Chapter 74 Meng Qing Offers a Plan

Chapter 74 Meng Qing Offers a Plan

"Mingzhang".

"Brother Lu." Upon hearing the voice, Master Chen quickly stood up to greet him, "Brother Lu, please come inside."

"I won't go in. It's cloudy today, and it looks like it's going to snow. I need to go back early so I don't get stuck on the road." Lu Si was standing under the eaves, his gaze passing over the wall. The courtyard next to the wall was filled with paper effigies and funerary objects.

"I asked around and found out what Dugu Ying thought. He looked down on paper effigies and funerary objects, saying that these things were rustic and unworthy of his father's status," Lu Sizheng revealed.

Chen Yuanwai's expression darkened, but he forced a laugh. "Commander Dugu is the son of a Duke, from a distinguished family with noble blood. I heard that his burial goods include bronze ritual vessels and painted pottery, so it's normal that he doesn't care about paper effigies."

Lu Sizheng nodded, not mentioning the Dugu family. As a member of a collateral branch of the Lu family of Fanyang, he looked down on such paper effigies and funerary objects. The people who came to watch the spectacle these past few days were only there to learn about the simple burials advocated by the sage. If they were to use them at their own funerals, no one would find them too shabby.

After seeing off Lu Sizheng, Master Chen walked into the courtyard and stood silently at the door.

"Sir, what are your orders?" Steward Chen walked over. His family now lived in this courtyard and were responsible for guarding the paper effigies and funerary objects.

"It's going to snow. Find something to cover these paper effigies and funerary objects," Master Chen instructed. "You come with me outside."

"Please wait a moment, I'll go back and give the order." Steward Chen instructed his son to go to the manor's steward and ask for some tung oil cloth to cover the paper effigies in the courtyard. He then took a string of copper coins and a basket and went out to follow Master Chen.

"What are you doing?" Master Chen asked, looking at the basket he was carrying.

"Aren't we going to the courtyard where Miss Meng is renting? I'll buy a few pounds of mutton to take with me when I pass through the East Market. It'll be a good gift when I visit, and it'll make things easier when I come in," said Steward Chen.

Master Chen chuckled, “You’re quite perceptive and know how to read people’s minds. Which of your two sons is as capable as you? Let him come and work for me.”

"The second son is a bit clever, while the eldest is more steady," Butler Chen told him to choose for himself.

"Let the second son come. You're new to Chang'an and unfamiliar with the place, so you need to be quick-witted and adaptable," said Master Chen. As they walked to the outer courtyard, he took Zhao Xingwu with him, and the three of them went out of Chongren Ward to Anyi Ward.

An Yi Fang was a gathering place for merchants and commoners. The small courtyard where Meng Qing's family lived belonged to Zhao Xingwu's cousin. The courtyard was not large, with only two rooms. The house was cramped, but fortunately, it had a good orientation and good lighting.

Du Min was admiring his new poem of seeking patronage in his bedroom. He had heard that Prime Minister Lu was in charge of this year's provincial examination. After inquiring about Lu's style of governance, he pondered for three days and finally wrote a poem to promote himself.

Suddenly, the goose in the corner cried out. Du Min opened the window and looked out. A snowflake drifted in through the window frame.

"It's snowing!" Du Min immediately opened the door and went outside. "I'm twenty years old, and this is the first time I've ever seen snow."

The family of three, who were busy cooking meat in the kitchen, came out upon hearing this, still covered in steam. Light snowflakes fell on them, instantly turning into petal-shaped watermarks.

There was a knock on the door. Du Li looked over and asked, "Who is it?"

“It’s me,” Butler Chen replied in the Wu County dialect.

Meng Qing hurried to open the door, and when she saw Master Chen there, her smile froze for a moment, then became even more enthusiastic, "Third brother, Master Chen is here. Master, please come in quickly, it's cold today, I didn't expect you to come."

"It's snowing today, sir. Come and see how you're doing." Steward Chen handed over ten catties of mutton and asked with concern, "You're not used to Chang'an yet, are you? The north is dry and cold. Your aunt keeps complaining that her skin is cracking and her nose is bleeding from dryness."

"We are a little unaccustomed to it." Meng Qing handed a basket of mutton to Du Li, and said to Master Chen, "Thank you for your concern, sir. With your protection, we are living quite well here."

Du Min nodded, "Our family lives here and there's nothing to worry about, so you don't need to concern yourself."

