Chapter 522: Zhang Hui |
Wenyuan Bookstore's rear courtyard was much larger than imagined.
Close by were more than ten desks. Placed on the desks were the four treasures of the study (writing implements). In the distance were dozens of craftsmen sitting in the corners, carving the Pearwood Carved Blocks in their respective hands.
Qi Zhaoning was right next to Lin Chaojing, less than half a step's distance away. Waiting for Chen Ji's gaze to sweep over, she then slightly raised her chin to meet Chen Ji's gaze.
But Chen Ji's gaze did not stay on Qi Zhaoning's body. Instead, it swept across everyone in the rear courtyard, attempting to rapidly memorize every face.
He faintly had a guess. Today there would definitely be many Military Intelligence Division spies coming to Liulichang, and these people would definitely find an appropriate reason to conceal their true motives... Wenyuan Bookstore's literary gathering was too suitable.
Among the dozens of people seated, perhaps there were spies of the Military Intelligence Division.
No, there definitely were.
At this time, Wenyuan Bookstore's Patron having the matter of wishing to snatch the newspaper business bumped into (discovered) didn't feel awkward on the contrary, but instead stepped forward with a smile, cupping his hands: "This humble one is Xu Bin, the Patron of this Wenyuan Bookstore."
Chen Ji only glanced at him, without speaking.
These words pricked the crowd of literati until they turned their heads aside, secretly cursing "bad luck".
Lin Chaojing suddenly said with a smile: "Brother Shen's words are wrong. Imperial Gazettes have existed since ancient times; they are not the sole possession of the Baron of Wuxiang County's single family. Look at that Brother Qiao Zhan to your left-hand side. He has drafted Imperial Gazettes from the twenty-seventh year of Jianing up until today, which has already been a long five years. This is the true expert of running newspapers."
Shen Ye gave a haha laugh: "So it turns out everyone wants to run an Imperial Gazette?"
Lin Chaojing smiled faintly: "Brother Shen came today on a special trip to speak out for justice from a sense of Righteousness for the Baron of Wuxiang County? This humble one serves as a Hanlin Bachelor in the Hanlin Academy together with Brother Shen, so I am reminding Brother Shen out of good intentions. The Baron of Wuxiang County flatters the enemy to seek temporary peace, strongly advocating using all force to release the Jing Dynasty old thief Yuan Cheng back. The literati under heaven ought to all Cut the Robe and Sever Ties with him!"
Shen Ye feigned dumbfoundedness, turning his head to look at Chen Ji: "Baron of Wuxiang County, was there such a matter? How do I remember the person presiding over the signing of the alliance treaty was His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Lin Chaojing's complexion gradually sunk down. Standing behind a desk, he said in a cold voice: "Brother Shen, do not feign ignorance. His Highness the Crown Prince was also forced by circumstances without alternative. Nowadays the local neighborhoods not only rumor that the Baron of Wuxiang County received Jing Dynasty bribes, they even rumor that he has ambiguous and unclear relations with that Jing Dynasty Princess. How could Brother Shen interact with him excessively?"
Shen Ye said slowly and methodically: "You also say it's merely rumors..."
Chen Ji at the side suddenly interrupted: "Brother Shen has no need to speak much. I think upon it that this place does not welcome this humble one at all. This humble one will just depart by himself and it will be fine. Everyone also has no need to injure harmonious relations."
Saying so, he turned around and exited Wenyuan Bookstore, letting out a long breath of relief.
In Wenyuan Bookstore, no matter how much suspicion there was, in the end it was all merely suspicion. Wanting to find Official Ding, it still had to fall upon Wenchang Bookstore.
But right at this time, Shen Ye chased out from inside Wenyuan Bookstore, saying with a smile: "Worthy younger brother is unwilling to stay inside more, so I will also not stay. Rather than listening to their belly full of complaints, it's more interesting to be together with worthy younger brother... Is worthy younger brother going to Wenchang Bookstore? A certain Shen will go with you together."
Chen Ji's footsteps heading toward Wenchang Bookstore did not stop, yet his heart struck loudly like a bronze bell. The manuscript drafts Shen Ye wrote earlier were all delivered to Wenyuan Bookstore for printing. Today he suddenly wants to go to Wenchang Bookstore? And regrettably, Shen Ye had also once sought studies in Jinling for several years.
Is it Official Ding?
No, the age doesn't match up. Official Ding made a name for himself twenty years ago; at that time Shen Ye was still a mere child.
Then is he an espionage agent under Official Ding's command?
