Mo Sang – CH 173

Chapter 173. The New Manager

Bai-Cheng, who had served Wen Cheng since childhood, understood his master’s attitude towards the case—a similarly flamboyant one—by observing Wen Cheng’s loud pronouncements in front of the wall.

Behind the wall, pen, ink, and paper were found in the gatehouse. Sister Zhou instructed the servant to write it, and she then affixed her fingerprint, thus drafting a denunciation.

Bai-Cheng read the denunciation aloud in front of the wall, then politely inquired of the surrounding idlers about their identities and addresses.

This was the idlers’ specialty, and they naturally knew.

With enthusiastic guidance from the group of idlers, Bai-Cheng, accompanied by a squad of guards, went door-to-door, knocking on the doors of every minor official, clerk, and coroner in the yamen.

With the Northern Qi Army’s coordinated attack from within and without, by the time Wu Huaiguo learned of the attack, the city gates had already been breached.

Wu Huaiguo acted decisively, leading his army out of the city to meet the enemy. Defeated and forced to retreat from Ezhou, he then fled south, managing only to burn provisions. Much of his military equipment was left behind or destroyed, and the yamens were of no concern.

The Ezhou prefect, along with some officials and magistrates, some of whom had originally lived in Ezhou alone with their families, tacitly sent their families and belongings away the day the Northern Qi Army camped outside the city, leaving only themselves and a few servants in Ezhou.

When the city fell, even Commander Wu had left the city; they, naturally, acted even more swiftly, fleeing before the Southern Liang Army could cross the river.

The minor officials in the various yamen, such as clerks, registrars, and scribes, were all locals from Ezhou.

Except for a very few families who had sold their property and sent their families away beforehand and fled on the day the city fell, the vast majority were either hesitant or overly optimistic, believing that the Northern Qi would certainly not be able to invade. Some were determined to stay in their homeland no matter what. Others, more resourceful, figured it did not matter whether they went to Southern Liang or Northern Qi—it was all the same job…

After the Northern Qi Army entered the city, everyone locked their doors and windows, listening intently for any sound. Each gate opened with a knock.

Bai-Cheng brought out all the minor officials, clerks, and even menial laborers from the yamen.

Standing before the wall, carrying Sister Zhou’s accusation, he summoned the head of the criminal investigation department. After confirming the case, he ordered the head of the department to retrieve the judgment. He then instructed the clerks to fetch the Wang brothers from the Wang family and bring them to the yamen.

In front of the Wang brothers, the head of the criminal investigation department first read Sister Zhou’s accusation, then explained the law. Several clerks pulled down the Wang brothers’ trousers, exposing their bare buttocks, and gave them thirty strokes of the cane in the street. They were then put in shackles and chained to the wall. According to the law, the punishment was thirty strokes of the cane, followed by three days of caning.

After the Wang brothers were caned, Bai-Cheng instructed the head of the punishment department to lead the constables, while he followed behind to watch. The group rushed to the Wang brothers’ house and returned the house, land, and property that Sister Zhou was entitled to.

As for the others, such as the grain clerk who had been summoned to the yamen but had no connection to the matter, they were ignored after arriving at the yamen.

It was inappropriate for them to follow Bai-Cheng, and Bai-Cheng forbade them to follow, telling them to turn back. They dared not do so.

At first, they were gathered together like idlers outside the yamen, watching the judge administer the caning, which was fine. But then Bai-Cheng, the head of the punishment department, and the constables went to the Wang family’s house and never returned.

They stood there until it was almost dark, looking at each other in bewilderment.

As darkness fell, the onlookers outside the yamen dispersed. Inside and outside the walls, besides the Wang brothers in their heavy shackles, only this group remained.

“Us?” The clerk, hands in his sleeves, looked at Head Clerk Cao, the former most trusted clerk of the prefect. The others also looked at Head Clerk Cao.

“They are using this as an excuse to call us all out and make us decide what to do.” Head Clerk Cao had not slept much in days; he looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes. “Whether you take this job or not, it’s up to you all. If you do, things will start tomorrow as planned.”

“And what about you, Head Clerk Cao?” a young clerk asked, looking at Head Clerk Cao.

“I will think about it some more. I am getting old. My eldest son and his whole family are in Hangzhou.

Each family has its own difficulties. We can only make our own plans and think our own minds.” Head Clerk Cao sighed, put his hands behind his back, and walked away with his head down. The others stood there for a moment, then walked out with their heads down.

Head Clerk Cao Yashi was absolutely right; each family had its own difficulties, and each could only make their own plans.

……………………

The next evening, Li Sangrou had just returned to the courtyard when Old Nanny Liu arrived.

