Chapter 182

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

That square table wasn't large, the two sitting side by side, taking advantage of a moment of spare time now to drink a few sips of warm tea and exchange a few words of idle chat.

Song Miao naturally asked whether Han Li's trip to Weizhou had gone smoothly, and said today's dishes were already decided, with no choice left, asking him if there was anything he wanted to eat tomorrow, and then asking if there were any other arrangements afterward.

Actually, if she didn't ask, Han Li would take the initiative to say it; once she asked, he only felt that for as long as he had lived, he had never had such a desire to talk like today.

He had too many words in his belly, wanting to say everything: from the journey to Weizhou, the people he met, what he had done, why he had done it, finally achieving a result that wasn't bad—although there had been some rushing about, his heart was very satisfied.

As for what to eat tomorrow, Song Stall Owner's skill—having eaten until now, there had never been a dish that didn't suit his appetite; he could leave it to her to make as she pleased, but shouldn't make it too hard on her, because tomorrow the river work had already begun, and on the first day he had to go to the construction site kitchen to light the fire; if he couldn't manage, he and his people could simply come back and eat at the Yi Guan Guan without issue.

Anyway, once the Hua Prefecture matter was finished and he returned to the Capital, he wasn't in a hurry to go to Sanzao County Alley himself to find lodging; the days were long, and he wasn't lacking this moment or that.

He also asked Song Miao whether she had encountered any other trouble in Hua Prefecture these past few days.

Song Miao naturally answered that there wasn't any trouble, only briefly mentioning that the kitchen laborers conscripted by the yamen earlier couldn't be used, had done some disgusting things, and she had found some reliable ones herself instead.

"Young Master said the kitchen matters were left to me to handle, so I made my own decision and hired some Aunties and Young Ladies to come over; they've already tried working for two days, pick up quickly, each one has clean hands and feet, and their attitudes are extremely proper—regardless of age, they can all memorize fifty-two regulations in one night—and you should know, they're all illiterate!"

"Even if you replaced them with a proper literate student who had nothing to do all day, just reading and reciting from the text, they might not be able to memorize it completely in half a day, inevitably glancing around, being lazy and distracted; but these Auntie and Young Lady sisters, even though each has many other things to be busy with, relying on snatching spare time to memorize and learn, can remember it so clearly—how much effort they put in is obvious!"

Speaking to this point, her tone was sincerely moved, looking as if she admired her from the bottom of her heart.

Han Li watched from the side, only feeling her facial expression was extremely vivid; for a moment, he was actually lost in watching and listening, even forgetting to breathe.

His voice unconsciously lowered, and he said: "It shows your ability to judge people; not only are those Aunties and Young Ladies capable, but without you knowing they were capable, they would have no place to show their talents, isn't that right?"

Song Miao couldn't help but laugh, saying: "Young Master, are you praising yourself, or praising me—actually, are you secretly praising yourself? 'If it weren't for my ability to judge people, how could Song Stall Owner have the opportunity to have a place to show her talents,' isn't that right?"

Han Li found it hard not to laugh along; although he couldn't see a mirror, he felt that at this moment even his eyes must be shining with happiness.

He loved times like this too much, loved sitting and chatting idly like this too much; actually, even without speaking, just like before, there was once when he went to Sanzao County Alley and simply sat watching Song Stall Owner cook noodles, and felt comfortable.

Also on the way here, and another time, when they stayed at a village household, Song Stall Owner sat picking vegetables while he washed dishes on the side, only hating that there were too few bowls—no matter how he washed, it wasn't enough.

He smiled and said softly: "Just now outside I heard Kong Fuyang giving instructions, and only then learned that the recruitment stall here has already recruited three or four hundred people—all thanks to Song Stall Owner's idea, saving me who knows how much effort!"

Speaking to this point, Han Li paused, then smiled again, saying: "I originally wanted to express endless gratitude, but I'm afraid Song Stall Owner would tease me with it—that doesn't matter, only I'm afraid it would seem distant, so I don't want to say it, but my heart is truly very happy."

While speaking, he took out a cloth bundle from behind and gently placed it on the table in front of Song Miao; the smile on his face faded slightly, revealing a bit of nervousness, as he said: "When I was in Weizhou, I met someone selling straw sandals and straw hats on the road; that old man wove the rice straw very finely, the side that touches the skin is quite smooth, not rough at all, so I happened to buy some back."

"Lately the weather has been getting hotter; sunny days are fine, but when it rains, everyone brought mostly boots this time, which are very hot and generally inconvenient."

Song Miao took the cloth bundle and opened it; inside were two portions each of straw sandals and straw hats.

Han Li pointed to one portion and said: "This is for you and Da Bing; if others aren't particular, it doesn't matter if they mix them up—after all, they're dirty themselves—but Song Stall Owner is used to loving cleanliness—I put a small mark on top; see if this is easy to distinguish?"

Song Miao heard this and carefully looked them over; the two portions were one large and one small; one pair of straw sandals should be Da Bing's, with a paper label pasted on top with the character "Liu"; the other pair of straw sandals had no mark at all, only a sliding knot woven on each side, with some kind of seed tied on the sliding knot with grass—red, like red beans, but a bit larger than red beans, round and plump, very eye-catching.

