Chapter 1300: Duke Shou

Jizhou lay in the middle of Hebei, about three hundred li from Daming Prefecture. Its jurisdiction was small, governing only five counties, with a population of less than one hundred fifty thousand. Previously, because Daming Prefecture's geographic position hung in southern Hebei, too remote and distant, it increased administrative costs in transmitting orders from above and issuing decrees below. Some officials had suggested moving the Hebei administrative seat to the central region, and Jizhou was among the places under consideration.

However, due to various resistance from inside and out, the proposal was shelved, and Jizhou, this central prefecture, missed its chance to rise anew.

In autumn, Hebei had already welcomed the moment of harvest. The vast plains had been dyed patch after patch of golden yellow. This year's climate was good, free of disasters and calamities—at least the people of Hebei did not have to endure other force majeure effects beyond the war.

On the deep yellow earthen road, a troop of riders galloped swiftly, leaving the fields and woodlands along the way rapidly behind. This troop numbered just over thirty men. Aside from the obvious guards, the most eye-catching among them was a middle-aged man in blue brocade.

The high-speed gallop made his outer robe billow, snapping loudly in the wind. After a long while, they finally slowed, until they stopped. Reining in his horse, he observed a stretch of farmland by the roadside.

Under the autumn wind, waves of wheat rolled by, their rustling sound so pleasant to the ear. Scattered among the wheat fields were some peasants, heads bowed, diligently reaping the wheat.

Although it was the harvest season, the atmosphere was not as relaxed and joyful as in years past. On the brows of the toiling peasants, besides sweat, there also seemed to hang a layer of lingering gloom and worry.

In the fields, besides the sound of wind, the cutting of wheat, and the cries of animals, there would occasionally come the wailing of a child, from the backs of the peasant women working in the fields.

It could be observed that among the peasants busy harvesting in the fields, able-bodied young men made up only a little over half. The rest were old farmers, sturdy women, and youths. As for where the men of the households had gone, one could easily draw the conclusion—they had either been conscripted into military service or corvée labor, basically all in service of the northern expedition. On ordinary days, if the authorities were to levy corvée, they would not choose such a season.

Watching the somewhat desolate bustle in the fields, the middle-aged man reining his horse by the roadside seemed somewhat affected by the scene. He sighed: "Along this journey, not only are there fewer crops planted than in previous years, but the strong labor force for harvesting is also visibly lacking!"

"Duke Shou, the situation here in Jizhou is not yet severe. With a bit of organization, even if busy, it can be managed. It's the prefectures and counties in the north that have had the most manpower drawn, and they bear the heaviest impact!" Beside him, an elderly man with a goatee and refined bearing said to the middle-aged man, his words carrying obvious respect.

This middle-aged man held a noble position in the Great Han—not only a relative of the imperial family, but also one of the Twenty-Four Ministers of Qianyou: Duke Shou, Administration Commissioner of Hebei, Li Shaoyou.

More than twenty years had passed. The wastrel of Jinyang back then was now a man with wild beard and hair, gray streaking his temples, approaching fifty years of age. His dashing appearance of earlier years could no longer be discerned; only from that indescribable temperament could one faintly find traces of the past. Even with years of comfortable living, time had left its marks on Li Shaoyou's face.

Especially his fondness for wine and women—this had placed no small burden on Duke Shou's body. Even though he had once dismissed his concubines in his early years, to this day, counting wives and concubines together, Li Shaoyou's household still had eleven. However, with age, Duke Shou had begun to pay attention to restraint and self-care.

Of course, the fatigue on Li Shaoyou's face at this moment was not only from the hardship of travel, but also from the high-intensity work of these past few months. Hebei was the primary logistics base for the eastern route army of the northern expedition. As the chief official of the circuit, coordinating local manpower, materials, and finances in all aspects naturally consumed greatly increased energy.

This time, he had originally been on an inspection and mobilization tour of the central and northern prefectures and counties. He had been in Puyin investigating the production and transport of medicinal materials when he learned that Emperor Liu had toured to Hebei, and so he hurriedly rushed to meet the Emperor. Although Emperor Liu had not specifically summoned him, that did not affect his proactive behavior and positive attitude. After all, since the Empress Dowager's passing, the two of them, being maternal cousins, had not seen each other for some years.

"This is already within Jizhou's borders, isn't it?" Li Shaoyou asked.

The administrative aide beside him called over the guide, who reported: "Indeed, Your Grace. This place is under the jurisdiction of Hengshui County. The county seat is to the southeast. About thirty li south lies Xindu Town!"

"Duke Shou, having traveled day and night continuously, shall we rest for a night at Hengshui or Xindu?" that administrative aide requested.

"No need! Can we keep His Majesty waiting for us?" Li Shaoyou shook his head, waved his hand, and instructed: "Dismount! Rest here! Go, summon the local village head!"

"Yes!"

Soon, the village head of this township arrived—a standard Hebei man, his rough face etched with the marks of years, exuding a rugged boldness. His right hand was missing two fingers, clearly having been on the battlefield.

A village head who could have his say with authority in the township and act with impunity became utterly proper before Li Shaoyou, as docile as a quail.

