Chapter 129

Chapter 129: An ‘Accidental’ Encounter with Luo Qi Wen

The setting sun cast an orange-red wash across the sky, lavish as a final flourish. Under the day’s heat the quiet heavens suddenly came alive; a flock of birds, out to forage, skimmed the heights, their shadows rippling across the glittering water before they flew into the distant woods.

People who had hidden indoors all day now poured onto the streets. The lanes bustled. Those fanning themselves laughed and spoke loudly, children chased one another at the corners, and stallholders busied themselves, calling out to draw in patrons.

Tang Mo led Xin An through this human warmth and bustle, unhurried and at ease.

Zhuang Yuan Tower was especially lively today. Years ago, someone had debated past and present there with dozens engaging, lips like spears and tongues like swords, and the tower had stayed open three days and nights. Ever since, a monthly gathering to discuss history and current affairs had taken root, drawing many literati to test their strengths.

By the time the two arrived, the scholars and students inside had already sparred all day, words flying. Tang Mo brought Xin An in to listen for a while and unerringly picked out Luo Qi Wen in a half-worn robe.

At that moment, Luo Qi Wen was arguing eloquently over whether the former dynasty’s great minister Qiu Wan Tian’s policies had been proper and whether his character could stand scrutiny. His opponent said that Qiu Wan Tian, though at the pinnacle, had not sought benefit for the people and had instead chosen to swim with the corrupt, deserving infamy for ten thousand years. Luo Qi Wen countered, arguing: “He was a strategist who entered the board himself and stole half a move from fate. At that time the Imperial Court was burdened by rot that could not be reversed. Had he, as a pure official, held high office, the measures he sought would have touched the interests of half the court. No matter how fine his policies, they would never have made it beyond the palace.”

He pressed on: “The facts prove that although he was corrupt, his policies were implemented, and the common people truly gained benefit. If not for him, how could the former dynasty have gained those extra decades of life?” And he concluded: “Spattered head to toe with mud yet keeping his original intent is far better than idly occupying a salary. How could one not admire that…”

As he spoke at length, Tang Mo quietly explained to Xin An who was being discussed. She asked: “Well then, is he a talent?”

Tang Mo smiled and said: “Whether he is or not, he will be. I find him very worldly and smooth, which is why he can serve as a strategist.”

“Then how will you ‘happen to meet’?” she asked. Tang Mo chuckled: “Watch and see.”

As the afterglow reluctantly faded, those who had nested in Zhuang Yuan Tower all day began to drift away. The old days of keeping it open three days and nights were gone; scholars had to eat and students had to study. No one was that idle.

After taking a drink of water, Luo Qi Wen also left Zhuang Yuan Tower, even brushing shoulders with Tang Mo. Tang Mo neither greeted him nor even looked at him. A moment later he took Xin An out the door. They walked along the street for a while when Xin An heard raised voices. She started toward them, but Tang Mo caught her hand, then, hand in hand and unhurried, they “inadvertently” came upon Luo Qi Wen hemmed in by two men.

One of them snarled: “Two choices. Either repay the money, or put up your Luo family’s ancestral residence as collateral. Choose.”

This was followed by Luo Qi Wen’s voice begging for a few days’ grace. When it seemed time, Tang Mo signaled for Lai Lai to step forward: “What kind of men are you, daring to bully a scholar in the street?”

With that one sentence, Xin An understood what Tang Mo’s so-called “happen to meet” meant: when there is no opportunity, you create one.

Tang Mo brought her forward. By then, Luo Qi Wen had already been beaten, and not lightly.

The debt collectors said that Luo Qi Wen had once pawned a jade pendant, later borrowed from a pawnshop to redeem it, and now could not repay. By their agreement, the pawnshop wanted the Luo family’s residence as collateral.

Tang Mo asked: “What jade could be worth more than a residence?” The collectors answered that Luo Qi Wen had borrowed not only to redeem the jade but also to treat his mother: “Says he is poor yet still goes to the Imperial Medical Office to buy Qi Nourishing Pills. Poor and indulgent.”

“It is no use who shows up today. He must repay,” they added.

Tang Mo glanced at Xin An; she gave no response. Tang Mo merely sighed and said to the lenders: “I saw him at Zhuang Yuan Tower debating past and present with considerable learning. He likely reads well and may have great prospects. If you grant him some time, you will be planting good karma.”

He did not foolishly offer to pay off Luo Qi Wen’s debt; that would have made him look overeager.

“Who are you?” the men demanded. Lai Lai stepped forward and said: “My young master is the second son of the Marquis of Weiyuan.”

The two exchanged a glance and offered a cupped-fist salute, but even the marquis’s second son could not order them off their debt; their pawnshop had powerful backing.

After one more sentence, Tang Mo took Xin An as if to leave. The two collectors immediately turned back to handle Luo Qi Wen. After another round of fists and kicks, Luo Qi Wen, lips split, could no longer care about anything else. He rushed forward, dropped to his knees before Tang Mo, and pleaded: “I beg Second Young Master to save me.”

Tang Mo moved to shield Xin An, displeasure on his face. Lai Lai barked: “What are you trying to do?”

Luo Qi Wen kowtowed and said: “This student is willing to serve Second Young Master. I beg you to rescue me.”

Tang Mo said: “I am not short of people who serve me. I spoke up only because I admired your eloquence at Zhuang Yuan Tower. Do not overthink it.”

Luo Qi Wen persisted, saying that without the house his mother and younger brother would have nowhere to live, his family would lose its income, he could not continue studying at the Imperial Academy, and they would have trouble even eating, to say nothing of pursuing merit and fame. In his eyes, this second young master had been sent by heaven, and he had to seize this chance.

Watching Luo Qi Wen kneel and declare his resolve to serve, Xin An thought: [In the previous life, Tang Rong invited him with courtesy and deference, and he still put on airs. So he knows how to kowtow quite fluently after all.]

Perhaps Luo Qi Wen’s sincerity “moved” Tang Mo; he said: “Get up.” Turning to the two debt collectors, he said: “Grant him three days. Go back and tell your shopkeeper the words came from me.”

The pawnshop would sell the face of the marquis’s second son. After tossing a couple more threats at Luo Qi Wen, they departed. Luo Qi Wen staggered to his feet and said: “Second Young Master, three days later this student still will not have silver to repay.”

“As of now, aside from that jade pendant, the only thing of value is the ancestral house. To make ends meet, we have even leased out two side courtyards to two households. I truly cannot raise the money,” he said.

Tang Mo’s lips curved faintly as he asked: “Since you knew you could not repay, why did you borrow?”

Luo Qi Wen cupped his hands and answered: “At the time my mother was gravely ill, and the jade pendant was her ancestral keepsake that she always missed. I redeemed it for her. Fortunately we met a good physician, and my mother turned from danger to safety.”

“I thought then that no matter how fine the ancestral house, it could not compare to my mother’s life. If it could save her, I would sell the house.”

Tang Mo raised his brows and said: “If you had not met me today, you would have sold the ancestral house in the end, would you not?”

Luo Qi Wen did not speak, which was answer enough. Tang Mo told him to go back and think carefully about what he could do for him: “Once you are clear, come to the Northern Garrison Army to find me. The limit is three days. If you can convince me, I will employ you as a strategist, and I can lend you the money to pay off your debt first.”

Luo Qi Wen thanked him profusely. Only then did Tang Mo, satisfied, lead Xin An away. After they had gone some distance, Xin An gave him a thumbs-up and asked: “Was all this your design?”

Tang Mo smiled and replied: “Yes, and no.”