Chapter 30: Three Conditions

In just two days, a kitchen was completed using rammed earth walls and a branch-thatched roof.

Built according to Meng Changqing's requirements, the walls were exceptionally thick. Except for the wall with the main entrance, the other three walls consisted of inner and outer layers with a cavity in between. Smoke from the stove would travel through flues into these cavities and then out through a chimney.

This was a fireproof wall.

Seeing that dinner was nearly ready, Meng Changqing had the cooks move the iron pots into the kitchen.

The stoves inside had already been built; once the pots were placed on them, they were ready for use.

Meng Changqing watched them light the fire to cook, observing whether any smoke leaked out from anywhere. After a full inspection, she found no major issues.

From the outside, one could see the cooking smoke rising from the chimney.

As the three stoves were lit, heat gradually radiated from the walls.

Once the wooden door was tightly closed, the temperature inside the kitchen rose rapidly.

The only downside to this kitchen at the moment was that it was dark.

To keep the heat in, no windows had been cut into the three walls; only the doorway was made large to facilitate the movement of people coming to eat. Now that the door was closed, one could only see the glow of the fire from the stove.

Even without closing the door, the innermost part of the kitchen felt dim.

They would need lamps.

Just as she was wondering whether to ask for more lamp oil, she heard Xi Bei calling her, "Changqing, the Prefect is calling for you."

Meng Changqing immediately opened the door and stepped out of the kitchen. "Has the official approval come through?"

"It seems so." Xi Bei held a knife in her hand. "It's almost dark; are we going?"

"Yes!" Meng Changqing lifted the hem of her long padded coat and ran toward her yamen. "I need to use the restroom first. Bafang, go prepare the horses. Remember to bring some food; the Prefect's office doesn't provide meals."

Meng Changqing changed into her official attire and put her gray cotton coat over it.

"Thank you for your hard work, you two," Meng Changqing nodded to the bailiffs who had come to deliver the message.

"You are too kind, Lady Meng. The Prefect is already back at his residence waiting for you."

"Alright." Meng Changqing mounted her horse. Xi Bei, Bafang, Chu Mufeng, and the three other Imperial Guards followed suit.

Before leaving, Meng Changqing cupped her hands toward the remaining Imperial Guards. "I must trouble you, brothers. Please ensure my family's safety. Everything else can be sacrificed, but if necessary, just take them and leave."

"Rest assured, Lady Meng."

"Dai-ge, Laicai, take good care of the family." Meng Changqing rode off quickly with the others.

Upon arriving at Liangzhou Prefecture, the bailiff led her straight to the study.

Wei Fangyun was already waiting inside.

"Uncle."

"Come, sit quickly." Wei Fangyun showed Meng Changqing the Emperor's official approval. "The amount we requested this time hasn't been reduced at all. His Majesty must be doing this for your sake. This is of great benefit to us."

Meng Changqing was pleasantly surprised; no one ever complains about having too much stuff.

"Changqing, do you know why this approval arrived so quickly?" Wei Fangyun asked.

Calculating the time, Meng Changqing replied, "Could it be via the 800-li express service?"

"Exactly!" Wei Fangyun patted Meng Changqing's knee excitedly. "This shows just how much the Emperor values this city wall. It must be built. If... with so much manpower and material poured into this, we fail, we would not only be failing the Emperor, but the people as well."

Meng Changqing stood up. "Please rest assured, Uncle. I will do everything in my power to accomplish this."

"Good." Wei Fangyun pulled her back onto the bench. "I called you here to begin the implementation."

"Let's talk about the supplies first. Time is tight, and it will be too late if we transport everything from the capital. The Emperor has ordered that the nearby prefectures allocate their supplies first. I estimate that in three days, the goods should arrive in Liangzhou. Do you have a place to store them?"

"I don't," Meng Changqing said. "But I have my eye on a certain location. I would like to ask Uncle to speak with the Magistrate of Yangmen County on my behalf."

"You plan to store the goods in Yangmen County?"

"Near the walls of Yangmen County, there is a large area of open land. I've inquired with the garrison soldiers guarding the city, and that land isn't being used for anything at the moment. It would be better to let me borrow it for now."

"That won't be a problem. I'll just have a word with Lord Mao. Actually, if you wanted to transport them to Beishan County, I really wouldn't feel at ease," Wei Fangyun said. "Since the goods will be in Yangmen County, let the Yangmen bailiffs oversee them. If you are short-handed, just ask them for the items using the ledger."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Wei Fangyun sighed. "The matter of the laborers might be difficult. Tomorrow, I will send out the notice for conscription to the various counties, but the number of people may not meet your requirements."

"Uncle, if the conscription notice is sent out tomorrow, please ensure that the counties include a few specific points in the announcement."

"Go on."

"First, those serving in Beishan County do not need to bring their own tools, nor do they need to bring their own rations or bedding. Second, I will also accept able-bodied women. Third, during their period of labor, each person shall only work for four shichen (eight hours) per day."

Wei Fangyun could understand the first point, but the latter two left him bewildered.

"Changqing, do you know why women are not used for border conscription? One reason is that they lack the strength of men, but another is that mixing men and women makes them difficult to manage. Furthermore, regarding those four shichen—child, we only have two months. Remember, our heads are only temporarily resting on our necks."

(End of Chapter)