Yan Jin opened the door, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen were standing under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard. They were whispering to each other, their heads close together. Yan Ge had a smile on his face, while Huangfu Yuchen’s usually cold expression was also softened by a smile. Yan Jin tiptoed and approached them quietly.
Yan Ge turned around. “Need to use the restroom?”
Huangfu Yuchen also asked, “Do you have a leg cramp?”
Yan Jin looked up at the sky. “There are pink bubbles around both of you. I don’t dare to get close. I’m afraid of popping the bubbles.”
“What do you mean?” Huangfu Yuchen asked Yan Jin.
Yan Ge stroked his chin. “Zirui, we overlooked something. Little Jin is not really just six years old, could it be that he has reached the age of adolescence? That’s why he’s so jealous of us?”
Yan Jin’s face turned red, and he turned around, quickly walking away as if in a race. “I don’t want to deal with you guys.”
“Two young masters, little master, it’s time for dinner,” Auntie Ma called from the kitchen.
After finishing breakfast, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen took Yan Jin to the county office. On the way, they encountered Auntie Ye, who was going to the back mountain to dig bamboo shoots. Yan Jin followed Ye Shen.
The county office In Rong County was also old but well maintained. The two yamen officials at the entrance stood straight, as the county magistrate’s demands on them hadn’t diminished despite the county’s impoverished state.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen gained another two points of appreciation for Gong Chushan.
“What brings you here?” The news of the two outstanding visitors in the county had already spread, and the two yamen officials immediately recognized them.
Yan Ge smiled. “We are here to pay our respects to the county magistrate and seek an audience.”
“Wait here.” One of the officials went inside and quickly came back. “The magistrate requests your presence. Please follow me.”
The official led the two into the hall and poured two cups of tea before leaving. Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen sat for a while until Gong Chushan, dressed in official robes, stepped into the threshold.
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen stood up. “Magistrate Gong.”
If ordinary people who were not officials or lacked official status met an official, they would kneel and bow. But Gong Chushan was easygoing and didn’t mind their lack of formality. “Please be seated. Judging by your demeanor, I assume you have distinguished identities. May I ask for your names?”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “I am Fang Zhiyuan, and this is my wife, Shu Shi. We are merchants.”
“So, you are Young Master Fang and Madam Fang,” Gong Chushan asked curiously, “May I know why you have come to see me?”
Huangfu Yuchen gestured for Yan Ge to speak.
Yan Ge said, “Magistrate, it’s like this. As you know, we are merchants, and wherever we go, we involuntarily consider potential business opportunities. Yesterday, while wandering around the county, we discovered that the poverty in Rong County is not insurmountable.”
Gong Chushan didn’t expect that they had come to him for this matter, and he was momentarily stunned. He said, “Thank you both for your kind intentions. Since your vision is so keen, I won’t hide it from you. In recent years, I have also been searching for ways to alleviate the plight of Rong County, but I haven’t found a good solution. As you have seen, Rong County is situated deep in the mountains, making transportation difficult. Even if the county has abundant resources, it’s challenging to transport them out. The only opportunity for the villagers to buy essential goods is during the biannual market fair when they can bring their desired goods to the city and purchase their daily needs.”
Huangfu Yuchen said, “My wife is here to relieve your worries, Magistrate.”
“Oh?” Gong Chushan’s face lit up with joy. “Does Madam Fang have a brilliant plan?”
Yan Ge repeated the ideas he had said to Huangfu Yuchen earlier.
Gong Chushan clapped his hands in approval. “Excellent! Excellent! However, the distance between the mountains is not short. We will need long iron cables, which may be difficult to acquire. Moreover, we will have to order them in Rong County.”
Yan Ge said firmly, “We are here to help you solve this problem, as we mentioned earlier. If Magistrate Gong agrees, Zirui and I can start working anytime.”
Gong Chushan’s mind was filled with suspicions. What were these two people plotting? Not only did they offer advice, but now they were also willing to personally solve the problem. What were their intentions?
Huangfu Yuchen said, “Of course, we are not doing this for free. My wife and I enjoy the local game found in these mountains. Once the iron cables are in place, you only need to send us one hundred phesants as a token of gratitude. They can be dry or fresh.”
Gong Chushan felt relieved and nodded, “Since you have done us such a great favor, it’s only right to send you one hundred phesants. However…”
Huangfu Yuchen’s eyes darkened. They had already taken charge of everything, yet Gong Chushan still wanted more?
“Do you have any other concerns, your Excellency?” Yan Ge asked.
Gong Chushan explained, “Here’s the thing. Although I am the county magistrate, you may not be aware that most people in this county share the same surname, Gong. It’s like one big family. For important matters in the county, I need to consult with the three elders of the clan.”
Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen in surprise. An official had to listen to the opinions of clan elders? That was unheard of.
Huangfu Yuchen conveyed through voice transmission, “The power of a family can often protect a clan. Rong County is too far from Rongcheng, and if someone wants to study in the academies there, they have to get sponsorship of the clan. When Gong Chushan was able to enter the academy, it was thanks to the support of the entire county. It’s difficult for Gong Chushan to oppose them logically.”
