Great Tang Idyll Volume 01 Chapter 108
Shout out to Dan for commissioning chapters 99-108!
Chapter 108: Things Were Shaken Up When The Poultries Arrive
Zhang Xiao’bao and Wang Juan were anxious, and the same was true for Xiao’hong. Originally, they specifically brought extra people along just for passing news back and forth. However, who knew that along the way, the people that suffered from the disaster were coveting the egg-laying chickens, ducks and geese laid eggs. There were so many baby chicks that if they brought some back, their families would not have to worry about food anymore.
It would be impossible for all of the poultry to be stolen, but it would not be hard to steal one or two. So along the way, there were always people who tried to steal some chickens, ducks or geese. The people who followed Xiao’hong and Ying’tao didn't dare to relax for a single moment, and they took turns to keep guard. Because of this, there was no longer any spare manpower to deliver letters.
Even like this, Xiao’hong still felt there were not enough helpers. Regardless of whether it was day or night, those people were constantly looking for opportunities to steal from them. Some decided to hide so that Xiao’hong and them wouldn't notice, but some people blatantly followed behind Xiao’hong’s group and waited for a chance to snatch just anything.
Xiao’hong was under a lot of pressure this entire time. None of the chickens, ducks and geese were, but a lot of the eggs went missing. These poultries laid eggs just anywhere, so those people followed behind to steal the eggs.
Xiao’hong saw more than once that right after her chicken had just finished laying an egg and the egg was still warm, and someone who was following from behind rushed forward and snatched the egg. A person from the Manor asked to take it back, but the thief said that the egg was his own. When he was asked why was the egg still warm, the thief said that it was because he was holding the egg.
They tried to threaten the thieves that they would file a lawsuit to the government office, but the thieves were not scared at all because by the time the lawsuit was made, the egg would be eaten already. Furthermore, Xiao’hong did not have the time to actually do that. She wanted to see those people get beaten up, but seeing how nutritionally deprived those people were, she couldn’t bear to see them get hurt, so she let them off.
After switching between periods of slow and fast herding, they finally arrived at Luo’yang, He’nan Prefecture. People came to greet Xiao’hong the moment she and all of the poultries arrived. The prime minister arrived a few days in advance, and he originally came here to take a look, organize people to eliminate the locusts and assign officials to supervise for him. He was planning to leave right afterwards since he had a lot of work to do in the Imperial Court.
But at this time, Magistrate Cheng arrived, and said that he has brought five thousand piculs of grain for the Prime Minister to distribute to help relieve the disaster here. Although five thousand piculs was not enough for a big area like this, if it was cooked into porridge, how many people could eat it? In particular, it was live-saving food for those people who didn’t have any harvest.
Given Prime Minister Yao Chong’s status, it was not necessary for him to go meet an insignificant seven-rank magistrate, but the grains made him change his mind. When he got here, people had already started reselling grains at prices that were three times higher than the usual price. He wanted to arrest them and charge them with price gouging, but those people either had a strong background or those grains were imported from other places, and the extra cost was to cover for transportation fees so it wasn’t actually that overpriced. Arresting people, saying that they are hoarding, and those people have backgrounds, or they were transported from other places, they also spent a lot of money to transport them, and the price is really not expensive.
When Magistrate Cheng Ling’xiang saw the Prime Minister, he said a few courteous words and then he began to accredit the Zhang Manor for the grain donations. While the prime minister listened, he did not show any expression on his face, but internally, waves of thoughts were rushing through his mind. He was surprised that a manor donated this much grains, increased to supply of soy sauce to lower down prices, and was willing to buy a useless mountain to indirectly help the San’shui County.
This was not a trivial feat at all. He also heard from Magistrate Cheng mention that an auspicious omen has appeared at the Manor before, and their ancestor was awarded a fiefdom with one hundred households for their political achievements in the past. Even though they did not return the land yet, the amount of things they have donated was enough to offset all those years’ taxes.
While speaking, Magistrate Cheng observed the prime minister’s face-- his expression remained unchanged, but his eyes moved several times. Based on this observation, Magistrate Cheng knew that he had to put in more effort, and then continued to say, "My lord, in addition to these, when something went wrong with the San’shui Country’s soybeans, the Zhang Manor resolved the issue by buying soybeans from other locations and selling it at is a fair price.
My lord, when the Zhang Manor had heard that the locust plague was very severe this time, they sent their people to herd their Manor’s poultry here to help eat the locusts. They will arrive here in a few days. Those poultries are in their egg-laying stage; I wonder how many will be lost along the way?
The Old Grandfather of the Zhang family often said that they could not disappoint their ancestors’ expectations. Since their ancestors were able to fight for the country, they were also able to help carry the burdens of the country. They said that even if they used all their savings, it would be worthwhile. At the very least, they still had their fiefdom. If the fiefdom was taken back by the government, they will still try their best to contribute to the country, even if it meant that they will have to farm in the field themselves.
My lord, the San’shui County was also affected by the severe drought. The Zhang Manor gave away the little amount of water they had to the neighboring Ge Manor so that they can work during the Spring Tillage. I have been incompetent; I was unable to protect the people of the county."
When Magistrate Cheng said all of this, Prime Minister Yao, who had remained silent for a long time, had to speak up. If all of this was done by some powerful notable families, then they probably did if for show, but this was just a normal manor. No matter what the case was, it was not reasonable to conclude that a manor did all of this just to seek fame or put up a show.
Hundreds of thousands of catties of grain and nearly 10,000 poultry were all here. The value of their 100 household fiefdom was inferior to these things. Those poultry could have laid so many eggs for the Manor if they weren’t herded here. They bought soybeans to help their county, they had an auspicious omen appear on their manor, they gave water to others--- all of this could have fake since he didn’t see it with his own eyes, but those grains and poultries could not be fake. Whether it was real or fake, it can easily be determined with a single look.
