Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 228 Huang Liang Yi Meng

"Envoy Ma, Magistrate Wang requests your presence."

When Ma Xiucai received the order from the county government, he was still wearing a worn-out blue satin leather jacket, running among a group of disaster victims and refugees, guiding them in building the 'hidden fire cave'.

Last year's autumn floods and this year's cold winter have resulted in daily reports of people freezing to death.

Although Ma Xiucai had no taboos, he used his position as the Qianning Envoy to act expediently, checking and collecting accounts, building mansions, and providing relief to refugees through work-for-relief programs.

But how many people can one person save, and how many households can one person protect?

May this shelter all the poor and needy, bringing them joy?
It's just wishful thinking.

But Ma Xiucai was well aware that his recent actions had already caused a great uproar among the officials in Wuqing.

That gleaming silver has now become food for the disaster victims, clothes for their bodies, and roofs for their heads.

Impeachment petitions have likely already been sent like snowflakes to the desks of the county magistrate, the prefect, and even the provincial governor and governor of Tongzhou.

Many people criticize him for "winning people's hearts," "seeking fame and fortune," and "using public office for private gain."

Tell the messenger who came to deliver the message to wait inside for a moment.

Scholar Ma personally transplanted a Chinese toon tree, which was only four or five feet tall, into the cave.

Wuqing experiences harsh winters, making it difficult for melons and vegetables to grow naturally in summer. They can only be eaten through artificial smoking, and are locally known as "smoked fresh goods."

Smoking fresh vegetables requires a cave, which is a hole dug seven or eight feet deep, covered with a shed on a sunny slope, with paper windows on the front, and a fire inside to increase the temperature and simulate summer climate.

The caves are divided into two categories: those with hidden fires and those with open fires.

The "hidden fire cave" is a cave with an earthen kang (heated platform) built inside. The surface of the kang is covered with soil and divided into square plots. The fire channel is hidden under the kang, allowing only the warm air to circulate inside the cave, without the disadvantage of direct fire.

The construction of this cave was quite complicated, and although it was searched throughout Wuqing County, very few people knew how to do it. Some even thought that the method had been lost.

After the cave was built, seeds were sown in the furrows and crops such as cucumbers, eggplants, and broad beans were planted.

The final harvest was sold on the market for a considerable price.

"Remember, this Chinese toon tree doesn't need strong heat, nor does it take up much planting space, yet it can fetch a high price when it's on the market. It's an extremely cost-effective smoked and fresh product; all you need to do is cultivate the seedlings in advance..."

After carefully instructing a group of disaster victims, Scholar Ma returned to his house, changed into a scholar's robe that was faded from washing but still relatively clean, and left with the government officials and yamen runners.

It is better to teach people to fish than to teach people.

Scholar Ma is spreading blessings to this region by passing on a method of self-salvation.

As long as crops are still grown in this land, the people will still need to toil in the fields for their livelihood.

With this skill, one will eventually have a way to make a living.

The cultivation of crops by the agricultural authorities benefits generations to come.

In fact, with Ma Xiucai's reputation as a government-subsidized student, even if he didn't become extremely successful, he could easily make a living by opening a mansion or teaching in a private school, and become a prominent figure in Wuqing County.

Why fall into that predicament of not having enough to eat?
only……

They're so stupid! Those people are all so stupid!
How can there be so many foolish people in the world? I've talked myself hoarse and explained everything, but they still don't understand. This only makes Brother Shun'an seem like a real genius!

Fortunately, Ma Xiucai has finally made it through.

Qianning Envoy!
On the way, the constable looked hesitant, but finally asked quietly,
"Master Ma, your method of smoking and roasting fresh goods has been lost for many years. Where did you learn it from?"

"There are houses of gold in books, and beauties like jade in books... of course, I learned that from books."

"Huh? I also took the imperial examinations for several years, but I've never seen it recorded in any book?"

Upon hearing this, Scholar Ma chuckled, his face bearing the proud air of a scholar, and glanced at the man with a hint of disdain, saying,
"It's very simple. Even if you see it, you won't understand it, and even if you understand it, you'll forget it. It's natural that you dull, ignorant, and foul-smelling people wouldn't be able to figure it out."

The yamen runner opened his mouth, his face suddenly turning bright red, and he glared at Scholar Ma with a resentful look.

No words were spoken.

No wonder so many people dislike Ma Xiucai and wish they could get rid of him; most of the reason probably lies in his mouth.

Misfortune comes out of your mouth!

But some people don't want to be silenced.

"arrive."

The yamen runner led Ma Xiucai to the entrance of the county government office, then stopped leading the way and turned to leave as if fleeing.

"Brother Ma."

Suddenly, a calm voice came from behind.

Scholar Ma looked in the direction of the voice, his eyes lighting up as he said,
"Brother Shen! It's been a long time!"

The visitor was Shen Mochuan, Ma Xiucai's classmate and old friend, who now held the high position of Instructor of Wuqing County, in charge of the education of all students in the county.

Shen Mochuan's expression was complicated. He gave Ma Xiucai a deep look and said,
"Brother Ma, listen to me."

"What's wrong?" Scholar Ma asked, his eyes filled with confusion.

Shen Mochuan said, "Since Magistrate Wang admires you so much, why be so stubborn? Brother Ma, why not take an official position?"

Scholar Ma laughed and said,
"I wonder what this is about. I do not desire to be ennobled; I only wish for peace on the seas. As long as I can serve as an official with an honest and upright character, I am naturally willing. Please step aside, Brother Shen."

Shen Mochuan remained silent, standing in front of Ma Xiucai.

Ma Xiucai's smile remained unchanged; he simply cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Mochuan before walking past him.

