Tiger Owl

Chapter 63 Spring Comes to Jiangnan
In early February, spring plowing began in various parts of Yuzhang County. In the south, the main cropping system was rice and wheat. Winter wheat was sown in late autumn, and by spring, the wheat seedlings were growing vigorously. At this time, it was necessary to turn the soil, fertilize, and water the wheat to help it grow better.

Last December, Yuzhang County was blanketed in heavy snow. The greatest benefit of the snow was that it froze and killed pests and diseases in the fields, just as the old saying goes: "If the wheat is covered with three layers of snow this winter, you'll sleep on a pillow of steamed buns next year."

Two people walked along the ridges of the fields outside Nanchang City: a middle-aged man of about thirty-five or thirty-six years old and a young man of about twenty years old.

Wearing straw hats, the two men walked along in high spirits. When the middle-aged man saw a large group of farmers gathered ahead, he laughed and said, "Qinzhong, let's go take a look over there."

The middle-aged man was named Yin Mo, a native of Fu County, Zitong Commandery, Yizhou. Because he opposed Liu Zhang's ascension to the throne, Liu Zhang did not allow him to return to Shu. Yin Mo had no choice but to reside in Xiangyang. Ten days ago, he saw Gan Ning's recruitment notice and was quite tempted.

Yin Mo also came from a poor family. He sought refuge with Liu Biao but was not accepted into the government. He could only make a living by teaching in Jingzhou. He was moved by the eight words in Gan Ning's recruitment letter: "Regardless of whether one is a scholar or a commoner, only talent matters."

More importantly, as fellow losers in the rebellion against Liu Zhang, Yin Mo knew Gan Ning. Since Gan Ning had made a name for himself, Yin Mo, being a fellow townsman, decided to come to Yuzhang County to apply for a job, seek fame and fortune, and establish his career.

The young man who came with him was Li Zhuan, a fellow townsman from Zitong County. Li Zhuan was a student of Sima Hui and had a very good relationship with Yin Mo. When Yin Mo mentioned Gan Ning's recruitment notice, Li Zhuan, who was also from Bashu, was naturally tempted and came with Yin Mo to join Gan Ning.

The two walked up to a large group of farmers who were testing new farming tools. Li Zhuan loved all kinds of inventions. Historically, he was an inventor of the Three Kingdoms period who was as famous as Ma Jun. He was especially good at crossbows. Zhuge Liang invented the Yuanrong crossbow, which meant that ten arrows were fired at once. Li Zhuan invented the Lianzhu crossbow, which meant that ten arrows were fired in succession. Its core feature was a quiver.

Li Zhuan's eyes lit up. He saw a new waterwheel that was more labor-saving and practical than the famous tipping wheel made by Bi Lanfa. Farmers could transport water from low-lying areas to higher ground simply by pedaling it.

"Who invented this waterwheel?"

"This is called a dragon-bone waterwheel. It was invented by our prefect, and it's more practical than a tippler!"

Li Zhuan squatted down to examine it closely, secretly pondering that there seemed to be a transmission mechanism involved.

Yin Mo called out to him several times, but Li Zhuan ignored him. Yin Mo had no choice but to give up. He knew that once this young friend was engrossed in something, he would sit there for hours on end.

"Qin Zhong, come find me at the Recruitment Hall yourself!"

"Uncle Yin, I understand!"

Yin Mo got up and walked into the county town.

Yin Mo entered Nanchang City and, after inquiring along the way, quickly found the Recruiting Hall, which was located diagonally opposite the county government office. The official who received him was an eighteen-year-old young official, none other than Liu Yao's son, Liu Ji. After Liu Yao's death, his fifteen-year-old son, Liu Ji, was observing mourning for his father in Nanchang County.

In early February, Liu Ji's three-year mourning period ended, and Gan Ning invited him to come out and do his job three days earlier, appointing him as the Chief Clerk of Yuzhang Commandery to temporarily preside over the Recruitment Hall.

The Gongcao was the highest-ranking official in the prefectural government, in charge of evaluating officials. Together with the Wuguan Yuan and Duyou, they were known as the Youcao (Right Officials).

Liu Ji was a descendant of Liu Fei, the eldest son of Emperor Gaozu of Han (Liu Bang), and also the son of Liu Yao, the governor of Yangzhou. He was highly respected, and Gan Ning treated him and his mother well, which naturally earned him fame.

Liu Ji himself was very humble and low-key, and also very talented. Although Liu Biao also recruited him to Jingzhou, Liu Ji was unwilling to leave the place where his father was buried and only wanted to stay in Nanchang County.

