Chapter 39 From Fighting to Understanding Human Relationships (4,000 words, please read and vote)
A sword is most terrifying when it hangs overhead, about to fall but not quite.
Because if you can know exactly when it will fall, you can make up your mind to either close your eyes and wait for death, resist stubbornly, or perish together with it.
But the sword above his head was clearly raised, yet it swayed precariously, leaving the lambs beneath it uncertain of its intent. Every breath they took could bring the executioner's blade down, or they could escape unscathed... not even a quick death could be given.
In short, it makes it impossible for people to let go of their illusions and prepare for struggle.
This is the most agonizing part.
Right now, the local gentry and wealthy families in the top private room of Zuixianlou are caught in this torment, much like being manipulated by a scumbag magistrate. They are all pacing back and forth in the room, sighing and feeling anxious.
The delicious-looking dishes on the table were left untouched by anyone.
"What exactly is the magistrate planning? Didn't we hear that the accounts aren't being audited anymore? Why are those soldiers still loitering around our house every day?"
"Hmph, who said we weren't going to investigate? I heard that on the night of the audit, a sorcerer broke in and burned the accounts. The magistrate was furious and personally beheaded a clerk who colluded with outsiders. It's possible that we won't even need to check the accounts now; we might just confiscate their property under the pretext of arresting the sorcerer!"
"This...you gentlemen are really bold. Now look what's happened, you've directly angered the magistrate."
“What do you mean, Master Cheng? My Chen family are law-abiding citizens of the Great Zhou Dynasty. How could we do something that could cost us our lives?”
"Heh, who in your Chen family doesn't know him? He really is a law-abiding citizen. I heard he even secretly sent someone to Meiluyuan last night to deliver a gift to the magistrate, and the funniest thing is that he was refused... I'm just wondering, why doesn't such a law-abiding citizen make up for all the commercial taxes he missed before? Why doesn't he donate more at the last fundraising banquet when he admires the magistrate so much? Why is he just following the crowd and giving the same story? Oh, so he chickened out. Even the door of a law-abiding citizen's house is patrolled by elite soldiers just like ours."
"You...you old fishmonger..."
"Alright!" Liu Ziwen, who had been sitting at the table with his eyes down, blowing on his tea, suddenly put down his teacup with a "thud".
The argument in the private room stopped, and everyone sat down, each lost in their own thoughts, drinking tea in silence.
A tall, round-faced young gentryman frowned and said, "Gentlemen, stop arguing. Don't forget why we're here today."
An old landlord, sitting at the back, wearing a turban and with a wrinkled face, said with a bitter expression:
"What if the magistrate doesn't come to this apology banquet? Why don't we just send the silver directly to the Deer Garden and apologize in person? The magistrate needs money for disaster relief, so we can all chip in and give it to him. Anything that can be solved with silver isn't a problem. I've said it before, why secretly go against the officials..."
The old landlord, his face clouded with worry, suddenly paused, for Liu Ziwen had stood up, picked up the teapot, and politely poured him tea. The head of the Liu family spoke in a gentle tone, but the words he uttered were anything but mild:
“Uncle Wu, we have been fortunate to receive your support in the past, and everyone has unanimously chosen our Liu family to take the lead. The previous magistrates of Longcheng County also went through the same process, and everyone has seen the results and is very satisfied. At that time, Uncle Wu did not say anything. Now that we have encountered some setbacks, it is not appropriate for Uncle Wu to say such things.”
“No…it’s not appropriate.” Uncle Wu forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, then hesitated, “But the magistrate has soldiers under his command…”
"Liu knows."
Liu Ziwen lowered his eyelids, gently pushed the tea towards the old landlord, and lightly patted the back of his aged hand.
"All this back and forth is nothing more than an exchange of interests and a reciprocal setting of conditions. The fact that Lord Ouyang didn't immediately lead his troops to overturn the table means there's still a chance to talk, and it won't come to a fight to the death. Isn't the purpose of our banquet today to invite guests and apologize? In addition, we'll donate some money under the guise of repairing the government office, and see if Lord Ouyang will be satisfied."
