Chaos of Ming 1628

Letting the storyteller into the post station was not because Sun Qing was hospitable, nor was it to curry favor with Sun Chengzong for rescuing him.

Given Sun Qing's current situation, it's best to have as few contacts as possible.

But he also knew that Sun Chengzong's subsequent visit to the Jiaohe Post Station could not be kept secret.

He publicly slapped the executioner at Caishikou, yet instead of being imprisoned, he was politely invited into the post station. As Wei Zhongxian's lackey, could he tolerate such an insult? Such a bizarre story would probably have become a topic of conversation long ago.

On the other hand, while Zhou Ji may be muddle-headed, there are certainly clear-headed people in Jiaohe. In this city, Zhou Ji is not the only member of the eunuch faction; Wei Zhongxian's spies are everywhere. Don't underestimate the small city of Jiaohe; countless eyes are watching.

Furthermore, Jiaohe County is only three hundred li away from Gaoyang. Countless people have retired from officialdom and returned to their hometowns, scattered throughout various prefectures and counties. Who can guarantee that Jiaohe doesn't have any?

Having escaped today, Sun Qing appears to be invincible and seemingly unassailable, but in reality, his weaknesses are numerous.

It seems both sides have realized that it's illegal for an elderly, retired man to send someone to the border as a spy.

The reason they were able to fool everyone was that everyone knew Sun Chengzong had been the military governor of Liaodong for four years and commanded countless generals and officers. Crucially, Gaoyang was one of the four major defensive strongholds of the Ming Dynasty, and part of the Jizhou defense line.

Sun Chengzong was born on the front lines and was dismissed from office while still on the front lines. In addition, he was popular with the people and they still hoped that this old man would take charge.

But this is what people think; upon closer examination, problems arise.

If the eunuch faction seizes this handle, wouldn't Sun Chengzong be a sitting duck?

The eunuch faction could think of this, but the Sun family couldn't?

Therefore, the authenticity of Sun Qing's identity is of utmost importance, as it has risen from a matter of personal life and death to the survival of the Sun family.

How could the eunuch faction remain indifferent when they wanted to investigate his identity?

The storyteller was clearly acting strangely, but it was precisely because of this that Sun Qing invited him to join the family.

He was well-versed in history, but historical records could not accurately record everyone's appearance. Therefore, language is the bridge of communication; only by speaking and loving to speak can one find flaws in words and obtain the desired information.

Inside the post station.

The food and drinks had already been prepared.

In the main hall of the post station, there was a rosewood octagonal table with copper plates at each corner. Behind the table was a prince's chair, with a folding chair on each side, which were relatively less impressive.

Looking at the white table, there are four dishes of wine, four kinds of dried fruit, and four kinds of pastries.

Before the main course was even served, the appetizers had already filled half the table.

Sun Qing sat down in the armchair, his eyes slightly narrowed. He slowly took a sip of tea, his mind racing with alarm bells.

According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, those without official positions or official documents were not allowed to stay at post stations; only post station servants were permitted to stay, and their food and lodging were of poor quality.

Those who violate regulations by enjoying official privileges will be punished with caning and fines, and the postmaster will also be punished.

Even though Sun Chengzong is a renowned figure, it's understandable that he would receive such treatment after retiring to his hometown. But how could a mere junior member of the clan possibly accept such treatment?

The postmaster wouldn't have sought his own death; it seems it was arranged by someone above.

Whether it's conspiracy theories or simply a matter of being hesitant to act for fear of harming others, Sun Qing had no time to care at the moment, because he was hungry.

Food is the most important thing for people. Having traveled through time, I am terrified. Even if I am going to die, I must first have enough to eat.

Sun Qing had just picked up his chopsticks and hadn't even touched them when the old storyteller sidled up to the doorway, wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and chuckled foolishly twice.

"Go in," Sun Qing said.

The postmaster looked disgusted, but dared not utter a word of complaint. After setting out the food, he said before leaving, "Young Master Sun, this was specially ordered by Lord Zhou."

"If you have any further complaints, please feel free to raise them."

Sun Qing nodded slightly, signaling him to step back.

He then pointed to the chair next to him and raised his hand: "Sit."

The storyteller didn't stand on ceremony; he plopped down in his seat, his eyes practically glued to the bowl of food.

The conversation between the two then began.

"Wow, this meal is quite something! According to the rules, only a high-ranking official can receive such treatment."

"I never imagined that Young Master Sun was so capable; he must be a high-ranking official of the third or fourth rank."

The storyteller began to speak fluently, and Sun Qing chuckled inwardly. A person can feign madness or stupidity, but as long as they don't pretend to be mute, there will always be a moment when their true colors are revealed.

