Miao Chu

Chapter 156 Study Tour
Whether it was because of Song Miaoji's words or not, Han Li and the others indeed had a smooth journey.

On the first leg of the journey, the boatman had the boat ready early, and as soon as it was full, he poled it off.

There were still a few drops of rain at first, but by the time we reached the shore, the rain had stopped.

For the past two days, it had been raining continuously in Huazhou and Weizhou. The other side of the river was only a few miles away, but there was no rain in the mountains. Even the occasional puddles were only half dry and did not hinder our journey.

The biggest problem was that there was a large pool of water at the bottom of the mountain, and there happened to be a sparse forest next to it. Several trees at the edge of the forest had been broken by the wind and rain, which could be dragged down to make stepping stones. Although the tree stumps were not large in diameter, piling them up was enough.

After descending the mountain, we arrived early and were waiting for the boat. We thought we would have to wait a long time, but the boatman had something to do at home that day and came early, intending to take the last trip and leave early. They caught us red-handed.

It truly is a case of "paving the way through mountains and finding a boat on water."

The others felt it went smoothly, but two old women, Huang and Li, knew how difficult it was. One chanted "Infinite Heavenly Venerable," and the other chanted "Amitabha Buddha."

Then Granny Huang exclaimed loudly, "Scholar Han, we've been through a lot, but this is the first time we've encountered such a fortunate coincidence. No one would believe it if we told them—it's probably Heaven's way of helping you succeed! Your river-digging project will definitely be completed!"

Everyone loves to hear auspicious words, and the students straightened their backs. Even Lu Wenming, who was that age, couldn't help but feel happy after hearing them.

After disembarking from the boat, donkey carts and mule carts are not far away.

Han Li immediately called two cars to head to Linghe Town.

After trekking through mountains and rivers for half a day, the lunch they had eaten had long been digested. Now, sitting in the car, everyone was starving. Someone started it, and soon, one after another, they all pulled out their lotus leaf packets.

Open one, and you'll find the prepared meat and vegetables.

With the start of summer fast approaching, the vegetables don't get greasy even after being left out for a while. They smell of duck meat, with a hint of wine and young ginger. Because they're cold, the aroma isn't as strong as when they're served hot at midday, but in this cramped carriage, the fragrance from the many lotus leaf wrappers all come together, making one's mouth water.

The other lotus leaf bag contained a small stack of cakes.

As instructed by Song Miao, everyone ate three layers of pancakes first. Some people were too lazy to pick them out, so while the pancakes were at the bottom, they put some side dishes on the top layer.

Jingzhi pancakes are white with golden-brown baked patterns. Although they are extremely thin, they are full of wheat flavor. They are soft and chewy, yet still have a good texture. They are filled with duck meat, duck intestines, spicy and crunchy young ginger, and fresh lettuce shreds that have been lightly salted. They are refreshing and sweet.

Almost no one spoke; they were all busy stuffing their mouths with biscuits and chewing them.

After the duck with ginger cools down, it has a different flavor. The skin and meat become more gelatinous and firm, and even the ginger becomes much milder, less spicy, and sweeter, which nicely cuts through the greasiness of eating it cold.

Song Miao deboned the duck and shredded the duck meat into even strips. When she put the meat into the soft and fragrant pancake, she took a bite and first tasted the aroma of wheat, then the aroma of meat, and then the aroma of lettuce and dried bean curd.

Because it was braised in wine and contained young ginger, even when it was cold, the gamey smell of the duck was completely suppressed. After finishing the meal, no one could feel the gamey smell; they only thought it smelled delicious.

Everyone wolfed down their food, chewing heartily. When they finished eating and were full of bread and meat, they were slowly tidying up their lotus leaf wrappers when suddenly someone raised their head and let out a long, loud "burp."

The group of people unconsciously looked at the person who was hiccuping.

Someone recognized the face and couldn't help but show a look of disgust, saying disdainfully, "Little Sun, be more civilized!"

But before he could finish saying the word "dot," a surge of air rose from his stomach and rushed out of his throat, making his throat itch and causing him to burp as well.

The hiccup came out in fits and starts, becoming intermittent and disjointed towards the end.

Then it was the turn of the uncouth young Sun, who had just finished burping and was covering his mouth, who teased, "Brother Jiang, why is your burp so muffled and unclear?"

Brother Jiang was feeling embarrassed when everyone around him burst into laughter.

At first, only one or two people laughed, but as they laughed, someone stopped halfway through and the last "ha" in "hahaha" was reduced to a single "mouth" sound. The tone changed, and the sound was pressed down, turning into a deep and long "burp".

For a moment, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and then the whole carriage burst into laughter.

Some people burst into laughter, some wiped away tears, and some laughed and cursed, "Oh no, my stomach hurts!"

However, "Brother Jiang" was very particular and somewhat embarrassed, so he quickly said, "It's because of the seating position, the carriage seats are too low, it's pressing on our stomachs that we're burping!"

Lu Wenming was on the mule cart. The closer they got to Weizhou City, the more apprehensive he became. But seeing everyone laughing and joking, he relaxed and couldn't help but laugh along. As he laughed, his apprehension disappeared without him even realizing it.

