Di Ming

Chapter 74 Spy Shadow
Upon hearing only the first line, "a hanging fish facing a xiezhi," Zhuang Tingjian's eyes lit up and he nodded slightly.

Upon hearing "the two masters of Su and Zhang's judgment," his expression became even more appreciative.

When Zhu Yin recited "a pot of ice-cold white jade," he was already stroking his beard and smiling.

Good.

To see if a child has potential, look at their poetic talent.

Poor poetic talent indicates a lack of inspiration and dullness of nature. No matter how hard one tries, it will be difficult to write eloquent and beautiful essays, inevitably leading to difficulties in the imperial examinations and a slim chance of achieving fame and success.

If one has good poetic talent, it means one is naturally gifted and has a bright mind. When reading books, the meaning will become clear to one, and one will surely master the eight-legged essay style. Passing the imperial examination is like catching a bird in a cage.

Although this five-character poem is not of high style and is a flattering and pandering work, the allusions are used appropriately, so it can be considered a medium-to-high-quality work.

At such a young age, he is already a child prodigy (this is for the sake of the story, not self-praise).

A truly talented and accomplished individual.

She is indeed a clever child with foresight, and what's rare is that she's also shrewd.

Indeed, his assessment of Zhu Yin was that he was 'intelligent and precocious, with a quick mind'.

Not only is she smart, but she is also very shrewd and quick-witted.

He is handsome and refined, with the bearing of a precious tree from the Xie family; he is truly a rare gem.

Such a son should be born; what a pity.

Thinking of his six daughters, Zhuang Tingjian sighed slightly.

Hmm, Zhu Yin's age is similar to that of Fourth Sister, and Fourth Sister is also exceptionally intelligent and is my favorite.

If possible…

Thinking of Fourth Sister, Zhuang Tingjian's gaze towards Zhu Yin softened with a touch of kindness.

Zhuang Tingjian laughed and said, "This five-character poem is acceptable. I'll give you a pass. It just has a hint of flattery. You are indeed a precocious person who started learning at the age of three."

This is official confirmation.

Zhu Yin clasped his hands and said, "Elder, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise. Although my humble work may seem to be flattering, it is from the heart and is by no means intended to fawn."

"Haha!" Zhuang Tingjian was amused by the child.

This is a remarkable person, small in stature but wise in mind, a natural-born smooth operator in the world of officialdom.

This is the kind of person you can trust the most.

If it were someone like Hai Gangfeng, no matter how talented he was, he wouldn't inspire confidence.

Although Zhuang Tingjian was not an honest and upright official, who doesn't love to hear flattery? While feeling pleased, he couldn't help but remark:
"If you were to send this poem to Hai Da, the Grand Censor who is in charge of the Censorate, it would be just right."

Taking the opportunity, Zhu Yin inquired about Hai Rui, saying, "Is the one that Prefect Zan mentioned Hai Qingtian? I heard that he is quite old and went to Jiangpu while ill. I don't know what illness he has, but I'm afraid he won't live much longer."

At Hai Rui's level, health became a secret.

Zhuang Tingjian nodded, "Who else could it be but him? It's said that he has jaundice and is afraid of the cold. For someone his age to get this disease, it's indeed a sign that his time is up."

Jaundice? Zhu Yin immediately understood. Hai Rui died of liver and gallbladder disease.

That is, jaundice hepatitis.

This was a relatively common disease in ancient times, and like tuberculosis, it had a high mortality rate.

Cancer was rare among people in ancient times. However, diseases such as tuberculosis, jaundice, and anthrax (carbuncles) were common and had the highest mortality rates.

This disease was easy to diagnose in ancient times, but difficult to cure.

Whether the medicine in the medicine box could cure Hai Rui, who was over seventy years old, was hard to say.

However, Hai Rui lived to the age of seventy-four, which must have meant he had longevity genes. The fact that he was still striving to become an official at such an advanced age speaks volumes about his good health.

If his illness is cured and he overcomes this hurdle, living past eighty might be a piece of cake.

Zhuang Tingjian mentioned Hai Rui before asking about the clues.

"What did you see outside the county government office? Is there really a clue?"

He was the Right Vice Minister in charge of the three departments of military affairs, criminal justice, and public works, and he was one of the officials in charge of this major case.

