Chapter 7: You declined, right? I haven't left the house in a very, very long time...
Just as Mu Chuan was discussing the details of the grain supplies with the Ministry of Revenue officials, Mu Chuan's men accompanied Mu Dazhuang and the official who brought the good news back to Linjia Village.
Someone had already informed him, and Mu Dazhuang saw the village chief standing at the door waving at him from afar. Then came an unknown number of firecrackers, so loud they were deafening.
Although no one could hear each other speaking, everyone had a smile on their face.
The villagers surrounded Mu Dazhuang as he returned home, where young men were already waiting. They smashed the gates and doors of the Mu family's courtyard with a few punches and kicks.
"A change of allegiance!" Village Chief Lin Dashan exclaimed. "Seeing someone in our village change their allegiance is truly a blessing; even the ancestral hall must be emitting auspicious smoke. My time as village chief hasn't been in vain. Congratulations, Lord Mu!"
Mu Dazhuang hadn't quite grasped the situation yet and instinctively grabbed the village chief to stop him from bowing, but the officials grabbed his arm and said, "Yes, yes, you must bow."
Mu Chuan's men grinned and took out silver ingots, some kicking the door, others doubling the force of the kicks.
Even Uncle Mu, who had a limp, leaned against the door frame with his cane and watched, laughing until tears streamed down his face, and his leg no longer hurt.
The entire Linjia Village was filled with joy. The village had produced a first-class elder, which was a great joy and a blessing.
Putting everything else aside, all the land is registered in his name, so how much less land tax will he have to pay?
Even when performing corvée labor or military service, one's official status depended on the emperor's whim.
Apart from his family, there was Wang Gou'er.
He sat on the kang (a heated brick bed), peering out through the crack in the window, daring only to show one eye.
"How come he didn't die at the border? How did he rise to prominence?" In the October heat, he was drenched in cold sweat and so flustered that he couldn't even eat.
Even though they hadn't moved in together back then, over the years, with Granny Mu frequently shouting and cursing at their doorstep, Granny Liu could probably guess that the two families were enemies.
Moreover, in recent years, whenever they need to hire someone for something, such as planting, harvesting, or building a house, the villagers all charge them wages, and they do so at the same rate as hiring outside helpers. They keep it very clear and do not act like they are from the same village.
If it weren't for this, Wang Gou'er, relying on the land and connections left by his ancestors, hadn't accumulated much wealth over the years. He was always short of money and had to go to the Rongguo Mansion to beg for money.
Granny Liu winked at her daughter and deliberately asked, "What kind of deep-seated hatred could come from within a village?"
Wang Gou'er snapped out of his daze and said, "You're very insightful, give us some advice. If we can't get through this, our Wang family will be gone."
When Granny Liu first came to her son-in-law's house, she was cautious and put her son-in-law first in everything. But after she got money from the Rongguo Mansion and made connections, and was able to earn some income every year, she gradually dared to speak loudly.
"Tell me!" Granny Liu urged. "You're a relative of the Wang family of Jinling, and we even know the Rongguo Mansion. What are you afraid of? Even if you're going to find someone to mediate, you have to tell me how this feud started back then."
"Don't even mention it! It's all because of the Rongguo Mansion!" Wang Gou'er slapped his thigh and said regretfully, "Back then, Zhou Rui wanted to marry off his daughter and asked me to find some good land for her dowry. Whose land in our village was the best? Wasn't it the Mu family's? But the Mu family refused to sell, so I used some old connections left over from my family. Perhaps I was a bit too rough, and that's how this feud started."
Even a fool could tell he wasn't telling the truth. Granny Liu stared intently at him, then suddenly remembered a patch of wasteland by the river in the village. Even a child who ran there would get a beating. She had initially thought it was haunted or something, but now she saw—
Grandma Liu turned to look at her daughter: "That piece of land by the river?"
Liu nodded. She was also anxious. Seeing that Wang Gou'er was still keeping it a secret, she said directly, "Old Master Mu is dead, and the second son's leg is broken—" She pointed outside and said, "He was conscripted into the army."
Grandma Liu gasped.
