After the documents were submitted, the atmosphere in the Yuzhou government office grew heavy, and the tension lingered. They could overlook minor skirmishes by the Hu people, but the theft of tax grain and the money owed by Yongning County was going too far. As for other stolen items, those were private property of Yongning County and had nothing to do with them.
The situation had reached a point where it would be difficult to report to the imperial court. As for their money, Yongning County clearly didn’t intend to handle it—they had spent the entire document lamenting their poverty. Borrowed money must be repaid, of course, but Yongning County was a poor, remote place—they truly had no funds, and there was no way to press them.
The Yuzhou governor pondered for a long time, finally ordering an investigation to be conducted after a few days. If the report proved true, he would have to carefully consider how to draft a memorial concerning the tax grain. The document could not be handled carelessly; it needed to maintain diplomatic appearances while fully absolving Yuzhou. No matter how they argued, he would likely still face criticism in the end.
Yongning County had truly presented him with a major problem.
Because Yongning County had been inefficient, many officials in Yuzhou were already displeased with Pei Zhu, the newly appointed county magistrate. If it weren’t for his incompetence, the situation would not have escalated like this.
Yet outside, storms might rage, but Yongning County itself remained calm.
Although the Hu people had caused trouble for the locals, the county office quickly dispatched clerks to help repair roofs, and Deputy Magistrate Zheng even donated a large amount of wheat for planting. Zheng, who ordinarily didn’t appear wealthy, had shown remarkable generosity at a critical moment, earning him considerable praise.
After the grain was distributed, Zheng Xingcheng received many voluntary gifts of gratitude from the locals—dried vegetables, a few eggs from better-off families—hand-delivered via the market and eventually reaching him.
Pei Zhu also received a number of these gifts.
These tokens of goodwill were precious, and Pei Zhu was deeply moved. Seeing Zheng silent, he thought Zheng should feel the same way, so he clapped a hand on his shoulder: “Deputy Magistrate Zheng, don’t you feel moved as well? When you care for the people, they naturally hold you in their hearts. Respect and affection are mutual. The winter wheat is now being prepared. If you wish to inspect it, you can accompany us outside the city; the locals would surely like to see you.”
Zheng’s mouth twitched. Did Pei Zhu think he cared about this kind of sentiment? Bah! He valued gold, silver, and high office, not these cheap tokens. He tossed the dried vegetables to Zhang Rusheng. Since Pei Zhu already knew everything, there was no reason to pretend: “No need. I have no interest in farming, nor in these lowly dried vegetables.”
Before leaving, Zheng scowled and instructed the clerks: “Next time, don’t accept gifts, and if you do, don’t send them to me. They’re irritating to look at.”
Pei Zhu clicked his tongue. Such a bad temper is hard to change. Having grown up in an orphanage, Pei Zhu had encountered only unfortunate people, but none as irritable as Zheng Xingcheng.
Zheng didn’t care, but Pei Zhu couldn’t ignore it. This year’s winter wheat was ten days later than usual. If he were a magistrate in a wealthy county, he wouldn’t worry about timing or future harvests—but Yongning was poor.
After buying the fields, Pei Zhu went outside daily to check the wheat and survey the county’s surroundings. Wei Ping’s topographical map was too rough, so Pei Zhu had to rely on his own effort.
He was accompanied by Wang Chuo. At first, Wang worried Pei Zhu, delicate and tender, might not adapt to the countryside. Soon, however, he realized he had underestimated Pei Zhu.
In the past, accompanying his best student to inspect conditions or recruit troops, even a full day’s travel felt easy. Now, Wang, older and recently injured, was winded after half a day. Yet Pei Zhu, whom he had doubted, remained energetic, scaling two more hills without complaint.
Wang chuckled bitterly. Forty-six years old, indeed old. As he panted, a shadow appeared before him.
Pei Zhu, realizing he had been so focused on surveying that he neglected an injured companion, turned and hoisted Wang onto his back: “I’ll take you back.”
Their ox cart was still in Shangying Village. Once found, they would return.
Wang stiffened. “Sir, please, you really shouldn’t—let me down.”
“What’s the difference? Didn’t I carry you back when you were unconscious? I can’t let you fall ill again. Don’t worry—once we reach help, I’ll put you down.” Pei Zhu couldn’t bear to lose the county’s scribe—a treasure he had painstakingly retrieved.
Pei Zhu, naturally talkative, rambled on about health and longevity, having learned a few techniques from their orphanage director over the years.
