Chapter 164 Setting Off North
Du Min was passing through Luoyang to visit his father-in-law, Yin Mingfu. Yin Mingfu hadn't received his transfer order, and the official document he'd sent to Chang'an two months prior still hadn't been replied to. He was also unaware of the court's movements. Upon hearing this, Du Min could only take Ren Wenqiu with him and travel to the capital alone by official boat.
After a month-long voyage, they arrived in Chang'an on the second day of the eleventh lunar month. Du Min and Ren Wenqiu hired a carriage to go to the Qingniao Paper Craft Academy. He had been away from Chang'an for nearly three years, and many of the teachers at the academy still remembered him. He asked if a friend could stay at the academy for a few months, and the person in charge did not refuse him and allowed Ren Wenqiu to stay.
After settling Ren Wenqiu in, Du Min went alone to the post station in Chang'an. The post station was filled with officials from all over the country, none of whom he knew. With his fish tally, he was admitted to a courtyard where officials of the fifth and sixth ranks lived, and was assigned a room with an outer hall and an inner bedroom.
After resting for a night, Du Min submitted his visiting card to the Ministry of Rites. While waiting for a reply, he happily chatted with officials from various places at the post station, where high-ranking and low-ranking officials gathered. He spent his days drinking tea and playing chess, and talked at length about his large-scale water conservancy projects in Heqing County. He was as adept as a fish in water when it came to socializing in this arena of fame and fortune.
On the seventh day of the eleventh lunar month, servants from the Minister's residence came to the post station to invite Du Min to the Minister's residence.
At the same time, Gu Wudong arrived in Heyin County. He crossed the bridge and went straight to the county government office of Heqing County.
Meng Qing was looking at the account book when she heard from a maid that the judicial officer from the former yamen was looking for her. She put down the account book and went out, only to find out that it was Gu Wudong who had come.
Gu Wudong was waiting in the clerk's office when he saw Meng Qing appear. He asked excitedly, "Madam Meng, has Lord Du also gone to the capital?"
"Yes, he set off a month ago." Meng Qing nodded. "You passed the prefectural examination?"
Gu Wudong nodded. The Mingjing examination was easier than the Jinshi examination. He returned to his hometown and studied diligently for a year, finally passing the examination. On the day the results were announced, he received a letter from Du Min from Heqing County. He immediately packed his bags and left Wu County alone.
“Madam Meng, after returning to my hometown, I heard a rumor that Military Advisor Chen’s coffin was buried in Beiman Mountain. His son said that Lord Du promised to pay respects to his mentor every year. Since they, as his descendants, could not fulfill their filial duty at the grave, they sent their servant, Steward Chen, and his family for three generations to Heqing County to guard the grave. I don’t know if this rumor is true or not. I was afraid that I might encounter acquaintances on this trip, and if Steward Chen became suspicious, it would damage Lord Du’s reputation. Therefore, after entering the territory of Heqing County, I was very careful and did not let anyone I shouldn’t see me.” Gu Wudong subtly reminded me.
Meng Qing smiled and said, "The rumors are false. The Chen family is now servants of the Meng family. However, your concerns are valid. It's better to avoid trouble. Before leaving, Lord Du also thought of you. He instructed that if you can go to the capital for the imperial examination this year, after arriving in Chang'an, you should go to the Qingniao Paper Craft Academy and find a student named Ren Wenqiu."
Upon hearing this, Gu Wudong felt relieved. He didn't dare to delay and immediately left Heqing County for Chang'an.
*
Inside the Minister's residence, Du Min flipped through a book restlessly, but the words on the page didn't really register. After reading for half an hour, he hadn't remembered anything.
"My lord, Lord Du arrived half an hour ago," said the servant outside the door.
Minister Zheng grunted in acknowledgment.
Upon hearing this, Du Min hesitated for a few moments before finally looking away from his book as the study door was pushed open.
"Your Excellency, Minister—" Du Min hurriedly stood up and bowed.
"No need for formalities." Minister Zheng took a few quick steps, and the man offered a helping hand, saying warmly, "Sit down, don't stand on ceremony."
Du Min glanced at him and immediately felt relieved. It seemed that the official documents he and Yin Mingfu had submitted to the female saint had not angered her.
"Nothing was going on today, which is why I sent a servant to call you. Just as the servant left, someone from the palace came and asked me to come in, which is why I was late for our meeting," Minister Zheng explained.
“I have nothing to do, so how can I say I’m wasting time?” Du Min picked up a book from the table and said, “While waiting for you, sir, I borrowed your books and read your annotations. My half-hour wait was not in vain.”
