Chapter 7: The Might of an Official

An Xin placed his hiking bag beside him and gazed at the begonias and peonies competing in beauty outside the side hall. Autumn was in full swing, and the fragrance of flowers was intoxicating. The owner of this estate was certainly a person of refined taste. However, An Xin felt a sense of distaste. Although he understood their desire to keep the news of Wu Lijun being kidnapped by bandits from leaking, making him enter through the servant's side gate was a clear sign of contempt. Furthermore, while the couple, Wu Damu and his wife, were polite in their speech, their demeanor was arrogant, and their attitude was far from welcoming. Even the servants of the Wu household showed respect only in words, not in their actions. The occasional prying of the two servants, who could barely hide their intentions, made it clear to An Xin that even if he tried to leave now, he would likely be blocked under various pretexts.

"Drink your tea, Great Hero." A maid placed the teacup gently on the table. An Xin nodded but did not drink. Instead, he closed his eyes, meditating with gentle breaths to recover his energy. Having perceived the Wu family’s attitude—that they did not truly respect him—An Xin extinguished any thought of discussing the situation in Wuren County with Wu Damu or building a rapport. To be blunt, in the Great Yan Dynasty, among the four classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, once he assumed his post as the court-appointed magistrate, a cloth merchant like Wu Damu would struggle even to get an audience with him. He now only wanted to find an inn as quickly as possible and sleep for a day and a night.

When the tea had gone completely cold, Wu Damu finally arrived, fashionably late. Wu Lijun, who had initially promised to fulfill her duties as a host and properly thank her savior, did not appear.

"I am slightly unwell and should not drink," An Xin said, declining Wu Damu’s offer of wine once they were seated. It was Shaoxing yellow wine, low in alcohol, but it was not a genuine feast, nor was the wine offered in good faith. An Xin waited patiently, picked at a few bites of food, and when Wu Damu noticed his lack of interest, the merchant stood up with his teacup and said, "My wife and I have always held our daughter as the apple of our eye, raising her with the utmost care. Since she was abducted by the Tuoshan bandits a few days ago, we have been terrified day and night, unable to eat or sleep, washing our faces with tears. We tried every means to raise the money and find someone who could save her without the outside world knowing. Today, you saved her from that den of demons, resolving our dilemma. We are truly grateful. I shall substitute tea for wine to thank you for your life-saving grace!"

An Xin also stood up, raising his cup. Once they were seated again, Wu Damu finally shifted the conversation to his true purpose: "A hero like you who walks the world is not bound by trifles, but you must surely know the importance of reputation to a young woman. If people discover that my daughter was kidnapped by bandits, her reputation will be ruined. I hope you will keep this secret for her."

He clapped his hands, and a servant named Sanxi entered with a tray. He walked over to An Xin, pulled back the red silk covering, and revealed a pile of silver ingots. "These fifty taels of silver are a small token of our appreciation. If there is anything else you need, our family has been operating in Wuren County for decades and has some influence; we are willing to do our best to satisfy your requests."

Wu Damu smiled, but his eyes were fixed on An Xin, revealing little warmth. Hearing the veiled threat hidden in his words, An Xin said nothing more. He stood up to take his leave: "Mr. Wu, you are too kind. I am new to this place and indeed short on funds; this money will help me through a pressing need, and I shall return it in time. As for your daughter, I am a man of upright conduct. I may not be a perfect gentleman, but I am certainly not one to trade on a favor. I will naturally keep my mouth shut. Thank you for your hospitality today. I shall take my leave."

With that, he took the silver ingots Sanxi had bagged for him and left the Wu residence through the side gate once again. Watching An Xin depart, Wu Damu could not help but remark, "Strange."

"Master, what is strange?" Sanxi asked curiously.

"This 'Great Hero Zhang' acts with a sense of chivalry, and his speech sounds like that of an educated man. It is a pity." Wu Damu said, heading toward the inner quarters. Before he even reached the room, he heard sobbing from within. He waved his hand, and two stout maidservants standing at the door like wooden planks moved aside. Inside, he found Wu Lijun, now in different clothes, slumped over the table, her carefully applied makeup ruined by tears.

"In the end, he is just a wandering drifter from the Jianghu. What kind of future could he possibly have?" Madame Wu sat beside her, persuading her with a pained expression.

"I just saw him. Although his clothes were tattered, his posture was upright, and his speech was refined. He didn't look like someone from the Jianghu; he looked more like a scholar," Wu Damu said as he entered.

Wu Lijun lifted her head upon hearing this. Her clean face was beautiful, and her watery, peach-blossom eyes were filled with lingering sorrow, making her look pitiful.

"But your mother is right. People of the Jianghu are like blades of grass—here today, gone tomorrow. How can he compare to the scholar I have chosen for you? He is only twenty and has already passed the exams to become a government-sponsored student. He is a man of talent, and once he passes the provincial examinations, he will hold an official title. In terms of background, knowledge, and prospects, how could a drifter compare?"

Wu Damu held scholars with titles in high esteem and envy. Thinking of his daughter's earlier words in defense of the drifter, and the clear adoration that any observer could see, his heart ached. His daughter, whom he had raised with such care, was on the verge of marrying into a prominent local family, but then this incident occurred. If it were exposed, the engagement would certainly be ruined. This was the opportunity he had long awaited to elevate the Wu family’s status! That his daughter’s heart had been stolen by a common drifter filled him with anger and frustration.

"The Prefect is on an inspection?" After leaving the Wu residence and heading toward the west side of the city to find an inn, An Xin saw from a distance the lictors clearing the way with gongs. Signs reading "Quiet" and "Avoid" were held high, and the guards were armed with blades and shields. In the center, a four-bearer blue sedan chair was protected by guards, with lanterns bearing the "Cloud Goose" insignia hanging from it.

With the three ranks of yamen runners, attendant clerks, and soldiers, there were over a hundred people in the procession. The runners in front used their heavy wooden staves to drive the commoners to the sides of the road. Such a display made An Xin feel for the first time the imposing power of officials in this era! It was blatant privilege.

"I heard the Prefect is going to inspect Wuren County for several days. He's going to the weaving workshop in the west of the city today."

"How do you know?"

"My brother is a manager at the weaving and dyeing workshop, so of course I know!"

Listening to the conversation between a thin man and his friend nearby, An Xin pondered, "It seems I shouldn't go to the county office to assume my post these next few days. To avoid raising the Prefect's suspicions, I should wait a few days even after he leaves."

An Xin did not know the Prefect, nor did he know if the original owner of his body had any connection to him. Moreover, he was unfamiliar with the social circles of scholars and the explicit and implicit rules of the officialdom in this era; any contact would easily expose his ignorance. Fortunately, the time limit set by the Ministry of Personnel for assuming his post had not yet passed. It would be better to stay out of sight for now. Once he became familiar with and integrated into the officialdom of this era, he would go to the prefectural city to pay his respects. He could also take this time to survey the situation in Wuren County, so he wouldn't be deceived by local gentry and clerks after he assumed his post.

After the Prefect's procession passed, An Xin found a bookstore, used the silver given to him by Wu Damu to buy a few books, and then went to the north of the city to find an inn to stay.