Visitors from the Ministry of Works
In early spring, the biting cold wind carries the scent of thawing earth.
In the Shen family workshop in Kaoshan County, the looms hummed with activity. The artisans had enjoyed another bountiful year and were now busy preparing for the new year's orders.
Several carriages bearing the emblem of the Ministry of Works, escorted by elite guards, rolled across the bluestone road outside the workshop and stopped in front of the workshop.
Magistrate Huo, along with his assistant magistrate and others, had been waiting for them. As soon as the carriage came to a stop, they rushed forward.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Feng Yannian, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, slowly stepped out of the carriage with the help of his attendants, leaning on a boxwood cane.
He was dressed in a heavy fur coat, his face was thin, and his eyes seemed cloudy, yet when he scanned his surroundings, there was a scrutinizing air of someone who had long held a high position. Immediately afterwards, an elderly man was carefully helped out of the carriage by a pale-faced, beardless young eunuch.
This man was thin and wiry, with a slightly hunched back. He wore a dark blue eunuch's robe and had a gentle but somewhat stiff smile on his face. His eyelids were drooping, as if he hadn't woken up yet. He was Zhang Bao, a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial.
"Your humble servant, Huo Heng, Magistrate of Linshan County, pays his respects to Vice Minister Feng and Eunuch Zhang!"
Magistrate Huo bowed respectfully, thinking to himself: "The Vice Minister of Works has brought a high-ranking eunuch from the palace to inspect a small workshop? This is far too high a level of protocol."
"This humble subject, Shen Yan, greets Your Excellency and Your Excellency."
Upon hearing the news, Shen Yan and Ling Zhan rushed over and paid their respects according to custom.
Shen Yan was dressed in a plain-colored fine cotton brocade robe, with a tall and handsome figure.
Ling Zhan was dressed in a neat dark blue cotton coat, and his demeanor was calm.
When Shen Yan raised his head, Feng Yannian's grip on his cane tightened almost imperceptibly, and his gaze lingered on Shen Yan's face for a slightly longer time than usual.
And Zhang Bao, who had been keeping his eyes half-closed, slowly raised his eyelids.
His gaze seemed to casually sweep over Chen Yan in his deep-set eyes, and the gentle smile on his face remained unchanged. He only let out a very soft "hmm" sound from his throat, as if it were blocked by phlegm, before he returned to his drowsy appearance.
"Hmm, Mr. Shen is indeed a handsome man."
Feng Yannian withdrew his gaze and offered a flat compliment, his tone revealing little sincerity. "Magistrate Huo, Eunuch Zhang is here on imperial orders to inspect the local people's livelihood. I will accompany him and take a look at your emerging workshops in Linshan County. Lead the way."
He deliberately highlighted Zhang Bao's identity and that he was "ordered by imperial decree," his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Yes, yes, please, gentlemen." Magistrate Huo hurriedly led the way, his doubts deepening.
Shen Yan felt a subtle unease at the slightly prolonged gaze, but he took it as a high-ranking official scrutinizing a commoner. Besides, he was often stared at like that because of his handsome appearance, so he was used to it.
Ling Zhan's gaze lingered for a moment on Zhang Bao's expressionless face.
Her intuition told her that the old eunuch was not as harmless as he appeared, but she was not sure why.
Inside the workshop, modern spinning and weaving machines operate efficiently, producing fine, even, snow-white cotton yarn that weaves into smooth and crisp cotton fabric.
As Feng Yannian listened to Chen Yan's concise introduction, he carefully examined the machines and fabrics, occasionally asking questions about technical details, displaying considerable professionalism.
Zhang Baoze acted like a true "inspector," strolling slowly with his hands behind his back, accompanied by Magistrate Huo. Occasionally, he would pick up a piece of cloth, touch it, and nod. His face always wore that gentle yet distant smile, and he never gave Shen Yan another glance.
"Yes, the fabric is indeed of excellent quality, far superior to ordinary cotton."
