SWDnovel Chapter 17 Reunion in the Same Year
Chapter 17 Reunion in the Same Year
Not long after, Zhang Shanren finished his performance and bowed to the audience in the tent. Shen Zhong'an took out ten coins and threw them on the stage.
"Young master's generous reward is sincere; I lightly tap the bamboo clapper to express my gratitude. I am content with the generous salary!" Zhang Shanren immediately recited a seventeen-character poem to express his thanks.
In the past, Zhang Shanren would only receive a dozen or so coins for a joke, but now Shen Zhong'an had given him ten coins, enough for his food and clothing for the day, which made him very happy.
With nothing else to do, Zhang Shanren stepped down from the stage, approached Shen Zhong'an, greeted him with clasped hands, and began chatting with him.
Taking advantage of the casual conversation, Shen Zhong'an subtly probed his personality and style of doing things.
Shen Zhong'an originally thought that if Zhang Shanren was capable of great use, he would ask Zhou Cairen to give the manuscript to Zhang Shanren for adaptation once he finished writing his legal cases and legendary stories.
After all, although Zhang Shanren was already 62 years old, he was still in the prime of his career and was a famous storyteller in later generations. If he could perform his own works like Li Zao, it would be a wonderful story a hundred years from now.
However, after several conversations, Shen Zhong'an gave up on the idea.
Although this person is quick-witted and responsive, he is also very stubborn. Once he has made up his mind about something, he will never change it, and he will always speak his mind without reservation.
Moreover, although he was from a humble background, he was proud and looked down on corrupt officials who held positions without doing their jobs and pretentious Confucian scholars. He spoke without restraint, daring to mock and curse, and eight out of ten of his sentences were sarcastic.
Even when elaborating on Shen Zhong'an's drought relief efforts, he deliberately added the role of a clerk who was universally disliked, using this character to thoroughly criticize most of the clerks.
This style is too sharp, too wild, and he loves to add sarcastic remarks at will, making it really difficult to control. If he were to perform his own legendary cases, he would inevitably add sarcastic remarks without permission, deviating from his original intention.
After chatting for another fifteen minutes, Shen Zhong'an got up to take his leave, and handed ten coins to Zhang Shanren as payment for the tea during their chat.
Zhang Shanren secretly rejoiced, thinking how lucky he was today. He had only chatted with the customer for a short while and had already received ten coins as a reward. He happily accepted the money and immediately recited a seventeen-character poem.
"I'll add another ten coins for tea and dew; your generosity is unparalleled in the world. I will never fail to protect you in this life!"
Shen Zhong'an smiled and bowed to take his leave. Just as he was about to step out of the shed, he saw a young man carrying a stack of freshly ground bamboo boards carefully walk in.
The boy was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a pale face, thin clothes covered in patches, and several small wounds on his hands.
The boy was clearly not expecting that even after a quarter of an hour, there were still customers lingering in the tent. He froze on the spot, unsure of what to do or not.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Shanren immediately frowned and rebuked:
"You ignorant brat! Didn't you check if there were any guests in the tent before coming in? If you offend a distinguished guest, can you take responsibility?"
After reprimanding the boy, Zhang Shanren turned to Shen Zhong'an and explained with a forced smile,
"Young master, you flatter me. This man is named Zhang Si. He is an apprentice who is learning from me. He is not yet proficient and has not completed his apprenticeship. He can only do odd jobs behind the scenes, such as sharpening bamboo boards, cleaning the shed, and serving tea and water. He is not worthy of being called a master."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Si immediately lowered his head, quickly stepped forward, and respectfully bowed to Shen Zhong'an.
"I am Zhang Si, and I greet you, sir."
Shen Zhong'an returned the greeting with a slight bow, said nothing more, and strode out of the shed.
Behind him, Zhang Shanren's reprimands could still be faintly heard, scolding Zhang Si for being rash and disrespectful of rules.
Zhang Si listened silently with his head down, only glancing furtively in the direction Shen Zhong'an had left, his heart filled with curiosity.
Who is this young master?
Why did you stay in the tent for so long after the show ended?
However, this curious thought vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.
After Zhang Shan's anger subsided and he accepted the bamboo board Zhang Si had sharpened, Zhang Si carefully found an excuse to bow and leave.
However, as soon as Zhang Si stepped out of the shed, he bumped into Shen Zhong'an, who had just left, at the back door.
He stood with his hands behind his back, and when he saw me come out, he strode closer, clearly having been waiting for me there on purpose.
But he was just an apprentice who didn't even have the chance to go on stage and give an opening speech. Why would this young master wait for him?
