Great Tang Idyll - Volume 4 Chapter 40

When the sea breeze blows, canals must be dug to direct the water. The Shiwan Mountains brim with life, but when rain gathers, Luzhou faces danger.

Zhang Zhong is set to remain in Luzhou for another two years. Worried about the possibility of another heavy rain—whether next year or even in a few days—he orders canals to be dug in advance. Luzhou already has a few small rivers, but they are insufficient. The Shiwan Mountains behind them, while a source of trees, fruit, wild game, and fur, also contribute to the flood risk.

If there were a larger river connected to these mountains, the floodwaters wouldn’t wash through the state so thoroughly. With this in mind, Zhang Zhong plans to construct two major rivers leading from the mountains, which are fed by mountain springs and rainwater.

When the next heavy rain comes, instead of water accumulating to a dangerous level before bursting forth, it will flow directly along these two rivers to the sea. Additionally, several tributaries will be built on the other side of the mountains to connect with these rivers. That way, as long as the riverbanks are maintained, the flood risk will be significantly reduced. Even if he is no longer the official in charge, any competent successor will recognize the importance of these rivers.

Beyond flood prevention, the rivers will serve another purpose—helping mountain dwellers transport goods more efficiently.

Zhang Zhong’s orders are passed down, and the people do not resist or question them. They immediately set to work. Even young children help by tending fires and delivering water and food. To save time, meals are kept simple and convenient.

Initially, Zhang Zhong wants to provide meat, vegetables, and rice for every meal, but for the first time, the people refuse to comply. They argue that stopping to eat a full meal wastes too much time. In the end, Zhang Xiaobao proposes an alternative: pancakes filled with stir-fried shredded pork, vegetables, sauce, pickles, and scallions.

For those who want seafood, small crabs and sea hares can be added. The people from Kaifeng, in particular, are fond of such foods. This way, workers won’t have to stop for long breaks. If they are thirsty, they can drink water; if they are hungry, they can grab a roll.

If it weren’t for the difficulty of making dough and steaming food on-site, Zhang Xiaobao would prefer to give them buns. However, he soon realizes that buns are impractical—the filling’s oil solidifies when cold, making them unappetizing.

Unlike set meal times, these rolls can be eaten whenever hunger strikes. Children run back and forth, carrying food from the preparation area to the work sites. The workers eat one at a time, never overindulging, ensuring they remain efficient and don’t become sluggish after eating.

To everyone’s surprise, this method results in people eating more while maintaining their energy for labor. A single rolled pancake can be devoured in a few bites, allowing work to continue without long interruptions.

The people are deeply grateful to have officials who not only manage affairs well but also consider their well-being.

But where there is satisfaction, there is also resentment.

That morning, Liu Shaoqing and his group are in high spirits—especially the three who have managed to obtain the rice cake recipe without effort. Each of their families has organized small teams to start selling. However, only half an hour later, bad news arrives.

The sellers have barely set up their stalls when they hear someone else already hawking rice cakes nearby. When they go to investigate, they are dumbfounded—others are already selling rice cakes at three for a penny, and some are selling by weight. Not only are there glutinous rice cakes like the ones they plan to sell, but also millet rice cakes.

Moreover, there are multiple varieties—stuffed with red bean paste, white sugar, or jujube. The competition is overwhelming.

To make matters worse, the rival sellers are cleanly dressed, appearing more presentable. Many customers eagerly take out money to buy and try the different flavors. These people have earned their money through various transactions with the Zhang family over the past two months, as well as from wages.

After making some quick calculations, the sellers sent by Liu Shaoqing and his group realize that at the current prices, they will need to sell thirty cakes just to make one coin in profit—not nearly enough to make a decent income in a day.

With no other choice, they return to report the situation.

“I can’t stand it anymore! Zhang Zhong’s family is too much!” Liu Shaoqing fumes. “I finally find that rice cake recipe in a book, yet they somehow learn it too and rush to flood the market before us. They clearly don’t want us to repay our debts!”

He doesn’t even need to ask to know that this is the Zhang family’s doing. Only they have the capability to react so quickly. He has put in so much effort to find that recipe, yet Zhang Zhong’s people have managed to introduce even more varieties in just one day. No other family has such resources.

Cao Herui sighs. “They were too fast. The fact that they could come up with so many varieties overnight means they must have known about rice cakes all along but simply hadn’t used the recipe until now. Think about it—what other ways do we have to make money? I refuse to believe they can outdo us in everything.”

“What else is there?” Jiang Huanshi whispers. “They don’t intend to give us a way out. Let’s go—let’s head to Qinzhou and tell Zhang Zhong that there’s a secret tea-making recipe there. Let’s see him fight with someone else over it.”

