Chapter 93

This middle-aged woman is none other than the renowned Li Qingzhao, who was extremely famous even during the Song Dynasty. However, at this moment, she is in the most destitute, perplexed, and distressed period of her life.

Just this March, the paintings, calligraphy, and metal and stone collections she had entrusted to a friend were stolen by thieves, leaving the life's work of her and her husband in ruins.

Li Qingzhao fell seriously ill, and after recovering, her home was so poor that there was no rice for the pot. Everything that could be sold had already been sold. With no other choice, she had to seek help from others, hoping to find some work.

However, Li Qingzhao was not well-received, and she faced repeated rejections, almost driving her to despair. Today, it is the third time she has come to seek the assistance of Chancellor Lu Yihao, hoping that the court would issue the last few months' salary of her late husband, Zhao Mingcheng, as well as the funeral expenses after his death.

The Song Dynasty was an era of literati, and no official disliked talented women. However, the reason why Li Qingzhao, a woman of such renown, was so destitute and ignored by everyone mainly had two causes.

The first reason, of course, was her age. Literati preferred young, poetic, and charming talented women. Li Qingzhao was too old; she was already forty-six years old. Even Zhang Ruzhou, who later married her, was only interested in her wealth, not her beauty.

When Zhang Ruzhou discovered that she was already destitute, he began to speak harshly to her and even physically abuse her.

However, age was not the main reason for her repeated rejections. The primary reason was her political stance. The entire court and the emperor had been in turmoil for four years, and they had finally settled in Lin'an, beginning to enjoy a peaceful life and the pleasures of living.

Yet, she persistently submitted petitions, shouting, "Northward Campaign! Northward Campaign! Northward Campaign!"

She was like a Song Dynasty version of Xiang Linsao, urging everyone she met to support her political stance, advocating for the recovery of the Central Plains and the resistance against the Jin.

As a result, court officials all kept their distance from her, fearing that they might be labeled as supporters of the anti-Jin cause if they got too close to her.

The poem "Summer Absolute Sentence" was written by Li Qingzhao two years ago when she passed through Gaixia. It had been kept in her book box, and no one in Lin'an knew about it. Today, someone recited this poem at the Chancellor's residence, which naturally shocked her.

But then Li Qingzhao calmed down, thinking that her husband had shown this poem to some friends in Hongzhou, and it might have spread from there.

Chen Qing apologized, "I am Chen Qing, the commander of the Western Army. I have long admired your poetic talent. I apologize for my boldness in meeting you today, please do not be offended!"

Although Chen Qing was a bit presumptuous, Li Qingzhao was not annoyed. She had heard that he was a commander of the Western Army and immediately became interested.

"Which unit of the Western Army does General Chen belong to?"

"I am under the command of Wang Dutong, the commander of the Eight-Character Army."

"I know. Your army has been fighting in Shaanxi after moving from the Taihang Mountains. You achieved a great victory against the Jin at Heshangyuan at the beginning of the year, bringing hope to the people!"

"Which hope are you referring to, Madam?"

"The hope of reclaiming our homeland."

Li Qingzhao smiled slightly, "General, you must be one of the anti-Jin faction, right?"

Chen Qing nodded, "Every soldier in our Eight-Character Army is a staunch supporter of the anti-Jin cause, so I have always admired your persistence."

Li Qingzhao laughed bitterly, "In the two years I have been in Lin'an, this is the first time someone has praised me for my persistence. To be honest, I am almost at the point of despair."

"Despair? Why do you say that, Madam?"

At this moment, a group of young men approached. Chen Qing immediately recognized the leader as Wang Bo, who had been expelled from the martial arts academy but seemed unaffected by it.

"Brother Bo, I've rented a boat at Fengle Tower for the evening. Why don't you come and play with us?"

"Tomorrow, I have plans with friends to go to Fengle Tower. How about in a few days?"

"Sure, I'll book it again when Brother Bo decides which night."

"Qiyun, how much does it cost to rent a boat at Fengle Tower for the evening?"

"Not much, just five hundred strings of cash. There are over a dozen top-notch beauties, and you can play with them as you wish."

"Is Su Mi there?"

"Three, you still have Su Mi on your mind? That woman isn't someone just anyone can afford. Last time, Liu Bao offered a thousand strings of cash for one night, but he couldn't get it."

The group laughed and chatted as they stopped in front of the pavilion.

Wang Bo looked at Chen Qing with a mocking smile, "What a coincidence! General Chen is here too?"

Chen Qing stood up and smiled at Li Qingzhao, "Madam, let's take a walk over there!"

Li Qingzhao also detested Wang Bo and his group, so she quickly stood up and followed Chen Qing to the other side.

After walking a few steps, they faintly heard someone teasing, "I didn't expect this kid to have such a heavy taste."

Chen Qing turned around, his gaze sharp, and looked at Qiyun. Wang Bo nudged the short, fat Qiyun with his elbow and teased, "Don't upset him, or he might shoot you with an arrow!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Li Qingzhao calmly said to Chen Qing, "General, don't take these young nobles seriously!"

