Daming: Internship also counts as work experience

Chapter 124 Song Sheng
At this moment, Gao Yunduo stood up, looked up and said, "It was my fault. I overestimated myself and underestimated them."

Wu Bing hurriedly said, "In the end, it was my oversight. I thought the Prince of Han's men would be keeping a close eye on the house and your movements, and they would wait until dark to leave the city. If we could coordinate from the inside and outside, we could just go in and bring out the two people who had already obtained something or knew something. It wouldn't take much time. As for those senior monks, sigh, I thought they would have moments of distraction, and that would be the opportunity for the two young ladies. Afterwards, with three officials from the capital overseeing things, the Prince of Han would only be more furious..."

"Do you think that regardless of whether we get anything or not, this trip will ultimately enrage the King of Han, and it's hard to say what he might do in his rage?"

Wu Bing nodded, then quickly added, "We had already spoken with the two young ladies beforehand. They were told to be discreet and not to act rashly once inside the manor. Miss Gao is calm and composed, and Miss Dong listens to Miss Gao very well, which is why we..."

Gao Yunduo said, "I didn't expect them to value us so much, even having that old man watch over us. If Yuanyuan hadn't woken up earlier... So, it's all my fault."

"Oh dear, I didn't say anyone was wrong. I just wanted to know how this happened. Now that I know, it's all over. Putting everything else aside, the outcome is still good. Without your... brave and fearless people, I wouldn't know the secrets hidden in the village."

"knew?"

"What is it?"

"what's that?"

The three of them asked the question at the same time, out of curiosity.

Jia Chuan chuckled and said, "He's a jade craftsman."

All three of them were stunned. After a moment, only Wu Bing reacted. He took a deep breath and muttered, "No wonder he wasn't in a hurry."

Jia Chuan stretched and said, "He's anxious too. Even if he can produce something one day, someone will have to follow him around and acknowledge it. Let's go and keep going. When we get to Beijing, the Emperor will make a decision."

……

Beijing, the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The city of Beijing was filled with joy. Snowflakes, like scattered jade, piled up between the cracks of the bluestone slabs. Most of the streets were already adorned with vermilion lanterns. A two-zhang-long bamboo shed was erected in front of Ruifuxiang. Newly dyed Songjiang cloth splashed layers of rosy hues in the morning light. Many shops on the street had hung up gold-flecked peach charms that read "Peace and safety year after year." Shop assistants were busy running around, occasionally breathing hot air onto their frozen fingertips.

Many pedestrians were carrying gilded lacquer boxes and coming and going on the street. Women with children were gathered in front of the Dalonghao candied fruit shop. The sweet aroma of sugared plums mixed with the smoke of charcoal fire made the children linger. A few more mischievous children were carrying glass megaphones and weaving through the crowd. They almost knocked over the incense tower in front of the old incense shop, which made the shop assistant laugh and scold them.

The aroma of roasted venison wafted from the meat market, and Hui vendors lifted the lids of steaming copper pots, revealing amber-colored lamb broth bubbling inside. The enticing fragrance drew the attention of passersby, who swallowed hard as they stared in.

The Lunar New Year is approaching, and no matter what happened this year, everyone is trying their best to be festive.

……

Not far from Beijing, there was a county called Xian, which was under the jurisdiction of Beizhili. The newly appointed county magistrate was a young man, in the prime of his life, handsome and dashing. Right now, his ears were red from the cold, his neck was hunched, he was sniffling and his hands were tucked in as he walked along a country road outside the city. Behind him followed an old man carrying a toolbox, cursing and swearing incoherently.

"...I didn't expect to enjoy myself, but don't make me suffer like this. What time is it now? If there's a case, then even if it's to be investigated, it should be the constables and yamen runners who should be involved. You brought me here, and the donkey too! Ugh! How many times have I told you? You're not called Jia Chuan now, you're called Song Sheng. This isn't Le'an. You went head-to-head with the Prince of Han in Le'an because everyone knew you were sent by the Emperor. Right now, nobody knows who's behind you. You should know when to back down. You're just a lowly county magistrate, and you think you can teach the county magistrate how to do things after only a few days here. Who else will they punish if not you?"

Jia Chuan sighed, and the white breath he exhaled dissipated in the wind.

Old Zheng was still muttering behind him:
"With a case like this, tomorrow's the 29th. In previous years, I could at least have a pot of warm wine and some meat during these few days. But this year, I think we'll just have to starve! Why did you have to make that bet with that old geezer? You think you can solve a case like this in two days? Do you think you're a god? If you were a god, you should have stopped it before it happened, not intervened afterward! That old geezer is sealed away. Although he can't go back to his hometown and has to stay in his place for the festival, don't forget his family is in the back office. How much New Year's food do they need to prepare? Are you worried they won't be able to finish it? We only have so much food, and you've already bet it all. How are we going to get through the New Year?"

