Chapter 15 Another banquet, arrival in Kyoto…
Li Ruilian and her group had informed Zhang Ting that they would first go to Yunxianfang in the county to deliver the goods for this escort mission, purchase carriages and horses, and other necessary supplies before coming to find her.
Knowing that carriages were expensive and the journey was long, Zhang Ting gave them forty taels of silver to use and asked them to buy four more horses for them.
She and Xu You were also invited to a banquet hosted by Magistrate Hu, so they agreed to meet in front of the county government office at 1-3 PM and go directly to the capital after the banquet.
Unfortunately, he only had five taels of silver left in his purse.
Where can we get some more money?
At the banquet, music filled the air, dancers gracefully performed, and toasts were exchanged.
Seeing that only Zhang Ting had returned, Xu You asked, "Where are Guard Li and his group?"
Zhang Ting replied to her, adding that everyone would be leaving around 1:00 PM, and that she should not drink too much.
Xu You: "Why don't you come to me to collect the money, sister? We agreed before that I would cover all the expenses."
Zhang Ting was dirt poor, so why wouldn't she want to ask Xu You for money? But she had already won over Li Ruilian and her group. If she asked Xu You to cover the expenses as well, would Li Ruilian and her group listen to Xu You or to her?
Not to mention that an army can only have one commander-in-chief, Zhang Ting would not feel comfortable entrusting her safety to someone else again.
Zhang Ting still remembers her public persona: "Why should we sisters talk about money? It's just some material possessions."
Xu You believed it and regretted asking the question, but there was still one thing that puzzled her: "Sister, why did you leave in such a hurry? We should have rested for a few more days after such a big event."
"This place is dangerous; it would be best to go to the capital as soon as possible."
They've managed to fool Magistrate Hu for now, but anyone who's a bit smarter and knows the details would be in for a world of hurt.
Should we stay a little longer?
Just kidding, she doesn't have many lives either.
Upon hearing this, Xu You thought it made sense.
Magistrate Hu had been waiting for Zhang Ting to take her seat. Now that she had arrived, he brought over a wine cup to toast her.
Zhang Ting propped herself up on one leg, her drooping eyelashes obscuring her eyes. Bathed in sunlight, her dark robes cascaded down the mat, shimmering with subtle gold light, exuding an air of nobility.
"Your Majesty, I offer you a toast."
Magistrate Hu summoned a beautiful maid to pour wine for Zhang Ting, and apologized, saying, "My wife is unwell, so I'm having her temporarily take her place. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Zhang Ting did not rise to greet Magistrate Hu, but merely raised his wine cup and gestured to her from afar, his expression indifferent, "It's nothing."
Magistrate Hu did not return to the main seat, but sat directly in the seat next to Zhang Ting, talking to her with a smile on his face.
"This time, it was my incompetence that caused Your Majesty such distress. I offer you a toast."
Zhang Ting didn't put on airs; he simply drank a cup with her, and the matter was considered closed.
Seeing that she had drunk it, Magistrate Hu chuckled twice and then tentatively asked, "My lady, when the time comes, could you... say a few good words for me?"
It goes without saying who is speaking well of them.
Zhang Ting smiled at her and said nothing more.
Xu You was so engrossed in watching the graceful dance on stage that he was completely unaware of what the two people were doing.
Magistrate Hu waved his hand, and three servants entered with their heads bowed and eyes lowered, carrying something covered with a red cloth.
Seeing that their master had other plans, the dancers and musicians all stopped.
Xu You also withdrew from the dance and music, looking at the two of them with a puzzled expression.
"Hearing that Your Majesty is going to the capital, these are all gifts to express my humble opinion," said Magistrate Hu, as he unveiled the red cloths one by one.
They are a pair of clear, green jade pendants with double fish patterns, ten large ingots, and a rare copy of a classic text from a previous dynasty.
It's clear that Magistrate Hu has made a huge bet on her this time, showering her with gifts that truly touch her heart. The ten large ingots alone are worth a full five hundred taels of silver, not to mention the jade pendant and the rare book, which are priceless items.