Zhou Ji was looking for Sun Qing's weaknesses, and Sun Qing was doing the same. One glance was enough to discern the level of treatment received; there were only two types of people: officials who frequently visited the post station, and those who had previously worked at the post station.

However, the storyteller's hands were smooth and calloused, unlike those of a laborer; they looked more like those of a pen holder.

Sun Qing remained calm and said indifferently, "Yes, this is indeed not in accordance with the standards of a formal banquet, and it is not in accordance with reason or law."

The storyteller raised an eyebrow.

"To be honest, I'm not a court official," Sun Qing said frankly. "According to the 'Three Courts Prohibitions Stele,' the cost of a meal for officials in the capital was two and a half qian of silver. For the two courts in this province, it was three thousand. For provincial officials, it was two thousand. For prefectural officials, it was one and a half qian..."

Sun Qing knew the rules of the post station like the back of his hand.

Since Sun Qing had been interrogated, he naturally had to be treated with courtesy. The Ming Dynasty was a dynasty known for its refined manners, so he cupped his hands in greeting and inquired, "Excuse me, sir, may I ask your name and where you come from?"

The old storyteller looked dazed, plopped down in his chair, the chair bounced, and reached out to grab a chicken leg, stuffing it into his mouth and chewing until his mouth was full of oil.

He chuckled indistinctly, "Mmm, delicious, so delicious."

"This old madman of mine has long forgotten his own name." He paused, then lowered his voice, "Old man of Yuguan, madman of Gaoyang. If you don't mind, young master, please call me Old Yu!"

Sun Qing's expression suddenly turned serious; those few words had so much to suggest.

The ancient Yuguan Pass was in the west, and Shanhaiguan Pass was in the east. During the Ming Dynasty, the pass was moved and renamed, with Yuguan Pass remaining the old name. The two places were forty li apart, one a post station and the other a formidable pass. Xu Da moved the ancient Yuguan Pass eastward, which led to the Shanhaiguan Pass we know today.

Who could be someone whose name is even tied to Shanhaiguan and Gaoyang?

I can't figure it out, but at least I know that there is an inevitable connection between the old man in front of me and Sun Chengzong, and their relationship is quite close.

Who is he to Sun Chengzong?

Relatives, former subordinates, students?

Sun Qing couldn't make a judgment for the time being. When he saw Lao Yu again, he chuckled and reached out to grab some vegetables to eat, displaying his madness.

When you can't figure out what the other person is up to, the best approach is to observe and wait. A skilled con artist, however, speaks and acts with such sincerity that they end up fooling themselves as well.

The food on the table would have been considered a delicacy in the war-torn Ming Dynasty. But compared to the university cafeteria, it was still lacking.

Even when faced with Lao Yu snatching food, Sun Qing's movements were graceful and measured, without a trace of crudeness.

Avoid the thick meat on the back and the fatty belly of the fish, and only take the two crescent-shaped tender white fish meat on both sides of the middle section of the fish body to eat.

He sat upright with his head bowed throughout, eating in silence and chewing without making a sound. Such meticulous manners and etiquette, even in the act of eating, must be those of a descendant who has been immersed in the etiquette of a noble family since childhood.

Old Yu unconsciously stopped what he was doing and looked at it repeatedly.

Sun Qing looked up and met his gaze.

Old Yu wiped his mouth and sighed in a deep voice, "Young master, your character is extraordinary, and your background must be exceptional. This place is small and the people are poor; I wonder why you have chosen to live and suffer here?"

"But Old Yu, you speak with such refined manners, you must be a man well-versed in literature. Why have you ended up telling stories and entertaining on the streets?" Sun Qing said calmly and casually.

Old Yu's eyes widened in panic. He lowered his gaze to the gavel, his voice becoming somber: "Haha, young master, you jest. I'm just trying to make a living, and I've only learned a few phrases from the characters in the book."

Sun Qing stopped pursuing the matter; in his view, the man's story was riddled with flaws. He was neither a good swindler nor a good actor.

It can be confirmed that he has a connection with Sun Chengzong, but the extent of that connection is unknown. What is known is that he is currently the person who poses the greatest threat to his own identity.

If Sun Chengzong's men were to step forward and expose his false identity at this moment, it would be of no consequence to Wei Zhongxian; at worst, he would simply lose one henchman.

But Wei Zhongxian had so many henchmen, would he care about the day of the week?

Sun Qing looked at Old Yu in front of him. He couldn't just kill every member of the Sun family who came. Before figuring out the other party's intentions, he insisted that the other party talk more.

"Old Yu, eat first!" Sun Qing changed the subject, "After all, we won't be able to eat this kind of food for many more meals."

On Monday, someone specifically went to verify Sun Qing's identity. This was the truth. Telling the truth to the person closest to him in danger was also a test.

Sun Qing wanted to see Lao Yu's reaction to his identity.