Chapter Fifty-Four: The Strength of Youth

Zhen Qian and Wang Qun wandered casually through the valley. As they walked, Zhen Qian said, “Uncle Wang, there’s no need to worry. We’ve brought so many people with us this time, and the Qin family hasn’t even questioned it, have they?”

“I still can’t quite set my mind at ease,” Wang Qun replied, keeping his voice low despite knowing there were no Qin family members nearby. “Aren’t you at all concerned about what’s going on with the Qin family?”

“What’s there to worry about?” Zhen Qian replied with a hint of mockery. “If we were to fall into misfortune, what benefit would it bring the Qin family?”

Wang Qun retorted, unwilling to back down, “We shouldn’t harbor ill intent, but we must always guard against others. I never realized before that the Qin family was involved in such things. We’d best be extra careful in our dealings with them in the future.”

Not wishing to linger on the topic, Zhen Qian looked at the anxious Wang Qun and said, “Perhaps this is truly our first windfall. Now that the Qin family has left all their goods for us to handle, and they don’t even want any silver or gold, if we sell goods from outside to them, we can easily make a profit of thirty to forty percent. By year’s end, that could add up to four or five thousand strings of cash. If the Qin family really is up to such things, we can’t be their only partners—they surely have other channels as well.”

“I hope you’re right.”

As they spoke, the two men reached the riverbank. Zhen Qian waved to Craftsman Lu and called, “Uncle Lu, I’d like to build two waterwheels here. What do you think?”

Craftsman Lu had followed Zhen Qian all the way to the secluded Qin family estate, puzzled as to what business Zhen Qian could have in such a remote place. When asked for his opinion, he replied, “The water flows swiftly here—an ideal spot for waterwheels. But what do you intend to use them for? I’ll need to prepare accordingly.”

Waterwheels have many uses, each requiring a different design. Craftsman Lu needed to know the specifics before he could begin.

Zhen Qian was no jack-of-all-trades. He could draw a schematic for a waterwheel, but building one was another matter entirely.

“I want the kind that can crush grains—not too fine, just enough to break them apart. There’ll be a massive amount of grain to process here every day, so reliability and efficiency are essential. Is that a problem?”

Craftsman Lu’s face showed no emotion. “How soon do you need it done?”

“As soon as possible! Up until now, we’ve been crushing grain by hand. Even working non-stop, a person can only handle two or three stones a day. That pace is far too slow!”

“Aren’t there a lot of people here?”

Zhen Qian hadn’t expected such a question and felt a flash of displeasure. “There may be many people, but they each have other tasks. Only two are assigned to grain-crushing. Is there any other problem?”

Sensing Zhen Qian’s tone, Craftsman Lu wisely fell silent.

Zhen Qian frowned as he watched Craftsman Lu’s retreating figure; he could sense the craftsman’s pride, though he wondered whether it was justified.

Noticing Zhen Qian’s strange expression, Wang Qun offered a reminder, “This Craftsman Lu is quite skilled. They say he can make a twenty-four-lock mechanism—a true mark of a master carpenter.”

“Is that so?” Zhen Qian asked with interest. “I’ll have to find time to talk with him.”

Wang Qun took this as a joke. Seeing that it was late, the two made their way to Qin Village and found Qin Hao preparing dinner. Zhen Qian spoke, “Uncle Qin, we’ll stay here tonight and leave first thing in the morning. It may be another half a month before we return.”

Qin Hao feigned hospitality. “Won’t you stay a few more days?”

Zhen Qian was about to excuse himself, claiming urgent business at home, when Qin Hao continued, “The weavers and carpenters you mentioned last time—I’ve already found them. Would you be willing to stay another day and meet with them face to face?”

Zhen Qian and Wang Qun exchanged glances, both feeling a jolt of unease. First, they hadn’t expected the Qin family to find the people they needed so quickly. Second, the identities of these recruits were suspicious. Still, they nodded in tacit understanding. “In that case, what harm is there in staying another day?”

“Thank you, then!” Qin Hao filled their cups with wine and said, “The Qin family isn’t ignorant of the times. We’re well aware of changes in the outside world. Though our family has declined in recent years, our roots remain. Should the opportunity arise, we will certainly rise again. I hope you’ll support us then.”

Zhen Qian could only smile at Qin Hao’s vague, elusive words. “You’re too kind, Uncle Qin. I’ve heard from Uncle Wang that the Zhen and Qin families have been trading for over a decade. We may not have been close before, but now that you’ve entrusted me with your business dealings, I’ll do my utmost to see it done well.”

“That’s good to hear!” Qin Hao’s face beamed with the kindly warmth of an elder. “From now on, we’re as one family. If you run into any trouble outside, just name it. The Qin family may not have much influence in the government, but here in these mountains, there are many things we can do that aren’t possible elsewhere. You’re a clever man—you understand my meaning.”