With such a great atmosphere and such great companions, everyone working hard towards the same goal, being pure and diligent on a daily basis, it's hard not to be inspired even though he's become a bit cold-blooded in such an environment.

I will do my best and leave the rest to fate.

As he thought this, he couldn't help but recall what Granny Huang had said earlier, such as "Heaven will help you succeed." He hoped that the woman's words were indeed blessed and that her words would come true.

After traveling a while longer, the mule cart slowly came to a stop; they had arrived at their destination.

As soon as the train door opened, a student stood outside, carrying a cloth bag to collect the dried lotus leaves from everyone's hands. He then said, "Leader Han instructed everyone to check before getting off the train so as not to dirty the carriage."

Everyone responded in unison.

This was already within the territory of Linghe Town. Granny Li led a few people off the car first. As they parted, Han Li handed the person in the lead a heavy bag of money and said, "You've always been quick-witted. Don't take advantage of others. With a local leading the way, you won't get ripped off. Always use money to pave the way. When you encounter something, weigh the pros and cons and make your own decisions. Don't cause trouble, but don't hesitate either. As long as it's the right path, even if you get into trouble, I'll help you clean it up."

The man, barely in his early twenties, took the money bag and excitedly replied, "Don't worry, boss, I'll do my job well and won't let you down!"

Han Li patted his shoulder but said nothing more. Instead, he pulled the man aside and instructed the others, "When you're out in a strange land, look after each other and discuss things properly. If you manage to recruit enough people this time, I will definitely ask Judge Cen for credit for you when we return to Huazhou soon!"

Despite having been busy all day, everyone immediately perked up upon hearing this, their faces beaming with smiles, and they all agreed in unison.

Han Li turned to the side again, greeted Granny Li, and said, "You are all students, inexperienced, and here for the first time. If you do anything wrong, please forgive and remind us."

He then took a string of coins from the person behind him and said, "We'll have to trouble you with their food, lodging, and the search for cattle and horses these next few days."

Granny Li waved her hands anxiously, saying, "There's no need for so much!"

He added, “We are guests from the countryside, and we are literate scholars who have come to control the floods. If I take your money, I will be cursed to death by the villagers when I go back!”

Han Li, however, insisted on putting the money in her hand, saying, "Food and lodging will cost money. If we go out to recruit people, who will come if we are too stingy?"

He urged her to accept it.

Grandma Li reluctantly accepted, but eventually did. This old woman, who had spent most of the day boating and climbing mountains, now walked with a brisk pace, like a hen spreading its wings and leading her chicks away in a flash.

Lu Wenming, watching Han Li's actions and observing the others' excitement and hasty departure, sighed inwardly. Han Zhengyan was indeed capable and his actions were thorough and appropriate, but the most crucial element was the group of scholars, unaware of the hardships and uncertainties of officialdom; a few words from them were enough to inspire them to jump for joy.

That's something only young people can do.

For example, if you say these words to yourself, although you will do it, you can't help but think about it more: What if you can't get the credit? What if someone else steals the credit? If the canal digging project fails in the end, then Magistrate Cen will probably be busy explaining to the court. Where will he have the strength or the opportunity to ask for any credit?

He had been tricked and manipulated by people with words too many times in the past, which made him afraid of ropes for ten years after being bitten by a snake once.

Just then, the group got back into the carriage and went to Linghe Town with Granny Huang. She then led them to a carriage shop, where they rented a carriage and horses. They hired someone to lead the way and sped towards Weizhou City.

Fortunately, Linghe Town was not far from Weizhou City, and they finally arrived at their destination before dark.

Han Li knew that it was the flood season and that there must be people on duty at the prefectural government office at night. Without delay, he first instructed the other students to go to the official post station to settle down, while he took Lu Wenming and handed Cen Dezhang's letter directly to the prefectural government office.

Sure enough, there were guards on duty at the entrance.

The guard delivered the message and soon came out again to let the two of them in.

The prefectural magistrate of Weizhou was named Lü Ping. He had sparse hair and beard and was thin. Upon meeting him, he said first, "You must be Han Li? Your prefectural magistrate Cen wants to change laborers. You think it's so simple, and you open your mouth so easily. You want four thousand laborers right off the bat. Is it only Huazhou that is suffering from this disaster?"

Lu Wenming was adept at reading his superiors' tone and immediately knew that what followed was a refusal.

Sure enough, Lü Ping said again, "Weizhou is severely flooded, and the Yellow River has changed its course, just brushing against half of it. I also have a lot of earthwork to do here, and I've only recruited laborers from two counties. Where am I supposed to find people for you? If the corvée labor is too heavy, the people won't be able to bear it, and there will really be trouble!"

But to Han Li, this sentence had a different meaning.

Since the answer was "I'll lend you someone from somewhere," instead of bluntly saying "I won't lend you anyone" with a dark expression, it means there's still room for negotiation.

