At the end of the year, Du Heng locked the transported seeds into the dry storage warehouse and prepared to close the yamen for the holiday recess.
This time last year he had still been busy rotating shifts for water conservancy duties. This year was far more relaxed. The wasteland had already been distributed, and the farmers were busy enough on their own. There was no need for the county office to supervise them constantly.
On his way back from the front offices, Du Heng passed the small study and was surprised to see the two little boys inside, writing.
A few days earlier he had promised them that during the New Year recess he would take them out to set off fireworks and see the lantern displays. They had been on their best behavior ever since.
“A Ce, hurry up and write!”
Chengyi set down his brush and glared at Dan Ce with puffed cheeks.
He was writing diligently, but his younger brother was anything but serious—after writing two strokes he would poke Chengyi’s cheek or tug at his ear.
Not only was he inattentive, he kept interrupting.
Seeing his brother annoyed, Dan Ce quickly withdrew his hand and pushed his paper forward. “I’ve already finished!”
Chengyi glanced at the neat rows of characters on the page and pressed his lips together.
“I can write the Three Character Classic you told me to write.”
Dan Ce propped his chin on his hand and stared at his brother. Chengyi’s face, usually fair and round, was now tinged pink from irritation, which only made Dan Ce want to pinch it more.
“I wonder if Yun Duo can write my name yet.”
Chengyi asked, “Why do you have to compare with Yun Duo?”
“Because Huzi is too dumb. He still can’t even write his own name. And he always wants to play with you. I told him you don’t play with kids who can’t write, and he started crying.”
Chengyi widened his eyes. “Don’t bully Little Hu.”
“Who’s bullying him? Uncle Feng teaches me spear techniques and said Huzi can study with me in the future. I already agreed. Huzi made a fuss about not wanting to study and got another beating. Why would I need to bully him?”
Chengyi tried to hold back a smile. He reached out and pinched his brother’s nose, then couldn’t resist rubbing his cheeks.
Dan Ce’s face was squished out of shape, but he didn’t mind. He let Chengyi knead him, just happy that his brother was talking to him.
“Even though Uncle Feng doesn’t like scholars, he still hopes Huzi will study and learn proper conduct. You should study hard too. If you pass the jinshi exam someday, Father will be happy.”
“Why do I need to pass the jinshi exam? I want to wield a broadsword and practice boxing so I can protect you in the future.”
Chengyi puffed up his cheeks. “I’m not naughty. I won’t cause trouble.”
Dan Ce poked his cheek again.
“Little Father said Father once wanted to pass the jinshi exam too, but for some reason he didn’t. If you pass it, Father will definitely be happy.”
Dan Ce stuck out his tongue. “Father’s dumb. He couldn’t even pass the jinshi.”
Outside the window, Du Heng had been watching the two boys. He had not seen much writing, but plenty of poking, pinching, and whispering.
He did not catch most of it—but he certainly heard that last remark from his “unfilial son.”
Du Heng rapped on the window frame. “Qin Dan Ce, you dare call your father dumb for not passing the jinshi? And you? You eat three big bowls every meal, then you go cause trouble, then you nap. Let your brother feel your face and see whether it’s thicker than the county yamen’s gate walls.”
Both boys immediately clapped their hands over their mouths when they saw him.
Du Heng laughed. “Where’s your little father?”
“He went out of town.”
Du Heng’s brow twitched. “Back to the fields again?”
Chengyi nodded.
“Behave yourselves. I’ll go bring him home.”
“Okay!”
With the New Year approaching, red lanterns had already been hung throughout the county. This year the place was visibly livelier. People moved through the streets buying holiday goods, the atmosphere festive.
Once outside the city, it took only a short while to see farmers still clearing wasteland.
“‘Fair, fair her slender hands,
Click, click the shuttle in the loom…
The River of Heaven is clear and shallow—
How far apart can they be?
Across a stream so full and bright,
They gaze, but cannot speak.’”
Qin Xiaoman was holding a large basin of sandy soil, sifting out stones. Seeing that the work was nearly finished and he could return home for the New Year, he looked up at the voice and saw a man in a long scholar’s robe.
