Chapter 006: Xiong Tingbi

Yangcun Post Officer Han Xin has met with the official!

Huang Zhen nodded and said

Like the beasts on the African savanna

Yang Xin calmly met his gaze

To live is merely to exist

Even the shallow boats are fully loaded with several hundred stones of grain, and when encountering shallow waters, they purely rely on the hard pulling of the boatmen. The water level in the upper section of the North Canal is very shallow, often with accumulated sandbars; otherwise, there would not be so many shallow berths established.

Huang Zhen and his daughter turned their heads in astonishment, looking at him as if he had gone mad. The old steward across from them also turned his head in surprise, but it was evident that they did not understand Cantonese, all wearing expressions of confusion. ... As Yang Xin's Cantonese song echoed, two boats sailed forward with the wind, flanked by merchant ships, shallow-draft boats, and small peeling boats, even the yellow boats specifically used for transporting goods to the palace, all similarly sailing forward with the wind

This is the granddaughter of Wang Keshou, who came from the hometown of Hubei Huangmei. She appears to be around fifteen or sixteen years old, a youthful and beautiful girl, charming and lovely, though somewhat foolishly naive. She is accompanied by an old steward, six armed servants, a maid, and two young female attendants. They have been traveling for a full three months, having embarked on this long journey since the beginning of spring. The young girl, nearing her destination, looks cheerful, and yesterday's fall into the water did not leave her with any psychological shadow. However, what surprised Yang Xin is that there seems to be no constraint of feudal ethics on her. She often bounces out of her cabin along the way, like a joyful little sparrow.

This does not resemble a refined young lady at all

Li Zhi's disciple

It is evident that this is also a person with a story

He said

In a makeshift shelter constructed from worn-out wood, dried grass, and all manner of found debris, ragged women hold their emaciated children, treading through the flowing sewage, gazing at them with vacant eyes

They only tie a piece of tattered cloth around their waists to cover the front, but there is no covering at all in the back. Their profession and income determine that clothing is a luxury for them. However, these individuals are all very strong, each with a muscular physique, but not the kind of muscles developed in a gym; rather, they are not overly pronounced, yet give the impression of being as solid as iron. No one stands straight; they all have a slight hunch, carrying a bow for pulling, which is similar to a small carrying pole made of wood, to prevent the pulling ropes from chafing their bodies. All of them have faces marked by a grayness that reflects a severe depletion of life. They engage in the most hopeless of professions, and for them, life is nothing but a daily struggle.

The old steward nodded and then walked into the cabin, while Yang Xinyong looked at Huang Ying with a puzzled expression

This does indeed resemble it to some extent

Huang Ying said discontentedly from the side

Huang Ying said in a tone that carried a chill.

The soldiers were in complete disarray, the courier lay on the ground continuing to wail, while Huang Zhen and the old steward retreated in shock

This is truly poor

Yang Xin humbly seeks guidance

The next day, Yang Xin was unable to sing anymore

Yangcun Post Station

Huang Zhen is bewildered

Miss Wang in front was still curiously leaning on the window, watching them

These boatmen are simply destined to be unrelated to the prosperous era

The insignia on this official's chest features a bird, which signifies that he is a civil official. The shape of the bird resembles that of a white pheasant, with a red beak and red legs, spreading its wings and trailing a long tail. However, Yang Xin does not have much knowledge about this and is unaware of the significance of this insignia.

Then the official said

But he is just despicable

The latter glared at him

Endure it, save more during the river opening period, drink thin porridge in winter to get by, if one cannot hold on, one will starve to death, the court will provide some relief, after all, if too many boatmen starve, there will be a shortage of labor next year. However, do not expect too much, it is just about trying to minimize starvation, as long as it does not affect next year's grain transport, that is sufficient. Ultimately, living is a struggle for survival, just like us; they may live more harshly, but they have the advantage of stability in their lives, while we feast on meat and drink wine, yet we must keep our heads above water.

Uh?

The boatmen are all without clothing

Yang Xin said

The old steward and Huang Zhen followed suit in bowing, while Yang Xin imitated them; however, unlike the others who bowed their heads, he performed the gesture with his head held high, looking at the other party with a distinct lack of respect.

This is not one of those cargo boats

Having spoken, she climbed into her boudoir

Huang Laoda truly knows everything

This is a cruel law of nature

Huang Zhen patted him on the shoulder and said

Uncle Huang truly knows everything

He does not know this person either

What to do in winter

You young people have not witnessed the grandeur of Li Zhi's lectures in his time, which even the highest officials could not compare to. When he began to speak, there was no distinction between scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, nor between men and women, young and old; everyone gathered as if to pay homage to the Buddha. Not only did Vice Minister Wang attend, but many high-ranking officials also took him as their teacher. His teachings were indeed quite reasonable, but they strayed too far from the orthodox, resulting in his arrest by the Ministry of Rites for promoting heresy, and he ultimately took a razor to his own neck. Since his death, very few have dared to publicly lecture in such a manner over the years; the rules have indeed become more stringent, yet the Ming Dynasty has become like a stagnant pool of water.

Yang Xin was astonished

Make a joke

Indeed, it was Vice Minister Wang who erected the stele at the tomb of Li Zhi's disciple in Tongzhou.

A laugh echoes across the vast sea, while the tides surge on both shores

Take it down

A few years ago, there was a famine in the Shandong region, and many starving people came along the canal seeking a means of survival. As the number of boatmen increased but the work available did not suffice, they naturally suffered more.

