The gifts were from the Yun family.
Back in Luoxia County, the Yun family’s young son had often played with Chengyi. The two little ones wandered about together, and thus the two families had come into contact.
When Du Heng had lived in Luoxia County, he had occasionally met the Yun family’s old matriarch—a kindly and benevolent elder.
As for the head of the Yun household, he spent most of the year traveling with merchant caravans and conducting business afar. Du Heng had only met him twice. Though their encounters were brief, his manner of speech and bearing left a comfortable impression.
Du Heng understood well: sending familiar faces with two whole cartloads of goods was chiefly to express gratitude regarding Yun Qingwen.
After years of entanglement between the two families, Yun Qingwen’s safe withdrawal was already the best possible outcome for the Yun household. Now, they naturally felt indebted to the Qin family’s assistance.
The gifts that had been sent over were rather numerous. With nothing pressing to do, Du Heng idly unpacked the crates together with Qin Xiaoman to take a look.
The Yun family had been thoughtful and tactful. They had not sent any gold or silver utensils that might give others cause for gossip. Instead, several large chests were filled with regional delicacies from various places, along with brushes, ink, calligraphy, and paintings.
What surprised Du Heng was that one large chest was packed entirely with children’s playthings—cuju balls, nine-linked rings, bamboo dragonflies, and the like—stuffed to the brim with all sorts of little amusements.
“‘To be opened by Chengyi personally’?”
Hearing this, Du Heng looked up and saw a letter in Qin Xiaoman’s hand. He quickly stepped closer and saw a few slightly immature characters written across the otherwise ordinary envelope.
“Written by that Yun boy?”
Qin Xiaoman nodded. “I just took it out of one of the chests. Judging from the handwriting, it should be from that child.”
Du Heng frowned at once and reached for the envelope. “Give it here. I will open it and see what he has written to my son!”
Qin Xiaoman suddenly drew his hand back. “What kind of father are you? You are even a scholar—why are you peeking at someone else’s letter?”
Du Heng paused mid-motion and gave an awkward cough. “You are right.”
He waved a servant over and had the letter delivered to Chengyi’s room.
When Chengyi received the letter sent by the Yun family, he was at his desk painting green bamboo.
Hearing the servant enter, he furrowed his delicate brows. “What is it?”
“Young Master, there is a letter for you. The Master instructed me to deliver it.”
Chengyi was always serious when reading or painting and disliked being interrupted. Yet upon hearing there was a letter for him, he could not help but feel surprised.
He often saw his father handling correspondence from various places. This was the first time he had ever received a letter himself. His heart leapt with excitement, and he hurriedly set down the goat-hair brush in his hand.
Seeing the handwriting on the envelope, he did not even ask the servant where it had come from. He knew at once who had sent it.
He quickly returned to his stool, adjusted himself to sit upright, and opened the envelope. As expected—
Chengyi, to see these words is as though we have met.
How have you been? Are you well in Qiuyang County?
It snowed again in the county this year. At first I was happy, then unhappy, and then happy again.
I was happy because heavy snow means we can catch birds and sit around the brazier. But when I thought about how you are afraid of the cold and surely would not go out often, there was nothing to be happy about. Then Uncle told me that winter in Qiuyang County never brings snow and is very warm. When I thought that you would not suffer from the cold in winter, I felt very happy again.
At the end of the year, Father returned from Suzhou. He said I am not young anymore and invited a teacher to our home to begin my studies.
But you know me—I cannot get up in the morning. In winter I cannot get up at all. How could I possibly attend lessons?
Father grew angry and struck my palms with a ruler, but it was no use. Mother felt sorry for me and even wrote to my maternal grandfather to complain about Father.
Yet suddenly, I wanted to study.
I saw Mother writing to Grandfather, and I wanted to write to you as well. But I did not know how to write—how could you receive my letter then?
So this winter I did not play with the children in the alley anymore. At last, I learned to write many characters.
All the little toys in the chest were chosen one by one by me, for you and your younger brother. Your brother’s name is a little difficult to write. Please greet him for me. When I learn to write his name, I will greet him properly.
Chengyi, can you read and understand my letter?
