The System Wanted Me to Be a Landlady (GL) - Chapter 46: Became Famous

Chapter 46: Became Famous

Tang Haogen did not drink much wine that night, because he was only focused on talking serious matters with Song Yuyan.

After Song Yuyan heard what he said, and combined it with the original host’s memories of the new prefect’s encounters, she could basically confirm that the so-called “civil unrest” perhaps had something to do with these powerful and wealthy families.

If it was because the new prefect’s measures had infringed on the interests of the powerful and wealthy families, then it would not be surprising for them to do something like “taking advantage of the people’s resentment toward this conscription of laborers to dredge the river channels, as well as inciting those idle vagrants to cause trouble for the new prefect.”

The newly arrived prefect had not even fully taken over the power yet, so naturally he could not control many things. They made the matter big, so that the court would know the new prefect’s mistakes, and thereby demote the new prefect. In this way, their interests would not be infringed upon, and they could also kick away the person who was in the way…

Of course, all of this was just Song Yuyan’s guess.

She asked Tang Haogen: “You hope to remind the new prefect, but you are worried that your status makes it impossible to approach him?”

Tang Haogen nodded. Song Yuyan said: “I do have a method, but it may not work.”

Tang Haogen became spirited and did not care about drinking anymore. He asked: “What method? Tell me quickly.”

“You said that the county magistrate wants to give these lüqing bamboo carvings to the new prefect because the new prefect is a person who likes elegant things, so…” Song Yuyan whispered a few words in Tang Haogen’s ear.

Tang Haogen’s eyes lit up, but then he frowned again: “But will this not cause you any trouble?”

Song Yuyan said: “If that prefect is someone who can listen to advice, I naturally will not have any trouble. Even if he does not listen to advice, I am just someone who carves bamboo, so what could happen to me?”

Although Song Yuyan was not like Tang Haogen in worrying about the country and the people, she also could not remain indifferent. Even though she knew the opportunity was slim and the probability of success was very low, she still wanted to do what she could. Moreover, if she could effectively avoid that chaos, it could also reduce the chance of her being implicated.

Tang Haogen hesitated for a moment before saying: “Then good, we will do as you say!”

After the two finished talking about the matter, it was already very late. The irritable mood in Tang Haogen’s heart was swept away, and he even had some expectation for the future, so his steps home were light.

When Tang Zhi saw it, she was surprised that her brother surprisingly had not much smell of wine on him this time. She thought about it and felt that it was probably because her brother went to drink with Song Yuyan, but in the end it was always him drinking while the person opposite only drank tea, so her brother felt it tasteless and simply did not drink anymore…

Thinking this way, she felt a bit happier in her heart and thought that it was right to always let Song Yuyan drink less wine, so the next day she took half a jin of tea from home to give to Song Yuyan.

Song Yuyan, who could not sleep because she drank too much tea at night: “…”

____

The next day, Tang Haogen went to the yamen. That Magistrate Pang specially came to ask him: “Agen, it has been two months now. Has that artist named Lu Fang finished carving the bamboo carvings?”

Tang Haogen hurriedly took out the paperweight and armrest and said: “They were just carved yesterday. As soon as I got them, I brought them over.”

Magistrate Pang picked up these two lüqing bamboo carvings to examine them. Although he was not very proficient in these elegant things, when he saw such an innovative lüqing bamboo carving, he would also have the thought of keeping it for himself.

But he knew even more clearly the preferences of his immediate superior. In order to make his work under the new superior less miserable, this set of stationery utensils, he was bound to give away.

Fortunately, Tang Haogen was sensible and did not take his money.

After Magistrate Pang got the lüqing bamboo carvings, he did not immediately send them to the new prefect Liu Chuo, but waited for an appropriate opportunity.

Finally, one day, Liu Chuo was going to Cixi County for an inspection. Magistrate Pang followed him to run around the countryside for half a day, and at noon he prepared some simple dishes to entertain Liu Chuo.

