Chapter Seven: A Means of Livelihood

In later generations, water-powered wheels could still be found in many places, yet their function as practical tools had faded, and more often they served as picturesque scenery. Their structure, however, remained unchanged.

With a blueprint in hand and the help of skilled wheelwrights and carpenters, those gears were not difficult to craft. The next step was to lengthen the plank troughs to reduce the angle of inclination, thereby increasing the distance and height the water could be lifted. The boards were also widened to carry more water.

Wei Renshi spent an entire night and the following day sketching out the designs, producing a good stack of wasted paper that could be set aside for less noble uses. Meanwhile, the village headman managed to gather the necessary craftsmen within the same day.

The next morning, after spending half a day explaining the drawings and setting the carpenters and wheelwrights to work, Wei Renshi hurried off to the home of Li He.

Li He’s mother had taken a great interest in the improved plough that Wei Renshi had designed, so she sent a servant, Li Rong, with a donkey cart to accompany Wei Renshi to Fuchang to collect the plough.

The two of them chatted idly as they left Changgu, heading toward the county seat of Fuchang. The donkey cart moved slowly and steadily, swaying gently. The warm breeze was just right, caressing their faces softly.

Willows swayed gracefully—truly the height of spring’s beauty.

But the people of Fuchang seemed to have little leisure to enjoy it; everyone they passed on the road hurried along with anxious expressions. Only the beggar children by the roadside, sprawled in every direction, basked in the sun without a care.

Wei Renshi went to collect the components of the curved-beam plough. Since each part had been made separately, the craftsmen had no idea what contraption they were assembling.

“Young Master Wei, are you hungry?” Li Rong suddenly jumped off the cart and pointed to the roadside. “There’s a vendor here selling barbarian flatbreads—delicious stuff! My young master loves them, though they’re a bit expensive, so he doesn’t get them often.”

Wei Renshi laughed. “You have your eye on the coins in my pouch, don’t you? Well, they’re borrowed from your household, as you know.”

Li Rong, still young and easily embarrassed, scrambled back onto the cart, ready to continue on their way.

But Wei Renshi had always been a food lover, and ever since arriving in this era, he hadn’t had anything truly flavorful to eat. Hearing Li Rong’s suggestion, he was instantly tempted.

He dug out a few coins and handed them to Li Rong. “Never mind, since you’ve driven the cart all this way with me, let me treat you. Buy a few more, so we can take some back for the two at my house, as well as Auntie and Brother Changji.”

Li Rong’s face lit up with delight. He snatched the coins, leapt off the cart, and ran off cheerfully.

Before long, he returned holding several flatbreads. As soon as he climbed back onto the cart, Wei Renshi caught the savory scent of meat, and his appetite surged.

The flatbreads were large, reminiscent of naan, and topped with lamb—a mouthwatering sight for someone who hadn’t eaten well since arriving here. He couldn’t help himself and took a bite. The bread was crisp but not hard, with the flavor of lamb and even a hint of pepper—a real treat.

“Take a pound of lamb, layer it on a giant flatbread, season it with pepper and fermented black beans, moisten it with fat, bake it in the oven, and eat it when the meat is half-cooked…” Wei Renshi recited lines from a Tang dynasty food text he remembered from his previous life. Shaking his head in admiration, he added, “Tsk tsk… the reputation is well deserved!”

Li Rong, though a servant, was also Li He’s study companion and could follow such conversation. Hearing this, he asked curiously, “Young Master Wei, do you know how to make these flatbreads?”

Having finally tasted something delicious, Wei Renshi was in high spirits and boasted, “Of course I know how they’re made. In fact, I know they’re delicious, but they’re missing one special ingredient. If that were added, it would be perfection. There are countless ways to eat flatbread. If I had the right ingredients, I could sell them myself and put this vendor out of business.”

“Really?” Li Rong looked skeptical.

A cold snort sounded from nearby.

Wei Renshi followed the sound and saw an old man glaring at him with undisguised disdain. Meeting Wei Renshi’s gaze, the old man’s contempt deepened. “Young man, you talk a big game!” he scoffed.

Having lived into middle age in his former life, Wei Renshi knew well the dangers of loose talk. He guessed the old man was either connected to the flatbread vendor or a loyal customer. No need to let a boast get him into trouble. He raised a hand, laughing, “Don’t be angry, sir. I was only boasting. The flatbread is truly delicious.”

A smile melts hostility, and seeing Wei Renshi’s easy manner, the old man said no more and walked off.

Once he was gone, Li Rong asked, “Young Master Wei, was what you said true? If it is, you should sell flatbreads yourself. That vendor’s business isn’t much worse than the Lanchang Restaurant!”

“You’re imagining things,” Wei Renshi replied with a smile. “How could a flatbread stall rival Lanchang Restaurant?”

Yet, Li Rong’s words set his mind working.

Seasonings in this era must be limited, he thought. Many common condiments of later times were probably still classified as medicinal herbs or spices, or perhaps remained wild in the countryside or imported from the Western Regions. If he could produce them, it would make a fine business. Perhaps not immense wealth, but certainly enough to live comfortably.

He asked, “Li Rong, do you know which pharmacy in Fuchang has the most complete stock of herbs?”

“In Fuchang, that would be Jikang Hall. But for the largest and most complete selection, you’d have to go to Green Satchel Medical House in Luoyang,” Li Rong replied.

Wei Renshi smiled, “Not bad for someone so young, you know quite a lot.”

“A servant needs to pay attention to everything. You never know when it’ll come in handy,” Li Rong answered. “My lady’s health isn’t great, so we’ve been to Green Satchel Medical House a few times.”

The donkey cart rolled slowly on, the sun warm above, rocking its passengers gently. Before long, drowsiness crept in, and the two of them dozed off to the sway of the cart.

Li Rong began to snore, but Wei Renshi’s mind was busy with plans.

The seasoning business was certainly worth pursuing. There were already many teahouses and restaurants in Fuchang, and in a bustling city like Luoyang, they would be countless—let alone in the capital, Chang’an. The market was vast.

Once he could get his hands on the raw ingredients, making the seasonings wouldn’t be hard. But to find those materials, he would likely have to go to bigger cities like Luoyang or Chang’an, since in small towns they’d be classified with medicinal herbs and spices, if they were even available at all. Some might still be in the Western Regions, only brought in by caravans, and harder yet to find locally.

Promotion would also require careful thought; otherwise, he might make them only to find no buyers, which would be a loss.

Still, the prospects for this business were bright. He might not be able to reach Chang’an for now, but pharmacies nearby would surely have something to start with.

He could begin by seeing what was available locally, make a few seasonings, and develop new ones over time.

The future looked promising indeed!

Wei Renshi, facing the spring breeze, began to whistle a cheerful tune.