ITIEQ C29

Chapter 29 – Our Qiuquan Commandery

Xu Lesheng nodded. He shifted his meditation cushion forward by one step and placed the written report flat upon the ground.

A completed report draft!

Everyone turned their heads in surprise.

“My research direction is ‘An Investigation of the Market Fairs in Qiuquan Commandery.’

“Qiuquan Commandery is not like other wealthy counties. It has marketplaces in the east, west, south, and north, and the reason, which can be cross-referenced with Senior Brother Dan’s report on population loss, is that the commandery only hosts local markets. After observing for three days, I found that the people of Qiuquan scarcely use coinage in trade— their exchanges are mostly conducted by bartering goods. Moreover, very few itinerant merchants settle here; most of the buyers and sellers are local farmers and craftsmen.”

“And because Qiuquan Commandery borders the lands of the Hu nomads, there are also vegetables and utensils flowing in from them. I asked the locals about this: during years of good harvest, there had even been Hu merchants who settled here, but since they engaged in usury with heavy interest, they were expelled by the government. From then on, commercial exchanges with the Hu were strictly forbidden.”

…

“My grandfather was once a merchant, so with the influence of ear and eye I learned a few things as well. According to my observations, Qiuquan Commandery is lacking in resources, broad in land but sparse in population, and thus not a suitable place for commercial distribution. Its few advantages, however, are its extremely cheap labor and its favorable position of geographic proximity for establishing connections with the Hu merchants. I have seen that the Hu do have some rather rare items—if resold to the aristocratic clans, who are fond of competing for all things rare and curious, these could yield severalfold profit.”

When Xu Lesheng finished this part, he shook his head once more. “But the obstacles are everywhere.”

Shen Qinghe looked at him in surprise. This student has the makings of a capitalist!

He was also someone worth cultivating.

Afterwards, several other students also concentrated on investigating the livelihood issues of Qiuquan. In their detailed research, they gained a new recognition of Qiuquan Commandery’s poverty, its barren mountains and turbulent waters. Based on their findings, they concluded that changing the fate of this region by their hands alone would not be achievable in less than a hundred years.

For a while, everyone fell into silence.

Shen Qinghe clapped his hands and said: “Isn’t it just a mere Qiuquan Commandery? How can it compare with the tumultuous intrigues of the capital? Solutions are always thought of by people, and paths are always walked out by people. Our academy may be half infamous in the capital, but have you ever thought of retreating in defeat?”

The students all shook their heads.

“The teachings of your teacher concern the learning of the ages. Outsiders merely peep through the window frame and think they understand us—how can they ever grasp the flesh and bones of this academy?”

“That’s right.” Shen Qinghe stood up. His hands stretched wide, embracing the sunset that was about to fall outside the window. “What we walk upon is a road no one has ever trodden, yet it can create heaven and earth anew. The lurking dangers behind us are no less than opposing the great aristocratic families. Should you desire to withdraw in the future, I would not hinder you.”

Several of them straightened their clothes, declaring: “We stand only by the teacher’s side!”

Shen Qinghe swept his gaze across their solemn expressions, then suddenly smiled. “Don’t be so serious, don’t be so serious. Have you had lunch yet? I bought some bamboo shoots at the market earlier and had them sent to be steeped in water. Whether stir-fried, braised, or made into soup, they’re all wonderfully fresh. Tonight I have a banquet, so I won’t dine with you. I’ve instructed the kitchen to prepare it for you.”

“Though you’ve left the academy halls, you mustn’t waste away your studies. Specialty classes will start anew, and we’ll begin with your Junior Brother Lang’s survey of cultivated lands. Work with Bowen to draft a plan, and then let the department teachers sort out several research directions for your projects.”

After studying within the academy for several months, the students were already familiar with most strange terms. Even if they occasionally heard words unfamiliar to them, they could roughly grasp the meaning without difficulty. As for the fact that their system had actually brought them to Qiuquan Commandery, they were thoroughly delighted.

Shen Qinghe only smiled faintly and nodded.

