The funds arrived, and the entire county office erupted in excitement.
No one had expected the prefectural government to provide them with this money. After all, they had already borrowed once before, and that loan had not yet been repaid; whether they could repay it in the future was uncertain. But that didn’t matter—the important thing was that the prefecture had set aside past grudges and given them another sum. It was an unexpected delight. Everyone swarmed around Pei Zhu, praising him as clever, extraordinary, and far-sighted!
Cheng Si, who had been responsible for guarding the warehouse and had later been saved by Pei Zhu from Zheng Xingcheng, almost had the word “admiration” written all over his face: “Sir, you’re truly amazing! Whatever you set your mind to, there’s nothing you cannot accomplish!”
Pei Zhu accepted all the praise without reservation, his confidence swelling to its peak. Indeed, he was just that impressive!
Of course, Wei Ping had also been excellent, and Pei Zhu didn’t hold back in praising him as well.
Although Wei Ping’s face remained composed, only he knew the excitement and elation surging in his heart. He hadn’t expected to be recognized for his contributions, and now he had received the lord’s praise. It felt wonderful—but he had to restrain himself, not showing his emotions, and certainly not give the impression of being an unsteady subordinate.
“There’s nothing you can’t accomplish~” Zhang Rusheng mockingly imitated Cheng Si’s words, scoffing, “I knew Cheng Si was a fence-sitter; I shouldn’t have bothered helping him back then.”
Every one of the clerks and minor officials in the office had once benefited from Lord Zheng. Take Zhang Rusheng, for example—his loyalty to Zheng Xingcheng had been because Zheng had tirelessly promoted him. The same went for others. Yet in the end, few actually remembered the favor. Now, Pei Zhu had easily won them over with small kindnesses—a bunch of shallow-minded opportunists.
Although Zheng Xingcheng resented Pei Zhu for stealing the limelight, he wasn’t angry about Cheng Si and the others switching allegiances. He had originally cultivated their closeness as a strategy, never investing true emotion. Let these fence-sitters go where they pleased—the priority now was to strengthen ties with Youzhou. If this led to promotions, all his efforts would be worthwhile.
The money was quickly credited to their account, and that afternoon Pei Zhu personally went to the worksite to fulfill his promise.
All temporary workers recruited were provided two meals by the county office, using leftover tax grain that hadn’t been consumed earlier. Pei Zhu had closely overseen this to ensure Zheng Xingcheng couldn’t pocket any of it—essentially extracting it by force from him. Beyond the two meals, the temporary workers in Yongning County also received an extra sum, which had been agreed upon in advance.
The villagers had not expected to actually receive payment, and so quickly. When they went to collect their wages, it felt like a dream, utterly surreal.
They were able to get money from the county office, and it was even paid according to market rates. When the previous magistrate Chen had been in office, this had never happened; just avoiding outright theft from them had been a blessing. Things were truly different now—since Lord Pei arrived, the county office’s attitude had completely changed!
Yet some still worried: “Sir, won’t giving out this money affect you?”
Pei Zhu could only laugh and cry at the same time, repeatedly emphasizing, “It won’t affect anything. The office still has funds, really.”
Money in the account is meant to be spent. Though Pei Zhu had never been wealthy, he understood that large sums are earned, not saved. If the county ran out of money later, they could always borrow again. Borrowing once would make him a grandson; borrowing endlessly would make him a king!
As the people of Yongning County queued for their wages, others from surrounding counties looked on with empty bowls and felt resentment: “Why do they get money and we don’t? We’re doing the same work. The Yongning County office is so unfair.”
Some angrily approached the clerks distributing the money, only to be frustrated further: “Our wages are for Yongning County workers. They were recruited by our county office; if you want payment, go to your own county office. Whoever recruits is responsible.”
“But we’re working for Yongning County too!”
“That’s different,” Cheng Si, now fluent after a few days with Pei Zhu, explained: “The canal is built in Yongning County, but all counties benefit. So you’re not working for Yongning County; you’re working for your own county office, for your own magistrate. When each county sent people, it was to contribute their share. Yongning County is already so poor, and still borrowed money from the prefecture to pay wages. Your county is wealthier—don’t be so greedy. Isn’t that shameful?”
After summoning the other Yongning County workers to collect their wages, Pei Zhu also accompanied the magistrate on a canal inspection.
Unable to argue, the others reluctantly stepped back, watching the county official interact warmly with the villagers while their own counties remained cold and detached.
