Chapter 64: Opening a Workshop

Li Jihe had spent three full days searching every village and town in Sanyuan County, visiting almost every farmhouse, yet his efforts yielded nothing. The trail of the miracle doctor remained elusive, and Li Jihe grew increasingly anxious, as if a fire were burning inside him.

During this time, Li Jihe had also visited Gutian Village and had even heard the villagers mention Liu Yitiao. After all, Liu Yitiao had cured a plowing ox of a severe intestinal ailment, earning himself a modest reputation in the nearby villages. However, once Li Jihe learned that Liu Yitiao was merely a veterinarian, he dismissed him without a second thought. In his mind, how could an animal doctor possibly possess such masterful skills?

Thus, the only chance he had to find the miracle doctor he sought slipped away unnoticed.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager’s condition had stabilized somewhat under the careful attention of several imperial physicians, and the Crown Prince’s summons were no longer as urgent.

Li Zhide sat with Li Jihe in the main hall of the county office, and seeing the troubled look on Li Jihe’s face, he offered some comfort. “My lord, there’s no need to be so troubled. Even if the miracle doctor appeared in Sanyuan County, who’s to say he’s a resident here? Perhaps he’s a traveling physician from another place. Might you consider broadening your search?”

Li Jihe glanced at Li Zhide and replied, “You know as well as I do that the Crown Prince’s stabbing is a closely guarded secret. Otherwise, why would His Highness have instructed us to investigate in secret?”

“There are two reasons for this. First, the Crown Prince does not wish the miracle doctor’s identity to become public, lest he bring trouble upon the healer—His Highness is kind-hearted and does not wish to be ungrateful. Second, His Majesty wants to keep the attack on the Crown Prince concealed, as such news would damage the royal family’s reputation. After all, His Highness’s last excursion was done without imperial leave.”

“Furthermore, Sanyuan County is unlike other places. It’s close to Chang’an and has always had upright men like you guarding it. With your help, there’s no fear of secrets leaking. But if the miracle doctor truly isn’t in Sanyuan County, then things become difficult. We may have no choice but to give up our search.”

“You are right, my lord. I had not considered all angles,” Li Zhide bowed, admitting his error. After all, this was a royal matter, and he had indeed misspoken.

“Hm.” Li Jihe sipped his tea and said, “Send men to search the county again tomorrow. If there’s still no news, I’ll return to report to His Highness.”

“Yes, my lord.” Li Zhide took the hint, rose, and bowed. “I’ll make preparations now and take my leave.”

Three days slipped by quickly, marked by a few games of chess and the glow of lanterns.

Liu Yitiao’s greatest gain over these three days was securing the favor of the Gongsun family. He had spent two whole days playing chess with Gongsun Wenda, delighting the old man so much that he was more affectionate toward Liu Yitiao than his own son. As for Gongsun Helan, he seized any opportunity to spar with Liu Yitiao in the martial hall. Though Liu Yitiao was always on the receiving end of lessons, he never tired of it, almost as if he enjoyed the punishment.

On the morning of the seventeenth, Old Liu, worried about the plowing ox at home, urged his family to return by carriage at first light.

Upon arrival, Old Liu first refreshed the incense at the ancestral shrine, and the whole family took turns paying respects. He then directed everyone to clean the house thoroughly, sweeping away dust and misfortune to ensure peace and good fortune.

With the Lantern Festival over, the ancestral rites formally concluded. That evening, the ancestral tablets would be stored away until next year’s rites. Old Liu instructed Liu Yitiao to buy offerings at the nearby market. This final evening’s ceremony was the last of the year and must be conducted with the utmost solemnity.

Seeing that there was still time, Liu Yitiao decided to visit Uncle He the blacksmith to collect the plowshares he had ordered days before, then delivered them to the Yuan family in Xiare Village. There were twenty plowshares in all—a large number, though in reality they weighed only a dozen or so catties of raw iron. Each plowshare was just the size of a palm, fan-shaped, far inferior to the common iron plows of modern times.

Liu Yitiao packed them all into a basket and carried them on his back to the Yuans. When he arrived, Yuan Pei was busy taking down the two large red lanterns hanging above the main gate.

Seeing Liu Yitiao, Yuan Pei hurried down the bamboo ladder, set the lanterns aside, and came forward to greet him.

“Uncle Yuan, my respects,” Liu Yitiao said, bowing. “All the plowshares are ready. I brought them myself. Is Elder Yuan at home?”

Yuan Pei smiled and returned the bow. “Doctor Liu, my respects. My father is in the backyard, working on the plow frames. Let me take you to him.” With that, Yuan Pei made way for Liu Yitiao to enter first.

Having visited several times before, Liu Yitiao was familiar with the household and didn’t stand on ceremony. He nodded to Yuan Pei and went inside.

In the backyard, Yuan Fang was engrossed in planing a wooden board, unaware of Liu Yitiao’s arrival. Around him were seven or eight completed plow frames. Seeing this, Liu Yitiao was delighted; at this rate, Yuan Fang would surely finish all the plow heads by month’s end.

“Father, Doctor Liu is here,” Yuan Pei said quietly as he approached.

“Oh? Master Liu?” Yuan Fang turned at the words and, recognizing Liu Yitiao, put down his tools and stood up with a smile. “I was just about to discuss something with you, and here you are. Please, come with me to the main hall for a chat.”

Liu Yitiao unloaded the plowshares from his basket, set the basket aside, and said to Yuan Fang, “After you, Uncle Yuan. I’ll do as you say.”

Once in the main hall, Yuan Pei personally brewed tea and poured a cup each for his father and Liu Yitiao.

Liu Yitiao accepted the teacup with both hands, set it gently on the table, and asked, “What does Uncle Yuan wish to discuss? Is there a problem with the plow heads?”

“You worry too much, Master Liu. The Liu-style plow is simple, practical, and durable—what problems could it have?” Yuan Fang replied. “I wanted to see you to propose a business venture.”

“A business venture?” Liu Yitiao was puzzled. What business could there be between them—was it about the curved-beam plow?

“Yes, a business venture!” Yuan Fang’s small eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked at Liu Yitiao. “I’d like to partner with you to open a workshop dedicated to making and selling Liu-style plows. Are you interested?”

“A workshop?” Isn’t that just a factory? Liu Yitiao’s eyes lit up—this was an excellent idea. With its advanced design, the Liu-style plow would surely be quickly adopted by the farmers of this era. Just imagine—across the vast Tang realm, of the countless households with land, wouldn’t each one need at least one or several plows? The market potential was enormous! And if they were the only workshop in the country making these plows, wouldn’t they make a fortune?

“Yes, absolutely!” In that instant, Liu Yitiao was dazzled by visions of immense profit. He swallowed and asked Yuan Fang, “How exactly do you propose we work together?”