Huangfu Yuchen had an expressionless face as he asked Yang Zhuo, “How is the situation in the affected counties?”
Yang Zhuo replied, “I went to nearby counties with Gao Feng to investigate. The rivers, reservoirs, and dams have no water left. Fortunately, the water wells in each village haven’t experienced a drastic decrease in water levels and are still able to supply water normally. However, if the drought continues, the situation will be difficult to predict.”
Gao Feng added, “The magistrates of Xin County, Fu County, and Zhoupu County visited the villages to assess the situation. They opened the granaries and distributed half of the relief grain to stabilize the people’s hearts. The other half of the grain was not distributed hastily. The magistrates of Qingshan County, Nan County, and a few other counties did nothing.”
“We also followed Madam’s instructions and inquired about the local specialties. Peaches, grapes, and other crops have been affected by the drought, so this year’s harvest will inevitably be poor. Lotus roots, in particular, cannot survive,” Gao Yun chimed in.
“You all should have your meal first, and later we will go to the magistrate’s office,” Huangfu Yuchen said, then turned and went into the inner room.
Half an hour later, Huangfu Yuchen woke up the sleeping Yan Ge.
“Baby, wake up…”
“I still want to sleep,” Yan Ge yawned and rubbed his eyes. “I’m so sleepy, once I fall asleep, I don’t want to wake up.”
“Stop pretending, will you come or not?” Huangfu Yuchen lightly stroked his smooth shoulder.
Yan Ge became alert. “What’s going on?”
Huangfu Yuchen briefly explained the situation.
“Did Jiang Gan suggest any good ideas?” Yan Ge asked again.
Huangfu Yuchen replied, “He did. He said…”
After listening to Huangfu Yuchen, Yan Ge shook his head and patted his shoulder. “Compared to Jiang Gan, we are both naïve children.”
“Yes, you’re even more naïve than me,” Huangfu Yuchen nodded with a serious expression.
Yan Ge smirked and called out, “Master Jiang, are the clothes ready?”
“Madam, they are all prepared,” Jiang Gan’s enthusiastic voice could be heard.
Not long after, Yan Ge, Huangfu Yuchen, Yan Jin, Deng Mande, Jiang Gan, Dr. Zhang, Yang Zhuo, Gao Feng, and Gao Qu, all dressed in tattered clothes, hurriedly ran to the entrance of the magistrate’s office like they were escaping.
“Hey, hey, who are you people?” Two yamen officials quickly extended their water and fire sticks to block them from entering.
Yan Ge anxiously said, “These officials, please let us in. We have urgent matters to report to the magistrate!”
The yamen officials looked at their ragged clothes with disdain and said, “You look like you’re fleeing. What important matters could you have? Not just anyone can enter the magistrate’s office! Go away, stand aside.”
While speaking, one of the yamen officials was about to strike Yan Ge’s back with the stick.
Huangfu Yuchen stepped forward and kicked him to the ground.
“You, you…” The yamen official winced in pain as he lifted his head.
The other yamen official glared and waved his stick, ready to help.
Yan Ge lifted his leg and kicked him down as well. He took out a bar of soap and proudly said, “Do you know what this is? Probably not! I’m here to give the magistrate a solution for disaster relief! You won‘t get away with hindering the magistrate’s good deeds!”
The yamen official had never seen what Yan Ge was holding, but it emitted a pleasant fragrance and clearly wasn’t ordinary. He didn’t dare to argue after being kicked, so he quickly got up, took the soap from Yan Ge’s hand, and ran inside. “Wait, I’ll go report to the magistrate!”
Before long, a group of people stood in the reception hall of the magistrate’s office.
Magistrate Geng Shaojie sat in the upper seat. When he saw the attire of Yan Ge and the others, a hint of disgust flashed in his eyes. However, he concealed this emotion when his gaze fell on the soap on the table and asked gently, ”Who are you? What brings you here?”
Yan Ge began, “Master, I…”
Huangfu Yuchen coughed lightly. “I” – what kind of term is that?
