Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Upon entering the city this time, Manager Zheng and Fan Hong could distinctly sense the difference from their previous visits. Every person they encountered greeted them with wide smiles, granting them an extraordinary sense of prestige.

Upon arriving at Li Ai's residence, the bodyguards swarmed out, shouting "Thank you, Second Madam" while asking, "Any dried fish? Where's the dried fish?"

Li Ai's face was as dark as ink; she could no longer tolerate these fellows. They were becoming increasingly disgraceful.

Manager Zheng approached with a smile. "Greetings, Second Master. This time, Lady has prepared plenty of milk powder, butter, and various yak jerky. It's nice to have some variety."

Li Ai nodded.

Fan Hong arrived with Lu Wei. Fan Hong paid his respects first, and then Lu Wei stepped forward, "This humble servant, Lu Wei, pays her respects to Second Master."

"Lu Wei?" Li Ai blurted out. "The Lu Wei who aided your grandmother in that extortion lawsuit?"

Lu Wei smiled. "It was this servant who attended to that matter."

Li Ai examined Lu Wei from head to toe. "A fine girl. You've worked hard this time. I've already instructed my staff to prepare a separate courtyard for you. Go rest now."

"Thank you, Second Master Li, for your understanding." Lu Wei remained still. "I have a letter here, written by Second Lady herself." With those words, she took out an envelope from her sleeve and handed it to Li Ai before following the old woman downstairs.

As they reached the arcade, several soldiers approached them furtively, whispering, "Sister, sister."

Lu Wei paused but wasn't intimidated by these men; their nosy behavior was simply too amusing. "Are you addressing me?"

The young men nudged each other forward, eventually gathering in a group, scratching their heads as they gave Lu Wei silly grins. She patiently observed their antics without urging them on.

After a while, a teenager ventured, "Did Sister make the dried fish?"

Lu Wei chuckled softly. "I'm afraid I'll disappoint you; I'm not the one who makes the dried fish." Seeing the disappointment on their faces, she changed her tone. "But if there's anything else you'd like to eat, feel free to tell me. My sister, who can make the dried fish, promised that as long as she knows how to prepare it, she'll make it for you. Next time, she'll bring it along."

"Wow!" The group erupted in cheers, each voicing their favorite dishes.

Lu Wei replied, "No rush. When you've decided, let me know collectively. Just remember, it needs to be something that can last, or by the time it travels through these high mountains and long roads, it might spoil."

"Ahh, thank you, Sister." Satisfied with this answer, they dispersed. "We won't disturb your rest anymore."

The matron watched their departing figures and softly spat, "What a kind-hearted lady, dealing with these monkeys."

Lu Wei smiled and said, "Xing Huang really did tell me that when he came with the dried fish."

The old woman also chuckled. "Madam Li dotes on them."

This time, when distributing the military rations, everyone agreed to let Li Ai choose first. However, the quality of the provisions was excellent, so they could be distributed according to the rules. After Li Ai had taken his share, Marquis Yongwei waved at him. "Changfeng, come here, I have something to discuss with you."

Li Ai approached. "What is it?" It didn't seem like the matter involved warfare, judging from the general's demeanor.

Marquis Yongwei rubbed his hands together. "Those two accountants my mother sent over – they praised your servant girl's accounting skills highly. They said her records are clear and concise, easy to understand. They even mentioned that if this method could be implemented in the army, our financial management would improve significantly. They showed me a copy of the ledger they transcribed, and I must say, it is indeed impressive. I'm considering promoting this method within the military. That's why I'd like your servant girl to teach our accountants how to keep such records and guide them."

Li Ai pondered for a moment. "Lu Wei is my wife's maid, and this accounting method was devised by her herself. It would be inappropriate for me to take it upon myself to agree without her consent, as it would show disrespect to her. I'll ask Lu Wei about it when I return."

Marquis Yongwei nodded repeatedly. "Indeed, that's the right thing to do."

Li Ai turned back to his residence and instructed someone to summon Lu Wei. "I have a matter to seek your advice on."

Lu Wei asked, "Second Master, what is it?"

Li Ai recounted Marquis Yongwei's words, concluding with, "This method was created by your grandmother; it belongs to her. I'm unsure if it's appropriate to teach it to others without her permission. Thus, there's no need for you to feel burdened. Just tell me straightforwardly whether or not you can teach it."

