Chapter 248: The Road to High Office 48

Chapter 248: The Road to High Office 48

It took Xu Zeping a month to visit all twenty-seven villages in Xiaoman Town. The issues faced by these villages were similar but not identical to those of Little Wang Village. Due to the lack of summer rain, the crops were parched, and the villagers could only manage one side, leaving the other neglected.

Why similar and not identical?

In seventeen villages, the rivers were located just below the terraced fields. Building a waterwheel would solve their biggest irrigation problem.

As for the remaining nine villages, like Little Wang Village, they needed to dig channels to divert the river to the base of the terraced fields.

After completing his visits, Xu Zeping did not return to Lingbei County town. Instead, he stayed in Xiaoman Town, occasionally observing the river's dynamics.

The twenty-seven villages shared the Liao River, known as the 'mother river' of Liaobei Prefecture. The Liao River flowed from Lingbei through the entire prefecture.

The Liao River originated from the Liao River Mountains, dividing into two branches: one flowing through Lingbei and the other through Linghe. Linghe controlled the main river, while Lingbei managed the first tributary.

This explained why Linghe County was wealthier than Lingbei. Although the climate was similar, Linghe's grain production was double that of Lingbei.

During his visit to the highest village in Xiaoman Town, Xu Zeping climbed the rear mountain of the village and looked towards Linghe County. He noticed that the people of Linghe were more resourceful than those in Lingbei. Their farmland thrived along the river in the plains, while they lived on the hills.

During the Liao River's flood season, the plains could be flooded.

However, Xu Zeping found in the Lingbei water conservancy records that the Liao River's flood season usually occurred in mid to late April, when the weather warmed and the ice melted.

This perfectly avoided the farming seasons of both Lingbei and Linghe.

As winter approached, the Liao River gradually reached its dry season. Xu Zeping noticed that the water flow in the eastern branch of the river in Xiaoman Town had decreased.

He knew the time was right for digging channels. Over the next half month, he designed the optimal directions and widths for the channels in the nine villages.

By mid-October, Xiaoman Town was covered in snow. The previous evening, he had again observed the eastern branch river, and as expected, the riverbanks had dried up.

Their first task was to divert the water from this branch into the stream in front of Little Wang Village, combining the river water with the stream. One end would lead to the rear of Little Wang Village, and the other to the stream behind Big Wang Village... By digging through and connecting these, they could ensure that the mountain villages, which lacked water the most, would have a sufficient supply.

However, this was a major undertaking that required everyone's involvement.

Otherwise, Xu Zeping couldn't guarantee they would finish before the next flood season.

"Where is Clerk Chen?"

After half a month of analyzing data, Xu Zeping felt a bit dazed as he pushed open the door. Looking at Officer Zhou standing at the entrance, he asked this question.

"Sir, Assistant Magistrate Yang has arrived. Clerk Chen went to the town entrance to welcome him," Officer Zhou said with concern, looking at Xu Zeping's pale face. "Sir, please take care of your health! You are the hope of our Lingbei. You must not fall."

Xu Zeping gave a pale smile and said dismissively, "Alright, alright. Don’t jinx me so early in the day. I know my own health. Bring me some baozi. I'm starving."

Having accompanied Xu Zeping on his village visits, Officer Zhou genuinely admired the young county magistrate. No matter how arduous the journey, Xu Zeping never complained and always walked ahead, observing the villagers' lives.

Back at his residence, he would stay up late recording the conditions of each village.

Officer Zhou knew that as long as County Magistrate Xu was around, the people of Lingbei would eventually live good lives.

When Chen Ling and Assistant Magistrate Yang arrived at the inn, Xu Zeping had just finished eight baozi and gulped down a large mouthful of tea, feeling very satisfied.

"Sir.."

Seeing the door ajar, Chen Ling and the others walked in to find Xu Zeping half-leaning on a chair, nodding off with his head resting on the chair.

Before County Deputy Yang could finish speaking, Chen Ling covered his mouth. "Shh, don't speak."

Chen Ling gave Zhou Qiang a subtle nod, and the two of them gently lifted Xu Zeping onto the bed.

For the past half month, Xu Zeping had been sleeping only three to four hours a day in order to calculate the reasonable canal data, and Chen Ling and Zhou Qiang had seen it all.

With such high-intensity work, even the strongest person would break down.

Perhaps because there was always a string of tension in Xu Zeping's mind, he didn't sleep for long and woke up after about an hour.

As soon as he woke up, he busied himself with work. First, he asked Officer Zhou to invite the mayor of Xiaoman Town. Then, he had County Deputy Yang report the affairs of the county to him.

"County Magistrate Xu, the toothbrush that you had Master Zhang craft has been completed," County Deputy Yang reported truthfully. "However, the pig bristles are too hard. If it were to be presented to the Sage for use, it might harm the Sage's health. So, Master Zhang is still adjusting the bristle ratio."

"Hmm, very good," Xu Zeping thought for a moment and said, "Make sure Master Zhang crafts toothbrushes in three different grades. The highest grade will be presented to the Sage for exclusive use, with a carved golden dragon on the handle. The second grade will be sold to wealthy families, and the third grade can be a bit lower in quality and sold as an affordable option for commoners."

With this explanation, County Deputy Yang understood. The highest grade was non-negotiable and only for the Sage's use. The second grade was to earn silver from the rich families, and the third grade was an affordable option for the poor commoners.

