Chapter 216: Even Wealth Requires Prudence

With a heavy heart, Zhang Yue returned to his own office. Seeing that the lights in Du Wan’s courtyard had been turned off, he turned back and went straight to his own small courtyard. Pulling back the curtain of the main room, he found that although the lights were on, there was no one there. Instead, voices could be heard coming from the east room.

“Speaking of which, the old lady’s birthday is in just over half a month. Since the young master arrived in Shandong, he’s been extremely busy. Thankfully, we’ve prepared everything. Before Amber fell ill, she made three-colored embroidery; Qiu Hen personally sewed a mink cap inlaid with rubies for warmth, and I made two sets of clothes. If the young master writes a birthday character to give as well, that should be enough.”

“My sewing skills are really clumsy. I managed to turn a fine crane into something that looks like a duck. Not only me, but Xiao Wu also lacks talent in this area. Chun Ying gets confused as soon as she picks up a sewing needle. I really need to learn from you all. Over the years, I’ve only made one set of clothes for my mother. As for my father’s clothes, I promised to make them months ago, but now there’s not even a trace of them.”

“But Miss Du can compose poems, paint, and play the zither—things we can’t do. It’s strange too. In the past, Mr. Du almost always gave the young master writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, or new books. Why did he send such an expensive carved lacquer box this time? What’s inside?”

“I can’t guess what Father has in mind. Since it’s meant for me and my senior brother, let’s wait until he arrives before opening it.”

Zhang Yue didn’t expect Du Wan to still be awake so late, talking with Qiu Hen in the east room. He quickly pulled back the curtain and went in. There, he saw Du Wan sitting at the east end of the heated bed, wearing a lilac-colored satin jacket. Chun Ying was sitting with one leg bent on the edge of the bed, while Amber, covered with a blanket and looking pale, was leaning against the wall. Ling Xi and Qiu Hen were sitting on the bed. When they saw him arrive, even Amber sat up straight, and the others hurriedly got off the bed to greet him.

Ling Xi noticed Zhang Yue’s unusual expression, while Qiu Hen, worried about the item sent by Du Zhen, quickly pointed to the box on the bed and said, “Young master, Mr. Du had this box sent from Jinan for you and Miss Du.”

Learning that it was Du Zhen who sent it, Zhang Yue had no choice but to put aside Meng Min’s request for now. He stepped forward to open it, only to find two silver belt hooks adorned with crimson tassels inside. After examining them closely, he found their design exquisite. He handed one to Du Wan and said with a smile, “Sir has never been fond of gold or jade trinkets. It seems Sister Wan also doesn’t care for such things. I myself never use them either. So why did Sir suddenly send these?”
Du Wan hadn’t opened the box before, and now, as she took the belt hooks, she was puzzled. After pondering for a moment, she smiled and said, “I’ve heard from my mother that Father used to like to play riddles with those little gadgets when he was young. Perhaps it’s the same this time. In that case, let’s keep them for now and think about it carefully later. Since the gifts have arrived, I should head back to my room. You still need to handle affairs in court tomorrow, so go to bed early.”
Seeing Du Wan about to leave with Chun Ying, Zhang Yue quickly called out, “Sister Wan, wait! I have something important to tell you.”
Du Wan immediately stopped and turned around. Ling Xi quickly pulled Qiu Hen to try to avoid the situation, while Hu Bo prepared to leave as well. Seeing this, Zhang Yue quickly waved his hand, signaling everyone to stay. “Although it’s important, there’s no need to hide it from you. Just now, the fourth sister rushed to see me and said that Uncle Meng has been imprisoned by the Jinyiwei. Upon hearing this news, Auntie fell ill again, and her condition is very serious.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Hen let out a low gasp, and Ling Xi and Hu Bo also paled greatly. Although Du Wan remained calmer, her heart was in turmoil. Chun Ying, supporting her lady, was also extremely pale. After a brief silence, Ling Xi finally pulled Qiu Hen away, forcing a smile and saying, “I remember the stove in the west room isn’t heated yet. I’ll go check it with Qiu Hen first.”
Seeing Ling Xi and Qiu Hen trying to leave, Hu Bo was in a panic and made up an excuse about feeling dizzy, allowing them to help her out. At that moment, Du Wan gently patted Chun Ying’s hand and looked up at Zhang Yue, asking, “Senior brother must have already come up with a plan for Sister Min, right?”
Zhang Yue repeated what he had just said, then mentioned Meng Min’s request, adding, “The Meng family has always relied on the fourth sister to manage everything. But with such a major crisis, she alone really can’t handle it. With Uncle Meng imprisoned by the Jinyiwei, most people would avoid him at all costs. If Sister Wan is concerned, I can send Ling Xi over…”

“In your eyes, am I really such a coward?” Du Wan’s expression turned serious as she interrupted Zhang Yue. She looked straight into his eyes, her gaze as cold as ever. “I can’t comment much on Lord Meng’s actions, but I truly respect Lady Wu. Not to mention I owe them a debt of gratitude since I first arrived in Qingzhou. Since the Meng family is in trouble now, please arrange for me to go there tonight. If anything is missed, I’ll have Lingxi send it over tomorrow.”

