The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

Yao Ye nodded, ceasing the pleasantries, and got down to business. "Today, I'm inspecting Laomentan for two reasons: first, to commend Master Lü and you all for your efforts in suppressing bandits and bringing peace to the people; second, I'd like to hear the opinions of the local elders and gentry on this 'protecting the territory and bringing peace to the people.' Although we've eliminated major villains like Qiu Laohu and Sun Kui, the worries of small groups of bandits and the possibility of people turning into bandits during years of famine are still fresh in our minds. Moreover, our Shangshui County is situated in a region of five lakes and eighteen slopes, where droughts and floods are unevenly distributed, and the people have suffered for a long time." As he spoke, his brows furrowed slightly, clearly indicating that he had spent considerable effort on this matter.

Lü Sanjun stroked his beard and looked at Wang Zhonghua: "Zhonghua, you've always had some ingenious ideas, why don't you share them with the Magistrate?"

Wang Zhonghua knew this was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his value and befriend this pragmatic official. He hesitated for a moment, his mind rapidly integrating his knowledge from his past life with the actual situation of this world. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Yao Ye pick up his teacup and take a sip. The movement of picking up the cup was extremely steady, the tea did not move at all, and when he put the cup back, the bottom of the cup touched the tea table without making a sound.

—This person has amazing self-control. Wang Zhonghua secretly made a judgment in his heart.

He said loudly, "Your Excellency cares deeply for the people, and I am deeply grateful. Regarding the protection of our territory and the safety of our people, I do have a few simple ideas, which can be summarized into three strategies: 'Build fortified villages,' 'Join village associations,' and 'Dig ditches.'"

"Oh?" Yao Ye leaned forward slightly, his long, slender hands unconsciously resting on the edge of the tea table, his fingertips tapping lightly—a habitual gesture when he was deep in thought. Those who knew him well knew that once he started tapping the table, it meant he was truly preoccupied. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "I would like to hear more."

"First, build fortified villages." Wang Zhonghua walked slowly to the map of Shangshui County hanging in the hall, his back ramrod straight. His finger hovered over the map, tracing familiar village markers. "Fortified villages can be built in strategic locations within the county, where transportation routes are convenient and the terrain is treacherous. They don't need to be as large as military forts; a few miles in circumference is sufficient. They should have high walls and deep moats, and include granaries, wells, and houses. Every thirty miles or so, local gentry should lead the construction of a fortified village, forming a network. On ordinary days, nearby villagers can stay and trade, forming a market; in case of alarm, a bell will be rung as a signal, and the people will bring grain and livestock to the fortified village to defend it, ensuring temporary safety."

Yao Ye's gaze followed Wang Zhonghua's finger, his fingertips tapping lightly twice on the tea table. Having spent so much time in officialdom, how could he not understand the power of the phrase "net-like"? This meant weaving the entire Shangshui County into an impenetrable net, trapping not just the people, but also security and the hearts of the people. He took a deep breath: "Using a point to influence the whole, with each element forming a support... this strategy is excellent! But what about the money, grain, and manpower..."

"Your Excellency, this is the second point, the 'Joint Village Association'," Wang Zhonghua interjected, his voice steady and powerful. "The government can take the lead, with representatives from various gentry, wealthy households, and villages sending representatives to establish the 'Joint Village Association.' The cost of building the fortress can be shared according to land area and family assets, or donated by the gentry—" He turned his head to look at Lü Sanjun, his eyes carrying three parts certainty and seven parts a smile.

Lü Sanjun understood, and immediately slapped his thigh with a loud "crack," making the teacup jump. His voice boomed like a bell, causing dust to fall from the beams of the flower hall: "For the country and the people, it is my duty! Although I am not talented, I am willing to set an example and will first donate a thousand taels of silver and five hundred shi of grain!" His ruddy face was full of heroic spirit, as if he were not just donating money, but going to kill generals and seize flags.

A flicker of surprise crossed Yao Ye's eyes, followed by a slight nod. He picked up his teacup, took another sip, and silently set it down, only tapping his fingertips lightly on the table before saying in a deep voice, "Master Lü's righteousness is truly admirable. On behalf of the people of Shangshui, I thank you." He paused, then turned his gaze to Wang Zhonghua, "And what is the meaning of 'digging ditches'?"

Wang Zhonghua walked back to the map and traced the water system of the Five Lakes and Eighteen Slopes with his finger: "Your Excellency just said that the Shang River suffers from uneven droughts and floods. When it is dry, the land is barren for miles, and when it is flooded, it is a vast expanse of water. I believe that instead of fighting disasters every year, it would be better to manage the water every year. We can dig reservoirs in low-lying areas and build irrigation canals in high-lying areas to divert water from flood years to fields in drought years. This is not something that can be accomplished in a day, but if we persist for three to five years, the land of Shang River will surely become fertile fields."

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something, and a slight smile appeared on his lips as he looked at Yao Ye: "If Your Excellency finds these policy proposals too abstract, why not give them a try—"

He paused, his gaze calm: "As I often say: Try it and see."

Yao Ye's usually composed face faltered slightly at those words. Then, a rare, faint smile appeared on his lips, like a crack in solid ice. The smile vanished in an instant, but his fingertips tapped the tea table three times—a little harder and a little crisper than before.

"Try it if you don't believe me..." he repeated in a low voice, nodding. "What a fine 'try it if you don't believe me'. I've heard so many excuses in the county office, like 'this plan is not feasible' and 'the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed,' but this is the first time I've heard someone say 'try it if you don't believe me.'"

He looked up at Wang Zhonghua, his gaze carrying a deeper meaning: "I will remember your words."

