Chapter 031

Chapter 31: Tang Mo Wants to Help Tang Yong

Tang Yong was upright, honest, and even a little simple. Tang Mo remembered Xin An’s words. This second uncle, who had rarely taken any advantage of the marquisate in daily life, had scattered his own household’s wealth and run himself ragged when the marquisate fell into trouble. True feelings are revealed in adversity. He had not witnessed it with his own eyes, but it did not stop him from wanting to treat this honest, decent second uncle better.

“Second Uncle,” Tang Mo said with a smile, “you are treating me like an outsider. Even without this matter, as your nephew I should still come to pay my respects.”

“In the past I was ignorant and irresponsible. Now that I am married, I must learn to shoulder matters. Mother also said that Second Uncle is sincere and steady, and that I should come sit with you when I have time and learn from you.”

“Only do not despise me for being dull.”

Tang Mo’s respectful attitude surprised Tang Yong. What he knew of this nephew was not much, but in the past he had never been so deferential. Defense rose in his heart, to be sure, but there was also a slight sourness. He belonged to the marquisate, and the hope of his life was to gain recognition from the marquisate, a wish that had never been fulfilled.

“Just do not despise your second uncle for being useless,” he replied with a wry smile.

Uncle and nephew sat drinking tea. Tang Mo was skilled with words; in a little while he had Tang Yong talking and laughing with him. When the time felt right, he asked about Cousin Tang Yao Ming.

Broaching the subject, he said lightly: “About Cousin Yao Ming…”

At the mention of his most accomplished son, Tang Yong felt a headache rise. After much hardship his name had finally reached the list, yet as his father he still could not secure him a post. “I went to ask at the Ministry of Personnel,” he said, “but they said there are too many candidates awaiting appointment, and your cousin’s ranking is too low; he can only wait his turn.”

“I asked further and learned that from the latest Imperial Examinations to now there are still more than three hundred people waiting to be placed. When will it be your cousin’s turn?”

“It would be possible to grease some wheels, but after that the places available are too remote, where making achievements is extremely difficult, and returning would be even harder.”

Tang Yong frowned deeply. In truth, if his elder brother Tang Gang were willing to help, Tang Yao Ming’s prospects would not be a problem at all. After all, he had passed the examinations fair and square. Tang Rong was reputed to be a man of great literary talent, yet he had never personally sat the examinations; if he entered officialdom, he would still take the path of recommendation.

“Does Cousin have a place in mind?” Tang Mo asked, calculating inwardly. So long as it was not an overreaching demand, such as entering one of the Six Ministries, there were still ways he might lend a hand.

Tang Yong answered: “Your cousin still wishes to go out and gain experience. His requirement is not high; a mid-sized county of roughly two thousand households would do.”

Tang Mo had his measure: “Father will likely not be free these days. Since the opportunity for training with the Northern Garrison Army was given to me, he naturally must plan a new post for Elder Brother. He has been busy with this lately and probably cannot spare the time.”

Tang Yong nodded. To say he was not disappointed would be false. All these years he had never taken advantage of the marquisate, had never asked for anything; even at the time of the family division, he had not received much. Yet he was still Father’s son, still a member of the marquisate. Why could they not lend a hand at his son’s most critical moment?

“If Second Uncle can trust me,” Tang Mo said, “I will do some planning for Cousin. I may not be much, but at least I know a few people. Perhaps it can be done.”

Tang Yong looked up, surprised that Tang Mo would say such a thing, and felt moved. He knew this nephew was not favored by his father; a child who is not favored does not have an easy life.

“Then Second Uncle thanks you on your cousin’s behalf,” he said. “He went out to meet friends today. We will not wait for him. Stay and eat with Second Uncle before you go.”

“Speaking of it, the last time I ate here was during the New Year,” Tang Mo laughed. “Second Uncle, you still have good wine stored. Take some out so we can have a drink later.”

When one had troubles oneself, yet still thought of helping another, whether or not the matter succeeded, the favor had to be acknowledged.

Tang Mo happily stayed. Madam You came from the back courtyard; seeing Tang Mo, she was delighted, and even more so when she noticed the many things he had brought. She asked, smiling: “Have you told your mother?”

