The Slender Waist

Is this a boast or a threat?

Jin Zhitong flung his sleeves and left; before he departed, he glared at Xiaoman with fierce resentment.

-

On the third day after receiving the good military report, the village set up a banquet with dishes served in continuous sequence.

In these lean times, the land was bleak and barren, the crops frozen dead, and food was a rarity; when the Village Chief’s wife set up this feast, the entire village came.

With so many people, the table only had the simplest five big bowls: oil-fried tofu with a layer of meat on top, braised tofu underneath, meat buns, stir-fried glass noodles, and a bowl of fragrant and rich chicken soup. Although the soup bowls contained few slices of chicken, it was nonetheless authentic chicken soup; having a bowl was enough to warm one from the mouth to the stomach. For many households, this was a luxury akin to celebrating the New Year.

This was the first time Changmen formally held a feast.

Not enough tables could be found in the entire village, so everyone brought their own tables and chairs from home, along with pots, pans, ladles, and basins; anything that might be needed was just a word away and someone would bring it over.

Everyone said that the Village Chief’s wife set up this feast to seek good fortune for her husband fighting in the war...

Therefore, no one came empty-handed; even if it was just two eggs taken from the chicken coop, they would wrap them in red paper and present them to Feng Yun with warm congratulatory words.

Feng Yun had previously instructed the servants not to receive any gifts, yet they couldn’t deter everyone’s enthusiasm. After politely refusing back and forth several times, they finally sat down to feast.

This winter, the deep snow had suppressed emotions for so long, and everyone was finally able to relax for once.

Sitting under the sun, eating and talking away, it was truly lively.

Of course, Feng Yun wasn’t hosting this meal for nothing. After the meal, in front of everybody, she reiterated the rules of Huaxi Village and then talked about the tool workshop, the Cheng Yi Workshop, and the mining venture up the mountain.

"Starting the workshops in the village will certainly interfere with farming times. So, everyone needs to think carefully, you can only commit to one place. The tool workshop and the mines are both labor-intensive; in principle, only men are hired."

"Those young and strong men interested should go to Xing Dalang after the meal to register their names."

"Be sure to discuss with your family before making a decision, especially about the mines. While there’s money to be made, the risks are high, and it’s not to be taken lightly."

Jobs that can make money will be prioritized for the villagers.

Everybody was teary with gratitude towards Feng Yun, but when they heard about the risks, they hesitated.

Stories from relatives about other relatives who had died in the mines began to multiply, and suddenly, not many went to Xing Zhou to register...

-

The victorious report reached Xijing almost at the same time.

The New Dynasty court was invigorated, and the common folk in the markets were also beaming with joy.

Many in the Imperial Court did not share Feng Yun’s worries, accustomed as they were to General Pei winning battles. Victory had become the norm, taken for granted.

For the New Dynasty, nothing was more important than such a victorious battle.

Repelling the invading enemies for Dajin was the most potent evidence of the Western Capital Dynasty’s right to rule.

As for Li Zongxun’s so-called "last edict of the late emperor," who could clarify from which desk it was forged?

While the Western Capital Dynasty celebrated its victory, the Yecheng Imperial Court was "recruiting soldiers and horses," gathering wealth like mad.

The newly enthroned Emperor of Chunde was nothing more than a figurehead, and Empress Dowager Li Sangruo a puppet, living a life of debauchery, numbing herself with alcohol, meat, and men.

And Ge Pei, the Military Governor of Xiangzhou, did have some talent in leading troops, yet though he was brave, his strategies were inadequate, and the great powers of the imperial policies were almost entirely monopolized by Li Zongxun.

Initially, when Li Zongxun escaped Central Capital, he took a group of officials with him, but due to the urgency of the situation, many families and subordinates of these officials were unable to leave in time, thus remaining in Central Capital.

Therefore, the abundant vacancies that arose became hot commodities...

Many wealthy and influential families, though they had money and food, did not necessarily have positions, saw their chance as fortunes turned and hurried to grab and buy official posts. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

They relied on connections, offered bribes, nearly coming to blows over these opportunities.

Li Zongxun, who presently was in dire need of both funds and personnel, couldn’t bother to turn a blind eye; he simply established his own channel to collect money, selling official positions at clearly marked prices, without letting any intermediary profit from the difference...

The most notable effect of this action was the swift accumulation of a significant wealth for the empty treasury of the Yecheng New Dynasty.

Li Zongxun’s methods were ruthless, and he was a sinister man.

When the sale of positions was nearly complete, he thought it over and set an entry barrier for those who bought their positions, giving it an interesting name, "Competitive Appointment."

That is to say, whether one could assume their purchased position depended on whether they could compete successfully against others...

Those who were capable stayed and worked their lives away for the Li Family.

Those who were not capable held a nominal official title without any real power or salary. They could put on airs in front of friends and family, playing at being a lord, which served to entertain but was otherwise utterly useless.

This cunning trick angered many in Yecheng, where curses against Li Zongxun were widespread.

Some, driven to desperation, even prayed with incense at home, hoping that Pei Jue could swiftly break into Yecheng, unify Dajin, and completely eradicate Li Zongxun, that rotten man...

As for these complaints, Li Zongxun did not take them to heart, remaining nonchalant.

"The capable should occupy positions; it’s the natural order of things."

If you’ve got the skills, go for it. If not, who can you blame?

Feng Yun heard about these matters at the villa and chuckled, finding Li Zongxun’s move to be quite brilliant.

You could say it was completely flawless...

Isn’t it the official positions that everyone wants? Cash in hand, goods delivered. No one was shortchanged.

After all, what was bought was a position, not the actual power.

Everyone got what they wanted, so what was there to complain about?

"It both enriched the treasury and struck at the local elite. Despite being a bit unseemly, it indeed killed two birds with one stone. Such a shady scheme is not something one can pull off without twenty years of experience in skulduggery," he commented.

Xing Bing, Alou, and the Ge brothers, who were all present, nodded in agreement upon hearing this, but Xiaoman did not understand.

"So hasn’t he offended all the noble and powerful families?"

"No." Feng Yun took a light sip of scented tea and spoke indifferently, "The nobility, who can cover the sky with one hand, need not buy positions. The New Dynasty will naturally cozy up to them, trying to win them over with official posts and bribes. Those who spend money on positions are exactly the ones with ample means but insufficient status. This segment of people is the best to harvest... What does it matter if they are offended? They can only grumble a bit. Without troops or influence, could they possibly turn the tide?"

In the face of absolute power, rage is impotence.

"Li Zongxun is not to be underestimated," Feng Yun said.