The desire for wages outweighed fear of the office. Yongning County’s new magistrate was truly kind, so when villagers returned home, they began asking their own county offices about wages.
County magistrates were caught off guard. Weren’t these laborers providing free work? It was already generous for the county to provide any compensation. Yet now villagers wanted money? How presumptuous.
But before the magistrates could dismiss them, the villagers asserted: “Yongning County pays!”
“Yes, and their magistrate even visits daily, insisting the clerks not whip the villagers. Any abuse is severely punished.”
“Yongning County provides wages, two meals, and ensures everyone eats well.”
These statements left no room for excuses or refusal. Comparisons made it obvious—Pei Zhu’s leadership demonstrated genuine care for the people. If they didn’t pay, they would appear worse than Yongning County.
Reluctantly, surrounding counties provided funds, and resolved not to partner with Yongning County again. Pei Zhu insisted on recruiting labor, even when it could have counted as compulsory work—it seemed he had too much money to worry about modesty.
Even the prefecture began grumbling, thinking, if the governor hadn’t insisted, Pei Zhu couldn’t have been so audacious.
The next day, Zhang, magistrate of nearby Anping County, couldn’t resist visiting the canal worksite. Yongning County had long been looked down upon by other counties—why should Pei Zhu outshine them?
When Zhang arrived, Pei Zhu had already inspected the work, checked progress, distributed wages, and spoken warmly to villagers.
Tsk, all for show, Zhang silently watched from the riverbank.
Only when Wei Ping reminded him did Pei Zhu notice the Anping magistrate. He approached with good manners and thanked him.
Zhang’s gaze dropped to Pei Zhu’s mud-covered boots, realizing this young man spared no effort to appear diligent: “Lord Pei is truly hands-on… You’ve outshone us elders by keeping so busy!”
He tried to mock, but Pei Zhu simply responded: “Then you should show your own effort, shouldn’t you?”
Zhang, momentarily speechless, realized Pei Zhu might not even comprehend the sarcasm.
Pei Zhu pressed on: “The work schedule is tight, plenty of chances to shine. Magistrate Zhang, you could send more people. If the work succeeds, wouldn’t the prefecture remember Anping County’s contributions?”
Zhang stepped back, startled: “Don’t mention this… Anping County doesn’t have enough personnel.”
Pei Zhu sincerely held Zhang’s hand: “No worries, there will be next time. When Yongning County undertakes a major project, I’ll notify you first. Our counties are close, and should support each other.”
Zhang forced a dry laugh, reluctantly withdrawing his hand—it hurt. He dared not provoke further; he hurried back home, unable to greet his villagers properly.
Pei Zhu, seeing Zhang as too reserved, thought, “Good, the more we interact, the easier it will be to borrow money later.”
Meanwhile, in the capital, officials were careful with their words.
A few days prior, news arrived from Youzhou that nomads had attempted to raid in autumn, planning to attack the city. Although Youzhou successfully defended its borders, the nomads had tricked them and stolen tax grain and funds.
The emperor had been negotiating with the Eastern Hu for the northwest war, but now the Eastern Hu humiliated them, showing they held Liang Kingdom in contempt.
The damage was suffered, but it couldn’t go unresolved. The court had sent a letter of protest to the Eastern Hu, but their response was unclear.
After investigation, the culprit was found—it was their own fault. Liang Kingdom had not wronged them.
Thousands of men were sent out, but only a few hundred returned. Bao Rijin and others were injured and recovering. Bao Rijin, though holding no official post, had family in the royal court and a sister who was a favored consort of the Khan. Known for being aggressive and reckless, he had suffered a major setback.
Bao Rijin, already frustrated, was further questioned by his family about allegedly hoarding grain and funds.
He was indignant: “…?”
How could he have taken anything? He’d even lost his prized horse.
“You must have taken something,” his family insisted. “The Liang Kingdom wrote to hold us accountable, claiming our people stole Yongning County’s grain and funds, planning an attack. Only you went south this autumn; this grain must be in your hands.”
Bao Rijin exploded: “Nonsense! That’s slander!”
He admitted the battle was lost, but refused to acknowledge stealing the grain or money. Already humiliated by defeat, to be falsely accused was infuriating.
He gritted his teeth, face twisted: “It must have been Liang’s own guards stealing, yet they blame us. Infuriating, absolutely infuriating!”
His family exchanged glances, choosing not to press—he was steadfast in denial.
The more he denied, the more believable the story seemed. Even those who had gone south with him began doubting: could it really have been them?