No wonder people say that fortune and wealth are found in danger.
Zhang Ting ultimately couldn't resist the temptation. After all, it wasn't the first time, and besides, she had never told Magistrate Hu a single lie.
"Don't worry, Sister Hu, I appreciate your kindness and will definitely put in a good word for you."
These three items represent half of Magistrate Hu's savings accumulated over the years. It was painful for her to give them up, but she knew that you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Now that she had received the promise, she naturally had no complaints.
Magistrate Hu rubbed his hands together, excitedly saying, "Then thank you very much, Your Majesty."
A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the beautiful maid beside Magistrate Hu, but it was fleeting and was still caught by Zhang Ting.
She smiled knowingly, thinking to herself that Magistrate Hu's circle of people was truly full of hidden talents.
The two drank merrily, and Magistrate Hu discussed current affairs. Zhang Ting often read the official gazette to keep up with current events and had also had in-depth exchanges with Assistant Magistrate Niu. He could not only keep up with Magistrate Hu's words, but also put forward deeper understandings and measures.
Magistrate Hu exclaimed: "He truly is a disciple of Grand Secretary Zong; indeed, a great teacher produces a great student."
Xu You couldn't understand what they were saying, so he simply ignored them.
After the meal, Magistrate Hu personally saw them off, only to learn that they were leaving immediately.
She frowned, puzzled, and said, "Why doesn't Your Majesty stay a few more days? I can then host a proper welcome."
Zhang Ting calmly replied, "I have important business to attend to in the capital. I was supposed to leave at Chenshi (7-9 AM) today, but unfortunately I was delayed until Weishi (1-3 PM)."
It means: If they hadn't almost been murdered and robbed in your jurisdiction, they would have left three hours ago.
Upon hearing her words, Magistrate Hu was speechless and dared not say anything more.
After Zhang Ting and Xu You boarded the carriage, Li Ruilian and the other three mounted their horses and stood guard on either side of the carriage. The coachman, now calmer, drove the carriage slowly away from Qishan County.
The two servants were still a little startled, but at least their condition gradually stabilized.
Xu You wrote to his mother, informing her of the dangers of the journey and asking her to help with the funeral arrangements for the eight guards.
The group hurried on their journey and finally arrived at Yulu County in northern Yinzhou at the end of Shenshi (3-5 PM).
Once bitten, twice shy; Zhang Ting dared not stay in a desolate inn again and immediately ordered to go to the most prosperous inn in the county.
After a night's rest, Meimei resupplyed and continued her journey the next day, and the rest of the trip went smoothly and safely.
Qishan County, the inner courtyard of the county government office.
Magistrate Hu rested his head on the beautiful servant's lap, eating the delicious food the servant had picked out for him, and said smugly, "This time we've really hitched a ride on the coattails of the powerful."
The beautiful maid asked in surprise, "Is it the person in the black brocade robe?" When he saw her that day, he felt that she had an extraordinary bearing and was extremely noble. He never expected that she was actually from a powerful family and could help Magistrate Hu.
Magistrate Hu sat up excitedly, then got off the bed and paced around before saying to the beautiful maid, "That's the man!"
"Do you know who she is? She is the disciple of Grand Secretary Zong! As long as she speaks a few good words for us in front of the Grand Secretary, we will be on the verge of great success..." As she spoke, she became immersed in her dream.
The beautiful servant was infected by her beautiful dream, and he trembled with hatred. He stared at her back, his eyes burning with anger that seemed to be able to scorch a hole in her.
By the time Magistrate Hu came to his senses, the beautiful maid had already returned to normal. She put her arm around the maid's shoulder and laughed heartily, "When I'm promoted to Vice Magistrate, I'll definitely divorce that crippled man and make you my wife."
The beautiful maid smiled and leaned against her chest: "Then I thank you in advance, sir."
