Chapter 36 I am Qu Maoze

Shangyang Village is about 100 li (approximately 50 kilometers) from the capital and is one of the main passes on the way out of the capital.

Therefore, life in Shangyang Village is much better than in many towns. The village is full of inns and restaurants, and business is even better on rainy days. People from nearby areas flock here, and those who originally planned to leave can't go.

This is when the village market opens, and the honest villagers unceremoniously raise prices on the spot. Passersby, seeing the torrential rain outside, grit their teeth and can only endure it. Of course, for every good-natured person, there's someone with a bad temper.

"What, five hundred coins? I only paid two hundred coins yesterday."

"Fifty coins for a vegetarian dish? One hundred for pork, three hundred for mutton?"

"Even the inns in the capital aren't as shady as yours! You're a black market inn, a black market inn! You can take my life, but you have no money!"

...

Inside the largest inn in Shangyang Village, Tonghua Inn, there was a great commotion. The leader of the group was a little over six feet tall, with thick thighs and arms, and strong muscles. He looked like a military officer, but the satchel on his back betrayed his true nature—he was actually a scholar.

At that moment, six or seven dishes were laid out on his table, and he ate them all, large and small bowls, cleanly, without wasting a single bite.

The bear-like man finished his last bite and went to pay the bill. Upon hearing the price, his eyes widened, and he abruptly stood up, stepping on his stool.

"Is there no law under the law in the capital? Even the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion in the capital charges this much, how dare your little inn do this?"

This immediately drew agreement from others who shared the same discontent. Seeing his tall and imposing figure, they rallied around him, each one indignant, their faces etched with discontent at the inn's sudden price increase.

Just as a quarrel was about to break out, a man in a brown robe stepped forward. He looked to be around forty years old, with a protruding belly, short, thick calves, and gleaming eyes that revealed his shrewdness. He remained calm in the face of the commotion, waving his hand to try and mediate.

"Everyone, please stop arguing. Let's sit down and talk things over. My name is Yang Youyang, the owner of Tonghua Inn and the village chief of Shangyang Village."

The bear-like man twisted his arms, his face menacing: "So you're the owner of this shady inn? Taking advantage of the rain outside to raise prices, isn't that a bit much?"

Yang Youyang smiled and looked him up and down, saying, "This guest is the scholar who has come to the capital to take the imperial examination this year, isn't he?"

The man said fiercely, "You do have some discernment, but since you know I'm a scholar, why didn't you offer to waive the meal fee instead of raising the price at the last minute?"

Yang Youyang smiled and said, "You are a scholar, so you should be even more reasonable. Business is inherently cheaper in the off-season and more expensive in the peak season. There are prices on sunny days and no business on rainy days. If you find the inn too expensive, you can always look for other inns."

The man glared: "It's raining so hard outside, and there's thunder! You expect us to walk for an hour? No wonder merchants are so unscrupulous! Once I get to the capital, I'll definitely report you to the authorities!"

Yang Youyang smiled and said, "Business is a matter of mutual consent. You can go now, but remember to settle your bill before you go. Let me see your dishes: five vegetarian dishes, two meat dishes, and a bowl of rice. I'll give you eight hundred coins. Please settle the bill."

The man gritted his teeth: "One hundred coins? This stuff is worth no more than one hundred coins at most."

“You’re joking. You’re talking about costs. We’re running an inn, of course we have to make a profit. Besides, look, the prices are clearly marked, no discounts,” Yang Youyang pointed to a wooden sign on the side, waving his hand at the menacing man and the others.

"If you all feel there's anything inappropriate, it's only an hour at most from our Shangyang Village to Xia Niu Village. You can leave there without any problem; I won't stop you."

After he finished speaking, the troublemakers in the inn looked at each other, some tempted and some hesitant.

Just then, the person who had been eating in silence looked up, wiped his mouth, and reminded him, "Don't listen to his bragging. Five or six inns along this route belong to his family, and the prices get higher and higher as you go. You should just accept it. This place is a bit more expensive, but at least it's sheltered from the wind and rain. If you walk for an hour and fall and catch a cold, you'll really lose out."

