Chapter 39: Persuading Zhang Yuan for the Second Time

Chapter 39: Persuading Zhang Yuan (Second Attempt)

From the moment he stood up in this area and hoisted the shoulder pole, Zeng Laosan had not had a moment's rest, all while a guard clutching a whip stared him down.

The restrictions of his clothing made his already strenuous movements even more difficult.

Exhausted and parched, Zeng Laosan reached down to grab a handful of snow to eat, but before the snow could reach his lips, he was caught by a patrolling soldier. "What do you think you're doing!"

Trembling with fear, Zeng Laosan stamried an explanation, "I wasn't being lazy, I just wanted to eat some snow."

Zeng Laoda, who was digging in a ditch, immediately ran over and knelt before the patrolling soldier. "Lord Soldier, please show mercy. I will surely teach him a lesson and ensure he never dares to be lazy again."

The patrolling soldier spoke irritably, "No eating snow. Listen up, all workers! There is boiled water by every fire pit. If you are truly thirsty, you may go drink water."

"Huh?" Zeng Laosan knelt on the ground, stunned.

The soldier barked, "What are you waiting for? Get going!"

Zeng Laosan was hoisted up by his eldest brother, who rushed him to the construction site to grab his bowl and head toward the nearest fire pit. Several large ceramic jars were placed around the fire, and the water inside was at the perfect temperature for drinking.

Zeng Laosan gulped down several mouthfuls. Just as he was about to say a few words to his brother, he heard the guard cursing, "Why aren't you back yet? Are you trying to slack off!"

"Coming, coming!"

This period of service was truly different; Zeng Laoda, being a seasoned veteran of such matters, felt it deeply.

They slept warmly and ate their fill, and water was even boiled specifically for them to drink. Not only did they work, but the soldiers worked as well, and the officers even brought them food.

It felt as though they hadn't been working long before their strength was fully spent, yet the officers arrived with millet rice on shoulder poles.

Everyone took turns eating.

After the meal, the officers began to urge them on. This group of workers knew that if they worked harder, the high-performing groups would get to eat first and eat their fill.

The copper gong struck five times, signaling the end of the shift.

Before leaving, they had to stand aside and wait for the guards from other groups to complete their rounds.

Before they could even move, the off-duty workers were already in place, ready to take over their tools.

Finally, the guard spoke: "Shift's over. Disperse for now. Gather at your quarters later to line up for food."

"There's more food!" Zeng Laosan whispered excitedly.

Three meals a day, large bowls filled to the brim with millet rice. If they could get up in the evening, they could even have a bowl of millet porridge.

Massaging his shoulders, Zeng Laosan sighed, "Aside from being a bit tiring, there's nothing wrong with this place. The food is much better than back home."

"We shall see."

"Young Master." Bafang ran up to Meng Changqing, clutching his stomach, and pulled an oil-paper-wrapped pancake from his robe. "Here."

"Have you eaten?" Meng Changqing asked.

"I have, with the Madam and the others," Bafang said, wiping his face. "Young Master, is it really necessary to keep watching this place constantly?"

"Of course it is. This wall is your master's life." Meng Changqing turned around, and just as he had shielded the wind to open the oil paper, he turned his head and asked, "Lord Bai, would you like a pancake?"

Chu Mufeng leaned in. "Lord Meng has plenty, so give me a piece."

Meng Changqing handed over the oil-paper package and smiled, "Though I don't have much, I can spare a piece for you."

Chu Mufeng felt somewhat sheepish. "My thanks, Lord Meng." He took a pouch hanging from his waist and shared a piece of dried meat with Meng Changqing.

Meng Changqing took it and tucked it into his pancake. "Where did this dried meat come from?"

"My mother sent it from the capital."

Meng Changqing quickly took a bite. "Not bad. It has the flavor of Hongyu Zhai." The meat was salty, fragrant, and had a slight numbing sensation; she had sent people to buy it before.

"Lord Meng's tongue is truly..." Before the word *keen* could leave Ling's mouth, he saw Meng Changqing suddenly frown and look behind him.

"What is it?" Chu Mufeng followed Meng Changqing's gaze and immediately understood.

Not far away, a guard was squatting to relieve himself.

This man was relatively civilized; he knew to dig a hole and bury it afterward.

However, Meng Changqing could no longer eat his pancake. "Bafang, send Captain Zhang to my office. I need to build some latrines."

By the time Zhang Yuan arrived, Meng Changqing had already drawn the design sketches for the latrines.

"Lord Meng, I heard you were looking for me."

"I have a task that requires your attention." Meng Changqing turned the paper on the desk toward him.

"What is this?"

"Latrines," Meng Changqing said directly. "Captain Zhang, halt the construction of the granaries. Take your men and follow this design to build the latrines first."

Zhang Yuan's expression darkened visibly. "Lord Meng, the General sent a large shipment of goods last night. The granaries are equally important. You could assign someone else to be responsible for the latrines."

Meng Changqing looked at him with a somewhat strange expression. "Does Captain Zhang think I am making things difficult for you?"

Zhang Yuan frowned and uttered two words, "I wouldn't dare."

Meng Changqing set his brush back on the holder and looked up. "You are a man of ideas. You feel that me asking you to build latrines is an insult.

I will tell you two things. First, the items brought in last night are well-covered with oilcloth and are under guard; it won't matter if they sit outside for two or three days. But the latrines must be built urgently. With over five thousand people relieving themselves wherever they please, this area will be surrounded by waste within two days.

Second, I am a very direct person. If I wanted to insult or suppress you, wouldn't it be easier to send you and your men back to the military camp? Why bother keeping you by my side to question me?"

"It is my superficiality."

"It is not superficiality; it is that you never trust me," Meng Changqing said. "Didn't you ask yesterday why I place such heavy reliance on Captain Yang and his men? Do you understand now?

It is because you do not trust me and question every task I give you. How then can I trust you or rely on you?"

Zhang Yuan gained a profound understanding of Meng Changqing's directness.

"Before entering Beishan County, you and I had never met, nor did we have any connection from the previous generation. Naturally, I cannot demand your absolute conviction, but I expect you to be a qualified personal guard and fulfill your duties.

This is the last time I will explain my reasons and persuade you; consider it the period of adjustment between us.

But three strikes make a loser. If there is a next time, I will request the Prefect to replace your entire unit of personal guards."

Zhang Yuan bowed. "This subordinate has erred. I ask for your forgiveness, My Lord."

"There is no sense of betrayed emotion between us, so there is no need for forgiveness." Meng Changqing pointed to the drawings on the table. "Can I entrust this matter to you?"

"This subordinate will follow your orders strictly."

"At least ten latrines of this size must be built. Find ten locations yourself. Once you have chosen them, come call me. I will see if you have put thought into your selection."

"Yes."

Only after leaving the underground office did Zhang Yuan dare to take a deep breath. This Lord Meng truly showed no consideration for sentiment.

"Young Master, I think you should replace this Captain Zhang as soon as possible. He is too difficult to work with."

"Once he is gone, what better person can they give me?" Meng Changqing knew clearly in his heart. "The only ones truly willing to follow me are those original thirty men. The others are only here because they cannot disobey military orders.

Human relationships, besides being based on sincerity, can also be built on threat, utility, and the suppression of power. Learn from this, Bafang."