“Take this book with you. There are a few other books too; take them with you when you leave.” Minister Zheng recognized the book and said, “I received your letter and learned that you are to be appointed as the Prefect of Huai Prefecture. I understand that the Empress and the Governor want you to manage the waterways of Huai Prefecture. This is no easy task. The Yellow River has changed its course, the riverbed is silted up, and the canals have collapsed. These problems have been addressed for years, and now everyone is exhausted. If you go there, you might be hindered for a while. I have found some books on water management for you, which are full of the experience of our predecessors. Study them carefully.”
Du Min, who prided himself on being shameless, felt guilty at this moment and ashamed of his intention to trip up Minister Zheng.
"I am deeply grateful that you, sir, still have your thoughts on my official duties amidst your busy schedule." Du Min was thankful that his second sister-in-law had stopped him and prevented him from antagonizing Minister Zheng.
"No need for gratitude. Huai Prefecture suffers from either floods or droughts every year, which has become a major concern for the court. If you can improve this chronic problem, I will thank you." Minister Zheng picked up his tea and took a sip. He looked at Du Min and encouraged him, "Work hard. If you can crack this tough nut, you will surely be promoted. I will be waiting for you in Chang'an. When you step into the court, I will give you a grand welcome."
Du Min glanced at him quickly, unsure whether Minister Zheng didn't take the female saint seriously or didn't take him seriously. Minister Zheng's attitude was completely different from what he had expected; there was neither any suppression nor any distancing.
"Before you, sir, host a banquet to welcome me, may I have the pleasure of drinking your celebratory wine? I'd like to share in your joy." Without further ado, Du Min pressed his advantage, grinning obsequiously as he inquired, "Sir, will I be able to drink this celebratory wine next year?"
Minister Zheng laughed heartily, “It’s not easy for you to come to Chang’an. I’ll send someone to deliver a few jars of wine to you when you arrive.”
Upon hearing this, Du Min knew that Minister Zheng's position as prime minister was a foregone conclusion. He said with great joy, "This humble official congratulates Your Excellency in advance."
"It's all thanks to you and your sister-in-law." Minister Zheng knew what was going on; he never dreamed that Meng Qing would use the free school to bring him such a big surprise. Empress Wu insisted on promoting the imperial examination system, producing thirty to fifty new Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) every year. Coupled with those waiting to enter officialdom through hereditary privilege and other means, the situation of too many officials and too few vacancies became more and more serious each year.
Meng Qing's proposal could solve the problem of talent backlog that had lasted for twenty years. Although it was a waste of talent to have a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) manage a free school that made a living by making paper funerary objects, there were high-sounding pretexts such as suppressing extravagant funerals and promoting Buddhism, as well as the lure of making money for the court and solving the problem of officials' salaries. There were almost no objections in the court.
Du Min smiled and defended Meng Qing: "This plan was entirely my sister-in-law's doing. She came up with the idea herself. I was just an advisor at most."
Minister Zheng recalled Meng Qing's methods in Chang'an back then and sighed, "If your sister-in-law were a man, the court would have another scholar who excels in strategy."
Du Min agreed, "My second sister-in-law's talent and strategy far surpass mine."
Minister Zheng glanced at him a few times, and the smile on his face froze for a moment. The words sounded familiar. More than ten years ago, the emperor had said something similar. Now, Empress Wu, whose talents far surpassed his, had stepped into the court.
"My lord, I have something to ask you. My father-in-law is the Prefect of Luoyang..."
Minister Zheng suddenly lost interest in the conversation. He interrupted Du Min and said, "The promotion of officials is not under my jurisdiction. You should inquire about this matter at the Ministry of Personnel."
"Yes." Du Min glanced at him a few times, then he tactfully bowed and took his leave: "This humble official will depart now."
Minister Zheng got up, took a few books from the bookshelf, and handed them to Du Min. He inquired, "Has your sister-in-law said what reward she wants? Or what is her wish? I have received a gift from her, and I can do my best to help her get what she wants."
"As the old saying goes, a fine horse is easy to find, but a discerning eye is rare. It is our honor to be able to help you, sir, and it is her good fortune that you are willing to adopt her plan. My sister-in-law has never asked me for any reward; she only hopes to personally escort the money to the capital one day and longs to see the magnificent sight of a long procession of carriages transporting the money." Du Min realized that his conversation with Minister Zheng had broken down and that it was time to end it. He said no more.
Minister Zheng's mood improved somewhat.
"Once the money from all over the country is gathered in Luoyang, Governor Zheng will escort it to the capital. If Master Meng is willing to go to Chang'an at that time, I will host a welcome banquet for her." Minister Zheng promised, "Before she comes, send me a message and I will arrange carriages to meet her at the ferry."