The man wore a small mustache, chin slightly raised, eyes half-closed in affected intoxication.
After finishing his recitation, he timed his gaze perfectly, letting it fall upon the one supposedly captivated by his poetry.
Qin Xiaoman set down the basin and quietly picked up a hoe from the side.
The man smiled. “Young sir, are you reclaiming wasteland?”
Qin Xiaoman returned the smile. “Otherwise, would I be plowing rice paddies?”
“You are indeed amusing.”
Qin Xiaoman asked, “What were you muttering just now?”
The man’s confidence visibly increased. “It was poetry praising the diligence of someone like you. Did you enjoy it?”
Qin Xiaoman regarded his flirtatious manner and only smiled without answering.
Taking this as shyness, the man pressed on. “May I ask your age, and where you reside?”
Qin Xiaoman raised an eyebrow. “That’s private. How could I answer? Why don’t you ask that gentleman over there?”
The man turned, puzzled—and suddenly saw someone standing behind him.
The newcomer was not only striking in appearance but carried himself with scholarly bearing. Assuming they were fellow scholars, the man smiled brightly. “Might this gentleman be your elder brother?”
Du Heng’s expression darkened further. What kind of relation was he trying to claim? Ignoring the question, he said coolly, “Who are you?”
“I am from Qiangyuan Village.” Realizing that merely being a villager sounded unimpressive, he quickly added, “I teach the children in the village while studying for the imperial examinations. I have already obtained the xiucai degree.”
“So you are a scholar,” Du Heng said evenly. “Then why are you not studying properly, instead wandering into wasteland reciting poetry at people?”
The man puffed himself up. “I was drawn here by the sight of this young sir laboring so diligently. I stopped to admire his farming. If I could marry such a virtuous and capable person in this life, it would truly be a blessing.”
Du Heng let out a laugh, but there was no warmth in it. Instead, it carried a faint chill. “Many thanks for the compliment. I shall accept such good fortune. Men, take this poetry-loving young scholar to the county school and have the Confucian instructor give him some proper guidance.”
“Hey! Hey! Who are you to be so rude!”
Seeing the men step forward and seize him outright, the scholar panicked and shouted, “In broad daylight, how can you bind someone at will!”
“And still shouting? The county magistrate is sending you to the county school—that is your blessing!”
At once the man fell silent, his face flushing bright red. After a long moment he tried to say a few words in explanation, but a quick-witted servant stuffed a strip of cloth into his mouth before he could speak, sparing the county magistrate the disturbance.
Qin Xiaoman watched as the man was hauled away, tossed aside his hoe, and resumed sifting the soil.
“I took him away. Are you unhappy about that?”
Du Heng walked over and squatted in front of Qin Xiaoman. “How many times has he come?”
“And how many times would you like him to come?”
Qin Xiaoman pinched Du Heng.
Du Heng stared at him, looking left and then right, studying him closely. Qin Xiaoman tightened his grip a little.
“Hiss—”
“What are you staring at?”
“I am trying to see what about me does not look like a married man, that someone would shamelessly come sniffing around.”
Qin Xiaoman shot him a sidelong glance.
Du Heng laughed softly, then suddenly reached out and took hold of Qin Xiaoman’s dust-covered hand, his brows knitting.
Only now did he notice that the young man’s palms and fingers were covered with small cuts from wolf-tail grass. After sifting soil, fine sand had gotten into the wounds, causing slight inflammation and swelling.
“You do not take care of yourself at all. Your hands are in this state, and you still come out to the fields!”
Qin Xiaoman shrugged it off and flicked his hand. “It has only been a few years since I worked the land. Opening up wasteland again, I have grown rusty. My hands are not as nimble as before—perhaps I have grown soft.”
“Soft? Nonsense! I should never have agreed to give you land in the first place.”
Du Heng pulled a handkerchief from his robe and carefully wiped the dirt from Qin Xiaoman’s hands. He had been so busy these past days wrapping up year-end matters at the county office that he had not even noticed how much his husband had been exerting himself.
