Chapter 197 Return to Hexian County

Chapter 197 Returning to Heshan County

After the scroll was unfurled, not a single sound could be heard in the vast hall. It was so quiet that a falling pin could be heard, followed only by faint gasps after a moment.

"Bring it closer... No, I shall go down and see it myself." The aging emperor rose from his dragon throne, his steps slightly hurried as he walked toward the center of the hall.

The palace attendant hurried over to support him, "Your Majesty, please take your time."

The emperor waved off the attendant and went closer to examine the six paintings by Meng Wan. The closer he got, the more he could feel the lifelike quality of the artwork. From the birds and fish amid the mountains to the red cloth ties on the children's heads, every detail was so exquisite it seemed almost tangible.

The emperor's hand hovered just above the neatly arranged rows of yellow sugarcane fields, reluctant to touch them.

"Excellent! Marvelous!" He clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

The other ministers in the hall, including the princes, also stood up to admire the paintings. Even Lin Congrong and Song Tingzhou, who had already seen the scroll once, were still moved upon seeing it again, especially since they had personally been involved in the events depicted in the paintings.

Several attendants, perceptive as they were, took over holding the scroll so Lin Congrong and Song Tingzhou could free their hands.

Song Tingzhou knelt on the ground close to the emperor, "Your Majesty, your subject lost his father as a child and grew up in extreme poverty. It was only through the hard work of his mother and her husband that he was able to travel to the capital for the imperial examinations. When he took up the post in Heshan County, no one thought well of him, but your subject never felt any disdain or resentment. For all the people under heaven are Your Majesty's subjects, and in your subject's eyes, the people of Heshan are no different from those in the capital or in Jiangnan."

He spoke clearly, his words firm and sincere, so earnest that everyone who heard them could feel they came from the heart, not empty flattery.

Not only did the emperor before him feel moved, but many ministers in the hall were also filled with mixed emotions. Once upon a time, they too had not been tainted by the lust for power, vowing to be upright, incorruptible, and wise county magistrates for the people of the realm.

But later, whether out of helplessness or greed, they could never go back.

"What Minister Song says is absolutely true. The people of the realm are all my subjects..." The emperor pointed to the three upper paintings. "When I was still a prince, my Grand Tutor told me that Lingnan's terrain was treacherous, with barren mountains and miasmic swamps, making life hard for the people, a desolate wasteland. But I never saw it with my own eyes—so this is what it looks like."

It was not only the emperor; among the ministers and princes who had spent their lives contending in the capital, many had never even seen a farm field, let alone a remote and impoverished region.

The hardships of the poor existed only in their writings and on flimsy paper—how many truly saw and understood? Now, facing such lifelike paintings, it was hard not to be shocked.

Prince Lian stepped forward from his seat. "Father, as the Son of Heaven, Your Majesty's blood is noble. These commoners rely on Your Majesty's grace, and with the recent reduction of the poll tax, they now enjoy peace and prosperity."

He wore cloud brocade that took a hundred people three months to weave, speaking of the commoners' peace and prosperity—an especially ironic sight in the eyes of ministers like Song Tingzhou and Lin Congrong, who had served in local posts.

But they dared not laugh, for Prince Lian was an imperial prince, and the class distinction was absolute.

The Crown Prince, however, had once accompanied his father-in-law to the borderlands and witnessed the even more precarious lives of the frontier people, so his words carried more substance. "Father, Lingnan's troubles are many. The greatest drawback is the abundance of mountains and scarcity of farmland. County Magistrate Song's idea of leading the people to convert forests to farmland is a pro-agriculture measure. Encouraging local farmers to plant sugarcane and build sugar refineries is also a beneficial policy."

The terraced fields of Heshan and the sugar production had already been noted by the emperor, and apart from Censor Chu, who continued to deny everything even at the threat of death, the most knowledgeable person was Kou Wen, the Minister of Revenue.

The more he had previously looked down on Lingnan, the more delighted he was now that he saw the situation.

Would Xiwu Prefecture be able to pay off its debts to the Ministry of Revenue by next year?

"Your Majesty, your subject would be shameless enough to ask to view this painting for a moment."

The emperor, his emotions stirred, said, "Come, all of you! See the current state of Heshan under Minister Song's governance!"

All the ministers in the Hall of Literary Virtue gathered in the center to admire the painting. The achievements that Song Tingzhou had previously only recorded in official documents were now vividly displayed before everyone's eyes, leaving no one unshaken.

The emperor was in excellent spirits and was on the verge of promoting Song Tingzhou directly to the post of Reader-in-Waiting at the Hanlin Academy, so that he could enter the palace daily and report to the emperor how he had transformed Heshan County step by step.

The Minister of Public Works, a pragmatic man, pointed to the last painting and asked Song Tingzhou, "May I ask, County Magistrate Song, what kind of earth is this that can build a city wall?" Traditional sanhe soil wasn't this color.

