Chapter 3, Jade Pixiu

The official took a deep breath and said: "Old Gao from the official residence has a house outside the Anding Gate, and the esteemed one has allowed him to work from home for the time being. If you wish to see the official report, you can go out of the city. After exiting the city gate, head north along the road; it is not far to the west, and it is easy to find"

Having never met, it seems I am newly arrived in this place. I wonder when I shall make my appearance here

"Where was Shen Wansan buried after his death?" Liu Jian asked. The old scribe pointed outside: "Just north of the military training ground, not more than two miles from here."

Carrying a lamp and holding a teapot, he came out, mumbling to himself with a face full of gloom. The old clerk still wanted to continue chatting with him, but he merely waved his hand, no longer daring to speak carelessly. After about half an hour, they heard Liu Jian call from inside: "Bring paper and pen." The lamp bearer responded with an "Aye," but after just a couple of steps, he stopped again: "Sir, there are three pens, but there is no plain paper or ink..."

However, Liu Jian was not heading to outside Andingmen, but rather inside the gate. After turning south along Andingmen Street for no more than a hundred steps, there was a small alley on the west side called "Fentingsi." Upon entering Fentingsi, it was not far to the back door of the Shuntian Prefecture. This place was familiar to him, as he had previously delivered Liu Jian's name card here. Due to the ongoing construction and expansion of the main entrance of Shuntian Prefecture, all visitors were using the back door of Fentingsi.

Unfortunately, the good times did not last long. It is said that Emperor Hongwu demanded the treasure bowl from Shen Wansan, but Shen Wansan refused to hand it over. This ultimately provoked the emperor's great anger, and in the sixth year of Hongwu, he confiscated Shen's property and exiled him to Yunnan. After that, Shen Wansan disappeared from the eyes of the people in Jiangnan. It was said that he died of illness in Yunnan, but that place is remote and inaccessible, making it impossible for anyone to verify.

Liu Jian listened to these words, his brows slightly furrowing, and with a sharp snap, he closed his folding fan, hesitating to speak. Peng Deng, aware of his master's temperament, noticed him calculating with his right hand concealed in his sleeve and could not help but exclaim: "Master, is it permissible to witness a killing without offering help?" He did not fully understand the situation, but he knew that whenever his master displayed such an expression, it indicated that a significant event had already occurred.

"One is ominous, the other is comparative," the old scribe said, his voice trembling as he mentioned the word "ominous"

The little man slept soundly, not noticing anything. At this point, the old clerk suddenly seemed to remember something and quickly added, "However, early the next morning, I saw a few dead rats and dead sparrows lying outside the door. I suppose it must have been some child's prank."

Ah? Holding the lamp and opening my mouth wide, "Do you not want to save him anymore?" "I am precisely trying to save him, which is why I am doing this. This matter is rather peculiar and requires careful investigation. Looking at the old clerk's appearance, he seems to be an impulsive and restless person, and I fear he might wander around, hindering my work. That is why I found an excuse to keep him at home obediently.

At that time, outside the Anding Gate was still a stretch of wasteland, sparsely dotted with a few households and工棚. Liu Jian arrived at the city gate and inquired with the guards before heading straight to the temporary news copying office.

As the master and servant reached the doorway, Liu Jian suddenly stopped in his tracks and exclaimed, "Eh," calling out to the lantern bearer ahead. The lantern bearer turned back and asked what was the matter. Liu Jian waved his folding fan and said, "Did you break something of theirs?"

Liu Jian shook his head: "The Pixiu can ward off troubles for a time, but it cannot protect for a lifetime, especially since it has lost its horn. Look at the character for 'Pixiu'; if you remove a stroke and a horizontal line from the right side, what is left?"

