Chapter 242: Professor Shan

Chapter 242: Professor Shan

The back alley was a lane behind the shop, a long stretch that connected to the main street on both sides. Meng Wan had purchased the entire lane, which contained eleven small courtyards. Most of them were used as dormitories for courier station employees, and the remaining two were for Aunt Chang Jinhua's shop staff.

Originally, Lai Xi's grandmother had been uneasy about being given a room by Aunt Chang Jinhua for no reason, but now, thanks to a bowl of her hometown rice noodles, she unexpectedly gained Aunt Chang's appreciation and was formally kept on as a cook. Aunt Chang even assigned two laborers to her, telling her to focus solely on making rice noodles each day.

"Aunt Qin, Aunt Chang says to cook a large portion of rice noodles, extra meat, no pickled beans or pickled bamboo shoots."

As the boss, Aunt Chang Jinhua wasn't used to the shop workers calling her "boss," so she had everyone address her as "Auntie."

A short, thin woman with a full head of white hair stood busy at the stove. Without turning around, she replied, "Got it, about the same size as the last bowl, right?"

"No, Aunt Chang says it needs to be double that." The worker drew a big circle with her hands.

Aunt Qin almost dropped her ladle. She confirmed with the worker again, "Double?"

Once Song Tingzhou's giant bowl of rice noodles was served, everyone else's bowls had to make way. A Yan was very envious; he wanted to eat this, that, that, and this, but unfortunately, his little belly couldn't hold it all.

Aunt Chang Jinhua also fried two large plates of chicken nuggets for them. A Yan happily alternated between eating rice noodles and biting into a chicken leg. He had grown tired of eating lotus root powder and canned fruit on the road; nothing beat Grandma's cooking!

Full and satisfied, Aunt Chang Jinhua gave a few instructions to the shop workers, then untied her apron and went home with Meng Wan and the others first.

Aunt Chang Jinhua's shop was quite successful; everyone had eaten their fill, so they decided to walk back to aid digestion.

A Yan started complaining of tiredness after just a few steps, so Song Tingzhou picked him up and held him. A Yan was initially lively, chatting with Aunt Chang Jinhua about how much fun he had with Meng Wan at the mountain stronghold, but his eyelids grew heavier, and soon he fell asleep on Song Tingzhou's shoulder.

Aunt Chang Jinhua's heart ached. "Wan Ge'er, A Yan is still too young. Next time you go on a long trip, just leave him at home."

Meng Wan thought to himself, *Get used to it; I'll have to take him out again next time.* A Yan had already grown a lot from this trip; he even learned the importance of stockpiling grain for war!

But on the surface, he agreed with Aunt Chang Jinhua. "Okay, I won't take him out next time." (Let Song Tingzhou take him instead.)

"Mother, more and more people are coming to eat at the shop. It looks a bit cramped. Should I find you a bigger storefront?" Meng Wan suggested.

Aunt Chang Jinhua, perhaps because she had been doing business for the past two years and often dealt with outsiders, had adopted Meng Wan's teaching of "never hit a smiling face." Her expression was no longer as stern, and she smiled more easily. "It's hot now, and people prefer eating outside. I'll think about a new storefront once autumn comes. Don't worry about it then; I've saved enough money from the shop to buy one!"

Meng Wan gave her a thumbs-up. "My mother is amazing! Now she can even buy shops herself. Alright then, I won't bother about it anymore?"

"Just come and support me when the new shop opens."

"Got it!"

After returning home, Meng Wan took a comfortable bath. He and Song Tingzhou hadn't been intimate for a long time, so they inevitably got passionate in bed. However, A Yan had gotten used to sleeping with Meng Wan while traveling. He woke up groggily to pee and came knocking on their door again.

"Father... Big Brother! Brother, brother!"

His voice grew louder and louder. Inside the room, Song Tingzhou's temple twitched with a vein. He held back and asked Meng Wan in a low voice, "Brother?"

Meng Wan awkwardly picked up a cloth to wipe the sweat off his face and soothed, "I'll go, I'll go. I'll be right back."

Before he could get out of bed, Huang Ye's coaxing voice came from outside the door: "Young Master, isn't our room over here? Let's go sleep over here, shall we? There'll be big chicken legs in your dreams."

A Yan mumbled sleepily, "This way? Chicken legs~"

Meng Wan leaned against the bedside, listening as the sounds faded away, so he didn't get out of bed.

"Is A Yan back to sleep? He's almost past his third birthday; he shouldn't be in the same courtyard as us anymore." Song Tingzhou's tone was restrained, and then he urgently pulled Meng Wan back into the bed curtains.

——

After returning to the prefectural city, as the courier stations across West Wu gradually became fully operational, Meng Wan began to consider a second issue.

The stewards in each courier station couldn't hold sole power. If something tied him up and he couldn't inspect for a long time, the stewards could easily deceive him.

He needed to separate the stewards who handled miscellaneous affairs at each station from the armed escorts who transported goods. The entire station's transportation would be managed through the cooperation of stewards and escorts. While they worked together, they each handled their own duties without interfering in each other's affairs, yet they could supervise each other.

