Li Daoxuan held a cup of jasmine latte, gazing down at Heyang County from the sky. He felt a little nervous, genuinely worried that the figures from his village militia might bully the common citizens of Heyang County.
This was the first ti the Gaojia Village Militia had ventured into a “wild figure-populated town.” In such a place, incidents of bullying the weak were all too likely to erupt.
This marked the militia’s first major test of integrity and discipline.
Li Daoxuan knew he was partial to his own people. If his figures bullied the wild figures, how should he respond? Turning a blind eye was unacceptable, but harsh punishnt was sothing he found hard to stomach.
Quite a dilemma.
At this mont, he gained a deeper understanding of why corruption festered in this world, why eunuchs seized power, why treacherous ministers thrived…
It all stemd from the “supre leader’s” favoritism toward “his own people.”
Favoritism bred exceptions, and exceptions led to the collapse of law and order.
You know it’s wrong, but when your own people throw tantrums, complain, and threaten suicide before your eyes, how many could truly hold firm?
If your relative stole a thousand coins from the neighbor, could you really bring yourself to call the authorities?
If your closest friend slashed soone with a Western Knife while drunk, would you drag him to the constabulary, or give him travel money to buy a boat ticket and flee?
You might easily type “I stand with justice” online to proclaim yourself full of righteousness, but when it’s your turn to choose…
it’s far harder than typing on a keyboard.
Li Daoxuan pondered silently. It seed establishing a “law enforcent agency” was necessary. Since he couldn’t manage with an iron fist, he’d find soone who could to help him govern…
Now, while his influence wasn’t too vast, it was still tily to create this “law enforcent agency.”
But who should serve as the enforcer?
This person must be rigid and inflexible!
They must prioritize law over personal feelings and value justice above all else. To uphold justice, they should even be willing to confront him directly, correcting his “favoritism and exceptions,” much like the famous Tang Dynasty minister Wei Zheng, who dared to point out the emperor’s faults.
Did he have such a figure among his people?
His mind flooded with chaotic thoughts as he anxiously watched his figures move below.
Fortunately, long-term ideological education and discipline had made the Gaojia Village Militia soldiers behave properly. A squad walked up to a food stall, greeting the owner cheerfully: “Boss, how much for a bowl of your Three Ponds Knife-Shaved Noodles?”
The owner, intimidated by their armor, answered timidly, “Ten coins.”
The soldiers: “Whoa, so expensive?”
“In Gaojia Village, a bowl of hand-pulled noodles is only three coins.”
“I suppose grain must cost more here.”
“The Deity’s grace has only just reached this county;
its grain isn’t as abundant as ours in Gaojia Village yet.”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
“One bowl for !”
“One for too!”
The owner felt uneasy. These n ordered five bowls—fifty coins. If they refused to pay later, he’d suffer a terrible loss.
But a glance at their armor and weapons silenced any “we don’t serve soldiers” protests. He steeled himself and began shaving noodles.
His worries proved unnecessary. Before the noodles were even ready, the soldiers took out pieces of silver worth about fifty coins, placing them before him. “Hurry up with the noodles! We’re starving!”
Delighted, the owner swept the silver into his drawer. His shaving grew faster, and his mood lifted.
Similar scenes played out all over Heyang County. Over a thousand militia mbers from Gaojia Village, plus the three hundred cavalry camp troops, instantly made several streets buzz with activity.
The people of Gaojia Village were well-off, but militian and cavalryn were richer still. Their jobs carried mortal risks, so the Deity paid them far more than ordinary laborers.
Their purchasing power was substantial.
The knife-shaved noodle shop quickly filled. The Heyang Xuemian shop was packed. The Fresh Water Hele shop bustled with people…
rchants across Heyang County were overjoyed.
Business this ti was fantastic.
The only slight annoyance was the disparaging comnts they often overheard. For instance, a soldier eating Fresh Water Hele remarked between mouthfuls, “Ah, Heyang County is truly a poor place.”
His companion agreed, “Utterly impoverished. Compared to our Gaojia Village, it’s not even in the sa league.”
Hearing this, the owner nearly blew his beard off with anger. Darescall us Heyang folks poor? I ought to knock you with a ladle! Ah… but they carried bows and knives. Better not.
Then he rembered those three girls who’d eaten Fresh Water Hele at his shop earlier. They’d urged him to open a Fresh Water Hele shop in Gaojia Village, saying its citizens were wealthy and he’d earn much more.
He glanced at his shop full of Gaojia Villagers. They certainly seed prosperous. When the girls ntioned it, he’d only half-listened. But now… Gaojia Village might truly be worth visiting.
anwhile…
Down east, a lamb cake shop was also bustling with festive activity.
Lamb Cake, introduced during the Yuan Dynasty when Mongolians occupied Heyang County, was rich in flavor—oily and delicious. Its only drawback was requiring lamb, which was pricey.
In this year of severe drought, who could afford to raise sheep?
Plus, Fan Shanyuehad wreaked havoc for several years. Finding a live sheep in Heyang County was hard. This shop’s secret backer was Zhang Yuanwaiof Xiazhuang Village, who sourced a little lamb enabling them to run the shop. Patrons were usually prominent locals.
But today, a group of Gaojia Village Militia Soldiers entered. At their lead was Zheng Daniu, who swaggered inside with five Grenade Troops soldiers.
Seeing their enlisted appearance, the owner thought they couldn’t afford the food. But when he nad what he considered an “exorbitant” price, Zheng Daniu roared with laughter: “This place has lamb? Wow, unusual! Sit down, lads. My treat! Six lamb cakes, shopkeep… Extra lamb, hold the cake.”
Owner: “!!!”
The six soldiers sat around a table. One comnted, “Big Brother Daniu, isn’t sothing wrong? The cake is the main part. Lamb’s just a snippet.”
Zheng Daniu: “Eh? Really?”
Wryly, the owner explained: “Yes. Each bowl has only a few lamb slices. You eat it mainly for the cake.”
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