White-robed Minister

Chapter 139 0137 [Xu Sanlang Destroys the Treacherous Minister with a Single Move]

I don't know whether to be glad or unlucky, but the first snow in Yingtian Prefecture came very late this year.

There was naturally enough time to carry out the projects in the prefectural city and various counties.

But a timely snowfall promises a good harvest; if there isn't enough snow this year, next year's wheat harvest could be in serious trouble.

Xu Lai felt that the renovation of the prefectural city was on track, so he personally inspected the counties under its jurisdiction. After inspecting the four counties along the river, he traveled by carriage to Yucheng County, which had the most aristocratic families.

"Is it all fixed?"

Upon arriving outside the county town, Xu Lai found that no one was repairing the city walls; only some laborers were dredging the moat.

Xu Lai was quite curious about this, so he led the technicians around the city to observe and found that there were indeed traces of repairs.

Their group was wandering around aimlessly and had long been spotted by the county's archers. Before long, Magistrate Wang Chunzhong led his officials to the city gates to pay their respects to Xu Lai.

After exchanging greetings, Xu Lai asked, "Has the county seat of Yucheng been renovated?"

Wang Chunzhong said, "The work was completed two days ago, and we are just waiting for the judge to sign off and send someone to inspect it. The moat is still being dredged, and it will be completed in the next few days."

.

"How much did it cost?" Xu Lai asked.

Wang Chunzhong said, "Including the dredging of the city moat, the total cost was over two hundred strings of cash and over three hundred bushels of rice and wheat. The city walls of this county are still in good condition, and there are not many places that need repair. According to the government's decree, all the laborers have been given enough food this time."

"The official residence hasn't been repaired?" Xu Lai asked again.

Wang Chunzhong said, "There is no need for repairs. Although the official residence is dilapidated, it does not affect office operations."

Xu Lai's original intention was to quickly use the surplus money and grain from each county to do some proper work, so as to prevent it from being wasted by officials in the future. However, the county magistrate in front of him said that the old and worn-out official documents would not affect the office work.

Neither side wanted to waste money and supplies, but they were clearly not on the same page.

Xu Lai continued his inspection around the city wall, while Wang Chunzhong explained what problems existed in a certain area, how they were repaired, and how many laborers and materials were used.

He spoke very logically and eloquently.

Xu Lai already had considerable knowledge of city wall construction, and upon hearing this, he knew that this man was a capable and efficient official. He was quick and cost-effective in his work.

Xu Lai couldn't help but ask, "In which year did Magistrate Wang become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)?"

"The fifth year of the Huangyou reign," Wang Chunzhong replied.

A Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) from the fifth year of the Huangyou reign (1495) would indeed be suited for a position as a county magistrate in the capital if he were to be promoted rapidly. Two of the seven county magistrates previously punished were Jinshi from the fifth year of the Huangyou reign.

Xu Lai then asked, "The top three?"

"Second-class," Wang Chunzhong said.

In the fifth year of the Huangyou reign, the Jinshi degree had not yet lost its value. How could someone who had achieved the second rank still be serving as a county magistrate? Was he just there to gain experience in governing a local area?

Seemingly sensing Xu Lai's confusion, Wang Chunzhong explained, "During my second term as an official, I was in mourning for my father. After the mourning period ended, my three brothers and I returned to the capital to await the imperial appointment. However, my two elder brothers and my wife passed away one after another. I was overwhelmed with grief and returned to my hometown to live for four years."

Well, this is bad luck.

He had just finished mourning his father when his wife and two older brothers died. Unable to bear the blow, he even resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown to live a secluded life.

"Please accept my condolences," Xu Lai could only offer words of comfort.

Wang Chunzhong bowed in thanks and led Xu back to the county government office, saying as they walked, "Last year when I was serving as an official in the capital, I had long admired Judge Xu's reputation. This time when I left the capital, Cai Hanlin (Cai Kang) earnestly instructed me to cooperate with Judge Xu in his administration."

This is him introducing himself; he was recommended by Cai Kang.

Cai Kang and Yu Jing had an excellent relationship, so Wang Chunzhong and Xu Lai could get close to each other.

In fact, Wang Chunzhong was able to be promoted to a high-ranking official in Beijing because of the recommendation of Cai Kang's younger brother, Cai Ting.

