Han Yuanchao was momentarily stunned.
“What’s the matter?” the beautiful madam asked.
“It’s nothing.” Han Yuanchao came back to his senses, smiling as he pushed the thought aside.
By now, the little girl had already reached out, taken the packet from Han Yuanchao’s hand, and poured out a few small pastries.
“Mother, can I eat these?” she asked happily.
The beautiful madam shook her head at her.
“Such bad manners—how can a young lady be so greedy, and eat food from outside so casually?” she said with a trace of displeasure.
The little girl uttered an “oh,” and sheepishly put it down.
“…We meant to stop her, but that lady walked away so quickly we couldn’t call out to her…” the maid quickly bent over as she explained, apologizing as she spoke.
After all, the responsibility for proper teaching lay with them.
“Who was she?” the beautiful madam asked.
“She’s from out of town—seemed to be looking to rent a house, and came asking around here,” the maid said.
The beautiful madam gave a quiet “Mm” in response, offered a few words of admonition, then looked at the bag.
“Take it away,” she said.
“It’d be a shame to throw it away,” Han Yuanchao said, reaching out to take it first. “Aunt, why not give it to me instead?”
The beautiful madam shot him a sidelong glance.
“Since when did you get so greedy?” she said. “Go on home—it’s been two days since you came out. Go back and catch up on your studies. Your father’s finally back, so you should hurry home.”
Han Yuanchao answered with an “Alright,” bowed, and took his leave.
Watching Han Yuanchao ride off with his servant, the Zhang family’s maid who had seen him out turned back toward the house. As they were about to enter, one of them stopped at the doorway and glanced toward the riverside residence.
“What is it?” someone asked.
“I feel like that maid from earlier looked a bit familiar…” the maid said, frowning.
“Have you really seen her before?” the other asked in surprise.
The maid stood there, dazed, straining to recall…
Where had she seen her before?
Tongjiang County bordered directly on Su-zhou. Once you crossed the boundary of Tongjiang, you entered Su-zhou’s territory. After a full day of the horse’s steady clopping, they reached Su-zhou City by nightfall.
“Nineteenth Young Master is back!”
Seeing Han Yuanchao walk in, the maids in the courtyard quickly greeted him.
By now, the evening lamps were being lit—it was dinnertime. Strangely, though, the maids were all standing outside, holding their breath in silence.
“Father and Mother…?” Han Yuanchao asked, puzzled.
“They haven’t eaten yet—they’re discussing something,” a maid whispered.
Han Yuanchao let out an “Oh.”
“Then I’ll come back later,” he said, turning to leave.
But just then, the door to the main room was pulled open.
“Shi’jiu, is that you back?” came a woman’s gentle voice. “Come in quickly.”
Han Yuanchao answered “Yes” and stepped inside. His parents were both there, but the atmosphere felt strange. Looking closely, he could see his mother’s eyelids were puffy, as if she had been crying not long ago, while his father’s expression on the other side was equally grim.
“Is your aunt in good health?” Han’s father asked.
“Very well,” Han Yuanchao replied with a smile. “Aunt said she knew Father would ask about this, and told me to pass on to Grandfather and Grandmother that ever since she recovered, she hasn’t even caught a cold for more than a year. A few days ago she even had the doctor take her pulse—she is now with child. Since it hasn’t been three months yet, she’ll wait a bit longer before sharing the happy news.”
At these words, both Father and Mother Han were overjoyed.
“That’s wonderful news,” they said in unison.
Seeing his parents’ expressions brighten, Han Yuanchao was delighted as well. He chatted idly with them for a while, until a maid outside announced that the steward had arrived. The moment these words were spoken, his parents’ faces instantly darkened again.
The steward came in, holding several thick volumes of account books in his hands.
“If you want to use the family’s money, it’s not that I’m saying you absolutely can’t,” Madam Han said, “but how are we supposed to explain it to your uncles?”
“Explain it however it needs to be explained,” Master Han said, his face set. “It’s not as if we won’t pay it back. Once the Fiscal Commissioner’s Office approves the funds, we’ll return the money.”
