Chapter 47: The Scent of Night

Not long after returning home, Liu Yitiao set out again. In addition to ordering plowshares from the blacksmith, he had an even more important task: to find fertilizer for his fields.

This was the early Tang Dynasty, in ancient times, and the concept of fertilizing and top-dressing crops was already established. Most farmers relied on human and animal waste, weeds, plant ash, and river mud as fertilizer. Yet ordinary peasant families seldom had enough manure or ash on hand. Take the Liu family, for example: each year, they only burned the leftover stalks and weeds in the fields after the autumn harvest—a practice that yielded meager results.

Liu Yitiao went to Uncle He’s house on the east side of the village and ordered twenty iron plowshares, paying a deposit up front. Then he headed straight for the county town of Sanyuan.

Sanyuan County sat on the northern edge of Chang’an and was considered one of its outlying counties. Though not very large, it housed nearly ten thousand people: merchants, officials, and petty traders who lived within its walls, rarely working the land, and who ate, drank, relieved themselves, and slept all within the county.

Liu Yitiao’s purpose in coming was for these people—and for their “night soil.”

He had always believed that farmyard manure was the most environmentally friendly and easily absorbed fertilizer, enriching the soil and improving its structure—the best choice for nourishing and protecting the land. So, to him, every resident of Sanyuan was a fertilizer producer, a veritable treasure.

Just imagine: with nearly ten thousand people, how much waste was produced in a single day? In a month? In a year? Collecting it all would easily suffice for the manuring and top-dressing of his thirty hectares of fields.

As for how to collect it, Liu Yitiao already had a plan.

To gather the “night soil” of the townsfolk, naturally, he needed to find the professionals: the night soil collectors.

Night soil collector—a rather refined title for someone whose job was to clean out the privies of every household.

In ancient times, there were no flush toilets or modern sewage systems. Urban dwellers relieved themselves on “mazi”—wooden buckets colloquially called commodes, known in the Qin and Han dynasties as “huzi.” But in the Tang, to avoid a taboo surrounding an ancestor named Li Hu, the name was changed to “mazi.”

Every household needed a mazi or two, and wealthier families might have dozens or even hundreds. For everyone’s convenience, each dawn, as the sky just began to lighten, dozens of night soil collectors would push their dung carts from house to house, collecting and cleaning the waste that had accumulated over the previous day.

The night soil collectors were essentially civil servants, hired by the county magistrate’s office and paid a regular monthly wage, so the position was actually sought after by many.

Liu Yitiao had come specifically for these collectors. If he could arrange for the night soil they gathered each day to be delivered to his fields, or stored on his land, his crops would thrive like never before.

Knowing the night soil collectors were managed by the county, Liu Yitiao paid a special visit to the new assistant magistrate, Li Zhide. In fact, since Li Zhide had taken office, Liu Yitiao had never met him. Now that Li Zhide was the top official in Sanyuan, it was time to establish a connection.

Liu Yitiao did not wait long outside before he was led in by one of Li Zhide’s servants.

Li Zhide sat in the main hall, dressed in informal clothes, his expression kindly. Liu Yitiao could see he was about the same age as Wang Zhihong, both in their thirties—prime years, full of vigor.

Entering the room, Liu Yitiao quickened his steps and bowed deeply before Li Zhide. “Your humble servant, Liu Yitiao, pays his respects to the Assistant Magistrate.”

“So you are Liu Yitiao?” Li Zhide examined him closely. Wang Zhihong had spoken much about Liu Yitiao before leaving, praising his talent, cunning, and keen understanding of the times, predicting he would be a remarkable person. Now, seeing him in person, Li Zhide felt a twinge of disappointment.

Liu Yitiao was short, his appearance unremarkable, dressed like a humble farmer, and presently bowing, making it difficult to discern anything extraordinary about him.

Still, Li Zhide dared not underestimate him. He and Wang Zhihong had been classmates and friends for years, and he trusted Wang’s judgment. For Wang to praise Liu Yitiao so highly, the man must have some uncommon qualities.

“Very well,” Li Zhide nodded, smiling. “Please, Brother Liu, have a seat. We’re meeting privately—there’s no need for such formality.”

“Thank you, sir,” Liu Yitiao replied, bowing, and took a seat beside Li Zhide.

Waving for the servants to bring tea, Li Zhide said, “I’ve often heard Lord Wang speak of you—not just your learning and calligraphy, but also your skill as a veterinarian. Meeting you today, I see you are indeed a man of talent. Your reputation is well deserved.”

“You flatter me, sir,” Liu Yitiao replied modestly. “I am but a simple farmer, concerned only with working the land. I hardly deserve such praise from you and Lord Wang.”

Li Zhide paid this no mind, sipping his tea. “You are too modest. Though I have not witnessed your deeds myself, Lord Wang’s word is good enough for me.” After a pause, he continued, “Before leaving, Lord Wang told me to assist you in any way I could. If you have any requests, speak plainly—I will help if I can.”

“Thank you for your kindness, sir,” Liu Yitiao said with a bow. “To be frank, I do have a matter for which I hope you might lend your support.”

“Oh?” Li Zhide raised his eyebrows. “Speak freely, Brother Liu. If it is within my power, I will not stand idly by.”

Liu Yitiao rose, bowed, and said, “I would like to ask if the county’s contract with the night soil collectors might be transferred to me. I am willing to pay for their services.”

“The night soil collectors?” Li Zhide frowned, surprised that Liu Yitiao would bring up such a dirty profession. “Explain yourself.”

Liu Yitiao replied, “The collectors would remain under the county’s administration, but I would pay their wages, relieving the county of that expense. All I ask is that the night soil they gather each day be delivered to a location of my choosing.”

“Oh?” Li Zhide’s interest was piqued. Someone willing to pay for such filth? That was novel. He asked, “And where would you have this night soil delivered? What use do you have for it?”

“Sir, I have thirty hectares of fields in need of constant fertilization. The night soil, I intend to use on my land.”

Fertilizer? So he really was a farmer.

Li Zhide nodded. Such a mutually beneficial arrangement needed little deliberation. He agreed readily: “This is a matter of mutual benefit—why would I refuse? I’ll see to it at once. You can rest assured.”

“Thank you, sir,” Liu Yitiao said, bowing with a smile.

———

Friendly Recommendation: “Bandit King of the Phantom World,” Book Number: 1012891