Chapter 30: Stealing Credit, the Half-Fingerprint
Chapter 30: Stealing Credit, The Half Fingerprint
Awaken, read, cultivate, breakfast.
“The household finances need not trouble you, young master.”
Cao Ying spoke with utmost respect.
Yang Xuan, carrying a cloth bundle and leading his horse, stood inside the doorway. “If someone falls ill, or we need to buy furniture, or… Will it be enough?”
Cao Ying lowered his head. “I will naturally…”
“How did you earn that money?” Yang Xuan knew Cao Ying had only just arrived in Chang’an, yet within half a day had managed to earn a sum.
Selling himself to bury his father… Cao Ying coughed. “Young master…”
Yang Xuan turned, speaking with sincerity, “If the money isn’t enough, earn more. But don’t resort to swindling or deceit. We may not claim to be paragons of virtue, but at least let us act with a clear conscience.”
“Yes.”
His two subordinates respectfully saw him off.
The gates closed, and inside, faint voices echoed.
“What did the young master say?”
“Conscience.”
Across from the Yang household, Old Xie was stretching.
“Yang Xuan! Another visitor to your house?”
Yang Xuan noticed Old Xie always tried to peer behind him, so he cleared his throat. “My cousin invited a teacher for me.”
“Such wealth! And a beauty, too,” Old Xie praised.
Yang Xuan saw a flutter of robes behind Old Xie’s door and sighed, “Old Xie—looking at you, one would guess you’re about thirty, quite handsome.”
Old Xie touched his wrinkled face and grinned. “Really? No wonder…”
Yang Xuan led his horse away.
Behind him,
“Ow! More gently!”
Yang Xuan shuddered, stopped, and tapped his forehead.
“What… what did I just do?”
He walked down Vermilion Bird Avenue, surrounded by throngs of pedestrians.
A voice called from behind, “You’ve got two new guests at home.”
“My cousin is here.”
“She helped me find a teacher.”
The voice was openly envious, “Rich folk. How do they look?”
“Beautiful.”
Zhao Sanfu coughed. “I’ll visit your house someday.”
“My cousin is rather stingy.”
“Then what should I bring?”
“A gift.”
“Forget I said anything.”
Yang Xuan kept his gaze straight. “Is there something you need? Didn’t He Huan get severely beaten? Has he managed to get out of bed?”
Zhao Sanfu shook his head. “He’s still lying in bed, I hear. By the way, Yan City’s old wife is preparing to escort the spirit back home.”
…
Imperial Academy.
“I heard yesterday the Southern Zhou spies made a move—two bailiffs from Wannian County died in battle, but a chest of treasure was found.”
Bao Dong was spreading rumors early in the morning.
Yang Xuan sat down.
Qiao Huiyan in front of him sneered.
“Bao Dong, you’re spreading rumors again,” someone laughed.
“Who says I’m spreading rumors?” Bao Dong snapped.
“Me!” Qiao Huiyan stood, indignantly. “Yesterday, the Wannian County bailiffs went to investigate and encountered Southern Zhou spies. After a fierce fight, the spies escaped, and then the treasure was discovered.”
She turned to Bao Dong. “Some nearly got killed, but were saved. Is it so amusing to spread rumors all day?”
Bao Dong sheepishly sat down. “I’m just tossing out a brick to attract jade.”
Hua Yuxie frowned, turning back, “Southern Zhou spies come and go like shadows, masters of assassination. It’s dangerous for bailiffs to pursue them; how can you say they died so casually?”
Bao Dong retorted, “Little Qiao just said it was dangerous.”
Qiao Huiyan’s father was the assistant magistrate of Chang’an County and knew these matters well. She nodded, “It is very dangerous. Those men risk their lives for the Tang dynasty.”
“Ah!” someone said. “Don’t we at the Imperial Academy also have the duty to hunt Southern Zhou spies?”
Qiao Huiyan covered her forehead, “No one goes.”
Someone muttered, “Doesn’t matter.”
Bao Dong turned to Yang Xuan, “Hey! Yang Xuan, weren’t you at Wannian County? Do you know anything about this?”
