Chapter 61: Chapter 61
At the canal wharf in the Capital, Zhao Jiu disembarked with Gong Lianyou.
The shore had already been sealed off by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. A whole row of Thousand-Household and Hundred-Household Officers in black and white Flying Fish Robes stood waiting, though no one of higher rank was present.
The moment Zhao Jiu stepped ashore, a Banner Officer in a green Bullfighting Robe respectfully offered him a square cotton towel.
“My lord, you’ve had a hard journey. Wipe away your sweat. Your lodgings have already been arranged, and Lord Lu is waiting for you.”
Zhao Jiu did not immediately take the towel. Instead, he asked, “Has Eunuch He delivered the Written Deposition to the palace?”
“He has. Eunuch He arrived in the Capital two days ago. He didn’t dare stop to rest and went straight into the palace,” the Banner Officer replied, straightening his back.
“Good. As long as it reached the palace.”
Zhao Jiu accepted the towel and wiped his hands. Glancing around at the Embroidered Uniform Guards surrounding him, he waved and said, “Brothers, thank you for your hard work and for waiting here. Head back, all of you. Once I’ve had my appointment paperwork processed in a few days, I’ll treat everyone to a drink.”
Several Thousand-Household Officers in white Flying Fish Robes smiled, cupped their fists, and bade Zhao Jiu farewell. Years spent navigating officialdom might not necessarily improve a man’s abilities, but they certainly sharpened his eye for people.
Zhao Jiu had started as a Lower Fourth-Rank Pacification Commissioner, and behind him stood Lu Wenyu, a man entitled to wear a python robe. No matter how reluctant they were, they had to admit it: Zhao Jiu had every reason to stand tall!
As the saying went, a newly appointed official always lit three fires. If they did not show him a friendly face now, one of those fires might burn them someday. After all, none of them had an uncle who headed the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
Those Thousand-Household and Hundred-Household Officers understood this, and Zhao Jiu naturally understood it as well. Connections? Backers? Call it whatever you liked—was his position rock-solid or wasn’t it?
After returning each of their farewells, Zhao Jiu boarded a carriage with Gong Lianyou. The Banner Officer who had offered him the towel drove them toward Wallfoot Alley.
Wallfoot Alley was actually only a nickname. No one remembered its original name anymore. Because it was close to the Imperial City, people had taken to calling it Imperial City Wallfoot Alley. As the name passed from mouth to mouth, it was eventually shortened to Wallfoot Alley.
Beyond the gate was a compound laid out across three courtyards. Several small side rooms stood behind the spirit wall, and only after passing them did one reach the main house. The main house was neither too large nor too small. It was square and proper, with two or three rooms joined into a single structure, giving it a rather imposing air.
Beyond the main house lay a small courtyard planted with several trees. A pavilion had been built there for drinking tea and enjoying the cool shade, exactly to Zhao Jiu’s taste.
In both size and craftsmanship, this compound was far inferior to the large residence Zhao Jiu had purchased in Liangzhou, but its surroundings were pleasant. To Zhao Jiu’s surprise, there were plenty of restaurants and eateries nearby because it was close to the Imperial Prison.
That meant he could happily go back to not cooking. Excellent!
The Banner Officer had merely shown them the way and did not follow Zhao Jiu inside. He remained on the carriage outside, puffing on a dry pipe.
After telling Gong Lianyou to choose a room for herself, Zhao Jiu clasped his hands behind his back and walked toward the rear courtyard.
Sure enough, Lu Wenyu was in the pavilion, dressed in casual robes and reclining in a rocking chair as he drank tea. His eyes were half-lidded, and he took an occasional sip while the chair swayed beneath him. He looked utterly content.
“Fifth Master, you certainly know how to take it easy,” Zhao Jiu said with a smile, shattering the tranquil mood as he sat beside Lu Wenyu.
Lu Wenyu first raised his head and carefully looked Zhao Jiu over. Only then did he sit up and laugh.
“Looks like you finally know how to wear a Flying Fish Robe. You look properly sharp today!”
Hearing the teasing note in Lu Wenyu’s voice, Zhao Jiu leisurely poured himself a cup of tea before speaking.
“Lin Yining is dead, and the case was handled exactly as you instructed. That was no easy job.”
“Here to complain? Complaining won’t earn you any silver!”
Zhao Jiu drank his tea and replied casually, “I wasn’t expecting you to pay me. I made a little extra on the side. You don’t mind, do you?”
“That girl?”
