Wang Daxia wasn't satisfied with just getting the painting and reached out for money, "This is for Lord Lu. Commander Lu is my direct superior. It wouldn't be proper to go empty-handed. I need to treat Young Master Lu to a decent meal."
Truly taking everything he could get without any courtesy. Wang Commander asked, "What about your salary?"
Wang Daxia patted his flat money pouch, "My salary isn't even enough for pocket money. Should I invite Commander Lu to a roadside stall for a bowl of wonton soup?"
"Wait here." Wang Commander went to the main room where Madam Wu was coaxing Wang Daqiu to sleep. The newly purchased ice blocks in the room made it pleasantly cool. Wang Commander whispered, "Get me a hundred taels of silver."
Madam Wu managed the household accounts, so for large expenses Wang Commander had to ask her directly.
Feeling guilty, Madam Wu was startled, her round fan dropping to the floor. "Why do you need so much money all of a sudden?" She had just spent over fifty taels to fill the ice cellar.
Knowing that Daxia and Madam Wu didn't get along, Wang Commander didn't stir up trouble and said, "There have been many social engagements recently. I need it for expenses."
Wang Commander was a prudent man who wouldn't spend money recklessly, let alone do something absurd like keeping a mistress. Besides, as the family breadwinner who earned all the money, Madam Wu couldn't refuse when he asked.
Fortunately, her brother had returned the thousand taels of silver, otherwise they would truly be strapped for cash.
Madam Wu opened the chest and took out two hundred taels in silver notes for her husband. "My lord mustn't appear lacking when socializing outside. With extra money at hand, you won't panic. What if there's a major expense? Would you have to send a servant running home to fetch silver? Your reputation is important."
His young wife being so gentle and considerate naturally delighted Wang Commander. He kissed her hand holding the silver notes, then took them to the study. Immediately putting away his smile, he sternly gave Wang Daxia a fifty-tael silver note. "Take this for now."
A father knows his son best. Given Wang Daxia's tendency to spend money like water and his regular requests for social expenses, Wang Commander didn't dare give him the full amount at once, fearing he would waste it all.
"Just this..." Wang Daxia was very disappointed. "It's certainly enough for a fine banquet, but if I hire some singers and musicians for entertainment plus give tips, it'll be a bit tight."
Wang Commander scolded angrily, "You're inviting Commander Lu to dinner, not Zhu Bajie. Don't think I don't know - Commander Lu is a man who keeps away from women. Why would you need female entertainment when inviting him? You're inflating the numbers, deliberately trying to cheat your own father."
Wang Daxia's little scheme was exposed by his father. He just wanted to squeeze more silver from him - after all, who would complain about silver being too heavy?
Knowing when to stop, Wang Daxia took the silver notes and ran off.
"Stop right there." Wang Commander said, "What's going on with you lately? You come home to sleep every day. The house I rented for you near the Imperial Guard Office was rented for nothing - how many nights have you actually slept there?"
Actually, not a single night. Wang Daxia had kept his injury recovery secret from his father, constantly freeloading food and accommodation at Lu Bing's courtyard - because Wei Caiwei was there!
Similarly, Wang Daxia preferred to commute daily across the entire city from north to south to come home because Wei Caiwei and Ding Wu lived in Sweet Water Lane treating Chen the Agent. Every night when he returned home, he would visit Wei Caiwei, lingering and unwilling to leave. Home was basically just a place to sleep.
Wang Daxia said, "I have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places. I can't sleep outside. Let's return the rental."
Unless Wei Caiwei also moved to the southern city - which was impossible.Wang Commander said, "I've already paid a year's rent for you, you prodigal son!"
Anyway, Wang Commander never had a kind word to say, and Wang Daxia was used to it, enduring the insults like wiping spit from his face, letting him curse as he pleased.
The next day, Wang Daxia went to the Imperial Guard Office. After the morning roll call, he sought out Lu Bing and presented Tang Bohu's painting "Autumn Breeze and Silk Fan."
As expected, Lu Bing was delighted, unable to put it down.
He particularly liked the poem Tang Bohu had inscribed on the painting, reciting the line "Observe the ways of the world in detail, who doesn't chase after warmth and coolness?" several times, remarking:
"Tang Bohu achieved fame early in life, topping the imperial examinations in Yingtian Prefecture at a young age and briefly becoming the most celebrated talent in Jiangnan. Everyone thought he would surely pass the higher imperial exams, but unfortunately, he was implicated in an examination fraud scandal, losing his eligibility to take the exams ever after. Those who once flattered him quickly drifted away, leaving him to witness the fickleness of human relationships. He eventually resorted to selling paintings for a living. This poem is a reflection of his life—excellent poetry, excellent painting!"
