Chapter 145 Congratulations to Lord Du on his joyous occasion
The father-in-law and son-in-law walked together up to the gate of the governor's mansion. Governor Zheng knew that the two had probably come to deliver a wedding invitation, but he never expected that Du Min would actually ask him to officiate the wedding. He looked at Du Min with mixed feelings, and for a moment admired his shamelessness.
“My lord, I have invited you to witness my wedding for a private matter, but there is also an official business to attend to. This is the main reason I have invited you to Heqing County. As you know, I submitted a memorial last year regarding the construction of dikes in the Heqing County area on the north bank of the Yellow River. Recently, I have also been planning to dig canals and ditches to bring Yellow River water to the fields for irrigation. The canal digging has already begun, but the selection of locations for digging the ditches will depend on the Ministry of Works sending officials to oversee the work. Would you like to take a trip to Heqing County to inspect the site and offer me some valuable suggestions?” Du Min offered this enticing offer.
Governor Zheng sat up straight. "Dig canals and dredge rivers?"
"As the Yellow River enters its high-water season, the water level is rising daily, and the riverbed is gradually being submerged. Laborers have nowhere to dredge mud to build dikes. Digging canals and excavating the river can not only facilitate irrigation for farmers but also dredge mud to build dikes, killing two birds with one stone," Du Min explained. "I have an elder brother who, last year, diverted water to plant rice in dry land five miles from the Yellow River and harvested more than a bushel of rice by the end of autumn. If the canals are completed, the fields near the river can be irrigated and plowed into paddy fields after the winter wheat harvest, and rice can be planted in mid-May and harvested again in late October."
Governor Zheng could no longer sit still. He stepped down and asked, "How much charity did you raise last year? How dare you undertake such a large project?"
“Nearly two hundred thousand strings of cash,” Du Min replied. “In the past six months, the number of laborers at its peak was seven thousand, with a daily wage of two hundred and ten strings of cash. At this number, I could employ laborers for two and a half years. However, digging canals and rivers requires buying the land along the rivers, which will cost a lot of money. In the end, if we run out of money, we will have to ask the imperial court for help.”
"Is Heqing County really that rich? Or is it because you, Magistrate Du, have such great influence? You raised nearly 200,000 strings of cash on your first fundraising attempt?" Governor Zheng was amazed. No wonder Du Min dared to think and act.
Du Min smiled smugly, "Perhaps it's because I have a lot of influence?"
Governor Zheng felt a pang of regret. He looked at Magistrate Yin and said, "Lord Yin, congratulations on your new son-in-law!"
Yin Mingfu only knew that Du Min wanted to repair the dike, and knew nothing else. Upon hearing this today, he was overjoyed and his face lit up with happiness. This was truly a distinguished son-in-law.
"I urge Your Excellency to visit the Heqing County government office on the sixth day of next month to give your subordinate a boost. His parents are far away in their hometown and cannot come, and his elder brother and sister-in-law are young. Without an elder present, he will inevitably lose some of his prestige," Prefect Yin requested.
Prefect Zheng glanced at Du Min again, nodded in agreement, and said, "Lord Yin, why don't you go next door for a cup of tea? I'll have a few words of official business with Magistrate Du."
Yin Mingfu withdrew.
As the footsteps faded into the distance, Governor Zheng walked up to Du Min and kicked him. "I almost became your father-in-law! You invited me to witness your wedding? What were you doing? What were you thinking?"
“My lord, I only had this idea because I felt that you valued me and were willing to take me as your son-in-law. We are not destined to be father-in-law and son-in-law, but if you are willing, you can treat me as your nephew.” Du Min said shamelessly, “I just thought that you could appear at my wedding, which would make me look good. I have no other thoughts. For example, Magistrate Zhao of Heyin County once intended to be my brother-in-law, but he didn’t become my brother-in-law. He will accompany me to the wedding next month.”
When Heyin County was mentioned, Governor Zheng asked, "Is Heyin County also building dikes and digging irrigation canals, just like Heqing County?"
Du Min looked troubled and shook his head.
"What do you mean?" Governor Zheng frowned.
“I once visited Magistrate Zhao to persuade him to join me in repairing the dikes, but he refused, believing it to be a waste of resources and manpower.” Du Min glanced at Prefect Zheng and said, “Magistrate Zhao probably believes in governing by doing nothing.”