"I heard that two auspicious omens have appeared in your county. On last year’s new years eve, you gave the commoners grains and oils, you worked day and night during the drought, and during the Spring Tillage, you came up with a new plough called the curved-plough. From all of this, it can be seen that you’re a good official who takes good care of the people."
Yao Chong was really busy, but no matter how busy he was, he still had to review some information before meeting people, otherwise he won’t know what was going on. After saying all of this, he grew to appreciate Magistrate Cheng.
Magistrate Cheng didn’t feel the slightest surprise about this. He had known a long time ago that the Imperial Court knew what was going on at the San’shui County, and this was because the Zhang Manor was at the back spreading these news. Naturally, he had to try to fight for more benefits for the Zhang Manor. Thus, he continued to say,
"My lord, you may not know that all the things that were given away during New Year’s Eve were sent to the Administrative Office by the Zhang Manor. As for the curved plough, I only suggested the idea; the Zhang Manor were the ones that made it. Without the Zhang Manor, the San’shui County will not be the way it is right now."
In the end, Magistrate Cheng said a very terrifying thing. It was not a small matter to give the Zhang Manor that much credit.
"I see." Prime Minister Yao did not say anything else. In his mind, he could not stop thinking, ‘Zhang Manor, Zhang Manor, what kind of Manor are they even? Everything in San'shui County seems to have something to do with this Manor. Could it be that the master of this manor is not right in the head? ’
"My lord, I have to go greet the people. When they arrive, I believe that peace can be brought to this place." Magistrate Cheng was done talking, and it was time for him to leave.
"Okay. You have worked hard. The Zhang Manor is not bad." Prime Minister Yao spoke briefly.
This line made Magistrate Cheng happy because a significant official like the prime minister of the country had actually praised the Zhang Manor. He thought about how impressive it would look when the Manor’s people arrived here with the poultries; it will definitely leave a lasting impression. He thanked the Prime Minister, and then turned and left.
Once Magistrate Cheng left, Prime Minister Yao yelled out, "Someone, come here. Investigate the Zhang Manor for me. Ask the commoners and the neighboring manors’ residents. The Zhang Manor’s residents should also be carefully questioned too. I want to know if what Magistrate Cheng had said is true."
A person that was standing at the door answered and then quickly left. Yao Chong sat there alone carefully thinking about the Zhang Manor’s affairs. From Magistrate Cheng’s words, he could guess a few things. The Zhang Manor wanted to protect their fiefdom. However, the price they paid for this was a bit too high. If they wanted to earn back that money using the harvests from their fiefdom, then it would take several decades.
Of course, he didn’t know how much the Old Grandfather of the Zhang Manor valued their feifdom, and he also didn’t know that Old Grandfather had an amazing grandson that had put effort into setting up all these plans just to fulfil his own grandfather’s wish. From all that was done, it can be said that they were able to form clouds or rain with the flip of their hands1. Not only could they build a good reputation, they could also gain money.
If he knew that the people who sold the hundreds of thousands of imported grains for three times the original price was the Zhang Manor, then it was unfathomable as to how he would react. If he knew that the poultry was herded here to eat locust for free and their eggs were exchanged for items to be used in their business, then it was unfathomable what kind of comments he would make.
These were not important. The important thing is they have done good deed, and many people also know it. Although he didn’t agree to meet Ying’tao, Ying’tao did not spend these days doing nothing. She visited a few smaller officials and asked them to pass the message along that the Zhang Manor will soon provide them with a lot of eggs in exchange for items that were not of use right now.
When Xiao’hong arrived with her group, Ying’tao happened to be following a few local officials and Magistrate Cheng to welcome their arrival. It was unclear if it was because they were full from eating or if it was because the atmosphere was unusual, but they felt that the scene was rather impressive. Under the leadership of the big goose Rong’rong, the poultry were obediently lined up in a messy formation as they swayed side to side when they advanced forward on the road.
There were nearly ten thousand poultries, and their group stretched over almost one kilometer. It was dizzying to look at the large crowd, and it was shocking to see. Those that were well-informed knew that these poultries belonged to the master of the Zhuangzi. It was hard to say that they felt envious or jealous when they wondered how much eggs can be sold every day?
"Stop, Rong’rong." Xiao’hong walked to the front of Ying’tao and Magistrate Cheng, and issued a command to the large goose that was at the front of the herd. At this time, the Rong’rong actually cooperated with her, and it stopped and quacked a few times to the group in the back. Those chickens, ducks and geese all stopped walking.
This scene was even more surprising than what they saw earlier. Whose family’s chickens, ducks and geese were this obedient? How was this poultry, they were clearly human?
Prime Minister Yao also looked over to this place, and he really couldn't believe the scene before him. At the same time, he committed the Zhang Manor to memory; he wanted to see them.
Translator's Notes
"They were able to form clouds or rain with the flip of their hands 翻手为云覆手为雨"
This idiom describes an unpredictable person that is good with playing with strategies and/or politics. The literal meaning describes a person being able to turn rain into cloud and cloud into rain with the flip of their hands.
Volume 01 of Great Tang Idyll is complete!
Rong'rong is so badass :)
ReplyDeleteI know right? Sometimes I wonder if rong'rong is the reincarnation of a person from the modern times. lolol
DeleteHaha. Or maybe from an ancient general that used to lead tens of thousands of troops!
DeleteOhh that would explain why rong'rong is so experienced! rong'rong should be given the nickname "General Rong'rong"
DeleteIs Prime Minister Yao the one that ZX and WJ says not to get too close to him to the official before?
ReplyDeleteI think so, but it's weird since they seem to be trying to get close to him. Is it because he can help them in the short term even if he is replaced soon?
Delete