Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 79 The Li Family of Zhending (Bonus 4k chapter for early readers)

Lifting the lid of the pottery urn, the contents were exactly as Zhang Xian had predicted.

The yellow and red sugar syrup piled up in clumps, soaking in the remaining sugar syrup.

"Filter out the sugar syrup with a light gauze and turn out all the sugar granules."

He waved his hand to give the order.

"promise!"

The apprentices clasped their hands in greeting, discussed the matter briefly, and then worked together to begin the operation.

One person brought over a stool, placed the pottery urn on it, and tilted it over.

The remaining people had one person in charge of ensuring the poured sugar water landed steadily in the earthenware jar covered with a light gauze, while another person used a tool to turn out the sugar syrup inside.

The yellow and red sugar syrup was wet and sticky, forming clumps.

After all the sugar syrup from the jars had been poured into the iron basin, Zhang Xian stepped forward and weighed it in his hand.

The syrup weighing about 110 jin (50 kg) eventually solidified into sugar crystals weighing about 80 jin (40 kg).

What? You're asking him how he can be so sure about the weight he's weighing?
Oh, he has a weight-bearing attribute.

[Weight carried: 87/99 jin]

There are many tricks you can use with the panel, and weighing with the weight-bearing attribute is just one of them. So in Peach Blossom Spring, the weight units below 100 jin are exactly the same.

His hands are like scales!
He put down the iron basin and looked at the urn containing the remaining molasses.

These are actually sugar, they just can't solidify.

He looked at the apprentices and said with a smile, "Find a bamboo tube, each of you fill it with some and take it back to your family to try, but don't tell anyone else."

"Thank you for the reward, Master!"

Zhang Xian waved his hand, saying that from now on they would all be artisans in the sugar workshop, and it would be a good thing if a little bit of welfare could win them over.

He watched as the group filled their containers with molasses, each taking only two or three ounces before stopping.

"Pack more, take half a pound home."

There are still more than 30 jin of molasses left. If each person gets half a jin, it won't be more than 3 jin.

Some of them were so grateful that they pretended to be grateful again, but no matter how much Zhang Xian called them, they refused to accept the rest.

Okay.

Zhang Xian secretly approved of it, and put the molasses jar aside, intending to take it to the training ground later.

The sugar in the iron basin wasn't the white sugar he wanted; it was more like brown sugar, which had solidified but still contained pigments.

The next step is to decolorize.

The activated carbon we made earlier will now come in handy.

A ceramic jar with its bottom deliberately broken was used as a filter container. Light gauze was laid inside, along with washed and dried quartz sand, and then a thick layer of activated carbon was laid on top.

This is the key to decolorizing sugar.

Activated carbon adsorbs pigments, the lower layer of quartz sand prevents carbon dust from falling into the container, and the final layer of light gauze filters out impurities once more.

The iron pot is heated and water is poured in. The ratio of water to sugar in the Song and Yuan dynasty charcoal sugar-making technique is three to one.

Three catties of water and one catty of brown sugar were used to dissolve the sugar in warm water to make sugar water, which was then poured into the activated carbon filter tank.

As the sugar water seeps in little by little, the light gauze at the bottom becomes wet, and drops of sugar water fall into the spiral-patterned earthenware jar.

Zhang Xian took a cup, filled it with some sugar water, and after about half a cup, he looked at it. At this point, the sugar water was mainly white and bright in color.

"This is the color, you should all take a look."

He handed the cup to an apprentice beside him, and the group passed it around, memorizing the correct color of the sugar water for this step.

The subsequent steps are actually the same as the steps for boiling sugar three days ago.

Zhang Xian didn't get involved again; he simply watched as the apprentices boiled the filtered sugar water again, offering guidance on techniques and heat control.

Soon, the 260 jin of sugar water, made from 87 jin of sugar, was boiled into syrup again. This time, the syrup was bright white. It was poured into a spiral ceramic urn and covered again. This batch of white sugar should be ready in three days.

"Just continue with the procedures for the next three days. I will come to check again in three days."

"Please take care, Master!"

After leaving the sugar workshop, Zhang Xian found Han Ji and the two rode to the embankment three miles outside Taoyuan.

Dozens of farmers, who were not in the summer, were busy leveling the terrain and then building a stone dam using a mixture of clay and stones.

They had already dug a channel along the side of the upstream stream, allowing the water to flow in a bend before joining the main stream. It was clear that they had experience before and were very skilled at doing this.

"Gongzhi has indeed trained many skilled craftsmen for Taoyuan."

The two horses came side by side. Seeing their enthusiastic scene, Zhang Xian turned to Han Ji and said.

The latter nodded with a hint of pride: "I only became like this when I was living in anonymity to make a living. Before that, I probably wouldn't have looked down on these kinds of jobs."

"It is all thanks to you that Taoyuan craftsmanship exists today; your contributions are indispensable."

Zhang Xian sincerely sighed.

Upon arrival, the two dismounted and looked at the gradually rising surroundings, both nodding in satisfaction.

