DNS - Chapter 3
Chapter 3
From the moment Fang Shifei could remember, she had followed her master, Du Ling, traveling north and south, constantly on the move.
Du Ling knew everything. Whether it was the general state of the world, the factions and conflicts among court officials, he could see it all clearly. He could even predict how imperial laws would be implemented years in advance. He would explain each matter in detail to Fang Shifei.
Such a remarkable man, yet he could only stay by her side. Naturally, he was very strict with her. Martial arts and studying, neither was neglected.
She never remembered making any friends; even when he carried her on his back, she was reciting books. So, lacking a companion to talk and confide in, she had long been described by others as having a peculiar personality, always offending people.
When she was young and ignorant, she hated Du Ling intensely. Full of rebellious spirit, she only wanted to defy him when she grew up.
Gradually, as she saw more and her mindset settled, she understood his painstaking efforts. She wanted to learn more, but his health deteriorated.
He sent her to live with his former servant, Fang Gui, in Shuidong County, settling there and rarely going out. He spent most of his days soaking in medicinal baths, relying on Fang Gui to go out and gather information about the world.
Now, he rarely intervened in Fang Shifei's affairs. He slept for most of the day, and even Fang Shifei couldn't help but lament the fate of this brilliant talent.
He had spent eighteen years on her, but could she do better than him? Was it worth it?
This made her feel uneasy.
When she arrived home, her master was resting. Lin Xingyuan wasn't there.
Fang Shifei guessed it was hard for him to stay quiet in such a small place.
She picked up the hoe leaning against the wall, cut two cabbages from the corner of the small yard, put them in a basket, and went out.
She originally intended to trade them for some rice at the rice shop to make porridge for her master. However, on the way, she met a woman carrying a child who was staring eagerly at her cabbages. Seeing how difficult things were for the woman, she sold them to her for two coins.
Two coins used to be a lot. Three years ago, it could buy at least ten liters of rice, but now it could only buy one steamed bun. Since the drought, grain prices had risen year after year, and today they had increased tenfold or more, even more expensive than during the disaster year.
Shuidong County truly embodied the saying, "Behind vermilion gates, wine and meat go to waste, while out on the road, people freeze to death." Some people were making a fortune from the high rice prices, while others couldn't afford three meals a day because of them.
Having sold her goods and with empty hands, Fang Shifei went and scooped up a basket of yellow soil to take back.
By the time she returned home, Lin Xingyuan was also back.
He handed her something and said, "Your letter, from the post station. Why are you back so early?"
Du Ling had woken up. Seeing Fang Shifei, he shook his head, knowing she must have caused trouble at the academy again.
Before he could say anything, Fang Shifei sold him out: "Master, Young Master Lin said he wanted to ask you for guidance."
Lin Xingyuan: "???"
Born into a general's family, he had no interest in poetry or literature. What guidance could he possibly seek?
Du Ling was in good spirits today. Hearing her words, he nodded and said, "Come in with me."
Lin Xingyuan felt inexplicably intimidated by this elder and didn't dare to be presumptuous. Assuming he was needed for something, he leaned his sword against the wall and followed him in.
Du Ling's room was filled with the smell of medicine. The table and floor were spotless; despite being an old man, his room was exceptionally tidy. Everything was neatly arranged, showing that he must have been a very meticulous person originally.
Du Ling sat cross-legged on the central couch and motioned for him to come over. Then he asked, "Traveling outside all this time, what have you learned?"
"I... I've learned a lot," Lin Xingyuan said. "Learned about mindset?"
Du Ling asked again, "What do you want to ask me for guidance on?"
Lin Xingyuan: "..."
He looked at Du Ling with bright eyes, then let out a dry laugh.
Du Ling understood and also smiled, "Alright, I see."
He pointed behind him: "That's a bookshelf made from a wardrobe. You can go pick out some books to read. Fang Shifei secretly sold a few, but I remember that the books related to military strategy should still be there. Do you like them?"
Lin Xingyuan was greatly surprised. He walked over skeptically, pulled back the black cloth in front of the wardrobe, and indeed saw rows of books.
Books were not cheap in those days, especially some less widely circulated ones. A cabinet full of books like this was extremely valuable.