When Cai Ting was reforming the salt laws and cracking down on smuggled salt in Qianzhou, Wang Chunzhong happened to be the magistrate of Ruijin County. Because of his skillful methods and decisive actions, Wang Chunzhong was noticed by Cai Ting at first glance, who recommended him to go to the capital and he was granted a position in the Imperial Academy.

Xu Lai continued to ask questions and learned that he had killed salt bandits in Ruijin, which immediately gave them more common topics to discuss.

Everyone has killed salt bandits, right?

Upon arriving at the county government office, Wang Chunzhong dismissed the officials and led Xu to the inner hall to continue their conversation.

Xu Lai inquired in detail about the process of repairing the city wall, and Wang Chunzhong recounted everything from recruiting laborers and purchasing materials to supervising the construction.

"Will the local prominent families be of no concern?" Xu Lai asked again.

Wang Chunzhong laughed and said, "A few years ago, if it weren't for my friends' repeated persuasion, I wouldn't even want to continue as an official. Why would I be afraid of offending the local powerful families? Besides, with Judge Xu's thunderous methods as a deterrent, and with Cai Hanlin's recommendation (Cai Kang is from Songcheng in Yingtian Prefecture), the local big families have to give me some face."

"Haha, a towering cliff stands firm because it is free from desires." Xu Lai couldn't help but laugh.

A county magistrate who no longer wanted to be an official because too many of his relatives had died was certainly not afraid of offending the local bullies.

At worst, I'll just go home and become a landlord!

The two continued their enthusiastic and close exchange of views on how to govern the local powerful clans. Xu Lai was mainly seeking advice, as Wang Chunzhong had more experience.

As evening approached, Xu Lai was invited to dinner by Wang Chunzhong, while his entourage ate and stayed at the guesthouse.

Wang Chunzhong took Xu Lai to the back of the county government office and introduced him to his second wife, Yu, and his fourth son (he also had three other sons who were being raised in his hometown).

His second wife is his deceased wife's younger sister, who has just been diagnosed with pregnancy.

Upon hearing that his wife, Yu, was pregnant, Xu Lai smiled and cupped his hands in congratulations, saying, "Wishing you and your wife a speedy arrival of a son."

If Xu Lai's words come true, then Qin Hui will not exist in this timeline.

Wang Chunzhong was Qin Hui's maternal grandfather, and the child in Yu's womb should have been Qin Hui's biological mother!

Because Xu Lai ousted seven county magistrates in Yingtian Prefecture, Wang Chunzhong was transferred to take over as the magistrate of Yucheng County. As a result, Lady Yu did not conceive in the capital, but instead came to Yucheng County to become pregnant.

The sperm that swam in has changed; will Qin Hui's mother still be able to give birth? Maybe she'll give birth to a son this time.

Xu Sanlang, without anyone noticing, eliminated the treacherous minister of all time.

Such terrifying strength!

Qin Hui's fourth uncle, who was only two or three years old, stood timidly beside Madam Yu, looking at Xu Lai.

Xu Lai suddenly remembered his niece, Dou Niang.

He wanted Dou Niang to learn to read and write, so when Bu Chao left Qingyuan, he took Dou Niang to the Yu family to be raised. Now she plays with Pian Pian all day long. It's like he found Pian Pian a little follower.

I wonder what Pianpian and Dou Niang are doing right now? Maybe they're playing a game.

My residence in the countryside of Shaozhou.

Pianpian sat in her boudoir reading a letter, while Dou Niang stood beside her, peeking at her.

The damsel thought to herself: "It's been years since we last met, and I miss you terribly." — I recognize these words, but what does "years" mean?

"Don't peek!"

She turned away gracefully, her back to the dragonfly.

The damselfly asked, "Auntie, what does 'a separation of many years' mean?"

Since they weren't engaged yet, Dou Niang couldn't call her anything casually, so she simply referred to her as Aunt.

"It means it's been a long time since we last met," Pianpian explained earnestly. "It doesn't mean separation or parting. 'Jing' means 'passing through,' so 'Jingnian' means a year has passed, or it can mean many years have passed."

"Oh, I see," Dou Niang suddenly realized, "Uncle said he hasn't seen you in a long time and he misses you terribly."

Pianpian blushed and warned, "You are not allowed to tell anyone what's written in the letter."

The damselfly nodded emphatically: "Yes, I know. I'll be very obedient."

Pianpian turned her back to the damsel and finished reading the letter. She couldn't help but look at it again before carefully putting it away and saying, "Come on, I'll take you to eat sweet rice cakes."

"Time for sweet rice cakes!" Dou Niang followed behind Pian Pian, jumping and cheering with joy.

