Chapter 310

Jiang Jinshi walked out the door, and He Chou immediately approached him.

"Commander, there is news about these people; they are all fine!"

"How did you check?" Jiang Jinshi responded in a low voice while going upstairs.

He Chou spoke the truth, "These three have all lived in Jiangnan for a long time. For example, this Shen Mo was once a lecturer for the Dong Gong, but after being dismissed from office, he has been back in Jiangnan for over ten years. In these years, he has not been close to the scholar-gentry, and he hasn't even participated in literary activities like poetry gatherings."

Jiang Jinshi pondered, "Did he not open a school or take any other actions?"

He Chou shook his head: "None. He only occasionally copies books to earn some silver to subsidize his household expenses. This has been going on for a long time, and the neighbors can testify to it, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Just as Jiang Jinshi thought, Cui Wangshu was a smart woman; for their first cooperation, she had to show enough sincerity, so she was trustworthy in this matter.

"Since that's the case, submit a visiting card and go see him!"

"Commander... how should this visiting card be written?" He Chou was a bit troubled, and fearing that Jiang Jinshi would be unhappy, he hurriedly explained: "It is said that Shen Mo has a strange temper and rarely sees others; submitting a visiting card rashly, I fear it won't be very effective!"

Jiang Jinshi opened the booklet Cui Wangshu had given him, which clearly stated that Shen Mo's pain was caused by being framed and involved in an old case, which led to his dismissal. If they used this as a breakthrough, it would surely have miraculous effects.

"Just say that we can help him resolve the issue of his reputation and see if he will meet us!" Jiang Jinshi replied casually. The things scholars cared about were nothing more than these; if the response was wrong, they would just find another opportunity.

"Yes!"

Fu Ruyan sat in the small courtyard waiting for Jiang Qingyan, while also silently calculating how much silver she had left.

Organizing a merchant caravan to head north would cost quite a bit of silver, and she also had to acquire the goods; the payment for the goods was also a problem.

If she took too few goods at once, the profits would all be spent on the road, so she had to take more, which meant more silver would be needed.

Over the years, Fu Ruyan had saved some silver by relying on the inn, but it was definitely not enough; there was still quite a gap!

Fu Ruyan gritted her teeth; if it really came to it, she would sell the dowry her mother had left her!

That way... it should be enough!

The next day, just past noon.

He Chou held an elegant visiting card and knocked on the door of a small courtyard at the end of the alley.

After knocking several times, slow footsteps came from inside. The door opened a crack, revealing a thin and slightly weary face, about forty years old, wearing a washed-out green robe—it was Shen Mo.

His gaze landed on He Chou, carrying scrutiny and a trace of impatience at being disturbed.

"What is it?"

He Chou bowed and handed over the visiting card with both hands: "Disturbing you, Sir. My master, Jiang Shi, is a merchant from the north who has long admired your great talent and specifically ordered me to come and submit this card to pay a visit."

Shen Mo did not take the card, only saying coldly: "A mere merchant, I have no old ties with you, nor anything to say! Please return!"

Having said that, he was about to close the door, but He Chou hurriedly said!

"Sir, wait a moment."

His voice lowered a little, "My master also said that he might be able to resolve a long-standing worry for you, concerning... your reputation and future."

Shen Mo's action of closing the door stopped; his gaze suddenly became sharp, and his wariness was very obvious.

"Heh!" He sneered, his voice dry, "I am but a commoner, a man dismissed from office; what future do I have?"

As soon as he finished speaking, his action of closing the door became faster.

"The old case of the Dong Gong may not be without a day when the truth comes to light." He Chou hurriedly blurted out the last sentence before the door closed; this was the key point Jiang Jinshi had instructed.

Through the crack in the door, Shen Mo's figure stiffened for a moment. After a long while, just when He Chou thought there was no hope at all, that voice came from behind the door panel, carrying weariness and a slight tremor:

"Three quarters past the Shen hour (3:45 PM), I will not wait if you are late!"

"Yes! I will certainly report this!" He Chou breathed a sigh of relief, respectfully stepped back two paces, placed the visiting card gently on the stone stool in front of the door, and then turned and left.