Tang Mo said that his mother had prepared these things, adding with a grin: “Mother also said that when she has the time, she will invite Second Aunt to go out and watch a play with her. It has been so long since she went out.”

“Good, good,” Madam You beamed. “Second Aunt loves opera. When the time comes, I will take your mother along.”

“Your other two younger cousins went to the academy,” she added. “If they knew you came today, they would be overjoyed.”

Hearing he would stay for the meal, Madam You went off smiling to make arrangements. Tang Yong said with amusement: “Your Second Aunt is hospitable.”

“Second Aunt’s spirits are good,” Tang Mo replied. “By the way, Mother asked me to bring Second Aunt a Beauty Preserving Pill from the Imperial Medical Bureau; I will give it to her in a while.”

Uncle and nephew walked inside, chatting and laughing, growing ever closer. Before long, peals of their laughter drifted out; in a moment, Madam You’s laughter interlaced with theirs.

In Tang Yong’s home, Tang Mo again tasted the sweetness of being cherished by elders. He had last felt this taste from his father- and mother-in-law, and he was deeply attached to it. In the afternoon, after leaving Tang Yong’s residence, he went to find Yan Shi Mao and the others.

Once the few of them were seated in a private room at a teahouse, Tang Mo stated his intent plainly: “My cousin is capable and truly learned. My old man cannot spare the time to help, so I want to give it a try. Brothers, help me think of a way.”

This was a proper matter. The few of them had not dealt with such things often, and they were all interested. Wei Ye spoke first: “My old man will not work, but my elder brother should be able to help. I will ask him.”

Xie Chang You said: “My old man is the least willing to help with such matters, and my elder brother is a block of wood, so no. But my uncle can do it; I will go to him.”

Everyone looked at Yan Shi Mao. He cleared his throat lightly and said: “You are making it too troublesome. I will go to my brother-in-law. My brother-in-law works right in the Ministry of Personnel.”

In their families there was always a marquis here or a high official there. For them, Yao Ming’s matter was not a big deal. Tang Mo rose to pour them tea and said: “My old man does not value me, but my father-in-law and my Second Uncle do. I wanted to do something for them, only I cannot accomplish it alone. Thank you, brothers.”

They all knew that because Tang Gang favored Tang Rong, he had been unwilling to allow Tang Mo to tap the family’s connections and power, and as brothers they could not say much about it. Yan Shi Mao clasped Tang Mo’s shoulder and said: “What kind of bond do we have? Your business is our business. If we brothers are of one heart, what can we not accomplish?”

Tang Mo took out a banknote for one thousand taels and said with a grin: “We cannot make your brother-in-law help for nothing. Whether or not it succeeds, we must still show a token of appreciation.”

Yan Shi Mao was not about to accept it, but Tang Mo laughed and said: “Didn’t you say your sister keeps the purse strings tight, and your brother-in-law cannot even pull two taels from his sleeve? This is not much; give it to him as private spending money, and we will not tell.”

This time Yan Shi Mao did not stand on ceremony: “I thank you for my brother-in-law.”

Xie Chang You chimed in, teasing: “Second Brother Tang is flush now. One has to admit, your new father-in-law is really something.”

The other two agreed heartily: “And that brother-in-law of yours is quite a character.”

Seizing the opportunity, Tang Mo praised his father-in-law to the skies. Seeing that he was sincerely happy, the three exchanged glances and were genuinely happy for him as well.

It goes without saying that Tang Mo came back that night with wine on his breath again. Seeing Nan Feng still lingering at the door, he frowned. She flinched back a step in fright, then remembered that she now belonged to the Second Young Madam. She stepped forward and reported: “To Second Young Master, this maid now serves under Second Young Madam and handles affairs for her.”

Tang Mo said nothing about it. Once he went inside, he asked, and Xin An nodded in acknowledgment: “I think Nan Feng is good. If you did not want her, I picked her up; is there a problem?”

Then she told Nan Feng gently: “Go rest. Do not be afraid.”

Nan Feng curtsied at the door and quickly withdrew. Tang Mo sat down and poured himself tea, then said with a crooked smile: “You do know how to pick up.”