Chapter 348

Silver-white reed flowers surged and ebbed in the wind, while fishing boats crisscrossed the vast marsh, sails side by side, a scene of bustling activity.

"Time flies."

Liang Qu stood at the bow, gazing at Yixing Town just ahead, filled with deep emotion.

Left in late August, returned in mid-October.

Departed in high summer, returned as autumn set in; even the low hill behind the town had somehow sprouted a towering pavilion.

The pavilion had not yet been roofed, its beams uneven, yet its five-tiered, eight-sided structure was already taking shape—fishermen on the marsh could spot it at a glance, and beneath the hazy mist, it lent the place a touch of human culture.

"The Confucian Temple's Kui Pavilion?"

Liang Qu had excellent eyesight; studying the pavilion's design, he made a tentative guess.

Every county town had three temples: the Confucian Temple, the Martial Temple, and the City God Temple, meant to encourage the people to revere virtue and martial prowess, fostering prosperity.

Near rivers, one must also build a River God Temple or a Dragon King Temple.

Liang Qu had heard before that Pingyang County intended to relocate the Confucian Temple and River God Temple to Yixing Town, but he hadn't expected them to move so quickly.

As the boat neared Shangrao Port, the water beasts playing in the water scattered.

The fat catfish and river dolphins, following orders, dove into the marsh to catch large, plump crabs full of roe, preparing for the crab feast.

Bud and Fist followed the underground river, heading home ahead of schedule.

Liang Qu rowed alone forward.

The continuous influx and settlement of people had transformed Pingyang County and nearby towns at a breathtaking pace.

Compared to August, over a dozen new roadside inns had opened along the Shangrao Port, their sunshades filled with laborers chatting and drinking.

Two even hung wooden signs reading, "Eight copper coins for a full meal, twelve for a good one," with giant pots set at the door, their dark red broth bubbling steadily, filling the air with the pungent aroma of meat.

Even before mealtime, hungry laborers came to drop copper coins and scoop up rice, eagerly devouring it around the iron pot.

Villagers spotting Liang Qu's distinctive boat passing the shore, startled, approached one by one to greet him.

Liang Qu nodded to each in turn.

Some fishermen even rowed over, pulling large fish from their baskets, warmly welcoming Liang Qu after his long absence.

"Master Liang! Fresh crucian carp—take them home and stew them!"

"Crucian carp? Too many tiny bones. I've got big flowered carp—come try the fish-head soup!"

The tea shop owner on shore laughed: "The marsh has more fish than you can count, Master Liang—you're a native of Pingyang, you don't need two fish from me! Luanzi, wrap up two pounds of cold-cut lamb!"

"No, no need," Liang Qu politely declined, "I appreciate your kindness, truly—"

Inside the inn, a busy waiter glanced at Liang Qu's back and asked curiously, "Boss, who's that guy? So much clout he gets fish delivered?"

The diners around exchanged glances, then burst into laughter, shaking the roof tiles.

"Old boss, where'd you pick up this fool? A runaway from the mountains, maybe?"

"If you don't know Master Liang in Yixing Town, you're riding a donkey to chase chickens—don't know your own rank!"

"Hey, you little brat, clever on the surface, clueless inside." The old shopkeeper turned, smacked the waiter hard on the back of the head, then raised his thumb, "Remember this: Master Liang is the one—this one—of our town!"

"With your puny frame, if not for Master Liang, where would you have saved your wages? The thugs would've stolen it all! Your two mu of paddy fields—every year you borrow grain, pay back grain, and still end up with not a single grain left by the time you die! Keep your eyes open from now on—you might not know the constables, but you damn well better know Master Liang!"

With that, the old shopkeeper bowed to the diners: "My little ox doesn't know a tiger—he's a country bumpkin from Nanzhun, just trying to make a living. Never seen a big shot before. Please don't take it personally."

Everyone naturally took the old man's words as a joke.

No one gave a second thought to such banter; they laughed a bit and returned to their meals.

The young waiter rubbed the back of his head, lost in thought.

All nearby towns said Yixing Town was good—no skinflints, no bullies, and even the big lenders charged lower interest rates than other villages.

The source of this goodwill lay right here.

At the port.

Liang Qu declined the fishermen's and shopkeepers' offers, tied up his boat, and carried his rhino-hide box and money chest ashore.

"Water Brother! I just heard you were back—I thought someone was fooling me, but it's really you!"