Liu Jian nodded with a smile and led the lantern into the courtyard. There were three tiled houses in the courtyard, arranged in a "品" shape. Liu Jian walked to the main door and raised his hand to knock. After a short while, an old scribe with a grizzled beard peeked out, eyeing him suspiciously, and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

He hurriedly brought over a chair for Liu Jian to sit down. The old clerk took a sip of tea, steadied himself, and recounted to Liu Jian everything that had happened over the past ten days, in meticulous detail, speaking for more than half an hour. Most of it was trivial matters, and Peng Deng could not discern anything unusual, dozing off beside him. After finally finishing, the old clerk asked: "Is there any way to rescue the * map * and * book * ?"

Liu Jian often lost his temper at home over trivial matters, but when he was out, he was always kind and amiable. He certainly did not want to quarrel with those officials, so he simply folded his fan and turned to leave. The lantern bearer, however, was quite cheerful: "Sir, don't we still need to go outside Anding Gate?"

The old clerk, upon hearing this, fell to his knees with a thud, grasping Liu Jian's thigh and pleading repeatedly, "My lord, save me, my lord, save me!" Liu Jian cast a glance at the lamp holder and thought to himself that it was this little servant who had caused him trouble. He extended his hands to help the old clerk up and comforted him, saying, "Although this calamity is perilous, it is not insurmountable. However, you must tell me everything that has happened these past few days in detail."

Liu Jian looked at the sky; it was already noon. He then instructed, "Bring the lamp and follow me home to fetch the compass."

Liu Jian scolded, "Why did you come here without ink and paper?"

Shen Wansan is not merely a figure from folklore. The 1979 revised edition of the "Ciyuan" records: "Shen Wansan, a native of Wuxing during the Ming Dynasty, styled Zhongrong. Later moved to Suzhou. He was immensely wealthy, known as the richest family in Jiangnan. When Zhu Yuanzhang established the capital in Nanjing, he summoned him and ordered him to present a thousand taels of silver and a hundred pounds of gold annually. His family provided substantial resources for military horses and grain. Subsequently, he was exiled to Yunnan due to a crime (some say Liaoyang), yet his descendants continued to be affluent."

Liu Jian entered the room and looked around. He found the interior quite simple, with only a few plain wooden tables and chairs, and an old bamboo bookshelf, where scrolls and writing materials were haphazardly placed. Against the wall stood a wooden bed with a woven mat, suggesting that the old scribe worked and lived in the same room. In the center of the hall was a writing desk, beside which stood a half-foot tall jade Pixiu, considered the only ornate decoration in the room.

Liu Jian saw that he was becoming increasingly incoherent and quickly interrupted, "Shut up, stop talking nonsense!" Peng Deng immediately fell silent, retracting his neck. Liu Jian continued, "Extraordinary events must have extraordinary causes; they are all unpredictable in terms of fortune and misfortune. People like you, who rush over to investigate anything unusual, will eventually lose your life. Remember, we have come to Beijing on official business; we can enjoy the festivities, but we should refrain from meddling in trivial matters.

He took another sip of wine and explained: "In the nineteenth year of the Hongwu era, which was exactly twenty years ago, I was in the capital, where the Ministry of Revenue was auditing land taxes. I discovered that Shen Fu's son, Shen Wang, was suspected of underreporting and concealing taxes, so I sent someone to raid his home. Although I had never seen Shen Wang, I did meet his two sons, Shen Zhi and Shen Zhuang—who are Shen Fu's grandsons. At that time, they had just passed the imperial examination and were both around twenty years old. You can calculate that twenty years ago, their grandfather, Shen Wansan from Nantong, must have been at least fifty years old. However, the Shen Wansan from Beijing, who was killed a few days ago, despite being covered in mud and dirt, was clearly a person who could not have been over forty years old."

