Chapter 349: Miao Chu Chapter 351: On Horseback

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Protagonist:

Song Miao

That night, all the long-term and short-term hires, along with Zhang Siniang and the others, left; Han Li had not yet gone.

Seeing Song Miao busy here, he went first to fetch that sheep's milk back, borrowed a stove to heat it, and only sat down to talk together once everyone had a moment of leisure.

They spoke of nothing but idle matters — for instance, once they got the house opposite, how to repair it, whether to make it a food shop or a food stall selling takeout, whether to set up elegant rooms, how to arrange the interior layout.

They also spoke of when he returned, whether he might manage to get his hands on a screen painting or a main hall piece to write on.

Round and round they talked, and only at the end did he say that although he was departing tomorrow, there were many places along the route, most of them thoroughfares; even if receiving letters was inconvenient, sending them would be very easy.

"If I send letters back often, will you have time to read them?"

Song Miao set down the cup holding the sheep's milk, lifted her head, and said: "Guess."

Han Li chuckled low, paused, then asked again: "If I write a letter, what should I put as the opening address? Young Lady, Song Xiaoniangzi, Song Stall Owner?"

He paused again at this point, then asked: "Or is there another title for me? If you have a courtesy name, a childhood name..."

"As for childhood names, there really are rather too many."

Song Miao's voice was both light and soft.

"When I was three or four, I had a childhood name, called Little Ant Girl — because I loved eating sugar from childhood, wherever I went, the elders at home would stuff sugar into my pocket; a child's pocket is deep but their hands are short, so sugar would often spill onto the ground; my father said, wherever there are ants, there I am, so he gave me the childhood name Ant Girl."

"At that time I had a recognized uncle in the family, a family friend; he disliked the name, saying ants crawling about, all black and murky, too unfitting for me, and it made his scalp tingle just hearing it, so he also gave a homophone, called 'Yi Niang'; because they said I often wore a hat made by an aunt, that hat was very cute, with a little pompom on top, and after putting it on I liked to sit on his shoulders, my two legs short and stubby, that look was just like the character 'Yi', hence the name..."

This day, when Han Li left Sanzao County Alley, his heart was soft and tender, yet his hand unconsciously wrote characters on the horse's back.

The horse ran fast a few steps, slow a few steps; its back was terribly itchy, it swept wildly with its tail, couldn't dodge him, and could only snort unhappily.

Han Li returned to drop off his bundle, then went first to the official relay station.

It was already past the zi hour, yet Wang Shuji still had not slept, currently discussing matters with several subordinates and also several officials from the Transport Commission.

Seeing Han Li return, he gave instructions to the others, then came out first, about to ask, but saw the visitor shake his head at him.

Wang Shuji was instantly somewhat disappointed.

The army does not move until grain and fodder go first.

The greater the engineering project, the more critical logistics and meals become.

He had seen the kitchen on the Huai Prefecture Riverway, and compared it with the kitchen he had casually cobbled together locally in the past, so he naturally knew how great the difference was.

At this moment of utmost urgency, he naturally wanted everything to be the best, ready to work the moment they arrived, without having to expend even a bit more effort.

"Does Song Xiaoniangzi have some reservation that prevents her from accepting my invitation? Apart from the standard compensation, I can give her extra benefits!"

Han Li shook his head and said: "Your Excellency arrived in haste, presumably you haven't yet had time to learn the situation in the Capital."

In a few sentences he told the matter of the Taixue steamed buns, and also of Song Ji being broken into at midnight, and finally said: "Shopkeeper Song currently has a thousand threads and ten thousand ends, she cannot pull herself away; if Your Excellency goes in person, invoking the commoners of Chan Prefecture, given her character, she naturally cannot stand by and watch — even if she throws down all matters at hand, she would agree — but by the time the task is done and she returns to the Capital, who knows what the situation will be."

Although he only spoke half, with Wang Shuji's insight, how could he not infer the consequences?

Wang Shuji let out a long sigh, and said: "Forget it. When I return again, where can I make up for an opportunity like Xiaoniangzi, and I cannot even spare a hand to help her mind the troubles before and after."

He rubbed his brow, walked two steps forward, and sat on the railing of the corridor under the eaves outside the room, looking like he was using this to catch his breath.

