Chapter 10

While Ji Chu was still revising the rapeseed planting manual, Clerk Ma from the Revenue Department returned.

He had contacted several suppliers of draft oxen and farm implements, managing to arrive in Anqiu County just before the second lunar month. The farm implement vendors were easy enough to deal with; the magistrate’s office had provided specific numbers, and although the prices were negotiated down, the deal was secured, and the merchants were willing to make the trip. As for the oxen, however, despite his best efforts, he could only secure fewer than ten.

"They all say our county is too poor, and even the magistrate's office can't afford many oxen. They don't think it's worth the trouble to bring them all the way here," Clerk Ma said, looking quite embarrassed.

Ji Chu was left with a wry smile. What they said was the truth. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Are the ten oxen sturdy and healthy?"

"Not particularly robust, but definitely not sick," Clerk Ma replied. "I wouldn't dare deceive you on that."

Thinking of the funds in the account, Ji Chu gritted his teeth and said, "Buy them all. We will rent them out to the commoners."

"Eight oxen? Buy them all?"

Ji Chu nodded. "Buy them all. We will hold the official handover during the spring plowing festival on the second day of the second month. Start drafting the paperwork now." He paused, then added, "There are dozens of bolts of fine silk and satin in the storehouse; find a way to sell them."

Items seized during the house raids were just sitting there gathering dust; it was better to sell them for silver to pay for the oxen. "Find a buyer for the antiques and artifacts in the storehouse as well, get them appraised at a fair price, and sell them off." These things couldn't be eaten or used to quench thirst—sell them all!

Clerk Ma nodded in agreement, then whispered, "Sir, won't you keep a few bolts of fabric? Even if you don't use them, what about your wife? Spring is coming, and she will need to make new clothes."

Ji Chu looked at him with an unreadable expression and said, "Are you making decisions for me now?"

Clerk Ma quickly apologized.

"Property of the magistrate's office belongs to the office."

However, Ji Chu did take note of the suggestion. Once his salary was issued, he gave it to his wife, telling her to make spring clothes for herself and their nephew, Zhen'er. Ji Chu added, "And for Secretary Li's son—he should be heading to the county school in the third month, so make a set for him as well." The office provided food and lodging, so this money was just enough for clothing. Ji Chu instructed, "Don't make any for me. I wear my official uniform every day; I don't have such requirements." This was the truth; Ji Chu did not speak a word of falsehood.

Whether it was the family's money or the office's, he always felt things were stretched thin. Surprisingly, the antiques seized by the office sold very well, which helped cover the cost of the farm implements. This also served as a stark reminder of just how much the previous officials had embezzled.

The Revenue Department’s constant purchasing of tools and oxen naturally drew attention. When people realized these were for the spring plowing, the villagers cheered. They were learning about fertilizer, and the magistrate had even prepared tools for them—it was truly wonderful. The new magistrate really did have the people at heart.

As tasks were arranged one by one, Anqiu County seemed to gain new vitality. Ji Chu knew that the rapeseed project could not be rushed; he wanted everyone to digest the information they had already learned. Stepping away from agricultural affairs, Ji Chu finally had time to turn his attention to the county examinations.

The county exams in neighboring areas were generally held between the beginning and the end of the second lunar month. After several rounds of testing, five people would be selected to go to Quxia Prefecture for the final examinations. Passing the prefectural exam would grant them the status of a *Xiucai* (scholar).

When Ji Chu arrived at the county school, the instructor spoke with a sarcastic tone: "The Magistrate has finally found time to grace us with his presence."

Ji Chu pretended not to hear him. It was his first time at the Anqiu County school, and it was not at all what he had expected. The school was spacious and bright, located in the center of the county town. It had a prime location, plenty of space, and all the necessary facilities. Yet, a school like this had only about twenty students, and a dozen or so scholars and teachers. Even if it were one-on-one tutoring, it should have been enough, right?

In reality, those scholars only collected their stipends and never reported for duty. There was only one actual teacher. The remaining students were merely names on a roster, with other teachers existing only in name.

In ancient times, there were two types of county schools: one that handled teaching duties and served as the local education bureau, and another that only managed the latter. It seemed this one was the latter.

After touring the school, Ji Chu stopped at the library. It held many books; although they were common titles found in the market, for many poor students, they were already a rare treasure.

Ji Chu remarked, "Not bad. Neat and orderly."

The instructor looked smug. "I do not boast, but I have maintained this place bit by bit. Among the neighboring counties, this school is the best."

Secretary Li, who was following, was even more satisfied. After the county exams, his son, Li Wen, would come here to study; it was indeed a good place.

Ji Chu asked out of the blue, "How many *Xiucai* passed last year?"

The instructor’s expression stiffened, and he became hesitant. "None passed last year. Our Anqiu County has a poor foundation, so there is nothing to be done about it."

In other words, the school was spacious and bright, but it had few students and few teachers, and the teachers rarely showed up. The only advantage was that it looked good, was large, and the library was clean.