“What is this compared to anything? I merely stopped farming for a few years and picked it up again. In the past, you did not know how to farm either, and you still managed to learn everything.”
Du Heng shook his head. There was truly nothing he could do with him. He could only coax, “It is about done. Let us go home.”
Qin Xiaoman agreed.
Back home, Du Heng fetched some medicine for external wounds, saying he would apply it to the small cuts on Qin Xiaoman’s hands to reduce inflammation. Though the wounds were minor, they would heal faster that way.
Chengyi was even more eager than he was. Upon hearing that his little father had injured his hands, the child hurried over with the medicine he had prepared, volunteering to apply it himself.
As he carefully dabbed the ointment onto the cuts, afraid it might hurt, he gently blew on them.
It was rather attentive treatment.
Danshe followed behind, telling Qin Xiaoman not to go reclaiming land anymore. Once he grew a little older, he would support him instead.
Qin Xiaoman did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Two days into the New Year, Du Heng received a family letter from Luoxia County. It reported that the relatives at home were safe and well, and described how the family affairs were progressing.
With the new year came the triennial Spring Metropolitan Examination once more. Qin Zhifeng had prepared early this year and was ready to set out for the examination.
Du Heng could not help feeling a little wistful. Time had passed quickly. It had already been nearly three years since he gave up continuing the imperial examinations. Busy with the affairs of Qiuyang County, he had nearly forgotten that it was once again the year of the Spring Metropolitan Examination.
Now that Qin Zhifeng had prepared for another three years, Du Heng wrote back to wish him every success.
In addition, he sent letters to former classmates and senior fellow students, offering New Year’s greetings and wishing them smooth fortunes in the examination.
This Spring Metropolitan Examination would be the first palace examination held after the new emperor’s ascension to the throne. After the disturbances of the previous examination, there was no need to say how strict this one would be.
He hoped that his classmates and friends, who had studied hard for many years, would soon have their names inscribed on the golden list.
When they met again on the official road, there would be a little more familiarity.
There were not many candidates from Qiuyang County traveling to the capital for the examination. To encourage talent, Du Heng allocated some silver to those who would depart in the first month for the capital, providing travel expenses so that poorer scholars could take the examination with peace of mind.
The Spring Metropolitan Examination did not stir much commotion in the county. With few candidates departing, their journeys were quiet—not like the county examination, when throngs of scholars poured into the county seat and drew widespread attention.
After the start of spring, it was the fervor of spring sowing that swept through the county.
Cold melons were planted in the second month; sesame and cotton in the fourth.
Qiuyang County welcomed spring early and enjoyed higher temperatures. Compared with other regions, seeds were sown ten days to half a month earlier than usual.
Farmers planted their seasonal crops according to the proper time, while assigning hands to the wasteland opened at the end of autumn to learn how to grow new crops.
Du Heng personally shouldered a hoe and went into the fields, raising ridges in the sesame plots and wrapping seeds in moist plant ash before broadcasting them.
In the cotton fields, the soil was prepared into a state firm beneath and loose above, level yet aerated.
The wasteland had only been reclaimed at year’s end. After the soil had been sifted, there were no clods. Though the fertility was still lacking, its looseness made it suitable for dibbling seeds.
With spring in full color, whenever Du Heng went into the fields to demonstrate, the farmland became as lively as the county town itself.
“Why are there so many farmers gathered over there? Has something happened?”
Along the official road, a line of carriages and horses proceeded at an unhurried pace. From afar, they saw a large crowd of farmers on a low hillside, some holding sickles, others leaning on hoes, and could not help but look twice.
“Reporting to Your Highness, it is the season for spring sowing. The common folk are engaged in farming.”
Upon hearing this, the valiant man on horseback cast a sidelong glance at the one who had answered. “Though I am a prince, it does not mean I was raised in indulgence and know nothing of the seasons and the five grains.”
Feng Wanhe promptly slapped his own helmeted head. “I have heard that this year the county introduced some new seeds. The county magistrate has brought experienced old farmers to teach those planting them for the first time how to till and sow.”
