Chapter 26 Chapter Twenty-Five

Accompanied by Kem and Fufu, Pazar boarded a fast boat and went to the largest papyrus planting area in the Delta region, where the Meifeng Paper Mill, which had applied for a royal license, was cultivated.Papyrus, with bearded umbels and long triangular stems, can grow to a height of six meters in mud and swamps, forming a dense grass.The top of this precious plant is densely covered with umbrella-shaped flowers, and the other parts have different uses: the woody roots can be used to make furniture; the fibers and stem bark can be used to weave straw mats, wilting baskets, net bags, and ropes , thin thread, and even poor people's shoes and loincloths; as for the rich viscous sap in the lower layer of the stem bark, after proper processing, it can become the world-famous papyrus.

The amount of papyrus that grows naturally is not enough to meet the needs of the Meifeng Paper Mill. Therefore, the paper mill has reclaimed a large area of ​​land to increase the production of papyrus, and part of it is used for export.To all Egyptians, the verdant green stems of papyrus represented youthfulness.The scepters of the goddesses are all in the shape of papyrus, and the temples are also papyrus columns carved from stone. A road opened in the grass, and on the way Pazar met some naked peasants carrying a large bundle of straw. As they chewed the tenderloin, they sucked the juice and spit out the residue.Later, he came to a large dry warehouse, where some materials were packed in wooden boxes and some were packed in clay bottles.Several specialists at the front of the warehouse carefully clean the sifted fibers before they can be laid on mats or planks.

When making papyrus, cut grass stems about 40 centimeters long, cut them into long strips, and spread these long strips into two layers perpendicular to each other.Then another group of technicians covered the two layers of stems with a damp cloth and beat them with a wooden bat for a period of time. After the stems dried, they would automatically stick together tightly without any additives. "It's amazing, isn't it?" The man who spoke to Pazar was short and stocky, with a round face but no color, and dark hair well pomaded.He had fat hands and feet, and a thick frame, but he looked quite alive, and even a little overly edgy.

"I am honored by your visit, Judge Pazar. My name is Meifeng, and I am the owner of this place." He stretched the loincloth and straightened the linen shirt.His clothes were either too small or too wide for him, although the fabrics of his clothes were made by the top weavers in Memphis. "I want to buy some paper from you," Pazar told him. "Come with me, I'll show you the best sample paper." Meifeng pulled Pazar into his high-grade paper warehouse, which was filled with rolls of papyrus, each with about twenty sheets.Mei Feng unrolled one of the rolls. "Look carefully at the gloss of this paper, touch how fine the texture is. And how beautiful the yellow color of the paper is. Absolutely no other manufacturer can imitate it. The length of time in the sun is one of the secrets, and of course I won’t be able to disclose other important points.”

Pazar touched the end of the scroll and praised: "It's really good." Meifeng couldn't hide the pride in her heart. "This paper is specially supplied to the clerks who copy and supplement the ancient wisdom books (collections of sayings handed down from generation to generation). Next month, the library in the palace will also order a dozen. And I also supply funerals. A copy of the 'Book of the Dead'." "Your business seems to be going well." "It's good if you work day and night. But I don't feel bitter, because I like this job. Isn't it important to provide paper and record various works and hieroglyphs?"

"My funds are limited and I can't afford such good paper." "I've got one that's not as good, but it's pretty good. Definitely durable." The paper I saw this time was very useful, but Pazar felt that it was still too expensive. Mei Feng scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, and said, "Judge Pazar, you have treated me very well, and I hope to return something in return. I value the law because it is the source of happiness.Shall I just ask you to accept my gift? " "I appreciate your generosity, but I cannot accept it. " "Please accept it."

"Gifts of any kind are considered bribes. If you would like me to pay later, you must also formally notify and record it." Pazar insisted on not accepting gifts, and the paper merchant couldn't force him anymore. "In that case, okay! I've also heard that you are merciless to those rich businessmen who do not abide by the law. You are really brave." "It's just a matter of duty." "The merchants in Memphis have been deteriorating lately. I suppose the old decree should be able to stem this regrettable change." "My colleagues and I will try our best, although I don't know the habits of the Memphis people very well."

"You will know soon. In recent years, the competition among businessmen has been extremely fierce, and in order to beat their opponents, they often use unscrupulous means." Seeing what Meifeng said indignantly, Pazar asked him, "Have you ever been hit?" "Everyone is the same, but I fight back. I started out as an assistant accountant for a large landowner in the Delta, who didn't grow much papyrus at the time. With the meager pay and long hours, I proposed to the landowner. He proposed some improvement measures, and he not only accepted it, but also promoted me to be an accountant. If it hadn’t been for that misfortune, I would have been able to live in peace.”

