The small county government of Yongning had now clearly divided into two atmospheres: one full of joy and celebration, the other steeped in resentment and discontent.
Zheng Xingcheng hung his head in frustration, feeling as if a needle had been stuck under him—he couldn’t sit still no matter what. He wanted to leave, but every time he tried to rise, Pei Zhu would press him back down.
Pei Zhu had been boasting for the duration of two incense sticks’ burning. All the officials and clerks of the county office had been called over to listen to him brag and show off. Just when Zheng Xingcheng thought it was finally over, Wei Ping would always find a new point to make Pei Zhu elaborate further.
Damn these two, master and servant—they just wouldn’t stop!
Zheng Xingcheng, embarrassed and furious, immediately lost the slight sympathy he had felt for Pei Zhu after his repeated failures, and disgust took over once more. Glancing at Zhao Bingwen, he couldn’t help internally despising him as useless. Every time he followed along so dutifully, wasn’t Pei Zhu still the one who got the money? Zheng Xingcheng began to doubt whether currying favor with Zhao Bingwen had been the right choice.
But at the moment, there was no other way to get close to Governor Liu, so he could only rely on this fellow.
Finally, when Pei Zhu’s throat grew hoarse from all the bragging, and Wei Ping thoughtfully stopped asking for more details, Zheng Xingcheng jumped up abruptly, ready to make his escape.
Seeing him move, Pei Zhu perked up again and deliberately teased the deputy county magistrate: “Well, Lord Zheng, this is what they call ‘heaven rewards the diligent.’ If I had given up listening to you, would we have gotten this money?”
Zheng Xingcheng ground his teeth and sneered: “Indeed, it’s thanks to the wisdom of the county magistrate. We mere mortals can hardly compare.”
Pei Zhu raised his chin, proud: “You flatter me. It’s just a small matter, nothing worth mentioning.”
Zheng Xingcheng was speechless—after all that boasting, and it’s “nothing worth mentioning”? Hypocritical! Why not strike him with heavenly lightning?
Pei Zhu enjoyed seeing Deputy Zheng with a bellyful of words that he couldn’t say aloud; it made him seem far more approachable than his usual sarcastic tone. However, being petty is fun, but being reckless is harmful. Seeing he had had his fun, Pei Zhu stopped, humming a tune as he happily departed.
Today, he would rest. Tomorrow, he would lead people to recruit workers—the Xiangyi workshop needed to be built quickly.
The people who had tormented him left so easily, leaving Zheng Xingcheng behind in impotent rage.
Let him bask in his pride—let’s see how long he can keep it up. The workshop isn’t even built yet, and he’s already dreaming of getting rich. Which profession makes money that easily? If it were that profitable, wouldn’t the prefectural office come take a share?
Speaking of the prefectural office, Zheng Xingcheng still needed to curry favor with Zhao Bingwen. The man hadn’t gone far, so Zheng Xingcheng quickly caught up, patiently asking how Zhao Bingwen had been, whether there was anything he couldn’t get used to, food or clothing-wise. He also mentioned a few interesting spots in Yongning County, promising to personally take him there when he had free time.
But today, Zhao Bingwen had run into bad luck with Magistrate Zhang and wasn’t in high spirits. He found Zheng Xingcheng’s endless chatter annoying, and so responded coldly. In truth, what fun could there be in a poor county like Yongning? If Zheng Xingcheng weren’t an official of sorts, Zhao Bingwen wouldn’t even bother with him.
Flattery always reveals ulterior motives. Was Zhao Bingwen so easily pleased?
Zheng Xingcheng was slightly annoyed but reminded himself that he still needed this man’s favor, so he patiently coaxed him. In the evening, he even paid out of his own pocket to buy two meat dishes and a jug of wine to present to Zhao Bingwen.
Zhao Bingwen remained haughty, but it didn’t stop him from eating heartily.
Zheng Xingcheng restrained his anger and said nothing, though Zhang Rusheng, watching nearby, felt a pang of pity. Later he complained: “That Zhao Bingwen—he doesn’t know his place. If he weren’t sent by the prefecture, I’d have someone beat him to death!”
“Keep that thought to yourself. Don’t let him notice—it might be useful later.”
Zhang Rusheng scratched his head. “Can he really speak well on our behalf?”
“He definitely can,” Zheng Xingcheng reassured him, and himself. If Pei Zhu could use his shameless skill to get Magistrate Zhang to give money, why couldn’t he? He, Zheng Xingcheng, was dignified, cultured, talented, and no worse than anyone else—he just hadn’t met his patron yet.
He was sure that the wise and heroic Governor Liu would recognize his talent at a glance.
The next morning, the Governor Liu that Zheng Xingcheng had been longing to impress received news: Anping County had indeed agreed to provide funds, contributing both money and labor, and taking only half the profits!
Liu and Du were silent for a while. Was Magistrate Zhang a fool? Previously, they had thought well of him, seeing him as competent and clever. But upon hearing this news, their favorable impression quickly faltered. Anyone who could tolerate Pei Zhu’s antics clearly couldn’t be that sharp.
Yet they unconsciously overlooked that they themselves had once been pestered by the people of Yongning County into paying up. The same situation feels helpless when it happens to you, but foolish when it happens to someone else.
At the same time, Governor Liu grew curious about this young man who so boldly stirred the waters in Yongning County. What kind of person could act so independently?
Meanwhile, Pei Zhu was leading clerks to post recruitment notices. This wasn’t his first time—he had done this during the previous reservoir project. It was then he realized that literacy in Yongning County was shockingly low; not just Yongning, but all of Youzhou and even the whole Liang Kingdom had poor literacy. In most villages, having even one literate person was considered fortunate.