Father says that Lord Du is a man of learning and dotes on you. He must certainly teach you to read and write. He told me I must write carefully, so that Lord Du will not laugh at me.
I copied it five times. This one is written the best. Even if it is not good, I know you would never laugh at me.
If you have learned to write, will you write back to me?
If not, you can ask a teacher to write on your behalf. I will pay him.
Awaiting your reply,
Yun Duo.
After reading the letter, Chengyi’s eyes curved into crescents. Clutching the paper, he happily swung his feet on the stool for a while. He was delighted that he, too, had a letter to receive.
He carefully folded the letter and placed it back inside, unable to suppress a soft laugh.
So it was not only Dan Ce who thought his name was hard to write.
He had just set the letter aside to go look at the toys Yun Duo had sent when he turned his head—and saw Du Heng standing outside the window with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Father?”
Chengyi lifted his refined brows and ran over happily. “Father, are you not handling official business today?”
Du Heng crouched down and looked at the beautiful child before him, whose fair skin seemed to glow in the daylight and whose eyes were always brimming with laughter.
He reached out and pinched the child’s soft little palm. “I came to see our little sweet cake. Are you this happy because you received a letter from Yun Duo?”
Chengyi leaned close and pressed against him. “Chengyi is this happy because he saw Father.”
Du Heng felt deeply comforted and tapped the boy’s nose, then lifted him into his arms. “Truly Father’s little padded jacket, with such a sweet tongue. What did Yun Duo write to you?”
“Yun Duo said he has learned to write, and he sent me many fun things.”
Chengyi honestly handed the letter over to Du Heng.
The old father shamelessly skimmed through it in a few glances. Seeing that Yun Duo had not written anything inappropriate, he finally relaxed.
They always said children forgot easily, but that boy had a good memory and knew how to think of others. They had moved to Qiuyang County so long ago, yet he still wanted to play with Chengyi.
The words were simple, yet every line revealed the sincerity of a child’s affection. Du Heng could not help but laugh softly. “That boy.”
Chengyi had no idea how many thoughts were running through his father’s mind and only asked, “Father, does Yun Duo write well?”
Du Heng considered for a moment. “It is readable.”
He must have been taught by a tutor from Bairong Academy.
“Then how does it compare with Chengyi’s?”
Du Heng had not expected his little one to be so competitive. Smiling, he said, “Naturally, our Chengyi writes better.”
Chengyi beamed and wrapped his arms around Du Heng’s neck, rubbing his cheek against his father’s. “Then Father, please teach Chengyi and younger brother to write this afternoon. Younger brother learns very quickly. A few days ago, I took out the Thousand Character Classic for him to copy. By today he can already write more than twenty characters. Since Yun Duo writes well, younger brother’s writing must be good too.”
Du Heng said, “Dan Ce is clever enough, he just does not like going into the study. Early this morning he ran off to General Feng’s residence. He is probably playing with Little Hu and practicing with spears right about now.”
A month ago, Feng Wanhe had returned from recruiting soldiers in another county and had been teaching Feng Xiaohu spear techniques. When Dan Ce saw it, his interest had been instantly piqued.
Chengyi lay against Du Heng’s shoulder. “If I call little brother back to the study, he will come.”
Du Heng laughed. “Yes, Dan Ce listens to you the most. As his elder brother, you must remind him more often to study for Father. Otherwise, if he cannot even write in the future, how will he write letters to others?”
Chengyi did not catch the deeper meaning in Du Heng’s words and only nodded earnestly. “Mm!”
Qin Xiaoman, watching the father and son strolling leisurely beneath the corridor in the garden, shook his head.
Chengyi had been soft-natured since childhood. Now, even at more than five years old, he was still much the same as when he was little. Whenever uncles and aunties carried him, they would praise him, and the next time they met, they would want to hold him again.
However, after studying with his nanny for some time, Chengyi now considered himself a big child. He was no longer like when he was small and allowed anyone to pick him up. These days he knew to dodge and would not let just anyone hold him.
No matter how others coaxed him, he would not agree—except for Du Heng. The little fellow was especially fond of him. If the old father did not carry him, he would even act spoiled until he was picked up.
