novelraw Chapter 74: What Did I Miss?
Chapter 74: What Did I Miss?
Chapter 74: What Did I Miss?
Date: 2025-03-27
Chapter 74: What Did I Miss?
Wen Gu pondered how to create something eye-catching to attract the rich patrons, something that was also practical. He drew up designs and made adjustments based on existing results. He just wasn't sure if it would be considered an illegal construction and needed to inform his cousin about it.
During this time, honeycomb coal stoves entered more market districts. Xin Prefecture's first newspaper was also released. Young Master Zhao indeed had many talented people under him, both scholarly and military, allowing for the quick publication of the newspaper. However, as the initial proposer of the idea, Young Master Zhao still consulted Wen Gu when deciding on the name. Wen Gu didn't directly suggest a name but instead said, "The superior man's heart is as serene as the deep stillness. The superior man achieves his position by observing the times." Thus, "Xin Prefecture Times" was born.
The first edition was printed impeccably, with very formal language, introducing the important figures who had arrived from the south, but the main focus was on the honeycomb coal stove. To alleviate the inconvenience of hot water and food for the soldiers in winter, a batch of honeycomb coal stoves was rushed to various military districts in the outer city area. The first edition of the newspaper did not conceal Wen Gu's contributions. This time, besides the upper and middle classes, many commoners and soldiers also recognized Wen Gu's identity and contributions. Previously, shaping public opinion relied on word-of-mouth; now, it was much more efficient and had a wider reach. As long as one could see the newspaper, they would naturally know its contents, and many more people would be informed.
There was a quota of newspapers for each military district. If extra copies were desired, they could only be purchased from designated locations. The same applied to the inner city. Each district foreman and some officials received a copy. Others who wished to buy one could go to the designated places. The newspapers were not expensive; those who could afford coal could generally afford a newspaper.
Outside the city.
A tiger's head flag fluttered in the wind. The members of the Tiger Might Escort Agency, who had previously accepted a client's mission to earn supplies, had returned! What was notable about this team, besides the flag and Escort Leader Lin at the front, was the dozens of escort guards with high morale. However, beyond them were timid villagers and scattered refugees gathered along the way, numbering over three hundred! Adding the escort guards from the Tiger Might Escort Agency, the entire team comprised nearly four hundred people.
Along the journey, they attracted the attention of many groups heading to Xin Prefecture and the city defense army, who learned the identity and origin of the tiger's head flag, forming an initial impression. Having been out of the city for many days and having close contact with refugees, the members of the Tiger Might Escort Agency needed to be quarantined in the outer city area for two days. Unlike the apprehension during their first quarantine here, the escort guards were much calmer this time.There was still some unease, however. They had hunted during their journey and obtained a cartload of game. They were unsure how much the entrance fee would be. Residents of the city who went out to cut firewood or hunt had to pay a small entrance fee and surrender a proportion of their hunted game.
When Escort Leader Lin went to exchange grain for hot water and food, he noticed many soldiers gathered at intervals around strange sheet metal stoves. The place where hot water and food were being prepared was similar, except the sheet metal stoves there were larger. Several soldiers nearby were discussing which military leader used which model of coal stove and what grade of honeycomb coal.
"Our leader uses that high-quality coal; it has little smoke, burns fast, and is expensive!"
"This honeycomb coal is indeed quite good; it must have had clay added. The newspaper said the burnt residue can be used for paving roads. They paved a long stretch in our district, and it's really good, truly anti-slip!"
"I wonder if the coal ash from burning has any effect against 'evil energy'."
"The Xin Prefecture Times didn't mention that."
What honeycomb coal stove? What Xin Prefecture Times? Escort Leader Lin was bewildered. They had only been out on one escort mission, and not for too long, yet upon returning, it seemed he no longer understood the language spoken in Xin Prefecture City? What had they missed?!
Carrying a head full of questions, he returned to the team. Before long, dedicated personnel arrived to count the number of new members in the team, to tally the refugees brought along and how much merit they could earn to exchange for goods. They also calculated the entrance fees to be collected. When registering the team's identity, Escort Leader Lin presented the stamped voucher given to him by Wen Gu. The minor official responsible for the statistics and record-keeping initially paid little attention. However, upon seeing the stamp on the paper and then looking at Escort Leader Lin and the others, his expression softened considerably, no longer appearing as stern and bureaucratic as before. The minor official returned the voucher and explained to Escort Leader Lin, "Xin Prefecture is currently welcoming people, so the entrance fee is not high."
Escort Leader Lin calculated internally that even after surrendering twenty to thirty percent of their game, they would gain more from this trip. It was nothing. As it turned out, the final statistics showed that the entrance fee was merely a nominal amount, less than ten percent. Could there be such good things?!
Perhaps because Escort Leader Lin's expression was too obvious, the minor official explained, "You should thank your district foreman."
