Chapter 119 Silently Recording the Ledger Chen Junbai touched his nose: I can't recite it. ...
When Li Yang arrived at the teahouse after receiving the letter, he saw Bi Fang, Zheng Qingbo, Zi Yan, and Xiao Bai. He felt as if he were seeing his own family, and his nose tingled as he burst into tears again.
After some reflection, Bi Fang described the situation in Songshan Town.
It turned out that a month ago, Zhang Youdao summoned all the families under the pretext of having something to discuss. He planned to have them detained as soon as they arrived at the Salt Bureau.
Liu Yitong was immediately displeased and slapped himself while cursing, "You surnamed Zhang, have you taken the wrong medicine? What are you doing acting so wildly here? Do you think you have the right to speak just because Chen Junbai isn't here!"
Zhang Youdao gave a cold smile, then read out the memorial, in which the Emperor ordered the governor and Zhang Youdao to thoroughly investigate the matter and immediately arranged for someone to secretly go to Songshan Town to handle the case.
Upon hearing this, the group was all stunned to learn that it was about Yu Liyin. Zhang Youdao was the one who suggested Yu Liyin, and now that Yu Liyin was in trouble, why was Zhang Youdao being assigned to lead the investigation?
Liu Yitong cursed again, "Don't you know what's going on with Yu Liyin? You can investigate it yourself, why are you arresting us? I'm going home for dinner now, get out of my way!"
Having already broken off relations, Zhang Youdao naturally wouldn't let these merchants off the hook. Liu Yitong was known for his rudeness and disrespect for others, and now was the perfect time for revenge. Without hesitation, Zhang Youdao suppressed the charge of disobeying the imperial decree, ordered Liu Yitong to be beaten, and had him carried back to his residence.
The other salt merchants returned to their respective residences to guard their goods, and were not allowed to leave their residences unless necessary.
Bi Fang's indenture was with Old Master Zhang, who had already passed away. At that time, all the servants of the Zhang family received their indentures and dispersed. However, Bi Fang remained by Chen Junbai's side, indifferent to status, and continued to serve as Chen Junbai's steward.
Once he finally left the mansion, the first thing he did was to find Lin Yihuai. On the day Zhang Youdao arrested people, it was Zhong Zhengyuan who was with Zhang Youdao; Lin Yihuai was not seen.
Upon arriving at the Salt Bureau, they inquired around and learned that Lin Yihuai had already been captured by these two men and was being held in prison as a serious criminal.
Bi Fang originally intended to return to the Chen family to wait for news, but unexpectedly met the messenger outside the Chen family's gate, so he decided to go to the capital.
Upon hearing about the hardships faced by Songshan Town, Li Yang felt a chill run down his spine. Zhang Youdao and his men weren't investigating a case; they were clearly trying to extract a confession through torture.
Zheng Qingbo heard about the imperial court's investigation into salt administration while on a pleasure boat, so he went to the Chen family to consult with Bi Fang. However, the Chen family's gate was heavily guarded, and he waited for several days before finally being able to see Bi Fang.
Having learned the whole story, the two decided to go to the capital together so they could look after each other. Only when they arrived and met Youfeng did they realize that Liyang was actually the young lady of the Zhuang family, which surprised them greatly.
Upon hearing this, Li Yang was deeply moved. "Mr. Zheng, thank you for coming all this way." As he spoke, his voice trembled so much that it was almost incoherent, bringing tears to the eyes of those who heard it.
Ziyan nudged her arm. "Why are you crying? Let's think of a solution together. We can always find a way."
The group decided to rest and recuperate first, and then wait for Li Yang to arrange for Bi Fang to meet with Chen Junbo.
Youfeng settled someone down to rest.
Zheng Qingbo: "Ziyan, who is this?"
Xiao Bai: "I am my master's apprentice! Wherever my master goes, I will go!"
Li Yang frowned and smiled, "This is the young master of the Bai family. We had just arrived in the capital and had nowhere to stay. We were very grateful to the young master of the Bai family for giving us a shop on the first floor to sell tea."
