Chapter 121: Opportunity
The darkness before dawn always seemed particularly dark.
Outside Kunshan City, in a dilapidated wind and rain pavilion, Gu Yan, dressed in black, stood with his hands behind his back.
Huang Xianzhou was pushed in, and his hood was pulled off.
A tiny light on the ground made Huang Xianzhou’s eyes blur. He quickly raised his hand, rubbed his eyes hard, and cautiously looked up. He saw Gu Yan, who had a blank expression, and was stunned.
“Young Lord?”
Gu Yan walked over two steps, sat on the chair placed in front of Huang Xianzhou, took a thick volume of archives from Wang Gui, and opened it.
“Huang Xianzhou, a Jinshi scholar of the Renzi year examination, Second Class, Sixth Place. A young talent, selected into the Ministry of Revenue, transferred to Qingchi County in Cangzhou three years later, then to Shen County in Luzhou, and then to this small county of Kunshan, moving down step by step. How old are you this year?”
“Forty-seven.” Huang Xianzhou swallowed.
At this moment, his heart was in turmoil, a mix of anticipation and excitement, tinged with a hint of fear and unease.
“These are all your essays, memorials, and three secret memorials.” Gu Yan flipped through them rapidly. “These are all from three years ago. In the past three years, there have only been official documents, and these official documents don’t seem to be in your own handwriting. Have you come to terms with it?”
“This subordinate has served in various local posts for thirteen years and has grown old.”
A wave of sorrow washed over him, and tears welled up in Huang Xianzhou’s eyes.
“You are only forty-seven years old. From Qingchi County to Shen County, and then to this small county of Kunshan, moving downwards all the way, have you reflected on it?” Gu Yan handed the archives to Wang Gui.
“To be an official, one must first be a person. This subordinate does not know how to be a person.” Huang Xianzhou’s words were filled with desolation.
When he returned to the county office the day before yesterday, he thought that this time he would be completely open and not even care about his reputation, intending to curry favor with this Young Lord. He never expected to get into trouble. He drank alone and got thoroughly drunk, completely giving up hope. He had originally planned to resign due to illness and return to his hometown after this term…
“You are very good at being a person. Everyone in the Qingchi County office speaks highly of you. Everyone in the Shen County office remembers you fondly. That girl, A Nan, also spoke up for you with all her might. You just had bad luck, not encountering a superior who could see your strengths, who was broad-minded and could tolerate your shortcomings.” Gu Yan said calmly.
Huang Xianzhou stared blankly at Gu Yan, forgetting to speak.
“I’ll change your posting.” Gu Yan looked at him.
Brightness burst into Huang Xianzhou’s eyes. “To be appreciated by the Young Lord is this subordinate’s honor. This subordinate would die without regret!”
“Die without regret.” Gu Yan repeated slowly. “Is that a polite remark, or do you have something in mind? Speak.”
“The Young Lord arrived in Pingjiang in August last year and has been staying here until now. In Pingjiang Prefecture, and even in Liangzhe Circuit, the only place worth the Young Lord spending nearly a year is the Maritime Tax Bureau.”
Huang Xianzhou cautiously raised his head and glanced at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan looked directly at Huang Xianzhou, his expressionless face saying nothing.
“When this subordinate was in the Ministry of Revenue, I managed the accounts of the Jiangnan Maritime Tax Bureau. The silver submitted by the Jiangnan Maritime Tax Bureau to the Ministry of Revenue annually is only sixty percent of its peak. In recent years, it is said to be declining year by year.”
Huang Xianzhou paused, his voice lowering slightly.
“After taking office in Kunshan, this subordinate secretly visited Linhai Town a few times to conduct on-site inspections. The busyness of several wharves in Linhai Town far exceeded this subordinate’s expectations. This subordinate has checked the land occupied by Linhai Town over the years; it has been expanding year after year, not shrinking.”