Master Chen glanced around. The small courtyard, seven steps long and five steps wide, contained two adjacent bedrooms and a low kitchen—there wasn't even a place to eat or entertain guests. He glared at Zhao Xingwu with displeasure. What kind of mess had this place made?

"Sir, I have written a new poem. Would you like to take a look?" Du Min invited Master Chen to his room. "The snow is falling heavily. Your clothes will get wet in a moment."

Master Chen followed him into the house. Butler Chen and Zhao Xingwu had nowhere to stand, and Meng Qing had no choice but to say hesitantly, "Uncle Chen, Brother Zhao, why don't you two come to the kitchen to warm up?"

Butler Chen went inside, and Zhao Xingwu thought for a moment and said, "I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back later."

"Is there mutton stewing in the pot?" Butler Chen asked.

“Yes, winters in Chang’an are too cold. We need mutton hot pot to keep warm.” Meng Qing let Wang Zhou sit in his father’s lap and made room for a stool for Butler Chen. “Uncle Chen, are you not used to being here? Do you want to go back to your hometown?”

Butler Chen shook his head, "What's a little discomfort? What's important is that our children and grandchildren have something to do and a monthly salary."

“That’s true.” Meng Qing glanced outside and asked in a low voice, “Would you like to stay for dinner, sir? If so, I’ll go buy a few more groceries.”

Steward Chen waved his hand, saying that the dining table was placed outside the kitchen, and it seemed that meals were to be eaten in the kitchen. How could Master Chen possibly stay for a meal?

"Second sister-in-law, come here for a moment," Du Min called out.

Meng Qing went out, and the two exchanged a glance. She understood that Master Chen had come to use her.

"Second sister-in-law, do you still remember Dugu? I told you about it." Du Min spoke on behalf of Master Chen. "Dugu disliked paper effigies as rustic things and wouldn't accept them. The master wanted you to make lotus-shaped painted horses."

Meng Qing frowned, looked at Master Chen, and said, "Sir, when you were handling the funeral arrangements for Old Master Chen, did you burn his clothes?"

"Why are you asking this?" Master Chen asked, displeased.

“The silk cloth is woven from silkworm silk, which shrinks into a ball when exposed to fire and deforms when heated. The lotus flower horse is entirely wrapped in silk, so it will be destroyed instantly when burned, and even the straw inside will be exposed. It is impossible for it to have the glassy texture of the brass paper horse when burned,” Meng Qing explained to him.

Master Chen pinched the bridge of his nose. "So, according to you, paper effigies for funerary objects can't make a name for themselves in Chang'an? How did your paper horse shop initially establish itself in Wu County?"

"We couldn't establish ourselves there. For the first nine years, we relied on the incense offerings from Ruiguang Temple to make a little money. A profit of thirty strings of cash a year was considered good. It wasn't until Du Min stepped forward to legitimize paper offerings and used Old Master Chen's funeral that we gained fame in Wu County. It was you who took the lead in accepting paper offerings, and only then did lower-level officials and wealthy merchants accept paper offerings as sacrificial items," Meng Qing said.

Master Chen nodded; he understood this principle as well. Therefore, he followed Du Min's approach, hoping to gain fame through the funeral of the Dugu clan. If the Guanzhong nobles accepted this, the people would follow suit. Paper offerings for the deceased faced almost no obstacles in Chang'an. With paper offerings replacing painted pottery and bronzes, and simple burials replacing elaborate ones, he gained merit for promotion.

"My lord, the sage advocated simple burials. Which noble families agree with this? Could you perhaps start with them?" Du Min suggested. The Dugu family were old noble families who had served three dynasties. They valued status and prestige, so it was not surprising that they would hold a funeral with the highest standards stipulated by law and would not accept paper offerings.

"I'm not the God of Death, I can't just kill whoever I want." Master Chen glanced at him, his tone sharp: "You find me any funeral in Chang'an that can compare to the grandeur of the Dugu family's funeral?"

It would be a joke if he were to give the paper effigies he brought back from afar to the deceased parents of a minor official.

Du Min choked, gritting his teeth inwardly. He looked down on him and couldn't stand his suggestions. If he was so capable, he shouldn't have come here.

Meng Qing also lowered her head and remained silent.

"Speak up! These paper effigies are of great importance to you!" Master Chen urged impatiently.

Meng Qing hesitated, then feigned ignorance and asked, "Does Du Min need such a big reputation? Isn't the commotion we caused by touring Chang'an with paper effigies enough? People recognized me when I went to the East Market to buy groceries these past few days."