"You said the donkey is tied up at the village entrance, it won't get lost, right?" Jia Chuan looked back.

"You still have time to think about the donkey? You should think about me first. At my age, I've come all this way to the outskirts of the city to suffer in this freezing weather with you. I used to have a donkey, but why couldn't I ride it once we got to the village? You insisted on tying it up at the village entrance..."

Before Old Zheng could finish speaking, he saw several villagers running towards them.

Jia Chuan was dressed in an official robe with his hands tucked into his sleeves. He was followed by an old man and did not have any official airs. The villagers looked him over again and again before bravely stepping forward to ask questions. Only then did they notice three yamen runners walking lazily and dawdling towards them from a distance.

……

On days when murders occur, even if one wanted to report a crime, the constables stationed at the yamen would chase them away. But this morning, Jia Chuan had nothing to do, so he took Old Zheng to the street to have a look. They had spent all the money they brought, so going to the street was just for looking around, or as Jia Chuan put it, "to share in the good fortune."

He didn't know how long he would have to stay in this wretched place. According to Zhu Zhanji, he would have to wait until the matter of the Prince of Han was settled and Jia Chuan was no longer in danger of losing his life. At the very least, he would have to spend the New Year here.

Everyone assumed that Jia Chuan would receive a great reward after this trip to Le'an, and even if he didn't get a significant promotion, it would certainly be a lucrative post. Chen Mo even predicted that Jia Chuan would definitely join the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

When Jia Chuan entered the palace, he shared his opinions with Zhu Zhanji about his future development. Of course, Zhu Zhanji acted as if he hadn't heard a word, since Jia Chuan had first mentioned the jade craftsman at the Prince of Han's estate and then expressed his hopes for the future. Fortunately, he didn't mention wanting to take the Prince of Zhao on a trip to Zhangde.

Jia Chuan and the others also talked about jade craftsmen, but that was all. Some people thought of something, while others didn't understand. But Zhu Zhanji understood immediately.

Zhu Gaoxu's achievements in the Jingnan Campaign are undeniable, witnessed by countless people. However, some of the words spoken back then were merely private conversations between Zhu Di and his son Zhu Gaoxu. Zhu Zhanji firmly believed that his grandfather would not have made any targeted remarks about the future in front of others. But Zhu Zhanji also believed that the few words currently being quietly circulated were very likely spoken by his grandfather back then.

When people are deeply moved, nothing they say is too much. 'Strive on, the Crown Prince is often ill!'

It is said that Zhu Di said these words after his defeat at the Battle of Puzikou, when he wanted to negotiate peace and return north. At this time, Zhu Gaoxu arrived with his troops, and Zhu Di said these words in his excitement. Perhaps it was these words that inspired Zhu Gaoxu to lead his troops in a desperate battle, which turned defeat into victory.

Not many people knew about these things, but not a few either. They had heard about them when Zhu Zhanji was the Crown Prince. At that time, his grandfather dealt with them, and later his father dealt with them. But now Zhu Zhanji knew that someone was spreading rumors in private, and even added a few more words, especially the sentence: "The second son is most like me."

Back then, my grandfather was only concerned with the northern expedition, so he handed over the responsibility of overseeing the country to his father. My grandfather didn't like this big fat son, and because of this, two of the three Yangs were imprisoned.

Zhu Zhanji knew very well that his grandfather... had hesitated.

After hearing Jia Chuan's report, and learning that the person his second uncle had hired so many江湖人 (jianghu people) to protect was a jade craftsman, Zhu Zhanji's face became terribly gloomy.

At this moment, Jia Chuan wanted to change the subject and talk about his future, but Zhu Zhanji was not in the mood for that. This matter was terrifying to think about. Why should a jade craftsman be guarded like this? As long as enough money was given, and the craftsman was indeed skilled, why should he be guarded after the agreement was reached?

Furthermore, the matter of finding a wandering swordsman to oversee the jade craftsman seems to have only occurred after the Prince of Han went to Le'an. It wasn't a matter of several jade craftsmen, but just one... This matter is not difficult to investigate.

Zhu Zhanji knew that his grandfather, in order to demonstrate legitimacy, had continued to use the "Emperor's Seal of Heaven" from the Taizu Emperor for sacrifices, succession, and important edicts. He was doing the same now. However, he also knew that his grandfather had ordered the production of a batch of new imperial seals, such as the "Emperor's Seal of Affection for Relatives" for bestowing titles upon members of the imperial clan and issuing imperial edicts, the "Seal of Imperial Decrees" for daily government orders, and the "Seal of Broad Fortune" and "Yongle Imperial Seal" to demonstrate the authority of the Yongle reign.

Especially in the nineteenth year of the Yongle reign, after my grandfather moved the capital to Beijing, he remade and supplemented the imperial seal to distinguish it from the old system in Nanjing.