Whether it was because he was no longer young, and had always rushed about outside, meals irregular, or because today he was summoned and discussed matters, busy until this moment without rest, illuminated by the candlelight seeping through the half-open window, his face was wrinkled, even lacking oiliness, looking very aged.

He sat dryly for a few breaths, then said again: "Although Song Xiaoniangzi cannot come, Zheng Yan, can you find a few capable hands to help arrange the meal logistics when we arrive locally?"

"I originally had a trusted deputy, but that person is currently on assignment in Tanzhou, I cannot return there, and he cannot leave either; local yamen capabilities vary, and without supervision, I really cannot rest assured leaving everything to them..."

Without the other party explaining further, Han Li had already nodded and said: "Your Excellency rest assured, Huai Prefecture river affairs are gradually stabilizing; I previously received a letter from Lu Wenming, he has already prepared to return to the Capital, and there are originally a few capable people there."

Wang Shuji had only stayed a few days at the Huai Prefecture Riverway, his impression of Lu Wenming was not deep, so he asked a few more questions.

Upon learning his age and experience, and knowing he had served under a certain official for several years — that was acceptable enough; most importantly Han Li guaranteed him, so he finally set his mind at ease, and said: "Then when he takes post, I will assign him."

The group had just discussed for a long time; regarding how to mobilize civilian laborers, xiang troops, boats, cart schedules, and allocate funds to hire local carters, all had preparations; at this point Wang Shuji introduced them to Han Li, then said: "When we arrive locally, how to do personnel shift allocation — that is your forte."

He was about to elaborate further, but Han Li said: "I wanted to ask earlier: I see Your Excellency this time transporting grain and materials, canal and land transport turning every which way, especially during land transport, mobilizing the most civilian laborers and soldiers — can it not all go by river transport? Even if not, minimizing transshipment would be best."

Wang Shuji patiently explained: "You don't know; this year the south has had much drought and little rain, in several places the river water is too shallow, boats cannot pass."

Han Li then said: "Two years ago in Xu Prefecture I saw sluice gates set up in the riverway to balance water levels; as long as the water source isn't exhausted, one can set up barriers upstream to accumulate water power, opening and closing at set times daily to supply grain transport — can we not borrow this method?"

Wang Shuji shook his head and said: "Sluice gates and doumen such water-blocking devices consume too much copper; each one must be individually forged according to river conditions, and require constant supervision — not something that can be done in a day or two; it must be overall planned and dispatched by the Court; with matters this urgent, where would we find the time?"

He sighed again, shook his head and said: "I've seen them too, used them myself; how could I not know the benefits of this thing! If there truly were a way, why would I abandon the simple for the complicated?"

Han Li suddenly asked: "No time to set up sluice gates, then what about woodwork and fascine work?"

Wang Shuji froze for a moment, clearly never having thought carefully about it, and couldn't help pondering.

Han Li continued: "This time is for emergency relief, temporary use; as long as it can simply block and accumulate water level, it doesn't matter if the fascine work and woodwork are a bit crude; previously they weren't used, first because artisans were hard to mobilize, very difficult to follow along and fabricate along the route, second because of fear of wasting materials; but now Chan Prefecture is urgent, the Court also says cost is no object; expending more fascine work, compared to expending manpower and material resources, calculate it, it's actually not necessarily a loss."

As he spoke, he took out a manuscript from his sleeve, and said: "Currently north-south canal transport, routes that can reach Chan Prefecture are no more than two; today I roughly calculated the expenditure, it's truly not much; as for materials — the Capital has some in reserve, whether we can obtain them depends on Wang Guanren's face; additionally, I know the Liu Ta He urgently needs bamboo and timber materials, they're probably still en route, we can fully coordinate first and intercept them halfway for use."

A resounding drum needs no heavy hammer.

Wang Shuji took that manuscript, couldn't help turning back, and couldn't wait to walk a few more steps into the room; he leaned near the window, using the light spilling from inside to read it.

Han Li had written detailed calculation methods.

But he only glanced once, then looked directly at the final total expenditure calculated.

Having stayed in the Transport Commission these many years, Wang Shuji estimated in his heart and knew Han Li's budget was very meticulous, not differing much from actual conditions.

