SWDnovel Chapter 4 Ying Mao
Chapter 4 Ying Mao
Tang Geng and Shen Zhong'an were not really close, but he was filled with sorrow and had no one to confide in.
His former literary friends all received official appointments after the palace examination, either staying in the capital to serve as officials or going to various prefectures and counties to take up positions and enter the proper path of officialdom. Only he, with his talent as a third-rank scholar, could only wander aimlessly on the streets of Bianjing.
Having just heard the mournful and poignant melody of "Du Shiniang," I was already feeling unsettled. Now, having unexpectedly encountered Shen Zhong'an, a scholar of decent reputation among my peers, I could no longer suppress my long-suppressed sorrow. I just wanted to find a place to vent my feelings, which is why I called out to him to stop.
"Brother Shen, our meeting today is fate. Why don't you come with me to the tavern at the alley entrance for a short while, have a couple of drinks, and reminisce about our shared experience of passing the imperial examinations? What do you say?"
Since he was asking for a favor, Tang Geng adopted an extremely humble attitude.
Although Shen Zhong'an had no intention of befriending them, he couldn't refuse since they had come to him of their own accord. After hesitating for only half a second, he nodded in agreement.
"Brother Tang's hospitality is too much to refuse, so I'll join you for a few drinks."
The two walked out of the peony shed side by side and sat down at a tavern called "Xinghua Village" at the corner of the alley. They ordered two jugs of local Bianjing wine and a few side dishes.
After drinking half a pot of weak wine, Tang Geng suddenly picked up his wine cup, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.
"Brother Shen, are you aware of my current predicament?"
Tang Geng put down his wine glass, poured himself another, and, with a mix of bewilderment and sarcasm, confided his innermost thoughts.
"It is not that I am arrogant, but with my talent and learning, I am more than qualified to be a teacher in a primary school in Beijing."
I sought recommendations from two fellow examinees who were also in the same year, and by sheer luck, I got the chance to take the examination for the position of academic official. I thought I could get a stable job, but to my surprise, I failed.
Now I am in a dilemma, not knowing whether to stay in Bianjing and find a job as an elementary school teacher to make a living for the time being;
"I might as well go back to my hometown, find a minor official position, wait two years, and then return to the capital to take the civil service exam and seek a formal official post. But I'm afraid that if I go back to my hometown, my future will be even more bleak..."
After saying that, Tang Geng tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, his handsome brows filled with confusion and resentment.
Shen Zhong'an held his wine glass, his fingertips tracing the rim of the glass. Thinking of the hardships and wanderings he would endure in the latter half of his life, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
If it were someone like Li Yanzhi, who is a historically unknown and arrogant individual, then so be it.
How can we, after learning about the life of a man like Tang Geng, who was honest and upright, skilled in administrative affairs, fair in judging cases, and known as "Little Su Dongpo," watch him walk step by step toward his destined end?
Shen Zhong'an couldn't bear to see his talents go to waste, and even more so, he couldn't bear to see him embark on an even more difficult path due to a moment of confusion.
"Brother Tang, in my opinion, returning to your hometown is absolutely not advisable."
Tang Geng had only wanted to confide his frustrations to Shen Zhong'an, but he never expected to receive a response. Upon hearing this, he suddenly raised his head and stared at Shen Zhong'an with dazed eyes.
"Brother Tang is exceptionally talented, and his reputation as a top-three scholar is well-deserved. It's just that he's been out of luck and has no one to rely on for the time being."
After returning to your hometown, the mountains are high and the roads are long, far from the capital. Even if you are diligent and pragmatic and have outstanding political achievements, it will be difficult to gain the attention of high-ranking officials in the court. The civil service examination two years later will still be uncertain, and you will have wasted your time and buried your talents.
Why not stay in the capital and seek a position like mine as a powerful official in the vicinity of the capital?
With Brother Tang's talent and learning, as long as he is diligent, pragmatic, handles things properly, and performs outstandingly, he may not need to wait two years for the selection examination. He may be able to gain the appreciation of his superiors and be directly granted a substantive position.
This is much safer than being a tutor in a private school or returning to your hometown to make a living, and it also allows you to better realize your ambitions...
That night, Tang Geng drank quite a lot of wine, going through wine jug after wine jug.
Fueled by alcohol, Tang Geng rambled on about his sorrows, his lifelong ambitions, and his uncertainty about the future, from his hometown in Sichuan to his wanderings in Bianjing, from the hardships of the imperial examinations to the difficulties of his official career.
