Chapter Forty-Six: Scholar Cheng Distinguishes Himself

Inside the household office.

The clerk brought out the master register of households, the “Military Enrollment Book,” and turned to the page for the Erlang Hundred-household Division.

The Su family’s yellow military register was also laid out on the table. Su Lu noticed the yellow paper cover, inscribed in ginger-colored calligraphy:

“In the thirteenth year of Hongzhi, under the Command Office of Yongning Guard.

Official Register No. Nine, Taiping Hundred-household Division.

Military household of Su Daxiang, Erlang Hundred-household Division.”

When the clerk opened the yellow register, Su Lu saw inside a folded page of white cotton paper, about one foot square. On the right side, the Su family’s place of origin and lineage were written:

“Originally registered with the Central Capital Garrison, Fengyang Left Guard military household. In the fourteenth year of Hongwu, Su Jiming was transferred to Yongning Guard. Jiming’s son was Zhang, Zhang’s son Yongye, Yongye’s son Ming’an, Ming’an’s son Daxiang.”

Then followed four summary items:

“Previous count: Eighteen male adults, thirteen female adults.

New additions: One male adult.

Removals: One female adult.

Current count: Nineteen male adults, twelve female adults.”

Further left, detailed household records were listed, divided into two categories. The first was active service, totaling two full soldiers and two auxiliary men; among them, the eldest uncle’s name, Su Youjin, was prominently listed as one of the two full soldiers.

The rest were pending service, fifteen males in total, including the old master, eldest brother, and father. The last name was Su Dan, and judging by the fresh ink, it had been recently added.

As for the females, they were listed under their husbands’ names, not separately categorized.

The clerk, using information provided by the eldest uncle, added another line after Su Dan:

“One named Su Lu, son of Su Youcai, born on September 24th of the fourth year of Hongzhi. Mother Wang, deceased. Under strict guardianship.”

After finishing, the clerk set down his pen and asked the eldest uncle to review the entry. Once confirmed, he took it to the Hundred-household Officer for stamping.

Though soldiers held low status nowadays, a fifth-rank Hundred-household Officer was by no means insignificant. Especially within the Taiping Hundred-household Division, Officer Ma wielded considerable power—everyone bowed to his authority.

Even the formidable Master Cheng had to behave courteously in front of Officer Ma.

So Officer Ma had adopted a bureaucratic manner; subordinate officers coming to handle affairs rarely saw him, even when registering a new household.

Su Youjin certainly didn’t expect to see the Hundred-household Officer, so he waited patiently with Su Lu in the household office.

Unexpectedly, before long, the clerk returned and beckoned to them, “Come quickly, the Hundred-household Officer wishes to see you.”

“Really?” The eldest uncle was startled, flustered, “For—for what reason?”

“How should I know? He just looked at your household record and said to bring you in.” The clerk urged, “Hurry, the Hundred-household Officer is impatient.”

“Yes, yes,” the eldest uncle quickly straightened his blue robe as he walked, whispering to Su Lu, “Quick, see if anything looks untidy.”

“All is neat,” Su Lu replied, surprised at his uncle’s nervousness, and tried to encourage him, “You look very dignified.”

This was true; Su Youjin was broad-shouldered and stout, with a leopard’s head and round eyes—a classic general’s bearing.

Except his legs trembled like a sieve, which ruined the image.

Su Lu had no choice but to imitate the old master, and whispered fiercely in his uncle’s ear, “Stand straight, don’t lose face!”

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Hearing this, his uncle jolted and, before entering, somehow managed to stand with his legs straight.

~~

Inside the Hundred-household Officer’s signing room.

Officer Ma wore a blue silk robe adorned with subtle entwined floral patterns, his hair covered with a net cap, and sported a neatly trimmed beard.

He was actually the same age as the old master, but, well preserved, appeared a decade younger.

Su Youjin hurriedly led Su Lu in, bowing loudly, “Subordinate Su Youjin, banner officer of the Erlang Hundred-household Division, pays respects to the Hundred-household Officer!”

“Youjin, I’ve worked with your father for years, no need for so much ceremony.” Officer Ma raised his hand slightly, inviting uncle and nephew to rise and speak. He seemed in good spirits today, showing no sign of impatience, and said kindly to the eldest uncle:

“How is his health?”

“Thanks to the Officer’s blessings, my father has always been robust,” the uncle replied promptly.

“That’s good. Tell him not to stay cooped up at home—he should come by the office when he has time. When people get older, they always reminisce about the past.” Officer Ma’s face was nostalgic, “He’d like to see old friends.”

“Certainly, I’ll deliver the message,” the uncle agreed, but wouldn’t mistake the Officer’s politeness for true intention.

“This is your nephew?” Officer Ma turned to Su Lu.

“Yes,” Su Youjin nodded hurriedly, “He’s my younger brother’s son, and just got into Taiping Academy this year.”

“Oh? Impressive.” Officer Ma rested his hands under his chin, looking relaxed, “If I recall, your son is at Taiping Academy too?”

“Yes, thank you for remembering, Sir. My son is preparing for the county exam this year,” Su Youjin spoke with a bit more confidence for the first time.

“Oh? That’s next month, isn’t it? Make sure he wins a scholar’s title—let your father savor some pride.” Officer Ma exchanged a few more pleasantries with the uncle, then got to business:

“By the way, I heard from Old Liu that the ‘Sweetwater Story,’ which was the talk of the temple fair, came through your connections?”