With this special sliding knot, others would find it hard to mistake them.

"I don't know what size shoes you wear; fortunately, straw sandals aren't so particular about size; I compared your build, and that Sister-in-law estimated and made them; you try them on tonight when you go back to see if they fit." Han Li added another sentence.

Song Miao laughed and thanked him, then went to take the straw hats.

Under the brim of the straw hats, fine strings were sewn for adjusting tightness; where the string fell was similarly a single red seed, with two holes drilled through the left and right sides, the string passing through the middle.

It was clearly a set with the shoes.

Although the straw hats and straw sandals had no writing on them and didn't look any finer than Da Bing's, just with a few extra seeds, it still made it very easy for people to notice the thought behind them.

The shoes weren't suitable to try on in front of others, so Song Miao took the hat and put it on right there, smiling and asking: "Such a practical thing—how do I look wearing it? Is it suitable?"

A big straw hat, a face about the size of a palm, her head tilted back, eyes black and bright, containing the most beautiful stars in the Silver River.

Han Li was suddenly speechless.

He slowly drew a breath, smiled, and replied: "Just right, extremely suitable."

That evening, the students responsible for copying names and registering were eating in shifts; Kong Fuyang only ate a little something and didn't go to eat, instead going one by one to take others' places eating first.

He was busy until the end; seeing that everything was more or less the same, just as the call to eat came from inside, did he finally let go.

He entered the door together with several others who also hadn't eaten; seeing that only half of those who had gone to Weizhou had returned, Kong Fuyang was extremely surprised, hurriedly asked what was going on, and asked where Old Lu was; everyone answered that half the people had been left in Weizhou to help recruit laborers.

Both sides only then carefully exchanged news; you asked a question, I asked a question, or asked at the same time, answered at the same time—it was noisier than frogs croaking in a summer pond.

Han Li hurriedly stopped them, saying: "There are others in the front hall; keep your voices down, don't make a racket."

Everyone immediately lowered their voices, and it became a humming sound.

However, this humming sound, as soon as the food and dishes were served, disappeared all at once.

Those who had just returned from Hua Prefecture hurriedly called out "Song Xiaoniangzi"; this one said: "These past two days, as soon as it's mealtime, all I think about in my heart is you and Da Bing!"

That one said: "Counting the days on my fingers, finally made it back!"

Someone else only asked questions, saying: "Did Song Xiaoniangzi make side dishes today? Is there a portion for us?"

Another said: "Why are you two just talking? Hurry up and take your bowls and chopsticks! Do you want Song Xiaoniangzi to serve them out to us?!"

There were also a few who hadn't eaten yet, especially Kong Fuyang; seeing plate after plate, bowl after bowl of food being brought out from the carrying baskets one after another, he immediately saw the bowl at the very bottom of the basket.

Seeing that it was mushroom and sliced meat soup, he was first delighted, then his eyes shifted; he looked up at Han Li on the side, but didn't say anything, only following the group and finishing dinner like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds.

A student on the side rubbed his belly and sighed that it was good to be back; clearly just one meal and one soup, yet there was something to look forward to every day; hearing others echo him, he didn't interrupt, but quietly stood up, went forward and tugged at Han Li's sleeve, gesturing for him to go to the back together.

After a table of food was finished, leaving some empty bowls and cups, everyone had already tidied them up and put them in the carrying basket; Han Li casually took it, and he and Kong Fuyang went toward the back courtyard.

Just as they entered the courtyard gate, Kong Fuyang hurriedly blurted out how he had received Song Miao's suggestion; earlier he had been stubborn, but later it was only with her help in setting up the rack that he could recruit so many people; finally he said: "If recruiting people counts as merit, I want to record all the primary credit to Song Xiaoniangzi; Zheng Yan, do you think that's alright?"

Han Li said: "If the matter can be accomplished, everything is easy to discuss—you write the memorial nicely and give it to Cen Tongpan; I'll explain the benefits and stakes to him; surely there won't be a problem."

He also said: "Don't worry; even if you don't mention it, I'll keep this matter in mind; just for the construction site food, Song Stall Owner has already earned a great merit."

Receiving his answer, Kong Fuyang was no longer anxious at all, made a few agreeing sounds, then changed the subject, hurriedly asking him in detail how he had recruited so many people in Weizhou and how he had obtained so much grain.

Han Li naturally didn't hide anything; in a few words, he laid out the whole story from beginning to end.

Kong Fuyang listened so hard he could hardly walk; he grabbed Han Li's hand, incessantly asking for details, sighing and admiring, and finally said: "This method can only be used by you; if it weren't for Chen Fuzi's great reputation, how could he have induced that Xuezheng to do his utmost, even his in-laws rushing to get involved!"

Han Li shook his head instead and said, "You're usually so smart, why can't you figure it out today?"

