Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Zhou Chunshu was a low-ranking official in the Ministry of Works.

His family owned some farmland, with several tenant farmers working the land. Even so, his household couldn't manage meat at every meal. It was considered excellent if the elders in the family could have a meal with meat once every ten days or so.

White rice and white flour were only eaten once a year, on New Year's Day.

However, compared to those who couldn't even put food on the table or pay taxes and had to do hard labor to offset their debts, his situation was already much, much better.

At least he had never gone hungry.

How he got into the Ministry of Works was due to a kind act from many years ago.

At that time, the states were still at war, and every able-bodied man in Wu Country who could fight had been sent to the front.

As he was the only son in the family, and his father was past the conscription age, no one from their household joined the army.

War required supplies, and word came from the front that food was running short. At that time, the Zhou family gathered all the grain they could spare and sent it all to the front for the soldiers.

The Zhou family was the first to voluntarily send grain. Given their family's circumstances, the amount of grain they sent truly cleaned out their reserves—a heartfelt effort to ensure the frontline soldiers had something to eat.

The Zhou family's actions were recorded and counted as military merit. As it happened, the person who received the Zhou family's grain was someone sent by Xie Yulin—an upright and incorruptible man. Even if someone wanted to steal the credit, they couldn't lay a finger on the Zhou family's military merit.

When peace was restored, rewards were handed out according to merit.

When the Zhou family sent the grain, they had no idea it would count as military merit.

Not knowing this, yet still being so generous and concerned about the frontline soldiers, made their gesture even more precious.

The Zhou family listened to the imperial edict in bewilderment, and Zhou Chunshu, even more dazed, entered the Ministry of Works as a petty clerk.

His daily tasks in the Ministry involved serving his superiors, and the position offered little chance of promotion.

Even so, for the Zhou family, this was a monumental change.

With an official position, their household no longer had to pay taxes. They could also register more farmland under their name; as long as it stayed under a certain limit, it remained tax-exempt.

The family went from having only the elders eat meat once every ten days or so to the whole household eating meat every three to five days.

White rice and white flour went from being eaten once a year to once every half month.

Life was sweet. Zhou Chunshu served his superiors in the Ministry of Works with redoubled diligence.

In the small courtyard of the Ministry of Works, two officials walking by saw Zhou Chunshu carrying a basin of water toward the office of a superior. The taller official asked curiously, "What's he doing taking water to Official Xu's office again?"

The shorter one snorted, "What else? Nothing more than acting like a eunuch. On the way back from lunch, I overheard Official Xu say he was feeling drowsy all day. That Zhou guy is probably bringing water for Official Xu to wash up and refresh himself."

The tall official tsked. "He's really something, even doing such servile tasks."

The short official's eyes filled with disdain. "That's how people from humble backgrounds are. He even shined Official Xu's shoes before. Just because it rained that day and Official Xu stepped in mud, he not only cleaned the shoes but also dried them by the stove, keeping an eye on them the whole time."

"Is it necessary for him to go that far?" The tall official was a bit lost for words. "By doing these things, he certainly pleases his superiors, but has he considered what it means for us? Does he expect us to also bow and scrape, serving others like him?"

If they were serving high-ranking officials, it might be different, but Official Xu only managed a sub-department under the Ministry of Works. Their department was focused on researching agricultural tools, and over the years, they hadn't produced anything significant.

They were all young gentlemen from good families; they entered here simply because it was a cushy appointment, allowing them to secure an official position.

Who actually wanted to get their hands dirty in the fields or make tools?

In this sub-department, there was virtually no hope of getting ahead.

Not that there was absolutely no chance, but the opportunities were slim.

Those slim chances for promotion had always gone to whoever had the stronger family background.

Now, with Zhou Chunshu acting this way, he was breaking the unspoken rules.

Although Zhou Chunshu's efforts were likely futile, it didn't stop everyone from looking down on him.

The short official sneered, "When he comes out, we'll teach him a proper lesson."

The tall official didn't object, silently agreeing.

The two leaned against the wall, waiting for Zhou Chunshu. Before long, they saw Zhou Chunshu emerge with a smile on his face, carrying the wooden basin.

