Chapter 102: Entrusting the Search for Relatives

Yang Yaozong and Jing Yijun had emerged from the palace and it was nearly evening. Yang Yaozong sat in the carriage, holding Jing Yijun in his arms, and said, “I need to pay a visit to Zhang Lie and make an appointment with him for the time we depart for the Upper Capital. He also needs to prepare. After visiting him, I still have to return to the South Palace to handle some matters. After all, the journey to the Upper Capital won’t be short. If I don’t appear, I’m afraid the people in the South Palace will worry about me.”

Jing Yijun nodded and said softly, “Mm, then I’ll return to the mansion first. You’ve been traveling all day today and you’re already very tired. Even if there are some matters that can’t be handled, just handle them tomorrow. Delaying the departure for a day to the Upper Capital is no big deal.”

Yang Yaozong said gently, “Leaving a day earlier is also to return a day earlier. Besides, there is plenty of time on the way to the Upper Capital for me to rest. Don’t worry.”

The two separated at the Yue Lai Inn. Jing Yijun left directly, leaving the carriage to Yang Yaozong.

Yang Yaozong entered the inn and found Zhang Lie from the second floor. He was idly reading a book in the inn. Seeing Yang Yaozong come personally to find him, he felt very happy. Earlier in the afternoon he had received a letter from the Grandson of the Emperor, and already knew that he would accompany Yang Yaozong back to the Upper Capital to handle matters. Moreover, he also knew that Yang Yaozong this time in the Upper Capital would use the name Yang Guo, and the Emperor had bestowed him with the same degree as a new scholar. He guessed that since Yang Yaozong used a pseudonym to go to the Upper Capital, there must be important matters to handle. And he himself could help Yang Yaozong with things, and have actual work to do, so his heart was naturally joyful. Moreover, returning to the Upper Capital, where he was originally his hometown, and he could accompany his brother, his heart was even more joyful and satisfied. He also admired Yang Yaozong for keeping his word about the things he promised.

Just as Yang Yaozong was being welcomed into the door by Zhang Lie, he heard a voice calling from behind, “Lord Yang!”

Yang Yaozong felt the voice was very familiar and turned around again, seeing that it was Xiao Xizi walking quickly towards him. Yang Yaozong said in some surprise, “Brother Xi, why did you come?”

Xiao Xizi smiled and said in a low voice, “Little brother came to deliver an imperial decree to Lord Zhang. When I came up the stairs, I saw you, Big Brother, ahead of me, and in my excitement, I called out.”

By mentioning the imperial decree, Yang Yaozong knew it must be that the Prince Consort had thought of something and specially sent Xiao Xizi to convey it.

When Zhang Lie received the letter in the afternoon, it was this young eunuch who conveyed it. At this moment, seeing the eunuch come to convey the imperial decree for him, and being called “brother” by Yang Yaozong, it looked like they had a good relationship, so he hurriedly invited him into the room.

After Xiao Xizi had read the imperial decree and handed it to Zhang Lie, Yang Yaozong learned that the Prince Consort had realized that Zhang Lie, as a top scholar, was not good for returning to the Upper Capital with his white body, so specially drafted this imperial decree to appoint Zhang Lie as the Tongpan of the capital office in the Upper Capital.

Yang Yaozong now still understood the official system of the Great Zhou Dynasty very well. This position of Tongpan in the capital office, although the rank was not high, it was a position with great power. The Tongpan was directly appointed by the Emperor, assisting in the internal affairs of the prefecture, with the power to report directly to the Emperor. It was a central official who combined administration and supervision. Orders issued by the Prefect or Magistrate to subordinates must be signed together by the Tongpan to take effect. The Tongpan was responsible for all military, civilian, financial, grain, household, tax, labor, prison, and litigation matters, which could be decided, but must be jointly signed with the Prefect or Magistrate.

Zhang Lie was appointed to such a position with real power, where he could display his talents and avenge, and in his joy, also out of respect for Yang Yaozong, he gave Xiao Xizi quite a few rewards. Xiao Xizi happily accepted it and said, “Lord Zhang, your servant has two words to say to Lord Yang, may I?”