He casually pulled out a book and opened it.
The paper was covered with dense, tiny characters, written with vigorous strokes, truly resembling "angry dragons clawing at rocks, thirsty steeds galloping towards springs." The margins and blank spaces were filled with detailed annotations, and there were even diagrams and markings interspersed.
Lin Xingyuan's emotions were hard to describe. He pulled out a few more books, all in the same handwriting.
Lin Xingyuan turned back and asked tremblingly, "Did you copy these?"
"I transcribed these from memory when my health was still good. Books were too heavy, so I didn't bring any when I went south; I just kept them in my head. The ones piled below are what I dictated for Fang Shifei to write down," Du Ling said. "After I'm gone, I won't have anything to leave you. If you like them, take them all."
Lin Xingyuan: "You wrote all of them? What about these annotations?"
Du Ling said, "This old man wrote them. Just some humble opinions, you can take a look. Some of them are actually your father's views from when he was young. You can check them out."
Lin Xingyuan carried the books back, placed them on the table on the couch, and bowed his head, asking, "May I ask, what is your esteemed surname, sir?"
"Haha," Du Ling laughed. "This old man is Du Ling. I had many disagreements with your father at court back then. Unfortunately, he called me 'old scoundrel' behind my back, but had to call me 'sir' to my face, giving me opportunities to bully him. I'm afraid he still dislikes me very much."
Lin Xingyuan also laughed, "Haha, I heard that many years ago, there was an Emperor's Tutor also named Du Ling."
Du Ling nodded, "Mm..."
Lin Xingyuan: "..."
Lin Xingyuan took a step back, his eyes filled with surprise and innocence.
Du Ling was at the height of his power at court back then, deeply favored by His Majesty. Even today, His Majesty still kept his honorary title of Grand Tutor. His sudden disappearance remains an unsolved mystery in the capital. There were all sorts of legends, some even saying he was spirited away by some demon.
The entire Du family had been searching for his whereabouts for years, but there was no news at all, as if he had vanished into thin air.
So he ran off to Jiangnan? And he's with Fang Shifei?
Then...
Lin Xingyuan asked nervously, "Then what exactly is Fang Shifei's identity?"
"Go ask her yourself," Du Ling smiled. "Actually, if you take her to Shangjun, her identity doesn't matter anymore. It doesn't matter who this old man is either. Forget it, just live your lives well from now on."
Lin Xingyuan's lips parted slightly, unable to speak.
Seeing his expression, Du Ling felt a bit tired and said, "Take them out. You're uncomfortable in front of me. You can talk to Fang Shifei more. She's not a spoiled or narrow-minded girl; you should have a lot to talk about with her. If anything happens, for my sake, be more tolerant of her."
Lin Xingyuan nodded absentmindedly, stumbling backward as he left, closing the door behind him.
Du Ling couldn't help but laugh at his cautious and restrained demeanor.
Lin Xingyuan came out and immediately turned to find Fang Shifei.
Compared to Du Ling, what was there to be afraid of with Fang Shifei?
Fang Shifei let him in and comforted him like someone who had been through it before: "What? Got lectured? Just get used to it, my master often lectures me too."
Lin Xingyuan exhaled a faint breath, "I'm a little scared."
Fang Shifei said, "It's nothing, I used to be scared too! But what's there to be afraid of him? Look, he's old now, he can't stir up any trouble."
Lin Xingyuan said in frustration, "...You really are, never mind."
Lin Xingyuan saw a book pressed under the letter paper she had spread out. He glanced at it quickly and saw a line of small characters peeking out.
Lin Xingyuan exclaimed, "Perverted Wu Zixu?!"
Fang Shifei: "..."
"It's 'Wu Zixu Bianwen'!! You—" Fang Shifei exhaled and said, "It's okay, I just like the way you're uneducated."
Lin Xingyuan: "..."
That was enough.
Fang Shifei wrote rapidly with her brush. Lin Xingyuan asked curiously, "What are you writing?"
Fang Shifei: "A letter."
She didn't hide it, so Lin Xingyuan walked closer to look.
The letter was addressed to the newly appointed Chief Administrator.
