Chapter 203: In poor mountains and wicked waters, petty folk emerge

Early one morning, Fang Chongyong walked out of his bedroom to the courtyard to train, and he saw Gao Shang already waiting in the gatehouse, awaiting orders.

Yo, Assistant Commander Gao, you're up pretty early!

Fang Chongyong couldn't resist teasing him with a remark.

Replying to Sir Censor Fang, I, your subordinate, dare not delay your important affairs, so I could only wait in the gatehouse.

Gao Shang spoke while making an unusually humble salute.

Let's go, let's head to Three Waters County together.

Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod, saying noncommittally.

Gao Shang actually looks down a bit on Fang's young master; in fact, Fang Chongyong had sensed this during last night's conversation.

This contempt perhaps stems from envy, jealousy, and hatred. Gao Shang envies Fang Chongyong's background and resents that, despite lacking his own cleverness and talent, Fang Chongyong gets ahead smoothly.

Nevertheless, contempt aside, Gao Shang's body is utterly honest—he acts like a dog, disregarding official dignity, standing guard at the gatehouse like a servant, just so he won't miss accompanying Fang's young master on official business the next day!

Fang Chongyong somewhat understands why the unrelated Inspector Li Qiwu, who comes from a clan lineage, is strongly recommending Gao Shang.

It's simply because this person is always sucking up, and Gao Shang truly does suck up—not just flattery, but actively serving his superiors, taking the lead on everything.

Please, Sir Censor Fang, follow me directly to the Coal Pit's location.

This would be a bit quicker, while the Three Waters County seat lies farther north of the Mine Pit; going there would require backtracking, adding a lot of unnecessary detour.

Gao Shang spoke while making a clasped-fist salute, head lowered, not daring to look at Fang Chongyong. Last night he reviewed his casual chat with Fang Chongyong and realized he had drunk a bit, speaking too boastfully and arrogantly.

After spending the night freezing in the gatehouse, Gao Shang is much clearer-headed now and dare not mention last night's incident at all.

Not bad, you handle affairs diligently; let's go.

Fang Chongyong looked at Gao Shang with a half-smile, patted his shoulder, and said.

Fine, I'll go fetch the horses now. The horses have already been fed; Sir Censor Fang can ride straight to the ford. The Jing River happens to be frozen just right, so we don't need a small boat to cross.

Gao Shang spoke with an eager expression, showing no trace of the arrogance he had occasionally displayed the previous night.

The two rode their horses all the way along the post road to the ford on the Jing River's bank.

Sure enough, the river surface had frozen. Under the sunlight, the smooth ice reflected light like a mirror, illuminating the surroundings brightly.

Gao Shang pointed to the opposite bank with his whip and said:

The opposite side is all mountains; only along the river is there a road. Going northwest along it, you'll find a small path that leads directly to the Mine Pit. If you don't take this path, you must first head south, where there is an official road built by the local government that leads straight to Three Waters County.

After that, we would go southwest from the county seat to reach the Mine Pit.

Gao Shang explained to Fang Chongyong the 'troublesome' aspects of the Mine Pit's location.

The shortcut is only the small path, but taking it avoids unnecessary detours. If you take the official road, you must first go farther north to Three Waters County, then take a dirt road to the Mine Pit. After all, that Mine Pit is just a mountainous wilderness, not a market town; the only reason there is a road to it is because there happens to be a village nearby!

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong's heart turned cold, but he kept his composure, merely pointing his whip toward the opposite bank and saying, 'There's no delay; let's cross the river now.'

The two rode their horses onto the ice of the Jing River, Fang Chongyong's eyes fixed on the horses' hooves, fearing that the combined weight of man and horse might be too much for the ice, causing them to fall into the icy river. If they really fell in, that would be a huge mess!

Fortunately, the ice on the Jing River was solid enough, with no problems at all. After crossing safely with a startle but no harm, both let out a relieved breath. If not for the rush to get on the road, Fang Chongyong wouldn't have done something so dangerous and pretentious.

Sir Censor Fang, this way; I'll lead the way ahead.

Gao Shang spoke to Fang Chongyong while making a clasped-fist salute.

Hmm, lead the way.

Watching the white vapor he exhaled into the air, Fang Chongyong gave a slight nod and said.

These past few days, the temperature around Chang'an has plummeted; winter arrived unusually early this year. I wonder how many poor folk can't afford firewood or charcoal under such conditions.

Riding north along the Jing River, after two hours the two arrived before a small hill where a faint foot‑trod mountain trail could be seen.

Sir Censor Fang, this is the place.

Gao Shang dismounted, then made a clasped‑fist salute to Fang Chongyong, who remained on horseback, and spoke.

Just this?

Fang Chongyong stared bewildered at the hill before him, wondering why he couldn't see any 'road'.

Where is the road?

It's right here—just go over the small hill, pass through the woods, and you'll be there; it's not far, maybe a few li.

