Of course, handing it over to the Ministry of Personnel would offend the Censorate side.
Yet he knew very clearly which side he could afford to offend and which he could not. He had served in the Censorate for many years and intended to work there until old age and retirement. Even if they were dissatisfied with him, for reasons of sentiment and reason the Censorate would not do anything to an old servant like him, including the Vice Censor-in-Chief.
What was due to him would still be given in full.
The other side however would not show such consideration. If he stubbornly refused to hand it over, that would be offending them.
People can be so strange sometimes. They often find it easier to hurt those who would not hurt them.
He naturally knew that the Vice Censor-in-Chief was disappointed in him.
He also knew what consequences would follow once that resignation letter fell into the hands of the Ministry of Personnel.
The two factions would immediately compete fiercely over the life and death of A Shihuang. That resignation letter would ignite not personal grudges but a struggle between two factions.
The fact that the Ministry of Personnel could rush here at the first moment to demand the resignation already said a great deal.
It showed that one faction, like wolves smelling blood, had immediately pounced ferociously on the open wound.
One side wanted A Shihuang dead in order to heavily wound the other side.
The other side needed to protect A Shihuang’s life at all costs. If the son of A Jiezhang was killed the moment he set foot in the capital, it would be like killing the chicken to warn the monkey and would produce a series of far-reaching effects on their side.
Left Historian Qi, with one hand on his waist, slowly turned and walked towards the desk. “Ah.” A long, deep sigh of an old man came from his mouth.
He knew that he would have to write his own retirement resignation in advance.
“Who from the Ministry of Personnel took the resignation letter, and what did they look like?”
Pei Qingcheng asked as he strode along.
“It was Qu Wensheng and the others.” The accompanying personnel quickly reported.
The group exited the Censorate gate. Pei Qingcheng hurried down the high steps and ran straight to the Duke’s carriage. He pulled open the curtain and said to the person inside, “We are one step too late. The resignation letter has been taken by people from the Ministry of Personnel. Send men to chase them immediately and hope we can catch up.”
“What we feared has happened. Something in your own hands was actually taken away by others. What are your Censorate people doing? Pei Qingcheng, your control over the Censorate is too weak.” Ying Xiaotang inside the carriage rebuked the man outside. His face had already darkened. He then shouted, “Come here.”
A accompanying general immediately stepped forward to receive orders.
There was nothing more to say. Pei Qingcheng’s people informed them who had taken the resignation and what the person looked like.
Ying Xiaotang’s people noted it down and immediately dispatched over twenty riders to pursue along possible routes. They all carried flags on their backs, pretending to be eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch soldiers, and galloped wildly through the capital in pursuit.
“Where is A Shihuang?”
“I do not know. He may have returned to the Zhong residence.”
“Find him.”
…
In a hilly area of the capital overgrown with bamboo, a restaurant had enclosed a bamboo garden for business, named Longyuanqiu.
When Yu Qing had previously wandered around the capital looking for buyers for fire crickets, he had noticed this quiet place with little foot traffic. It could prevent too many people from recognising him. Having learned a lesson from the Xiyue Fang incident, he had chosen this location for the meal invitation this time.
Although he did not know whether the Wolf Guards’ words were true or false, the reminder had made him more cautious about being found by Bailan.
The shopkeeper still recognised the top scholar. There was no help for it. His fame was too great, and the shopkeeper had indeed seen him during the parade.
There was no prior reservation of a private room, but that was not a problem. The shopkeeper proactively offered to make the entire meal free today, with the only request being that the top scholar write some calligraphy.
Hearing it was free, Yu Qing felt somewhat tempted but hesitated when he thought about his own limited literary talent.
The accompanying guard immediately tugged Yu Qing’s sleeve to remind him to be cautious.
The Zhong residence had instructed them, especially Madam Zhong, who had repeatedly emphasised that they should watch the young master and not let him casually write calligraphy for others.
Madam Zhong Wen Jianhui felt quite resentful about this matter, mainly because even she, as the mother-in-law, had not received a single character.
Fortunately the shopkeeper was sensible and knew that asking the top scholar to write poetry or prose for one meal was a bit excessive. He only requested the shop name so that the signboard could be remade in the top scholar’s handwriting later. Of course this was still significant. For a business, the signboard mattered at all times and could last a lifetime. Some old establishments treated it as a family heirloom.
It was simply copying three characters in exchange for a free meal. Yu Qing gladly agreed and waved away the blocking guard.
He was quite confident in his calligraphy and full of assurance, because the real A Shihuang did not write as well as he did.
The shopkeeper immediately prepared brush, ink, paper and inkstone. Yu Qing wielded the brush with bold strokes, and the three black characters “Longyuanqiu” stood out strikingly on the white paper, full of spirit and very pleasing to the eye.
The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up. He praised the excellent characters repeatedly. Seeing that Yu Qing was about to put down the brush, he hurriedly begged him to kindly add his signature.
This was very important.
When passed down to descendants, especially to future generations, it would become a real story with a name and origin. Their family signboard had been personally written by the once-in-a-century top scholar who achieved full marks in all four categories.
Yu Qing hesitated briefly but still added the name A Shihuang.
The shopkeeper held the obtained calligraphy as if it were a treasure and thanked him profusely. He ordered the waiters to serve the guest well.
