Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 138 Idea
In recent years, there have been many privately printed books in Daliang, which the imperial court has mostly ignored. They are only investigated and confiscated if the books contain content that is absolutely forbidden to be printed under Daliang law.

Although Liu Erniang was literate, she was not very clear about these things and could only look to her elder brother for help.

Liu Shizhang glanced through it: "There is no mention of Yin-Yang theory, military strategy, heretical doctrines, astronomy, or calendar. In principle, the government should not have to forcibly regulate it, but if Father intervenes, he can also prohibit it. I'm just afraid that those scholars will come and cause trouble."

Liu Erniang said, "What scholar? The one who printed this is a widow, the woman who sued Xie Chongjun."

Prefect Liu was busy with official duties and couldn't attend to some matters, but Xie Chongjun had been mentioned twice in the past two days. Xie Chongjun was a merchant, and Prefect Liu naturally wouldn't meet him, but he knew that this merchant was willing to do things according to his wishes.

Prefect Liu said, "I heard from the steward that the Xie family of Daming Prefecture has some connection with the Xie family of Kaifeng?"

Liu Shizhang said, "It is a branch of the Xie family of Kaifeng."

Prefect Liu didn't care much.

Whether it's a side branch or not, it's all a matter of a single sentence.

Large clans often have some clans with clans that can't be brought to the light of day. Some run businesses, while others hoard land. These clans can suddenly disappear without a trace, though some may eventually become legitimate members of the clan.

The Xie family of Daming Prefecture is probably like that.

If that were all, Prefect Liu wouldn't have bothered to ask this family, but the Xie family also had a porcelain kiln.

Once the market opened, porcelain was one of the best-selling goods.

Such a large deal naturally attracted the attention of the Liu family.

Prefect Liu looked at Liu Shizhang: "Is the Xie family's case very troublesome?"

Liu Shizhang said, "No, it's just that He Tan is here now."

He Tan came to Daming Prefecture to serve as a patrol inspector. In fact, this official rank was nothing to Prefect Liu, but everyone knew that the He family was affiliated with the Prince of Qin.

The Prince of Qin is the adopted son of the current emperor. Although he returned home to observe mourning for his father two years ago and withdrew from court, he was summoned back by the emperor this year to take charge of the Imperial Clan Court. His eldest son, the Prince of Huai, was also betrothed by the Empress Dowager. By all accounts, it's only a matter of time before the Prince of Qin is made Crown Prince.

Therefore, we must not displease the King of Qin.

and……

“The He family and the Wang family are related by marriage, and it’s not easy to deal with them if they are tied together,” said Prefect Liu. “We also assist the Prince of Qin, so we are on the same side, but they refuse to work with us and insist on secretly implementing their new policies.”

"This is preparation for the new emperor's ascension to the throne well in advance."

Liu Shizhang nodded: "Therefore, we must be cautious in dealing with He Tan."

He Tan is not scary; he's just a minor inspector. But if we touch him, it will inevitably involve more people and give the He and Wang families an excuse to start a new round of conflict.

Regardless of whether he wins or loses, Liu Heng will likely be transferred away from Daming Prefecture. His base is in the Northwest, and Daming Prefecture is just right for him. It allows him to maintain close ties with his subordinates in the Northwest without having to suffer in the harsh and cold land. Therefore, he will not easily give it up to someone else.

"Don't let He Tan find any fault with us," Prefect Liu said.

Liu Shizhang responded.

"Then let's just ignore it?" Liu Erniang said coquettishly. "Father, that widow has caused quite a stir in Daming Prefecture. If this continues, we won't know who's in charge in Daming Prefecture."

"The Xie family doesn't have a single smart person. At least give them some pointers so that others don't take advantage of them and ruin everything."

Seeing that her father still didn't want to pay attention.

Liu Erniang suddenly thought of something and pointed to the tabloid: "Since it says that Buddhist charcoal is good, it would be a good thing if merchants wanted to promote it, right?"

Prefect Liu picked up the official documents.

Liu Erniang continued, "This Buddhist charcoal was made by Baode Temple for the benefit of the people. It is sold at such a low price so that the people can get through the cold winter."

"Therefore, the more people who promote this matter, the better."

“Once this stuff spreads, it might even end up in the capital… In any case, it would be a political achievement for Father.” Liu Erniang hit the nail on the head.

Prefect Liu raised his eyes.

Liu Erniang said, "Father doesn't know, the clay stove for burning Buddhist charcoal was made in a small kiln in the Yang family. There weren't many of them, and ordinary people couldn't buy them at all."

"Wouldn't this delay the use of resources by the people?"

"In this cold weather, Father, as the magistrate of Daming Prefecture, you should be considerate of the people... Why not mobilize all the pottery kilns in Daming Prefecture to fire clay stoves? I know that Daming Prefecture has many abandoned pottery kilns. If some merchants can buy them to fire clay stoves, at least the people of Daming Prefecture will be able to use them smoothly in the winter."

The more Liu Erniang spoke, the more reasonable she felt: "Moreover, I think that since things like Buddhist charcoal and clay stoves come from Baode Temple, they should not be kept secret. Everyone should know about them. Why should a widow be allowed to keep them as her private property?"

“In the name of the government, we should make that widow hand over the recipes for Buddhist charcoal and clay stoves. The merchants of Daming Prefecture should do their best to fulfill this obligation, regardless of their own circumstances, so as to be worthy of the compassionate Buddha.”

Liu Erniang looked at her father with anticipation.

After a moment, Prefect Liu looked at Liu Shizhang and asked, "What do you think?"

Liu Shizhang said, "Second Sister is right. I'll have someone inform the county government. As for the merchants... it's better to leave it to Second Sister."

Liu Erniang nodded: "It just so happens that I know Xie Chonghai's wife, so Father and Brother don't need to worry about these trivial matters."

Prefect Liu turned his attention back to the documents. Seeing this, Liu Erniang curtsied and quietly left the study.

On her way back to her own courtyard, Liu Erniang was especially happy, and the tabloid in her hand no longer seemed so offensive.

That widow dared to defy the Liu family, so she'll show her what price she'll have to pay.

Thinking this, Liu Erniang's gaze swept over the tabloid again.

The local gazette of Daming Prefecture.

A few words came into view again.

Liu Erniang suddenly felt that these words looked strangely familiar. Looking closer, her heart sank. Could it be…? Thinking of this possibility, she immediately quickened her pace, even faster than when she arrived.

He entered the courtyard, panting, and went straight to her small study. There, he found a box in the inner room, opened it, and revealed the papers inside.

Liu Erniang carefully flipped through the papers, then placed them together with the tabloid in her hand.

What catches the eye are remarkably similar character shapes.

Liu Erniang's heart pounded even harder.

I don't know how long I stood there, stunned.

Liu Shizhang's voice came from outside the study.

Liu Erniang hurriedly put the box back in place, then got up to welcome Liu Shizhang inside.

“There’s something I need to remind you,” Liu Shizhang said with a slightly serious expression. “I didn’t follow your advice and have Father shut down that tabloid because the title on it reminded me of someone.”

"This tabloid is probably not simple. I'll investigate it thoroughly before taking any action against it."

Liu Erniang nodded.

“You should also be careful,” Liu Shizhang continued. “If you feel anything is wrong, send someone to find me.”

Liu Erniang said, "Don't worry, brother."

After Liu Shizhang left, Liu Erniang pursed her lips. If the tabloid was really related to the Wang family, then she... should seize this opportunity even more, at least not let others steal the limelight.

(End of this chapter)