The two of them left the warehouse and walked up a path full of flowers on both sides. At the end of the path was Meifeng's house. "May I buy you a drink? This is definitely not a bribe, I assure you." Pazar smiled.He felt that the paper merchant still wanted to talk, so he cheered him up: "What do you mean by misfortune?" "A disgraceful encounter. I married an older wife who was from the Isle of Elyphantine. Although there are occasional minor frictions, we generally get on well.I come home late, she is also acceptable. One afternoon, I felt uncomfortable, probably because I was too tired, so I asked my colleagues to take me home.Unexpectedly, I saw my wife and the gardener lying on the bed. I was so angry that I wanted to kill her, and later I wanted to sue her for adultery...but the punishment was too heavy (adultery is a very serious crime, because marriage is originally established In the integrity of husband and wife to each other, adultery is tantamount to betraying one's promise).It turned out that I just announced my divorce from her immediately.

""What a harrowing experience. " Mei Feng continued: "I was deeply injured, so I forgot the pain by working twice as much. Later, the landlord gave me a piece of land that no one wanted. I designed an irrigation system myself, which made the land valuable: The first harvest was a bumper harvest, the price was fair, and the customers were very satisfied... Finally, it was recognized by the court! I couldn't be happier to be the paper supplier for the palace.I also got the swamp you just passed. " "Congratulations!" "Efforts will pay off. Are you married?" Mei Feng changed the subject and blurted out.

