Chapter 99

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

That day Cai Xiu went to find Zhang Facao; upon hearing the conduct of the clerks below, the latter could not help but scold a few sentences, yet fundamentally had no intention of stepping in to restrain them.

Fortunately he was very supportive of Cai Xiu's idea of "arranging an old man" to come help, and immediately had a subordinate called over.

The arrival, upon hearing he was to be responsible for rectifying the case files together with Cai Xiu, did not refuse, merely saying: "This matter is extremely urgent; this official has the will to exert effort, but early on the Right Military Patrol Academy already sent people, saying they want to connect on the confessions and evidence transfer; I estimate within these one or two days the dispatch will be sent over."

He also said: "This time major cases and minor cases are combined together, very complicated; this official is dull-witted, fearing I can attend to this end but not that end — still requesting the Facao to instruct."

Zhang Facao pondered a moment, then said: "It was indeed my negligence on this matter; that case is very large, dragging in mud and soil, if one judgment goes poorly, being seized upon by the Military Patrol Academy to speak out will be trouble; you just concentrate on adjudicating the case."

He turned his head and called another person over.

This person then said: "Regardless of this official's daily routine affairs, the day before yesterday the Repair and Pardon Bureau came over, the Facao called me to accompany a review of the newly established statutes; because time is extremely tight, right now I am busy with this matter along with a crowd of officials, next month the list must be posted for public notice, truly cannot squeeze out any time……"

"Better to first transfer a person to take over the statute review, I then……"

Zhang Facao frowned: "Forget it; the Repair and Pardon Bureau side is very troublesome, changing people on the battlefield, who knows they might chatter again; you just concentrate on that end."

Seeing those people come and go, every single one making excuses to decline, Cai Xiu, though not very familiar with the various affairs, also heard something was not right; fearing this Zhang Facao would beat a retreat, he could not help but say: "Sir, rectifying the case files is indeed somewhat vexing, but as long as it is pushed through properly, it brings a hundred benefits and not a single harm! Right now they push three block four, only a strong order will make it implementable!"

He still had many complaints, but before Zhang Facao's face it was not good to speak them out; in his heart he had already begun cursing.

—— Both are officials, why is it that Qin Jie Qin Pan in the neighboring Left and Right Military Patrol Academy can make his subordinates so obedient and docile?

Relying on his strong support, not only the entire Right Courtyard, but even the Left Courtyard and many external reinforcements all honestly followed Han Li's command; when he said go east, they dared not go west. Everyone worked day and night for many days, and though there were grumbles, not a single one made excuses to shirk.

When it comes to you, you can't even catch a single person to do work?

What do you eat as an official??

And that Zhang Facao did not know Cai Xiu's thoughts.

These two days he had already heard some faint rumors from below, and people coming to complain; in his heart he could not help but generate a few points of disappointment.

Both are students from the Inner Dormitory, both are the Four Sons of Taixue, how is it that Han Li can handle affairs so properly and neatly, not needing Qin Jie to expend a bit of worry, and can even make preparations in advance, helping the Superior look at one and understand three?

When it comes to myself, the person I got, only has a mouth going smack smack, incapable of enduring in doing things, but quite capable of stirring up trouble.

This person tosses about here, tosses about there, no result is not a big deal, only afraid he will stir up complaints within the Bureau, and I will still have to clean up the rotten mess.

Zhang Facao weighed it once, and in the end still called his capable subordinate over, instructing: "Fengzhi, the matter of rectifying case files still must be grasped; you give Little Cai a steer."

That Zhang Fengzhi fundamentally did not make excuses, in one mouth agreed: "Little Cai newly arrived, after all unfamiliar with how each place conducts affairs; I will bring him along, even if not finished completely, I will also sort out a general outline!"

Zhang Facao nodded in satisfaction.

And that Zhang Fengzhi was also not vague; saying bring him along, was truly bringing him along.

He together with Cai Xiu went to the storeroom, greeted the clerks, had them first tally up all the case files from the most recent year, move them into an empty room, then laughed hehe and glanced at Cai Xiu.

"Little Cai, you are young and vigorous, and have a belly full of capability; right now your hands have no other things following along; first sort out these case files, work out the omissions and errors, produce a list, I will then take it to speak with them."

Just so lightly and cleverly, the work Cai Xiu planned to have each department dispatch clerks to do, was thrown back to him!

Cai Xiu for a moment only felt something had gone wrong somewhere.

He could not help but dug at his left and right ears, asking: "Sir Zhang's words, how come I cannot understand?"

"One year of case files, not less than a thousand; relying on me alone, how could it possibly be finished?"

He forcibly endured the impulse to curse out loud, forced a smile and said: "Sir perhaps got it wrong? This matter Zhang Facao values greatly; I am not unable to do it, only if it drags on long……"

Zhang Fengzhi laughing interrupted him, earnestly saying: "Little Cai, you are still young; doing things sometimes inevitably overly take things for granted."