Gao Shang said this with a straight face, feeling nothing strange about it.

Uh… it seems the road in someone's mind and the road in Assistant Commander Gao's mind are indeed not the same thing.

Fang Chongyong said this with a double meaning, unsure whether Gao Shang had caught the implication.

What kind of road is Sir Censor Fang looking for?

Gao Shang asked doubtfully.

Naturally, it's a road that can transport coal to the riverbank.

Fang Chongyong said solemnly.

The coal mine has been found, yet to get it to the Jing River ford one must make a big detour, then load it onto a boat at that ford to ship it to a ford outside Chang'an—if that's the case, it might actually be better to go look for coal in Yong Province!

All right, let's cross the hill and see.

Fang Chongyong let out a light sigh, saying, 'At this moment I realize that doing actual work is truly not easy, while scheming against people in the bureaucracy is comparatively simple.'

But since everyone is busy scheming against each other, who would sincerely get down to work?

This question is not easy to answer—in fact, it can't be answered.

Gao Shang tethered his horse to a tree by the river; out in the open, no one would steal it, for these are government horses branded with an official seal, and there's no point in stealing them.

Fang Chongyong followed Gao Shang's steps along the mountain trail. Objectively speaking, this hill is only a 'slope'; the path is quite level, not high, and easy to climb. The only problem is that its length seems considerably longer than Gao Shang said.

Sure enough, after the open terrain they entered a narrow gap between two mountains, only as wide as a person's outstretched arms. No wonder Gao Shang didn't choose to ride a horse—there's such a place to pass through, and riding a horse would be extremely inconvenient.

Fang Chongyong silently followed behind Gao Shang, having to admit that this man ahead truly handles affairs with care, having considered everything in advance. His administrative ability is considerably stronger than that of ordinary officials.

For example, Gao Shang now carries a wooden box on his back containing the hemp rope from the Mine Pit.

The two had walked no less than five or six li along the mountain trail when the view ahead finally opened up.

Although the autumn harvest had long passed and there was nothing to be seen in the fields, Fang Chongyong could still easily tell that this was the farmland on the outskirts of the village, the key on which the locals relied for their livelihood.

The mountain path they had taken earlier was the shortcut the villagers used to get to the Jing River; in other words, without this shortcut, the village would not be located here.

Entering a small grove among the fields, Gao Shang pointed ahead at a deep pit enclosed by a wooden fence and said, "This is the place."

Fang Chongyong recalled the document from the Ministry of Works, which clearly stated that the surroundings were open grassland, yet before him lay a forest!

"Have we really not mistaken the place?"

Fang Chongyong looked doubtful and continued to press: "The Ministry of Works' document clearly says the place where the mine pit was found is grassland."

"That document is from over a hundred years ago, during the Zhenguan era. Back then this was still considered wasteland, so it being open was no surprise. Later, after water conservancy projects increased the water supply, mulberry trees were planted—this is what is meant by 'the seas turned to mulberry fields.'"

Gao Shang sighed and said.

Those good-for-nothings at the Ministry of Works don't know the first thing. Over a hundred years have passed, yet they never bother to update the documents. That's how officials are—if something brings no benefit to their promotion, no one will do it.

It was like this back in the Zhenguan era, and it's still like this now in the Tianbao era!

The resentful Gao Shang thought these people were all worthless wastes occupying positions without doing any work.

"Alright, want to go down and take a look? You stay up top and help me pull the rope."

Fang Chongyong asked.

Upon hearing this, Gao Shang immediately exclaimed excitedly:

"Mine pits have always been dangerous—how could we let Censor Fang go down!"

"Let this humble servant go down to scout; I'll report back after I've figured out the situation."

Gao Shang clasped his fists toward Fang Chongyong in a salute.

"Since you insist, we'll do it that way."

Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said.

"A gentleman does not stand beneath a dangerous wall," he thought; he and Gao Shang were not yet familiar enough to trust each other with their backs. His earlier probing remark was also meant to test Gao Shang's attitude toward work.

To be frank, Gao Shang really is the type to be a sycophant.

Together they tied the hemp rope to the roots of a sturdy mulberry tree near the mine pit, and Fang Chongyong also tied the rope around Gao Shang, instructing, "There might be water down there; if you can't manage, shout and I'll pull you up."

"I understand, sir."

Gao Shang swallowed, suppressed his inner panic, and slowly walked toward the mine pit, then turned sideways, grabbed the ground, and began to descend slowly to scout.

He knew well that this descent would determine whether Fang Chongyong would recommend him; if the task succeeded, it would be easy enough, but if he failed, then whatever comes next would be left to fate.

Gao Shang, who came from a bitter background, likewise understood that his life might offer few opportunities, and perhaps heaven would grant him only one chance.

If he seized it, he would rise to prominence.