Behind Old Nanny Liu was Sister Zhou, who was holding a chubby little boy in her arms. The boy was asleep, nestled on Sister Zhou’s shoulder.

Li Sangrou looked at Sister Zhou from Old Nanny Liu’s perspective and asked with a smile, “Did you go to submit the petition?”

“The Boss has saved my life.”

Old Nanny Liu led the way, followed closely by Sister Zhou, who knelt and kowtowed, holding the child.

“I would not dare,” Li Sangrou said, reaching out to help Old Nanny Liu up. “I only asked you to file a complaint; I did not do anything else.”

“A Master Wen came and said that since the previous judgment had already been made, then the previous judgment should be followed. He even said it was an imperial decree.” Sister Zhou stood behind Old Nanny Liu, her joy tinged with timidity.

“Well, whether it’s Northern Qi or Southern Liang, the laws are the same, and the principles are the same.

Come here, sit here; I have something to tell you.” Li Sangrou smiled and gestured to Sister Zhou.

Sister Zhou glanced timidly at Old Nanny Liu, holding her child, and sat down on the small stool Li Sangrou pointed to.

“You sit too,” Li Sangrou gestured to Old Nanny Liu.

“Old Master Wang is over eighty, yet he still insisted on bringing you into the family. The inheritance you received is compensation he owes you. Regardless of whether you have this child or whose child it is, you are entitled to this share of the property. It is yours, and it has nothing to do with the child.”

Li Sangrou looked at Sister Zhou, speaking slowly and deliberately.

“You are still young. Old Master Wang only delayed you for a few years. You do not need to waste your whole life on it. Marry whomever you want in the future; just be careful not to marry the wrong person.”

Sister Zhou stared wide-eyed at Li Sangrou in astonishment.

“Do not blame your mother. She did not want to give birth to you. Blame your father. As for your child, cherish him, love him, and raise him well.” Li Sangrou glanced at the sleeping infant.

“Yes.” Sister Zhou felt a mix of emotions, only immense grievance, and wanted to cry.

“I have something to say to you. Should I let her go back first?” Li Sangrou looked at Old Nanny Liu.

Old Nanny Liu looked at Sister Zhou.

“I will wait for you at the street corner.” Sister Zhou stood up, head down, and walked out.

“Alright, have them steam some eggs for you. You have the child; he cannot go hungry,” Old Nanny Liu instructed.

Sister Zhou agreed and went out first, carrying the child.

“Have you heard of Shunfeng Express?” Li Sangrou asked, looking at Old Nanny Liu.

Old Nanny Liu looked blank, then shook her head after a moment.

“Do you know about the postal system?” Li Sangrou continued.

Old Nanny Liu nodded hurriedly.

Of course, she knew about the postal system.

“The postal system in Northern Qi was not just for the imperial court; it existed in the private sector too. I am in the postal business; my company is called Shunfeng. I am the head of Shunfeng Express,” Li Sangrou continued.

Old Nanny Liu nodded repeatedly, though she still had not quite grasped the concept.

“Shunfeng Express has a post station outside every prefectural city and one delivery station inside the city and in each county town,” Li Sangrou said, looking at the clearly bewildered Old Nanny Liu. “I’ve already found a location for the delivery station in Ezhou City, but we need a manager. I think you are quite suitable. What do you think?”

“Huh?” Old Nanny Liu was even more confused.

“Go back and think about it. Da Chang, take a copy of that booklet that Manager Nie wrote to her,” Li Sangrou ordered loudly, then smiled at Old Nanny Liu. “This is the profit-sharing rule set by Manager Nie. Take it back and look at it carefully. It shows what kind of work each delivery station has and how much they can earn. It’s all in there.

If you are willing, come over tomorrow, and I will have Da Chang explain it to you in detail. If you do not want to take it, come over tomorrow too, but you have to return this booklet.

Come early tomorrow, or I will be leaving.”

Old Nanny Liu, bewildered, readily agreed, took the booklet from Da Chang, mumbled a few words, and then, still confused, took her leave.

After leaving the courtyard, Old Nanny Liu lingered for a while before calling out to Sister Zhou from the teahouse at the street corner, and they walked back together.

Old Nanny Liu clutched the booklet tightly in one hand, lost in thought. Sister Zhou, holding the child, was overwhelmed with bitterness and grievance, her emotions churning in waves.

They walked back to Dashitiao Lane, entering the courtyard without exchanging a single word.

“Is Shitou asleep? Put him down; the diaper is wet.”

Inside the house, Old Nanny Liu took little Shitou from Sister Zhou’s arms, speaking as she took a dry diaper from the bedside and changed it for him.

“Are you alright?” Old Nanny Liu asked, looking at Sister Zhou’s tearful eyes.