There were no schools, and many people couldn’t even write their own names. Education needed serious attention. Pei Zhu, already envisioning how to spend his wealth, resolved to build more schools once Yongning County prospered.
After posting the notices, Pei Zhu also sent literate clerks to read them aloud in the city and villages. He had written the notice himself; although Master Wang was eloquent, recruitment notices should be simple. It simply stated: “The county government seeks workers to build a workshop. Two meals provided, wages according to market rate, paid daily.”
Clear and straightforward.
The people had no questions—they cared only about the essentials. The last reservoir project had just finished, and now work was available again. Though the New Year was approaching, villagers didn’t want to miss this chance to earn, especially as money was desperately needed. Within a single day, the county had recruited 800–900 workers.
Magistrate Zhang quickly gathered citizens from Anping County as well. Pei Zhu was willing to spend his own money to recruit workers; he wouldn’t skimp for outsiders. He welcomed anyone who could work. Within two days, the construction team was ready.
The workshop site was in the southeastern outskirts of Yongning County, adjacent to Anping County. The terrain was flat and water was convenient. In the future, building roads would be ideal here.
Pei Zhu met up with Magistrate Zhang in advance. All workers would gather at this location. Pei Zhu held a paper, writing and drawing. Zhang glanced over: “What are you doing again?”
“Giving a motivational speech.”
“What?” Zhang didn’t hear clearly.
“For such a large project, it’s important to inspire morale beforehand. Otherwise, with the year-end approaching, people will lack energy, and delays will occur.”
Zhang nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, this was a chance to claim credit. Though he prided himself on his merits, he knew he couldn’t bond with the people as Pei Zhu could. Pei Zhu had no sense of rank; he naturally earned the people’s favor.
He couldn’t let this young upstart steal the spotlight; he had to assert himself.
Pei Zhu pondered for a while. Once the large crowd arrived at the site, he finally had an idea. But before he could speak, Magistrate Zhang calmly stepped forward, cleared his throat, and addressed the people:
“Everyone gathered here today to discuss the workshop, as your magistrate of Anping County, I shall offer a few words of encouragement…”
Pei Zhu froze. Should he speak or not?
Zhang continued citing classics and giving a long speech. After all, Anping County was funding the project; he wanted people to remember their benefactors. But most of the illiterate villagers were confused, remembering only the simplest character: “money.”
“What’s all this talk about?” one whispered.
“Dunno, maybe he wants us to save money? But isn’t the wage set by the county office?”
Though they received wages, they always worked hard; they weren’t freeloading. The villagers only understood that the money came from Anping County. Everything else was lost on them.
Zhang realized he had overcomplicated things. Looking around, he didn’t see the reaction he expected.
“Tsk, ignorant peasants,” he muttered, returning in disappointment. When he saw Pei Zhu, he scolded him: “Weren’t you prepared? Why didn’t you speak?”
He wanted to see what eloquent, earth-shattering speech Pei Zhu could give. Surely Pei Zhu couldn’t organize words as coherently as he imagined.
Pei Zhu was conflicted. If he gave the same speech, he would be undermining Zhang; if not, there would be an awkward silence.
Finally, Pei Zhu threw away the speech. Actions speak louder than words.
He displayed several pieces of fragrant soap publicly.
Zhang frowned. What was this?
Pei Zhu exclaimed: “Everyone, these are fragrant soaps—the product our workshop will make. They cleanse and moisturize. Each small piece is worth one to three guan coins!”
Zhang couldn’t help but think—soap isn’t worth this much. Nonsense!
The crowd was amazed. They had never heard of fragrant soap. Who cared about cleansing? But each piece selling for one or three guan? Was it gold or silver?
Pei Zhu wasn’t exaggerating. He planned both affordable and high-end versions; high-end items would naturally cost more. As long as they sold, that was fine.
He continued persuasively, speaking simply yet inspiringly: “Once the workshop is built, fragrant soaps can be sold across the land. Your daughters may come to work here; all interviews are fair. Once hired, work is paid, meals provided, no one will be mistreated. A marketplace will grow nearby, roads and bridges will follow. In time, both Anping and Yongning counties will benefit!”
Zhang snorted. Coarse language!
Coarse or not, it worked. Everyone could profit, and Pei Zhu didn’t need grand speeches. He only needed to motivate.
The crowd erupted in excitement, focused on their immediate gain. They barely cared what Pei Zhu said next—they just wanted to start work and earn money.
“Of course, the workshop must be built well. If your daughters work here, no cheating or harming others. Offenders will be recorded and their families barred from employment,” he added.
Wang Chuo smiled knowingly. Though blunt, this combination of strictness and reward was effective.
The villagers eagerly promised: “We’ll watch over it—no one will get away with cheating!”
“My daughter’s coming too—she’s very skilled!”
“My wife’s hands are nimble too!”
Soon, they began comparing each other’s women.
Pei Zhu was very satisfied. Nothing motivates people like direct benefits. He spoke plainly, without eloquence, and didn’t overshadow Zhang.
Zhang: “…”
He inexplicably grew even angrier. His elegant speech paled against Pei Zhu’s few words. These commoners really had no discernment.
After the rally, the small site bustled with activity. Pei Zhu finally had a bit of free time but, being restless, sat down to draft a letter to Governor Liu, inviting him to inspect the reservoir next spring.
Of course, the reservoir visit was secondary. Pei Zhu mainly wanted to use Governor Liu’s name for publicity.
In the letter, Pei Zhu openly admitted he wished to invite Governor Liu and asked if he could help invite other magistrates. He also politely requested the governor’s calligraphy to name the reservoir and leave an inscription.
Governor Liu, upon receiving the letter, was incredulous—this man truly had an extraordinary audacity.