After returning to the county office, everyone remained anxious and unsettled. Pei Zhu didn’t see Wang Chuo until late into the night. Upon hearing how the people of Anping County had reacted, he remained silent for a long while.
Although Wang Chuo and Mei Yanniang tried their best to defend Yongning County, the situation was still grim. Tomorrow, Anping County would send officials to inspect, and given the damage to the workshop, a dispute was inevitable.
Pei Zhu rubbed his head. Why had he ever been so naive as to think poverty alleviation would be easy? If he could go back, he would have beaten his past self. Moreover, the biggest problem now was no longer poverty relief—it was defending against enemies.
Even with the two countries negotiating peace, the Hu people could still cause trouble by raiding the south from time to time, like the resentful Bao Rijin.
Pei Zhu and Wang Chuo spent the entire night discussing plans and decided to reorganize the county’s servants. Even if they couldn’t be trained into elite soldiers, they at least couldn’t remain so lazy. Also, Pei Zhu was still determined not to give up on earning money—without funds, nothing could be done. Since the Hu people were watching them and the workshop couldn’t operate, they would switch to a home-based production model.
They would decentralize, having the people make incense cakes at home, which the county office would then purchase and resell. Though it would be more cumbersome and quality control would be harder, it was still a viable stopgap.
This approach generated income quickly and could appease Anping County. As for his system tasks, those would have to be postponed; Pei Zhu sought nothing more than to get through the present safely.
Aside from Pei Zhu, the other county servants also tossed and turned all night. The four Sun family men were dismissed immediately—Pei Zhu himself had spoken, and Lord Zheng had refused to plead for them. That alone was enough to serve as a warning. If they continued their laziness, they could be dismissed at any time. Yongning County was so poor that losing their government stipends would make life unbearable.
After a night of planning, Pei Zhu managed to sleep for a brief moment before dawn. “Just rest for now,” he told himself. “Things can’t get any worse.”
But two hours later, he realized he had underestimated the situation.
Yongning County was hit by an earthquake!
Though not severe, the dizziness it caused was frightening. Worse, rocks rolled down from the mountain, and the gold and silver mines Pei Zhu had been reluctant to exploit were destroyed overnight.
The root cause was that despicable Zhao Bingwen. He had returned yesterday and sensed the tense atmosphere in the county office. Knowing he stood no chance against Zheng Xingcheng, he used the excuse of assisting with a case outside the city to slip away early. Coincidentally, the location he went to was at the foot of the mountain where the silver mines were hidden. Even more unfortunately, Zhao Bingwen discovered the silver first after the rocks fell.
He thought he had struck gold and immediately reported it to the prefectural office. With that credit, he could return to the prefectural office and escape the madness of Yongning County.
When the news reached the county office, Pei Zhu stumbled into a chair, nearly vomiting from shock. He had planned for everything—except this.
Zheng Xingcheng cursed violently: “That wretched Zhao Bingwen! Had I known he wasn’t trustworthy, I would have dealt with him the day he arrived!”
It was gold and silver, and Zheng could have had a share. Now the prefectural office had taken over the mines as official mines, leaving nothing for him. It was like cutting flesh from his own body.
Zheng Xingcheng swore vengeance, but Pei Zhu sank into a daze, saying nothing. The money he had saved for Yongning County’s last fallback was gone.
If losing the gold and silver was a major blow, the morning earthquake crushed all illusions.
This earthquake, undoubtedly a random event from the system task, showed Pei Zhu that system punishments were uncontrollable and could affect the entire populace. The tremor wasn’t strong, and no one was hurt, but what about next time? Floods, droughts, plagues… Pei Zhu dared not imagine. In this backward era, humanity had no defense against natural disasters. This was not a game—even with a system, the risks were terrifyingly real.
Tasks had to be completed, and the workshop had to operate, or he couldn’t bear the consequences. He had to restore the workshop at all costs.
As Pei Zhu made this decision, impatient prefectural officials arrived with personnel from Anping County, immediately taking control of the mountain.
Local villagers, alarmed, gathered to await Pei Zhu’s arrival.
Hearing of this, County Magistrate Zhang of Anping was also dismayed. Had the prefectural office not known, they might have returned the money—but now, it was too late.
Pei Zhu rushed to negotiate, explaining the previous night’s attack on the Zeng Chun Workshop and subtly indicating the county’s lack of funds and desire to retain some to cover losses.
The prefectural aide Huang replied coldly: “One matter is separate from another. The attack on Yongning County has nothing to do with mining. Taking over the mines was by order of Prefect Liu, and we are merely executing orders. If you have objections, write to the prefectural office.”
Pei Zhu twitched at the thought. Writing to the prefectural office? They were masters at feigning ignorance.
Seeing Pei Zhu block the way, Huang’s tone hardened: “Pei, don’t forget Yongning County owes the prefectural office money. Even if all the gold and silver are turned over, it may not cover the debt. We have already shown leniency—do not overstep and create embarrassment.”
