Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 397 Public Capital
Seeing that Meng Haoran was a little nervous, Zhang Dai immediately smiled and said, "It's alright. If Master Zhao's visit is on official business, my grandfather has been serving in the southern province for several days, so he can speak directly. If it is a private matter, I am just a young apprentice in the family, and I have no way to respond."

Upon hearing this, Meng Haoran felt somewhat relieved. He didn't believe that the wealthy Zhao had come specifically to visit Zhang Dai.

After all, two generations of the Zhang family were still active in the political arena. Zhang Dai, as the third generation of his family, even though he was talented and had a high reputation, was probably not qualified to step forward and take over the reins of power.

However, Zhang Dai's casual refusal of such a high-ranking official's visit also shows the confidence and straightforwardness of a young master from a prominent family. He would rather entertain a nobody like himself than associate with a high-ranking official.

In this respect, Zhang Dai was more unrestrained and spontaneous than his uncle Zhang Ji.

Meng Haoran had often visited the tutelage of that Zhang Qing recently. At first, he thought that Zhang Qing was generous in entertaining guests and respected scholars. However, after visiting him more often, he realized that Zhang Ji claimed to love scholars but was actually just seeking fame. He did not treat scholars based on their talent but rather on their power and influence.

While he was still pondering this, the Zhang family servant returned and said to Zhang Dai, "That Master Zhao asked me to tell Sixth Master that he can visit anytime soon, whenever Sixth Master has free time. Or, whenever Sixth Master is on duty, he can come to the office to inquire."

Upon hearing this, Meng Haoran's expression changed again. He had just thought that Zhao Buwei was here to visit Lord Zhang, but now it seemed that he was indeed here to visit Zhang Dai, and his attitude was extremely courteous.

However, Zhang Dai's next answer surprised him even more.

Hearing that Zhao Buwei was still somewhat persistent, Zhang Dai frowned and said, "Go and tell that Mr. Zhao that the reason the court established hundreds of departments to appoint hundreds of officials is so that each has their own duties and specializations. I am neither his superior in charge of selecting officials nor a censor, and he has no need to complain to me about his duties. I am handling cases in office and entertaining relatives and friends at home. Please ask him not to bother me anymore."

Zhang Dai wasn't very familiar with this Assistant Minister of Personnel, so the man's eagerness to see him was probably because the other party had come to find out what he was thinking about the game he had played with the other scholars the day before.

What happened the other day might seem like nothing more than a literary game to ordinary people, but to those with ulterior motives, it was an opportunity to thoroughly clean up the selection process. The imperial examinations, which the court had invested considerable resources in, had produced a group of scholars who were repeatedly humiliated in Qujiang. What kind of nonsense was this?

If no one investigates, the matter will simply pass; but if someone does, the Ministry of Personnel will have to identify someone responsible. And the Assistant Minister of Personnel, as the chief examiner of the provincial examinations, will undoubtedly be held accountable.

Zhang Dai was forced into this situation by the onlookers, so he didn't have time to think things through. As for whether his grandfather would use this opportunity to seize a number of powerful positions, the grandfather and grandson haven't had time to discuss it yet.

Zhao Buwei succeeded Yan Tingzhi as the Assistant Minister of Personnel Examination after Yan's promotion. He presided over the imperial examinations in the sixteenth and seventeenth years of the Kaiyuan era, but failed to select any outstanding talents. Therefore, his removal from the position this time was not entirely unjust.

After dismissing the gatekeeper, he turned to Meng Haoran and saw that Meng Haoran's eyes were somewhat vacant, so he asked, "Is there something wrong, Master Meng?"

"None, none".

Meng Haoran only came to his senses after hearing the question. He hurriedly raised his teacup and took a small sip to cover his embarrassment. Then he carefully said, "Sixth Master is in charge of the music department and also serves as a court musician. He has many duties and often has people who come to visit him because of his reputation. He must be very busy with both public and private matters. Even the selection department cannot see him. I am fortunate to be seated here today."

"If you say that, then you're being too polite. While my duties are certainly busy, since I'm at home in leisure, this so-called busyness is merely an excuse to avoid seeing people. I recently asked you to visit some famous tea-producing areas south of the mountain, and you've gone to great lengths for that; I haven't even had a chance to thank you yet. Now that you've finally come to visit, how can I allow idlers to disturb me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai smiled and said...

Upon hearing this, Meng Haoran felt even more ashamed. Since arriving in Chang'an, he had also become somewhat tainted by snobbishness and rarely visited the provincial examinations. Instead, he frequently visited the home of Zhang Qing, the Commandant of the Imperial Guards, hoping to gain some assistance in the provincial examinations.

But now it seems he may have chosen the wrong temple. While the residence of Zhang Qing, the Commandant of the Imperial Guard, is filled with wealthy and noble guests, few hold positions of power. Conversely, at the Zhang family's residence, the imperial examination examiners, eager to be seen, were refused entry by Zhang Lang.

