Chapter 9, Already Planned

"Didn’t we just say this? This is the only way we can manage it." Manager Pan set down the purple clay teapot and said with a dark expression: "The people should not contend with the officials. Although Han Si is not an official, he is still not someone to be trifled with. He has been going to the yamen to make a living with that short-lived ghost Han Yucai since he was eight years old. What hasn’t he experienced? You haven’t been there; if you had gone with us, you would know how difficult he is to deal with."

Can you fill in the gaps? Han Xiufeng is not confident, but he has long had plans to go to the capital. He smiled and said: "Every year, Yunnan has to deliver copper from Yunnan to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, and every time the copper is transported, it must pass through our Baxian. The waterway in our Baxian section is difficult to navigate, and almost every year there are capsizes. That copper is transported to the capital for minting money, and when it capsizes in our Baxian, the officials will require the Sichuan gang to send porters to retrieve the copper ingots from the river. Uncle Guan, speaking of which, you have not been short of the task of retrieving copper over the years." The copper is transported to the capital for minting money, and when it capsizes in our Baxian, the officials will require the Sichuan gang to send porters to retrieve the copper ingots from the river. Uncle Guan, speaking of which, you have not been short of the task of retrieving copper over the years.

I understand, I am not in a hurry! It is quite difficult for a coroner to find a wife, it feels like a dream, and I am so excited that I do not know what to say.

This is a matter concerning the Han family, and it is not appropriate for Captain Guan to comment on it, but I am very curious about what Han Xiufeng means

Pan Changsheng closed his folding fan and sat down, saying: "Elder brother, father agreed to the extension out of sheer helplessness. As merchants, we cannot afford to offend those unscrupulous yamen runners. If we truly provoke them, who knows if they will come to falsely accuse us of having stolen goods in our shop? At that point, even jumping into the Yellow River would not clear our names"

The head of the guard's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but laugh, saying: "Talk to the master who transports copper, and take their boat!"

... ...

Observing his hesitance after finishing the guarantee, Han Xiufeng set down his teacup and walked over to him, patting his arm: "Zhuzi, I know you like my youngest sister; it's quite evident. She also likes you, and you two can be considered childhood sweethearts. However, your grandfather is a coroner, your father is a coroner, and you are following in their footsteps as a coroner, albeit still an apprentice. If my uncle were alive, he would never agree to betroth my youngest sister to you."

Upon arriving home, Manager Pan instructed his eldest son, Pan Changxi, to properly store the newly issued promissory note and the property deed from the Han family. Pan Changxi, looking at the still wet ink on the promissory note, asked in confusion: "Father, Han Yucai borrowed two thousand taels, and now that he is dead, this debt cannot be postponed. Why do you say we can grant an extension?"

"What else can we do without leniency?" Manager Pan held the purple clay teapot, explaining the intricacies of the situation, growing more regretful as he spoke, and helplessly sighed: "Han Yucai was bewitched; upon reflection, weren't we the same? If we hadn't listened to his nonsense back then, we wouldn't have so many issues today. One learns from experience; in the future, if we encounter such a deal again, we must resolutely refuse to engage."

The head of the guard was also very pleased, but after thinking it over, he couldn't help but remind, "Si Wazi, Zhuzi and Yaomei have been childhood sweethearts, this is indeed a good match, but will your uncle's spirit in heaven... will it..."

Pan Changxi put away the IOU and turned back to say: "A grace period is a grace period, but you need not go to the capital with him. The capital is so far away, and it is unfamiliar territory; can we rest assured with you going alone?"

The head of the guard pondered and said: "The transportation of copper has a timeline; it must be shipped and arrive in the capital within a specified period. The local authorities along the route only guarantee that the copper will not be robbed within their jurisdictions, but they do not provide assurances against natural disasters such as capsizing. In short, if the copper does not arrive on time, the transport officials will not have an easy time. The county magistrate is not as effective as the current management; as long as the ship capsizes in our Ba County waterways, whether it can be salvaged and when it can be salvaged is not up to us to decide."

"Fourth Brother, it would naturally be good if we could take a ship carrying copper to the capital, but what will we do once we arrive in the capital?" Zhuzi asked again.

"Has Aunt nodded in agreement, Fourth Brother?" Zhuzi asked eagerly

This is where I need Uncle Guan's help. He may not allow me to board the ship, but does he dare to guarantee that the ship carrying copper won't capsize in our Baxian waterway

He nodded, but he still needs to wait a few years to marry the younger sister, as my uncle has just passed away and she must observe the mourning period

"One can only take one step at a time," Han Xiufeng thought for a moment and then raised his arm to point in the direction of the Tongxing Pawnshop: "Isn't Pan's second son supposed to go with me? When it comes to business, he is the young master of Tongxing Pawnshop, but once we are on the road, he will be my servant. In this world, how can a master eat while his servant starves? Moreover, if I were to starve to death, who would he go to for the more than 3,000 taels of silver?"

The head of the guards laughed and said, "So it is not a bad thing that his son is following along."

This is indeed a solution, but can the official in charge of delivering the copper from Yunnan allow you to board the ship

"Fourth brother, please stop talking. I... I won't let the little sister down!" The pillar-faced man turned bright red.

There is no need to pay for transportation, and insurance is provided along the way. If one can serve the gentlemen delivering the copper from Yunnan well, it is possible to secure a place on a free boat to the capital without spending a single penny

But... but this is too cheap for them

This statement hits the nail on the head; one cannot believe a single word from officials! It is surprising that your uncle has served in the government for so many years and still cannot grasp this principle. Head Constable Guan deeply agreed and then asked, "Si Wazi, you still haven't mentioned how to get to the capital."

Indeed, " Guan Butou nodded, looking at the pillar and said: "Do not think too much about it; a humble profession is still a profession. Being able to support the entire family is what truly matters. Your uncle and I have had three generations serving in the government, and our Guan family has managed this humble profession for so many years. Yet, who would dare to look down upon me, Guan Da?"

The art of corpse handling is a family heirloom of Zhuzi, yet Zhuzi does not wish to partake in this profession that is universally regarded as inauspicious and is unwelcome wherever one goes. He longs to accompany Han Xiufeng to the capital to broaden his horizons. However, considering the distance to the capital, having one more person would mean an additional expense, so he did not dare to voice this desire and remained silent, squatting under the tree in a gloomy mood

This is exactly what I think. Han Xiufeng grinned, revealing his white teeth

This is a serious matter and also a significant one, the pillar hurriedly stood up and said: "Fourth Brother, you can rest assured, with me here, no one dares to bully them"

Having grown up together, Han Xiufeng certainly understood his thoughts. He turned back and said: "Zhuzi, my aunt and younger sister are women of the household, my father and my three older brothers are all honest men, and Uncle Guan is usually busy. After I leave, you need to help me take care of this family a bit more."

"Uncle Guan, are you asking whether my uncle will die with his eyes open?" Han Xiufeng sighed deeply and said helplessly, "You know my family's situation all too well. My uncle has always wanted to adopt me to continue the family line. My father would definitely agree, and I am willing, but it cannot be done! If my aunt recognizes me as her heir, I would have to observe mourning, and for three years I cannot go to the capital to offer my services. How can I get past Manager Pan's hurdle then?"

Let me finish speaking," Han Xiufeng walked to the front of the main hall, looking at the spirit tablet of Han Yucai, and said solemnly: "This morning, I had a conversation with my aunt. Our family has suffered such a great change, and my aunt is truly disheartened. In the days to come, we do not seek great wealth or nobility, only to live in peace and safety. What is wrong with being a coroner? If the youngest sister marries you, at least she will have food to eat, and the two of them will not be bullied.