Her eyes flickered, and she saw Bi Fangzheng peeking out. She added, "There's one more thing I forgot to mention. The little deer girl who used to be by my side has found her own place and is now staying at the residence of a minor official surnamed Zhang."
"Please wait a moment, everyone. I'll go back to the manor to deliver a message and be right back."
Li Yang hurriedly returned to the Zhuang residence to set a date for his prison visit.
When Zhuang Ziyang returned home, he heard about this and was moved by the friends his granddaughter had made; they were indeed loyal and righteous people.
His expression was grave, and after several inquiries, he finally said, "These past few days I have inquired about the salt administration in the court, but apart from the Imperial Guards who arrested people that day, no one else knows about it. It is clear that His Majesty is determined to handle this case secretly. We need to plan carefully and not miss the opportunity."
This news was like a sudden, unexpected punch to this already gloomy household.
Li Yang carefully dealt with his inner unease, not daring to reveal it at all.
Seeing her grandfather so worried about Chen Junbo these days, running around everywhere, she felt extremely guilty when she saw the gray hairs in his hair. These were burdens that her grandfather shouldn't have had to bear; she had brought them into the family against her will.
If I hadn't married Chen Junbai, my grandfather would have had no connection to the Chen family's case. If I hadn't been so meddlesome as to tell my grandfather about Zhang Youdao, the other party wouldn't have resorted to such desperate measures, falsely accusing Lord Lin and Chen Junbai.
It was because I took advantage of my family's doting love and Chen Junbo's indulgence that I acted recklessly, disregarding the consequences, harming Chen Junbo, my grandfather and mother, Lord Lin, Liu Yitong, Li Yuhan, and...
Li Yang returned to the room and sat at the low dressing table, covering her face with her hands, feeling extremely regretful.
The next day, in the prison cell.
Bi Fang: "Young Master!"
When Chen Junbo saw the two, he was surprised that Bi Fang had arrived so quickly.
Knowing that this prison visit was not easy, Bi Fang focused on the important points and reported everything that had happened to Chen Junbo.
Li Yang stared intently at Chen Junbai's expression, and saw that the light in the other man's eyes had gone out after hearing about Lin Yihuai's arrest and the sealing of the homes of the salt merchants.
Her heart tightened, and she asked anxiously, "Is there any other way now?"
Chen Junbo's eyelashes fluttered slightly as he glanced at her, pursed his lips, but remained silent.
Li Yang urged anxiously, "Is there really no other way? Think again, aren't you the one with the most ideas?"
Seeing this, Bi Fang quickly said, "Young Madam, don't worry, let the young master think about it."
As Li Yang grew anxious, she felt a lump in her throat and was about to burst into tears. She had been crying easily these past few days, and now, whenever she got anxious, it was as if tears were about to fall at any moment.
Seeing this, Chen Junbo sighed and said, "These days they have only detained me here, but have not interrogated me."
The matter of salt permits simply involves two items: treasury silver and surplus silver. The deficit in treasury silver is one thing, but its whereabouts are clearly recorded in the ledgers, so the other party probably wouldn't use this as bait.
However, if we had the account book, we would have more people to help us, and our chances of winning would be greater. But now the account book is being held by Zhang Youdao and his men in their mansion, so it has probably already fallen into their hands.
If we don't have the ledger, and it falls into their hands, those who would have helped us might turn neutral or even help the other side.
So, the question is whether the matter of the remaining silver can be settled.
Everything requires authentication and physical evidence. Now, Lord Lin, Li Yuhan, and Liu Yitong are all detained by Zhang Youdao, and the accounts for the remaining profits were originally with Zhang Youdao himself; they have likely already been seized by him.
When Li Yang heard these words, he thought, "Doesn't this mean that the witnesses and physical evidence are all in the hands of the other party? Doesn't that mean I'm doomed?"
Bi Fang spoke softly, "Young Master, as for the treasury silver, the accounts between the Chen and Zhang families can be settled."
Unexpectedly, his words had a great effect, and both people in the room opened their eyes wide and turned to look at him.