Zhang Lie understood and said, “It’s already about time for dinner. Lord Yang and the eunuch please wait a moment. I will go out to instruct the waiter to prepare some wine and dishes to express my gratitude to the two of you.”

Xiao Xizi said, “Lord Zhang need not be so formal. Your servant and Lord Yang will say a few words and then return to the palace.”

Zhang Lie saw that the eunuch was in a hurry to speak to Yang Yaozong, so he no longer acted out of respect, put away the imperial decree, walked out the door, and closed the room door as well.

Yang Yaozong, seeing that Zhang Lie had gone out, asked Xiao Xizi, “Brother Xi, what do you want from me?”

Xiao Xizi leaned close to Yang Yaozong and spoke very familiarly and intimately, “Big Brother, the letter from the Grandson of the Emperor in the morning was conveyed by me to Lord Zhang. Little brother knows that Big Brother is going north, so Little brother wants to ask Big Brother to do something for me.”

Xiao Xizi saw that Yang Yaozong frowned and hurriedly said, “Big Brother, don’t misunderstand. Little brother knows that Big Brother’s journey north is a secret matter. Little brother absolutely dares not, nor will he spread it out, otherwise his head will have to move houses.” Seeing that Yang Yaozong’s expression eased, he approached Yang Yaozong some pitifully and said, “Big Brother, Little brother’s ancestral home is also a person from the Upper Capital. Little brother has had no parents since childhood, and has been taken care of by his sister who is three years older than him. When I was seven years old, I was abducted by a child to the Heavenly Capital, sold into the palace as a eunuch. When I first entered the palace, I was bullied a lot. It was only when the Grandson of the Emperor saw me by chance that he felt pity for me and took a liking to me, so he let me serve him by his side.” At this point, Xiao Xizi’s voice became a bit choked.

Yang Yaozong didn’t expect that Xiao Xizi had entered the palace as a eunuch like this, and he felt very sad for him.

Xiao Xizi wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and said, “At first, Little Xizi missed his sister very much. Gradually, as he got older, he knew that he had lost the root of his descendants and no longer had the ability to pass on the family line, so he felt ashamed and didn’t dare to see his sister, and didn’t dare to think about his sister either. Even if Little brother couldn’t leave the Heavenly Capital in this life, what good would it do? This time, knowing that Big Brother is going to the Upper Capital, the deep yearning for his sister that Little brother had hidden for many years surged in his heart. So Little brother wants to trouble Big Brother.”

Yang Yaozong patted Xiao Xizi’s shoulder and said softly, “You want Big Brother to help find your sister, right?”

Xiao Xizi stared with bright eyes and nodded vigorously.

Yang Yaozong smiled faintly, “Big Brother will definitely try his best to help you find her. It’s just that your sister’s appearance may have changed a lot after so many years, and it may not be easy to find. She may also be looking for you everywhere, and since she’s a girl, you may have to prepare for that thought.” Yang Yaozong thought of saying that perhaps his sister was no longer in this world, but seeing Xiao Xizi’s expectant expression, he didn’t say it out loud.

Xiao Xizi understood Yang Yaozong’s meaning and lowered his head, trembling and saying, “Little Xizi had this thought prepared early on. Even if he determined that his sister was gone. Little Xizi can burn some money and goods for his sister during New Year and holidays, so that his sister can have a good life below. This can also make Little brother feel at ease. It can also let his sister know that Little brother who I am now is still doing well. If his sister is not in the Upper Capital, then in this vast world, there is nowhere to search. The fate between us brothers and sisters is afraid that it will be cut off, and my heart to find his sister later will be cut off as well.”

Yang Yaozong nodded and comforted, “Then, Brother Xi, do you have any token that your sister can recognize your identity? And do you remember any characteristics of how your sister looks? It’s convenient for me to search. As long as your sister is still in the Upper Capital, Big Brother guarantees that he will definitely find your sister and reunite you brothers and sisters.”

Xiao Xizi raised his head excitedly and pulled Yang Yaozong’s sleeve, then knelt down with a plop, pretending to kowtow.

Yang Yaozong hurriedly helped him up and said, “Brother Xi, what are you doing!”

