CENTIE Chapter 72

Xiao Jingduo unfolded the embroidery piece to examine it, and Qiuju leaned in, casually picking up another piece to admire.

The brocade was embroidered with carp, so lifelike that they seemed to leap off the fabric. What was especially remarkable was that the pattern on both ends of the silk handkerchief was identical. At this time, most embroidered handkerchiefs had a clear distinction between the front and back—the front was exquisite and ornate, while the back was a mess of tangled stitches and uneven thread ends. However, Granny Zhou had managed to embroider both sides flawlessly, with no visible thread ends. Even Xiao Jingduo, who usually paid little attention to clothing and accessories, couldn’t help but express admiration.

“This is truly beautiful,” Qiuju exclaimed sincerely.

“Indeed, it is exquisite,” Xiao Jingduo agreed, picking up another handkerchief. His tone carried a hint of regret. “Granny Zhou excels at embroidering auspicious motifs like koi fish, but when it comes to landscapes, her skill falls a bit short.”

After visiting Granny Zhou that day, Xiao Jingduo had stayed up late sketching a few drawings and sent them to her through Xiao Lin the next morning. At the moment, he only had a vague idea in his mind, so he prepared a commonly favored design of koi fish as well as a landscape scene. However, the problem was that Granny Zhou had spent years embroidering for others, primarily working on traditional symbols of prosperity and good fortune. She had never embroidered landscapes before, and naturally, her skills in that area were lacking.

This posed a challenge—if the Zhou family mother and daughter couldn’t embroider landscapes, his plans would need to change. Xiao Jingduo furrowed his brows in silence, pondering a solution. Meanwhile, Qiuju picked up the handkerchief with the landscape embroidery and suggested, “My lord, if you want landscapes, why not ask Lady Chen to do it?”

“Who?”

“Lady Chen. Her embroidery skills are no worse than Granny Zhou’s, and since she has read poetry and literature, she should be more familiar with landscapes.”

“That makes sense,” Xiao Jingduo admitted, though he was still uncertain. “I’ve heard that embroidering such designs is quite labor-intensive. Would Miss Chen be willing?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her tomorrow,” Qiuju assured him, taking full responsibility. “Lady Chen is easy to talk to—I think she’ll agree.”

“If she agrees, then I’ll thank her in advance.”

The next evening, Qiuju brought back word that Chen Ci had agreed. However, since she had never embroidered landscapes before, it would take her some time.

Xiao Jingduo had no objections. It was already fortunate that Chen Ci was willing to help—he wouldn’t impose further demands. However, he soon realized that double-sided embroidery was far more labor-intensive than he had anticipated. Even with both mother and daughter of the Zhou family working on it, it had taken them over ten days to complete just two handkerchiefs—and that was with relatively simple patterns. If his idea was to be fully realized, it was impossible to predict how much effort it would require.

Ten days later, Chen Ci delivered the finished piece. When Xiao Jingduo unfolded it, he was instantly captivated. As expected of a lady well-versed in calligraphy and painting, the landscape she had embroidered was elegant and serene, evoking a deep sense of tranquility. A solitary boat, though depicted with just a few simple strokes, was rendered with astonishing vividness. The most remarkable aspect was that the embroidery was identical on both sides—no matter how one looked at it, it was flawless.

Only then did Xiao Jingduo feel completely at ease. He immediately summoned Xiao Lin. “Prepare the horses—I’m heading to Rongzhou tomorrow.”

The governor of Rongzhou had not expected Xiao Jingduo to return in less than a month. Receiving him in the reception hall, the governor watched as Xiao Jingduo performed the proper courtesies before they sat down to converse.

“What brings you here this time?”

“The governor mentioned the matter of the Thousand Autumn Tribute last time. After returning from Rongzhou, I have been contemplating this matter. Today, I have brought a few samples with me, hoping to present them to you for your consideration.”

The governor was curious but didn’t take it too seriously. Jinjiang County wasn’t particularly rich in resources—what valuable goods could they possibly have? Nevertheless, out of politeness, he gestured with his hand and said, “Go ahead.”

Xiao Jingduo took out the mounted silk handkerchiefs and presented them to the governor with both hands.

In his hands were two embroidered handkerchiefs—one depicting carp frolicking in the water and the other featuring a scene of a boat drifting in the wilderness. The governor accepted them with skepticism, flipping them over to examine both sides. When he realized the pattern was identical on both sides, he looked at Xiao Jingduo in surprise.

“Both sides are exactly the same?”

“Yes, the embroiderers in our county call this technique ‘double-sided embroidery.'”

The governor turned the silk handkerchief over repeatedly, unable to put it down. “This is truly a masterpiece, an exquisite craft—something I have never seen or even heard of before!”