“I am fine; it’s just… what the boss said… she said it was what I deserved,” Sister Zhou blurted out, tears welling in her eyes. “She said it was me, what I deserved!”

“Yes, you deserved it. He’s just an old geezer; he deserved it! Do not cry. Things will get better, sigh.” Old Nanny Liu patted Sister Zhou.

“Yes, I am fine; I am happy.” Sister Zhou forcefully blew her nose.

“That’s good. We’ve been busy all day and have not eaten yet. What would you like to eat? Auntie will make it for you.” Old Nanny Liu went to the stove.

Her house had a very large courtyard, quite a large one. The three side rooms and two kitchens had long since collapsed; only the three main rooms were still intact.

These three main rooms also served as the kitchen.

“I am not hungry; my heart is full. What would you like to eat, Auntie? I will make it.” Sister Zhou rolled up her sleeves.

“I am not hungry either; then let’s make some porridge.” Old Nanny Liu squatted in front of the stove, tending the fire, while Sister Zhou scooped water, washed the pot, rinsed the rice, and put it in.

“Girl, have you heard of Shunfeng Express? They are from Northern Qi,” Old Nanny Liu asked, looking at Sister Zhou sitting next to her as she tended the fire.

“Yes, it was just before winter two years ago, when the old man was celebrating his death anniversary. They were holding a religious ceremony at the temple.

A gentleman from Jiangnan, a former official, came and talked to the uncles about the current situation and such.

He kept talking about how fast the Northern Qi’s express delivery was, saying it would arrive the next day, and something about ‘political efficiency.’

When I heard that, I thought, ‘If it’s ‘express delivery,’ how could it not be fast?’ I remember the word ‘express delivery’ very well.

Why are you asking about this, Auntie?” Sister Zhou spoke to Old Nanny Liu, her heart gradually calming down.

“That boss, she says she’s the boss of Shunfeng Express.

She said she’s opening a branch in Ezhou City, and she’s got her eye on a shop. She wants me to be the manager of one of her delivery stations.

By the way, what about that booklet? It says it lists all the jobs for the delivery station.” Old Nanny Liu stood up, picked up the booklet, and examined it carefully by the firelight.

Sister Zhou also craned her neck to look closely at the booklet, which had large print and was entirely written in vernacular Chinese.

“What’s this ‘Morning News’ and ‘Evening Gossip’? And Shunfeng Express can even transport things!

Look at all that, one, two, three… it does not seem like much work, but thinking about it, there’s quite a lot.” Old Nanny Liu read it once, then again.

“I’ve heard of this ‘Morning News’ too. It’s from before the lawsuit this year, when their family held a religious ceremony. Did you not tell me to go and cry at the altar with a stone in my arms?

I overheard them talking about the ‘Morning News,’ something about ‘government orders being communicated.'” Sister Zhou pointed to the booklet. “Auntie, it’s an official document.”

“That leader, able to speak with the highest-ranking officials in the army, might also be… She’s a woman, definitely not an official, this matter…” Old Nanny Liu frowned.

“Auntie, how do you think that Concubine Su, the general’s concubine, knew the leader?” Sister Zhou whispered, standing close to Old Nanny Liu.

“Well, Concubine Su did mention it, saying she met her before she left her post in Jiangdu City.

That leader, look at her; she’s a person of the martial arts world. That’s nothing.

But you are right about one thing; it’s an official document.” Old Nanny Liu stood up and placed the booklet under the small stone’s pillow.

That was the safest place in her house.

“Auntie, I will take care of you in your old age. If you do not want this job, do not take it.” Sister Zhou squatted down in front of the stove, poking at the fire.

“I think that boss is a good person.” Old Nanny Liu sat back down in front of the stove.

“Yes, what she told me.” Sister Zhou’s throat tightened slightly.

“She told you not to blame your mother. Sigh, she knows the hardships we women endure. Your mother has suffered more than you.” Old Nanny Liu sighed several times.

“Yes, I know. I’ve never blamed her, except for the time she sold me.” Sister Zhou stood up and stirred the porridge in the pot.

“Girl, I want to take on Shunfeng’s job.” Old Nanny Liu added some firewood to the stove.

“Yes, I will help you.” Sister Zhou sat back down beside Old Nanny Liu.

“Auntie does not want to comb people’s hair anymore. It’s not that I do not want to comb hair; it’s that I do not want to spend all day flattering this person and that person, having to agree with them no matter how unreasonable they are! Ugh!

Auntie knows you consider me your own mother, but I’ve raised myself all my life; I am used to it.

Besides, I just think that the boss is a good person; she understands the hardships we women endure.” Old Nanny Liu slowly stirred the fire in the stove.

“Yes, I will help you, Auntie,” Sister Zhou said, resting her head on Old Nanny Liu’s shoulder.