A chill crept into Zhen Qian’s heart. The Qin family’s reach was indeed considerable. Fortunately, he bore them no ill will; otherwise, he would have made a powerful enemy for no reason.

“Thank you, Uncle Qin. I’ll surely rely on your help in the days to come.”

After dinner, Zhen Qian and Wang Qun made their way back to their own valley. On the way, Wang Qun fretted, “I never imagined the Qin family was so powerful. Best be cautious in your dealings with them from now on.”

Zhen Qian understood well enough. If they could cooperate peacefully, both sides would benefit; if not, he wouldn’t just sit back and be swept away.

“Uncle Wang, how is the matter of saltpeter that I mentioned last time coming along?”

Thinking it was related to the processing of pelts, Wang Qun replied, “I’ve already arranged for someone to handle it. We should hear back soon.”

“Please also purchase some sulfur for me—about thirty percent of the amount of saltpeter.”

Wang Qun was puzzled. “Doesn’t the Qin family have sulfur? Why didn’t you ask Qin Hao just now?”

Zhen Qian smacked his forehead, realizing he’d forgotten. Living in the mountains, the Qin family should indeed have access to sulfur—after all, the sulfur used to repel insects in the valley was always supplied by them. They must know where to find it.

“That was an oversight on my part. When the saltpeter arrives, send eighty percent of it to the valley and the rest to the Zhen residence—I need some urgently.”

Since Zhen Qian offered no explanation, Wang Qun didn’t press for one. As a seasoned retainer, he knew better than to pry into his master’s affairs.

From the bamboo house came the lively chatter of children. At first, the dozen or so children had been frightened to find themselves brought deep into the mountains, but they soon discovered the bamboo house was far better equipped than their previous lodgings. New clothes were provided, and the meals were abundant. While not quite on par with the sons of wealthy families, it was far beyond anything the children had ever dreamed.

Four to a room, no longer crammed together on a single bed; the rooms were spotless, the bedding neatly arranged, books with fresh ink scent on every shelf, and peaceful surroundings. Those who’d once visited an academy began to hope they might finally study like ordinary children. Their joy knew no bounds—they didn’t even notice Zhen Qian and Wang Qun standing at the door.

“Aren’t you going in to say something?” Wang Qun asked. Zhen Qian stood at the threshold for a moment, a look of satisfaction on his face, then turned and left. Wang Qun followed, sighing inwardly.

“No hurry. They’ve been repressed for too long. Didn’t you notice how quiet they were all the way here? I don’t want docile puppets who only obey orders—I want people who can think and express themselves.”

For a thousand years, the backbone of the people had bent ever lower, until they willingly grovelled as slaves, becoming nothing more than yes-men to those in power. Zhen Qian was determined not to surround himself with such people. Discipline was necessary, of course, and some degree of military order as well, but not at this stage.

Wang Qun racked his brains, still unable to fathom what his young master was truly thinking. One thing was clear: Zhen Qian was becoming more independent and enigmatic by the day, his actions ever more unpredictable. Whether this was for better or worse, Wang Qun could not say.

The next morning, Wang Qun rose to find Zhen Qian’s eyes rimmed with red. The lamps in the bamboo house had burned through the night; clearly, Zhen Qian had stayed up again.

Outside, the children were already lined up in ranks, practicing Taiji with Zhen Qian. Their awkward movements and innocent smiles stirred a strange sense of hope in Wang Qun’s heart.

“From now on, you’ll wake at dawn, rest for half an hour at noon, and go to bed at nightfall. The schedule is posted at the entrance. Morning and evening will be devoted not only to reading and writing but also to physical training. There will be monthly quizzes and major exams every six months. Those who fail will be severely punished; those who excel will be rewarded. Now, read this passage with me…”

“…The crimson sun rises, its light blazing forth; the river bursts from its depths, surging in wild torrents; a hidden dragon soars from the abyss, scales and claws flashing; a young tiger roars in the valley, and all the beasts tremble in fear; the eagle tests its wings, rising on the dust-laden wind; wondrous flowers blossom, lush and resplendent; the sword is drawn from the whetstone, its edge gleaming; heaven’s vault above, earth’s yellow beneath; stretching through a thousand ages and across the eight directions; the future as boundless as the sea, our days long before us. Beautiful is my youthful China, as eternal as the heavens! Mighty are the youth of China, as boundless as the nation!”

“When the youth are strong, the nation is strong!”

Wang Qun listened closely, frowning as an uneasy feeling crept over him. He sensed something was amiss, though he couldn’t say exactly what. Was it merely his imagination?