1848 Great Qing Charcoal Burners

Chapter 307 The Wang Family's Daughter Has Grown Up

Wang Quan and Peng Gang had already spoken, and the old servant of the Wang family outside the study understood, so he summoned Wang Yunheng and Wang Yunshi.

Before long, light footsteps came from outside the door, and the two sisters slowly walked into Wang Quan's study.

My elder sister, Wang Yunheng, was eighteen years old. She had grown up and was tall and graceful. She wore a moon-white cross-collar jacket with pipa sleeves. The jacket was made of fine cotton cloth that had been starched and washed very clean. The collar and cuffs were only edged with a thin strip of dark blue cloth, without any other embroidery.

Over her padded jacket, she wore a cream-colored cotton vest. Although Wang Yunheng's jacket was slightly oversized, it still couldn't hide her slender figure, which resembled a twig laden with fruit.

She wore a dark gray horse-face skirt, the hem of which had no fancy embroidery, and was simple and elegant. The hem swayed with her steps as if it were gently rippling.

Wang Yunheng had a clean and natural face, without any makeup, and her skin was naturally fair. She had a pair of slender willow-leaf eyebrows, and what was most striking were her clear and bright almond-shaped eyes with extremely dark pupils, looking at people with a gentle focus and clarity.

She had a straight nose, healthy light pink lips, and her black hair was simply combed into a bun and held firmly in place with an ordinary ebony hairpin.

The younger sister, Wang Yunshi, is sixteen years old and appears petite and delicate compared to her older sister.

Wang Yunshi wore a light green cotton cross-collar jacket and skirt that was still somewhat new. Although the color was a bit fresher than her sister's, it was still a simple and ordinary color.

Peng Gang's visit to the Wang family was a major event, and the news had spread far and wide throughout the Wang family mansion. The two sisters knew the identity of the guest today, as well as the purpose of their grandfather, Wang Quan, in having them serve as his brush and inkstone.

Wang Yunheng stood gracefully and naturally, with her shoulders relaxed, her head slightly bowed, and her gaze clear and open as she met the guests' eyes.

Wang Yunshi was practically hiding behind her older sister. In her nervousness, her little hands couldn't help but tightly grip the back of her sister's blue coat. Her rounded shoulders hunched slightly, her cheeks flushed, and her doe-like eyes lowered timidly. Her long, thick eyelashes trembled restlessly, making her look shy and wanting to hide away.

Peng Gang noticed that the two sisters walked very differently; Wang Yunheng walked with light and agile steps, while Wang Yunshi walked with a graceful, lotus-like gait.

Wang Yunheng should have had natural feet, while Wang Yunshi most likely had bound feet.

Of course, this was just Peng Gang's guess. He couldn't just stare at the other person's feet the whole time they met.

The two sisters gave Wang Quan and Peng Gang a graceful curtsy, their voices as gentle as a spring breeze: "Your Highness, Grandfather."

"Heng'er, Shi'er, you've come at the right time," Wang Quan said casually. "Serve your grandfather with writing materials."

"Yes," Wang Yunheng replied softly, then walked lightly to the side of the desk, rolled up her sleeves to reveal a section of her fair wrist, and began to carefully grind the ink on the desk.

She kept her head slightly lowered, her demeanor impeccable, exuding the air of a refined lady. Occasionally, she would glance up at Peng Gang, her eyes revealing a hint of undisguised liveliness and curiosity.

Wang Yunshi moved gracefully to the other side of the desk, bowed her head, and skillfully and respectfully spread out Xuan paper for Wang Quan, tidied the corners of the paper, and then carefully examined a wolf-hair brush of suitable size from the celadon brush holder before handing it to Wang Quan.

Wang Quan picked up his brush, concentrated for a moment, and then, with swift and fluid strokes, completed the work in one go.

Wang Quan finished the last stroke of the character "Fan," gently placed the wolf-hair brush on the brush rest, and examined the still-wet ink on the banner for a moment, a satisfied expression on his face.

