Chapter 125 On the Road: Governing a Large Country is Like Cooking a Small Fish
News of the generals of Songyang County capturing Lintong Pass reached the imperial court at an urgent speed of eight hundred li, along with Zhuge Liang's proclamation denouncing the rebels.
"They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!"
The eldest prince—the young monarch who had now ascended the throne—slammed the proclamation onto the dragon throne, causing the incense burner to vibrate loudly. His knuckles, gripping the letter, turned white, and the veins on the back of his hands bulged. The cuffs of his bright yellow dragon robe rose and fell violently with his rapid breathing.
The eunuchs below lowered their bodies even further, their foreheads almost touching the cold gold bricks.
The new emperor had only been on the throne for a little over a month, and this was already the third time he had unleashed his fury. Each time, it was because of Songyang County.
Even the eunuchs had heard of Songyang County, where the "Songyang Free School" was established, open to all school-aged children, regardless of wealth. A man named Zhuge Liang compiled primers and ordered copies of classical texts to be stored in the county school. He also frequently lectured at the school, teaching military strategy and mathematics, so that the children of Songyang would not only be literate but also understand principles.
This was a great thing; even the eunuchs who had long lived deep within the palace heard the people's praise for Zhuge Liang.
They even heard people say: "If only they were in Songyang County."
Where is Lu Zhiyun?
The emperor spat out these words through gritted teeth, his voice as cold as ice. Tens of thousands of troops and his trusted general had indeed already set off, but military reports were always delayed, and he desperately needed a definitive answer.
"Reporting to Your Majesty..." The young eunuch kneeling at the front trembled, his voice barely audible, "General Lu, according to the itinerary... according to the itinerary..."
At this moment, Lu Zhiyun also asked the soldiers in front, "How much longer until we reach Songyang County?" Originally, they were going to suppress those rebellious refugees, but now they had to change their route to Songyang County, which caused them to be delayed on the road.
"Reporting to the general, there are still two days left."
Lu Zhiyun squinted and gazed into the distance. As dusk settled, the distant mountains were reduced to blurry outlines in the last rays of the setting sun, like an unfinished ink painting.
He reined in his horse and stopped; the dewdrops clinging to his armor trembled slightly in the evening breeze.
Since the route was changed, rumors about Songyang County have been constantly circulating in his ears. Now, gazing at the direction hidden in the twilight, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
"General?" the lieutenant called softly when he saw him lost in thought.
Lu Zhiyun withdrew his gaze, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the reins: "Continue."
"Yes. According to our scouts, Songyang County is indeed unusual." The deputy general lowered his voice. "The county has a free school called Songyang School, which can be attended by children of all social classes, regardless of their wealth. What's even more remarkable is that Songyang County also has textile workshops specifically for women, allowing them to both manage their households and earn money to supplement their income."
A desolate evening breeze blew by. Lu Zhiyun suddenly recalled the scenes of starving corpses strewn across the fields along the road to suppress the rebellion, and his heart tightened inexplicably.
"Anything else?"
"In front of the county government office stands a plaque that reads 'A Clear Mirror Hangs High,' and it is said that people are allowed to watch the trials. Whenever there is free time, that Zhuge Liang will also hold lectures at the county school, and everyone from white-haired old men to young children can go and listen." The deputy general said, and he couldn't help but show his longing. "The most amazing thing is that they implemented a work-for-relief program, so as long as the displaced people were willing to work, they would have food and shelter."
Lu Zhiyun snorted coldly, "Just trying to win people's hearts." But despite his words, his hand on the reins tightened unconsciously. As a general, he knew all too well what it meant to be in a place where the people's hearts were with him—it would be the most difficult fortress to conquer.
The distant sound of a night watchman's clapper echoed, particularly clear in the quiet night. The lieutenant hesitated for a moment, then said, "General, there's one more thing... The garrison troops of Songyang County are mostly local young men. They... they call themselves the local militia."
The moonlight quietly climbed onto Lu Zhiyun's armor, casting shadows of varying depths on his resolute face.
He suddenly understood why His Majesty was so furious—this was no ordinary rebellion, but a new world in the making. A place that the people genuinely support is more terrifying than an army of 100,000.
"Pass down the order,"
Lu Zhiyun's voice suddenly turned exceptionally cold and hard, "Set off as soon as possible tomorrow. I want to see if this paradise can withstand the trampling of iron cavalry."
A crow let out a mournful cry in the woods, startling a flock of birds into flight.
Django opened his eyes as he heard the rooster crowing outside.
She put on her robe and got up, scooping up a handful of warm water to wash her face; the cool water droplets slid down her chin. She looked at herself in the bronze mirror—her features were more defined, sharper than before.
I'm going for a walk in the streets today, but I can't bring Zhou Yu with me like before.
Django chuckled.
That incredibly handsome Zhou Yu, ever since he caused a commotion in the marketplace, has been semi-forcibly confined by Zhuge Liang to the government office to handle paperwork. Jiang Ge still finds the memory of the scene—women throwing fruit at his carriage—quite amusing.
It turns out that being too handsome can also be a burden.
As dawn broke, Jiang Ge didn't go to the clerk's office, but instead walked alone on the streets of Songyang County. The bluestone pavement gleamed from the dew, and the shops on both sides were gradually taking down their doors. The breakfast vendors had already set up their stoves, and the white steam rising from the steamers, carrying the aroma of steamed buns, flowed through the streets and alleys.
"Good morning, Magistrate Jiang!" Old Wang, who sells tofu, was the first to see him and hurriedly ladled out a bowl of hot soy milk. "It's freshly ground this morning, please have a taste."
