Chapter 7, reluctantly having to make use of the tool, Chen Yuanyuan
He is not someone who is reluctant to let women take the spotlight; since his crossing over, he has completely forgotten about this matter.
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Between the lines, Shen Shuren has already clarified his plan: during his time in Taicang, he did not find any cases to exploit such as "snatching up maidservants/industries or taking advantage of registration time differences," and this is also because the entertainment industry in Taicang is not sufficiently developed
At this point, Zhang Huangyan turned to his cousin with a sly smile and said: "To be honest, are you not harboring the thought of 'paying without a return, not holding a gathering, and not allowing the beauty to show her face again'?"
Gu Yanwu did not want to appear too eager, but he also said: "If several virtuous younger brothers are going to Kunshan, I will naturally extend my hospitality as the host, and you may stay at my residence."
In exchange for Chen's postponement of Chen Yuan's grooming cage, he was given time to gather the silver, which took several months and cost around one to two thousand taels.
He is so busy with important matters that he cannot even manage his worries, let alone have the time to think about women
Cousin, your family is so wealthy, yet you still hold gatherings here without changing the venue
Moreover, if one chooses to pursue a career as an official in the campaign against bandits, it is essential to select an initial jurisdiction wisely, opting for a location that is poorly connected to the central court and is isolated by areas occupied by other rebel forces.
Qing Zhi, after all, held a humble status and had no right to feel jealous, so she quietly prepared everything. However, at the last moment, she carefully asked one question:
Shen Shuren's heart trembled; he had indeed forgotten. After all, the more recent memories were the ones most likely to be lost during the possession. However, he knew that Qingzhi was feeling jealous. Even if he claimed to have forgotten, Qingzhi might not believe him and could instead create more trouble.
Cousin, I must say, you really ought to listen to your uncle regarding this matter. You cannot invest too much emotion in those women. In the future, you will be looking to buy an official position and marry a lady from a prominent family. Whether they are courtesans or top-ranking entertainers, even if you have the money to redeem them, they would at least expect to be a concubine, right? Who would be willing to serve as a maid without any status?
Upon hearing the words "Kunshan," Qingzhi couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for a few seconds, but she managed to hold it back and said softly, "But do you really think you are fully recovered? Are you finally unable to resist the urge to meet Miss Chen?"
Moreover, the several conversations with Gu Yanwu profoundly inspired Shen Shuren, leading him to gain significant insights and gradually adjust his own goals. He developed a clear objective in his mind regarding what official position he should seek or purchase in the future
Hearing Qingzhi speak of the absurdities committed by this physical body, Shen Shuren could not help but shake his head in silence. To spend so much money on a woman without even having been to bed with her is indeed quite a willingness to invest.
Zhang Huangyan, upon hearing this, could not help but laugh heartily: "What is there to be fatigued about? It is merely a neighboring county. It takes only half a day by boat along the Liuhua River to get there. Brother Gu is from Kunshan, so for him, it is just a matter of making a round trip back to his hometown."
Young Master Shen, we are here to guide you. You haven't come for more than half a month, and Sister Yuanyuan has been worried about you. That day, you fainted from heatstroke and were carried back by someone. The sisters were all deeply moved.
Kunshan is the entertainment center of the Ming Dynasty, where every day there are the slender horses of Yangzhou being sold, and one can always find cases of staged accidents.
The familiar faces of Shen Shuren, Zhang Huangyan, and Gu Yanwu remain unchanged upstairs, while the scholars downstairs who are seeking to gain attention have changed wave after wave
You are unaware, but according to my uncle, he has been keeping a girl at the Lixiang Courtyard in Kunshan since the beginning of the year, paying three hundred taels each month, regardless of whether she sings or not
Before him stood the most powerful thinker and theorist of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, who invented the theory of "Those who perish as a nation, the carnivorous must plot against them; those who perish as a world, every common man bears responsibility"
Many Chinese people experience a collapse of willpower on a spiritual level. They feel that "if the North cannot be defended, how can the South be defended? Wasn't the Southern Song Dynasty also destroyed back then?"
Miss Chen, the top performer of the Lixiang Courtyard in Kunshan, is also a highly renowned figure in the Kunqu circle today, known as Chen Yuan. Her rendition of a segment from "The West Chamber" stands unparalleled in the world of Kunqu.