Governor Zheng sneered, "If you advocate inaction, what kind of county magistrate are you? Take off your official hat and become a Taoist priest."
Du Min remained silent.
Governor Zheng frowned in thought, “If you build a high dike on the north bank, it will be fine this year, but when the dike is completed next year, won’t all the floodwaters flow into Heyin County?”
“This year, Magistrate Zhao’s term will be over. Next year, Heyin County will welcome a new magistrate. The new magistrate will start to raise the river embankment, which can resist some of the floods.” Du Min said, trying to sow discord.
Governor Zheng immediately understood. What did he mean by wasting people's money and resources, and what did he mean by governing by doing nothing? Magistrate Zhao was just trying to avoid doing his job since he was about to be removed from his post.
He glanced at Du Min. "Here to complain, huh?"
Du Min hesitated for a moment, then admitted, "Yes, I have advised Magistrate Zhao three times, and we almost fell out, but he still refuses to raise funds to repair the dike. I do not want to sacrifice the fields and houses of the people of Heyin County for the sake of political achievements, so I have no choice but to do something despicable and complain to you. He will definitely listen to you."
Governor Zheng was very satisfied with his approach. He figured that his chief clerk was getting old and it was time to replace him with a younger and more capable person. Du Min couldn't be his son-in-law, so having him as his subordinate to help him govern the seven counties of Luozhou was also a very good option.
"I understand." Governor Zheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "The wedding is on the sixth day of the fifth month?"
"Yes, the bride must be brought back to Heqing County before noon on the sixth day." Du Min stood up. "My lord is busy with official duties, so I will not disturb you any longer. I will take my leave now."
Governor Zheng nodded, "I will arrive in Heqing County no later than the evening of the fifth day of the month."
Du Min bowed and then withdrew.
Yin Mingfu was still waiting next door. Once Du Min came out, the father-in-law and son-in-law left together.
Du Min spent the night at the post station, and the next day he rode a tall horse and left Luoyang.
He returned to Heqing County and encountered a paper-carrying convoy from Wen County while crossing a bridge. He turned his horse back and let the convoy on the other side of the bridge pass first.
Donkey carts passed over the Heyang Bridge one after another. Du Min stared at the drivers and escorts, but did not see Meng Chun.
"Has your boss returned?" he asked.
The driver shook his head. "My boss is busy and hasn't come back yet."
After the caravan left, Du Min rode his horse across the bridge. He returned to the county government office near dusk and heard the chattering of boatmen as soon as he entered.
"What's making you so happy?" he asked loudly.
The exclamations and laughter in the courtyard abruptly ceased, and the children of the clerks bowed and greeted them.
Du Min saw seven or eight boys working together to carry a piece of paper bigger than a bed sheet, and he immediately understood, "Your uncle asked someone to bring this back for you?"
Wang Zhou nodded emphatically, "This is a birthday gift that my uncle gave me as a belated gift. This is the largest one, and there are a few smaller ones as well."
"That's wonderful, everyone's been thinking of you," Du Min exclaimed.
"Sir, it's getting dark, we should head back now," said the youngest son of Magistrate Sun.
Du Min nodded, walked over and took the unfolded paper, "Don't wander around on the way, go straight home."
The group of boys immediately scattered and ran off.
"What's the point of such a big sheet of paper?" Du Min asked. "We have to fold it up to write on it, otherwise it will be stepped on if we unfold it."
“I’ll use it for origami. When I fold lanterns, I won’t have to paste several sheets of paper together anymore. I can just use one whole sheet.” Wang Zhou rolled up the paper and said, “Third Uncle, how about I fold a lantern from this whole sheet and give it to you? I won’t tear or cut it at all.”
"No tearing or cutting? You have that ability?" Du Min didn't believe it.
"Just you wait and see." Wang Zhou only had this idea; he hadn't tried it, but that didn't stop him from making boastful remarks.
"Alright, I'll wait and see." Du Min thought for a moment, then took his riding whip and went out again.
"Third Uncle, where are you going?" Wang Zhou asked.
Du Min turned back and rode away with Wang Zhou. The uncle and nephew arrived at Heyang Bridge and happened to meet Vice General Wu, who was about to finish work and go home.