When Liu Chuo saw the simple dishes, he was also very satisfied. After the meal, he chatted a lot with Magistrate Pang.

Halfway through the chat, Magistrate Pang felt the atmosphere was right, so he took out that set of lüqing bamboo carving stationery utensils and said:

“This official obtained these stationery utensils with lüqing bamboo carvings a few days ago and was just wanting to find someone to discuss the elegance in them, but unfortunately the people around are all clerks who do not understand elegance. This official has heard that Prefect Liu is skilled in poetry, literature, calligraphy, and painting, so today I specially took them out… Please, Prefect Liu, do me the honor of giving some pointers.”

Although Magistrate Pang had the intention of giving a gift, he did not dare to say it outright, so he first used the name of “appreciating together” to test if he could arouse Liu Chuo’s interest. If Liu Chuo really liked it, he could then give the gift in a proper and outspoken way, without letting Liu Chuo notice that he was giving a gift.

But even if he noticed, it would be fine, anyway Liu Chuo would not reprimand him for it.

Among literati, when they obtain some interesting objects or books, they often invite friends to gather under the pretext of discussing them together. Therefore, Magistrate Pang’s approach did not make Liu Chuo feel out of place. He even really took the brush holder with curiosity and started exchanging with Magistrate Pang:

“I have heard of lüqing carving, but it does not have anything outstanding.”

Magistrate Pang smiled and said: “This official has also seen quite a few lüqing carvings. What ordinary craftsmen carve indeed does not have anything outstanding, but this artist named ‘Lu Fang’ is not ordinary…”

To say the difference between “craftsman” and “artisan,” it is actually not big, but “craftsman” emphasizes “skill,” while “artisan” emphasizes “art.”

More intuitively, in terms of creativity, “artisan” is better at expressing their own insights into art, thereby creating works with greater appreciation value.

Magistrate Pang specially used “artisan” to describe the person who carved these objects. Liu Chuo was hooked by his words and said: “You describe him this way, and I am somewhat looking forward to what kind of lüqing he can carve.”

After saying that, he lowered his head to look at the brush holder in his hand. At this look, he indeed had a moment of daze. Then he restrained his casual expression and became serious and focused. Moreover, every place he looked at, he always had to feel the texture on it with his fingers…

When Magistrate Pang saw this, he was happy in his heart. He had finally bet on the right treasure!

“This is Li Xianxi’s early painting. If it were a painting, it would not catch my eye. But this is lüqing carving!” Liu Chuo felt as if something in his chest wanted to burst out. “This is lüqing carving? I do not think ordinary lüqing carving can show the style of Li Xianxi’s paintings, but on this brush holder, it really let me see a masterpiece that is no less brilliant than the original painting!”

Although Magistrate Pang had just said many words praising this brush holder, in reality, he really could not understand what this work meant to a person immersed in literature and art.

But what did that matter? As long as he flattered the right horse!

Liu Chuo put down the brush holder and picked up the paperweight to look, but the pattern on the paperweight was relatively simple and plain, so he did not look at it for too long. Probably because the pearl and jade were in front, the simple “Spring Bamboo Picture” did not have much appeal to him.

Fortunately, when he saw that armrest, his eyes finally lit up again.

If we say the object that best shows the level of the person who carved these works, it is actually this armrest. Because what is on the brush holder is Li Cheng’s painting, and carving according to the painting leaves less space to show one’s own ideas. But the painting on this armrest is indeed drawn by the carver herself, which means that her painting level and carving skill level can all be shown through this armrest!

It was precisely because he saw this armrest that Liu Chuo’s heart gave birth to the thought of obtaining these lüqing bamboo carvings.

And how could Magistrate Pang let his superior take the initiative to speak? So after a round of flattery, he took the initiative to propose giving these objects to his superior.

