Northern Song Dynasty Text Copyist

Chapter 10 Visiting the Sick

As the gong signaling the end of the yamen's terminus fell, the clerks and runners in the county yamen quickly packed up and left in twos and threes.

Shen Zhong'an changed into a plain-colored outfit and left the county government office with Liu Laocao, heading towards Tian Erniu's house.

Tian Erniu's home was quite far from the county government office. The two of them walked all the way, and even though they hurried, it still took them a full half hour to get there.

According to the regulations of the county government, officials like Tian Erniu, whose homes were far from the county government, could have stayed in the official quarters provided by the county government.

However, scribes were of low rank and mostly lived in communal rooms for four to six people. Although the rooms were simple and crowded, they did not have to pay rent and could rest after finishing their work each day. For ordinary officials, this was a great consideration.

However, after Grandma Tian Erniu fell seriously ill, he was worried about his elderly relative and couldn't rest easy. So he temporarily left his official residence and rushed home every day to stay by his grandmother's bedside. At night, he personally served her medicine, cleaned her up, and never left her side.

Although Liu Laocao knew the approximate location of Tian Erniu's house, this was the first time he had ever been there.

Along the way, the two asked the neighbors for directions from time to time, and after wandering around for a while, they finally found Tian Erniu's house at the end of a quiet alley.

It was a typical detached courtyard house outside Beijing, with low, mottled, and old mud walls that looked quite old. Only the straw on the roof looked particularly fresh, suggesting that it had been renovated last winter.

It was dinnertime, and the aroma of food wafted from every household in the alley, including Tian Erniu's house, though the aroma was faint and mixed with a hint of herbs.

As soon as Shen Zhong'an and Liu Laocao stood outside the courtyard gate, they heard arguing and complaining coming from inside the house. It was Tian Erniu's parents scolding him.

"We know you're filial, but you can't keep taking leave and neglecting your work! This scribe job was arranged by your grandmother with great effort; it's respectable and stable, something many people would kill for!"

"Even taking a day off will result in a deduction of 100 yuan from your salary. Our family is already struggling financially, and your grandmother's medical treatment will cost money. If you continue to act so recklessly, how will we manage in the future?"

"With so many people in the family, do you think your grandma would be neglected? Why do you have to stay here every day? If you neglect your duties, where will you find such a good job in the future!"

"..."

Inside the house, Tian Erniu hung his head and remained silent. He quietly shoveled the few remaining grains of rice and vegetables into his mouth, whispered, "I'm done eating," and then got up to go back to the house to continue serving his grandmother.

Just then, there was a knock at the courtyard gate. Tian Erniu instinctively asked, "Who is it?"

"Erniu, it's me," Liu Laocao's voice came first.

Tian Erniu hurriedly opened the door, and when he saw Shen Zhong'an standing next to Liu Laocao, his face turned pale instantly. He thought to himself that things had gone wrong and that the truth had come out. Liu Laocao had told the registrar about his previous secret meeting with Wang Dianli's men, and Shen Zhong'an had come to question him.

However, the courtyard gate was not a place to talk, so Tian Erniu could only force himself to remain calm, quickly step forward, and pull open the courtyard gate to welcome Shen Zhong'an and Liu Laocao into the courtyard.

Upon hearing that their son's colleagues and superiors had come to visit, Tian Erniu's parents, who were inside the house, quickly got up to greet them, their faces showing restrained smiles.

Tian Erniu's stepmother quickly went to the kitchen and brought back two bowls of freshly roasted coarse tea. She then took out two steamed cakes and three candied dates from the food box and carefully placed them on the stone table.

"Sir, sir, my home is simple and we don't have much to offer you. Please make do with what you have."

"Hearing that Erniu's grandmother is seriously ill, I came to visit her. I apologize for any inconvenience caused by my sudden visit..."

Having said that, Shen Zhong'an put down his teacup and handed the cloth bag he had prepared to Tian Erniu.

"A small gift to express my sincere wishes, and I hope that the old lady will recover soon."

Tian Erniu took the cloth bag with both hands, feeling its weight. However, due to his fear, he didn't think much of it and casually placed it on the low table beside him, bowing repeatedly to express his gratitude.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Zhong'an asked to see how Tian Erniu's grandmother was doing. Tian Erniu shook his head and refused, saying that his grandmother was seriously ill and he was afraid that she would pass on her illness to Shen Zhong'an.

However, under Shen Zhong'an's repeated insistence, Tian Erniu had no choice but to agree.

Upon entering the inner room, one sees an old woman lying on the earthen bed; she is Tian Erniu's grandmother.

The old man was emaciated, with high cheekbones, a withered complexion like a dead leaf, sparse and gray hair that clung to his wrinkled forehead, and a breath so faint that it seemed a gust of wind could blow it away. He was covered with a coarse cotton quilt that was patched in several places, and the heavy quilt made it difficult for him to breathe.