Chen Ji said without batting an eyelid: "How does Brother Shen know this humble one is going to Wenchang Bookstore?"
Shen Ye gave a haha laugh: "Worthy younger brother staying in Wenchang Bookstore for a month is not some secret. They all say after worthy younger brother was adopted into the Chen Family's first branch he had intentions to participate in the Imperial Examinations, currently being diligent in learning and studying bitterly! A certain Shen also heard the Chen Family intends to invite a great Confucian scholar to transmit the Dao and impart profession to you."
Chen Ji gathered both hands into his sleeves. His right hand rubbed the handle of the Short Blade, asking again: "Brother Shen was invited today to see Mister Wenxu's personal brush colophon. Now following me to Wenchang Bookstore, wouldn't it be a regret? That Wenchang Bookstore mostly has forged and falsified books; there's nothing rare or strange about it."
Shen Ye said with a smile: "No matter, no matter. Wenchang Bookstore's reputation is out there, but a certain Shen has never gone even once. Reaching there perfectly to take a look."
Saying so, he actually disregarded Chen Ji's opposition, simply pulling Chen Ji walking toward Wenchang Bookstore.
Stepping across the door sill of Wenchang Bookstore, Shen Ye said with a smile: "Worthy younger brother go read books yourself. A certain Shen will also stroll around everywhere."
Chen Ji stood behind a bookshelf, looking silently at Shen Ye's looking-left-glancing-right figure through the gaps in the book volumes. Shen Ye walked inward, and he too relied on the bookshelf's cover to walk inward, his gaze nailed onto Shen Ye's body from beginning to end.
Shen Ye looked at the books on the bookshelves, clicking his tongue in wonder: "The books of this Wenchang Bookstore are actually somewhat more complete than Wenyuan Bookstore! Even the 'Luoxi Thatched Cottage Notes' are here?"
He picked up the book and flipped through it, then tucked the book volume under his armpit, searching forward again.
Waiting until Shen Ye completed a circle in Wenchang Bookstore, he suddenly walked straight toward the counter, asking the Patron behind the counter: "Patron, do you have here..."
Chen Ji's state of mind twisted tight. He only waited for Shen Ye to speak of the Chapters and Verses of the Four Books with Collected Commentaries, and he would immediately make his move.
In the next moment, Shen Ye asked: "Patron, do you have the 'Zhou Du Ten Questions' here?"
Chen Ji's brows slowly relaxed.
Only to hear the Patron reply: "Replying to honored guest, we do."
Shen Ye was bewildered: "Is there? How come I didn't see it just now?"
The Patron circled out of the dark red counter, arriving before the third row bookshelf and taking down a blue-covered book volume: "Just this one."
Shen Ye looked at the book volume with "Li Clan Ten Questions" written on it. Flipping it open, however, it exactly was the essays of the "Zhou Du Ten Questions". He didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Patron, the books you have here are hidden quite deeply ah."
The Patron laughed embarrassedly: "Honored guest, as long as the essays are correct, it will do."
Shen Ye tucked the two books under his arm and walked toward the rear courtyard: "Is there old rock tea? I will read books for a while here at your place."
The Patron spoke politely: "We do, we do. Will get you a pot right away... Shisan! Go lead the honored guest to the elegant seats in the rear courtyard. One pot of old rock tea, one plate of melon seeds and Preserved Fruits."
Through the gaps in the bookshelf, Chen Ji saw that Shisan of Lantern Fire walking out from the rear courtyard, appearing as a manservant in gray rough clothing, leading Shen Ye toward the rear courtyard.
When he was about to walk out of the main hall, Shen Ye lifted the door curtain, turning his head back to seek Chen Ji's figure.
Chen Ji immediately lowered his head, feigning the appearance of flipping through a book.
Shen Ye said in a loud voice: "Worthy younger brother Chen Ji, I'm heading to the rear courtyard to flip through books first. Once you find a book, come too!"
Chen Ji raised his head and agreed: "Brother Shen, go ahead."
It wasn't until Shen Ye disappeared behind the bamboo curtain that he looked at the swaying bamboo curtain, his gaze finally calming down.
The Patron arrived by Chen Ji's side, asking in a low voice: "Is it him?"
From beneath the Patron's face actually transmitted Aunt Ping's voice! Even her figure and posture were exactly identical to the Patron Chen Ji had seen previously.
Chen Ji said softly: "Hard to say. Let's wait a bit longer."