If you cannot find out from Chen Yuan, then ask the madam; you will surely be able to gather some information.
However, as a Han Chinese, Shen Shuren clearly did not wish for the Qing soldiers to be allowed through the pass
Qing Zhi understood him very well, observing his expressions and reading between the lines, she had already noticed the flaw, and could not help but feel a warmth in her heart
War is a major affair of the state and a matter of survival; it allows for no subjective preferences or biases.
On the other hand, taking advantage of the relatively relaxed days, he also has time to plan regarding "after the matters concerning Yang Sichang are settled, what benefits should be asked from Elder Yang, how to quickly ascend the officialdom, and how to strategize for resisting the Qing"
Now, this issue has gradually become clearer. Shen Shuren has also gained a more precise understanding of the path to purchasing or obtaining an official position in the future
Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth
Yet the issue has come full circle, returning to how to swiftly complete the important task assigned by Elder Yang and then seek recognition for the achievement
The distance from Taicang to Kunshan is just over 30 li, and the horse-drawn carriage takes a little more than an hour to arrive. When I found the location of Lixiang Courtyard, it was only around evening, and I still had time to find my sister to accompany me for dinner
Occasionally, a few individuals of ordinary appearance, unable to ingratiate themselves with him, would recklessly undermine the situation: "Young Master Shen has come all the way to support us; he must be here to see Sister Yuan Yuan. We should be perceptive and not hinder Young Master Shen's affairs.
Upon hearing this gossip, Gu Yanwu was also stirred by a sense of curiosity, but that was about all there was to it
Zhang Huangyan, however, was aware of Shen Shuren's background, so he smiled and explained: "Brother Tinglin need not help him save money; he is merely a miser who keeps a concubine in a golden house and is not a true gentleman. If he genuinely wished to invite us to listen to music, there would be no need to spend extra money"
Moreover, purchasing women to create trouble is more provocative than buying land and estates, and it has an additional benefit: it aligns better with his scoundrel persona, making it less likely for the Zheng family to suspect him when he later pressures them.
Because he knew that once the Qing army entered the pass, the impact would not merely be the suffering of the northern compatriots. It would also lead to a collapse of people's morale
It turns out that these fellows had grown tired of the meetings held at the Shen family's self-operated theater, and Zhang Huangyan began to make jokes
She is a chambermaid and naturally knows which women the young master has favored outside before; if he were to bring one back, she would certainly be more favored than her
However, now that Gu Yanwu has come to understand himself in advance, is it possible for him to receive some guidance, allowing him to strive in this direction ahead of time, to summarize this set of ideological tools that encourage the people's will to resist, and to further optimize and refine them
Unfortunately, the Shen family obstructed Shen Shuren from taking a woman from the pear garden as a concubine, restricting his finances, and thus this matter was put to rest. However, Shen Shuren managed to use his limited pocket money to pay for performances at a rate of three hundred taels per month—he could only listen to the songs but not sleep with the performers.
War and regime change have never been a game. In a game, one can easily manipulate the "morale value," whereas in real politics, the beliefs and sentiments of the people are exceedingly difficult to manage
Your wealth and status are so impressive, yet you are so considerate towards the sisters here; it is truly rare
Indeed, indeed, and it has been half a month since we last met. Young Master Shen, you have become quite handsome again, and you must have lost over ten pounds.
On this day, after the conclusion of the theatrical performance, a few playful remarks exchanged between Zhang Huangyan and Gu Yanwu suddenly awakened Shen Shuren
At the same time, maintain a proper attitude and pace towards the court, ensuring that no obvious excuses are left behind. This way, one can completely shut the door, focus on cultivating the land, building the base, and expanding territory by combating bandits.
Therefore, whether to save Chongzhen cannot be decided impulsively; it is necessary to first arrange the corresponding remedial measures.
In the future, as long as one can prevent the severe destruction of Huguang and Sichuan, rally the people along the Yangtze River, and raise the banner of resistance against the "destruction of the world," the situation could be vastly different
Let Shen Fu, who is in charge of external affairs, prepare the vehicle
The situation in the north is a mess, and I currently lack the strength to aim too high. In the coming years, I will first see if I can assist Yang Sichang in containing the bandits associated with Zhang Xianzhong, especially by targeting those peripheral elements who have been coerced by Zhang Xianzhong and are not firmly opposed.