"Master Chen has his uses, but without Master Chen, are there no other Master Lis or Master Zhous? I remember Master Liu and Master Wen in the zhai think very highly of you. When you're about to leave, just ask them if they can take a few students back to study under them for half a semester—it won't cost a single coin, and you can run some errands. Since it's for flood control, as long as you speak up, it's not really troublesome; just say hello to Xuezhong, would they refuse?"

"Both masters have literary reputations; one xuezheng isn't enough, find two—you're a Taixue student, speaking to your own teacher, what's there that can't be said?"

Kong Fuyang was a bit awkward and said, "If we do it this way, what if the teacher refuses?"

Han Li said, "If it's difficult, the teacher will naturally refuse; if he refuses, what great loss do you suffer?"

Kong Fuyang was stunned, thought carefully for a long while, then hesitantly said, "But losing some face..."

"You're the person in charge, what face do you need? If relying only on face could make the river flow and the dikes firm..."

Kong Fuyang blurted out, "Forget face, I'd even..."

He said this far, then felt disgusted himself, and hurriedly closed his mouth.

Han Li said, "Don't think of yourself as a student; right now you and I are in charge. Use whatever you have at hand, and even if you have nothing, find a way to substitute—so long as the thing gets done, everything is worth it."

He added, "Besides, all benefits in the world can be exchanged; what you think is ordinary, if used in the right place, may not be without value."

"For example?"

Seeing Kong Fuyang press so closely, Han Li said slowly, "For example, I tell the students from Weizhou that there's a Taixue student named Kong Fuyang here, skilled in the Six Methods of Poetry and Prose, versed in the classics, who knows rapid memorization and rapid recitation; though it's an impromptu method, there are one or two things worth taking..."

Kong Fuyang hurriedly said, "What Six Methods of Poetry and Prose? It's just my own casual summary, not fit for elegant halls. And as for rapid memorization and rapid recitation, they don't seek true understanding, only for emergencies—you're praising me too much!"

Even as he said this, the corners of his mouth were nearly splitting back to his ears!

Han Li looked at this fellow who still hadn't reacted, and continued, "Whether it's exaggerated or not, we'll know soon enough. Once they hear you're here and have such skills, everyone will want to listen; they'll all volunteer, saying they want to follow you to Huazhou for a few days to help, with food and lodging provided, just hoping to hear Master Kong lecture for a day or two."

"Master Kong, the Six Methods of Poetry and Prose, rapid memorization of the classics—you can prepare slowly in your spare time. After they finish recruiting people in Linghe Town, they'll arrive in a few days."

Though he only asked a few questions, in the end another task landed on his head, but Kong Fuyang's heart burned hot.

He felt he had grasped a key point.

—It turned out scholars also had their uses.

Today he went to the front to help copy the roster of names; his hands had calluses thickened by three parts. Though faster than others, it was only faster by four or five parts—how much could that count for?

But if used like Zheng Yan, taking himself to the Zhou Xue to make a proclamation, just lecturing for two days could exchange for many students. Compared to himself stupidly working away with 'keng qi', how many times more useful would that be!

In the future, as an official, though not everything could be copied exactly, this way of doing things could certainly be learned from.

Feeling he had learned something practical, and having received several praises from Han Li in succession, Kong Fuyang was very proud. He snatched the carrying basket, walked quickly, and entered the back kitchen first.

He entered the door calling "Song Xiaoniangzi," first put down the basket, then spoke the words he had been thinking of for a day and a night: "I heard that yesterday's meat and egg soup had fried shrimp jujubes in it, and the flavor was especially good. I just don't know if it's troublesome or difficult to make?"

"Not only did I not get to eat it, Zheng Yan didn't either. He just heard about it and said he really wants to eat it! Also, quite a few others going to Weizhou haven't eaten it either. Song Xiaoniangzi, when they come back in a couple of days, if you have time, would it be convenient to make it again?"

Song Miao had just finished tidying the stove. Hearing this, she looked up and saw it was Kong Fuyang, and couldn't help but smile: "Not too difficult, but there's been a lot going on lately, so I may not have time every day. I was originally thinking of making braised head shrimp next time—if Young Master Kong wants to try that shrimp jujube meat and egg soup..."

Hearing the three words "braised head shrimp," though he didn't know how it was made, Kong Fuyang inexplicably felt it was very mighty and imposing. He hurriedly said, "Let's follow Song Xiaoniangzi's original plan; the shrimp jujube meat and egg soup can wait until later!"

Kong Fuyang was anxious to eat braised head shrimp here, while in a house in the city, Dutou Ding, whip in hand, cursed as soon as he entered, and lashed out at the person standing closest.

That person hadn't reacted yet, and was struck on the head and face, feeling a burning pain. He covered his head, not only dared not speak, but didn't even dare to be angry. He immediately knelt on the ground, begging for forgiveness without stopping.

Dutou Ding cursed: "You still have the face to beg for forgiveness? I told you to bring back a woman, and you captured an Up Guan Vice Envoy! That's bad enough. Leading twenty people on official business, you can't even guard a stall outside for that Han surname? Is this how you handle your duties?!"

"Even dogs know who their master is. You're not as good as a dog that eats shit?!"