Chapter 168

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

Kong Fuyang never expected that right before him there was a "sturdy woman" Song Miao had found.

But although he was always talkative, he never refused to back down.

Seeing Zhang Siniang's actions with his own eyes, he immediately stood up and said, "Let me try too."

After speaking, he walked over to the bamboo basket holding lettuce stems, first lifting it with one hand—he lifted it, it was very heavy, ultimately his balance was poor, and it swayed unsteadily, until he finally steadied it with both hands.

Carrying this bamboo basket for a few steps, Kong Fuyang set it down, then went to the water well behind and honestly drew two buckets of water.

As soon as the carrying pole was on his shoulder, he immediately sensed something was wrong.

Great Wei used a system of sixteen ounces to the jin; an ordinary water bucket held only twenty-something jin of water, but this official post station rear kitchen had very large water vats, so the wooden buckets for carrying water were specially made, very large, bound with iron hoops in three rings; when full of water, one bucket weighed thirty or forty jin, and the two buckets front and back hung on the carrying pole, heavy and sinking.

Kong Fuyang's family was wealthy; having grown up this big, he had almost never done much labor. He thought himself well-versed in the Six Arts, that every time he was tested in archery and horsemanship he ranked among the top, and that with all his strength he could even draw a bow of one stone five dou.

According to the archery instructor, such results could even get him into the Imperial Guard as a shift leader; a couple of small water buckets were naturally nothing!

But at this very moment, a towering high mountain suddenly appeared on his shoulder, pressing his chest tight, making his scalp tense, leaving him completely unable to breathe.

They say to look up to a high mountain; once you've got this mountain, you can't even lift your head—how can you look up?!

Kong Fuyang forced himself to walk a few steps, and indeed he walked, but the more he raised his shoulders the heavier and more painful it became; not only that, because the water buckets swayed, water kept spilling out. He wanted to stop the water from spilling, his steps grew more chaotic, and he nearly stumbled and fell.

Just then, Zhang Siniang stepped forward a few paces and steadied the front water bucket with her hand. Seeing this, Song Miao also hurried forward to steady the rear bucket.

Only by the two of them steadying it did Kong Fuyang finally manage to stand firm holding the carrying pole, still shaken from his fright, just wiping away sweat, when he suddenly felt the mountain on his shoulder fly away and his head grow light. Just as he raised his head, he saw Zhang Siniang beside him with her knees spread, squatting slightly, placing the carrying pole on a spot above her shoulder blades, as if using only light strength, and the carrying pole rose into the air on her shoulder.

Rising along with it were two large buckets of water.

When the water was on his shoulder, it splashed everywhere; but now that it was on Zhang Siniang's shoulder, it was very obedient. Though it clearly swayed back and forth, the water only spun inside the buckets, almost not spilling at all.

As for Zhang Siniang, though she wasn't as light as carrying floating clouds, carrying a pole of water she still moved with quick steps, walking on stone steps as if on flat ground. In no time she entered the kitchen, asked Song Miao, and poured the water into several large wooden basins and pots.

Kong Fuyang followed behind, seeing this series of actions from the person opposite, and had not a shred of suspicion left. He immediately clasped his hands in salute and said, "Young lady, what strength! I am utterly useless!"

He added, "I was ignorant before; now I apologize to the young lady. With your strength, at the construction site kitchen you'll surely be able to lift and carry, not falling short of ordinary laborers in the slightest!"

He then said to Song Miao, "Stall Owner Song, what I said earlier was all nonsense. My mind was rash and ignorant, which is why I dared to speak recklessly here. You manage the kitchen; naturally everything should be decided by you!"

He apologized so cheerfully that it made Zhang Siniang opposite feel a bit embarrassed. She said haltingly, "It's not that my strength is so great; it's just that the Young Master has never done such rough work. Actually, you'll learn it in one try!"

But after all, she saw a scholar-official opposite, working in the Zhou Ya. According to Song Xiaoniangzi's introduction just now, he was a famous scholar in Taixue, who would surely become a high-ranking Jinshi, enter the court and become an official. Now he was honestly apologizing to her—how could she help but smile with narrowed eyes?