Having spoken, Liu Jian flicked his sleeve and strode directly out of the Berlin Temple, holding a lamp in his left hand and a green porcelain teapot, while cradling an oiled paper umbrella in his right hand. He also had a blue cotton bag slung over his shoulder, with his servant following closely behind. The two of them walked and strolled, and before long, they arrived at Anding Gate. At this time, Beijing was bustling with construction, with buildings and platforms being erected everywhere. The streets were filled with carts transporting bricks, tiles, wood, and stones, turning the entire city into a large construction site shrouded in dust and smoke. Although Anding Gate was not a restricted area, it was still lively and bustling, with people and horses creating a clamor. Upon reaching Anding Gate, the lamp holder's small green bean-like eyes darted around, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ten vats of gold. Liu Jian knew that this fellow was merely an ordinary person and did not bother to restrain him, continuing on his way.

Hearing him say he wanted to come to see the official report, the yamen runners curled their lips: "The yamen is under renovation, and the prison has been demolished..."

Holding the lamp beside him, he couldn't help but interject: "What about the matter of Shen Wansan? Why is it not mentioned?" The old scribe scratched his head and replied, "I am merely a bystander; it has nothing to do with me. What use is there in speaking?" The lamp holder slapped the table and shouted loudly, "Whether it is useful or not, only what our esteemed master says is to be heeded!" Upon hearing the name "Shen Wansan," Liu Jian felt somewhat helpless and raised his hand to pinch the Tianming acupoint, saying, "Speak, you must speak."

I have come to serve the esteemed lord, and I have only just arrived. I behold the calm seas and clear rivers, with merchants gathering in abundance; how fortunate indeed, how fortunate indeed

The old clerk hurriedly grasped his sleeve and said, "My lord, where are you going?"

Upon hearing Liu Jian's question, Meng Deng wore a puzzled expression, pondering when he had ever taken the time to engage in such matters, as he had been busy chatting and joking all along

Liu Jian heard this and let out a cold snort through his nose: "I fear it is not what I want, but rather you, having listened to them yesterday, want to go see the commotion, right?" The lamp holder, having been seen through, awkwardly touched his neck and suddenly leaned in closer to whisper, "But sir, are you really not going to take a look? Who knows, we might just find that key to the Malan flower, and then we could strike it rich. You could even donate for a fifth-rank official..."

At the entrance of the yamen stood two constables, one hand gripping a large staff and the other resting on a waist knife, truly exuding an imposing presence and a fierce aura. Upon presenting a name card with a lantern, the constable glanced at it and saw it was from a minor official of the sixth rank. Without offering any greeting, he simply replied, "The esteemed one is not in the residence; please come back in the afternoon." Liu Jian, shaking his folding fan, smiled and said, "I am here to read the official gazette."

The residence is not large, with vegetable gardens in both the front and back, and a deep ditch for water storage has been dug. A fence wall stands as high as a person, and two constables are stationed at the entrance, merely holding sticks and not wearing swords. Liu Jian had the lamp bearer present his name card, but none of the constables could read; they merely craned their necks to ask who he was.

Since you are unwilling to speak honestly, how can I assist you

"My family's master is Lord Liu, the Left Director of the Zhan Shi Fu." The lamp holder replied in a similarly haughty manner.

Liu Jian lightly waved his folding fan and asked, "Is there anything else?" The old clerk, feeling troubled, replied, "I truly cannot think of anything else; surely I do not need to inform you about eating and sleeping as well"

At the age of twenty-seven

May I inquire about your esteemed age

Holding the lamp, Yi listened intently, overjoyed: "I hope you, esteemed elder, will not hesitate to enlighten me." The scribe, feeling quite pleased with himself, stroked his goatee, and his chin instinctively lifted: "This Shen Wansan is indeed a remarkable figure in Beijing, known by all as the 'Living God of Wealth.' If you were to beat him up, and if it were done severely, he would casually point..." Yi, fixated on the ten vats of gold, interrupted the conversation, pressing for more details: "I have heard enough of that; may I ask how it came to be that he was beaten to death?"