Everyone: ...

This is so dark!

Yang Youyang wasn't angry even after being exposed. He continued to smile at the man who had spoken and exclaimed, "Isn't this Scholar Zhang? This is the sixth year I've seen you. How are your preparations going this year?"

Zhang You wiped his mouth: "We've prepared thoroughly this year, and we're sure we'll make it. It's just bad luck that we came a month early, only to run into your price increase."

He recounted his experience of taking the imperial examination, a story filled with bitter tears. The first time he came, he was indignant and, seeing them taking the opportunity to raise prices, he simply turned around and left. As a result, he visited five different inns, each one more expensive than the last.

That was the first time he left home, and he immediately understood the complexities of the world.

Zhang You finished his soup in large gulps, slapped the table, and said, "Give me another bowl of mutton soup. It's just copying books, right? I'm good at that."

Yang Youyang smiled and said, "Scholar Zhang is so generous. Gentlemen, if you're a little short on cash, we can offer you labor as payment. You can copy books, do some exercises, or teach some lessons to the village children; that will also make up for it."

Everyone: ...

They understood; this wasn't just a shady inn, it was a shady village.

Most of them were scholars from other places who had come to the capital early to prepare for the imperial examinations. They were still on their way, and their conditions were not very good. They were all outnumbered and outmatched, facing the strength of an entire village.

Seeing that the others had backed down, the bear-like scholar slammed his fist on the table again, wanting to argue a few more words, when suddenly the roof began to shake, and the muffled sound of carriages and horses drew closer.

Yang Youyang, who had been smiling, changed his expression slightly. Ignoring the guests in the inn, he strode outside. A torrential downpour obscured most figures in the white mist, but the moving caravan was still unmistakable.

Even in this weather, the carriages and horses moved at a steady and orderly pace, clearly the work of well-trained guards.

Yang Youyang stared at the unusual carriage and horses, a thoughtful and cautious glint in his eyes. However, he quickly regained his smiling demeanor, eagerly stepping forward in the rain with an oil-paper umbrella, and enthusiastically offered...

"Gentlemen, are you looking for a meal or a place to stay? Our Tonghua Inn is the best inn in the village, offering cheap food and lodging at reasonable prices."

Sitting on his horse, Li Qingshan looked at the three-story restaurant ahead and asked, "Do you have any good rooms left? We'd like two, the rest of the ordinary rooms will do. The brothers can just squeeze in."

Yang Youyang eagerly replied, "Yes, yes, yes. There aren't many guests in the shop, but we can definitely accommodate everyone. If you gentlemen don't want to crowd in, there are other inns in the village, though the conditions will be a bit worse."

Li Qingshan: "No need. If the inn can vacate a couple more rooms, remember to keep them clean."

Yang Youyang: "Don't worry, I'll make sure it's spotless."

With that, he led the caravan toward the inn, standing in the pouring rain, banging on his gong and shouting, "Hey, honored guests have arrived! Quickly open the main and back doors! All you waiters, come out and get to work! Those who tend the fire, make the fire bigger! Those who cook, make sure the rice is spotless, not a single speck of mud can be left..."

The way they're shouting is like reciting a tongue twister.

Song Jin lifted the carriage curtain, and through the rain, she could only see a brown figure. She looked him up and down, and said in surprise, "I didn't expect such a large inn to exist in such a small village. It truly lives up to its reputation as the capital."

They were already living quite well in Linxi Town, but none of them had an inn this big.

Qi Zheng: "There are eight official roads leading out of the capital. Shangyang Village is located between two of them, making it much wealthier than ordinary villages and towns."

Song Jin was shocked: "Eight points?"

The closer she got to the capital, the more she felt its prosperity, most notably in the roads. The widest official road in their Qingjun Prefecture was only eight meters wide, and here, eight meters was just the minimum. In this era without excavators, she could hardly imagine the immense effort required to build these roads; even routine maintenance would be a huge undertaking.

On sunny days, it's fine; these days, there are few heavy objects crossing the road, so the road surface wears out relatively little. But after rain, like now, the road becomes full of potholes after vehicles pass by, requiring re-filling afterwards…

Qi Zheng nodded: "They were all built by the previous emperor. At that time, he levied a large amount of corvée labor, and eight out of ten men from ten households were taken away to build a large number of projects."

