Chapter 509: Examining Accounts |
Jin Zhu left, having eaten the sizzling mutton noodles completely clean without leaving even a mouthful of soup.
Sitting in a corner of Bianyi Workshop, Chen Ji took out the two boxes Jin Zhu had given him from his robes and opened them. Inside were impressively two glistening green jadeite archer's thumb rings. The inner ring of one of them was engraved with a longevity peach, while the inner ring of the other was engraved with a Bodhisattva.
Presumably, they were all birthday gifts from Jing Dynasty meritorious nobles for Yuan Cheng's mother.
He recalled the word "friends" that Jin Zhu had spoken, not knowing how many parts of this word were true, and how many parts were false. As for the Heirloom Seal of the Realm the other party spoke of, it didn't have much to do with him. By the time Mister Feng found the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, he himself would likely have already flown far away, right?
Chen Ji's gaze swept across the main hall; he didn't see Aunt Ping's figure.
He wanted to wave his hand, calling the waiter over to ask if Aunt Ping was here, but just as his hand lifted, he hesitated and put it back down again.
Regarding this trip to escort Princess Liyang back to the Jing Dynasty, according to Chen Ji's plan, they originally should have killed Official Gui first, and then baited out Official Ding. But now Official Gui's whereabouts were unknown, while Official Ding still held back their troops without moving.
Chen Ji came to Bianyi Workshop today wanting to ask Aunt Ping if there were any other methods to bait Official Ding out, where Official Gui went, and whether he would still return. But upon recalling how Aunt Ping's clothes had been soaked in blood from her abdomen that day, he dropped the idea.
Dealing with the Military Intelligence Division meant a Narrow Escape. Aunt Ping had already helped him twice; he truly shouldn't let the other party risk herself again.
At this time, a waiter with sharp eyes leaned over the moment he raised his hand, asking: "What else does the guest wish to eat?"
Chen Ji deliberated for a moment: "I'm not eating anymore. Bill."
The waiter answered with a smile: "Two bowls of sizzling mutton noodles. The total cost is fifty-six wen."
Chen Ji took out a piece of broken silver from his sleeve. The waiter took the broken silver to the counter, where the manager lifted a small scale to weigh it. Then, he counted out forty-two wen from the counter and handed it to the waiter.
The waiter pulled out a piece of hemp rope from behind the counter, strung up the forty-two wen, and returned it to Chen Ji: "Guest, please mind your money well."
Chen Ji got up and walked out of Bianyi Workshop. The midday sunlight shone so brightly it made people unable to open their eyes.
He walked alone along Chang'an Street toward Right Prefecture Street. Just as he reached the small Alley at the Chen Estate's side gate, he instead saw Chen Xu clad in a black Daoist robe, waiting before the gate.
Chen Ji said in bewilderment: "Steward Chen is waiting for me?"
Chen Xu tucked his hands into his sleeves, bowing slightly in greeting: "Young Master, this lowly one is waiting here to remind you: you no longer need to walk through the side gate from now on. You may enter and exit through the main gate."
Chen Ji suddenly understood: "So it was this matter. However, I am still currently a Concubine's Son, and have also gotten used to walking through the side gate. It's also closer to Ginkgo Garden."
Chen Xu said with a smile: "The Young Master entering the genealogy register and becoming an Adopted Heir is a matter of time. It's just that the family needs to invite the clan elders from Lu Province to the capital to host this matter, which is why it has been delayed for some days. The officials and nobles in the capital have sharp ears and bright eyes, always keeping an eye on the family affairs of others. The Young Master walking through the main gate can also be considered setting the record straight, and others will respect you more as well... Of course, since the Young Master has become a young master, which gate you wish to walk through is also up to the Young Master yourself to decide."
Chen Ji pondered for a moment: "I'll still walk through the side gate."
Chen Xu didn't try to persuade him further: "Then this lowly one will lead you to take a look at the Diligent Administrator's Garden."
The side gate opened, and Chen Xu walked inside shoulder to shoulder with Chen Ji.
In the past days, when maids and servants saw him, at most they would just nod in greeting and then brush past each other. Now, they stood by the side of the path; the maids performed a Ten Thousand Blessings Greeting, while the servants bent at the waist and bowed, respectfully calling out "Young Master".
Chen Xu looked at the Green Bamboo Courtyard where Chen Liqin had previously resided: "Does the Young Master know? The Chen Family was originally not this large. There was no Humble Administrator's Garden and no Diligent Administrator's Garden either. The Chen Family on Right Prefecture Street originally was only this single small overhanging building. In the eleventh year of the Taihe era, the family's fortunes declined, and they were even forced to sell it to someone else. After that, our ancestors returned to Lu Province to concentrate on scholarship, until the family's younger generation, Chen Zhongzi—blessed by heaven with outstanding talent—fought his way back to the capital. Only then was it bought back from the hands of others again. By the time the Chen Family bought back this overhanging building, forty-seven springs and autumns had passed, and it had changed nine owners."