Zhang Dai originally wanted to discuss poetry and prose with Meng Haoran, but seeing that he had become somewhat silent, he guessed that the visit of the examiner had stirred up his sorrow again.

After a moment's thought, he smiled and asked Meng Haoran, "Master Meng, do you have any important plans for your trip abroad?"

Upon hearing this question, Meng Haoran sighed and said, "Having failed the imperial examinations repeatedly and feeling disheartened, I have no important plans and intend to travel around aimlessly."

“Since there’s nothing urgent, would you be willing to stay in the capital for another year or so? I have some matters to attend to, and I’m not sure who to entrust them to…”

Upon hearing that Meng Haoran had no serious business and was planning to become a street urchin, Zhang Dai immediately brought up his own idea of ​​building a tea plantation. There wasn't much to be done in the southern suburbs of Beijing, so Zhang Dai wanted to broaden his search. However, he didn't have much time to travel around Guanzhong, so he wanted to ask Meng Haoran for help in selecting tea plantations. Moreover, Meng Haoran was from Shannan, and his family already ran a tea plantation; having him stay and help with the establishment of the plantation would naturally make things much easier.

Meng Haoran came to the capital seeking fame and fortune, but he repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. Chang'an was a place of profound humiliation and heartbreak for him, and he didn't want to stay a moment longer. Especially since Zhang Dai's attempts to persuade him to stay offered no good suggestions; if he wanted to grow tea, he should go back to Shannan to do so!

But after listening to Zhang Dai's words, he nodded in agreement as if possessed: "Sixth Brother has given me much encouragement, but unfortunately I have not been able to fulfill his wishes. Since you still do not mind my idle and useless state, I will certainly handle matters properly for Sixth Brother!"

Hearing Meng Haoran agree, Zhang Dai was overjoyed. He immediately instructed his family to prepare food and wine to welcome Meng Haoran to join them. However, Meng Haoran had already planned to leave the capital and had even hired a camel caravan. Now that he was not leaving, some arrangements still needed to be made. Therefore, Zhang Dai politely declined and agreed to meet again in the evening.

Zhang Dai escorted Meng Haoran to the door of his house and arranged for two servants to follow him to carry Meng Haoran's luggage from the inn to his home.

He had just returned home when his servant announced that another guest had arrived—Chen Dong, the foreman who had helped build his mansion.

"Rokuro, something unexpected has happened..."

Chen Dong looked somewhat haggard and flustered. After being led to Zhang Dai, he quickly bowed his head and said, "Last night, the workers were arrested by the Imperial Guards and have not been released yet. I really don't know where to turn for help, so I can only come to you, Sixth Brother..."

Why did the Imperial Guards arrest them?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai immediately frowned, even subconsciously suspecting that these people might be suffering because of his troublesome constitution, and that they were being harassed for building his house.

Chen Dong said with a bitter expression, "This humble official doesn't know for sure either. I only heard from the village head that it seems to be a matter of public office..."

"Public funds? Weren't they all discontinued years ago?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai was also somewhat confused and asked with a puzzled expression.

The so-called "public office capital" was government-run usury. Each department of the court set up its own capital, and the officials in charge of collecting money used this capital for business or lending to collect interest, which was then used to pay officials' salaries and food.

The public funds were mainly used for lending to wealthy merchants, which was a form of exploitation of the merchant class. The artisans, on the other hand, were soldiers on long marches, and their families were registered in the prefectures and counties, so they were not targets for public funds lending.

More importantly, the public office was so inconvenient because it was a nuisance that it was abolished as early as the tenth year of the Kaiyuan era. Why is the Jinwu Guard arresting those Long March soldiers who were on leave and returning home because of this?

Chen Dong was vague about this, only saying somewhat nervously, "Yesterday, the workers were about to go to work when suddenly the Imperial Guards entered the neighborhood and arrested them. I ran around inquiring everywhere but couldn't find out what happened. This morning, the village head came into the neighborhood again to collect outstanding debts. I was afraid I would be arrested myself, so I didn't dare to go in and ask for details. I could only come to tell Liu Lang..."

The workers have already benefited greatly, and should not be disturbed further by this matter. If Sixth Master has no time to inquire, I dare not bother you further. However, I do not know when this matter will be completed. To ensure the project's timely completion, we must choose other craftsmen. The reward money paid earlier can only be returned later.

"These are minor matters. Let's find out why these people committed the crime before making any plans. Where do they live? Take me there first."

Seeing his worried expression, Zhang Dai waved his hand and said.

He didn't take full responsibility for the matter, but was simply curious about the details.

At least these people had worked diligently and conscientiously for days, which left Zhang Dai with a good impression of them, and he didn't believe they would commit crimes. If it wasn't too complicated, he might as well lend a hand.

Upon hearing this, Chen Dong was overjoyed and immediately bowed before Zhang Dai, repeatedly kowtowing and saying, "Sixth Brother is truly unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness! My disciples have already received a great debt of gratitude, and if we are saved again this time, we will do our utmost to repay your kindness!"

(End of this chapter)