Chapter 1: Possession by a Ghost

The person being scolded immediately flushed with embarrassment and meekly added, "We, we were just asking casually, right? Why must you be so angry? Alright, alright, please don't glare at me. The kitchen knife, the kitchen knife has already been taken out for you! You, you can take a look at the number on it!"

Take, for instance, the common kitchen knife found in the households of ordinary people. During the time of Prime Minister Bo Yan's administration, it was strictly prohibited for Han people to possess any metal implements at home. However, families still needed to chop vegetables and cook, so what were they to do? The well-meaning official, Lord Kongmu Mahama, devised a compromise for the people. He ordered that all knives in the city be confiscated by the government and numbered accordingly. The common folk were permitted to rent these knives for home use, with clear pricing based on the age, size, and length of the knives, ensuring fairness for all. The rental fee was collected monthly, referred to as the "knife sharpening fee." Payments were only allowed in small copper coins, and no large denominations of the Zhizheng banknotes were accepted.

After scolding, he continued to stride forward, leisurely making his way to the next alley.

It is no wonder that some say if you randomly pull someone out of the government office and stuff a straw into their mouth, they could be ignited to serve as a torch. If you then insert a stick into their backside and stand them at the crossroads of Xuzhou, it would at least illuminate the entire city for three to four months! Although this statement is somewhat derogatory, it essentially aligns with the truth.

***

"Second Master, Second Master, how could I dare to deliberately frighten Third Young Master!" Mr. Su immediately changed his expression, wagging his tail like a pug as he approached with a beaming smile, "Isn't this all caused by that poor wretch, Zhimali? Instead of staying at home to wait for death, he actually dared to incite a group of starving wretches to rebel! It was only then that the Judge ordered me..."

Sigh, sigh, Master Er, please take your time! Master Er, please take your time!" Mr. Su performed two more bows and retreated. He continued to back away until he exited the alley, then wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered, "What a disgrace! Isn’t he just a doorman for a salt merchant? Acting like a big shot! If you have the ability, go to the government office and show off your wings to the clerk, and see if you can get torn apart!"

Ordinary people usually bow to Mr. Su, a bowman of no rank or status, let alone have the fortune to speak with a seventh-rank judge. They were immediately frightened, turning pale, and desperately bowed behind the firewood gate. It was only after Mr. Su and his young apprentice had walked far away that they spat on the ground and muttered under their breath: "Virtue, isn't he just a bowman? He even sold his own sister to get here! What’s with the pretense? Just wait until the day I make it big..."

The message has been made very clear; however, there are always one or two oblivious individuals who cautiously peek out from behind the dirty and dilapidated wooden door, wearing a smile as they inquire, "Mr. Su, Mr. Su! Didn't you just pay the sharpening fee the day before yesterday? Why do you need to take the kitchen knife back again?"

Note 3: Baiyuan and Xiaolaozi are both auxiliary minor officials who assist archers in carrying out their duties. They are considered temporary workers and auxiliary police. The status of Baiyuan is slightly higher than that of Xiaolaozi

"I dare not, I dare not!" Before the doorman could finish speaking, Mr. Su had magically pulled a shiny silver coin from his sleeve and quickly stuffed it into the doorman's hand. "This is for the third young master's full moon banquet, which we commoners are not qualified to attend. But this token of my regard, I ask you, Second Master, to kindly deliver it to Old Master Zhang. Just say..."

In the midst of my scolding, I looked up at the rickety hut before me, unable to suppress a low sigh, "Alas—this world indeed—"

Just this item alone, in Xuzhou city with over 70,000 households, can contribute 1,400 to 1,500 copper coins to the government each month. The governor of the province, the Mongolian Daruhachi, takes 30% of this, while the provincial magistrate, deputy magistrate, and other officials share another 30%. Then, 20% is distributed among colleagues and cronies, leaving over 280 coins in the hands of the Mahama Kongmu. This amount exceeds the official salary of a seventh-rank judge on paper. Moreover, all of this consists of non-depreciable copper coins and * maps * and * books *, which are far superior to worthless paper currency.

Leave it to Sun Thirty-One and Wu Twenty-Two! Mr. Su still refused to look at the other party directly, flicked his sleeve, and continued to stride forward with his head held high.