Based on Ning Caiwei's previous Spanish translation, Zhu Yin carefully said:

"As the two prisoners boarded the prison van, they each shouted something to the crowd. Others couldn't understand them and thought it was the ravings of madmen. But my child, it seemed they understood."

"Oh?" Zhuang Tingjian's expression turned serious. "Is he speaking a foreign language?"

Zhu Yin nodded: "Exactly. It's Francophone."

The Ming Dynasty referred to both the Spanish and the Portuguese as "Flangji," so Zhu Yin didn't bother to distinguish between them.

Zhu Yin knew that at that time, Spanish was the most dominant and widely used aristocratic language in Europe. It wasn't until a hundred years later that it was replaced by French.

"Frankenese?" Zhuang Tingjian frowned. "Then you really understand foreign languages. What do you say?"

Zhu Yin replied, "What one person probably said was: You must keep your promise and take good care of my parents, wife and children."

"Another person probably said: Tell Father Sack that he has not tarnished the Lord's mercy, and has not done what Judas did."

"Who is Judas?" Zhuang Tingjian asked.

Zhu Yin smiled, "He's a traitor in the eyes of foreigners. What that person means is that he didn't confess."

"After the two of them said these words, I noticed that someone seemed to understand. His expression was clearly different from that of the person next to him."

"Then the boy observed carefully and discovered that he and the prisoner might know each other, as they had made eye contact."

"That person is in the porcelain shop across the river from the county government office; he seems to be the shop owner."

"If we arrest and interrogate this person, we might be able to find the palace library and foreign spies."

Zhuang Tingjian, however, showed no excitement and seemed unconcerned about the clue. Instead, he frowned and asked, "How do you understand Portuguese? Do you believe in foreign religions?"

His knowledge of foreign religions shows that he was not blind and deaf, and already knew that foreigners had begun to preach in southern China.

Zhu Yin quickly shook his head: "Master, how could I believe in that foreign religion? It's just that the elders of our clan learned the foreign language because they did business with the Westerners before, but it was only for the convenience of business."

"My elders once hoped that I would do business with the Westerners when I grew up, so they taught me some of their language..."

He explained it to Zhuang Tingjian, who then believed him. Knowing that Zhu Yin did not believe in foreign religions, he was relieved.

Zhuang Tingjian said, "You were able to find such a clue, which shows that you are meticulous and capable of handling important matters in the future."

"However, this matter ends here. Do not tell anyone else. This case is closed, and there is no need to cause any more trouble."

He patted Zhu Yin on the shoulder, "You're quite good. From now on, whether you have something to do or not, you can come to the county office to see me. Treat me like a junior relative, and do a good job." The implication was: I'll protect you.

This gave Zhu Yin the opportunity to curry favor and get close to him.

"Thank you, Uncle!" Zhu Yin immediately followed up by addressing him as "Uncle," saying, "Please accept my bow."

Uncle? Zhuang Tingjian was taken aback.

I do like you, and saying that I treat you like a son or nephew is just a casual remark; I didn't ask you to change your attitude.

But since the little one had changed his mind, he could only nod with a smile and say, "Okay, okay."

After bowing, Zhu Yin asked, "Then my clue is useless?"

Zhuang Tingjian stroked his beard and said, "Of course it's not useless. At least it shows that you can see the big picture from small details and are cautious and meticulous. You will definitely be a capable person in the future."

“But…” he sighed, “this case can’t be investigated any further, do you understand? Even if you have ten leads, let alone just one, we can only close the case.”

"Once two heads are on the ground, the matter will be settled."

"Zhu Yin, you are a smart man. Although I am willing to give you this advice, I will only say it once."

"Yes!" Zhu Yin said with a grateful expression, but in his heart he was full of complaints.

It wasn't that I harbored resentment towards Zhuang Tingjian.

Instead, they secretly criticized the corruption of the Ming Dynasty's officialdom.

It's obvious that this case involves powerful figures, so no one dares to dig any deeper.

Even if this matter involves national security, let it end here.

Zhu Yin was speechless. Based on his professional experience, he had already guessed that this case was closely related to Spanish intelligence organizations in China.

A web of espionage.

He knew that Spain was at that time making intensive intelligence preparations against the Ming Dynasty.

Their plan to steal the palace's secret library was primarily an intelligence mission.

In 1587, which is this year, King Philip II of Spain officially approved the ambitious plan of the Eastern Governor-General to conquer the Ming Dynasty.