He could previously escape reality, but Wang Gou'er was forced to recall the events of that year, and then he saw his mother-in-law's reaction—
Isn't it obvious? There's no way to resolve this peacefully.
"It's not my fault! Zhou Rui only gave me one hundred taels of silver, what could I do? I had to bribe everyone, I couldn't possibly give him money back."
Grandma Liu pointed at him, trembling: "Such a large piece of land, more than thirty acres of good paddy fields, would cost more than five hundred taels."
Wang Gou'er hung his head dejectedly, and after a long while, he managed to say, "That's the Rongguo Mansion. They want me to do it. What can I do?"
Grandma Liu still felt he wasn't telling the truth. Why didn't Zhou Rui want the land? They used to have dealings, so why did they stop contacting each other? A simple refusal to lower himself wouldn't explain it; there must be something else going on.
But after all, he was her son-in-law, and she only had this one daughter left. Granny Liu said, "Don't worry too much. Eat and drink as usual. As the saying goes, a prime minister's belly can hold a boat. Maybe he won't care if he becomes a high-ranking official."
Even Granny Liu herself felt guilty about saying that.
Liu quickly offered a comforting remark: "Our family has suffered a lot and spent a lot of money over the years. How much have the villagers profited from us? How foul were those words from Granny Mu?"
Grandma Liu glared at her, then jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed): "First, pack some dried vegetables. We send them every year anyway. Tomorrow I'll go to town and ask Zhou Rui's wife for some information."
Wang Gou'er sighed: "Take Qing'er and Ban'er with you, just consider it as fleeing from disaster. In case—you take good care of them."
"Look at all the dirty things you've done! Who would lay a hand on someone from their own village! Even a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow!" Granny Liu cursed again.
Granny Liu went to the courtyard to see if there was anything she could take. Liu comforted Wang Gou'er, and also comforted herself: "The Rongguo Mansion has a Noble Consort in the palace. As long as we put all the blame on the Duke's Mansion, he might not dare to do anything."
"Besides, it was the Duke's mansion that instructed you to do this," Liu added.
Wang Gou'er just sighed, slammed his chopsticks on the table, unable to pick them up, and didn't even want to drink anymore.
Mu Chuan drank two cups of tea and ate three pastries at the Ministry of Revenue, and received the official documents from the Ministry of Revenue in a friendly and cordial atmosphere.
There were grain supplies transferred from the capital, and grain supplies transferred from granaries along the way to the southwest.
"Five days! It will definitely be sent out within five days!"
"The New Year is almost here, so it's best to get it done as soon as possible."
"Definitely. Nobody has it easy. Even in the capital, people will start preparing for the New Year as early as November."
Before leaving, Mu Chuan even helped them pick up the door that had fallen to the ground and lean it against the wall.
As soon as his figure disappeared through the gate, the two doors were surrounded by people, and countless hands reached out.
How could he—
"As easy as holding a pen."
"The emperor only granted him the title of First-Rank Earl!"
With the promise from Minister of Revenue, Lord Mo, Mu Chuan left the Ministry of Revenue and went to the Ministry of War to check on the gates. Amidst the changing expressions of excitement and disappointment from the onlookers, he greeted the officials and colleagues in the Ministry of War properly. Since no gates were damaged, he then went to fetch his horse and returned to General Li's house.
General Li was very well-informed. As soon as Mu Chuan entered the door, he saw General Li waiting for him with a smile.
"I told them to make beef, to give them strength."
Not only that, General Li's eldest son-in-law also came over to drink with them and asked, "How did you train this? Could you teach your nephew?"
Everyone was very satisfied with the drinking session.
Because of the prisoner escort, which took two months and involved guarding against hijacking the prison cart, the journey back was quite tiring. Combined with the effects of alcohol, Mu Chuan slept soundly until dawn, waking up at the beginning of the morning.
At 9:00 AM, there were still eunuchs to deliver the Emperor Emeritus's gifts. Mu Chuan quickly washed up, ate something, and led his men to Donghua Gate.
Half a quarter before the hour of Si (9-11 AM), Mu Chuan arrived at the new residence of the Marquis of Zhongyong.
