Chapter 19: Returned
As dawn broke, Gu Yan, escorted by his guards and attendants, skirted Hangcheng and headed straight for the Jiangnan Maritime Tax Bureau located in the northeast corner of Pingjiang Prefecture.
After changing horses twice, he arrived outside Linhai Town around noon. Gu Yan spurred his horse up a small hill, gazing at the bustling three towns of Linhai, his heart stirred.
This was the starting point of his previous life, where he broke through corruption and revitalized the empire. Here, he acted decisively and with unstoppable momentum.
This was also the reason for his failure halfway through and his death in a foreign land in his previous life.
In his previous life, he had overlooked too many hidden dangers. These dangers had sprouted from here, connected with each other, grown strong, and strangled his and the Emperor’s efforts to reform the empire, as well as killing him and the Emperor.
Now, he had returned here again, standing in this very spot.
This time, he was five years earlier than before, and he was no longer the impetuous youth who only charged forward.
Gu Yan cracked his whip with a loud flourish, pointing towards the boundless prosperity ahead, “Let’s go!”
Spanning both sides of the island, the Jiangnan Maritime Tax Bureau occupied a vast area.
Gu Yan changed out of his riding attire and into a moon-white Hangzhou silk long gown, cinched with a silk sash of the same color. He fanned himself with a folding fan, walking amidst the bustling crowd, looking left and right, occasionally stopping, craning his neck to look closely, appearing no different from a traveler visiting Linhai Town for the first time.
He stopped at the entrance of a warehouse with a sign bearing the character “He.” Gu Yan stood there, looking at the brightly painted “He,” his eyes narrowing slightly. After a pause, his gaze shifted from the “He” on the signboard to the warehouse, then back from the warehouse to the “He” character. He continued walking forward, fanning himself.
This “He” character originated from their Prince Rui’s Mansion.
The He family were retainers of Prince Rui’s Mansion, responsible for managing Prince Rui’s Mansion’s properties in Linhai Town and their villa in Pingjiang City.
He had always considered them as people of the Prince’s Mansion, as his own people.
It wasn’t until much later that he realized that in the eyes of the He family, the true owners of those properties in Linhai Town were the He family themselves. They were the uncrowned kings of Linhai Town, the true masters of the Jiangnan Maritime Tax Bureau, and the Prince’s Mansion was merely a tool for them to command.
Gu Yan fanned himself leisurely as he walked and observed. Passing a restaurant adorned with colorful ribbons and carved beams, Gu Yan stopped, looked up, then suddenly closed his folding fan and stepped through the entrance.
Pointing at the delicate and exquisite dishes, Gu Yan asked about the preparation and flavors of each dish. He picked and chose five or six dishes and sat in a private room on the second floor facing the street. After watching the lively scene downstairs and finishing his meal, he continued his stroll.
He strolled to the entrance of the Maritime Tax Bureau. Across the wide bluestone road, Gu Yan slowly fanned himself, meticulously observing the Maritime Tax Bureau, which resembled a giant beast. After watching for a while, he turned around and yawned, “I’m tired, let’s go back.”
Leaving the town, Gu Yan mounted his horse and rode for about a mile before suddenly pulling to a halt. He frowned and asked, “What county is this nearby?”
“Replying to Your Lordship, it’s Kunshan County, a small county,” Shi Gun quickly replied.
“Let’s go take a look, observe the atmosphere.”
Gu Yan uttered the words “observe the atmosphere” with a hint of helplessness.
Shi Gun understood and glanced at his Young Lord.
His Young Lord was destined for great things, so observing the atmosphere in a small county like Kunshan was indeed a waste of his talent. However, since his Young Lord held the task of Imperial Inspector, it was indeed inappropriate to pass by Kunshan County without observing.
His Young Lord had it tough!
………………………………
Kunshan County Office.
County Magistrate Huang secretly summoned Li Shikuan from the Wangzi Room to the county office again. He thoroughly inquired about the past grievances between the Li Xuedong and Li Wencai families, gaining a clear understanding. He then discussed several details with Mr. Yao, awaiting Li Xuedong’s return to Kunshan County to preside over the trial.
In the afternoon, Li Wenhua, carrying a large bundle, walked at the front, with Li Xuedong and others following behind. As soon as they disembarked, they saw Mr. Gao, holding the front of his long gown, hurrying towards them.
“I need to speak with your Third Uncle first,” Mr. Gao waved at Li Xuedong and then said to Li Wenhua, “Your uncle wants you to return quickly and avoid people. If anyone asks, say you went to your elder brother’s place in Linhai.”
“Alright, I’ll head back then.” Seeing Mr. Gao’s serious expression, Li Wenhua quickly handed the large bundle to Li Jinzhu and hurried back to Li Family Market.
“What happened?” Li Jinzhu’s heart tightened.
Judging by Mr. Gao’s demeanor, something big must have happened!
“It’s nothing major, nothing to worry about. Let’s get in the cart first, and we’ll talk once we’re on the cart.”