If they are going to leave, they have to do it quietly. Patrols are stationed outside to prevent anyone from escaping, but they have an advantage—an old tunnel.

Years ago, a passage was dug beneath Zhang Yi’s outer residence, near the Zhou Mansion. The four of them have taken up residence there after the flood, knowing it is their best escape route. The floodwaters may have blocked part of the tunnel, but they can dig it out again if necessary.

Jiang Huanshi’s suggestion solidifies their decision. At worst, they can rely on their families for support. Zhang Zhong won’t target innocent relatives. Leaving alone will be the safest option, as a group escape will draw too much attention.

Just as they finalize their plan, the courtyard gatekeeper rushes in, announcing, “Master, a manager from the Zhang family has arrived. He says he wishes to discuss business with you.”

“Business?” Liu Shaoqing frowns. “What business? I have nothing to discuss with them!” His first thought is that Zhang Zhong is causing trouble again.

The other three also look puzzled. After a brief hesitation, Liu Shaoqing says, “Let him in.”

As footsteps approach, the four of them look over and see the newcomer’s chest adorned with only two circles of lines. Their faces immediately darken. The Zhang family has actually sent a two-star manager. They know that five stars is the highest rank, and according to their status, even if they don’t send a five-star manager, they should have sent a four-star manager.

The man before them only has two stars, which clearly shows a lack of respect.

“Master Liu,” the visitor says without offering any flattery, “I’ve come to discuss business with you. I wonder if Master Liu has any idle workers in his family?”

Liu Shaoqing snorts coldly. “A two-star official like you can make decisions? Go find your master and come back when you’re authorized.”

The visitor smiles and calmly replies, “Master Liu has misunderstood. This is my own business, and it has nothing to do with my master.”

“You? Doing business with me?” Liu Shaoqing laughs mockingly. “Hahaha! Good, great! Did you hear that? A servant from the Zhang family comes to do business with me. Tell me why you think you can do that? Huh? Why? Tell me, everyone, how can a servant do business with a judge?”

Liu Shaoqing can’t help laughing at the visitor’s words. He points at him and gestures for the other three to look. The others also join in the laughter.

Cao Herui glances at the man standing there unmoved and says, “You’d better get back to your work quickly. If your master finds out, I’ll break your legs. Business isn’t something for a servant like you, and we’re not people you can fool. Be obedient and go back.”

The four of them laugh again, but the man calmly speaks, “I have 200 guan on me, and I can borrow another 200 strings from my family. That makes 400 strings in total. I wonder how much money the four of you have? With 400 strings, I’ll start this business. I’ll make more in the future, and Master Liu will also earn more. Since you think I can’t do business with you, I’ll leave now.”

The man turns to leave.

The four are momentarily stunned. Liu Shaoqing quickly calls out, “Wait! Where did you get the money from? What business are you trying to do? Tell me!”

“The servants of the Zhang family are different from those of your family,” the man says as he turns around. “In addition to our monthly allowance, we receive extra bonuses. We don’t need to spend on food or daily necessities, so we can save a lot. The business I want to do with Master Liu is simple. Master Liu will make shrimp paste for me. You can catch the shrimp and gather the salt yourselves. If your family has enough workers, you could catch a lot of shrimp in a day and store them in jars. I’ll come to collect them after a month and pay the full amount. This time, I plan to buy 200 jars, each holding 20 kilograms, at 1,500 coins per jar. I’ll pay a 20-coin deposit first. If everything goes well, I’ll increase the number of jars next month. I’ll make money, and you will too. Master Liu, think about it. Do you want to do this? If you do, the 200 jars must be delivered on time. The shrimp paste can’t be missing when I pick it up.”

The man pauses, looking at Liu Shaoqing and waiting for a response.

Liu Shaoqing thinks for a moment, then glances at the other three before asking, “Can you explain why you need so much shrimp paste?”

The man’s response is evasive. “What I do is none of your business. If you agree to this deal, I’ll catch the shrimp myself with minimal cost. The 20-guan deposit is enough to cover the jars. Even if I don’t come to collect them in a month, you won’t lose any money.”

Liu Shaoqing hesitates, then grits his teeth. “Fine, we’ll do it. But what about the payment? Let’s sign a receipt.”

He has thought it through. Even if the man doesn’t show up to collect the shrimp paste, the 200 jars can eventually be sold, and he won’t lose any money.

Seeing that Liu Shaoqing agrees, the man turns toward the door. He carries in a box with another person. When the box is opened, it contains 20 guan of cash—over 120 kilograms of it. It is clear that it is difficult for one person to carry.

Liu Shaoqing is pleased. He immediately writes up a document, and both parties sign it, completing the transaction.