Yan Ge maintained his composure and said, “In that case, Magistrate Gong should inform them. Zirui and I will wait for your message at the post station.”
“Very well,” Gong Chushan stood up.
Huangfu Yuchen gave him a sharp glance. “Magistrate Gong, I believe that as a court-appointed official, there are times when you need to be firm and assertive.”
Gong Chushan didn’t think much about it and nodded, “I understand.” He felt a bit strange. Why did this young man lecture him, yet he didn’t feel any anger in his heart?
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen returned to the post station where Auntie Ye was cleaning the rooms diligently. The common folk were truly sincere, and she left no speck of dust inside and out.
The two of them moved the table under the osmanthus tree and took out the chessboard to play.
When Yan Ge was about to lose, he secretly took a few chess pieces. Huangfu Yuchen pretended not to notice, feeling helpless.
After three games, Yan Ge lost all three.
Huangfu Yuchen sighed. Despite deliberately leaving openings for him several times, Yan Ge failed to seize the opportunity.
“Let’s play again,” Yan Ge said defiantly.
Huangfu Yuchen quietly replaced several of Yan Ge’s chess pieces. Finally, Yan Ge won a round.
As they were engrossed in their game, Gong Chushan knocked on the door and entered with a somewhat rigid expression.
Yan Ge asked curiously, “Magistrate Gong, did your discussion not go well?”
Gong Chushan sighed, “The three elders unanimously refused. I tried to persuade them for a long time, but they didn’t let go.”
“Why?” Huangfu Yuchen asked casually, placing a chess piece on the board.
Gong Chushan explained, “They believe that although it’s inconvenient to travel to and from this place, there has been no war here since ancient times. They consider peace to be a blessing, and the entire county is self-sufficient. They see no need for cable cars.”
‘Stubborn old men,’ Yan Ge thought to himself.
Huangfu Yuchen said to Gong Chushan, “Please arrange for us to meet the three elders as soon as possible. The sooner, the better.”
Gong Chushan was taken aback. The words were polite, but the tone was unquestionable. After a moment of hesitation, he said, “I will arrange it. The three elders are usually busy with their own affairs and rarely have the opportunity to sit together. They are currently in the ancestral hall, drinking tea and chatting.”
Huangfu Yuchen nodded.
Gong Chushan hurriedly left and quickly returned.
“Master Fang, Madam Fang, please follow me to the ancestral hall to meet the three elders.”
Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen entered the ancestral hall and saw three elderly men, around seventy years old, sitting at the head, their expressions solemn and dignified, resembling a tribunal. In feudal society, living conditions were poor, and healthcare was lacking. Reaching the age of seventy was considered rare and a sign of longevity. It was no wonder these three elders commanded such respect in the county.
“Just what are you two young fellows trying to do in Rong County, building cable cars and roads?” The middle-aged man in the center stared harshly at Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen.
Gong Chushan introduced, “This is Master Gong, and the other two are Uncle Gong and Grandpa Gong.”
“So, you are Master Gong, Uncle Gong, and Grandpa Gong. We pay our respects.” Huangfu Yuchen nodded in acknowledgement and, noticing the chairs nearby, led Yan Ge to sit down with an air of indifference.
Gong Chushan secretly admired their composure. Even as the county magistrate, he felt the pressure from the three elders, yet this young man displayed great confidence.
Uncle Gong and Grandpa Gong exchanged glances.
Master Gong wore a displeased expression. “Where did this invincible youngster come from?”
Huangfu Yuchen seemed not to have heard and asked, “May I ask why the three of you disagree with opening the access road?”
Master Gong replied coldly, “Whether to open or not open is our private matter in Rong County. It’s not your concern as an outsider.”
“Private matter?” Yan Ge couldn’t help but speak up for his lover. “Master Gong, you are mistaken. The world belongs to everyone, and infrastructure construction is a national affair, not a private matter.”
“Even if it’s a national affair, what right do you two have to interfere?” Master Gong asked in a deep voice.
Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen patted his hand and said, “It’s not exactly interfering. We are only making a suggestion to Master Gong. This is a public matter, and Magistrate Gong, as the head of the county, has the right to decide if he finds it reasonable. If it is a matter of the Gong family… “ He paused meaningfully before continuing, “then the three elders naturally have the decision-making authority.”
Master Gong frowned, his face darkening.
Uncle Gong’s attitude softened slightly. “Young man, we have already discussed this with Chushan. The reason we disagree with the cable car is that we are self-sufficient and have no need for external communication. There is much chaos outside, and although Rong County may suffer a little, we have had no natural disasters or human calamities. Maintaining the current situation is the best option.”
Huangfu Yuchen smiled faintly. “Is this the opinion of the three elders, or is it the opinion of all the people in the county? Do they all share the same view as you? What about the young people in the county? Don’t they have any aspirations to go out and broaden their horizons?”
Magistrate Gong and the three elders all frowned.