Mr. Gao replied with feigned calmness, reaching out to pull Li Xuedong, examining him from head to toe carefully. He affectionately patted Li Xuedong’s shoulder, “Don’t be afraid, it’s nothing serious. You’re a Xiucai Scholar now! Oh, and the little girl is here too.”
Mr. Gao carefully scrutinized Li Xiaonan.
Li Xiaonan felt flustered by his gaze and hid behind her Eldest Sister, Li Jinzhu, only revealing half of her face.
“Xiaonan…” Li Xuedong felt guilty and instinctively wanted to explain.
“We’ll talk in the cart. Let’s hurry, we’re going to Li Family Market.” Mr. Gao patted Li Xuedong and led the three of them towards a large cart nearby.
The cart had only a bamboo canopy, which provided shade but not wind protection, making it comfortable and cool.
Once on the cart, Li Jinzhu asked again, “What happened?”
“Nothing major, you don’t need to worry, everything will be fine. I’ve already seen the County Magistrate,” Mr. Gao said with a serious expression, pausing before continuing, “Your Third Uncle, Li Wencai, submitted an accusation letter to the county office, claiming that Xuedong, as a Xiucai Scholar, cheated his way through the exam with the help of the little girl.”
“Ah!” Li Xuedong turned pale with shock and fear.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid! Look at you, child, you’re a Xiucai Scholar now, what is there to be afraid of? You, your courage is too small.” Mr. Gao patted Li Xuedong, full of affection.
Xuedong is truly a good child!
“Then what did County Magistrate Huang say?” Li Jinzhu’s face also turned slightly pale.
Li Xiaonan stayed close to Li Jinzhu, her eyes downcast, not daring to make a sound.
“What else could he say? A shrewd person like County Magistrate Huang, would he believe such nonsense? I’ve already told him, it’s nothing, don’t be afraid. I’ve already told the County Magistrate about your Third Uncle’s intention to ruin your family. This is a false accusation, rest assured!”
Mr. Gao raised and lowered his hands.
Although his Xuedong was now a Xiucai Scholar, he had only just passed the exam and hadn’t experienced much yet. Look how scared the child was.
Alas, his heart was also a little unsettled. Although County Magistrate Huang had been smiling throughout his visit to the county office, and was extremely amiable, he hadn’t uttered a single definitive word until the very end!
“It will definitely be fine!” Mr. Gao emphasized, “Everyone knows that Li Wencai’s accusation letter is nonsense. County Magistrate Huang is wise, don’t be afraid. Listen to me about the important matters.”
Mr. Gao shifted his position, facing Li Xuedong and Li Jinzhu.
“The day your Third Uncle submitted the accusation letter, the County Magistrate summoned me to the county office and asked about the grievances between your families and your Third Uncle’s family.”
“The next day, it was already dark when Old Master Kuan came to my house. He came directly from the county office to my home and said that the County Magistrate had also asked about the grievances between you and your Third Uncle’s family.”
“Old Master Kuan also said that after County Magistrate Huang heard this, he was very moved and said that he must restore Xiucai Li’s innocence and justice. Do you understand the meaning of this sentence?”
Mr. Gao looked from Li Xuedong to Li Jinzhu.
Li Jinzhu nodded continuously.
“After discussing with Old Master Kuan, he agreed that he would stay in Li Family Market to keep an eye on things, and I would come here to wait for you and explain the situation first.”
“Last night, County Magistrate Huang sent a message to me, asking me to wait for you here and accompany you to Li Family Market.”
“County Magistrate Huang said that he plans to try Li Wencai’s case of falsely accusing someone of cheating in the exam at Li Family Market.”
“Don’t worry about the clan. Old Master Kuan is no simple person; he has definitely made all the arrangements. Don’t be afraid, and things will proceed as they should.”
“Let me also tell Xuedong about the rules of meeting an official. Xuedong, your status is different now…”
Mr. Gao shifted his position, facing Li Xuedong, and carefully instructed him on how to address County Magistrate Huang and how to answer questions.
Regarding the handwriting in the Imperial Examinations
In the past, to take the Imperial Examinations and become an official, there were two fundamental skills: the first was the Official Language, which is modern Mandarin, and the second was to write excellent Official Script. This Official Script can be understood as a printed font, specifically a Song-style printed font. Examination papers, memorials to the Emperor, and official documents were all to be written in Official Script.
There were distinctions in the quality of this Official Script, but it was extremely difficult to discern whose handwriting it was.
For the levels of Recommended Scholar and Jinshi Scholar in the Imperial Examinations, the examination papers also needed to be meticulously transcribed by specialized individuals to prevent anyone from recognizing the handwriting through the Official Script, as the graders were certainly not simple individuals.
Generally, Xiucai level examinations did not require transcription.
Students in the past began learning Official Script from their first day of school. Therefore, if they failed to pass the examinations, they could still work as copyists. Copying books also required the use of Official Script. Being able to write excellent Official Script meant being able to earn a living from one’s handwriting.