Zhao Bingwen, however, was infuriated. He had suffered enough and now returned brimming with arrogance: “Why bother with pleasantries? Just dig it up and take it. Leaving it behind just benefits the workshop. What is a border county building a workshop for? Either it’s foolishness or a scheme to pocket profits. The magistrate should investigate the accounts—someone must have skimmed off the top.”
Zheng Xingcheng glared darkly at him. Bold words.
Zhao Bingwen shivered but, long suppressed, he snapped: “Am I wrong? Yongning County has always been poor, yet everyone acts as if the sky is the limit, dreaming of big profits and illusions. Stick to your lands and live your modest lives! Do you really think a workshop can change your fate? Foolishness like this deserves a lifetime of poverty!”
“You’re asking for death!” Pei Zhu, usually even-tempered, flared.
He took a step to strike, but Wei Ping and Zheng Xingcheng were quicker, landing punches that nearly sent Zhao flying. Zheng even added a kick—he had long been annoyed with Zhao.
“Stop!” Huang ordered, quickly surrounding them with soldiers.
“Who dares touch Pei!” The people of Yongning County formed a protective wall, blades drawn. Villagers grabbed tools, glaring at the prefectural men.
They had already fought and defeated the Hu people. If anyone dared touch the county magistrate, they wouldn’t leave alive.
The tension was palpable. Even County Magistrate Zhang of Anping faltered: “Everyone, calm yourselves. With so many civilians watching, if this escalates to Prefect Liu, both sides would be held accountable.”
He glanced wildly at Pei Zhu, clearly worried.
Pei Zhu gritted his teeth and did not move.
Huang, not wanting real conflict, was only there to intimidate. Seeing Yongning County’s people so unyielding, he softened: “The prefectural office has helped Yongning County in every way. Pei, do not endanger your townspeople with pride.”
Pei Zhu scoffed. To insult him was one thing—insult all of Yongning County? If he yielded today, anyone could bully them tomorrow. He looked at Zhao Bingwen, sprawled on the ground: “This man insulted the people of Yongning County. He cannot go unpunished.”
Zhao tried to hide behind Huang, realizing he had overstepped.
Huang said, “Zhao Bingwen has served Prefect Liu for ten years.”
Pei Zhu sneered: “So what? Do you claim Zhao speaks for Liu himself? Does the Prefect despise Yongning County for being poor, or consider its people vulgar?”
Huang was cornered and could not respond.
Zhao turned pale: “I was just venting—what does it have to do with the Prefect? We’ve known each other for years, help me!”
Huang, exasperated, couldn’t help someone so reckless. Pei Zhu refused to step back.
For Zhao Bingwen, it wasn’t worth it. Huang placed a hand on Zhao’s shoulder: “You’ve been in Yongning County long enough. Pack up and return for now. I will request the Prefect’s instructions before taking you back to the prefectural office.”
Zhao was stunned. Not immediate return? How could they abandon him? He was the Prefect’s confidant!
It didn’t matter. Pei Zhu waved, and the four men surged forward, roughly grabbing Zhao by the neck and hauling him into a cart with a grin: “Come on, Master Zhao, let’s pack your things.”
Zhao protested but was silenced with a cloth, and quickly transported back.
The troublemaker subdued, Huang turned to Pei Zhu: “All gold and silver mines in Liang territory are official. Illegal mining is capital offense. The mined ore must be sent to the court to cover military expenses. Pei, do you still intend to oppose the court?”
Pei Zhu hadn’t expected to retain the silver. He had only tried his luck. With hopes dashed and the insolent Zhao dealt with, there was no reason to intervene further.
He stepped aside, letting Huang proceed.
Though the money was gone, future opportunities at the prefectural office could still be leveraged. The prefectural office had been harsh to Yongning County—they deserved it.
With Pei Zhu’s stance clear, the armed servants and villagers stepped back, making way.
County Magistrate Zhang marveled. If he remembered correctly, Pei Zhu had been in Yongning County only a few months. Yet he had earned such unwavering loyalty from everyone—remarkable.
After Huang and his team took control of the mines, it was time for Zhang and his people to act.
But momentum matters: initial fury fades. The angry Anping County onlookers were intimidated by Yongning County’s display, losing any edge in questioning.
The workshop had indeed been damaged, but Pei Zhu had already organized repairs. Only after they saw the ruined rooms in the back did the Anping officials finally despair.
The fire had ruined the rooms—completely unusable. With the Hu people occasionally raiding, the workshop was unsafe. After much consideration, Zhang decided to confront Pei Zhu, realizing the money would have to be returned—if not now, then in arrears.
Before he could speak, Pei Zhu cut in, announcing plans to rebuild the Zeng Chun Workshop and audaciously requesting further support.
Zhang froze: “…?”
How audacious—how could he even ask?