Lu Wei smiles gently. "Second Master, accounting methods can indeed be taught; otherwise, I wouldn't have lent them my records for copying. I did give them some guidance during the journey, but it was hectic, so it wasn't systematic. Now that they're eager to learn, I believe they'll grasp it within a couple of days. Besides, both of you are experienced accountants. Collaborating and discussing together will also help me learn new skills."

Li Ai nods appreciatively. "Very well, very well, thank you for your help. I'll send someone to escort you there right away."

"Alright."

As Li Ai watches Lu Wei's figure fade from sight, he muses, "That maid is quite articulate. She has a way with words that makes one feel as if basking in spring breeze."

Manager Zheng chuckles. "Miss Lu Wei is Lady Second's maid since childhood. She has learned nearly half of Lady Second's skills in dealing with people and affairs."

Li Ai found it hard to imagine. In his heart, he admired Meng Die, but most of the information he received portrayed her as strong-willed and confrontational. He had always thought of Meng Die as capable, kind-hearted, and proud. It never occurred to him that she would be like this.

Manager Zheng glanced at Li Ai. "Second Master, our Second Lady is like a northwest wind to outsiders, sharp and biting. But to us insiders, she's like a gentle spring breeze, soothing and warm."

Li Ai smiled playfully at him. Zheng Manager laughed openly, not hiding his true thoughts at all.

Marquis Yongwei was overjoyed to see Lu Wei and immediately asked her to teach his two accountants how to manage the books. He even arranged an independent courtyard for her, instructing everyone not to disturb her unless necessary.

After resting for a day and a night, Shentu Qingyun and his group expressed their intention to leave. Marquis Yongwei didn't try to persuade them to stay, only inquired about their route back, mainly because Lu Wei's work wasn't finished yet. Once she had taught the accountants, he would send someone to escort her back to the main group.

Manager Zheng and Fan Hong also discussed the matter. Manager Zheng led most of the group to depart with Shentu Qingyun, while Fan Hong stayed behind to wait for Lu Wei. With everything in order, they split up to carry out their tasks.

In the end, Lu Wei only left two days after Shentu Qingyun's group, meaning that the entire operation took just three days. The two accountants had actually mastered bookkeeping in a single day, but to ensure accuracy, they spent the following two days practicing on some military accounts, seeking Lu Wei's review to check for errors. True mastery required not just learning but also applying the knowledge.

The main group traveled at a slower pace, but Marquis Yongwei's men were skilled in rapid transit. On the fourth day of Shentu Qingyun's journey, the escort team assigned to Lu Wei and Fan Hong caught up with them. After merging and resting, they enjoyed a hearty meal before resuming their separate paths the next day.

Shentu Qingyun glanced in the direction of Marquis Yongyi's entourage and summoned his trusted subordinates to his quarters. "Have you all seen that ledger?"

"Your Excellency, I had the privilege of seeing it once. It is truly remarkable, incredibly clear and convenient for both reconciliation and auditing."

"I had the privilege of witnessing it once as well," the official spoke hesitantly. "In my opinion, it's even better than our current accounting methods at the Ministry of Revenue."

Shentu Qingyun was waiting for precisely this response. "Yes, I heard that when Lu Wei returned late, it was because the two accountants sent by His Highness were studying this innovative accounting method with her. They are now implementing it in the military, with Marquis Yongwei's support."

The people in the room exchanged glances. The one who had praised the method earlier had an idea. "Your Excellency, should we consider adopting it too? In fact, our Ministry of Revenue could certainly benefit from some changes."

Shentu Qingyun chuckled. "I've been thinking the same. Whether or not to implement the change will ultimately be the decision of the emperor, but learning it would definitely be advantageous for us. I'll find time to consult Lu Wei about it these next couple of days."

"Your Excellency, perhaps allow this lowly official to make the inquiry instead."

Shentu Qingyun waved his hand dismissively. "I'll go. Since we're seeking help, there's no need to be bound by status. Even Confucius said that one can learn from anyone, so what is there for me to be pretentious about?"

True to his word, Shentu Qingyun found an opportunity on the journey to personally discuss the matter with Lu Wei.

Lu Wei was amenable and promptly lent them her ledger for them to copy and familiarize themselves with the accounting style. Once they had a basic understanding, she would provide a detailed explanation.