Seeing off the satisfied Zhang Siniang, as Song Miao walked toward the kitchen, she saw Kong Fuyang drawing water by the well.

She found it very strange and couldn't help but walk closer to ask.

But just as she got close, she heard a "clang"—Kong Fuyang hastily let go of his hand, quickly retreated two steps, and called out "Song Xiaoniangzi." Without her asking, he stammered, "I'm thirsty; I came to draw some water to drink!"

There was tea in the room, and even if there wasn't, one call would have a runner bring a drink. Kong Fuyang's behavior was a clear case of trying to cover up and only making it more obvious.

Song Miao saw the two water buckets and a carrying pole beside him, and secretly laughed in her heart, but on her face she pretended to be surprised, saying, "Why go to so much trouble? Let me find a drink for Young Master Kong!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Kong Fuyang said embarrassedly, "Stall Owner Song, you clearly know why I'm drawing water!"

Song Miao couldn't help but laugh. Even though the sky was already dark, borrowing a little starlight and moonlight, her eyebrows and eyes curved, her eyes bright and shining, making Kong Fuyang couldn't help but laugh along.

He self-mockingly said, "Forget it, laugh if you want!"

Then, as if very puzzled, he said, "I see that young lady isn't taller than me, and she's younger than me, so how can she carry the pole so easily!"

Song Miao laughed and said, "Siniang already said just now that everything depends on technique, not much on other factors. Besides, everyone has their strengths. Look, I can't carry water easily either, but I don't force myself. Young Master Kong, your learning and talent are outstanding in every way; you are certainly not weak and bookish."

"Earlier on the road to Hua Prefecture, one day when investigating water conditions, your group returned the slowest. I worried something had happened on the road and wanted to send someone to pick you up, but Young Master Han only said it was fine, and said, 'There's Kong Fuyang leading the team; his horsemanship and archery are the best, and he is resourceful. Even if something unexpected happens, he not only has the ability to protect himself, but will surely protect the rest of the group'..."

She paused, then said, "Young Master Kong, you are so accomplished in both literature and martial arts. Now two buckets of water have you worried, and you're still fussing here in the middle of the night? With this time spent randomly pondering, you'd better rest early. When Title of Niangniang comes tomorrow, ask her to teach you when she has time. I guarantee you'll learn to carry this water in no time!"

Song Miao's words had barely fallen when she saw the face and eyes of the person opposite—there was a moment when they seemed to have absorbed the essence of moonlight, shining brightly.

Kong Fuyang seemed unable to control his voice as he loudly asked, "Zheng Yan really said my 'horsemanship and archery are the best'? He used the word 'best'???"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but grin again, the teeth he revealed seeming to turn three shades whiter.

Song Miao nodded with a smile and said, "The exact words; I remember them very clearly."

Kong Fuyang no longer used the carrying pole to carry water—he really didn't know how to use it. He tucked the carrying pole under his arm, his face could only smile, and he carried two empty buckets back to the kitchen to put them away, leaving behind a chorus of hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha.

Kong Fuyang laughed happily. At this very moment, in Hua Prefecture Zhou Ya, Head Clerk Qian Zhongming's face had not a trace of a smile.

A clerk standing below him was carefully reporting.

"This subordinate didn't say anything, nor mention the Head Clerk at all. Everything was done according to procedure. Who would have thought these ruffians would be so shameless..."

Hearing this, Qian Zhongming stood up, slowly walked to the clerk in front of him, raised his hand as if soundlessly, but suddenly a gust of wind arose, and a slap flew toward the clerk's face.

The latter first didn't react. After reacting, he instinctively tried to dodge, but couldn't dodge at all. He was slapped until his vision went black, yet he still dared not speak loudly.

Qian Zhongming coldly said, "I only told you to arrange some difficult people so the kitchen couldn't be set up for a while. I didn't tell you to use such fools and cause such a mess. Do you know that today the boy who brought the news said one thing about urgent military reports, another about the fan department's mission, and another about poisoning involving high officials, even alarming the Prefect? How am I supposed to clean up your mess?!"