Seeing the two of them now, so close they seemed almost kneaded into one lump of dough, it truly was a scene of a kind father and filial son.
Qin Xiaoman waved a hand. “Come over and snap these celery stalks. We will make soup tonight.”
The days passed unhurriedly. There had been no major incidents in the county lately. Time flowed peacefully, yet swiftly.
With three meals a day and the weather growing hotter and hotter, before they knew it, the bustling season of autumn harvest arrived.
This year, the county’s water conservancy project had been completed. During the change from spring to summer, the county yamen opened the sluices to release water for irrigation. The fields across the twelve townships all received water. There were no longer incidents of upstream villages blocking the river and fighting downstream villages over water.
With the addition of time- and labor-saving waterwheels, not only were the crops well irrigated and growing vigorously, but the farmers were far more at ease than in previous years.
The common people were grateful to the county government. After the autumn harvest, with the roads clear and no bandits causing trouble, the headmen of the twelve townships hurried to submit the grain yields to the county yamen. Even when officials were dispatched to collect taxes, the process went far more smoothly than in past years.
The more actively the people cooperated in paying land taxes after harvest, the greater their respect for the county administration.
By the end of the ninth month, thanks to the active efforts and cooperation of both officials and civilians, this year’s harvest accounts had been largely settled—nearly a full month earlier than the previous year.
The efficiency left all the clerks and officials in the county yamen sighing in admiration.
When Du Heng looked over the account books sent up from the household registry office, he had already heard Jiang Qi mention that the crops had grown well this year and that yields would certainly increase. Many people had been talking about it.
Even without listening to such discussions, Du Heng could gauge this year’s harvest simply by observing how lively the county town had been during the harvest season.
Opening the ledger, Du Heng finally saw the concrete figures.
This autumn, the county yamen had received approximately ten thousand shi of grain—an increase of two thousand five hundred shi compared to last year.
The result was quite gratifying.
Naturally, such yields were not due to a single reform alone, but to the combined effects of improved waterworks, stability, and the reclamation of two to three hundred additional mu of wasteland.
Still, it had to be said that Du Heng’s early rising and late resting, his constant strategizing against the various local powers in the county, and the many hardships and grievances he had endured had not been in vain.
With yields visibly increased, tax revenue had also risen somewhat.
Last year, the combined land and commercial taxes remitted to the imperial court had barely amounted to ten thousand taels of silver. This time, after calculation, the figure came to about fifteen thousand taels—approaching twenty thousand.
However, the apparent increase was largely because a full year’s commercial taxes had been collected. In the first half of last year, Du Heng had received almost nothing in commercial taxes—only a pile of bad debts. When remitting to the court, the bulk of the sum had consisted solely of the latter half of the year’s commercial tax.
In other words, excluding the commercial taxes collected in the first half of this year, revenue had increased by only about one thousand taels compared to last year.
When calculated this way, compared to the substantial rise in grain output, the growth in tax revenue was truly modest.
Part of the increase also came from population taxes contributed by settled refugees. Although shops in the county had gradually reopened, their profits were far from optimistic.
The county’s commerce had been suppressed too severely in past years. It could not possibly recover in a day or two.
Du Heng looked at this year’s customs duties. The amount was so meager it was almost embarrassing to record in the ledger. In other places, this tax was a rich source of revenue, yet in Qiuyang County it ranked at the very bottom.
In former years, Qiuyang County had been poor. The yamen could not squeeze much money from the common people, so they had heavily exploited traveling merchants instead.
The customs tax in Qiuyang County had been two to thirty percent higher than in other places. Merchants paid exorbitant duties to enter, only to discover that the county residents were too poor to buy much. On top of that, they faced the risk of having their goods looted by bandits in the surrounding hills. Business was difficult; who would willingly come to trade? More often than not, passing through meant losses.
Over time, although Qiuyang County bordered the prefectural city to the north, connected eastward to Huizhou, and lay south of Suzhou and Hangzhou—a strategic transit point—no merchants dared to come.
The people were poor, the county disorderly. Any merchant who mentioned Qiuyang County would shake his head. Its reputation among traders was abysmal. Even if taking a detour, they would avoid passing through Qiuyang County.
