“Hey, hey, hey! What do you think you’re doing? Don’t you know this is breaking? Do you think Nanjing is like your backwater Huizhou? You ignorant bumpkins, get out! If you don’t leave, I’ll have you thrown in jail!” Madam Ge shouted as she watched Zhenniang’s group enter without hesitation. She then turned to a rough-looking young man in the crowd: “San’er, go tell Father that troublemakers have come to our house. Tell him to bring some men and have them arrested!”
“Yes, Elder Sister,” San’er responded and was about to dash off.
“Young brother, wait a moment. Some things are better clarified first,” Zhenniang, standing in the doorway, called back to San’er. She then swept her gaze across the gathering neighbors.
“What’s there to clarify? It’s obvious – you’re trying to break into someone’s home!” Madam Ge shouted to the onlookers. She continued inciting them: “Neighbors, we Nanjing people can’t let these country folk run wild here, right?”
“That’s right!” Some in the crowd snickered.
Of course, most people remained indifferent, keeping their distance from the affair.
Still, all eyes were on Zhenniang’s group, clearly waiting to see what they would do next.
Having experienced the ink workshop incidents, Zhenniang remained perfectly calm in this situation.
She rubbed her nose and deliberately expressed surprise: “I think Madam Ge might not understand the situation. This residence, including the five shops facing the street, are all property of the Li Family Ink Workshop from Huizhou. This is the Second Madam of the Li Family Ink Workshop, and we’re simply returning to our own home. I don’t understand – since when can’t one enter their property?” Zhenniang pointed to Madam Huang as she spoke, then paused before continuing to address Ge Qiu.
“Sister Ge, as Li Zhengping’s wife, you should know that Uncle Jingming and Aunt Jingming are members of the Li clan, and these properties were merely entrusted to them by my Seventh Grandmother to manage and care for. Ultimately, you’re just caretakers. Since when do caretakers prevent the owners from entering their homes? Isn’t this turning heaven and earth upside down? Nanjing is indeed grander than our Huizhou, but precisely because it’s the auxiliary capital, shouldn’t we be more reasonable?”
At this point, Zhenniang surveyed the crowd: “I imagine some of the older folks here might remember the glory days of the Huizhou Li Family Ink Workshop?”
“Remember? Of course, we remember! I used to work as a clerk at the Li Family Ink Workshop. After they had their troubles, I was able to find good work elsewhere because of my experience there,” a middle-aged man in the crowd spoke up.
“Old Mo, what Li Family Ink Workshop?” someone beside him asked.
“You don’t know? Back then, this entire street belonged to the Li Family Ink Workshop. Their reputation was excellent – whenever we went out, just mentioning the Li Family Ink Workshop name would earn us respect from other merchants,” Old Mo declared, patting his chest.
“So you’re saying these properties do belong to that Huizhou Li Family Ink Workshop?” Someone in the crowd glanced furtively at Madam Ge and whispered.
“By the looks of it, I’d say that’s about right,” Old Mo replied in a low voice. Though he knew the workshop’s former situation, many years had passed, and Li Jingming had been managing these properties. He didn’t know the exact circumstances, but seeing Zhenniang’s group’s confidence, and considering how Ge’s family had been exploiting local merchants using Ge’s father’s position as a tax collector, he found himself siding with Zhenniang’s group.
The position of tax collector helped the government’s taxation office collect taxes.
In Zhenniang’s previous impression from historical novels, ancient China didn’t emphasize commercial taxes, which were supposedly quite low. While merchants had low social status, making money was supposedly easy. Only after experiencing it herself and working in the ink workshop did she realize that Ming Dynasty commercial taxes were quite heavy, especially in the middle and late periods.
Just considering shop operations, there were transaction taxes, fixed taxes, storefront taxes, property taxes, and more. Sometimes a single tax category had subdivisions – for instance, fixed taxes were divided into primary and surplus silver. The tax burden on merchants was so heavy that it was no wonder tax resistance movements frequently spread like wildfire in the middle and late Ming Dynasty.
The tax office wouldn’t collect these taxes personally, so they divided areas into sections and appointed numerous tax collectors to collect on their behalf. These collectors were either local wealthy households or leaders of gangs composed of idle men.
Though the position of tax collector was humble, it carried considerable power. If they wanted to make trouble for someone, they could drive merchants to bankruptcy. Therefore, unless necessary, merchants wouldn’t dare offend tax collectors.
