Chapter 8

After a two-day rest, the yamen runners of Anqiu County returned to their posts in full.

The atmosphere in the government office was different from the past. Fan, the advisor in charge of criminal law, had a good relationship with Ma Tai, the clerk responsible for finance and grain. When issues arose, they could turn to Advisor Li, Magistrate Ji’s trusted aide, for mediation. Everyone knew that working under Magistrate Ji did not require excessive caution or constant bribery—one simply had to do their job well.

With the winter relief efforts completed, the office’s tasks for the year were largely finished. All that remained was planning the budget for each department for the coming year. Though small, the office was well-organized, with a staff of thirty or forty across the various divisions. Decisions regarding next year’s expenditures and tasks had to be finalized before the year’s end.

The most critical items were security and agriculture. If one had to add a third, it was the imperial examinations.

"The civil service exams!" the county school instructor interjected. "We cannot skimp on funding for the county school. The county-level exams are early next year; we must calculate this budget first."

Advisor Fan countered, "Security is the bigger issue. There have been bandits near the border, and we must be vigilant at year’s end. We need to add several horses to the county’s stock, and the horse tack is severely worn and needs replacing."

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions. In the past, they would never have been this forthcoming. Back then, the finances were controlled by Zhao Jinchuan, who always favored his own interests. Now, under Magistrate Ji, they felt they were actually doing real work. More importantly, the yamen finally had money; after seizing Zhao Jinchuan’s assets, they were no longer dirt poor.

The clerk from the household department, who had remained silent, was even more hesitant to speak. He had previously been one of Zhao Jinchuan’s men, and although he wasn't deeply involved, he feared speaking up. What he wanted to push for was the procurement of farm tools for the coming year. Many Anqiu residents couldn't afford quality tools and usually rented them during the busy farming season. The current inventory was nowhere near enough to meet the demand. If they placed orders before the year ended, they would save a significant amount of money and ensure the tools arrived before the spring plowing. If they could take it a step further and purchase better seeds, it would be a major boon.

As the discussion grew heated, everyone stood up when Ji Chu entered.

This was the final matter before the new year: the yamen’s budget proposal for the next year. Everything depended on Magistrate Ji.

Ji Chu began immediately: "This is the focus for next year. Take a look."

Ji Zhen distributed the papers detailing the plans for the coming year. The focus was on one word: "Fields." As a government office, their duty was to encourage and support farming to increase grain production! That was the priority.

Security? Keep it as it was; this place was so poor that no one even bothered to rob it, so that could wait. The county school? If they could produce one successful examinee in next year’s exams, the instructor could call it a success. In a place where people were often starving, there were more pressing concerns. It wasn't that there was no long-term planning; one couldn't plan for the future if people were dying of hunger. First, ensure they could afford to eat, then they could afford to study.

The household clerk stood up, his eyes bright with excitement. "Sir, are you saying we are going to procure farm tools?"

"Yes. My recent inspections showed that families can barely afford decent tools, so we must provide them. Furthermore, we will purchase draft oxen and seeds to ensure the spring plowing goes smoothly."

With two sentences, he set the tone and the key objectives for the coming year. Magistrate Ji was a man of his word; since he had decided and provided such a detailed plan, he would not change his mind.

Everyone looked at each other and nodded in agreement. After all, everyone wanted to see an increase in grain production. Not starving was the most important thing in life. Once the major tone was set, the budgets for other departments were reconciled. Ji Chu was fair by nature, and by the end, everyone was satisfied. As long as they didn't look at how much was allocated to farming, their own portions were quite decent. The instructor wanted to protest that the county school was also important, but Ji Chu acted as if he didn't see him.

"I have already written to Quxia Prefecture to inquire how many high-quality grain seeds our county can be allocated, and we will purchase the rest on the market," Ji Chu told the household clerk. "Have someone check the market prices for farm tools as well; we must not overpay. Draft oxen are equally important. Contact several cattle dealers and try to buy as many as possible before the spring plowing begins."

When mention was made of writing to Quxia Prefecture, Advisor Fan perked up. What about the vacant positions of Assistant Magistrate and Registrar? Ji Chu mentioned that he hadn't received word from the personnel department yet, but promised to notify him the moment there was news. Advisor Fan knew this wouldn't be resolved overnight, so he settled his mind and focused on the tasks for the coming year.

By the end of the eleventh month, snow covered the ground. Pedestrians grew scarce, and many shops closed their doors. The already desolate small border county became even quieter.

Xie Mi, the clerk from the household department, remarked, "Anqiu County has always been this way. The winters are exceptionally long, and life is exceptionally hard." Xie Mi was a man of genuine ability; those who remained in the household department after the Zhao Jinchuan incident were generally clean. More importantly, he had a clear head and deeply desired for the local harvest to improve.

Ji Chu nodded. "It’s too cold; no one wants to go out." And the clothing wasn't warm enough—there was no helping it.

