Illustrated Version of Officialdom Unmasked

Author: (Qing) Li Baojia
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-09-01
Features: In the preface, the symbol represents a character structure composed of (Chǐ Qí), with an image of an old scholar named Ding Zijian, surnamed Ding, a famous filial scholar from Jiyang County. He once studied at Luoyuan Academy in the provincial capital and repeatedly achieved top scores in exams. Not only was he proficient in the eight-legged essay, but he was also skilled in poetry, prose, and calligraphy. His brushwork resembled Wang Shigu's paintings and his calligraphy resembled Zhao Songxue's, truly identical in style. In the past, when this governor was the Jidong Prefect, Ding Zijian had taken numerous exams under his tutelage, making him a favored student. Now, due to mourning for his parents, he had nothing to do and still sought recommendations from his former teacher. Fortunately, this teacher had recently established his own office in Shandong, the only one in the province, naturally commanding attention. Therefore, he recommended him to San Hebao as a secretary and assistant advisor.
That day, seeing his employer in a state of distress over a task, his brows furrowed, and unable to find a solution among others, Ding Zijian offered a suggestion: "Your Excellency, regarding this task, I have a solution." San Hebao eagerly asked, "What is your solution?" Ding Zijian replied, "My esteemed teacher has a peculiar temperament, somewhat resembling Yan Wenjie and Li Jiantang. When he served as a prefect, I once stayed in his office for a few days. In fact, his main residence had a separate small kitchen where meals were exceptionally exquisite. However, when entertaining guests, there were only four or two dishes, supplemented with tofu and greens. His wife—my respected teacher’s wife—whom I have met several times, is adorned with pearls and jade, dressed in fine silk. Yet, this teacher, regardless of season, wore only a gray cotton robe and a sky-blue harlan overcoat, patched in several places. His hat, too, was clearly a vintage find from an antiques stall. On the surface, he seemed extremely frugal. However, anyone who showed him filial piety was very shrewd and would surely expect gratitude. But he would never ask for it himself unless someone offered. He would treat those who had shown filial piety with special favor. Thus, this was his virtue. Now, handling this task for him, while lavish arrangements would be ideal, if not, in my opinion, it would be better to appear somewhat modest outwardly but sincerely seek his favor. After all, the cost is the same. On our part, we save trouble, while on his, he gains both tangible benefits and a good reputation—why not?" San Hebao said, "Handling this task, no matter how modest, must maintain a certain decorum." Ding Zijian replied, "That is easy. It is already May, and this year has been unusually hot early. The accommodations in the office are too luxurious, causing discomfort. It would be better to keep it simple. It would be ideal to set up a few foreign-style rooms, requiring only a rug and curtains, without tablecloths or chair covers. Additionally, arrange several hundred potted plants to fill the rooms and courtyards. For meals, instead of Manchu-Han banquets or swallow soup banquets, serve Western-style dishes. He has grown weary of roast meats and swallow soup on this journey. A few days of simplicity would be refreshing. Moreover, these rooms would also be convenient for foreigners to visit."
San Hebao found Ding Zijian’s suggestion reasonable but then hesitated, "Where could we quickly arrange these foreign furnishings?" Ding Zijian replied, "That is easy. I have a friend who is very close to the German military official. I will ask him to borrow them. Even the knives, forks, and plates for Western-style meals, along with the table arrangements and chefs, can be borrowed for a few days. If there are any shortages, I will ask him to borrow more to ensure we have enough." San Hebao asked, "If we borrow a chef, won’t the foreigner go hungry?" Ding Zijian replied, "For these days, we can ask the foreigner not to operate his own kitchen but have our staff prepare meals and deliver them. He would also save money, which is a win-win situation!" San Hebao said, "The inside is settled, but what about the outside?" Ding Zijian replied, "Once the inside is arranged, the outside will be even easier. But first, we need to decide which building to use as the office. Only then can we arrange it." San Hebao asked, "What do you think?" Some of the clerks suggested borrowing from the Sun family outside the east gate or the Wang family inside the south gate. San Hebao found both options unsuitable—either the entrances were unimpressive or the buildings too cramped. Later, Gao Er Ye from the, an experienced and knowledgeable official, suggested, "Both of these options are too far. It would be better to use the academy building. It is nearby, spacious, and offers a straight path from the main gate to the principal’s residence—far superior to the Sun or Wang families." San Hebao immediately agreed, and Ding Zijian did too.
First, the steward encountered resistance and returned angrily to his room, furious. Zou Taiye, seeing his demeanor, felt anxious and sweating in his hands, inwardly lamenting. Later, Zhou Laoren emerged and handed him a letter, explaining the situation. Zou Taiye, who had previously avoided associating with Zhou Laoren, was now deeply grateful and immediately greeted him, saying, "I have been nurtured by Your Honor. I am truly beyond words in my gratitude!" He whispered to the steward, suggesting he ask Zhou Laoren for a favor tonight at Yaxu Garden. The steward conveyed the request. Zhou Laoren replied, "I appreciate the sentiment, but I am truly busy today. The adults are set to depart tomorrow, and just now Tao Ziyao sent a letter asking me to handle a matter for him. How can I be free? Please let’s reschedule for another day!" Zou Taiye, seeing Zhou Laoren was firm, tactfully said, "Since Your Honor cannot grace us with your presence, I will return in a few days to formally invite you." Zhou Laoren replied, "We will have many opportunities to meet in the future. There is no need for such formalities." Zou Taiye then borrowed a square horse coat from the steward and thanked the governor, Wang Daotai, who encouraged him to serve diligently. Zou Taiye nodded in agreement and returned. The next day, he escorted the governor to the East Asian wharf before returning to the Bureau of Manufactures to deliver the letter (this part is omitted).