Of course, if a merchant could secure connections to imperial shops or tribute goods, the situation would reverse – tax collectors wouldn’t dare offend them and would instead curry favor.
Such were the ways of the world.
The crowd continued whispering among themselves.
Meanwhile, Madam Ge was stunned. She had married into this family precisely because of these properties. She had investigated thoroughly beforehand, and her mother-in-law Madam Fang had sworn these properties belonged to their family and would be passed down to Zhengping. Only then had she schemed to marry into the Li family. If it was all lies, hadn’t she wasted her efforts?
Madam Ge’s face turned ashen. By now, she didn’t doubt Zhenniang’s words – such matters could be easily proven with property deeds. No wonder in the half year since her marriage, despite her various schemes to get hold of the deeds, she had never succeeded – they simply didn’t exist.
Realizing this, Madam Ge ground her teeth and snapped at Hua’er: “You worthless girl, hurry up and find your parents and elder brother!”
“Oh…” Hua’er responded and ran off.
Zhenniang smiled at the onlookers, then supported Madam Huang as they entered first, followed closely by Ergou, Master Ma, and the others.
Inside, there was a kitchen woman called Dao Po, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old maid called Wu Tou, and an errand boy called Duan Qi.
These three stood behind Madam Ge, watching Zhenniang’s group with various thoughts.
Zhenniang’s group paid them no mind. This was their territory, naturally under their control.
Thus, those who needed to arrange rooms did so, those who needed to organize luggage did so, and those who needed to prepare tea went to the kitchen to do so. Meanwhile, Zhenniang accompanied Madam Huang as she rested in the hall.
Master Ma took his position by the door.
The boy called Duan Qi tried to rush in several times, but Master Ma’s hand would sweep out and throw him far back. However, Duan Qi was experienced in street life – though thrown back, he would roll and land steadily on his feet, avoiding embarrassment.
“They’re here! They’re here!” Just then, Hua’er returned with Li Jingming, Madam Fang, and Li Zhengping.
“Oh my! We received word early that Second Madam and Miss Zhenniang would come in spring, but we didn’t expect you so soon! We weren’t prepared at all – it’s all because of my thoughtless daughter-in-law. Please forgive our rudeness, Second Madam and Miss Zhenniang.” As soon as they entered, Li Jingming’s wife Madam Fang bowed and apologized.
Though Li Jingming was also a member of the Li clan, their familial relationship was quite distant. In terms of status, the Li Jingming couple were similar to Manager Shao – merely caretakers.
“We came early, so how could we blame Uncle Jingming and Aunt Jingming?” Zhenniang said with a smile. Privately, she curled her lip – since the letter mentioned they’d come in spring, shouldn’t they have prepared after New Year? How did it end up like this?
Madam Fang’s words were just an excuse.
Zhenniang quietly observed the Li Jingming household.
Li Jingming, walking in front, was around forty, with frost-white showing at his temples. Following closely, Madam Fang appeared well-maintained and somewhat plump, carrying herself with the dignity of a wealthy household’s wife, though her shifting gaze revealed a calculating nature. She hardly looked like someone living in shanties as Zhenniang had imagined.
The young man standing last, around twenty, was Li Zhengping. Wearing a long blue cotton gown and carrying an abacus under his arm, he was a bookkeeper at some shop, though his expression was gloomy and listless.
Madam Ge swayed over to Li Zhengping’s side. Zhenniang noticed her pinching his arm hard several times. Though anger flashed across his face, when he met Ge’s eyes, he merely twitched his lips and turned away.
Madam Ge’s lips curled in a mocking smile.
“Sister Jingming, no need for such courtesy. Though we nearly couldn’t get in the door,” Madam Huang spoke up. Though from a family of Huizhou woodcarvers and usually focused solely on her craft, this didn’t mean she lacked capability. Her words were soft but carried weight, missing no opportunity to make her point. The Second Madam of the Li family nearly being denied entry to their property – this was no light rebuke.
Hearing Madam Huang’s words, Li Jingming’s lips twitched. He was an honest man – otherwise, Old Madam Li wouldn’t have trusted him to manage the property.
But now, Li Jingming didn’t know what to say. He felt guilty, and with the past year’s scandals, he had no face to speak. He could only look sheepish.
Even the usually quick-witted Madam Fang was at a loss for words.
“Why is everyone standing? Please sit,” Madam Huang said. Some points needed only brief mention, no need to belabor them.
Everyone relaxed and took their seats.
“It’s been many years since we’ve met. We’ve all grown old,” Madam Huang made casual conversation.
