Chapter 168: Slaps on the Mouth

On the fifth day of the fourth month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, the area outside Baoanzhou City had never been so bustling. Large numbers of military and civilian households, led by their respective officers or ward heads, surged forth in a mighty procession to work on the wasteland beyond the city.

This was the first time in recent years that the military and civilians of Baoanzhou City had been organized on a large scale for labor. Since the decay of the lijia system, who had ever seen such a lively scene outside Baoan City?

The reclamation of wasteland by the military and civilians of Baoanzhou was basically complete. According to Wang Dou's reclamation standards, each household of four to seven people could reclaim fifty mu of wasteland, and these fields would henceforth belong to their families. Amid the reclamation fervor, not only ordinary military and civilian households, but even the landlords and gentry of the prefectural city, as well as the minor officials and clerks, hurriedly sent family members to reclaim wasteland.

After much eager anticipation, the two lords of the prefectural city had finally begun constructing irrigation wells for everyone. Under the current circumstances, if each household lacked well irrigation, the reclaimed farmland would remain wasteland. Fortunately, this day had finally arrived. The Defense Commander of Baoanzhou, Lord Wang, had already declared that by pooling everyone's strength, irrigation wells would be built for each household; as long as everyone came out to work, everyone would have their fill of food.

With the prospect of digging wells for their own families and having food to eat, who wouldn't hurry out? The military households, led by their officers, and the civilian households, led by their ward heads, surged forth in a mighty procession, heading to various fields and plots to survey water sources, determine the locations of irrigation wells, and then begin digging.

The groundwater levels beneath each family's fields varied in depth. Where the water table was shallow, simple small wells or small brick-lined wells could be dug, only two or three zhang deep. Where the groundwater was deep, deep brick-and-stone wells had to be dug, sometimes reaching depths of several dozen zhang.

For such collective labor, labor costs and silver could be disregarded, as long as food was provided. However, constructing irrigation wells and manufacturing waterwheels required large quantities of blue bricks, timber, bamboo tubes, stone blocks, and other raw materials. Brickmaking was relatively easy: by opening a brick kiln, a skilled worker could produce ten thousand unfired bricks a day, and firing them didn't take long. But stone and bamboo tubes could only be obtained by quarrying in the mountains. Also, some old timber for making waterwheels needed to be purchased from outside or contributed by each household.

To boost everyone's enthusiasm, Wang Dou stipulated that after each household surveyed water sources and estimated the depth of the irrigation wells, those who provided timber and stone would have their irrigation wells and waterwheels built first. The more they provided, the higher their priority; otherwise, these people would have to queue up.

Outside Baoanzhou City, Wang Dou and the Department Magistrate Li Zhenping patrolled back and forth among the fields. The two walked at the very front. Wang Dou wore the bright red official robe of a Vice Guard Commander of the third rank, while Li Zhenping wore the blue official robe of the fifth rank. Behind them followed a large contingent of civil officials and military officers from Baoanzhou City.

Observing the scene of bustling activity before him, Li Zhenping felt a refreshing sense of novelty, and the civil clerks behind him also clicked their tongues in wonder. Stroking his long beard, Li Zhenping nodded repeatedly. In the future, with the great flourishing of fields here, not only would his superiors appreciate it, but he himself would also leave a significant mark in the annals of Baoanzhou.

He had never imagined that the military colony land distribution and irrigation well construction in Baoanzhou would finally be implemented. In the past, such matters were inconceivable to Li Zhenping. Setting aside other things, just the cost and food supply for the military and civilian irrigation wells and waterwheels before his eyes were something Li Zhenping had no solution for. Yet Wang Dou carried it out with apparent ease. This military man was truly no simple figure.

Thinking of this, Li Zhenping stole a glance at Wang Dou. Coincidentally, Wang Dou also looked towards him with a smile. Their eyes met, and both chuckled.

Wang Dou said, "Once the irrigation wells in various places are completed, one well can irrigate several dozen mu of land. Barren hills and desolate wilderness will all become fine soil and fertile land. Next year, Baoanzhou will surely be densely populated and prosperous, becoming one of the most flourishing and wealthy places on our Eastern Route. This is all thanks to the benevolence of the Department Magistrate, my lord!"

Department Magistrate Li Zhenping replied modestly, "The Defense Commander, my lord, overpraises me. The policy of military farming in Baoanzhou relies on your lordship's great mental efforts. This official and all my colleagues see it in our eyes and are filled with admiration."

The two exchanged a few more words of mutual flattery, then each averted their gaze, preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Wang Dou looked at the fields before him and sighed. Drought! The great drought spreading across Shanxi had already reached the lands of Baoanzhou. Looking around, on both banks of the Sanggan River, many formerly grassy areas and green trees had withered. Even the water level of the Sanggan River had dropped considerably. Slightly farther from the river, vast expanses of cracked land stretched out.

