Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 16 Not a Dandy
Yunhexiangjie is a famous market in Zhangye County. It is built on the hillside and leads up the steps. Most of the shops sell special spices and clothing from the western countries, so the whole street is filled with fragrance all year round.

At the end of the incense steps is the location of Zhangye County's Music Bureau, which manages the teaching of local dance and music, and is responsible for collecting and composing folk songs and literati poems, and arranging them into exquisite dance music for performance during sacrifices and banquets.

Tan Huaike and Pei'er went to the Yunhe Fragrance Steps together. Neither of them had ever seen the world there, but they enjoyed themselves browsing this shop, smelling that incense pill, and wandering around. By the time they reached the Music House, Shentu Zhuo and Chi Fanyu were already rehearsing their final piece. They must have been informed in advance, as they were ushered in by the musicians and sat in a corner to watch.

Seeing their curious faces, the musician kindly introduced, "We're choreographing a song for the suburban temples, performed during the year-end celebrations by the county governor. The lyrics are rather obscure and not very interesting. If you had come half an incense stick earlier, you would have heard the song composed by Master Shentu. The tune is truly beautiful, and we love to play it, but it's a pity the lyrics aren't finished yet."

Pei'er asked, "Were both the music and lyrics written by the Second Young Master?"

The musicians said admiringly, "Yes, Master Shentu is well versed in music, both literary and martial. He is truly a man of great talent. Without his help, the musicians alone would not be able to arrange so many dances and music."

Tan Huaike looked at the two people busy over there and asked, "Who is Chi Leguan..."

The musician said, "Chi Leguan is the nephew of our prefect, and a close friend of Master Shentu."

After the song was over, Shentu Zhuo and Chi Fanyu came over.

Chi Fanyu looked even more like a dandy than Shentu Zhuo, dressed in splendid clothes and speaking frivolously: "Oh, this must be my sister-in-law, what a beauty!"

Shen Tuzhuo nudged him with his arm: "Don't try to be so close to me. Why are you calling me sister-in-law?"

Chi Fanyu didn't care: "What's the relationship between us? Your sister-in-law is my sister-in-law. Sister-in-law, what do you think of our rehearsal?"

Tan Huaike smiled shyly and said sincerely, "I don't quite understand it, but I just think it sounds very nice. There are pianos and drums, and there are many people dancing. It's very lively."

"It's just for fun!" Chi Fanyu said, "Auntie, you understand me. I also think that the music at the sacrifice should be lively and exciting so that the gods and ghosts can hear it. I'm telling you, Auntie, I..."

"Alright, go and do your thing!" Shen Tu Zhuo couldn't stand it anymore and sent him away. "Aren't there still three musicians who haven't been taught yet? Go and keep an eye on them yourself. I won't take care of this matter. If anything goes wrong later, you'll be the one to suffer the consequences from your uncle."

"You're such a good fellow, Shen Tu Zhuo. You're only interested in beauty... and forget your loyalty to your wife!"

Chi Fanyu was indeed very busy, and after this incident, he left in a hurry. Shen Tu Zhuo's mouth was dry, so he sat down and drank two cups of tea, finally able to catch his breath.
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Seeing that the two had something to discuss, the musician tactfully left, and Pei'er also went outside to wait.

I have to say, this is a great place to chat.

The furnishings were elegant and generous, the compartments quiet but not enclosed, screened only by screens or gauze curtains, so as not to appear too private and thus attract criticism. The sounds of drums and music could be faintly heard, not loud but just enough to mask the words. Unless one deliberately leaned in to eavesdrop, one would not be able to detect what the people inside were saying.

Shen Tuzhuo spoke first: "Tell me, what is your real name?"

Tan Huaike asked back: "If I tell you, will you be able to find out my background? What do you want to do next?"

"Don't worry about that." Shen Tu Zhuo stroked the edge of the teacup with his fingers, and asked her with a smile on his lips, "Why, is your background very shameful?"

"Not really." Tan Huaike said frankly, "Then before that, please answer my question first."

"You ask."

"The new decree hasn't been issued yet, so the details are probably unknown. Rumors from the outside world are also unreliable. So, what I want to ask is, why is a new decree for selecting imperial merchants being issued?"

"It seems you are truly interested in the imperial merchant business." Shen Tu Zhuo patiently explained to her, "Daxuan was constantly at war in the past. To put it nicely, it was because the late emperor had great martial virtue. To put it bluntly, it was excessive military spending that was a real waste of resources and money.