Song Tingzhou replied humbly, "To answer Your Excellency, this is... gray powder, developed by seven craftsmen over a full year." He swallowed the words that had nearly escaped his lips and substituted a different name.

"Gray powder?" The Minister of Public Works pondered. "You mean it is a powder before water and sand are added?"

Everyone else's first glance had been at the terraced fields and sugarcane; Song Tingzhou was surprised that the Minister of Public Works would notice the cement. He answered, "Indeed. This powder reacts when it comes into contact with water and solidifies when it encounters objects. Whether brick, stone, wood, or earth, once combined, they bond together like glue. Even wind, rain, or the passage of time cannot easily move it."

At that moment, most were focused on livelihood and farmland, unaware of the convenience cement would bring; they were merely amazed by its properties.

As everyone crowded around the painting, Censor Chu, still kneeling in the hall, stood out starkly. The emperor had satisfied his curiosity and finally remembered the half-dead man on the floor.

An emperor, no matter how benevolent, was still an emperor. He raised his lofty head and lightly uttered four words to the man whose cold sweat had already soaked half his body: "Drag him away. Execute."

Censor Chu's panicked gaze turned into utmost terror, but even so, he dared not cry out for mercy, for if he disgraced himself in court, he would implicate his family before his death.

After dealing with Censor Chu, the emperor continued to issue decrees. "Minister Song's achievements shall be personally evaluated by the Minister of Personnel." Without any surprises, this meant Song Tingzhou would remain in the capital—the ultimate dream of all local officials. But it was not Song Tingzhou's wish.

Watching Censor Chu dragged away by the guards, Song Tingzhou closed his eyes. This was the imperial family: one misstep, and the entire game was lost.

He had to be even more cautious. With his wings not yet fully grown, he could by no means stay in the capital.

With a thud, Song Tingzhou knelt for the umpteenth time, bowing.

The emperor was rather surprised. "Minister Song, do you have another request? Speak frankly."

Song Tingzhou said resolutely, his tone decisive, "Your Majesty, your subject has no other request. Your subject's achievements are judged by the people, and it is enough that Your Majesty has seen them. To serve as an official in the capital is certainly to face Your Majesty directly, but your subject can also solve problems for Your Majesty in the localities. For your subject, there is no great difference. Heshan is the county that your subject has governed into its present state. If possible, your subject would like to return there for three more years, and I beg Your Majesty to grant this wish!"

——

In the twenty-ninth year of Qisheng's reign, on the twelfth day of the third month. The families of Zhu Zenning and Wu Zhaoyuan came together to the ferry to bid farewell to Song Tingzhou. Besides them were Lin Congrong and Nie Zhiyao's husband, Le Zhengqi.

Le Zhengqi carried a little boy of about two years old and stepped forward politely. "A Yao asked me to come and see off Lord Song. This cart of modest gifts is all prepared by him for Meng Fulang. I hope you won't refuse them."

Song Tingzhou took out a fine white jade plaque of excellent quality and gently hung it around the little boy's neck. "Having come to the capital in a hurry this time, I didn't bring anything for Fei Geer. But when your third uncle returns, I will definitely bring Lingnan oranges. Wan'er told me Fei Geer loves them very much?"

Le Zhengqi tucked the jade plaque into his son's robes. "He's so picky. He eats like a little cat, just a few bites here and there. His favorite is the oranges that Meng Fulang sent over."

Song Tingzhou laughed heartily. "Wan'er also misses Nie Fulang very much. If you have free time, you can come to Lingnan in autumn to visit us. Lychees and oranges, as many as you want."

Le Zhengqi's eyes flickered. "There will always be a chance."

From a distance, Zhu Zenning called out, "Jingxing, hurry up, everything is loaded."

Hearing this, Song Tingzhou quickly walked over, bid farewell to everyone, and boarded the boat that had long been waiting.

"I have kept the Crown Prince waiting for a long time," he said, bowing to the prince inside the cabin.

The prince did not put on any airs of superiority. "We are away from the court, Lord Song. You need not be so formal. Just call me Gongzi."

Song Tingzhou did not dare to be negligent and immediately changed his address. "Gongzi, the journey to Heshan is long, and we will also be traveling on several sections of official roads." He was worried that the prince, being of noble and exalted status, might not endure the hardships of travel, so he mentioned it in advance.

"Lord Song, don't worry. My brother-in-law traveled to the borderlands at sixteen. This bit of trouble on the road is nothing," said Qin Jiao, entering with a plate of fruit.

Outside the imperial palace, he had returned to his usual unrestrained demeanor.

Song Tingzhou was already acquainted with Qin Jiao. With his reassurance, he felt much relieved and soon took his leave to return to his own cabin.

Taking off his heavy outer robe and draping it over the back of a chair, Song Tingzhou reclined on the bed and closed his eyes to rest. That day in the Hall of Literary Virtue, he had requested to remain in Xiwu, pleasing the emperor greatly. How could he not fulfill his loyal and patriotic intentions?