"Oh, and make sure that after they are crafted, they can only be sold after the Sage has used them," Xu Zeping added.

"Yes, I understand," County Deputy Yang replied.

Currently, although the small workshop they had acquired was bearing the sign 'Lingbei County Yamen Toothbrush Factory,' County Deputy Yang knew that all the silver had come from County Magistrate Xu's own pocket. County Magistrate Xu had said that once the toothbrush factory started making money, the initial capital would be repaid to him.

As for the profits of the toothbrush factory, they would only be seen after the Sage gave his approval during the new year.

Of course, County Deputy Yang had his doubts. Why not use the silver from the government treasury for now?

Although the county was poor, there were still 8,000 bushels of grain and 500 taels of silver in the treasury.

He remembered that County Magistrate Xu's response was—there was still a use for the grain in the treasury.

"How is the drama coming along?"

"County Magistrate Xu, I've invited the famous Pear Garden Troupe from Lingbei," County Deputy Yang said with a smile. "The leader of this troupe is a master of Peking opera. The leader took one look at your script and was confident, saying that his troupe would perform it even for free."

It would be impossible to follow the original script of "The White Fox Journey" as it was. After all, the original script had over a million characters and involved many characters.

So, Xu Zeping refined and adapted the original script, turning each villain that White Fox Lord encountered into an episodic unit. This way, it became a TV series where White Fox Lord outwits and fights a villain in each episode while pursuing the Way.

Through this process of refinement and adaptation, a 20-episode TV series was formed.

"But we are the upright and righteous government office. How could we engage in such a heartless act of exploitation?" County Deputy Yang added drama to the situation, clearing his throat and saying, "So I told them that if they performed well, we would split the profits 40-60. As a result, the Pear Garden leader was overjoyed and immediately began casting for the play. They have already rehearsed up to the tenth episode."

With this, Xu Zeping had another good idea and asked, "Can it be completed before the new year?"

"Probably," County Deputy Yang replied.

"Good!" Xu Zeping said in a clear voice, "Make sure the Pear Garden Troupe rehearses well. Select the best episode and present it at this year's Imperial Banquet for the Sage!"

Upon hearing this, County Deputy Yang was so excited that his legs trembled. He patted his thigh and said, "County Magistrate Xu, can this really work?"

"We can only give it a try," Xu Zeping admitted. He wasn't entirely sure, but he knew that during the Imperial Banquet, each region would present a gift. This year, they planned to present the toothbrush, and adding a drama performance wouldn't be out of place. "You'll need to convince the Pear Garden leader first. If they are to perform in Yanjing, they'll need to depart with the tribute gifts in early December.

Also, I'll need to inform the Prefect of Lingbei about this."

"What's there to convince? Performing for the Sage is such an honor!" County Deputy Yang chattered excitedly. "They’ll probably be so thrilled they’ll laugh in their sleep! Don’t worry, County Magistrate Xu. Even if they aren't selected, it's their loss."

"Then can you guarantee that they will be willing to return to Lingbei County for development after gaining public recognition?" Xu Zeping looked deeply at County Deputy Yang. "Do you understand the purpose of what I am doing?"

"I understand, my lord!" County Deputy Yang, with his eyes red, said, "I understand your benevolent intentions, my lord! You want the opera troupe to perform for the Sage to enhance the reputation of Lingbei, so that more people will come to watch dramas here, thereby increasing Lingbei's economic benefits."

"Good that you understand." Xu Zeping said, with his hands behind his back as he looked out at the drifting snowflakes, lowering his voice and murmuring, "But if the opera troupe leader stays in Yanjing because of the Sage's appreciation, then all my efforts will have been wasted."

"I know the opera troupe leader's weakness. He is a very filial person, and for his mother's sake, he will definitely come back."

Although it might be a somewhat underhanded tactic, for the sake of Lingbei's economic development, County Deputy Yang would make sure to entertain the opera troupe leader's mother at his home.

The door creaked open as Xu Zeping's visitor entered.

Chen Ling respectfully came forward to report, "My lord, Officer Zhou has invited the town head of Xiaoman Town."

According to the laws of the Great Jing Dynasty, the town heads of various towns were considered part-time staff of the county administration, receiving a yearly salary of one tael of silver and 120 jin of grain.

To be honest, the salary was nominal, more symbolic than substantial.

Everyone knew that a town head didn't rely on this salary to get by.

"My lord, may I ask what instructions you have for me?" Jiang, the town head of Xiaoman Town, was also a slippery character. He had already heard that the county magistrate had changed, but he was puzzled as to why the new magistrate hadn't invited the town heads for the traditional 'tea meeting.'

New county magistrates often received 'tea money' from them.

"Here, take a look," Xu Zeping said, motioning for Clerk Chen to lay out the blueprint before Town Head Jiang.

The town heads were all literate scholars and naturally could read the drawings.

After seeing the blueprint for the ditch and canal project, Town Head Jiang's face flushed with excitement, "G-great, my lord, y-y-you—"

He stuttered, unable to finish his sentence.

Xu Zeping, with a helpless sigh, spoke, "By noon tomorrow, gather the twenty-seven village heads of Xiaoman Town for a meeting. Are you confident?"

"Yes, I am! I must be confident!"