Pianpian's personal maidservant also hurriedly followed. This maidservant was replaced after Yu'er left.

In winter, a layer of cattail mats is laid on the stone benches in the garden.

Pianpian sat on the cushion, watching the dragonflies happily eat pastries, while she herself carefully calculated the date.

There are still more than nine months until the mourning period is over.

Several family members are getting married: her third brother, fifth sister, eldest nephew, and second nephew are all waiting in line to get married after the mourning period.

She would need to get engaged first, and then Xu would return to Beijing to report for duty and ask for leave before they could go back to Guangdong to get married.

Sigh, I'm afraid we'll have to wait another year.

Pianpian wondered: What are Sanlang and Yu'er doing right now?

After sitting in the garden for a while, Dou Niang finished her sweet rice cake. Pian Pian then arranged for her to wash her hands and practice calligraphy, while she herself unfolded a piece of paper to reply to Xu Lai's letter.

Dou Niang practiced her writing stroke by stroke, seemingly very serious, but actually she was secretly watching Pian Pian. She wanted to know what she was writing to her third uncle.

After a long silence, the little girl finally couldn't help but ask, "Auntie, may I write a letter to my third uncle?"

"Sure. If you don't know a word, just leave it blank, and I'll fill it in for you later," Pianpian said with a smile.

Dou Niang immediately became excited, picked up a blank sheet of calligraphy practice paper, and began to write a letter with a serious expression: "Third Uncle, I am Dou Niang. Hmm, what should I write next?"

Dou Niang had peeked at the letters several times. Xu Lai often wrote "seeing the letter is like meeting you in person," a phrase that would not have been used in correspondence during the Song Dynasty.

Dou Niang also imitated Xu Lai's writing: "Seeing your words is like seeing you in person. Years have passed since we parted, and I miss you dearly—yes, I need to use these words; I just learned them. I miss you dearly—what comes after 'I miss you dearly'?"

She turned her head to look again, wanting to know what Pianpian was writing, so that she could learn to write like that.

At this very moment, Pianpian is racking her brains to write a poem, intending to send it to her lover.

Two girls, one older and one younger, sat there writing letters for a long time, and they still hadn't finished writing them by dinnertime.

As she was leaving the house, Pianpian leaned closer and asked, "What did you write?"

"You can't look!" the damselfly quickly covered her eyes.

Pianpian forcefully pried her little hands open and burst into laughter: "Why did you only write two sentences? If you miss me so much after you finish writing, write about what you usually do. For example, studying hard, practicing calligraphy diligently. Also, what games you played, and what friends you made."

Bean Girl exclaimed in surprise, "You can write about playing games?"

"Of course, you can write whatever you want," Pianpian said.

The damselfly suddenly realized that writing a letter was so simple.

The two went to eat hand in hand.

In large families during the Song Dynasty, if the number of people was small, they would eat at the same table. If the number of people was large, they would eat separately, but they had to see their elders before eating separately.

Soon the whole family gathered in the dining room, with Madam Lin sitting alone at the head of the table, and the others standing according to seniority and age.

The younger generation paid their respects and offered their greetings first. Then, Madam Lin raised her chopsticks to signal the start of the meal.

Yu Zhongxun, along with his wife and children, bid farewell to everyone and returned to his courtyard for a meal.

The remaining unmarried younger generation stayed to dine with Madam Lin.

In this era where the classics are interpreted through our own lens, even the rule of "not speaking while eating" has a new interpretation among the Song people: it doesn't mean you can't talk while eating, but rather that you shouldn't talk with food in your mouth.

Yu Shuying picked up his chopsticks and said, "Second Brother received a letter from a friend today. Xu Sanlang has done something big in Yingtian Prefecture!"

"What's the big deal?" Pianpian asked hurriedly.

Yu Shuying said, "He investigated a case and demoted seven officials in the capital to the rank of selected officials, and suspended them all from their posts pending vacancy. He also caused fourteen other selected officials to be dismissed from their posts. Many clerks were exiled or imprisoned!"

The elegant fifth sister's eyes widened: "Xu Sanlang is so fierce!"

"He's not fierce at all; those are definitely corrupt officials," Pianpian immediately retorted.

Yu Shuying nodded and said, "They are indeed all corrupt officials."

Madam Lin praised, "Your father made the right choice; he has taken on a fine disciple."

Pianpian and Dou Niang exchanged a glance, both looking extremely proud.