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Chapter 313: Asking the Master for Some Policy Support

Yan Xiangheng and Yan Yu stood quietly to the side.

Hearing these words, Yan Yu looked up at the back of her eldest uncle, who sat upright.

She was already pondering what his intention behind this move could be.

“Building a wall around Xiao’an Village is not something that can be completed in a month or even a year. After the Frost Descent¹, the weather turns cold and the ground freezes. If the defense works cannot be completed in time, they will be delayed until next spring, and I fear we won’t be able to spare the manpower then…”

Yan Yu blinked and exchanged a look with Yan Xiangheng.

Was Master Tian saying what they thought he was saying?

Yan Huaiwen said, “It is merely a wall to protect the village; there is no need to reinforce it with ashlar. Our idea is to build it using self-made cement bricks mixed with wood and stone. The speed will be much faster. With the entire village, young and old, working together—provided there are enough cement bricks—it can be completed before winter sets in.”

Master Tian deliberated for a moment before suggesting they go to the observation tower for a closer look.

The group filed out of the courtyard.

Yan Lao’er, acting like a thief, called out to his daughter at the back of the line.

“Where are you guys going?”

“The Master wants to see the arrow tower. From the sound of it, Eldest Uncle must have spoken to him about our plan to wall in the village. It seems he’s planning to ask for some manpower…” Yan Yu said uncertainly.

Yan Lao’er was full of admiration. “Your uncle really has a head for planning. And why not? We’re people of Crouching Tiger now. Even though we’re building the wall and arrow towers of our own accord, it doesn’t stop us from asking for some policy support from above. Men or money, either is fine—whatever we can get.”

He immediately followed up with a question: “Do you think Master Tian is easy to talk to?”

Yan Yu replied, “Dad, you’ve seen more of the world than me, why ask me? The Master has always been quite kind.”

Yan Lao’er raised his eyebrows. “It’s different now. Soon your dad will be studying under the Master at the County School². It’s not official-to-citizen anymore; it’s teacher-to-student. I just hope the Master is a true gentleman who only uses his words and not his hands.”

Yan Yu: …

Dad, aren’t you thinking a bit too far ahead? Are you worried about being physically punished by the teacher because you can’t memorize your books or write your homework well?

“Hurry up and go over there. Follow along and listen closely.”

So you can come back and tell me.

Thinking this, Yan Lao’er urged her repeatedly.

Feeling the weight of her responsibility, Yan Yu tightened her small face and said seriously, “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll give you a full report when I get back.”

Yan Lao’er nodded solemnly.

His daughter was a professional in this regard; he wasn’t worried.

By the time Yan Yu caught up with the group, Master Tian was already asking Master Lu about the various structural data and materials used for the arrow tower.

He held a diagram in his hand, constantly comparing it to the structure.

Yan Yu took a few glances and recognized the handwriting as her eldest uncle’s. She stepped back and nudged closer to Yan Xiangheng.

“Big Brother, what did the Master say just now?”

She was multitasking, listening to the exchange between the Master and Master Lu while having her brother fill her in on what she’d missed.

“The Master asked about the ingredients for these cement bricks. Father took the opportunity to suggest that the Master provide us with some lime and gypsum,” Yan Xiangheng said.

“Did the Master agree?” Yan Yu asked.

Yan Xiangheng shook his head. “He hasn’t stated his position yet.”

Yan Yu thought to herself that asking for things from the authorities was never simple, but the fact that Master Tian was willing to come today meant there was at least some hope.

Master Tian’s visit today was partly to celebrate with the people, partly to see for himself how they had settled in, and another part likely concerned Xiao’an Village’s plan to build arrow towers and high walls.

Village Chief Luo and several Village Elders had been accompanying them. These old men weren’t deaf or blind; they were full of energy. Listening both inside and outside the house, if Yan Xiangheng and Yan Yu could understand the subtext, how could they not? They understood it all too well!

The old men exchanged glances, understanding each other’s thoughts without a word.

Yan Yu watched as the Village Elders seized every opportunity to voice their commitment.

Things like: “Our whole village, not just the able-bodied men, but the old and young can all work.”