"My lord... the registrar has arrived. This old woman... this old woman should rise to pay her respects..."

Seeing Shen Zhong'an enter, Grandma Tian tried with great effort to sit up, but her body remained motionless. However, due to the excessive exertion, she coughed violently.

Seeing this, Shen Zhong'an quickly stepped forward and gently pressed down on Grandma Tian's shoulder.

"Old lady, please don't stand on ceremony. Lie down and rest. You're not feeling well, so lying down comfortably is the greatest courtesy you can show me."

Perhaps seeing Shen Zhong'an's humble and unpretentious demeanor, Grandma Tian seemed to be in better spirits than before. Her cloudy gaze fell on Shen Zhong'an, and she began to chatter on and on.

"A few days ago, Erniu told me every day that the newly arrived Registrar Shen was an extremely capable person. In just half a month, he had managed to organize the county government's warehouse perfectly."

They also said you were kind-hearted, often bringing them osmanthus cakes to fill their stomachs, distributing good writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and even treating them to a big meal a few days ago, featuring meat dishes they rarely see.

"That silly kid, even while having a big meal, he still thought about me, this old codger, and secretly put several pieces of meat in his pocket to help me recover."

But these old bones of mine, and my palate, are clumsy. After tasting it again and again, all I could taste was "tenderness"; I couldn't discern any other flavor.

"At my age, I live one day at a time, I have a house full of children and grandchildren, and Erniu is such a filial son. Even if I really leave, I will have no regrets."

It's just... it's just that I'm worried about Erniu, that silly boy. He's too honest and doesn't know how to be flexible. My biggest wish is to see him settle down and start a family, and hopefully have a big, healthy baby. Then my heart will be at peace..."

Grandma Tian's words made Tian Erniu blush with embarrassment, so embarrassed that he didn't know what to do, and even his neck turned red.

Shen Zhong'an noticed that Grandma Tian's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat and her breathing was becoming increasingly unsteady. He knew that she was forcing herself to keep up with the social obligations, so he immediately tried to comfort her.

"Old lady, don't worry too much. Your health is the most important thing. Just focus on recovering and take good care of yourself. You will surely live to be a hundred years old and be able to witness Erniu get married, start a family, and have more children."

Erniu is a sensible person. With me looking after him at the yamen, you can rest assured.

After giving a few more words of advice to rest and recuperate, seeing that Grandma Tian's expression was gradually becoming tired and her eyelids were getting heavy, Shen Zhong'an quietly got up, gave Tian Erniu a wink, and the two of them quietly left the inner room and gently closed the door.

Shen Zhong'an's trip was to confirm the situation of Tian Erniu's family. Now that he saw it with his own eyes, the situation was exactly the same as what Liu Laocao had said, or even worse. He immediately made up his mind.

"I am of weak constitution and always keep medicinal herbs at home to nourish my body, but they are useless now... Erniu, do you have any prescriptions that the doctor prescribed for the old lady? Let me see them. If there are any suitable herbs, I will bring them to the old lady to help her recover."

Since there was no servant to accompany him, this task fell to Liu Laocao.

Although Shen Zhong'an's words were vague, Liu Laocao was already a shrewd old man and could easily see through his scheme.

Since he specifically asked Erniu for the prescription, it seems that Registrar Shen is planning to use his own private money to get the medicine for Tian Erniu's grandmother!

Liu Laocao immediately agreed loudly and strode out of Tian Erniu's house.

Then, Shen Zhong'an looked at Tian Erniu, who still seemed uneasy, and said loudly:

"Your elderly relative is seriously ill, and you have been serving her with all your heart, which is a matter of filial piety. The government will naturally be considerate of you. I hereby grant you a long leave to go home and care for her. During this period, your salary will be paid as usual, and there will be no record of absence or deduction of a single penny. You can just focus on taking care of your grandmother."

Before Tian Erniu could express his gratitude, Shen Zhong'an took out a bulging brocade pouch from his bosom and handed it over.

"Recently, household documents have been quite complicated. You have always been diligent, so this is a supplementary allowance for paper and pen that I am paying out of my own pocket to help with household expenses."

From now on, I will instruct the kitchen to prepare an extra portion of meat soup, fresh fish, and steamed buns every day, under the guise of a reward for your official duties. You can take them home after you leave the office to help your mother recuperate..."

Shen Zhong'an's arrangements were comprehensive and extremely thoughtful, covering everything from salary and holidays to medicinal supplements.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Tian Erniu was at a loss for words. He knelt down with a thud and was about to kowtow to express his thanks.

Shen Zhong'an was prepared and stepped aside to support him as he was lifted up.

"There's no need for such a grand gesture. Your best way to repay me is to serve diligently from now on."

"Registrar, I know I was wrong! Once my grandmother has recovered, I will accept any punishment you may give me without complaint!"

