Mo Sang – CH 296

Chapter 296. A loss is inevitable

The day before the Kitchen God Festival, the merit plaques erected in all directions were already bustling with activity.

A rumor, seemingly from nowhere, spread that when the festival concluded, not only would the Daxiangguo Temple and Kaibao Temple light eternal lamps for the families listed on the merit plaques, but they would also be granted an audience with the Boss of Shunfeng Temple.

Li Sangrou did not know where these rumors came from, but for Daxiangguo Temple and Kaibao Temple, lighting a few eternal lamps was a trivial matter, and an audience with her was even less of a concern. She could simply treat the top ten to a meal after the festival; it would not cost much.

After ten days of competition, the remaining participants on the merit plaques were from various merchant guilds and trade associations.

Li Sangrou realized for the first time that the restaurant industry in Jianle City was actually quite formidable.

The Shezhou Chamber of Commerce, led by the Qing’an Old Firm, later reportedly attracted chambers of commerce from Muzhou and Raozhou, among others. Their immense wealth and lavish spending astonished Li Sangrou.

The Yongxing Chamber of Commerce, backed by the raw materials industry, was also a formidable force and a frequent contributor to the donation plaques.

The Qingzhou Chamber of Commerce’s chairman had exceptional insight, and he led its members to be the first to enter Jingzhou and the first to enter Tanzhou, making considerable profits. He was eager to participate again.

Li Sangrou spent her days meticulously tracking the donation plaques, silently calculating the amount of silver, her mood cheerful.

“Well, after the New Year, the road construction can begin. The preliminary survey is the most important, and we must keep it a secret. Hmm, it is best to go and see for myself. Anyway, there’s nothing else major going on.”

Having determined the route, she secretly bought up all the fields and houses along the way. Buying them discreetly would not cost much; a small portion of her savings would suffice.

Li Sangrou pondered this, then found a map, waving her hands full of slips of paper, and studied the map to figure out which cities and docks the road would connect to.

………………………………

In the Imperial City, in the Qingning Palace.

Gu Jin sat on the kang, frowning as he and his three Prime Ministers watched the arguing Privy Councilor Pang, Prime Minister Dai, Minister of War Tan, and Minister of Revenue Shi.

Privy Councilor Pang and Minister Tan sat diagonally opposite each other, while Prime Minister Dai and Minister Shi were in cahoots. The four of them argued back and forth, neither giving in.

Gu Jin sighed and gestured for them to stop arguing.

“There’s really no money left in the accounts.”

As soon as Gu Jin spoke, Prime Minister Dai and Minister Shi raised their heads. Minister Tan was alright, but Privy Councilor Pang was furious. “The money for the pensions…”

“Old Pang!” Minister Wu glared at Privy Councilor Pang, urgently reprimanding him.

No matter what, you could not interrupt the Emperor! That’s a grave disrespect!

Privy Councilor Pang shrank back, not daring to utter a sound.

“The court may not have money, but the world has. You need to use your ingenuity and think of a way.” Gu Jin looked from Prime Minister Dai to Minister Tan.

Privy Councilor Pang raised his eyebrows, deepening the wrinkles on his forehead.

Think of a way? What way?

Minister Shi and Minister Tan exchanged a glance, bowed together, and waited for the Emperor’s next words.

Prime Minister Dai raised his eyebrows, seemingly understanding.

“Go and discuss this with the Boss. I’ve heard she’s been attending the Dharma assembly every day these past few days,” Gu Jin said with a smile.

Privy Councilor Pang let out a loud “Uh.”

Prime Minister Dai beamed, “That merit plaque…”

That merit plaque was refreshed every hour. Every time the three officials held a meeting, they had to first envy the Boss. After one Dharma assembly, she had mountains of gold and seas of silver!

“You two go together and have a good talk with the Boss. This is a favor, so do not put on airs,” Gu Jin instructed Minister Tan and Minister Shi.

“Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured. In front of the Boss, how could I possibly put on airs?” Minister Tan quickly stood up and agreed.

“Your Majesty, rest assured,” Minister Shi also quickly stood up and bowed.

………………………………

Li Sangrou was carefully examining the note that Xiao Lu had just brought in when Minister Tan peeked out from the entrance of the thatched hut and chuckled, “The Boss is busy right now.”

Li Sangrou turned and saw Minister Tan, somewhat surprised. She quickly stood up, cupped her hands, and bowed slightly. “Minister Tan.”

Minister Tan, still cupping his hands and bowing, stepped forward into the thatched hut. Behind him, Minister Shi also cupped his hands and bowed. “Greetings to the Boss.”

“You flatter me!” Li Sangrou was startled and quickly returned the bow, pulling over two chairs and offering them to the two ministers with cupped hands and a slight bow.

“Boss, your generosity in holding such a grand ceremony to pray for the souls of the fallen soldiers is truly immeasurable merit!” Minister Shi sat down, resting his hands on his knees, adopting a respectful demeanor, offering a compliment first.

“Yes, yes! Such a great deed—speaking of which, everyone in the Ministry of War should properly thank the Boss,” Minister Tan quickly chimed in. “This morning, Privy Councilor Pang was just talking about the Dharma assembly, and he spoke highly of the Boss.”

“I dare not accept such praise,” Li Sangrou replied, a sense of unease rising within her.

These two, one from the Ministry of Revenue and the other from the Ministry of War—both extremely busy departments, and it was the twelfth lunar month—how did they both find the time to come here together?

No good news!

“The Boss first opened the military mail service, benefiting countless soldiers, and now she’s performing prayers for the fallen. Inside and outside the capital, everyone speaks of the Boss with reverence,” Minister Tan continued with his flattery.

“Yes, yes! Minister Dai always speaks highly of the Boss,” Minister Shi hurriedly added.

Li Sangrou, flattered and fawned over by the two men, got goosebumps and quickly forced a dry laugh, saying, “You two ministers are so busy with affairs of state; surely you have something important to discuss?

What is it? Please, ministers, just tell me.”

“Well…” Minister Shi looked at Minister Tan, who, with a forced laugh, suddenly stood up. “We’ve talked for quite a while; the Boss must be thirsty. Let me pour her a cup of tea.”

Minister Tan’s legs and hands were even more agile than his mouth. Before he finished speaking, he had already rushed to the nearby table, picked up the teapot from the warm pot, poured a cup of tea, and presented it to Li Sangrou with both hands.

Li Sangrou was startled and jumped up, accepting the tea from Minister Tan, who was bowing as he offered it.

“What is it, ministers? Please speak frankly; it is like this…” Li Sangrou chuckled.

This appearance was rather frightening.

“It’s like this…” Minister Tan took the cup of tea, seemingly feeling better. “The compensation for the fallen soldiers, this silver… Minister Shi, perhaps you could tell me?”

“Minister Tan is right, absolutely right; it is about this silver…” Minister Shi said with a forced smile, bowing repeatedly.

“You’ve come to collect this merit money?” Li Sangrou asked directly.

“Boss, you are so kind… um, please help us, Boss,” Minister Tan bowed deeply.

Minister Shi quickly stood up and followed suit.

“Take it.” Li Sangrou sighed, grabbed a thick stack of slips of paper from the table, and slapped it into Minister Tan’s arms.

“Thank you so much, Boss, you are so kind and righteous…” Minister Tan held the large stack of slips of paper in both hands, quickly adding more flattery.

“Alright! You’ve received the money; no need for this anymore. Speak properly if you want to talk. If you are busy, go ahead and do your work,” Li Sangrou quickly stopped Minister Tan’s flattery.

“Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Boss! Thank you, Boss!” Minister Tan and Minister Shi stood side by side, bowing repeatedly.

“These compensation funds are all charitable donations; they cannot be deducted at every level.