Today he just received the assignment, yet he had already ordered subordinates to plan transport routes and calculate consumption; earlier he already got a rough figure; now comparing the two sides' numbers, the difference can simply be described as vast.

Actually no need to calculate; anyone with a bottom line in their heart, hearing both methods, would know the gap must be enormous.

Eliminating one layer of land transport means one less place to levy civilian laborers, carts, horses, and boats; compared to that, some artisans and materials amount to what?

And the two difficulties Han Li spoke of, at this moment are no longer difficulties at all.

The Liu Ta River already had many craftsmen gathered there, and there were also sweep-workers and woodworkers who had been hired halfway but not yet put to use; Huazhou Prefecture would certainly keep them for itself, but lending out a few shouldn't be hard — I'm having you transfer grain and transport goods! Don't you know what's good for you!

Wang Shuji was still considering in his heart when Han Li, seeing he had finished reading, spoke again: "After all, it's just a trial; Sir can try running both methods in parallel first. If the sweep-workers and woodworkers are needed, there'll be no need to switch from canal transport to land transport again, with several rounds of transshipment. If it doesn't work, just revert to the original method……"

Wang Shuji nodded and said: "This method has quite a few parts that are feasible."

He then said: "You come in quickly!"

Speaking, he took the lead and entered the door, summoning the several subordinates who were discussing convenient transshipment methods at the desk, and discussed together with everyone.

As the saying goes, a single leaf blocks the eye, and one cannot see Mount Tai.

This approach, when explained thoroughly, isn't actually anything remarkable; it merely raised the initial idea, and Wang Shuji himself had already worked out the entire route in his mind — where to transfer people and requisition materials, who to complain to, which government office to pressure, and where to make a scene — all perfectly clear in his heart.

And at this moment it was merely a simple introduction, yet several people at the desk all felt it was quite feasible, only unsure of the effect.

"Why not invite the officials from the Du Shui Jian to come and ask?"

They had to depart the next day; Wang Shuji truly couldn't wait until daybreak, so he thickened his face and had Wu Gong summoned that very night.

The latter quickly gave an affirmative reply, saying: "It can be tried, but sweep-work preparations must still be made according to the water current, water depth, river width, and the conditions of the river banks and riverbed."

He then pointed at Han Li and said: "Since Zheng Yan is here, you can fully entrust it to him; just give him enough people."

Thus the next day at dawn, before daybreak, Wang Shuji climbed up, first seeking the various gentlemen in the Political Affairs Hall, then rushing about through every department and bureau, beating the autumn wind.

By afternoon, the party finally set off, heading south.

Knowing the Sanzao County Alley matter was busy, before departure Han Li did not go to disturb them, only leaving a letter and arranging someone to help deliver it.

He carried several assignments on his person, and was extremely busy all along the way; waiting until he had gathered the people and materials, he implemented them one by one according to each place's conditions, seeking suitable locations to temporarily set up sweep-workers and woodworkers; failures were few, almost all were put to use, and indeed it saved countless manpower and material resources.

While Han Li was busy here dispatching grain, fodder, materials, clothing and other goods to Huazhou Prefecture, inside Huazhou Prefecture City the situation was quite different.

The sky had just barely brightened when Cai Xiu was already awake.

Or rather, he had hardly slept at all, merely forcing himself to lie in bed with eyes closed.

He tossed and turned all night; only with difficulty did he fall asleep, but it was on his side, and when he woke he discovered his left arm had been pressed until it had not a shred of sensation.

He waited a good while, yet still felt his arm both numb, itchy, and painful.

But what was more painful, more numb, was his heart.

— Ten thousand ants gnawing the heart is nothing more than this.

Even though the matter had already passed a good many days, he still couldn't understand it at all.

A group of young masters — were their brains kicked by donkeys? Perfectly fine, not sleeping, running up to that high platform to watch water! Haven't they ever seen water in this lifetime??

Being stupid would be fine, but they had to come and drag him down with them.

Of the seven people washed away, three survived, two died, and another two were of unknown fate — not even an arm or a leg was recovered.

And among those not washed away, two were seriously injured, the rest each had injuries.