The short official immediately stepped forward. Seeing someone approaching, Zhou Chunshu tried to move aside, but his shoulder was still bumped. The basin in his hands tilted, and all the water spilled onto him.

Logically, if his shoulder was bumped, the water in the basin shouldn't have splashed back onto him.

Zhou Chunshu, holding the basin, could feel that a force had deliberately tipped it toward him.

He didn't need to guess to know the other party was intentionally targeting him.

Soaked through, Zhou Chunshu lowered his head, frowning as he suppressed the anger in his heart.

His father loved mutton; his mother loved pork with a good mix of fat and lean. His grandparents and he himself liked all kinds of meat.

White rice, white noodles, white flour pancakes... the whole family loved them.

He wasn't without a temper, nor was he born to serve others. He simply had things he wanted and had to make choices.

No matter what, he had to find a way to stay in the Ministry of Works.

If he were forced out, the good days his family enjoyed would disappear as well.

Every single person here had a more powerful background than his. He couldn't afford to offend anyone.

Zhou Chunshu quickly adjusted his emotions. Water dripped from his clothes.

He looked up with a slight smile. "Colleague, you should be careful when walking. Luckily, the water didn't splash on you."

He then reminded the tall official who had walked over, "This colleague, there's water here. Be careful not to step in it and dirty your shoes."

The two officials were momentarily at a loss for how to react to Zhou Chunshu's smiling face. In their confused exchange of glances, Zhou Chunshu politely bid farewell. Clutching the empty basin, he walked away, his wet clothes dripping as he went.

When he reached a deserted spot, the smile vanished from Zhou Chunshu's face.

He crouched down, holding the basin, his shoulders shaking as he wept silently.

The new clothes his grandmother had just made for him, worn for only half a day, were already ruined...

Zhou Chunshu allowed himself a moment to release his feelings of grievance. Then, wiping away his tears, he stood up, took a deep breath, put a smile back on his face, and continued walking with the basin.

When he returned the basin to the storage room and went back to his office, Zhao Guiyu, the only colleague he was on good terms with, rushed out in a fluster.

Seeing him, Zhao Guiyu's eyes lit up, and he pulled him inside. "Where have you been? Eunuch Xizi came looking for you."

"Eunuch Xizi?" The name sounded familiar to Zhou Chunshu. After a moment's thought, he confirmed, "The adopted son of Attendant Cheng, who serves by His Majesty's side?"

"Of course not—could there be a second Eunuch Xizi in this palace?" Zhao Guiyu couldn't contain his delight. "I've been watching Eunuch Xizi's expression on the sly—this visit means good news for sure! Chunshu, your fortune is on the way!"

Zhao Guiyu genuinely wished Zhou Chunshu well. His own mother was a neglected concubine in the family, his father had many children, and he himself was neither bright nor savvy. He had never been favored since he was a kid.

No one in his family liked or cared about him.

All his life, only Zhou Chunshu had truly treated him as a friend, valuing him just for himself, no strings attached.

To see his only true friend get a chance to move up, Zhao Guiyu was even happier than Zhou Chunshu himself.

Eunuch Xizi had come to deliver an imperial edict: Zhou Chunshu was to assist Shen Yuan from now on, at his beck and call.

All personnel selected for Shen Yuan had to be vetted by Xie Yulin. Some who were all flash and no substance, arrogant, and unreliable were weeded out. Others he recalled as capable and decent were added.

Shen Yuan didn't have to lift a finger about any of this. He locked himself away in his study, focusing on writing stories.

Xie Yulin had meals delivered to the Shen family every day, made with choice ingredients and rare delicacies.

After eating them for three to five days in a row, Shen Anniang was too nervous to keep eating.

A bowl of bird's nest alone cost over ten taels of silver. She had one bowl a day, let alone the other exotic dishes.

In just these few days, they'd spent close to a hundred taels on food already.

Especially since the whole family ate together, the quantities were large and the costs high.

Shen Anniang felt anxious but was reluctant to bother Shen Yuan. Her nephew was busy writing stories and needed to concentrate without interruptions most at this time.

