Di Ming

Chapter 51: Word of mouth
Jining, Shandong.

A famous canal city and a hub for water transport.

The Korean envoy Choi Pu recorded in his "Record of Drifting at Sea": "...It is a strategic fortress between the two capitals, a place where merchants gather. The density of buildings, the prosperity of markets, the abundance of goods and wealth, and the gathering of ships, although not as good as Suzhou and Hangzhou, are still the best in Shandong and are famous throughout the world."

Braving the sweltering heat of midsummer, it took Zhu Yin and the others ten whole days to follow Qi Jiguang from Dengzhou to Jining on the banks of the Grand Canal.

Of the major canal hubs in northern China, Shandong province alone accounts for four: Jining, Linqing, Dezhou, and Liaocheng.

Although Jining City did not have a customs office like Linqing, it did have the office of the River Conservancy Commissioner, making it the most important of the four cities.

The office of the River Conservancy Commissioner was located nearby.

Zhu Yin and his companions led their horses through the famous Bamboo Pole Alley along the riverbank, arriving at the most bustling town of Nanyang, which was the largest river transport wharf.

Standing on the dock, one can see a wide array of ships on the river, including multi-story ships, sailboats, covered boats, and large warships. Some are moored at the dock, while others are constantly moving about.

Along both banks of the canal, shouts, calls, drumbeats, and the neighing of horses filled the air, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

The crowds were dense.

Not only people and goods boarded and disembarked, but also livestock such as horses, mules, cattle, and sheep.

The entire port town is inhabited by people from all over the country, speaking different accents.

The Nanjing dialect with its Hongwu-era pronunciation, the Beijing dialect with its clear and resonant pronunciation, the Shandong dialect with its powerful and forceful accent, the Jiangnan dialect with its soft and gentle Wu dialect, the Henan dialect whose elegant pronunciation has been lost, the Shaanxi dialect with its strong Qinqiang flavor, the Hubei and Hunan dialect with its lively and unrestrained style, and the Cantonese with its ancient and refined charm…

Wealthy merchants adorned in fine silks and brocades, extravagant ship owners exuding a江湖 (jianghu, a world of martial arts and chivalry) air, scholars in white robes with net caps and long gowns, dignified officials taking office, and composed monks and Taoist priests.

Of course, there were also noble ladies adorned with pearls and jade, elegant female scholars on pleasure boats with red sleeves fluttering in the breeze, porters carrying loads, peddlers, and craftsmen.

There were also sailors, laborers, hired hands, and hangers-on who wore short, brown clothes and had rough hands and feet.

Many of them were employees of the canal transport gangs who made their living from the canal.

The labor force for transporting goods along the entire canal was almost entirely monopolized by various large and small shipping gangs.

Behind each of the canal transport guilds were powerful and influential figures with strong backing, representing the earliest forms of human capital. Without connections in official circles, they couldn't succeed.

To Zhu Yin and the Ning sisters, this bustling scene at the docks seemed not much different from the docks and train stations of later generations.

It seems only the clothes and hairstyle have changed.

It was midday, the sun was at its strongest, and it was lunchtime.

Whether it's a small, unassuming restaurant on the shore or a high-end restaurant with a brightly lit sign, they are all packed with people.

Whether rich or poor, noble or lowly, whether rich or poor, everyone needs to eat.

Even beggars came out in groups to beg at this time.

The entire town was filled with the aroma of food.

"Father, let's have lunch at Taibai Tower before we leave." Zhu Yin, with his hair in a bun, stood on tiptoe and pointed to Taibai Tower not far away.

That was a high-end restaurant.

"The horses had lost a lot of weight pulling the cart all the way, especially in the sweltering heat. The horse feed at the post stations along the way was all of inferior quality, and some of it was even moldy."

"What I mean is, let's stay in Nanyangji tonight and feed the horses plenty of fine feed and bean cakes. We'll take the boat tomorrow morning, since the Kong family can't catch up with us anyway."

Wearing a straw hat, Qi Jiguang nodded and said, "Alright, then we'll stay for the night. There are eight of us, plus carriages and horses, so we'll definitely need to hire a boat."

"The canal is a long and winding road, and the waters are the deepest. You can't be greedy for cheap private boats, or you'll easily encounter unlicensed vessels."