Around midnight, the lanterns on the decorated pavilion were extinguished, and the shouts of "Closing up shop!" from the shop assistants continued. Only then did Shen Zhong'an call over the shop assistants, pay them fifty coins as a settlement fee, and have them help Tang Geng to a side room to rest. Only then did he leave the shop and head straight for Xingguo Temple.
Today's visit to the tavern was at Tang Geng's invitation, and he should have been the one to treat. However, seeing Tang Geng's completely drunk state, Shen Zhong'an had no choice but to accept the bill. Including the accommodation fee, he paid a total of 283 coins. The half string of cash he borrowed from Wang Jingming was now less than 50 coins.
The next morning, Shen Zhong'an was awakened by a splitting headache. His mouth was dry and his throat felt like it was on fire. He struggled to get up and drank three large bowls of cold water before he felt a little better.
After sobering up, Shen Zhong'an gradually recalled his conversation with Tang Geng from the previous night. He was secretly annoyed that drinking had led to his mistake, and that he had committed the cardinal sin of speaking too intimately with someone he barely knew!
Fortunately, even though he was drunk last night, he didn't make a fuss and reveal Tang Geng's life story and hardships.
Otherwise, at best, he'll be seen as a charlatan, attracting criticism and contempt; at worst, he'll be suspected of harboring ulterior motives and prying into the secrets of heaven, getting into unnecessary trouble, which would truly be a disaster.
"You must never drink alcohol again. Even if you can't refuse, you must drink in moderation and stop when you've had enough!"
Today is the day to report to Chenliu County, so we must not delay.
After quickly washing up, Shen Zhong'an packed away the few belongings left behind by the original owner of the body, rented a carriage, and hurriedly headed towards Chenliu County.
Chenliu County is only a hundred li away from Bianjing. At the end of Chenshi (7-9 AM), the carriage arrived at the south gate of the county town.
At the city gate, two gatekeepers dressed in blue official robes were on duty with wooden canes in their hands. When they saw the carriage approaching, they stepped forward to stop it.
"Sir/Madam, please show your travel permit or official document before you can enter the city."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhong'an lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage, cupping his hands and smiling, "I am Shen Zhong'an. I have come to report for duty as the acting registrar of Chenliu County, having received an official document from Kaifeng Prefecture."
Having said that, he took out a gold-embossed document from his bosom and handed it to the gatekeeper with both hands.
The gatekeeper, seeing the official document stamped with the vermilion seal of Kaifeng Prefecture, dared not delay. He quickly took it with both hands and examined it closely. After confirming that it was correct, he immediately stepped aside and bowed.
"So it's Registrar Shen! My apologies for not recognizing you! I'll take you to the county office right away. The magistrate and the registrar are already waiting there."
Although Chenliu County was located in the suburbs of Kaifeng Prefecture, it was a bustling city. The streets were lined with green-tiled and white-walled houses, grain shops, cloth shops, and taverns, and pedestrians came and went in an endless stream. There were porters carrying loads, hawkers hawking their wares, and clerks in official uniforms, creating a lively atmosphere.
The county government office is located in the center of the county town. Its vermilion gate is solemn and dignified, with the four black characters "Chenliu County Government Office" hanging on the lintel. Two stone lions stand on either side, exuding a calm and imposing aura.
The gatekeeper led Shen Zhong'an through the main gate and across a stone-paved corridor. Neat corridors lined both sides of the corridor, with the offices of officials and households on the left and the offices of soldiers and criminals on the right. Every now and then, a junior official in his official uniform would hurry by, carrying documents and files in his hands, his expression solemn.
Upon reaching the ceremonial gate, an official dressed in dark official robes was already waiting by his side, followed by a minor official holding documents.
"This must be Shen Zhong'an, the Registrar?"
The official was the first to bow, his tone gentle.
"My name is Wang Zhong, currently serving as the Registrar of Chenliu County. I have been ordered by Your Excellency to come here to greet the Chief Clerk. Your Excellency is currently handling official business in the main hall and has instructed me to first show the Chief Clerk around the yamen before we go to see him."
In the Northern Song Dynasty, there was no official title called "Dianli". It was a general term for "Yashi", "Lushi", "Shoufen", and "Tieshi". They were in charge of documents, criminal cases, money and grain, and corvée. They were the backbone of the county government, but they were not ranked and had no official rank. They were recruited by the local government and served for a long time.