The clerk could only lower his head and keep apologizing.

Qian Zhongming coldly said, "I slapped you only because you are someone I trust, to teach you a lesson. In the future, investigate thoroughly before acting—if that young lady were easy to deal with, why would she have been selected by Han Li to help out? Fortunately, today it was just a loss of face and can still be fixed. If my reputation were ruined..."

"It won't, it won't!" the clerk hurriedly added. "In a short while, where would she find people? Even if she found people, there's no grain, no laborers. Without rice, how to cook? Even if cooked, someone has to eat it. After all, this is just a small post. As long as the Water Supervisor doesn't find manpower for a day..."

Hearing these words, Qian Zhongming's expression finally looked a bit better. He said, "Originally I thought of holding out until the end of the month, when it would be time to conscript people for him. But that Han group slapped my face like this, so I can't help but drag it out a bit longer to settle the minds of my subordinates."

On the other side, Zhang Siniang finished packing her things in the official post station, bid farewell to Song Miao, and headed home.

She was busy and rarely rested, but after all she had learned many things. In less than half a day, she knew how to stir-fry dishes, what techniques for kneading dough, and what was needed for making spring pancakes. It was truly eye-opening, especially the leek and river shrimp she stir-fried herself—the taste was clearly a great improvement compared to the plate she had stir-fried before.

When a person truly learns something, especially when they clearly perceive their own progress, that sense of satisfaction in their heart can outweigh everything.

When Zhang Siniang returned home, she thought over and over what Song Miao had taught her during the day, memorizing it again and again, afraid of missing anything. Knowing her errand was mostly settled, her heart was filled only with joy and contentment, not feeling tired at all.

She had only walked halfway when she saw her home's alley entrance ahead. At the crossroads stood a person who looked very familiar.

Zhang Siniang was delighted in her heart. She ran forward a few steps and called out, "Sanlang!"

The latter, hearing her call and seeing Zhang Siniang herself right in front, was also delighted and hurried forward to meet her, calling out, "Siniang!"

By now it was past mealtime, and that "Sanlang" pulled a dried lotus leaf wrap from his pocket, handed it over, and said, "Look what this is!"

Zhang Siniang took it and looked, surprised and delighted, calling out, "Steamed cake! Where did you get this?"

That Sanlang said proudly, "I took on a job today, delivering something to Erli Dam, and it just so happened they were holding a wedding there and gave me this steamed cake as a wedding cake. I saw there were lots of red dates inside, so it must be sweet. Knowing you like this, I brought it back for you!"

He added, "Hurry and eat! Hurry and taste if it's sweet!"

Hearing him say this, Zhang Siniang indeed took a bite first, said "Sweet," but then handed the dried lotus leaf wrap back, saying, "You eat too!"

Sanlang hurriedly waved his hand, saying, "I brought it specially for you!"

"If you don't eat, I won't eat either!"

The two pushed and yielded to each other, but in the end they sat side by side and shared the steamed cake.

It turned out this Sanlang was the man Zhang Siniang had been betrothed to two years prior.

Both families were fishermen, they had known each other since childhood, and their feelings were good.

Nowadays, the separation of men and women was not so strictly observed, especially among common folk where there were even fewer such rules. Betrothed young men and women walking arm in arm, strolling and sightseeing together, was very common. Moreover, since both families had set the wedding for the end of the year, they already regarded each other as family.

After finishing the steamed cake, Zhang Siniang suddenly seemed to realize something and hurriedly asked, "The water has risen so high, how dare you still go toward Erli Dam?"

Wang Sanlang said, "The water has been rushing lately, and fish are hard to catch. I thought it was rare to have a job, and it's just a few poles to get there. Idling is idling anyway, and earning a few more coins means I can save them up—I wanted to buy you a bronze mirror. Linzi's family bought one for his new bride, placed it on a table, and it was brand new, brand new. His mother-in-law was so pleased!"