"I am many years older than you; today relying on seniority, I come to teach you a lesson."

"You don't know; inside the government office affairs cannot be finished; some matters though said to be important, are not actually that urgent — your case file sorting is exactly like this."

"Right now matters are piled up many, everyone also cannot free their hands; you came just right; first simmer a bit, originally not something that can be done well in one day or two days; wait until you sort it out, the front batch of this period perhaps just happens to be busy finished, just in time to take over and patch up, isn't that good?"

"If forced by strong order, instead it will make top to bottom all generate resentment — Zhang Facao values you; you must not let him be disappointed."

Unexpectedly standing here condescendingly, lecturing away!

Cai Xiu when had he ever suffered such humiliation.

But the other party mouth mouth voice voice, either Zhang Facao or seniority; even though he had quite some eloquence, after all he lacked experience; being smashed on the head with a stick by this oil-slick who had mixed in the government office for many years, he was also momentarily dazed, unable to react at once.

"I still have matters on hand; you sort first; tomorrow is Cold Food Festival; although the government office rests seven days, but I know you are anxious, unwilling to delay; already explained to those on rotation; you can still come back to sort case files, no hindrance!"

While speaking, this Zhang Fengzhi striding slow leisurely steps, walked out.

Left Cai Xiu alone, facing the storeroom full of case files, for the first time angry until his chest felt blocked.

He stepped forward and took a volume, only flipped a few pages, eyes full of characters, piercing his eyes sore; unable to control, he slammed that document fiercely onto the ground.

—— Heaven born my talent, how could it be for doing this kind of work??

Cai Xiu sat before the desk, coldly watching the room full of case files, thinking of Han Li, thinking of Kong Fuyang, then thinking of himself.

Came in glory and splendor, absolutely cannot flee in defeat.

Cai Xiu did not wait for the end of office, but simply rose and left the Prefecture Office.

The Prefecture Office waters are deep; he does not have Han Li's good fortune, above has officials backing, below has no petty people obstructing; he ate a hidden loss.

But he has his own advantages.

Cai Xiu directly returned to the Taixue, on the road bought a packet of qingtuan, a packet of glutinous food, turned and went to the Teaching Hall.

He sought out the Xue Zheng, attentively and thoroughly presented the Cold Food Festival gift, and also requested a copy of this year's list of Outer Dormitory promotions to Inner Dormitory.

Cai Xiu busy looking at the list, Han Li busy looking at letters.

Finished drinking the Almond Juice White Lung Soup, seeing nothing more could be squeezed out, the three old men then spoke of proper business.

"Dezhang's letter says recently the rain situation is very bad……"

"No need for him to say; we traveled all the way into the Capital, along the way ten stops inside seven stops were raining; asked elders, all said this year rainwater excessive, never seen before Qingming Festival Festival the river water this deep."

"A big year, a small year—last year's flood damage was already so severe; logically this year should be a small year!"

"What good does telling me this do? Can you go argue with the Yellow River?"

As several people were speaking, Han Li had already put down that letter.

Chen Fuzi then said: "This time I called you back precisely for this matter—Dezhang says he wants to invite you over; do you agree or not?"

Han Li shook his head and said: "What good would it do for me to go? I already raised this with him before, telling him to bring the counties and towns under his jurisdiction under control, and to submit memorials early requesting the Du Shui Jian to go there. Taking advantage of the refugees passing through at the end of last year, and with funds allocated from the court, he could have repaired the embankments and dams again—even so, it might not guarantee safety."

"The result is he hesitated and wavered, and only now says he wants to repair them. What difference is there between that and learning to control water only when the flood reaches one's neck?"

That Min Fuzi immediately said: "He also has his difficulties; he only took office last September, completely at a loss, and doesn't even have a single capable hand under him, and he doesn't get along with the prefect either. Even if he had done it then, with the procedures going back and forth, by now the embankments would only be half repaired..."

"If he truly cared and kept a close watch himself, why couldn't he finish the repairs?"

But Chen Fuzi was not pleased to hear this.

"It's not his first time as an official," he snorted coldly. "Even though he's your son-in-law, you don't have to be so biased! It's already past half a year now—has he found his footing?"

Min Fuzi honestly closed his mouth.

His second son-in-law had mediocre ability, but was cautious in conduct and also steady. With great difficulty he had obtained a substantive post as Tongpan, but upon taking office he discovered the minor clerks in the local yamen were especially difficult to deal with.

In just three or four months, he had already sent several letters in succession, asking this father-in-law of his to arrange some capable retainers to go help.

But after all, he was his own daughter's husband.

He sighed, and then said to Han Li: "Zheng Yan, you have known the teacher the longest, and he has studied flood disasters the most in his life. This time, just help me out..."

Han Li said: "It's not that the student is unwilling to exert himself, but given the current situation, even if I went, it would be of no use at all—if one truly wants to build water channels, one cannot do it without mobilizing water workers from the Du Shui Jian."