"Envoy Ma, our county magistrate invites you to wait at the White Tiger Hall."

A gatekeeper from the county government ran over in the snow and bowed deeply.

White Tiger Hall?
Good name.

Scholar Ma nodded. He straightened his clothes and followed the doorman into the snow.

Shen Mochuan looked regretful and stood in the wind and snow for a long time until he finally disappeared from sight.

……

Inside the White Tiger Hall.

The charcoal fire crackled and popped, warm and cozy, a world apart from the bitter cold outside.

County Magistrate Wang was wearing a thick woolen coat with a mink fur overcoat. He was holding a hand warmer. When he saw him come in, he didn't get up, but just nodded with his chin to the seat below him.

"Your Excellency, the disaster victims are displaced, suffering from both cold and hunger. I, Ma, have come to provide disaster relief..."

Scholar Ma sat down and spoke calmly.

"Alas!"

County Magistrate Wang interrupted Scholar Ma, shaking his head dismissively.

"You are the Qianning Envoy whom I recommended. What you want to do is none of anyone's business, nor dare anyone interfere! Disaster relief and saving the people is a good thing!"

"Then, Magistrate Wang, why have you summoned me here today...?"

Ma Xiucai was somewhat puzzled.

If it's not for tax revenue, and not for disaster relief, could it be that they've invited Mr. Ma to compose couplets and poems?!

The wind and snow outside the window grew stronger, pounding against the windowpanes.

Inside the hall, the charcoal fire emitted a warm glow.

Magistrate Wang calmly sipped his hot tea, exhaled a puff of stale air, and then said slowly,
"I summoned you here today to ask you again if you would like to go to the Yueshan Taoist Academy for further studies and become my advisor? I'll grant you a sinecure of the ninth rank, and I won't even accept your donation! What do you say?"

Scholar Ma paused for a moment, then refused.
"Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate Wang, but I am like a rock in a cesspool, determined to fight this provincial examination."

"Do you want to be a good official?"

Suddenly, Magistrate Wang's gaze deepened, and he smiled softly.

Scholar Ma sat upright, nodded, and said...
"Of course I wanted to. My father passed the imperial examination with top honors, but there were no vacancies available for him. So he waited for a vacancy under the Governor-General of Liangjiang as a candidate for county magistrate. Although he was framed and died, he left a letter in blood before his death, telling me to live an honest and upright life... I, Ma, will naturally inherit my father's last wish to live an honest and upright life and serve as an official with integrity."

However, he was Ma Xiucai's father, who was also involved in the "Longnan Relief Misappropriation Case" back then.

Several years before the devastating floods in Longnan, there were already signs of trouble.

After the disaster relief funds were allocated and delivered to Longnan, in order to prevent officials from embezzling the funds, the Governor-General of Liangjiang dispatched Ma Fu as an official to investigate the accounts in Longnan.

As a result, local officials colluded with each other, not only embezzling disaster relief funds but also bribing Ma's father to cover up their crimes.

Ma's father naturally refused, so local officials plotted to poison him and then staged his death as if he had hanged himself.

Perhaps Ma's father foresaw his own death, and only had time to leave Ma Liangcai a letter written in blood, which contained the words "Be an honest person and an upright official" before abruptly ending.

Although, with the cracking of the "Longnan embezzlement case," the truth has come to light and been made public.

Those officials from back then were either executed, exiled, or transferred as appropriate, and Ma's father was exonerated.

It was as if nothing had happened.

But perhaps no one could have predicted that over the years, one person has gone from a vibrant young man to a man in his sixties, yet he has always kept the letter written in blood from back then.

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Wang neither commented nor denied, but simply pushed a cup of tea in front of him.

"This is rock tea brewed with sweet water from the 'Xialong' well outside Andingmen, which is connected to the earth's veins. Please try it."

"Thank you, Lord Wang."

Scholar Ma had never tasted such fine tea before, and immediately accepted the teacup with both hands.

The aroma of tea wafts through the air, carrying a unique fragrance.

He took a small sip and suddenly felt drowsy, so he leaned against the incense table and fell into a deep sleep.

He seemed to be having a grand dream.

In his dream, he was still in his prime, yet he was already on the list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations, and after the palace examination, he was appointed as a probationary official in the Hanlin Academy.

For a time, they became friends in the same year, were favored by their mentor, and lived a life of great prestige and glory.

Within a few years, due to his outstanding academic achievements, he was appointed as the magistrate of a wealthy region in Jiangnan without having to pay a donation.

At the same time, his former classmate, Shen Mochuan, who came from the Hanlin Academy, was also appointed to fill the vacancy.

The officialdom is like a dye vat, with superiors offering gifts of ice and charcoal, colleagues giving festival gifts and birthday presents, and even subordinates offering filial piety gifts on "three festivals and two birthdays," all surging in like a tide.

He remained unmoved, regarding it as a gentle breeze.

His classmate, Shen Mochuan, initially resisted but gradually accepted it with equanimity.

The two then gradually drifted apart.

Until one day, a fabricated charge was falsely accused of something.

Former colleagues who called him brother and students who had benefited from his kindness either avoided him at all costs or turned against him.

His wife and children were exiled, his family property was confiscated, and he was sentenced to immediate execution.

"Ma Liangcai, you consider yourself superior, but do you know that officialdom is like a marketplace, where those who do not follow the crowd face only death!"

The executioner stood on the execution platform, sneering repeatedly.

His eyes were wide with rage, and before his curses had even finished, the blade flashed and a torrent of blood splattered onto the snow, staining the withered grass red.

Shen Mochuan only appeared once at his execution ground to collect his remains.

(End of this chapter)