Chapter Thirty-Three: What Can Relieve Worries, If Not Sudden Wealth

Within the Jixian Hall Academy, Li He had gone to consult Scholar Zhang, leaving only Wei Renshi and Liu Yuxi behind.

At this moment, Liu Yuxi’s expression was solemn as he turned to Wei Renshi and asked, “Is what Li Changji just said true?”

Wei Renshi glanced at him and replied, “It’s not as remarkable as it sounds. The main reason is that the terrain of Changgu is flat, and the farmland is relatively concentrated, which makes it possible to construct irrigation mechanisms. In other locations, it may not be applicable. One must tailor methods to local conditions.”

Liu Yuxi nodded and continued, “And what of the plough? Can it truly cultivate ten times the land in a day compared to the current ploughs?”

“That also depends on the soil quality of the region. Changgu’s soil is not hard, and there are few large stones, so it works faster,” Wei Renshi explained. “However, cultivating at least six times more land in a day is certainly attainable.”

“Six times!” Liu Yuxi’s breathing quickened. He paused, then asked, “If such a tool exists, it would be a significant advancement in agricultural implements. The local county office should submit a report requesting the Ministry of Works and the Temple of Agriculture to inspect it, and if beneficial, promote it throughout the provinces. Why have I not heard of it?”

“It was only recently developed. The village head has already reported it to the county office, but they have not yet examined it,” Wei Renshi replied. “For now, only Changgu and a few neighboring villages are using it.”

Liu Yuxi tapped his knee thoughtfully, then said, “I am soon to take office as registrar of Weinan County in the Greater Capital Prefecture. I have heard that Weinan is well-suited for farming. If your plough proves effective, I could bring some to Weinan. However, I have not yet seen it... How about this: I will send someone with you to Fuchang to inspect the plough. If it is indeed useful, let him bring a few back to Weinan for trial. If successful, I will promote it there first, and of course, I will commend you for your contribution.”

Wei Renshi sighed. “Alas, I am ashamed to admit.”

“Why so?” Liu Yuxi asked.

“This plough no longer belongs to me. If it were just three or five, I could manage, but for more, it’s difficult to say,” Wei Renshi replied. “You may not know, Sir Liu, but my family has pursued learning since my grandfather’s time, neglecting household affairs and causing our fortunes to decline. My father, too, devoted himself to study and passed away early, leaving only my mother, myself, and a maidservant raised in our home since childhood. We struggle to keep ourselves fed. After creating the plough, it was originally for our own use. The village head, a good man, exchanged it for daily necessities and sold the ploughs, sharing the profits with us, which is how my family manages to eat.”

“That’s easily solved. If it proves useful, my office will purchase them in Weinan’s name,” Liu Yuxi said with a smile.

Liu Yuxi left one of his attendants with Wei Renshi, then set out for Weinan with the rest of his party.

Weinan, located near the capital, was not far from Chang’an, so Liu Yuxi’s journey did not take long.

Li He remained at the Jixian Hall Academy for two more days, consulting Scholar Zhang on many questions and gaining much benefit.

The two set out for home, and Wei Renshi was thoroughly satisfied with the harvest of his brief trip to Luoyang.

Li He was content to have earned the scholar’s favor, which made future visits to the academy for study much easier, and Zhang’s willingness to answer his questions was especially rare.

Wei Renshi also achieved his goals—not only did he find the Persian merchant and secure a channel for Anxi fennel, but he also formulated plans for his next steps. Even more exciting was his acquaintance with the illustrious poet Liu Yuxi, which held extraordinary significance for Wei Renshi, who studied Chinese in later eras.

In addition, Wei Renshi even scouted out several shopfronts during his idle wanderings, in all three markets—South, North, and West—thinking that if he ever acquired capital, whether for wine or other ventures, there must be a shop in each market of Luoyang.

He had already decided on the positioning of each shop. The South Market, the largest of the three, gathered goods from all over and dispatched them throughout Tang, and even to the Western Regions and Japan; it was the most prosperous, so the shop here should be comprehensive, catering to all classes. The North Market, located north of the Luo River, was home mostly to the poor, so its shop should focus on affordable, lower-end goods. The West Market, south of the Luo River, was surrounded by wealthy and noble households, with over a hundred private gardens, mountains constructed, stones moved, natural scenery recreated, flowers flourishing, water flowing gently—so the shop there must offer premium, high-end products.

Everything was ready, save for the capital.

Wei Renshi sighed inwardly: To overcome sorrow, what else is there but sudden wealth!

Had he not visited Luoyang, Fuchang might have seemed bustling enough, but after returning from Luoyang, Fuchang suddenly appeared desolate.

Everyone returned to Changgu, each to their homes. After bidding farewell to Li He, Wei Renshi brought the attendant sent by Liu Yuxi to the house of Zheng, the village head.

In Zheng’s courtyard, several assembled ploughs were already set out. Wei Renshi pointed to them and said, “These are the improved ploughs. Sir Liu may try them.”

“No need for formality, Young Master Wei. Just call me Old Fourth,” replied Liu Yuxi’s attendant, quickly bowing.

Zheng, not understanding, was explained to by Wei Renshi, “This is the man sent by Registrar Liu of Weinan County, here to inspect the new ploughs. If satisfied, he intends to purchase them in the name of Weinan County.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng was overjoyed, immediately coming forward to greet him, “So you are Liu’s man, Sir. I am the village head here—pleased to meet you! Why not let me take the plough to the field and demonstrate it for you now?”

Old Fourth nodded, “My master has heard much about the new plough’s virtues and is very curious. If not pressed for time, he would have come himself.”

“Uncle Zheng, please take care of things,” Wei Renshi said to him. “I have just returned from Luoyang and have yet to visit home. If Sir Liu finds the plough satisfactory, let him take a few, teach him how to assemble them, and let him bring them back to Weinan for Registrar Liu to try.”

“Very well,” Zheng nodded, and took Old Fourth to the fields to test the ploughs.

Wei Renshi then returned home with Xi’er. The Lady Dowager was engaged in needlework, but upon seeing them return, she set her work aside and asked, “Was your journey to Luoyang successful, my son?”

Wei Renshi nodded and replied, “I was extremely fortunate, Mother. I have been acquainted with a scholar of the Jixian Hall, who said that if I encounter difficulties in my studies, I may go to him for guidance.”

The Lady Dowager was delighted, exclaiming, “Wonderful! Wonderful! My son has won the favor of a scholar from Jixian Hall! You must be even more diligent in your studies henceforth!”

“I understand, Mother,” Wei Renshi answered, then asked, “By the way, Mother, since our family was once prominent, did we have servants, tenants, or craftsmen? Where are they now?”