Great Tang Idyll

Book 1: Chapter 72

When these people were mulling over how long it would take to make all of those soybeans into dried bean curd, Wang Juan and Zhang Xiao'bao's argument did not have a conclusion yet.

The catalyst was that Wang Juan wanted to eat tofu and she also made plans to invite their farmers. She and Zhang Xiao'bao had so much soybean meal that could be made into tofu; although the taste wasn't as good, it was still edible.

Even though the farmers did eat it, every one of them looked like they were eating poison and were going to die as martyrs. Although Wang Juan was emotionally touched, she felt that even her manors farmers were like this, then what about the people in the prefecture? How long will it take until the name of soybeans can be cleared?

At first, Zhang Xiao'bao didn't think much of it, but later, he came to realize that at a time like this when there wasn't much to eat, it was quite nice to be able to eat soy products. Zhang Xiao'bao sold the wood fungus to other prefectures, and with the money, he bought soybeans from the other prefectures. This could be considered as making up for the consequences of his attack on the enemy. Since he was the one who led rise to all the rumours, he decided that he had to take responsibility for it so he used that tactic.

"Who would have though that you're this soft hearted? Actually, I admit, your method wasn't wrong. At most, some people can't eat soy products. How many people are there that screwed over the country and screwed over numerous people because of their selfishness and in the end, people still praised them. Tell me, why did you become soft hearted?"

Seeing that Zhang Xiao'bao's moves were quick and that he was able to earn money during the process of compensating, Wang Juan spoke to him with admiration.

"I was never the cold hearted type of person, apart froma few matters, for example"

"For example the people who touched the orphanage director grandpa's funding. This I know about. You really are smart. They bought the soybeans in bulk all at once yet you were able to force the price down. The most amazing part was that you sold the wood fungus to those that had soybeans and requested them to haggle the price before selling. Because of this, we surprisingly made about an extra 400 taels of silver.

Before waiting for Zhang Xiao'bao to finish speaking, Wang Juan continued his words and spoke herself.

"Ah!" Zhang Xiao'bao didn't have anything left to say. According to original method of shipping, they could have made an extra 1,000 taels of silvers and that wood fungus most definitely would let him reach this goal. However because she wanted to make compensations ahead of time, they lost 600 taels of silver. If it was delayed by just a few days, his follow-up plan could have resolved the issue. Who's to blame that when the farmers ate the tofu, they made an expression that looked like they were bracing themselves for death.

"What, you regret it now?" Wang Juan laughed while asking.

"How could there be regrets in life. Are there any farmers with mental illnesses? I never imagined that people from this time period actually have that much faith in these kinds of things."

"The master of the manor has already sent people to have a look already, there was nothing wrong with them and they even cried when they didn't believe the master. This time was really not bad, it allowed us to understand what kind of people the farmers were. Now, I don't envy Napoleon anymore. How about you let me manage the operations of the new soybeans."

"Let's stop the operation. I know, you want to make soy products from the soybeans but that isn't doable. Just sell it to the tofu makers at a normal price. If there are some people unwilling to make soy products again and still want to sell dan'dan noodles to make money, well there's no need to be anxious, the number of sellers depend on the the demand of the market. "

The moment that Zhang Xiao'bao saw Wang Juan's expression, he knew what she was thinking and immediately refuted her thought.

"You really are a good person." The smile on Wang Juan's face became even more cheery.

"What good person? This is demeaning. I can only say I'm not a bad person. The soybeans are coming in tomorrow. Everything will be fine then. No, I cannot easily let go of the people who once challenged me."

Zhang Xiao'bao mentioned those people again.

"You still don't plan to let them off? You have affected quite a number of people already." Wang Juan felt that the current Zhang Xiao'bao was a bit scary--- he was too obsessive.

"I'll take responsibility for those that I have affected, I'll give then compensations, but what do those people even surmount to? At least I never thought of trying to make the rich off of the country during a crisis while thinking that doing so is smart. I schemed a lot of things, I don't represent righteousness, but it should be fine for me to represent myself to seek revenge, right?"

The more Zhang Xiao'bao thought about this matter, the more frustrated he felt. He never thought that these kind of rumours would have such a huge consequence. Psychology theories appeared to be restricted by the time period. After the unfolding of the events, his own inner conscience couldn't be at ease and after a few days, he couldn't bear with it anymore. He couldn't even endure a few more days even if he knew that after a few days, everything could be resolved. Yet, they still sold the wood fungus.

It was not known from where Wang Juan pulled out a handful of pork floss, and she brought it to Zhang Xiao'bao. "Then have you thought of how to seek revenge? Are you going to do it yourself or are you going to get Magistrate Cheng to take your place? It's not spoiled, what are you sniffing? Could it be that you were infected by the farmers when they were eating tofu?"

"No, I'm not going to do it myself this time, I'm still too young. Magistrate Cheng is not suitable anymore too; the pressure he has to withstand is too great. I'll let the prefecture do it. There's so many soybeans, if they want to move it out, there's no other choice but to make it into soy products. I'm guessing that it's in the production right now. It's the perfect time to grab a hold of things to use against them.