The previous dynasty only concerned itself with collecting corvée labor, without providing any grain or silver. Countless people died during those years just to barely meet the demands of the incompetent ruler. Now that the previous dynasty is gone, but the official system has been established, there is naturally no reason to abandon it.

Through years of maintenance by the imperial court, the vast transportation network we see today has been completed, extending in all directions and providing great convenience.

Song Jin suddenly realized

She transmigrated to a time five years after the founding of the Dayan Dynasty. Although the lives of ordinary people weren't exactly good, they were still manageable. She didn't have much of a reaction to the chaos of the previous dynasty, simply believing that the victor is king and the loser is villain.

Looking at these roads now, and considering the manpower and resources required, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Your father did a great job!"

Qi Zheng nodded: "Your father is too."

Song Shang secured the position of Grand Secretary at the age of twenty. Besides his exceptional talent, this was undoubtedly due to his contributions to the founding of the dynasty. Even now, no matter how many people condemn him as a treacherous minister, no one can deny his merits.

Song Jin pursed her lips at this: "I don't have a father, right, Mother?"

Niu Tielan was quietly drinking tea in the corner when she heard this and glanced over. She loved her child very much, but unfortunately, the child was too mischievous, unruly, and disobedient, so she mostly couldn't be bothered with him.

But upon hearing Song Jin's words, she couldn't help but sneer: "No father? Were you born from a rock? Your father's name was Qu Maoze, he just died young."

Song Jin muttered, "Wait, one of you has the surname Niu and the other Qu, why did you make me have the surname Song?"

Niu Tielan: "Once a father, always a father. You were born under the Song family name, so there's nothing wrong with having the surname Song."

When Niu Tielan said this, she looked completely at ease, as if those past events were nothing and that she had already let them go.

Seeing this, Song Jin asked curiously, "Mother, what's going on between you and my father?"

Niu Tielan had previously said she would recount her past in detail. However, Song Jin, feeling sorry for her, hadn't let her. Now, with their arrival in the capital imminent, Niu Tielan appeared to be facing her past with equanimity.

Song Jin planned to give her mother a heads-up beforehand, otherwise, if her mother were to meet her deadbeat father without any preparation, she would definitely get a beating.

However, Niu Tielan, who had previously promised to tell these things, only lightly replied, "Children shouldn't meddle in adult matters. The person is dead, why ask so many questions? Isn't your old mother enough?"

Song Jin: "...That's not what you said before."

Niu Tielan suppressed her unease, trying to hide her guilt with fierceness. She snapped, "What I do is none of your business! Get out of the car now, stop talking nonsense!"

The carriage had already stopped. Qi Zheng assumed they wanted to reminisce about the past, so he got out early to give them space.

"You didn't say it yourself, don't blame me," Song Jin pouted, picked up the oil-paper umbrella beside her, jumped off the carriage, and said to Niu Tielan, "Mother, make sure you put on your straw hat properly, be careful not to get caught in the rain and catch a cold."

Niu Tielan looked at Song Jin suspiciously. Seeing how easily she had brushed the matter aside, she knew there must be something wrong. But she was also feeling guilty. Glancing at others, she put on her raincoat and bamboo hat, hiding her small face under the large hat, only revealing half of her pointed chin.

As soon as she reached the car door, a gust of wind whipped up raindrops, making her feel cold and wet. She couldn't help but sneeze, then pulled her raincoat tighter around herself and carefully helped Song Jin out of the car.

Song Jin was tall, and with a stretch of her long arm, she pulled the person into her arms, tilting the umbrella towards her mother, and said, "Mother, you need to drink some ginger soup later, otherwise you'll definitely have a fever tonight."

Niu Tielan didn't disagree with her on this matter, and nodded: "You have to drink too. Hold the umbrella over your side; I'm wearing a raincoat."

Song Jin didn't care at all: "How could I possibly catch a cold? You should watch your step and walk carefully, the road is slippery, don't fall."

Niu Tielan: "Watching."