The instructor, sensing the awkwardness, quickly added, "I believe that with your intelligence and ability, Magistrate Ji, you will surely lead the school to greater heights. As long as you focus your energy here, it will be possible. If you call upon the people of Anqiu to study hard, our county will surely produce a *Xiucai*."

His words implied that he still felt Magistrate Ji was neglecting the school and not valuing education.

Ji Chu nodded. "Once things stabilize a bit, the school will certainly be managed properly."

*Really?!* The instructor was curious how Magistrate Ji would manage it. Seeing how well he handled agricultural affairs, he should be quite capable in education, right?

Unfortunately, Ji Chu only visited the school that one time. He did not return, even after the students had finished several rounds of examinations. Many in the county were disappointed. It was not that Magistrate Ji *could* not, but that he was *unwilling*. It was truly strange; why was he so uninterested in supporting the imperial examination system?

Secretary Li had the same thought. After hesitating for several days, he finally asked.

Ji Chu replied, "Have you looked at the list of students at the county school this year? And the list of students taking the county exam?"

He hadn't looked. Were these important?

Ji Chu continued, "The two lists are highly overlapping, and they have a common characteristic. Their backgrounds, locally speaking, are excellent. They have their own tutors at home; why would they need help from the government?"

In other words, they were from wealthy families and had private tutors. They already had better conditions than everyone else, and now they wanted him to take the energy he used for agriculture and spend it on them. Wouldn't that mean they were getting the best of everything? It wasn't about balancing educational resources; one couldn't just pile everything onto a few people.

As Secretary Li looked at the two lists, Ji Chu pulled out a few more rosters from his desk. "Look at these. Compare the lists of county exam participants for the last five years."

Upon comparison, Secretary Li was even more shocked. The lists were identical once again! This meant that the same group of people in Anqiu County had been hogging the best educational resources for years, and yet, they hadn't passed the exams. Furthermore, there were basically no children from poor families on these lists. The so-called county examination in Anqiu was serving only this specific group of people.

Coming from the future, Ji Chu knew the importance of education. But education should be for everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful. Therefore, if he wanted to support the school, he had to weed out these people who were just coasting and replace them with those who were truly diligent and aspiring.

How to replace them, when to replace them—there was no rush for that.

"Wait until the results of the county and prefectural exams come out this year," Ji Chu said. "It is highly probable that not a single one will pass as a *Xiucai*. Then, we will reorganize everything at once."

Secretary Li felt as if the lists were burning his hands. He was always by the Magistrate’s side, so how had he not noticed that the Magistrate had already uncovered the truth about the school? Never mind him; even Zhen'er, who followed Ji Chu everywhere, looked blank. Relying on a few lists, he had discovered such a significant problem. No wonder his fourth uncle had no interest in the school—he knew that any resources he diverted now would simply be handed over to the wealthy and powerful.

Ji Chu put the lists away and smiled. "We will talk about the school after the prefectural exams in the fifth month. It is only mid-second month; there is plenty of time." By then, his rapeseed should be planted, and he would have plenty of time to slowly reorganize the school.

In the second month, they promoted the use of fertilizer.
In the third month, they rented out tools for plowing and top-dressing the winter wheat.
In the fourth month, they planted rapeseed.

Ji Chu brought out the meticulously crafted "Rapeseed Planting Manual." With the groundwork laid, promoting rapeseed should go more smoothly. The extra 150,000 *mu* of land would depend on it.

"Spread the word: the magistrate is promoting the planting of rapeseed. It must not occupy existing farmland; it can only be planted on wasteland. The key point is that rapeseed is a vegetable, not a grain crop, so it will not be taxed as farmland."

He had accumulated so much credit that he hoped this initiative would be accepted. The key was that he truly would not count it as farmland. However, Ji Chu knew well that the people of Anqiu were truly terrified. The practice of "calling wasteland farmland" kept him tossing and turning at night. Those farmers who had actually been forced to pay extra land taxes were the ones who truly couldn't sleep. Even if they didn't believe him, it was only natural.

Ji Chu comforted himself and let the runners spread the news. First, the fertilizer; second, the farm tools; third, the cultivation of wasteland. Would the people believe him? This time, he wasn't calling wasteland farmland; he was calling farmland wasteland, until the 150,000 *mu* deficit was filled.

In places like Luoyu Village, someone stopped the messenger and asked, "Is this true? Is it really Magistrate Ji who wants us to clear wasteland and plant rapeseed? He won't report three *mu* for every one *mu* we clear, right? Not again. I won't do it. My family won't do it."

Gong Chunrong, the local militia member who had been silent until now, said, "My family will do it. I believe Magistrate Ji. He won't deceive us." Gong Chunrong had misunderstood the Magistrate before. He couldn't do it again. Moreover, he felt deep down that Magistrate Ji was not that kind of person. "My family will plant rapeseed! We follow Magistrate Ji's orders!"