Chapter 52: Coming and Going, Defrauding for Rewards

The sixth year of Longqing, October.

There were still two months until the change of the reign title.

But for the common people, whether the person on the throne had changed or not made little actual difference.

Those who were slightly more isolated might even ask, "Ah? The old Daoist has finally died?"

However, for Jining Prefecture, the people were relatively well-informed and could even use this as a topic of conversation.

This was simply because it was only sixty *li* east of the prefectural city and just over three hundred *li* from the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission.

Of course, most importantly, this prefecture bordered the Huitong River to the south and connected to the Ji River, situated at the end of the entire Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.

During the Yongle period, the Nanwang Water Conservancy Hub was built here, and the Riverway Viceroy's Yamen was established simultaneously.

It could be called a vital transportation artery for water travel between the Northern and Nanzhili.

As soon as Li Chengming and Chen Yinzhao stepped off the boat, they felt the bustling, worldly atmosphere.

On the wharf, people were coming and going: there were scholars, wealthy merchants, and men in tight-fitting clothes with headscarves, wearing short jackets and straw sandals.

The noise was deafening, with various accents echoing.

Just after getting off the wharf, strange people approached, wanting to peddle something to the two, but they were blocked by the attendants behind them.

Li Chengming paid no mind, just grinned and stomped his feet: "Finally arrived in Jining Prefecture. I can finally stand on solid ground; this large boat was too dizzying."

It was his first time traveling far from home, and just the back-and-forth boat rides made him shake his head.

Every time they changed boats, it was a rare chance to catch his breath.

Originally, the Emperor had granted Li Wei, the biological father of Empress Dowager Li and the Imperial Father-in-law, permission to operate a maritime merchant association.

And Li Chengming, as Li Wei's eldest grandson, had been sent off by Li Wei at the end of the sixth month under the pretext of gaining experience to investigate the ports of Zhejiang and the situation of the maritime merchants—of course, he was just a figurehead; the actual work was done by the various shopkeepers.

Now, in the blink of an eye, more than three months had passed, and it was just time to head back to the capital.

At the moment, they were passing through Nanzhili to visit elders, then diverted from the Huai River to Shandong, preparing to change boats in Jining to head north.

Chen Yinzhao, however, did not feel any discomfort.

He glanced at the attendants behind him, and seeing that nothing had been left behind, he said: "The boat is tomorrow morning. Let's go, let's go to the official relay station to rest first."

Chen Yinzhao was the heir to the Pingjiang Earl's Prefecture, slightly older, having just turned twenty-eight last month.

Li Chengming was seventeen and still somewhat restless.

As he followed, he asked: "Cousin, are we not going to Fujian anymore?"

To form a merchant association to undertake maritime transport, one had to survey several ports to see how much profit others were making.

Chen Yinzhao looked at him strangely: "Did the Earl of Wuqing not tell you? Someone else was sent there."

"We just need to bring back what we saw at Ningbo Port and the records from the several shopkeepers."

He pursed his lips to indicate their bundles, which contained the summaries made by the accompanying shopkeepers.

Li Chengming slapped his forehead: "Oh, I remember now."

He quickly cast it to the back of his mind and asked again: "Cousin, do you think this business is doable?"

Chen Yinzhao hesitated: "I don't understand business, but since the several shopkeepers all say there is great profit to be made, it shouldn't be fake."

He was the heir to the Pingjiang Earl's Prefecture, wealthy for generations, and his vision was still higher than Li Chengming's.

He said he didn't understand much, but in his heart, he felt there was much to be done.

Of course, he couldn't say this out loud, otherwise, his father, the Earl of Pingjiang, would have a hard time bargaining with the Earl of Wuqing.

In-laws are in-laws, but when it comes to teaming up to make money, one still needs to leave some room for maneuver.

Li Chengming nodded thoughtfully, but he believed it quite naturally.

The two walked side by side, one attendant following behind, another clearing the way in front.