Because of the increasing drought, the irrigation wells being dug everywhere were getting deeper and deeper, consuming considerable manpower and material resources. Actually, compared to irrigation wells, Wang Dou preferred using tube waterwheels, especially the large Lanzhou-style waterwheels. Irrigation wells required human or animal labor to lift water, whereas tube waterwheels scooped water into tubes and poured it into flumes, flowing into the fields day and night without cease, far more efficient than irrigation wells.

However, those fertile fields near the river had all been seized by powerful civil and military figures. Using tube waterwheels also required constructing canals and reservoirs, which was too troublesome. So they used irrigation wells. He hoped for a good harvest from the military farms next year. Regardless, he had already done his best.

……

Since the beginning of the year, quite a few refugees had flowed into Baoanzhou from various places. By early this fourth month, the estimated total number of refugees entering Baoanzhou territory had reached over two thousand.

In the past, when refugees arrived in various places, most lacked food and clothing. The fortunate ones who could find hard labor work were already very lucky. Most sold their children, or even resorted to robbery and theft to survive, eventually turning into rioters and bandits. Wang Dou was already very experienced in relieving refugees. He had long since dispatched soldiers to direct these refugees to build shacks outside the city, establish latrines, set up porridge kitchens, and also recruited the able-bodied men among them to work, quarrying stone, logging, digging irrigation wells, and so on.

With Baoanzhou now vigorously digging irrigation wells, and Shunxiangbao opening various logging camps, ironworks, stone quarries, coal mines, and mines, along with various newly established brick kilns and lime kilns, a considerable workforce was needed. As long as these refugees had a mouthful of food, they were willing to do any work. Once the able-bodied men among them were recruited, the chance of the refugees turning into rioters was immediately nipped in the bud. The elderly, weak, and women among them who could still work were recruited by Wang Dou into the clothing factory, gunpowder factory, and other places.

Those truly unable to work were relieved with thin porridge at the porridge kitchens. Therefore, although there were many refugees, everything was in perfect order. The situation of starving refugees dying of illness and hunger everywhere, as seen in Baoanzhou in early Chongzhen 9, was no longer seen.

Wang Dou, Department Magistrate Li Zhenping, and others arrived at the refugee shack area outside the prefectural city. The dilapidated shacks stretched over a vast area, but the inside and outside of the shacks were fairly clean, all garbage was promptly cleared, and the complexions of the refugees living inside were not so poor. This was all due to timely relief, allowing these refugees to survive effectively. After being diverted to various factories, mines, and construction sites, the number of people in this refugee shack area was no longer large, with only a few hundred elderly, weak, sick, and disabled remaining here.

However, as it approached noon, the flow of people in the refugee shack area increased. Those who had gone out to work near the prefectural city returned one after another, bringing back a few steamed buns or flatbreads for their family members in the shack area. Seeing Wang Dou and his party approach, they all quieted down. Judging by the official robes on the group and the tall, imposing guards on tall horses behind them, they must be some high officials from within the prefectural city. The common people's fear of officials was always ingrained in their bones. Seeing these officials and officers approach, who dared to utter a sound?

Wang Dou saw several refugees in front of him looking at him timidly and shrinking back. He smiled and asked one of the elders, "Old sir, where are you from? Are you accustomed to living here?"

The old man plopped to his knees and said in a thick Weizhou accent, "This humble one is from Baishubao in Weizhou. Because my family suffered disaster and I heard that the Defense Commander of Baoanzhou is benevolent and righteous, I fled famine here, hoping to beg for a mouthful of food to survive."

He continued, "The lords here are indeed benevolent and gracious. Not only have they set up porridge kitchens for relief, but they also recruit us humble folk to work and support our families. This old man plans that once all the irrigation wells in this prefectural city are dug, I will go to Shunxiangbao, find a factory or mine to work and make a living. After a few years, once I have some money and grain, I hope to reclaim some wasteland and settle down in Baoanzhou."

As he spoke, he broke into a grin, full of hope for his future life.

The refugees behind him also chimed in one after another, "Yes, yes, the local government is so benevolent, we humble folk have never seen the like. Under the pure and bright governance of Baoanzhou, we see no banditry; it is truly a place of peace and happiness. We all hope to stay within the prefecture in the future and become registered households."

Listening to the refugees' accounts, Wang Dou smiled and nodded. The old man looked at Wang Dou, then at Li Zhenping, and probed, "May I ask who the two lords are?"

Zhang Gui, the Military Farm Officer behind Wang Dou, loudly declared, "This is our Defense Commander of Baoanzhou, Lord Wang, and our Department Magistrate of Baoanzhou, Lord Li."

The refugees all exclaimed in surprise, repeatedly saying, "Our upright and noble lords!"

They surged forward to kowtow in thanks. Among them, many pairs of astonished eyes looked towards Wang Dou. Many of them had heard of Wang Dou's reputation but never expected this renowned Defense Commander of Baoanzhou to be so young.

