Mo Sang – CH 251

Chapter 251. One Person, One World

In the imperial court, Prime Minister Wu had already followed Gu Jin’s instructions and redeployed officials preparing for the southward advance.

Officials intended for the Jiangdu and Xuancheng areas had secretly arrived in Jiangning City while Wen Yanchao besieged Jiangdu, awaiting their crossing south.

Master Zhong ordered the city gates opened. On the day Wen Yanchao led his troops into Jiangdu, Prefect Gao, who was taking over Jiangdu, saw the Great Qi imperial flag raised at Yanzi Isle on the north bank of the river. Without Wen Yanchao sending anyone to inform him, he hurriedly took his luggage and entourage, along with the officials preparing to take over Xuancheng, and rushed across the river into Jiangdu.

In Jiangdu, the original Prefect of Southern Liang had long been expelled from the city by Zhang Zheng over a disagreement, and the prefectural office had been vacant for over half a year.

From the moment he rushed through the city gates, Wen Yanchao was extremely busy.

First, he rushed to send a report of victory to Jianle City. Then, he quickly gathered the surrendered troops from Jiangdu City, meeting with each of their subordinate commanders, Baihu Captains, and sergeants, using both kindness and severity to appease and resettle them.

Next, he inventoried the military supplies and equipment, and redeployed the surrendered troops for troop rotation.

By midnight, with the general numbers of soldiers and supplies largely settled, Wen Yanchao quickly sat down and meticulously wrote a clear account of the capture of Jiangdu City, followed by an even more detailed and comprehensive secret report. He sealed both and sent them to Jianle City that very night.

The newly appointed Prefect Gao and the future Prefect of Xuancheng, along with his entourage, were also incredibly busy.

Needless to say, the prefectural government was in complete chaos.

Prefect Gao needed to quickly inventory the household registers and tax records, and urgently summon the lower-ranking officials and clerks.

Jiangdu City, under Zhang Zhengjun’s jurisdiction, was in utter chaos. There were already a couple of hundred unidentified corpses piled up; forget solving the case, no one had even been recognized.

Li Sangrou first oversaw the burial of Tian Ji’s son, then had Chuantiao lead men to return him to the Tian family home, arranging for his burial next to Tian Ji’s grave. Next, she personally selected a site, erected a cenotaph for Master Zhong, and invited monks and Taoists to perform a ritual along the river.

Shunfeng’s steward arrived that same day from across the river.

Fortunately, the steward was an old hand in Shunfeng, a capable man whom Zou Wang had already chosen to serve as the general steward of Jiangning City after the merger of Jiangning and Jiangdu, so Li Sangrou did not have to worry too much.

The more than one hundred people bound to the city wall, terrified and weeping, and bound for three nights and two days, more than half fell ill. Wen Yanchao appointed a medically knowledgeable advisor to specifically oversee them, sending them home one by one, fetching physicians and medicine, and offering words of comfort.

In the evening, Li Sangrou secretly visited several families with seriously ill patients. Seeing the meticulous medical care and that everyone was doing relatively well, she breathed a sigh of relief.

This was already a stroke of good fortune amidst misfortune.

Li Sangrou and her companions’ original residence in Jiangdu City had remained empty. After entering the city, they were busy until the evening before Da Chang and Hei Ma returned to their old home. When they arrived at the courtyard gate, many people were already waiting outside, requesting an audience with Boss Sang.

Wen Yanchao finished clearing out the surrendered soldiers’ supplies, and at dawn the next day, he led his army towards Xuancheng.

Li Sangrou did not accompany Wen Yanchao’s army to Xuancheng; she did not want to witness another life-or-death siege anytime soon.

Those waiting to see Boss Sang did not finally meet Li Sangrou until the third day.

The name “Boss Sang” was already a prestigious title among the lowest rungs of Jiangdu City. Now, after the siege and the various rumors and tales circulating over the years, the name “Boss Sang” shone brightly in Jiangdu City.