Note 2: "Qianshu," "common people," and "lowly people" carry derogatory connotations

"It is because of a pig slaughtering knife! Wuwu, wuwu!" Little helper Li Sige cried as he pulled Mr. Su, striding quickly towards Mulema Alley. "The day before yesterday, my second uncle was short on money, so he collected three months' worth of sharpening fees all at once! Who would have thought that today the magistrate would order the confiscation of knives? Zhu Laonian pleaded with my second uncle, but my second uncle had no time to deal with him, so he lightly tapped his head with an iron ruler. Then he fainted, wuwu. After that, my second uncle sent Brother Sun to pick up the knife! Zhu Laonian pleaded with my second uncle, but my second uncle had no time to deal with him, so he lightly tapped his head with an iron ruler. Then he fainted, wuwu. After that, my second uncle sent Brother Sun to pick up the knife! Before Brother Sun could bend down, he was suddenly possessed by a ghost. He jumped up and kicked Brother Sun away. Then he lunged at my second uncle, holding a knife directly to his throat!"

Note 4: Kongmu, a senior official within the yamen, is akin to an office director or a leader's secretary. Although the rank is not high, the power is substantial. Some even have the ability to interfere with the judicial and administrative operations of a province, as well as the selection of talent.

As for the various methods employed by officials to make money, they are truly diverse. ... There are expenses for festival celebrations, flower offerings, birthday gifts, customary fees, personal favors, distribution fees, and official business expenses ... . ... Like the flesh split on a heron's leg, or the oil scraped from a mosquito's belly

Little helper Li Si fell to his knees, using his head to strike the gong, making a loud sound. "I have already reported to Lord Mahama! He is currently gathering personnel! He ordered me to find you! You speak Northern dialect and are acquainted with Old Zhu. I kindly ask you to first establish a rapport with Old Zhu to stabilize this person, so that he does not endanger my uncle's life! I beg you, please save my uncle! I am bowing to you here!"

Mr. Su's courage was instantly drained from head to toe. He bent down and approached the books, loudly explaining, "No, no, absolutely not what I meant! Second Master has misunderstood, misunderstood. I just wanted to ask if there is anything else I can assist with at the residence. For example, finding someone to clean the streets, clear the drains, anything, as long as you say the word, Second Master..."

Having said that, he turned and stepped towards the entrance. Mr. Su, seeing this, quickly reached out and gently tugged at the corner of the other person's garment, "Second Master—"

"Second Uncle, Second Uncle has been taken hostage by Zhu Laonian, and a knife is pressed right here!" Little helper Li Sige gestured to his own throat with his hand, responding with a sobbing tone, "It's already drawn blood! Zhu Laonian is now speaking with a Northern accent, and none of us can understand him. That's why we are asking you to step in!"

Having only taken three to five steps, I suddenly heard a series of piercing gong sounds behind me. Following closely, a small assistant from the yamen named Li Sige rushed up, panting heavily. From a distance, he bent down, propping himself up with one hand on his knee, and shouted loudly: "Mr. Su, Mr. Su, it's serious. You must hurry to Mulema Alley, quickly, Zhu, Zhu Laonian has been possessed by a ghost!"

Nonsense! Mr. Su quickly glanced at the nearby high-walled courtyard and quietly reprimanded, This sun has just set, where could a ghost come from?! What on earth is going on? Isn't that area of Mulema Alley under the responsibility of your second uncle? Why would I need to go there!

In every neighborhood, all kitchen knives must be surrendered immediately. Those found to be hoarding even a small blade will be punished as if they were guilty of treason, and their entire household will be held accountable! Mr. Su, the archer, accompanied by seven small jailers, announced this loudly. Wherever they passed, there was chaos, with chickens flying and dogs barking, leaving a scene of utter disarray.

Note 1: The bowman, a minor official in the old government offices, was responsible for maintaining public order and collecting taxes, similar to the current city management team leader

As long as one is in a public position, one can easily reap ample benefits. Therefore, individuals like Mr. Su, who are down-and-out scholars, although feeling that it is a disgrace to their scholarly dignity, are nonetheless full of enthusiasm. However, not every household allows such plundering. At the second-to-last house at the entrance of the book street, a doorman dressed in a long robe emerged from a courtyard made of blue bricks. He glared at Mr. Su and shouted loudly, "What are you making noise for? Can't you keep it down? You're scaring my young master! You'll regret it!"