“When has the Fiscal Commissioner’s Office’s money ever come so quickly? Pay it back? You still expect to? Pay it back this time and there’ll be a next time, and then another. That’s a bottomless pit, a trap—stop you from jumping in, and you insist on jumping! And now look where we are…” Madam Han broke off, dabbing at her eyes again.
Han Yuanchao hesitated for a moment.
“Father… is this about the canal works?” he asked.
Han’s father was the magistrate of Panjiang County. The county had been plagued by floods for years, and to resolve the problem, the county had decided to dredge canals and dig channels. It was a massive undertaking, supported by many but opposed by many as well. Supporters called it a great work that would benefit the people for a hundred years; opponents called it a waste of labor and money.
Now, more than half a year later, progress was slow, and problems had arisen with manpower, money, and supplies.
“Father is doing the right thing—this canal should be built,” Han Yuanchao said with a nod.
“Who doesn’t know it should be built? Then why have so many people left it undone, only for you to take it on? Isn’t it because it’s difficult?” Madam Han said.
“If everyone only sought what’s easy and avoided what’s hard, would there be anyone left to handle affairs of the state?” Master Han replied, motioning for the steward to sit while taking the account books from him. “The canal’s progress must be sped up—otherwise, if we run into the flood season next year, it’ll be a disaster…”
“Can’t we conscript another batch of laborers?” Han Yuanchao asked.
“We can’t,” Master Han shook his head. “If the manpower increases, the food rations will inevitably increase too. The Fiscal Commissioner’s Office will never approve it.”
“Grain is more important than money,” Han Yuanchao agreed. “Then just spend more money.”
With his son’s support, Master Han’s resolve grew even firmer. He immediately began discussing with the steward the matter of borrowing from the family funds. Since it was not proper for him to sit in on these details, Han Yuanchao rose and took his leave.
“…Is the family’s money yours to spend? Think about it—if you use it, what will your uncles say… how will you explain it to your father…”
“…I won’t use the family’s money…”
“…Then will you use my dowry? My dowry is what keeps our whole household fed and clothed. Shi’jiu is getting married next year—that will be another huge expense…”
“…Then sell the plot of land under my name first…”
“…Sell land? You’d sell land to build a canal? Do you think that makes you incorruptible? You’d be slapping the other officials in the face. You’re currying favor with the common people just to win a reputation for purity. Believe it or not, if you dare to do this tomorrow, by the next day the Censorate will have an impeachment against you!”
Han Yuanchao sighed and stopped walking. He turned to glance back at his parents’ courtyard. The maids inside all had their heads bowed and eyes downcast, like wooden stakes.
Mother wasn’t wrong—Father’s intentions were good, but they went against human nature, and thus were not the proper way. As a court official, one needed not only to get things done, but to know how to get them done. Good intentions alone did not always lead to good results.
If Father were to be censured by his superiors over this, the canal works would inevitably be affected. That would mean nearly a year of effort wasted.
In the end, it still came down to a lack of funds.
They couldn’t touch the family’s money, nor Mother’s dowry, and certainly not Father’s landholdings. For all that the Han family was large and wealthy, when it came to actually producing ready money, it was far from easy.
If only he had money of his own.
The thought crossed Han Yuanchao’s mind, and he chuckled, shaking his head. He wouldn’t have money of his own until after he married—and even then, it wouldn’t really be his money, but his wife’s.
Thinking of his future wife made him smile again. He lowered his head to look at a scented sachet hanging from his waist.
“They say there’s a fortune slip inside, obtained from an exceptionally efficacious temple—one that can make your wishes come true,” he murmured to himself with a smile, giving the sachet a shake. Under the courtyard lamps, the colorful embroidery on it was exquisite. “Then let some money fall from the heavens for me.”
With that, he laughed heartily at his own joke.
“Young Master?”
The servant boy walking ahead turned back at the sound, looking at him in puzzlement.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go,” Han Yuanchao said, tucking the sachet back and straightening his robe.
Better to hurry home, light the lamp, and study into the night—earning fame and establishing a career was far more realistic.