Jining Prefecture was not like the capital; the streets were somewhat old, not to mention that one could often see poultry feces and the like on the road.

Li Chengming covered his nose, fanning with his hand while holding his breath from time to time.

Jining was originally Jining Prefecture in the Wu year of the Great Ancestor, and it was only downgraded to a prefecture in the eighteenth year.

The regulations themselves were lowered, but the population had increased day by day over two hundred years.

So much so that they had to expand repeatedly on the basis of the prefectural city, adding an outer city.

The official relay station was also in the outer city.

The two walked and looked along the way.

The not-so-wide bluestone streets stretched all the way to the city gate, with shops lining both sides, wooden signs swaying lightly in the wind.

The flow of people inside and outside was like weaving, with carriages and horses in an endless stream.

Occasionally, one could see a few gentry dressed in official robes walking slowly, followed by a few servants carrying poles, looking quite imposing.

More common were the plain-clothed commoners, carrying things on their shoulders or in their hands, bringing their families along.

Li Chengming suddenly pulled Chen Yinzhao's sleeve, pointing in surprise at a civilian residence: "The Great Ancestor's regulations state that civilian residences must not exceed three rooms and five rafters."

"This place is already seven rooms and five rafters! Does the government not care?"

Chen Yinzhao had been out many times, and his experience was naturally richer.

He looked at this young relative of the imperial family who had left the capital for the first time since he could remember, and explained patiently: "Regulations are regulations, but when the common people don't follow them, the government finds it hard to handle."

The imperial court strictly sets regulations, the common people generally violate them, and the government partially handles them—this is the norm.

But this was not easy to say on the street, so he could only be vague.

Li Chengming didn't understand, and seeing that his cousin didn't want to explain more, he could only let it go.

He was still curiously looking around.

The roadside was noisy.

"Selling official positions!"

"Peanuts! Peanuts!"

Peddlers were constantly carrying things and shouting.

"I've been carrying this for a year, it's all clean and polished!"

"Wait for me, let me eat first."

"You dead kid, come back! You stubborn thing, I won't beat you to death today!"

People from all walks of life didn't bother to lower their voices.

Li Chengming complained: "The outer city is really broken; it's not like there aren't inns in the inner city."

Chen Yinzhao had no choice: "It's not that the old men insist on saying that when you're away from home, it's safer to stay in an official relay station."

Li Chengming's group had attendants following them, and they looked like people not to be trifled with, so even pickpockets stayed far away, and naturally, no one blocked their way.

After walking about two *li*, the two arrived at the official relay station.

Without the two needing to speak, the attendants went inside to handle the procedures.

The two picked a table at random, sat down, and ordered some food.

Except for their table, the other seven or eight tables in the station were full of people.

Seeing that they were all messengers and clerks, as well as merchants coming and going, they didn't take it to heart.

They chatted casually.

Before long, the attendant finished checking in and brought over a copy of the *Di Bao* (Imperial Gazette).

Chen Yinzhao was stunned, took the *Di Bao*, and asked curiously: "Isn't the *Di Chao* (Gazette Copy) posted for public announcement? How can it be bought casually?"

The *Di Bao* was issued by the Office of Transmission and recorded current events at the center, and it had always been for local civil and military officials to see.

Even if there was a need for clerks and commoners to know, it was at most copied again and posted at the official relay station and outside the city gate.

The attendant was called an attendant, but he was actually a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so his work was naturally reliable.

Hearing this question, he immediately replied: "Young Master, the station attendant said it has been like this since August."

"According to the July *Di Bao*, the Office of Transmission changed its chief official and increased the publication volume of the *Di Bao*."

"However, it's also quite expensive to buy."

After saying this, he hinted at reimbursement without changing his expression.

Li Chengming leaned over and asked curiously: "How is it? Have any major events happened since we left?"

Chen Yinzhao said while reading: "How could anything be bigger than a civil official being ennobled?"