Chen Xu did not stop at the Green Bamboo Courtyard. Instead, walking along the small path, he smiled and looked at Chen Ji: "Afterwards, our Chen Family's neighbors on Right Prefecture Street left this arena of fame and wealth in the capital one by one, and the Chen Family then bought down their mansions one by one. Going through one hundred and forty-two years, it finally became its present appearance. According to the Master's words, the Chen Family has already died eight times. Every single time it rose from the dead, it was the greatest fortune among fortunes, hard-won and not easily come by."
At this time, he walked to the Distant Fragrance Hall which the Chen Family's second branch had formerly used for discussing affairs: "This Distant Fragrance Hall was originally the main building in the mansion of a certain Minister of Personnel. Does the Young Master know how it ended up in the hands of my Chen Family?"
Chen Ji casually said: "I am willing to hear the details."
Chen Xu pointed at the Distant Fragrance Hall: "That Minister of Personnel conducted himself prudently. He once had a famous saying: 'Three Do-Not-Moves.' The so-called 'Three Do-Not-Moves' was: do not move against those of the third rank and above, do not move against the censorial officials, and do not move against scholars from poor families. This person acted extremely steadily, neither showing joy nor anger. People gave him the nickname 'Capital Buddha'. Young Master, do you know how such a prudent Minister and Grand Secretary eventually fell from power? Speaking of which, it was also unlucky. He was already advanced in years at that time, and his son was filial, so he secretly bought five hundred terracotta figures used for imperial burials, wanting to use them when holding his funeral. As a result, he was slapped with the crime of plotting rebellion, leading to Property Confiscation and family extermination."
Chen Ji was momentarily speechless.
Chen Xu said with a smile: "Does the Young Master think this lowly one is about to say his son was stupid and dull? No, buying terracotta figures for imperial burials wasn't any major matter. It was that this Minister of Personnel did not see clearly who his opponents were. Because he handled matters too steadily, to avoid leaving behind gossip for the people of the world, even when toppling political enemies, he didn't pull up the grass by its roots. Ultimately, he was attacked by his political enemies. The reason why the Master values the Young Master isn't merely because the Young Master is resourceful and full of stratagems, able to repeatedly turn danger into safety, but also because the Young Master is ruthless enough, cutting the weeds and digging up the roots in every single matter."
Standing before the Distant Fragrance Hall, Chen Xu sighed with emotion: "The Master has said before: only by having guts can one be ruthless. Many people think having guts means daring to place oneself in a deadly situation. In truth, it should be daring to place the opponent in a deadly situation. In the casual writings of our ancestor Chen Zhongzi, it was once written: when our Chen Family bought down this mansion, passersby hurried past without anyone stopping. That plaque in the home, personally inscribed by the Emperor with 'Upright and Honest', had been stomped to pieces by the Trouble-Resolving Guard, while several wild dogs fought over food in the hall. It causes one to sigh endlessly."
Chen Ji remained impassive: "Steward Chen brought me here just to say this?"
Chen Xu smiled: "Seeing the Young Master today is only for three matters. First, from now on the Young Master may walk through the main gate. The clan elders will arrive in Capital City within three months; when the time comes, being entered into the genealogy register is merely going through the motions, so the Young Master need not worry. Second, speaking of our Chen Family's old matters with the Young Master is for you to understand: although the matters the Young Master did previously ran contrary to the Chen Family's interests, the Master did not take them to heart. Third, presenting the Young Master with a gift. The Young Master will be able to see it upon returning to Ginkgo Garden. Farewell."
Looking at Chen Xu's remote figure walking away, Chen Ji suspiciously turned back toward Ginkgo Garden.
Upon arriving before the gate of Ginkgo Garden, he rubbed his cheeks; only then did he push the gate and enter: "Xiaoman..."
Before his words were finished, however, he blanked out on the spot.
He only saw a row of middle-aged men kneeling in the courtyard, each wearing silk and satin. Sitting on the stone stool out in front of these men, Xiaoman was currently speaking arrogantly and bossing them around: "Where were you all earlier! Only now do you know to come look for the Young Master... Ah! The Young Master is back!"
Xiaoman hurriedly stood up, acting guilty as she squeezed her way into the side room: "Young Master, I'll go boil hot water for you."
"Come back."
Xiaoman stood still. Facing away from Chen Ji, she belatedly didn't dare to turn around.
Chen Ji said crossly: "What is going on here?"
Lowering her head and staring at her toes, Xiaoman slowly spun her body around. Pointing to a middle-aged man with a goatee, she said: "This is the manager of the Gufu Pavilion."
She pointed to another person: "This is the steward of the Changping farming estate."
Pointing to yet another person: "This is the manager of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion..."
The Gufu Pavilion outside the East Brilliance Gate, Yujing Courtyard in the Eight Great Hutongs, the Changping farming estate, Chen's grain and oil shop, the silk and satin shop outside the Drum Tower, as well as the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion that Madam Liang had initially promised to give him—all the managers had arrived, kneeling in neat rows.