“The reduction in sea tax revenue, the Empire’s insufficient military expenses, and the Empire’s northern defense has not advanced northward for twenty to thirty years. The memorials written by the Young Lord to the court during his military training, this subordinate has carefully read and deeply agrees.
“For the Empire’s army to advance northward and eliminate the hidden dangers north of the Empire, the Maritime Tax Bureau must be reorganized to restore its peak revenue.
“Revitalizing the Maritime Tax Bureau is not an easy task.”
“Mm, revitalizing the Maritime Tax Bureau, where do you think we should start?” Gu Yan’s face showed no discernible expression.
“The wharves. Whether it’s incoming or outgoing, goods must be loaded and unloaded at the wharves. No matter who it is or how it’s operated, it ultimately ends up at the wharf, on the ships and their cargo. Besides, working from the bottom up is more stable than working from the top down.” Huang Xianzhou said after thinking.
“Mm, then as you think, I’ll give you an opportunity. Go and try.” Gu Yan stood up and ordered as he walked out, “Take him back.”
………………………………
The next evening, Li Yin Zhu arrived at Cai Lian Lane again.
Li Yin Zhu was wearing the same clothes as yesterday, empty-handed. The old woman who accompanied her yesterday was still with her. The old woman carried a small food box in each hand. After delivering them into the courtyard, she withdrew and returned first.
Li Xiaonan stretched her head out, carefully observing Li Yin Zhu’s complexion.
“I’m fine. It’s not like I haven’t been taught a lesson by Eldest Sister before.” Li Yin Zhu still looked somewhat dejected.
“Eldest Sister is doing it for your own good.” Li Xiaonan said with a smile.
“I know, and you are also doing it for my own good.” Li Yin Zhu patted Li Xiaonan’s back twice.
“Will Third Sister be eating at home this time?” Mei Jie asked.
“This time it’s just these. According to their Hong Family’s rules, I haven’t taken anything extra.” Li Yin Zhu pointed to the two small food boxes.
“It’s your Hong Family.” Mei Jie corrected her.
“Alright! Our Hong Family!” Li Yin Zhu sighed.
“Mei Jie, stir-fry a few more dishes and kill a chicken!” Li Xiaonan happily ordered.
“Eldest Sister instructed that the hens are to be kept for laying eggs and not to be killed. The chicks are too small; we’ll eat them in a couple of months. Let’s stir-fry an extra egg instead.” Mei Jie rejected Li Xiaonan’s suggestion.
“Come over tomorrow, and I’ll kill a chicken for you to eat. I’ll be eating alone at noon; your Second Brother won’t be eating at home.” Li Yin Zhu whispered to Li Xiaonan.
“I have something to do tomorrow at noon, business matters. I’ll tell you about it later. Brother is back!” Li Xiaonan’s voice rose on the last sentence.
“Third Sister is back.” Li Xuedong carefully looked at Li Yin Zhu and let out a long sigh of relief. “You look alright.”
“Hong Er Ge complained to me all day, saying you cried for half the night after you went back, saying Eldest Sister was too much, and that he wanted to come and reason with Eldest Sister. I asked him to come when school ended, but he said he was busy.”
“I didn’t cry for half the night; don’t listen to his nonsense. Did he go home?” Li Yin Zhu asked.
“He said he went to Second Weng Weng’s house, and since you’re coming over today, he definitely won’t be back early.” Li Xuedong said, peering around.
“Only two small food boxes.” Li Xiaonan gestured to Li Xuedong.
“Yesterday was too much.” Li Xuedong didn’t finish his sentence. Meeting Li Yin Zhu’s sideways glance, he quickly said with a smile, “I’ll go see what Mei Jie is cooking.”
“Has your business taken off?” Li Yin Zhu asked Li Xiaonan immediately after watching Li Xuedong leave.
“Shh! We’ll talk later, Eldest Sister is back!” Just as Li Xiaonan was about to speak, she saw Li Jin Zhu and Li Yuzhu enter the courtyard one after another and quickly fell silent.
