Chapter 169 — A Retainer

As for the Jiang family now—the old were old, the young were young, and there was not a single person among them fit to make decisions. Fortunately, Shi An had ample experience of the jianghu, and could at least guarantee the safety of the Jiang family's women and children.

Yan Che answered with a respectful "Yes," and consoled him: "Do not fret, Heir. There is no wall in this world that lets no wind through. So long as we keep our eyes open, sooner or later we will learn something."

"Let us hope so," Song Yan said with a faint sigh.

He thought of Dou Yan.

He wondered what she was doing.

On a warm winter's day like this—was she tending her flowers and plants in the greenhouse? Or sitting demurely on the heated kang by the window, going over the accounts with the steward?

At the thought, he could not help smiling to himself, and asked Yan Che, "How goes the business with Gu Yu?"

Yan Che grinned broadly. "I never would have thought it—when Gu Yu is arrogant, he outdoes everyone in arrogance, and when he sets his mind to something, he outdoes everyone in earnestness. He flattered the several bureau directors of the Ministry of Works until they lost all sense of direction. They say that Luo Wei, a secretary of the Ministry, petitioned the Emperor to dredge the old river channel east of Kaifeng, and that the Emperor has already given his approval. They want Gu Yu to put in a good word with the Minister of Works—Mu Chuan, Grand Secretary of the Hall of Central Ultimacy—so that when the Ministry has business in future, they will have Young Master Gu to turn to."

"But this is the Wang family's business," Song Yan said, laughing as well. "Snatching food from the tiger's mouth—he had best be careful."

"Which is why I say that when Young Master Gu gets serious, he is a man who can get things done," Yan Che said with a smile. "These days Young Master Gu has grown very close to Wang Yu, heir of the Marquis of Yan'an. He plans to undertake the dredging of the Kaifeng stretch together with Wang Yu."

Song Yan raised an eyebrow and said with a sigh of admiration, "Gu Yu has truly grown up." His tone held relief, and a touch of emotion besides—like that of parents watching a babbling child let go of their hands at last.

Yan Che roared with laughter.

Song Yan laughed along for a while, then gradually grew grave. After a moment's thought he said, "For five years running the Yellow River has burst its dikes at Kaifeng, and several times the Ministry of Works has wished to rebuild the old city of Kaifeng, yet each time the Emperor has shelved the memorial without reply. These past years the treasury has not been full—why would the Emperor, on top of dredging the Grand Canal, also set about opening the Kaifeng stretch of the Yellow River? This matter almost certainly involves a contest among several Grand Secretaries... Liang Jifang's abilities are limited, not enough to overawe the other Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat. Who will ultimately sway the Grand Secretariat's will is still unclear. We must keep a close watch."

Yan Che nodded solemnly. "Heir, there is a man I wish to recommend to you."

In the past Song Yan had been merely the heir of the Duke of Ying's household. Great matters were decided by the Duke of Ying, and he had only to assist from the side. Now that Song Yan had fallen out with the Duke of Ying, matters had grown suddenly complicated, and he felt the strain of carrying them alone.

Song Yan was himself minded to build up a staff of advisors, only he lacked any good candidates. Hearing this, he said with a smile, "Pray tell, Master Yan."

"This man's surname is Liao, given name Qing, courtesy name Bifeng. He was a provincial graduate in the guimao year, and he is a fellow native of my own district..."

As Yan Che spoke, Song Yan's thoughts wandered a little.

Chen Yanzhou was a man of real talent, to be sure—but alas, Dou Yan could not do without him at her side.

The thought flashed through his mind, and he quickly reined in his feelings and listened closely as Yan Che described the circumstances of Zi'ai Peak.

And at that very moment, Chen Yanzhou was speaking with Dou Yan about the Song family's affairs: "...most of those who knew me have been purged by Song Cen. If I go in disguise, no one should recognize me."

"No!" Dou Yan rejected Chen Yanzhou's proposal without a moment's thought. "Until Song Yan holds the absolute upper hand, you must not appear in the capital under any circumstances. This matter—I will have Cui Min see to it. He has Tian Fugui to help him now, and plenty of idle time."

"Young Lady," Chen Yanzhou said, his expression turning grave, "in breaking off the betrothal with the Wei family, the key is the heir's wife of the Duke of Jing's household. Do you think, at Cui Min's age, that he can fathom the mind of the heir's wife?"

※

Sisters, brothers, I am stuck on this chapter...~~~~(_

This is also a spur to myself.

I say to myself: keep going—you must get past this hurdle.

※