Inside the door, Shen Mo leaned his back against the cold door panel. The old case of the Dong Gong... how many years had it been? This strange merchant... why would he mention it? Was it a coincidence? A new conspiracy? Or...

But now, was there anything about himself worth others coveting? Thinking of this, Shen Mo calmed down, opened the door, and picked up the visiting card.

At three quarters past the Shen hour, Jiang Jinshi changed into a slightly more formal blue brocade robe; it still did not appear luxurious, but his bearing was steady and composed.

The meeting was arranged at the Yunlai Inn. Shen Mo did not knock on the small door leading from the backyard to the outer alley until exactly three quarters past the Shen hour.

He Chou opened the door and led in a person—it was Shen Mo.

He was still wearing that same green robe, but his spine was held straight.

"Mr. Shen, please sit." Jiang Jinshi stood up and cupped his hands in a salute.

Shen Mo returned the salute and sat down opposite Jiang Jinshi, looking at the pot of clear tea and two plain cups on the stone table, and said.

"Mr. Jiang! I have understood the words on the visiting card. I just don't understand, as a merchant from the north, why Mr. Jiang has taken an interest in my old affairs? And on what grounds do you dare to say the word 'resolve'?"

Jiang Jinshi did not speak, first pouring a cup of tea for Shen Mo and pushing it in front of him.

"Sir, please have some tea. I am not interested in the old affairs, but rather, I am interested in you as a person."

Shen Mo did not touch the cup of tea, only staring at Jiang Jinshi: "I am but a broken body and a rotten piece of wood, merely lingering on; what value do I have that is worth Mr. Jiang's effort?"

"Sir is too modest." Jiang Jinshi also poured a cup for himself and said slowly, "As a former lecturer for the Dong Gong, able to lecture and resolve doubts for the Crown Prince, your learning, insight, and character—how could they be compared to those of ordinary pedantic scholars?"

Shen Mo's mouth twitched, carrying a heavy sense of self-mockery: "Mr. Jiang certainly knows how to talk! But my 'talent' became a joke years ago. If Mr. Jiang wants to find an accountant or a tutor for enlightenment, I fear you have found the wrong person."

"Accountant? Tutor?" Jiang Jinshi shook his head, his gaze fixed on Shen Mo, "Those are too much of a waste of talent. What I want to ask you to do, Sir, is to be a teacher, a mentor—to do something that can enlighten a region and lay a foundation."

Shen Mo's eyes carried mockery: "Enlighten a region? Mr. Jiang, do you intend to start a sect?"

"Not at all." Jiang Jinshi said in a deep voice: "I come from Beijiang. Beijiang is bitter and cold, literary education does not flourish, and the people's wisdom is not yet opened. I intend to implement a long-term plan in Beijiang and need someone who can enlighten the people's wisdom, cultivate the atmosphere, and teach basic literacy and the principles of conduct."

Shen Mo did not say a word, staring straight at Jiang Jinshi, as if discerning the truth or falsehood in his words.

Jiang Jinshi continued: "This person needs to have knowledge, but even more so, they need to have resilience, be able to endure hardship, be able to adapt to the northern environment, and be able to put down their status and stand with the common people."

"This matter has no fame or profit, and it is even possible... that throughout your life, no one will know of your contributions. Do you think I would go?" Shen Mo asked in return, his tone revealing no emotion.

"I know." Jiang Jinshi answered without hesitation, "That is why I need someone like you, Sir. Someone who does not care for empty fame, does not fear hardship, only seeks peace of mind, only asks about the tilling, and does not ask about the harvest."

Jiang Jinshi did not care what kind of person Shen Mo was; he first flattered him, thinking that perhaps the other party would be unable to back down and would just agree.

Shen Mo did not respond, but changed the subject: "How can the old case of the Dong Gong be resolved? That was not an ordinary false accusation; it involved a great deal and the water is extremely deep. I have long since ceased to harbor any illusions."

Although Jiang Jinshi did not know the details, this matter must have had the hand of the scholar-gentry involved; otherwise, ordinary people could not have moved the Shen Mo of that time.

However, Jiang Jinshi was not worried; after all, he had a trump card in his hand.

"I cannot resolve this matter, but there is one person who can resolve your heart's knot, Sir!"

"Who?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince, Wei Xikang!"