Xiao Xizi nodded, finally revealing a smile, took off a wooden carved Bodhisattva from around his neck and handed it to Yang Yaozong, saying, “This wooden carved Bodhisattva was personally carved by my sister for me. It protects me from harm. I have carried it on my body since childhood and never took it off. Big Brother Yang, keep this well. I believe my sister will definitely recognize this wooden carved Bodhisattva.”

Yang Yaozong looked at the wooden carved Bodhisattva in his hand. Perhaps because Xiao Xizi had worn it since childhood, and it had been cherished and nurtured by him for many years, it had become glossy and round, with texture. It looked like it had been nurtured and polished for many years, like jade stone. And looking at this Bodhisattva’s carving, it was very exquisite, with clear eyebrows and eyes, looking benevolent and kind. Yang Yaozong smiled faintly, “Your sister’s hands are truly skillful, to have carved this Bodhisattva so lifelike.”

Xiao Xizi nodded and smiled brightly, “Mm, mm, I remember when I was little, my sister could use a small knife to carve anything from wood. It was all lifelike. My sister also relied on selling these carved objects to support me.”

Yang Yaozong looked at the back of the wooden carving and saw that there were two lines of small characters carved on it, “Please protect my brother to have family peace and health.” Yang Yaozong looked at Xiao Xizi and said, “Brother Xi, is your name Jia Le?”

Xiao Xizi nodded and said, “Mm, Little brother’s original name is Tong Jia Le, and my sister’s name is Tong Ruo Shui. I remember that my sister had a red heart-shaped birthmark on the left side of her chest.” He pointed to the position of his own left chest for Yang Yaozong to see.

Yang Yaozong laughed awkwardly and said, “Brother Xi, what does your sister’s appearance look like? Is there any characteristic? The characteristic you mentioned is quite special, but it’s also too secretive. However, it may not be very convenient to use as identification.”

Xiao Xizi pondered for a moment and said shyly, “My sister has a small mole on both earlobes.”

Yang Yaozong nodded and said, “Mm, this characteristic is quite easy to confirm. Brother Xi, rest assured. As long as your sister is still in the Upper Capital, Big Brother guarantees to help you find her.”

Xiao Xizi nodded with misty eyes excitedly and said, “Mm, mm! Thank you, Big Brother!” Then he took out some banknotes from his bosom and handed them to Yang Yaozong, saying, “Big Brother, take this money. Little Xizi has no use for money, so just take it and use it.”

Yang Yaozong rejected it resolutely and said, “What are you doing! Do you still regard me as your Big Brother! Your sister is my sister too. Why use this set of formalities with Big Brother.”

Xiao Xizi cried with two lines of clear tears and said tremblingly, “Big Brother, Little Xizi is blessed in which life to have Big Brother in this life. Big Brother, keep this money. If you don’t use it, just give these to my sister on my behalf! I also want my sister to live a good life.”

Yang Yaozong was also a bit moved by Xiao Xizi and comforted, “This money, you keep it well. Big Brother promises you, as long as Big Brother finds your sister, whether she is doing well or not, whether she is married or not. Big Brother will bring your sister to the Heavenly Capital to see you, to reunite your brothers and sisters. At that time, you can give your sister the money you saved yourself, okay?”

Xiao Xizi was so moved that he cried with joy, pretending to want to kneel again. Yang Yaozong held him and comforted him a few more times, calming Xiao Xizi’s excited mood.

The two chatted for a while. After Xiao Xizi told Yang Yaozong the address where he lived in the Heavenly Capital when he was young, he then bowed and took his leave, saying, “It will trouble Big Brother to help Little brother find his sister. Whether found or not, Little brother will remember Big Brother’s great kindness in his heart. Little brother wishes Big Brother a smooth journey north this time! Success in one go!”

After Xiao Xizi left, Zhang Lie then brought the waiter back with some wine and dishes.

The waiter laid out the wine and dishes on the table and then withdrew bowing. Zhang Lie and Yang Yaozong sat at the table facing each other. Zhang Lie poured a cup of wine for Yang Yaozong and said, “I am deeply grateful for the grace of the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor. Without the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor, the Emperor would definitely not have appointed me as Tongpan, and let me return to the Upper Capital to serve. The grace of the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor to Zhang Lie, I will never forget in my life. Today’s prepared thin wine is too hasty, I have wronged the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor. Please don’t mind. When I return to the Upper Capital, I will definitely entertain the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor well!” With that, he drank the wine in his cup in one go.