Because of the exhausting rush the day before, coupled with staying up late studying, Han Yuanchao woke up to find the sky already bright. Attended by a maid, he washed and dressed, then took down the bow and arrows hanging in his study and walked out into the courtyard to practice archery.
After several rounds, his body felt stretched and refreshed. Just as he was about to wash up and eat, a servant boy hurried in.
“Young Master, someone outside is here looking for you.”
“Looking for me?” Han Yuanchao asked, wiping sweat from his brow with a towel. “Who is it?”
“Brother Yuanchao, it’s me.”
Before the servant could answer, a cheerful voice came from outside, and a young man staggered in. He wore a brocade robe cinched with a jade belt, his face heavily powdered and hair slicked back. It was the kind of season where a gust of wind could bring snow, yet he still carried a folding fan in his hand.
Seeing this person, Han Yuanchao’s brow furrowed slightly.
This man’s surname was Guo, given name Hou, courtesy name Zijun. His family was also a prestigious scholarly clan in Su-zhou. They were about the same age, and their names were somewhat confusingly similar—Han Yuanchao’s given name included “Jun,” while Guo Hou’s courtesy name was “Jun.” Although many people share similar names, it was awkward for two prominent families in the same city to have such close overlaps.
At one point, because of the naming issue, a lady from the Guo family even came to the Han family to ask Han Yuanchao to change his name. Madam Han flatly refused on the spot, and the two ladies had a bit of an unpleasant quarrel. Since it was a minor matter and involved women, the men of both families quickly smoothed things over.
Although on the surface their relationship returned to normal, in reality it remained somewhat strained—especially as the two children grew up, competing silently in height, appearance, academics, and marriage prospects. Fortunately, so far Han Yuanchao had the slight upper hand.
Han Yuanchao himself wasn’t inclined to compete, but Young Master Guo always tried to compare, so their daily interactions inevitably involved verbal sparring. Though Han Yuanchao disliked such rivalry, it was uncomfortable to be constantly targeted, so he avoided it when possible.
He hadn’t expected Young Master Guo to actually come to his house looking for him.
“Ah, it’s Young Master Guo,” Han Yuanchao said, smiling politely. “What brings you to me?”
Young Master Guo smiled and reached out to pat Han Yuanchao’s arm.
“Brother Yuanchao, you truly have many important people and forget so easily,” he joked. “It’s about that matter from last time.”
Han Yuanchao took the opportunity to set down his bow and arrows and gently withdrew his arm from Guo’s grasp.
“What matter from last time?” he asked.
“That copy of the Analects annotated by Master Jiangzhou,” Young Master Guo said eagerly. “Have you made up your mind about it yet?”
Han Yuanchao had returned from the capital after failing the spring examination, which made Guo Hou very happy since he hadn’t gone this time. But Guo Hou’s joy was short-lived once he heard that Han Yuanchao had brought back a copy of the Analects personally annotated by Master Jiangzhou—a prized possession that every scholar in the city wanted to see.
Guo Hou was unwilling to accept defeat and immediately offered to buy the book, but the Han family was far from poor, and the book was not something they were willing to sell. Han Yuanchao didn’t even bother to respond.
Hearing him bring up the matter again today, Han Yuanchao couldn’t help but smile wryly.
“Do I even need to consider it?” he said. “Of course not.”
“I’ll offer one thousand guan,” Young Master Guo said, holding up his fingers to show the amount.
One thousand guan!
Though Han Yuanchao wasn’t tempted by money, he was still taken aback.
“Listen, Yuanchao, you can make a copy of the book. Surely you won’t lose Master Jiangzhou’s lectures, and it won’t affect your studies. I only want the original. You see, we both get what we want—it’s a fair deal, isn’t it?” Young Master Guo linked his arm with Han Yuanchao’s, smiling as he spoke. “Besides, I can also lend you money.”
Han Yuanchao frowned.
“Lend me money?” he asked. “Why would I borrow money from you?”
“You don’t need money, but your father probably does,” Young Master Guo said with a smile, raising his eyebrows.
