Moma Liangshan

Chapter 17 Dragon Boat on the Bian River, Reunion with Gao Qiu

After drafting the regulations and allocating funds, Zhu Gui was entrusted with the full management of the distillery's operations. Wang Hao drew a simple diagram and summoned a coppersmith, asking, "Can you forge this?" The coppersmith took the diagram with both hands. It depicted a two-tiered vessel with a cylinder in the middle. He asked, "What is the purpose of the vessel you have drawn, sir?" Wang Hao pointed to the diagram and said, "The bottom is a stove, the top is a pot, and the middle is left open for ventilation." The coppersmith respectfully said, "I have a suggestion, but I don't know if I should say it?" Wang Hao replied, "Speak freely. If it makes sense, I will reward you." The coppersmith said, "I think this only needs three supporting legs at the bottom. Then you can..." "Find a potter to forge a simple stove. When in use, simply place the copper pot over the stove." Wang Hao nodded and said, "That makes sense." He then asked, "How long does it take to forge one such copper pot?" The coppersmith replied, "Two days." Wang Hao then asked, "Approximately how much does one copper pot weigh?" The coppersmith replied, "Six to seven jin (approximately 3.5-3.5 catties)." Wang Hao nodded and said, "I need two copper pots, to be delivered in three days, and the price will double." The coppersmith dared not delay and said, "I will certainly deliver on time." Wang Hao ordered Ma Decao to pay the deposit and signaled the coppersmith to leave.

Wang Hao looked at Ma Decao and asked, "Are there ice cellars in Dongjing City?" Ma Decao replied, "Of course there are." Wang Hao asked again, "Where are they?" Ma Decao thought for a moment and said, "Wealthy families have them, luxurious restaurants have them, and there are also merchants who specialize in selling ice." Wang Hao said, "In that case, Fanlou should have ice cellars?" Ma Decao replied, "Definitely." Wang Hao nodded and said, "Go to Fanlou."

Wang Hao entered Fanlou. The waiter greeted him, saying, "Greetings, young master!" Wang Hao asked, "Does Fanlou have an ice cellar?" The waiter replied, "Yes, it's in the back courtyard." Wang Hao said, "Tell your manager that I'd like to freeze some beef and mutton in Fanlou's ice cellar." The waiter asked softly, "How much do you want to freeze, young master?" Wang Hao thought for a moment and said, "Ten catties of each." The waiter replied, "If you only have ten catties, I can arrange that." Wang Hao then asked, "Is the beef and mutton in Fanlou of the highest quality?" The waiter replied, "Everything in Fanlou is of the highest quality, young master, you can rest assured." Wang Hao nodded and said, "I'll give you a list. Prepare all the fruits, vegetables, and fresh meat I need, for use in three days." The waiter replied, "I obey." He fetched paper and ink, and Wang Hao listed more than ten kinds of fruits and vegetables, and seven or eight kinds of beef and mutton. The waiter took the list, glanced at it for a moment, and said, "What you've requested, sir, are all common fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats. Fanlou also has delicacies from land and sea, which you may use as you please." Wang Hao shook his head and said, "No need. Just take the best from the list." He then looked at Ma Decao and said, "Pay the bill!" The waiter quickly said, "The owner has already instructed that you are a distinguished guest, sir. This is just a small matter, a matter of courtesy, not money." Seeing that Wang Hao was about to refuse, the waiter quickly said, "Please don't make things difficult for me, sir, please accept." Ma Decao also chimed in, "I've heard that Fanlou has strict rules; it would be best if you accepted." Wang Hao no longer declined.

Three days later, Wang Hao brought a ceramic stove and a copper pot, along with seasonal vegetables and fresh meat, to invite Li Shishi to taste them. Looking at the bubbling bone broth in the pot and the tempting dipping sauce in the white porcelain dish, Li Shishi said, "Brother, this dish is truly ingenious. Just looking at it makes my mouth water." Wang Hao then took out a porcelain pot and poured Li Shishi a cup of cool, sweet drink. Li Shishi took a small sip and said, "This is as red as blood, and tastes sweet and sour like fruit juice. I wonder how it's made?" Wang Hao replied, "It's made by simmering hawthorn berries, dried plums, osmanthus flowers, licorice root, and honey over a low flame until the dried fruit melts. Then, the residue is filtered out, and it's cooled in a cool place. This cold drink has the effects of aiding digestion, regulating qi, quenching thirst, astringing lung qi, and calming the mind." Li Shishi nodded in approval and then said, "His Majesty will lead his officials on a spring outing along the Bian River on the 18th of this month. Do you know the etiquette of the imperial banquet?" Wang Hao shook his head and said, "No." "I know." Li Shishi explained, "When hosting a banquet for officials, the dishes cannot be extravagant, otherwise it will easily offend the censors and other corrupt officials; nor can they be meager, otherwise it will dishonor the dignity of the Huang family. I heard from Eunuch Chen that His Majesty is currently struggling with what to serve at the banquet. Your dish is novel and elegant, and I'm sure it will win His Majesty's favor." Wang Hao didn't ask any further questions and said, "I will leave the utensils to you, sister. The dish is extremely simple to make; I'm sure you are intelligent enough not to need further explanation. I'll leave the rest to you, sister." Li Shishi nodded and said, "I will await good news from you!"