Despite his doubts, Zhang Si did not dare to be negligent and quickly stepped forward to bow.
"Young master, why are you still here?"
Shen Zhong'an did not answer Zhang Si's question, but instead inquired about his situation.
"How long have you been learning your craft from Zhang Shanren? What skills are you good at? Have you ever performed on stage? How did you perform on stage...?"
This series of questions left Zhang Si sweating profusely, increasingly confused. However, due to his long-standing habit, he answered truthfully one by one, daring not to conceal anything.
"I am Zhang Si, born in the countryside of Huaibei. My parents died. Five years ago, I fled famine with other refugees and came here. I worked as a handyman in Sangjia Wazi. Because of my loud voice, I was valued by my master and learned a skill from him. However, my skills were not good enough and I have never performed on stage..."
After getting a fairly good grasp of Zhang Si's background, Shen Zhong'an nodded and said:
"Tomorrow, I need your help with something. Whether it succeeds or fails, I will give you twenty coins as a reward. This matter will not harm anyone, nor will it involve Zhang Shanren's interests. You don't need to worry about it."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Si's eyes lit up instantly.
He received no pay while learning his craft from Zhang Shanren, and he often went hungry, barely getting enough to eat at two meals a day.
Twenty coins, if spent sparingly, would be enough for him to have four or five full meals.
"Rest assured, sir, I will do my best to assist you and will not make any mistakes!" Zhang Si immediately bowed and replied.
Shen Zhong'an nodded slightly, cupped his hands in farewell once more, and this time, he was truly leaving Sangjia Wazi.
At this moment, Shen Zhong'an was in a great mood, and his steps were much lighter.
Although Zhang Shanren was stubborn and difficult to control, and the cooperation could not be achieved as expected, he never expected to encounter Zhang Si, a famous figure in later generations.
Zhang Si became famous quite late, only rising to prominence during the Southern Song Dynasty when he was over thirty or nearly forty years old.
Because of his rough, straightforward, and outspoken storytelling style, and his bold and unrestrained language, he earned the nickname "Man Zhang Si" (meaning "Savage Zhang Si").
After the test, Zhang Si's performance was not outstanding and his skills were still immature, but his words already revealed a hint of arrogance.
With such talent, if he could find a renowned teacher to guide him and hone his skills, he would be able to graduate in no time.
Most importantly, although Zhang Si is still young, he is steady and patient, hardworking and able to endure hardship. What is even more rare is his cautiousness in seeking survival, his fear of officials and his adherence to rules. In the future, an agreement can be made to regulate his words and deeds, and he can be carefully cultivated. In the future, this famous storyteller will be his exclusive storyteller.
How could Shen Zhong'an not be delighted by this?
After a long and arduous journey, I've been preoccupied with numerous trivial matters for half a day.
First, he had two consecutive discussions with Zhou Cairen and three bookstore owners, and then he went to Sangjia Wazi to sit and listen to stories for a long time. His exhaustion was impossible to hide.
After leaving Washa Street, Shen Zhong'an went straight back to the inn where he had stayed.
After entering the shop, Shen Zhong'an specifically instructed the shop assistant to go upstairs to call him at six quarters past 5 pm. He then undressed and lay down on the bed, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Only when a gentle knock came at the door did Shen Zhong'an wake up groggily. With great reluctance, he got up, straightened his clothes, fastened his sash, and slowly went downstairs.
As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I bumped into Wang Jingming, who was about to enter the store.
After more than a month apart, the two had grown somewhat distant, but as old friends from the same year, a few familiar jokes and banter quickly dispelled any estrangement.
Shen Zhong'an took the opportunity to bring up the old agreement. He had promised before they parted that once he was officially appointed as a county magistrate, he would invite Wang Jingming for a small gathering with drinks. Today, the occasion had come, and he could fulfill his promise.
Wang Jingming readily agreed.
Now that the revenue sharing for the storybooks has been settled, Shen Zhong'an has much more money in his pocket. Having long heard about the sights and sounds of Bianjing, he is eager to visit Baifanlou, the most famous shop in the capital and the head of the seventy-two official shops.
See for yourself the grandeur and scenery of the top-tier establishment, a renowned banquet venue for scholars and nobles in the capital, with its interconnected pavilions and flying bridges.
Upon seeing this, Wang Jingming quickly shook his head to stop him, saying that Baifanlou was extravagant and expensive, not something that ordinary newly appointed scholars could afford on a daily basis, so why waste money?
Without further ado, he dragged Shen Zhong'an to the Baxianlou restaurant, a popular spot for scholars known for its affordable and delicious food.