Drinking soy milk has long been a habit for the people of Songyang County. A bowl of hot soy milk in the morning doesn't cost much, and as long as they can find work, they won't go hungry.
Jiang Ge took the rough porcelain bowl, feeling the warmth spreading from her fingertips. Gazing at the gradually brightening sky at the end of the street, she suddenly recalled her first visit to Songyang County—back then, nine out of ten shops on the street were empty. Now, even the poorest porters on this street could enjoy a bowl of hot soy milk in the morning.
"Lord Zhuge!" came the cheers of children from the street corner.
In the entire Songyang County, only Zhuge Liang would receive such a loud cheer.
Jiang Ge turned his head and saw Zhuge Liang walking out of the morning mist in a plain robe. He held a scroll of bamboo slips in his hand, and the jade pendant hanging from his waist swayed gently as he walked. Several young children jumped around him, and one of the bolder ones tugged at his sleeve, asking what the day's lessons were.
"Today we'll be studying the Book of Poetry." Zhuge Liang bent down and patted the child's head. "You go to the school to study first, I'll be there shortly."
Zhuge Liang wasn't the only teacher in this school. Anyone with a spare moment was eager to come and show off their skills—after all, who doesn't have a special talent?
Du Fu would occasionally come to teach the children to write poetry. He would stroke his beard, squint at the window, and slowly recite: "Two orioles sing in the green willows..." The children below would then sway their heads and nod along, their tender voices rising and falling. Although not very fluent, they had a unique charm.
Zhou Yu also came; he taught music theory.
With a pluck of his slender fingers on the strings, clear and melodious music flowed out like a torrent. The children listened intently, their eyes wide. A few of the bolder ones even went closer and cautiously touched the instrument, as if they could somehow acquire some of Zhou Yu's charm.
Yuchi Jingde didn't come often, but every time he did, he taught the children martial arts. With his tiger-like eyes wide open and his voice booming like a bell, he would shout, "Stand like a pine tree, sit like a bell!" The little children would then try to imitate him by practicing horse stance, but after a while they would stagger and fall, which made the dark-faced general laugh heartily.
What's most unexpected is that Wei Zhongxian even attended the class. He didn't teach the classics, but rather "how to thrive in the officialdom."
The students sitting below the hall hadn't even achieved the title of a child scholar; the oldest was no more than ten years old. They all stared with wide, round eyes at the strange uncle on the stage with a warm smile.
"In life, you have to learn to read people's expressions..." Wei Zhongxian said slowly, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "For example, you say what your boss likes to hear; you never mention what your boss dislikes..."
The children listened, somewhat bewildered, finding the uncle's words amusing but unaware of the wealth of experience hidden within. A few clever ones, however, secretly imitated him, pacing back and forth with their hands behind their backs, trying to appear mature, which amused onlookers.
The teachers in this school each have their own skills and their own temperaments. But no matter who it is, as long as they stand on the platform, the children below will all look up at them with expectant eyes.
However, they still loved Zhuge Liang the most. After the children circled around Zhuge Liang and laughed for a while, they ran away.
After the children had run far away, Zhuge Liang approached Jiang Ge. The morning light fell on his gaunt face, and a faint bluish shadow appeared under his eyes, indicating that he had not slept all night again.
"Stayed up all night again?" Jiang Ge handed over a bowl of soy milk.
Zhuge Liang took the bowl, his smile gentle: "I couldn't sleep yesterday because I was thinking about opening up sea routes." He pointed to the dock under expansion in the distance, "We still need to think about it."
The two walked side by side through the gradually awakening streets. As they passed the county school, the sound of students reading aloud could be heard through the courtyard walls. Zhuge Liang stopped and took out a scroll of silk from his sleeve: "I'm thinking of first testing General Bai Qi's newly compiled military strategy manual in the county school's martial arts department."
The students of this school are truly fortunate to have so many renowned ministers and generals teaching them with their hearts; they are bound to learn some real skills.
Having skills makes life easier in this world.
Jiang Ge unfolded the silk scroll, which was densely covered with the key points of battle formations, with annotations in red ink at the edges. She suddenly remembered the military report she had received yesterday: "I heard that Lu Zhiyun's army has reached a hundred miles away."
Upon hearing this news, Zhuge Liang remained expressionless, only glancing towards the training ground. From there came the sounds of orderly drills, and Bai Qi could be vaguely seen instructing the soldiers.
“Songyang wasn’t built in a day.” Zhuge Liang’s voice was soft. “Magistrate Jiang, we established free schools, developed water conservancy projects, and opened trade routes, not for the purpose of fighting anyone today.”
Turning the corner, the view suddenly opened up. In front of the newly built textile workshop, female workers were lining up to start their shift. Yuchi Jingde, leading a patrol to maintain order, greeted the two with a fist and palm salute. The clatter of looms emanated from the workshop, like a unique morning melody.
"Where is Qin Shubao?" Jiang Ge asked.
"It's at the city gate."
As the morning mist dissipated, the two climbed the city wall. Looking down upon the entire city, wisps of smoke rose from chimneys, and the streets and alleys were orderly. The docks were bustling with people, the schools echoed with the sound of students reciting their lessons, and the workshops resonated with the clatter of looms. Outside the city, in the crisscrossing fields, early-rising farmers had already begun their work.
"It's hard to imagine that Songyang County would one day be so prosperous," Jiang Ge exclaimed.
Zhuge Liang leaned against the crenellations of the city wall, his gaze distant: "Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. The same applies to Songyang County; when the heat is right, the flavor will naturally emerge."
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Author's Note: I'll try my best to finish this month. [clasped hands]
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