Liang Qu turned: "Lin Songbao? Why are you here at the fish shed today?"

Lin Lin Songbao, long unseen, wore a black training suit and helped haul the gangplank from the fish shed onto the boat, then pointed to the laborers digging pits and hauling mud on either side of the port.

"Lots of merchant ships have been coming and going lately. My father says we're expanding the port—building a deep harbor and shipyard. He told me to come by during meal breaks to keep an eye on things."

"Perfect—I've got a big boat, and I was worried about where to dock it."

"How big? I'll ask my father to reserve another berth."

"A Fuzhou ship, just under six zhang."

Chishan stepped onto the gangplank and shook out his fur and hair.

Liang Qu hung the boxes on Chishan's back, then studied Lin Lin Songbao: "Broken the Skin Barrier?"

Lin Lin Songbao grinned: "Early September."

"Then hurry up—Li Libo and Chen Jiechang are already at the Second Barrier."

Lin Lin Songbao froze: "That fast?"

"Huazhu County had a massive flood—all the fish washed out, lots of treasure fish and rare plants. They go out every day to collect them—even eat the dead ones. Come, lend a hand."

Lin Lin Songbao took the large wooden chest.

Liang Qu slung Fu Bo onto his back, led Chishan, and walked home, pointing to the distant low hill: "What's going on with that tower?"

"It started a while back—around the auction time, it popped up in October. Said to be some pavilion from the Confucian Temple, dedicated to Wenchang."

"Kui Pavilion?"

"Yes! Kui Pavilion!"

"Master Liang, greetings!"

Liang Qu nodded slightly, then turned to watch the retreating backs of passersby, puzzled: "Why is everyone so cheerful today?"

"It's been a while," Lin Lin Songbao replied without hesitation, then paused, "Hmm… maybe because of the autumn harvest?"

Liang Qu blinked: "What does that have to do with the harvest?"

"You have to pay rent after harvest. This year, many came to repay their grain loans—and all the big lenders lowered their interest rates. Everyone's grateful to you."

"Grateful to me? I didn't ask them to lower rates."

Liang Qu grew more confused—he knew about grain loans.

Villagers rarely had enough grain to last, especially when sick; many had to borrow from big lenders to survive.

Especially in Yixing Town, where many were refugees from other regions—borrowing grain was common.

But no one lends without interest.

"But Water Brother, you're now the top man in town—the most powerful big lender! You hold a noble title, a seventh-rank official rank, and you're a martial master. Both martial halls in town depend on your favor."

When Chen Chen Jiechang and Li Li Libo go out to punish thugs, everyone assumes it's your doing."

Other places can't interfere much, but Yixing Town is so small—the big lenders know your temperament. They watch their step, dare not act recklessly."

Haven't you noticed how few troublemakers there are now? People like Niu Er and Pan Wu? All of them are behaving themselves."

Liang Qu looked around, thought hard, and realized it was indeed true.

"All the nearby villages say we're lucky—out of a crow's nest comes a phoenix."

Liang Qu suddenly understood.

No wonder the fishermen brought fish, the farmers brought grain, the shopkeepers offered small dishes, and the tea sellers urged him to sit and drink.

Many things Liang Qu hadn't even done—his status had simply risen so high that even if he did nothing in town, no one dared ignore him.

As they talked, Liang Qu and Lin Lin Songbao arrived at Liang Zhai.

"Woof!"

Before the gate opened, a black head poked over the wall.

Wu Long scrambled over the wall, flipped down in a flash, landed headfirst, and tumbled hard—but Wu Long's hide was thick and tough; he shook his head, bounced up, and circled Liang Qu, leaping and dancing.

Two months had passed—Wu Long had grown a full circle, his ears standing nearly upright, plump and glossy black.

Liang Qu scooped Wu Long up in one hand, opened the door with the other, carried the dog past the screen wall, and finally returned to the familiar courtyard.

Fan Xing came running from the back courtyard upon hearing the noise, delighted to see Liang Qu, and hurried to help carry the luggage.

Liang Qu unloaded several large boxes from Chishan: "I've been gone two months—anything happen at home? Did anyone come looking for me?"

"Master Yang sent someone to find you—he said to visit him when you returned, nothing urgent. As for home… I don't think anything happened?"

Fan Xing's tone was uncertain.

Liang Qu sensed something odd.

"Don't think?"