The one most eager to see Li Sangrou was Wang Shoucai, the current head of the Ye Xiang Guild.

He was anxious to see Boss Sang because he needed to quickly explain that although he was appointed head of the Ye Xiang Guild by General Xiao Wu, he had never cheated Head Tian Ji’er, not even once!

He truly did not know how he had been chosen. He had never done anything to betray Boss Sang or Head Tian Ji’er, not a single thing!

He had even secretly given money to Head Tian Ji’er’s wife and a few other families every month, always secretly.

He had never done anything to betray Boss Sang or her brothers!

Li Sangrou sipped her tea, listening as he recounted his story in meticulous detail, tears streaming down his face. She put down her cup and smiled. “I understand. The Ye Xiang Guild is doing very well under your management; I am leaving it to you.

From now on, you must be as steadfast as before, true to your brothers and to yourself. This is not for others; it is for your own sake.”

Wang Shoucai froze for a moment, then knelt with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly. “Boss, you are truly…”

“A man’s knees are worth gold. Do not kneel so easily; it is not good. Go back.” Li Sangrou gestured for Hei Ma to help Wang Shoucai up, smiling.

After seeing Wang Shoucai off, Hei Ma peeked outside, then pulled back, saying, “Next up is the head of the rice shop, that guy surnamed Mo. He’s even more eager than Wang Shoucai. Should we see him?”

“Has Zhang, the head of the rice shop in Jiangning City, arrived?” Li Sangrou asked.

“Yes, he arrived yesterday afternoon. You are busy; Da Chang has already arranged for him to find an inn,” Hei Ma hurriedly replied.

“Let him go find Head Zhang first. If he does not feel comfortable with him, then he can come see me,” Li Sangrou instructed.

“Understood!” Hei Ma replied, trotting off to deliver the message.

After meeting all the necessary people and a few acquaintances, it was already dinnertime. Li Sangrou breathed a sigh of relief, finished a cup of tea, and left the courtyard with Da Chang, Hei Ma, and a few others, heading towards the busiest street in Jiangdu City.

Jiangdu City was where Da Chang, Hei Ma, and the others grew up. It was the first place Li Sangrou stayed after arriving here, and for all of them, it felt like home.

The group walked along the most bustling and prosperous street in Jiangdu City, looking left and right.

“Boss, this street is not as lively as it used to be. It is much quieter now. It used to be so lively!” Hei Ma clicked its tongue, looking somewhat sad.

“After we left, the river was sealed off. North of the river was north of the river, and south of the river was south of the river. How can it ever be as lively as before?” Da Chang sighed, looking at the shops on both sides of the street.

“Soon it will be much more lively than before, many times more lively,” Li Sangrou said with a smile.

“Boss, let’s go eat Gao the Cripple’s roast meat! I’ve been craving their roasted lamb ribs for years!” Datou poked his head out from behind, swallowing hard before he could finish his sentence.

“Alright,” Li Sangrou replied with a smile.

“You harlot! You whore! You owe me my son’s life!” A piercing scream erupted from the alleyway beside the street, followed immediately by a bucket of excrement and urine being thrown at Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou dodged it. Da Chang, standing between her and the alleyway entrance, was not as quick as Li Sangrou. He dodged backward, but one leg was not spared and was covered in excrement and urine.

Hei Ma, on Li Sangrou’s other side, heard the shouts and screams and was peering into the alley when he cried out and jumped up. It was too late; half his body was soaked in excrement and urine.

“You killed my son! I will fight you to the death! I will kill you!

You harlot! You shameless whore! You’ve lost all conscience! You are not human! You evil spirit! I will haunt you even as a ghost!

My man was so kind to you, and you killed my son! You shameless whore! You are not human!

My man has been so kind to you! You are ungrateful; you are not human!”

Tian Ji’s wife, her hair disheveled, was grabbed by her two sisters-in-law, who rushed out. She jumped and hopped, pointing at Li Sangrou and cursing wildly, looking like a vengeful ghost.

“You are not human! You evil spirit! You unwanted harlot!