Du Min agreed, bowed, and walked out of the study carrying six books.
Afterwards, Du Min stayed in Chang'an for more than half a month. He helped Ren Wenqiu submit his travel documents, and after reporting on his duties, he packed his bags, boarded a ship, and left Chang'an.
After Du Min's official ship left the shore, Gu Wudong's cargo ship docked. After disembarking, he asked around for directions to the Qingniao Paper Craft Academy.
When Ren Wenqiu returned from the literary gathering, he encountered Gu Wudong negotiating with the steward of the free school outside the gate. After listening to a few words, he stepped forward and asked, "Is this Brother Gu? Gu Wudong, a student from Wu County, Suzhou?"
"That's me, may I ask who you are...?"
"My name is Ren Wenqiu. Lord Du left the capital this morning. He instructed me to take good care of any student named Gu Wudong who comes looking for me," Ren Wenqiu said. "I am currently staying at the Yishu Academy. You will stay with me. In a couple of days, you will join me at the literary gathering to discuss articles together."
Gu Wudong was annoyed that he was too late again, but with a place to stay and a guide, his anxiety lessened considerably, and he immediately followed Ren Wenqiu into the school.
*
Du Min returned to Luoyang by boat after a month's journey. After disembarking, he went to visit his father-in-law, but unexpectedly encountered Meng Qing and Meng Chun at the government office.
Two days ago, Meng Qing and Meng Chun accompanied the men sent by Governor Zheng to escort money to Luoyang. The two free schools in Heqing County and Heyin County made a total profit of more than 68,000 strings of cash. In addition, the 36,000 strings of cash that were transported to Heqing County in August brought the total to 100,000 strings of cash. The caravan carrying the money stretched for three miles.
“I went to see Governor Zheng yesterday. The money from the thirteen prefectures near the Eastern Capital has already been transported to Chang’an, while the money from Ezhou, Jingzhou, and other places will arrive in half a month later. The money will be sent in two batches, and one fleet of ships carrying the money will leave the day after tomorrow. He arranged for me to go with the first batch of ships,” Meng Qing explained.
"If I had known, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to come back!" Du Min said regretfully. "Never mind, I'll just go to Chang'an with you on the ship again."
"Why are you following me instead of going about your business?" Meng Qing refused. "Don't worry about my safety. Prefect Yin is also going to the capital. I'll go with him. We'll be on the same boat, and my little brother will be with me too."
On this trip to Chang'an, Meng Qing brought Meng Chun along. She wanted to take him to see Zhuque Street and watch the newly appointed scholars parade through the streets on horseback.
Yin Mingfu, who was sitting by the stove drinking tea, finally spoke, "I have received my transfer order. I need to report to the Ministry of Personnel three months from now."
"Is he the Vice Minister of Personnel Evaluation?" Du Min asked. "When I went to the Ministry of Personnel to report on my work, I asked the officials there, but none of them were willing to give me a definite answer."
"Yes." Yin Mingfu pointed upwards.
Upon seeing this, Du Min understood that it was a blessing from the female saint.
"What's the situation in Chang'an?" Yin Mingfu asked. "Has your second sister-in-law's plan already been discussed in the court?"
Du Min nodded. "I met Minister Zheng. From what he said, his position as prime minister is a done deal."
"How does he treat you?" Meng Qing asked.
“He was kind, just like he was in Chang’an. Oh, and he also told me that if you were going to Chang’an, I should send him a message, and he would arrange for carriages to meet you at the ferry,” Du Min said.
“I know.” Meng Qing smiled smugly. “Half a month ago, I received a letter from Minister Zheng. I sent him the letter when I left Heqing County.”
Du Min couldn't help but admire Minister Zheng's thoughtfulness.
“The days at sea are tough, you should go and rest first, we can talk about it another day,” Meng Qing said.
Yin Mingfu nodded. "Go and rest."
Du Min left, and as soon as he left, Meng Qing also left Yin Mingfu's study.
Du Min waited halfway there. When Meng Qing came out, he led her to the pavilion to talk.
He recounted his conversation with Minister Zheng that day, saying, "After I told him that your talent far surpasses mine, his attitude changed. He probably thought of that person in the court. Be careful when you talk to him."
Meng Qing scoffed, "Fine, I got it."
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, twenty official ships carrying 320,000 strings of copper coins left the Luoyang ferry under the escort of government soldiers.
Meng Qing bid farewell to Luoyang and set off north.
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Author's Note: There will be one more update tonight.
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