The box opened, revealing three beautiful sheets of gilded paper. One contained a glass recipe, another was for eggplant-purple glazed porcelain, and the last seemed to be a gift—a formula for scented soap.
All of them were profitable ventures, especially the first two. If produced, their selling price would be absurdly high, and just thinking about it promised immense wealth. Unfortunately, glass was too fragile; even if made, it might not survive. The purple porcelain required advanced craftsmanship and a special cobalt ore called “pearl material,” which couldn’t be sourced quickly. So those two were put on hold, to be attempted once the channels were available.
Yongning County, impoverished as it was, could only start with the scented soap factory. Pei Zhu had experimented with soap in school. The earlier experiments had been simple, but this formula was rich: not only a variety of Chinese medicinal herbs but also numerous spices, a dense and intricate recipe. Fundamentally, though, it was still just a basic saponification reaction.
Pei Zhu also thought of another small box that had vanished long ago, feeling some regret—he wondered what might have been inside.
The immediate priority, however, was making money. With capital, more projects could follow. He hoped that the next task would again offer the seed option.
He checked the next mission.
“Construct a factory, achieve the ‘Abundant Wonders’ product achievement, deadline: three months.”
Pei Zhu smiled, holding the formulas. The system’s assignments were running smoothly, keeping him fully occupied.
From the mountaintop, he and the others circled the reservoir. Nothing seemed amiss, and Wang Chuo had examined it carefully; he had simulated the reservoir countless times—there would be no mistakes.
Over twenty thousand workers were waiting nearby. Pei Zhu knew they were eager to go home, so he announced that the work was officially complete, distributed the remaining wages, and brought out the porridge that had long been prepared.
To celebrate the completion, Pei Zhu had over nine hundred jin of salted meat cut and delivered. Though not much, each worker could get a few pieces.
Whether the reservoir would truly alleviate flooding for the villagers was unknown. For now, it was just a big pit, and after so many days of labor, few felt emotionally connected. But the meat in front of them was real and tangible. The workers, surprised by the unexpected treat, were overjoyed, even comparing who got the biggest piece.
In truth, all pieces were similar, but after going so long without meat, any excuse to talk would do.
“Before, I thought Yongning County was stingy. Turns out, it just hadn’t been the right moment. Today the porridge is rich, and there’s so much meat, all handed out without hesitation.”
“It’s been tough these past days, but at least we got paid. A small unexpected joy—this year we can celebrate the New Year properly.” These workers were from neighboring Anping County. Though not as poor as Yongning, they were among the lower-tier counties, and life was not easy for their people.
“Exactly! Looks like I got a leg piece—so fragrant and salty! How much salt must have gone into this?”
Coincidentally, Magistrate Zhang, who had come to observe, also asked about the salt. Salt prices were not low—where did Pei Zhu get so much?
Zheng Xingcheng sneered.
Pei Zhu scratched his head: “Former Magistrate Chen managed well. The county office had stockpiles. Though now it’s all gone.”
Zhang raised his eyebrows skeptically: “Chen was really good at saving.”
“Isn’t that right?” Pei Zhu glanced around.
Zheng Xingcheng snorted louder: stockpiles from the office? Clearly Pei Zhu had seized them! The batch Chen had painstakingly gathered to sell at year-end had been taken by Pei Zhu under the pretense of doing good, avoiding any legal trouble for them in the future. Zheng Xingcheng still fumed at the thought—Pei Zhu had been a constant thorn, taking countless valuable things since his arrival.
Pei Zhu didn’t want to dwell on the salt and redirected the topic to the reservoir. Without water yet, it was still incomplete; once filled, it would become a landmark in Youzhou. He even planned a distinguished name, expecting poets and scholars to come compose works about it.
Revitalizing Yongning County’s enterprise, Pei Zhu grew excited. He approached Magistrate Zhang: “Now that the canal is finished, we must thank all the magistrates for their support. Yongning isn’t wealthy, but we can host a proper gathering. Zhang Sir, if you’re free, I’d like to invite the others and have a get-together.”
They hadn’t yet had a chance to get to know one another.
Zhang raised an eyebrow, staring at Pei Zhu like a fool: “You want to host a feast for the Prefect?”
A poor county office trying to invite other magistrates—what would Prefect Liu think? Youthful and naive, Pei Zhu blurted it out.
Zhang said flatly: “Don’t mention it. If the prefecture hears, who knows what they’ll think.”
Pei Zhu snorted: “Then we’ll invite the Prefect when the reservoir is filled. Everyone will be present, so it’ll be proper.”
