The more lush
Jiang Heng returned to his study and immediately began grinding ink. Looking at a blank sheet of paper on the table, he removed his official robes, picked up a brush, and quickly wrote the opening. After an incense stick had burned, he rolled up the letter, sealed it to his lips, and watched the pigeons fly high into the sky. A cool breeze swept by, and Jiang Heng felt a chill. He then realized that he was soaked in sweat, his clothes clinging to his body like swamps. Zhao Chen called him at that moment, and Jiang Heng hastily changed into a plain robe and quickly walked into the hall.
"You must have seen what happened to Fu Qinxiang and the others. Now Liu Guanhua has framed the Sa Taqi and will probably have to plunder the treasures to make up for the tax evasion. What should we do?" Zhao Chenben was leaning back in his chair. When he saw Jiang Heng arrive, he was helped to sit up by his guards. "This man is so cunning after only a short time in office. It is really worrying."
"Don't be hasty, Attendant. Although the Sa Taqi have scattered and disappeared, Liu Guanhua belongs to the Revenue Collection Department, so he's likely even less likely to be contacted. He's probably gambling. The Sa Taqi's strict discipline is well-known throughout the Great Zhao Dynasty. Liu Guanhua must have a backup plan for framing them like this. I was his classmate in the past, and I know his character a little—he's timid, cowardly, and cunning, always wearing many faces. He's pretending to request a transfer to Banrihua, but given his stubbornness, he won't go personally. He's just using this opportunity to inspect Banrihua." "It's just a matter of situation. As for the Sa Taqi, after this action, they won't know the details. If they return to the capital in full force, wouldn't that precisely demonstrate the entire army's loyalty to the emperor and patriotism? Even if the emperor inquires, the Sa Taqi can submit their battle logs and captured supplies together, and they can also question Liu Guanhua about the smuggling routes he 'discovered,' then present evidence to dismantle them one by one. This would be a perfect opportunity to prove that they did not smuggle, thus putting Liu Guanhua in a difficult position. So, either way, it works." After Jiang Heng finished speaking, he stepped forward to pour tea for Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen glanced at Jiang Heng in disbelief. The young man lowered his eyes, composed. "...We've covered the horizontal, but what about the vertical?" Zhao Chen stared intently at Jiang Heng, continuing to observe his expression. "What if the cavalry is wiped out?"
Jiang Heng respectfully stepped back, cupped his hands, and said, "Does Your Excellency know why my fiefdom of fifty li is named Half-Sun Flower? Half-Sun Flower grows on a cliff, and merchants call it 'death with fragrance.' It means that things with roots, though the top is worn away, the bottom remains intact. The court has already sent a princess to marry a foreign ruler, and the war situation in the north will be stable in the short term. Your Excellency need not worry. The Governor-General is blessed with good fortune, and the cavalry will certainly be safe."
Zhao Chen suddenly smiled with relief, gently tapping his teacup down, and said, "Haha, Young Master Jiang is quite the charmer. That old man Jiang Zhong is truly blessed to have raised you." He leaned closer, his eyes suddenly turning cunning, "Tell me honestly, you and Peiming must have known each other for several months, right?" Jiang Heng hadn't expected Zhao Chen to be so perceptive, and was momentarily startled, taking two steps back, saying, "Your Excellency is incredibly insightful." Zhao Chen laughed again, "Hahaha, what do you think it is? This lad can't keep secrets. He was extremely upset about losing your horse, and whenever he had a spare moment, he would write to me, not forgetting to praise you. Now you mention the swift cavalry less and don't seem to care about my son Peiming. You two must be exchanging letters. Your composure puts my mind at ease. As for the details, since you're not in a hurry to tell me, then I won't ask any further!"
Jiang Heng smiled as well. The conversation was unusually relaxed, and the tension in his heart eased for the time being. He cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I would appreciate your guidance, Your Excellency and the Governor."
“Now I rely on Young Master Jiang for advice, and that boy will have to be respectful to you… Your father and I were old friends, you can call me Uncle in private,” Zhao Chen said, his gaze fixed on the caisson ceiling. The handle of the Big Dipper at the very top pointed south, and the surrounding wooden structures were carved into the shape of palaces, one of which was modeled after the Jiang family mansion. “He’s so stubborn, you can’t persuade him. Although we are irreconcilable enemies in court, one a civil official and the other a military man, we drink and compose poetry together in private. I was deeply moved the first time I met you.” Jiang Heng had only heard his father talk about his relationship with Zhao Chen in court, but he didn’t know much about the two… Knowing almost nothing about their private relationships, Zhao Chen frowned as he thought about it. "It's normal that you don't know. Your father and I can't appear too close, otherwise Fu Qinxiang will find another opportunity to suppress us—if civil officials and military generals get too close, they might even control the fate of the world." Zhao Chen said, somewhat saddened. "My family only has Xiao Si left, and I don't dare to be too strict with him. In his letter, he was still thanking you for your kindness. I don't know how many times you've saved him. He's not as humble as you are. If he offends you in any way, you can discipline him for me." Zhao Chen waved his hand.
Jiang Heng shook his head and said, "I found the Governor to be a kind and generous person, and approachable. It is because my uncle has raised his son well... Now that I have acknowledged him as my uncle, may I ask if I am permitted to pay my respects to my aunt?" Zhao Chen was stunned for a moment, and then said, "Your aunt is still ill. Perhaps she will recover when Pei Ming returns... When Xiao Si returns, he can take you there." Jiang Heng pursed his lips and nodded, without saying anything more.