The amount of money that arrives in your hands is the same amount that reaches the families of the fallen soldiers.

Print the amount each family is entitled to in the Evening Post. I will instruct the Shunfeng delivery stations to inquire while delivering the mail, whether any family has received a discrepancy between the amount reported in the Evening Post.”

Li Sangrou said with a stern face.

“Yes, Boss, rest assured. Minister Shi and I will go back and first report your intentions to the Emperor, then discuss a plan for your review,” Minister Tan hurriedly bowed in agreement.

Li Sangrou hummed in agreement, watched the two leave the thatched hut, sighed deeply, sat down in a chair, looked at the tea in her hand, sighed again, and took a sip.

This cup of tea was extremely expensive; it could not be wasted.

………………………………

Since Minister Tan’s and Minister Shi’s joint trip, Li Sangrou had not attended any more Dharma assemblies. She spent her time behind the Shunfeng headquarters courtyard, reading military reports and account books, trying to calm her mind.

After the Kitchen God Festival, Gu Jin sent Qing-Feng to deliver some New Year’s goods, such as several cans of good tea, a bag of melon seeds, a pair of peach wood charms, a finely crafted small gold chain with a small gold plaque bearing the character “fat,” and several small dog clothes pieced together from scraps of silk.

Li Sangrou picked out the gold chain, squinting at the gold plaque. The character “fat” looked quite like the Emperor’s handwriting.

After looking at them for a moment, Li Sangrou put down the gold chain and gold pendant, picked up the three or four puppy clothes with one finger, and examined them closely. The size was quite suitable; it would have been better if they were not made of silk.

Last time, Hei Ma made two silk clothes for Pang’er, and Da Chang complained when they got back. He was not complaining that Hei Ma did not know how to save money—Pang’er was small, and they could not skimp on him—but that Hei Ma did not think things through. Pang’er rolled around on the ground all day; what would happen to the silk clothes after rolling around?

Sure enough, Pang’er went crazy as soon as he put on his new clothes. After running around wildly for a few laps, he stumbled to the ground and started rolling around again. After one lap, the silk clothes were covered in threads and frayed everywhere.

Hei Ma did not let Pang’er wear the last silk clothes, saying he’d save them for when they went out for the New Year’s feast.

Now, Pang’er had his New Year’s clothes ready. The silk clothes Hei Ma made were perfect for him to wear and roll around in. Anyway, if he did not wear it now, it would no longer fit him in a month or two, which would be a waste.

With only two or three days until the New Year, Lady Fu’s little courtyard was still locked. Li Sangrou was starting to worry. In the evening, she left Shunfeng General Store and headed to Zhang Mao’s house in Shima Lane.

She needed to find Zhang Mao and ask her what Lady Fu had been doing.

Zhang Mao had hired two day laborers who were busy cleaning and tidying up inside and out. A pot was set up in the courtyard, and Old Wang’s wife was busy frying things.

Zhang Mao was also home, sitting at the chopping board, her knife flashing as she quickly sliced hemp leaves.

Guo’er and Cui’er each had a small bamboo basket, picking the hemp leaves one by one into the basket and bringing them to Old Wang’s wife.

On either side of another cutting board, Xiu’er and Man’er were busy rolling out dough and making buns, while Dazhuang tended the two large stoves.

“Auntie’s here!” A chorus of shouts erupted in the courtyard, but no one rushed over; everyone’s hands were occupied.

“The buns are steaming? What kind of filling?” Li Sangrou went to Man’er’s side first, peering at the two large basins of filling on the cutting board.

“Lamb and cabbage filling, plus vegetarian three-delicacy filling. No dried shrimp, just rehydrated scallops!” Xiu’er stirred the filling with chopsticks, showing it to Li Sangrou.

“Auntie, try one.” Cui’er handed over a bamboo basket of hemp leaves, carrying it and handing a bun to Li Sangrou.