Perhaps sensing the gazes of the others rushing towards him, Bi Fang paused and then said, "Oh, I can silently record any accounts that have been handled."
Li Yang was dumbfounded, but he also felt that it made sense, and he could also write down all the accounts of the wonton shop.
In a flash of inspiration, it dawned on him that the whereabouts of the treasury silver were all recorded by Chen Junbo himself, which meant...
The two looked at Chen Junbai at the same time, "What about the salt commissioner's treasury accounts?"
Chen Junbo's eyes flickered, and he reached up to touch his nose, his cough sounding somewhat unnatural. "Um, I can't recite it."
It was all for nothing, leaving one feeling utterly disheartened.
Li Yang glared at him irritably, wanting to curse him in his heart. Everyone else could remember the accounts they handled, but he couldn't.
However, at least the accounts of the Chen and Zhang families were available, and among the four major merchants, the Chen and Zhang families always accounted for the majority of the silver when it was paid to the treasury. Therefore, more than half of the treasury silver could be recorded.
After discussing it among themselves, they decided that this was the only way to prepare for the time being; it was better than having nothing at all.
"Then I'll go back today and memorize the family accounts." Seeing that the two still had something to say, Bi Fang left the cell first.
Only two people remained in the cell. Li Yang had been leaning against the door since she entered. In the past few days, it was as if her tear ducts were open, and she would cry by herself at the drop of a hat. She would cry when she saw the people of Songshan Town, and she would cry when she heard her grandfather talk about the day's events at home. Now, she was just staring blankly at Chen Junbo, and she was crying again.
Seeing this, Chen Junbo quickly stepped forward and took her hands, saying, "It's alright, look how amazing Bi Fang is."
Li Yang said in a deep voice, "He is quite capable, but you are not."
Upon hearing this, Chen Junbo seemed to laugh in exasperation, "Fine, fine, I'm not amazing, you're all amazing."
“You’re not that great. Bi Fang can recite the account book, and I can recite the accounts too. Why can’t you?” Li Yang sighed.
"Yes, yes, yes, when I get back I will study hard and memorize all the accounts."
After being scolded by her, Chen Junbo could only smile and coax her. Thinking about this, Li Yang felt as if a small red flower had bloomed from the crack in her tangled heart, and if she tasted it carefully, she could even taste a hint of sweetness.
Seeing that there were still two tears in Li Yang's smiling eyes, Chen Junbo said, "Zhao Zhao, don't cry, you won't look pretty if you cry."
Upon hearing this, Li Yang quickly wiped his face. "Do I look bad?"
"You're the most beautiful." Chen Junbo seemed somewhat helpless. "Zhaozhao, now that I'm in jail, everything outside depends on you to take care of it. You've worked hard."
Li Yang knew that he was encouraging him. "Don't worry, Grandfather said he would definitely help with this. Just rest here for a few days, and I'll come to pick you up soon."
"Okay, I'll take this as a rest and wait for Zhaozhao to come and take me home," Chen Junbo said with a smile.
"I'm serious. You always helped me when I was wronged before, so this time it's my turn to help you. Don't look down on me, I can do it!" Li Yang said confidently.
She recalled her days in the Chen family, where her mother-in-law was always finding fault with her and would find something to slander her from time to time. Every time, Chen Junbo was the one who helped her.
Just thinking about it, she felt that she couldn't quite remember what had happened in the previous few years, and she could hardly remember what her mother-in-law looked like.
Those things, which made people grit their teeth at the time, now evoke no emotions when they are thought of.
Thinking about all this, I chuckled out loud.
Chen Junbo asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Interrupted from his reminiscence, Li Yang shook his head and said, "It's nothing, I just remembered some things from the past, and now that I think about them, I just find them quite interesting."
Chen Junbo nodded.
Li Yang hugged his waist again and rested his head on his shoulder. "Life in Songshan Town was so good. If I hadn't come to the capital, none of this would have happened."
Seeing that the other person remained silent, he added, "Once you get out, we'll go back to Songshan Town and live a good life. I'm sure everyone is thinking of you right now."