"Deputy General Wu, I have a favor to ask of you. Tell your soldiers that once the paper-carrying convoy from Wen County returns from Luoyang, have them deliver a message to Meng Chun, asking him to come back before May to accompany me to the wedding," Du Min said.
Vice General Wu agreed, "Lord Du, do you need someone to escort the bride? I'll accompany you to Luoyang to fetch her."
“Okay, the more the better,” Du Min agreed.
*
From the beginning to the end of April, time flew by. The canal, which was half a mile long and half a mile wide, had not been dug to a depth of more than knee-deep, and the dikes had not been increased by more than a mile. Du Min's wedding date was approaching.
On April 27th, Dr. Xu arrived in Heqing County with eight students and the Chen family, a total of ten people.
On April 29th, Meng Chun returned from Wen County, just in time to meet Dr. Xu and Steward Chen returning from paying respects to Chen Mingzhang.
When Steward Chen learned yesterday that his family were servants of the Meng family, he hurriedly went to greet Meng Chun: "Young Master, this old servant thanks you for giving our family of ten a single rice bowl."
Meng Chun was still a little uncomfortable. She used to have to speak well of Steward Chen.
“I will still call you Steward Chen. You used to be the steward of Dr. Chen’s house. You were very attentive. Even without us, your family would have no trouble finding a place to go,” Meng Chun said.
Butler Chen smiled bitterly, "That's not how it works. My wife and I are old, and we have four young grandchildren to take in. It's no use to anyone who would take in our whole family."
"Let's not talk about that." Meng Chun waved his hand and went to greet Dr. Xu.
“This is my second sister-in-law’s biological brother,” Du Min introduced.
“I recognize him, and I remember him.” Dr. Xu nodded. “Young Master, it’s been a long time.”
Meng Chun also said it was a long time no see. He looked at Du Min and asked, "You want me to accompany you to the wedding? Or did the paper-carrying convoy deliver the wrong message?"
“I didn’t deliver the wrong message. Go back and get ready. The wedding procession will depart tomorrow,” Du Min said.
Meng Chun went to find Meng Qing with a lot of doubts, but Meng Qing was too sick to go anywhere. She stayed at the government office and instructed the servants to take care of the wedding.
"Sister, was it you who suggested that I accompany Du Min to Luoyang to welcome his bride?" Meng Chun asked.
"No, he brought it himself." Meng Qing poured him a bowl of tea. "Just got back?"
Meng Chun nodded. "It's really strange. Why did he call me? Even if he's short-handed, it would be more respectable to grab a constable to fill the manpower than to call me."
Meng Qing had already heard Wang Zhou talk about what happened that evening, and she figured that Du Min was treating Meng Chun as a relative out of consideration for her and Wang Zhou.
"Don't say that. You're not just a businessman; you're also my brother and Wangzhou's uncle," Meng Qing said. "If he's willing to give you preferential treatment, then accept it. Go back and change into clean clothes before coming back; there's a banquet tonight."
Tomorrow is the wedding day. Tonight, all those who will accompany Du Min to Luoyang to welcome the bride are having a banquet at the government office. The wedding party includes Magistrate Zhao of Heyin County, General Qi of Shacheng and Deputy General Wu, Du Li, Meng Chun, eight students brought by Dr. Xu, County Lieutenant Lin, and several yamen runners.
On April 30th, Du Min, dressed in a green wedding gown, rode a tall horse, accompanied by a bridal sedan chair, officials, drummers, and other musicians, leaving the yamen with the wedding procession.
"They're here! They're here!" On the north bank of Heyang Bridge, the soldiers guarding the bridge saw the wedding procession approaching and immediately lit a fire.
The bamboo whips cracked loudly, and the soldiers shouted, "Congratulations on Lord Du's joyous occasion!"
"Congratulations on your great joy, Lord Du!" shouted the laborers repairing the dike not far away.
Du Li and Meng Chun went to distribute the lucky money separately.
"On Lord Du's wedding day, he will send ten tables of food to you all, so that everyone can share in his joy," Du Li said to the laborers.
"Congratulations on your great joy, Lord Du!" The laborers shouted even more enthusiastically upon hearing this.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com