“Since everyone respects me, I will naturally consider everyone’s overall interests. However…” Liu Ziwen changed the subject, “You are not allowed to kneel down and surrender like Uncle Wu just did. This not only harms the interests of our Liu family, but also the interests of everyone present.”
"Okay... alright."
Liu Ziwen smiled easily at everyone, appearing to be in control, which made them relax.
However, Liu Ziwen was not at ease at all. The argument that everyone had just had made him realize the weakness of these landlords and their ulterior motives.
If he knew the term "pig teammate" existed, he would definitely have stuck it all over these people's foreheads right now.
The private room quieted down again. Liu Ziwen calmly drank his tea, and the others, seeing this, regained some confidence.
However, at this moment, Liu Ziwen felt somewhat heavy-hearted.
I don't know how the incident at the East Warehouse yesterday went, or whether the agents sent there burned the incriminating accounts.
Liu Ziwen's men only learned today that on that night, after Xie Lingjiang went to chase after the infiltrator, the county magistrate Ouyang arrived at the East Treasury in time and dragged out the head of an old clerk, which was hung on the city wall after dawn. He also immediately ordered a large number of troops to seal off the East Treasury and it seems that he did not check the accounts again. However, he rewarded the soldiers of the Zhechong Prefecture as soon as it was light, as if there was some major operation.
In the past two days, the brave captain led his soldiers to wander around the streets and alleys of Longcheng, seemingly searching for the Qi cultivator who broke in that night, and also seemingly preparing to break into people's homes and confiscate their property at any time. They paid special attention to the local gentry and wealthy families inside the houses, making everyone feel uneasy.
Did he succeed that night? What exactly was Ouyang Lianghan trying to do?
Liu Ziwen frowned inwardly; the feeling that the situation was slipping out of his control made him very uncomfortable.
Just then, the sound of a group of people walking upstairs came from outside the door.
Liu Ziwen and the local gentry and wealthy people immediately put down their teacups and got up to greet him at the door.
However, when the gatekeeper pushed open the door, the person standing outside was not the young county magistrate, but a young constable in blue.
"Young Master Yan? Why are you here? Where is the magistrate?" someone asked in confusion.
Yan Liulang strode in, not glancing to either side, and walked to the middle of the private room, casually bowing to the crowd and saying:
"The magistrate is busy with official duties and has no time to come over, so he asked me to convey his message on his behalf."
Liu Ziwen and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Although no one came, as long as they didn't stay silent, it was good. If they could send a message, it meant that there were conditions to discuss, and there was room for maneuver.
"Young Master Yan, please take a seat. Someone, bring tea."
"No, it's not much to say. I'll leave after I finish speaking," Yan Liulang shook his head.
"Why don't we sit down and discuss this?"
"The magistrate said there's nothing to discuss about these matters, and you'll definitely agree." The blue-clad constable gave a meaningful look to the puzzled and curious gentry and wealthy people in the private room.
Liu Ziwen exchanged glances with the people behind him, then turned around and bowed in unison:
"What are your orders, Magistrate? Please speak, Officer!"
Yan Liulang first raised two fingers, then lowered one:
"First thing. The 780 strings of cash raised at the last fundraising banquet, plus the amount you're going to donate at this apology banquet... roughly how much was it again?"
Liu Ziwen continued, "We've heard that the county government's back residence was destroyed by the flood and is now uninhabitable. Everyone is worried about our magistrate, so we've decided to donate 1,000 strings of cash from each family, totaling 1,300 strings, to the county government to repair the residence. We hope Your Excellency will accept this donation..."
"Alright, 1,300 strings of cash, right?" Yan Liulang interrupted, and continued to instruct, "Exchange all this money for grain and send it to the disaster relief camp in the suburbs. It must be ten coins per dou, converted from the normal market price before the flood."