Under such circumstances, it was no surprise that the county was neither lively by day nor night, lacked variety, and generated little commercial tax.
In fact, when Du Heng had dealt with Jiang Zuowu earlier, he had already learned of these issues. But at the time, pressing matters had left him no room to immediately reorganize trade affairs.
After Jiang Zuowu’s downfall, he had promptly restored customs duties to normal levels. Yet Qiuyang County’s ill fame had already spread far and wide. In an age when news traveled slowly and information was limited, even if customs taxes were reduced, merchants outside—holding fast to the county’s established reputation—were unlikely to return anytime soon.
Du Heng felt a headache coming on. A year had passed and things were still like this. If he did not actively intervene, and merely let matters take their course, there was little hope that customs revenue would rise on its own.
He consoled himself that Qiuyang County’s bad name had not been built in a single day—it had deteriorated gradually over years. If its reputation were to change, that too could not be accomplished overnight.
Even if he now loudly proclaimed that customs duties had been lowered, merchants who heard the news might still hesitate to come. The taxes might be lower—but the common people were still poor.
When people are poor, the first thing they think about is filling their stomachs. Only after they can eat their fill will they begin to think about eating better food and wearing finer clothes. Once there is demand, merchants will have profit to chase. Only then can business truly flourish.
And only then can customs duties rise.
After running through the calculations in his mind, Du Heng concluded that much hard work still lay ahead.
……
Under the clear, crisp skies of autumn, Du Heng drafted the official documents for this year’s grain tribute and tax remittances. Once the paperwork had been signed and sent upward through the proper channels, one of the county’s major annual affairs was considered complete.
The prominent families in the county were busy hosting poetry gatherings and elegant assemblies. Qin Xiaoman received numerous invitations.
Du Heng supported such gatherings in the county. Though he personally did not enjoy attending them, the very frequency of these events signaled that the people’s lives were improving. When folk could sit together in fair weather, drink tea, and chat idly, it meant life was proceeding smoothly.
“You truly will not come with me? They say there is a whole stretch of autumn chrysanthemums—blooms as large as plates, very beautiful to behold.”
Du Heng sat on the soft couch and splashed water over his face. He watched Qin Xiaoman, who today wore a lotus-green cross-collared brocade robe. The color set off his complexion, and with his hair tied up neatly, he looked particularly radiant.
Qin Xiaoman was not strikingly handsome by conventional standards. His features were not delicate, but they were well-proportioned. Together they formed a face that grew more pleasing the longer one looked.
He also had a pair of single-lidded eyes—clear and lively—an appearance that made one increasingly fond upon repeated glances.
Perhaps Du Heng had stared too long. Qin Xiaoman, who had been tidying things, paused. “What is it? Does this outfit not look good today?”
“How could it not look good? The fabric was sent by that shopkeeper from the prefectural city, was it not? He said it was the latest fashion from the capital. Made into clothing and worn today for chrysanthemum viewing—it is perfectly suited.”
Purple cloth was less common on the market than blue or red, making it more precious. As a garment, it stood out all the more on the street.
Du Heng rose, opened a drawer, and took out a white jade hairpin. Gently, he secured it into Qin Xiaoman’s bound hair.
“This jade hairpin is mine. Let it stand in for me—consider it as though I am accompanying you to admire the chrysanthemums.”
When he finished speaking, Du Heng placed a kiss on the back of Qin Xiaoman’s head.
Qin Xiaoman touched the jade hairpin and could not help smiling.
They lingered affectionately in the room for quite some time. Only after the servants came twice to urge them to eat breakfast did they finally step out. After the meal, they left together, heading in different directions.
Du Heng planned to tour the countryside that day. Autumn had deepened; white wild chrysanthemums bloomed abundantly in the hills and fields. Now and then, one could even see scholars composing verses in praise of them.
“The magistrate is here! The county magistrate has arrived!”
Du Heng had just turned off the official road and had not yet entered the village when sharp-eyed farmers spotted the carriage. They put down their work and hurried to the village path to wait.
“How did you all know it was me?” Du Heng stepped down from the carriage, smiling at the gathered crowd of villagers, who smiled back just as warmly.
