White-robed Minister

0025 [Trust is not righteousness; one's words can be contradicted.]

The eunuchs appointed as "Zouma Chengshou" (a type of official in charge of official duties) could supervise officials and participate in investigations, but they were absolutely not allowed to overstep their authority or take the lead.

Cai Kang, as the transport commissioner, did not personally appear.

Therefore, the person in charge of the Qingyuan case became Chen Congyi, the Guangdong Transport Judge and concurrently the Guangdong Provincial Surveillance Commissioner.

Chen Congyi stood on the deck, not in a very good mood.

He was an active advocate for salt administration reform in Jiangxi, proposing the establishment of five salt warehouses in northern Guangdong to allow salt merchants from southern Jiangxi to purchase salt from Guangdong. Unfortunately, his proposal was recently rejected by the imperial court.

Chen Congyi is not well-known, but he has several famous relatives.

His cousin, Chen Congyi, was Su Song's maternal grandfather.

One of his sons-in-law was Lü Huiqing's younger brother, Lü Shengqing.

"Ha~~~"

The eunuch Wang Yuanbi came over yawning: "Are we almost at Xukou Town?"

"It's just ahead," Chen Congyi said.

Wang Yuanbi stretched and said, "We'll finish the case in Qingyuan County in a couple of days, and then we have to go to the capital to meet the Emperor. A few lowly patrol officers dared to neglect their duties, resulting in the theft of imperial tribute. We'll make sure they pay!"

The ranks of those who served as "zouma" were very low, but they were all people close to the emperor.

Every year at the end of the year, Wang Yuanbi would return to the capital to personally report to the emperor what he had seen and heard.

Chen Congyi cupped his hands and said, "I must thank the angel for his help this time."

"It's a small matter, no need to say more," Wang Yuanbi said nonchalantly.

He even glued on a few tufts of beard and deliberately spoke in a rough voice to make himself appear more imposing and powerful.

Chen Congyi said, "According to the statements of those three people, the case is of great importance and requires careful investigation."

Wang Yuanbi's suggestion was simple and brutal: "Arrest them and beat them. If they don't confess, beat them to death until they confess!"

Chen Congyi was both amused and exasperated: "The angel was so efficient, I admire him greatly."

Wang Yuanbi, head held high and chest puffed out, feigning a heroic air: "A true man should act like this, not like a demure young lady!"

As the two chatted, laughter came from the nearby fishing boat.

Then someone recited a poem: [The night boat braves the waves to reach Xuguan Pass, its lights illuminating the river, keeping the chill at bay. The wind seeps through the heavy awning, yet I feel nothing, my heart is only set on the myriad mountains.]

Wang Yuanbi stroked his fake beard and commented, "What a broad mind and full of ambition."

Chen Congyi smiled and said, "Young people are full of energy."

Then someone recited a poem: "Thirty-something is not old, in my prime I wielded the scalpel to pluck the laurel. I honed my iron will by turning over worn-out documents, and once again raised my scholar's robes to ride the high waves."

Wang Yuanbi shook his head repeatedly: "It smells sour and rotten, even worse than ours without testicles."

This eunuch is actually joking about himself; Chen Congyi doesn't know how to respond.

Chen Congyi automatically ignored the matter of the egg and commented: "From that person's poem, we know that he is already over thirty years old and has even passed the imperial examination, but could only become a clerk. Now that he is no longer a clerk, it is quite rare for him to want to take the imperial examination again."

Just then, another voice rang out: "Do not ask how many autumns lie ahead, sing all the way to Qingzhou. A young man should bear lofty ambitions, aspiring to be the best among men."

"Hey, this one's even crazier," Wang Yuanbi laughed.

Chen Congyi guessed, "Most of the people who wrote these poems are the three who met with Minister Yu."

Seeing that the ship was about to dock, Wang Yuanbi straightened his turban and clothes and said, "This journey has been incredibly boring. Let's call them over for a drink. I've read their reports. That guy named Yang Shu is extremely brave. He was able to kill many salt bandits and keep a salt ship safe."

Chen Congyi smiled and instructed his attendant to extend an invitation.

When Xu Lai, Yang Shu, and Yu Shanyuan landed, these two had already disembarked, causing chaos at the Xukou Town post station.

There was no other way; one was the second-in-command of the Transport Commissioner's Office, and the other was the emperor's spy sent to Guangdong. They arrived suddenly after nightfall, and the post station was unprepared, lacking high-quality wine and food to entertain them.

"Snapped!"

Wang Yuanbi slammed his fist on the table and ordered, "Stop running around in such a panic. Just give us some meat and wine. We serve the government; we don't crave luxury."

Chen Congyi smiled but remained silent.

This eunuch was very famous in Guangdong, simply because he always displayed his "extraordinary" qualities. He seemed generous, easy-going, and approachable, but in reality, he held grudges very much. His only redeeming quality was that he wasn't greedy for money.

The phrase "not greedy for money" specifically refers to his limited reach and his certainty in fulfilling his obligations once he has been paid.