Chen Ji looked at Xiaoman: "Why are they all kneeling?"
Xiaoman hurriedly said: "It wasn't me who made them kneel! It was Chen Xu who made them come and kneel. The moment they entered the gate, they knelt with a thud, giving me quite a big fright. Little Monk, tell me, is it true or not!"
Standing to the side, the Little Monk chanted an Amitabha: "Yes. But when they wanted to stand up, Miss Xiaoman forbade them from getting up."
Pinching the flesh on his waist, Xiaoman gritted her teeth: "Did I let you say so much?"
She looked at Chen Ji: "Young Master, those years, these people were all despicable scoundrels who helped Madam Liang forcefully occupy your properties! If Chen Xu hadn't spoken up, they still wouldn't be willing to come see you. We absolutely cannot lightly pardon them!"
At this time, the manager of Gufu Pavilion lifted up the chest in front of him and crawled forward on his knees: "Young Master, this lowly one has brought the Gufu Pavilion's Account Books. I ask you to inspect and verify them."
Chen Ji stepped past him and sat down on the stone stool in the courtyard: "Stand up to speak; there is no need to keep kneeling."
The several managers were Looking at One Another in dismay. For a moment, they didn't know whether Chen Ji was speaking the truth or falsehoods, stealthily casting their gazes toward Xiaoman.
Xiaoman said angrily: "The Young Master has already let you up, so why are you looking at me? Are you trying to frame me!?"
The managers hurriedly stood up.
Chen Ji casually asked: "What did Chen Xu say to you?"
The managers answered hastily: "Chief Steward Chen had people pass word to us that from now on, the Chen Family is your Chen Family."
Chen Ji was startled: "Just that simple?"
The managers lowered their heads and remained silent.
Chen Ji pointed to the Gufu Pavilion's manager and asked: "How much silver has Gufu Pavilion earned these past few years? How much silver is still left in the accounts?"
The manager of Gufu Pavilion showed a bitter expression: "Replying to the patron's words, Gufu Pavilion has continually been in a slump all these years. We originally didn't earn much silver."
Chen Ji slightly frowned.
Putting her hands on her hips, Xiaoman shouted in a low voice: "Spouting nonsense! With Gufu Pavilion's business being so good, how could it not have earned much silver?"
The manager poured out his grievances: "There is something You are unaware of. Gufu Pavilion's business was originally good, but the accounts from those years had long since been drawn away by Madam... Madam Liang. Later, Bianyi Workshop opened on Checkerboard Street, and doing business became bad for the other wine shops and restaurants in the inner city. The business was completely sucked away by them. If you don't believe it, You can take a look at Gufu Pavilion later. Besides a few familiar patrons, the rest have all gone to Bianyi Workshop."
Chen Ji was dumbfounded; he didn't expect the business had actually been snatched away by Aunt Ping and the others.
The steward of the Changping farming estate said: "In this lowly one's farming estate over here, there is indeed some surplus every year: about one thousand two hundred taels of silver. It's just that last year's was also drawn away by Madam Liang."
Chen Ji looked at the manager of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion: "Heavenly Treasure Pavilion should be making money, right?"
The manager of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion hurriedly said: "Young Master, our Heavenly Treasure Pavilion does make money. But after Madam Liang promised to give Heavenly Treasure Pavilion to You, every month she would draw away all the silver in the accounts. Right now, our Heavenly Treasure Pavilion doesn't even have the silver to restock inventory, and we still haven't paid the silver we owe the great artisans in the palace. Today I came wishing to ask the Young Master to disburse some silver into our accounts..."
Chen Ji's expression turned dark: "How much do you need?"
The manager of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion quietly sized up his complexion: "Five thousand taels... Three thousand taels will be enough for turnover first."
Chen Ji sighed softly. This Madam Liang truly left some stumbling blocks for him even as she left.
He looked at all the managers: "Are all of you like this?"
The managers nodded one after another.
Chen Ji was silent in thought. The restaurant, farming estate, silk and satin shop, grain and oil shop, jewelry shop... He wasn't interested in any of them. The silver being drawn away was already an established conclusion; presumably Chen Liqin had taken it all to Jinling, and it would be very difficult to get it back.
"Wait," Xiaoman suddenly turned her head to look at Chen Ji: "Young Master, we're still missing one person. Madam Liang had originally promised to give You the Baoxiang Bookstore too, but the bookstore's manager didn't come today."
Chen Ji's heart stirred: "Why didn't he come?"
The manager of Gufu Pavilion quietly mumbled by the side: "Over there, he hasn't had his silver drawn away. But these past few years, he also hasn't earned much silver. He was squeezed out by Wenyuan Bookstore to the point he can't go on anymore early on. Presumably he thought he didn't need to come, and can just wait to be swept out the door, and that'll be that."
(End of this chapter)