Wang Changdong was originally a Director in the Jin Department of the Ministry of Revenue, responsible for the nation's taxes and levies, and the benefits of waterways and roads. He was considered relatively honest, but due to ineffective work, he was now transferred to the position of Chief Administrator of Zhongzhou. This position was also of Rank 5, Upper Grade, but it held no real power. It seemed like a lateral transfer, but it was actually a demotion.
Fang Shifei wrote:
"Outside Shuidong County, there is a patch of unmarked graves, also known as a mass burial ground. Since the drought year, nearly ten thousand bodies of disaster victims have been unclaimed and buried here. Whenever rain washes over it, white bones are exposed. The woods are filled with the sound of cranes and the air is heavy with yin energy; normally, ghosts and spirits do not approach."
Lin Xingyuan glanced at Fang Shifei, then took the letter to read.
"Later generations always said that the Qin Ancestor's laws were harsh and taxes heavy, that he levied and collected violently, but this is not true.
During the Warring States period, the various taxes on the common people were about seventy percent; for a thousand catties of grain, seven hundred catties had to be paid. After the Qin Ancestor took power, it was reduced to fifty percent; for a thousand catties of grain, two hundred catties less had to be paid. The court still conscripted labor for twenty days a year, which was not increased, yet the common people suffered greatly and complained bitterly. Why? Because the place of conscription was Xianyang. The commoners near Xianyang were naturally unaffected, but the King of Qin swept through the six states and unified the realm. For those far away in the south, just the journey to Xianyang, carrying heavy bedding and dry rations, would take eight months. They carried their belongings, bidding farewell to their homeland, and during these eight months, only the old, weak, women, and children remained at home to farm. After eight months, having completed the labor service, within a few months, it would be a new year. The laborers in the family were unable to return home for years, always on the road for service. The fertile fields were left to be cultivated only by the old, weak, women, and children at home. Therefore, it was said that his laws were harsh and taxes heavy, that he levied and collected violently."
She stopped writing there.
"What does this have to do with Shuidong County?" Lin Xingyuan said. "It's no longer the time of the Qin Ancestor; why would labor service require going to the capital?"
Fang Shifei said, "County Magistrate He has repeatedly conscripted labor under various pretexts, but it is actually for his personal gain. Besides the labor service stipulated by the court, conscription lasts for four to five months a year. The city walls and roads built are all for the needs of merchants, used to earn exorbitant profits. This is even worse than when the Qin Ancestor was alive."
Fang Shifei took the paper from his hand and continued writing.
"It is said that a tired horse does not fear the whip, and a tired populace does not fear punishment. Such lessons must be kept in mind. His Majesty is benevolent and sympathetic to the drought situation, first exempting land taxes and then sending grain to appease the disaster victims. But the County Magistrate of Shuidong County has created various pretexts to oppress the people! His initial arrogance followed by flattery causes the common people to misunderstand His Majesty's love for his people. The disaster victims are in dire straits but cannot save themselves. That such a person can serve as a county magistrate is truly chilling!"
Lin Xingyuan: "Do you have proof? Will he believe you?"
Fang Shifei said, "Chief Administrator Wang was formerly a Director in the Jin Department, in charge of the nation's taxes and levies, so he naturally understands finance well. The exemption of land taxes and disaster relief grain, three years have passed, the weather has been favorable, yet the rice price has consistently remained ten times higher without falling. This is the biggest proof."
Fang Shifei paused, then continued, "Very little of the disaster relief grain transported by the court actually reached the hands of the common people. Logically, the county yamen should have lowered the rice price using the rice from the Ever-Normal Granary, but the local county magistrate colluded with the city's rice merchants for personal gain. The Ever-Normal Granary is half empty; it was all privately sold by him to wealthy merchants. This is no longer a natural disaster; it is a man-made calamity!"
Lin Xingyuan had come all the way from Shangjun and had not experienced the disaster in Jiangnan firsthand, but he had heard about it.
The waterways in the capital were occupied by officials and not open, so all grain transported by boat was high-priced rice. After the drought appeared, the Prefect of Hongzhou closed the city gates, strictly checked disaster victims, and refused to provide relief, causing countless people to starve to death outside the city gates.