Chen Congyi's attendant led the three in and introduced them to Xu Lai and the others in a low voice: "The one sitting in the host's seat is Wang Yuanbi, the Transport Commissioner. The one sitting in the guest's seat is Chen Congyi, the Judge of the Transport Commission."

Although Xu Lai didn't understand what the official title of "Zouma Chengshou" was, since he was sitting in the main seat, he certainly couldn't afford to offend him.

They hurried over to pay their respects and introduced themselves.

Wang Yuanbi asked, "Who wrote the first poem just now?"

Yang Shu cupped his hands and said, "This unrestrained and clumsy work has truly made Wang Chengjun laugh."

"I have read your report and know that you have rendered meritorious service in killing the traitors and protecting the imperial order," Wang Yuanbi criticized. "You are very bold in killing the traitors and writing poetry, so why are you so uncooperative in your speech? Sit down and have some wine with me!"

Yang Shu recounted his experience of getting into trouble while drunk, saying with difficulty, "Please forgive me, I have vowed to quit drinking."

Wang Yuanbi's face instantly darkened.

Chen Congyi knew things were going badly, so he quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "To err is human, to forgive divine. But we can talk about quitting drinking later. Let's have a drink together for now."

Yang Shu, however, was stubborn: "I will offer water instead of wine, and respectfully request Your Majesty to accept a cup."

Wang Yuanbi sneered, staring at Yang Shu without saying a word.

Yang Shu reluctantly poured water, and was about to raise his cup in a toast when he heard Wang Yuanbi say, "Get out!"

"I'll take my leave now, I'm sorry to have bothered you both." Yang Shu bowed and kowtowed, his heart filled with anger.

Xu Lai and Yu Shanyuan also took their leave.

To everyone's surprise, Wang Yuanbi then asked, "Who wrote the third poem?"

Xu Lai said, "It was written by me."

"Sit down and have a drink with me." Wang Yuanbi patted the left side of the table.

Xu Lai thanked him and sat down.

"Come and sit down too," Chen Congyi said to Yu Shanyuan, while waving Yang Shu away.

After Yang Shu left the inn, Wang Yuanbi became magnanimous again, even smiling as he poured wine for Xu Lai: "I just love chivalrous young men, and your poem is very much to my liking. Come, come, let's drink three cups together."

Who is this idiot?

Xu Lai was still confused, so he had no choice but to drink with the other party.

He tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, then turned the wine cup upside down to show that not a drop was left.

"Haha, what a great capacity for alcohol!" Wang Yuanbi clapped his hands in admiration.

Just then, the town official in charge of supervising Xukou Town arrived, intending to serve the two superiors well.

In the Northern Song Dynasty, the term "zhen" (镇) was not used arbitrarily; it had to be established by the imperial court.

There are only two towns in the entire city of Guangzhou.

Xu Lai and his group traveled by boat to Qingyuan. The entire route was within Guangzhou's territory, except for Xukou Town, which was assigned to Sihui County of Duanzhou.

The supervising official of Xukou Town was only half a rank lower than the magistrate of Sihui County, and in principle, he was appointed as a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

Wang Yuanbi asked, "Are you a Jinshi or a Juren?"

The supervising official cautiously replied, "I am a scholar who passed the imperial examination in Guangdong and currently serve as an acting official."

"I understand, go ahead," Wang Yuanbi said.

The supervising official was taken aback, and reluctantly took his leave.

Xu Lai glanced at Yu Shanyuan, wanting to know who this Wang Chengsheng was.

Yu Shanyuan pretended to drink, the wine spilling from the corner of his mouth and wetting his fingers. Then he secretly wrote on the bench, crookedly writing the character "castrated".

Xu Lai glanced at Wang Yuanbi's... little mustache and was immediately at a loss for words.

The eunuch seemed very interested in warfare: "I've also seen your report; you captured and killed two salt bandits?"

Xu Lai replied, "The military officer of the Qingyuan County Patrol Office is truly despicable. He withheld our resettlement allowance and rations, forcing us to do heavy labor on empty stomachs. By the time the salt bandits arrived, some of my companions had already fallen ill, and those who could still move were too weak to move. But even if we were too weak, we couldn't run away, because the salt bandits wanted to steal the imperial tribute, which was meant to be presented to the emperor. For the sake of the emperor, we are willing to die!"

Wang Yuanbi nodded in approval: "His loyalty and bravery are commendable."

Xu Lai continued, "But we had difficulty even walking, how could we possibly defeat the salt bandits? Fortunately, I had observed the terrain beforehand and deduced where the salt bandits would escape from, so I went ahead to ambush and kill them... At that time, there was a hunter named Zhang Er... Bu Chao was eight feet tall and incredibly strong... Liu Da wielded a broadsword with great skill... Li Tian focused on attacking their lower route..."

Chen Congyi, sitting next to him, kept suppressing a laugh, knowing that Xu Lai was just spouting nonsense.

But Wang Yuanbi liked this style, and would often chime in with praise and acclaim, wishing he could have been there himself.

Xu Lai thought to himself: This damned eunuch has a penchant for fighting, and he's not only incompetent but also obsessed. The court must not let him command troops!