"Xu Mao!"

Han Ji shouted at the bustling construction site and immediately received a loud response.

"Hey! Mr. Gongzhi!"

A middle-aged man with his hair tied up in a ball-shaped crown and bare chest ran over, his face and body covered in mud.

Upon seeing Zhang Xian beside Han Ji, the man knelt down excitedly: "Your Highness is here! This humble servant, Xu Mao, greets Your Highness!"

He couldn't help but be excited. A few months ago, he and his family were on the verge of death in a shack. If it weren't for a young man asking him if he would like to be a tenant farmer, his whole family would have starved to death by the roadside.

Later, after arriving in Taoyuan, he learned that the person who saved his family that day was named Xiahou Lan, and the person who hired him as a tenant farmer was Xiahou Lan's elder brother, Zhang Xian, also known as Zhang Zixu.

Feeling he could never repay the debt of his family, he put in extra effort than others when he arrived in Taoyuan. Over time, those who regularly worked with him became willing to listen to him.

When Han Ji had assigned some people to build the embankment in Taoyuanli last time, he discovered this and appointed him as the foreman.

Zhang Xian was almost numb to the villagers of Taoyuan constantly kneeling and bowing to him.

Wasn't it said that the kneeling ceremony was not practiced during the Han Dynasty?
Helpless, he could only step forward and help them up, saying, "I've said it so many times, no need for such formalities. You people really are..."

He was both angry and amused, so he could only pat the man on the shoulder to vent his anger.

"Hiss, Master, I have no way to repay your great kindness. All I have left is my strength and my reputation."

Xu Mao grinned, showing his teeth.

It's just the simplicity of someone who has been saved from the brink of death.

Han Ji, left standing to the side, watched with a smile, thinking to himself, "These three thousand people from Peach Blossom Spring are all loyal warriors who would die for their lord."

After the two separated, he interjected, asking, "Xu Mao, how far have we progressed in building the embankment?"

"In response to Mr. Gongzhi, the cofferdam only needs to be completed by the last two meters before it can dry."

"Is it a technique from a certain sect?" Han Ji asked again, cupping his hands in greeting to Zhang Xian as he walked toward the dam.

The chief engineer was inspecting the construction site, and Zhang Xian felt a strange sense of emotion.

He also stepped forward to see what this dam, built entirely by human hands, was like.

Xu Mao followed behind the two men and said softly, "We will do exactly as you say, sir."

"The base was built with piled stones, and the gaps were filled with clay."

The middle layer is currently under construction, made entirely of clay and straw, compacted every ten inches without any slackening.

As they talked, they arrived at the edge of the embankment. Han Ji squatted down to inspect the rammed earth layers, nodded, and stood up: "They really put in a lot of effort."

"Is that the last bamboo cage covering?"

Han Ji pointed to a spot where several women were shoveling pebbles into bamboo cages. Xu Mao smiled sheepishly, "My wife and children are a bit restless at home, so I brought some of my sisters-in-law over to help."

"September is already cool, so do not let them go into the water, as women are more susceptible to catching a cold."

Zhang Xian offered a word of advice.

"The master is kind and benevolent; I will remember that."

Xu Mao bowed respectfully with clasped hands.

"Just remember that. From now on, before you go to work every day, go to the storeroom and get some ginger, boil it in water and give it to all the brothers to ward off the cold."

Zhang Xian waved his hand.

"promise!"

Xu Mao's expression became even more excited.

Han Ji inspected the dam construction from the side, nodded after checking it all, and left.

"The workmanship and quality are all fine. Xu Mao, you've done a great job."

"The master trusts you, sir, so I dare not be careless in the slightest."

Han Ji nodded slightly, smiled, and waved his hand: "Go ahead and get busy."

"Yes."

With that, Xu Mao went back to work.

The remaining two, Zhang Xian and Zhang Xian, strolled along the stream.

"This place is not bad either; no wonder Gongzhi chose to build a dam here."

The wide stream meanders down, and the water here is much more turbulent than that of Taoyuan.

"It was a choice made out of necessity. Above us lies the territory of Puwu, and Taoyuan cannot cross that boundary, so we had no choice but to go down."

"If we go another ten miles or so, we will reach the Li family's village. Building a dam here will inevitably affect their village's water supply. The dam in Taoyuan was built during the flood season when there was plenty of rain, but now it is in the dry season and it will affect their water supply. There will inevitably be a lot of arguments."

"The Li family? The Li family of Zhending?"

Zhang Xian looked in the direction Han Ji pointed.

"Indeed, that is the ancestral land of the Li family, and the Li family residence is located there. Now the eaves are connected, and all of them are Li family tenants."

"If I remember correctly, the Li family monopolizes the pottery business in Zhen Ding County?" Zhang Xian asked.

Han Ji nodded. In the two months he had been in Taoyuan, he had thoroughly investigated almost all the powerful families and clans around Zhen Ding.

"But it encompasses all kinds of pottery."