This couldn't be said to be wrong. If a large number of disaster victims flooded in, ordinary counties with limited grain reserves would also be affected, and Hongzhou might become even more chaotic.
However, there were desperate disaster victims who went to hijack official boats and were brutally cut down by swords.
The area around Shuidong County was relatively better off; it was originally a wealthy area, and every household had surplus grain. But unexpectedly, it was also this miserable.
Lin Xingyuan sighed, "I'm not mocking you, but you're too naive. Officials have two mouths; they take from both sides and collude with each other. Talking about righteousness with him is useless. Only wealth moves people's hearts. Moreover, are you sure that replacing him will make things better? People everywhere are largely the same; only their interests differ."
Fang Shifei said, "I naturally know that."
Lin Xingyuan was afraid she didn't know and was being overly clever, so he reminded her, "Have you asked your master? Does he agree? The position of Chief Administrator has no real power. You can't just look at the rank; he can't control Shuidong County."
Fang Shifei said, "Wang Changdong was demoted, but his surname is Wang. His uncle is a third-rank minister at court, his aunt is His Majesty's favored consort in the palace, and he has countless colleagues and friends in the Ministry of Revenue. His connections in the capital are much more stable than County Magistrate He's. Not to mention he is still a fifth-rank official; even if he were just a commoner, given He Ming's style, he would have to be treated with respect. Furthermore—"
Fang Shifei turned her head and looked at him, saying, "Corruption in Jiangnan has long been deeply ingrained. His Majesty must know about it, but has no way to start. Now this is his opportunity to earn merit. There is no one more suitable than him in the entire Jiangnan. If he can handle the matters in Shuidong County well, his honorary position can become a real one. In another two years, if his uncle pleads for him, it won't be difficult to transfer back to the capital, and he might even be promoted by one rank."
Lin Xingyuan listened suspiciously, "How are you so clear about matters in the capital? Haven't you been staying in Shuidong County?"
"I naturally had plans long ago, waiting for Wang Changdong to come and write me a letter of recommendation so I can go to the capital for the imperial examination," Fang Shifei sneered. "I offended He Ming and his group, and they won't let me graduate."
Lin Xingyuan muttered, "There are plenty of ways. Couldn't you just butter them up?"
But to risk her life to expose He Ming, only a crazy person would believe her story.
Lin Xingyuan knew Fang Shifei was saying one thing and meaning another, so he didn't argue with her. He took the books and went outside to read.
After Fang Shifei finished writing the letter, she troubled him to take it to the post station and entrust it to a reliable person to deliver it personally to Wang Changdong. He naturally had ways to do it.
Early the next morning, in the back hall of the county yamen.
He Ming came out with the Registrar, followed by a servant holding a red lacquer box. The two discussed in low voices, "This year's harvest is good, and the national treasury is empty. Land taxes should be increased next year. We need to prepare early."
"Yes. Then the building by the city needs to be sped up. Once it's built early, we can avoid those miscellaneous labor services next year."
"Mm."
"Furthermore, this year's disaster relief grain is arriving. How should we handle this..."
"The same as before."
He Xingdong was leading his beloved dog through the main hall. Hearing the movement, he hurriedly urged the big dog to run faster.
But the big dog didn't listen to him. Instead, it pulled on the leash and approached He Ming, wagging its tail and barking eagerly.
He Xingdong couldn't hold it back and felt panicked. He turned his face away and was about to leave. He Ming felt something was wrong, stopped in his tracks, and shouted from behind, "Stop right there!"
He Xingdong could only brace himself and reply, "Dad."
Seeing the situation, the Registrar beside him bowed and said, "Master, I will wait for you at the gate."
He Ming waved his hand, signaling him to go.
The Registrar then left with the servant and the gift.
He Ming walked up and asked, "It's still early today, why didn't you go to the academy?"
He Xingdong whispered, "I came back. There's nothing important at the academy, I don't want to study."
He Ming's eyes darkened. He pinched his chin, lifted his face, and angrily said, "What happened to your eyes?"
Seeing he couldn't hide it, He Xingdong mumbled, "Just... accidentally bumped it."
"You bumped it and it looks like this? You—" He Ming's mind raced, and he understood. "You went and provoked Fang Shifei again, didn't you?"
