Chapter 349

Chapter 350: Because You Cannot Stay

Xin An once again surprised Tang Mo; he had never imagined she still had a card to play, so the outcome did not feel like a loss.

Seeing his eager expression, Tang Mo asked: “Once we have the silver, how should we arrange it?”

Not hurrying, Xin An answered: “Ill-gotten gains are best kept at arm’s length. I will exchange the silver for rice, flour, cloth, and medicines, and donate all of it to the Hall for the Elderly and the Charity Bureau for Orphans.”

Tang Mo felt it was a pity, but he had no other objection and only made one request, saying: “Could I take a little? A few men under me have it hard at home. Those fellows work nimbly and fight hard; I find them very handy.”

Lifting her eyes, Xin An said: “Just take it from the cashbox; there is no need to pinch pennies here.” She added, “Spend where you should, and do not be afraid that the money will not be enough. With me around, how could you lack silver?”

It was a casual remark, yet it made Tang Mo’s heart bloom; delighted, he moved closer, swept her into his arms, and said: “How pleasant that sounds. Oh, I do not even know what to say.”

[With a wife this wealthy, he had every reason to be proud.]

Xin An arched a brow. [She had never told Tang Mo that her father would be giving her dividends, and she did not intend to in the future; one cannot lay out every last card. It was not that she distrusted him—only an instinctive self?protection.] Besides, even without those dividends, she was not short of money. Across the entire marquisate, the Grand Matron owned the finest things, and Xin An herself held the most ready silver.

She said: “Do your duties well and strive to advance another rank this year; it would be a shame to waste that rising favor from His Majesty the Emperor.”

“When you do well, I do well, and my father benefits too,” she continued, “so what is a little spending on you? You spend it by merit.”

[Tang Mo felt elated, as if brimming with energy from head to toe.]

The days passed smoothly, and soon it was the fifteenth of the first month. On that day the officials had a holiday, and Tang Gang chose it to summon Tang Rong to the study, formally proposing an out?of?capital posting and even choosing the destination and post for him.

It was a standard seventh?rank post: Magistrate of Shanyang County in Wu Prefecture. Shanyang County was not wealthy, but not poor either. Tang Gang had chosen it painstakingly as a training ground: not so rich that a novice would be tempted to err, not so poor that he would suffer unduly. Crucially, Tang Gang knew the Provincial Governor of Wu Prefecture and could ask him to keep an eye on the boy in secret.

“Magistrate?” Tang Rong’s temper smoldered. Scions of great houses usually followed a high official to “gain experience”: no danger, easy credit, ample protection, a mere gilding before returning to await promotion. “Why a magistrate?” A standard seventh?rank post was far beneath Tang Mo’s current standing.

“Is a magistrate post so bad?” Tang Gang cut off his protests, saying: “As the head of a county, you will handle matters great and small, all touching the people’s livelihood. I will assign you an experienced old adviser to assist you. Learn well.” As the marquisate’s Heir Apparent, he had to be tempered. “Do not think the post is low. Many sons from generals’ mansions in the Imperial Court start in the army as ordinary soldiers, with no special treatment.”

“Prince Rong Chang’s Heir Apparent began his training as a mere county lieutenant; look at what an outstanding figure he is now.” He had met that Heir Apparent a few days prior: composed in advance and retreat, steady and seasoned. Before his posting he had been haughty and even a bit reckless; evidently, being sent out to gain experience had worked.

Tang Rong did not feel at all that Tang Gang was acting for his sake. [What is so great about Prince Rong Chang’s Heir Apparent? How could he compare with me?] He said: “If it is so good, why not send Second Brother? Why can I not stay in the capital?” It would be three years away; who knew what the world would look like after three years? [Would there still be a place for me in this marquisate then?]

“Because you cannot stay.” Tang Gang pulled open a drawer and pushed over the confession document he had obtained earlier: “Read it yourself.”

After a while, Tang Rong’s face changed bit by bit—dawning realization, shock, then guilt. Taking in every flicker, Tang Gang said: “The evidence is ironclad; you cannot deny it. Do you understand what will happen if this reaches His Majesty the Emperor’s ears?” He went on: “At that time it will not be only you; even I would be implicated. Your second brother petitioned Liao Zhi to conceal the matter, for the sake of the entire marquisate.”

Tang Rong sank weakly into a chair. No wonder those men had taken the money yet failed to pass messages inside; he had thought they had bolted, like the last group of assassins, but in fact they had been caught and had named him. [And Cai Quan still has not been apprehended. If he falls into the hands of someone with an agenda and talks, I will be even less able to wash myself clean.]

Father and son then spoke in the study for more than half an hour, and no third person knew what passed between them. In the end, Tang Rong agreed to the posting and would set out as soon as possible.

That night, on the Lantern Festival, Tang Gang did all he could to preserve Tang Rong’s dignity, saying that he had consulted several venerable elder officials who had all recommended an out?of?capital posting for experience; he listed the sons of various families who had trained outside and, upon return, were entrusted with important duties. In short, he strove to frame Tang Rong’s departure as an honorable training.

Tang Mo beamed; Tang Rong forced a strained smile. Tao Yi Ran decided on the spot that she would not follow him to the post: she was the Heir Apparent’s wife of the marquisate; why should she go suffer? All that talk of managing affairs inside and out was just being an old housemaid waiting on Tang Rong. Besides, what county could possibly have ladies important enough to require her personal reception? It would only lower her status.

That night, when they returned to Chun Hua Courtyard, Tao Yi Ran used the excuse of her large belly and inconvenience to persuade Tang Rong to let her remain in the marquisate. Given the circumstances, Tang Rong said nothing, only busied himself arranging matters for after his departure.

[He could leave, but he had to make the proper arrangements. He must not let Tang Mo have everything so easy.]

On the sixteenth day, Tang Mo took a half?day leave and personally escorted five younger Tang cousins to Qian Men Academy, carefully instructing them along the way. Because the five did not board at the Scholars’ Academy but continued to live in the marquisate, there was no lingering reluctance at parting.

After leaving the Scholars’ Academy, Tang Mo went to an unremarkable teahouse, where Luo Qi Wen rose to salute. Looking him over, Tang Mo said: “Sit, and do not always think about making money; your future matters more.”

Luo Qi Wen had already begun forming factions and quietly controlled a small force, which did not quite match the Luo Qi Wen from Xin An’s account of her previous life. Sitting down, he said: “To shoulder burdens for you, young master, I fear I alone will not suffice; we need a few more hands.”

Tang Mo asked him several questions about his studies and, learning that he had received an A in last month’s year?end assessment at the Imperial Academy, felt satisfied. He told him: “I have three younger cousins, fourteen years old, studying at Qian Men Academy. The household plans to hire a private tutor for them; I will recommend you.” He added: “From now on, after your afternoon classes, come to the marquisate and stay the nights there; it will help your studies.”

Luo Qi Wen had helped him quite a bit these days; his smooth progress in the Northern Garrison Army owed a small share to him. Since the man had been diligent, Tang Mo owed him a benefit. Luo Qi Wen rose again to bow with cupped hands: “Many thanks, young master.”