Chapter 80

As the saying goes, too much is as bad as too little. It’s true that Minister Hu wanted to save Jie Jin, but he certainly wouldn’t dare to offend Prince Han and the Commander of the Jinyiwei, Ji Gang. The strategy Wang Xian gave to County Magistrate Wei was to make Minister Hu fear that he might overstep his bounds and provoke the tiger, thus not daring to involve him.

Feeling much more at ease, County Magistrate Wei went to Hangzhou the next day, and he even specially asked Wang Xian to accompany him. In Wei’s view, this was undoubtedly a sign of favor and honor, but Wang Xian was in great distress. There were only a few days of New Year’s holiday, and he had to go to the provincial capital as an attendant. It was truly a torment...

Over the next few days, he followed County Magistrate Wei to pay respects to the Prefect, the Vice Prefect, the Left and Right Censors, the Censor-in-Chief, the Deputy Censor, the Circuit Intendant, the Deputy Circuit Intendant, the Circuit Inspector, the Grain Transport Commissioner... dozens of superiors of various ranks.

Of course, most of the time, they could only send their greetings through the gate, unable to even see the officials, and could only perform the formalities from outside. There was no choice; in the provincial capital, a seventh-rank county magistrate could only receive such treatment.

Fortunately, Zhou, the Censor-in-Chief, Yu, the Prefect, the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou, and the Grain Transport Commissioner all received him, which was already considered very honorable among the county magistrates who came to pay New Year’s greetings.

Besides paying respects to his superiors, County Magistrate Wei also attended gatherings of county magistrates and the New Year’s greetings of officials from Jiangxi Province. In the Jiangxi Guild Hall, he indeed saw Hu Guang. Unfortunately, throughout the gathering, Scholar Hu never spoke to him privately, let alone asked him to submit a memorial.

This left County Magistrate Wei both relieved and disappointed. On the boat back to Hangzhou, he said to Wang Xian and Sima Qiu with a self-deprecating smile, “This time, I was like a peacock spreading its tail—overestimating myself. Minister Hu didn’t even take me seriously.”

“Haha...” Sima Qiu laughed and advised, “Isn’t this better? You didn’t cause any trouble, nor did you offend Minister Hu.”

“Sigh.” County Magistrate Wei nodded but couldn’t help but sigh. Scholars were like this; they would rather be troubled than be ignored.

“Sir, there’s no need to worry. There might be some hidden reason.” Wang Xian said, “I noticed that Minister Hu looked gloomy. He didn’t speak to you privately, nor did he socialize much with others, as if he was in a difficult position.” As an observer, Wang Xian could more carefully observe the situation.

“What is he worried about?” Hearing this, County Magistrate Wei also felt it might be true.

“I suspect the long-serving attendant who never left his side is the problem.” Wang Xian whispered, “I noticed that Minister Hu glanced at him six times. Is this a normal master-servant relationship?”

“Definitely not normal. Why would a master glance at a servant?” Sima Qiu asked, “Who do you think that person is?”

“I guess it might be... the Jinyiwei.” Wang Xian whispered, “Or someone from Prince Han’s household.”

“The possibility of Prince Han’s household is low.” County Magistrate Wei’s eyes narrowed, “It’s likely the Jinyiwei, because Zhou, the Censor-in-Chief, said that the court values Minister Hu’s safety and specially sent the Jinyiwei to escort him...” This explained everything. Ji Gang, fearing that Minister Hu might talk too much on his way home, had planted spies in the Jinyiwei and even secretly threatened Minister Hu... Given Ji Gang’s notorious reputation, this was entirely possible.

“No matter what, it’s best for us to stay out of it.” Sima Qiu said with relief, “If we offend Ji Gang, it won’t be a joke.”

Even County Magistrate Wei, who was usually unafraid of authority, showed a deep agreement... If Zhou Xin could stop children from crying at night, then Ji Gang’s reputation was enough to scare grown men into fainting.

Wang Xian couldn’t help but sigh. He had thought that civil officials in the Ming Dynasty could act with impunity, but it turned out that this was not the case. Not to mention that the mere mention of the Jinyiwei could scare them like this... even the military officers of the Zhejiang Military Command were arrogant and didn’t take civil officials seriously.

In Hangzhou, he had personally witnessed a conflict between a sixth-rank military officer and a sixth-rank civil official on the street. The military officer dragged the civil official out of his sedan chair and whipped him, and the Prefect’s office didn’t even dare to intervene. Later, he heard that the civil official was an experience officer of the Board of Revenue, and when his subordinate was beaten, the Board of Revenue Commissioner pretended not to know, not daring to offend the military officers of the Military Command.

It was only after leaving that he realized that the Ming Dynasty of this era was different from a hundred years later, where civil officials weren’t as powerful...

This made him finally understand that there was no true safety in this world. To live without any restrictions, whether now or six hundred years later, was unrealistic. Caution was the best policy, and this should be his eternal creed.

Returning to Fuyang, the government office reopened on the sixth day of the first month, but the officials and clerks spent the whole day greeting each other, drinking, and socializing, with no intention of getting back to work. County Magistrate Wei didn’t bother to stop them. This was because two days later, there would be a Lantern Festival holiday twice as long as the New Year’s holiday.