"this……"
Liu Ziwen, along with Master Cheng, the Chen family head, Uncle Wu, and others, couldn't help but discuss the matter. Post-disaster grain was a truly scarce commodity; ten coins for a bushel was enough to make any man speechless and woman weep. The group hesitated, until Yan Liulang calmly raised the price:
"The soldiers of Zhechong Prefecture came to Longcheng this time on the orders of Inspector Shen to assist in the investigation of the embezzlement of rice in Jimin Granary. They have almost finished their investigation in the past few days, and Your Excellency will send them back to Jiangzhou to report back soon."
Liu Ziwen immediately agreed, "Okay, two thousand and eighty strings of cash. I'll add a little more and exchange it for grain at ten coins per dou. It can be delivered to the disaster relief camp on the outskirts of the city first thing tomorrow morning. I hope this will relieve the magistrate's worries."
Yan Liulang nodded, seemingly unsurprised, and lowered the last finger:
"The second thing. The magistrate said that the Dragon Boat Festival is approaching. This is an important custom in our ancient Wu and Yue region. In previous years, we would race dragon boats, eat zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), hang mugwort, and worship Qu Yuan. Although there is flooding this year, we cannot be an exception."
“But it seems that none of the surrounding counties are doing it…” Master Cheng hesitated.
"Other counties in Jiangzhou don't hold it, but Longcheng will, and it will be the biggest and best, so that everyone can have a good Dragon Boat Festival."
Liu Ziwen and the others were stunned, but then became alert. "Is the magistrate going to ask us to raise money for the festival again?"
Yan Liulang shook his head and continued:
"No need for donations. The magistrate said that since he has just arrived in Longcheng, he cannot only care about the refugees, but also show some care to the gentry, landlords and wealthy households in the county. He cannot show favoritism. This Dragon Boat Festival is for all the people of the county to participate in. The Longcheng County Government will actively organize the event and share the joy with the people."
Liu Ziwen and the others exchanged glances, none of them immediately responding, probably wondering what the young magistrate was up to.
It wasn't until Yan Liulang nodded and said "However," that the old foxes in the room thought to themselves, "Here he comes."
"However, this Dragon Boat Festival is going to be the biggest and most lively event in the entire Jiangzhou, attracting merchants and tourists from all directions to celebrate. Longcheng is well-connected by waterways, so once the news gets out, it will definitely be a lively gathering."
Yan Liulang pointed in the direction of Butterfly Creek:
"But before we hold this grand event, we need to properly repair Longcheng County, the banks of Butterfly Creek, and Penglang Ferry. Don't you all agree? Also, many of you probably have old houses collapsed and boats damaged in this flood, so we can repair those as well."
Liu Ziwen tentatively asked, "Repairs are necessary, but how should they be done?"
"Of course we won't let your donations go to waste. The government has decided to let the able-bodied men from the disaster relief camp outside the city enter the city to help repair these facilities. However, since these are your houses and pavilions, the county government will not pay for them. Each family will pay for their own labor, and the county government will assist by organizing manpower."
"In addition, during the Dragon Boat Festival, if you wish to hold any activities or banquets, you can come to the government office to apply for able-bodied men from among the refugees, as long as you do not have to pay them on credit."
Upon hearing this, Liu Ziwen and the other local gentry and wealthy people fell into a brief silence.
In fact, the purpose of the plan proposed by Magistrate Ouyang was quite obvious and not hidden at all. Everyone in the private room was a shrewd and cunning person, and they saw it clearly. Wasn't this just "work relief"? The rich provided food, the poor provided labor, and the government provided credit, with everyone getting what they needed.
In addition, Longcheng County's well-developed transportation network connecting Yunmengze and the Yangtze River is also a source of wealth for these local gentry and wealthy people. Attracting merchants and tourists from all directions with a grand Dragon Boat Festival can indeed mitigate the adverse effects of floods and promote trade along the banks of the Butterfly Creek, which is beneficial to them.