"As people get old, their wrists eventually weaken. I apologize for the trouble, Your Highness." As he spoke, Wang Quan naturally raised his hand to rub his right wrist and said to his two granddaughters beside him, "Heng'er, Shi'er, come and see, is the final stroke of my 'Fan' character still strong enough?"

Wang Yunheng and Wang Yunshi stepped forward as instructed, leaned slightly forward, and carefully examined the calligraphy that Wang Quan had just finished writing.

After examining it for a moment, Wang Yunheng pointed her slender finger at the Xuan paper and said, "Grandpa is too modest. Although this brushstroke seems light and graceful, it actually contains immense power, like a boatman punting a pole, suddenly stopping at the end, leaving an endless aftertaste. It perfectly captures the tenacity in our ancestors' brushwork."

Wang Yunshi added, "Grandpa's writing is vigorous and powerful. Far from showing any signs of decline, it adds a sense of vicissitude and depth."

Wang Quan chuckled, appearing quite pleased.

Immediately afterwards, Wang Quan and Peng Gang discussed some issues related to geography, canal transport, water conservancy, and agricultural administration in Hubei and Hunan.

Finally, Wang Quan steered the conversation toward the four books of historical records written by Peng Gang, expressing the doubts he had recently had while reading Peng Gang's books on Western countries and asking Peng Gang to answer them.

Compared to the weapons and histories of Western countries, Wang Quan was more interested in Western systems.

After the conversation, Wang Quan nodded slightly, a satisfied look on his face.

Suddenly, Wang Quan frowned, raised his hand and rubbed his temples very naturally, letting out a very soft sigh with a hint of apology: "Alas... I'm getting old, and my spirits are so weak."

"Today's conversation with Your Highness was delightful and I benefited greatly. I had intended to discuss it further with you. However… I sat for a while, and now I feel a bit dizzy and my chest feels somewhat tight. I suspect it's a minor flare-up of an old ailment, and I need to rest and recuperate for a while."

Wang Quan then turned to the two sisters, Wang Yunheng and Wang Yunshi, who were standing quietly to the side, and instructed them, "Heng'er, Shi'er, you two stay here and serve His Highness."

As he was leaving, Wang Quan cupped his hands in a gesture of apology to Peng Gang, forcing a very apologetic expression on his face: "Your Highness, I apologize for my rudeness and must excuse myself from your company. Please do not stand on ceremony, Your Highness, and make yourselves at home as if you were in your own academy. Although my granddaughter's knowledge is limited, she is quite familiar with the books and classics in our collection and may be able to entertain you, sir."

I still have some mountain tea here, brought from my thatched cottage in Xiangxi, Hengzhou. It has a unique flavor; Your Highness may try it if you are interested. I'll be right back.

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and walked out of the study without hesitation, leaving the carved lattice door slightly ajar. This series of movements was fluid and effortless, as if it were a genuine minor ailment rather than something deliberate.

The air in the room became subtle and stagnant after Wang Quan's sudden departure.

Wang Yunheng was alright, but Wang Yunshi, perhaps due to her personality, appeared very uneasy and didn't even know where to put her hands.

Peng Gang coughed lightly, his gaze sweeping over the bookshelf. He was just about to find a reason to break the awkward silence when he saw Wang Yunheng gracefully stand up.

She first walked to the small table by the window, picked up the white porcelain teapot with her delicate hand, and elegantly poured two cups of freshly brewed tea. The tea soup was clear and bright, with steam rising from it.

Wang Yunheng gently placed a cup on the small table in front of her younger sister and softly comforted her, "Little sister, try this tea that Grandpa has treasured. It has a calming effect."

Wang Yunshi gave a soft "hmm," picked up the slightly hot teacup with both hands, as if she had grasped something to lean on, and her tense shoulders and neck relaxed slightly.