Zhang Siniang said, "I don't need that. What's wrong with looking at my face in a basin of clear water? Reflecting in the water is clearer than any mirror. Save your money; we'll have other uses for it later. I've been saving money for you all along. In winter, when pulling nets, your hands get cold. I thought of buying two hides to make you and my Big Brother each a pair of gloves and a pair of leather boots, so you wouldn't fear water or cold. Only hides are terribly expensive!"

"No need, I'm not afraid of the cold!"

As they walked and talked, Zhang Siniang kept scolding him for not paying attention to the water conditions and depth, while Wang Sanlang kept thinking about buying a mirror and rouge for his sweetheart.

In the end, it was Wang Sanlang who apologized, saying he wouldn't do such a thing again tomorrow.

But he still couldn't help sighing, saying, "Lately fish are hard to come by, and boats can't be poled. We can't just keep waiting idly, can we? In less than two months it'll be the summer flood. Just wasting days like this, how can we make money? How can I marry you into my door?"

"It's already hard enough working all year. If it doesn't work out, rest for a while and see if there's work on shore. We'll find some other jobs to get by!"

"Where is it so easy to find work? Not only us fishermen and ferrymen, but now the canal laborers and porters by the river, and even those selling goods at stalls around here—none have a livelihood. Wugēzi and them have been ashore looking for over ten days and haven't found a few jobs, let alone me." He paused, "As for you, you said the Washing Clothes Workshop hasn't had work for a while. Why not rest for a bit? I've saved a few coins..."

Saying this, he reached into his sleeve.

Zhang Siniang declined repeatedly. First she recounted everything that had happened today, then said, "You don't know how skilled Song Xiaoniangzi is. Stir-fried river shrimp with leeks—so delicious I wanted to use spring pancakes to soak up the oil left at the bottom of the plate. In just half a day, she's learned so many things. One day I'll make them for you to eat!"

She added, "I don't need to learn to be very skilled. As long as I learn a move or two, I can set up a stall outside or get a job in the kitchen of some food shop or teahouse. That would be a blessing from heaven and earth!"

Wang Sanlang was happy for his sweetheart, but upon learning she would go to the canal construction site, he couldn't help but feel both heartache and reluctance. He said, "The construction site is so far away. If work starts tomorrow, won't you have to leave early in the morning and only return after dark? If this job lasts two months, won't we not see each other for a long time?"

"It's not that I'll start working at the canal tomorrow. I'm just going to the Yi Guan Guan to help out first." Zhang Siniang explained a few sentences, then said regretfully, "Pity you're not a woman. Otherwise, with your strength, you'd surely be chosen. Then we'd both be in the same place. How wonderful!"

But today her sister-in-law returned in the afternoon and had been running around everywhere, already securing many old connections from the Washing Clothes Workshop. For a man like Wang Sanlang to be among them was truly not very convenient.

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart.

Wang Sanlang pondered for a while. Seeing Zhang Family's house not far away, he didn't go further. He pulled her to the side of the road to stand and asked, "Siniang, you said Song Xiaoniangzi is hiring all these people. They were originally supposed to be assigned by the yamen as laborers, but now they can't be used and are willing to spend money to hire instead. Doesn't that mean there will be other places at the construction site that need people to work?"

"I'm not asking for a big subsidy from him. Just a little token, and a meal included. Then when we break for lunch at noon, won't we be able to see each other? If it gets late in the evening, I can still take you home. Otherwise, in the middle of the night, I'd be worried sick!"

Hearing this, Zhang Siniang pondered again and again. Then she grabbed Wang Sanlang's sleeve and hurried home, saying, "Let's first go ask my sister-in-law. Tomorrow I'll ask Song Xiaoniangzi!"

Wang Sanlang hurriedly clung to his own sleeve, saying, "It's late at night. If I run to your house empty-handed, how will your sister-in-law look at me? How will Big Brother look at me? How will the nieces and nephews at home look at me?!"

Zhang Siniang spat at him, saying, "Who is your Big Brother, sister-in-law, nieces, and nephews? You haven't even entered the door yet!"

But she still let go in the end, and added, "Let me ask for you. If Song Xiaoniangzi really needs more people, that would be great!"