Starting from the seventh year of Yongle, the current emperor decreed that the Lantern Festival, a symbol of a peaceful and prosperous era, should be a time for the emperor and his subjects to enjoy together, hence a ten-day holiday was granted. Thus, the Lantern Festival holiday was twice as long as the New Year’s holiday, and while the New Year involved rituals, ancestor worship, and New Year’s greetings, the Lantern Festival was all about fun. Whether it was the emperor, ministers, or commoners, everyone was more relaxed, and it was a time for feasting and enjoyment.

Therefore, the eighth day of the first month was called “Releasing the Soul,” as it marked the beginning of ten days of unrestrained revelry and joy for the emperor and his subjects. From this day on, throughout the Ming Dynasty, whether north or south, east or west, young people roamed and played, practicing songs and dances, playing games, and enjoying themselves day and night...

During this time, brothels and taverns did brisk business, and Wang Xian received numerous invitations to drink and visit brothels. Unfortunately, while he could drink, he couldn’t visit brothels... although he had the heart of an old man, he was only sixteen years old, and if he dared to visit a brothel at such a young age, his mother would surely beat him to death.

But if he went to the taverns, the others would definitely call for prostitutes to accompany them. Wang Xian, already in the prime of his youth, found it hard to resist the temptation but had no outlet for his desires, which led to acne on his face. Frustrated, he decided to stop socializing and spent his days taking his sister and younger sister to temple fairs, dining out, and watching village operas, which brought a refreshing kind of happiness.

Before long, it was the fifteenth day of the first month. After lunch, Wang Xian took Lin Qing’er and Yin Ling to Hangzhou to see the lanterns. The county originally had lanterns, but compared to Hangzhou’s, they were like fireflies to the moon. Therefore, the people of Fuyang all went to Hangzhou to see the lanterns.

Later, the county government stopped organizing lantern displays and instead provided free boat rides to Hangzhou for the people. Of course, wealthy families would take their own boats, like the Li and Yu families, who even rented painted pleasure boats in advance. On the river, boats raced, and everyone was in high spirits, giving Wang Xian a true sense of the prosperity of a peaceful era.

Because there were so many boats going to Hangzhou, it took two hours to reach Wulin Gate. By the time Wang Xian escorted the two girls off the boat, it was already dusk...

“Wow, so many people!” Yin Ling, like Lin Qing’er, was dressed in white, which stood out more under the moonlight. She also wore a plum blossom in her hair, making her look like a snow-covered plum blossom, radiating youthful vitality.

Seeing the wide street crowded with people in bright clothing, even Wang Xian couldn’t help but widen his eyes. After living in a small county for so long, suddenly seeing such a bustling scene, he couldn’t help but be a bit overwhelmed... Lin Qing’er, though mindful of her ladylike demeanor, had her eyes full of excitement.

Wang Xian quickly put on a serious face, “With so many people, be careful not to get lost and be kidnapped.”

Yin Ling, being a child, was scared and tightly held onto her brother’s left hand, afraid of getting lost and being kidnapped. Seeing Wang Xian extend his right hand, Lin Qing’er gave him a playful glare and shyly extended her small hand, holding his tightly. As the saying goes, once a stranger, twice a friend, and thrice a familiar face...

The three passed through Wulin Gate and arrived on Wulin Street, where the wide street was bustling with people. Dozens of lantern stands were set up on the street, surrounded by various shops. At this time, the lanterns were lit, but the sky was still bright, so the beauty of the lanterns wasn’t fully visible. Wang Xian took them to browse the food stalls first. Wulin Street was the busiest place in Hangzhou, full of vendors selling snacks, their calls rising and falling like a pleasant song.

However, the little glutton Yin Ling had all her attention on the various snacks, drooling, “Brother, I’ll treat you!” This year, she had received so many red envelopes that her hands ached from counting the money. Not only did her father and brother give her New Year’s money, but her ancestors, relatives, friends, and even the clerks and neighbors who came to pay New Year’s greetings all gave her red envelopes. Some gave one or two strings of cash, others a hundred or eighty coins, and she counted until her hands ached, unable to even know how much she had.

This time, the little rich girl generously spent her money, buying snacks she liked. In no time, Wang Xian and Lin Qing’er’s hands were full of various snacks. From pickled fish, vermicelli, sugar-coated ice balls, candied fruits, lamb skewers, to fried pigeons... they ate everything, wishing they had more hands and a bigger stomach.

By the time Yin Ling patted her full stomach and declared she was satisfied, they had only eaten half of what they bought. Looking at the tempting snacks she couldn’t eat, she sighed, feeling frustrated.

Wang Xian glared at her, “If you keep eating, you’ll become as fat as a pig. How will you find a husband?”

“Then I’ll just stay with my brother and sister.” Yin Ling, used to being scolded, laughed, “Sister, I don’t want to come to Hangzhou with my parents. I want to live with you in Fuyang.”

Lin Qing’er took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, smiling indulgently, “Hangzhou is so nice, right next to the Wulin Night Market. You can eat all the snacks you want.”

“True.” Hearing this, Yin Ling thought it made sense and changed her mind, “I’ll come to Hangzhou.”

Wang Xian squinted at Lin Qing’er, who shyly turned away, only to be stunned by the brilliant lanterns in front of her...

---

Page break for ads

Page break for ads