Feng Yannian put down the cloth sample in his hand, turned to Shen Yan, and his tone became businesslike, "The Ministry of Works intends to procure a batch of fine cotton cloth for the border troops to make summer clothes. The quantity... five thousand bolts. Delivery before the end of April. The price is negotiable, it can be 20% above the market price. What do you think, Minister Shen?"
This number is a huge burden for Shen's workshop, but it's not entirely impossible; it just requires operating at full capacity and abandoning other orders.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yan frowned slightly.
Five thousand horses, by the end of April... This will almost drain the workshop's entire production capacity for the next two months.
He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously replied, "I am deeply grateful for the high regard shown to me by Your Excellency and the Imperial Court."
However, with a production capacity of only 5,000 horses, the workshop's current capacity may not be able to meet the deadline. If we could extend the deadline by one month..."
“Lord Shen,” Feng Yannian interrupted him, his tone carrying an unquestionable official authority, “Military supplies are of paramount importance, concerning the soldiers guarding the border. How can we afford to delay them? They must be ready by the end of April! If the workshops encounter difficulties, they can recruit more manpower and work day and night. The Ministry of Works will provide the necessary funds and materials.”
He turned his gaze to Ling Zhan, "Madam Ling is skilled at managing the household; she must be adept at organizing things?"
Ling Zhan calmly met Feng Yannian's gaze: "Your Excellency is wise. Recruiting more skilled weavers is not something that can be done overnight, and the new looms also need time to be tested. Reaching five thousand bolts by the end of April is indeed a difficult task. If Your Excellency is lenient, we are willing to do our best to raise four thousand bolts by mid-to-late May, which will be our limit."
She once again displayed an unyielding stance, but her attitude remained respectful.
"Hehehe..."
Zhang Bao, who had been silently observing, suddenly let out a series of low, hoarse laughs, breaking the slightly tense atmosphere. He looked at Ling Zhan, his smile seeming to deepen, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes piling up.
“Madam Ling is indeed quick-witted and shrewd. As long as she does her best in serving the court, that’s enough. Lord Feng, since Madam Ling has already promised four thousand bolts, it’s not unreasonable to extend the deadline a little. We need to give the common people a breather so that we can get the goods done properly and live up to the court’s trust.”
His words sounded like he was trying to smooth things over, or even favoring the Shen family.
But that slow, deliberate tone and the unchanging smile on his face always made people feel that something was off.
Feng Yannian frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with Zhang Bao's attempt to smooth things over, but he did not refute it. He simply said in a deep voice, "In that case, let's go with what Lady Ling says. The four thousand bolts of fine cotton cloth must be delivered by the end of May! Magistrate Huo, this matter will be supervised by your county office to ensure everything goes smoothly!"
He stopped looking at Shen Yan and Ling Zhan, as if the matter had already been settled.
"Your humble servant obeys!"
Magistrate Huo quickly agreed, relieved that things hadn't turned sour on the spot.
He glanced at Shen Yan and Ling Zhan, signaling them to stop while they were ahead.
Shen Yan and Ling Zhan exchanged a glance. Although they felt that the procurement was abrupt and the conditions were harsh, the other party was a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Works, and there was a eunuch "pleading on their behalf," so it seemed that this was the only option.
Shen Yan cupped his hands in greeting: "This humble subject obeys the order and will do his utmost to complete it."
Feng Yannian nodded, said no more, and indicated that he could leave.
Zhang Bao smiled and said to Magistrate Huo, "Lord Huo, the workshops here are excellent, and the people's livelihood is promising. I'd like to go and take a look elsewhere." With that, supported by a young eunuch, he turned and walked unsteadily toward the carriage, never giving Shen Yan a single extra glance.
The convoy slowly drove away, kicking up a cloud of dust.
As Magistrate Huo watched the carriage disappear into the distance, a weight lifted from his heart, and a relaxed smile appeared on his face. He then turned to Shen Yan and Ling Zhan.