The stage near Liujiagang Wharf, that old place.
It is a pity that Gu Yanwu's theory came a bit late in history, as it was not proposed until after the major territories of the Ming Dynasty had already fallen, and the people's will to resist had already dissipated
Young master, ever since you suffered from heatstroke, you have changed quite a bit. I know you have forgotten many things, but you surely haven't forgotten about that Miss Chen, have you? Do you need me to help you recall?
Shen Shuren entered with a folding fan in hand and immediately felt a sense of warmth and welcome that surpassed even that of his own establishment.
What they said cannot be entirely considered a compliment; the original body of Shen Shuren is indeed tall and plump, after all, coming from a wealthy family with ample nutrition and little exercise
The ladies of Lixiang Courtyard all seem to know him, and are aware that he is a generous financier with several million taels at home, each one coming forward to flatter and curry favor with him
Zhang Huangyan and Gu Yanwu were originally supposed to set off, but they stayed behind due to an enjoyable conversation with Shen Shuren. After all, arriving in Nanjing early would have meant engaging in literary gatherings with others every day, which would not have made much of a difference
However, he also understands that solitary contemplation is futile for creative work; it is essential to engage in conversations and gain a deeper understanding of the market. The teahouses and taverns are, after all, the places where the most gossip and local news abound
A group of young women chattered and pulled, surrounding and guiding Shen Shuren upstairs
If it can be achieved, it would also help to mitigate some of the psychological impact brought about by the fall of Beijing.
In recent days, Shen Shuren has been preoccupied with a matter, seeking a case that can be used to set up a scheme
I can't believe I have to discuss with Chen Yuanyuan, 'Have you heard that some friends or sisters are about to be sold? I want to intercept this.' This is just too surreal
In this situation, taking a trip to Kunshan might yield unexpected results. Moreover, since I have a sister with considerable standing in the circle, I might be able to gather some insider information about the industry through that channel
This can prevent the future anti-Qing rear base from being severely damaged by Zhang Xianzhong.
After all, when the Southern Ming was first established in history, it was said to possess half of the southern territory, but in reality, the court could only control the regions of Jianghuai, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi, which amounted to roughly four provinces. Meanwhile, Huguang and Sichuan had already been thoroughly disrupted by the Zhang Xianzhong faction.
On that occasion, he suffered from heatstroke and was carried back by the house servant. It is said that it happened at the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, where he intended to ask the brothel madam for a favor to postpone the girl's grooming, giving him some time to gather money for his redemption.
It is necessary to observe in the coming years to what extent one can effectively address the issue of the Han people's resistance and ensure that public sentiment remains united, only then can one make decisions based on facts and reality
Shen Shuren's thoughts shifted as he dealt with his friends, saying: "What’s the big deal about singing a song occasionally? I just thought, being far away in Kunshan, I should take a trip just to listen to a song. I’m afraid you might find it tiresome..."
Most of the scholars who come to Taicang are merely passing through, waiting for a boat to travel to Nanjing for the imperial examination. They set off as soon as they have gathered enough people.
Brother Cangshui, why must you be entangled in this? We are discussing current affairs here, and this place is frequented by us 'scholars'. Although it is a humble abode, it is still filled with virtue. The singing of the sister is of no consequence. After all, this is the property of Brother Shuren, so it is best to keep it convenient.
June 5, noon
In simple terms, in the southern regions of "Yi, Jing, and Yang," the Southern Ming court could only utilize "Yang," while Jing and Yi were under the control of bandits
In the political discussions with Zhang Huangyan and Gu Yanwu, after secretly clarifying this major issue of right and wrong, Shen Shuren was just a step away from seeking an official position from Yang Sichang
Of course, purchasing a woman is secondary to him; he merely wants to commit a crime and create a scene, causing a stir at the Nanjing Criminal Department
Upon returning home, Shen Shuren immediately instructed Qingzhi to prepare his belongings, as he was going out and intended to head to Kunshan that afternoon
Those who follow the crowd, like fickle-minded individuals, may even think, "Throughout history, there have been very few successful examples of unification from south to north; it might be better to just give up."
