A boat floated before the sun rose at the confluence of Fenhe and Qinglong rivers. As the boat neared the deepest point Shen Ku handed a bronze pot with a lid to Yuan Yao. "The river yields its secrets to only those who respect its weight. On this third day, you must bring forth water from its deepest heart."
Yuan Yao, stripped to only a hemp lower garment, accepted the pot and dived down into the deepest parts of the river. He slowly sank down to the bottom of the pool created by the swirling waters of Fenhe and Qinglong rivers.
As he sank down he noticed carp that were six to seven chi long swirling around in a dreamy blue haze. As he sank down further he saw a school of them. These carps were extremely large, and when they swam their fins glowed with a faint ethereal azure light.
Yuan Yao opened the bronze pot as soon as he reached the riverbed. The water rushed into the pot surrounded by the azure halo of Azure Dragon Carps.
Yuan Yao collected the water and swam back up to the surface. He was helped by Shen Ku onto the boat.
"Azure Dragon blesses you, my lord." The shrine keeper spoke.
Yuan Yao, who was shivering uncontrollably, said, "Thhhh…anks. It wasssss lot harder than it looks." complained.
"I'd give you hot radish soup if I was allowed to. Hold it in for the time being." Shen Ku patted his back.
Yuan Yao carefully handed the pot to the shrine keeper, then sat down hugging his shoulders.
The boat slowly returned to the bank, and both Yuan Yao, and Shen Ku came to the main altar.
"Now change into your Qianhuhou dress." Shen Ku spoke.
Yuan Yao changed into his Qianhuhou attire. It consisted of a deep red Shenyi robe, a white silk inner garment, a wuguan—a headwear worn by civil officials, a sword hung from the sash, and thickly padded silk footwear.
"Please, dig a hole that is a chi deep." Shen Ku instructed.
"Fill it with earth."
"Pour the water."
"Place your plaque."
"Light the spirit camphor incense." Shen Ku guided Yuan Yao through the ritual.
After Yuan Yao completed the ritual, Shen Ku picked up the plaque and handed it back to him.
"I declare that the land has been bound to the Lord, and the Lord to the land."
"You can return to the county office and officially assume the duties." Shen Ku announced the end of the ceremony.
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Yuan Yao returned to the county office and stepped into the familiar room, filled with the aroma of old parchments. Clerk Zhang Rong, who had been busy reviewing the latest ledgers, stood up and bowed deeply, his old and deep eyes hiding his feelings.
Behind him, stacks of bamboo slips and newly delivered reports from the surrounding village formed multiple piles covering the table like a white sea.
Soon after Xu Zhen came to visit Yuan Yao. "My lord, this lowly one awaits your order."
Yuan Yao questioned instead of answering him. "Is Zhen your courtesy name?"
"No, my lord. I was fortunate enough to be taught by a wandering scholar. I just helped the village chief with my meager knowledge." Xu Zhen answered.
Wen Deng had informed Yuan Yao that there were no falsehoods in Xu Zhen's words spoken in the shrine. Yuan Yao was very excited when he learned that he could potentially recruit another scholar who was most likely good at scribe duties. Above all, he valued Xu Zhen for leading his men for four to six months, and how he kept records of all his villagers even when they became refugees.
"You said that you have your village's records on you. Have you kept them up-to-date? Even when you were refugees wandering around? Could you tell me, precisely, how many men, women, and children there are?"
"My lord, I have kept them even when we no longer had the shelter of our homes. As for the people, we number two hundred and forty souls. We have eighty children under the age of 10, 60 able-bodied men, 70 able-bodied women, and 30 old people.
As for how I was able to maintain the records, I have been blessed with good memory. I wrote down everything when I could get some time either at dusk or whenever the occasion permitted."
Before Yuan Yao could further question him, four people barged in like mountain bandits who had come to collect their tolls from a passing merchant caravan. At the head of these men an extravagantly dressed noble youth led them.
"Pardon my intrusion, Lord" said the noble youth.
"I heard that my father had given you his advice, which, I presume, you'll remember. If you don't, I'll guide you on how to follow the advice of my father, Han Qing."
"Oh, I remember your father's words as clear as the day." Sima Lang interjected. "But, may I remind you that Han Qing has not yet become the Lord of Changpu."
"KeKeKe! Sima Daren, you jest! Why does my father need some plaque, and a strip of cloth that says he's the lord. My father is a pragmatist; as long as the real power is in his hands he won't mind someone else holding the plaque.
But fear not! I am here. As long as you can convince me you can consider that as though you had convinced my father." Han Qing's son went on with his tirade.
Yuan Yao instead of reprimanding him turned to Xu Zhen, "What this young master says holds some water. Although your people would increase the taxes, till the fields, and catch fish, you'll still need to make a case as to why should I settle you in my fief."
Before Xu Zhen answered the question, the young master barked, "TAXES? FARMING? KEKEKE! Oh Lord, you're a dreamer. You play at being a lord. Where would you find food for these people? Where would you settle them? All of the farmlands of the fief are already spoken for. Will you give them some empty land which is prone to flooding? And risk all of these people dying?"
Yuan Yao looked at Xu Zhen for the answer. "My lord, our people can not only farm the fields but also work with wood and metal. The farming tools of Luo Tie were famous for around 100 li, and Qiao Mu is famous for his carpentry around 20 li of Heiian village. We have many more people who are good at different crafts, as such, my lord needn't worry about us starving to death."
Yuan Yao nodded while the youth scoffed. "Even if there are artisans in your group, they'll need the grain all the same."
"Doesn't the Han family have at least ten thousand mu of farmland, and four hundred tenant farmers?" Sima Lang countered. "How could such a great family worry about mere two hundred people."
"Wouldn't we also need to feed these hundreds of people and their families?" The young master barked back.
"My terms are simple." Yuan Yao cut off the youth. "All the able-bodied men will join the garrison as a new type of reserve unit. The Office of Qianhuhou will be responsible for settling them and their families."
Xu Zhen hesitated, "If you reject my offer I can't help you with anything, but if you do I can promise you all of your fellow villagers would be helped to the best of my abilities." Yuan Yao urged him. "You have been on the road for far too long already. If you want your villagers to survive you should take this offer, however imperfect it looks."
Xu Zhen remained silent until an incense stick had burned away. "My lord, I accept."
The blood rushed to the young master's face, painting it red as the setting sun. "How dare you disregard the words of me, Han Yu, the next patriarch of the Han family! I'll see how you'll rule here without the Han family's support.