“Indeed, indeed, though Second Madam looks just as she did ten years ago, not aged at all,” Madam Fang quickly responded.
Madam Huang smiled slightly: “You jest – everyone ages.” Then, looking at Li Zhengping and Madam Ge, she smiled and said: “When did Zhengping marry? Which family is our nephew’s wife from? We weren’t notified – the Li clan in Huizhou has been remiss.”
Hearing this, Li Jingming sighed heavily, and Li Zhengping’s face darkened.
Li Jingming had his reasons for silence.
Ge Qiu had a poor reputation at home, often consorting with unsavory characters. He would never have approved such a daughter-in-law. But unexpectedly, Zhengping, usually so steady, had somehow gotten involved with her and was caught in bed with her. Ge the tax collector wasn’t one to be trifled with and forced the Li family’s hand. They had no choice but to have Zhengping marry Ge Qiu.
Being unwilling, they naturally hadn’t written to inform Huizhou.
“Ahem…” Madam Ge suddenly coughed, looking at Madam Fang.
Madam Fang’s face first turned ugly, then she forced a smile: “Second Madam, it was my fault. Considering the long journey from Huizhou to Nanjing, I didn’t want to trouble you. I planned to write afterward, but then we received your letter, so I thought to introduce her when you arrived. Who knew things would turn out like this? As for Qiu’er, she’s the daughter of Tax Collector Ge of this district. She’s usually quite capable in handling matters – today was just a misunderstanding.”
Though Madam Fang made excuses for Ge, Zhenniang could see from her clenched teeth that Aunt Jingming’s words didn’t match her heart.
“That’s right, this wasn’t my fault. Who would let strangers into their homes? Second Madam, don’t you agree?” Madam Ge quickly seized the opportunity, even turning the question back on them.
“Indeed, one can’t blame those who don’t know,” Madam Huang glanced at her and sipped her tea.
“But Uncle Jingming, Aunt Jingming, why aren’t you living here? Why move to shanties by the city wall?” Zhenniang interjected.
At these words, Li Jingming and Madam Fang looked uncomfortable. Madam Ge nearly choked.
“Oh, well, we heard you were coming, and the house needed tidying. The building hasn’t been repaired for years, so my in-laws thought it best to renovate and move out temporarily. I was also planning to return to my parent’s home for a few days so workers could come in and clean. Isn’t that right, Mother-in-law?” Madam Ge explained, turning to Madam Fang.
“Yes, yes, exactly right,” Madam Fang quickly agreed.
Watching this scene and recalling how Ge had repeatedly pressured Madam Fang to cover for her, Zhenniang wondered if Madam Fang had some weakness that Ge was exploiting.
The relationship between this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law raised many questions.
“How thoughtful of Sister Jingming. Well, since it was a misunderstanding and has been cleared up, let’s move on. We’re all family,” Madam Huang said.
“Exactly, exactly,” Madam Fang and Madam Ge echoed.
“The house seems clean enough – no need for cleaning. Let’s leave it as is. You should move back. I’ve had people prepare several rooms in the back building. We’ll stay in the rear quarters – it’s quieter. By the way, I see you’ve stored many things in the ink workshop in the back courtyard. Please clear them out in the next few days – we need to reorganize and restart the workshop,” Madam Huang said.
“Yes, yes,” Li Jingming agreed.
Beside him, Madam Ge tugged hard at Madam Fang’s sleeve.
“Second Madam, might we have some time regarding the items in the workshop? You see, the five shops out front are all rented out, and the tenants needed storage space, so we let them use our workshop. It’s a favor to them, and we earn a bit extra to cover shop taxes,” Madam Fang said awkwardly.
Zhenniang frowned at this. The government had official warehouses for merchants’ goods, involving warehouse taxes. Generally, merchants didn’t lack storage space.
Of course, small quantities of goods might be stored elsewhere for convenience, but each shop had its storage room in the back. Merchants usually didn’t need to rent additional storage space.
Combined with Ge’s father’s position as a tax collector, Zhenniang understood – this likely involved tax evasion.
“Aunt Jingming, merchants have official warehouses for storage – the government monitors this strictly. I don’t care how you do it, even if you have to refund money, but they must move their goods. This is no trivial matter,” Zhenniang said seriously.
“This…” Madam Fang hesitated.
“Don’t worry, Miss Zhenniang. I’ll have everything moved out tomorrow,” Li Jingming said, glaring at Madam Fang.