The kids in the family didn't know how expensive the food was; they only knew it tasted good, stuff they'd seldom seen or tasted before.

But if they had to compare, they still thought the dishes their aunt made according to Big Brother's recipes were the tastiest.

Shen Yuan spent half a month writing the new story and finally finished it.

In that half-month, Xie Yulin had already gathered all the staff and supplies. Shen Yuan could put them to use the moment he stepped out.

They followed the same model as in Qingyun County: first stage performances for the elite to build a reputation and secure more funding. Then they would recruit and train personnel, slightly revise the stories, and set up small outdoor stages for street performances.

Previously, General Chang had led a raid on a powerful noble's home and came across the deed to a two-story restaurant. Li Xing handed it over to Shen Yuan with a wave of his hand.

The restaurant would be converted into a theater, managed by Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan had previously discussed with Xie Yulin in detail how to renovate it and what the theater would need.

Over the past half-month, the restaurant renovation was mostly done. Once he came out, Shen Yuan went to inspect it and pointed out a few details that needed tweaking, though the big picture was on point.

After inspecting the theater building, Shen Yuan went to meet the people Xie Yulin had selected.

It had to be said that Xie Yulin had put in great effort. After an afternoon of interaction, Shen Yuan felt very relaxed.

Whatever he said, these people could quickly understand and worked with exceptional care and diligence.

Especially the one named Zhou Chunshu—he was unusually attentive.

Shen Yuan didn't know how the man noticed he was thirsty, but Zhou Chunshu promptly brought him tea.

Even Shen Yuan himself hadn't realized he was thirsty until after drinking the tea, when he felt his throat much more comfortable.

Shen Yuan smiled at Zhou Chunshu and said, "Thank you for pouring me water."

Zhou Chunshu, accustomed to serving superiors but never having been thanked or smiled at by one, was stunned.

Usually the most quick-witted, he now stiffly shook his head. "It's what this humble official should do. State Preceptor, you need not thank me at all."

Shen Yuan took note of him. Someone so perceptive and attentive deserved careful cultivation.

Another half-month passed, and the weather in Youyang grew colder, transitioning from late autumn to winter.

Ji Ping'an wrapped his clothes tightly around himself, shivering as he went to Shen Yuan's home for hot pot.

Hot pot was a specialty of Youyang. A copper pot filled with water was placed on a small stove with some spices added. Once the water boiled, vegetables and meat were dipped in and eaten directly.

It was somewhat similar to modern hot pot, but due to the scarcity of seasonings, it wasn't as delicious.

"The weather in Youyang City is much colder than in Qingyun County. In previous years at this time, I didn't feel too cold outside. Now, my hands hurt from the cold during patrols."

Ji Ping'an served as a small team leader in the Imperial Guards and was doing quite well.

Because he appeared aloof to outsiders and had been placed there by Xie Yulin, his subordinates regarded him with awe and fear.

Other Imperial Guard team leaders might struggle to discipline their subordinates for various reasons, but Ji Ping'an had no such troubles.

He led by example in everything he did, completing tasks himself first.

As the weather grew colder, he continued patrolling outdoors without any slack.

Naturally, his subordinates no longer dared to hide in secluded spots to avoid the wind and warm up as they used to.

Seeing Ji Ping'an's hands red from the cold, Shen Yuan picked up a piece of meat for him. "Brother, I have ointment for frostbite. I'll give it to you before you leave."

Ji Ping'an took a bite of the meat, savoring it happily. "Xiao Yuan, you're always so good to me."

Shen Anniang quickly glanced at Ji Ping'an's hands, then lowered her head to continue eating.

With the theater building fully completed, Shen Yuan became busy again.

Shen Dong, Shen Xi, and Shen Nan were all pulled in to help, aiming to stage the play before the New Year.

Xu Qingxuan not only served as a guard but also doubled as a carpenter, making props according to Shen Yuan's requirements.

Shen Liushu also took on a side role, making cameo appearances in the play.

With Shen Yuan overseeing the rehearsals for the play and Ji Shuang managing the storytelling, storytelling stalls were set up in all the streets and alleys of Youyang City, except the eastern district.

*The Swordsman* began to spread throughout Youyang City.