It's not surprising that the King of Han wouldn't lack good materials, and that he might have several pieces of the same material as the Imperial Seal. The important thing is that he has one that is exactly the same...

Those who have seen these jade seals, or even those who participated in their production... should be thoroughly investigated. Who were the jade craftsmen in the Nanjing Imperial Workshop back then? Who are still alive today? How many jade craftsmen remain in Beijing? Those who have passed away should also be investigated!

Zhu Zhanji was preoccupied with these thoughts and couldn't hear a word Jia Chuan said.

However, both of them knew what Zhu Gaoxu wanted to do. Seeing that Zhu Zhanji remained sullen, Jia Chuan told him what he had left for the Prince of Han.

The gloom on Zhu Zhanji's face immediately dissipated, and he complained to Jia Chuan why he hadn't said so sooner.

Jia Chuan said with a grin, "I don't know if what I'm doing is right, and I'm afraid the Emperor will scold me for being nosy."

Zhu Zhanji snorted and said, "You dared to come back because you know you've offended your second uncle. If he suddenly produces something, I really don't know how to deal with it. What he wrote... imitating the font is easy, but the imperial seal is a problem. If it really was made with the help of that person back then... I'm afraid I won't be able to tell the difference."

Zhu Zhanji paused for a moment and then said:
"Now that he knew in advance, his plan is useless. But if you hadn't left those words, he might still have held onto a glimmer of hope. Now he knows that this path is a dead end..."

Zhu Zhanji did not continue speaking. After a moment of silence, he told Jia Chuan to go back and rest well, and wait for the imperial decree.

Unfortunately, before Jia Chuan could receive the Emperor's decree, he was met by two of the Gao family's apprentices from the estate. That night, the Gao family's courtyard, which they had painstakingly repaired, was ruined again. It was only through the combined efforts of the Gao siblings and Dong Yuanyuan, and the timely arrival of Chen Mo and his men, that Jia Chuan's life was barely saved. However, all three of them were injured, while the other two escaped unscathed.

After this incident, Jia Chuan recalled what Wu Bing had said: "As long as the King of Han remains the King of Han, you will always be able to save your life."

But right now, Jia Chuan felt that even if the King of Han was no longer the King of Han, these disciples might still come after him for his life. The two who found the Gao family were the rare ones who spoke up to avenge their master.

Jia Chuan thought of the old man with a knife in his chest. Putting aside the fact that he wasn't the one who stabbed him, just considering that they each served their own masters, how many people had they killed? Who sought revenge against them? Of course, perhaps it wasn't that they didn't want to, but that they couldn't win.

This is a classic case of the strong bullying the weak! A blatant double standard!
However, such things are useless to condemn. After Zhu Zhanji found out, he came up with this idea: to have Jia Chuan change his name and become a county magistrate in a county not far from the capital, and to go to take up his post secretly, taking only Old Zheng with him, with the Embroidered Uniform Guard secretly watching over him.

In this way, the disciples seeking revenge could not find Jia Chuan, the Ministry of Justice issued a warrant for his arrest, and the imperial court could also seek out people from the martial arts world and offer a large reward. Such a manhunt order was enough to keep these people from moving around at will. However, Zhu Zhanji felt that this was not enough, so he directly issued an imperial decree to his second uncle: "Didn't you ask me to hand over the person you want before you would talk to me? I hereby issue an imperial decree ordering you to hand over the person, and there is a time limit. As for what will happen if the person is not handed over by the date, Zhu Zhanji did not say. This matter can be left for Zhu Gaoxu to figure out himself."

Those in the know all know how much the Emperor values ​​Jia Chuan, but only Jia Chuan knows that Zhu Zhanji does intend to protect him, but more importantly, he wants to put pressure on his second uncle.

So, one morning, Jia Chuan, along with Old Zheng, wandered around with strangers and left Beijing, eventually arriving in Xian County.

Zhao Guang, the magistrate of Xian County, was over sixty years old. His official career was already at its end, and it was already very good that he was taking office near the capital.

Zhao Guang had been in Xian County for more than three years, without any merit or demerit. His wives and concubines served him, and his children and grandchildren were all clerks in the county government back in their hometown. Although the family was not particularly wealthy and they could not usually get together, Zhao Guang was very content. Especially this year, his children and grandchildren had taken leave, and the family could have a reunion for the New Year.

Unexpectedly, a county magistrate named Song Sheng was suddenly transferred to the county. He was on good terms with the previous magistrate, and he didn't know why he was promoted so suddenly at the end of the year. If anyone should be promoted, it should be him. Although he didn't want to leave Xian County, not wanting to and not being able to are two different things, especially since the two of them were on good terms. The magistrate had kept this matter from him...

This incident greatly displeased Zhao Guang, so much so that he was very perfunctory when he met Jia Chuan, and even showed some disdain after Jia Chuan introduced this unfamiliar identity.

Identity is... who's behind you?

(End of this chapter)