Not long after Zhang Shen returned to Yangzhou, he had to leave on another long trip.
Zhu Qingyu helped him pack, feeling somewhat puzzled:
“You just visited the salt fields north of the Huai River last year. Why do you have to go again? So much traveling—can your health handle it? I’ve noticed you’ve looked worried these past few days. Has something happened?”
Zhang Shen never hid business matters from her, good or bad. He invited her to sit and sighed repeatedly:
“You don’t know—recently, Imperial Commissioner Gu has been investigating private salt. Many shops were sealed, numerous ships confiscated, and many people arrested. Our salt bureau, under Magistrate Dai, is pursuing reforms with his ‘three fires of a new official.’ Since private salt is now banned, he wants to reform the salt tax. In past years, the tax was paid on what was sold. This year, officials require prepayment for quotas a year in advance. Merchants have their silver tied up in business and can’t produce such sums all at once. Official salt trade is declining daily. Even Huainan has stockpiles of unsold salt. The situation in the north will only worsen. I need to see for myself how much salt is left and how much can be sold this year to have a clear understanding.”
Zhu Qingyu had observed Zhang Shen’s business for years and understood the mechanics. She did not look favorably on Magistrate Dai’s new policy and advised:
“Jingyan, Dai’s approach is like killing the chicken to get the eggs. As long as private salt costs twenty wen per catty and official salt sixty, the ban on private salt will fail. Official trade will not improve. This short-term gain cannot last. Think carefully—don’t be greedy.”
Zhang Shen gently patted her hand, his gaze warm:
“I know. I always say you have the mind of a merchant. You think things through better than many chief clerks. Don’t worry—I won’t act rashly. From what I’ve heard from the Zhou family, they lack sufficient revolving capital and must borrow government silver from Magistrate Dai at eight percent interest monthly. They think they are clever, but they are courting disaster. Those who attempt reform historically rarely end well. Within three years, eighty percent of Yangzhou salt merchants will suffer because of this new policy.”
Business trips were routine for Zhang Shen. After he left, Zhu Qingyu continued her daily visits to the clinic.
One afternoon, a thunderstorm raged until evening. Zhu Qingyu was organizing recent case notes and continuing her work on Treatise on All Diseases.
The Zhang family steward burst in, soaked from head to toe, face filled with anxiety:
“Madam, something terrible has happened! Third Miss has been arrested, and Master is away. What should we do?”
Zhu Qingyu was shocked, nearly spilling her ink. She asked urgently:
“How could Third Miss be arrested? When did this happen? Did they come to our house? Which officials? From the prefecture or the county? Did they give a reason?”
Accompanying the steward were Third Miss Zhang’s two personal maids, girls of a similar age, crying hysterically, their words jumbled as they recounted the events.
One said, “I was accompanying Third Miss to buy rouge. It started raining heavily. I went to the carriage to fetch an umbrella, and when I returned, she was gone.”
The other said, “I waited in the shop for the clerk to package the rouge. Third Miss waited at the door. Suddenly there was a commotion outside. By the time I came out with the rouge, she was gone.”
The maids had lost track of their mistress. Frantically asking around, they learned that a nearby shop had been raided, many arrested, and Third Miss was taken as well. They hurried home to consult the steward.
The steward had already gone to the prefecture, offering silver to secure her release:
“I asked around. The arresting officials are from the prefecture. Third Miss was likely caught by mistake. I offered silver to Prefect Liu; he accepted, acknowledging it was likely a misunderstanding. But the arrests were ordered by Imperial Commissioner Gu, and the prefecture jail is now under his guards. Liu dare not release her. He has isolated her and suggested we try going through the commissioner’s channel. Madam, do we have anyone who can speak to Gu Da ren?”
For Zhu Qingyu, the only contact with Gu Zhao was Xie Ze.
Xie Ze had once said that if she faced difficulties, she could approach him. With him as a mediator, persuading Gu Zhao to release a mistakenly arrested girl would likely not be difficult—if only he were still in Yangzhou.
Zhu Qingyu took an umbrella and stepped outside:
“Steward, prepare more silver. We’ll go to the prefecture again.”
By the time Zhu Qingyu arrived, families were having dinner, yet Prefect Liu was still attending to business in his study.
Inside, a woman cried softly, words indistinct.
Prefect Liu’s tone was gentle:
“Did Commissioner Gu forbid you from serving him? How did he treat you? Tell me.”
The woman continued speaking. Zhu Qingyu’s escort knocked and a moment later, Liu said:
“Commissioner Gu is from the capital, a nobleman’s son, with high standards. Don’t take it to heart. You may leave now.”
The door opened, and a woman, head bowed and wiping tears, exited.
Although a stranger, Zhu Qingyu felt a faint sense of familiarity.
She retracted her gaze and, with the steward, entered the study. The steward presented a box containing silver notes. Zhu Qingyu explained the matter:
“Our Third Miss went out merely to buy rouge. Please, sir, help us make an exception.”
Prefect Liu, delayed in his meal, remained kind:
“Madam Zhang, honestly, it’s not about the silver. If I could decide, Third Miss would already be released. A young girl could hardly cause harm, right?”
Hearing that Zhu Qingyu wished to see Xie Ze, Liu was surprised:
“I did not know that the Zhang family and the Young Marquis of Anyuan Hou were acquainted. Alas, it is unfortunate. The young master of the Xie family returned to the capital recently. But do not worry, Madam Zhang. Commissioner Gu is strict with the private salt case. Third Miss will be questioned soon, and once everything is clarified, she will be released.”
Zhang Ruo hua, usually fond of fine food and beauty, could hardly endure being suddenly imprisoned and questioned. Zhu Qingyu could not leave her at the prefecture.
With Xie Ze absent, Zhu Qingyu would have to approach Gu Zhao directly. Plans never keep pace with events—she had only recently resolved never to see him again, yet now she had to seek him out.
Still, she had to try.
Zhu Qingyu said:
“Does the Imperial Commissioner reside at the prefecture? Could you inform him that I wish to see Commissioner Gu?”