Chapter 158: The “Price” of Hujucheng (Tiger Roost City)

The constables politely invited Yan Huaiwen and Liang Manshan into the city.

At the city gate, fires were lit, and pots were set up. The crowd formed an orderly queue, stretching like a long dragon.

No one rushed to the front, and no arguments broke out.

Everything was peaceful, harmonious, and natural.

Er-Tie was the first to rush ahead, dragging San-Tie along to the front.

The two boys stared unblinkingly as the constables poured water, added rice to the pot, let the fire boil it, and then removed the firewood…

When the constables were about to throw in straw stalks, Er-Tie and San-Tie widened their eyes in shock.

The two boys pursed their lips without saying a word, but their expressions conveyed everything they wanted to say.

A constable kindly explained, “Those who have been starving can’t eat too much at once, nor can they eat too quickly. The magistrate is considerate of you all, so…”

He trailed off, glancing at the robust men in the back of the line, then at his fellow constables.

Hah! Who exactly are the disaster victims here? These people look sturdier than us.

Without a word, he tossed the straw stalk aside and shook his head at the others.

The other constables wisely refrained from adding the straw.

At last, the long-awaited porridge distribution began!

The crowd was beyond excited.

This was free rice soup, provided for three whole days!

Even though the amount of rice in each bowl was pitifully small, everyone was grateful rather than picky.

They cherished their bowls, sipping slowly. Their hearts were filled with joy.

The officials were generous with water. Finally, they had reached a place where water was no longer scarce!

Li Xuemei also brought the children to receive their share.

When the constables saw the family, they hesitated for a moment before quickly lowering their heads to avoid eye contact.

Internally, they were speechless.

Of course, they knew this was the family of Scholar Yan. It wasn’t that Scholar Yan’s family couldn’t receive porridge, but when they had invited him into the city, they had seen the pile of luggage the Yan family had brought.

Aren’t scholars supposed to care about dignity? Why is Scholar Yan’s family so… down-to-earth?

Yan Yu squinted happily.

Free food always tastes better!

After finishing her porridge, Yan Yu didn’t leave. She lingered around the city gate.

The constables assumed she was waiting for Scholar Yan and didn’t pay her any mind, letting her wander nearby.

Yan Yu guessed that the notices for Hujucheng were posted on the inner city wall near the gate.

At that moment, several people were gathered around reading them. Some literate ones were even reading aloud to those who couldn’t.

Yan Yu was itching with curiosity. Had her uncle seen the notices? Even if he hadn’t looked on his way in, he could at least stop and check on his way out, right?

Meanwhile, Yan Huaiwen and Liang Manshan were leaving the yamen.

County Magistrate Tian—Master Tian…

Not only did he disclose all the information that Banner Commander Xue had tried to conceal, but he also sincerely invited the two of them to take up positions in the yamen.

Liang Manshan was stunned.

This was completely different from the officials and yamen he had imagined.

“Master Tian, is he just playing with us?” he asked in confusion.

Yan Huaiwen reminded him, “Think about how Master Tian offered us positions as clerks in any department.”

“The Household Department.”

“This Master Tian noticed our incomplete household registrations and offered us a position related to household records. That way, we can conveniently register ourselves,” Yan Huaiwen said with a slight smile.

Liang Manshan: …

His mind was blown.

“This… is even possible?!” After the realization hit, he suddenly saw the bigger picture. “Clerks in the Household Department handle tax collection and financial matters… Doesn’t that mean we can allocate grain rations for ourselves?”

“And seeds,” Yan Huaiwen added.

Liang Manshan was invigorated.

“Brother Huaiwen, this is a great opportunity!”

Yan Huaiwen hummed in agreement.

Compared to Banner Commander Xue’s deceptions and schemes, Master Tian was executing an open and aboveboard strategy.

“I know you have difficulties. Go resolve them yourself.”

There was no need to worry about embezzlement—three months’ worth of grain, properly measured and distributed.

Three years of tax exemption, and after that, no special treatment—whatever others paid, they would pay the same.

Working in the yamen also came with another benefit: access to information and connections within the city, allowing them to quickly integrate into Hujucheng.

Most importantly, their roles were part-time, not official appointments, so it wouldn’t affect their future imperial examinations.

Though unspoken, it was clear that Master Tian was showing them the price Hujucheng was willing to pay to keep them.

He understood that compared to the cities of Yongning, Gufeng, and Changping, Hujucheng was at an absolute disadvantage due to its location as a border city.

By leveraging the special administrative policies of a border city and his authority to make unilateral decisions…

Yan Huaiwen had to admit that Master Tian’s move had successfully changed his perception of Hujucheng.

Village Chief Luo and Uncle An remained calm and composed. They hadn’t shared the details of Banner Commander Xue’s offer with the others.

They had already decided to wait for Yan Lao’er’s return—to let the scholar make the decision.

The two old men kept glancing around, anxious but unwilling to show it.

Finally, under their hopeful gazes, Yan Lao’er returned safely with Qi Si and Qi Wu, covered in dust.

After taking a sip of water and catching their breath, Yan Huaiwen and Liang Manshan also returned.

The group exchanged information.

“In the prefectural city, household registration costs ten taels per person. The land Banner Commander Xue mentioned isn’t actual farmland—it’s wasteland. Guanzhou has vast land and few people, with plenty of unused land. That’s why all its cities welcome refugees. The so-called land distribution is actually just land reclamation.

Three years of tax exemption for reclaimed land, and after another three years, it can be bought and sold.

Gufeng requires two taels per person for registration, Changping one tael.

Yongning provides neither seeds nor grain. Gufeng and Changping provide seeds, but only one month’s worth of food.

Longxing and Fengming, like Hujucheng, have no registration fee and provide seeds and three months of grain. Those two cities even offer an extra benefit—no corvée labor for three years.”

Liang Manshan muttered, “Three years… too short.”

Yan Lao’er stared at him blankly.

What was he saying? That was already amazing! Many refugees were choosing Longxing and Fengming because of that provision.

After hearing Hujucheng’s conditions, Yan Lao’er immediately took back his previous thoughts.

Forget Longxing and Fengming—they were nothing compared to Hujucheng!

“Brother! If you and Manshan work as clerks, does that mean we can choose where to reclaim land? We wouldn’t have to separate, and we could all stay together?”

Yan Huaiwen nodded.

“Then what are we waiting for? Hujucheng it is! Brother, you won’t believe it until you see it—Hujucheng’s territory is huge! I found a perfect spot with mountains, a river, and vast wasteland. It’s not too far from Yongning and even closer to Gufeng. Guanzhou’s best feature is its abundance of land. But can you believe it? That prime location is completely uninhabited!”

Qi Si interjected, “Yan Lao’er, there’s a huge forest in the middle.”

“Exactly!” Yan Lao’er’s eyes sparkled as he grinned. “A huge forest—perfect for building houses!”

Yan Yu immediately fell in love with the idea.

Lots of trees? Amazing!

Father and daughter exchanged a knowing glance.

How does that saying go?

To get rich, start by chopping trees!

Yes, we’re staying in Hujucheng!

A well-connected place, easy to travel anywhere, with mountains, rivers, and plenty of trees to chop—what more could we ask for?