Chapter 25
Chapter 25
They did not know how many spaces were still available at the inn, so Xie Chengze sent Bian Yangchun and the others into the city first and told him he would find them after securing suitable accommodations of his own.
Bian Yangchun was somewhat reluctant to part, but there was no other choice. Only after Bian Yangchun and the others entered the city did Xie Chengze have Zhu Xiaobiao present his identity tablet.
At the sight of it, the soldiers guarding the city hurried over to pay their respects. Xie Chengze waved a hand. “Tell Prefect Liang that this prince is entering the city discreetly. There is no need for fanfare.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” The soldier hurried away.
The convoy entered Jiangdu County and quietly passed through the rear gate of the prefectural yamen. Liang Wanda was already waiting there. The moment he saw Xie Chengze and Xie Zimiao alight from their carriage, he hastened forward to welcome them. “This humble official welcomes Your Highnesses, the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince! Long live Your Highnesses!”
After completing his salute, Liang Wanda stole a glance at the Second Prince.
Several days ago, he had received a private letter from Xie Chengze ordering him to arrange lodgings for the scholars. The letter had also subtly reminded him that scholars excelled at condemning people with speech and brush alike. If he drove them away or made trouble for them, one stray remark during next year’s spring imperial examination might reach His Majesty’s ears and harm Prefect Liang’s career.
Liang Wanda had originally been vexed by the scholars coming to make trouble. Now that the Second Prince had shown him a clear path, however, he did not mind earning himself a fine reputation among them. The story might even reach His Majesty during next year’s spring imperial examination and win him a reward. At the very least, it would make his name familiar.
As for the cost of renting the inns… Liang Wanda smiled darkly to himself. He had plenty of ways to recover that money.
Xie Chengze also cast Liang Wanda a glance.
Several days ago, he had sent Liang Wanda a private letter explaining the importance of treating the scholars well. To have word of his own reputation reach the emperor, Liang Wanda was bound to put on the lofty cap of a “good official.” Once he had put on the cap Xie Chengze had specially prepared for him, whether he could keep it securely on his head…
Xie Chengze smiled darkly to himself. Oh, he could hardly wait~
“Prefect Liang, you have done very well. Once the river embankment has been rebuilt and the scholars depart in high spirits, your fine name will surely spread throughout the realm. Then every official will take you as a model, His Majesty will be delighted, and perhaps he will promote you to a post at court,” Xie Chengze said, sparing no effort in painting him a magnificent future.
A post at court was the ultimate dream of every local official. Xie Chengze had indeed found Liang Wanda’s weak spot.
Perceiving the “deeper meaning” in Xie Chengze’s words, Liang Wanda dropped excitedly to his knees. “This humble official will devote himself wholly to Your Highness!”
Shen Yuan watched the entire exchange, his expression unreadable.
His guess had been correct. The present Xie Chengze had grown much cleverer. He knew how to exploit the reach and influence of scholars from across the land to fashion himself a warm, benevolent public image, and now he was using the same scheme on Liang Wanda.
If Liang Wanda were ever summoned to serve at court, he would become a powerful subordinate in Xie Chengze’s faction – one who would serve him, topple the Crown Prince, and help him rebel and seize the throne.
Except…
Shen Yuan toyed with the blue sword in his hand, flicking it once, then again, as a mocking smile curved his lips.
Given Liang Wanda’s character, how could he possibly let the scholars stay in those inns for next to nothing?
…
“What? Fifty wen for one night?” Bian Yangchun frowned at the price and asked in confusion, “Didn’t you say scholars could stay at a reduced rate?”
A place in the common sleeping hall normally cost only ten wen a night!
“Oh, sir, plenty of scholars have come to Jiangdu County these past few days. The common sleeping halls and woodsheds are full – even the stables have people sleeping in them. These two economy rooms are the cheapest we have left!” The innkeeper spread his hands helplessly. “If you’re not staying, don’t hold up the people behind you who are!”
“But…” Bian Yangchun counted the money they had among them. They did not yet know how long they would remain here, and they had spent most of their money buying grain along the road, so lodging was the only expense they could economize on. “Innkeeper, there are many of us, and we’ll be staying a long while. Do you truly have no cheaper rooms?”
“My inn is already the cheapest! If the Prefect weren’t subsidizing the cost, why would I let all of you stay here?” The innkeeper shook his head. “The city has little grain left as it is, and I even provide two flatbreads free of charge every day. I’m practically running a charity!”
Bian Yangchun could only grit his teeth and produce a hundred and fifty wen. “Very well. We’ll book three nights for now. I hope you can let us use the kitchen afterward.”
There were five of them in all. Ouyang Jiu and Gu Ying had contributed the most money, so the two of them would take the beds. Bian Yangchun, Ji Songhua, and the remaining scholar could squeeze together on pallets on the floor.
“Certainly! No problem!” The innkeeper accepted the money, then pointed them toward another opportunity. “If you’re short of money, the reconstruction of the river embankment outside the city requires plenty of stones to be hauled. Any of you with some strength can register outside the prefectural yamen and earn enough to cover your lodging.”
“Such work is available? Many thanks, innkeeper!” Bian Yangchun exclaimed in delight. He and the others then carried their bundles and sacks of rice upstairs.
Once they had settled in, Bian Yangchun told Gu Ying and Ji Songhua, “We brought so much grain that someone had better remain here to guard it against thieves. Xiaoying, you know martial arts, so don’t go haul stones. The rest of us can take turns. Brother Ji is frail, so he should rest today.”
Gu Ying and Ji Songhua nodded.
Bian Yangchun took the other two men to the prefectural yamen, where they registered the names and hometowns recorded on their travel permits. They discovered that many other scholars had also come to sign up. Because the quarry was some distance away, everyone who registered that day had to gather there at the hour of the rabbit the next morning, when soldiers would escort them to the quarry.
Thus, Bian Yangchun took the two men back to the inn.
The next day, the scholars went to the quarry. They found many prisoners there, iron shackles around their ankles, cutting stone from the mountain. Their treatment was plainly far worse than the scholars’. Even when they were too exhausted to keep chiseling, they were denied rest and whipped back to their feet.
One of the soldiers who had led them there pointed at the woven-grass baskets on the ground. “Fill every basket with stone. We leave in half an hour and wait for no one!”
They were paid according to the number of baskets they carried. Naturally, the route grew more familiar after several trips. Yet the scholars had only just completed an arduous journey and had not eaten their fill, so they gradually slowed down. No one cared. After all, they were working only for their own pay and could neither be beaten nor cursed, so the guards simply ignored them.
By the end of the day, bloody blisters had been rubbed into Bian Yangchun’s shoulders.
Gu Ying’s heart ached at the sight, and he blew gently on the wounds. “Brother Bian, don’t go back. I still have some money!”
“Xiaoying.” Bian Yangchun gave him a disapproving look. “Keep that money for yourself. If something goes wrong, you can hire a carriage and leave Jiangdu County.”
He knew what could happen in a famine-stricken land. He absolutely could not let Gu Ying stay with no means of retreat.
“Then I’ll hire myself out as a household guard and make money!” Gu Ying insisted stubbornly.
“No. Ji Songhua and the others don’t know martial arts. They cannot protect the rice and grain in the room.” Bian Yangchun rubbed Gu Ying’s head. Gu Ying was short, cheerful, and guileless, and Bian Yangchun thought of him as a younger brother. Naturally, he did not want him to suffer. “Just stay at the inn.”
Gu Ying pouted. “Fine, but don’t work yourself too hard. At worst, we can find some kind family and pay them to let us stay in their home.”
“All right.” Bian Yangchun laughed and affectionately ruffled his hair.