“What kind of filling is this?” Li Sangrou took it and took a bite.

“The lamb filling is delicious!” Cui’er stood on tiptoe, watching Li Sangrou bite into the bun.

“The three-delicacy filling is delicious!” Guo’er quickly chimed in.

“You guys get to work; it is getting dark.” Li Sangrou, eating a steamed bun, picked up a small stool and sat down next to Zhang Mao.

“I am almost done; this is all the dough I have left,” Zhang Mao said, bending down to lift a large lump of dough mixed with sesame seeds from the clay basin.

“Man’er’s family is doing New Year’s preparations with my family. Sister Gu said my sesame seed cakes are delicious; she wants them every year, and she will take some to the workshop too. I need to make quite a few; they will be ready soon,” Zhang Mao said while vigorously rolling out the sesame dough.

“You go about your business; I came here just to ask, where did Lady Fu go?” Li Sangrou asked, biting into her steamed bun.

“She has not come back yet?” Zhang Mao asked in surprise. “I was saying that after I finished preparing the New Year’s goods, I’d send some over to her and then pick her up on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the New Year, but she has not come back yet?”

“Yes.” Li Sangrou looked at Zhang Mao with surprise and nodded.

“Sigh, that person! Really! She’s a monster!” Zhang Mao clicked her tongue repeatedly.

Li Sangrou looked at Zhang Mao, waiting for her to continue.

“She did not go far, to Chenliu County,” Zhang Mao said while vigorously rolling out sesame cakes.

“There’s a case, a daughter-in-law killed her father-in-law, and somehow, the case was submitted to our Jianle City, saying Chenliu was some kind of prefecture-level city? She said it, I did not understand, but anyway, it was submitted to the Jianle City yamen, and that’s where she got her hands on it.

She kept saying it was unfair, first saying there was nothing she could do, then saying things like ‘unfair’ and ‘it cannot be unfair,’ all just empty rhetoric, talking for a long time, and then saying she wanted to try.”

Zhang Mao, who had almost finished rolling out the cakes while standing, sat down and continued rolling.

“First, she spent money to visit the woman in jail. Later, she borrowed ten taels of silver from me, saying it was to bribe officials in prison, because she could not let the woman die before she could come up with a solution.

She only told me about this when she asked me for the silver.

To be honest, I listened to her talk for a long time, not knowing how to advise her, not even whether I should advise her or not. I did not understand what she was trying to do.

According to her, the case of the woman killing her father-in-law is ironclad.

She asked to borrow silver, and I could not refuse, so I lent it to her. Later, she came to borrow another ten taels of silver, saying she was going to Chenliu County. She left…” Zhang Mao paused, calculating, “It’s been more than twenty days, and she has not returned yet?”

“Yes,” Li Sangrou hummed in agreement.

“This person! It is the New Year, but it should be nothing serious. That family is just an ordinary family, not much money. I do not know what’s wrong with them. Murder is punishable by death, right?

You will have to wait for her to come back and ask her yourself.”

Li Sangrou listened intently to Zhang Mao’s words, finished her two steamed buns, one meat, one vegetable, and stood up. “I understand; I am leaving.”

“Are you not staying for dinner?” Zhang Mao stood up as well, but her words sounded rather insincere. She had a ton of work to do, enough to keep her busy until midnight, and she could not possibly cook tonight. They were full after eating steamed buns and sesame seed cakes.

“You are all so busy; I will come back after the New Year.” Li Sangrou patted Guo’er and Cui’er on the head, then ruffled Dazhuang’s hair. “If you are too busy, come to our house for New Year’s goods. We have everything, lots of everything.”

“You all prepare your own New Year’s goods! Then I will not deliver them to you. You do not need to wait until after the New Year. You will be free the day after tomorrow. We will not be preparing much for the New Year this year!” Zhang Mao called out from behind Li Sangrou.

Li Sangrou waved her hand, indicating she understood, and left.