Little did they know, on his journey from the capital to Qiuquan Commandery, the “system” had been incessantly clamoring in his mind. At the time, his head was dizzy and his backside sore, so he weakly told it to shut up. It had probably sulked since then.

Well then—he had now prepared bamboo shoot soup. Tonight he might as well invite it out to eat and apologize to it all at once!

When the sun sank completely, the land of Qiuquan fell into darkness. Only before the tall official hall did rows of bamboo lanterns gradually light up, their faint glow illuminating but a small courtyard patch.

“Mind your step, young master.” Nan Hong pressed the lantern he carried lower toward the ground. The clerks’ quarters were paved with just a few stone slabs, leaving jagged stones here and there—easy enough to stumble upon.

Shen Qinghe pulled his robe closer and entered a small hall.

A new commandery governor had taken office, so nearly every official of Qiuquan who was able to attend had gathered. It was not only to offer a welcoming banquet, but also to see whether this new superior would be approachable or not, and to reinforce acquaintances—there was no downside to it.

As soon as Shen Qinghe entered, he received the attention of all quarters. The originally low laughter and chatter immediately soared louder.

“Governor Shen has arrived—truly so young and exceptional!”

“Had the governor been ill earlier? In remote Qiuquan it is common to suffer from water and soil not suiting the body. But you may rest assured—everything is in our hands. All you need is to recover your health!”

“Come, come sit. Today Magistrate Zhang has even brought out his treasured wine!”

Though dozens of eyes stared at him, Shen Qinghe remained unmoved by whatever emotions flickered there. With a smile for each, he responded warmly. Upon hearing about the treasured wine, he curved his lips slightly. “Then I must certainly taste this fine wine more than once.”

Seeing him courteous and gentle—nothing more than an ordinary youth of eighteen or nineteen—everyone stole a glance at each other and laughed, quickly ordering the servants to present the dishes.

Although called a drinking feast, Shen Qinghe stopped after two cups and placed his goblet down. Then, amid the harmonious cheer, he suddenly asked: “Where is the commandery Changshi?”¹

The gathered officials glanced at each other before one stepped forward to answer—none other than Master of Records Zhang, who had brought out the good wine.

“Changshi Xue prefers quiet and does not attend banquets such as these. Whatever the governor has in mind, you may simply ask us in his stead.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinghe nodded. He turned his gaze toward Zhang, his smile gentle: “There’s no need for rush, Master of Records. It so happens I have something to ask of you directly.”

Zhang replied with composure: “Please ask at will. I will withhold nothing.”

“Good!”

The young governor set down his bamboo chopsticks, striking them upon the wooden table with a crisp sound.

“I went through the recorded inventories of the commandery’s warehouses. Why is it that the registers of Emperor Zhaohuan’s fifth year and third year show many entries overlapping? And why are the records concerning households, population taxes, and such so sparse—several entire chapters even blank? Since you are the Master of Records who holds charge over all our administrative registers, I am new here and ignorant. I ask you to enlighten me.”

At once, a chill ran down Zhang’s spine. Wasn’t this new governor supposed to have been sick upon arrival? When had he gone rummaging through the archives? His eyes widened, lips trembling as he stammered: “Because… because natural disasters broke frequently everywhere, with refugees flowing into and out of Qiuquan each day. There was never any fixed count…”

The young man slapped the table heavily!

“So you began inventing at random, weaving confusion out of nothing?!”

Zhang was speechless. Shen Qinghe immediately turned upon another:

“Assistant Administrator Liu! While the post of governor lay vacant, you and the Changshi together managed all the affairs of the commandery. As one of high office and privilege in decision-making, you ought to have walked as though upon thin ice. Yet year after year you’ve issued no new reforms to benefit the people. The same old system continues, while interference and nepotism run rampant—so many uncles, aunts, and distant relatives pushed into officialdom! By the look of things, Qiuquan Commandery is about to be renamed the House of Liu!”

“And you, Captain Wang…”

One after another, Shen Qinghe tore into all present. Every word pierced direct to the heart; any single charge would have been enough to strip a man of his hat. To be cursed thus mercilessly left even elders of fifty red-faced, burning with shame and anger.