Then Wang Yunheng picked up another cup of tea, walked calmly to Peng Gang, her eyes clear and open, a faint smile on her lips, and offered the tea to Peng Gang: "Your Highness, please don't mind that my younger sister is young and rarely sees guests, so she is a little reserved. I'm sorry for making you laugh. Please have some tea. Just now, I heard Your Highness and my grandfather discussing the canal transport in Huguang, and something suddenly came to mind that I have a question about. I wonder if I could ask Your Highness?"

Her series of movements were fluid and graceful, without the affectation of an ordinary young lady.

Peng Gang picked up the conversation and said, "Miss Wang, please don't be so polite, just ask away."

Wang Yunheng pointed vaguely out the window: "Your Highness, having led your troops from Guangxi into Hunan and then into Hubei, must be intimately familiar with the treacherous mountains and passes along the way, as well as the checkpoints for grain transport. I read in 'Reading History and Geography' that Mr. Gu Zuyu, in discussing the situation in Huguang, said, 'The danger of Hengyang lies not in the mountains but in the water, not in the terrain but in the roads.' However, looking back over the years, grain transport ships have repeatedly been blocked by the shallow sands of the Xiang River, and official roads have often been hampered by the rugged terrain of the Nanling Mountains."

Recently, I've also been reading through local chronicles of Wuchang and Hanyang, and both places suffer from frequent floods. Is it more cost-effective to spend huge sums of money every year repairing the old roads, or... should we make a firm decision to build a new road in a slightly higher, less flood-prone location? Although the initial investment would be enormous, in the long run, it might actually save manpower and national resources? While this undertaking would be extremely expensive, in the long run, could the benefits in troop deployment, grain transport, and trade outweigh the costs?

Wang Quan had already given the two sisters hints about what topics Peng Gang liked to talk about, but Wang Yunshi was too nervous to notice.

Wang Yunheng remained highly focused since entering the study, knowing that her grandfather wouldn't have discussed matters of geography, canal transport, agricultural administration, and water conservancy with Peng Gang without a reason before he passed away.

When Grandpa discussed these things with the Northern King in front of the two sisters, he was hinting at which topics the Northern King was interested in.

Peng Gang tapped his fingers unconsciously on his knee and said, “Repairing the old official road may seem like a quick fix, but it’s actually a bottomless pit that we fill every year, wasting the people’s money and energy. Building a new road, though difficult at first, is a one-time solution that will benefit future generations. As for whether the benefits of troop deployment, grain transport, and trade can offset the cost of road construction, we need to consider not only money, materials, and manpower, but also the people’s hearts. If the people see that we are willing to put in the effort to do this practical thing for them, their hearts will surely be with us. The benefits of this cannot be measured by money alone.”

To get rich, build roads first. Hubei is a province of a thousand lakes. Although it has the advantage of water conservancy, the land roads are muddy and difficult to travel during the rainy season, and the main official roads are no exception.

Peng Gang did indeed have the idea of ​​rebuilding the official roads to improve the transportation efficiency of the areas under his jurisdiction, and to facilitate the mobilization of troops, the collection of taxes and grain, and trade. After all, although Hubei has many rivers and lakes, not every settlement can be navigable by boat.

However, Peng Gang wanted to build a cement road, since there were abundant limestone mines in Daye that could be used to make cement.

After a moment's thought, Wang Yunheng said, "It is because my thinking is too narrow, that I am only concerned with numerical calculations."

"Not entirely," Peng Gang said, waving his hand.

“It is already extremely rare for a young lady to be able to consider the gains and losses. Only with precise calculations can one know how much capital is needed for this ‘determination’; otherwise, it is just empty talk. Our Northern Palace’s Sacred Treasury also has positions such as clerks and accountants, who are in charge of accounting matters. They are extremely rare talents. If it weren’t for the Sacred Treasury’s accountants carefully calculating the grain and fodder, how could I have traveled from Guangxi northward to Hunan and then to Hubei?”

