Chapter 49: Another Shift Change Day

A rough calculation showed there were still thirty-two li to go.

There were forty-eight days left until the two-month deadline she had set.

"Is the distance built far enough today? Will we make it in time?" Bafang kept muttering by her side. "Young Master, why aren't you saying anything? Your expression is so solemn."

"Is it possible that I just find you too talkative?" Meng Changqing handed him the stick wrapped in hemp rope. "Pack up the rope."

"Young Master, wait for me!" Bafang ran while winding the rope, quickly catching up to Meng Changqing.

Before they had walked a few steps, they heard the sound of a whip cracking and the screams of laborers.

"You're not starting work on time! What do you think you're doing!"

"Officer, let me look again! My money is gone, my money is lost!"

"You scoundrel!" The guard delivered another lash. "If you don't get to work, I'll whip you to death! Go!"

"Damn it all, who stole my money!"

Bafang: "I've been waiting for three days; how did this guy's money only get stolen today?"

Meng Changqing: "It can only be taken home today. Even if it had been stolen before, there was no guarantee it could be kept safe."

Ignoring the matter, Meng Changqing continued walking toward the yamen.

"Young Master, Young Master, this is theft. Aren't we going to investigate?"

"To achieve great things, one must know what to let go. The most urgent matter right now is the city wall. Unless it involves loss of life or major chaos, I will not concern myself with anything unrelated to the wall."

As Meng Changqing walked forward, she suddenly heard the clashing of armor. She turned back to see a patrol of soldiers walking along the Weishan County city wall.

"Go tell Captain Yang to greet them."

Just as Meng Changqing finished speaking, the leader of the patrol suddenly rushed down from the city wall and ran toward her.

"Be on guard." She gripped the saber at her waist while simultaneously alerting Bafang.

Halfway through his run, the man shouted loudly, "Changqing!"

Hearing the voice, Meng Changqing sheathed her saber and stepped forward to meet him. "Uncle, why did you come down from there?"

Wei Fangyun laughed loudly, brushed the dust off his chest, and said, "I was heading up to Weishan Pass today and happened to run into a patrol heading this way. Since it wasn't far, and I haven't been here for a few days, I decided to come over with them to take a look."

"Since you've come at this hour, Uncle, have you had lunch?"

"I ate a flatbread on the way."

"Bafang, go tell Brother Dai to start cooking some rice."

"No need to rush." Wei Fangyun stopped Bafang. "In your large kitchen, if there is any leftover millet rice, bring me a bowl."

"There is, there is. It's just that the morning shift has just finished and is going to eat; it's crowded and chaotic. I'll have Bafang fetch a whole pot, and you can eat at my yamen."

"Sigh, there's no point in going to your yamen." Wei Fangyun said. "Just eat with the laborers. Go listen to how they discuss you—unless you're afraid?"

"Since Uncle intends to inspect the people's sentiments, it is only right that I listen and learn by your side."

Meng Changqing led the way toward the kitchen.

By this time, the workers from the morning shift had already formed lines in front of several kitchens, stretching out quite a distance.

Guards paced among them, inspecting the crowd; if they encountered anyone playing around or talking too loudly, they would immediately step forward to reprimand them.

Just by watching from the side, Wei Fangyun felt that the order here was not much different from a military camp, though many people were carrying bundles on their backs.

"What is this about?"

"It's the shift change today. They get twelve hours of rest, so those who miss home naturally want to go back and visit."

"They even get leave?"

"The shifts change every six days. When the shift changes, they naturally rest."

"As long as you have it under control."

Meng Changqing: "Uncle, please, come inside."

He followed Meng Changqing inside and saw that the serving and eating were done very quickly.

Meng Changqing grabbed a clean bowl for Wei Fangyun and specifically sought out Zuo Datou. "Give the Prefectural Governor a larger portion."

Zuo Datou scooped several large spoonfuls, piling the millet rice into a peak in the bowl.

"That's enough, that's enough." Wei Fangyun quickly stopped him. "I won't be able to finish if there's any more."

Only then did Zuo Datou stop. "General, there are small stools by the wall."

"Alright."

Most of the laborers sat directly on the ground, so when Wei Fangyun sat on a small stool, he appeared quite tall.

As soon as he sat down, he noticed, "Why are those people taking their food with them after eating?"

"They are taking it back to their families," Meng Changqing said. "They have labored day after day for the borders of Great Liang. It is not excessive to let them take a bowl of rice back every six days. I believe if the Imperial Court had the capability, they would certainly be willing—and should—provide them with compensation."

"You truly possess a heart of benevolence toward the people." Wei Fangyun patted her shoulder and then took several bites of rice.

In the blink of an eye, he had finished the peak of the rice.

"Eat slowly, Uncle. Bafang, go get a bowl of hot water."

"In the army, many people eat like I do. Did I frighten you?" Wei Fangyun picked up a small piece of pickled radish and savored it. "The radishes here are quite delicious; they are both spicy and juicy."

"These are radishes pickled with chili peppers," Meng Changqing explained. "Chili is a plant that was brought as tribute from overseas barbarians many years ago. It has long been grown in the Imperial Palace gardens. It was only in recent years that people realized its fruit is spicy and makes an excellent seasoning. Now, it is being grown on a large scale in the Imperial Manors, and some restaurants in the capital have begun using it as well."

"That is quite novel." Wei Fangyun took another large mouthful of rice. "It goes very well with the food."

"If Uncle likes it, your niece will give you this jar."

"Good! Then I won't be polite." Wei Fangyun scooped out a small spoonful of pickled radish and pointed at the jar. "Wrap it up; I'll take it with me later."

"Officer, my family doesn't have much stored grain, and I have many children. Could you please give me a little more?"

Wei Fangyun followed the sound and saw a woman bowing her back, pleading with the soldier serving the food.

"By rights, I shouldn't give any to you. These days, yours isn't the only family with many children. If everyone came asking me, there wouldn't be enough food in the camp to go around," Zuo Datou said. "But considering you've eaten little in the past, I'll give you a bit more this time. This is the extra ration you've been saving for your children."

With that, Zuo Datou added two more scoops to her bowl and pressed a piece of oil paper onto the rice. "Go on."

Seeing her successful plea, the person behind her followed suit, saying, "Officer, please have mercy on me too, my family..."

The soldier serving food nearby immediately rebuked her, "Nonsense! I know you. You're the one who always eats the most. You get what you're owed; it's impossible to get more."

As soon as he finished scolding her, the people surrounding them burst into laughter. "Look at your size! You've only been here a few days and you've already put on a layer of fat. You've certainly made a name for yourself with the Officer!"

The woman felt embarrassed, but since she was naturally an outgoing and cheerful person, she shot back immediately, "You're laughing at me? I don't see any of you getting any thinner!"

"Alright, enough joking around. Hand over your bowl; don't delay the people behind you."

Wei Fangyun watched and nodded. "Your subordinates work with great discipline. When dealing with the people, one must be both lenient and strict. That is the only way to establish rules without making the people live in constant fear."