I do not care what your reasons are, nor do I care who issued the command! The doorman gave Mr. Su a sideways glance and, pursing his lips, instructed, "Keep the noise down. The Third Young Master has just fallen asleep; if anyone wakes him up..."

You are quite a clever person! The doorman looked Mr. Su up and down with a face full of disdain. "You are the archer Su Mingzhe, right?! I have noted that down! When needed, I will definitely send someone to inform you. Hurry up and get back to your business, don't waste time here!"

He is a well-read scholar, and although he is currently forced to work as a minor official for the sake of livelihood, he still looks down upon tasks such as hawking on the streets. Therefore, he strolls leisurely with his hands clasped behind his back in the narrow alley filled with sewage. The few minor officials under his command also understand their master's pride, so they deliberately lag behind by several dozen steps, striking their gongs with a thunderous sound, "Ding—ding—, all neighborhoods and alleys, quickly surrender your kitchen knives. Those who possess concealed weapons will be punished as if they were plotting rebellion, and their entire households will be implicated—! Ding—ding—"

"Damn it!" Mr. Su muttered under his breath, unsure whether he was cursing the troublemaker Zhu Laonian or the little lackey who had dragged him into this mess. "Have you reported it to Lord Kongmu? What did he say?"

This world truly makes it difficult to live! During the Great Yuan Dynasty, there was a Prime Minister named Bo Yan, who acted against the people's interests, imposing heavy taxes and extorting the common folk until they could not even keep enough food for the night. Just when people were hoping for Bo Yan's downfall, his nephew Tuo Tuo took over the administration, constantly finding new ways to print money. The denominations printed became larger and larger, yet the things that could be bought became fewer and fewer. Three years ago, one guan of currency could be exchanged for twenty dou of rice, but now it cannot even be exchanged for one dou. The court, however, remains deaf to the cries of the people, continuing to print new money after finishing the old.

Upon encountering these oblivious individuals, Mr. Su immediately furrowed his brows and, gazing at the evening glow on the horizon, responded loudly, "You can't say that to me, ha! If you have the ability, go ask the governor! Who knows, in light of your straightforwardness and willingness to advise, he might even grant you a license to carry a knife, ha! Then you could save on sharpening fees in the future!"

What do you mean? Are you going to take our kitchen knife as well? The doorman quickly turned his head, glaring angrily.

"Enough, enough, enough!" The doorman swiftly raised his wrist, and the silver coins immediately vanished from sight. "You all have it tough as well; just be more careful in the future! Hurry along to the next place, as I am still busy here!"

Consider the ordinary families, who toil tirelessly for an entire year just to save a few coins. Yet, with the court's incessant meddling, they find themselves destitute. Meanwhile, those in power, the officials, and individuals like Mr. Su, who have wormed their way into the government as bowmen, minor officials, and jailers, all take advantage of the court's repeated upheavals to enrich themselves, becoming plump and well-fed.

Get up, get up, what are you doing?! Mr. Su, with no way to retreat, had no choice but to brace himself and help Li Siguo up from the ground. "I have a deep bond with Old Li, so I certainly cannot stand by and watch him suffer. But you need to tell me, what exactly is going on? That pig butcher, Zhu Laonian, is a well-known good-for-nothing; he couldn't even produce a fart with three sticks. How did you two, uncle and nephew, force him to that extent?!" That pig butcher, Zhu Laonian, is a well-known good-for-nothing; he couldn't even produce a fart with three sticks. How did you two, uncle and nephew, force him to that extent?!

From the seven small prisoners behind, two men with broad faces immediately rushed out. They snatched a kitchen knife from the hands of the scolded commoner, tossed it into a sack without even looking, and then kicked the person back inside the door, saying, "What nonsense is this? Don’t you see my master is busy? If we don’t finish sorting out these more than twenty neighborhoods in the southwest of the city before dark, Liu the Judge will hold you accountable!"