Chapter 9: Forcing the Ducks onto the Rack

  The letter was replied by An Yuanwai, but the content was written by Xiu'er, a young lady from Qingluo Temple. As for the pile of jars and bottles brought back with the letter, they were attached by An Yuanwai with gritted teeth and unbearable pain. From that day on, Xia Zhen became like a woman who loved cleanliness and beauty, carefully maintaining her skin every day, regardless of wind or rain.

  Every day before dawn, he would get out of bed. The first thing he did after getting up was to take a heavy bath using milky rice water. By noon, he had to wash again, this time using a bucket of pale green tea water. In the evening, it was even more troublesome. He would mix yellow wine and egg whites together as a bathing liquid, apply it all over his body, and then stand naked in the room for at least an hour before washing himself clean with green tea water.

  When he goes to bed, he still needs to apply sliced cucumber to his face. After a whole day of this meticulous and tedious routine, it's even more demanding than that of a noble lady who has nothing better to do than take care of her appearance. The most uncomfortable part is when applying the bathing liquid made from huangjiu and egg whites - he can't reach his own back and has to get Zhang Shisan to help him.

  Although the application site is limited to the back, being "gently" stroked by a big man on one's skin, and having to be stripped naked, Xia Chuo was very unaccustomed to it, especially Zhang Thirteen... Xia Chuo always felt that he was extremely interested in his robust muscles. The daughter of Wang the steward was a delicate and lovely village girl, plus lively and lovely, with well-developed physique, every time she came to the quarry, she was the object of attention for all the men. The little girl had some feelings for this escort of the master, every time she came it was thirteen lang long thirteen lang short, while Zhang Thirteen's skin smiled but not his heart, he didn't even bother to take a second glance at her.

  The young Mo Ai was oblivious to the charms of women, which was a bit unusual in itself. However, every time he bared his body for bathing, his eyes would shine brightly and roam over himself, especially when applying "bath lotion". He seemed particularly interested and focused, with great patience, as if he had some sort of unhealthy habit or because he had been subjected to corporal punishment since childhood in the Jin Yiwei prison, causing psychological distortions that made him imagine his own body as an object of punishment. In short, every time Zhang Thirteen's soft hands touched his body, he felt uneasy all over.

  However, the effects of these nursing methods are evident, and Xia Jie's skin tone is getting whiter day by day. Of course, this is only relative to his previous self. The change in skin tone, combined with his increasingly flawless behavior and speech, makes it difficult for even someone as picky as Zhang Shisan to find any fault.

  Defects are still there, for example, Yang Xu is a Xiucai, and Xia Jiao can't cope with his poetry and essay skills no matter what, even if he doesn't pretend to be blind, he can't have the same cultural background as Yang Xu. The so-called memorization of 300 Tang poems on one's back, familiarizing oneself with 100 couplets, and being able to show off in front of real literati, making them bow down to you, is just a fantasy.

  The cultural accomplishment of a literati is permeated into every aspect of his life, writing a letter, saying a few lines of poetry, appreciating a painting... Every single thing requires you to have quite profound cultural cultivation, requiring you to improvise on the spot. That's an unconventional cultural exchange, absolutely not something that can be handled by just memorizing a few poems or couplets. If you don't have any reputation, it's fine, but if you dare to use a famous quote to gain fame, you'll only end up exposing yourself more quickly.

  Fortunately, after Yang Xu passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, he devoted himself to managing his family business and had no interest in studying anymore. The people he interacted with were mostly business partners or some spoiled sons of wealthy families who enjoyed indulging in sensual pleasures. There weren't many occasions where he needed to show off his literary skills, and if such situations did arise, he would just muddle through. You can't force someone to compose poetry or write essays if they don't want to, so there's no need to make a fool of oneself by reciting a few lines of poetry to expose one's ignorance.

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  Zhang Shisan washed his hands, dried them with a towel, and sat back down at the table. He picked up a cup of tea and gently brushed away the tea leaves floating on the surface with the lid. In a serious tone, he said: "Remember everything I've told you, but keep in mind that what I've shared with you is only what I know about Yang Xu. The people Yang Xu has come into contact with and the things he knows are not limited to this."

  "My public identity is just a companion by Yang Xu's side, so there are many occasions where I cannot be present. You may encounter all sorts of people and situations at any time, and I won't be able to give you timely advice. You can only adapt randomly. By the way, do you remember me telling you that Yang Xu might have a woman? The woman I'm talking about is not someone from the brothel, but rather his clandestine affairs. They are intimately familiar with Yang Wenxuan's body, and their understanding of him is probably... If you were to encounter them, it's hard to say whether or not you'll be exposed."

