Chapter 49: Chapter 48: Husband and Wife Join Forces to Con the World
This matter made Wen Wan very uneasy. After all, she had never dealt with an official before.
The Song family’s ancestors were poor farmers for generations. Even though Old Song’s generation learned some crafts and improved their circumstances, at the end of the day, their family was still ordinary commoners without any official rank. How could they fight with the officials?
Wen Wan looked up at Song Wei and saw him deep in thought, so she dared not disturb him.
The two sat quietly in the room for a while before Song Wei slowly spoke, "Wanwan, I have a question to ask you."
Wen Wan nodded, signaling him to speak.
Song Wei looked at her, "If I’m going to encounter some danger, and you can foresee it in advance, then conversely, does it mean that if you can’t sense it, I won’t be in any trouble?"
Wen Wan thought for a moment and nodded affirmatively.
Previously, she didn’t dare to make such conclusions lightly, but after the incident involving her father-in-law and her father, she became more certain that her premonitions could only sense bad things. If she couldn’t foresee anything, it meant there was no danger.
"Are you sure?"
Wen Wan still nodded, her face showing a bit more determination.
Song Wei responded with a hum and revealed the strategy he had in mind.
After speaking, he looked at Wen Wan seriously, "If I really do this, can you sense any danger?"
This...
Wen Wan hesitated.
Her premonitions could not be controlled by human will. Sometimes they appeared just a little before the event occurs, like that night when they were heading to Da Huan Mountain. Along the way, several times she sensed that if he walked a few more steps further, he might accidentally step off a cliff because it was too dark, prompting her repeated requests to change their route.
But sometimes, the premonitions came much earlier. For instance, when her stepmother and Granny Wu almost sold her to Limp Wang and the town official, these premonitions happened quite early, giving her enough time to prepare and respond.
If Song Wei were to follow through with his plan, as of now, she didn’t have any bad premonitions. But who could guarantee that something unexpected wouldn’t occur just before he took action?
So Wen Wan thought it over and decided that he couldn’t act alone.
She insisted on accompanying him at that time, so if anything went wrong, they could think of ways to avoid it and not suffer a loss.
Song Wei nodded, "Alright."
——
Song Wei often went to the county, and over time, he gathered a lot of information.
In the county town, there was a salt merchant named Mr. Zhang, who had just established a foothold. To expand his business in Pingjiang County, he would undoubtedly need some relaxation in policies from the county officials.
As for County Magistrate Lu, he had been eyeing Mr. Zhang for some time. After all, wherever salt trade happens, it’s a big deal and highly profitable. Once he loosened the policy a tiny bit allowing Mr. Zhang to prosper, Mr. Zhang would certainly send a considerable tribute every year as gratitude.
Thus, these two were in a stalemate; neither dared to take the first step. Mr. Zhang hadn’t figured out the officials’ characteristics and was afraid to act rashly and get into trouble, while County Magistrate Lu waited for Mr. Zhang to bring silver to his door, which hadn’t happened.
Song Wei formulated a plan based on this.
On a chosen day, he took Wen Wan and headed straight to the county. They first visited Mr. Zhang, claiming to be a distant nephew of County Magistrate Lu.
Mr. Zhang had heard of Song Wei, known as a talented scholar in Pingjiang County, but had never fared well in exams.
Merchants often believe in luck, and hearing the name "Song Wei," Mr. Zhang wasn’t too eager to meet him, fearing bad luck.
But if Song Wei was related to County Magistrate Lu, that was different, and he soon sent someone to respectfully invite the couple in and serve them good tea and water.
Not long after, Mr. Zhang arrived. Seeing Song Wei, his face broke into a pleased grin, addressing him warmly, "Nephew, what brings you to my humble house? Is there something important?"
"Not really." Song Wei took a sip of tea, appearing quite composed, "The County Magistrate heard that Mr. Zhang’s family recently arrived in Pingjiang County and deals in salt trade. This industry is heavily regulated, and the County Magistrate was worried Mr. Zhang might not understand the local rules, so he sent me to pay a visit."
This is a coded message.
Outsiders might hear it as County Magistrate Lu being upright and caring for the public’s needs.
Insiders, especially Mr. Zhang, would know that his salt business had potential. His eyes lit up, and he quickly clasped his hands together, changing to a more respectful address, "Mr. Song is right. Being new to these parts, I am indeed not familiar with the local customs. I would appreciate your guidance."
Song Wei smiled gently, "I’m not in the officialdom and have no say. Regarding the specifics, Mr. Zhang should discuss them in person with the County Magistrate."
"Does this mean the County Magistrate is willing to meet me personally?"
"That would depend on whether Mr. Zhang shows the proper sincerity."
Mr. Zhang almost immediately understood, "Yes, yes, I definitely have sincerity. Please inform Mr. Song that I’ll set up a banquet three days from now at Songhe Building and hope the County Magistrate will honor us with his presence."
——
After leaving Zhang Mansion and returning to the ox cart, Wen Wan’s legs were still weak. After all, this was her first time doing something deceitful, and with her husband no less; it was both nerve-wracking and exciting.
Earlier in the hall at Mr. Zhang’s place, her heart was in her throat the entire time, fearing that her husband might slip up and be found out.
However, from start to finish, Song Wei remained composed, exhibiting the calmness of a mature man, which provided such a profound sense of security.
"Only the last step remains." Song Wei wiped the sweat off her forehead with his sleeve, "If there’s no premonition, we’ll head to the county government now."
Wen Wan nodded, comforted by his gentle voice, her previously racing heart gradually calming down.
——
Upon arriving outside the county government, Song Wei used the same tactic, telling the guards at the gate that he was a relative of Mr. Zhang.
County Magistrate Lu had been waiting for Mr. Zhang to come forward. Hearing this, he was naturally delighted and had Song Wei invited inside.
Upon meeting, County Magistrate Lu was somewhat dumbfounded. Wasn’t this the young man who caused a ruckus outside the county government after last year’s Da Huan Mountain Coal Mine incident? How could he be related to Mr. Zhang?
However, money talks louder than anything else.
Since this young man claimed ties with Mr. Zhang, he decided to let it slide.
Due to his official status, County Magistrate Lu went through some formalities before focusing on why Song Wei was there.
Song Wei said he was merely a messenger and conveyed that Mr. Zhang had prepared a small gift at Songhe Building three days later, hoping for the County Magistrate’s presence.
After putting up an act with a lot of official rhetoric indicating his uprightness, County Magistrate Lu "reluctantly" agreed.
Three days later, the two did meet at Songhe Building. After a round of amiable conversation, each got what they desired, and they left the premises with smiles on their faces.
What Mr. Zhang and County Magistrate Lu discussed in the building, Song Wei didn’t know. He only knew that from the age of ten, when he first took the county exam, to now, at eighteen, it was the first time he smoothly entered the examination hall without any accidents.
Before the exam began, County Magistrate Lu even nodded politely at him as a form of greeting.