stjorthotic Chapter 1172 - 1154: Entering the Mountains
Chapter 1172 - 1154: Entering the Mountains
County Magistrate Zhang silently exchanged glances with them, calmed himself, looked up and smiled at the brave citizens, reassured them, and solemnly assured them that he would handle the matter justly before sending them off.
County Magistrate Zhang turned back to them, his gaze fell on Fu Yong, and said, "Because most farming tools and cooking utensils are made of iron, to prevent ironware from flowing outside or falling into the hands of the ill-intentioned, the court has regulations requiring a registration book to purchase farming tools. If buying on behalf of villagers, proof from the village is also needed."
Fu Yong asked, "What if the landowners need to purchase large quantities of farming tools?"
"Then they must present the land contract to the government office to get a note for purchasing," County Magistrate Zhang replied. "This is a new regulation issued last winter. Poor households can purchase farming tools at a discount by presenting the registration book, so people are very happy to buy farming tools with the registration book."
All the refugees who settled after March last year are classified as poor households. In a county town, more than half of the population settled here only after Xiongnu’s peace, so more than half of the populace can enjoy this preferential policy, naturally, they support it.
County Magistrate Zhang: "So if you want to buy farming tools, you must settle first."
Fu Yong was speechless.
Dong Shu urgently asked from behind, "What about salt then?"
"Salt?" County Magistrate Zhang waved his hand and said, "Salt, as long as each person buys less than five pounds, it can be purchased. If exceeding this amount, it would be considered for resale, requiring a note from the government office."
Fu Yong asked, "There are restrictions on things like iron pots and salt, so what about restaurants and taverns?"
"It’s simple. If buying cooking utensils like iron pots, presenting the restaurant or tavern operation license allows purchase," County Magistrate Zhang said, "Don’t worry, the Great General has ordered that local officials must not trouble merchants. As long as it’s legitimate business, we’re supportive."
After all, tax exemptions on land rental are widespread now, and the treasury relies on commerce tax.
Since pacifying the Xiongnu, although the Great General did not formally support business, he did not make things difficult, which is, in fact, a form of support for the merchants.
Fu Yong realized he must return to the mountain, as unable to buy farming tools, and news gathering was adequate. It’s now up to his father to make the decision.
He knew their family of three would certainly leave the mountain, but before leaving, they must arrange for the mountain folks.
Zhang Ce naturally couldn’t let them leave just like that and suggested, "Why don’t I have a few of the clerks go into the mountain with you, it’s convenient if the folks there want to move out."
Fu Yong looked distressed.
Zhang Ce laughed and said, "I know what you’re worried about, don’t worry. Listening to you, your settlement is deep in the mountains, difficult to access, so full of hardship, I won’t ignore human compassion and demand taxes at first sight."
Fu Yong felt a bit embarrassed.
Zhang Ce solemnly promised, "If they don’t want to leave the mountain to settle, I won’t force it. You lack farming tools, I’ll send you a batch. But Zisong, you originate from the Northern Fu Family and should have foresight. Dwelling in the mountain is not a long-term plan. Now that peace reigns, no matter for ancestral glory or for descendants’ future, they cannot, nor should they stay in the mountain."
He’d already explored, the mountain gorge was only around four to five hundred acres, seemingly large, but couldn’t support many people.
For one or two generations, it might be feasible, but after three generations, when the population grows to a certain extent, the mountain’s resources will be insufficient to support them, forcing them to seek contact outside.
Only in this vast world are there inexhaustible resources.
Moreover, human nature is social; in a stable world, how many would willingly abandon this vast territory to live in a small mountain gorge?
All fifteen youths who came out with Fu Yong were unwilling.
In two days, they had confirmed that outside was indeed peaceful, and the Xiongnu kingdom was destroyed, even the notorious Shi Le had submitted to Great Jin, there was no fighting now in the world.
Given this, they naturally didn’t want to stay in the mountain anymore. Originally the retreat into the depths was to escape wartime chaos.
Zhang Ce delivered on his word, in the name of the County Magistrate, sent plenty of farming tools to Fu Yong, and had two clerks accompany them back into the mountain.
The clerks took almost two days to get into the gorge, couldn’t help but exclaim, "How did you find this gorge?"
Fu Yong said, "By God’s fortune, pursued by Xiongnu soldiers back then, rushed into the woods and ran without direction, not knowing how long until they paused and were near here."
The folks in the gorge were first delighted to see Fu Yong return but then shocked to see two strangers in official attire.
The village, young and old alike, ran over quietly, looking at them with reproachful eyes.
Fu Chang hurried over, glanced at the two clerks, and looked at his eldest son.
Fu Yong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Father, I report, His Majesty was harmed by Xiongnu, the new emperor ascended last year, officially changed the era name to Jianxing this year."
"What?" The villagers couldn’t even worry about outsiders entering the mountain before hearing this distressing news, their eyes widened, and several elders immediately burst into tears.
Fu Yong continued, "Fortunately, the Great General turned the tide, suppressed the Xiongnu chaos. After Liu Yuan died, Liu He ascended but was poisoned and usurped by Liu Cong. The Great General killed Liu Cong and subdued Shi Le, now the northern lands are pacified, the world is stable, with no warfare."
Fu Chang’s tension rose high then sank back down, and he couldn’t help but laugh heartily, proud of the military and civilians of Great Jin, exclaiming aloud, "Good, very good, General Gou Daojiang lives up to the War God name!"
"Father, General Gou lost Yan State, causing the emperor to be captured by Xiongnu, harmed by Shi Le. Now the Great General is Zhao Hanzhang from Xiping."
Fu Chang’s smile froze, struck silent, took a while before returning to his senses, "You said, who?"
Fu Hong hastily said from behind, "Oh my, it’s the wife’s family of the elder brother, Zhao Hanzhang from Xiping Zhao Family, father, my elder brother is now Chief of Staff, and the Great General is the sister-in-law!"
The villagers were collectively astonished by such explosive news, letting out a gasp and wide-eyed.
Fu Chang was stunned too, took a long while to return to his senses, somewhat stammering, "Good, very good, back then your grandfather said she had a virtuous reputation, indeed virtuous, virtuous..."
He instructed Fu Hong to arrange accommodation for the two clerks and distribute brought items; then he supported Fu Yong back into the house.
He needed to sit down and calmly think; the situation wasn’t within any assumed scenario.
Fu Yong also understood, once inside the house he said, "Actually things are much better than any of our assumptions."
He described in detail his observations outside, saying, "I heard the elder brother also commissioned people to look for us, not only issued orders to county offices everywhere but also entrusted officials inspecting the Yellow River near the Fen River to help find us. Originally, I was to wait for Doctor Shen, but he went towards the Yellow River along the Fen River and couldn’t return soon, so I came back first."
"Yellow River? Is the Yellow River going to flood?" Fu Chang was shocked.
"No, but there was a major drought in three states last year, Youzhou and Jizhou being the most severe. I heard that before last year, Youzhou had droughts for two consecutive years. Generally, after a major drought, floods follow, so the court likely fears issues with the Yellow River, thus sent people to inspect it in advance." Fu Yong paused and then said softly, "Initially, it was planned that elder brother would oversee this, but grandfather passed away, so Doctor Shen was temporarily replaced."
Upon hearing of his father’s death, Fu Chang’s lips quivered.