...

The mother and daughter exchanged words of advice, but in reality, they hadn't even walked ten steps before entering the inn—the carriage was parked right in front of the inn. However, the rain outside was so heavy that the rainwater had accumulated, and even in just those few steps, their cloth shoes were mostly soaked.

Song Jin kicked her feet and waved to Xiao Mei and Xiao Er, who hadn't gotten out of the car yet: "You two come here, come upstairs with my mother to change your clothes in a bit. Get ready so you don't catch a cold."

Xiao Mei and Xiao Er had ridden in another carriage the whole way. When they got off, they helped with arranging the luggage. Their clothes and hair were mostly wet. They ran over and nodded.

This was the first time the two had traveled so far, and even though they were guarded by officers the entire way, they were incredibly nervous. Without Song Jin saying anything, they stayed absolutely by each other's side.

Song Jin nodded in satisfaction. After giving instructions to the two, she turned around and saw Li Qingshan negotiating with the innkeeper. She strode over and said, "My mother, Xiaomei, Xiaoer, and I will stay in one room. The size of the room doesn't matter, but it needs to be sunny and well-ventilated. She's not well and can't stand being stuffy or cold. You can arrange for A'mao and Xiaoduo as you like. It's raining heavily outside, so they can just squeeze in. I'll settle the bill."

This display of wealth was so extravagant that Qi Zheng, standing to the side, couldn't help but glance over and subtly remind him, "My father paid for the travel expenses."

Their expenses along the way were all paid for by the imperial court, since it was official business.

"It's alright, I don't lack this little bit of money," Song Jin said, waving her hand and tossing a gold nugget at the innkeeper, Yang Youyang. She nodded and said, "Keep it as collateral, we'll make up the difference later. Have someone boil some hot water for everyone, and bring out all the good food and wine you can find."

Yang Youyang didn't move. He just stared at Song Jin's face in astonishment, the gold ingot in his hand suddenly feeling heavier than a thousand pounds, making him stammer for a long time, unable to speak: "You, you..."

Song Jin raised an eyebrow: "What, this isn't enough? This amount of money could easily cover a room for one person, right? Even if it's raining outside, you can't be this heartless."

Yang Youyang quickly waved his hands: "No, no, no."

"A black market inn! This is a black market inn! Sirs, a room that normally costs one or two hundred coins is now charging five hundred! And look at this food..." Before he could finish, the disgruntled Scholar Xiong stepped forward, listing the inn's unethical practices with great sympathy, emphasizing...

"You must stand up for us! It's not easy being a scholar either."

Yang Youyang's eyelids twitched as he listened, and his ever-smiling expression turned sinister. He glared fiercely at Xiong Juren and hurriedly explained.

"Don't listen to his nonsense, adults. The prices in Shangyang Village have always been this high. It's just that they drop a bit when the weather is nice and there are fewer people. As for the food, it is a bit expensive, but the prices are all written on the signs. It's all about mutual consent. If you think it's too expensive, then don't eat there. There are plenty of pancakes outside for a few dollars each."

Zhang You, a sixth-year examinee, also stepped forward and said, "Sir, I can vouch for him on this point. The food and lodging in Shangyang Village are a bit more expensive than in other places, but they're not exactly rip-offs; everything is clearly priced."

Yang Youyang quickly added, "That's right. Our inn has been open for over ten years. If it were a black market inn, would it still be able to stay in the capital? In our village, we have a special orphanage. Every year, we receive children from outside. Raising them is expensive, and there's also a school. Everyone is just trying to make a living..."

Song Jin stood to one side with her arms crossed, her head spinning from their arguing. She turned to Qi Zheng beside her and whispered, "Is this price expensive or cheap in the capital?"

Qi Zheng remained expressionless throughout, solemn and aloof, exuding an unfathomable air, much like a prince—as long as money wasn't mentioned.

Faced with Song Jin's question, he replied decisively: "A black market shop."

You should know that renting a room in the capital city, even a modest one, would only cost two taels of silver, or about two thousand coins. But this inn charges three hundred for a night's stay, and eight hundred for a night's stay—it's an absolute rip-off.