“Uh…” Only then did the uncle realize why the Officer had summoned him, and quickly replied, “I have no special connections, Sir. Just helped a fellow townsman ask for a chance from the office and your favor.”

Su Lu’s heart skipped—could it be? So soon, and already attracting attention?

“Haha,” Officer Ma wasn’t fooled; Su Youjin had nothing to gain from it. He laughed, “Youjin is a rules man. ‘Sweetwater Story’ is very proper, too. During the temple fair, half of the fees collected at the gate came from their stall.”

“What?” Su Youjin instantly broke out in cold sweat—wasn’t this putting himself in the spotlight?

But as a low-ranking officer, if he hadn’t paid up, Sweetwater would never have been allowed to sell.

“I only told them to pay taxes in full, never expected they’d pay so much,” he wiped his sweat, anxious and confused.

“It’s not that they paid more, it’s that everyone else cheated and dodged—no one else paid the full ten percent,” Officer Ma praised, “Rest assured, honest merchants like them are the ones we must protect!”

“I thank the Officer on their behalf,” Su Youjin bowed deeply.

“However, when the levee’s higher than the bank, the waves are bound to break it. Their business is so good, it’s sure to provoke envy.” Officer Ma sighed, “I hear the proprietress is a widow.”

Su Lu’s eyes sharpened—what was this old fox plotting?

“Yes,” luckily, Su Youjin kept his wits, forcing a bitter smile, “She is. And she’s the daughter of Master Cheng, which makes things even trickier.”

“Is that so?” Officer Ma couldn’t conceal his disappointment. At his level, he needn’t worry about a mere scholar, but someone who could file a complaint with the provincial authorities was another matter.

He had witnessed Master Cheng once lodge a complaint with the education supervisor, causing a stir among high officials. No one dared risk such trouble.

“Yes. Master Cheng frowns on her being out in public, considers it improper. On the sixth, he watched her stall all day at the fair. It took much persuasion for him to agree she could work until the fifteenth,” Su Youjin never imagined he’d someday need to invoke Master Cheng’s name as protection.

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“What, such a profitable business, and she’ll stop after the fifteenth?” Officer Ma frowned.

“It’s a shame,” Su Youjin sighed, “But she can’t make her father angry to death.”

“Yes, every family has its own troubles.” Officer Ma scratched his temple and, after pondering a moment, suggested, “Setting up a stall at the temple fair isn’t very respectable. Why not find a proper shop? Become a seated merchant, and Master Cheng wouldn’t have to worry about her being out in public.”

“Certainly,” Su Youjin smiled bitterly, “But to be honest, her husband’s boat sank, leaving her with a bag of debts. Who knows when she’ll pay them off—how could she afford to rent a storefront?”

“That’s easily solved.” Officer Ma suddenly smiled, “I happen to have a vacant shop in a good location. She needn’t pay rent—just convert it into some shares. If she’s willing, you can come to me.”

He paused, then feigned concern, “Don’t force her, though—if she declines, so be it.”

“Yes, I’ll deliver your message and report back as soon as possible,” Su Youjin replied quickly.

~~

Leaving the Hundred-household Office, the eldest uncle looked utterly drained. At a food stall by the temple fair, he ordered a bowl of assorted stew, not caring about the taste, and gulped down half before exhaling deeply.

“Hungry?” He ordered Su Lu a bowl of dumplings and took a vegetarian noodle soup for himself.

Then he whispered, “I never thought even registering you would be so nerve-wracking.”

“Indeed, who’d have guessed the Hundred-household Officer would be interested in our little business,” Su Lu said quietly.

“‘Sweetwater Story’ isn’t a small business—there’s nothing in Taiping Town more profitable,” the uncle sneered. “He wanted to take it for himself without paying; that old scoundrel always plays this trick!”

“Fortunately, you were alert and shut down that topic early,” Su Lu sincerely praised, “To stay clear-headed in moments like that is no small feat.”

It was true—if Officer Ma revealed those intentions, he wouldn’t give up easily, even for pride’s sake.

“Heh, I was always clear-headed,” the uncle boasted, sipping his stew, “I acted weak on purpose in front of him; it’s all about tactics, you know?”

“Impressive, uncle, you even used military strategy,” Su Lu blew on his dumplings.

“My methods run deep, boy. Keep learning—it’ll take you half a lifetime to master.” The uncle picked up some noodles, then worried, “How should we tell the proprietress about this?”

“Just tell her as it is,” Su Lu said, “We’re just minor shareholders—the decision is hers.”

“She’ll surely ask your father—uh, our attitude about it,” the uncle said.

“Just say what you think,” Su Lu smiled, “I have to focus on my studies now, can’t be distracted.”

“Well, school hasn’t started yet,” the uncle pressed—at least in business, he respected Su Lu’s opinion.

“I think if she wants to continue, there’s no choice but to agree,” Su Lu admitted.

“Indeed, if she refuses, she won’t be able to sell Sweetwater in Taiping Town anymore,” the uncle agreed.

“If they only want a share and don’t meddle in operations, maybe things could turn out well,” Su Lu mused. “They want a slice; we want a strong backer—everyone gets what they need.”

“Hmm,” the uncle agreed, “The Hundred-household Officer’s name carries weight here in Taiping Town.”

ps. Competition for the new book rankings is fierce—I’ve been pushed down again. Please, everyone, vote and keep following!

Alright, I know—after it goes on sale, I’ll add another chapter. That makes six owed. Is that enough now? Your humble monk bows.