After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1168 - 1150: New World

Fu Yong had yet to recover from the news of his grandfather’s passing when he received a suspicious glance from two people, "It’s understandable that you don’t know about Governor Fu’s demise, but how could you not know who Minister Fu is?"

Feeling guilty, Fu Yong replied with a confused look, "I only know that Minister Fu is from the Northern Fu Family, also called Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, with an illustrious lineage..."

"Hey, you’ve mixed them up, they’re not the same person, but rather grandfather and grandson." The two instantly became less suspicious. Such confusion is common — many people don’t even know who the Emperor is, let alone confuse grandfather and grandson. The two exam candidates enthusiastically explained, "Fu Zhi, whom you mentioned, was the previous Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat. After the Great General subdued the Xiongnu, he was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou. His grandson Fu Changrong was appointed Minister."

Fu Hong sat anxiously, wondering about the surname and name of the Great General.

But it seemed like everyone else knew who the Great General was, so they dared not ask right away. Alas, they should have clarified earlier that this area was not occupied by the Xiongnu but by their own people. They just came down from the mountains and knew little, making it easier to inquire about news.

Fu Yong, however, felt that this information was sufficient. The rest, he could ask about at the county government.

So, he gulped down the tea in his bowl, grimacing at the bitterness. Why did this tea taste like this? Without even a slice of ginger or onion.

He gave Fu Hong and Guan Er a quick glance, then immediately picked up a bun and cake, and bid farewell to the two exam candidates.

Upon returning to their group, they distributed the buns and cakes among everyone, announcing, "This is still our Great Jin, the Xiongnu have been defeated. We’re heading into the city now."

Everyone cheered upon hearing this and hurriedly inquired, "Did you find out where to buy farming tools?"

Fu Yong replied, "No, but it’s alright. We’ll head directly to the county government."

The youth hesitated upon hearing about going to the county government and asked, "Why go there? Brother Fu, we’re just ordinary folk now; it’s best to avoid the county government."

"Could it be that the County Lord wants to reclaim authority and serve as an official outside?"

This speculation caused immediate chatter, with everyone trying to dissuade Fu Yong, "Brother Fu, please persuade the County Lord. Outside, who knows when battles could break out again, while it’s so comfortable in the mountains."

"Officials are deceitful, we know the County Lord tried his best when He Yin City fell and is a good official, but what if those outside don’t know and want to question the County Lord’s actions?"

"If you leave, what will we do? In the mountains, only the County Lord can manage us."

Surrounded by their concerns, Fu Yong’s head spun from the clamor of voices.

Fu Hong hurriedly rescued him, pushing the crowd aside and shouting, "Enough! Currently, my elder cousin is serving as Minister, we’ll be safe!"

The crowd fell silent before bursting into lively questions, "What kind of official is a Minister? Higher than a County Magistrate?"

"Could someone so powerful assist us with procuring farming tools and salt?"

"Indeed, we need salt; it’s scarce in the mountains, making food taste bland. If we could also purchase fabrics cheaply, that would be great."

Fu Yong put in considerable effort to quiet them down. Then, they lined up and headed into the city with bamboo baskets slung over their shoulders.

The city gate appeared desolate, with only four soldiers standing guard. Spotting a group of farmers carrying large bamboo baskets, the soldiers stopped them for inspection.

Fu Yong lowered his gaze, clutching five copper coins, planning to bribe and protect the food from plundering when searched.

He had no intention of revealing his cousin’s identity now, as dealing with minor officials can be daunting; the Minister’s name likely held little sway here.

A soldier tentatively squeezed the burlap sacks inside the bamboo baskets, seeing it was wheat, waved them through, "Proceed."

Fu Yong looked surprised, "That’s all it takes?"

The soldier, puzzled, glanced back at him and directed them, "Once in the city, follow the avenue. Turn left at the third junction; there’s an area with grain shops selling food and vegetables. Go on."

Fu Yong lowered his gaze to hide his astonishment, thanked the soldier with a smile, gestured to the others, and they entered the city in procession.

The youth didn’t hesitate and quickly followed.

The city inside was an entirely different scene.

Though not overly crowded, it was peaceful, with clean streets and most shops open. Merchants greeted them as they passed, offering fabrics or sundries.

Fu Yong shook his head, refusing all offers.

As they walked, they observed, passing people with rolled-up pants holding scythes or hoes, who casually asked as they passed by, "You’re off work too?"

Fu Yong thought they mistook him for someone else and was about to explain. Then he saw a man carrying a hoe approaching, greeted by the previous speaker, "Finished work at home too?"

The man with the hoe laughed and responded, "Finished, finished. Today I burned two mu of land, I’ll plow it in a few days, turning the ash into the soil, then plant winter wheat—should be a good harvest."

"You planted spring wheat on that land this year, you need to alternate with beans to nurture the soil. Why are you planting winter wheat again?"

"That plot is fertile, I tested the soil, it’s fine. After the wheat next year, I’ll plant beans to restore it."

"Even fertile land needs care, don’t go about it recklessly."

"No worry, no worry, I consulted the officials at the Ministry of Agriculture, they said it’s fine, just fertilize more, and I can skip a year for land restoration."

After a few exchanges, they parted ways. Fu Yong observed that many people on the street greeted each other similarly, whether familiar or strangers, with "Have you eaten?" or "Done working?"

This... was a city entirely unlike the one in his memory, where genuine smiles adorned the faces of the citizens. A group of muddy children ran past them, chanting excitedly, "As cold comes, heat leaves; autumn harvests, winter stores; leap months complete the year; tonal permutations balance the yang... "

Fu Yong stood stunned, watching them run into the distance.

Fu Hong was equally puzzled, asking dumbly, "Brother, what are they reciting?"

Fu Yong replied, "Seems like an enlightening text for children."

Fu Hong, who began his education at five, asked dumbly, "Why haven’t I read such an enlightening text?"

Fu Yong didn’t answer, turning to continue forward, his destination clear—straight for the county government.

There was no need to ask; simply following the avenue would inevitably lead to the county government.

Indeed, after passing the fourth intersection, he saw a vacant lot paved with blue bricks, topped with a notice wall, adorned front and back with sheets of paper. Not far away, sat an imposing entrance, bearing a plaque inscribed with "County Government."

To the left of the county government stood a tall wooden board, known as "slander wood," used for leaving messages and petitions. This had been re-erected; Fu Yong had only read about this practice in books. Since the time of the Ancestor Emperor, the government had begun silencing citizens, and even noble sons had to speak and write in allegory. How could slander wood be erected?

On the right of the county government lay a piece of red stone resembling lungs, known as "lung stone."

Those with grievances could strike the lung stone to seek justice. Fu Yong was familiar with this; nearly every county government had one. The wealthier and larger ones even had a drum instead of a lung stone.