Rebirth: Not Being a Waste - Chapter 12
“Chief Steward, I count them! It’s 980!” Laiwang is ecstatic. He has never counted so many items before, but he also worries that he might have made a mistake.
Mo Ren nods. “The count is correct. Now, move these bricks onto the cart. One person per cart to keep them from slipping.”
Everyone gets to work. Zhang Shu, along with two other servants and three additional workers, quickly loads the bricks onto the ox cart. Mo Ren pays the supplier and then leads everyone back.
The return journey is slow. The ox cart is already heavy, so no one can ride it. The scorching sun blazes down, and Zhang Shu’s back is soon drenched in sweat.
Still, he is relieved—they don’t have to carry the bricks themselves.
It takes five days to build the wall. Though it is just stacking bricks, a layer of wet soil has to be applied in between to hold them together.
After several days under the sun, Zhang Shu’s skin darkens significantly. At the same time, he feels stronger—his physical strength improves noticeably.
It is no exaggeration to say that if Wang Changfa and the others try to bully him again, he can knock them down with a single punch without hesitation.
Zhang Shu realizes that fear often holds people back more than anything else. Resisting is much easier than one might think.
Next comes planting trees and flowers. Steward Mo has flowers delivered from a manor—gorgeous varieties that Zhang Shu can’t name, though he likes them all. He finds it amusing that, as a grown man, he enjoys flowers, but his favorite is hibiscus.
Since Zhang Shu suggests the flower beds, Steward Mo puts him in charge of arranging the planting. It is rare for anyone to recognize his ideas, and Zhang Shu feels a sense of happiness. Determined to do a good job, he carefully maps out the garden layout.
After much planning, he decides on a central flower bed surrounded by four smaller ones at the garden’s corners.
At the center, two crescent-shaped beds embrace a pavilion for resting. The surrounding flower beds form a star-like pattern, symbolizing many stars encircling .
Coincidentally, Master Mo has four children. The two crescents represent the elders, while the four stars symbolize the young masters and young ladies—a subtle wish for their prosperity, like stars in the sky. Of course, no one dares to voice this sentiment aloud.
When the flower beds are completed using broken bricks, Zhang Shu reminds Steward Mo to bring in pebbles for paving pathways.
On the day the garden is completed, Master Mo, his wife, and their children come to see it. Although they don’t express their amazement like villagers might, the satisfied looks on their faces are undeniable.
This garden is the first of its kind in the area. The sheer convenience of being able to stroll through it without soiling their shoes and socks is enough to delight them. Even if the flowers wither, the landscape itself remains a beautiful sight.
“Who is Zhang Shu? How can an ordinary farmer have such ingenuity? Call him here—I want to see him,” Master Mo says.
He is a refined man with a neatly trimmed black beard, handsome features, and the dignified air of a scholar.
Steward Mo hurries off to summon Zhang Shu. When Zhang Shu arrives, his legs tremble. This is a scholar-official—a ! Not only that, but he is also the head of their county’s academy. The only time Zhang Shu has seen him before is from a distance when delivering grain and copper coins to Zhang Ming, the fourth young master.
A scholar of great learning!
Zhang Shu conveniently forgets that he has actually met a prince before at the home of Master Mo’s eldest son.
Seeing Zhang Shu’s mixture of fear and reverence, Master Mo feels pleased. This young man seems honest and simple.
“Your name is Zhang Shu?”
“Yes! My name is Zhang Shu!” His voice is loud, as if he has been called upon in school to recite a lesson.
“This flower bed is well done. Do you have any other ideas?”
Zhang Shu thinks for a moment. “Each flower bed still lacks a central tree. The master, mistress, young ladies, and young masters could each choose a tree they like and plant it themselves, then compare to see whose tree grows best.”
It’s just a way to entertain the children, but to Zhang Shu’s surprise, both Master Mo and Madam Mo find the idea intriguing. Clearly, their lives must be quite dull.
The children immediately start shouting excitedly.
“Father, I want to plant a peach tree!”
“Father, I want a parasol tree! Didn’t you say it can attract phoenixes?”
Their cheerful chatter fills the air, while Master Mo and Madam Mo watch them with warm smiles, eyes full of affection.
Zhang Shu suddenly feels a pang of sorrow. It reminds him of the cold, broken family he had in his past life.
Master Mo speaks with his family for a while before noticing that Zhang Shu is still standing there. With a few more kind words, he dismisses him.
The garden, which takes fourteen days to build, is complete.
That evening, the Mo family treats the workers to three dishes, all with minced meat. Along with a large bucket of rice, they are also given a pot of steamed buns.
The workers eat heartily, overjoyed.
Zhang Shu devours his meal in big mouthfuls. His increasing strength has also boosted his appetite.
After dinner, they are given a pot of iced fruit—a delightful surprise.
That night, they sleep soundly, no doubt because they will be going home soon.
Early the next morning, the Mo family even provides breakfast. Those preparing to leave on empty stomachs are overjoyed.
But Laiwang knows this kindness is thanks to Zhang Shu.
And the best part is yet to come.
The Mo family pays them their wages—thirty-five coins per day, totaling 490 coins for fourteen days.
Mo Ren smiles at their excitement. Once they calm down, he adds, “Since the garden pleased the master, he’s giving each of you an additional fifty coins.”
Everyone is stunned. They want to express their gratitude in the best words possible, but in the end, all they can manage is a heartfelt “Thank you.”
“Zhang Shu, come here,” Mo Ren calls, motioning for him to follow.
Zhang Shu scratches his head and obediently follows, not knowing why.
The others look on with envy. A man who joined the project later mutters sourly, “That kid’s probably getting extra benefits.”
But the workers from Shuitou Village aren’t stirred by his words. They all understand that if not for Zhang Shu’s ideas, they wouldn’t have received such generous treatment. If he gets a little more, he has earned it.
They don’t resent him—they only blame themselves for not being more capable.
Seeing no reaction from the others, the man swallows his words. After all, excitement is fleeting—it won’t last without someone to fuel it.
“You did a great job with the garden,” Mo Ren says. “Our master is very pleased. Here, take this tael of silver. Also, the master asked me to give you two bags of pastries, a roast chicken, and a jar of wine. Take them home for your family to enjoy.”
Mo Ren has a good impression of Zhang Shu and speaks kindly.
Zhang Shu hasn’t expected that his casual suggestion would bring such great satisfaction—not just because he earns money, but because he has been recognized.
He nods fervently. After a long pause, he finally manages, “Thank you, Master Mo! Thank you, Chief Steward!”
Mo Ren chuckles. “You’re too honest. Go on, then. I’ll call you again if there’s work in the future.”