But these circumstances weren't caused by him, so why blame him??

Thinking of how he had kindly brought gifts to visit and inquire, only to be coldly received — that would be bad enough — but some even directly ordered servants to see him out the door.

In such a wretched state, witnessed by the miscellaneous laborers and students coming and going in the courtyard, who knows how they'd mock and spread it behind his back.

Whenever he thought of those scenes, Cai Xiu felt his tooth roots hatefully itch.

Better if they'd all been washed away by water, dying clean!

If they'd all died, he could still speak up for himself; now that several lived, to shirk responsibility they all shoved the black pot onto his head, and he just happened to be the only one completely unscathed, and also in charge of student affairs — he couldn't even find an excuse.

After the Capital got wind of it, almost every family sent people, each coming to his door to demand accountability, saying he occupied his post without doing his duty, neglected his responsibilities, and ruined everyone's reputation.

The officials on the Liu Ta River insisted it was those young masters gathering for revelry that led to this outcome; a mere student like him, lowly in status and light in words, what could he say, what could he do?

Wasn't it just: however the superior hinted, that's what he had to do!

How could it be blamed on him!

A stroke of luck amid misfortune: these noble scions were almost all from cadet branches, not many true direct-line descendants, so it wasn't a completely hopeless situation.

Yet even so, it made it very hard for him not to feel trepidation in his heart.

Now on the Liu Ta River everyone is in fear for themselves; the superiors who once trusted him now can barely protect themselves, and even Lu Guanren Lv Zhongchang has to atone through merit — who knows what the future holds……

Cai Xiu tossed and turned on the bed.

When a person is in extreme anxiety, they always think a lot.

He now couldn't help but repeatedly replay the matter — why did the Liu Ta River become like this today?

Perfectly fine, why was he not in the Capital, not studying at the Taixue, enjoying others' admiring gazes, but instead ran here to suffer hardship and punishment?

It's all Han Li's fault!

If not for him not studying properly day in and day out, constantly getting transferred here and there; if not for the rumor he was coming to the Liu Ta River, why would he have followed along transferring everywhere, finally ending up at the Liu Ta River!

This person clearly knew the Liu Ta River was wrong in every way, yet they were still in the same study hall, and he didn't utter a single word of persuasion, quietly running off to Hua Prefecture to snatch credit, watching him jump into this deep pit!

— Who knows how he'll gloat when he finds out!

But no matter how deeply he hated, Cai Xiu also knew that at this moment he had absolutely no way to deal with the other party.

Seeing the room gradually brighten, he forcefully suppressed the unease and resentment in his heart, and sat up.

Things having come to this, he absolutely could not sit and await death.

Having offended those powerful nobles, and being resented by this group of fools, when he returns to the Capital, with no backer, no background, a lone cold-clan scholar, and no clan support, his days will definitely not be easy.

Then what to do?

A talented youth, a Scholar of the Imperial Academy — if there's anything he can present to win appreciation, naturally it's only himself.

But for no reason, no matter how much appreciation, if there's no benefit, no connection, who would help you for nothing, give you backing?

First he must perform well, then make people know he is worth it, can be won over.

He dressed and groomed properly, carefully applied face powder and adjusted his cap, confirming his appearance and attire had not a single flaw, only then did he fish out several gold and silver gourds the size of thumbs from the box cage — originally the prizes he'd won playing touhu with those young masters some time ago.

Having packed the gold and silver gourds, he first went outside and bought a lot of early food, carried two food boxes, and entered the Huazhou Prefecture Office.

?? Thank you Rang Xiang Bu Dao for personally sending me a peach blossom fan, pedants don't come argue it's just you personally sending me a small peach blossom fan, a peace talisman, spring peach blossoms especially attract wealth, mua mua =3=

? Thank you to San Ge Li Ta for personally sending me two Peace Talismans, a cup of cold water steeped green tea, Zhu Chen, and three book friends each personally sending me one Peace Talisman: ）

? More Book City, my family's cat named Egg Egg personally sent me one Light of Spirit, Ao Te Man Xiao Jie personally sent me one Codeword Tool and one Small Gift, sar. personally sent me one Codeword Tool, I Love Nong Nong personally sent me two Small Gifts^_^