Chapter 55: Trying to Show Off Only to Get Slapped in the Face

Just as Lord Murong Murong Yunhai was about to walk out the door, Song Song Yusheng hurriedly called out to stop him: "Lord Lord Murong, wait!"

A fawning smile floated onto Song Song Yusheng's face; he cupped his hands and apologized, saying, "Just now, this official misunderstood and failed to perceive Lord Lord Murong's intentions; please forgive me!"

"I wonder, regarding the big business Lord Lord Murong mentioned, what exactly is the situation?"

Song Song Yusheng understood clearly in his heart that the reason he asked Lord Murong Murong Yunhai to stay was not interest in the so-called big business, but a desire to cultivate a good relationship.

He feared offending Lord Murong Murong Yunhai; once the outsiders arrived, if the gates of Shangmu City stood wide open with no resistance whatsoever...

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai was but a single worthless life; if he died, he died. But if the outsiders' military edge pointed directly at Longteng County, Song Song Yusheng, as the county magistrate, would likely find it difficult to escape death.

Just as Song Song Yusheng's thoughts were churning, a Yamen Runner of about thirty years old walked in at a leisurely pace.

He bowed deeply to Song Song Yusheng and, holding a sheet of white paper with both hands, presented it, saying, "Your Honor, I have retrieved the poem you requested."

Song Song Yusheng accepted the white paper with a face full of smiles and examined it carefully; after one glance, he nodded repeatedly with great satisfaction.

Smiling joyfully, he said to Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, "Let us set aside the matter of business for now; I invite Lord Lord Murong to appreciate this official's literary talent, how is it?"

The secretary standing nearby immediately stepped forward, picked up the thread, and flattered: "Lord Lord Murong, you must appreciate this carefully!"

"Our Master was personally selected by the late Emperor as the fourth place winner in the second tier of the imperial examinations; his knowledge is profound, and his writings and poetry are absolutely unparalleled."

"Back then, composing poetry in the Jindian, he simply stole the entire show; even now, Your Majesty frequently mentions it with praise!"

The secretary continued with a serious expression, "To speak words that perhaps should not be spoken, but to catch a glimpse of the literary talent of a Son of Heaven's student, Lord Lord Murong, this journey of yours can truly be called not in vain."

"I hope Lord Lord Murong will examine this carefully and also learn from our Master the way of conducting oneself in the world; indulge less in wealth, read more classics, cultivate one's character and nature—this is the right path."

Song Song Yusheng laughed with great immodesty: "Oh, Secretary, those are all old matters of the past; why bring them up?"

"Yes, back then Your Majesty did indeed look favorably upon this county magistrate, and the princes and ministers also praised this official's literary talent highly."

"But what of it? Was it not merely taking a few small works of this official to show to the various consorts in the rear palace?"

"What this official is most unwilling to mention is that the Empress Dowager, now returned to heaven, also quite liked this official's poems; none of this amounts to anything."

"As the saying goes, a true hero does not boast of past glories; Secretary, you keep speaking of this before Lord Lord Murong, which is somewhat meaningless."

He glanced slightly sideways at Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, only to see not a trace of astonishment or admiration on the other's face; immediately, alarm bells rang loudly in Song Song Yusheng's heart.

He quickly added, "Perhaps Lord Lord Murong himself is even more well-read in poetry and books; if so, would this not be showing off one's axe before Lu Ban's gate?"

Song Song Yusheng's smile gradually stiffened, and his mind began to calculate.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai truly could not find a single bit of politeness on his face corresponding to these words.

At this moment, the secretary obviously noticed the clue as well and interjected disdainfully: "Your Honor, this statement is incorrect. Forgive my blunt words, but if Lord Lord Murong truly possessed such learning as you suggest, he would not have been dispatched to the remote Shangmu County. If he could truly compare to you, he would long ago have become an Inspector."

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai had come to do business and had no intention of competing with the other party: "Magistrate Song, what the secretary says is correct."

"Although I have read a few books, I am merely a crude and vulgar person, incomparable to a scholar of such profound knowledge as yourself."

"Magistrate Song's great works were liked immensely by even the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager; naturally, your attainment is extraordinary."

"Shall we discuss the matters of business instead?"

Song Song Yusheng, who had just suffered a setback at Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's hands, was seething with anger in his heart and naturally would not miss this excellent opportunity to show off and save face.

Shaking his fat, large head, he pretended to be relaxed and said: "Lord Lord Murong, please take a look; it would also serve to offer this county magistrate some guidance."

"Even if you cannot guide this county magistrate, you can at least learn from this official's skill in choosing words and constructing sentences, which would still count as some gain."

Wearing a fawning smile, Song Song Yusheng touched the four emerald rings and one large thumb ring on his hand; while speaking thus, in his heart he had already calculated how to overwhelm Lord Murong Murong Yunhai with flowery language and regain the initiative.

He continued speaking: "As for gold, silver, and treasures, these are all external things; one brings them not at birth, nor takes them at death. If you study writing well with this official, perhaps one day you too can write excellent verses like this official's, to be handed down through the ages; at that time, as your teacher, this official's face would also gain some luster, would it not?"

The secretary nearby immediately chimed in: "What Your Honor says is absolutely correct; gold and silver are useless; only writings can be handed down to posterity."

"Lord Lord Murong, with our Master's such profound knowledge and extraordinary bearing, you must study diligently!"

Song Song Yusheng laughed triumphantly and pretended to be humble, saying: "Secretary, here you go again; I told you to keep a low profile." His tone clearly revealed excitement that could not be concealed.

The secretary immediately replied: "This humble one knows Your Honor wishes to keep a low profile, but with your strength, keeping a low profile is impossible."