You are ungrateful; you are not human! You eat my man’s food, you drink my man’s water! You are not human!”

“…”

“She’s gone mad! I did not keep an eye on her! I am so sorry, Boss!”

“I am so sorry, Boss! She deserves to die! I will make her brother kowtow to you when I get back. I am so sorry, Boss! She’s gone mad, she’s really gone mad!”

Tian Ji’s wife’s two sisters-in-law chased after her, hugging her tightly. Their faces were filled with terror. Tian Ji’s wife was tearing at their hair, scratching their faces, but they dared not let go. Tian Ji’s wife was pulling their hair, forcing their heads to look at Li Sangrou, constantly apologizing and explaining.

“Hei Ma, go back and change your clothes. Da Chang, go around to everyone and relay my message: Tian Ji’s wife is sick. If anything happens, please be understanding and take care of her. Do not let her get hurt, and do not let anyone bully her.”

“We will wait for you two at Gao the Cripple’s Barbecue Shop.” Li Sangrou finished her instructions and continued on her way as if nothing had happened.

“Alright,” Hei Ma and Da Chang responded.

Hei Ma turned and went back to shower and change, while Da Chang relayed his Boss’s message from the shops on either side.

……………………

At least half the customers at Gao the Cripple’s Barbecue Shop were soldiers guarding the city, from generals to old gatekeepers; they all loved his barbecue. His shop was also Zhang Zheng and Su Qing’s favorite place to sit, eat, and chat until midnight.

Because of this, in the year or two that Jiangdu City had been under Zhang Zheng’s control, shops throughout the city closed one after another, but his business remained unchanged, even thriving.

The barbecue shop’s waiter saw Li Sangrou and rushed in to call their Boss.

Gao the Cripple, limping, came out, half walking and half running, and after seven or eight steps, he knelt with a thud. “Greetings to the Boss!”

“I do not deserve such a grand gesture! Xiao Lu!” Li Sangrou quickly dodged the kneeling motion.

Xiao Lu reacted swiftly, pulling Gao the Cripple up before his head hit the ground. “When did Old Gao become so polite? You’ve never been like this before!”

“He used to be terribly fierce! I complained that his mutton was too lean and tough, and he’d yell: ‘This is sheep! Not pig!'” Datou chimed in, clicking his tongue at Gao the Cripple.

“Why are you so frightened?” Li Sangrou took two steps forward, tilting her head slightly to examine Gao the Cripple closely.

“No, um, Commander Zhang, I mean, Zhang Zheng!” He comes often; Master Zhong comes often too. I… I am just a nobody, I mean…” Gao the Cripple rubbed his hands, a fine layer of sweat on his forehead.

He’d heard that Zhang Zheng had dragged those people from the old Ye Xiang Guild onto the city wall and even pushed Head Tian Ji’er’s only son off it. Ever since he heard the story, he’d been worried that Zhang Zheng might take his anger out on him…

After all, Zhang Zheng came to his house for roast meat every few days.

“Zhang Zheng likes your roast meat, so you are wrong? We, brothers, like it too.

Back when Tian Ji was alive, he loved it even more, and his scabby son loved it too, right?” Li Sangrou said with a slight smile.

“Yes, little scabby loves roast fish with mutton soup. He does not eat green garlic.” Gao the Cripple’s throat tightened slightly.

Before, Tian Ji came over carrying his son, saying he’d nicknamed his son “Scabby Head.” He laughed so hard he almost dropped a large piece of mutton on the ground.

“It’s all in the past. From now on, your son, your grandson, and perhaps even your great-grandson will never fight again.

Jiangnan and Jiangbei, just like over a hundred years ago, are one city, one family. Your hometown is Jiangbei, is it not?” Li Sangrou said, choosing a seat under the awning outside.

“Yes, last night, Sheng’s mother was discussing with me about crossing the river in the next couple of days to go back and visit.