Liu Jian furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment, then asked, "When did this happen?" "The beggar Shen Wansan was killed?" Niu Lu replied, "It was just over half a month ago, Commander. You were probably on your way to Beijing at that time." Liu Jian asked again, "Where was this person buried?" Niu Lu chuckled, "A beggar, what does it matter where he is buried? At that time, it was right outside Anding Gate, next to the military training ground; they just dug a random pit and buried him on the spot..."

Oh? You are quite well-informed. I did not count the details, but I heard the constable shout after Shen Wansan was killed, 'Eight hundred seventy-four strokes of the water and fire rod, to be paid in full.' Tsk tsk, eight hundred seventy-four strokes, even a great immortal would be smashed to pieces. Unfortunately, I did not understand what Shen Wansan shouted when he was being beaten.

Liu Jian listened to his words, let out a light sigh, and slowly said, "Very well, since I have encountered this, it must be fate, of course." After speaking, he turned to the old scribe and said, "Old sir, it seems that you are about to face great misfortune in the coming days."

Shen Wansan

Such a strange story captivated even the one holding the lamp beside them, who interjected, asking, "How do you know this?" Liu Jian kicked him under the table and commanded, "Fill the cups!" The lamp holder shrank his neck and hurriedly came over to refill the drinks for the two. Niu Lu took a small sip of wine and proudly explained, "Only I can determine that this Shen Wansan is not that Shen Wansan. Why do I say this? Logically, it is reasonable that Shen Fu from Nantong was exiled to Yunnan, escaped to Beijing, and ended up on the streets as a beggar. Unfortunately, their ages are completely inconsistent and do not match the records."

Unexpectedly, the name Shen Wansan has suddenly reappeared in Beijing. Liu Jian, upon hearing this, could not help but exclaim in surprise, "Could it be Shen Sanxiu from Nantong?!" Niu Lu pointed at Liu Jian, his eyes shining with excitement: "The Governor has also thought of that. What a coincidence! Back in the day when the capital was being constructed, a Shen Wansan emerged, and now, as Beijing is to be built, another Shen Wansan has appeared. However, it should only be a coincidence; this Shen Wansan is not the same as the previous one."

Liu Jianyi pointed to the jade Pixiu placed in the hall and asked, "Could it be that this Pixiu's horn was broken by itself?" Holding the lamp and looking closely, he indeed found that the right horn of the jade Pixiu was broken, leaving only a round mark on its head. He exclaimed in indignation, and Liu Jian's expression darkened: "In this room, besides me and the scribe, there is only you left. Who else could it be?"

It is said that Shen Wansan endured over 800 blows before finally breathing his last, is that true

The clerk replied, "That day I went to deliver the official report and happened to be at the military training ground, where I saw Shen Wansan being brought in. Strangely enough, although the beggar was beaten to a pulp, his face looked just like an ordinary person's, somewhat resembling someone who had just woken up. Later, the soldiers dug three feet into the ground but found nothing, which infuriated the governor, who ordered them to beat him again. It was quite a sight; if you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, you wouldn't know. Shen Wansan was beaten so badly that it was a scene of blood and flesh flying everywhere, drenched in blood, and his bones were almost shattered." As he spoke, he made loud gestures, mimicking the actions of the officers beating him, causing the lamp holder to step back in fright.

That millet porridge door, red line tied around the wrist

Liu Jian finished speaking and turned back to stare directly at the old scribe, causing him to lower his head in silence. Deng Deng, upon hearing this, jumped to the old scribe's side and mockingly threatened, "You cunning old man, even at this point, you still refuse to speak the truth. Truly, those who bring misfortune upon themselves cannot live!"

In the "Records of Yun Jiao Pavilion" by Kong Er from the Ming Dynasty, it is stated that the grains used for brewing wine in the family of Shen Wansan came from dozens of acres of fertile land. In "Notes from the Green Day" by Tian Yiheng, it is mentioned that Zhu Yuanzhang intended to reward the three armies, and Shen Wansan expressed his willingness to provide the reward money. Zhu Yuanzhang challenged him, saying, "I have a million troops; can you reward them all?" In response, Shen Wansan generously agreed, stating that he would grant each soldier one tael of gold.