The two exchanged mutual praises back and forth, just like a carefully rehearsed scene.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, standing aside, watching the excessively fawning appearance of the two, had long been silently cursing them in his heart.

He thought to himself, "These rich people really know how to play; their skill in mutual flattery and one-upping each other with praise is stronger than anyone else's."

Just at this moment, Song Song Yusheng suddenly grabbed Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's arm and said excitedly: "Come, come, Lord Lord Murong, no need to be humble; please savor this official's article carefully, treating it as expanding your knowledge... Eh, what is this?"

Just at this moment, Song Song Yusheng suddenly grabbed Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's arm and said excitedly: "Come, come, Lord Lord Murong, no need to be humble; please savor this official's article carefully, treating it as expanding your knowledge... Eh, what is this?"

As the two tugged at each other, a piece of bright yellow silk suddenly fell from Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's sleeve.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai hurriedly bent down to pick up the silk and put it away safely, saying with a somewhat panicked tone: "Nothing, nothing; let us still discuss your poetry."

Song Song Yusheng, however, was utterly unwilling to let the matter drop; staring at that piece of silk, he knew at a glance its extraordinary value and immediately seized upon it, saying: "Lord Lord Murong, you show so little face; clearly dressing so plainly, yet unexpectedly hiding such a treasure secretly. How about this: let me behold this silk, and I will let you read every word and sentence of all the poems I have written over these years; how does that sound?"

Having spoken, without waiting for Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's agreement, he impatiently snatched the silk and began examining it closely.

Song Song Yusheng's eyes shone with excitement; as he scanned the silk, he chattered incessantly: "Being able to ask me for instruction and learning, you have gained enormously... How could what is written on this be..."

His voice cut off abruptly; Song Song Yusheng's tone suddenly rose several degrees, his eyes widened, his mouth opened slightly, and his whole person, like a cat suddenly stepped on its tail, appeared extremely shocked and discomposed.

The secretary nearby was also rendered completely confused by this reaction; he hurriedly crowded over, saying: "Your Honor, let me see; what treasure is this exactly, to shock you into such a reaction... Eh, how is this possible!"

Having only hastily glanced at the silk, the secretary froze as if he had seen a ghost.

It was a piece of bright yellow silk of superior quality, about one square foot in size, with corners carefully polished and craftsmanship of superb skill.

On the surface of the silk, a nine-clawed golden dragon was intricately embroidered, vivid and lifelike.

Below the dragon, in vigorous regular script, were embroidered the words "Great Feng Dynasty Top Scholar, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai."

In the lower-left corner, a realistic large jade seal was embroidered, precisely the imperial seal bestowed by the Emperor of the Great Feng Dynasty.

Flustered, he rubbed his eyes with trembling hands and stuttered: "Th... this is impossible... Lord Lord Murong, could it be that you are the Top Scholar from back then?"

Indeed, that piece of bright yellow silk was the imperial edict bestowed upon Lord Murong Murong Yunhai by the late Emperor as the Top Scholar.

For Song Song Yusheng and the secretary, this was nothing short of a bolt from the blue, catching them completely off guard.

However, regarding this thing, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai had never taken it seriously, always keeping it together with those ragged clothes.

Had he not left in such a hurry and taken the wrong item, he would not have brought this thing here.

Facing the astonishment of the two, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai smiled calmly and said, "As Lord Song stated, that is all in the past; it is merely an empty title, nothing significant."

Hearing him admit the truth with such humility, Song Song Yusheng felt his old face could no longer hold up—to think a good-for-nothing who could not even pass as a Tanhua scholar would dare to flaunt his learning and compete in literary talent against a genuine Zhuangyuan; this was simply seeking death.

Song Song Yusheng knew clearly that the matter of the harem concubines he had boasted about earlier was entirely fabricated, and thus most of his arrogant spirit was instantly extinguished.

Immediately, Song Song Yusheng acted as if he had become a different person; he eagerly grabbed Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's arm and spoke with overflowing enthusiasm, "Please, hurry, Lord Lord Murong, take the seat of honor, please take the seat of honor."

With that, he personally supported Lord Murong Murong Yunhai as he sat in the main seat.

With a face piled high with obsequious smiles, Song Song Yusheng shouted loudly at the clerk standing dazed nearby, "Clerk, what are you still standing there for? Hurry and serve the best Longjing tea to Lord Lord Murong, immediately!" His gaze seemed ready to swallow the clerk alive and tear him apart.

Only then did the clerk wake as if from a dream; he hurriedly hugged the tea set and, trembling violently, brewed tea for Lord Murong Murong Yunhai.

While urging Lord Murong Murong Yunhai to drink his tea, Song Song Yusheng spoke eagerly, "Ah, Lord Lord Murong, I was truly rude just now; let us not mention past matters."

"This county magistrate—I mean, my old brother—wishes to ask: since you are a distinguished Zhuangyuan, why have you come to Shangmu? Surely it is to observe the people's conditions and listen to their voices? We local officials must learn well from Lord Lord Murong."

Naturally, Lord Murong Murong Yunhai could not speak the truth.

After pondering for a moment, he calmly uttered a symbolic platitude: "To share the sovereign's burdens and relieve the people from suffering."

Song Song Yusheng's eyes immediately lit up; he raised his thumb in praise and exclaimed, "Excellent! Not only is Brother Lord Murong erudite, but he also harbors such a pure heart; he is truly a model for us officials."

He thought to himself, "Having encountered such a virtuous and noble sage, how could I miss this splendid opportunity to win him over?"

Song Song Yusheng immediately seized the chance and said, "As it happens, there is a matter on which I wish to consult my lord."

"If Brother Lord Murong can help me with this small favor, I will fully cooperate with and support any business venture you propose."

His gaze was fervent and earnest as he waited with full expectation for Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's response.