The mansion was located directly east of the imperial city, which should be within the first ring road. It was a large house with a pond and a garden. Mu Chuan was very satisfied. He smiled and cupped his hands to Eunuch Mei, saying, "I have no way to repay the Emperor's grace."
Eunuch Mei was a professional eunuch, and his smile was as warm as a spring breeze. He pointed to the dozens of carts behind him and said with a smile, "Let them unload, and I'll give you a brief introduction to this mansion, sir."
"This house originally belonged to Princess Mingxiu. Even the Emperor Emeritus had to call her aunt. Back then, the house was large and in a good location."
Mu Chuan nodded. In the early days of the country, locations were chosen based on proximity to the palace.
Passing by a screen wall that was almost five meters long, there was a large open space in front of us paved with bluestone slabs. They were neat and clean, without a single weed growing in the cracks between the stones.
"After passing through the ceremonial gate, you will reach the main courtyard, which has seven large rooms. People usually do not live here; it is used for meetings or to receive important guests."
This mansion is quite impressive. Although it has been uninhabited for more than ten years, it is very well maintained. Even the curtains and cushions are new, and the paintings on the eaves and under the corridors are very vibrant.
There is a side courtyard on each side of the main courtyard, and there is also a fairly large stage in the right side courtyard.
Princess Mingxiu loved watching plays, and several famous opera troupes in the capital had received her financial support in their early years.
Princess Mingxiu not only loved watching plays, but also had excellent taste in interior design, especially in garden landscaping, which was elegant yet grand, combining functionality and aesthetics.
Mu Chuan asked, "Where is Princess Mingxiu's memorial tablet enshrined? I'd like to offer incense there as well."
Eunuch Mei said, "You're too kind, sir. There is a memorial tablet for Princess Mingxiu in the Great Buddha Hall, where members of the royal family usually have their tablets enshrined."
After walking for nearly an hour, Eunuch Mei led Mu Chuan to barely manage to look through all the important rooms and courtyards.
This is not what was said to the retired emperor: "Besides the main courtyard, there are seven other courtyards, enough to accommodate four generations living together."
There are seven proper courtyards facing south and north, and there are also many pavilions, towers and small villas in the garden. This does not even include the stage, ancestral hall and small horse farm.
The two came out from the left courtyard, where all the gifts bestowed by the Emperor Emeritus had been unloaded. Eunuch Mei cupped his hands and said, "I'll take my leave now."
Mu Chuan slipped the red envelope over, saying, "You've worked hard, Father-in-law."
After seeing Eunuch Mei off, Mu Chuan stood in front of the main hall, looked at his men, and instructed, "Arrange for people to tidy up and clean. Replace all the guards with our own people. Eunuch Mei said he left fifty servants to look after and clean this courtyard, but we should gradually replace them with our own people as well. Let's try to spend the New Year in our new home."
The morning has passed just like that, and there are still two houses left—
One was a five-courtyard house he had built himself, spanning east and west, and the other was a five-courtyard house bestowed by the emperor. Mu Chuan planned to visit it when he had time.
After all, his threshold has been raised very high now, and small courtyards within the Second Ring Road are no longer appealing to him.
After a perfunctory breakfast, Mu Chuan found a magnificent three-story restaurant for lunch.
"Let's take a stroll around the capital this afternoon. Speaking of which, I'm also from Wanping County, and this is my first time in Beijing."
At 2:45 PM, Jia Lian, who had been inquiring about news for a day and a half, was waiting outside for Grandmother Jia to see him.
Although we wouldn't find out anything in a day and a half, if we dragged it out any longer, we were afraid it would displease Grandmother Jia.
Jia Lian waited for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before Yuanyang led him inside.
Logically speaking, he and Yuanyang should have some understanding, after all, they had jointly smuggled more than one box of gold and silver items from Grandmother Jia's room. But this time, Yuanyang didn't even glance at him, so Jia Lian knew that Grandmother Jia was really not happy.
Jia Lian went in and bowed, and saw that Grandmother Jia's mouth and eyes were drooping.
"Ancestor."
Grandmother Jia hummed in agreement and said, "I was thinking that since the days are shorter now, I wouldn't take a nap at noon, but for some reason today, I've been yawning one after another, which has kept you waiting a little longer."