Seeing that Peng Gang's enthusiasm for conversation had been fully aroused and the atmosphere was harmonious, Wang Yunheng's eyes flickered slightly, and she looked at Wang Yunshi, who was still nervous beside her, with a smile: "Sister, you have always been good at mathematics. The other day, when you were talking with your sister about the clearing of fields in Hanyang, weren't you still deduce the 'field measurement' method in the Mathematical Treatise in Nine Sections? If we really want to survey the land and build roads, the work of measurement and calculation will probably be several times more complicated than your calculation of those difficult problems."

Peng Gang and Wang Yunheng were talking in the study the whole time, while Wang Yunshi was completely ignored. Not wanting to embarrass her sister, Wang Yunheng steered the conversation toward mathematics, which was Wang Yunshi's forte.

When Peng Gang's books on geography and mathematics were still in Hengzhou Prefecture, Zuo Zongtang collected two sets and sent them to the Wang family for the Wang sisters to study.

Wang Yunheng had read all of Peng Gang's books carefully, while Wang Yunshi only liked the three mathematics textbooks compiled by Peng Gang. She was very interested in books on geography and other subjects, but only skimmed through them.

Wang Yunshi was startled when she was suddenly called out, but when she heard that it was in the field of mathematics that she was familiar with, and saw that her sister and Peng Gang were looking at her with gentle eyes, her tension eased a little, and she whispered, "The Pythagorean theorem in the Nine Chapters is used to measure the height of mountains and the depth of water. The principle is the same... but in actual measurement, there are many variables, and the amount of calculation is even more enormous."

"The Second Miss is actually proficient in mathematics? This is the foundation of real learning." Peng Gang was somewhat surprised.

"You often tell me that you have some questions about the mathematical books written by His Highness. Now that there is a mathematical teacher right in front of you, why don't you ask him for some guidance?" Wang Yunheng saw that her sister had relaxed and was able to participate in the discussion, and a hint of relief flashed in her eyes as she encouraged her.

With Wang Yunheng's encouragement, Wang Yunshi finally mustered up the courage to ask Peng Gang some questions about geometry and algebra.

When talking about mathematics, Wang Yunshi is like a different person, no longer shy.

Wang Yunshi's mathematical ability surprised Peng Gang. Her level was higher than most of Peng Gang's students, second only to Peng Yi and Jiang Zhongxin.

However, Peng Yi was always by Peng Gang's side and could often receive personal guidance from Peng Gang. Although Jiang Zhongxin could not often receive personal guidance from Peng Gang, Jiang Zhongxin had many classmates to communicate with in the school and could sometimes ask Peng Yi for advice. His learning environment was much better than Wang Yunshi's.

Wang Yunshi's ability to reach this level while working in isolation demonstrates her exceptional mathematical foundation and talent.

Wang Quan, who had returned to his study, stopped outside the door and listened to the harmonious conversation inside, a smile of undisguised satisfaction spreading across his face.

After they had finished talking, Wang Quan gently pushed open the door and entered, jokingly saying, "It seems my old ailment has come at just the right time. Your Highness and my two mischievous granddaughters seem to be getting along quite well?"

Peng Gang laughed and said, "Mr. Wang is joking. Mr. Wang is very learned and has a wide range of knowledge. How could he be considered unruly!"

Seeing that it was almost time, Peng Gang got up, packed up Wang Quan's calligraphy that had dried, and bid farewell to Wang Quan.

Zuo Zongtang and his wife had good taste; the two daughters of the Wang family were both well-educated, beautiful, and graceful, making them a good match.

After leaving the Wang family residence, Peng Gang handed the calligraphy in his hand to Li Ruzhao, who had been waiting outside for a long time. He then mounted his leopard-patterned steed and returned to the Northern Prince's Mansion, surrounded by a group of guards.

Today is the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. On the sixth day, Peng Gang had already told Xiao Guoda and Wei Shoushan that once Xiao Guoda finished handing over the defense of Huangpi County, the two of them would set off for Daye to be responsible for setting up and presiding over the Daye Mining Bureau and acting as the Daye Mining Bureau.

The two waited for Peng Gang together in the Northern Prince's Mansion, which meant that the handover of the defense of Huangpi County had been completed and they had come to bid farewell to Peng Gang and go to Daye.