He had experienced hardship and understood all too well the pain of being taken advantage of, but he also had to admit: "It's understandable that some people are being unfairly treated."

Orphanages and schools are indeed money pits; you can't last long without a lot of money.

Song Jin nodded.

She doesn't really care about money; as long as she has enough to get by, it doesn't matter if it's a little expensive or cheap. As for getting ripped off, she doesn't really care as long as it's not just her being charged a high price.

So she cleared her throat and shut up the noisy crowd: "Alright, it's pouring rain outside. Everyone's lucky to have a place to stay. If you think it's too expensive, just squeeze into one room and bear with it. If you don't have any food, buy some rice and cook some porridge yourself. A bunch of grown men acting all coy, tsk, scholars?"

She hated this kind of dawdling. Instead of wasting time arguing here, she'd rather tear down the inn. If she couldn't, she'd just have to put up with it; take it or leave it.

Those present: ...

What's the meaning?

The scholars, feeling aggrieved, started clamoring again.

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; never underestimate a young man's potential."

"Fortune's wheel keeps turning; just watch me pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi."

...

Song Jin felt like she'd stumbled into a scene where the villain was being slapped in the face. She looked suspiciously at the scholars present and whispered to Qi Zheng...

"According to the storybook, a few years later, one of these people should pass the imperial examination with flying colors, be riding high, marry a princess, or some noblewoman, and then come looking for trouble with me."

Qi Zheng was speechless: "Stop reading such nonsense. My father doesn't have a daughter. There are no princesses in this dynasty, and no noblewoman in the capital has a stronger backing than your father."

With his words reassured Song Jin, she raised her chin at the group and said, "Take it or leave it. If you're not staying, hurry up and leave. You can free up a few rooms for us."

"..."

No one answered now. Not only was the wind and rain so heavy outside, but going out in the rain meant risking encountering another shady establishment.

They were poor scholars, but they weren't stupid.

Seeing that no one was leaving, Song Jin felt a little regretful, but she didn't say anything. It wouldn't be good if something happened if she really chased them away.

She said to Yang Youyang, "You guys go arrange the rooms, we'll just squeeze in."

Yang Youyang's gaze fell on Song Jin's face, a mixture of surprise and hesitation in his eyes. In the end, he decided to return the money first: "Young lady, you've been so kind in speaking up for us, how could we possibly take your money?"

Song Jin rolled her eyes: "Alright, whether you're a shady business or not is debatable, but if you don't charge us, we'd be bandits. Stop dawdling, everyone's still soaking wet. Hurry up and arrange rooms, pay us however you need to, consider it our support for your orphanage."

Yang Youyang hesitated, but seeing Song Jin's nonchalant and seemingly wealthy demeanor, he withdrew his hand and bowed.

"Thank you so much for your kindness, young lady and gentlemen. We'll have an extra meal of meat for the children tomorrow. Please have a seat here. Waiter, you and your companions should quickly check all the rooms again and make sure they're spotless. Also, have Sister Xia make some ginger soup for everyone to warm them up."

Waiter: "Okay, sure!"

Since he had said so, Song Jin and the others didn't urge them. They told Niu Tielan what to do and then went to check their own luggage.

They didn't bring much with them on this trip, just some everyday clothes, all carefully packed in leather trunks, wrapped in oilcloth. These remained wrapped around the carriage the entire time; only the surface got wet, the inside was still dry.

Song Jin didn't care much about the clothes. She found the box containing the herbs, opened it, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the dry, neatly packed packets of medicinal herbs inside.

Her biggest savings over the years consisted of these medicinal herbs, all of them decades or even centuries old—rare finds that money can't buy. She'd be heartbroken if she ruined them.

Song Jin took out some ginseng slices from the box, carefully closed it, and then found another large box containing medicinal herbs. From it, she took out high-quality aged tangerine peel, ginger slices, red dates, and goji berries, wrapped them in paper, and then asked Li Qingshan and the others to help carry the box to the room—these things could not be taken lightly.

Afterwards, she approached Yang Youyang with her things: "Boss Yang, could I borrow the kitchen? I need to make some ginger soup for everyone."