Shentu Qingyun was overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his gratitude. He then happily returned with the ledger to study and copy it together with his subordinates. Upon a cursory glance, they were impressed. Upon closer inspection, they were even more convinced of its excellence.

Several minor officials from the Ministry of Revenue marveled, "These peculiar numbers seem strange at first, but upon closer examination, they prove to be simple and clear. They also save time and effort in writing. Lady Meng truly possesses remarkable talent."

"With both her father and brother being top scholars, how could she be any less accomplished?"

"At first, I didn't believe the rumors that she helped grade the essays to secure the third place in this year's imperial examination. Now, I truly do."

"I was even considering not having my son worship the God of Literature at the Confucian Temple. Perhaps we should pay homage to the Meng family instead, since every one of them is so skilled in scholarship. It seems as if the God of Literature might have been reincarnated into their family."

The speaker's casual remark struck a chord with several listeners. Perhaps the God of Literature truly resided within the Meng family, they thought, explaining their exceptional scholarly abilities. Not only the males but also the women in the family were gifted, making others envious enough to turn green with jealousy.

After the ledger was copied by the Ministry of Revenue, Lu Wei promptly took the time to explain it to them. These officials were already accustomed to keeping accounts, so learning was not a daunting task. Among them, Shentu Qingyun, who usually didn't handle accounting, was an erudite scholar. He picked up the new knowledge just as swiftly, even managing to draw parallels and delve deeper into the subject matter.

Lu Wei had finally witnessed the prowess of a Double Rank Scholar, and she was deeply impressed by the capabilities of the Ministry of Revenue officials.

The journey back was harmonious, with no need to rush. Everyone walked in high spirits. Despite the more relaxed trip, Shentu Qingyun, who had been studying accounts daily, remained slim and sprightly upon their return to the ministry, drawing curious glances from the staff who had stayed behind.

Upon arriving at the marquis residence, Lu Wei let out a sigh of relief. After freshening up, she promptly went to visit Meng Die.

Meng Die examined Lu Wei from head to toe, her eyes filled with concern. "You've still lost some weight."

Lu Wei smiled. "I haven't really lost weight, I've just become more toned. I feel much more energetic now. Manager Fan took great care of me during the journey, so I didn't suffer at all. Instead, I got to witness many different landscapes and local customs along the way."

Meng Die's face lit up with a smile. "Enough, I know you too well. Your strong-willed nature wouldn't let you admit discomfort, even if you were truly unwell. Go back to your chambers and rest properly. We can talk about anything that needs attention once you've regained your strength."

"Ai." Lu Wei took a letter from her bosom. "This is a letter from Second Master to Second Lady."

Meng Die took the letter and said, "You should go rest now."

With Lu Wei dismissed, the maidservants craned their necks to glimpse the letter in Meng Die's hand. With a mix of amusement and exasperation, she opened Li Ai's correspondence before them, revealing that it was actually composed of two separate piles.

Meng Die casually picked up a stack of letters, which were filled with anecdotes from Li Ai's time at the border. They included stories about his comrades, his personal experiences, and descriptions of the landscape. Through the simple yet elegant words, Meng Die could sense the hardship of life in the desert, where the sunsets were dusty and the banners fluttered in the wind before the military gates. She also felt the grandeur of the vast frontier scenery, akin to the image of the Yellow River ascending into the clouds, with a solitary city standing tall amidst towering mountains.

Having finished reading the stack of letters, Meng Die immediately passed them on to her maidservants to peruse. She then picked up another pile, instantly suppressing the smile on her face.

The papers contained explanations for why the wars had begun, which nations were involved, and why they had dragged on for so long without resolution. Each cause and effect was clearly laid out for Meng Die, along with a concise overview of the Yi dynasty's strategic deployments.

Given that Li Ai dared to pen such details, they clearly weren't military secrets. However, this information was not accessible to ordinary citizens, let alone confined women in the inner chambers.

While the contents of the previous letters had brought a joyful smile to Meng Die's face, these writings filled her heart with warmth and comforted her from head to toe. Li Ai was making it clear that he did not view her as an ordinary woman of the inner chambers; she was a talented individual who deserved to know such matters.

By acknowledging her talents and not showing any disrespect due to her status as a woman, Li Ai demonstrated his recognition of her abilities.