The huge canal project naturally wasn’t a secret.
Han Yuanchao paused, his expression uncertain.
“Although I can’t lend you much, it can still help a little—at least enough to get through this month,” Young Master Guo said, seeing a flicker of hesitation on Han Yuanchao’s face.
The Fiscal Commissioner’s Office’s funds should arrive by the end of the year at the latest. Winter was approaching, and the canal work would require even more manpower. If there were extra money for emergencies…
Making the best use of resources is wise—this copy of the Analects…
“No, this book was a gift from a friend. I won’t sell it,” Han Yuanchao smiled and gently pushed Guo Hou’s hand away.
What a stubborn nerd!
Young Master Guo gritted his teeth silently.
“I’ll raise my offer by another five hundred!” he said.
“I’m not short of money,” Han Yuanchao smiled.
“Not short of money? Yeah, right…” Guo Hou snorted and followed him.
As they were talking, a servant boy rushed in again.
“Young Master, someone is here to see you.”
Han Yuanchao was a bit surprised—today was quite lively.
“Who is it?” he asked.
The servant shook his head.
“Don’t know, but they say they’re from the capital.”
The capital? Although he had made some friends in the capital, they weren’t actually from there—they were all scholars who had come from various places for the exams. Who from the capital would be coming to look for him?
With a puzzled expression, Han Yuanchao changed into his guest-receiving clothes and followed the servant to the front hall. Young Master Guo hesitated for a moment, then also followed along.
In the front hall were two middle-aged men wearing thin jackets and hats, clearly dusty and weary from travel.
He didn’t recognize them.
“Who are you?” Han Yuanchao asked.
Hearing his voice and seeing him enter, the two hurried forward and bowed deeply.
“Boss, we have come to deliver money,” they said in unison.
Boss?
Han Yuanchao was startled.
In all his life, he had been called Shi’jiu, Yuanchao, or when he was a baby, perhaps some sweet nickname from his mother that was saccharine enough to rot teeth. Others who disliked him would call him Han Jun, or kid, or little one, and so forth.
But he had never before heard anyone call him “Boss.”
And what was this about delivering money?
“Money, Boss, your dividends,” the two men repeated.
“Me?” Han Yuanchao pointed to himself in surprise.
The two men nodded, then respectfully took an envelope from their sleeves and handed it to him.
“You must have the wrong person,” Han Yuanchao came to his senses and asked, naturally not reaching out to take it.
The two men laughed.
“How could that be? We might mess up other tasks, but if we forgot our boss, we’d truly be useless,” they said.
“You are Han Jun, courtesy name Yuanchao, of the Han family in Su-zhou, ranked nineteenth in the clan.”
His own name wasn’t much of a secret—it was easy enough to find out.
Was someone playing a trick on him?
“Who are you? How could I be your boss?” Han Yuanchao asked, still refusing to take the envelope.
“We’re from Tai Ping Residence,” one of the men smiled. “As for how you became our boss, we arrived late and don’t know. But the documents clearly have your name written in black and white. I’m sure you have the contract yourself.”
Tai Ping Residence!
Han Yuanchao was stunned.
Guo Hou, who had been listening with surprise and impatience, simply reached out and took the envelope.
“Let me see how much the dividends are—coming all the way from the capital, I wonder if it’s real,” he said.
He opened the envelope and pulled out a flying money certificate. When he saw the amount written on it, Guo Hou’s eyes immediately widened like copper bells.
“Ten thousand guan!”
He then looked at Han Yuanchao. This guy really wasn’t short of money…
Ten thousand guan!
Han Yuanchao was stunned by this as well.
What a joke!
“This is for me?” he asked, stunned.
“Yes, this is for you,” the two men smiled.
Ten thousand guan!
Han Yuanchao reached out and snatched the flying money certificate from Guo Hou’s hand.
No mistake—this was the genuine article: a flying money certificate from the Su-zhou Courier Office, and it clearly bore his name, Han Jun!
Ten thousand guan!
Money really had fallen from the sky…