"Master Shen, Lady Ling, this matter is finally settled. Four thousand bolts are not easy, but they are better than five thousand. With the county government's support, we will definitely be able to complete it on schedule. In the next few days, I will have the Revenue Department draft a plan, allocate some funds, and assist in recruiting more..."
Before he could finish speaking, a sudden and muffled "bang!" exploded in the corner of the workshop!
Everyone was startled and looked in the direction of the sound.
In the corner, the usually taciturn, hunched-over, one-armed old man, Uncle Yang, had somehow straightened his back! At his feet, the heavy brass oil can had been crushed, tilted to the ground, and oil splattered everywhere!
Yang Bo's face was unusually pale, his lips were pressed into a stiff line, and the muscles in his jaw were taut and trembling slightly.
His remaining arm remained clenched tightly, the knuckles a horrifying bluish-white from excessive force, the bulging veins on the back of his hand clearly visible like coiled venomous snakes. His chest heaved violently, his heavy breathing unusually clear in the suddenly silent workshop.
His cloudy eyes no longer drooped, but stared intently at the direction of the convoy that had long since disappeared outside the workshop gate.
His eyes were frighteningly sharp, as if they could pierce through the wall and nail the departing carriage to the ground!
His gaze was filled with some indescribable, almost bursting, intense emotion—
Was it fear? Was it deep-seated hatred? Or was it a mixture of both and despair?
"Uncle Yang? What's wrong?"
A young craftsman who was closest to him asked in surprise and doubt, and tried to help him up as he swayed slightly.
"Don't touch me!"
Yang Bo suddenly waved his hand, his voice hoarse like the grinding of gravel, carrying an unprecedented, almost out-of-control sharpness! The young craftsman was so frightened that he took a step back. This roar instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Shen Yan, Ling Zhan, and Magistrate Huo all looked at the corner in astonishment.
Yang Bo seemed to realize that he had lost his composure.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the roar that was about to burst from his throat, his chest still heaving violently. He stopped looking at the door and turned around abruptly. His bloodshot, frighteningly sharp eyes locked onto Shen Yan and Ling Zhan, and finally landed on Magistrate Huo.
He strode over, his steps heavy, not at all like an elderly, one-armed man.
He ignored the oil stains on the ground and the astonished looks of the crowd.
He walked straight to a spot three steps away from Shen Yan, Ling Zhan, and Magistrate Huo.
"Son-in-law! Wife! Lord Huo!" Uncle Yang's voice was still hoarse, but it carried a resolute and undeniable urgency. "That batch of cloth! Four thousand bolts! The workshop can't make it! It can't be made!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked!
"Uncle Yang?"
Shen Yan frowned, looking at the old servant who had never been so distraught, with a puzzled expression. "The workshop is struggling, but..."
"It's not strenuous!"
Yang Bo rudely interrupted Shen Yan, his one arm lashing out towards the door, "It can't be done! It's absolutely forbidden!"
His tone was resolute, with an almost obsessive determination.
Magistrate Huo was also stunned, his heart, which had just settled, jumped again: "Old man Yang, what do you mean by this? Didn't we just discuss it with the Vice Minister and the eunuch? How can this be..."
"Agreed upon?"
Yang Bo let out a short, cold laugh, the smile appearing eerily strange on his pale face. "That's a death warrant! For ordinary craftsmen, it's just a noose around their necks!"
He no longer looked at Magistrate Huo.
His gaze was fixed intently on Ling Zhan, his voice low and barely audible to Ling Zhan, yet each word struck like a hammer blow: "My lady! Listen to this old servant! Immediately! Right now! Pack up all those obsolete old looms in the storeroom, and all those spare parts that are about to be replaced! Not the most important core machines! Inventory them! Sell them to Lord Huo!"
Ling Zhan's pupils suddenly contracted!
Although she didn't understand why Uncle Yang was suddenly acting so violently and abnormally, the almost tragic determination and immense sense of crisis that erupted from this old man who had been unknown in the Shen family for several years made her hair stand on end instantly!
