Chapter 80: Sharpening the Blade

Hearing Li Wenyuan inquire about the admissions at the technical school, Manager Jin nodded and replied, "Thanks to your policies, many displaced people who have no land to till have joined the technical school, learning the craft alongside artisans. To be frank, we craftsmen don't possess any profound knowledge; our so-called skills are simply a matter of practice and familiarity. I estimate that by next summer, these students will be able to work independently and create basic tools on their own."

At this point, Manager Jin could not help but sigh inwardly. Though the man before him seemed young and sometimes acted in unpredictable ways, his efforts to elevate the status of craftsmen had earned him the gratitude of all the artisans Jin had brought with him. To Manager Jin's knowledge, in many workshops, alongside the ancestral tablets, there was also a tablet dedicated to Li Wenyuan. Even though Li Wenyuan repeatedly insisted that no living person should be so honored, it could not stop the craftsmen’s reverence for him.

Moreover, from what he knew, not only the craftsmen under his charge but also the merchants had benefited from Li Wenyuan’s reforms. They were finally able to enjoy the same rights as ordinary citizens, freed from the shackles that had bound them for nearly a thousand years, and could now savor the improved quality of life their wealth afforded. With certain policies, struggling small business owners had also received aid from the banks, allowing them to start anew.

Even the rural farmers who usually paid little heed to national affairs now revered Li Wenyuan as a sage, for his policies had reduced their land taxes and enabled their children to attend schools that once seemed out of reach. Many had set up shrines to him in their homes.

Manager Jin also mentioned to Li Wenyuan that, to praise his deeds, people were spreading the tale that on the day of Li Wenyuan’s birth, the Yellow River ran clear for three days, echoing the ancient proverb that the river clears at the birth of a sage. But Li Wenyuan simply waved his hand and laughed:

"The Yellow River did not run clear on the day I was born. In truth, when has it ever been clear? People use the clarity of the Yellow River as a metaphor for the arrival of a sage, but instead of relying on others, people should rely on themselves. If the common folk truly stood up to defend their rights, then any ruler could become a sage. True and lasting peace is found when wealth and power return to the people. I am no sage; I have merely returned to the people what was rightfully theirs.

The title of sage is one I cannot bear. Though social assistance now spares people from starvation, there are still those shivering in the streets, and families who fall into poverty after a single illness, relying on welfare to survive. This shows that as the governor of the Western Territories, as their official and caretaker, I still have much to improve. Only when everyone has enough to eat, a house to live in, and clothes to wear will we see true peace and prosperity. Until then, all such talk is but empty words."

"You’ve only been in office a year, and your achievements are already remarkable. From what I know, just a few years ago, the records of Zhangye and Wuwei counties note that, whenever disaster struck and harvests failed, thousands would die of hunger. But since you have encouraged farming and repaired the irrigation works, last autumn’s drought did not cause too much loss of grain. Letting the people enjoy a peaceful New Year is already a tremendous accomplishment."

Before Manager Jin could respond, Qiu Niang’s voice came from outside the door. She had special permission from Li Wenyuan—no matter whom he was meeting, she could come to see him at any time. Hearing Li Wenyuan’s words, she couldn’t help but interject from outside.

"My, today I have a visitor even rarer than Manager Jin. I wonder what brings my little Night Owl to see me in person today?" Seeing that Qiu Niang had come to find him herself, Li Wenyuan responded in a teasing tone.

Manager Jin was well aware that the Night Owl organization under Qiu Niang’s control was one of Li Wenyuan’s secrets. Seeing her here, he was about to excuse himself to avoid suspicion, but Li Wenyuan, who had long since tested and trusted Manager Jin, stopped him and let him stay to hear Qiu Niang’s report. Realizing that even the secret Night Owls would not avoid his presence, Manager Jin felt deep gratitude and swore to repay Li Wenyuan’s trust with all his loyalty.

Seeing this, Qiu Niang understood that Manager Jin was now one of Li Wenyuan’s confidants. Without delay, she reported, "The Night Owls in Yiwu County have sent news that the rebel Li Gui has proclaimed himself King of Liang and established the Great Liang State, with its capital in Yiwu. He has appointed officials and issued the new Five-Zhu coins of Great Liang. Recently, he was also officially invested by the Western Turkic Khaganate and granted the title of Gedahan King. Now, Great Liang controls the military and financial resources of Dunhuang, Yiwu, Qiemu, and Shanshan counties. However, the Night Owls also report that last autumn’s drought affected the grain supply in Li Gui’s territory, and grain prices have nearly doubled. He was not as well prepared as you; before this autumn’s harvest, many people may starve."

Li Wenyuan nodded. With the Turks now involved in Li Gui’s rebellion, things had grown more complicated. Until the new Mo Dao Army he was organizing was fully formed, it would be unwise to engage the Turks in open battle—the losses would be too great. Coming from a later era, he could never view his soldiers as expendable, unlike the people of this age. In his eyes, each of his soldiers had an entire family standing behind them. That was why he had established the rule that only sons were exempt from service, and brothers could not serve at the same time.

He could never see his soldiers as mere numbers. Therefore, until he could effectively reduce casualties when facing the Turkic cavalry, he would not move against Li Gui lightly. But not attacking Li Gui did not mean he would allow his power to grow unchecked. After a moment’s thought, Li Wenyuan said to Qiu Niang:

"Have Zhang Juntao send the troops we brought from Wuwei to Xiping and Heyuan counties first. Take control of the military and civil authority in those two counties and implement the same policies as in Wuwei and Zhangye. With the surplus grain from last autumn, we can now take in their population. We must thoroughly sever Li Gui’s connections with the Central Plains, forcing all his affairs to pass through our territory."