After the storyteller finished speaking, Wang Yuanbi took the initiative to toast Xu Lai, and said with emotion, "Although you are mountain people, you are all loyal and brave men."

Xu Lai, suppressing his disgust, flattered, "What do mountain folk know about loyalty and righteousness? They've all been influenced by the king."

Wang Yuanbi asked happily, "Have the mountain people of Qingyuan County heard of our reputation?"

"Wang Cheng's name is renowned; who in Guangdong doesn't know it?" Xu Lai flattered with increasing skill.

Wang Yuanbi stroked his beard smugly: "I see you have considerable poetic talent, why not gift me a poem?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Lai felt his vision go black.

It's fine to flatter someone while drinking, but if you write a poem to fawn over a eunuch, that'll be a black mark on your history.

Xu Lai was about to politely decline when he saw Chen Congyi frantically giving him meaningful glances.

Moreover, Chen Congyi gestured with his lips towards the outside, meaning that Xu Lai should not anger the eunuch like Yang Shu did.

Damn it, forget it!

Yang Shu has already offended this dog eunuch, and who knows what trouble he will cause. He has to clean up Yang Shisanlang's mess.

"Got it!"

Xu Lai slammed his hand on the table and recited: "To Prince Cheng of Guangdong: Riding south on horseback, his sword flashes, he throws away a thousand pieces of gold, laughing at the officials. Do not say that the eunuchs have no extraordinary talent, for wine enters their liver and intestines, and iron and blood are born."

"good!"

Wang Yuanbi was delighted to hear this and shouted to the inn's servants, "Quickly bring me pen, ink, paper, and inkstone!"

As the servant went to fetch pen and ink, Xu Lai raised his cup and said, "My brother Yang was truly ignorant just now, please forgive him. This cup of wine is my apology to you on behalf of Brother Yang."

Wang Yuanbi laughed heartily: "Haha, am I the kind of person who holds grudges? Come, come, let's drink three more cups."

"Phew!" Yu Shanyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The eunuch who accompanied him to his death got completely drunk before Yu Shanyuan helped Xu Lai back to the fishing boat.

"vomit!"

Seeing Xu Lai vomiting repeatedly, Yang Shu quickly patted his back to help him catch his breath: "Why did he throw up?"

Yu Shanyuan recounted what had happened at the dinner table and sighed, "Xu Sanlang practically treated that eunuch like a father to help you out of trouble. You really should change your temper."

Yang Shu was stunned. Several times he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself and held back.

He helped Xu Lai back to his cabin and laid him down, then brought him a washcloth and water, and together with Yu Shanyuan, cleaned Xu Lai up.

In the darkness of night, Yang Shu and Yu Shanyuan sat side by side on the deck, looking up at the moon, which was missing a corner.

Yang Shu was extremely frustrated, muttering to himself, "Why do I get into trouble whether I drink or not? I just wrote a poem expressing my heroic spirit, and now I'm being ordered around by eunuchs. Why is life so difficult?"

Yu Shanyuan chuckled and said, "What's so difficult about this? I'm having a harder time than you, and Xu Sanlang is having a harder time than me. You've had it too easy before."

"But a man's word is his bond. I said I wouldn't touch a drop of alcohol. Am I supposed to break my oath because of a eunuch?" Yang Shu really couldn't understand it.

"A promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold?"

Yu Shanyuan smiled and said, "Jiezhi, you said you started your education at the age of five. Do you still remember the saying, 'Trustworthiness is close to righteousness, and words can be fulfilled'? What is the meaning of this sentence?"

Yang Shu replied, "Trust is not righteousness; his words can be refuted."

"Doesn't that make sense?"

Yu Shanyuan comforted him, saying, "In that situation just now, your duty was to avoid causing trouble for your family. For this reason, you could go back on your word and disregard your vows. This is the teaching of the sages!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Shu suddenly understood.

The saying “If one’s faith is close to righteousness, one’s word can be fulfilled” was interpreted by Zhu Xi as: If something is in accordance with righteousness, one must always keep one’s word.

The solution here is: if it is not in accordance with righteousness, then you can deny what you have said!

Yang Shu slowly stood up and looked in the direction of the post station: "Thank you for your guidance, Brother Ti Ren. I know how to conduct myself now."

-

(Note: In the Northern Song Dynasty, the Transport Commissioner and the Deputy Transport Commissioner usually did not coexist in the same circuit. Therefore, the Transport Judge was the second-in-command of the Transport Commissioner's office, and this official position would most likely be promoted to Judicial Commissioner.)

(The Provincial Surveillance Commissioner and Deputy Provincial Surveillance Commissioner were often concurrently held by officials from the Transport Commissioner's Office, and occasionally by officials from the Judicial Commissioner's Office. They were frequently understaffed, sometimes even nonexistent, leading to utter chaos.)

(This position of "Zouma Chengcheng" was usually held by two people on the frontier: one a eunuch and the other a military officer. Both were close to the emperor, holding low rank and little power, but they could report on others to the emperor directly.)