Han Li then said, “We are separated by the same river, and Weizhou has naturally suffered a severe disaster as well. However, this time, the waterway is being dredged by Minister Wu of the Water Conservancy Bureau. I have also brought my late master’s blueprints for reference. If it is successful, although it will not be a permanent solution, it should alleviate the situation on both sides of the river to some extent. The Vice Prefect should have received the documents sent by the Water Conservancy Bureau in the capital, right? Now, with some maneuvering and gritting our teeth, I wonder how many people we can free up?”

"Two hundred, that's the most I can do!" Lü Ping said.

They say you can ask for the moon, but you can always bargain.

However, Cen Dezhang asked for four thousand, but Lü Ping immediately cut the price to the bare minimum, leaving only one-tenth of the original price. It was a truly ruthless cut.

Han Li wasn't in a hurry to bargain again, but asked instead, "I wonder what the difficulty is?"

Lu Ping listed many reasons, but Weizhou was also repairing dikes, and there were not enough laborers or officials, so there was no way to spare the time to recruit, let alone organize.

The reason they gave was almost identical to that of Qian Zhongming.

Han Li did not argue with him, knowing that both sides had their own positions, and even if he won the argument, it would be meaningless.

He thought for a moment and asked, "If we don't need Weizhou's help in recruiting and organizing, I wonder how many people we can get?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Ping seemed quite surprised and repeated his question, "If you don't need the state government to recruit or organize, then how are you going to recruit people?"

When Han Li first wanted to change his military service, he knew it would be difficult to do so and was prepared to spend a lot of time persuading others.

But ever since he met Granny Li yesterday and Granny Huang today, he has learned some things from them. Along the way, he asked around, and the people on the boat, the people traveling with him, the people who led the way, and the villagers who shared the ride with him, he has gained some confidence.

He now preferred to recruit directly with subsidies rather than rotate through military service.

The change of service required waiting for the clerks of Weizhou, and then recruiting lower-level clerks and village heads, mobilizing them at each level. Since it was an extra task, it was bound to be done with less care.

He said, “I will go to the streets to recruit people, specify the subsidy details, and pay people on a daily basis and monthly basis. When the time comes, I will set up a few tables in the city and various counties and towns, and ask people to go to the countryside to make a call. As long as the government helps to issue a document as proof, if any villagers come to ask, just don’t deny it.”

Then Lü Ping hurriedly asked how much subsidy would be given.

Once he learned the exact amount, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.

It's a very ordinary job, but it pays far less than the usual manual labor, and you have to go all the way to Huazhou. Under normal circumstances, who would bother recruiting like this?
But now they are suffering from disaster.

The relief from the imperial court arrived late, and the imperial edict did not mention the use of the Ever-Normal Granary. He was really anxious at the moment, and even a little envious of Cen Dezhang across from him, who at least received silver and grain allocations as soon as possible because of the severity of the disaster.

It seems that the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Huazhou, what a grand gesture!

Only a fool would refuse when another state pays money to support its own citizens!

Lü Ping was being cautious, so he carefully inquired about Han Li's arrangements and confirmed that even if there were any problems, the money would be given in full. Since that was the case, there was no need to stop him.

He readily agreed, adding, "It can't exceed a thousand; I also need to leave some leeway for the state."

He added, "You'd better choose only one place to recruit, and not spread the word everywhere, lest you cause a disturbance."

Han Li's request for manpower was merely a prelude; in the end, the main force would still be the laborers from Huazhou. Upon hearing the number of one thousand, he was already quite satisfied. After agreeing, he first thanked Han Li and then asked, "I am unfamiliar with this place, and the yamen is short-staffed, so it is difficult to borrow people. I wonder if it would be possible to borrow a few students from the prefectural school?"

Lu Ping wasn't going to be so stingy with a few students. After thinking for a moment, he said, "If the students are willing, I won't stop them, and it won't count as skipping class. It's just that whether they are willing to go with you or not, the yamen won't care."

Han Li didn't need his help.

After agreeing on the most important matters, Lü Ping excused himself and left, telling the two to find their subordinate officials and clerks to handle things themselves the next day.

As soon as he left the back office, Han Li said to Lu Wenming, "Ji County is located by the water and is close to the Ling River. I would like to trouble Brother Lu to follow up on this matter and see if we can recruit boats and boatmen to help transport people and goods in the future."

Lu Wenming readily agreed. Seeing that it wasn't completely dark yet, he didn't return to the official post station. Instead, he informed Han Li and found a driver to guide him. They went to Ji County that very night.

Han Li, however, did not return to the official post station.

He turned back to find the guards at the yamen, inquired about the location of the prefectural school, rented a horse, and asked people along the way. He soon arrived at the place, found out the residence of a certain professor, and found it was indeed very close, just a few steps away. He went in, handed over his visiting card, and was soon led into the hall.

Upon entering, upon seeing the person opposite him, Han Li simply greeted him as "Brother Yuan" without any further words, saying only, "I am currently serving in Huazhou and need to purchase and transport grain. I wonder if any students in the prefectural school come from wealthy families who could help raise the funds?"

He added, “If anyone can make this happen, I am willing to recommend two people to study under my senior brother Chen—Mr. Tingqing—for half a year.”

(End of this chapter)