Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 182

After the suspects are taken away, the Cangzhou yamen returns to its usual calm. Except for Pei Che, everyone had previously been very anxious. After the imperial decree comes down, they feel more at ease.

There is no escaping responsibility anyway, so what is the point in being fearful? With so many officials in Cangzhou, the emperor can’t possibly execute all of them. The most important thing now is to stay within their bounds, do their job properly, and avoid making further mistakes. Otherwise, they might become the “chicken” in the story of “killing the chicken to scare the monkey.”

In contrast to the quiet yamen, the streets and villages of Cangzhou are bustling as if it were a holiday. The reason for this is the notice posted at the city gates.

The notice states that an iron mine has been discovered outside of Cangzhou. Now, they are recruiting miners, and those interested can come and try their luck.

In addition to the recruitment notice, there is also a description of the benefits for those selected. First, the monthly wages are not fixed but based on a performance-based system. The amount of ore mined is weighed and paid for. An ordinary person can earn about forty to fifty wen a day, while someone with greater strength can earn much more. Second, those working in the mine will receive lunch, consisting of two vegetable dishes with oil residue, and plenty of rice. There will also be three meat meals per month. Finally, miners will be evaluated at the end of the year, and those who work hard will receive generous rewards.

Although people don’t know exactly what the “generous rewards” are, that doesn’t stop them from rushing to sign up at the mine. After all, the first two benefits are very tempting.

Cangzhou relies on the mountains, and fertile land is scarce. In the past, they had to make do with mountain goods for food. Even if they can barely make a living, they still yearn for a decent job.

In just a few days, more than three hundred people have signed up for the mine. Most of them are strong and sturdy, while those with small frames and less strength naturally can’t become miners.

One young man, after being rejected, is dissatisfied and points to a figure not far away, saying, “Since it’s based on strength, why can he be a miner?”

The figure is about the same size as him and looks even younger.

At that moment, Zhang Quan, who is teaching others to identify stones, sneezes. He looks up in confusion, wondering who is talking about him.

The soldier in charge of recruitment laughs and says, “He knows how to identify and find ore, and understands how to shovel and exert force. Lord Pei has arranged for him to guide the new miners. If you can do the same, I can select you as well. How about it?”

The young man falls silent. He had hoped to come in and earn a living, but it is clear he doesn’t have the skills for it. After being rejected, he has no choice but to go back and focus on building his strength, hoping to become a miner next year.

In addition to these new miners, some old miners also stay behind. Some of them, eager to return home, have already been sent back. As for the others, most are orphans who have come out to earn a living. They have no place to go back to, so they decide to stay here, earn some money, and, when the time comes, buy a couple of acres of land in their hometown. At least they will be considered people with roots.

Mining is in full swing, and on the other side, the newly built smelting site is also bustling with activity. Old Master Tan, along with someone from the Ministry of Works, is busy as could be. Old Master Tan has spent nearly his entire life working in the mines. He was sent back to his hometown due to old age, but he still fondly remembers the days he spent working with the stones. Now, given the chance to start again, he feels a surge of energy in his body.

Soon, the first batch of iron is smelted. The Ministry of Works officials immediately praise the quality of the iron, commending the iron ore for producing iron that is twice as good as that from other places.

Emperor Liang Ping is overjoyed, but his hatred for those who have illegally mined iron only grows. He immediately orders an investigation to uncover the individuals behind this, especially those who dare to act without fear.

Under intense pressure, someone soon discovers a person suspected of being from the Datong Merchant Group near Nanyang Prefecture. The leader appears to be the Steward Xu from the painting. He is on his way home, having received a letter from Lord Liu, claiming he is bedridden and asking Steward Xu to bring back some medicinal herbs. Worried, Steward Xu hastily disguises himself and sets off on his return journey.