As Yin Mo entered the gate, Liu Ji stood up and asked, "Excuse me, sir, are you here to apply for the position?"

Yin Mo sized him up for a moment and then smiled, "Are you Liu Jingyu?"

Liu Ji was taken aback. "Sir, do you know me?"

"When you were twelve, your father brought you to Xiangyang, and I tested your poetry. I wonder if you remember?"

Liu Ji had been hailed as a child prodigy since childhood. After thinking for a moment, Liu Ji suddenly widened his eyes and asked, "You are... Mr. Yin?"

"It's me!"

Liu Ji quickly bowed and said, "So it's Uncle Yin. This junior greets you!"

"What position does my nephew hold now?"

"My nephew has been appointed as a clerk in the prefectural government, serving as the deputy to the Prefect of Lu." "A clerk is a good position; after a year or two, he can be promoted to county magistrate."

"General Gan originally appointed my nephew as the magistrate of Yuhan County, but my mother was unwilling to leave the place where my father was buried, so she was reassigned as the chief clerk of the prefectural government."

Is General Gan here?

"General Gan has gone to inspect the spring plowing. Uncle Yin, please settle down first! I'll find you a courtyard."

“I have a companion named Li Zhuan who is fascinated by the dragon bone waterwheel outside the city. He will be here later.”

"It's alright, I'll make the arrangements. Uncle Yin, please come with me."

The Recruiting Hall covers an area of ​​thirty acres and has single rooms as well as courtyards. Liu Ji knew that Yin Mo was a famous scholar in Jingzhou and was highly regarded by his father, so of course he had to stay in a courtyard.

After settling Yin Mo in, Liu Ji hurriedly went to report to Lu Su.

Since Gan Ning was officially appointed as the Prefect of Yuzhang Commandery by the imperial court, the powerful families of Yuzhang Commandery have clearly changed their attitude. They have come to visit Gan Ning one after another and recommended their sons to serve in the commandery and county governments. This is a sign that he has been recognized and that powerful families are willing to recommend their outstanding sons to serve Gan Ning.

Another important sign is that Liu Ji was willing to serve Gan Ning. If Gan Ning had not been appointed by the court as the Prefect of Yuzhang, how could Liu Ji, a descendant of Liu Fei, have served him?

In early spring, Gan Ning was inspecting spring plowing outside the city. Why do rulers always inspect spring plowing? There is a very simple truth behind this: rulers must ensure that their people are well-fed. Only in this way can they gain the approval of their subjects. Only then will their rule be legitimate and legal. This is the only standard, both ancient and modern, in China and abroad.

Gan Ning led his personal guards on horseback to the riverbank, where a dragon-bone waterwheel, which he had successfully improved, lay. In fact, it was not a revolutionary waterwheel, but just a simple improvement. The previous tipper was already quite good, but it could only be used on land parallel to the river, not on higher ground. The dragon-bone waterwheel solved the problem of transporting water from low to high places.

Decades later, Ma Jun also invented the dragon-bone waterwheel in the north, but unfortunately his patent was stolen by a historical cheat.

As Gan Ning approached the waterwheel, he saw a young scholar emerge from beneath it, soaking wet, sighing repeatedly, "If only there were another axle, what a pity!"

Gan Ning asked with a smile, "Who are you? What good ideas do you have?"

Li Zhuan clasped his hands and said, "I am Li Zhuan from Xiangyang. I was passing by and found this waterwheel to be quite creative, but it is also slightly lacking, which is a pity."

Gan Ning's heart skipped a beat, and he asked with a smile, "Do you mean that it's a bit difficult to pedal when you say it's lacking?"

"Exactly!"

Gan Ning also felt that pedaling was indeed too strenuous, which was a major flaw. He wanted to improve it but couldn't find the problem.

"Does Young Master Li have a way to improve this?"

Li Zhuan nodded. "I've been thinking about it, and it's probably due to a problem with the bottom transition. I went down to take a look, and it's true that one axis is missing. If we add another axis, the bottom flip will be smooth."

Gan Ning was overjoyed. Li Zhuan had hit the nail on the head with one sentence: it was indeed caused by the bottom not turning smoothly.

"Is Young Master Li here in Nanchang for a job interview?"

"Indeed, I am quite skilled and interested in mechanical craftsmanship. I wonder if there is a suitable official position available."

Gan Ning laughed heartily, "Just because of what you said, I'll also establish a Machinery Bureau."

Li Zhuan sensed something amiss and cautiously asked, "You are—"

Gan Ning smiled and said, "I am Gan Ning from Yuzhang!"

(End of this chapter)