"not yet." "I took another risk later and it turned out I was right." Mei Feng swallowed a tablet containing frankincense, sedge (frankincense is a resin, sedge is a fragrant reed) and phoenix reed to freshen his breath. "I have come to introduce you to my young wife." Mrs. Sirix was terribly troubled by all she could think of to get wrinkles on her cheeks. So she made her own skin-smoothing fenugreek oil.She first separates the pods from the pods, then mashes them into a paste and then heats them, so that droplets of oil will form on the surface.Sirix carefully applied a mask of honey, red natural soda and northern salt, and massaged the rest of her body with alabaster powder. Thanks to Dr. Nebamun's surgery, her face and figure were as graceful as her husband wanted. Of course, she still felt that she was too heavy and a little too fat, but Meifeng didn't care much about her round buttocks.Before hailing her husband to a sumptuous meal, she dabbed lipstick on her lips, a mild lotion on her cheeks, green eye shadow around her eyes, and rubbed sanitizer, the main ingredient, on her scalp. Beeswax and resins prevent gray hair. Sirix finally put on a wig made of real hair, and every strand of it smelled of fragrance, and she looked at herself in the mirror with great satisfaction.The precious wig was given to her by her husband for the birth of their second child and first boy. The maid came in to inform her that Meifeng was coming, bringing a guest. Sirix picked up the mirror again in a panic.Did she dress up carefully enough?Or was there something missing that she hadn't noticed?Will it be criticized?However, she didn't have time to put on makeup or change clothes. She just walked out the door so rashly. "Serix, dear! Let me introduce you to Judge Pazar of Memphis." The young wife smiled slightly, with a proper restraint and shyness. "We have hosted many buyers and technicians," Mei Feng continued, "but you are the first judge we have received. It is such an honor." The papyrus merchant's new villa has a total of ten rooms, and the light is not too strong.Mrs. Sirix was afraid of the sun, because her complexion would turn dark. A maid came in with fresh beer, and behind her were two children, the girl with red hair and the boy who looked like his father.After saluting the judge, they ran away laughing. "Oh, these two children! We love them very much, but sometimes it is very tiring." Sirix nodded and agreed with her husband.Fortunately, her two deliveries went smoothly, and the long-term postpartum recuperation did not make her figure out of shape.In order to conceal the indelible spots on her body, she wore a loose gown made of fine linen, trimmed with small red fringes.The earrings she wore were imported from Nubia, with an ivory gem in the ringlet. The host asked Pazar to sit on a long papyrus model. "Isn't it special? I like creative things." Mei Feng explained, "If the shape is pleasing, I will manufacture and sell it in large quantities." Pazar was surprised by the layout of the villa, all the compartments were long and low, and there were no balconies. "I'm a little dizzy. It's less hot indoors." "Do you like Memphis?" Sirix asked Pazar. "I prefer my original village," "where do you live?" "My office is upstairs. The place is a bit small. Since I took office, there have been cases one after another, and files are piled up everywhere. In a few months, it may be too narrow." "It's simple." Meifeng said, "The administrator of the archives in the palace has a good relationship with me. He decided to arrange the location of the state warehouse." "I don't want to be privileged." "It's not a privilege. Sooner or later he will summon you to the palace for an interview, but of course the sooner the better. I'll tell you his name, and you can figure it out." The beer tasted very good, and it was still very fresh and cool because it was specially kept in some large jars. "This summer," Meifeng said, "I'm going to open a Papyrus warehouse near the military hangar so that deliveries to the administration are much faster." "That happens to be my jurisdiction." "Excellent. If I'm not mistaken, your supervision will be strict and efficient. In this way, my reputation will be more stable. Although there is such a trend now, I really dare not cheat. Because one day you will be caught. The Egyptians never liked people who cheated. As the saying goes: A lie will never find a boat across the river." Pazar had an idea, and suddenly asked: "Have you heard of a grain smuggling transaction?" "Once this scandal breaks out, those involved will definitely be severely punished." "Who might be involved?" "It is said that several people intend to seize some of the grain already in the warehouse. It is only a rumor, but everyone says so." "Did the police not investigate?" Chazal asked. "Investigated, but there is no result. Would you like to stay and have dinner with us?" Meifeng asked, and ended the conversation at the beginning. "I don't want to bother you too much." "My wife and I welcome you very much." Sirix nodded lightly, and smiled at Pazar to welcome him. Pazar then joined them to enjoy a delicious meal: foie gras, fresh vegetable salad with olive oil, fresh beans, pomegranate and dessert, in addition to delta red wine made in the year of Ramses the Great's accession to the throne . The children sat at another table, but they kept clamoring for the cake at the adults' table. "Are you planning to start a family?" Sirix asked. "I'm too busy with work," Pazar replied. "Isn't it the purpose of life to marry a wife and have children? The greatest satisfaction in life is nothing more than this." Mei Feng said with certainty. The red-haired girl secretly took a piece of cake while the adults were not paying attention.Unexpectedly, the sharp-eyed father grabbed her by the wrist and cursed: "You are not allowed to go out to play, and you cannot go for a walk." The girl burst into tears and stomped her feet. "You're exaggerating. It's not that serious." Sirix said protecting her daughter. "It's so sad that people who don't need anything still steal things!" "Isn't it the same when you were young?" "My parents are poor, but I have never stolen from anyone, and I don't allow my daughter to do this." The punished girl cried louder. "Take her away, please?" Sirix complied with her husband's wishes. "Such situations are part of parenting. Fortunately, the gods are blessed, there are far more moments of joy than pain." Mei Feng sighed, not knowing whether it was regret or satisfaction. Meifeng showed Pazar the batch of papyrus that he was going to give him, and helped him strengthen the four sides of the paper by the way, and gave him a few extra rolls of whiter and poorer quality paper, which can be used for drafting. The two greeted each other warmly and said goodbye. Moxie's bald head was flushed, revealing the anger he tried so hard to hide. "Rumours, Judge Pazar, it's all rumours!" "But you also did the research." "Routine." "no result?" "No. Who dares to seize the grain stored in the state barn? It's ridiculous. Why should you bother?" "Because the Empty Barn is in my jurisdiction." The Chief Constable lowered his voice in embarrassment: "It's true, I forgot. Is there any proof?" "There is good evidence: a document." Meng Moxi looked at the document and said: "The inspector recorded that half of the stored food was taken...is there anything wrong with that?" "The storage tower is still full, I have seen it myself." Meng Moxi stood up, turned his back and looked out the window. "This document is signed." "It's a pseudonym. This person is not on the list of appointed inspectors. It should be most appropriate for you to be in charge of finding out this strange person, right?" Moshe hated him for being so blunt, and said sarcastically, "I think you've probably asked the barnkeeper, haven't you?" "He said he didn't know the name of the person he was talking to about the deal and they had only met once. " "You think he's lying?" "should not." Although the baboons were there, the steward said nothing, so Pazar believed he was telling the truth. "It must be a conspiracy!" The chief executive said with certainty. "It's possible." Pazar agreed. "Obviously, the chief is the mastermind." "The more obvious the more suspicious it is." "Give me this bandit. Judge Pazar, I can get him to tell the truth." "Absolutely not." "Then what are your plans?" Meng Moxi really didn't understand what kind of medicine was sold in the young judge's gourd. "Secretly send people to monitor the storage tower around the clock. When the gang of thieves comes to carry the grain, they can be arrested for the current crime, and the names of all the criminals can be known immediately." "But the disappearance of the steward will make them wary." "So let him continue to hold the original position." "This plan is too complicated and too risky." Meng Moxi hesitated. "No. But if you have a better opinion, I can listen to you." Sure enough, Meng Moxi couldn't come up with a better way, so he had to compromise. "Okay, I'll do what I have to do."