  Xia Yu said: "If I really met such a woman, I can find some excuses to stop associating with her, isn't that the case?"

  Zhang Shisan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said: "I'm telling you this so that you can be prepared. Don't wait until things happen suddenly and you're caught off guard, or else your identity will be exposed. I think you should find another new love interest, so that when you abandon the old one, you'll have an excuse. However, the specific situation requires adapting to circumstances. If the woman is already married, then it's fine. But if she's unmarried, then it can't be generalized. You might still need to pretend and put on a show, going through the motions."

  "What does this have to do with being married or unmarried?"

  "Of course, there is a relationship. Married women, whether they see through your identity or think you have changed your mind and harbor resentment, generally do not dare to make it public. But if an unmarried girl thinks you have changed your heart, she will boldly spread the word. Hehe... Since you are neither an official nor married, trouble is coming to your doorstep."

  Xia Fu was even more perplexed and said vaguely: "What does this have to do with whether or not I'm an official, or whether or not I've gotten married?"

  "Of course, it has something to do with it. Don't look at the mighty officials who seem to be able to do whatever they want, but in fact, it's not that simple. The moral character of an official is what the imperial court values most. Although many officials have poor moral character, they can still hold high positions, but that's behind closed doors. Once these ugly things are exposed, it won't work."

  If an official commits adultery with someone, not only will they be severely punished by the imperial court, but even if they are privately killed by others, the government will not intervene. Even if they die, it is considered a justified death, as the imperial court seeks to severely punish them as a warning to others. However, for ordinary commoners who commit this crime, the punishment is much more lenient, usually just a beating with a board and a sentence of two years' labor, which can even be commuted by paying a fine.

  This is not the end of it. If the parties involved are unmarried, the judge will order them to get married. If one party refuses, that person will be forbidden from marrying again for life. This is a common practice. You have a good reputation and property, and you're also young and handsome, making you a desirable husband for women. But if that woman thinks you've fallen in love with someone else, she'll stop at nothing to make a scene and ruin your reputation, regardless of the consequences.

  A cold sweat trickled down Xia Jian's temple: "I... only want his status and wealth, his woman... isn't necessary, is it..."

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  In the evening, colorful clouds fill the sky.

  Distant mountains, rivers, green trees, and lush grass, as well as the winding roads that stretch far away, are all covered with a thin layer of golden yellow. A long time ago, this was a vast expanse of fertile fields, but due to natural disasters and human calamities, the population gradually dwindled, and many fields were left barren. It's not easy to turn a piece of wasteland into a garden, but it's simple to let it become a wasteland again.

  However, the population moving to Shandong is increasing day by day, and Daming is also gradually prospering. Although the place where they are riding horses now is still a vast wilderness, I believe that in two years, the lush wild grass here will become neat and tidy fields.

  Xia Liu and Zhang Thirteen wore sun hats, each riding a sorrel horse, sometimes galloping slowly on the wasteland, sometimes whipping their horses to speed up. Although it can't be said that they have any remarkable skills now, their horsemanship has become somewhat similar.

  "Right, that's it! When holding the reins in both hands, the length of the reins must always be kept equal. Keep your chest out and waist straight, hold the reins tightly in your fists, relax your movements a bit more, let your body follow the ups and downs of the horse's movement, and naturally make one-foot-one-sit motion with your feet. Good, now go a bit faster!"

  Xia Jiang was fully focused on manipulating the fine horse, Zhang Thirteen followed closely behind, and suddenly asked: "What is the name of the Crown Prince of Qi?"

  Xia Fu Zhang readily replied: "Zhu Xian Ting."

  "What about the second and fourth sons?"

  "The second son is Yue'an County King Zhu Xianzhi, and the fourth son is Pingyuan County King Zhu Xianhe."

  "What kind of person is King Qi?"

  "King Qi knew military affairs and was well-versed in martial strategies, previously considering himself a master of the art of war. He had a strong and arrogant temperament, and liked to recruit heroes from the rivers and lakes and eccentric scholars..."

  Xia Yu talked fluently and composedly.

  Can't help but say, Jin Yiwei is indeed a very impressive organization. They not only have a tight organization, but also have extremely high efficiency and a large number of professional personnel. Whether it's undercover investigation or intelligence gathering, they have many talents. Zhang Thirteen prepared thoroughly to let him impersonate Yang Wenxuan, which was more detailed than when the police arranged for Xia Liu to go undercover in the past.

