Chapter 17: Sima Guang

In May, the capital of Bianjing had already entered summer, with frequent bouts of rain. The dogs spent their days panting with their tongues out in the heat.

The kitchen maids finished their shifts and headed home in small groups, both men and women, all lifting their collars to let the cool breeze flow into their chests.

After spending an entire day in the kitchen, one felt completely dehydrated.

“Mother of Dog Er, do you really think the promised wages will come through? Our Song Third Brother can barely earn half a string of cash a month carrying loads, how can a woman make that much?”

Song Third Sister-in-law was chatting with the mother of Li Dog Er, who lived across the way. The two were distant relatives, sharing the same grandmother three generations back.

Dog Er’s mother was evidently confident. “Don’t worry. If I hadn’t signed the contract, I’d have already quit apprenticeship and gone to work elsewhere, where they’d pay two strings even.”

Third Sister-in-law was timid; hearing this, she quickly lowered her voice to urge caution. “But you mustn’t go. I heard if someone steals your skills, they kick you out.”

“Bah! Look at you, such a coward! I’m not leaving because I’m attached to this status. Didn’t Immortal Li say that with him backing us, the bosses won’t dare bully us? Either they let you pass on the craft or beat you up occasionally. Money isn’t easy to earn; the rich have all sorts of tricks...”

Back home, Song Third had already prepared porridge, and they ate together with the children.

“Wife, I saved you a bowl—it's cooled down. Rest a bit and have some!” Song Third, shirtless, was covered with red sunburn marks.

“You eat first. You’ve worked all day while I didn’t do much and drank several bowls for nothing. After we eat, I have something to tell you!”

After the meal, the children fetched water to wash the dishes, and the two went inside. Third Sister-in-law shared news about the guild.

“What do you mean, you want me to go for you? That won’t do. It’s a mutual guarantee of five people; we can’t let down our neighbors!” Song Third shook his head repeatedly.

“Bah! You’re even more cowardly than me, and I haven’t finished telling you half the story. Worthless! I mean, this Servants’ Guild sounds like a good thing. It’s bound to expand to the docks. I heard from Steward Xiao Zhang today: the guild will be divided by location and trade, and each group will have a leader. You have quite a reputation at the docks—why not team up with Steward Xiao Zhang and become that leader?”

Song Third pondered for a moment; his wife’s words made sense.

In truth, the docks had once had a guild called the Grain Transporters’ Gang.

During the Western Expedition, it was disrupted by the officials, who claimed it was a time to unite and endure national hardship together.

Since then, the grain brokers managed the people, the gang leaders wielded whips, patrol officers carried swords, and the dockworkers became like wild dogs with severed tails.

If Immortal Li could really rally the banner, he’d do anything to restore dignity and raise wages for his brothers.

...............

In the following days, the formation of the guild and recruitment of members officially commenced.

Many bosses of “financial associations” actively supported it, even signing up themselves. Within days, the guild’s registered members grew to over two thousand.

All that remained was a grand inauguration ceremony.

Many were joyful, but just as many worried. When Captain Xing reported the situation to the Prefect of Kaifeng, the prefect couldn’t sleep.

Right under his nose, a merchant was gathering two thousand people—inside the city walls, no less.

If each person wielded a stick, they could storm the imperial city and seize all the court officials at once.

More frighteningly, this was only the beginning; how large the guild might grow was completely unpredictable.

What to do? Should he bear the blame himself?

He still had more life to live—report it!

The memorial was sent to the Censorate but was immediately returned with the comment “Much ado about nothing.”

Further inquiry revealed that Sima Guang’s son had personally joined the guild’s supervision committee and even became its president, rendering the prefect’s schemes futile.

On the twentieth day of May, an auspicious date coinciding with a day off,

the Bianjing Service Industry Workers’ Guild held a grand founding ceremony at Chunhua Pavilion.

The Kaifeng Prefecture dispatched three hundred officers to maintain order, and the entire street in front of the pavilion was packed with people, even livelier than the Great Xiangguo Temple.

Colorful flags fluttered along the way, merchants decorated their shops, and the atmosphere rivaled that of the Lantern Festival.

Representatives from various trades wore brightly colored silk sashes, parading like top scholars celebrating their honors, stretching from east to west.

Song Third and four other laborers walked in a row; he was so nervous he stumbled slightly.

Good heavens, I didn’t even get this treatment at my wedding!

They reached the red carpet stage of Chunhua Pavilion, where he and his four brothers signed their names and seals, then lit a small string of firecrackers and shouted slogans with the crowd below.

From that moment, he became the steward of the Wuzhanghe Dock branch.

Wheat had been harvested for five thousand years, but this was the first time the poor had made their own decisions.

He had no idea how he finished the rest of the procession, feeling as if he were walking on clouds, lightly carried all the way.

Opposite Chunhua Pavilion was Longxiang Residence.

Sima Guang stepped back half a pace, accompanying a young man as they looked out the window.

“Teacher, do you think this Li Chang’an is really an immortal?”

“Uh...” After a moment’s thought, “I don’t believe so! Leaving aside the teaching that one should not speak of strange powers and spirits, from what I know, this youth is simply extraordinarily clever and unpredictable. Throughout history, those with exceptional talents often face difficulties in the world, like Mozi, Gongshu Ban, or Guo Jie.”

The young man suddenly grew excited, raising his hand to point ahead. “Gongxiu is out! Look at him, dressed so grandly!”

Sima Guang leaned forward half a foot, extending his head just past the young man’s position to catch a full view of Sima Kang.

Today, Sima Kang was dressed solemnly, like a groom, wearing the official hat of a wind scout, his stature appearing tall.

Standing firm, he looked mature and steady, like a great general.

Someone handed him a copper megaphone, and Sima Kang began to speak, emphasizing the “imperial” decree and the Censorate’s concern before explaining the guild’s purpose and regulations.

At first, the crowd held back, but someone shouted encouragement, and the scene erupted with excitement.

Suddenly, someone called out “Ten thousand victories!” and a massive ripple surged through the crowd, thousands merging into one voice.

“Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories!.........”

The roar shook the windows on the third floor like drum skins, forcing the two men to step back two paces.

The young man, also exhilarated, wore a face full of envy and said to Sima Guang, “So impressive!”

Sima Guang almost stumbled, his lower back hitting the table before steadying himself, his complexion turning paler than the thin mulberry paper he’d claimed to use.

“Heh heh, teacher, I’m truly envious!” The young man’s joy shifted to melancholy.

“The national debt issuance is imminent, facing heavy resistance. Serving the Son of Heaven is less free than serving a minor official; I truly wish I could swap places with Gongxiu.”

Sima Guang bowed sideways. “The Son of Heaven must not lose heart; the fifteen routes and two hundred fifty-four prefectures of the Great Song all rest on his shoulders.

“Promoting prosperity and eliminating evils is not a task for one day; if one sets out, even a thousand miles can be reached. This old minister pledges to devote body and soul, to serve the Great Song and His Majesty with utmost loyalty!”

Zhao Xu waved his hand dismissively, impatient with such clichéd admonitions.

“If you all can’t grasp the situation, then don’t stop me from consulting outsiders. Go see him, ask what he truly intends, and whether he has any ideas about issuing the national debt. Su Shi is returning, and the acting prefecture head of Kaifeng’s office, I can keep a place for his friend.”

Sima Guang was deeply shocked. Li Chang’an was so favored—

A simple commoner could even influence imperial appointments in the capital. Could he really possess extraordinary talent?

“I obey the order and will inquire thoroughly!”