The maid finished reading the letter and was about to discuss it when Hulu nudged the others, gesturing in Meng Die's direction. The other three paused, only then noticing Meng Die smiling at the letter. Meihong felt that her second lady's smile was incredibly beautiful, as if it were glowing.

Xing Huang and Xue Qing exchanged glances, both filled with excitement. They were all too familiar with this kind of smile from their time in the Meng family. Whenever their young miss discussed matters with the old master, the master, or the eldest young master, she would wear such a radiant expression while speaking confidently.

Unfortunately, since entering the Marquis residence, their young miss had never smiled like that again. To their surprise, they saw it today. What could Second Master have written in his letter?

Meng Die reread the contents of the letter and placed it back into its envelope. "This is about military affairs, so I won't let you read it. You've finished those other letters, so put them separately in a small box."

Hulu promptly replied, "Yes, ma'am."

Lu Wei took two full days to recover from her exhaustion, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't strained. Forget about her, a woman who had never traveled far; even Manager Fan needed ample rest upon his return.

When Lu Wei was finally rested, she promptly reported two matters to Meng Die. "Second Aunt, when I returned, Vice Minister Shen Tu borrowed the ledger I compiled for duplication, and also asked me to teach him how to keep accounts. I followed your instructions and instructed him accordingly."

Meng Die nodded.

"There's one more thing," Lu Wei whispered, glancing around the room to ensure no one else was present. "In Second Aunt's letter, it mentioned that the mixed seafood, shrimp, and seaweed fragments could be fed to soldiers with goiters. Second Master was quick to react and mentioned 'seafood.' I didn't respond, but I believe he fully understood. As for this matter..."

Meng Die smiled. "Since I've made such preparations and mentioned it in the letter, I had no intention of hiding it from him. Not just him, I didn't plan on concealing it from outsiders either."

Lu Wei was puzzled. "Then why didn't you...?"

Meng Die looked at her. "Why didn't they tell the truth? They were asked to keep it a secret, weren't they? This matter involves too many aspects, and it's not the right time to reveal it yet. The illness has been around for a long time, affecting numerous regions. If we disclose it, wouldn't people have a direction for treatment, thus solving the problem?"

Lu Wei became even more confused. "Isn't that so?"

Meng Die replied, "Is anything in the sea that easy to obtain? You know about pearls, don't you? And the divers who harvest them—the ostracized people? Do you know how much they suffer? They're forced to dive into the sea, forbidden from living on land. They're allowed only to reside on boats or islands, despite collecting such valuable pearls. Yet, they remain the poorest of all."

"That's still considered fortunate compared to when they encounter emperors who exploit them. During the previous dynasty, in Jiajing's fifth year, the pearl-harvesting campaign resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. It shows how perilous the search for these sea treasures can be. In our current dynasty, our founder, Taizu, abolished the status of the ostracized people forcefully. He claimed that pearls were symbols of luxury and extravagance, and it was inappropriate to expend significant human resources on them."

Lu Wei's eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth hanging open.

Meng Die took a deep breath. "If news of these sea creatures' healing properties gets out, someone will surely exploit the fisherfolk, reigniting their ancestral trades. How many more will be forced back to the sea? Who can tell if they'll fish for food or harvest pearls? This time, they'll have a seemingly legitimate excuse."

"Not only that, but the price of seafood will soar. Folks living not too far from the coast might still enjoy some now, but once it's known as a cure, once the major merchants gain a monopoly, how could common folk ever afford it?"

Lu Wei pondered. "What if the government tightens its control?"

Meng Die sighed. "How strict is the salt and iron trade regulation? Smuggling still persists. Sea creatures are different; iron lasts long, and salt production is high. Seafood is neither durable nor abundant. When the time comes, even if the government tries to control it, they'll likely find themselves powerless."

Lu Wei suddenly understood, "So that's how it is, it involves quite a lot."

Meng Die sighed, "Yes, unless..."

"Unless what?"

Meng Die's gaze turned distant, "Unless there's a stretch of tidal flat where we could attempt to cultivate various types of seaweed. Seaweed grows quickly and has excellent healing properties. If we can sell it at an affordable price, that would truly be the key to solving the problem."

Lu Wei's eyes lit up, "Doesn't Elder Lady have a tidal flat?"

Meng Die: "That was part of her dowry. Could I possibly buy it back? In the past couple of years, I've kept an eye on the tidal flats as well. Let alone finding one for sale, there hasn't even been one available for rent. It's a lucrative piece of land, and everyone's got their eyes on it."

