The carriage leisurely traveled across the fields. The rice was golden yellow, farmers sweating profusely yet showing joyful expressions due to the abundant harvest.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Mo Zi stared at Yuan Cheng, who had resumed his elegant black attire in the same carriage.
Yuan Cheng had brought her out from Hongyu, but he hadn’t given her good news.
“The temporary household registration can’t be issued right away. You need to make a trip there yourself.” Yuan Cheng handed Mo Zi a letter. “Inside is a personal note from the Minister of Revenue.”
“The Minister of Revenue already approved it—why can’t it be issued?” This made absolutely no sense, right?
“The newly arrived Chief Clerk seems to like doing things by the book. He says temporary household registrations require the employer to apply in person, bringing the household register, personally explaining the reason for employment and duration, and there must be a guarantor.” Yuan Cheng watched Mo Zi’s astonished expression, smiling with great interest. “My usual methods of offering benefits don’t work on everyone.”
“If one method doesn’t work, try another. Lord Yuan once held absolute power—now that you’ve come to Da Zhou, you can’t even manage a household registration? Isn’t that rather embarrassing?” Mo Zi had been called by him and hurriedly boarded the carriage. Before she had time to change clothes, he had the driver return to the city. Now covered in wood shavings and sawdust, she was so hot she fanned herself with her hands.
A pristine white handkerchief was offered. She accepted it without ceremony, wiping her forehead and hair. Catching the scent of pine, pleasant to smell, she asked, “Do you have a fan?”
Yuan Cheng smiled as he looked at her and shook his head. Her powdered face flushed pink, autumn-water eyes sparkling, dressed oddly in coarse cloth skirt and pants, a pair of sky-blue high cloth boots, sleeves half-rolled revealing small lotus-root-like forearms. Just as Ming Nian had said—somehow she made it look so good.
Mo Zi sighed. “At times like this, I suddenly think of Jin Yin’s fans. After what happened to him, have you gone to see him?”
At her mention, Yuan Cheng seemed to see those bright fans waving before him. “Haven’t gone. With no broken hands or legs, surrounded by people treating him like a treasured talisman—what do we need to worry about? Besides, he’s not in the capital—he went to Nande.”
“Oh? Nande?” Though he hadn’t visited, his information was still well-informed. Mo Zi strongly suspected Yuan Cheng had planted someone beside Jin Yin.
“I told him Zhou Wen still had a water-pure pearl, and he rushed off in a frenzy.” Based on his understanding, if he didn’t find something for that person to do, he would definitely use Mo Zi as an excuse to recall childhood memories and take the opportunity to get close and pester her.
“His obsession with this pearl must have some reason.” Mo Zi analyzed it this way.
“Rumor has it that among the ten pearls Min Zhen spent ten years creating, one contains a secret treasure. This rumor has grown more credible in recent years. Your second brother has no other pursuits—he just loves gold, silver, and jewels. How could he not be obsessed?” Yuan Cheng’s eyes were dark as night, dotted with starlight.
“Secret treasure?” Mo Zi showed an expression of understanding. “But how come I never heard Min Song mention it?”
“The Min clan has always denied it, so naturally they wouldn’t bring it up. If there really is a secret treasure, and they’ve spent generations sparing no effort to collect the pearls back, that would make more sense. However, I don’t believe it.” Absurd nonsense. Why wouldn’t they leave a treasure directly to descendants instead of going through such great trouble to hide it in pearls?
“I’d guess even if there is treasure, it’s not the valuable kind Jin Yin imagines. It might be a skill, or worse, just family precepts.” Speaking of which, cultural heritage is more precious than anything. And Mo Zi, like Yuan Cheng, had no interest in the rumor.
“The household registration is already done, but the Chief Clerk in charge of craftsmen held it back. It’s not that I’m incapable, just didn’t anticipate it. And don’t forget—I’m currently an Academician of the Imperial Academy.” She seemed to habitually forget this point. He had to remind her repeatedly.
“How long do you want to hold this sesame-seed-sized official position?” An Academician of the Imperial Academy? If her luck turned bad, to what degree could he help? “It’s not that I look down on your small position, but since we’re supposed to help each other, I’m afraid when I really have trouble in the future, not only can’t you help, but you’ll be implicated by me instead.” Those she offended were no ordinary people.
Yet Yuan Cheng remained completely at ease, actually looking at autumn scenery outside the window. “What size official position do you want me to hold?”
Mo Zi felt like she had evil intentions and didn’t dare be too excessive. “At least fourth rank or above, preferably in the Ministry of Works, and able to speak before the Emperor.” Practical.
“The Ministry of Works—” Yuan Cheng said casually, “Can’t be done.”
Mo Zi had thought he would say it was a piece of cake. The hopeful expression on her face collapsed. “Right, I was naive. This isn’t Nande, you can’t extend your reach that far now, and can barely protect yourself.”
“Are you trying to provoke me?” Yuan Cheng’s pupils suddenly contracted as he turned back.
“No, honest truth. If using provocation could make everything go smoothly and invincibly, I’d stimulate myself first.” Then command a million troops, march north, and destroy Da Qiu. Because it wasn’t realistic, it was just something to think about when angry.
Yuan Cheng saw her filled with righteous indignation, clenching her fists, and his expression became thoughtful. He called to her, “Mo Zi.”
“Mm?” Shaking her head, casting aside evil thoughts, smiling toward kindness.
The words on his lips changed. “Regarding Hongtu Shipyard’s owner Zeng Hai, how much do you know?”