Zhang didn’t understand his eagerness—what was the point of a feast? He remembered that in March, when Du went to inspect Yongning County, they had served plain meals, much to Du’s dissatisfaction. Zhang had no expectations for Yongning’s hospitality this time.
Still, outright refusal would be rude. He said lightly: “Whether you can invite the Prefect, we’ll see.”
Pei Zhu thought it worth a try.
After the gathering dispersed, tens of thousands of villagers left the reservoir. Though cold outside, the money earned this winter lightened their steps. The county said water wouldn’t be stored until spring, so they would return then to inspect.
Pei Zhu went with them. The winding road to Yongning was muddy when wet, uncomfortable for him—but temporary. Once he earned money, this road would have to be fixed first.
Thinking of profit, Pei Zhu recalled the formulas in his pocket. His heart burned—no one could stop him from getting rich!
Back at the office, he gathered everyone to tally accounts.
He expected there to be enough funds to build a simple workshop and purchase the first batch of raw materials. But after reviewing, he fell silent.
“This shouldn’t be…” Despite the prefecture giving a decent sum, Pei Zhu was puzzled.
Zheng Xingcheng sneered sarcastically: “Why shouldn’t it? You pay the workers twice daily at market rates, and the office procured numerous items for the canal—three months of expenses flew like water. Of course there’s little left.”
Zhang Rusheng added: “The remaining funds can’t be touched. Daily expenses and official salaries must come from here.”
Even one cent less would slight them.
Pei Zhu still doubted it, recalculated carefully—indeed, almost nothing remained. Some funds had certainly been skimmed during purchases, but he was too busy to investigate properly.
The leftover money wasn’t enough even to buy materials for the workshop. Pei Zhu realized the office had leeches, and he himself had no spending plan. He muttered: “I should have hired someone to manage accounts.”
Neither he, Wang Chuo, nor the picky Zheng Xingcheng were accountants.
Zheng Xingcheng scoffed: “No plan in your mind—doesn’t matter who you hire.”
Managing accounts… Wang Chuo suddenly thought of someone suitable.
Wei Ping asked: “Sir, do you have plans for this money?”
Pei Zhu revealed it: he would build a new workshop.
Zheng Xingcheng sneered: “Workshop? Slaughterhouse or pig farm?”
Pei Zhu emphasized: “A scented soap workshop!”
Nonsense.
Zheng Xingcheng disdained Pei Zhu’s recklessness—too young, thinking he could just run things. Yongning County was poor, in debt, yet he spent recklessly, planning everything.
Zheng made it clear: “This county’s funds cannot be touched. If the workers riot, don’t complain.”
No funds? No problem.
With no money in the accounts, Pei Zhu turned to the hidden gold and silver deposits. Three months was short; he needed to dig them up quickly to fund purchases. Once obtained, he could figure out how to move the funds into official channels.
Hesitation solved nothing—better to act first. But before he could instruct Wei Ping, an uninvited visitor arrived.
The prefecture had sent a new advisor.
“I am Zhao Bingwen, sent by Prefect Liu to assist,” the man said. Medium height, ordinary appearance, lips pressed in a straight line—stern.
Zheng Xingcheng was pleased—likely a trusted aide of Prefect Liu. With the prefecture watching, Pei Zhu could no longer act unilaterally.
Zheng was overjoyed, but Pei Zhu smiled faintly, politely trying to dismiss him: “You’re here for the canal. The work is complete—return to report to the Prefect.”
Zhao Bingwen replied firmly: “Prefect Liu said I should stay here to assist you.”
Pei Zhu: “…”
Unnecessary.
Zheng Xingcheng warmly welcomed Zhao, arranging accommodations overnight.
Pei Zhu sensed Zhao’s intent immediately—confirmed the next day. Zhao’s eyes seemed glued to him wherever he went. Worse, Pei Zhu noticed him quietly noting things on paper in the afternoon.
He was preparing to report—but Pei Zhu hadn’t done anything yet.
Zhao meticulously followed orders: every action, especially regarding money, had to be reported.
Pei Zhu’s suspected discord with Zheng was noted.
His urgency was noted.
His aide Wei’s glare was noted.
Nothing escaped Zhao’s eyes.
In just one day, Pei Zhu was exhausted. With Zhao watching, many actions, especially mining, couldn’t proceed. Anything dug up would inevitably have to be handed over.
But the task was urgent; Pei Zhu had to figure out how to build the workshop. Where to get money?
After a long sigh, inspiration struck Pei Zhu—how had he forgotten him?!