Only then did Wang Daxia understand the meaning hidden within this seemingly simple poem. He lavished praise, saying, "So that's what it means! At first, I thought it might be a forgery, assuming a great talent's poem should be so profound that I couldn't understand it. Thus, this painting has found its true appreciator in your hands, Lord Lu. In my possession, it would only gather dust. This is fate—this painting was destined to be yours."
Lu Bing did not accept gifts from just anyone, but today he was genuinely fond of this painting, which struck a chord with him.
Having enjoyed the Jiajing Emperor's favor for over thirty years without decline, Lu Bing remained clear-headed inside, aware that one day he would fall out of favor, just as no matter how hot the summer, it would eventually come to an end.
When the autumn wind arrives, the silk fan becomes out of place and must be put away. Lu Bing felt he was that silk fan, momentarily unable to let it go.
Moreover, Wang Daxia's words were so pleasing to the ear that Lu Bing immediately hung "Autumn Breeze and Silk Fan" on his study wall and said, "One should not receive rewards without merit. Speak, what do you want?"
Wang Daxia chuckled and said, "I have a friend who was harmed by villains, lost his manhood, and became physically disabled. He works as a broker, but his incomplete body draws ridicule, making it impossible for him to continue his family's generations-old brokerage business. He wishes to serve in the palace but lacks the connections. So, I've come to seek your help, Lord Lu."
Lu Bing asked, "Has he studied? What is his character like?"
Wang Daxia heaped praise on him, saying, "He lost his manhood while saving a neighbor—his character is first-rate. He's read more books than I have."
"Originally, his family was well-off when he was young, and they hired a provincial graduate to tutor him, hoping he could change the family's fortunes through the imperial exams. Unfortunately, ten years ago during the Gengxu Incident, his family was from Ansu County in North Zhili, outside the capital. Their property was looted by Anda Khan's army, their house burned down, and both parents died. Only his elderly grandmother managed to escape with him to the capital."
"At that time, the city gates were closed, but it was you, Lord Lu, who requested an imperial decree to open them and let the refugees in. Chen Ju managed to survive, but his family fell into decline. He had no choice but to set aside his studies and return to his ancestors' brokerage trade to support his grandmother. However, he retained his foundational education, writes excellent calligraphy, and is refined and courteous."
The Gengxu Incident did not only change the fates of Wei Caiwei and Ding Wu's families.
Many ordinary commoners also suffered greatly, but because of their low status, their pain and struggles were seldom known.Amidst the flames of war, the grandmother who had become a refugee held little Chen Jingji’s hand, desperately pounding on the city gate, pleading to be let inside.
Lu Bing requested an imperial decree to open the gates. Wei Caiwei’s father, Lord He, volunteered to join the suicide squad, moving against the tide to cover the retreat of the refugees. The suicide squad was completely wiped out.
Their lives had once intersected at a certain moment.
Upon hearing this, Lu Bing handed his name card to Wang Daxia and said, “The Chief of the Eastern Depot, Eunuch Mai Fu, is a close personal friend of mine. Have your friend take my card and seek refuge under Eunuch Mai, recognizing him as his adoptive father. Since he has a foundation in studying, Eunuch Mai will arrange for him to study at the Inner Study Hall of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Eunuch Mai has many disciples and followers. The path has been paved for him; whether he can rise to prominence in the future depends on his own abilities.”
“Thank you, Lord Lu!” Wang Daxia was overjoyed and took the name card. Chen Jingji having the backing of the Eastern Depot Chief exceeded his expectations.
Chen Jingji moved back to Machang Hutong and insisted on settling the medical expenses and ice fees with Wei Caiwei and Wang Daxia. He also returned the scattered silver to the neighbors who had contributed to Old Madam Chen’s funeral.
The residents of Machang Hutong were ordinary people who struggled to earn a living. Chen Jingji was frugal with himself but never took advantage of others.
Wang Daxia handed Lu Bing’s name card to him and urged him to seek refuge under Eunuch Mai Fu of the Eastern Depot.
