Chapter Fifty-Three: Five Hundred Plows

When Wei Renshi returned from the distillery with several gourds of wine, he found the gate of his small courtyard wide open. Inside, two men sat on chairs he had commissioned from the carpenter. One sat upright, while the other examined the chair with a curious, meticulous gaze.

As soon as Wei Renshi entered, both men rose to their feet. Wei Renshi stepped forward and raised his hand in greeting. “So it is Master Liu in person! Forgive me for not coming out to welcome you from afar.”

“You don’t seem the least surprised to see me come in person,” Liu Yuxi remarked with a smile, noting the calm, easy look on Wei Renshi’s face. “Did you predict that upon seeing the new plow, I’d rush here myself?”

Wei Renshi shook his head. He truly hadn’t anticipated this. However, upon hearing that Liu Yuxi had come in person, he found it understandable. Liu Yuxi was a man devoted to the people’s welfare, intent on benefiting the common folk—otherwise, he would not have so eagerly participated in the Yongzhen Reform, sacrificing much of his official career as a result. For such a man, discovering a farming tool that could greatly enhance agriculture and coming in person to see it was not in the least surprising.

“I want five thousand of them!” Liu Yuxi declared in a grave tone.

Wei Renshi was startled by the number. Before he could fully show his surprise, Liu Yuxi continued, “But I cannot afford that many.”

Seeing Wei Renshi remain silent, he added, “The county office is unwilling to fund such an amount, and I myself can only pay for two hundred.”

Wei Renshi turned to look at the man who had accompanied Liu Yuxi. This companion appeared somewhat younger—perhaps in his early twenties. Though he had the air of a scholar, his eyes were keen and lively, hinting at a quick intellect.

When Wei Renshi’s gaze fell on him, he stepped forward and introduced himself, “I am Lin Cen, styled Sumian. I have always been fascinated by mechanisms and devices. In Weinan, I saw your new plow, Sir Wei, and found it most ingenious—a true remedy for the flaws of old designs. I also heard tell that in Changgu, you have crafted a device that can irrigate fields without manual labor. I came hoping for the good fortune of meeting you and perhaps learning a thing or two about these inventions.”

“So it’s Young Master Lin,” Wei Renshi greeted him. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Lin Sumian glanced at Liu Yuxi, then smiled, “I am but a humble merchant and can only afford to pay for three hundred plows myself.”

Wei Renshi smiled, “You have both come a long way—please, sit and let me prepare a meal to honor you. Xi’er, fetch some yellow sugar water.”

Xi’er nodded and ran off. The sugar water would be served with ice, freshly prepared as needed—something she was now quite adept at making.

“You can cook as well, Sir Wei?” Liu Yuxi asked with a laugh.

“I have no other hobbies—only a fondness for good food,” Wei Renshi replied.

He stoked the stove and selected a few vegetables, combined them with some meat from the larder, and soon produced a spread: braised pork, stir-fried lamb, vinegared bean sprouts, and a bowl of meat slices in broth. Paired with thin pancakes, it made for a delicious meal.

By then, the ice was ready. Xi’er brought out the chilled sugar water and set it before the guests. She then carried the set-aside food and pancakes inside to dine with the old lady, leaving Wei Renshi and his two guests to eat in the courtyard.

“It’s just a few leftovers from home—not much of a feast,” Wei Renshi said with a smile.

“The aroma alone is enough to whet my appetite,” Liu Yuxi replied, glancing at the table. “Does your family have an icehouse?”

“Freshly made ice,” Wei Renshi answered.

“Freshly made?” Lin Sumian was astonished.

Wei Renshi only smiled, gesturing to the dishes. “Please, try some.”

Liu Yuxi and Lin Sumian thanked him and picked up their chopsticks. At the first taste, both were visibly surprised. Lin Sumian exclaimed, “You truly are a master in the kitchen, Sir Wei!”

Seeing his guests eating heartily, Wei Renshi set out two wine gourds. “One contains strong liquor, the other a milder brew—both home-made. Which would you prefer?”

“We’ll start with the milder one and then try the strong,” Lin Sumian suggested with a laugh.

“That suits me perfectly,” Liu Yuxi agreed.

Wei Renshi uncorked the bottles and poured both kinds into bowls. Liu Yuxi glanced at the contents and laughed, “But this is clearly water! Are you trying to fool us, Sir Wei—”

Halfway through his words, he sniffed the bowl and his brow furrowed in confusion.

“Hmm?” Liu Yuxi leaned in for a closer look.

“Master Liu, Brother Lin, please taste it,” Wei Renshi said, placing the bowls before them.

They each took a sip. Liu Yuxi’s face lit up with delight. He set down the bowl and said, “Fragrant, pure, and lingering on the palate—excellent wine! Never have I tasted its equal, so clear and bright as water!”

“I must try the strong one now!” Lin Sumian, clearly fond of strong drink, took a deep draught. He immediately coughed, his face reddening, then wiped his mouth and declared, “Rich and mellow, it burns like fire—so intense! Unparalleled in the world!”

Liu Yuxi looked up at Wei Renshi. “You’re what, twelve years old? How do you know so much—and do everything so well?”

Wei Renshi only smiled, urging the two to drink more.

Mixing the two wines, Liu Yuxi and Lin Sumian were soon quite drunk. Fortunately, there was a shabby spare room in the house. They were helped inside, and, heedless in their drunkenness, promptly fell asleep as their heads touched the pillows.

Wei Renshi left the house and headed to the home of Zheng, the village head.

When he arrived, Zheng answered the door, asking, “Sir Wei, what brings you here so late?”

It wasn’t truly late, but the farmers of Changgu kept early hours.

Inside, Wei Renshi explained, “Uncle Zheng, on my last trip to Luoyang, I made the acquaintance of Weinan’s registrar—the same one who sent for several plows from you. He’s here now, wants five thousand plows, but can’t pay for so many. He and his friend can only afford to buy five hundred between them, to take back to Weinan for promotion.”

Zheng sat down and asked, “So what have you decided?”

Wei Renshi replied, “I intend to give them the blueprints.”

“I see.” Zheng laughed, “You didn’t need to come all this way to tell me, did you? The county office has already claimed credit, and the plows have all been taken away. Sooner or later, the government will promote them everywhere. Besides, do you think I could run this plow business all the way to Weinan? Go ahead and give them the blueprints.”

“Uncle Zheng, you are truly magnanimous!” Wei Renshi exclaimed.

“Don’t underestimate your Uncle Zheng. I wish for nothing more than to see these plows used by everyone in the land!” Zheng laughed, then added, “By the way, about those wastelands—the negotiations have secured several plots. The largest is on the border between Changgu and the neighboring village, not far from your distillery. When shall we begin work?”