Wang Zhonghua felt a chill run down his spine, unsure whether the shrewd magistrate had remembered something good or bad. He remained outwardly calm, bowing and saying, "This humble subject was young and impetuous, and spoke rashly. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."

Yao Ye waved his hand, about to say something more, when he suddenly heard footsteps outside the flower hall. Immediately, a servant from the Lü family announced: "Master, there is a young man outside the door requesting to see Young Master Wang. He said... he said that his young lady has something to give to Young Master Wang, and also said... he also said something about 'the medicine is ready, drink it while it's hot'."

Wang Zhonghua was taken aback, then realized—it must be Qin Tiedan from Qin Tiehua's group delivering medicine. This girl, knowing he was receiving guests at the Lü residence, still sent Tiedan to deliver medicine to make him stronger; she was probably afraid he'd forget to drink it while he was busy.

Yao Ye raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes: "Oh? 'Drink it while it's hot'? It seems someone is concerned about Nephew Wang's health."

Lü Sanjun laughed and said to his servants, "Let that kid in."

Before long, Qin Tiedan rushed in, carrying a ceramic jar wrapped tightly in cotton cloth. When he saw a man in an official robe sitting in the flower hall, he was startled, stopped in his tracks, and almost dropped the medicine jar.

"Don't be afraid." Wang Zhonghua stepped forward and took the medicine jar. "Did Tiehua send you to deliver this?"

Qin Tiedan nodded, but his eyes couldn't help glancing at Yao Ye. He whispered, "Miss Liu and Tiehua both said that the medicine is ready and you should drink it while it's hot. Don't... don't delay the time."

Wang Zhonghua felt a warmth in his heart. He opened the jar, and a medicinal aroma wafted out. Without any hesitation, he tilted his head back and drank the medicine in one gulp, right in front of Yao Ye and Lü Sanjun. The medicine was bitter, but he didn't even frown.

After finishing his drink, he handed the empty can to Qin Tiedan and said gently, "Go back and tell Tiehua that I drank it. Tell her to take good care of her injuries and not to keep worrying about me."

Qin Tiedan responded, then couldn't help but glance at Yao Ye before turning and running away.

Yao Ye watched him leave, then turned her gaze back to Wang Zhonghua's face. Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the tea table again, her voice slightly gentler than before: "Is the medicine bitter?"

"It's bitter," Wang Zhonghua said frankly.

"Then why didn't you even flinch while drinking?"

Wang Zhonghua thought for a moment and said earnestly, "Because someone cares about me, even bitterness is sweet."

Upon hearing this, something seemed to soften slightly in Yao Ye's usually aloof eyes. He remained silent for a moment, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and as he put it down, tapped his fingertips lightly twice on the table, his voice extremely low, as if talking to himself:

"Someone's got their eye on you...that's good."

Watching this scene unfold, Lü Sanjun stroked his beard and smiled, secretly marveling at the sight. He had dealt with Yao Ye several times and knew him well—cold-faced and aloof, rarely uttering a word of idle chatter, let alone speaking in such an almost sentimental tone. It seemed that this young man, Zhonghua, had truly caught the eye of Yao Ming.

Wang Zhonghua smiled slightly and continued, "Let's continue our previous discussion about the most difficult issue: labor. Your Excellency might try adopting a 'work-for-relief' approach, conscripting laborers during the off-season and providing them with money and food. This way, the farming season won't be disrupted, and the poor people can also benefit. Furthermore, the 'United Village Association' can coordinate mutual assistance between different fortresses in case of an emergency and provide unified command."

Yao Ye's eyes gleamed with increasing intensity. This "Joint Village Association" not only solved the manpower and financial problems of building the fortress, but also implied a deeper meaning: organizing local forces for coordinated defense, far exceeding the concept of ordinary village militias. He gave Wang Zhonghua a deep look. This young man wasn't just offering advice; he was clearly playing a grand game. And he himself was precisely the one who could bring this game to fruition on the chessboard of Shangshui. He felt his long-dormant passion ignite at this moment.

"Then what brilliant ideas do you have for the third strategy, 'digging ditches'?" Yao Ye asked impatiently, his voice already carrying a hint of fervor, and even his breathing becoming a little heavy.

Wang Zhonghua's finger once again landed on the area marked "Five Lakes and Eighteen Slopes" on the map, his fingertip tracing the densely packed waterway markings: "Your Excellency, the problem with Shangshui lies in its unpredictable droughts and floods. Highlands are prone to drought, while lowlands are prone to flooding. I believe that we should construct water conservancy projects, dig ditches to connect the Five Lakes, and dredge the Eighteen Slopes! We should build ponds in high places to store water for irrigation during droughts; and dig deep canals to divert water from lowlands into the main river for flood discharge. In this way, we can not only solve the problems of drought and flood, but also create countless new fertile fields. This is the foundation for enriching the people and strengthening the county!"

He paused, his voice ringing out like metal striking stone, each word resounding: "These three strategies—building fortified villages to defend against foreign aggression and quell internal bandits, serving as a shield for 'peaceful people'; establishing village associations to unite hearts and minds and gather resources, serving as a network for 'border protection'; and digging ditches to develop water conservancy and increase arable land, serving as the foundation for 'enriching the people'! These three strategies, implemented together, complement each other. If they are carried out, in time, Shangshui will surely become a paradise in Chenzhou, with people living in peace and granaries overflowing!"

After he finished speaking, the flower hall fell into a deathly silence. Lü Sanjun's mouth dropped open. Although he knew Wang Zhonghua was extraordinary, he never expected that he could propose such a systematic and sophisticated strategy in front of the county magistrate.

What a fine example of Wang Zhonghua!

This doesn't look like a peasant boy at all; he's clearly a strategist who plans everything! He suddenly felt that his thousand taels of silver and five hundred bushels of grain were well spent, absolutely well spent!