Chapter 79: Qiu Sheng Is Rather Annoying

Counties in the Great Tang were divided into ranks, and their official positions varied accordingly. Chang’an and Wannian counties belonged to the highest tier of county-level administrations in the empire, known as Scarlet Counties. The officials assigned to these Scarlet Counties also held higher ranks than those elsewhere.

“In other words, they’re high-spec counties.”

Early in the morning, Zhuque and Yang Xuan were engaged in a serious discussion about this matter.

“If you keep working hard, you’ll soon be able to serve as a county magistrate elsewhere.”

“You must make me proud.”

“You must strive, only then will you be able to righteously ‘charge me up’.”

“Also, you’re still a shameful bachelor—it’s truly disappointing.”

“All those romance guides, all those domineering CEO novels you read—were they for nothing?”

“What do women want? Looks, money, and reputation. When there’s enough money, the other two cease to matter.”

“Enough!” Yang Xuan was getting a headache from the nagging.

“Heh!” Zhuque’s voice turned sly. “You seemed restless last night, unable to sleep. Young man, trust my words—you’re in turmoil. Go, seek out a beauty to ease your heart.”

During breakfast, Madam Yi announced something.

“Until the young master has his own woman, Old Rogue is free to come and go from the back courtyard without permission.”

Old Rogue rose and saluted in all directions.

“Much appreciated, much appreciated.”

Cao Ying smiled and gently stroked Wang Lao’er’s head beside her, which reminded Yang Xuan of a noble consort petting her own cat.

“We’re all family now.”

Wang Lao’er shook his head, tossing off her hand.

“Family… is that tasty?” he asked.

Old Rogue cast him a glance and grinned wickedly. “I’ve tolerated you for a long time!”

Wang Lao’er stood up.

The two had quarreled many times over meat.

“Seems like the weather’s fine today,” Yang Xuan said, rising to leave.

Cao Ying stood as well. “The young master is wise indeed.”

Madam Yi yawned. “I still have to deliver some pancakes to that person.”

Soon, only Wang Lao’er and Old Rogue were left.

Wang Lao’er asked, “What have you tolerated about me?”

Smiling benevolently, Old Rogue replied, “You’ve brought me so much laughter and joy. I’ve long wanted to reward you, but have held back…”

That hand, capable of slapping someone dead, reached out.

A string of copper coins was dropped into it.

Old Rogue’s heart bled.

Master Xie was not outside today. Yang Xuan asked, “Has he lost hope, or simply grown weary?”

“Most likely lost hope,” Old Rogue replied.

Though old, Master Xie’s heart was still youthful—he had long coveted Madam Yi’s beauty. Every day, he would linger outside, not for idle chatter, but just to catch a glimpse of the object of his affection as she left the house.

Creak!

The Xie family’s door opened.

Master Xie emerged, leaning on his cane.

Cao Ying praised, “Such perseverance truly commands my respect.”

Passing by the noodle shop, Wang Shun was waiting.

“Young master!”

Wang Shun’s shout drew everyone’s attention, and some in the crowd smiled smugly.

Lin Fan was among them.

“No customers anymore, huh? Just those rich folks left… What’s the point of such a big shop? Hahaha!”

Wang Shun hurried over and bowed. “Young master, business has dropped by more than half.”

“I know.” Yang Xuan saw the glint of greed in Wang Shun’s eyes and cleared his throat, reminding this woman not to set her sights on him. “Aside from the wealthy, the rest have left. Even if they crave our noodles, they’ll just have a bowl now and then.”

The light in Wang Shun’s eyes grew brighter, tinged with admiration. “Young master, you know everything?”

“A foolish woman, thinking you’d take a liking to her. Little does she know you’d rather be a bachelor for life than marry her,” Zhuque was in a venomous mood today.

Yang Xuan glanced at the sky. “I’m busy. Have Han Ying come out.”

Han Ying now managed everything.

“Is that the woman who takes your breath away?” Zhuque asked.

Han Ying, hastening over, was trembling noticeably.

“Greetings, young master.”

Yang Xuan looked away, finding the saddle a bit uncomfortable.

“Young master, business is even worse today,” Han Ying said. She had become a servant of the Yang family to make her mark, but now that business had plummeted, how could she be content?

“I’ve already got a solution.”

Han Ying was taken aback. “Then why didn’t you say so earlier, young master?”

Cao Ying interjected coldly, “Don’t forget your place.”

Han Ying bowed. “I overstepped.”

Yang Xuan glanced at the merchants who were laughing so happily and said, “Starting today, Yuanzhou Noodles will reduce the amount of noodles by thirty percent, meat by thirty percent, and the fried egg will be gone…”

“Young master…” Han Ying was dumbfounded.

A dumbfounded woman was rather endearing.

“The price will drop by forty percent.”

Han Ying could no longer contain herself. “But young master, that makes Yuanzhou Noodles so plain! Even the rich might stop coming.”

Yang Xuan replied, “This is the basic version. If the wealthy want something better, it’s simple—extra noodles for a fee, extra meat for a fee, extra egg for a fee. If they want something even more extravagant, as long as they pay, they can have it… Do you understand?”

Han Ying paused, then joy surged across her face. She gave a deep bow. “Young master, you are truly wise!”

Ahem!

Old Rogue whispered to Cao Ying, “See, now that’s heartfelt praise for the young master. When you say ‘the young master is wise,’ it always sounds fake to me.”

Yang Xuan smiled slightly. “Don’t panic when things happen—stay calm!”

“Are you calm?” Zhuque taunted. “Go for it, young man. When you stand atop the hills, looking down at the villages, you’ll feel truly calm…”

Why?