Lu Wenyu had sensed Zhao Jiu and Gong Lianyou the moment they entered. He had assumed she was one of Zhao Jiu’s private indulgences, so he had not asked. Now that Zhao Jiu had brought her up himself, Lu Wenyu became somewhat interested.
“That’s what you call a ransom hostage!”
After hearing Zhao Jiu’s explanation, Lu Wenyu burst out laughing. When it came to making money, this brat truly was in a league of his own. He had taken one government job and tacked on a private deal for himself.
But Lu Wenyu did not mind. When making money, it did not matter whether the methods were clean—the silver itself had to be clean!
“Just don’t let it blow up in your face!”
Zhao Jiu understood what he meant and explained, “It won’t. I’m only making a little extra. They pay, I release her. I do have professional standards, you know.”
Lu Wenyu nodded. As long as Zhao Jiu did not cause serious trouble, Lu Wenyu could turn a blind eye to almost anything.
“Just don’t make it into a major affair. At the Son of Heaven’s feet, even the smallest matter becomes a major one!”
Lu Wenyu’s tone was forceful, both a warning and a piece of advice. Tapping a finger against his teacup, he continued, “You’ve worn yourself out on the road. Rest for a few days first.”
“In a few days, I’ll show you around the Imperial Prison. A Pacification Commissioner should at least know where the Imperial Prison is.”
What else could Zhao Jiu say? This old bastard truly intended to make him work as a Pacification Commissioner!
Although he desperately wanted to shout, “I’m not a real fucking Pacification Commissioner!” he thought it over and agreed. He had finally finagled his way into a blue-green official robe; he could hardly strip it off and fight Lu Wenyu over the matter.
He couldn’t beat the man!
Seeing Zhao Jiu’s expression constantly shifting, Lu Wenyu assumed he was simply annoyed by the trouble involved. He stood, patted Zhao Jiu on the shoulder, and consoled him.
“Lower Fourth Rank—that’s no minor post. You have to show your face and take charge of some matters, or it won’t look right.”
“I know you hate trouble, but relax. There are three Pacification Commissioners counting you. The Imperial Prison may look large, but there isn’t much to do. It’s nothing more than locking people up and interrogating them. Most of the time, you’ll just report for roll call and drink tea. Our business is what truly matters.”
Knowing that Lu Wenyu had misunderstood him, Zhao Jiu could not be bothered to explain. Let him think what he liked—it saved Zhao Jiu some saliva.
He quietly drank his tea and gave Lu Wenyu a look that said, “I understand,” leaving him to interpret it himself.
After several pots of tea, Lu Wenyu hurried away.
For the next few days, Zhao Jiu lived a life of eating, loafing, and waiting for death. He did not get out of bed until noon, when the sun was already scorching his ass. He did not cook a single meal and ate every one outside. Even Gong Lianyou’s portion was packed into a food box and brought back.
If nothing else, he became a familiar face to the shopkeepers of the nearby restaurants and eateries. Before Zhao Jiu even stepped inside, the shopkeeper would already be ordering the kitchen to light the stove and start cooking.
By the time Zhao Jiu finished his meal and sat drinking tea, a food box would be ready beside his seat. It was remarkably thoughtful.
The food in the Capital, however, was absurdly expensive. A single meal cost nearly one or two taels of silver, making Zhao Jiu suck air through his teeth at the price.
No wonder living in the Capital was no easy thing.
One day, Zhao Jiu had just finished eating and was carrying a food box home when he encountered Lu Wenyu, dressed in a scarlet Flying Fish Robe, at the gate.
Seeing Zhao Jiu’s sloppy, carefree appearance, Lu Wenyu merely smiled.
“Change into your official robes. Come with me to see the Imperial Prison.”
Zhao Jiu nodded. He entered the courtyard and gave the food box to Gong Lianyou, then returned to the main house to put on his official robes and hat. Afterward, he went outside and followed Lu Wenyu toward the Imperial Prison.
The Imperial Prison was not far from Wallfoot Alley. Neither of them was in a hurry, so they walked slowly, one behind the other.
In less than fifteen minutes, they could already make out the Imperial Prison’s four corner towers. After going a little farther and turning a corner, the prison stood before them.
Unlike other yamens, the Imperial Prison’s entrance was utterly plain. There was no signboard or pair of stone beasts. The entrance was bare, with only several hitching posts standing outside the wall.
The towering gray walls and downward-drooping eaves made the place look uncannily like a killer choosing his next victim to devour.
Before the two men even drew close, the Gatekeeper spotted Lu Wenyu’s scarlet Flying Fish Robe. He promptly opened the gate, stepped aside, and raised a hand to usher them inside.