Not to mention the imposing and cold rider who had found him, even the naturally exuded bearing of Li Shaoyou's party made the "well-traveled" village head feel alarmed. This was definitely not something the county officials could project—these were absolutely powerful figures from the prefecture. Anything higher exceeded his realm of understanding. Even back when he was in the army, the highest-ranking officer he had dealings with was merely a battalion commander of his own unit.

"May I ask where the honored guest hails from, and what business you have with me?" Having presumably experienced the upper society of his county and township, this rough man spoke in a bookish manner. When clasping his fists, he deliberately exposed his shortened fingers, as if showing off his experience.

Seeing the village head's cautious yet shrewd performance, Li Shaoyou smiled lightly, handed him a water skin from his hand, and said: "I come from Daming Prefecture, passing through your esteemed land. I have some matters to inquire about! Have a couple of drinks—this is your Hengshui wine!"

Hearing this, the village head's eyes lit up. After a moment's hesitation, unable to resist his craving, he took the finely crafted wine skin and took two hearty gulps. As the wine entered his mouth, his eyes widened even more, and soon a look of enjoyment appeared on his face.

He respectfully returned it, smacking his lips in admiration: "This wine must have some years on it! Even here in Hengshui itself, it's not something just anyone can drink!"

"Hengshui's wine is famous throughout Hebei and even the whole realm. My family has modest assets, so I purchased some!" Li Shaoyou replied.

But the village head shook his head and said: "I may be just a country fellow, but I know that a guest who can drink this wine as travel refreshment, with these fierce warriors as guards, is definitely no ordinary person!"

Li Shaoyou: "Oh! Then by your judgment, what identity do I hold?"

The village head grinned: "Surely a man of power and influence. Since the honored guest is unwilling to reveal his identity, I won't be nosy and ask!"

"You're a shrewd man. With a village head like you, the governance of this township should be quite stable, shouldn't it?" Li Shaoyou said.

"It was fine in the past, but now there's fighting up north. Four-tenths of the able-bodied men in the township have been drawn away. There are fewer troublemakers, but the work in the fields has become difficult! I hear some places have already released some laborers back, but not a single man from our township has returned!" the village head said candidly.

"After all, it's to support the soldiers fighting at the front!" Li Shaoyou nodded in understanding and asked: "What are your thoughts on the northern expedition?"

"What thoughts can us common folk have? The court wants war, the authorities levy conscription—we can only obey and comply. Besides, it's against the Khitan. If this hand of mine were intact, I might have led men to the front lines myself. My father and two elder brothers all died at the hands of the Khitan back then..." the village head said.

Although this was just one man's opinion, and perhaps even the shrewd village head deliberately catering to him, Li Shaoyou still felt gratified by his "awareness." He said with a smile: "Your missing fingers—were they lost in battle against the Khitan?"

"Exactly! More than ten years ago, during the Great Han's first northern expedition, I fought the Khitan at Nankou. I couldn't dodge in time and lost two fingers!" the village head said with a hint of pride.

Li Shaoyou felt a surge of respect and remarked with emotion: "The Battle of Nankou—it was fierce indeed. Many soldiers died in that battle!"

"Yes!" The village head seemed to recall that bloody and brutal battle from back then, and replied: "I was under General Han (Han Lingkun) at the time. I was one of the lucky ones—I survived. Of the more than twenty thousand brothers in the forward camp, not many remained after the battle! I beheaded seven Khitan that day, which earned me my commendation. I returned home to serve as a village official, and when the old village head retired, I took up this post."

"Have another drink!" Li Shaoyou handed the wine skin back to him.

Though somewhat embarrassed, the village head could not resist his craving. Taking it, he enjoyed another two hearty gulps, his face nearly showing an expression of intoxication. He sighed: "I'm a local man, but these days, even getting a taste of Hengshui wine isn't easy!"

Li Shaoyou seemed quite surprised: "Oh? Hengshui natives have difficulty drinking Hengshui wine?"

"The county government has issued strict orders—no brewing allowed. Grain is collected, and besides what's used for taxes and personal consumption, everything else must be sold to the authorities!"

Hearing this, Li Shaoyou nodded slightly and said with a smile: "In extraordinary times, filling one's belly matters more!"

"It's just a pity for those brewing workshops. Several of them brewed privately and were all arrested and sentenced by the county!" the village head remarked.

Li Shaoyou was even more satisfied. The wartime work of Hengshui County seemed to be carried out quite thoroughly.

"Many able-bodied laborers have been drawn from the townships. The autumn harvest must be somewhat difficult—will it be done in time?" Li Shaoyou asked again.

The village head replied: "It is somewhat difficult, but we've already started harvesting early. The hard part is for those households whose laborers were drawn away. One able-bodied man—during the busy farming season, what one able-bodied man can do is not something those sturdy women and youths can easily replace. However, the county has issued orders for every township and village to organize the remaining able-bodied men to help these households, with the hiring costs borne by the county..."

"Oh?" Li Shaoyou's interest grew even stronger.

He asked a few more questions about local agricultural matters before letting the village head return. Satisfied with his performance, he also gifted him a skin of wine.

"Who is the chief administrator of Hengshui County?" Li Shaoyou asked before leaving.

"The County Magistrate is named Zhang Qixian, a jinshi of the fourth year of Kaibao!"

"Once the northern expedition concludes, he can be promoted!" Li Shaoyou instructed.