Yang Xuan was puzzled.

“Because every village has a mother-in-law!”

Han Ying bowed again, her face flushed with excitement, her whole body trembling. “I’ll go now, young master… you are wise indeed.”

She hurried back, meeting Wang Shun halfway.

“What did the young master say? Look how excited you are.”

Han Ying relayed Yang Xuan’s plan to her.

Wang Shun put her hands together in awe. “Heavens, how did the young master come up with such a cunning idea? If he focused solely on business, none of those other folks would stand a chance.”

“Write a notice, put up new price signs.”

Yuanzhou Noodles immediately announced its new prices.

“A forty percent price cut!”

Half an hour later.

Watching the bustling crowd at Yuanzhou Noodles, Lin Fan was stunned.

“What… what now?”

If their own goods dropped any lower, they’d be giving them away for free. Even the slowest among the Hes would not invest.

“This is bad,” a merchant approached, smiling wryly. “With a forty percent price cut, our business has more than halved. Worst of all, if the price stays this low, how can we survive?”

“How long can the He family subsidize this?”

“Two months at most.”

“We’re finished.”

Lin Fan cleared his throat. “About this matter, the He family is in the middle… we’re innocent. I’ll go to Wannian County to see Deputy Magistrate Yang. We’re businessmen—it’s best to make money in harmony.”

Everyone expressed their gratitude.

Lin Fan made his way to the Wannian County yamen.

“I wish to see Deputy Magistrate Yang.” The constable glanced at him, his expression indifferent.

“Please announce me,” Lin Fan said, slipping him a small string of coins.

“Wait here.”

The constable dawdled a while, then finally went to report.

“He doesn’t look like a good man, so I gave him a hard time,” he said, seeking credit.

Yang Xuan didn’t look up.

Cao Ying rose and smiled. “Thank you for your trouble.”

“My pleasure, my pleasure.”

Cao Ying left the yamen.

“And you are…?”

Lin Fan had seen Cao Ying before and knew he was close to Yang Xuan, so he hurriedly put on a fawning smile. “I’m Lin Fan, a humble restaurateur. Lately, some people have been stirring up trouble… Mr. Cao, we dare not refuse that person!”

“Who?”

“The He family.”

“Oh!”

Cao Ying turned to go inside.

“Wait, Mr. Cao!” Lin Fan hurried after him. “Please, put in a good word for us so we can raise our prices again, otherwise… I have an elderly mother and children at home crying for food… Life is hard!”

Cao Ying paused. “Go back.”

So easy to persuade? Lin Fan was secretly delighted. “About raising the prices…”

What the young master has said is law; whatever he says, that’s how it will be. Cao Ying sneered, “From now on, the prices will stay as they are.”

“Mr. Cao, Mr. Cao…”

Cao Ying went back and reported the matter.

“This is a small thing; you handled it well,” Yang Xuan said, reading documents.

Cao Ying sat nearby, watching him handle official business, his eyes full of satisfaction.

Suddenly, Yang Xuan looked up. “Qiu Sheng is becoming quite a nuisance.”

Cao Ying lowered his head. “Yes.”

He got up to find Old Rogue.

“Keep an eye on Qiu Sheng—look for something to use against him.”

Afterward, Cao Ying kept waiting for Yang Xuan to bring it up, but he never did.

At the end of the day, Yang Xuan led his people out.

“Young master, Qiu Sheng.”

Qiu Sheng was ahead, smiling. “Take care.”

As Yang Xuan passed him, he said, “I won’t see you off.”

Qiu Sheng slowly turned back. “What did he mean by that?”

“The prefect is coming out.”

At the sound, Qiu Sheng turned again and saluted. “The prefect only leaves when everyone else is gone—his diligence puts me to shame.”

Huang Wenzun nodded and rode away.

Qiu Sheng’s smile lingered until Huang Wenzun disappeared from sight.

He rode along Zhuque Avenue.

The setting sun cast its blood-red light over him.

He reached Daode Ward, where a row of stalls stood inside the collapsed wall on the right.

“Dry flatbread! Keeps for three months, essential for travelers!”

“Hu bread, fresh Hu bread!”

“Cooked meat!” A rather plump girl shouted herself hoarse, banging a cleaver against her counter. Her small eyes darted about, and when she saw Qiu Sheng, they lit up. “Old sir, you’re here!”

“Yes, I am.”

Behind, Old Rogue stopped short, tailing him.

“That’s pork—Qiu Sheng can stomach it?”

The rich ate mutton, some even beef; for ordinary people, pork was the staple meat. Qiu Sheng, as a Scarlet County constable, could certainly afford better.

Qiu Sheng smiled amiably. “A pound, please.”

Second Miss answered loudly. Her cleaver danced with skill, and soon a whole pound of sliced cooked meat was ready. She presented it with both hands, smiling obsequiously. “Old sir, you come to me every day. Will you be back tomorrow?”

Hope filled her eyes.

Qiu Sheng nodded firmly. “Yes, I’ll always come.”

At home.

“Where’s Achai?”

His wife, seeing the oiled paper package, sighed. “You buy pork home every day—keeping a dog just to eat this stinky pork? You’ve gone mad.”

Qiu Sheng only smiled.

A big dog was led in. Qiu Sheng opened the package and split it in half.

“Half for the dog, half for you!”

His wife was fierce—her words left even their children silent.

Qiu Sheng looked up, not angered.

“Indeed! I’m not a dog, after all.”

Old Rogue didn’t return until late that night.

Yang Xuan was reading.

Old Rogue reported, “Young master, Qiu Sheng has an illegitimate daughter.”

Yang Xuan was startled. “Where is she?”

“She’s selling pork.”