*Yan Ge used “俺”, which is a sloppy way if saying “I”
“This little one came from a small county down below. Since childhood, this little one has liked to ponder some peculiar things…”
Geng Shaojie’s brows furrowed so tightly they could squeeze a fly to death.
Jiang Gan, Doctor Zhang, Gao Feng, and the others all lowered their heads, struggling to hold back their laughter.
Huangfu Yuchen maintained a composed expression with great self-control.
“This peculiar thing was made by me, it’s called ‘soap.’ It can be used for washing the face, bathing, and even for laundry. It can be made in various scents, such as osmanthus, rose, gardenia, and so on. Initially, I planned to keep this soap-making business to myself. It would definitely earn a lot of money. However, there is a cousin of mine…”
“Cousin?” Geng Shaojie’s brows furrowed even tighter, but his mind started to become active. Soap, something that has never been seen in the market…
“No,” Yan Ge shook his head, “not a cousin. He is someone related to me by blood, the same generation, with the same surname, a few years older than me, but not sharing the same father as me.”
Huangfu Yuchen looked at Yan Ge, his eyes filled with amusement.
Jiang Gan and the others were a little dizzy from Yan Ge’s explanation.
Geng Shaojie’s face became wrinkled, not understanding the situation.
The steward reacted quickly, “It’s still a cousin.”
Yan Ge looked at him approvingly, “Yes, you’re clever. In official terms, he is my cousin from my father’s side.”
The steward rolled his eyes. He didn’t feel honored to be praised as clever by someone like this person.
Geng Shaojie impatiently asked, “Okay, a cousin. What about this cousin of yours?”
“He’s a shameless scoundrel of the 8th level! He wants to snatch my recipe!”
“Pftt…” The steward couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Why are you laughing? Laugh again, and I won’t speak anymore!” Yan Ge said angrily.
Geng Shaojie gave the steward a fierce glare.
The steward covered his mouth.
“This cousin wants to steal my recipe!” Yan Ge sighed deeply, “I’m young and not as strong as him. I can’t fight him. So I had to escape to Bazhou with the help of these villagers. People say, ‘No business without trickery,’ so I dare not sell my recipe to businessmen. But the master magistrate… “
“Magistrate!” Geng Shaojie couldn’t bear it any longer and corrected him.
“Yes, the magistrate is an official and will definitely not bully us common people, right? So, I want to sell this recipe to the magistrate. With the current drought, everyone is having a hard time. I won’t ask for much, just fifty taels of silver. Magistrate, this soap made from soapberries can be produced abundantly in Bazhou. If we can teach the local people how to make soap and sell it to other places, the common people will have money to buy food. Doesn’t that solve the problem of the drought? Right?”
Geng Shaojie and the steward’s eyes lit up. This magical recipe was definitely something they would keep for themselves to make money. They seemed to see mountains of gold and silver right before their eyes!
Geng Shaojie nodded repeatedly, laughed heartily, walked up to Yan Ge, and patted his shoulder. “Good, good! This will surely solve the drought situation, no doubt about it. Someone, bring fifty taels of silver.”
“Wait!” Yan Ge stopped him. “I have one condition.”
Geng Shaojie patiently asked, “What condition? Tell me.”
Yan Ge said sternly, “Although the steps for making soap are clearly written in the recipe, there are many important details that need attention. I hope that Master magistrate can allow me to personally teach the villagers how to make soap, ensuring that every piece they make is of good quality.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Geng Shaojie replied, “as long as you give me the recipe, I can find skilled craftsmen throughout Bazhou. Once they learn it, it will be much easier for them to teach the people.”
“In that case, let me be the one to teach these skilled craftsmen. They will definitely learn quickly with me as their instructor! It is a critical time now, and it also prevents the soapberries from going to waste. Isn’t that right, Master magistrate? I am willing to serve Magistrate Da Ren!” Yan Ge said.
“No need,” Geng Shaojie handed him the silver, “give me the recipe. I will take care of everything.”
“I can’t do that,” Yan Ge hesitated, “how can I be sure that you won’t sell the recipe to someone else? I have heard people from the academy say that ‘rare things are valuable.’ This business is unique, and it must be worth a lot. You won’t sell it again, right?”
“I won’t,” Geng Shaojie said patiently.