“Taoyuan is one of their biggest customers. We consume so many pottery jars and vats every month. This dam will only affect the water volume for three or four days at most. We should be able to visit them when we have time.”

Nowadays, Taoyuan consumes countless pottery items every month, and the number of jars needed just for storing wine is in the thousands. He doesn't believe that the Li family wouldn't give him face, even if it's not for the sake of the monks.

"I will go with my lord at that time."

Han Ji was somewhat worried about Zhang Xian going alone. Although his lord had a good reputation in Changshan, some powerful clans were fond of doing dirty things.

"to make."

Zhang Xian nodded in agreement.

The two walked around the area several more times. The 500-acre plot of land wasn't large, and they completed a circuit in about ten minutes.

"The soil here is indeed unsuitable for farming; the soil underneath is too compacted and has poor drainage, however..."

Zhang Xian squatted down to examine the soil, rubbed a few soil particles he had dug up, and looked towards the direction of Lijia Village.

"Now I understand why the Li family started their business here; the clay here is so rich."

"Does our lord still recognize the land?"

Han Ji was quite surprised.

"After farming a few times, I'll recognize the fields even if I didn't know how. How about you come with me to work in the fields during the next busy farming season?"

Zhang Xian stood up, patted the dirt off his hands, and laughed.

"Of course, it's just that I'd like to know what exactly in the fields is so favored by our lord."

Han Ji also laughed.

The Han Dynasty did not have the concept of passing down the family tradition of farming and studying. Farming was always a job for the common people. Even when Han Ji was at his lowest point, he never thought of digging for food in the fields.

As the sun gradually sets, the stream reflects the afterglow, shimmering with golden light.

"It's time to go back."

Zhang Xian mounted his horse and spoke to Han Ji.

The two walked slowly along the stream towards Taoyuan.

"Shall we visit the Li family tomorrow?" Han Ji asked.

Zhang Xian nodded: "It's better to do it sooner rather than later. Once the dam is built, the downstream water flow will slow down. Since we were impolite to begin with, we should go and greet them first."

Han Ji pondered for a moment: "Although the Li family is based on pottery, some of their members are officials in the prefecture. They should not be underestimated. When you go there, my lord, you should treat them with courtesy, but you don't need to be too accommodating."

Zhang Xian chuckled lightly: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Back down? Back down for no reason! If he's being polite, we'll accept; if not, we won't.
A ruthless glint flashed in Zhang Xian's eyes—a glint he had never shown to anyone from a poor family before.

When the two returned to Peach Blossom Spring, it was already dark. The village was dotted with lights and wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys. The sounds of children playing could be heard in the distance, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

Zhang Xian dismounted and turned to Han Ji, saying, "Rest early tonight, and submit the visiting card after breakfast tomorrow."

Han Ji cupped his hands in agreement and said, "Yes."

The next morning, Zhang Xian changed into a plain-colored dark robe, with a jade pendant at his waist. Although it was not luxurious, it was dignified and appropriate.

Han Ji, dressed in the everyday clothes of a Confucian scholar and holding a bamboo slip, looked every bit the scholar. The two rode out of the village, followed by two villagers carrying several jars of rice wine brewed in Taoyuan as a gift for their meeting.

Lijia Village is located about 16 or 17 miles downstream of Taoyuan Creek. At the entrance of the village stands a stone archway with vigorous and powerful inscriptions. The carving technique also reveals a certain charm, clearly the work of a master craftsman.

The village houses are neatly arranged and the roads are smooth, giving it a more prosperous feel than ordinary villages.

As soon as we arrived at the village entrance, a tenant farmer from the Li family came up to ask us something.

Han Ji stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Zhang Zixu of Changshan has come to pay his respects to Lord Li."

Seeing that the two men had an extraordinary bearing, the tenant farmer dared not be negligent and quickly led the way.

As Zhang Xian walked towards Lijia Village, his eyes were filled with surprise; this was the first time he had ever visited someone else's village.

So when I looked around, I couldn't help but make comparisons.

'Hmm, the houses here are much more impressive than those in Peach Blossom Spring. Peach Blossom Spring needs some renovations when we have time.'

Compared to the Li family, which had been passed down for generations, Taoyuan seemed rather dilapidated. All the houses in the village were thatched huts, and even the one he lived in had mud walls.

After walking a thousand steps, I stopped in front of the iron tiles of the fortified wall.

'This must be a fortified village! People often say that powerful families build fortified villages in the countryside; now I've finally seen one.'

Han Ji went to deliver the visiting card, which the gatekeeper received. He bowed to Zhang Xian and ran inside.

"Gongzhi, look how magnificent this fortified village is."

"If my lord wishes, Taoyuan can be done in this way as well."

"You know what, I'm actually a little tempted."

Zhang Xian's eyes flashed. Chaos was approaching, and if they were to live in the countryside for a long time, they would need to build a fortified village.

but
'With the Yellow Turban Rebellion underway, what should we do?'

Is the Western Liang Qiang in chaos?

(End of this chapter)