“Nothing particularly praiseworthy about his character. Uses children and women as laborers, wanted to renege after losing a bet, quite arrogant yet petty to the extreme. I believe character determines how a person acts—this person is quite terrible.” Mo Zi remembered something. “He dined at the same table with people from Da Qiu. Though I’m not clear if he knew their identity, there’s something suspicious about his shipyard.”
Mo Zi said this and looked at Yuan Cheng, seeing he was listening very attentively. Last time when they chatted about current events too. He had never looked down on her for being a woman, not even once. This always made her feel very comfortable and relaxed, and respected.
“When I went to his shipyard to get wood, I stumbled upon the discovery that a batch of his maple wood was actually hollow. If he isn’t engaged in some shady business, I can’t think of any other reason.” Seeing his expression change, she asked, “Why are you asking about Zeng Hai?”
Yuan Cheng pondered for a long while. “Some things have caught my attention. From what you’ve said, there seem to be some clues. Mo Zi, do you know what Da Qiu most lacks right now?”
“For warfare, lacking grain?” Mo Zi immediately continued, “Also lacking—”
The two spoke in unison.
Yuan Cheng smiled at Mo Zi with approval, nodding in praise. “Correct, it’s iron. Iron is essential for manufacturing weapons. Da Zhou has abundant iron ore, and its mining and smelting techniques far exceed Da Qiu’s. Zeng Hai first had contact with people from Da Qiu, then accumulated hollow wood—it’s highly likely he’s using it to conceal iron. The four nations have always explicitly forbidden border trade in ore and weapons, yet he can smuggle through water routes.”
“Smuggling iron means confiscation of property and execution of the clan. The Zeng family is considered immensely wealthy—why would Zeng Hai take such risks, willing to stake an entire large household?” This was just speculation, and Mo Zi couldn’t understand this point.
“Zeng Hai is merely a concubine-born branch member of the Zeng family, not valued—that’s point one. Point two, the profits from smuggling iron are substantial. Those who take such risks come one after another—one more person isn’t much. Didn’t Brother Mo also smuggle before?” Past events, like a dream, only fortunate to have met her—that was so real.
Mo Zi laughed. “However, I didn’t have his courage—I only smuggled small trinkets.” If she smuggled iron, people like Xiao Er and Shi Lei definitely wouldn’t let her see tomorrow’s sunrise, because the crime was equivalent to treason. “Well, do you want me to help you investigate Zeng Hai’s background?”
“For now, don’t alert him. I have other things to investigate.” Seeing her eager expression wanting to participate, Yuan Cheng said, “When I need you, I definitely won’t be polite.”
Mo Zi shrugged, indicating no problem. “Me going to see that Chief Clerk dressed like this—won’t it be a problem? Neither male nor female.”
Only she would describe herself this way. Yuan Cheng smiled in his eyes. “Excellent. My bribery scheme didn’t work—a honey trap might do the job. Remember to smile more later, speak more sweetly.”
“Honey trap?” Mo Zi’s expression didn’t change as she shot back, “Then you should find my employer. Whether I can even get through the main door in this outfit is questionable.”
“Though I hold a sesame-seed-sized small official position, I can still manage this small matter. I’ll definitely let you see that lord’s face, and I’ll also guarantee for you—won’t waste your three hundred taels of sincerity.” He wouldn’t tell her that this temporary household registration had cost him at least five hundred taels in gifts. Actually, having it held back by that newly arrived Chief Clerk was indeed quite embarrassing for him.
Not mentioning the three hundred taels would have been fine, but bringing it up made Mo Zi’s heart ache. “If you can’t get it done, you have to refund my silver.”
“How can sincerity be refunded? It can only fall through.” Yuan Cheng shook his head, refusing to agree.
“This one we don’t have to settle accounts over, but for the major project of adding bricks and tiles to your home, you should at least pay me for materials, right?” Wasn’t she pitiful? Running into one person after another, all shrewder than her.
“My calculation method differs from yours. I originally thought your sincerity wasn’t enough, but adding this time when you’re helping me without charge, I think it’s just right.” Therefore he wouldn’t let her “reimburse” a single penny.
Mo Zi didn’t complain—not that she had no objections, but she was mentally prepared, and considering he’d introduced her to a business deal, she let it go.
The two chatted on and off, watching rural scenery turn past and capital scenery turn forward. Over an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
“My lord, we’ve arrived at the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories.” The driver’s voice suddenly came from outside the carriage.
Only then did Mo Zi realize they’d just discussed much that outsiders shouldn’t hear. But then she thought Yuan Cheng wouldn’t be so careless. Still, she asked, “Your driver—how good is his hearing?”
Before Yuan Cheng could speak, she heard the driver say, “Hearing is excellent, mouth is tight—Brother Mo can rest easy.”
“As you say.” Yuan Cheng answered with a smile.
Addressing a driver as “you”? Mo Zi lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage, looking carefully at the driver. Gray hair, gray beard, gray cloth clothing—at first glance just an ordinary old man. Looking more carefully—
Still an ordinary old man.
“This old fellow is surnamed Li, given name Yan. I’m a retainer in the lord’s household, without much ability, but fortunately can drive a carriage.” Holding the horse whip, he cupped his fists. “I’ve often heard Brother Mo’s name and was quite skeptical—what ability could a woman have? Seeing and hearing today, truly extraordinary indeed.”
Mo Zi thought to herself, great, even raising retainers now.
Just as she was about to tease Yuan Cheng, warm breath was already behind her, close to her ear, words gentle as a tender confession, as if smiling, “New officials light three fires upon taking office. If you see things going badly, deploy the honey trap—whatever you do, don’t let the fire burn you.”
Mo Zi turned her head and glared fiercely at this corrupt official.