After the lunch break, everything was ready, and Shen Shuren drove along the Liuhua River, heading straight for Kunshan
He hesitated for a few seconds without speaking, yet his gaze revealed that he was lost in thought
It was indeed Shen Shuren himself who suddenly felt a bit embarrassed upon being reminded
At this moment, reminded by his cousin, he recalled that his maid Qingzhi had also mentioned to him that he had once booked a singer at the Pear Fragrance Courtyard in Kunshan. The original owner of his body before his transmigration seemed to have been infatuated with that young girl, insisting on redeeming her to take her as a concubine, causing a commotion with his family.
In this way, one not only gains the moral justification of the Ming flag but also obtains the practical benefit of complete control over the local area, achieving both reputation and reality, is it not a beautiful prospect
Qing Zhi cooperated so well in providing him with information, and Shen Shuren was not a heartless man. He privately whispered to the maid: "Don't worry, this time going to Kunshan, I won't bring her back. If I were to buy, it would be someone else. I'm just inquiring about some news from her."
Shen Shuren, in order to maintain confidentiality, was too lazy to explain further. After all, she was a maid from the inner residence and would not communicate with outsiders, so there was no need to elaborate: "I have other serious matters to attend to, so you need not concern yourself with that. Just follow me closely, be careful in your work, and you will not be treated poorly in the future."
I didn't expect that you really forgot about that Miss Chen. It seems that this time there is indeed a serious matter at hand. Rest assured, I will not let anything go wrong; I will definitely not disclose this to anyone. Let me first tell you about Miss Chen's identity and background...
Chen Yuan had just turned fifteen six months ago, and her adoptive mother, Chen, planned to have the prominent gentlemen of Suzhou compete to bid for her. At that time, Shen Shuren's former self wanted to redeem her to stop this, but Chen set a high price of ten thousand taels.
... ...
Shen Shuren, however, did not have time to ponder these matters; he only felt a bit dizzy from being squeezed. Instinctively, he pushed aside the women around him, while internally he was contemplating their words, attempting to extract more useful information to avoid revealing any flaws later on
However, after waking up from heatstroke, Shen Shuren was very disciplined, exercising every day. Coupled with the weight loss during his coma, he indeed lost over ten pounds and appeared to be more handsome than before
It is yet another day of a gathering of literati, a leisurely time spent listening to music while exchanging political views
Although Shen Shuren knew that Chongzhen was a foolish ruler who would indiscriminately execute his ministers, the more critical the situation became, the more powerless the ministers were to change the outcome. Those who stepped forward to take action were at an even greater risk to their lives
Gu Yanwu internally agreed with Zhang Huangyan's words, but he was originally just a freeloader, merely helping Shen Shuren to smooth things over
For instance, "Recently, are there any beautiful young ladies from respectable families whose fortunes have declined and are struggling on the brink of being sold?" If one could inquire about one or two such cases, then choosing a suitable time to proceed would resolve everything, wouldn't it
After the agreement was made, the literary gathering of that day also came to an end
After getting to know Gu Yanwu, and after a few days of discussions, it quickly allowed Shen Shuren to see a possibility
Therefore, a professional like Shen Shuren is very cautious about whether to abandon Chongzhen in the future
If it is said that Shen Shuren back then merely relied on his wealth of one million taels to attract women's admiration, now that he has become somewhat more handsome, the flattery and adoration from those women have gained a measure of sincerity
Especially upon hearing the name of that top performer, he felt a slight tremor of alertness in his heart: "When they call that Chen Yuan 'Sister Yuan', is that Chen Yuanyuan?"
After coming to a clear understanding of everything, Shen Shuren made arrangements to invite everyone again in a few days to Kunshan, to enjoy music and discuss politics together
Qing Zhi was in high spirits, realizing that her master had forgotten about the vixen outside. How could her mood be anything but good? Thus, she elegantly assisted Shen Shuren in recalling the matter.
A woman bought back does not need to be mistreated or forcibly made into a maid; one can also act according to the situation. If she is not beautiful enough, she can be sent to take care of one's stepmother, concubines, or sisters.
For example, during the first few days after his arrival, Shen Shuren hesitated over a question: Should he save Chongzhen? Should he go to the northern front to serve as an official and do everything possible to stop Li Zicheng?