“We need to find a boat broker in Futou and rent a boat from a shipping company. Although it’s expensive, at least there’s government oversight and rules to follow, and they’ll be held responsible if anything goes wrong.”

Zhu Yin laughed and said, "Father is truly an old hand. Let's go to Futou Brokerage then."

This time, they went south as followers of Qi Jiguang.

Because Qi Jiguang had official registration and official documents from Dengzhou Prefecture, he did not need to apply for a travel permit, thus saving several hundred taels of money that would have been wasted on bribing the government.

Qi Jiguang's lung disease was almost cured, and his rheumatic legs had also improved a lot. He looked rosy-cheeked, as if he had become a few years younger, and his spirit was becoming more and more vigorous, showing signs of being old but still vigorous.

Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei were overjoyed. They had finally changed Qi Jiguang's fate. Qi Jiguang's physical and mental health improved, he survived the ordeal, and was likely destined for a long life.

The group of people led a horse-drawn carriage to the magnificent Taibai Tower.

Several ginkgo trees, believed to bring good fortune, were planted on both sides of the gate. Several ragged beggars were already sitting under them, with broken bowls in front of them.

Some bowls contained a few copper coins. Some bowls were completely empty.

Some beggars leaned against willow trees, contentedly catching lice. Once they caught one, they would grin and toss it into their mouths with a crunch.

But most of the beggars were staring longingly at the restaurant entrance, waiting for the customers inside to come out after they had eaten and drunk their fill.

Sure enough, just as Zhu Yin and the others were about to enter, two young men who looked like scholars came out.

One of them was holding several steamed buns, and before the beggars could pounce on him, he threw them out.

The beggars moved with surprising agility, like wild animals being fed. They caught the buns with practiced precision and stuffed them into their mouths without even looking.

They didn't say thank you, or even look at the giver; they just focused on the buns in their mouths.

Those who failed to grab a steamed bun glared at them fiercely, their throats bobbing.

"Brother Feibai," another scholar sneered, his expression somewhat sarcastic, "what use is this kind of womanly compassion?"

“They have hands and feet, yet they beg for a living. Aren’t they the ‘Yifu’ in the eyes of the founding emperor? Humph, if this were in the early days of the dynasty, they would have been punished.”

"Yifu?" The scholar, known as Brother Feibai, was not yet twenty years old. He was tall and imposing, with a dignified bearing.

He shook his head and said, "So what if he's a Yifu? Although the country is vast and the people are numerous, who would truly want to beg for a living?"

“Brother Guest, if this is considered womanly compassion, then you think too highly of me.”

After saying that, he took a step and left.

Zhu Yin glanced at the "Brother Feibai" and couldn't help but seem thoughtful.

Just as he was pondering this, another waiter in a blue robe and small hat came out to greet him.

Seeing the well-dressed crowd and the numerous carriages and horses, he knew they were willing to spend money, and with a sheepish smile, he greeted them:

"Gentlemen, please excuse the arduous journey in this sweltering heat!"

"Please come in quickly!"

After saying that, he called out, "Staffman!"

Two men rushed out, took the horse, and led it into the courtyard.

The restaurant is located in the front yard.

Zhu Yin helped Qi Jiguang, and Ning Caiwei carried her younger sister as they trudged upstairs, only to find the upstairs room almost full.

The group chose a private seat by the window facing the river. Just as they settled in, they heard a scholar-looking drinker at the next table loudly proclaim:

"It is said that since November of last year, His Majesty has been neglecting his duties and has not attended court intermittently. In the past six months, even the government (cabinet) has not been summoned many times."

"Tell me, is this a good omen? Is His Majesty going to follow the example of Emperor Shizong?"

"When Jiangling was in power, everyone said he was domineering. After Jiangling died, they said he was a treacherous minister and almost exhumed his body to mutilate it."

"But why has the country deteriorated even though the treacherous minister has been dead for several years? So, who is really at fault?"

"You're drunk!" a stranger at the next table kindly reminded him. "Sir, don't speak recklessly, lest you get into trouble for what you say!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a gloomy-looking man in a black shirt stood up from the corner.

As soon as he stood up, several idle men also stood up in other places.

He walked up to the drunken patron, took out an ebony ivory tablet, and said in a gentle, low voice:
"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is investigating a case. I would be grateful if you would come with me."

(End of this chapter)