Master Chen felt a lump in his throat, but he said without changing his expression, "What's this little commotion? There are many interesting things happening in Chang'an. Before the end of the year, this little commotion will be forgotten. Fame alone is useless. We need to make paper offerings take root in Chang'an and let the people of Chang'an accept this offering."

Du Min chuckled inwardly, thinking, "What a fine actor."

Meng Qing found it amusing. This person was truly hypocritical, both hypocritical and arrogant. He looked down on Du Min and her, yet he wanted to use them. He wanted to use them and also wanted them to be grateful to him, thus gaining both profit and fame.

"What are your thoughts, sir?" Meng Qing asked.

"You should find a way to make another valuable paper effigy funerary object. Just tell me what you need, and I'll have someone prepare it," said Master Chen.

"When will Governor Dugu be buried?" Meng Qing asked.

"It's the fourth day of the twelfth lunar month," said Master Chen. "Time is a bit tight, so hurry up with the work. I'll have Steward Chen send over some more candles later."

Meng Qing refused, saying, "I have no good ideas, unless I put gold leaf on paper effigies."

Master Chen looked at Du Min, who smiled bitterly, “Sir, this is putting people in a difficult position. If you are helpless, what can my second sister-in-law, a woman, do? She doesn’t even know anything about the Dugu family’s background. The medicine has to be appropriate for the condition.”

"Lord Chen, when I was buying groceries I heard that the candidates are already busy looking for ways to submit their examination papers. When can you take Du Min to meet the official in charge of the provincial examination?" Meng Qing asked. "If we can't get through to the Dugu family, we can try another route."

Du Min glanced at her, then nodded and said, "My poetry collection, essays, and policy proposals are all ready. I've also found out that Prime Minister Lu is in charge of this year's provincial examination. Do you have any prior relationship with Prime Minister Lu?"

“Prime Minister Lu is just a figurehead; the one actually in charge is the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.” Chen Yuanwai was indignant. He mumbled, “You all wait here for news. I’ll go back and think of a solution.”

Du Min's heart skipped a beat. After seeing Master Chen off, he asked uneasily, "Could it be that he didn't achieve his goal and therefore won't help me with the introduction?"

Meng Qing lowered her eyes and offered a perfunctory consolation: "Don't overthink it. There are still three months until the provincial examination. Perhaps he will just be waiting for a funeral where he can use it to get promoted."

Du Min couldn't even manage a laugh; he could only hope that another high-ranking official from a poor family would die this winter.

While they could patiently wait, Master Chen couldn't wait any longer. In another half month, the annual winter fair would begin, and he would have to participate in the Ministry of Personnel's centralized assessment and job assignment. For an official like him who had just finished his mourning period, it was uncertain whether he would be able to return to his original position.

Master Chen was extremely anxious and went around trying to find a middleman. He spent money and ate food and wine, but he couldn't find anyone who could persuade Lady Dugu to agree.

*

On the afternoon of the third day of the twelfth lunar month, Meng Qing knocked on Du Min's door and said, "Do you want to come to the Chen residence with me? I've come up with a plan that might attract the attention of the officials at the Dugu family's funeral to the paper effigies."

"Go, go, go!" Du Min suddenly perked up. "Second sister-in-law, what's the plan?"

"You'll know when you get there. I don't know if Master Chen will accept this method. It's a bit embarrassing, and people might laugh at us behind our backs." Meng Qing walked out.

Du Min became even more curious upon hearing this. "That's a good idea. I want to see him lose face. He's arrogant in front of me, but he's no different from me in front of high-ranking officials and dignitaries."

Meng Qing glanced at him and said, "I think if you could reach the position of Master Chen, you would be no less than him."

Du Min turned his face away and looked to the side. He touched his conscience and said, "That's really possible."

"Impossible," he stubbornly insisted. "If I were to become an official, I would treat talented individuals with respect and courtesy."

"He must be a wealthy man," Meng Qing thought, not believing him.

Du Min chuckled twice, then changed the subject: "Where's my second brother? Where's Wang Zhou?"

"I went to the East Market to walk the geese. Your second brother is going to collect some mustard greens to feed them."

Everything is expensive in Chang'an. In Wu County, you can buy five sprigs of pine needles for ten coins, but in Chang'an, you can't even buy two. Four geese need to eat two sprigs of pine needles a day, and they squawk if they are not given any.

