Chapter 105 [VIP]
In fact, Wang Ying should have visited Wang Tongzhi long ago. It was such a great favor that someone was sent from so far away to bring them here. But she couldn't go empty-handed.
A small gift would seem disrespectful, while a large gift would be too expensive for him to afford, which was a real problem.
So he decided to leave a note in the experimental field that night, asking Chen Qingyan to help him think of a solution.
After dinner, Wang Ying went to the experimental field as usual to write books, tidy up vegetables, and check for any new notes.
Chen Qingyan came in shortly after, "Aying!"
"Oh, that's a nice new outfit. You've arrived in Yangzhou?"
Chen Qingyan ran over and hugged him. "I just arrived this morning. My teacher's younger brother treated us to dinner tonight, and we just got back."
Wang Ying sniffed his lips. "Why didn't you try the wine from Yangzhou?"
Chen Qingyan lowered her head and kissed the tip of his nose. "With elders around, how could I dare to drink?"
Wang Ying pulled him to sit down, "Tell me what Yangzhou is like."
"During the day, it looks similar to other prefectures. We didn't explore much after entering the city by carriage. Overall, it looks more prosperous than the north. However, it's a completely different story at night."
In cities like Jizhou and Laizhou, there was a curfew. People were usually not allowed to wander the streets after 9 PM. If they were caught by patrolling soldiers, they would be imprisoned.
There was no curfew in Yangzhou. Even at midnight, people could still be seen on the streets. Not to mention the restaurants and brothels, which were almost always brightly lit until dawn.
Wang Ying listened with great longing. In his previous life, he remembered that there were many poems describing Yangzhou in ancient poetry, such as Li Bai's "My old friend bids farewell to the Yellow Crane Tower in the west, and sails down to Yangzhou in the misty March." Although it was not March now, it sounded like Yangzhou in autumn had a unique charm.
"I really want to go with you guys to see it."
"There will be an opportunity. When Yuanbao is a little older and has some free time, we will come to Yangzhou together and I will take you to Wangyue Tower to watch the song and dance performances on the Huai River."
"That's great! I'll definitely take a good look then!"
Chen Qingyan then inquired about the situation in Jizhou Prefecture, "I saw in the note you left that you had taken over a shop to sell fresh vegetables. How are the preparations going?"
"Oh right, I almost forgot. The shop is all set up and we plan to open the day after tomorrow. I was thinking of visiting Magistrate Wang tomorrow, firstly to thank him for sending someone to bring us here, and secondly to try and build a better relationship with him. We're unfamiliar with the city, and if we run into trouble, we'll have no one to rely on. Borrowing Magistrate Wang's name should be a good thing."
Chen Qingyan said, "That's true."
"I just don't know what gift to give them. If the gift is too insignificant, they might think we're tactless. If it's too extravagant, we don't have that much money on hand right now. It's really a dilemma..."
Chen Qingyan asked with some concern, "Is the family running out of money?"
"I have enough for daily expenses. Qingyun also gave me her jade. If there is an emergency, I can pawn it. I have enough money."
"That's good. Don't worry about the gift. Wait for me, I'll be right back." Chen Qingyan turned and left the experimental field, rummaging through his trunk and cage. After a while, he took out a calligraphy scroll.
This calligraphy was given to him by Master Liang; it was written by Qian Muzhou, a renowned calligrapher from Jizhou.
Liang Boqing was on good terms with Qian Muzhou and received many calligraphy works from him. Since the passing of Master Qian, the value of his calligraphy has risen accordingly. It is said that a foot of his calligraphy is worth 300 guan, and there is no market for it.
This "Ode to Jizhou" is one of his famous works, and it would be an excellent gift to present.
Before long, Chen Qingyan brought the calligraphy into the experimental field. "This calligraphy was given to me by my teacher and has already been framed. You can take it directly tomorrow. Do you know where Magistrate Wang's house is?"
Wang Ying nodded, "I know, I inquired about it beforehand."