"I have prepared this for you in advance!" The servant proudly took out a large compass, about half a foot square, from his bosom, saying, "I was worried that something might happen to you, so I carry it with me every day." Liu Jian was unsure whether to praise the servant for his thoughtfulness or to scold him for being overly fussy, and could only manage a faint smile. He then turned to the old scribe and instructed, "Fetch three taels of millet, cook it into a paste, and mix it with brown sugar water. Seal the gaps of both front and back doors with it. If there is any left over, apply it to the wall facing north. Also, make a paper effigy, clearly writing your birth date and time on it, and place it under the Pixiu. Use a red thread to tie it to your wrist. The door must not be opened, and the thread must not be cut; otherwise, no one can save you. Just sit here and wait for my return."

At that time, all significant matters from the four corners would converge in the capital, where they would be compiled along with the court's major policies into a volume, which would then be copied and distributed to officials and even gentry in various regions for their perusal. This is known as the "Dibao." Officials of the fifth rank and above would each receive a copy of the Dibao, but someone of Liu Jian's rank could only borrow it for viewing at the Dibao copying office set up in the local government office.

The old clerk beside him hurriedly intervened, saying, "The desk is equipped with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones; the officer may use them as he pleases, as they will be reimbursed by the government anyway"

Liu Jian lifted his robe and sat down, beginning to turn the pages of the official gazette one by one. Beside him, the lamp holder stood idly, noticing that his master was engrossed in reading, so he quietly approached the scribe to strike up a conversation. This old scribe was originally a pedantic scholar who, having failed the provincial examination, resorted to this minor position as a clerk. He always felt that his talents were unrecognized, and upon encountering this equally pretentious lamp holder, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of camaraderie.

Upon hearing this, the old clerk couldn't help but glance into the room, astonished: "Is it possible that Lord Liu possesses such abilities?" He clapped his hands while holding the lamp, extended his thumb, and shook his head with great pride: "Do not think that my esteemed superior holds merely the position of Left Director of the Department; in reality, he secretly possesses extraordinary skills, including geomancy, face reading, palace divination, and the art of fortune-telling..."

One of these two individuals is an old student who has not progressed in his studies, while the other is a young child with little education. As they exchanged words, their conversation became increasingly congenial and animated. Before long, the topic shifted to Shen Wansan. Seeing Liu Jian engrossed in the official gazette, he tugged at the old scholar's sleeve and pulled him to the doorway, whispering, "Have you heard about Shen Wansan?" The scholar, being a curious person himself, immediately brightened at the mention of "Shen Wansan," disregarding his usual formalities: "Ah, you have indeed asked the right person about this matter."

The old clerk hesitated repeatedly and finally stammered a response: "Actually... actually, that day, after the black-clad officials killed Shen Wansan, many people stepped forward to trample on his corpse. I, I also went up and stepped on him a few times, that's all, that's all"

Indeed, he sealed the door gap and tied his wrist, so he dared not open the door and run around, having no choice but to stay at home—actually, it serves no other purpose. Liu Jian looked at the lamp he was holding, let out a long sigh, and explained, "Although I see dark energy at his forehead, it is not enough for an immediate calamity, so there is no need to worry." The lamp holder asked, "So where are we going now?" Liu Jian pointed to the distant archway: "Shuntian Prefecture. There are many doubts regarding the matter of Shen Wansan. If my calculations are correct, this old scribe's calamity is merely a minor issue; I fear there are greater waves awaiting us ahead!"