Had this youth truly possessed unmatched talent or powerful patrons behind him, would he not have been sent to govern some rich land, rising step by step? How would he have ended up serving in this impoverished and broken place? Not borne of the great aristocratic clans of Five or Seven Surnames²—how dared he speak with such unbridled boldness!

Grinding their teeth inwardly, they thought: So the new governor indeed wants to set three fires upon arrival, exposing us so as to establish his power? Which of us hasn’t sat in our posts ten, twenty years? How could we, seasoned veterans, be scolded like children by this green lad?

Governor though he may be, if he cannot command people or carry out matters, what difference is there between him and a commoner besides his robe, hat, and stipend?

Just as all were secretly calculating how to swallow down this insult, the youth who had just been full of thunder suddenly changed his tone, sighing in grief:

“With things so mismanaged, how is our Qiuquan Commandery’s performance ever to rise? Lying to ourselves—do you think you can deceive the higher authorities, too? Every year our GDP… our revenues³ rank the worst. How could the Court grant us allocations? How can we build political achievements? How can any of you hope to advance into central government someday?”

The officials’ minds nearly short-circuited.

Wasn’t he only just now denouncing them? Why had he suddenly…

“You refuse to seek change. Population flees year after year. I’ve heard you even devised some so-called ‘field-surrender’ scheme, turning common households into tenants bound beneath your name. When taxes are checked, those households cannot even be found, while our fiscal reports make us the very bottom of Great Yong. Thus there are no subsidies granted. Tell me, how will the higher-ups view us? When will a ‘Most Livable Commandery’ award ever fall upon us? How will you ever get transferred to serve in the capital?”

“You see other commanderies so busy they can hardly rest their feet, yet you here have leisure to hold banquets. What does that say, other than your workload isn’t even saturated!”

Staggered by his sudden earnestness, the officials sat dumbfounded.

Master of Records Zhang muttered without thinking: “Can we… can we still see a day of rising?”

Realizing he had spoken aloud, he hurried to clamp his mouth shut.

But Shen Qinghe looked at him with fervent sincerity: “Of course! I will share with you all a saying: ‘Heaven endowed my life with purpose.’ You must not always put silver coin first. Seated in your posts, you must serve the governance as your duty, enduring hardship. Remember—every year officials are rotated. Why can’t this place ever change its lot?”

Growing more impassioned, the youth’s voice unconsciously rose: “Every one of us serves in Qiuquan together. When allying with other commanderies year by year, have you not ever been insulted as bumpkins? Been looked down upon with rolling eyes? Seeing your counterparts dress new robes and build new houses, while we still squeeze into these shabby clerks’ quarters—have you not felt indignation? Don’t you feel even the moon over the capital is rounder than ours here?”

A few half-drunk officials, struck squarely upon their sore point, shouted aloud: “Yes!”

Shen Qinghe seized the chance and flew the great banner: “Don’t think only of begging from the Court—think instead of what we can contribute to it! I once served near His Majesty’s side, and now I come to Qiuquan precisely for the sake of all your welfare. I say you are all talents—merely lacking the chance to display it! Others dismiss Qiuquan as hopeless, but I say our Qiuquan is more than capable. United together, twisted as one rope to build up this land, surely the higher authorities will take notice of us!”

“As long as I, Shen Qinghe, have meat in my mouth, you all will have soup in your bowls! Enough said; let’s leave it in the wine!”

The youth raised his head proudly, cheeks ruddy, and drained his cup in a single draft.

Footnotes

1. Long-History (長史, Changshi) – An important official in each commandery, acting as chief assistant and advisor to the governor, often overseeing documentary affairs and governance details. 
2. Five Surnames, Seven Clans (五姓七望) – Labels for the most powerful aristocratic families of medieval China, long dominating politics, wealth, and marriage alliances. 
3. GDP / Revenue – The anachronistic reference by Shen Qinghe to “GDP” and modern financial terminology is deliberate satire within the novel’s style. Normally, such terms did not exist; here, it highlights the protagonist’s unique blend of modern thinking in an ancient setting.