There are not many people left in my hometown, but Sheng’s mother’s family still has quite a few—her younger brother, her younger brother, a whole big family,” Gao the Cripple spoke, habitually pulling a thin white cloth from his waist and wiping the table.

“Give us two roasted lamb ribs, two bluefish, and a lamb leg, plus two servings of mixed lamb offal. Hei Ma and Da Chang will be here soon, too,” Li Sangrou said with a smile, ordering.

“Master Chang has a good appetite. This might not be enough. I will roast an extra lamb rib, the fatty kind!” Gao the Cripple laughed, calling out to the waiter to order roasted meat and fish, tea, soup, and cold dishes first.

When the freshly roasted lamb rib and leg were served, Hei Ma and Da Chang arrived.

Da Chang sat down next to Li Sangrou, holding his bowl of lamb soup sprinkled with extra green garlic and cilantro. He drank more than half a bowl in one go, then told Li Sangrou about what had just happened.

“I explained everything. I went back, changed my pants, and ran into Tian Ji’s brother-in-law. He wanted to kneel as soon as we met, but Hei Ma and I stopped him, saying you said you would not argue with a patient.

Later, we passed by Physician Hong’s clinic, and Hei Ma and I went in to ask. Physician Hong was not there; he said he’d just been invited by the Tian family to see a patient.

Physician Hong’s eldest son, Physician Xiao Hong, is here. He knows about Tian Ji’s wife’s illness and says that her madness is mostly due to pent-up emotions. He says that if she had cried and screamed when her son died, she probably would not have gone mad. But at the time, she dared not cry or scream, and it festered inside her.”

Li Sangrou listened intently, then nodded after a moment.

“This Tian Ji’s wife, how can she be so unreasonable! How could her son be killed by the Boss! It was clearly Zhang Zheng who stabbed her son off the city wall; even if he was not stabbed to death, he would have fallen to his death. It was Zhang Zheng who killed her son!

And her husband has been incredibly kind to the Boss? Where does this ‘incredibly kind’ claim come from?

It was clearly the Boss who was incredibly kind to her husband!” Hei Ma said indignantly.

“I never liked Tian Ji’s wife from the time they met. She’s not a smart woman. But Tian Ji said he just liked her spoiled and willful nature. Sigh!” Xiao Lu sighed deeply.

“Should we ask someone to talk to Tian Ji’s wife? Physician Xiao Hong said that when she’s not having an episode, she can talk,” Da Chang asked, looking at Li Sangrou.

“No need.” Li Sangrou cut a piece of lamb rib and ate slowly. “People, often, are like chickens and ducks talking at the same time. No matter how you talk, a chicken is still a chicken, and a duck is still a duck.

Remember that old woman sewing for poverty next to Blind Mi’s shack? She thought that if a woman was with a group of men, that woman must be a prostitute. What else could men and women do if not…? What use are women?

Back then, did you not explain it to her? Did she understand?”

“Yes,” Da Chang sighed.

“I’ve told you all before, when we do things, we only seek a clear conscience. What others think or believe, we do not need to think about it; we do not need to care. Let them be.”

“…”

After a pause, Li Sangrou lowered her eyes and said, “Many of the things I’ve done, even I do not know how they will turn out or what kind of consequences they will have.

I do not even know how to look at what I’ve done, how to look at myself. Everyone has their own opinions and thoughts, all sorts of strange things; is that not how it should be?”

“I remember what Boss said. Boss said, even with all that gleaming silver, there are people who do not like it!” Mazha chimed in.

“Huh? Who does not like gleaming silver?” Datou asked in surprise.

“Uncle Blind does not like it,” Chuantiao added.

“Uncle Blind does not dislike it; he just does not like making money. He finds it tiring. He prefers gleaming silver falling from the sky and landing right in his hands,” Xiao Lu pouted.

“I kind of miss Uncle Blind. If Uncle Blind were here, he would definitely have snatched this piece,” Datou said, reaching for the fattest piece of lamb with his chopsticks.

Li Sangrou sipped her tea, smiling as she watched the group chatting and laughing, and eating meat heartily.