This restaurant is a top-notch eatery in the capital. It is not luxurious, but the wine is excellent and the food is fresh. It is perfect for scholars from humble backgrounds to have a drink and chat.
Pushing open the door and entering, one finds a gentle and refined atmosphere. The hall is filled with scholars in blue robes, some sipping wine and discussing poetry, others chatting about current affairs. Truly, no uncultured person is among those who come and go, and all those who talk and laugh are learned scholars.
The two arrived a little late, and the best seats by the window with a view were already taken. With no other choice, they had to follow the waiter's lead and sit at a small square table on the left side of the lobby.
Before I could even settle down, a familiar greeting suddenly came from a large round table behind me, where many people were seated.
"Hey, isn't this Brother Wang and Brother Shen? It's been a long time, you two are still as charming as ever."
Upon hearing the sound, Shen Zhong'an and Wang Jingming turned around and looked in the direction of the sound. They saw seven or eight people sitting around the table, all of whom were classmates who had passed the imperial examination in the same year.
The person seated at the head of the round table, with an arrogant expression, was none other than Li Yanzhi, with whom Shen Zhong'an had a long-standing feud.
The moment their eyes met, Li Yanzhi's expression stiffened slightly, and a hint of reluctance flashed between his brows. Out of consideration for their friendship as classmates, he had no choice but to reluctantly raise his hand and bow in greeting according to the etiquette of Shilin.
Shen Zhong'an returned the greeting perfunctorily, not wanting to get involved further, and planned to sit at a small table with Wang Jingming. During the meal, his fellow student invited him to join him.
"Brother Shen and Brother Wang are both from the same generation as me. It is rare to meet them in the capital. Since we are old acquaintances, let us sit together and reminisce about our old friendship."
Once one person spoke up, the others echoed and offered their advice.
Wang Jingming knew that Shen Zhong'an and Li Yan had a long-standing feud, and originally wanted to politely decline. Shen Zhong'an also wanted to avoid it, but more than ten classmates invited him in unison, and he could not refuse their hospitality. Refusing would only make him seem petty.
Left with no other choice, the two moved over and sat down together at the round table.
The wine cups were filled one after another, and the banquet slowly began.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the conversation at the table gradually warmed up.
The group first inquired about each other's destinations after receiving their official appointments, who remained in the capital awaiting vacancies, and who had already gone to take up their posts in other counties.
Furthermore, regarding the political situation during the Yuan You era, with Empress Dowager Gao ruling from behind the curtain and the old faction in power, the path to officialdom now emphasizes stability and caution over sharp advancement. Newly promoted officials should all conceal their talents and be cautious in their words and actions.
The conversation eventually turned to the spring drought in the capital region. This year, the entire Kaifeng Prefecture experienced little rain, causing the soil to crack and the crops to wither. Many fields in the countryside suffered from the disaster, and the people were in dire straits. Everyone present frowned and sighed.
Among the people present, apart from Wang Jingming, who taught at the prefectural school in the capital, Li Yan, who sat in the head seat, held the highest official position. He served as the acting county magistrate of the Red County, in charge of farmland irrigation, rural affairs and civil matters, and was located in the disaster-stricken area.
The crowd then asked questions about the handling of the disaster in the county.
Unaware of the true situation, the people assumed that Li Yan, holding a high-ranking position, would be able to handle the disaster relief properly. Little did they know that while he excelled in poetry and prose, he was mediocre and lacked practical knowledge of governance.
While routine paperwork and miscellaneous tasks could be handled according to precedent, this urgent and difficult task of dealing with a severe drought affecting the entire region left them completely at a loss. They usually only knew how to follow the orders of their superiors and had no ideas or measures of their own.
Earlier, Chenliu County's four drought relief measures had yielded remarkable results, with most of the wheat seedlings in the area saved. The superiors specially sent someone to copy the regulations and issued them to Li Yanzhi, the county magistrate, to implement them accordingly.
However, he lacked capable officials to assist him in managing affairs, and he was unable to intimidate local gentry and powerful figures, so his policies were distorted at every level.
Of the four methods, only the method of loosening soil and irrigating holes was easy to implement and managed to spread to the countryside.
The remaining measures, such as digging wells, diverting water, and encouraging agriculture, were all controlled by powerful local magistrates and neglected by corrupt officials, ultimately becoming mere formalities.
The lands of the powerful and wealthy were all preserved, while the fields of ordinary poor farmers remained barren and yielded no harvest, leading to widespread discontent.