Liu Ziwen, Master Cheng, Master Chen, and Uncle Wu were all quite surprised. They never expected that the new county magistrate, who had been so troublesome just a day before that he had overturned the table and wanted to confiscate their property, would suddenly come up with a mild plan that took into account the interests of all parties.
This... is a leap in mindset, jumping directly from fighting and killing to understanding human relationships and social interactions.
Is it really the same person who did it?
Several local gentry members secretly sighed during the meal.
However, perhaps they were frightened by Ouyang Rong, perhaps they were worried about being scammed, or perhaps their family business was unconventional and didn't involve this kind of profit.
Liu Ziwen and the others did not reply immediately.
Yan Liulang wasn't in a hurry. He paced around the luxurious private room of Yuanming Tower with his hands behind his back, occasionally glancing at the expressions of Liu Ziwen and the others, looking completely indifferent...
Well, this is something he recently learned from Mingfu. In Mingfu's words, "To get these people to fall into your trap, you have to be nonchalant and sophisticated, letting them fill in the gaps in your imagination and reinforce your ideas."
Seeing that the time was almost right, Yan Liulang turned around and asked, "What have you all decided?"
Liu Ziwen remained silent, observing Yan Liulang and the others' expressions. In truth, he had little interest in this grand Dragon Boat Festival. The Liu family did not rely on water transport and trade for profit; the swords that the Guyue Sword Shop was going to sell would still be sold as usual, and even if Longcheng was flooded, they would not have to worry about sales.
However, although there is little benefit, there is no harm either; it's a matter of whether it's feasible or not.
Right now, Liu Ziwen needs to temporarily stabilize the new county magistrate who has troops at his disposal and wait for the long term... so why not give him face? Besides, the other gentry and powerful families in the private room seem quite interested in this plan. Although the Liu family is the leader, they can't block the path to wealth for their followers, so they might as well go with the flow.
Liu Ziwen sipped his tea; Master Cheng, Master Chen, Uncle Wu, and others took the initiative to ask some questions about the drainage pits. Yan Liulang answered them one by one, following the instructions of a certain young county magistrate. The two sides had a harmonious conversation.
Seeing that everyone else seemed to agree, Liu Ziwen put down his teacup and took the lead in approving the decision:
“The magistrate loves the people like his own children. Such a plan that benefits Longcheng is certainly acceptable.”
"Alright, I'll go back and report to Magistrate Ming first. Lord Diao and his colleagues will handle the follow-up matters with you all."
"Take care, Little Swallow Constable." The crowd, now relaxed, saw him off.
Yan Liulang nodded and turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, as if remembering something, the blue-clad constable stopped and turned back:
"Oh, right, there's one more thing I forgot to mention. The magistrate said that if things go well with you all today, as a small token of his appreciation, he can lift the price control order on grain throughout the county."
Liu Ziwen was slightly taken aback, thinking he had misheard. "What do you mean?"
"Literally, from today onwards, the government will no longer restrict grain prices in Longcheng County. You can go back and raise prices with confidence, and sell as you please."
The tall, round-faced young gentry covered his mouth and coughed, saying, "Ahem, these are all market prices, not prices we manipulate. They are prices determined by supply and demand in the market. You're joking, sir, hahaha."
Yan Liulang mimicked the expression on the face of the prefect after he gave the instructions, and smiled faintly, "Alright, let's trust the market together. Farewell, everyone."
He nimbly went downstairs and left.
The local gentry and landlords were left standing there, staring at each other in disbelief, seemingly still in a state of astonishment at the unexpected windfall.
Splitting it into two chapters was too rushed. I was afraid that writing it too hastily would cause plot problems, so I'm combining the two into one big chapter... From now on, I should post it at midnight sharp, brothers!
(End of this chapter)
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