Or: “We might not be good at the towers—we have Master Lu for that—but we’re good at laying walls. This is a major matter of protecting the village; we definitely won’t slack off. We’ll put our backs into it…”

Master Tian was exceptionally patient with the Village Elders, listening to their repetitive, rambling talk without interrupting.

Instead, he followed them to see a few sections of walls the villagers had built themselves.

Then, he took the opportunity to walk a full circle around the village.

Yan Yu observed that while Magistrate Tian didn’t say it aloud, he was definitely interested in Xiao’an Village’s wall project.

Otherwise, why would he take such a long walk around the perimeter?

As for the path around the village, Yan Yu and Yan Xiangheng were the most familiar with it.

The Young Scouts had to run it every day. There was originally no path on the ground, but with the children running it so often, it had become a smooth, level trail circling the village.

The group started their circuit from the riverside. The small Ferry Crossing and the several wooden rafts on the bank were clearly visible.

Master Tian asked a few questions. Upon hearing they used the rafts to travel to Gufeng, he offered a few words of caution. When he heard the villagers used nets to catch fish in the river, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

Walking from the riverside along the foot of the mountain, Master Tian stopped when they reached the plot of land belonging to the Yan family near the mountain.

“Whose field is this? The vegetables are well-grown.” He examined them closely and asked, “Why haven’t other families planted these specific varieties?”

Most of the seeds Yan Yu had bought from the Platform were planted in this plot near the mountain.

Granny Rong, in particular, had planned the vegetable patches so well—rows perfectly aligned to a degree that would satisfy anyone’s inner perfectionist.

Greens of varying heights and shades displayed the beauty of maturity with abandon.

It actually gave one a sense of aesthetic pleasure just looking at a vegetable patch.

“This is my family’s land. I am ashamed to say that I have never been diligent in farming; the fields at home are all managed by my family members.” Yan Huaiwen looked at his son and niece, his eyes full of tenderness.

Master Tian gave an “oh” and proceeded to ask Yan Xiangheng about the Yan family’s farming methods.

Yan Xiangheng felt a bit nervous. He knew that after the festival, he would be entering the County School to study literature under the Master.

This felt like an early examination, so he braced himself with full focus.

After organizing his thoughts, he said, “The wasteland allocated to our family totals thirty mu³. After clearing it, we feared we wouldn’t have enough vegetable seeds, so my Second Uncle bought some from outside. After sowing, we transplant the seedlings with their soil, leaving enough space for them to grow… It is best to water when the morning light first appears, adjusting based on the state of the seedlings… Apply fertilizer thinly… When the wind blows, we prop them up and secure them… We take the most care with this plot near the mountain. First, because the soil is slightly drier and looser than elsewhere, so we are diligent with water and fertilizer. Second, because there are many different types of seeds, requiring more detailed attention.”

Yan Xiangheng spoke logically and clearly; it was obvious he had actually worked in the vegetable patches.

Master Tian nodded with a smile, looking quite satisfied.

The “Madam Rong” whom Yan Xiangheng mentioned as possessing even more planting skills caught Master Tian’s interest. Upon learning she was mute, he expressed some regret.

Village Chief Luo and the elders had never been to this plot of the Yan family’s. They had heard their own family members mention it was well-kept, but they hadn’t realized it was this well-kept. The vegetables looked much more lush than the ones in their own fields.

Their eyes were glued to the spot. If the Master hadn’t moved on, they would have stayed in that field forever.

When they reached the edge of the woods, the Yan family’s fruit tree plot was exposed to everyone’s sight.

Yan Yu felt a bit embarrassed.

Everyone was in the village for the festival today, so no one was at the training ground.

The fruit tree saplings they had bought were thin and small, and the seedlings grown from pits looked quite flimsy.

The large trees nearby were tied with hemp ropes at various heights, large stones were scattered messily on the ground, and the leveled earth was covered in dense footprints.

There was a large pit so deep you couldn’t see the bottom from a distance.

Only when they got closer did they see just how deep it was, with several thick hemp ropes tossed down haphazardly…

It did look a bit messy.

(End of Chapter)

Translator’s Notes