Chapter 1, Prosperous Era (1)
It is said that "the county magistrate who ruins families, the governor who skins them alive." Zhang Baosheng understands the consequences of failing to pay taxes. Several of his peers in the county are currently residing in the inn (prison) run by the yamen. It is said that they are served two meals a day, each consisting of "bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat slices." From time to time, bloodied and mangled individuals are carried out through the back door and thrown into the wilderness to feed the dogs. However, the authorities do not allow the common people to slaughter cattle; sick and disabled cattle have always been in high demand. Even if one tries to substitute with donkey hides, one must first find a donkey to procure.
Unfortunately, the good times did not last long, and the reign of Renshou soon came to an end. Following this, the era name changed to Daye, and after the wise and martial new emperor ascended the throne, he first repaired the Great Wall and then opened the canal, exhausting the savings in the treasury. One might say that after squandering his own family fortune, he should have known when to stop, yet he did not. Earlier this year, he inexplicably heard the phrase "benevolent ruler ascends the throne, and all nations come to pay homage," and he earnestly invited the khans of various countries to gather in Luoyang. He ordered that along the way, clear water must be poured on the streets, and yellow earth laid down for the paths. In all markets and taverns, no charges were to be made for meals and drinks for the Hu people. One might say that after squandering his own family fortune, he should have known when to stop, yet he did not. Earlier this year, he inexplicably heard the phrase "benevolent ruler ascends the throne, and all nations come to pay homage," and he earnestly invited the khans of various countries to gather in Luoyang. He ordered that along the way, clear water must be poured on the streets, and yellow earth laid down for the paths. In all markets and taverns, no charges were to be made for meals and drinks for the Hu people.
In the early years, Zhang Baosheng still had the leisure to draw up well water and clean the "sieve" on the wall and the smoke-blackened sign above his head. In the Shanggu and Hejian areas, this "sieve" represented restaurants and hotels, just like the clerical script sign above, both serving as the face of the establishment. At that time, his restaurant had just opened, coinciding with the prosperous year of Renshou, where he would earn over a dozen "good meat" (Note 2) daily. Occasionally, on a lucky day with a big customer, it was possible to earn half a bolt of silk. The house he purchased and the fifty acres of land by the nearby Yishui River were acquired during that period. At that time, his restaurant had just opened, coinciding with the prosperous year of Renshou, where he would earn over a dozen "good meat" (Note 2) daily. Occasionally, on a lucky day with a big customer, it was possible to earn half a bolt of silk. The house he purchased and the fifty acres of land by the nearby Yishui River were acquired during that period.
I, I am the best in the academy. I, I can recite the entire Analects from memory! I ... ... " A half piece of flatbread fell from Li Xu's hand to the ground. Just yesterday, at this time, his father was still discussing with him whether to take the Mingjing or the Jinshi examination, but today, it has turned into him being sent off to the frontier as a merchant.
"Wuwazi, thanks to your elder brother's blessings, we received three groups of guests today, and the kitchen has not gone cold!" Zhang Baosheng stood up, pounding his numb legs, and replied loudly
That is not his dream! In Li Xu's dreams, there were aspirations to pass the imperial examination and stand in the court, as well as to ride a horse with a spear and dominate the battlefield. However, his most frequent dream was to wear an official robe and buy a large house next to the county school in Shanggu County, bringing his parents in, ensuring they had enough to eat and drink, and allowing figures like Zhao Er and Yang Laotou to bow down to him. Among all the dreams of youth, there was none that resembled his father's life as a merchant, running back and forth between the border and the Central Plains each year, enduring sun and rain yet earning little, while also suffering from the bullying of government officials, clan elders, and local ruffians. He wanted to bring his parents in, ensuring they had enough to eat and drink, and allowing figures like Zhao Er and Yang Laotou to bow down to him. Among all the dreams of youth, there was none that resembled his father's life as a merchant, running back and forth between the border and the Central Plains each year, enduring sun and rain yet earning little, while also suffering from the bullying of government officials, clan elders, and local ruffians.
My father said that if you truly cannot manage, then just close the inn at mhetushu.com! With so many younger generations in the family, there is no way we will let Uncle Baosheng go hungry!" Wuwazi rode forward a few more steps, turned back, and pointed at him with his whip as he spoke
"Alright, I have never seen what a large merchant convoy looks like!" Li Xu put down his bowl and replied cheerfully. Suddenly, he understood his father's meaning, his eyes widening as he murmured, "Father, you, you mean...!"
People often say that the Son of Heaven is wise, perceiving everything with a discerning eye, as if seeing two shadows with one eye, which is twice as clear as an ordinary person. However, the wise Son of Heaven does not understand the principle of eating and paying. Shanggu County is close to the border, with frequent interactions among the Xian, Khitan, and Turkic peoples. As everyone mingles for a long time, it becomes impossible to distinguish who is Hu and who is Han. Once the Emperor's preferential decree is issued, the Hu people immediately increase in number across the land. Indeed, genuine, fake, and counterfeit Hu people swarm along the official roads like locusts, as if the local people owe them from their past lives. After all this commotion, no one knows what benefits the Emperor has gained. Zhang Baosheng knows that his tavern has dismissed the chef and laid off the staff, and half of the fifty acres by the Yishui River has been leased to others. Previously, when he returned home, the master would sweet-talk him, but now the atmosphere has turned cold, and he would rather sleep on a bench in the tavern in the front yard.
