelled it — if that fermented bean curd weren't so fragrant, and I hadn't eaten this flavor before and known what it was, you'd have kept it from me entirely!"

Chen Fuzi spoke, and had already stood up, tiptoeing here, crouching there, searching everywhere for something.

Han Li said helplessly: "You mean the side dish Cheng Zijian sent? I just heated this morning's porridge and rice on the stove, haven't had a chance to look, haven't eaten — if Senior Brother wants it, I'll share a portion with you to take back?"

"What share a portion back! Does your porridge and rice have extra? I'll eat right here."

He spoke, turning his head to Xiao You: "Run another trip, tell Deng Qi — just say Zhengyan has eaten too — that phrasing is bad, forget it, just say… just say I forgot Zhengyan has urgent business on hand and can't leave for now, tell them to go eat on their own — once you've said it, go fetch the rice from my room, hurry!"

Once he finished, seeing Xiao You acknowledge it, only his voice sounded rather listless, walking while still looking back. Chen Fuzi, old and crafty, how could he not know the reason? He immediately said: "Rest assured, since I have mine, I'll definitely leave you a mouthful!"

Xiao You instantly beamed and ran off.

He returned to the place and indeed repeated the words to Deng Jijiu and the others.

Cao Jie then said: "Since so, Xiao You come along too?"

Xiao You hurriedly said: "Impossible, impossible, Master can't spare a moment without someone; better I go to the upper dormitory and find a few students…"

"That won't be necessary." The three almost simultaneously waved their hands.

Seeing Xiao You rush out the door, Cao Jie said: "Still not quite willing, alas…"

Wei Defu also sighed, but turned to Deng Jijiu: "Brother Deng, why don't we go find that Han Li? If we don't get a word of refusal from him, our hearts will never be at ease."

Deng Qi persuaded a few sentences, saw no effect, had to agree, walked in front, and casually grabbed a student to lead the way.

By the time the group reached Han Li's study, before even entering, they smelled a wondrous fragrance, and heard voices from inside.

"Such a good thing, you actually didn't think of me! My teeth are just right for this taro braised pork — that Stall Owner Song must have made it tailor-made for me!"

"Back when I followed Master into exile in Jingzhou, there was a cook in the city from Guizhou who made this braised pork; at the time I thought it delicious, believed I'd never encounter it again — who knew today I'd have such luck — it's even better than what I ate in my youth!"

"Senior Brother, just eat the taro braised pork; these peaches and ginger are hard…"

"So what if peaches and ginger are hard? Can't I taste that flavor? Can't I sip it and swallow it down? Besides there's purple perilla; the purple perilla inside is even more fragrant and flavorful — how can I not eat it?"

"Moreover this purple perilla peach ginger is so purple, the purple suppresses the red entirely; they say evil purple usurps vermilion — I eat it, and that's called evil cannot suppress righteousness!"

"Your porridge and rice are quite good too, very suitable to eat; next time teach Xiao You, have him learn as well."

— This incessant chatter, talking nonstop, was clearly that Chen Fuzi who earlier claimed he'd already eaten his fill, while the other was that Han Li who allegedly "had urgent business."

Could this so-called "urgent business" be hiding to eat?

The three stared at each other for a moment, hurried into the study, and saw Chen Fuzi sitting behind the desk, a piece of taro braised pork still clamped in his mouth; the meat was quickly swallowed into the mouth within his beard, chew chew chew, the beard twitching with each chew, a look both anxious and delighted.

The destined people in Taixue all got to eat Song Miao's taro braised pork, but Song Miao herself had no time to eat.

She finished delivering the food and went straight to the patrol station at Zhuque Gate.

The patrol station had its own duty patrol officers. Learning that last night a rascal had intruded into a civilian home at night, they were first startled; upon learning the householder was uninjured, they settled back into their chairs; then learning a Taixue student was injured, they straightened up again, and hurriedly asked Song Miao for details.

Though Song Miao didn't know everyone's identities, she described the appearances, builds, and clothing of those she saw, along with her own deductions.

Her memory was superb; she spoke in thorough detail: how many people total, their respective ages, their looks, who had a black mole where on the face, who had pockmarks, who had protruding ears, who had uneven shoulders; whoever spoke, what their accents were — all accounted for clearly.

The patrol officer recorded as he listened, couldn't help saying: "Young Lady has a remarkable memory!"

But when he heard Song Miao describe one of them, the brush in his hand suddenly slowed.

After everything was recorded, this man said: "We've received it. But manpower is limited; investigation takes time. Moreover, to press charges, we can't rely solely on Young Lady's word; we still need to find more witnesses."

He repeatedly asked again about those Taixue students' identities — which dormitory: lower, inner, or upper; their surnames and names; their native places; where their homes were.

Song Miao pleaded ignorance for all, only saying she'd go back and ask.

This man then repeated the details of last night over and over.