Looking at the entire Shuidong County, the only person who dared to hit his son He Xingdong was Fang Shifei, no doubt about it.
Not to mention He Xingdong, that kid Fang Shifei didn't even show him much respect. He would smile to his face, then turn around and throw away the gifts he gave him.
"How many times have I told you not to provoke him! That Fang Gui has connections with people in the capital through trade; he's not someone you can mess with easily. Are you deaf?! Ah!" He Ming pinched his ear and roared, "Tell me! What did you do again?"
He Xingdong cried out in pain, "Are you my real dad?! Why don't you ask him first, but come looking for my mistakes?"
He Ming: "If you didn't cause him trouble, would he come looking for you? If you could really catch him making a mistake, I would help you teach him a good lesson, but can you? Ah? Which time wasn't it you who provoked him first, and then couldn't handle him? How could you be so stupid?"
He Xingdong said anxiously, "I—"
This time it was clearly Fang Shifei who struck first!
He Xingdong felt wronged, but after being yelled at by He Ming like that, he felt inexplicably guilty. Now he wasn't sure whose fault it was in the first place. Seeing his father's raging anger, he didn't dare to argue, fearing it would only add fuel to the fire.
Fine, just admit it. It's not the first time anyway.
Madam He heard the commotion and hurried out from the inner room, urging He Ming to let go.
He Ming flicked his sleeves and said angrily, "My son, if you really hate him, you should let him graduate early and stop putting obstacles in his way!"
He Xingdong covered his ear and said defiantly, "Why?"
He Ming: "What 'why'? If he graduates, can't he pack up and go to the capital? Aren't you happy that he won't be in your sight anymore? Do you want this person to stay under your nose every day and infuriate you to death?"
He Xingdong: "But—"
"But what? You don't even have this much foresight!" He Ming said, raising his hand to point at him again. "I told you long ago not to hang out with Fang Ying. That Fang Ying is even more poisonous than Fang Shifei, utterly ignorant and as stupid as a pig! If you stay with her for a long time, your brain will be beyond saving! You like her? Are your eyes on the soles of your feet, ah?"
He Xingdong stiffened his neck and said, "You can scold me, but why do you scold others!"
Madam He quickly pulled He Xingdong back. She didn't know how he had developed such a temper; even beating him didn't help.
He Ming said, "I'll just scold her, I'll just scold her! Don't even think about marrying her! Just the two of you good-for-nothings together, ha, if I'm not around, how many years can you live!"
He Xingdong said, "I don't see you having such a hard time being an official. Isn't it just attending a few banquets every day, picking out gifts, accompanying people for meals and tea, and sending things? Look how long you stay at the yamen every day, not even as long as the Assistant Magistrate and Registrar! "
He Ming was furious, "What do you know? Is being an official as easy as you think? What is your father's background? How many people with better backgrounds than your father have come and gone? If you can't handle even a slight disturbance, the next one to fall is your father! I am constantly on edge, unable to sleep at night, and you say it's easy? Easy!"
He said, raising his hand to strike.
Madam He protected her son with a pained heart, saying, "Don't hit him anymore, you'll make him stupid."
He Ming's hand froze in the air: "A doting mother spoils her son!"
Madam He: "If you don't love him, and I don't love him either, what's the point of him living?"
He Ming: "You—"
"Dad, you're smart, but your son doesn't want to be a smart person. What should a smart person be like? It's definitely different from what you taught me before, and from what the sages' teachings say. Shuidong County is like this now. I'm stupid, but I have friends. If I were smart, I'd be even worse than that Fang Shifei." He Xingdong tilted his head and looked at He Ming, saying, "Dad, what kind of person do you want me to be?"
He Ming froze: "I..."
He Ming sighed, "I don't know if you're truly stupid or pretending to be stupid. I have things to do today, I'll teach you a lesson when I get back. Now either get lost to the study or get lost to the academy. Otherwise, I'll beat you to death when I return!"
Madam He looked at He Xingdong, gently touching his eye socket, and said, "Be good, listen to your dad, go to the academy. Does your eye still hurt?"
He Xingdong shook his head.
Madam He hugged him and said, "Don't listen to your dad. How could my son be a fool? My son is clearly the smartest."
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