A few days later, a eunuch arrived at Wang Hao's residence and called out, "Wang Xianmeng, receive the imperial decree!" Wang Hao hurriedly stepped out of the house, straightened his clothes, and said, "This humble subject, Wang Xianmeng, respectfully obeys the imperial decree!" The eunuch announced, "By imperial decree, Wang Xianmeng has repeatedly offered brilliant ideas that greatly please me. He is hereby granted the official position of Imperial Diarist and will accompany me on my travels on the eighteenth of this month." Wang Hao glanced at the eunuch and said, "This humble subject, Wang Xianmeng, accepts the decree and expresses his gratitude!" After rising, Wang Hao took out a silver ingot and placed it in the eunuch's palm. The eunuch immediately beamed and flattered, "Sir, you have won His Majesty's favor. We servants will have to rely on you in the future." Wang Hao said, "You flatter me, sir. May I ask what the official rank and duties of this Imperial Attendant are?" The eunuch replied, "A sixth-rank official, with no duties." Wang Hao was puzzled and asked, "No duties? If that's the case, what is His Majesty's intention? Please enlighten me, sir, lest I be ignorant of the rules and cause trouble!" The eunuch said, "If you were a commoner, it would be inconvenient to summon you. Now that you have an official position, it is only natural for you to meet His Majesty." Wang Hao suddenly understood the reason and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir!" The eunuch replied, "Palace affairs are busy, and I cannot linger any longer. Farewell!" Wang Hao said, "Take care, sir!"

As evening fell, someone from Fanlou came to inform Wang Hao that Li Shishi summoned him. Wang Hao took an oxcart and went straight to Fanlou. In Li Shishi's boudoir, Wang Hao asked, "Sister, what brings you here this evening?" Li Shishi feigned anger and said, "You ungrateful wretch! I went to great lengths to secure an official position for you, and instead of thanking you, you put on airs?" Wang Hao was surprised and asked, "The Emperor bestowed this official position; was it truly you who did it, sister?" Li Shishi stared at Wang Hao and said, "Did you think I couldn't do it?" Wang Hao quickly replied, "I had no such intention." Li Shishi said, "Don't forget how Gao Qiu climbed to his current position. Given the Emperor's favor towards me, if Gao Qiu dared to be disrespectful, it wouldn't be impossible for him to lose his official hat." At this moment, Wang Hao finally saw another side of Li Shishi and said, "Brother..." "I'm rather slow-witted, please don't take offense, sister." Li Shishi smiled smugly and said, "Do you know why I gave you the position of Imperial Diarist?" Wang Hao said, "Please enlighten me, sister!" Li Shishi said, "The Imperial Diarist, as the name suggests, is a civil official who records the emperor's daily life. However, in our dynasty, although this position is established, you do not actually perform this task. In other words, you currently only have the title, but no real duties. It's too inconvenient for you to move around the capital as a commoner. The emperor has a very good impression of you and intended to reward you, but you are too young and not from a prestigious family. Giving you a high position and generous salary would only put you in a dangerous position. The Imperial Diarist does not perform any duties; he is only responsible to His Majesty, and even the Three Dukes and the Grand Secretaries cannot say anything. Do you understand the deeper meaning behind this?"

Wang Hao said, "Sister, you only allow your brother to receive the Emperor's favor, not an official position in the court. This way, you can keep the officials in check and open doors for your future; it also avoids conflicts of interest with the officials and prevents trouble." Li Shishi smiled slightly and said, "You are teachable." Wang Hao then asked, "Will you attend the spring outing on the 18th of this month, sister?" Li Shishi said, "What do you think, brother?" Wang Hao thought for a moment and could only shake his head, saying, "I can't guess!" Li Shishi said, "The Emperor has choreographed a song and dance for this outing, and I am the lead dancer." Wang Hao asked, "The Emperor personally choreographed the song and dance?" Li Shishi replied, "Exactly! How many people in the whole world can compare to the Emperor's calligraphy, painting, poetry, and music? Is there anyone who can surpass him?" Wang Hao had also heard of Emperor Huizong's achievements and said, "The Emperor's talent is unparalleled in the world!"

On the eighteenth of that month, Wang Hao donned his official robes and, according to protocol, found his seat. Just before the fleet departed, a eunuch arrived and announced, "By imperial decree, Wang Xianmeng, the Imperial Attendant, is to board the dragon boat." These few words drew envious glances from those around him. Wang Hao boarded the dragon boat, and the eunuch said, "His Majesty may summon you later; please make yourself at home, sir." Wang Hao replied, "Thank you for your trouble, sir." Wang Hao looked around; all those present were officials of the third rank or higher. His own sixth-rank robes stood out starkly. To avoid controversy, Wang Hao quietly moved to a corner at the stern, admiring the scenery along the Bian River. After the boat had traveled two or three miles, Gao Qiu arrived and said, "Lord Wang, it's been a long time!" Wang Hao, seeing it was Gao Qiu, said, "This humble official greets Grand Commandant Gao!" Gao Qiu smiled warmly and said, "We hit it off immediately, no need for such formalities. If Lord Wang doesn't find Gao Qiu's style too pedantic, how about we address each other as brothers in private?" Wang Hao closed the distance and said, "Brother has something to report to you, elder brother, please forgive my abruptness!" Gao Qiu said, "Please speak freely, my virtuous brother!" Wang Hao said, "A man recently offended you, elder brother, and has now been imprisoned in Kaifeng Prefecture. This man is a friend of mine, and has already repented. He has come to my aid..." "Brother, please don't pursue this further; forgive his sins." Gao Qiu pondered for a moment and said, "Brother, are you referring to Lin Chong?" Wang Hao replied, "Indeed." Gao Qiu said, "Lin Chong is a very cautious man. I don't know why he suddenly entered the court with a knife the other day. According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, you could have killed him on the spot, but considering Lin Chong's past merits, you spared his life and sent him to Kaifeng Prefecture. Now that he has been exiled to Cangzhou, it's probably impossible to overturn the verdict rashly." Seeing that Gao Qiu didn't want to take Lin Chong's life anymore, Wang Hao said, "Since you no longer blame Lin Chong, brother, I thank you on Lin Chong's behalf!" Gao Qiu said, "Brother, you're too kind."