“I spoke rashly just now out of urgency. I apologize to you,” Zhang Yue said solemnly, bowing deeply with a serious expression. “The Zhang and Meng families are related by marriage. Logically, I should help at this time, but I really don’t have the time to take care of it personally. So, Sister Wan, please take Lingxi with you. She’s been with her grandmother for many years and is very experienced. She might be able to assist you if anything comes up. However, this matter is quite serious, so please be careful once you get there.”

Du Wan had been annoyed at first, but since Zhang Yue bowed in apology and made such arrangements, she naturally stopped dwelling on it. She nodded and went back to her room with Chunying to pack her things.

Once in her room and unrolling her luggage to take out a few clothes, she suddenly turned her gaze to the hook wrapped in a handkerchief on the table. Her brows furrowed deeply—she was frightened by the very thought that had just occurred to her. Though it seemed incredible, she couldn’t think of any other explanation. She went to the desk and picked up a pen, but ultimately couldn’t write anything, her brows still tightly knitted.

That night, Zhang Yue spent yet another sleepless night in his official residence. Several attendants made round trips to the Meng family’s house, each trip taking two or three hours. Qiu Hen and Hu Bo, who slept together, were preoccupied with their own thoughts and tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Zhang Yue also lay awake, his mind filled with Meng Min’s terrified expression and Du Wan’s angry look.

The trap he had set—Zhu Zhanqi jumped in, Zhu Zhan Tan jumped in, the unrelated Sun Liang willingly plunged in—who would have thought even Meng Xian would rush in without hesitation? In his view, it was a great thing that Meng Xian could leave the chaos in Beijing and stay far away from Prince Zhao. Yet Meng Xian didn’t hesitate to jump in.

Even in wealthy families, prosperity must be pursued carefully. This was too aggressive—one wrong move could lead to destruction!

The Qingzhou Prefectural Office was located at the first house at the west end of Jinxian Street. In front of the office stood a large stone screen covered with floral patterns, and behind the screen was a stone archway. The main gate inside the archway was shaped like the character for “eight.” Notices and announcements could usually be posted on this wall, and even the results of imperial examinations were often announced there. There was also a roof and railings to protect them from rain. Although idle people often came to read the notices on either side of the wall, there were not many of them. However, today the scene was rather unusual.

Early in the morning, a large crowd of people had already gathered there, all peering at the wall. Some were reading the words on an announcement aloud. Those behind them listened carefully, occasionally asking questions or exclaiming in surprise. People loved to see a spectacle, and many passersby pushed forward to find out what was going on. Everyone understood the concept of reclamation, but they had no idea what “mutual assistance” meant. Eventually, the noise became so loud it seemed capable of toppling the prefectural office.

Old Yang also arrived in Qingzhou early in the morning. When he found that the prefectural office was indeed the first house at the west end of Jinxian Street, he became puzzled. After pushing his way through the crowd to read the announcement clearly, he saw that it matched what Zhang Yue had said, and gradually he began to believe it. These days, government policies changed frequently. Although the rules seemed good on paper, and people from all around came to learn about them, most still had doubts. There was only one reason: throughout history, people had always feared change.

As the crowd grew noisy, a young man in blue clothes finally came out of the office with two officials, heading straight for the wall. Out of fear of the authorities, the crowd stepped aside to make room. Old Yang, who was among them, was stunned when he saw Zhang Yue. When he realized Zhang Yue had glanced at him and even nodded slightly, he was extremely surprised.

Could this scholar actually be an official working in the prefectural office?

Although young, Zhang Yue had experienced many such situations and was by no means nervous. He first explained the details in the announcement and then answered several questions from those in front. When someone asked why reclamation, which had been considered permanent during the Hongwu era of the imperial court, was now only exempt from taxes for five years, he laughed.

“Nowadays, not only is reclamation encouraged, but oxen and seeds are also provided, which is naturally more effective than working with nothing at all in the past. Back during the Hongwu era, reclamation usually came with a three-year tax exemption, and only those areas that remained completely uncultivated were exempted permanently. Now, the exemption lasts five years, two years longer than before. Within these three years, the land can be turned from wasteland into farmland, and the harvest from the remaining two years belongs to one’s own account.”

“What about corvée labor? If corvée is imposed frequently, even one’s own fields will go uncultivated—how can there be any energy left for reclamation?”

Caught off guard by this crucial question, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but look in the direction from which it came. He saw that the speaker was wearing a conical hat, seemingly not wanting to be recognized. He cleared his throat and said, “Corvée labor is allocated according to the seasons and the scale of work. I have already submitted a joint request with Governor Ling, but we still haven’t received a response. Moreover, if we can proceed step by step following the principles of mutual assistance, even if corvée is imposed, there will still be a way to help each other. It may only be a temporary solution, but it’s still better than doing nothing at all…”

Below, Old Yang almost ignored the rest of Zhang Yue’s words upon hearing the term “official.” Given Zhang Yue’s age, it was already impressive that he could hold a minor position—what kind of official could he possibly be?