Zhang Xiao'bao mumbled with pork floss in his mouth.

"How do you plan to make the prefecture make the move?" Wang Juan laughed and then stuffed another handful of pork floss into Zhang Xiao'bao's mouth.

"Give them some benefits, what else? Then make another auspicious omen come out and that should be good."

"Auspicious omen? What do you plan to plant this time?"

"It's a drought, would there be any use to planting?" What is needed during a drought? Water. As long as water comes out of a dried-out well then that would be an auspicious omen. Tomorrow, let people have a look to see which place in our county has a dried-out well. And you can prepare gun powder."

Regardless of what was said, Zhang Xiao'bao now insisted on getting back at those people. Once the soybeans are investigated, they will be thrown into prison for a couple of days-- the money they would have to waste will definitely not be little.

Wang Juan now understood, Zhang Xiao'bao was planning to blow up the well. For a lot of dried up wells, if the bottom was dug a bit, water will continue to come out. She nodded her head and answered, "Fine, the thing about the gun powder can be given to me. Actually, I'm quite angry, we raised a few chickens just to help eat the locusts and also help the farmers live a better life, but this attracted their attention. Sometimes, the beginning and the result of a battle are not something you can confirm. Since they have come to battle, then let's fight until the end."

*

After two days, clear water suddenly appeared at a dried-out well in the San'shui county county head and at the same time, a large bang was sounded that night. In the morning, when people woke up and went looking for the place where the loud noise came from the previous night, they discovered that the well that had been dry for the past 30 years had water in it.

This news of this event quickly spread throughout the county head. Furthermore, Magistrate Cheng wrote a report claiming that this was a auspicious omen that had descended from the heavens and it was given to the people because the prefecture had gotten rid of the ones that hid the soybeans for their own.

The people at the prefecture saw that another auspicious omen had occurred and that the magistrate had given the credit to the front of their face, so at that moment, they sent out people to investigate the places that Magistrate Cheng had pointed out.

Using only half a day worth of time, the soybeans and those that hid them were found. The people at the prefecture sent out didn't care how much bribery those people offered and directly arrested them. A long list of convictions were made; things like hoarding and profiteering during a major crisis, intending to use poisonous soybeans to produce soy products for sale to cause harm to people, etc.

Some of the people that were caught were willing to use 3000 taels of silver to save themselves but the arresting officers did not even think of accepting that money. What time was it? A drought. A well that has been dried out for so many years suddenly had water coming out of it again---this was the most crucial. It was viewed with even more importance than planting cucumbers during winter.

These people were finally arrested. As for what kind of treatment they received in prison and how much money they spent, Zhang Xiao'bao didn't care for.

He was still busy with arranging people to help the Magistrate burn all of the soybeans. A few pieces of firewood was laid on the ground and on top of it were soybeans. More firewood was laid on top of the pile. Quite few number of people came to watch and when the fire grew large, the people hollered in joy.

Now, they can eat soy products with ease. Magistrate Cheng's reputation rose up to another level. There was not a second good official found that was willing to work for the people, otherwise, it would be impossible for another auspicious omen to appear at the San'shui county.

Magistrate Cheng watched that much soybeans being burned in front of his eyes and felt that it was a waste but once he remembered that these soybeans were purchasedusing other people's money, he felt a bit better. That old man that died was retrospectively diagnosed with tuberculosis and the woman that was said to be infertile was pregnant.

The trouble that arose from Zhang Xiao'bao's revenge plan finally came to an end. The people didn't care if the the soybeans were poisonous or not since they were all burned; it was best if it wasn't poisonous but if it was, then there was nothing to fear anymore.

After Zhang Xiao'bao received this news, he let out a long sigh and Wang Juan's mood became better again. "Xiao'bao, are the burned beans brought back yet? This time we can make a lot of money. How much soysauce can we make?"

"Its still too early. There's that much soybeans and fire wood, it might be possible to burn all of it within two days. Magistrate Cheng has already promised us already; the remaining stuff will be all our ours. However, it was hard for those innocent people; for six days straight, they didn't dare to eat soy products. Good thing the soybeans bought from other places were sold since three days ago. These burned soybeans can't be used to make oil. When making food later on, every meal will have soy sauce put into it.

Zhang Xiao'bao laid on the chair and not a long while later, he fell asleep. Wang Juanyawned and also slept too.

Two days later, all the soybeans were burned and it was pulled in carriages to the Zhang Manor. Piles and piles of black indistinct mass was placed there and if the person didn't know what was going on, the person would never guess that this was the "poisonous" soybean.

"What do you think. Did you broaden your horizon? This is the amazingness of the Zhang Manor. With just one move, they brought those that threatened them into prison." Magistrate Cheng spoke to Cheng Dong, who had just returned from sending those things to the manor.

"Yes, my lord. I now know. When Zhang Manor made their moves, it was not ordinary. However, I don't understand. How did water come out of that dried out well? The commotion sounded like firecrackers, but firecrackers can't be that loud. Bundling firecrackers together to get hundred thousands of mini explosions might work but it won't fit into the well and I didn't see that much firecracker wrapper remnants too.

Chen Dong spoke with a bit confusion.