She had never seen Uncle Yang look like this before! It wasn't just heartache for the workshop's exhaustion!
Yang Bo gave no one time to think, his one arm suddenly pointing at Magistrate Huo, his words coming out at an astonishing speed: "Magistrate Huo! Can't your county government provide the funds and materials? The site? It's ready! Recruiting manpower? Your county government will issue a notice! The workshops will send people to provide guidance! We'll sell you the machines! The price is negotiable! Those four thousand bolts of cloth! They'll be woven by your county government's newly built 'official weaving workshop'! Complete it within the deadline! The credit will be yours, Magistrate Huo!"
"ah?!"
Magistrate Huo was completely dumbfounded, hardly believing his ears. Sell...sell him the machine? This...
This is the foundation of the Shen family workshop!
Did a pie fall from the sky?
He was panting heavily, his eyes burning like embers as he stared intently at Magistrate Huo: "This incredible achievement! Lord Huo! Do you dare accept it?! Can you handle it properly?!"
Magistrate Huo felt a surge of heat rush to his head! An immense, unbelievable ecstasy instantly overwhelmed him!
A government-run textile workshop? Overseen by Huo Heng? To fulfill the Ministry of Works' military supply orders?
This is simply... a ladder to heaven that leads straight to success!
Yang Bo's words were like a spell, instantly igniting all his ambition!
"I dare! Of course I dare!"
Magistrate Huo practically roared, his voice trembling with excitement, "I'll go back immediately to gather the men! Select a site! Allocate the funds! Old Man Yang! Master Shen! Lady Ling! If this succeeds, I... I will never forget your great kindness!"
He looked at Shen Yan and Ling Zhan, his eyes filled with fervent expectation and pleading.
Shen Yan was completely bewildered by this sudden turn of events, and he looked at Ling Zhan.
Ling Zhan's heart was pounding.
Yang Bo's unusual behavior, his almost sacrificial eagerness, and the huge bait he threw at Magistrate Huo... all pointed to one conclusion: those two old guys who just left brought an irresistible danger that could destroy the Shen family!
In a flash, Ling Zhan made a decision.
"good!"
Ling Zhan's clear and decisive voice instantly silenced all the noise and surprise in the workshop. She looked sharply at Uncle Yang without hesitation: "Uncle Yang, immediately take people to inventory the old machines and spare parts in the warehouse! Make a list!"
He then turned to Magistrate Huo, whose face was flushed with excitement, and spoke rapidly: "Lord Huo, there is no time to lose! Please return to the yamen immediately to prepare! The Shen family will fully cooperate in the allocation of machines, materials, and manpower! But there is one point—the contract must be clear: this is a sale, not a lease, much less a joint venture! The county yamen will bear all responsibility for the profits and losses of the weaving workshop and the delivery of military supplies! The Shen family will only be responsible for technical support and will collect payment for the machines according to the contract!"
"Understood! Understood! Lady Ling is quick-witted and straightforward! I will take care of it immediately!"
At this moment, Magistrate Huo felt as if he had been blessed with good fortune. He had no time to think about the deeper meaning of the matter. His mind was full of the great achievements of the "government-run weaving workshop" and the "Ministry of Works' military supplies". He agreed repeatedly and turned around to lead the equally excited county magistrate and others. They rushed out of the workshop as if their pants were on fire and headed straight for the county government office.
Inside the workshop, only the Shen family members and Uncle Yang, whose face was still pale and whose chest was heaving violently, remained.
"My lady..." Shen Yan finally couldn't help but speak, her heart full of doubt.
Ling Zhan raised her hand to stop him. Her gaze fell on Yang Bo's single arm, still clenched into a fist with bulging veins, and then slowly moved to his bloodshot eyes, which were still staring intently at the empty space outside the door. The look in his eyes made her heart feel heavy, as if a block of ice had been pressed down on it.
"Uncle Yang."
Ling Zhan's voice lowered, carrying an unprecedented solemnity, "Come to the study tonight."
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