After this incident, Li Yanzhi was severely reprimanded by his superior, who criticized him for being mediocre and incompetent, leaving him feeling depressed and frustrated for days.
This reunion of classmates was originally intended to drown their sorrows in alcohol and escape the troubles of official business, but they unexpectedly ran into Shen Zhong'an.
He had already regarded Chenliu County's outstanding achievements as a glaring contrast in his heart, and secretly avoided mentioning it. He frequently changed the subject throughout the conversation, hoping that everyone would not bring up the drought relief efforts in Chenliu.
However, the spring drought raged throughout the capital region, a matter of concern to everyone in the court and the city, and ultimately there was no way to avoid it.
Left with no other choice, Li Yanzhi could only dodge the question and barely managed to evade the topic.
Unexpectedly, during a casual conversation, another classmate suddenly sighed with emotion while gazing at his cup.
"I've heard that Chenliu County handled the drought relief efforts most effectively, saving 70% of the crops. The registrar in charge is said to be a fellow graduate of our cohort, a rare and capable official. But I wonder what his name is?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than someone at the table chimed in.
"That's easy. Zhong'an is currently serving in Chenliu County. Ask him, and he'll know the answer to this question perfectly well."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent, and more than a dozen gazes fell on Shen Zhong'an.
The identity of this acting registrar of Chenliu County was not a secret, but since he had only been in office for a short time, few people knew about it.
If one is willing to inquire, the truth can be found out in three to five days.
Within three to five days, it will be known that, now that it has been mentioned, Shen Zhong'an directly acknowledged his identity as the acting registrar of Chenliu County.
Apart from Li Yanzhi, whose face was stiff, all the other students present were astonished and leaned forward to ask him questions about the details of the disaster relief and the governance of the county.
In an instant, Li Yanzhi, who had just been sitting in the main position and receiving polite compliments, was forgotten and neglected by everyone.
On the contrary, Shen Zhong'an, who arrived late and was originally just sitting along, became the focus of the entire room the moment his identity was revealed.
Shen Zhong'an was not a vengeful person, but he was certainly not the kind of person who would repay evil with kindness.
Li Yanzhi has repeatedly relied on his family background and literary reputation to provoke and ridicule others without reason. Now that they are sitting side by side, a good opportunity is right in front of them. How could Shen Zhong'an let it slip by?
After everyone had finished speaking, Shen Zhong'an's gaze fell on Li Yanzhi, and he said in a friendly, peer-friendly tone:
"The capital region and Chenliu are both located within the capital area, and their disaster situations are similar. The governance of the people is also quite similar. Brother Li has served as an assistant in the capital region for a long time. If you have any questions or difficulties regarding drought relief, flood control, agricultural promotion, or caring for the people, you are welcome to come and ask me. I will share everything I know without reservation."
To onlookers, these words sounded like words of camaraderie, humility, and generosity.
But to Li Yanzhi, it was like a thorn in his back, every word piercing his heart.
Li Yanzhi gripped the wine glass tightly in his hand, making the glass tremble slightly. His knuckles turned bluish-white from the force of his grip. His chest was filled with resentment, a mixture of shame, anger, and hatred.
However, if one gets angry in front of everyone, it will make one appear petty and lose face; if one speaks up to refute, there will be no way to argue, and one will only become more of a laughing stock.
With a heavy sense of frustration stuck in his throat, he could only swallow it down, forcing a stiff smile, raising his glass to express his gratitude, and tilting his head back to drink the wine in one gulp.
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The Eight Immortals Pavilion is a multi-tiered building. The carved windows of the private rooms are half-open, and the curtain hooks are lightly hung. Several scholars in blue robes stand by the railing, idly watching the various scenes of banquets and drinking in the marketplace below.
The leader, with an air of refined elegance, dressed in brocade robes and a scholar's gown, gently gestured with his folding fan in the direction of Shen Zhong'an.
"Who is this child?"
His companion happened to recognize Shen Zhong'an and immediately helped him understand.
"This person is Shen Zhong'an, the current acting registrar of Chenliu County. This year, there was a severe drought in the capital region, but Chenliu alone preserved 70% of the crops. He implemented four policies to relieve the people's suffering and provided famine relief. His measures were practical and effective. He is a rare talent among the newly promoted Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) who is truly capable."
"At such a young age, he doesn't indulge in empty talk about poetry and prose, but focuses on practical matters in the prefecture and county, and he certainly has some ability to govern and get things done. If my father heard of such a down-to-earth and steady young man, he would surely praise him highly and regard him as a role model for the younger generation of scholars."
Upon hearing this, the other companions in the private room immediately stopped talking and fell silent.