On the other side, Magistrate Wu and County Lieutenant Liu were drinking together. Several small dishes were laid out on the table. Magistrate Wu waved for his attendants to leave, then glanced around to make sure no one was watching before saying mysteriously, "Old Liu, do you know who this good-for-nothing Hu invited to such a grand banquet a couple of days ago?"
Magistrate Hu was notorious for being a good-for-nothing. She was skilled at flattering her superiors and became magistrate by marrying the lame son of Prefect Zheng of the same prefecture, but no one was convinced of her worth.
County Magistrate Liu had heard a little about it. After taking a bite of the food with his chopsticks, he said, "I heard that he is the disciple of a certain high-ranking official."
County Magistrate Wu was more well-informed. She smiled maliciously and said, "Isn't that right? It's said that the man was a disciple of Grand Secretary Zong. I called him in the county office for a long time but no one answered, so I went to beat the petition drum. That idiot Hu was so scared that he peed his pants on the servant's bed." Of course, she embellished the last sentence.
If it weren't for Magistrate Hu's parachuting into Qishan County, Wu, the Assistant Magistrate, should have been promoted one rank to become the magistrate. For the past few years, she has been hoping day and night for that scoundrel to fall from power.
County Magistrate Liu frowned in thought, muttering to himself, "How come I remember... that Grand Secretary Zong doesn't accept disciples?"
She spoke too softly, and Magistrate Wu didn't hear her clearly. "Old Liu, what did you say?"
County Magistrate Liu was a low-key and reserved person who did not want to stir up trouble, so he "did not say anything".
"Why doesn't that noble person act on behalf of Heaven and take down that good-for-nothing Hu?" Magistrate Wu took a big gulp of wine and said slowly, "This world is unjust."
County Magistrate Liu shook his head and sighed.
Perhaps she misremembered; otherwise, how could anyone dare to impersonate Grand Secretary Zong's disciple to deceive an official of the imperial court?
Ten days later, the group finally arrived in Kyoto.
The long journey had left everyone exhausted, especially Xu You, who vomited badly for the first two days after leaving Qishan County, only getting better later.
Xu You leaned listlessly against the servant and said weakly to Zhang Ting, "Sister, come with me to my aunt's house to rest. This journey has been too arduous."
Zhang Ting's face also showed signs of fatigue, but she was full of energy. She smiled at Xu You and said, "I will take my sister to Lord Xu's residence. I will have to settle these guards later, so I will not go there. I will come to visit you again another day." As she spoke, she handed a pill to Xu You.
A fair, jade-like hand held a brown pill and presented it to him. The servant blushed and hurriedly took it, almost dropping the pill on the ground.
Zhang Ting felt that Xu You's servants needed to be trained, as they were always so impetuous.
After taking the pill, Xu You thought that there was indeed no problem and nodded, saying, "Alright. Then I'll trouble you, sister."
After seeing Xu You off, the sun was still high in the sky. Zhang Ting squinted as he surveyed the streets, which were many times more bustling than those in Lütian County. He seemed lost in thought for a while before instructing the driver to go to the brokerage firm.
The group consisted of six people, including a horse. Zhang Ting was responsible for their food and monthly expenses, and it was unclear how long they would stay. It seemed more cost-effective to rent a house.
The coachman originally followed the Xu family, but Zhang Ting bought a carriage, and Xu You took it upon herself to give her indenture to Zhang Ting on the way. She had already written to Xu's mother to arrange the procedures, and the new indenture would be delivered to Zhang Ting soon. Her monthly salary would remain five hundred coins.
Zhang Ting signed employment contracts with the four guards, paying each of them one string of silver per month.
For the sake of my life, even though it hurts, I still have to spend the money I need to.
Of the four guards, Li Ruilian was the most skilled in martial arts. Zhang Ting even wanted to pay her an extra string of cash each month so that he could learn martial arts from her.
A note from the author:
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Grand Secretary Zong: I have never seen such a shameless person.
Zhang Ting: I'm a respectable person, don't talk nonsense.
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