The two girls in front didn’t turn but their ears perked up.
Yang Xuan chuckled, “I just heard about it.”
Bao Dong sighed, “Too bad you weren’t involved, but it’s just as well. Those spies are great at hiding…”
He started spreading rumors again.
Qiao Huiyan cut him off, her expression grave. “I hear the Ministry of Revenue plans to cut our funding. Hard times are coming.”
The students’ faces paled.
Yang Xuan attended the cultivation class, following Zhong Hui out of the school.
“Be careful.”
“Yes.”
Simple words, yet full of warmth.
“If you have questions in cultivation, ask me anytime.”
“Yes.”
Yang Xuan was in high spirits.
Until three students appeared ahead.
An Ziyu paced back and forth, wielding her ruler, glaring at the group.
“This trip to Wannian County, work hard. Anyone lazy or taking leave without reason, suffer!”
The three looked ashen.
An Ziyu looked up, “Yang Xuan, you’re here? Good, come with us.”
Yang Xuan was speechless.
A group arrived at Wannian County. Yang Xuan went to find Tang Xiaonian, while his classmates were taken to see their superior.
“Commander Tang.”
Tang Xiaonian was napping in the office; he looked up. “Ah! Yang Xuan!”
The silent Zhao Guolin glanced at Yang Xuan, then continued staring at his horse spear.
Wen Xinshu was engrossed in a book.
“You’ll get your due credit,” Tang Xiaonian wiped his mouth, contented.
“It’s not about credit,” Yang Xuan said. “Yesterday, I noticed something odd about a string of jewels. May I investigate?”
Tang Xiaonian was startled. “What’s odd?”
“They seemed to have been handled.”
Tang Xiaonian sat upright, “Our people handled them, surely?”
Zhao Guolin opened his eyes, “No one dares touch those jewels. It’s taboo. If anything’s lost, whoever touched it is unlucky.”
He looked at Yang Xuan, “But they’re in the Jinwu Guards now. Let it go.”
Yang Xuan shook his head, “No, it’s a serious matter…”
After a while, Tang Xiaonian rose. “Let’s try.”
Jinwu Guards.
Han Chun sat below, watching Deputy Commander Zhou Yan boast.
“Brothers worked hard yesterday, drove the Southern Zhou spies away, then found the treasure.”
Zhou Yan’s face glowed. Seeing Han Chun’s cold smile, he laughed, “Han Chun, you find this questionable?”
“Not at all,” Han Chun was no fool.
In an office, if someone tries to steal credit, don’t talk back—talking back is akin to killing parents or stealing wives.
Zhou Yan paused, then sneered, “My credit was earned with blade and spear. This deputy commander title is well deserved.”
A jab at Han Chun, implying he rose through a woman’s skirts. Shameless.
The two were rivals. Zhou Yan suddenly attacked, drawing many eyes.
Han Chun knelt, fists clenched, coldly, “The treasure was found by Wannian County bailiffs. What does it have to do with you?”
You want a showdown? I’m not afraid.
“Nonsense!” Zhou Yan slapped the seat, face red. “Which eye of yours saw it as the bailiffs’ achievement?”
A minor official stepped in.
“Commander Tang Xiaonian of Wannian County requests an audience.”
Zhou Yan was startled.
Han Chun smiled, “Let him in.”
Zhou Yan squinted, thinking a mere bailiff commander wouldn’t dare vie with a Jinwu Deputy. At most, he’d offer benefits, like speaking well of him to superiors.
Tang Xiaonian entered.
“What is it?” Zhou Yan spoke first. “You bailiffs did some good work. You’ll be rewarded later.”
Some credit? Tang Xiaonian was stunned, then lowered his head bitterly.
“If there’s nothing else, you may leave.” Zhou Yan knew Tang Xiaonian excelled at reading faces, so he added, “I’ll speak to Huang Wenzun for you.”
A hint.
Tang Xiaonian looked up, struggling internally. “Deputy Zhou, I came…”
Outside, Yang Xuan was waiting, and hearing this, he knew trouble was brewing. He called out, “That batch of goods has problems.”
Inside, everyone froze.
That batch of goods has problems?