Yang Youyang carefully sized her up, then hesitated, "The kitchen is small, and I'm afraid it will get your clothes dirty. Why don't you let the kitchen staff do it?"

Song Jin: "No need, I'll do it myself, so you don't ruin my good stuff."

Yang Youyang continued to hesitate: "This, this..."

Song Jin was suspicious. This person had been acting strangely from the beginning. He was incredibly rude to outsiders, yet he wouldn't take money from them, and now he was clearly trying to prevent her from working in the kitchen.

Something's not right.

Song Jin stepped forward, squinting her eyes: "What, is the kitchen so filthy you can't show it to anyone, or are you up to some wicked scheme?"

Yang Youyang quickly said, "What you're saying is going to be the death of our inn! We're a legitimate inn, but we recently hired a new cook, and he's clumsy. I'm worried he might offend someone important."

Song Jincai didn't believe her. She gave Qi Zheng a look and said to Yang Youyang, "We are legitimate guests, not bandits. We won't kill anyone randomly. Alright, you don't need to worry about that. Quickly take us to the kitchen."

As they were talking, Qi Zheng walked over. He was tall and imposing, with a cold and stern expression, and was surrounded by many guards, making it clear that he was of extraordinary status.

Yang Youyang smiled wryly: "Okay, as long as you don't mind."

Now that things have come to this point, if he doesn't bring people over soon, his inn will truly become a den of thieves. Yang Youyang bowed to the two men and then led them towards the kitchen.

Their inn is quite large, a three-story inn. The first floor is for eating and drinking, the second and third floors are for accommodation, and the backyard is for the kitchen and storage...

Song Jin and Qi Zheng followed behind him, subtly observing their surroundings, but they didn't notice anything amiss until they reached the kitchen.

Yang Youyang stood at the door without moving.

The two became wary again, but to their surprise, Yang Youyang turned around and knelt down, his face full of bitterness: "I beg your forgiveness, sir. It's like this, a few days ago I went out and found a man in the mountains. He was covered in injuries and had also damaged his brain, so he couldn't remember anything. I felt sorry for him and took him in. I was going to take him to the yamen after I finished my work in a couple of days, but I didn't expect you to come. I beg your forgiveness..."

Song Jin and Qi Zheng exchanged glances and said in unison, "Let's go take a look first."

Yang Youyang nodded with a wry smile, and was about to lead the two inside when someone came out.

The newcomer was about five feet five inches tall, appearing to be no more than twenty years old. He was tall and slender with a handsome face, and even in coarse linen clothes, his outstanding bearing was still undeniable.

The person must have heard the commotion from inside, realized they had caused trouble, and came out.

He bowed to Song Jin and Qi Zheng with a standard and elegant posture, his expression neither humble nor arrogant, but mature and composed, his voice tinged with coldness: "Greetings to you two esteemed guests. Boss Yang was merely being kind by taking me in; I hope you will not blame him. I am willing to accompany you to the yamen to verify our identities."

Song Jin and Qi Zheng looked at each other in bewilderment.

It has to be said that when they heard Yang Youyang say that he had saved someone, the two of them subconsciously thought of Song Shang, whose life and death were uncertain and whose whereabouts were unknown. This place is right next to the capital, what if it was just a coincidence?

But as soon as this person appeared, they knew that he was definitely not Song Shang.

He's not that young, and this person doesn't resemble Song Jin at all; he definitely isn't the person Song Xingzhi described as resembling her seven-tenths.

However, judging from his demeanor, he's probably no ordinary person, and given his current injuries, he certainly can't be left out in public.

Qi Zheng said in a deep voice, "Once the rain stops, you can leave with us, and we will not hold Boss Yang responsible for this matter."

Both the man and Yang Youyang breathed a sigh of relief.

Qi Zheng then asked, "I heard from Boss Yang that you injured your head. Do you remember where you're from and why you were injured?"

The man frowned, as if trying to recall carefully, then shook his head: "I don't remember anything, only the name vaguely."

Song Jin asked curiously, "What's your name?"

The man became serious: "My name is Qu Maoze."

Song Jinqizheng: ...