Once the yamen’s affairs were mostly settled, it was time to seal the official seals. In the Northwest, government offices typically sealed their records on the nineteenth day of the twelfth month and reopened them on the nineteenth day of the first month. In other words, the New Year holiday was coming—a full month! It wasn't that the officials were lazy; the weather was simply too cold, the roads were blocked by snow, and there was no official business to conduct. Everything would have to wait until the weather warmed up.

Before sealing the records, Ji Chu received several letters. Three were from Quxia Prefecture, one from his hometown, and one, surprisingly, from the border garrison.

He opened them one by one. The ones from Quxia Prefecture were simple. The former Magistrate Zhang wrote about Zhao Jinchuan’s fate, noting that through some means, he had avoided the death penalty but was sentenced to hard labor, and looked half-dead already. He also mentioned how lively Quxia Prefecture was and suggested Ji Chu come to the prefectural city for the New Year. Another letter, from the personnel official at the Quxia prefectural office, stated that since their county was so small, they shouldn't have so many staff positions. It also mentioned that since Ji Chu only took office in the eleventh month, his year-end performance review would be waived until next year.

The last letter was an apology, though it felt insincere and perfunctory. The sender was a peer of his original self whom he had met on the road; they were both scholars, and the peer had been assigned to work in the prefectural city. When they met at the post station, his original self had entrusted the peer with a letter for the Quxia officials, explaining that he couldn't visit in person because he had to reach his post on time. The peer hadn't delivered it. His excuse was that things were too busy in the city, and he had forgotten. He only remembered recently, and upon learning that Ji Chu had already had Magistrate Zhang write another letter on his behalf, he decided not to bother sending his.

Advisor Li was furious after reading it. "He promised faithfully that he would deliver it! If you hadn't written another letter and asked Magistrate Zhang to pass it on, the Quxia officials would surely have thought you were rude."

Ji Chu simply replied, "I asked for a favor, so there is no point in complaining now."

He turned to his family’s letter, written by his eldest brother. Though his brother wasn't highly literate, he could manage. The letter said all was well at home and urged Ji Chu to take care of himself and not worry about their parents. It ended by saying his parents were looking forward to grandchildren and that they felt guilty because his marriage to his wife had been so rushed.

Ji Chu’s ears turned red. Having children was not possible for the time being. Since arriving in Anqiu, he had been swamped with work, and his persistent cough needed time to heal. The family’s letter was warm, and he read it again.

Opening the letter from the border garrison commander brought a different feeling entirely. The commander’s letter was blunt, reminding him that Anqiu County was supposed to supply their two-hundred-man unit, but no grain had been delivered for five or six years. He added that since Ji Chu had just arrived, he wouldn't press the matter this year, but would revisit it next year.

*Fine, fine,* Ji Chu thought. *They’re coming to demand money and grain.*

Most of the small border counties were assigned to support the garrison based on their population. However, most county offices simply dodged these debts, as no one had extra money. The other clerks knew this, saying, "They never paid in previous years; we don't need to worry about it." Everyone else did it; there was nothing to fear.

Ji Chu didn't say much. They were only asking now because they heard he had seized Zhao Jinchuan’s assets and thought he had money. But he truly didn't. The farm tools, seeds, and the upcoming manual on farm fertilizer—everything cost money. Ji Chu searched his conscience. Once he made some money, he would pay them back double.

After finishing the final tasks, Ji Chu stretched. He was ready to seal the records and continue after the new year. Spending his first New Year in a strange place, especially one so quiet, wasn't unusual for him. He already had a plan, just like in his previous life: while others were celebrating at home, he would be working overtime abroad. It was just work—he could handle it.

As the office sealed its records, everyone except the duty runners took their year-end salaries and headed home happily. Ji Chu took his share and walked from the main hall to the back quarters. He had intended to go to his study, but caught the scent of fried meatballs from the kitchen.

Tao Lewei was clearly waiting for him. "Freshly fried radish meatballs," she said with a smile. "Try one."

Tao and Li were preparing for the New Year, and fried goods were a must. The aroma of food filled the courtyard, adding a touch of festive cheer to the cold, quiet air.

*Perhaps I should have a meatball first?*

Ji Chu rolled up his sleeves. "I’m quite good at cooking; let me help."

*You? Cooking?* It wasn't that they doubted the Magistrate, but he was a scholar. Who had ever heard of a scholar in the kitchen? Even Ji Zhen gestured, meaning his fourth uncle didn't know how to cook.

But Ji Chu shaped the meatballs with such practiced ease that the women were stunned. *Magistrate, is there anything you can't do?*

His first New Year in Anqiu County was spent peacefully amidst the fragrance of food. As the snow gradually melted and the plans on Ji Chu’s desk grew thicker, the time to reopen the office approached.

*Prepare, prepare. The spring plowing is starting.*

*Simple Fertilizer User Manual*, *Precautions for Farm Fertilizer*, *Basic Knowledge of Fertilizer*—one by one, the manuals he had painstakingly transcribed were ready. As soon as the office opened, they would be sent to every village.

Ji Chu rubbed his sore wrists, hoping his efforts would not be in vain.