He still remembered how glorious the honor guard escorting the Earl of Ding'an was when he looked from afar on the day he left the capital.

"Oh, there is a major event. In early July, the late Emperor was given his posthumous title: *Heaven-Abiding, Way-Dragon, Origin-Unity, Benevolent-Broad, Virtuous-Civil, Martial-Glorious, Pure-Virtue, Filial-Grand, Solemn* Emperor, with the temple name Muzong."

Once this happened, he had to take back his previous words.

Otherwise, someone with a heart would ask, "What? Is the late Emperor's affair not big enough for a subject?"

Li Chengming smacked his lips: "This temple name is mediocre. 'Spreading virtue and upholding righteousness' is *Mu*; I thought it would be a bit higher."

Don't look at it as saying spreading virtue and upholding righteousness, but looking at predecessors, it actually means merits and demerits are equal.

Chen Yinzhao shook his head: "Whether it's good or flat depends on how the current Emperor does."

"If there is some development in the matter of opening the seas, then as the late Emperor was the initiator, Muzong can be considered a good temple name."

The Emperor granted the Earl of Wuqing the right to maritime transport; although he didn't understand it, there were always elders in the family who could guess some reasons.

Li Chengming nodded to show he had learned, and asked: "What else happened?"

Chen Yinzhao continued to read: "At the end of July, Minister of Justice Liu Ziqiang, Minister of Revenue Zhang Shouzhi, and Right Vice Commissioner of the Office of Transmission Han Ji retired."

Li Chengming leaned closer again, somewhat surprised: "Three of the Nine Ministers gone at once."

Chen Yinzhao continued to read: "In early August, Viceroy of Granaries Wang Guoguang was promoted to Minister of Revenue, and Nanjing Minister of War Wang Zhi was changed to Minister of Justice."

"Li Ke (Personnel Section) Supervising Secretary Li Zaiting was promoted to Chief Supervising Secretary of the Personnel Section, and Central Military Commission Commander Gu Huan was changed to Viceroy of the Capital Camp."

Li Chengming exclaimed: "The Marquis of Zhenyuan is Viceroy of the Capital Camp again?"

Two years ago, the late Emperor used Gu Huan to make a huge fuss, almost causing discord between top and bottom; now he is being reused again?

The two were talking louder and louder, and an old scholar at the next table heard them.

He suddenly interrupted and sighed: "Wang Zhi is a person who occupies a position but doesn't do his job, yet he can still be promoted."

The two's eyelids jumped, and they looked at the old scholar, only to see that he had gray hair at his temples, clearly of some age.

Chen Yinzhao took over the conversation: "This elder..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted. The old scholar said angrily: "What elder? I'm only in my early forties!"

Although Chen Yinzhao didn't think he looked like it, he changed his words: "This scholar, we are merchants, with no land or position. Why do you speak nonsense and harm us?"

The old scholar said unconvinced: "Look at how timid you are. Go to Nanzhili and listen; we all say so."

Li Chengming pulled Chen Yinzhao, signaling him not to pay attention to such people.

Chen Yinzhao withdrew his gaze and nodded.

He learned his lesson and spoke more quietly: "At the end of August, honorary titles were given to the two palaces."

"In early September, His Majesty opened the Classics Mat, and the Cabinet decided to implement the Performance Evaluation Law in the two capitals and one province."

Speaking of this, he handed the *Di Bao* to Li Chengming.

Under current conditions, it took almost a month for the *Di Bao* to be sent from publication to transportation to places like Shandong and Nanzhili.

It took even longer for land routes to places like Sichuan and Yunnan.

The two were discussing.

Suddenly, they heard a commotion from the official relay station.

With the mentality of avoiding trouble, the two didn't want to pay attention.

But the commotion grew louder and louder, and a large crowd of onlookers had already gathered outside the door, accompanied by the sound of a woman crying.

Li Chengming's curiosity was aroused.