"Tell me if you need anything. I know a few people in Jizhou who might be able to help you."
"Okay, take care in Yangzhou. We received your letter last time. Has Song grown taller?"
"Yes, it's already as tall as my ear, and it's lost a lot of weight. When we get back, Mom will definitely be heartbroken."
Wang Ying couldn't help but laugh. "Mother didn't feel sorry for him. She told me to tell you to urge Songdi to study more and not to be playful. If he doesn't listen, give him a good beating."
Chen Qingyan couldn't help but laugh, "Okay, I understand. It's getting late, go back and rest."
*
The next morning, Wang Ying brought gifts and two attendants to the Wang family.
Before coming, Wang Ying had already inquired and found out that today was a day off, and Lord Wang should be at home.
Wang Tongzhi's home was on Zhengtong Street, which Wang Ying nicknamed "the street of government offices."
As the ancients said, north is at the top and south is at the bottom, so north is considered superior and south inferior. Therefore, Zhengtong Street is located at the northernmost part of the city.
As you walk this way, you can clearly feel the difference from the other two streets. The road surface is cleaner, and there are neat trees planted on both sides, which is comparable to modern greening.
After walking for about 15 minutes, they arrived at the Wang family's gate. Ma Qianzi stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a short while, the side gate opened, and the gatekeeper asked, "Who are you looking for?"
"Greetings, young man. My husband has come to visit Lord Wang, specifically to repay his kindness in helping and saving us."
"Do you have a visiting card?"
Strychnos nux-vomica turned to ask Wang Ying.
"That's really not the case," Wang Ying quickly stepped forward and said, "I am Liang Boqing's nephew. Please go in and inform Lord Wang, and he will know."
"Sir, you are busy with official business. Please return without an invitation."
Seeing that the gatekeeper was about to close the door, Wang Ying said urgently, "Wait a moment, I really know Lord Wang!"
"Bang!" The side gate slammed shut. Wang Ying knocked a few times but received no response. Frustrated, he stomped his foot and prepared to leave.
Just then, the noise caught the attention of the steward in the courtyard. He came over and asked, "What's all the commotion outside?"
“A young man came to visit, but he didn’t have a visiting card, so I sent him back.”
The butler pondered for a moment and asked, "Does that person have a non-local accent?"
"yes."
The steward quickly told the servant to open the door, "Young master, please wait!"
Upon hearing the sound, Wang Ying immediately turned around and ran back.
Are you all from Longquan County?
"Yes, that's right. I am Liang Boqing's nephew. I was brought to the prefectural government by Lord Wang."
Butler Wang Qi nodded and said, "Then come in with me."
Wang Ying followed him and was led all the way to the flower hall.
"Please sit down and have a cup of tea. The master is still busy with official business and will be here in a little while."
"Thank you for your trouble." Wang Ying sat down awkwardly, not daring to look around. Ma Qianzi and Tian Ju stood behind him, not daring to breathe.
After waiting for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wang Tongzhi finally arrived. He was about the same age as Elder Liang, with a square face, a short mustache, and wearing a dark blue Confucian robe.
Wang Ying quickly stood up and kowtowed, "This junior greets Lord Wang."
"Get up. You must be Wang Ying, the one Boqing mentioned in his letter?"
Wang Ying was taken aback, not expecting that Elder Liang had mentioned her in the letter. She quickly nodded, "Yes, my name is Wang Ying."
"I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't had a chance to visit you."
"How dare I? It should be the younger generation who has come to visit you earlier."
Wang Tongzhi waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down. "If you had come earlier, you might not have seen me. I haven't had a single free day lately because of the floods."
The floods in Jizhou were severe, and the governor of Jizhou was demoted. Although Wang Tongzhi was not demoted, he had no hope of promotion for the next three years.
He also had to assist the newly appointed governor in handling disaster relief matters, keeping him extremely busy and unable to even sleep. His beard had turned quite white. Wang Ying's visit was perfectly timed.