“And you won’t use it to make money for yourself?” Yan Ge asked again.
“I’m telling you!” Geng Shaojie restrained himself and pulled Yan Ge aside, whispering, “Here’s the deal. I will give you one hundred taels of silver, and you give me the recipe. One hundred taels of silver will be enough for you for ten or eight years.”
“You definitely want to use this house to make money for yourself, don’t you?” Yan Ge looked at the two silver ingots in his hand, showing a hesitant expression.
“I don’t mind telling you. I do indeed want to use this business to make money for myself,” Geng Shaojie changed his tone, “have you considered it? Will you sell it or not?” He gestured with his eyes, and four yamen officials blocked the door.
Yan Ge’s expression changed as well. He walked over to a table and sat down, reaching for the teapot. Huangfu Yuchen took the tea that had already been poured and used his true qi to cool it down before handing It to him.
Yan Ge took a big sip, “I’m exhausted. My tongue almost feels numb. Zirui, you owe me a big feast for dinner.”
“Alright,” Huangfu Yuchen affectionately ruffled his hair, after refilling his tea, he walked calmly to the seat at the top, his icy gaze fixed on Geng Shaojie.
Yan Jin, Jiang Gan, Gao Feng, and the others finally dared to burst into laughter.
“Madam, you are truly talented,” Jiang Gan laughed until he was out of breath, “If I didn’t know you were pretending, I would have definitely taken you for a real villager.”
“Hahaha! Exactly,” Doctor Zhang said, “I feel the same way!”
Gao Yun and the others couldn’t contain their laughter either, “We feel the same, we admire Madam to the utmost!”
“This is ‘acting.’ Learn a thing or two,” Yan Ge said, feeling quite pleased with himself.
“Presumptuous! Do you think you can sit in that position?” the steward shouted at Huangfu Yuchen.
“You’re the one being presumptuous! Kneel down!” Yan Jin stepped forward with one hand on his waist, pointing at Geng Shaojie and scolding him. Unfortunately, his voice was too milky and lacked authority.
Huangfu Yuchen raised an eyebrow. He picked up Yan Jin and patted his plump bottom, placing him on a nearby chair.
“Magistrate Geng, do you recognize this item?” Huangfu Yuchen placed a gold medal on the table.
Deng Mande took the gold medal with both hands and showed Geng Shaojie the front and back. The front displayed a square and solemn character ‘Emperor,’ while the back depicted an iron drawing of a silver hook with the character ‘Imperial Inspector.’
Geng Shaojie’s legs went weak, and he knelt down, “Im-Imperial Inspector…”
The steward and the yamen officials at the door turned pale, and they quickly knelt down, trembling.
“Geng Shaojie, you have quite the audacity!” Huangfu Yuchen’s anger intensified, but his expression remained calm, and his voice grew colder, “With the drought in Bazhou, the people are suffering, and finally, there is a solution to ease their grievances. Yet, you, instead of serving the public, have chosen personal gain, betraying your duty and the country. Do you think that because this place is remote, you can be the master?”
Huangfu Yuchen slammed the table, causing it to crack and cups to shatter.
“I dare not! I dare not!” Geng Shaojie’s face turned pale, and he knocked his head against the ground, “I was just momentarily confused. Please forgive me, Imperial Inspector.”
“Take him out! Give him two heavy beatings with the plank,” Huangfu Yuchen ordered.
“Yes!” Gao Feng and Gao Yun stepped forward, escorting Geng Shaojie out. Outside, the sounds of beating with a club could be heard.
After a while, Gao Feng and Gao Yun brought Geng Shaojie back in.
Geng Shaojie’s black hat was crooked, covering half of his head, and his hair was disheveled. He adjusted his hat and said in a disheveled manner, “I truly acknowledge my mistake. Please forgive me, Imperial Inspector.”
“Whether you are guilty or not, it is not for me to decide. The Emperor will have the final judgment,” Huangfu Yuchen said in a calm tone, “Now, stand up.”
“Yes,” Geng Shaojie, feeling flustered and chaotic, obediently stepped aside.
“How is the drought situation in Bazhou?”
