The Liu residence.
Liu Xingzhao, Liu yuanwai, wiped a head of sweat. Somewhat tired, he returned to the inner residence main hall. As soon as he sat down he spoke to Liu furen who brought over a drink, his voice hoarse, Sixth batch already. My throat has gone completely hoarse from talking.
Liu furen placed the drink in front of her husband. Drink it quickly. It is for soothing the throat.
Liu yuanwai smiled bitterly and shook his head. He had never expected before that the release of the tribute list would cause such a huge stir. It had even affected the Liu residence.
The reason was simple. Liu yuanwai was also a friend of Zhong Su. The western tutor at the Liu residence was precisely Mister Ming whom Zhong Su had borrowed.
Mister Ming was already quite famous for instructing students. Now it was even better. He had actually instructed a Huiyuan who scored full marks in all four subjects. In an instant people coming to visit had almost broken the threshold of the Liu residence.
For no other reason than for their own sons. Some begged the Liu residence to part with Mister Ming. Others begged to share Mister Ming’s talent with the Liu residence.
Those who could enter the Liu residence gate would not casually ask for personal matters. Only after becoming parents could they lower themselves like this for their own sons.
The Liu residence was also in a difficult position. They had hired Mister Ming at a high price as western tutor precisely for their own son’s future. Zhong Su had only reluctantly lent him out to deal with the metropolitan examination. Now you also wanted him and he also wanted to split a bit of Mister Ming’s time like chopping firewood. Then what about his own son?
Although he did not want to offend people he still had to explain with sincere words until his throat went hoarse.
Liu furen however was rather excited. A Huiyuan with full marks in four subjects. I heard it is something rarely seen in a hundred years. It seems this Mister Ming really has some ability. I do not ask him to instruct my son to full marks in four subjects. As long as he can help my son pass the Huiyuan examination in the future I would be willing even if it shortens my life.
Liu yuanwai pointed at his own throat. Just wait. This is only the beginning. There is no telling how many more people we will have to deal with later.
Liu furen thumped his shoulder. You should be glad we got there first. Now how many people want to suffer this trouble but do not even have the chance. It is still better than you going to beg others right.
Alas. Let us deal with it as it comes. I am just afraid of running into people who are hard to refuse. His throat hurt and Liu yuanwai did not want to say more. He pointed at his own feet. Running back and forth. My old problem with my feet has flared up again. Help me massage them.
Liu furen moved over a stool. She lifted his foot and removed his shoes and socks.
Just as they were chatting and massaging the housekeeper outside came running. Before even entering the door he shouted loudly, Yuanwai.
Clearly there was an urgent matter. Liu yuanwai waved his hand to let him in.
The housekeeper hurried inside and presented a letter. Yuanwai, Mister Ming has come and submitted a resignation.
Resignation? Liu yuanwai was stunned. He quickly snatched the letter and opened it to read.
Liu furen became a bit anxious. Everything was fine. Why did he submit a resignation? Could it be that someone offered a higher price to poach him?
The housekeeper shook his head. I do not know. He said everything that needed to be said is in the letter.
The content in the letter was to resign from the position of western tutor. It said his old mother was advanced in age and he needed to return home to fulfil filial duty. He asked the Liu residence to invite someone more capable and so on.
Liu yuanwai suddenly withdrew his foot and stood up. He asked, Where is the person? Did you stop him?
The housekeeper said anxiously, We stopped him and asked him to wait for you to speak in person. But he was unwilling to say more and headed straight for the main gate. We could not use force against the mister so we could only urgently inform yuanwai.
Liu yuanwai immediately ran out without another word.
Shoes. Put on your shoes. Liu furen shouted loudly.
Liu yuanwai did not turn back. With one foot without a shoe he ran out barefoot.
When he ran to the main gate he found the person had already left. The gatekeeper said the carriage had just started moving. So he chased out the gate again. He saw the carriage that had not yet left the alley and shouted, Stop it.
Immediately a guard who could leap high into the air ran over. He landed and halted the carriage.
Liu yuanwai who had run over with one bare foot was already panting. He invited Mister Ming to show himself.
Mister, if the Liu residence has been neglectful anywhere please speak directly. We will definitely correct it. There is no need for this.
Mister, if you wish to care for your mother there is no harm in bringing her to the capital. I will send people to look after her carefully. You need not worry about it.
Is the remuneration too little? Liu is willing to double it. Mister, feel free to say directly how much you think is appropriate.
Could it be that mister has already found a better place?
Could it be that my son was naughty and offended mister?
Could it be that the girls serving mister were not sensible and could not let mister enjoy himself fully?
Liu yuanwai asked a pile of reasons in succession. Mister Ming shook his head to all of them indicating it was not so. He said everything that needed to be said was in the letter. He just wanted to return to his hometown.
At this time Liu furen also came trotting over bringing their youngest son, a boy of twelve or thirteen years old.
As soon as the son arrived Liu yuanwai immediately scolded sternly, Kneel before mister.
The boy hesitated for a moment. He did not know what was happening. But seeing his father’s appearance as if he wanted to eat someone he quickly knelt in front of Mister Ming.
Seeing Liu yuanwai with one bare foot, seeing the student like this, seeing Liu furen pleading to retain him, Mister Ming let out a long sigh and then spoke the truth. Yuanwai do not overthink. It has nothing to do with other reasons. My mother is advanced in years and I fear her time is short. I have lingered in the capital for many years. As a son I have been unfilial. How can I serve as a teacher to others? Additionally for the metropolitan examination three years later I wish to try my hand again to fulfil my long cherished wish. This departure is to return home and start anew. It is also to stay by my kind mother’s side to atone for my sins. Yuanwai, furen, these words come from the bottom of my heart. Let us part here. Do not miss me. After saying that he cupped his hands and bowed to the family.