Yu Qing however gave instructions that he only wanted to host the meal in peace and hoped they would not publicise his visit. The shopkeeper naturally gave full assurances.
Watching the shopkeeper leave excitedly, Yu Qing felt somewhat puzzled. It was a shame that writing with his own name was not worth much.
The guests did not make Yu Qing wait long. Su Yingtao, Pan Wenqing, Fang Wenxian and Zhang Manqu arrived one after another. They had all come early and did not dare keep Yu Qing waiting.
Yu Qing received them with a lowered posture. Both sides naturally met with great pleasure, and the necessary polite exchanges could not be avoided.
Seeing Yu Qing’s attitude, the four were very excited. They had also heard that this person had become a favourite beside the Vice Censor-in-Chief. Making his acquaintance was their honour, especially since he had taken the initiative to invite them. It would give them considerable face when spoken of and make others regard them more highly.
After host and guests were seated, they inevitably mentioned the familiar Zhan Muchun and Xu Fei.
The four found it rather strange why he would invite just the four of them for no apparent reason.
“I originally invited them too, but unfortunately they both had sudden matters and really could not get away. One had to accompany his uncle to visit someone and seek a position, while the other was in a hurry to leave the capital on official business.” As Yu Qing spoke he took out Zhan Muchun’s handwritten reply as proof and passed it to the four to see.
The four passed it around and all expressed understanding. They also felt some emotion. As fellow examinees, others had already become court officials busy with state affairs, while they looked at themselves.
Once the guests arrived, the wine and dishes began to be served. The quality was quite high. To entertain the top scholar and earn a good reputation, the shopkeeper had spared no expense and brought out all his best dishes.
After eating and drinking for a while, Su Yingtao finally took the initiative to ask the key question. “Brother Shihuang has invited us today. Is there something you wish to say, or some instructions for us? If the latter, please feel free to command us.”
“Indeed, there is no need for politeness between us.”
“We will not refuse anything we can do.”
The others all chimed in. They were not fools. There was no such thing as a free meal without reason.
Since the topic had been raised, Yu Qing did not stand on ceremony. He pretended to hesitate and said, “It is rather embarrassing to say. There are two reasons. The first is to apologise to all of you. Last time at the Cao residence I said some ridiculous things. My uncle is not the richest man in the capital.”
At the time he had said it casually, without thinking they would meet again. He had planned to leave after the exams and had not expected things to turn out like this.
“Brother Shihuang is joking. It was merely a moment of heated words.”
“Correct. Words spoken in anger cannot be taken seriously.”
“Not to mention Brother Shihuang. We have also spoken angry words to you. Must we hold grudges for a lifetime?”
“Meeting each other is a blessing of this lifetime. We should cherish it. Let us not mention past unpleasantness again.”
The four laughed heartily, all showing the grace to let it pass with a smile.
In truth the four had later found out the facts. A Shihuang’s later fame was simply too great. Whether the Zhong residence was the richest in the capital could not be hidden, though it was confirmed that the Zhong family was indeed a wealthy and noble household.
Pan Wenqing suddenly asked with curiosity, “Brother Shihuang, I hear the eldest daughter of the Zhong family is your fiancée and the wedding is approaching. Is that true?”
Zhang Manqu laughed, “It can hardly be false. When the time comes we will surely have to beg for a cup of wedding wine.”
Yu Qing however sighed and shook his head. “This is precisely the second reason I sought you all.”
“Oh?” The four exchanged glances. Su Yingtao raised his cup and said, “Brother Shihuang, speak slowly. We idle people have plenty of time and are willing to listen in detail.”
“Yes.” The others all nodded.
Yu Qing sighed, “It is like this. Actually I have a request of the four of you. The wedding date is approaching. All arrangements are being handled by the Zhong residence, but I think I cannot remain completely inactive. I also want to prepare something. Yet when I inquired about the prices, I really am short of money. I have just arrived in the capital and do not know many people.” He said no more and simply shook his head.
The four exchanged glances and all suddenly understood. He was here to borrow money. No wonder he had taken the initiative to invite them.
Fang Wenxian tentatively asked, “May I know how much Brother Shihuang is still short?”
Yu Qing raised three fingers and observed their reactions as he said, “Around thirty thousand taels.”
If not possible he planned to lower it a bit.
He had some understanding of their backgrounds from Xu Fei. They were all younger brothers from wealthy families in Liezhou. They could socialise together because of matching status, and during the journey to the capital all expenses for befriending Zhan Muchun and others had basically been paid by the four.
Knowing they could afford the sum and were willing to spend, he had dared to make this request.
Spending thirty thousand taels on wedding arrangements was no small amount. The four exchanged glances once more.
Su Yingtao looked around and said, “Brother Shihuang would not easily make such a request. He must have encountered real difficulty. This is Brother Shihuang’s lifelong matter. How about the four of us share it equally and lend him a helping hand?”
Zhang Manqu said boldly, “Let us not make it too tight. We four will each contribute eight thousand taels.” He then asked Yu Qing, “Is this enough?”
“Enough, enough.” Yu Qing nodded repeatedly, but inwardly he regretted it. He realised he had still been too modest. He should have asked for forty thousand taels.
Fang Wenxian raised his cup. “Then it is settled.”
The group immediately raised their cups together to confirm it.