If he missed it, he would spend his life eating vegetables and chewing grass.

Every inadvertent adventure could very well be the last chance to change one's fate.

He must seize it, even if it entails great risk.

Watching Gao Shang boldly descend into the mine pit, Fang Chongyong couldn't help but nod slightly, inwardly admiring this daring, ruthless man.

Men like Gao Shang, who come from humble roots without influential fathers, grandfathers, or uncles, must be fiercer than others if they wish to rise above the crowd.

In a world without protagonist halos, every person can be the protagonist, can seize the chance to change their fate, and can also catch heaven's favor.

Only by struggling desperately can they become superior to others!

Although Fang Chongyong did not agree with this kind of 'advancement,' he could still understand what similar struggles were for.

In his previous life, many liked to say something like 'finding joy in poverty.' I won't judge how it was back then, but in this man-eating Tang dynasty, whoever becomes impoverished will surely suffer, perhaps even suffer to death.

Even if it is joy, it is merely making the best of a bad situation.

When someone labors in the fields for a year only to scrape together bare subsistence, they will come to loathe and even hate such poverty—where could any happiness come from?

Royal ambitions and hegemony are merely big pies drawn by the ruling class; prospering the people brings suffering, and destroying the people brings suffering—this is the true state of the world.

Fang Chongyong lightly sighed, fantasizing that if he could just light a cigarette and take a puff now, one puff would dispel a thousand worries.

Suddenly he noticed that the rope he had been gripping tightly with both hands had gone slack!

Either the rope had snapped and Gao Shang had fallen into the pit, or… Gao Shang had already reached the bottom of the mine pit!

"Censor Fang, I've reached the bottom of the mine pit; there's some standing water, but it's not deep!"

Having descended to the deepest part of the mine pit, Gao Shang shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Is there any coal? Grab a bit and bring it up!"

Fang Chongyong likewise shouted at the top of his voice.

Soon after, Gao Shang shouted from below: "Censor Fang, pull me up—I've already gathered some coal!"

Hearing this, Fang Chongyong hurriedly pulled him up. Gao Shang took off the wooden box on his back, which was filled with many pieces of coal damp with water.

"I'm not really familiar with this, but this should be coal; there couldn't be charcoal in the mine pit."

Gao Shang pointed at the contents of the wooden box and said.

This mine pit slowly seeps water into the ground; otherwise, the cave would have existed for a hundred years and would have long turned into a deep pool. Because the seepage is rapid, coal can be extracted. Of course, if one were to open a mine shaft, that would be a different matter.

A mine shaft, in other words, means erecting wooden support structures around the cave and leaving a passage for personnel to go up and down.

Then, when mining coal, one opens holes at certain cross-sections around the pit's perimeter, continuously digging deeper while erecting supports. Similar techniques are actually well developed in the Yu Department of the Ministry of Works, although they apply them to iron ore.

Of course, here we are only speaking of discovering the coal deposit and the means of extraction.

But to actually extract it and transport it to Chang'an would still require massive manpower and material resources, necessitating the construction of much infrastructure beforehand.

Otherwise, it simply couldn't be done.

Therefore, the small step Fang Chongyong is taking now is indeed meaningful if we say it is; if we say it isn't, it's as meaningless as all those fitness plans that never get carried out.

Looking around at the surroundings, Fang Chongyong said with some relief, "Everything around is flat, with no mountains or rivers blocking the way—at least that's good news."

This is good news, though it's also one of the few pieces of good news.

On the road back to Binzhou Prefecture City, Fang Chongyong was pondering a solution; however, when they reached the Jing River, they discovered: the horse had been stolen!

Two ropes hung lonely on the tree trunk, as if mocking Fang Chongyong. As a capital official on public duty in the locality, yet having to report to the authorities for losing a horse, this is really shameful!

"The public security in Binzhou is really terrible; it seems we must rectify it."

Fang Chongyong couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"Censor Fang, actually Binzhou's public security is not bad; only San Shui County is problematic."

"This matter, the San Shui County magistrate must give an explanation; otherwise, where would Censor Fang's face go?"

"Please, Censor Fang, go rest at the prefecture office; I will now go to the San Shui County office to negotiate with the magistrate."

Gao Shang clasped his fists and bowed to Fang Chongyong.

"By the way, what crime is stealing horses?"

Fang Chongyong suddenly asked curiously, because he had never encountered such a strange matter before, so he hadn't paid attention to the punishment for this.

"Those who steal cattle are cangued; those who steal horses are executed."

Gao Shang said sternly.

"Understood, you go to the San Shui County office now; I myself will return to the Binzhou prefecture office."

Fang Chongyong said weakly, "Finding a coal mine, I actually encounter such a strange affair; the histories say the prosperous Tang had open doors at night, yet how could my official horse be stolen in broad daylight?"

His inner feelings were somewhat on the verge of collapse.

(End of chapter)