"I heard from the servants that you have moved out of the post station. Have you found a place to stay yet?"
"I've already rented a house and plan to do some small business in the city to make a living."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wang Ying took out the gift she had prepared in advance. "My family and I came in a hurry and have nothing to offer as a gift. The only thing we have is this calligraphy, which was given to my husband by Elder Liang. Now we are presenting it to you, Magistrate, to thank you for sending someone to pick us up in the prefectural city."
"There's nothing to thank me for, it's just a matter of a word."
"Your words are a great kindness to us ordinary people. Please accept this small gift without being offended."
Wang Tongzhi then had the steward take it down, opened the box and unfurled the scroll. He was stunned for a moment, then quickly got up and stepped forward to examine it carefully. "This, this is Qian Muzhou's calligraphy? Boqing actually has such a fine item!"
Seeing his expression, Wang Ying knew she had made the right choice. "I am just a commoner and do not know how to appreciate calligraphy and paintings. Giving this to you, sir, would not be a waste of this masterpiece."
If Wang Tongzhi's words were mostly polite before, he became much more sincere after receiving this calligraphy. "I heard that your hometown suffered a severe disaster, and the fields and houses were destroyed, right?"
Wang Ying nodded. "Eight or nine out of ten families in the town have died out. Our family escaped the disaster by fleeing to the nearby mountains while we were in the village to avoid the summer heat. However, our house was washed away by the flood and is now uninhabitable."
"Alas, natural disasters are merciless. Now you can stay in the city in peace. If you encounter any difficulties, just come to me. Boqing and I have been old friends for many years. His nephews and nieces are just like my own. Please don't be shy."
"Thank you, Magistrate!" Wang Ying knelt down and kowtowed again; these were the words he had been waiting for.
"Just call me Uncle. I'll have Wang Qi give you a token later. You can come in next time you need something by handing over the token."
"Thank you, sir."
Although Wang Tongzhi asked him to call him uncle, Wang Ying didn't dare to actually do so. Not to mention the vast difference in their status, he wasn't Liang Boqing's nephew either; his husband was just Liang Boqing's student, and there was still a layer between them.
However, this trip was not in vain. Not only did I become acquainted with the Assistant Magistrate, but I also obtained a plaque from his residence, making it much easier to visit him again next time.
After a while, Wang Tongzhi had to go about his business, so Wang Ying quickly got up to say goodbye.
Butler Wang Qi saw the three to the door, when Wang Ying suddenly spoke up: "Lord Wang is very busy with official business, so I dared not invite you. My vegetable shop is opening tomorrow. I wonder if it would be convenient for you to come and take a look? After all, I am just a young man, and my husband and uncle are not in the prefectural city. I have no one to rely on..."
Wang Qi hadn't expected the other party to invite him. "I need to discuss it with my father."
Wang Ying quickly replied, "It's alright if you're busy. Thank you so much for your help today, otherwise I wouldn't even be able to get in the door."
Wang Qi nodded slightly, her impression of Wang Ying improving somewhat. Although she was a young man from the countryside, she was very tactful in her speech and actions, and never annoying.
"Then I'll head back now."
Wang Qi asked, "Where is the shop located?"
"It's on Zhengyang Street, opposite Yang's Trading Company, called Wang's Vegetable Shop."
"Okay, I'll go take a look when I have time."
Wang Ying left the Wang family home, thanking them profusely. Only when the wind blew did she realize that the back of her clothes was soaked with sweat.
A sixth-rank magistrate is equivalent to a provincial-level official in modern times. Sure enough, even though I was just an ordinary person in my previous life, I was still incredibly nervous talking to such a high-ranking leader after transmigrating.
It doesn't matter if Wang Tongzhi can't come to the opening tomorrow, as long as the steward can come. Anyone who cares will understand the relationship once they ask around.
In addition, Wang Ying intentionally named the vegetable shop after his own surname, also in order to benefit from Wang Tongzhi's influence, so that people who didn't know better would think he was really his nephew.
A note from the author:
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