She wasn't wrong, especially Liu Yitong, who was now confined to his residence every day. The chickens couldn't eat ginseng, and even his favorite fried rice didn't taste good anymore.
The days without being able to eat fried rice with eggs made Liu Yitong so miserable that he cursed and complained. Chen Junbo, in particular, who was usually so respectable, was nowhere to be seen now that Songshan Town was in such a mess.
The guards at the gate were utterly helpless, having to listen to him curse like this every day.
The two lingered for a while longer, and feeling embarrassed to keep Bi Fang waiting outside for too long, Li Yang left the clothes he had brought and departed from the cell.
The two discussed it and decided that since the teahouse was too crowded and noisy, they might as well go back to the owner's place and silently record the accounts.
In Zhuang Ziyang's study, after the two reported the matter to Zhuang Xiangguo, they set up another table in the study and began the work of silently transcribing.
Bi Fang started memorizing the numbers five years ago. Every six months, Li Yang would check the numbers with an abacus. After confirming that there were no errors, he would transcribe them again in his own way.
The way this transcription was done was unlike the traditional method, which amazed Zhuang Shutong. "Zhaozhao, when did you learn this skill?"
“Mother, I learned it from you. But after I took over the accounts of the flower shop at the Chen family, Chen Junbai found me a teacher who taught me for several days, so I became even more proficient than before.”
Li Yang was busy checking the ledgers and didn't even look up. "Later, I met a Persian merchant at a teahouse. He was very capable. He taught me how to draw up tables to record tea tastings. Later, I used this method to check the accounts, and it was indeed simple."
Listening to the mother and daughter's conversation, Zhuang Ziyang couldn't help but curiously pick up the form that Li Yang had verified and began to examine it.
He knew about Zhuang Shutong's ability to manage the household affairs; it was all thanks to Shutong's mother teaching her step by step.
The account book was clearly laid out by date, with entries, exits, and amounts listed in a straightforward manner. Zhuang Ziyang nodded in approval, "Zhaozhao, the method you taught this Persian merchant is indeed quite good."
As Li Yang verified the information, he said, "Yes, Grandfather, his name is Lu Jie. He's very capable. We were able to get to the capital this time by taking advantage of his merchant ship."
Zhuang Ziyang asked curiously, "Oh, isn't it a merchant ship from the Chen family?"
"Uh—" Li Yang realized he had misspoke and quickly tried to make amends, "At that time, Lu Jie was going to the capital, so I came with him. Along the way, he taught me a lot of business skills. My granddaughter has learned a lot."
"Hahaha, good, good." Zhuang Ziyang couldn't help but laugh at his words, and Zhuang Shutong also smiled broadly.
When Zhuang Shutong was teaching Li Yang how to do accounting, Li Yang always liked to slack off. Zhuang Shutong indulged her in other things, but she just wouldn't let up when it came to learning accounting.
She once said that learning these skills is not just about managing household affairs in the backyard; it's about managing a household, doing business, and understanding the principles of everything in the world. If you can learn to calculate money clearly, you'll be able to make a living anywhere.
Seeing her daughter striving for excellence in this matter now fills her with immense joy.
In the days that followed, the Zhuang family's study became the liveliest place in the entire mansion, with maids delivering all of the day's meals to it.
The only sounds could be the sound of abacuses being used inside. Occasionally, through the open lattice window, one could see the young lady and the accountant engrossed in entering data.
The others, however, were kept in the dark by the two guards outside the study, and not a single breeze could be detected from them.
The Chen and Zhang families were both prominent families, and their accounts were so complex that even though Bi Fang had only been working on this one task these days, it still took him more than half a month to write them down.
During the past two weeks, Zhuang Ziyang had been inquiring about the salt certificate case everywhere, but the matter was handled by Zhang Youdao, Zhong Zhengyuan, and the imperial housekeepers around the emperor, and was reported directly to Emperor Qing, making it an impenetrable case.
After all these days of busy work, Zhuang Ziyang hadn't managed to gather any information, but instead received a reprimand from the emperor.
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