Seeing Shen Zhong'an's thoughtfulness, Tian Erniu, who was already feeling guilty and uneasy, could no longer hold back. He choked up and told the whole story of how Wang Dianli had tried to win him over, secretly replace key documents, and frame Shen Zhong'an. By the end, he was sobbing uncontrollably.

Shen Zhong'an's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this.

He had long suspected that Wang Dianli harbored ulterior motives, but he never expected that the other party would target the scribes beside him. He also heard that the other party's conspiracy had failed because of his newly established regulations and well-organized documents. He was secretly alarmed.

This Wang Dianli was indeed ruthless and cunning, specializing in using secretive and insidious methods such as replacing documents.

If the warehouse remains as messy and disorganized as before, he might actually succeed.

It's likely that countless people who served as registrars throughout history have suffered such injustices.

Now that Tian Erniu has taken the initiative to confess, showing that his true nature has not been extinguished, and since the matter has not caused any major mistakes and there was a reason for it, Shen Zhong'an has no intention of investigating further.

"Turning back is the best course of action. Let bygones be bygones, and from now on, just be law-abiding and diligent in your duties."

Upon hearing this, Tian Erniu burst into tears and repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude.

Just then, Liu Laocao hurriedly returned with the medicine bag he had grabbed and handed the medicine to Tian Erniu.

Shen Zhong'an gave a few more gentle words of advice on taking good care of himself and his health before getting up to say goodbye with Liu Laocao.

After the two figures disappeared into the distance, Tian Erniu suddenly remembered the cloth bag that Shen Zhong'an had left as a gift for visiting the sick, and hurriedly and carefully opened it.

Inside, neatly arranged, were a box of common medicinal herbs wrapped in oiled paper, a jar of crystal-clear sugar, a box of soft and delicious cakes and steamed buns, a bag of plump dates and walnuts, and at the bottom, a bolt of coarse silk and a hundred coins.

Although the gifts were not extravagant, they were all practical and made up of the most respectable and thoughtful manners for visiting the sick and offering condolences in the countryside around the capital.

Holding the cloth bag, Tian Erniu was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, a mixture of regret and respect. Suddenly, he slapped himself hard across the face.

"Old Liu is right. I almost fell for the foolish act of framing my superior, such a kind and benevolent clerk as the registrar! I deserve to die!"

By the time everything was settled, it was already pitch black, and the surroundings were shrouded in a deep, dark darkness.

The country roads are already rugged, and they are even more difficult to travel at night. Liu Laocao carried a lantern and walked ahead. The dim yellow light cast a swaying circle of light on the ground, barely illuminating the potholes under his feet.

Shen Zhong'an followed closely behind, and the two of them walked slowly towards the Chenliu County government office, their feet sinking into the soft mud and scattered pebbles.

In the stillness of the night, all was quiet except for the intermittent chirping of insects.

After traveling in silence for a while, Shen Zhong'an noticed the somber atmosphere and started a conversation, casually asking about the other scribes' daily lives.

Upon hearing this, Liu Laocao first let out a long sigh, and then began to recount the events in a low voice.

"Wang Shi, the clerk in charge of household affairs, has an old mother who has been suffering from a chronic cough and asthma and is bedridden. She can't move around, and nearly half of her monthly salary goes towards buying medicine to fill the gap."

With four or five children crying for food, they couldn't even afford a complete cotton coat in the winter. His wife and children spun thread and wove cloth all day long, barely managing to make ends meet.

Zhang Youfu, from the prison, had been copying books for years. His eyes were already blurry from years of hard work, and they would tear up in the wind. In winter, his fingers would crack from the cold, and they would ache terribly if they touched ink, but he could only grit his teeth and endure it.

He recently made a small mistake in his accounting and was fined a pay cut. With no other option, he had to pawn his wife's only silver hairpin for money.

There are also a few young scribes who have to support their parents and raise their wives and children. They rent a dilapidated house in the county town, which leaks when it rains and is drafty when it's windy, but they can't even afford to repair it.

During holidays and festivals, people had to scrape together money to give gifts to their superiors; otherwise, they would be targeted and made things difficult for others.

These people are not greedy or evil; they are simply forced into this situation by the need to make a living.

With just a little enticement or instigation from someone, it's easy to lose control and go astray.

At this point, Liu Laocao stopped, turned around, and solemnly bowed to Shen Zhong'an.

"The chief clerk is kind-hearted and cannot bear to see his subordinates suffer, and his subordinates all understand this."

But there are so many suffering people in the world, how can the registrar help everyone, even if he is willing?

In my humble opinion, it would be more appropriate to keep some snacks, paper, pens and other supplies readily available in the Registrar's Office and distribute them as needed. This would be more than enough, both for the public and for private reasons.

If one gives too much or provides too much assistance too frequently, it is easy to attract criticism and bring trouble upon oneself.

Today's visit to Tian Erniu's house was acceptable in terms of social relations, but this matter can happen once or twice, but definitely not a third time.