Li Mansion
A signboard hung high above the big red doors. Pei Zi Yun asked, "Is this Li Mansion? The residence of the Assistant Minister of Revenue?"
The candy seller laughed, "High Scholar, you're an outsider here, and you do not understand the rules of the capital."
"What do you mean?" Pei Zi Yun smiled and asked.
"All capital officials, apart from the noble houses, all live in rented houses and are not fixed. You might ask why must they live in rented houses?"
"Unless you are an old capital official who won't be promoted any longer, most capital officials do not remain so for long."
"Not only do capital officials not remain so for long, they will be promoted really quickly. And every time they get promoted they will have to shift house!"
"I know of his excellency Li. He used to live in Heaven Tree Alley, where he rented a four room house. He then shifted to Little Alley before moving to Little Cotton Lane, and now he lives here. His house has 28 rooms and a huge garden."
"When an official gets promoted, he has more people under his payroll, and he has to appear more lavish and prosperous. How could he not shift? Besides, it's not worth it to keep buying houses. It's true that for capital officials remaining in one house, it was a sign that they had no chance of promotion."
Pei Zi Yun was extremely interested in what he had to say, "Very interesting. Here's some money for you. Stay here and wait for me. I shall go in for a little while. When I come out, I need you to show me more places and I will pay you for it."
As he said this, he tossed over a piece of silver. The candy seller scrutinized the silver and realized that this piece came from a bigger block of silver. This means that this person was clearly rich and well to do. The piece of silver was worth a tael at least. He then forced a laugh, "Okay Young Master. Please go in. I will wait here for you."
Pei Zi Yun then approached the door and knocked before a servant opened it. Pei Zi Yun then handed a letter explaining his purpose of visit.
The Governor had instructed him on this matter earlier. Assistant Minister Li from the department of Revenue was his cousin. Although they weren't direct cousins, their ages were very close and thus had spent most of their childhood together. They were thus, close to each other. The Governor knew that Li Ben Han was in a good position to help Pei Zi Yun and thus recommended Pei Zi Yun to drop by.
All these matters were supposed to be taken care of by Liao Ge. Since his demise was in the way, Pei Zi Yun had no choice but handle it himself.
After some time, the servant then walked into the waiting room. He then led Pei Zi Yun through the corridors into the courtyard. He then stopped walking and turned around, "Old master is waiting just further up."
Pei Zi Yun was stumped and didn't know what to say. The Li Mansion looked simple and plain from the outside and yet had a magnificent interior. Once he passed through the door and entered the courtyard, he saw a man seated on the cane chair. He had an entire head of white hair and was slightly plump. He was dressed in traditional robes and was gazing at the flowers which had grown over the wall before him. It was clear that he hadn't noticed Pei Zi Yun's presence.
Pei Zi Yun walked up to him and bowed, "High Scholar Pei Zi Yun pays his respects to his Excellency Li."
Pei Zi Yun observed that his house had a very countryside ambience to it. Within the yard there was a rattan frame, where several flowers and vines grew over. There were floral prints imprinted all over the table. Hearing Pei Zi Yun speak, Li Ben Han stopped looking at the red flowers before him and looked. He was still holding onto a red cup and finally realized that Pei Zi Yun had arrived.
Minister Li then slowly placed his cup down and looked at Pei Zi Yun, "Oh, you are the person who's holding onto the letter written by my older brother? Since you've been recommended by my older brother, we are all family. You do not have to stand on ceremony."
Pei Zi Yun hurriedly replied, "Many thanks your excellency."
As he said this, he reached into his sleeves and pulled out the documents. He then handed it over with both hands respectfully, "The documents are here for your excellency to examine."
Minister Li hastily retrieved the letter and said, "So this is about Free Cloud Sect's title bestowal. This matter is not very big, and yet not small either. Since my older brother recommended you to me, it means that he thinks very highly of you… Eh? Why is there only you, where is the other person?"
Minister Li looked through the documents before pausing. With the exchange of such important documents, there would usually be an official present to facilitate. Although a High Scholar could be considered as half an official, it was not proper without the presence of an official. Furthermore the document itself indicated that an official was accompanying Pei Zi Yun.
Pei Zi Yun was silently worried, but managed to force a laugh, "Your excellency, I shall not hide any details from you. We initially set off as a team of four men. However we did not expect to be ambushed by a bunch of crazy bandits, to have the audacity to attack an official of the imperial court. His excellency Liao Ge and the two soldiers were murdered. Only this student had the fortune of escaping. News pertaining to this attack would surely start spreading and an official document detailing the ambush would be delivered to the capital over the next few days."
Pei Zi Yun sighed as he recounted the incident. Who would've thought that a pleasant and exciting journey to the capital would turn into a cold blooded massacre.
Minister Li was visibly shocked, as he placed the cup down on the table, "Such a thing really happened?"
Pei Zi Yun exhaled loudly, "Absolutely."
Minister Li's face sank, as he slapped the table in anger, "These traitorous bandits have the audacity to attack an official."
"Pei Zi Yun, Pei Zi Yun…." Li Ben Han repeated his names several times softly, as though he was trying to recall something, "Are you that person who composed