Escort Leader Lin: "Our Foreman Wen?"
The minor official nodded, "Yes, the young master surnamed Wen from the Zhao family." So many young masters had come seeking refuge with the Zhao family, yet only this one had achieved such success. When he first arrived, the Young Master himself personally welcomed him. In less than a month, he had become famous throughout the city. Nowadays, in Xin Prefecture City, from the wealthy nobles to the soldiers and commoners, even if they hadn't seen him, they had heard of Foreman Wen's great name. The position of district foreman was not high, and considering his accompanying status and reputation, only a fool would offend him! Moreover, the coal stoves had indeed brought benefits to everyone. They in the outer city area had decided to grant some convenience to the people of these two districts this month.
After completing the statistical work, the minor official led his soldiers to the next location. A soldier nearby asked, "What does that paper say?" The minor official replied, "What it says is not important; what matters is the stamp on it. The stamps of Jingxing District and Qingyun District."
"It's people from these two districts! I heard that the honeycomb coal stoves first came out from these two districts."
"The Young Master himself named these two districts!"
The voices from over there were indistinct, and Escort Leader Lin and his group couldn't hear clearly. Knowing that they received such good treatment because of their district foreman was enough.
Escort Leader Lin and his group were quarantined in the outer city area for two days before entering the inner city. The villagers who had left Jingxing District together with them, as well as the escort guards from the agency, described the appearance of Jingxing District to these newcomers.
"Although there are large open spaces and it looks desolate, everyone's spirit is actually quite high."
"If you work, you get food ration tickets, and you can exchange those for food. If a family has many laborers, they can even build houses by saving up."
"The escort agency's large courtyard should have been built even better."
"We're not comparing ourselves to the escort agency. If you have money, buy land and build a house. If you don't have money, rent a house. If you can't even afford to rent, then see if you can be selected for labor."
"There are many open spaces over there, and the district is filled with villagers and refugees like us."
However, as they walked, things felt increasingly strange. Why were there so many carts transporting goods on the roads and at the alley entrances? The wooden carts were laden with lumber, and some with bricks, tiles, stones, and earth. They were transported in full loads and left empty. Escort Leader Lin looked around, confirmed they were in Jingxing District, and led his people inside. A large area was fenced off, not allowing unauthorized entry. Craftsmen and laborers were everywhere, and many temporary sheds had been erected. People who looked like stewards rushed back and forth, shouting orders. It was a scene of bustling activity.
The newly arrived villagers whispered to their fellow villagers, "This... is completely different from what you described! Are you sure we didn't take a wrong turn?"
At this moment, Zhou Shan arrived with his men, "The district foreman knows you're back, but he's busy. I'll be arranging for these villagers and refugees."
Seeing a familiar face, Escort Leader Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Good thing you came! I was only gone for a few days, and now I'm back, I don't even know how to get around!"
Zhou Shan chuckled, "It's normal. Our Jingxing District and Qingyun District change by the day."
Escort Leader Lin asked curiously, "What are they building over there?"
"Gardens that the Shen family and some nobles want to build. It will be difficult to work on in a while, so they're getting some tasks done now while the ground isn't frozen solid."
"The Shen family?"
"That's our district foreman's maternal family."
Escort Leader Lin gasped. Zhou Shan lowered his voice and briefly explained what had happened during this period to Escort Leader Lin.
At this time, in Wen Gu's courtyard house in Jingxing District, he was chatting with his newly made friends. Pei Jing had come with the Shen brothers today. The brothers left after a short while, but Pei Jing stayed to chat more with Wen Gu. They discussed calligraphy and painting, as well as rare treasures, and for a time, felt a sense of mutual appreciation. At least, that's how it seemed to Pei Jing. Wen Gu was like another him in the world, frail but intelligent. Knowing Wen Gu had official business, Pei Jing took his leave. Before departing, he invited Wen Gu to his home as a guest, where he had many precious hydrous obsidian crystals for viewing, and also, some designs for Wanfu Garden could be further discussed.
After Pei Jing left, Wen Gu returned inside. He had noticed earlier that the large wooden table in the room had been shifted from its position. He moved it back to its original place. Ah, it looked much better. Sitting down, he thought again about his new friend. Pei Jing was delicate in his thoughts, logical, and had a solid cultural foundation and excellent artistic taste. As expected of someone raised in an aristocratic family! His circle was lacking precisely this kind of talented individual with artistic attainment! Pei Jing also had obvious flaws; many of his views were only theoretical, lacking practical experience. How could this be? In this era, at this age, it was the time to enter social practice! Being frail in body could be compensated for by not going to construction sites; working in an office was still practice. Wen Gu pondered his upcoming work, planning to set aside time to visit the Pei family as a guest and deepen his friendship with this new friend.
(End of this chapter)