The officials, seeing that Steward Xu and the others still dare to return home despite the nationwide manhunt, wonder if they have lost their minds. In fact, Steward Xu has already guessed his fate. With the court so forcefully pursuing them, unless they hide deep in the mountains and never come out, there is nowhere they can hide. Steward Xu only wants to return the business to Lord Liu before he is captured. He doesn’t know that the very Lord he has been thinking about has already been exposed.

After being caught, Steward Xu even attempts to bribe the prison guards to send a message. The captors sneer, saying that even if they are about to starve to death, they won’t take the money. This is a direct order from the Ministry of Justice, and anyone who dares to act out of personal interest or injustice will be executed publicly.

Steward Xu and the others are taken to Liangjing. Upon hearing the verdict read from a document covered in red handprints, he finally understands that the crime he committed is indeed unforgivable. He slumps to the ground, completely drained, like a pile of mush.

In the prison, Steward Xu sees many people, including his capable subordinates and his master, Lord Liu.

Lord Liu is sitting at the foot of the makeshift straw bed, his hair disheveled, looking blankly ahead. He had been arrested at a brothel while watching a courtesan dance. He had wanted to plead his case, but the guards only needed two words to silence him completely.

The Cangzhou iron mine was actually discovered by accident. His grandfather had once been a guard at a mining site and often took advantage of his position to steal some of the materials from the mine and bring them home. Over time, Lord Liu becomes familiar with the appearance of the ore.

When he is traveling along the trade route and passing through Cangzhou, he hears people talk about the many mountain goods in the area, so he diverts into Cangzhou city. He hires some local people to help him collect, but to avoid being fooled with inferior goods, he decides to go up the mountain himself. Unexpectedly, once he enters, he finds iron ore exposed on the surface.

For a time, Lord Liu is conflicted. On one hand, he wants to report it to the authorities, but on the other, a voice tells him to keep quiet. The value of an iron mine is immense, and he doesn’t need to think about it further.

“Let’s mine it secretly for a while, then report it to the authorities!” A voice in Lord Liu’s heart tells him. If he were to give up this easily obtainable wealth, heaven would never forgive him!

So, a few days turn into half a month. Half a month turns into a few months. A few months turn into a year or two. Afterward, excuses aren’t even needed anymore; in Lord Liu’s mind, this becomes the Liu family’s mine.

Steward Xu, his trusted confidant, is put in charge of the operation. Whether it is quarrying, transporting, smelting, or turning the ore into tools to sell, Steward Xu handles everything.

It is when a shipment is almost stolen that Lord Liu’s family is exposed, thanks to Steward Xu’s frustration. After Lord Liu is arrested, he tries to reduce his own punishment by sending a letter to Steward Xu, intending to lure him into a trap set by the authorities.

Thus, a major case is closed. Those guilty are dealt with according to the law, and for those who make special contributions, their punishment is reduced depending on the severity of their actions.

After seeing the final outcome of the case in the official government report, Pei Che finally puts his mind at ease. After reading it, he sets the report aside, no longer needing to think about the matter again.

…

Time passes quickly, and it is already the second year that Pei Che and Jiang Miao have spent in Cangzhou. Unlike last year, when the whole family stayed at home to celebrate the New Year, this year, Pei Che lifts the curfew and allows the common people to enjoy three days of unrestricted celebration.

The people are overjoyed when they hear the news. Many of them have earned money working at the mine, and after working hard for half a year, they naturally hope to enjoy the New Year. Although some haven’t become miners, the large influx of outsiders into the mine has revitalized Cangzhou’s market economy.

Working at the mine is hard, and after finally getting a break, the workers are eager to go out and stroll the streets. At first, there aren’t many places to shop, but as some people smell business opportunities and open shops to make money, various stores begin to open one after another. Even the grain shops have increased in number compared to before. The shop openings require workers, and the goods need to be produced, so in no time, almost everyone in Cangzhou has something to do.

Once money is earned, it has to be spent. To attract customers, merchants bring out their own tricks. Some set off fireworks at the shop entrances, while others display various exquisite goods, allowing people to throw darts to win prizes. The streets are crowded with people, and everyone’s face is adorned with a happy smile.

