Chapter 37: Deputy Magistrate Wang Pays a Visit

Except for Liu Xiaohui, who was too young, the rest of the Liu family endured the night with steadfast determination.

At dawn the next morning, Old Liu rose to extinguish the red candles that had burned through the night, replaced the incense before the ancestral tablets, and then instructed his family to rest.

Thus, on the first day of the new year, the Liu family spent it deep in slumber.

Liu Yitiao was not someone prone to excessive sleep; years of rigorous training in Jeet Kune Do had instilled in him a series of good habits, and he possessed a robust constitution. Usually, five to six hours of sleep were enough to keep him energized all day. So, while his family was still fast asleep, he got up, stretched in the courtyard, practiced basic movements for a while, and then began tending to the eleven draft oxen at home.

He attended to their feed, water, and the cleanliness of their stalls.

The redness and swelling on the oxen’s noses had faded, and now, with just a harness, they could be put to work immediately. Yet he wondered when the people promised by Wang Zhihong would arrive, and whether the curved plow could be made.

These matters would determine whether he could clear the wasteland and sow spring millet before the spring plowing. If he missed the timing, an entire season would be lost—thirty hectares per season—how much would that cost?

Though he was uncertain about the average yield of spring millet in the Tang dynasty, Liu Yitiao was confident that under his direction, his three hundred acres would yield at least three or four hundred pounds per acre. This was no idle boast; if he had access to fertilizer or compound fertilizer, he could increase that number even more.

At four hundred pounds per acre, three hundred acres would yield one hundred twenty thousand pounds. That was a fortune.

While Liu Yitiao was pondering these matters, he suddenly saw Huang Shan leading Wang Zhihong toward his home from afar. He wondered why they had chosen this moment to visit. Brushing off the hay sticking to him, Liu Yitiao rose to greet them.

Both men were riding horses, moving swiftly. Liu Yitiao had just reached the gate as they arrived.

“Master Wang, Head Constable Huang. What brings you to my humble home today?” Liu Yitiao opened the gate, clasped his hands with a smile. “It’s cold outside—please, come inside!”

Wang Zhihong and Huang Shan dismounted in succession. Wang Zhihong handed the reins to Huang Shan and said courteously to Liu Yitiao, “Forgive this abrupt visit, I hope you won’t take offense!”

“Master Wang, you honor my home with your presence. I am delighted; how could I possibly take offense? Please, come in! And you as well, Head Constable Huang!” Liu Yitiao gestured for them to enter. Huang Shan tied the horses and followed.

Inside the main hall, Wang Zhihong and Huang Shan first offered incense before the Liu family’s ancestral tablets, paid their respects simply, and then took their seats with Liu Yitiao.

Liu Yitiao said, “Master Wang, Head Constable Huang, please sit. I’ll fetch my younger brother to pay respects to his benefactor.”

“Wait, Liu,” Wang Zhihong stopped him, saying, “You’ve endured a long night; there’s no need to call him. I can’t stay long anyway—I must return soon.”

Once Liu Yitiao was seated, Wang Zhihong continued, “Visiting on New Year’s Day is certainly abrupt. But if I don’t come today, it may be difficult to see you again.”

“Oh?” Liu Yitiao sat upright. “Why is that? Has Master Wang been promoted?”

Wang Zhihong chuckled, “You are truly perceptive, Liu. The emperor issued a reward the other day, and I’ve been summoned back to the capital to serve as the Chief Historian of Central Prefecture. I depart tomorrow.”

“Is it truly so? Then as a humble citizen, I offer my congratulations!” Liu Yitiao congratulated him. To be promoted from ninth rank to sixth rank—no wonder Wang Zhihong was so pleased.

“Haha,” Wang Zhihong smiled at Liu Yitiao. “I owe much to you for this favor. I’ve come both to bid farewell and to express my gratitude, as well as to fulfill my previous promise.”

With that, Wang Zhihong signaled to Huang Shan, who took out a notebook and handed it to Liu Yitiao.

Wang Zhihong said, “This contains the names of farmers willing to work your land—ninety-one households in all, enough for your reclamation and cultivation needs. As for their wages, pay them at market rates, or negotiate as you see fit.”

“In addition, once I leave, Magistrate Li Zhide will succeed me. He and I are old acquaintances, and I’ve spoken to him on your behalf. If you encounter any difficulties, seek his assistance.”

“Thank you for your thoughtful arrangements, Master Wang. I will remember your kindness deeply,” Liu Yitiao stood and bowed deeply. Wang Zhihong was leaving, yet still cared so thoroughly for his future; Liu Yitiao accepted this favor gratefully.

“And one more thing,” Wang Zhihong continued, “There’s been a development in Wang Kui’s case. Liu Peng leveraged his connections to persuade the Crown Prince, sparing Wang Kui’s life. Now Wang Kui has been stripped of his household registration and sentenced to fifty years of hard labor on the frontier. His farmland has been confiscated by the county office. Most of the ninety-one farmers in this notebook were selected from Wang Kui’s estate. They are all experienced hands and will make your work much easier.”

“Liu Peng?” Wasn’t that old man already out of favor? How was he still meddling? Worried, Liu Yitiao asked, “Master Wang, since Liu Peng is involved, do you think he’ll seek revenge against me? If he does, we commoners would be hard-pressed to resist.”

Wang Zhihong waved his hand, “You needn’t worry. Liu Peng is cautious and won’t act recklessly. Besides, this matter has little to do with you—you were merely a victim of Wang Kui’s oppression. If Liu Peng wants to settle scores, he’ll direct his grievances at me.”

“I’m relieved, then. But please, Master Wang, be careful in the future. Open attacks are easier to defend than hidden ones,” Liu Yitiao finally relaxed. While he was not afraid, such conflicts could bring much trouble. Since ancient times, commoners have avoided fighting officials unless absolutely necessary—no one wishes to oppose those in power, even if they are corrupt.

Wang Zhihong nodded; he was well aware, even without Liu Yitiao’s reminder. Reaching into his robe, he took out a small copper token and handed it to Liu Yitiao. “If you need anything, come to Chang’an. Present this token at my residence, and someone will escort you inside.”

Liu Yitiao accepted the token with both hands. “Thank you for your care, Master Wang. If I have the chance, I will surely visit your home.”

“Good,” Wang Zhihong stood. “Then I will take my leave.”

Knowing he had affairs to arrange for his promotion, Liu Yitiao did not press him to stay. He bowed and saw them to the gate, saying, “Safe travels, Master Wang. May your journey tomorrow be smooth and auspicious. I won’t accompany you further.”

Mounted on his horse, Wang Zhihong clasped his hands in farewell. “Thank you for your kind words, Liu. I shall go on ahead! Hyah!”

With a flick of the whip, the two men rode off, leaving the dust behind.