Yang Yaozong’s body had not recovered yet and he couldn’t drink wine, but it was difficult to refuse Zhang Lie’s kindness, so he took a sip lightly. “I have been unwell recently and it’s not suitable to drink wine, so I drank a little less. You don’t need to thank me. If I hadn’t seen your talents and virtue, I wouldn’t have recommended you to the Emperor and the Grandson of the Emperor. You should still not disappoint the expectations of the Emperor and the Grandson of the Emperor for you. Moreover, this time I am going to the Upper Capital using the name Yang Guo as my friend, following you to the Upper Capital as a guest, and incidentally studying. It’s not anything special for the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor. So you and I can directly call each other brothers to avoid exposing any flaws.”

Zhang Lie had long guessed that Yang Yaozong must be bearing great responsibilities and respectfully saluted, “I will obey the orders of the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor.”

Yang Yaozong nodded and said, “With your identity as a new scholar and Tongpan of the capital office returning to the Upper Capital, there will probably be many high officials and nobles, even those who come to the aid of the court, who will host banquets to entertain you. If you are convenient then, bring Yang something. Just introduce Yang something to them.”

Zhang Lie nodded and said seriously, “I will obey the adult’s orders!”

Yang Yaozong smiled and asked, “When you took the imperial examinations, did you take the water route or the land route?”

Zhang Lie said, “I took the water route, taking a boat from the Upper Capital along the Grand Canal straight to Yangzhou, then from Yangzhou taking a carriage to the Heavenly Capital. Taking the water route only takes half a month to twenty days to reach the Heavenly Capital, but if taking the land route, the time would be longer, and the road is not safe either.”

Yang Yaozong frowned and said, “Then we will set off early tomorrow. You wait in the inn for me, and I will pick you up. We will also take the water route to the Upper Capital.”

Zhang Lie nodded and said hesitantly in a low voice, “Grandson of the Emperor and Grand Tutor, I have a question I don’t understand.”

Yang Yaozong looked at Zhang Lie’s hesitant expression and smiled faintly, “What is it? As long as I can answer, I will definitely not hide it from you.”

Zhang Lie thought for a moment and looked at Yang Yaozong and said, “I wonder why the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor call Brother Xi ‘big brother’ and ‘little brother’?”

Yang Yaozong knew what Zhang Lie meant. His meaning was that calling a eunuch “big brother” and “little brother” was self-degrading and humiliating to scholarship. Moreover, many people looked down on associating with eunuchs. As the Grandson of the Emperor and the Grand Tutor, he should be like this.

Yang Yaozong just shook his head and sighed and said, “It’s not that life forced it, no one wants to enter the palace to be a eunuch. Maybe you think that as long as it’s a man, even if he sells his strength, it’s better than being a eunuch. Yes, selling strength, relying on one’s own strength can also live, but everyone’s choice is different. At least eunuchs are also making money with their own labor, supporting their families, right? Of course, maybe you will also think that even eating the food that comes from others or dying from starvation is better than being a eunuch. But eating the food that comes from others or dying from starvation can’t make the family’s life better, and will make the family even more painful, right? As for Xiao Xizi, I won’t say too much to you. I can only say that he is a pitiful person.” Yang Yaozong knew that a few words couldn’t change Zhang Lie’s view. He also didn’t intend to change Zhang Lie’s view. After all, at the beginning, calling Xiao Xizi “big brother” and “little brother” was to get some information from Xiao Xizi’s mouth. When he learned that Xiao Xizi served by the side of the Grandson of the Emperor and was deeply trusted by the Grandson of the Emperor, he wanted to make friends more and build a good relationship. His original purpose wasn’t pure, so why bother to defend himself? However, today, knowing Xiao Xizi’s story, Yang Yaozong really felt that Xiao Xizi was pitiful and wanted to befriend him well.

Although Zhang Lie still wasn’t very understanding in his heart, he also silently nodded.