Now, Zhou Laoren received Tao Ziyao’s letter in the evening, inviting him for a drink at Yijing Xiang, stating there was an urgent matter to discuss. Zhou Laoren, initially too busy to attend, was persuaded to go because the money had already been transferred to the estate and needed to be settled in person. So, he took a moment to meet Tao Ziyao at Yijing Xiang. Tao Ziyao had left Yijing Xiang earlier that day, having argued with his wife over hunger. He had left without returning to the inn, only to encounter a friend who invited him to a local’s home for a night of gambling. He didn’t finish until ten the next morning and took a nap until four, returning to the inn. His wife had already caused a scene, and the monk had returned after paying respects to the governor. Tao Ziyao was blaming his brother-in-law for attending the governor’s reception. His brother-in-law,, shook his hat off, revealing a fiery temper on his bald head. Just then, Wei Pianren found him, blaming everything on Qiu Wuke, claiming he had two contracts that demanded contributions. Tao Ziyao exclaimed, "One of the contracts is fake, prepared for a lawsuit. How can you extort me, our good friend?" Wei Pianren replied, "When the lawsuit begins, how can you claim it’s fake? Since your signature is outside, we must find a way to retrieve it." Faced with urgency, Tao Ziyao sought Zhou Laoren’s advice. His wife, initially furious for his night away, softened upon seeing him being extorted and no longer argued. Tao Ziyao, furious, invited Wei Pianren, his brother-in-law, and the monk to Yijing Xiang. Soon, Zhou Laoren arrived with the letter. The three met, chatted briefly, and Zhou Laoren clarified the money transfer to the estate. Tao Ziyao pulled Zhou Laoren aside on the balcony, leaning on the railing, revealing the details. Zhou Laoren said, "This matter has been taken too far by your brother-in-law!" Tao Ziyao replied, "Don’t mention this to him. Only ask you to help me find a solution. I am willing to share the benefits with you—why should they profit?" Zhou Laoren, moved, added, "They helped your brother-in-law so much and received nothing. It seems unlikely this will be resolved so easily." Tao Ziyao asked, "What do you think?" Zhou Laoren replied, "We will see how it goes; we cannot predict the outcome." They sat down to eat, with the monk ordering mushroom soup, stir-fried mushrooms, vegetarian ten-jewel dish, and vegetarian noodles. He strictly adhered to Buddhist customs, refusing to break his vows in front of others. The others ordered meat dishes, which need not be detailed. Zhou Laoren ordered only soup, claiming he had urgent matters. During the meal, Zhou Laoren was internally strategizing and never mentioned the matter. After finishing the soup, he stood up to leave. Tao Ziyao urged him again. Zhou Laoren promised to find someone to handle it the next day. They parted.
General Lu, seeing the estate lord refuse, was in tears, saying, "I have an eighty-three-year-old mother at home. If she learns I committed a crime and lost my position, she will surely die of grief—adding to my crimes! There is nothing else I can say except to beg for your mercy. I will serve you as a cow or horse, as your son or grandson, to repay you!" The estate lord, moved by his plight, thought, "He has suffered enough. Whether he has a mother or not, don’t believe him—criminals always say this. However, if this drags on, word will spread, making it harder to handle. It’s better to end this now. Consider him lucky this time." After deliberating, he sighed, "Ah! If this is the case, I regret not acting sooner. I didn’t intend to trouble you, but Wen’s debt must be settled. I have already sent him five hundred taels. The constables worked hard and deserve some reward, at least one hundred taels. Can this money really come from Wen?" General Lu replied, "I only took one hundred and fifty taels—how can this be acceptable?" The estate lord said, "I don’t know either. You should discuss it with him directly." General Lu replied, "With your lord’s kindness, what else can I say? I only ask for a few months’ delay until my salary arrives to repay it." The estate lord sighed, "In the end, it’s the emperor’s money that suffers. You must repay debts with salary—what will the soldiers eat in the meantime? To be honest, these military officials are all corrupt! If the country faces trouble, why don’t they collapse? I will do my part as a good person, but I won’t get involved in your affairs. However, the five hundred taels I paid must be documented. I will go to Wen’s face and argue for you. Whether it works or not, depends on fate. As for the one hundred taels for the constables, you must bring it today so they can profit and keep quiet, preventing them from spreading rumors outside." General Lu, though reluctant to accept the silver, had no choice but to comply. He kowtowed again in gratitude. The estate lord asked the clerk to draft a note for him to write personally. Holding the brush, he felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds, struggling to write just three characters before sweating profusely. The estate lord grew impatient and asked the clerk to write it for him, signing it with a cross. The estate lord collected it and sent the clerk out.
That day, returning from visiting guests, he passed by Huang Panggu’s shop. Huang Panggu greeted him, saying, "I was just coming to find you—good timing, saving me a trip." Young Master Jia asked, "What is it?" Huang Panggu asked, "I have an opportunity here. Are you interested?" Young Master Jia asked, "What opportunity?" Huang Panggu grabbed him and pulled him into the accounting room, whispering, "It’s not something else. The upper authorities have a garden that is half-finished, but the funds are still lacking. This was arranged by Eight Brother’s uncle: he said that if anyone from other provinces or wealthy merchants contributes, he can petition the court to grant benefits. The court is still worried about insufficient funds to complete the garden? However, the authorities don’t want to use official funds for leisure purposes, so Huang’s uncle submitted a proposal allowing contributions. I think your brother isn’t aiming for a regular post, right? Seize this opportunity to contribute and petition. We know Huang’s uncle well, and he will naturally advocate for us favorably. Think about it. In my opinion, this is a chance you can’t afford to miss!"