Without money to hire a cook, and unable to support diligent workers and the tavern's books, it naturally becomes increasingly desolate. Zhang Baosheng, who used to be so busy that he hardly had time to stand still, now enjoys a leisurely life, able to sit on a small stool and wait for the sunset after noon. At sunset, the busy neighbors return home, and if anyone can sell half a jin of turbid wine, it fulfills their last hope of making money for the day
Autumn has already arrived, yet the weather remains as hot as midsummer. The proprietor, Zhang Baosheng, has set up a small stool, sitting in front of his little restaurant, watching the sunset while sticking out his tongue to enjoy the cool breeze.
Alas! Zhang Baosheng let out a long sigh. He did not blame the heavens, nor the earth, but only himself for not having a son studying under the esteemed Yang Laofu at the county school. If he had a son with a promising future like Wuwazi, who among the idle officials, local ruffians, or the prominent families in the clan would dare to come and bully him?
The number of pedestrians along the official road gradually increased, as the laborers from wealthy households carried wooden shovels and led livestock to their employers' homes to work. These individuals would not purchase Zhang Baosheng's water and wine, so he lacked the motivation to greet the crowd. His eyes were fixed intently on the end of the official road, eagerly awaiting the return of traveling merchants from beyond the frontier. Only they possessed high-quality furs, and only they could offer Zhang Baosheng the hope of continuing to survive. His eyes were fixed intently on the end of the official road, eagerly awaiting the return of traveling merchants from beyond the frontier. Only they possessed high-quality furs, and only they could offer Zhang Baosheng the hope of continuing to survive
Father is getting old and wants you to run errands in the frontier for me Li Mao did not dare to look into his son's eyes and tried to repeat his meaning in a calm tone
The weather is as miserable as the days of a wretched life, akin to the dog days of summer. The heat penetrates to the bone, and even the air we breathe feels damp and sticky, reminiscent of the greasy stains by the stove. On the main road, the dust stirred up by passing pedestrians floats in the air, unknowingly turning the inverted "sieve" on the restaurant wall into a lump of mud. It is dark and emits a faint, rancid odor that further diminishes one's appetite. On the main road, the dust stirred up by passing pedestrians floats in the air, unknowingly turning the inverted "sieve" on the restaurant wall into a lump of mud. It is dark and emits a faint, rancid odor that further diminishes one's appetite
Although business has been slow, the taxes to the government must still be paid. A few days ago, Zhao Er, a subordinate of Lord Li from the Yixian household registration office, specifically came to inform us that this year, the "Inn" is required to pay an additional five pieces of raw cowhide. Zhang Baosheng pleaded and negotiated, and only after offering two jars of sesame oil and a jar of aged Huadiao wine did Zhao Er agree to reduce the number of cowhides from five to two. However, he stipulated that they must be delivered to the county before winter; otherwise, any consequences will be borne by Zhang Baosheng.
At that time, Zhang Baosheng remembered that he would almost wipe the plaque inscribed with "There is an Inn" above his head three times a day. This plaque was written by Master Yang from the Xuexi in Yixian, for which Zhang Baosheng paid the equivalent of three sheep. Master Yang had once served as the recording officer for Lord Yang Su of the Yue state; had it not been for his fondness for the simple human warmth of this border area, he would not have settled in Shanggu County. Although the plaque he wrote in a drunken state did not have the charm of names like "Ruyi" or "Lin Feng," it excelled in its natural and fitting quality. One can imagine that a traveler on the seemingly endless official road, upon suddenly seeing the four characters "There is an Inn," would immediately feel a sense of hunger and thirst, making it quite expected for him to enter, stay for a night, eat two bowls of wheat rice, and drink a few cups of turbid wine.
"Troublesome, old brother, Wu Wazi, please send someone to bring a jar of wine for me to rinse my mouth!" Zhang Baosheng replied, making an effort to stand straight despite his already stooped back. Wu Wazi is a standout student at the county school, reportedly with the opportunity to be recommended by the prefecture to participate in the imperial examination in the capital. In front of such a promising young man, he dared not put on any airs as an uncle. As for the words of Wu Wazi's father, Zhang Baoliang, Zhang Baosheng chose to ignore them. Last year, when the inn was struggling financially, he borrowed money from this relative, paying the price of giving up thirty acres of good farmland. If he really followed what the other party suggested and closed the inn to retire in the village, Zhang Baosheng estimated that he would have to part with the remaining twenty acres of good farmland as well.
Uncle Xie Baosheng, I will send someone to pick it up later. My father doesn't have many preferences, but he really loves this!" Wuwazi said jokingly as he bid farewell to Zhang Baosheng, patting his mount and blending into the glow of the setting sun
"Uncle Baosheng, business is quite good today!" On the side of the official road, a young man riding a horse raised his whip and pointed.
The young man named Xiao Wu from the Zhang family, who lived in the front courtyard, was considered the nephew of Zhang Baosheng by lineage. Although the two families had ceased their interactions since Zhang Baosheng started his restaurant business, they were still part of the same ancestral hall, and the bond of blood could not be severed, no matter the distance.