At this moment, Liu Chuo also understood his intention, but since the other party was not trying to bribe him with money or valuable items, he might as well pretend to be confused and accept these lüqing bamboo carvings.

Although Liu Chuo did not ask Magistrate Pang for more information about the artisan named “Lu Fang,” after he went back, every day he saw these lüqing bamboo carvings, his heart itched again—he seemed to foresee that such exquisite and highly appreciative lüqing would surely replace the old lüqing carvings and become a new bamboo carving technique!

He was originally not a person who liked bamboo carvings, but art is interconnected. In the bamboo carvings, he saw calligraphy and painting, saw the creativity of art, and at the same time, bamboo symbolizes loftiness. Since ancient times, literati have loved bamboo, and these works could be said to be very much to his liking.

He wanted to meet this person named “Lu Fang.” If the other’s knowledge and talent were indeed good, he could exchange ideas with her. However, his own status made him hesitate a bit. After all, as a newcomer, if he wasted time on these things, would someone think he was indulging in trifles and neglecting duty?

Zuo You saw that Liu Chuo seemed to have an unsolved problem and wanted to solve the worry for him.

Liu Chuo did not plan to let the people below help him find the person, but during casual chat, he slightly mentioned the lüqing bamboo carving artisan “Lu Fang.”

The people below happened to be worried about not having a chance to get close to this new prefect, so they found that this was a very good opportunity!

Although they did not know who this “Lu Fang” was, since their superior liked this person’s bamboo carvings so much, they naturally had to find a way to do it.

But when they searched around the bamboo carving shops, they could not find a single work from “Lu Fang’s” hand, so they inevitably became a bit angry: “I do not believe I cannot find it even if I turn over the entire Mingzhou!”

Soon, the news that the Mingzhou prefectural yamen was collecting information on the lüqing bamboo carvings of a person named “Lu Fang” quickly reached the ears of the people in the bamboo carving trade. Some of them were unwilling to give up such a chance to become famous, so they impersonated “Lu Fang,” carved some lüqing carvings, and then handed them over to the people from the yamen.

The people from the yamen excitedly ran to Liu Chuo to claim credit.

Liu Chuo had originally forgotten about this matter because of busy official duties, and only after someone mentioned it did he remember it again.

Although he was not a person who indulged in trifles, since the people below had found “Lu Fang’s” lüqing bamboo carvings, he would take a look!

But at this look, his face became a bit strange: “If you cannot find it, it does not matter. I will not blame you.”

Zuo You quickly realized—the superior’s words clearly meant that this was not genuine!

They were both anxious and angry. They had not seen “Lu Fang’s” lüqing bamboo carvings yet, so how would they know that others were fooling them?!

Although Liu Chuo did not blame them, they still angrily caught the person impersonating “Lu Fang” and brought him to the yamen for questioning.

After this matter spread out, others became even more curious: What kind of divine being is this Lu Fang, and why does the prefect want to find this person?

_____

Tang Zhi heard about this from the neighbors buying vegetables, and her heart skipped a beat. Others did not know who “Lu Fang” was, but she knew!

She strongly suppressed the anxiety in her heart. After selling the vegetables, she went to the Song family to find Song Yuyan.

After Song Yuyan sent Ye’er to study, Ye’er often left in the morning and only came back at noon, so when Tang Zhi came to find Song Yuyan, there were only two sisters, one big and one small, at home in the Song family.

When Tang Zhi came over this time, she happened to see a little radish head lying in Song Yuyan’s arms acting spoiled: “Big Brother, you have been so tired lately, but there is no paper at home, and I do not want Big Brother to tire himself out buying paper for me to practice writing!”

Finding ways to be lazy and slippery, truly worthy of Bing’er!

Song Yuyan had a smile on her face, calm and confident: “It is okay. Big Brother can make paper, so do not worry about not having paper.”