Yan Chengjue furrowed his brows and repeated, “The county magistrate has gone into the fields to teach farmers how to farm?”
This time, when he left the capital to inspect the troop garrisons in various regions, he had not made any grand public announcement. His purpose was to prevent local authorities from putting on a show for inspection, lest the true state of the garrisons remain concealed.
For that reason, he would only notify the stationed commanders upon arriving in each locality, summoning them to receive him.
Hearing such an absurd reply, his first instinct was that the county magistrate here was putting on a display of diligence and closeness to the people for his benefit.
Yet considering the itinerary, it should have been impossible for the county to know of his visit in advance.
Still, nothing was absolute. Before coming to Qiuyang County, he had sent word ahead to a trusted confidant.
That very confidant, Feng Wanhe, saw the slight narrowing of Yan Chengjue’s eyes. Though a rough soldier by nature, he had followed Yan Chengjue for many years and could gauge a measure of his master’s thoughts.
He hurriedly said, “This magistrate is by no means an old acquaintance of this subordinate’s family. We only became familiar after I arrived in the county. I too find it inconceivable—a scholar who reads and writes as a county magistrate, actually teaching farmers who dig in the dirt every day how to dig!”
Thinking of Du Heng’s conduct in the county over the past two years, as well as his care for the Feng family, and since Yan Chengjue had asked, he decided to put in a good word. “Does Your Highness perhaps recall that the magistrate of Qiuyang County was originally selected by Your Highness?”
Yan Chengjue frowned. “When have I ever selected him?”
“When His Majesty ascended the throne and the great selection of local officials was held, His Majesty appointed Your Highness as chief examiner for the local appointments. The magistrate of Qiuyang County was among those Your Highness selected at that time.”
Yan Chengjue remembered the selection, but he had toured and examined candidates across various prefectures. How could he possibly recall precisely whom he had chosen and where each had been posted?
Still, hearing that this man had been chosen by him, Yan Chengjue’s interest was piqued. He ordered the procession to halt and swung down from his horse.
“Where is Father going? I want to go too!”
As the procession suddenly stopped, a small head popped out from the carriage.
“Going to relieve myself. Are you coming?!”
At his father’s coarse retort, the carriage curtain quietly fell back into place.
“In each hole, place three to five seeds. One inch deep is ideal.”
“After sowing, loosen the soil regularly to keep the surface aerated and prevent clumping. Once it hardens into crust, it will affect the germination rate.”
Yan Chengjue’s tall figure stood out. Though the fields were packed three layers deep with farmers, he could still see the man squatting on the ground, demonstrating seed placement.
The central figure wore simple clothes and at first glance seemed unfamiliar. But when Yan Chengjue saw that refined and handsome face, a faint recollection stirred.
He remembered that during the provincial inspection in Jintuan Prefecture, there had indeed been a strikingly handsome young scholar with solid learning and eloquent speech. He had even set a special question for him.
Seeing him again now was something of a visual shock. The man had the air of a pampered young master from a noble family, yet here he was, hoe in hand, digging into the soil himself. His explanations were clear and carried real substance.
From Feng Wanhe’s earlier words, he had assumed the magistrate merely brought experienced old farmers to instruct while he supervised from the side. He had not expected him to work personally.
Feng Wanhe was about to clear his throat and call for everyone to bow in greeting, but Yan Chengjue raised a hand to stop him.
“There is no need to disturb them. The farming season waits for no one. Why delay the people over empty formalities?”
Yan Chengjue felt gratified. If all local officials were like this—leading by example—then the dynasty would surely flourish.
With good humor, he withdrew his foot from beneath a farmer who had inadvertently stepped on it. “Proceed to the garrison.”
By the time the seeds had all been sown, it was already late April.
Du Heng no longer needed to travel frequently to the countryside to inspect the farmers’ work.
Having not labored physically for some time, even after just a few days he found his back and waist aching.
On a rare day of rest, with all the seeds now in the ground, Du Heng allowed himself a long, indulgent sleep. He was only awakened by the noise of children outside.
“Why is the garden so lively?”
As he washed his face, he asked the question.