Jia Lian smiled flatteringly and said, "It's just that my grandson has come at an inopportune time."
"Hmm." With a response devoid of joy, Grandmother Jia asked, "Have you found out anything about the Marquis of Zhongyong?"
Jia Lian said, "That man is called Mu Chuan. He is about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. He is a villager from Linjia Village on the outskirts of Beijing and has been at the border for eleven years."
"Hmph." Grandmother Jia was not satisfied. They found out this in just a day and a half? The official gazette was written in more detail.
“He said he had a past relationship with Uncle Lin, which is quite suspicious. Considering how long Uncle Lin spent in the capital and the man’s age, even if there was a past relationship, it would have been when he was four or five years old. Besides, back then his whole family were farmers, while our son-in-law was an editor at the Hanlin Academy. How could they have a past relationship? So it’s probably fake.”
Grandmother Jia was somewhat satisfied, but that doesn't necessarily mean he had any ulterior motive in sending the invitation.
Jia Lian was aware of this as well, and added, "I heard that he demolished the main hall of the Ministry of Revenue yesterday, and even beat up the Minister. Many people in the Ministry of Revenue have taken leave."
"Oh?" Grandmother Jia countered, "So he's at odds with the Ministry of Revenue?"
Jia Lian had no idea about this. He hadn't even found out why, let alone that many people from the Ministry of Revenue hadn't come because they had gone to deliver supplies to Mu Chuan.
"They're probably writing a memorial to impeach him."
He probably understood what Grandmother Jia wanted to hear. Besides, over the years, the family had been deceiving their superiors and subordinates, and the old lady hadn't even left the courtyard. She had been fooled more than once or twice.
If he can fool an outsider surnamed Wang, why can't he fool his own grandson surnamed Jia?
“This man is too arrogant. He’s only been granted the title of First-Class Earl, yet he doesn’t respect the officials appointed by the court. He won’t last long.” Jia Lian added, “By the way, I heard that the Marquis of Dingnan—his former general—has retired and returned to his hometown. He’s sending out invitations to adopt the Earl of Zhongyong as his godson.”
Isn't this just like having a family line?
Thinking of the Jia family's extended lineage and the Wang family's extended lineage, and considering Jia Lian's tone of voice, Grandmother Jia felt that this man was also adept at scheming and wanted to find a good backer to elevate his status.
Her previously uneasy heart immediately calmed down, and Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "Only those with power can stand firm, and that's not shameful. He originally came from a farming background, so having such a prominent relative is a good thing for him."
Seeing a smile on Grandmother Jia's face, Jia Lian knew he had passed the test and breathed a sigh of relief: "Grandmother is right. News of the Marquis of Zhongyong is extremely difficult to obtain. Now it seems there is no news at all. He came from a farming background and has only recently risen to prominence. What news could he possibly have?"
Grandmother Jia said gently, "You've worked hard these past two days, Yuanyang. Take the medicine they brought last time to your Second Master Lian."
After saying that, she instructed Jia Lian: "You're almost thirty, you can't be as reckless as you were when you were young. It's winter, so tell Ping'er to give you some nourishing food."
Jia Lian responded and thanked her, then waited for Yuanyang to bring him the things.
After Yuanyang saw Jia Lian off and returned, Grandmother Jia instructed her again: "Go and tell Daiyu to write a letter to refuse him. She must be polite and make up an excuse such as a cold or cough. After all, he is a first-class nobleman."
Grandmother Jia didn't really want to refuse; she just wanted to test the waters a little. Her family was one of the most powerful and influential families in the Great Wei Dynasty, with a concubine in the palace. How could they be so easily won over?
That would be extremely improper.
Soon, Lin Daiyu received Jia Mu's instructions, and she said indifferently, "Zijuan, light the incense. Xueyan, come and grind the ink."
She didn't know how she felt.
Having lived in the capital for so many years, she had never been anywhere except for the Ningguo Mansion and the Wang Family Mansion.
She hadn't left the house in a very, very long time, and hadn't seen anyone in a very, very long time.
A note from the author:
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