The two looked at each other and also went out to watch the excitement.

Li Chengming poked his head out and saw a burly man with tattooed arms dragging a woman.

The woman was half-squatting on the ground, desperately clinging to the notice board outside the station.

She was crying like rain, looking pitiful.

Li Chengming, as a young noble of the imperial family, couldn't stand seeing women being bullied.

Without greeting Chen Yinzhao, he immediately pushed through the crowd: "Presumptuous! In broad daylight, how dare you act so violently!"

As soon as he finished speaking, another person stepped out from the station.

The person was wearing green official robes, clearly an official.

He frowned and asked: "I am the local Clerk Zhang Mengtong. What happened?"

A clerk is a ninth-rank official position, in charge of documents and managing clerks, responsible for handling specific official business within the government. Appearing here, there should be official business at the station.

With the government appearing, Li Chengming curled his lips and retreated.

The burly man was repeatedly shouted at to stop, but he didn't restrain himself at all: "This is my family affair, don't you meddle in other people's business!"

But the dragged woman cried out: "No, no, I don't know this person!"

Zhang Mengtong stepped forward and said to the burly man: "Let her go first!"

The burly man was reluctant, only stopping the dragging, but his hand was still holding the woman's arm.

Then he defended himself: "I paid silver! She must go with me today!"

Li Chengming, watching from the outside, was stunned. He looked at Chen Yinzhao: "Can people keep slaves in the local area?"

Chen Yinzhao stammered; he didn't understand either.

Instead, the old scholar who was watching the excitement on the side explained: "Naturally, they can."

"However, they changed the name, calling it something like foster son or foster daughter."

After saying this, he smiled again: "However, right now, it is clearly another matter."

The two's attendants looked at the old scholar vigilantly.

Chen Yinzhao pondered for a moment, but still greeted him: "We are merchants from Beizhili. My surname is Chen, and this is my cousin from the same merchant association, surnamed Li."

He patted Li Chengming and introduced him simply.

The old scholar suddenly showed a trace of surprise: "Coincidentally, my surname is also Li."

Li Chengming was too lazy to be polite, his eyes fixed on the drama outside the station.

He asked: "Scholar Li, you said there is another matter. What do you mean?"

The old scholar acted mysterious: "You'll understand when you watch."

They saw that they were still arguing on the field.

Zhang Mengtong scolded: "What paid silver! How many years has our dynasty banned slavery? Do you still have any law in your eyes!"

The burly man neck-stiffened unconvinced: "What law! Paying money and delivering goods is the law!"

"Besides, I'm not buying a slave; I gave her stepfather enough silver as a bride price, and I'm marrying her properly. Why can't I do it!"

"Could it be that just because she says she doesn't know me, she can ignore the matchmaker's words!"

Zhang Mengtong was stunned.

He didn't expect such a reason.

Not only him, but even the onlookers felt there was a reason.

Most people were in a dilemma.

Chen Yinzhao suddenly realized: "No wonder the scholar said there is a matter inside."

Only Li Chengming muttered: "That doesn't mean you can rob."

Scholar Li glanced at the two: "Although I don't think much of matchmaker's words, what I said has a matter doesn't refer to this."

The two were stunned.

They looked at him strangely.

Scholar Li signaled them to continue watching.

They saw that everyone had stopped, and the burly man gained momentum: "Instead, the upright official should be the one to make the decision for me!"

Zhang Mengtong was silent and didn't answer.

Instead, he squatted down and asked the woman warmly: "Did your stepfather sell you?"

The woman cried like rain: "My father went to the casino a few days ago and lost all the family's assets. Yesterday, he wanted to sell me and my mother to pay off the debt."

After saying this, she burst into tears again.

As soon as the words came out, the onlookers became indignant again.

Li Chengming cursed even more.

The burly man held his head high, unafraid: "What selling, that's so ugly! It's the parents' order, the matchmaker's words!"

Zhang Mengtong squatted on the ground, speechless for a while.