Holding the lamp, he asked: "Could it be that key to the Marlan flower?" The scribe furrowed his brow, tilted his head, and pondered for a moment, hesitantly replying: "Everyone says so, but whether it is true or false is hard to say." He let out a gentle sigh: "Ah, if I were to obtain ten vats of gold, I would die immediately, and what would I have to regret?" The scribe nodded repeatedly: "Indeed, indeed, that is true. Actually, after the official left, the onlookers surrounded the corpse and took a turn beating it, each harboring a sense of luck, thinking that if Shen Wansan had not yet breathed his last, perhaps with a few more blows, he might reveal some secrets—until the coroner arrived to collect the body, everyone finally dispersed.

It seems that the two constables had never heard of the Zhan Shifu and were completely unaware of the rank of the Left Si Zhi Lang. They only recognized the character "Lang," which certainly indicated a position of status, far beyond their own unrefined standing. They quickly put on smiles, bowed, and said: "Sir, you must be here to read the official gazette. Please feel free to enter. If I may suggest, it would be much more convenient for you to wear your official robes when going out."

Not only are there these unofficial historical notes, but there are also relevant records in the official history. The "History of Ming: Biography of Empress Xiaoci Gao" states: The wealthy man Shen Xiu from Wuxing helped to construct one-third of Nanjing City, and then requested to use his own funds to reward the three armies. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious: "How dare a mere commoner reward the army of the Son of Heaven! This is a rebellion, and he should be executed!" Fortunately, Empress Xiaoci Gao (Empress Ma) intervened and persuaded him, thus sparing Shen Xiu from the death penalty and instead sentencing him to exile in Yunnan.

Liu Jian let out a sound of contemplation, paused for a moment, and then asked, "How did it break?" The old clerk replied, "It's quite strange. About ten days ago, just before I went to bed, this item was perfectly fine. The next morning, I woke up to find the right corner broken. The oddest part is that I searched the entire house but couldn't find the broken piece; I have no idea where it went... It can't even be glued back together..." The strangest part is that I searched the entire house but couldn't find the broken piece; I have no idea where it went... It can't even be glued back together...

What strange events occurred that night

In the late Yuan Dynasty, there was a wealthy merchant in Nantong named Shen Fu, courtesy name Jianrong, and his nickname was Sanxiu. Due to his immense wealth, he was commonly referred to as "Shen Wansan" among the people. This Shen Wansan was quite remarkable; it was said that he possessed a magical treasure pot at home, which could double any gold or silver treasure placed inside it, endlessly multiplying. He had once provided financial support to Zhang Shicheng in Suzhou, but after Lord Hongwu defeated Zhang Shicheng, Shen Wansan offered a large sum of money to seek clemency. Coincidentally, Lord Hongwu was planning to rebuild Nanjing, and he said to Shen Wansan: "If you can help construct one-third of the city, then you will have merit and no fault." He had once provided financial support to Zhang Shicheng in Suzhou, but after Lord Hongwu defeated Zhang Shicheng, Shen Wansan offered a large sum of money to seek clemency. Coincidentally, Lord Hongwu was planning to rebuild Nanjing, and he said to Shen Wansan: "If you can help construct one-third of the city, then you will have merit and no fault."

The old scribe was startled, and the scroll he held fell to the ground with a "thud". Trembling, he asked, "My lord, why do you say that?" Liu Jian walked over to the Pixiu, gently stroking the jade beast's head with his right hand: "The Pixiu is a beast that wards off evil. Its horn is now broken, which is the reason it has protected you from disaster. If it were not for its presence, you would have already died more than ten days ago." The old scribe felt a wave of fear and asked again, "So am I safe now?"

The old clerk then recounted once more what he had just said while holding the lamp. After listening, Liu Jian asked, "Is that all?" The old clerk repeatedly affirmed this. Liu Jian's expression slightly darkened: "Then I must apologize for my inability to assist you." He stood up to leave.