Thus, he smoothly stayed in Xiwu Prefecture, promoted three ranks to the position of Assistant Prefect of the fifth rank—exactly as the Director of the Ministry of Personnel had promised three years ago.

As for Vice Prefect Luo, who was supposed to rise to this position, he was transferred elsewhere. Song Tingzhou did not make a point of inquiring, lest he attract attention. After all, he was still holding two rather troublesome human traffickers, who might be more than just traffickers.

That the Crown Prince would accompany him to Heshan was completely unexpected. Although he claimed it was along his route to check if Heshan really matched the paintings, in fact, the two men were intricately connected to Prince Lian. Entrusting them to the Crown Prince was the safest course.

However, there were all sorts of troublesome matters that required careful handling. For instance, Song Tingzhou had no desire to get entangled in the open and covert struggles between the Crown Prince and Prince Lian—at least not for now.

So if he handed the men directly to the Crown Prince, it would inevitably seem like feeling out the situation, and he might be labeled as a member of the Crown Prince’s faction. One misstep could end up like Imperial Censor Chu.

His mind was a tangle of thoughts by the time he returned to the Lingnan region in the sweltering heat of June. Worried about his family, he first hastily met with his new subordinates in Xiwu Prefecture before hurrying to Hexian County with the Crown Prince and his entourage.

As they approached the county on horseback, they noticed the road beneath them had changed from a dusty dirt path to a smooth gray cement road, making the carriage ride much steadier. Moreover, the cement road had a thin transverse cut every zhang, serving as an expansion joint, which did not hinder travel but piqued curiosity.

The Crown Prince was only human—the damp, sweltering weather and the long journey were irritating, but this novel sight perked him up a bit.

"Is this made from gray powder?" he asked. Feeling how much smoother the carriage ride was, he called for the guard acting as coachman to stop and stepped down to experience it himself.

A fine drizzle was falling, yet the gray cement road was flat and hard, completely unaffected by the rain. Song Tingzhou took an umbrella and dismounted from his horse to walk alongside the Crown Prince, explaining, "Actually, this short stretch is not made from true gray powder—it has flaws."

The Crown Prince was surprised. "Oh?" Looking closely, he saw that the middle of the road was indeed smooth, but both edges, where low grass and weeds grew, showed signs of decay on the edges.

Song Tingzhou then went on to describe in detail the many difficulties encountered when building the cement road, and how they eventually succeeded in firing the gray powder.

"Does Your Highness see that low mountain in the distance? That is where the kiln for firing gray powder is now located."

"I heard that kilns should be built in areas with abundant wood. Why are there so few trees on that mountain?"

Qin Jiao also dismounted and joined the conversation. "Brother-in-law, I know this! Lord Song and his men burned wood day and night to develop the gray powder. Those craftsmen had faces blacker than black—they must have cut down nearly all the trees!"

The scene he described was amusing, and it sparked the Crown Prince’s interest in the kiln. "Lord Song, if you don’t mind, may I take Qin Jiao up to have a look?" Of course, the Crown Prince had skilled guards with him, both visible and hidden, but he only offered to take Qin Jiao, lest Song Tingzhou misunderstand his intentions.

Song Tingzhou replied respectfully, "Your Highness is too kind. There may be wild beasts on the mountain that could startle you. Please feel free to take as many men as you need up the mountain."

Leaving the carriages and horses at the base, the group walked up the mountain. The kiln was built halfway up the low hill, so it didn’t take long to reach it.

As they approached the kiln, they saw Fengzhong holding two bowls of a milky-white liquid, adding something to each with an expression of intense concentration, very reminiscent of Chu Ci preparing poison.

Suddenly seeing so many people coming up the mountain, he was startled and accidentally added too much of the ingredient.

"Oh no! My glue!" he wailed, frantically scooping it out with his bare hands.

Seeing his look of utter dismay, Song Tingzhou quickly asked, "Brother Feng, did we disturb you?"

Fengzhong showed no deference to the newly promoted Assistant Prefect of Xiwu and replied grumpily, "What do you think? Bringing so many people here—are we monkeys in a zoo?"

"How dare you!" The guard behind the Crown Prince shouted.

Fengzhong shot them a glare and stormed off angrily. Old Xu, however, thought the Crown Prince’s party looked exceptionally imposing and must be some high-ranking bigwigs, so he hastily explained on Fengzhong’s behalf, "Earlier, Master Meng needed an airtight sealant. This guy Fengzhong discovered that a type of tree sap in the forest thirty li away could form a gel-like substance. He finally managed to collect some, but..."

The Crown Prince was not so narrow-minded; his group of retainers included many eccentric characters far more unreliable than Fengzhong.

"An airtight sealant? Not only is Master Meng a great painter, he also has expertise in such devices. If you need to store something important, I have capable men among my retainers as well."