"That's only natural! Dezhang has already submitted a memorial requesting the Du Shui Jian, but once the drawings come out, conscripted civilian labor will inevitably be needed, and progress coordinated. We still want you to go and lend a hand."

Han Li shook his head and said: "In front of all the teachers here, the student won't say such empty words—if this year truly encounters another great flood, even if I set out now, by the time I arrive and the manpower is assembled, the embankments will probably have already breached."

Min Fuzi held his tea and could only remain silent.

He had also served as an official in a distant post, so naturally he knew what Han Li said was true.

"Let's wait for news first. If the embankment truly breaches, the Bian River is downstream, and Jingcheng will also suffer disaster; the court will certainly have to intervene."

"Lao Min, rest assured—I and the teacher previously went to inspect water records at Dezhang brother's post, and he took good care of us. This time, if I can help, even if it may not be of great use, I will not shirk."

But Min Fuzi stood up and performed a bow to Han Li.

The latter hurriedly dodged, and then hastily returned the bow.

"Zheng Yan, I am not forcing you. It's just that you have always been thorough in your actions. Dezhang, though lacking great talent, is not intentionally doing bad things. As in the past, floodwaters always come in three waves. If we can lend him a hand and save one wave, that's one wave saved. As long as it reduces harm to even a few commoners, it counts as accumulating virtue for my ancestors."

"Alright, since the matter is already settled, don't say any more. There was originally nothing, and now you've made it into something!"

But that Feng Lao hurriedly changed the subject, and said: "Tomorrow is the Cold Food Festival. What shall we eat at noon? Why not go ask at that Young Lady's shop if they have any food?"

Although there were only two people working in the Young Lady's shop, they were busy in a bustling manner.

Because tomorrow is the Cold Food Festival, Song Miao's breakfast was all hot food, so she had instructed the students in advance not to set up the stall.

But not setting up the stall did not mean she could rest.

She had received the good news Han Li brought back today, and had settled things with Cheng Erniang, so she planned to pay off one installment of the debt tomorrow. Since it was a solar term, she also brought some snacks to deliver to their doors, merely as thanks to those creditors for granting her an extension.

For the Cold Food Festival, every household sent green dumplings and spring rolls, so Song Miao did not join in that bustle.

She thought it over, prepared the batter, and together with Cheng Erniang fried several pots of sprinkled snacks, both sweet and salty. She also finely ground northern and southern almonds, preparing to make almond jelly.

Almond jelly is also called almond tofu, and is just right for eating cold. Especially now that the season is changing, many people cough, and this has some effect in calming coughs and easing breath. As a gift, it is quite presentable.

Since she was sending Cold Food Festival gifts, she might as well not limit it to creditors.

Song Miao counted heads, adding Sun Lizheng's family, Li Laoniang's family, and also several major customers who had been ordering food frequently in recent days. She also included Han Li, Wang Chang, and others.

Except Cheng Zijian, who need not be considered—his sister lives here, and she will come knocking on her own tomorrow.

Because it was rushed, there was no time to buy fish scales and boil them into gelatin. So she took the green bean powder from home to set the almond jelly. She ground the almonds into pulp several times, filtered it, took the fat membrane from the settled liquid, then slowly cooked it together with green bean powder water and cow's milk over a low fire. She had already bought many small bamboo boxes, and poured the mixture into each box to set.

With great difficulty everything was finally arranged. After hanging the almond milk in a bucket and food box into the well water to chill, the sky had already grown dark. She hurried to sleep, and nothing more is mentioned for the night.

Early the next morning, Song Miao slept until broad daylight.

In spring, it is just right to linger in bed.

The wind was warm and fragrant, the sun only mildly hot. Occasionally in the distance came bird calls from who knows where, and insect chirps. All these winds and suns and birds and insects made one lazy.

She lay in bed. Once her eyes closed, it was as if a thousand jun of weight pressed on her eyelids. Even if her upper and lower lashes fluttered just once, if they touched each other, it was as if they were glued fast by extremely thick paste, and she could not open them again.

Until her belly grew hungry, and she reckoned that if she didn't go out soon, she probably wouldn't finish delivering the gifts. Only then did she reluctantly crawl up. First she and Cheng Erniang ate breakfast together—a bowl of almond tofu—and she also drank salt tea with fried sprinkled snacks for breakfast.

The almond tofu was served in a bowl, like a piece of sheep fat jade, lustrous and warm, so fine that not a single pore was visible. Touch it slightly with a spoon, and it trembled as expected.

Take a bite, and the texture was extremely tender and smooth, yet had presence, like tender tofu, but with more of a springy feel than tender tofu. Lively and icy cold, very refreshing, and extremely moist.

Since only a little maltose was added, the sweetness was very light. The flavors of almond and cow's milk dominated. One's mouth was full of the almond's reserved fragrance and the cow's milk's rich aroma, with a sweet aftertaste. Especially palatable.