018 Rejecting Hong Chengchou’s Love!
Southern City Military Office.
“Gentlemen, according to imperial regulations, the Military Office is responsible not only for arrests, fire control, dredging canals, and maintaining street order, but also for comforting and supporting the people. I have decided to establish four new porridge shops, and one each of a nursery, a shelter for the homeless, and a charitable hall.”
“Does anyone have any objections?”
“No objections.”
“The construction quality of the nursery, shelter, and charitable hall must be excellent. Perhaps a hundred or two hundred years from now, people will still remember our names, thus securing our place in history.”
“Your wisdom is admirable, sir.”
A one-man rule! Jiang Qingyun nodded with satisfaction—this was exactly the Military Office he envisioned.
“Meeting adjourned. Brothers, let’s eat!”
Eating out constantly was too ostentatious, so Jiang Qingyun assigned several relatives from Lü Zhu’s hometown to assist in the kitchen.
...
After the meal, Jiang Qingyun called out to Zhao Zesheng, who was about to leave.
“Do you have anything on hand?”
“I was planning to persuade some wealthy families for donations.”
“Leave that to others. You have a more important task. Visit personally those who voluntarily testified at the last trial, according to the list.”
“Visit them? For what purpose?”
“To talk, and to recruit informants. Tell them that if anyone or anything suspicious appears around them, they must report it truthfully. Valuable leads will be rewarded by the Military Office. Even if the information turns out to be false, there will be no punishment.”
Zhao Zesheng stood still, stunned for a moment.
“Sir, I understand.”
“Good, go.”
One wave of men dispersed; the once bustling Military Office gradually grew quiet, with only a dozen or so left behind.
...
Only then did Lü Zhu arrive, smiling brightly.
“Young master, would you like a bowl of ginseng chicken soup?”
Jiang Qingyun drained the bowl in one gulp, then swept away the remnants like a whirlwind.
Lü Zhu hesitated, clutching the empty bowl, as if she had something to say.
“Is there something on your mind?”
“The steward of the household came by, asking when you might be free to return home.”
“Is something the matter at home?”
“The steward said that madam has arranged a marriage for you. It seems to be with the niece of Minister of War Hong.”
A flash of anger crossed Jiang Qingyun’s eyes, immediately noticed by Lü Zhu.
She spoke softly:
“Young master, since ancient times, marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers. A union must be between families of equal standing. That female escort…”
“Do you think it’s inappropriate?”
“No, young master, whatever you do is right. I just fear that master and madam won’t approve.”
...
“From now on, don’t call me ‘servant’, call me by name!”
“Yes.”
“Lü Zhu, remember this: nothing will stand in my way. I will return home personally to persuade my parents.” Suddenly recalling something, Jiang Qingyun asked, “Ah, last time I asked you to live with Jiang Nan for observation?”
“Ah~” Lü Zhu blushed, leaning closer to lower her voice, “No scars, no blemishes, no body odor, no obvious illnesses, flawless skin, never bound feet, straightforward and simple temperament, strong maternal lineage—she will surely bear healthy children.”
Seeing the young master’s doubtful gaze, Lü Zhu bowed her head and murmured, “I was personally trained by madam.”
“Alright, you may go.”
After leaving,
Lü Zhu muttered to herself that the young master’s style was becoming more and more domineering.
Other matters could be negotiated, but for such a dignified sixth-rank official to marry a female escort—if master and madam found out, she dared not imagine the uproar.
The niece of the Minister of War, well-educated, refined, and wealthy—a perfect choice for a legitimate wife.
...
After she left, a calico cat appeared, squeezing halfway through the door crack.
“Meow~”
Seeing that Jiang Qingyun did not object, the fluffy little creature lightly jumped onto his lap, retracting its claws and settling comfortably.
So serene and gentle, Jiang Qingyun was pleased. He paused his work to stroke its fur while feeding it.
“There are some things I can’t say to others, but talking to you, this guilty cat, seems harmless enough.”
“Meow~”
“When I was eighteen, after reading ‘Dream of the Red Chamber’, I believed that the delicate, kind, and literate Lin Daiyu was the perfect wife.”
“At twenty-five, I realized that the healthy, emotionally stable Baochai was the ideal partner.”
“At thirty-five, I changed my mind again, thinking that the sharp, shrewd, and domestic Wang Xifeng was best, someone who could share my burdens.”
“At forty, I discovered that the wise, resilient, and loyal Granny Liu was truly a treasure among women.”
“Young and foolish, I once mistook Granny Daiyu for a treasure.”
“Upon reflection, Grandmother Jia wasn’t so bad either.”
...
The calico cat in his arms closed its eyes slightly.
As a female cat, she knew that when a man was troubled, listening quietly was enough—no need for words.
“Dorgon is dying soon. The Hong family is getting nervous.”
“In terms of character, Hong Chengchou is a hundred times worse than Fan Wencheng. Fan was a mere scholar, never favored by Ming, so his defection was inconsequential. But Hong is a commander who controlled over a hundred thousand troops on three fronts. Chongzhen owed him nothing.”
“Besides, what I need is a wife who can fight alongside me, who shares my ideals. Family background means nothing for marriage; in fact, it can be a hindrance.”
“The reputation of wiping out the wife’s family is never flattering.”
“I was wrong. I should never have dined at the Hong family’s house, exposing my unparalleled beauty and talent.”
“Meow~”
The calico’s ears perked up, tongue sticking out. The man and cat were enjoying their conversation immensely.
...
Half an hour later, Jiang Qingyun carried the cat to the kitchen.
“Prepare a fresh braised fish for the cat.”
“Yes, master.”
The calico proudly settled on the clean millstone by the kitchen door.
The cook, a woman who once fed Lü Zhu a large ear of corn as a child, hurried to boil water and clean the fish. She treasured her job, eating three full meals daily and receiving a monthly allowance—almost like a wealthy mother-in-law.
While cutting the fish, she muttered that people say even a dog or cat born in the capital is more precious than someone from Zhili province.
...
Jiang Qingyun was not mistaken.
Hong Chengchou’s situation was awkward; he urgently needed to cultivate trusted aides and forge alliances.
He was a confidant of both Huang Taiji and Dorgon, but now the situation had changed—he had no new master to follow.
Xiaozhuang was indifferent; Shunzhi disliked him.
The two Yellow Banners saw him as Dorgon’s dog.
No Han officials were willing to associate with him.
Under Shunzhi’s reign, the three most trusted Han officials in the capital were, in order: Fan Wencheng, Ning Wanwo, and Hong Chengchou.
Fan was a pure civil official, ignorant of military affairs.
Ning was a civil official but knowledgeable in some military matters.
Both Fan and Ning despised Hong.
The reason was simple: “We only defected to the Later Jin when we were desperate. You, a grand Ming commander, come to compete with us for the traitor's role? How tasty is that?”
Thus, Hong Chengchou found himself in an awkward position.
He scrutinized everyone in the court and found Jiang Qingyun.
This young man was shrewd, bold, and loyal to the regime. Though currently low-ranking, he had great potential. A marital alliance with Jiang could also ease tensions with the two Yellow Banners.
...
At Needle and Thread Alley, beneath the Great Pagoda Tree,
Hong Shiming, son of the Hong family, personally came to express his father’s fondness for Jiang Qingyun.
“A few days ago, my father invited Young Brother Qingyun to the residence for a brief chat. They took to each other immediately; my father is eager to nurture talent. If our families were to unite in marriage, your future prospects would be limitless.”
“Uncle Jiang, you’ve raised an excellent son.”
Jiang Zhongcheng smiled broadly, “Not at all, not at all~”