The uncle and aunt braved the bitter cold to arrive at Chongrenfang and knocked on the door of the Chen residence. Meng Qing was surprised to find that the gatekeeper was actually the eldest son of Steward Chen.

"Brother Dayou, is Uncle Chen here? Could you ask him to inform the magistrate that we have something important to discuss with him?" Meng Qing said.

"The master went out this afternoon and he's not home. Why don't you come in first, sit in the gatehouse for a while, and have some hot water to warm yourselves up?" Chen Dayou, following his father's instructions, was quite friendly to Meng Qing.

Meng Qing thanked him and went with Du Min to sit in the gatekeeper's room. As soon as Master Chen returned, she immediately knew.

"What do you want?" Master Chen was humiliated after being humiliated outside, and he didn't give Meng Qing and Du Min a friendly look.

"I have a solution regarding your visit to me that day," Meng Qing said.

Master Chen immediately changed his attitude. He led the two to his study and had the servants serve them fine tea.

"What can we do? Governor Dugu is being buried tomorrow. Even if you work through the night to make funerary objects, it won't be enough time." Master Chen asked impatiently.

"If our Meng family had held a roadside memorial service on the way to the funeral of Old Master Chen two years ago, claiming that we were there to pay our respects out of gratitude for Old Master Chen's reputation, would you have sent someone to drive us away?" Meng Qing asked.

"Definitely not, I'll even arrange a feast for you, and invite you..." Master Chen slapped his thigh, then realized, "You mean I should bring paper offerings and funerary objects to perform a roadside ritual?"

Meng Qing smiled and nodded, "The Dugu family dislikes paper effigies as rustic items, unworthy of Dugu's status. But if you bring them, the meaning will be different. Paper effigies are your way of showing your affection for Dugu. Who would dislike them? Let alone grand paper horses, paper houses, and paper sedan chairs, no one would dislike even a bundle of paper money."

Master Chen nodded repeatedly, “I understand. At my father’s funeral, even if a beggar with a bundle of paper blocked the road to offer sacrifices, I would feel honored.”

“Yes, if we rush to their door, it will offend the family, but blocking their way will make them look good. You take my brother-in-law with you, and you can set up a tent along the way with the paper offerings. When you encounter a funeral procession, go up and burn a few bundles of paper, kowtow a few times, and then follow the funeral procession to the cemetery with the paper offerings. During the burnt offering, you can set fire to the paper horses, paper houses, and paper sedan chairs, so that the officials present can witness the burning of the brass and black gold paper horses.” Meng Qing arranged things clearly and logically. “Paper offerings are not as prestigious as painted pottery and bronzes, so let them serve as a show, like burning bamboo firecrackers on New Year’s Eve, just to make a sound.”

Master Chen was overjoyed; in this way, he had achieved his goal.

"It might be embarrassing. You'll be surrounded by officials and servants in public, and your colleagues might laugh at you afterwards, since many people know you didn't really intend to worship Governor Dugu." Meng Qing explained the downsides first to avoid being blamed for giving her a bad idea later.

"I am here to offer my advice and efforts on promoting simple burials, and to help the sage alleviate his worries and bear his burdens." Master Chen bowed towards the direction of the palace. If Meng Qing had proposed this idea a few days ago, he would have hesitated. However, he had been hit with obstacles everywhere and had nowhere else to turn. This idea was a life-saving rain for him.

Du Min watched coldly. He considered himself a vain man, but he was no match for Master Chen.

"My lord, please be sure to take me with you to the roadside memorial tomorrow. I'll make an appearance alongside the paper effigies and funerary objects, so that you won't have to introduce me when you take me to meet the examiners later," Du Min said shamelessly.

This time, Master Chen did not hesitate. "Alright, you can stay here tonight and come with me tomorrow morning."

Seeing that neither of them had any objections to the matter, Meng Qing stood up and said, "My lord, you need to prepare for tomorrow's events, so I won't disturb you any longer. It's getting late, and I should go back."

"Second sister-in-law, I'll take you back." Du Min then stood up.

Master Chen glanced at Meng Qing for a couple of seconds. After she left, he said to Chen Shan, "Go tell your father to go to Madam's and get a stone of coal to send to Anyifang. When the year is over, send some meat and wine as well."

"yes."

Not long after Meng Qing arrived home, he received a basket of charcoal from Steward Chen. Steward Chen said, "The master asked me to bring a stone of charcoal. I thought that your place is too small to store it, so I only brought one basket. There are three baskets left. I will bring you one basket every half month."