The courier stations needed a batch of strong, straightforward men to guard the warehouses and escort goods. Who could be more suitable than the Yao people who hunted in the great mountains?

Recalling the conversation he had with Na Tuo before he left, Meng Wan believed that once the road to Feng Tong Stockade was built, Na Tuo would come to the prefectural city to find him.

But before that, there was an even more important issue. The languages of the Zhuang, Yao, and Miao people were mutually unintelligible. This needed to be resolved quickly, or it would hinder the smooth implementation of many policies in West Wu Prefecture.

Inside the West Wu Prefecture Government Office—

"Your Excellency, the former Yao Chief, Gu Yao, has confessed to his crimes, but he keeps insisting on seeing Meng Fulang." Magistrate Zhang entered the hall to report to Song Tingzhou, who was writing documents at his desk.

Song Tingzhou didn't look up. "Ignore him. Set aside time tomorrow to try him in court."

"By the way, summon the professor from the prefectural school." He ordered casually.

The prefectural school was located on the east side of the prefectural city. In the past ten years, not a single *jinshi* had been produced from West Wu Prefecture. Although the local education industry was partly to blame, the professor was also at fault.

It was raining outside when Magistrate Zhang brought him over. Professor Shan reeked of alcohol, and his hair was either wet from the rain or simply dirty—greasy and matted. The man, in his thirties, had blurry eyes and greeted Song Tingzhou with a slurred voice.

Song Tingzhou smelled the foul air he brought inside. His voice was colder than the deepest winter in Changping. "Professor Shan, who allowed you to appear before a superior officer in such disheveled attire?"

Scholars had their pride. Professor Shan straightened up on his own, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. Then he raised his chin in a nonchalant manner and said, "Forgive me, Lord Song. It is this subordinate's fault."

The Vice-Prefect, seated below Song Tingzhou, was from the same hometown as Professor Shan. He had been signaling the professor to straighten his clothes since he entered, but Professor Shan didn't even glance at him.

The government office staff had worked with Song Tingzhou for over a year. They knew his temperament well—how ruthless he could be in administrative matters, even capable of dismissing his own superiors. On this recent trip, it was said that the County Magistrate of Hei Ye County had already retired, and the County Magistrate of De Qing County had been severely reprimanded. If he didn't find a way out soon, being transferred was only a matter of time.

Among the four counties and three stockades, he had dismissed two county magistrates in one fell swoop, conquered the Zhuang stockade, reorganized the Yao stockade, and forcefully relocated the entire Miao stockade to the outskirts of the city.

Iron-fisted tactics, beyond question.

Now, seeing that Song Tingzhou seemed displeased, the Vice-Prefect quickly stepped in to say a word for Professor Shan. "Your Excellency, Professor Shan didn't mean to be disrespectful. He's naturally unrestrained. Back in the day, he didn't do well in the imperial examinations and was forced to come to West Wu... He does have talent." He stopped mid-sentence, realizing he had said something wrong—what prefectural magistrate liked hearing bad things about his jurisdiction?—and quickly changed his wording.

He meant well, but his fellow townsman, Professor Shan, refused to appreciate it. Professor Shan waved his sleeves dramatically. "Brother Jiang, there's no need to speak for me. I am a talent worthy of being the top scholar, but I was born at the wrong time. I was framed and brought to such a state. Such is fate! Such is destiny!"

Song Tingzhou put down his brush and paper, watching him throw his tantrum for a while. The atmosphere in the hall grew tense. Many people noticed the signs and dared not even breathe loudly.

Professor Shan's one-man show eventually fizzled out. Perhaps he sobered up a bit, and gradually calmed down.

"Since Professor Shan is dissatisfied with the position of prefectural school professor, he may submit a request to the court to retire. The prefectural school is the top priority of West Wu Prefecture. It should be handed over to someone who takes responsibility as their duty and who considers it their unshirkable obligation." Song Tingzhou's tone was flat, with not a trace of accusation in his words. Yet every syllable implied that Professor Shan was unworthy of his position and should voluntarily step aside to make way for the virtuous.

The officials present all gasped inwardly, lowering their heads slightly and exchanging glances with others, silent.

Lord Song's words were indeed sharp and to the point, leaving no face for Old Shan.

They privately thought that the prefectural school's lack of achievements wasn't just a recent problem. The main issue was that the common people were poor and illiterate. Some towns didn't even have a single proper private school, let alone the resources to pursue official ranks. The few dull *xiucai* in the prefectural school—having Old Shan manage them really was overkill.

"Your Excellency rose to the rank of fourth-rank prefectural magistrate in just a few years, with a smooth official career. Naturally, you cannot understand the difficulties of us petty low-ranking officials. Your Excellency thinks I don't want to retire? In my position, my family can still eat their fill. If I step down, who will protect them?" Professor Shan's words were dripping with blood, every phrase steeped in frustration. He was aloof and proud by nature, having suffered many tribulations, whether in the academy in his early years or after being sent away.

However, Song Tingzhou didn't care whether Professor Shan had talent or had suffered setbacks and hardships. He wanted officials who got things done. Cold words escaped his lips, carrying a hint of callousness. "You studied for decades in cold windows, for what? To hold a high position? To have power over life and death over your subordinates?"

