Chapter 125: Rare and Exotic Treasures

Two days later, the grand procession arrived at the Western Hills.

At the foot of the Western Hills, near the miners’ settlement, many simple buildings had already sprung up from the ground. In front of these buildings stood a majestic stone memorial arch with a plaque bearing gilded characters: “Imperial Forest Guard Western Hills Tuntian Hundred-Household Office.”

Aside from the imposing stone memorial arch and the plaque, everything else looked quite shabby.

There was no other way. After all, this was just the beginning. The Imperial Edict had ordered the establishment of a Tuntian Hundred-Household Office but did not provide any funds or provisions. They needed to start farming immediately; there was no time to wait for the Ministry of Works to build the Baihu Station.

So, they had to make do.

Inside the Baihu Station, Deputy Hundred-Household Commander Zhang Xin was already waiting with the Zongqi, Xiao Qi Officers, Commandants, and Enlisted Soldiers. However… everyone’s expressions were not very good.

One could imagine: these once-glamorous Imperial Guards, who had served in the Imperial Palace, were unexpectedly driven out of the city and sent here for Military Farming. This… was simply a tragedy.

As soon as Fang Jifan arrived, everyone reluctantly perked up. Zhang Xin was a delicate, fair-skinned fellow, a few years older than Fang Jifan, but his gaze seemed a bit dull—probably because his father beat him too often.

Everyone saluted and said, “Greetings, Bai Hu.”

“Very good.” Fang Jifan nodded. “Do you all understand your duties?”

Zhang Xin hung his head and said, “We ask the Bai Hu for guidance. We only know about Military Farming but not how to…”

“You don’t even know how to farm?” Fang Jifan grinned. “Pick up your Hoes and start turning the soil first. We’ll deal with the rest later.”

With that, he smoothly kicked Zhang Xin in the backside.

Zhang Xin stumbled, his face turning red, and stammered, “You… how could you hit someone?”

At this point, Fang Jifan could definitely confirm that this Deputy Hundred-Household Commander probably had the surname Wang.

Fang Jifan, of course, showed no courtesy and sneered, “This is a warning. Anyone who dares to slack off—I won’t just hit them; I’ll hang them from a tree and beat them. Zhang Xin, you take the lead. Today, turn over the hundred acres of land around here first.”

Zhang Xin felt like crying but could only hang his head, looking utterly miserable. However, one good thing about someone who had been beaten since childhood was that they were very obedient and compliant. So, he quickly gathered the lamenting Commandants and started working.

Fang Jifan, on the other hand, was much happier. He ordered someone to prepare a lounge chair and lounged comfortably on it. The sun was out today and somewhat glaring, so Deng Jian bent over and held up an oil-paper umbrella. Lying on the rocking chair, Fang Jifan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: Military Farming was truly lonely.

When Wang Jinyuan heard that Fang Jifan had arrived, he hurried over. He had regained his vigor and seemed full of energy. Nowadays, he increasingly felt the value of serving Fang Jifan diligently. After bowing and saluting, he said, “Young Lord…”

“Call me Bai Hu.” Fang Jifan felt a bit sleepy. He narrowed his eyes and stretched lazily.

“Yes, Bai Hu. The mine is now in good order, but… the Capital’s demand for smokeless coal is growing. I’m afraid we need to hire more workers for mining. Also, Young Lord, would you like to check the accounts? I’ve prepared the ledger.”

Fang Jifan slowly waved his hand and said, “Arrange the hiring properly. As for the ledger… I won’t look at it. Have Manager Yang from my residence come and check it later.”

Wang Jinyuan smiled. “Okay, okay. There’s one more thing… a Northern Barbarians. He had a Sea Vessel that was inspected by the Tianjin Garrison’s maritime patrol. The ship and cargo were both detained at the Tianjin Garrison… cough… This person somehow got wind of the news that Bai Hu’s father works at the Five Chief Military Commissions and often goes to Tianjin… cough… What I mean is…”

Hearing this, the previously languid Fang Jifan suddenly rolled over and sat up, somewhat angry.

Northern Barbarians? Northern Barbarians have Sea Vessels? This was clearly smuggling. Although the Great Ming’s Sea Ban was not as strict as before, combined with the world-renowned Silk and Porcelain, that was precisely why Fang Jifan knew from the Tianjin local records that some merchants from the Western Regions conspired with certain inland noble families to smuggle goods and sail overseas.

Obviously, this Northern Barbarians’s ship was unfortunately seized by the Tianjin Garrison’s maritime patrol, so he was anxious and came ashore to try every possible means to pull strings.

These days, Fang Jinglong went to the Tianjin Garrison every so often, tasked by imperial decree to reorganize the military affairs there. What right did that Northern Barbarians have to seek out Nanhe Bo? Most likely, he found out through various channels that Nanhe Bo had a troublemaking son, and coincidentally, Wang Jinyuan worked under Fang Jifan. So, he tried every way to win over Wang Jinyuan and use his connection to reach Fang Jifan.

Smuggling was one thing, but the problem was, was Fang Jifan the kind of person to bend the law for personal gain, to help a Northern Barbarians and harm his own father? If the Censors found out, what would happen?