“Uncle Chen is very thoughtful, then I’ll trouble you. Curfew is about to start, so I won’t keep you for dinner. You should go back now.” Meng Qing saw Butler Chen out, “Please thank Lord Chen for me when you get back.”

Butler Chen smiled and said, "You're a capable person. You deserve all of this."

"Just a little bit of cleverness," Meng Qing chuckled.

Butler Chen shook his head; this was more than just cleverness. He took a few steps and looked back, thinking that perhaps one day he would have to say nice things to her again.

"Be careful on the road, don't walk close to the wall, there's still ice there, be careful not to slip," Meng Qing reminded her with concern.

"Go back, it's cold outside." Butler Chen waved his hand and turned to continue walking.

After watching him walk away, Meng Qing closed the door and locked it from the inside.

"What idea did you give to Chen Yuanwai?" Du Li was still in the dark.

"Have the third son and Master Chen take the paper offerings and stand guard on the road to the funeral procession. If they encounter the procession, they should stop it to pay their respects," Meng Qing shared her idea with him.

"The third brother agreed? He doesn't care about losing face anymore? He's not worried about his reputation?" Du Li said jokingly. "Hey? You had this idea in mind all along, didn't you? I haven't seen you worry about it at all these past few days."

Meng Qing patted his face and chuckled, "You're so clever. I had an idea the day Master Chen came, but he was still stubborn and definitely wouldn't accept it. As for your third son, this move is more beneficial than harmful, so how could he bear to refuse it?"

Du Li sighed, "I hope they both get what they want. If they do, they won't cause any more trouble, and we can leave Chang'an sooner."

"Just wait and see what Du Min says when he gets back tomorrow." Meng Qing looked at Zhou, who was warming himself by the stove, and said, "Let's eat. After you eat, go back to bed. We'll light a charcoal fire tonight to keep it warm. Chang'an is too cold. I want to leave too."

*

The next day.

Du Min returned in the evening, just before curfew.

"Why do you still smell of alcohol? Where did you drink?" Du Li asked.

"At Master Chen's residence, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, I met the Vice Minister of Rites, hahaha! He said I'm very suitable to work in the Ministry of Rites." Du Min was so excited he was about to float away. "Master Chen also agreed. In a few days, he will take me to visit the Vice Minister of Personnel and submit my application."

"After submitting the documents, he recognized your handwriting?" Du Li asked.

Du Min nodded, "After submitting my application, I will focus on preparing for the exam and just wait to enter the examination hall."

"I've already achieved the 'jin' in the imperial examination, and I only need to become a 'shi' now. I've finally reached this point." Meng Qing breathed a sigh of relief. "Third brother, congratulations!"

"Second sister-in-law deserves all the credit; you are my benefactor." Du Min picked up Wang Zhou and bounced him excitedly, saying, "From now on, you will be Third Uncle's own son. If I become a fifth-rank official, I will give you all the spots in the Four Schools."

Du Li and Meng Qing exchanged a glance, and he stopped them, saying, "I think you're too drunk."

“I’m very clear-headed. I’m serious. If I can become a fifth-rank official, I will give the quota for studying at the Four Gates Academy under my name to Wangzhou. If he doesn’t need it, I will give it to your other children,” Du Min promised.

"You all stole the show at Governor Dugu's funeral today?" Meng Qing asked.

Du Min nodded. "During the burnt offering, once the paper offerings were lit, they instantly overwhelmed the piles of burning paper money and silk. Everyone present saw it, and the Dugu family was extremely satisfied. This afternoon, while drinking at the Chen residence, I heard the Vice Minister of Rites say that in the future, the royal burnt offerings could also consider incorporating paper offerings."

Meng Qing smiled, "Master Chen must be grinning from ear to ear."

“Yes, yes, he was already drunk when I left, still laughing even in his drunken state.” Du Min gritted his teeth in resentment, “He got off too easy.”

"You got off easy, since the paper funerary objects weren't made by you," Du Li said.

“I am your own brother, and my second sister-in-law’s brother-in-law. We are family. I’m just keeping the good stuff in the family. What is Master Chen? He has nothing to do with us.” Du Min bowed to Meng Qing again. “I’m so lucky to have met my second sister-in-law. I must have done a lot of good deeds in my past life.”

"Alright, alright, you've said that a million times already. You've said it a lot in front of Master Chen too," Meng Qing said dismissively.

"All I said to Master Chen were flattering words; this is what I truly mean," Du Min argued.