"That year, a flood struck, and over 700,000 starving people fled. To replenish the treasury, provide military supplies, and provide relief to the victims, the imperial court turned to merchants. It was then that the "Taxation of Silk" and "Reporting Silk" orders were issued."

"The Calculation of Silk Order? The Reporting of Silk Order?" Tan Huaike had been doing business outside the Great Wall with his father for many years and had no idea about this.

Shentu Zhuo dipped his remaining tea in the paper and wrote these six words on the table. He continued, "These two decrees required peddlers, merchants, moneylenders, hoarders, and others, regardless of whether they were registered in the city, to truthfully report all their assets and pay high taxes accordingly. Those who concealed their information or failed to pay would be convicted of a serious crime, sentenced to a year of frontier garrisoning, and their property confiscated." Tan Huaike was surprised. "How could it be so harsh?"

Shentu Zhuo nodded. "These two decrees remained in effect until last year. The current emperor is well aware that exploiting merchants in this way is not a long-term solution, and has long intended to expand trade routes and benefit merchants and enrich the country. However, the court is also concerned that if they completely relax the rules, merchants will naturally pursue profit. After amassing a fortune, they may not be willing to pay the full tax, which will in turn encourage more merchants to exploit loopholes. Therefore, the new decree for selecting Phoenix Merchants was issued. This will provide these merchants with some convenience while allowing the court to monitor their huge wealth."

Tan Huaike finally understood. "So that's how it is. This is a very good decree. The four Hexi counties are adjacent to the western border. As long as they are managed properly, they will definitely make huge profits..." She raised her teacup to him and said, "The rumors in the market say that you are a playboy who has accomplished nothing. Now it seems that this is quite a disparagement."

"Oh? Do you think you know me well?"

"At least I understand a little more now," Tan Huaike said. "The musician just now also said that Master Shentu is very talented."

Shen Tu Zhuo snorted coldly, his ears turning red. He took a sip of tea to cover it up. "I have answered your question. Can you tell me your real name?"

Tan Huaike nodded and smiled, "Don't worry, I never default on my debts." Then a string of words came out of her mouth, "Abdu Yil Salani."

"..." Shen Tu Zhuo was stunned. "What poison and mud? Is this your name?"

"Abdu'ilsalani." Tan Huaike said again.

"You're not from Daxuan? Wait, such a long name? What's your last name? Which tribe in the Western Territory are you from?"

"I've already told you my real name," Tan Huaike said calmly, "The rest is your business. Didn't you tell me not to worry about it?"

"I...you..." Shen Tu Zhuo felt like he had shot himself in the foot.
-
Tan Li had just learned that the second son of the Shentu family had gone to the old house in the countryside. He guessed that they had become suspicious of Tan Huaike's identity, so he hurriedly called his wife to discuss it: "It's not a safe idea to tell her earlier. What if the Shentu family investigates?"

Mrs. Tan was not panicked: "The rice has been cooked, what is there to pursue?"

"You mean, they will suffer this loss?"

"So what if he doesn't eat? The eldest son is dead, and the marriage is already finalized. Do you want to tear our family apart and make a big fuss about it? The Shentu Mansion is already busy with its own affairs, so how can they have the time to pursue such a trivial matter?"

"That's right..."

"Even if they're upset, they can just take it out on that fake guy. She's already married, so what does it have to do with us? If they kill her, that's even better. We can go and ask for an explanation, and maybe even some compensation, which would completely make up for the losses we suffered previously."

"My dear, you are really thoughtful." Tan Li stroked his beard happily.

"How about you, how are you doing regarding the new imperial merchant decree? The Shentu family isn't a good backer right now. We need to find another way. Don't let them fool you again this time."

"Of course, don't worry, my dear. This time it was the county governor who arranged this for me..."
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The three musicians were finally trained, and the lyrics for the sacrificial temple songs were almost rehearsed. Shentu Zhuo finally had some free time, so he excitedly went to a spice shop in Yunhexiangjie.

The owner of this shop was an acquaintance of his. He came up to him and asked in a thick Western accent, "Sir, what kind of fragrance would you like? For fumigating clothes or as a gift?"

Shentu Zhuo said, "I'm not buying any incense today. I have something to ask you."

The boss did not dare to neglect his distinguished guest and said attentively, "Sir, please ask."

Shentu Zhuo took out the rattle and asked, "How do you say this in Wuxu language?"
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　Next chapter: Multiple hints.

　　Thanks to Universe Pet, Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Han, and Xia Xi Chan Ming for their recommendations~
　　

(End of this chapter)