Lu Wei fell silent at once.

Meng Die sighed helplessly. "We'll have to figure out a solution gradually."

"Fanny Matron."

"Why is Fanny Matron here today? It's such sweltering weather."

Lu Wei hurried out, "Nanny Fan, is there an urgent matter? Tao'er, fetch a bowl of mung bean soup."

"Alright."

Nanny Fan entered with a face full of joy, her steps hastened.

Upon seeing Nanny Fan's eyes shining as brightly as two lanterns, Meng Die immediately knew that something good had happened, "Please sit, what good news do you have?"

Nanny Fan sat down, her eyes narrowing into a blissful sliver, "Second Lady, can it be that you possess the ability to divine the future?"

Meng Die chuckled. "Do I need to be clairvoyant to tell? Your face is glowing with joy; anyone can guess that something delightful has happened."

Auntie Fan instinctively touched her own cheeks before moving closer to Meng Die and whispering, "Second Lady, there's news from Head Jiang. The fish have spawned."

Meng Die's eyes widened in an instant.

Auntie Fan continued, "The pond must have been too deep, so we didn't notice it during spring. But recently, many young fry have appeared. Both of them took this seriously, observing and comparing until they confirmed that the fish really laid eggs in our pond."

Meng Die's eyes now shone like lanterns. "This... this is truly wonderful."

Nanny Fan exhaled deeply. "After all this time, there's finally some hope."

Meng Die chuckled. "Nanny, you're too anxious. It hasn't even been that long. When I said it would take years, I wasn't just joking. I genuinely believed it would take that much time. Fish are living creatures, not like inanimate objects like soap that can be toyed with at will. Dealing with them is a challenge. For Xin Yi and Headman Jiang to achieve this breakthrough so quickly, they must have put in tremendous effort."

Nanny Fan replied, "Xin Yi originally didn't want to tell Second Lady yet. He thought that one year wouldn't prove anything, and he wanted to wait another year to see if the fish continued to spawn. I told him that regardless, we should let Second Lady know. Perhaps she has other ideas. Only then did he agree."

Meng Die responded, "Xin Yi is a cautious person, and after all his hard work, it's understandable that he worries about losing what he's gained. When you return, tell him not to put too much pressure on himself. This isn't something that can be accomplished in a day or two; it requires years of dedication. Lu Wei."

"Here." Lu Wei entered, lifting the curtain.

Meng Die: "I still have a thermometer. Give it to Nurse Fan."

"Very well."

Meng Die turned her gaze back to Nanny Fan. "Fetch another one. If our pond can accommodate this year's batch of fry, it's naturally better to raise them ourselves. If not, we can release them into the river. We've already harvested quite a number of fry from there anyway."

Nanny Fan hurriedly assured, "It is most definitely feasible to support more. This year has seen yet another drought, driving many to flee to the capital in search of sustenance. Recently, Headman Wang took the initiative to hire a considerable number of these individuals. Firstly, they are to clear more of the underbrush on the mountains, paving the way for fruit tree planting come autumn. Secondly, they have dug several additional ponds, ideal for cultivating lotuses and raising fish."

Meng Die cast a glance at the blazing sun outside. "Try to avoid working during the hottest part of the day."

Nanny Fan: "Second Lady, rest assured. They're all aware. Last year, Head Eunuch Wang even instructed his people to store some clean snow from the mountains and cut ice from the river to create a small ice cellar. Now that it's hot, everyone can enjoy a bowl of chilled mung bean soup during lunchtime to beat the heat. Is there enough ice for your use, Second Lady?"

Meng Die nodded. "It's sufficient. Ever since that year when the Marquis Manor ran short of ice, Mother has made sure every year that more is stored. We've never had a shortage since."

Nanny Fan heaved a sigh of relief.

Meng Die continued, "Now that matters are taking shape, instruct Youxin to retrieve the silver from Manager Rong's place. There will be rewards for all who have contributed."

Nanny Fan: "This matter hasn't been…"

Meng Die interrupted, "Hard work is always expected. If the letter comes from someone we trust, that's one thing. But there are so many others – how can one expect loyalty from subordinates without being willing to part with silver?"

Aunt Fan nodded repeatedly and stayed for lunch before departing. Her steps still carried a lively pace, indicating her joy.