Song Tingzhou stood up. He was in the second hall of the three-section government office, where he usually worked. The Assistant Prefect and Vice-Prefect were in their respective side halls.

The ancient, thick bookshelves beside him were filled with books. Song Tingzhou casually pulled one out and threw it at Professor Shan. The professor was rendered speechless by his questioning and took the hit without daring to cry out in pain.

Song Tingzhou called over a yamen runner. "Go and summon all the officials currently working in the government office to the Second Hall."

The runner had been standing guard at the door for half the day, originally counting raindrops out of boredom. The more he listened, the more his heart pounded with alarm. Upon hearing the prefect's order, he hurriedly ran out into the rain to summon everyone.

Moments later, all officials were present except Vice Prefect Du, who had taken some men to Fengtong Village to oversee road repairs.

Oilpaper umbrellas filled the empty corridor outside. The sky was overcast, and the rain fell more and more heavily.

Song Tingzhou walked around the desk to stand beside Professor Shan, who had been standing in punishment for half a day. Addressing the assembled officials, he said, "This official was born in the north. Orphaned at a young age, my widowed mother and her husband worked hard to support my studies. As a child, though I was well-versed in literature, I was socially inept and unfamiliar with the ways of the world. I was tricked by classmates and failed the examinations several times. Later, in the palace examination, I was fortunate enough to place second in the second class, but because I offended an imperial official, I was assigned to a remote post in Heshan."

He stopped next to Professor Shan. "What do you think I did?"

A second-in-the-second-class candidate should have been retained in the capital, Shengjing, but was instead sent to the barren and remote Heshan. Professor Shan, only an associate jinshi, had a sense of being underappreciated that was truly insignificant compared to Song Tingzhou's experience.

Professor Shan lowered his head and mumbled, "This subordinate does not know."

Song Tingzhou's expression was impassive. He no longer referred to himself as "this official" but used "I" in every word. "I didn't take it personally. It is true that I studied hard and became an official to elevate my family's standing, but the foremost principle of officialdom is loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country, benefiting the people. You drown your sorrows in drink every day and have made a mess of the prefectural academy. Have you forgotten the very foundation of studying to become an official?"

Professor Shan was so ashamed that he covered his face with both hands, his voice trembling as he replied, "Th-this subordinate dares not forget."

Song Tingzhou stood and surveyed the hall, his eyes sweeping over all the officials present. He said in a deep voice, "The government office stands firm, but officials come and go like flowing water. I will not be in West Wu Prefecture forever. If I cannot clean up this entire government office and fully transform every town and county under this prefecture, then I have studied the sages' books in vain and am unworthy of this official robe I wear!"

Everyone felt a surge of warmth at his words. They left their seats and bowed deeply to Song Tingzhou. "We humbly accept your lordship's instructions and are willing to serve you with utmost loyalty!"

Outside, thunder rolled, each clap striking Professor Shan's heart like drumbeats, deafening his ears until they rang. After a long moment, he knelt prostrate on the ground and said in a trembling voice, "I humbly accept your lordship's instructions and am willing to serve you with utmost loyalty!"

The emotion was genuine at the moment, but when he was truly worked like a mule by Song Tingzhou the next day, he felt numb to it.

The carriage carrying the prefectural academy instructors set off on the road to Black Leaf County. Inside the carriage, Qiao Xingyuan leaned back expertly against the carriage, closed his eyes, and began to mutter.

Professor Shan had tidied himself up today, even shaving off his beard completely, imitating Song Tingzhou's style. He curiously asked Qiao Xingyuan, "Registrar Qiao, what are you doing?"

Qiao Xingyuan opened his eyes and looked at him with considerable sympathy. "I'm memorizing the local records and short biographies of Fengtong Village."

Professor Shan was puzzled by the look. "Local records? Short biographies? What's the use of memorizing these?"

Qiao Xingyuan sighed. "I'm going to Black Leaf County along with you. Although we're handling different tasks, there are some things you might as well know in advance."

Professor Shan sat up straight. "What things? Registrar Qiao, please speak freely."

Registrar Qiao's face was full of world-weariness. "His lordship wants me to go to Fengtong Village to inspect the household registers and create new registrations for all Yao people. I also need to survey the area for a month, observe whether the local people have any livelihood difficulties or neighborhood conflicts, and investigate each matter clearly, then report back to him."

It sounded very complicated. Professor Shan couldn't help swallowing nervously. "Registrar Qiao, you have a hard task."

"Not hard, I'm used to it." Registrar Qiao smiled and patted Professor Shan on the shoulder. "You'll be the one facing hardship next. Remember, when you visit and inspect the county schools, be sure to take plenty of notes. On the return trip, memorize the key points, because his lordship will quiz you one by one."

Professor Shan was dumbfounded. "Quiz one by one?" On this assignment, he was tasked not only with inspecting all county schools in the four counties, but his lordship also wanted him to visit every private school in the townships individually. What did "quiz one by one" mean? Did he have to commit all the collected information to memory?

Not only him, but even the four instructors he had brought along shuddered. Lord Song—truly terrifying indeed.