“Old Shan, are you familiar with Lingxu City?”0

“Very. I’ve been in Lingxu City for over twenty years. In my early years, I served as a manager for two or three households up there.” Old Shan lifted one finger and pointed skyward. “Later, I did business, worked as an assistant, and spent time as a hanger-on. Lingxu City may be vast, but from the inside to the outside, I know it well.”0

“Mm…” He Lingchuan had too many urgent matters on hand now and no patience to listen to someone ramble about the past. Fortunately, Old Shan seemed sharp-eyed and sensible, not the kind to chatter endlessly. “Then let me ask you this. Among Lingxu City’s retired officials, is there anyone with the compound surname Zaifu?”0

“Zaifu?” Old Shan blinked twice. “There is. You must mean Lord Zaifu Kua. He rose to the post of Deputy Director of the Public Works Department. When I was managing affairs for my first employer, he lived half a street away, diagonally across from us.”0

“The Public Works Department[1]?”0

Old Shan knew He Lingchuan was unfamiliar with Lingxu’s official system, so he explained, “The Public Works Department oversees the construction of palaces and halls, the crafting of various imperial instruments and fine utensils, as well as the weaving and production of court silks,...0