“Precisely,” Xiao Jingduo said, slowly revealing his true purpose. “Governor, what if we included a folding screen embroidered with this double-sided technique in the tribute to His Majesty? The screen could depict the landscapes of our Jian’nan region as a symbol of our loyalty and dedication as regional officials. What do you think?”

The governor had already grasped the significance of the embroidery in his hands. No longer able to sit still, he stood up and began pacing the room excitedly. “Yes, a folding screen! This embroidery technique creates identical patterns on both sides, making it refined and elegant when used for a screen. A folding screen is a large item—it would undoubtedly catch His Majesty’s attention. And if His Majesty were to praise it even once…”

It all seemed like a perfect plan. Rongzhou’s tribute would immediately stand out among the many gifts. However, as an experienced official, the governor was accustomed to thinking more cautiously. He furrowed his brows and pondered for a long moment before finally shaking his head.

“No, this won’t do. While this plan is unexpected and innovative, Chengdu Prefecture will surely be sending Shu embroidery as well, and there’s no guarantee they won’t include a folding screen. We cannot steal the spotlight from the governor of Chengdu—this would be a grave mistake in official circles.”

Xiao Jingduo understood this principle well. Although Rongzhou was a strategically important location, within the Jian’nan Province, it was merely an ordinary small prefecture. In the bureaucracy, nothing was more dangerous than a subordinate overshadowing their superior. If Rongzhou secretly presented a double-sided embroidered screen and humiliated the highest-ranking official in Jian’nan—the governor of Chengdu—it wouldn’t just offend the governor. Other high-ranking officials wouldn’t tolerate such a move either.

Xiao Jingduo had anticipated this issue long ago. He knew he couldn’t monopolize all the credit, and sometimes a strategic retreat could yield greater rewards. From the moment he set out, he had already planned to present the double-sided embroidery to Chengdu Prefecture and let them take the lead in organizing the tribute. This way, all the glory and recognition would belong to the governor of Chengdu. On the surface, it seemed like Xiao Jingduo was losing out, but earning the appreciation of his direct superior was far more valuable than empty prestige.

However, even though he understood this principle, he couldn’t bring it up himself—otherwise, the governor of Rongzhou might become suspicious of his intentions. Now that the governor had voiced his concerns, Xiao Jingduo feigned realization and said,

“Governor, your foresight is truly meticulous. However, it would be a shame to abandon this idea altogether. In my humble opinion, we should present this embroidery to Chengdu Prefecture and let the governor of Chengdu take charge of crafting a grand folding screen using double-sided embroidery. Furthermore, Chengdu is rich in silk and has many skilled embroiderers, making it far more convenient for them to handle than us.”

“You’re right!” The governor of Rongzhou clapped his hands in agreement. In commerce, it was unacceptable to hoard all the benefits for oneself—and the same rule applied in the bureaucracy. A subordinate who bypassed their superior to take all the credit was committing a grave offense. However, if they reported the discovery to their superior and shared the benefits, it would be considered a major contribution.

“Yes, yes, yes! There are so many skilled embroiderers in Chengdu Prefecture—having them do the embroidery will certainly yield better results. We only need to contribute some small pieces.”

That was exactly the reasoning—by the end, the entire Jian’nan Circuit would benefit, which was far safer than taking all the credit for themselves. Xiao Jingduo continued, “Governor, since we are handing this over to Chengdu Prefecture, it would not be appropriate to embroider only Rongzhou’s landscapes on the screen. Instead, why not present a Thousand-Mile Rivers and Mountains folding screen to His Majesty? Each panel could feature double-sided embroidery depicting landscapes from different regions, from the northern frontier to Lingnan, from Jiangling to Jian’nan. This would honor His Majesty’s wise governance and wish for the empire’s eternal prosperity. What do you think?”

“Excellent idea!” The governor of Rongzhou, being a scholar himself, found his thoughts expanding along with the concept. “We can have talented painters from each prefecture illustrate their regional landscapes first, then pass the designs to the embroiderers. Once the screen is assembled, it will unfold into a breathtaking panorama, the same image on both sides—how magnificent! Oh, and finally, we should have the governor of Chengdu inscribe a dedication on it.”

“Governor,” Xiao Jingduo interrupted with a smile, “we cannot inscribe anything.”

A painting of such grandeur would usually be accompanied by an inscription, typically penned by a person of high status. For Xiao Jingduo to suggest that no inscription should be added was nearly offensive. The governor of Rongzhou stared at him in confusion for a moment before suddenly realizing the reasoning behind it. “You’re right—we cannot inscribe it. Once it reaches Chang’an, we should leave the inscription for His Majesty or the Prime Minister to write.”