Wang felt conflicted. Were he still a senior official, countless young men would fawn over him, but now he was just a poor, sickly man. He could feel Pei Zhu’s kindness; in all their interactions, he had seen no malice, even toward Zheng Xingcheng, and occasionally Pei Zhu would crack a light joke.
A man caring for the people with such a generous heart—rare indeed. Yet confined to a remote county, what could he achieve?
Wang couldn’t help but ask, “Sir, what do you plan to do next?”
Pei Zhu stopped talking about health and began again: “I won’t hide it. Recently, I’ve been surveying for an important matter. Yongning County lies along the Chaobai River. The tides and white waters are unpredictable, the riverbed shallow, and there are no levees; it often changes course. From records, in nine out of ten years, there are floods, and last summer nearby fields were inundated. If left unchecked, there will be further trouble. I’ve been thinking about constructing a levee or perhaps a reservoir.”
These days he had been scouting for a suitable location.
Wang considered this and said: “Sir, if you don’t mind, I can help.”
Pei Zhu was surprised. “You understand waterworks?”
“I know a little,” Wang replied modestly, having managed canals and two Yellow River floods. After a pause, he asked, “Do you plan to start construction now?”
“No rush. The office is short on funds.”
Just then, Pei Zhu’s long-dormant system suddenly appeared in his mind. Seeing his mission progress, it cheerfully said: “Wow, great progress, Zhu Zhu! Already onto the second mission?”
The sudden voice startled him. “You’re back? And calling me by my nickname?” he muttered.
The system whined: “After arranging Host 2, I came straight to you! You think the first mission was easy for no reason?”
Pei Zhu realized his first task had been made easier by the system. But what about a time limit?
System: “The next mission has a completion deadline. You must finish within the allotted time.”
Pei Zhu inhaled sharply. “And if I can’t?”
“Unexpected disasters may occur. I’m not sure what exactly. You know, I’m new to being a system myself…”
Pei Zhu smiled wryly. Another unknown challenge.
The system added: “Each mission has a time limit. I have to bind the next host now. You handle it.” Then it vanished, leaving Pei Zhu slightly aching in the chest.
Checking the task panel, he noticed a small note: the reservoir mission must be completed in three months. He hadn’t seen it before.
Three months!
He was short on manpower and funds and now had a strict deadline. Life was harsh.
Pei Zhu sniffed, realizing Wang was still thinking. Embarrassed, he said: “Master Wang, the office is short on funds, but we should repair the reservoir levee soon. Do you think it’s possible to finish in three months?”
It was ambitious, but unavoidable. Pei Zhu lamented: “I know this is sudden. If it’s impossible—”
“It is possible,” Wang replied with a tolerant smile.
Pei Zhu’s head spun. Really?
Wang wasn’t bluffing. That day, he drafted a rough map of the Chaobai River system from local records and determined two potential reservoir sites. Both were viable, but field inspection was needed to choose the best.
There were many factors: location, construction costs, manpower, schedule—they had to decide quickly.
Pei Zhu eagerly said: “Then we’ll inspect tomorrow!”
Zheng Xingcheng, as deputy, naturally observed. Receiving Wang’s river map, he was increasingly suspicious. A merchant’s teacher could be so knowledgeable? He sensed Wang was not ordinary.
A reservoir would greatly benefit Yongning County, but Zheng resented Pei Zhu taking charge. Another concern: “The office lacks manpower and funds. The money Yuzhou sent to repair houses is gone, leaving nothing to hire workers.”
“No problem,” Pei Zhu said confidently. He still had the mineral map from the first mission reward. Yongning County’s gold and silver were scarce, but he had no choice but to mine.
Money is replaceable; people are alive. Losing the mines could be remedied later.
The project must be secret. As long as no higher officials came to audit, Pei Zhu could quietly build the reservoir with Zheng, then report after the fact.
Pei Zhu encouraged everyone: “Don’t worry too much about money or labor; things will work out.”
Zheng scoffed: “And if they don’t?”
Pei Zhu, optimistic to a fault, replied: “Then it’s not the end yet.”
Sometimes Zheng truly wished to strangle him.
The next morning, Pei Zhu rose early, had breakfast, and set out with Wang to inspect the Chaoshui River area.
After careful examination, Wang selected a waterway in southern Yongning, bordering Anping County, suitable for a reservoir and flood control.
After discussion, everyone agreed.
Zheng remained silent, curious how Pei Zhu would gather the manpower and funds. Then news arrived: Yuzhou would send officials to investigate the stolen tax grain.
Upon hearing this, Zheng couldn’t sit still. If Yuzhou officials discovered any trace, they would all be finished!