—————
That day, Zhao Peiming was working in the fields when he saw Wang Sheng running towards him, shouting "Brother Zhao!" Wang Sheng tripped and fell twice along the way, covered in dust. Ignoring his own cough, Zhao Peiming rushed to help him. He noticed something Wang Sheng was clutching; upon closer inspection, he realized it was Jiang Heng's carrier pigeon. He untied the letter, his brows furrowing. Wang Sheng was equally bewildered, but dared not ask further, simply awaiting his fate. After reading the letter, Zhao Peiming blew his whistle to gather the cavalry, saying, "The situation has changed! We've been falsely accused of smuggling by the tax official, and he may be sending people to investigate. The letter also specifically mentioned that the imperial court might also send people to inspect. We must be extra careful! Whether it's the imperial court or corrupt officials, their servants won't travel quickly. We have four days to prepare." The others looked slightly resentful, some whispering, "It's that newcomer, Liu Guanhua." However, they all maintained discipline and waited for Zhao Peiming to give further orders.
Zhao Peiming leaped onto a large rock at the village entrance, dividing the men and women of the cavalry into two teams. Looking at the determined women, he felt a deep respect, yet couldn't suppress a hint of pride as he said, "I trouble you ladies to register the entire cavalry into the Banrihua household register, ensuring their migration time matches the villagers! Also, make sure their appearance, clothing, and accent are identical to the original villagers!" The women quickly got to work, negotiating with the villagers and soon gaining their support. Zhao Peiming glanced down at the letter, then looked up at the men's team. The men were tanned dark, but their eyes gleamed in the sunlight. "Brothers," he said, "please go around to the wasteland behind the village and build fake graves, pretending to be relatives of the refugees. Hide the armor and weapons inside! Don't give anything away!" The men were excited, picking up shovels and digging behind the village. They described the names on the graves in great detail, some even suggesting using pseudonyms for the weapons, which drew laughter from those around them. The laughter attracted villagers to watch, and Zhao Peiming also rushed to the back village. Everyone then joined in the "disguise" operation.
The cavalry had mostly finished their work by the end of the third day, and the men were gathered around to celebrate. Suddenly, a man awkwardly rose, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "I have a request." The men exchanged glances, guessing what he was about to say. The man then turned to Zhao Peiming, knelt on one knee, and saluted. Zhao Peiming, usually focused on his work and not mingling with his men, was naturally quite startled. Seeing the mocking looks around him, he felt a little flustered and slowly rose, returning the salute without speaking. The man looked up at Zhao Peiming with a questioning gaze, then said firmly, "Brother Zhao, I..." He hesitated, then shrank back.
"Can you hurry up! We've been talking to you for days!" several women complained. "Yeah, didn't you say you were lovesick during our late-night chat? Oh, why are you scared now!" the men chimed in. Zhao Peiming suddenly had a bad feeling, but it was too late. He could only look at the man with a resigned air.
The man then said, "I... want to marry Bai Xian."
Everyone jumped up and teased him, while Zhao Peiming breathed a sigh of relief, signaling for everyone to quiet down, and said, "To be able to tell the brothers about such an important matter today shows you're a truly upright person. I'll be your witness, you will never let them down in this life!" The man nodded solemnly and looked back. Following his gaze, people saw a rather thin woman standing not far away. She wore a faded, coarse red dress, her long hair was slightly rough, tied up and hanging over one shoulder, and her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes were fixed on the man timidly, but not wavering. She was also holding the hand of a child of about three or four years old. The child seemed frail and unsteady on his feet, but his eyes held an unusual firmness.
Zhao Peiming was startled again. They already had a child this big? He was about to question them when the woman knelt down and said, "My daughter, Bai Xian, greets Governor Zhao." The child also knelt and kowtowed twice. Zhao Peiming quickly made his way through the crowd and gently helped Bai Xian up, without actually touching her skin. He then touched the child's head and rubbed her forehead. Once Bai Xian and the child were standing, he said, "Miss Bai, you are too kind. If you two are truly in love, the wedding will be held on an auspicious day."
At this moment, the man walked over and said solemnly, "Brother Zhao, this child is not mine. Ah Xian and Huan'er were abandoned during the war, and I will never let them down in this life." Zhao Peiming nodded and patted the man's shoulder, saying, "In that case, we will all keep an eye on you. If you change your mind even slightly, you will be held responsible." After saying that, the crowd behind him sang a blessing song: "Brother Yuxing has found his love, and his love is as firm as a rock and will never waver..." In the midst of the song, Meng Yuxing and Bai Xian picked up the child, and the child called out loudly, "Daddy!" Meng Yuxing's eyes lit up with joy, and he pinched the child's white, round cheeks, kissing him again and again.
After the banquet, Xiao Hanjin, as usual, escorted Zhao Peiming to his afternoon nap. At the door, he couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhao, when are you planning to get married?" Zhao Peiming glanced at Xiao Hanjin, noticing Gan Lin watching nearby, and casually replied, "Go away, go away. You're so concerned about my affairs. You should teach Gan Lin some Mandarin; I'll be testing him in a few days! Don't teach him anything bad." Xiao Hanjin smiled, agreed, opened the door for Zhao Peiming, and left.
Zhao Peiming entered the room, took off his straw hat and placed it on the wooden table, then took off his outer coat and hung it by the bedside. Only then did he search for the letter among his underwear. The letter paper was thin and small, made of waterproof material, and had not been soaked with sweat; it even still exuded the fragrance of osmanthus. Zhao Peiming unfolded the letter and placed it on top of the other letters in the book before closing it.
This is Chen Shou's *Nong Shu* (农书), which in Wu dialect is also called "Nong Shu" (侬书). What does it say? It says that mulberry and hemp, though grown over many years, become more and more abundant.
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