This situation is indeed tricky.

The so-called upright official is hard to judge family affairs, that's the reason. A clear eye knows it's a sale, but one side holds the matchmaker's words, so it's really hard to handle.

Zhang Mengtong stood up slowly and looked at the burly man: "How much silver did you spend."

The burly man looked at him vigilantly: "What is the official going to do?"

Zhang Mengtong ignored him and went to ask the woman on the ground.

After asking for a number, he nodded, faced the surroundings, and said loudly: "This official is a clerk in the prefecture. Although I am not a big official, I have a ninth-rank official status."

"The people of this prefecture are all subjects of the prefecture. This official is a prefectural official, and I am presumptuous to call myself a parent official. Do you all think it's okay?"

Many people had already guessed what he was going to do and responded in unison.

Li Chengming also reacted and sighed to Chen Yinzhao and the old scholar: "This person really has a benevolent heart and means."

The old scholar curled his lips.

"Clerk Zhang is naturally a parent official!"

"That's right! Clerk Zhang is our parent!"

The echoing responses gave Zhang Mengtong confidence.

He nodded and said again: "Since this is the case, this woman's father died early, so this marriage, this official will make the decision for her!"

He took out a bag and turned to look at the burly man, arrogantly: "This marriage, this official does not agree."

"The matchmaker's gift, this official will return it for her!"

After saying that, he threw the silver bag in his hand.

The burly man was stunned for a moment, hesitant and at a loss.

Zhang Mengtong suddenly scolded: "Since it's settled, why don't you let go!"

Seeing that the official was both reasonable and followed his heart, everyone couldn't help but applaud.

"Good!"

"Well done!"

Everyone echoed and clamored together. The burly man took the money, counted it, confirmed he didn't lose out, and had to snort coldly and leave in a dejected manner.

Next, it was the popular scene of the upright official and the common woman thanking him.

Chen Yinzhao watched with great interest.

He couldn't help but sigh: "Our dynasty really has many capable people; a ninth-rank official has such means."

"It really is a big matter."

Not to mention anything else, if he were to handle this, he really wouldn't have thought of handling it this way.

It can only be said that these minor officials also have their own rules.

Scholar Li on the side watched the two sighing repeatedly and laughed: "The big matter I said is not this!"

The two turned their heads together.

Huh?

Is there another way of saying it?

Li Chengming was already impatient: "You fellow, stop selling secrets!"

The old scholar put his hands behind his back and shook his head: "I am also going to the capital, just passing by here, I don't know much."

"However, I guess that the Minister of Justice Wang Zhi, who is going to the capital to take office, whom you two mentioned earlier, might be upstairs at this time."

Li Chengming was confused.

Chen Yinzhao suddenly reacted and said in surprise: "You mean, this matter in front of us is a play performed by someone on purpose!?"

The old scholar said angrily: "Isn't this nonsense? Where are there so many upright official dramas? Do you think this is a storybook?"

"Isn't this clearly showing off his bullshit Spring and Autumn judgment?"

Li Chengming finally managed to interject: "Who is this designed by? Is the burly man deliberately trying to get the bride price back?"

The old scholar was disappointed and too lazy to pay attention to him.

Chen Yinzhao couldn't help but ask: "May I ask the scholar's name?"

The old scholar waved his hand: "I am a fallen scholar, what big name do I have? Just call me Li Zhi."

When traveling, identities are given by oneself, and the three of them tacitly didn't say their real identities.

Just at this time.

A person looking like a page boy came down from the second floor.

He ran to the outside of the station, pushed through the crowd, walked to Zhang Mengtong's side, and said politely: "This official, my master wants to see you."

The page boy explained a few words to the confused Zhang Mengtong.

The latter reluctantly followed.

It happened to pass by the three people eating melons.

Li Zhi suddenly pointed at Chen and Li and said: "Wait, my two young masters also want to see your master!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 53 =====