Officials were replaced every three years, and clerks were entrenched in their positions for generations, passing the job down from father to son.
Chenliu County is a strategic location near the capital, frequented by powerful and influential figures. It is a complex hub for grain transport and commerce, with a network of officials that extends directly to Kaifeng Prefecture and even the capital. Even the county magistrate has to give it some leeway.
Shen Zhong'an understood the implications and naturally wouldn't want to antagonize them without reason. He quickly returned the greeting with a respectful but not humble tone.
"I am sorry to have troubled you, Clerk Wang, to wait for me. My name is Shen Zhong'an. I am new here and unfamiliar with many things. I hope you will give me some guidance."
"You're too kind, Registrar Shen."
Wang Dianshi smiled and stepped aside to lead the way, showing no arrogance befitting a local tyrant.
"The chief clerk was appointed by the imperial court and was in charge of the county government's documents, household registration, warehouses and other matters. He was the core assistant official of the county government."
Although our Chenliu County is small, it is located in a strategic area, and the household registration and taxation affairs are complicated. Fortunately, the registrar is capable and will surely be able to handle the job.
Ahead is the document room where the registrar works, and next door is the warehouse. Registrar Shen, you will be handling case files and verifying household registrations mostly here.
Next to the document room is the official residence, which the county government specially prepared for you. Although the furnishings are simple, they are clean and tidy. Once you are settled, Registrar Shen, you can work with peace of mind.
Shen Zhong'an looked in the direction Wang Dianshi pointed and saw that the document room was simply furnished, with writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, and case files on the desk, and a clothing trunk in the corner, all of which were provided by the government.
The doors and windows of the official residence next door were intact, and the beds and chairs inside could be vaguely seen. Just as we had known before, there was no need to rent a room ourselves.
"Thank you for the county government's thoughtfulness, and thank you for Wang the clerk's trouble." Shen Zhong'an bowed again.
This is my duty. The registrar has just arrived and must be tired from his journey. Please settle in briefly before you come with me to see the magistrate to discuss the follow-up official business. Our magistrate is a humble and considerate man, so the registrar need not be so formal.
Shen Zhong'an delivered the luggage to the official residence, held the appointment document in his hand, and followed Wang Dianli to the main hall.
Inside the main hall, Luo Shi, the magistrate of Chenliu County, was sitting behind his desk, reviewing case files. When the two men entered, he slowly put down his vermilion pen.
Shen Zhong'an quickly stepped forward, bowed, and handed over the appointment document with both hands.
"Your subject, Shen Zhong'an, has been summoned by the Kaifeng Prefecture to serve as the acting registrar of Chenliu County. I have come to report for duty today and pay my respects to Your Excellency."
Luo Shi raised his hand to signal him to stand up, took the document and carefully read it through, then slowly nodded after a moment.
"Registrar Shen, there's no need for such formalities. I am already aware of your situation. I am grateful for the recommendation from Kaifeng Prefecture, so I suppose you have some talent."
The administration of Chenliu County is complex and demanding. The Registrar is in charge of documents and household registration, and bears a heavy responsibility. From now on, you must be cautious and diligent in all matters, consult with Clerk Wang and the County Commandant more often, and avoid acting arbitrarily.
"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered. Although I have made some oversights in assuming this position, I will certainly do my best to fulfill my duties and work diligently to live up to the trust placed in me by the court and Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to handle the affairs related to the Registrar and share Your Majesty's burdens." Shen Zhong'an bowed and replied.
"Good, it's good that you have this intention. Wang, you should take good care of Shen, the registrar, so that he can quickly become familiar with the affairs of the county government and the situation in Chenliu County. The official residence has been prepared, and the meal allowance will be paid monthly. If there are any difficulties, he can come to see me at any time."
"Your subject obeys the order," the scribe bowed in response.
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Excellency." Shen Zhong'an bowed again.
According to the usual practice of this dynasty, when a newly appointed registrar arrives, he should be personally guided by the clerk to familiarize himself with the regulations of the government office, the registers and taxes, and the style of official documents, and be given practical guidance in every aspect.
Once outside the main hall, Wang Dianli exchanged only brief pleasantries before putting on a businesslike smile and saying that county affairs were complicated and he was too busy to attend to other matters. He then casually pointed Shen Zhong'an to an old clerk below the steps.
The old official was over sixty years old, with half-white hair and beard, a slightly hunched back, and wrinkled skin. His black official uniform had been washed until it was almost white, and he wore an old sash around his waist. He was none other than Liu Laocao, who had spent his entire life managing household registration, taxes, and land records in the county government.