“We heard early on from passersby that the magistrate would be making an autumn inspection in the countryside today. When we saw the carriage, we knew it must be Your Excellency.”
The farmers were enthusiastic. One brought over a bowl of water. “It is still quite warm out. Your Excellency must be thirsty after the journey—please have some water.”
Du Heng did not stand on ceremony. He accepted the bowl and took a sip. “Chrysanthemum tea?”
“This season the mountain chrysanthemums are plentiful. We picked some, dried them, and brewed them.”
Du Heng nodded. “It is refreshing.”
Wherever he went along the way, he was met with warm greetings and eager inquiries.
For a moment, Du Heng felt as though he had returned to his days in Tianwan Village of Luoxia County, where relatives and familiar faces filled the village front and back. One could run into anyone and stop to exchange a few words.
He had not seen such lively warmth in a long time.
During his inspection, Du Heng conversed with the farmers and took the opportunity to learn about this year’s agricultural conditions.
“Has irrigation been easier this year?”
“Much easier. In past years, even families with draft oxen could not match the pace of irrigation we now have with waterwheels. My household has five people. In previous years, tending these dozen or so mu of land meant leaving early and returning late. Now, in the height of summer, we can even stay home and rest in the shade.”
The farmers crowded close, eager to speak of this year’s farming. “In past summers, during irrigation and weeding season, many people suffered from heatstroke. This year there are far fewer cases. That is all thanks to the magistrate for building the waterworks and allocating funds for waterwheels.”
Du Heng smiled lightly. “The harvest is better than in previous years—but can everyone eat their fill?”
A farmer chuckled. “These few mu of land only produce so much grain. Eating one’s fill is not so easy.”
No sooner had he spoken than the village head shot him a sharp look.
Realizing he had spoken too bluntly, the farmer hurriedly slapped his own mouth. “But many households can now get enough to eat. That is far better than before. With food in our bellies, folks do not have to sell sons or daughters just to survive. With people in the household and food giving strength, one can go out to find work. That way, surely we will all eat our fill!”
“I know you are speaking honestly,” Du Heng said. “Better days do not come overnight. As long as everyone remains diligent, life will improve.”
Seeing that Du Heng took no offense, the farmer continued, “What Your Excellency says is right. Look at these waterworks—so efficient, saving time and labor. We farmers have it much easier. But we lowly folk are not used to idleness. Now that we have spare strength, if only we could reclaim two more mu of wasteland and plant more crops, that would be wonderful.”
Du Heng laughed. “If everyone holds such enterprising thoughts, nothing could be better.”
“I reviewed the county gazetteer for the terrain and geography. I came to the countryside today to inspect in person—to see you all and hear your ideas.”
“Your Excellency is wise! With you here, the people of our county will surely live good lives!”
After spending more than half a day visiting, Du Heng returned to the county seat and went straight to the front offices. In the administrative hall, he took out the county gazetteer once more.
In truth, he had read Qiuyang County’s gazetteer many times. Though he would not claim to know it by heart, he was thoroughly familiar with its contents.
Qiuyang County suffered from drought. Its lands were broad, the soil relatively loose.
When he had first decided to build the waterworks, he had studied the terrain carefully. Now that the project was complete and showing results, it had addressed the drought to some extent.
It is often said that one must act according to local conditions. The climate cannot be changed—so effort must be made elsewhere.
Waterworks alone would certainly not suffice. Adjustments could also be made in response to the soil by altering what crops were grown.
It was not difficult for the common people to get something to eat. But to eat their fill—and eat well—that was another matter.
If they wished to achieve that, relying solely on staple crops such as rice and corn would not be promising under Qiuyang County’s climate and terrain. They would have to plant economic crops suited to local conditions.
Qiuyang County had broad stretches of land, much of it available for reclamation. Now that the farmers had spare strength to cultivate more acreage, the timing, geography, and human effort were aligned.
Du Heng felt it was time to encourage the people to reclaim wasteland and, taking advantage of Qiuyang County’s conditions, plant economic crops that could change their impoverished lives.
He revised the list he had already drafted and prepared to bring it forward at the next official assembly, ready to press ahead vigorously.