Preparations for war have already begun in Spain, both domestically and in its eastern colonies.

However, the Ming Dynasty was completely unaware of this, and civil and military officials were indifferent.

But even Zhu Yin couldn't control it. Even Zhuang Tingjian, a seventh-rank official, couldn't control it.

However, he finally achieved his goal of getting close to Zhuang Tingjian and finding a powerful patron.

By getting involved with the county magistrate, he was able to establish himself firmly in Jiangning County and thrive.

Zhuang Tingjian was not only the Assistant Magistrate of Jiangning County, but also came from a prominent family, was the son-in-law of the Tang family, and had his own powerful backing.

Otherwise, how could he have secured such a lucrative and important position as the Assistant Magistrate of Jiangning County?

Zhu Yin, knowing when to stop, said, "Uncle, take care. I'll take my leave now. I'll come back another day to ask for your guidance."

"I must also inform my uncle that I have already been given a courtesy name, Zhihu."

Zhuang Tingjian knew what the boy was thinking, but he didn't find it strange. On the contrary, he liked Zhu Yin's maturity.

His temperament was quite compatible with that of Fourth Sister.

"I'll see you out." Zhuang Tingjian simply gave the child face. "Zhihu, you've already learned to read at the age of nine. You must study hard to prepare for your future and not let others laugh at you."

"Yes." Zhu Yin was very obedient. "Early to learn a courtesy name, early to study, early to enter school, early to take the exam. Although I am not talented, I dare to be the first."

"Hahaha! You little rascal!" Zhuang Tingjian was amused again, and directly took Zhu Yin's little hand and walked towards the door.

The clerks and servants along the way, seeing Zhu Yin being led by the hand by the Prefect, all deeply remembered this little face.

This child has a close relationship with the master of the Zan family; be careful not to offend him!
Next time he enters the county government office, we must treat him with the utmost courtesy and invite him in.

Zhu Yin knew what was going on, so she deliberately made sure to make eye contact with everyone she met, tilting her pretty face up and wearing her hair in two topknots, as if afraid that others wouldn't remember her face.

Little did he know, the more scheming he was, the more Zhuang Tingjian liked him.

Zhuang Tingjian escorted Zhu Yin all the way to the gate before stopping and encouraging Zhu Yin to study hard and pass the imperial examination (become a Xiucai) in front of everyone.

They gave Zhu Yin plenty of face.

As Zhuang Tingjian turned and entered the county government office, Zhu Yin loudly proclaimed, "Uncle, take care! I will remember your teachings!"

Zhuang Tingjian almost stumbled, thinking to himself: You don't need to shout so loudly.

The bailiff who had previously taken two taels of silver from him quietly stepped forward and said with a fawning smile:
"Young Master Zhu, my name is Zhao Hong. We've met today, but what happened before..."

He then prepared to return the silver.

Zhu Yin's face fell. "Brother Zhao, you're slapping me in the face. You're just being distant."

Zhao Hong turned and glared at the other bailiffs, "What did I tell you? Young Master Zhu is a magnanimous child! How could he hold a grudge? You lot!"

He smiled at Zhu Yin again, "Next time you come, young master, I'll treat you to some wine."

Zhu Yin also had a bright and sunny expression on his face. "How could that be? It was my invitation, Brother Zhao. Oh, I live in Qingqiao Village, Chunhua Township. If you're in the countryside collecting taxes, Brother Zhao, you can come find me."

Zhao Hong knew what was going on, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Definitely, definitely!"

Then, Zhu Yin left the county government office. As he left the street in front of the county, he glanced once more at the porcelain shop across the street.

The shop owner's face was already deeply etched in my mind.

This person is suspected to be a Western spy, lurking in Nanjing.

There must be an organization behind him.

Zhu Yin coldly withdrew his gaze, his two small fists clenched tightly.

Never mind, let's leave it for now.

Before the sun sets, let's do the third thing: rent a house!

With so many people and horses, how much would it cost to stay in an inn in Nanjing, where land is incredibly expensive?

The sooner you rent a house, the fewer days you'll have to stay in a guesthouse.

Of course, real estate agencies existed in ancient times as well. Whether buying, renting, or mortgaging a house, one could go to a specialized brokerage firm.

But should we rent or pawn the property?
There is indeed a way to teach here—

P.S.: There will be another chapter tonight. So, should we rent or pawn the house?
(End of this chapter)