Upon hearing this, Peng Deng hurried over to help his master grind the ink. Liu Jian shot him a glance and snorted coldly, but he did not want to escalate the situation further. He then picked up the brush, dipped it in the ink, and spread out a piece of rough-edged paper to write down several dozen characters. After folding it up and tucking it into his bosom, he called for Peng Deng to tidy up the tea saucer before standing up to bid farewell to the old scribe

The "Ming History: Biography of Wang Xing" recounts from one perspective that Wang Xing, a native of Wu County, was invited by the wealthy local merchant Shen Wansan to serve as a tutor during his youth, often receiving a full ingot of silver as compensation. However, Ming history expert Mr. Gu Cheng has authored a special article titled "An Examination of Shen Wansan and His Family's Achievements," in which he refutes the claim that Shen Wansan was a person of the early Ming Dynasty, asserting instead that he was born and died during the Yuan Dynasty. All records regarding Shen Wansan's "achievements" in the early Ming period are deemed to be misattributions.

Liu Jianyi raised his finely arched eyebrows and said: "How dare this copying house say it will be demolished just like that? Where is the current location of that official report?"

After a night of silence, early the next morning, Liu Jian got up early. After washing up, he dressed as he had the night before and called for the lantern bearer to follow him out. The lantern bearer asked, "Your Excellency... um... sir, where are you going?" Liu Jian casually replied, "An Ding Gate." The lantern bearer chuckled, "Are you going to find the grave of that Shen Wansan?"

Not bad. The character for "double" is ominous; the presence of the character "double" signifies that misfortune does not come alone. Moreover, there is also the character "zhai" lurking nearby, which makes it even more perilous. Liu Jian paused for a moment and then said, "I just calculated with my fingers, it should be within these few days."

As the conversation was only halfway through, Liu Jian suddenly shouted from inside the room: "Bring the lamp, and go fetch another pot of tea!" At this, Deng Deng was jolted awake and hurriedly ran over to attend to him. Liu Jian glanced at him and coldly asked, "You were bragging with others again, weren't you?" Before Deng Deng could respond, he received a heavy blow to his forehead.

I can only lament that our esteemed master has no interest; otherwise, this gold would surely have fallen into my hands.

Liu Jianyi waved his fan and said, "I am the Left Director of the Zhan Shi Fu, and I have come today specifically to check the official gazette." The clerk responded with an "Oh," and laughed, saying, "Everyone is busy, very busy. It is commendable that you, sir, still remember to come and look at the gazette; my efforts have not been in vain." He opened half the door and gestured for them to enter.

The old clerk received a name card from Liu Jian, placed it in the cabinet for filing, and then respectfully took down the latest copy of the official gazette from the bookshelf. He spread it flat on the table, brewed a pot of large-leaf tea with the teapot brought by the attendant, set it aside, and then invited Liu Jian to take a seat

Shen Wansan indeed spent money to repair one-third of Nanjing City. Not only that, he also built 1,654 sections of galleries and four restaurants in the city, which he additionally presented to Lord Hongwu. Lord Hongwu was so pleased that he indeed pardoned Shen Wansan for his crimes of treason and also appointed his two sons to official positions

The old clerk, upon hearing their argument, hurried over to speak favorably on behalf of the lamp holder: "My lord, you are truly wronging this young man. The horn of the Pixiu has been broken for about ten days, and it is indeed unrelated to him."

Holding the lamp, he said: "Aren't you going to the grave of Shen Wansan to conduct a geomantic assessment?" Liu Jian retorted: "It's not like we're selecting a date for burial, what is there to assess about the grave site? I originally just wanted to find an excuse to leave by borrowing a compass, but you disrupted that, causing me to waste quite a bit of breath."

I do not dare to claim respect, having idled away sixty-two springs. May I ask, how do you fare?

The two of them stepped out, and Liu Jian headed straight south. Deng Deng hurriedly called out, "My lord, north is this way!" Liu Jian paid him no mind and continued walking forward, forcing Deng Deng to hastily follow. After walking for about a mile, Liu Jian finally uttered two words to Deng Deng: "Busybody!"