Jiang Miao and Pei Che, dressed in inconspicuous clothes, walk among the crowd. Seeing how lively and bustling Cangzhou has become, which had once been dull and lifeless, they feel deeply satisfied.

“Brother, there’s someone selling sugar figurines ahead. Can I buy two strings?” Xiao Shitou suddenly turns around and runs up to Jiang Miao, tugging at his hand.

“Go ahead, didn’t I say you can do whatever you want today?” Jiang Miao replies.

These two kids rarely have a break from their studies, always cooped up in the school. Now that they have a chance to celebrate the New Year, he isn’t about to restrict them.

Xiao Shitou’s eyes light up with a smile as he opens his hand in front of Jiang Miao, silently asking for money. It turns out that he has pretended to seek approval but actually doesn’t want to spend his own money.

“But didn’t I already give you your New Year’s money?” Jiang Miao asks. He and Pei Che have each given them a big red envelope. It doesn’t make sense to just spend it all at once, right?

“But brother, you said before that New Year’s money shouldn’t be touched before the end of the year!” Xiao Shitou argues confidently.

Jiang Miao says, “What about the pocket money I gave you on regular days? Did you spend it all?” He is sure that if Xiao Shitou says yes, he will have to seriously teach this child about money management next year.

“No, but that’s my private savings. I need to save it for when I go to school later,” Xiao Shitou replies.

Jiang Miao is stunned. It seems he doesn’t need to teach him about money management after all. This child is clearly a penny-pinching miser.

“Alright, alright, here you go. Now go quickly!” He takes out a few coins and places them in Xiao Shitou’s hand. The child immediately happily grabs Pei Mu and runs toward the sugar figurine stall at the street corner.

“Who does he take after, I wonder? How can he be so stingy?” Jiang Miao complains to Pei Che.

Pei Che is immensely grateful for the dim evening light, or else Jiang Miao would see the expression on his face that clearly says “Who else but you.”

“Brother, brother!” Xiao Shitou and Pei Mu suddenly run back.

“What’s wrong? Do you want to buy something else?” Jiang Miao sighs, already preparing himself to bleed his wallet.

“The old man selling sugar figurines won’t take our money!” Xiao Shitou is clearly anxious. He has already licked the sugar figurine, and it’s too late to return it. But how can one buy something and not pay for it?

“Why not?” Jiang Miao glances at the sugar figurines in their hands. Didn’t the old man just sell these to them?

“I don’t know, brother. Come on, let’s go over there together!” Xiao Shitou tugs at Jiang Miao, pulling him toward the sugar figurine stall, with Pei Che and Pei Mu following along.

“Grandfather, my two younger brothers just bought sugar figurines from you, and I heard they haven’t paid yet. How much is it? I’ll pay for them,” Jiang Miao says politely, looking at the elderly man in front of him, whose beard and hair have all turned white.

“No need to pay, young master. I can make a living thanks to Lord Pei’s good governance. Two strings of sugar figurines? How can I take money from the two young masters?” the elderly man replies.

He has recognized Xiao Shitou and the others, which is why he refuses to take the money. His two sons work at the mine, and his two daughters-in-law take care of the tea mountain at home. He and his wife usually work odd jobs at nearby shops while looking after their grandchildren. They live fulfilling and happy lives.

“Old man, our ability to make money is due to your own efforts, and has nothing to do with others,” a voice suddenly speaks.

The elderly man frowns, looking up to rebut, but when he sees the person in front of him, he immediately recognizes them. He wants to kneel but is steadied by a pair of strong hands. The elderly man is overjoyed and repeatedly greets the newcomer, who also greets him warmly, chatting with him for a while.

After they leave, the elderly man notices the ten coins placed on the table. He carefully puts the money away and tucks it into his pocket, thinking to himself that he will tell others how good their Prefect is.