"These eunuch's sons are quite numerous, living a life of debauchery, and they have made Lin'an a place of corruption."

Li Qingzhao sighed lightly, "They are just more prominent. In fact, the entire Lin'an is rapidly transforming into the old Dongjing Bianliang. Over a hundred wine houses are being built along the West Lake, and hundreds of pleasure boats are being constructed for the nobles. The luxurious shops from the old Bianliang are now open in Lin'an. Now, anyone who talks about the Northward Campaign is considered foolish and out of touch. That's what I mean by despair."

Chen Qing felt a bit ashamed; he had almost invested in a wine house by the West Lake.

Li Qingzhao looked at him and smiled, "How is the situation in the Western Army? Do you have plans to retake Guanzhong?"

Chen Qing nodded, "We are currently consolidating our defenses and then gradually counterattacking. In fact, the emperor also has this idea, otherwise, he wouldn't have appointed me as the governor of Qin Prefecture."

Li Qingzhao gently brushed her hair, her eyes brightening, "Sometimes, I really want to go to the northwest and contribute to the resistance against the Jin. In Lin'an, the atmosphere is so decadent, it makes one feel cold."

Chen Qing smiled, "If Madam is willing to come to the northwest to support the anti-Jin cause, we would welcome you warmly."

Li Qingzhao said sadly, "My current priority is to support myself. I can't even find a job, and I have to rely on two maids who have been with me for years to wash clothes for a living."

Chen Qing knew that Li Qingzhao had been forced to marry Zhang Ruzhou due to her desperate situation. If there had been any hope, she wouldn't have taken this step. He felt deep sympathy for this talented poetess.

"Would you like me to find you some work?"

Li Qingzhao's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "What kind of work, General?"

"Copying books!"

This job was suitable for her, and Li Qingzhao smiled, "What books should I copy?"

"Any books, preferably the classics of the pre-Qin philosophers, various military strategies, and the 'Book of Han,' 'Old Book of Tang,' 'Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government,' etc. The price is one coin per character. Are you willing to take this job?"

Li Qingzhao immediately understood that this was a very high price, and this General Chen was actually indirectly supporting her!

"I understand your intention, but it's not necessary!"

Chen Qing shook his head, "I don't like printed books; I prefer well-written manuscripts. Asking you to be a copyist is really too much of a waste."

Li Qingzhao was in such a difficult situation that she no longer pretended. She immediately agreed, "Being able to copy books for General is an honor for me!"

Chen Qing took out ten taels of silver and smiled, "Here are ten taels of silver. Please first organize the articles and poems you have written over the years and copy them into a book for me. The price is a bit low, so consider it a bargain for me!"

......

Ten taels of silver could be exchanged for fifty strings of cash, which was a timely help for Li Qingzhao. Otherwise, she would have been evicted by her landlord.

Li Qingzhao was deeply grateful and left the Chancellor's residence without lingering. She had not come to celebrate the birthday but to request her husband's salary, which she had little hope of obtaining. However, she unexpectedly met Chen Qing, who solved her immediate financial crisis.

"Virtuous nephew!"

Chen Qing turned around and saw Huyan Zhengyan hurrying over, accompanied by a black, fat man, who was none other than Zhang Ruzhou, who had designs on Li Qingzhao.

"Uncle, why are you here?"

"Where is Yijuzhushi? She was just in the pavilion."

"She went back. She is copying books for someone, and they need the books urgently, so she had to rush back."

Zhang Ruzhou was stunned, "She is copying books for someone? No way!"

"Why not?"

Chen Qing smiled, "She is now destitute and needs to eat, doesn't she?"

Zhang Ruzhou widened his eyes, "Destitute? General Chen, are you joking?"

Chen Qing said calmly, "This March, the metal and stone collections and ancient paintings she had entrusted to a friend were stolen by thieves, leaving her decades of work in ruins. She reported it to the authorities, but they couldn't find anything. Such a big event, you didn't know about it?"

Zhang Ruzhou was completely stunned, "This... I have some business to attend to, you two can chat!"

Watching Zhang Ruzhou's dejected figure, Huyan Zhengyan smiled and asked, "Are Yijuzhushi's collections really gone, or is it just to discourage Zhang Ruzhou?"

"They are really gone. He can ask the authorities. If he wants to take advantage of Yijuzhushi's wealth, he is making a big mistake."

Huyan Zhengyan laughed, "Now, not only is Zhang Ruzhou in despair, but all those who want to marry their daughters to you are also in despair. I really don't understand what you are thinking. Without a house, who would want to marry their daughter to you?"

Chen Qing chuckled, "When the Song Dynasty returns to Dongjing Bianliang, the houses in Lin'an might not be so valuable anymore!"

Huyan Zhengyan pursed his lips, "How is that possible?"

"Anything is possible. Uncle, don't be so certain; leave yourself some room for maneuver."

Huyan Zhengyan was uncertain, and at this moment, the steward hurried over and bowed to Chen Qing, "General Chen, my master invites you!"