“The young master from General Feng’s residence came early this morning, bringing another child along to play in the garden.”
Du Heng responded with a soft acknowledgment. After washing up, he stepped outside and indeed saw three little boys kicking a cuju ball in the garden, while Chengyi stood to the side keeping score.
It was not the first time children had come to play. Du Heng did not concern himself with such matters. Children ought to run and move about; if kept indoors all day sitting upright in proper posture, they would grow stifled and dull.
He was about to go look for Qin Xiaoman for a late breakfast when he vaguely heard a cheerful voice call out, “Your Heir Apparent!”
Du Heng froze mid-step.
“Your Heir Apparent, are you thirsty? The plum drink at Danshe’s house is delicious!”
Certain he had not misheard, Du Heng walked over at a measured pace.
The children stopped playing cuju when they saw him and ran over, calling “Father!” and “Uncle Du!”
Du Heng wiped the sweat from their foreheads, then looked at the unfamiliar boy—tall for his five or six years—and asked Feng Xiaohu, “Xiaohu, who is this?”
“He is the little heir apparent! From the capital!”
A subtle shift passed over Du Heng’s brows. He broke into a kindly smile and beckoned the servants to prepare some suitable refreshments for the children.
…
“His Highness came?”
Feng Wanhe was drilling new recruits at the garrison when Du Heng arrived in haste. Raising his thick brows, he said, “County Magistrate Du, so busy with your affairs—what a rare guest.”
Du Heng knew Feng Wanhe was deliberately needling him and did not take offense. “This minor official comes often enough. It is only that the general is seldom at the garrison.”
Feng Wanhe did not respond directly, merely wiping his spear as he said, “His Highness has already left.”
“Left?” Du Heng was startled. “Why so suddenly?”
With a hint of schadenfreude, Feng Wanhe looked up at him. “What, blaming me for not informing you in advance so you could curry favor?”
“I am not cut out for currying favor. Does General Feng not know that?”
Their exchange sounded like a clash of words, but in truth they were long since on familiar terms.
Feng Wanhe said, “His Highness came days ago to inspect the garrison. After finishing the inspection, he departed. I had intended to let you pay a visit—after all, did you not once shamelessly claim that His Highness had recognized your talent? But His Highness did not wish to stir up commotion or have local officials receive him, so I did not summon you.”
Du Heng acknowledged it with a nod. Just as well—he had never liked receiving inspections from higher authorities. With spring plowing in full swing, who had the leisure for that?
Still, in earlier years Sixth Prince had indeed shown him recognition and favor. For the sake of handling local affairs more smoothly, Du Heng had even borrowed the prince’s name once or twice. How many times in a lifetime would a minor local official have the chance to meet a royal kinsman like Sixth Prince? Since fate had brought him to Qiuyang County, he ought to have entertained him properly. Unexpectedly, he had not been granted that honor.
Hearing the tone in his voice, Feng Wanhe continued polishing his spear. “There is plenty of time ahead. There will always be another chance to meet.”
Du Heng did not dwell on the deeper meaning in those words, assuming Feng Wanhe had simply found a scrap of conscience and offered a word of comfort.
“If His Highness has already left, why is the young heir still in the county?”
“Sixth Prince brought the young heir along to see the world during this inspection tour. The journey has been long and tiring, and the child’s health could not quite keep up. His Highness has allowed him to remain in the county for a few days to recuperate before returning.”
Du Heng understood. Feng Wanhe was Yan Chengjue’s trusted confidant. Leaving the child in his care for a few days was hardly surprising.
He sighed lightly. “Well then, since I was not fortunate enough to entertain His Highness, hosting the young heir will at least show this humble official’s sincerity.”
Feng Wanhe snorted. “Flatterer.”
In May, tender shoots emerged across the newly reclaimed fields. Qiuyang County had opened up much wasteland this year. Beyond the city gates, everything was lush and green. There were far more paddies and farmland than in previous years. As summer approached and the crops thickened in the fields, the countryside brimmed with vitality.
The farmers, seeing such promise, were filled with joy.
Thus the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth month was especially lively.