Xiao Jingduo’s idea was both sophisticated and elegant—presenting His Majesty with a Jiangshan (Rivers and Mountains) Folding Screen was an implicit yet profound tribute, far more meaningful than the usual gold and jade gifts for a birthday celebration. The governor of Rongzhou was thrilled and was eager to rush to Chengdu Prefecture immediately. However, just as he was about to leave, a thought struck him. “Wait a moment—who exactly can embroider using this technique? Can anyone even complete an entire folding screen?”

At last, the crucial question had been asked. Xiao Jingduo smiled inwardly but kept a composed expression as he answered, “This double-sided embroidery technique was developed by an elderly woman in Jinjiang County. At present, only three people have mastered it.”

The governor of Rongzhou drew in a sharp breath. “Only three?” Even though he knew little about embroidery, he understood that with only three people, it would take at least a year to complete such a massive folding screen. “Then what should we do?”

“No need for concern, Governor. The embroiderers of Chengdu Prefecture are exceptionally skilled, and I believe they will learn the technique quickly. As long as we can complete the tribute for His Majesty’s grand celebration, I am willing to send Jinjiang’s embroiderers to Chengdu so they can assist in the process.”

“Good!” The governor of Rongzhou stepped forward and gave Xiao Jingduo a firm pat on the shoulder. “You have a commendable spirit. I will remember this and report it truthfully to the governor of Chengdu.”

Of course, the governor of Rongzhou understood that, at this moment, these three embroiderers who knew the double-sided technique were priceless. The fact that Xiao Jingduo was willing to offer them up— even just one of them—was already an extraordinary gesture.

“It is my humble duty,” Xiao Jingduo replied.

That day, the governor of Rongzhou hosted Xiao Jingduo for the night, and it was not until the following morning that he personally and warmly sent him off. As soon as Xiao Jingduo left the governor’s residence, he immediately spurred his horse into a gallop, racing back toward Jinjiang County.

By the time he arrived at the county office, the sun was already setting. The moment the servants heard the sound of hooves in the courtyard, they rushed outside.

“Master, you’re back!”

Chen Ci and the others hurried over, supporting each other as they walked, their eyes filled with anticipation as they looked at Xiao Jingduo.

“Magistrate Xiao, what did the governor say?”

“The governor agreed.”

Chen Ci and the others immediately broke into smiles. During this time, Xiao Jingduo had already arranged for Madam Zhou and her daughter to stay at the county office. Upon hearing his words, Granny Zhou pressed her hands together and repeatedly chanted prayers: “Buddha above, I have lived my whole life and never once imagined that I would have the chance to embroider something for the palace. This must be the blessing of our ancestors, truly the blessing of our ancestors!”

Xiao Jingduo had previously hinted to them that double-sided embroidery was extremely rare and might even qualify as a tribute to the court. In the minds of commoners, the emperor was akin to heaven itself, and having their work sent to the palace for the nobility’s use was an opportunity beyond their wildest dreams. However, out of caution, even though Xiao Jingduo had been almost certain of success, he had never made any absolute promises. Thus, while he was away for the past few days, Granny Zhou, her daughter, and Chen Ci had been anxiously waiting in the county, hoping he would be able to persuade the governor. Now that he had given them a definite answer, they finally felt at ease and burst into cheers.

Seeing their joy, Xiao Jingduo smiled as well. Once the excitement settled down, he said, “Granny Zhou, in a few days, the governor may send someone to escort you to Chengdu Prefecture. Are you willing to go?”

“Chengdu Prefecture?” Granny Zhou trembled slightly as she held onto her daughter’s hand. She had long heard of Chengdu’s prosperity, and now, she had the chance to see it with her own eyes. Her hands trembled as she spoke hesitantly, “I am willing… but with this old body of mine, I don’t know if I will even make it to Chengdu.”

“Of course, you and your daughter will go together,” Xiao Jingduo reassured her. “If you wish, you may even stay in Chengdu afterward. The embroidery industry there is thriving, and with your skill in double-sided embroidery, it would be a much better place for you.”

As an official himself, Xiao Jingduo understood all too well how others would think. He was certain that once the Zhou family arrived in Chengdu, the governor there would do everything possible to keep them. Both he and the governor recognized the immense value behind double-sided embroidery. Right now, only three people in the world possessed this skill—there was no way Chengdu’s governor would let them go once they were within reach.

Xiao Jingduo had anticipated this outcome, but he had no intention of restricting them. To be fair, given Madam Zhou and her daughter’s talent, their opportunities in Chengdu would be far greater than in their small county. Moreover, the folding screen was not something that could be completed by just one or two people—Granny Zhou would inevitably have to teach other embroiderers in order to finish the tribute. Once she did, she would have earned their gratitude as a teacher, all while holding the secret of double-sided embroidery. Chengdu Prefecture would surely treat them well. Thus, Xiao Jingduo openly allowed them to go, and if they wished to settle in Chengdu, then so be it.