She entered the patrol station at noon; two patrol officers took turns questioning her, straight through until afternoon, past the Shen hour, before the case was considered reported.

Song Miao, however, was not surprised.

This was also within expectations.

She even felt that when she described those people's appearances, the patrol officer across from her already knew who the culprit was, merely stalling for time.

Once she left the patrol station's door, she didn't linger, turned and went to the Capital Prefecture Office.

This time they were checking the Song family house's land deed and house deed on file, and also whether anyone had submitted a house sale invitation card and formal contract.

The clerk handling the case said: "This matter requires advance registration—tomorrow's quota is already full, come again the day after tomorrow."

Song Miao assented, thanked him, and asked for the specific time.

As soon as she walked out the door, before she had gone far, she heard two clerks inside the house talking.

"I heard the Prefect came yesterday and summoned several officials from the Left and Right Patrol Courts, as well as several judges; every one of them came out with a bad expression."

"What wind blew the Prefect here—though this year is indeed more chaotic than past years, and more people have gone missing during the Upper Yuan Festival; it's said an embroiderer even went missing, carrying a rare embroidery pattern on her person."

"Isn't it the dowry garment of Minister Cui's daughter?"

"Even at a place like Zhou Bridge, someone could go missing."

"I heard an arresting official say she went along a small path, across the Bian River, with Da Xiangguo Temple opposite, and passing through leads to Baokang Gate."

Song Miao was no longer in a hurry to leave; she stood still and listened for a while, and only left after the two turned to talk about other things.

She did not go straight home, but instead went around to Zhou Bridge, bought a boning knife at an iron shop, had it put into a soft basket, and after coming out, without asking for directions, headed straight toward Da Xiangguo Temple.

Not having gone far, she found the place the two clerks had mentioned; thinking of their conversation and the reward notice she had seen that day, she simply walked the street once.

This place was originally very prosperous, but according to what the two said, Shen Xingniang did not take the main road, but a small path.

When Song Miao walked it the first time she did not see it; after going back and forth twice, she finally found that small path beside a large tree and a small house.

The sky was already getting late, but there were not few pedestrians on the road; she carried the newly bought boning knife on her person, felt quite assured in her heart, and strode in.

The forked path was not short; after walking for more than a quarter of an hour she finally reached the end, with no houses on either side, only walls, and branching off was Baokangmen Waizi.

Baokangmen Waizi had embroidery workshops gathered together; Song Miao searched for a long while before finding the "Yunxiang Embroidery Workshop."

The sky was not early, the embroidery workshop had already closed its door, but outside the door Shen Xingniang's reward notice was still posted.

She stepped forward to look carefully, walked around on both sides, then returned the same way, arriving at the side of Zhou Bridge; this time, however, she took the main road to that embroidery workshop.

Taking the main road only took a quarter of an hour.

Taking the small path actually took more than a quarter of an hour.

It was dark as pitch; the small path had no lamps, but both sides of the main road were lined with shops and food shops.

Why did that Shen Xingniang take the small path?

Because that day was the Lantern Festival, and the main road was full of people?

But that small path was really very narrow; two people walking side by side could hardly pass.

According to the reward notice, that person dragged a broken cart behind them; it was dark, and they wore ordinary clothes, with no head ornament and no adornment; besides that, their appearance could not be clearly seen at all—not very much like acting out of lust.

But if it was not accidental, was it deliberate?

Song Miao supposed she herself was a villain; who would stand guard on this small path until past midnight in such cold weather?

What if no one came?

What if the person who came was not suitable?

Just as she was pondering, she stood in place, but heard someone speak not far behind her: "That woman, you linger here again and again; what do you intend to do?"

Song Miao was startled, turned back to look, and saw two men standing behind her.

The speaker stood on the left, wearing a blue cloth jacket; he was tall and thin; the sky was half dark, and his face could not be seen clearly.

In the evening, someone had gone missing here; Song Miao was naturally very vigilant, retreated two steps, and one hand had already reached toward the basket in her hand.

The basket held the boning knife.

She had not yet spoken when the other person struck a match with a "scratch," lit a fire starter, and brightened the lantern in his hand, but facing forward, he said: "What is your surname and name, and where is your home?"

This person spoke while taking a plaque from his waist, holding it up beside the lantern for Song Miao to see, then said: "The Capital Prefecture Office is handling a case here; if you do not speak, I will call the Patrol Officers."

Song Miao heard the other announce his identity; she did not let go of the knife handle, but stepped forward and carefully examined the waist plaque.

She could not tell true from false, but walking closer, she saw that the plaque-holder wore official boots on his feet and a brocade robe on his body; under the lantern light, the brocade robe had fine luster, with cloud and bamboo patterns on it, very exquisite, and there was even a faint scent of incense.

Song Miao was used to incense; smelling it, she knew it was mixed incense, with aloeswood added.

Aloeswood was expensive; surely no villain would have money to burn aloeswood on a brocade robe, and also personally impersonate a government runner.