Dragon boat races were held during the day, and lanterns were set afloat at night with wishes for blessings.
Du Heng and Qin Xiaoman went together to watch the festivities. It was rare for the county to celebrate a holiday with such exuberance.
The children also went out to admire the lanterns. Still not satisfied, they carried their beautiful lanterns back to the garden and ran about with them.
Feng Xiaohu and Yan Yuan lingered in the inner courtyard, unwilling to return home. Since it was a festival, Du Heng let them enjoy themselves.
Earlier in the day, a courier had delivered several letters. Du Heng had gone to watch the dragon boat race and had not yet found time to read them.
After returning home, he finally took them out to examine.
Even before reading, he already knew roughly what they concerned.
The Spring Metropolitan Examination and palace examination had concluded. At the end of the year, he had sent letters of encouragement. Now the results must be coming back.
“Oh no! My cousin did not pass again.”
Qin Xiaoman read the family letter first. Only halfway through, he let out a sigh. “Such a pity. He lost three years before, then prepared another three years. Who would have thought he would still fail?”
Du Heng leaned over to look. The letter said that Qin Zhifeng had missed the list by thirty ranks.
“The metropolitan examination is never easy. Many candidates even past forty fail to pass. This was only Cousin Zhifeng’s first attempt; there is nothing strange about not succeeding. It is also the first Spring Metropolitan Examination of His Majesty’s reign. To have achieved this result is already quite respectable. If he tries again next time, his chances will surely be greater.”
Du Heng opened the other two letters. One was from You Huo, the other from Mu Ti. Both had made the list during the previous examination, only to have court turmoil undo their efforts and force them to wait another three years.
At last, perseverance had paid off. Both had passed this time.
“The letter says Senior Brother Mu has been appointed as County Assistant Magistrate in Huaixuan County of Huizhou. Senior Brother You remains in the capital, serving in the Ministry of War.”
Qin Xiaoman raised his brows. “County Assistant Magistrate? Is that not a rank lower than yours?”
Du Heng folded the letter and set it aside. “Silly boy. Do you know what kind of place Huizhou is? It is one of the wealthiest regions in the realm. A single county there can rival an impoverished prefectural city. Huaixuan County is a prosperous major county. Some of its market towns are as large as Qiuyang County itself. Though the rank is eighth grade, such a posting is something others could only dream of.”
“Serve three to five years there, and it will not be hard to transfer back to the capital.”
Qin Xiaoman inhaled sharply. Clearly, his own knowledge had been shallow.
“The letter says Senior Brother Mu was only in the second tier of the examination list. I did not expect the jinshi degree to be so advantageous.”
“It is not universally so—it depends on connections. Did not Senior Brother Mu write last year that he had married? His father-in-law is a Hanlin Academician. Now that he has fulfilled expectations and earned a place on the golden list, his wife’s family will naturally help clear a path for him.”
As for You Huo, he could remain in the capital because his family background was strong enough.
Hearing of such favorable appointments for her husband’s former classmates, Qin Xiaoman rested his chin on the table and looked at Du Heng. “If you had waited three more years and taken this Spring Metropolitan Examination, perhaps you would not have come to this troublesome county.”
“The starting points my senior brothers now enjoy are indeed enviable,” Du Heng admitted with a smile. “But each person has his own fate. I do not regret my earlier decision. Even if I had earned the jinshi degree, my posting might not necessarily have been much better than this. Without family background, how far and how high one can rise depends on one’s ability. I entered office early and have already achieved some merit.”
He added, “For two consecutive years my official evaluations have been rated Excellent. If I achieve three in a row, even if I cannot be transferred or promoted immediately, my rank can still rise by one or two grades. A poor locality has its advantages—it is easier to accomplish visible achievements, and the court more readily notices an official’s ability.”
“This year I will work even harder. Next year’s evaluation will be stricter. I will strive for three straight Excellents and climb a grade.”
Qin Xiaoman was full of anticipation and was just about to speak when the study door was suddenly pounded loudly. Outside came the urgent, tearful cry of a child.
“Father! Father! Open the door quickly!”