  Later generations often talked about the power and arrogance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but rarely noticed that some Embroidered Uniform Guard secret agents were ordered to infiltrate foreign lands, in any dangerous and difficult place, for decades, day after day, how much they endured, how many sacrifices they made. Few people noticed that during the entire Ming dynasty, they risked their lives, infiltrating the northern grasslands, Korea, Japan, Annan... collecting intelligence on ethnic minorities, making great contributions to the court's decision-making. This sharp dagger, if used in the right place, is actually very effective.

  "How old were you when you received your title as crown prince and other princes? How many guards and horses does the palace have? What is the etiquette for visiting King Qi?"

  "The princes, at the age of ten, were granted titles and seals. The eldest son was appointed as the Crown Prince, and was given a golden seal and a golden badge. Other sons were granted the title of Duke, and were given silver seals and silver badges. The attire of the Crown Prince followed the same regulations as those of first-ranking officials, while that of Dukes followed the same regulations as those of second-ranking officials. The residence of the King of Qi had three battalions of guards, totaling 9,900 men, who were registered in the Ministry of War and directly received orders from the King, without being subject to local jurisdiction. All rules and regulations regarding Princes were only one rank below those for the Emperor. When visiting a Prince, all officials and nobles, including Dukes and Ministers, had to kneel on the ground."

  Zhang Thirteen smiled and said: "Xia Xun, your memory is very good, you answered without a single mistake."

  Xia Xiao seemed to have not heard, still riding his horse forward, Zhang Thirteen burst out laughing and said: "Yang Wenyuan, you passed the test!"

  Xia Liu finally turned around and clasped his fists, saying: "This is all thanks to your guidance, sir."

  Zhang Thirteen smiled and shook his head: "Whether it's good or not, it's not up to me to decide. It depends on whether you can deceive the entire Qingzhou and make people believe that you are Yang Wenyuan. Tomorrow, we have to hurry back."

  "Really so soon?"

  "In a few more days, it will be the birthday of King Qi. As one of King Qi's subordinates, you must go to congratulate him no matter what. You should return and get familiar with the place. If you can't even pass the test of Yang Xu's family and friends, how can you enter the gates of the king?"

  He took a deep breath, gazing at the distant thin twilight, and muttered: "Whether it's a mule or a horse, it should be taken out for a walk..."

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  Qingzhou Ancient City, west of Mount Tai, east overlooking the Bohai Sea, south facing the three green hills, city walls like a screen painting, north with two rivers flowing around, embracing the city like a crescent moon. Famous mountains and great rivers are all over the four borders, cultural relics and ancient traces are everywhere.

  As one of the nine ancient provinces, Qingzhou has been the center of politics, economy, military affairs, culture and trade in Shandong since the Han Dynasty. Until a few years ago, when Zhu Emperor ordered to move the Shandong Governor's Office and Commander-in-Chief's Office to Jinan, Jinan was established as the supreme position in Shandong.

  However, Qingzhou still has the Bu Zheng Fen Si and Du Zhi Hui Fen Si. The historical status accumulated over a thousand years cannot be weakened in just a few short years, let alone with a vassal king here. Currently, there are two vassal kings on the ground of Shandong, one is Zhu Yuanzhang's tenth son, sealed as Lu Wang, and the other is the seventh son Qi Wang, who was sealed in Qingzhou Prefecture.

  Xia Yu had already entered the city at this time, and on the way back, it was different from when he went. The wall panels and curtains of the carriage were removed, leaving only the sunshade on top. Xia Yu sat upright in the carriage, wearing a crown and a scarf, with the horse and carriage moving, the wind blowing from all sides, somewhat like the style of a scholar-official going out in the spring and autumn periods.

  As soon as they entered the city gate, the streets became bustling with shops lining both sides of the street, and the sound of vendors calling out to customers filled the air. The smooth bluestone-paved road was filled with the rumbling sound of carriage wheels. The four guards split into two groups, with two rushing ahead to clear the way and the other two following behind the carriage. The coachman of the Yang family's carriage was familiar with the route to the young master's mansion and didn't need any instructions, so he urged the horses on towards the Yang residence.

  Xia Fu had occasionally entered the city before, but at that time he could only walk along the edge of the road, his eyes searching for kind-hearted people who might give him a few coins or a bowl of rice. Many people looked at him with disgust in their eyes, whereas now he was riding in a luxurious carriage, wearing elegant clothes and sitting upright, surrounded by attendants and guards, pedestrians hastily making way for him, looking up to him with reverence and admiration, which made him feel quite emotional.

  "Now that I'm here, I'll live a good life. This opportunity is given by heaven, no matter what, I must grasp it, and nobody can take it away!"

  Xia Liu's gaze suddenly fell on Zhang Thirteen's body.

  Yang's family has arrived.