However, just as they arrived at the inn's entrance, more than ten riders came galloping towards them, led by an official in a blue robe. As these individuals hastily reined in their horses, the stationmaster's expression changed, and he quickly stepped forward to bow and pay his respects

And those men are truly bare-bodied

Then the official suddenly smiled

The scream finally erupted

Yang Xin suddenly exclaimed

What does a young lady from a prominent family look like

This must be done to serve the ancestors

There is no need for them to discuss matters of price; the stationmaster is almost treating the old steward like a deity. Yangcun Post is also under the jurisdiction of Wang Ke, and the stationmaster is merely a low-ranking official without any title. Although the old steward is just a steward, one who is entrusted with such an important responsibility by the master must certainly be a trusted confidant.

The wind has stopped

Huang Zhen sighed

However, in the southern regions, especially along the Yangtze River such as in the Yingtian area, women from wealthy families are not as constrained by traditional etiquette and are more likely to show themselves in public. In contrast, wealthy families in the north tend to adhere to stricter rules, but to say that they never step outside their front door or even their second door is somewhat exaggerated. As for Deputy Minister Wang, he was a disciple of Li Zhi, who was imprisoned and committed suicide for promoting heretical views. This faction is particularly indifferent to traditional etiquette, and it is likely that the Wang family’s young lady was raised in such an environment.

The official did not look at the stationmaster, but instead turned his gaze towards Yang Xin

Moreover, it is the original version in Cantonese

Yang Xin suddenly sang loudly

Excuse me, sir, what is the name of this white pheasant on your chest

Yang Xin inquired

The more than ten soldiers who had dismounted behind him hurried forward

With lightning-fast reflexes, Yang Xin leaped up without hesitation, landing on the bent back of the courier in front of him. Amidst the latter's wailing, he jumped again, reaching a height of three meters, almost soaring down towards the official. A cold glint flashed as the official's sword was drawn, but it was ultimately too late. In mid-air, Yang Xin's right hand shot out like lightning, seizing the official's wrist that held the sword. Just as he brushed against the horse's body and landed, he pressed down, then sprang up for a third time, pulling the official's wrist behind him while simultaneously lifting the sword, which was now positioned horizontally in front of the official's neck.

With an increase in the number of boatmen, it becomes difficult to earn enough money. When winter arrives and the canal freezes, a portion of them will starve, or they will seek other means of survival. Consequently, in the following year, with fewer people, those who remain will earn more, and new migrants will join, continuing the cycle.

All officials, instruct the women to prepare to withdraw

Um, shouldn't it be that one does not step out of the front door or the second door, smiles without showing teeth, walks with a sway, usually holds a stick to tend to flowers and birds, occasionally raises one's head to cough a couple of times at the leaves falling from above, and sighs, "Who cares for the fading fragrance and the withering beauty?"

Do you know what you are doing

The official glanced indifferently at the blade before his neck, then let out a cold laugh without changing his expression

Yang Xinyong looked at Huang Zhen with a meaningful gaze

He truly did not expect that a disciple of Li Zhi could attain such a high official position

It is each one's fate

In the last line, he feigned a mournful demeanor and sang it in the tune of an opera, which immediately prompted Huang Ying to break into a radiant smile

Call Uncle

Huang Zhen greeted Yang Xin, and at that moment, the old steward also came out. The three of them went ashore together, and the old steward directly sought out the stationmaster, who immediately bowed and led him to a village of boatmen. Although it was called a village, it was actually composed of countless shanties, resembling a slum-like settlement, which were almost ubiquitous along the banks of the canal from Yang Village to Tongzhou. This section of the canal was completely devoid of tidal assistance and was also upstream; unless one was fortunate enough to encounter a favorable wind, they had to rely on the boatmen. This section housed a hundred thousand boatmen, theoretically managed by the military garrison, but in reality, it was merely a gathering of displaced people from various regions.

Yang Xin stood on the deck, gazing at Miss Wang, who was leaning against the window on the ship to his right front

But ... ...

Huang Zhen said with a smile

Yang Xin readily changed his words to align with the good advice given to him

He then stated

My fate is determined by me, not by heaven

Soon, he came over with more than a dozen boatmen, bowing and scraping. The leader, a middle-aged man, appeared to be quite displeased, clearly indicating that the courier had not offered them a fair price. In fact, it was hard to say whether they would be compensated at all. The courier was indeed a minor official, and not the chief authority here; there were also river supervisors and inspectors in this area. However, it was still quite easy for him to manage these boatmen. Nevertheless, their task was not strenuous. Although the Wang family owned a large boat, it was only carrying a small amount of cargo; otherwise, they would not have been able to navigate upstream of Yangcun. The Huang family operated a small, shallow-draft boat, which was also very light.

Yang Xin expressed heartfelt sentiments

This is a Bai Xian, meaning a fifth-rank civil official. I, Xiong Tingbi, the Deputy Minister of the Dali Temple and concurrently the Inspector of Henan Road, have been ordered to enter the capital to pay my respects to Your Majesty. Are you not afraid that this action will lead to the extermination of your entire clan

Huang Zhen said

It is as if a group of zombies mechanically repeats each day

He pointed at Yang Xin with a riding whip and said

Although Wang Ke would certainly not remember his flattery for such a trivial matter

The latter said

Yang Xin said with a smile

Having resolved the issue with the boatmen, Yang Xin and his companions swiftly returned to the relay station

Huang Zhen looked at the almost motionless flag and said