Seeing the refugees' overwhelming gratitude, Department Magistrate Li Zhenping also felt quite pleased with himself. He cleared his throat and said, "You need not stand on ceremony. This official and Defense Commander Lord Wang, as appointed officials of the court and the father-mother officials of the people, when the people are in distress, how could we not provide relief and settlement? Before you even arrived at the prefectural border, you were mindful of the government's grace. In the future, you must also be law-abiding and live your lives well."

The old man and the others all repeatedly voiced their assent.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out among the refugees: "The ladies are out distributing porridge again!"

Immediately, the refugees in the shack area stirred and surged in that direction. Wang Dou looked over and saw, led by Xie Xiuniang and the young madam of the Department Magistrate's residence, a large group of official ladies, surrounded by their household servants and carrying rice loads on shoulder poles, heading towards the refugee shack area.

At the beginning of the third month, as the number of refugees increased, Xie Xiuniang resolved to go out and comfort the hungry, distributing porridge to the refugees. Her plan received the first response from the wife of the prefectural city's Military Farm Officer Zhang Gui, followed immediately by the wife of Company Commander Tian Changguo. Then came Han Chao's wife, Lady Zheng, Han Zhong's wife, Young Lady Li, and the various wives and concubines of Wen Fangliang's household. The wives of the various clerks in the Defense Commander's residence were also not to be outdone. Even the wives of Lin Daofu, Gao Shiyin, Sun Sanjie, and others from distant Shunxiangbao hurried over from Shunxiangbao.

At this moment, they were all crowded behind Xie Xiuniung, their faces bearing kind smiles, following her every step. To compete for the ranking behind Xie Xiuniung, the various ladies had actually engaged in some overt and covert struggles. The final result was that Lady Tian Changguo and Lady Zhang Gui victoriously occupied the second and third positions.

Wang Dou, of course, greatly approved of Xie Xiuniung's actions. At the same time, he sighed with emotion that Xie Xiuniung had matured considerably and understood how to share her husband's burdens and solve his problems. Xie Xiuniung's actions earned Wang Dou an excellent reputation among the refugees. Simultaneously, within the prefectural city, everyone praised Xie Xiuniung's actions. Finally, the Department Magistrate's residence could no longer sit still. In mid-third month, the wives of the civil officials and clerks in the prefecture, led by the young madam, also brought out rice to distribute porridge and comfort the hungry.

For the refugees, the relief from the usual porridge kitchens could only ensure their survival. The thick porridge distributed by the official ladies, the kind where "chopsticks stand upright without falling, and unwrapped cloth parcels don't leak through," was naturally very welcomed by them.

Not long after Xie Xiuniung and the young madam arrived, the several large cauldrons in front of the shacks emitted billowing steam and the fragrance of rice porridge. Xie Xiuniung and the young madam first smiled as they took up ladles, each occupying a cauldron, and distributed porridge to the refugees. The refugees, already experienced, lined up one by one to receive porridge, all the while incessantly expressing their thanks.

Watching the orderly scene before them, Wang Dou and Department Magistrate Li Zhenping both smiled and nodded. Distributing porridge and performing charity was a great benevolent policy. Once spread abroad, it would bring excellent reputations to both of them.

Wang Dou looked at Xie Xiuniung over there. Her appearance was not outstanding, but the gentle smile on her face gave her considerable approachability. Especially since she was the lady of the Defense Commander's residence, the refugees were all overwhelmed with gratitude towards her. Meanwhile, at the cauldron next to her, the young madam's demeanor was rather elegant and composed. Though she stood there smiling, she seemed to possess an air that kept people at a distance. The refugees felt more awe than gratitude towards her.

After distributing porridge for a while, the young madam went to rest and was replaced by a seductive woman, likely the wife or concubine of some household. She smiled at the refugees and said, "Come, come, everyone come get porridge! There's enough for everyone, no need to rush."

She glanced over at Xie Xiuniung, saw that she still hadn't rested and was continuously distributing porridge, and couldn't help but chuckle softly. She said to a woman helping beside her, "Look at Xie Xiuniung, so full of energy. She's been busy for so long and still doesn't feel tired."

That woman, in her twenties and rather plump, sneered and said, "That Xie Xiuniung comes from a lowly background. The wife gains honor through her husband, which is why she became the Defense Commander's lady and receives flattery. Actually, deep down, she's just an ordinary country woman. A village girl, a country woman—how could she lack energy and strength?"

The two giggled. They thought their voices were low, but unexpectedly, carried away as they were, not only did Xie Xiuniung and a few others nearby hear them, but even Wang Dou and Li Zhenping, who happened to be walking over, heard them too.

Xie Xiuniung bit her lower lip lightly, her face somewhat pale. Wang Dou was furious and shouted, "Insolence! Whose household's women are you two? To speak so disrespectfully, with no regard for rank or seniority? Someone, give these two women twenty slaps on the mouth."