Granny Zhou understood this reasoning as well. In Jinjiang County, there were few buyers for embroidery, and she and her daughter had barely been scraping by. But Chengdu was different—its embroidery industry flourished, and trade was booming. Life there would undoubtedly be much better.

Overcome with emotion, Granny Zhou pulled her daughter forward and immediately attempted to bow deeply before Xiao Jingduo. “Magistrate Xiao, this kindness is beyond measure. I will never forget it for as long as I live!”

“Ah, Granny Zhou!” Qiuju gasped, while Xiao Jingduo quickly reached out to stop her. “Madam, there is no need for this. Your skill is unparalleled—this is only what you rightfully deserve.”

It took some effort to calm the overwhelmed Granny Zhou. Once she was settled, Xiao Jingduo let Qiuju escort her back to the rear courtyard. After they left, only Xiao Jingduo, Chen Ci, and the others remained in the courtyard. Straightening his expression, Xiao Jingduo turned to Chen Ci and said, “Miss Chen, I have a rather presumptuous request.”

“Magistrate Xiao, you are too formal. If there is anything you need, please say so directly.”

“I would like to trouble you for some time—to teach the other women in the county how to do double-sided embroidery.”

“Alright.” Chen Ci nodded readily and said, “This is not a difficult matter. I will follow your arrangements, Magistrate Xiao. However, you also know that embroidery requires talent—I cannot guarantee that everyone will learn it, only that I will do my best.”

“Of course.” Xiao Jingduo smiled. “Mingfu” was a respectful term the common people used for the county magistrate. Chen Ci had always addressed him this way, but Xiao Jingduo felt unworthy of it and had tried to refuse several times, only for Chen Ci to insist on using it. Seeing that he could not dissuade her, he eventually let it be.

“Magistrate, you are having others learn double-sided embroidery—do you intend to sell these embroidered works in the future?”

“That’s right.”

Chen Ci furrowed her brows slightly and carefully chose her words. “I am not familiar with trade, but I have heard that without the right connections, business cannot succeed. Moreover, Shu is already rich in embroidery, and our pieces take a long time to make and cost a great deal. I fear that few people in Shu would be willing to buy them.”

“That is true—few people in Shu would buy them.” Xiao Jingduo paused, then lifted his gaze toward the northeast, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia. “But Chang’an is different.”

Chen Ci didn’t quite understand the connection and tentatively asked, “Magistrate, do you already have a plan?”

“Not exactly a plan.” Xiao Jingduo replied, “It is too early to discuss this. The most important thing right now is Chengdu Prefecture’s stance on the matter.”

If Chengdu Prefecture agreed, double-sided embroidery could be presented as a tribute to the capital, giving his plan a chance to succeed. But if they refused to take the risk, then no matter how many ideas he had, they would have to be set aside. Still, he believed in doing everything possible before leaving the outcome to fate. Regardless of the final result, the necessary preparations had to be made.

Xiao Jingduo was a man of action. Within a few days, he had arranged for several courtyard houses behind the county office to be used as workspaces for Chen Ci and the other embroiderers. To support this, he had people spread the word throughout the county—any woman who was skilled with her hands and had free time at home, regardless of age or background, could come to the embroidery workshop to learn. The workshop would provide free needles and thread, and there would even be a meal offered during the day.

Jinjiang County had limited arable land, so most women stayed at home instead of working in the fields. The people of Shu were known for their resilience, and the women were no exception. Hearing that the workshop provided meals and supplies without interfering with their evening household duties, many signed up—after all, any extra income was better than none.

In reality, Xiao Jingduo’s decision faced significant opposition. All of the workshop’s expenses were covered by public funds, and the county’s chief clerk and other officials strongly disapproved. The county office already had little savings—how would they survive the winter if funds were wasted like this? Most importantly, what was the point of teaching so many women embroidery? The officials suspected that Xiao Jingduo was trying to imitate Chengdu Prefecture by selling Shu embroidery, but Jinjiang County had neither a strong silk industry nor good trade routes. More crucially, they lacked external connections and reputation. If they tried to replicate Chengdu’s success, wouldn’t it just be a foolish imitation?

But no matter how strongly the chief clerk objected, Xiao Jingduo was determined. Despite the opposition, the embroidery workshop opened as scheduled. Every day, Chen Ci would leave through the back gate of the county office, cross a street, and teach the women double-sided embroidery. Qiuju and Xi Qi, whenever they finished their tasks, would also drop by to observe.

Just as the workshop was beginning to operate smoothly, news arrived from Rongzhou.