Bing’er: “…”

Tang Zhi could not count how many consecutive defeats this little radish head had against Song Yuyan. Anyway, every time Bing’er wanted to be lazy, Song Yuyan always found a way to cure her laziness.

Seeing that Tang Zhi had come, Bing’er seemed to see a savior and hurriedly said: “Big Brother, Sister Tang has come to find you. It must be something important to discuss. I will not disturb you. I will go first to help supervise Sister Ye’er in studying and drawing!”

After saying that, she ran toward the Tang house—even though she walked with a limp, it did not affect her speed at all.

Tang Zhi saw that Song Yuyan did not chase after to grab Bing’er back, but only had a smile on the corners of her mouth, with a doting look. She knew that Bing’er’s personality had become much more cheerful in the past year or so, and she had also slowly learned to share with others from the previous little glutton, and this was all the positive influence brought to the younger brother and sister by this person leading by example.

“Does Song Dalang know the technique of making paper, or does he use money to ‘make’ paper?” Tang Zhi teased.

Song Yuyan smiled and said: “Both.”

Song Yuyan knew how to make bamboo paper, but the process of making paper was very complicated and time-consuming, and what she lacked most right now was time, so she preferred to buy paper rather than make it herself.

As for why not make paper to sell, because the efficiency of one person making paper was too low. Currently, those making paper were all large workshops, often employing more than ten people and taking three or four months to produce a batch of paper. With just one person, even if she knew the technique, without manpower, how difficult it would be to make a living by making paper.

Tang Zhi: “…”

So this person was serious? She had thought she was just coaxing the little radish head!

Tang Zhi even wanted to ask her what else she did not know!

She finally did not ask this out loud, after all, the purpose of her coming here was not to inquire about Song Yuyan’s background. She said: “Have you recently provoked someone from the yamen? Why is everyone looking for ‘Lu Fang’?”

Song Yuyan was stunned for a moment and soon knew what was going on. She smiled and said: “Probably, I have become famous.”

Tang Zhi rolled her eyes at her perfunctory response without any good feeling: “Who does not know you have become famous? The news that the prefecture is looking for you has even spread to our county!”

Then she let out a sigh of relief. “Seeing that you can still smile, it is probably not something bad. Since that is the case, I will go back first.”

It turned out that she had hurried over like this because she was worried about her! Song Yuyan felt happy in her heart.

Seeing that this little girl was about to leave, she hurriedly called her: “Do you not want to know what it is about?”

Tang Zhi said: “You usually do not use your style name, only leaving it on the bamboo carvings, so perhaps it is about the bamboo carvings!”

“Smart little girl.” Song Yuyan smiled and nodded. “Indeed it is.”

Tang Zhi was dissatisfied that she called her “little girl” again, but this time she was very curious about Song Yuyan’s next words, so she did not argue with her. Instead, she gave her a sideways glance with an expression of “say it if you want, I will reluctantly cooperate with you.”

Song Yuyan slightly satisfied her curiosity. But she did not say that this matter was related to Tang Haogen, otherwise this girl would blame them again for having secrets and not letting her know.

“You mean, the new prefect likes your bamboo carvings very much, but for the time being does not know who Lu Fang is, so he let the people below look for your bamboo carvings, but everyone could not find them, and instead became even more curious about you?”

Tang Zhi summed up Song Yuyan’s words in a few words.

“This is just my guess.” Song Yuyan said. Originally, she thought Liu Chuo might find her through the connections of the county magistrate and Tang Haogen, but she did not expect that the people in the prefectural yamen would have this kind of operation, and unintentionally marketed her a wave.

Tang Zhi could not understand Liu Chuo’s thinking: “If he wants to know who Lu Fang is, why not just ask the county magistrate directly?”

Song Yuyan smiled and said: “The prefect perhaps did not intend it, but the people below often speculate wildly on the superior’s meaning. Coincidentally, this prefect is newly appointed, and the people below also want to figure out his preferences, so these things happened!”