"Your Highness, the handover of defenses in Huangpi County has been completed, and the soldiers of the 1st Battalion of the 4th Regiment have arrived at Qingshan Ferry and are ready to go to Daye at any time," Xiao Guoda reported to Peng Gang upon seeing him.

"There is one thing I don't understand."

As Peng Gang strode into the West Flower Hall, he asked, "What is it that you don't understand?"

“With the addition of four regiments and one battalion, our lord has two battalions stationed in Daye County. Our forces are quite sufficient. Why don’t you follow the example of Jiangxia and Hanyang and directly investigate and confiscate the mines in Daye?” Xiao Guoda said eagerly.

Huangmei County in Huangzhou borders Anhui, which was under the Qing government. Peng Gang also ordered Hou Jiyong to lead two battalions to garrison Huangmei County to guard against the Qing army in Anhui and to coordinate with the Taiping army under Shi Xiangzhen in Jiujiang to the south.

Daye County is a relatively remote area with little pressure to defend against enemies. Two battalions of troops are stationed in Daye. Xiao Guoda believes that two battalions are sufficient to deter the local gentry and mine owners in Daye. He suggests that the policy of clearing land in Jiangxia and Hanyang should be followed to bring all the mines in Daye under the control of the Northern Palace.

"Simply raid and confiscate the mines in Daye? You make it sound so easy," Peng Gang said, shaking his head.

"There are tens of thousands of miners in Daye who rely on the mines for their livelihood. Unlike farmers, miners are homeless, fierce and good at fighting. They also know the terrain of Daye better than we do. If they are incited by the mine owners to sneak into the mountains, they cannot be wiped out in a short time."

There is a hierarchy of importance and urgency in everything. Right now, the gentry and local militias in various prefectures and counties are forming gangs and building strongholds to obstruct our land redistribution. This is the most urgent matter.

The mines in Daye can be dealt with gradually. As long as they supply ore to the three towns of Wuhan and pay taxes in full, we will leave them alone for now.

Peng Gang is currently only clearing out land. The mine owners in Daye County are relatively honest. There is no need for Peng Gang to push all the mine owners in Daye County to the opposite side now and make too many enemies.

"So, all we need to do on our trip to Daye County is to thoroughly survey the mines, large and small, within the county, draw up a map and present it to Your Highness, ensure the ore supply to the three towns of Wuhan, and collect mining taxes?" Wei Shoushan interjected.

"We also need to go to various mines in Daye, especially the large mines, to select some young and strong miners to recruit as new soldiers and send them to the Shahu camp for training," Peng Gang said as he entered the West Flower Hall and sat down, instructing Wei Shoushan.

Peng Gang's current permission for mine owners in Daye County to own mines in Daye County does not mean that he will allow it in the future.

To establish a preliminary industry, the mines of Daye County are of paramount importance. It is only a matter of time before they are brought under public ownership and integrated and coordinated with the mineral resources of Daye County; it is not a question of whether or not they should be taken over.

Recruiting miners from Daye County to join the army would, firstly, weaken the armed forces of the mines in Daye County, and secondly, provide them with people who understand the situation in Daye County.

"Your Highness, I obey your command." Wei Shoushan nodded, then asked how many soldiers Peng Gang planned to allocate to Daye County, "How many miners does Your Highness intend to recruit as new soldiers in Daye County?"

"Recruit two battalions first," Peng Gang emphasized.

"There is no time limit for recruiting soldiers in Daye, so it can be done slowly. However, when selecting new recruits, you must distinguish between the good and the bad, and do not allow the spies of the Daye mine owners to infiltrate the ranks. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" Xiao Guoda and Wei Shoushan replied in unison.

"Go ahead. If there are any unusual developments in Daye, report to me immediately," Peng Gang instructed finally.

"If any mine owners in Daye County smuggle ores to the Qing government and fail to pay their taxes honestly, they should be dealt with severely for treason!"

(End of this chapter)