Just now Shen Ye hadn't mentioned the Chapters and Verses of the Four Books with Collected Commentaries. But perhaps the other party just wished to probe and test slightly more, so it couldn't explain anything. The suspicion in Chen Ji's heart toward Shen Ye was already thick, but regrettably this person was the new Top Scorer, not easy to capture and interrogate.
After Aunt Ping returned behind the counter, she continued to act as the Patron as if nothing had happened.
Chen Ji waited silently behind the bookshelf. Until noon, Shen Ye put down his book and walked out from the courtyard, greeting Chen Ji: "Worthy younger brother, let's go have lunch together! I know Liulichang has a pretty good Lu-cuisine restaurant; when I first came to Capital City I often went there to eat."
Chen Ji kept his head lowered reading his book, not even raising his head: "Brother Shen go yourself. I've read to an engrossing part, unable to attend to eating."
Shen Ye also didn't force it, merely teasing with a smile: "If worthy younger brother participates in the Imperial Examinations, where is there still any matters for a certain Shen? I will go first, and come accompany you later."
Chen Ji looked at Shen Ye's back figure, bewildered in his heart. Could it be this person coming to Wenchang Bookstore is truly just because of his friendship with me?
After Shen Ye went to eat he didn't return. The literati and scholars inside Wenchang Bookstore came and went, with no further unusual movements.
Chen Ji watched the color of the sky changing bit by bit, his state of mind gradually sinking down. Could it be Official Ding has undergone three probings, yet still doesn't believe the Capital Morning Post? Or perhaps the other party is busy with affairs today, not yet having enough time to read the Morning Newspaper?
But today was already the final day agreed upon with the Inner Chancellor. Chen Ji MUST catch Official Ding.
It wasn't until the afternoon at the Wei hour (1 PM - 3 PM) that two men with short, capable, and fierce figures stepped across the door sill. After entering the door, these two separated left and right, respectively guarding the places with the widest field of vision, Glaring like a Tiger looking at everyone inside the bookstore.
Chen Ji stared at his book head lowered, yet his gaze abruptly turned sharp.
It came.
One man examined for a long while, eventually coming before the counter and getting straight to the point: "Year twelve of Jianing. Capital City had a minor clerk in the Ministry of Revenue. What is his name?"
Chen Ji was just nearby the counter, only feeling these words were asked strangely.
The Ministry of Revenue Officials of Capital City numbered as many as several hundreds of people. If one counted the "Supplementary Officials", a thousand probably wouldn't even cover it. The other party asked for the name of a minor Ministry of Revenue clerk. He didn't state features, didn't state what specific affairs they managed... Who would know what they were called?
No. Incorrect.
This minor clerk of the Ministry of Revenue must be extremely special. Perhaps he is a key figure that neither Official Ding nor Official Bing could ever forget...
Chen Ji quietly looked toward Aunt Ping. These two men were spies paving the way for Official Ding. If Aunt Ping couldn't answer, perhaps today would be waited in vain. From here on out, Official Ding would also become like a Bird Startled By A Bow; wishing to find him again would not be easy.
But how could Aunt Ping possibly manage to answer?
However, in the next moment, Aunt Ping standing behind the counter slowly opened her mouth, saying: "Zhang Hui."
Chen Ji was startled. Aunt Ping had actually answered?
He only saw that man nod his head: "Wait a moment."
Saying so, he turned around and exited the door. Not long after, he stepped across the door sill protecting a chubby figure, entering the door.
Chen Ji saw this person, immediately retreating behind the bookshelf and using a book volume to block his face.
He had actually seen the person who came! It clearly was the Divine Palace Directorate Superintendent of the Twelve Directorates of the Inner Court. Earlier during the sacrifices to the Silkworm God, Chen Ji had even publicly whipped a lash across the other party's face in order to vent anger for Bai Li.
Chen Ji had inquired about this person. Initially the other party served duties in the Jinling temporary imperial palace. Later he was valued by the Seal-Holding Grand Eunuch Wang Bao and transferred to serve duties in Capital City, ultimately enduring until he became the Divine Palace Directorate Superintendent.
This person originally wished to be posted out to the provinces as the Salt Fields Supervisor, yet was pushed down by the Inner Chancellor, forcibly pushed into the Directorate of Imperial Temples, sitting on a cold bench for a decade-plus of years.
Chen Ji had heard that on the day of the Jingyang Palace great fire, this person desired to join hands with Xuan Zhen to kill Bai Li. After being stopped by the Empress, he was again protected and kept down by Wu Xiu.
This person was precisely Official Ding?
(End of this chapter)