Understanding the stakes involved, Fang Jifan immediately righteously scolded, “Wang Jinyuan, what kind of person do you take me for? I am now a Bai Hu of the Imperial Forest Guard, entrusted with the Emperor’s grace, the descendant of loyal and good officials. How dare you mention such a shameful matter?”

Wang Jinyuan, who originally had a smile on his face, was startled by Fang Jifan’s sudden anger and turned pale. He hurriedly said respectfully, “I was just asking on his behalf, just asking. Young Lord, don’t mind it. This Northern Barbarians is indeed annoying, always pestering me. I had no choice. But… but… this person said… he said he heard that Young Lord was ill, and they happened to bring a Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng from the Western Regions that cures all diseases. He very much wants to offer it to Young Lord… Besides that, there are… some other treasures he’d like Bai Hu to take a look at.”

Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng?

Fang Jifan’s jaw almost dropped. Do ginseng grow in the Western Regions?

He had never heard of that.

Nine times out of ten, he was a scammer. Who knows what he was trying to pass off to fool him? Did he really take him for a good-for-nothing spendthrift with no knowledge?

Fang Jifan sneered inwardly but showed no expression on his face. “That sounds great. A Ten-Thousand-Year-Old Ginseng—I’m not very cultured, but I’d really like to see it. Tell him to come.”

Hmph! If he comes, I’ll definitely break his dog legs! Committing crimes is one thing, but how dare he insult Fang Jifan’s intelligence!

Fang Jifan was quite comfortable here, but the feelings of those working hard over there were not so great. Zhang Xin was an honest man. He carried his Hoe and led the Commandants to start turning the soil. In just a short while, the group was already panting and out of breath.

Because the Imperial Forest Guard was part of the Imperial Guard, they wore clothes similar to the Flying Fish Uniform, made of high-quality patterned silk. But now, they were covered in mud and dirt. Those who had looked valiant just moments ago were now disheveled and grimy.

Zhang Xin’s palms were rubbed raw, and he felt like his back would never straighten again. Looking up, he saw Fang Jifan sitting up from his lounge chair, leisurely drinking tea. Many Commandants around him were grumbling under their breath, but Zhang Xin didn’t dare complain; he just wanted to cry.

By noon, since the Tuntian Hundred-Household Office didn’t have a dedicated cafeteria yet, they had to make do and eat with the miners next door.

The earth-stained men met the coal-dust-covered men. They stared at each other but ate heartily in silence.

Guys like Zhang Xin were either from Noble Families or from well-off commoner families. They were usually pampered and lived comfortably. Even when serving in the Imperial Guard, they didn’t suffer much hardship. After this day’s work, they were truly exhausted and hungry. Many were so tired their arms and legs felt weak. The miners’ food was very greasy—after all, they expended a lot of physical energy—so Wang Jinyuan didn’t dare skimp on that. The pork, still with its hair, was boiled in a pot. The miners ate it with relish. As for Zhang Xin, after staring at the hair on the meat for a long time, he finally decided to just eat plain rice.

The Northern Barbarians arrived. Hearing from Wang Jinyuan that the connection had been made, he was overjoyed.

His entire cargo ship was seized; all his capital and savings were on it. Originally, he had cooperated with a certain powerful family in Shandong. The Shandong side was responsible for stockpiling the goods, while he handled shipping and selling. As long as the Great Ming’s Silk and Porcelain were loaded onto the ship, it was a hugely profitable venture.

But although this business was highly profitable, the risks were enormous. Once the ship was intercepted by the maritime patrol, he became frantic. The Shandong side immediately cut off contact with him—after all, it involved the national policy of the Sea Ban, which was a capital offense. To avoid implicating themselves, they abandoned him when disaster struck.

The Hu merchant was an Arabs. He was unfamiliar with this place. In the end, he bribed the envoy mission of the Zhenla Kingdom and got a position as an entourage member to come ashore, all to try every means to pull strings.

He knew some Chinese, but he couldn’t find any proper channels. Eventually, Fang Jifan, who seemed friendly towards Merchants, became his only lifeline.

Fang Jifan looked at this bearded Arabs with his prominent nose bridge and also black eyes, his head wrapped in cloth like it was swollen from a beating.

The Northern Barbarians came before Fang Jifan and promptly saluted, saying, “Faisal ibn Abdul pays his respects…”

His Chinese was very halting. Before he could finish, Fang Jifan impatiently waved his hand and said, “I’ll call you Xiao Fei. Your long name makes me uncomfortable.”

Xiao Fei was a bit confused, but obviously, he had come prepared. This time, he was here to ask for a favor, so he forced a smile and said, “Thank you, Fang Bai Hu, for bestowing this Chinese name upon me. This time, I traveled across the ocean to… to foster friendship with the Great Han. I have long heard of Fang Bai Hu’s great name. I have some gifts and ask that Fang Bai Hu accept them.”

As he spoke, he took out a large pearl as if presenting a treasure, and his attendant also brought out several rugs and such.

Fang Jifan took one look and immediately lost interest. These things were indeed rare in the Great Ming. For example, that pearl was clearly a Glass bead. The Europeans had already made them first; they weren’t worth much and only served to fool the Great Ming, which hadn’t yet mastered Glass-making technology. It was just like the Great Ming’s Silk and Porcelain: not particularly valuable in the Great Ming, but once taken overseas, their value increased countless times.