Unlike the county magistrate and the clerk's mild and polite manner, Liu Laocao had little smile on his face. His attitude was indifferent but he still kept to his duty. He led Shen Zhong'an around the registrar's office, saying every proper rule without missing a word. Apart from that, he didn't say a single idle word.
After explaining in detail when to go to court, when to take leave, how to inspect the registers, how to register taxes and rents, what kind of paper to use for official documents, and what format to use for signatures, Old Liu pointed to the mountain of old scrolls on the table and instructed:
"Registrar Shen, you are new here, so there is no need to rush to write. First, spend three days looking at the old documents from the last three or four years to familiarize yourself with the format and style, and to know the tax categories of Chenliu County. Then I will teach you how to draft, sign, and submit them."
This sounds like a step-by-step approach, but it's really just a cold shoulder to the newcomer, not even a proper warning.
Shen Zhong'an understood that this matter might not have been Liu Laocao's idea, but rather someone above had specifically instructed him to do so. He simply cupped his hands and replied, "Thank you for your trouble, Elder Liu. I will obey your command."
After saying that, Shen Zhong'an personally carried stacks of yellowed, wrinkled, and curled old documents to his desk and spread them out to examine them closely.
I watched for a whole morning, and before I knew it, the sunlight outside the window had moved past the eaves and it was noon.
According to the regulations of the government offices in this dynasty, the first quarter of noon is the time for rest, when clerks and officials are dismissed and can do as they please.
Shen Zhong'an originally thought that he would have to live on plain cakes and cold water every day until he got his share of the storybook revenue. He never expected that the public kitchen of Chenliu County would be provided with food by the government. Although he was only a lowly rank of acting registrar, he was still included in the free meals.
The public kitchen was located on the west side of the government office. It was simply furnished but clean, and served two simple meals a day, mostly steamed buns, porridge, and small dishes of meat and vegetables. Although not luxurious, it was enough to fill one's stomach.
After having lunch with a group of clerks and junior officials, Shen Zhong'an returned to his office.
I only glanced at it briefly this morning and thought it was quite good. Now, looking at it more closely, I am even more impressed that this junior clerk is treated so well.
The clerk's residence was a small, detached house with a gatehouse next to the entrance, where servants could stay.
The courtyard was paved with bluestone slabs, and there were three main rooms in the center: one was the master bedroom, one was the study, and one was the main hall. There was also a small independent kitchen on the side, a well, and a latrine. The room was fully furnished with tables, chairs, beds, cabinets, and bookshelves. Although it was not luxurious, it was clean and tidy, and it was more than ten times better than the small house he rented at Xingguo Temple in Bianjing.
After his lunch break, Shen Zhong'an returned to his office to attend to his duties, burying himself in old documents.
Although the current dynasty's "Official Document Format" and "Tax and Rent Book Format" have established regulations, the old archives of Chenliu County Government are so messy that they are a real headache.
The previous document was from August of last year, the next one was tax bills from December of the year before last, and the next one was a supplementary copy of a lawsuit from June of the previous year.
Household categories, tax categories, lawsuit categories, tax collection categories, and relief loan categories were all mixed together in one place, without classification, numbering, or order.
During that time, Liu Laocao went in and out several times, each time in search of an old file.
Sometimes you need to find a household registration certificate from a certain township or village, and sometimes you need to find a tax register from a certain prefecture or bao. You often spend a quarter of an hour, or even nearly half an hour, searching through piles of documents before finally finding the volume you need, panting heavily. You then hurriedly leave, muttering "What a mess!" as you go.
Shen Zhong'an, who was naturally fond of order, was already annoyed by the pile of messy documents. Seeing this, he made up his mind to ask Liu Laocao about the documents when Liu came in again to look for them.
"Old Liu, I see these old files piled up in one place, making it very inconvenient to find them. I wonder if this is how old files in the yamen have always been stored?"
"It's a long-standing habit. With few people and a lot of paperwork, it's impossible to keep everything in order. Just find what you need," Old Liu said dismissively.
"Since that's the case, and I'm just idling around anyway, I might as well sort these documents by year and category and make a rough order so that it will save you some trouble when you need them in the future."
Liu Laocao never expected that Shen Zhong'an, the newly appointed registrar, would make such a crude request as organizing documents. After hesitating for a moment, he finally uttered the word "whatever" and hurriedly left with the documents in his arms.