Han Chun was delighted, raising his brows, “Deputy Zhou, wasn’t it your men who found the treasure? Why is it the bailiffs who discovered the issue?”
Zhou Yan sneered, “Nonsense.”
Han Chun countered, “This matter is serious. We can’t rely on your word alone. Let him in!”
Yang Xuan slowly entered.
Tang Xiaonian desperately signaled him to keep quiet.
Bailiffs were much like future detectives, while the Jinwu Guards oversaw all of Chang’an’s security—a far higher status. Tang Xiaonian dared not offend Zhou Yan.
Han Chun found Yang Xuan familiar, but was focused on mocking Zhou Yan, so he asked amicably, “Tell us slowly.”
Zhou Yan sneered, “A mere bailiff…”
Yang Xuan glanced at him, looked down at his blue robe.
“A student of the Imperial Academy!” Han Chun nearly laughed aloud.
Yang Xuan felt Zhou Yan’s hostility and disdain; he cleared his throat, “That batch of goods was handled.”
“Hmm?”
Zhou Yan barked, “Nonsense!”
Now he was furious.
Tang Xiaonian gave Yang Xuan a subtle, angry look, hinting he should shut up and leave.
Yang Xuan’s anger simmered. “I saw it with my own eyes.”
Han Chun slapped the table, “Zhou Yan, you claim the Jinwu Guards found the treasure. If so, why did this person spot a problem?”
Zhou Yan replied coldly, “Just nonsense.”
Tang Xiaonian coughed quietly, glaring at Yang Xuan.
Are you looking to die?
Before yesterday, Yang Xuan wouldn’t have cared about the credit.
“I saw it myself.”
Yang Xuan spoke, spine suddenly straight.
Han Chun nearly burst with suppressed laughter, adding, “Will you confront him?”
Zhou Yan squinted at Yang Xuan… Yesterday, his men had carefully checked the goods when transferring them; of course, they couldn’t touch them—that’s the rule.
He calmed himself, replied coolly, “What if you’re lying?”
Yang Xuan calmly replied, “I’ll accept punishment.”
Han Chun looked at Zhou Yan, “Deputy Zhou…”
With things at this point, Zhou Yan had no escape. He gave the youth a long look.
“Fine!”
Everyone went to the storeroom.
Creak!
The storeroom door opened with a loud groan, as if never oiled.
More than ten chests of goods were stacked in the corner.
“Open it,” Han Chun took charge.
Someone went to open a chest.
“No, that one,” Yang Xuan pointed to a tall chest on the right.
The clerk looked at the warehouse guard.
“Since it was brought in, no one has entered,” the guard said.
Only then did the clerk slowly open the chest.
Everyone gathered round, gazing at the jewels inside.
No dazzling glow, just dusty, dull jewels.
“Where?” Zhou Yan looked carefully, his gaze turning vicious as he glanced at Yang Xuan.
Tang Xiaonian’s legs trembled, barely holding himself up.
“I need a clamp,” Yang Xuan relaxed further, even smiling at Tang Xiaonian, whose face went paler still. Yang Xuan noticed Tang Xiaonian scratching his head, a few strands falling gently.
“Give it to him!” Han Chun found Yang Xuan increasingly familiar.
A bamboo clamp was handed over. Yang Xuan picked up a string of beads.
Zhou Yan glanced, sneering, “What’s the issue?”
Yang Xuan raised the clamp; a shaft of sunlight streamed in, illuminating the beads.
On the inner rim of the beads—a large, half fingerprint.
Yang Xuan addressed the crowd, “These goods were unearthed yesterday and untouched since. Dusty treasures, so why a fingerprint? And on the inside rim!”
“The spies wore gloves, but their fingers were exposed. Look!” Yang Xuan swung the beads, “There’s only half a fingerprint—the dust below is wiped away, showing the beads were held with half-gloves!”
He gazed at the crowd, calm and steady.
The storeroom was utterly silent.
Deputy Han was exhilarated.
Tang Xiaonian relaxed as if reborn, then straightened as if energized.
Zhou Yan’s face was blood-red…
The three men stared at the youth bathed in sunlight.