Chen Jingji was immensely grateful. “Such a great kindness cannot be repaid with mere words. I will surely repay it one day.”
Finding a path into the palace was not easy. In his previous life, Wang Daxia had relied on Officer Mu, who spent all his savings to bribe his way in. After exhausting his funds, Officer Mu had no money left for food and had to work as a guard at the Three Links Escort Agency to make ends meet.
In this life, Wang Daxia had also gone to great lengths to secure an opportunity for Chen Jingji, using a painting by Tang Bohu as a gift to curry favor. Neither path was easy.
Chen Jingji secretly sold the mule cart and the house at a low price, exchanged the proceeds for silver notes, and slipped them along with a “Farewell Letter” through the crack under Li Jiubao’s door. Carrying a simple bundle, he left Machang Hutong at dawn to seek refuge at the Mai residence, never to return.
The Directorate of Ceremonial finally released the examination results. Wei Caiwei’s name was on the list, and she was ranked first. A young eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial delivered a talisman for a palace female physician, inscribed with her name. If summoned to the palace, she would wear the talisman and present it upon entry.
Wei Caiwei gave the young eunuch a tael of silver as a reward. The eunuch beamed with joy and said, “Congratulations, Doctor Wei.”
Ding Wu prepared braised chicken with mushrooms to celebrate Wei Caiwei’s success. Wei Caiwei said, “Brother Ding, buy two more chickens and make a large pot. Wang Daxia is sure to come over for a meal today.”
At the Imperial Guard Office, Wang Daxia heard the good news from Lu Ying and immediately felt his heart soar. “I knew she would pass—the talisman from the Wenchang Temple is the most effective! I even drew the best fortune slip for her, predicting she would surely excel! Commander Lu, may I leave the office early today?”
Lu Ying replied, “No.”
Wang Daxia fidgeted like a monkey, constantly checking his pocket watch. Before long, Lu Bing’s personal guard came to summon him, saying Lord Lu wanted to see him.
Wang Daxia went to Lu Bing’s study and asked, “What does Lord Lu need from this subordinate?”
Lu Bing asked, “You know this year is the year of the metropolitan evaluation, right?”
The metropolitan evaluation was a six-year assessment for officials in the southern capital of Yingtian Prefecture and the northern capital of Shuntian Prefecture during the Ming Dynasty. Officials of the fourth rank and above were evaluated by the emperor, while those below the fourth rank were assessed by the Ministry of Personnel.
Those who failed the evaluation would be dismissed from their positions.
Wang Daxia said, “This subordinate has heard of it. However, as a lowly soldier, this subordinate is not subject to the metropolitan evaluation.”Lu Bing handed him a file. "Take a look at the metropolitan evaluation from the Ministry of Personnel regarding your father, the commander of the Northern City Military Command."
Wang Daxia opened it and saw his father's achievements over the past six years recorded inside—firefighting, clearing sewers, capturing criminals, and so on. His performance was rated as average. However, in the "integrity" column, the word "corrupt" was written.
Wang Daxia certainly understood the severity of that single word "corrupt." No matter how many achievements one had, if judged as corrupt, the evaluation would be failed, and the official would be dismissed from office.
Wang Daxia closed the file and said, "Lord Lu, I’m not defending my father just because he’s my father. My dad has many flaws, but corruption isn’t one of them. His usual interactions are just normal social exchanges. If he were corrupt, our family’s properties—a few shops and a few acres of land—wouldn’t have remained unchanged all these years. We’ve been relying entirely on the wealth accumulated by our ancestors, living off rent and interest. If he had any other income, I would’ve already taken it and spent it. Would I wait for him to save up? Impossible."
This was indeed the truth.
Lu Bing said, "But the Ministry of Personnel received a report accusing your father of issuing usurious loans outside. As a court official, issuing usurious loans is explicitly prohibited. Your father committed this offense during the metropolitan evaluation, and the evidence is conclusive. If that’s not corruption, what is?"
Author’s Note: Just to clarify, in the previous life, Wang Commander’s downfall wasn’t because of this. In this life, it’s because Wang Daxia offended Yan Shifan, and Yan Shifan is using the metropolitan evaluation to target his father.
For readers who didn’t understand how Caiwei studied techniques in the previous chapter, please check the comments section of that chapter. The commenters are full of talent and have explained it very clearly. I’m afraid of being locked, so I didn’t dare to write in detail. Lately, I can only post "ghost cars" (vague content).
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