Liu yuanwai was stunned. He felt that today’s Mister Ming was indeed different. His entire temperament had changed. His hair was combed neatly and the person had become refreshed.
Mister Ming reached out to help the kneeling boy up. Smiling he touched his forehead. Study well and do not let your parents’ painstaking efforts go to waste. After that he turned and boarded the carriage. He entered the carriage and called to leave. Only then did the coachman raise the whip and drive off again.
The carriage headed all the way towards the end of the setting sun.
Liu furen tugged her husband’s sleeve and said anxiously, Would adding more money not work?
Liu yuanwai smiled bitterly. In any profession once you have mastered it you do not lack money. What he cares about is not money. He made it very clear. He wants to fulfil his long cherished wish. Could I say it out loud to delay him from taking the examination again for my own son? Is there such a reason? This capital’s place of fireworks really cannot keep him anymore.
Under the night curtain the capital was brightly lit with lanterns everywhere. There was no lack of orioles singing and swallows dancing. There was no lack of crowds gathering. The nightlife in the bustling places was extremely lively.
In a quiet place amid the noise a line of carriages and guards returned. They stopped outside the brightly lantern lit main gate of the Mei residence.
This Mei residence here was not an ordinary family. It was the residence of the Minister of Works of the Jin Kingdom.
The carriage curtain was lifted. A man with ordinary appearance yet wearing second rank official robes appeared.
A ink like goat beard that could be held in one hand, a clear frown mark between the brows showing he often frowned. Added to a pale face that appeared rigid, one look showed he was a person with few smiles. It was no one else but the Minister of Works, Mei Sanghai.
The smell of alcohol had not yet dissipated from him. He had only returned after finishing a banquet.
Housekeeper Kong Shen ran out to welcome him and accompanied him inside together.
Servants encountered along the way did not need to salute. They simply took the initiative to avoid him.
All the way to the deep quiet courtyard, inside the study room shaded by several trees with faint fragrance, Kong Shen helped the minister remove his official robes. He brought hot water and placed down a towel before saying, It is not the same name. It has been confirmed. The top ranked Huiyuan is A Jiezhuang’s son.
The hand playing with the towel in the hot water paused. Mei Sanghai was silent for a while then said slowly, Full marks in four subjects. That old lord trained him really well. Speaking of it I even held that boy in my arms back then. Now he actually dares to appear openly using his real name. It seems his ambition is not small and he comes with great momentum. Where is A Jiezhuang now?
The reason he called A Jiezhuang old lord was because back then he had been A Jiezhuang’s direct subordinate, a yuanwai lang directly under the Yu department.
After A Jiezhuang was dismissed it was precisely him who rose to take over A Jiezhuang’s position as langzhong of the Yu department.
Counting the less than twenty years, from yu department yuanwai lang to yu department langzhong, then to vice minister of works, and finally becoming one of the six ministries’ ministers, the minister of works. The time was neither too short nor too long. He had always grown within the works ministry, stepping up one level at a time very steadily.
He had indeed held A Shihuang back then.
Kong Shen said, Dead.
Dead? Mei Sanghai turned his head sharply seeming not to believe it.
Kong Shen said, From the examinee information attached from Liezhou side, A Shihuang’s parents are both in a state of deceased. The parental identities filled in are also both乡民. It cannot be said to be concealing the report. After A Jiezhuang left the capital and retired it is not excessive for him to humbly call himself a乡民. Currently we have just learned his identity. What can be checked is only the official records from the Liezhou side.
Mei Sanghai silently washed his hands. Back then did you not say A Jiezhuang was still alive?
Kong Shen said, The situation back then was unclear. There was no news feedback. Near the incident site we found the burial place. Counting the remains of the entire A family, A Jiezhuang and his son were indeed missing. Now that he has already shown his face it will not be difficult to find out when A Jiezhuang died.
He applied the hot towel to his face then threw it back into the basin. Mei Sanghai walked back behind the desk and sat down. Be careful. Perhaps others are waiting for you to investigate. Back then we thought we understood him enough. In the end over a hundred people took action yet not a single one left alive. What kind of existence is still hidden behind it, you and I are both unclear.
Kong Shen said, This son has returned. He will definitely investigate the events of that year. Once he learns the truth he will surely seek revenge. It would be better to strike first.
Mei Sanghai said, Do you think you are the only one who knows he is A Jiezhuang’s son now? When A Jiezhuang was in office back then he used the convenience of his position close to the emperor’s heart and the connections he built with the Sinan prefecture to weave his power. Openly and secretly he helped countless people. Even when his majesty was furious back then and wanted to kill him he could not succeed. One can imagine how many party members he had in the court. That boy appearing with his real name has calculations. Now there is no telling how many pairs of eyes are staring at that boy. Acting rashly is seeking death.
Kong Shen hesitated. Then adult, are we to let that boy rise with the momentum?
Mei Sanghai said, Since he has already stepped one foot into the rules he must follow the methods within the rules. If you dislike someone just directly assassinate them in secret. That is a great taboo and will arouse public anger. Could it be that future court officials will all put down the rules and directly wield blades and swords to kill each other to the death? Breaking the rules would shake the foundation and even his majesty would not tolerate us. Do not forget who reported the secret back then. His majesty is the one who knows. As soon as you make a move his majesty will know who did it. The reason A Jiezhuang could only be acted against after being dismissed from office is exactly this principle.
Kong Shen understood and nodded. Yet he frowned and said, Are we to just let it go like this?
Mei Sanghai leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes to rest. It is not yet our turn to act. Let his majesty first taste A Jiezhuang’s son.