Five days after receiving his appointment, Dalang officially assumed the role of town chief of Linzhen. Lin Chengxiang allocated him only a hundred taels of silver and five thousand catties of grain. As for the town office and its necessary personnel, Lin Chengxiang made it clear that the county could no longer spare any additional funds—everything else would have to be arranged by Dalang himself. The salaries of the town office staff would also remain unpaid for the time being, with any future payments dependent on the county treasury’s revenue the following year.
Dalang smiled bitterly. A hundred taels of silver was less than half a year’s allowance for Lin Wu. Though Linzhen had only a few thousand residents, even if each household of refugees was limited to half a catty of grain per day, how long could five thousand catties last? But complaining was pointless. Dalang had no choice but to accept the situation. Escorted by yamen runners, he hauled the five thousand catties of grain back to Linzhen.
His family’s businesses had not only ground to a halt but had also suffered heavy losses due to looting by refugees. Over the past few months, while helping to resettle the displaced, their household savings and grain reserves had dwindled significantly. Now, though he had ostensibly become an official, he was essentially a lone figure, forced to spend his own money to assemble a town office. This was something Dalang had never anticipated.
As he neared Linzhen, he spotted troops setting up camp in an open area. Dalang was puzzled—why had soldiers arrived so suddenly? Could there be another disturbance?
Tan Liu had ridden ahead to Linzhen before Dalang’s return. Now, he came to meet him with a group of men. When Dalang asked about the troops, Tan Liu grinned. “The leader is someone you know, sir—an old acquaintance.”
“An old acquaintance? Who?”
Dalang could only think of two military acquaintances: Li Ziyi and Zhang Xiangfa. But given Tan Liu’s status, if it were either of them, he wouldn’t have referred to them so casually. That left only one possibility—General Lei, who had suppressed the refugee uprising and interacted with Dalang the most. Could it be him?
Tan Liu immediately confirmed his guess. “It’s General Lei. He sent word that he’s busy with arrangements now but will visit your residence in the evening when he’s free.”
After the gruel distribution incident, Dalang had repurposed the Lin family theater as a temporary town office. Now, he had the Lin family guards escort the grain carts to the theater’s makeshift warehouse while he accompanied the yamen runners at a slower pace.
Before they even reached the town office, Lin Zhongsi’s booming voice could be heard from afar: “That county magistrate is downright stingy! What can this little grain do? Even if we only serve gruel, how many days will it last?”
The lead yamen runner stopped and asked Dalang, “Master Lin, is that speaker Lord Lin?”
Dalang replied, “That’s my uncle. I don’t know if he’s the Lord Lin you’re referring to.”
Before the runner could respond, Lin Zhongsi emerged from the town office and shouted at Dalang, “This town chief position isn’t worth taking! No money, no grain, freezing weather halting production—thousands of lives are at stake. How is a town chief supposed to manage this?”
When receiving the funds and grain, the magistrate had explicitly stated that the county treasury would no longer supply relief materials to refugee resettlement zones. From then on, the survival of the refugees would be the responsibility of each zone’s town chief or village head.
In truth, Lin Chengxiang was at his wits’ end. With delayed relief funds from higher authorities, he had no choice but to distribute the county’s last reserves to the resettlement zones, fully expecting to be punished by the court. Since learning of Lin Chengxiang’s background, Lin Zhongsi had held a grudge against him, now convinced that the magistrate was deliberately making things difficult for Dalang.
Since Steward Qi had assured him to accept the town chief appointment without worry, Dalang trusted that the Qi family had a plan. He wasn’t overly concerned about how to proceed. Sighing, he said, “Let’s hold on for a few days first. There’ll surely be a way.”
Lin Zhongsi opened his mouth to argue further when the lead yamen runner suddenly exclaimed excitedly, “Lord Lin! I’m Liuzhi—do you remember me?”
“Hmm?” Lin Zhongsi turned to the runner, studying him carefully before glancing at his right hand.
“Look, look! I really am Liuzhi,” the runner said, extending his right arm and splaying his fingers. His thumb split like a snake’s tongue, tapering at the tip.
“You brat! Growing such a big beard at your age—how was I supposed to recognize you?” Lin Zhongsi boomed, punching Liuzhi in the chest and sending him stumbling back two steps before he steadied himself.
Lin Zhongsi frowned. “Can’t even take one punch from me? How useless.”
A nearby yamen runner explained, “Reporting to Lord Lin, the county yamen has been cutting staff due to unpaid salaries. Since the disaster, we’ve had no rest. Our leader here has no family to care for, so he’s been covering shifts for his brothers daily. Exhaustion has weakened him, making him unable to withstand your iron fist.”
Lin Zhongsi snorted. “Hmph! A county magistrate who can’t even pay salaries? Liuzhi, just come to Linzhen. The town office is short-handed. Since I picked you up, you might as well stick with me.”
Liuzhi beamed. “Yes! Liuzhi obeys.”
“Look at you, so easily pleased. Come with me—let’s get you back in shape. How can you shoulder heavy responsibilities in this state?”
Without another word, Lin Zhongsi dragged Liuzhi off to the Lin residence. Dalang found it amusing—Liuzhi would indeed have heavy responsibilities ahead, most of which would involve enduring his uncle’s antics. Little Shiyuan was now constantly doting on his sister, helping her care for Old Master Sima, leaving Lin Zhongsi bored and restless. Liuzhi’s arrival was perfect timing for his uncle to vent his energy.
That evening, General Lei indeed visited the Lin residence. After explaining the purpose of his troops’ encampment, Li Cuimei exclaimed in delight, “General Lei, is it true? Will my elder sister really arrive in a few days?”
General Lei nodded. “Yes, madam. We feared General Zhang’s parents couldn’t endure the journey’s hardships, so we had them travel slowly with the supply wagons. They’ll arrive within ten days at the latest. Please be patient.”
After comforting his emotional wife, Dalang raised a question. “With the ground frozen solid in this cold, how can we build greenhouses and grow vegetables?”
General Lei reassured him, “Don’t worry about that, Master Lin. Soldiers march and fight regardless of weather or harsh conditions. We’ve faced worse situations than this when setting up camp. We have ways to erect the greenhouses.”
“But,” Dalang remained skeptical, “even if the greenhouses are built, planting on frozen wasteland seems impossible.”
“Heh, we’re aware of that,” General Lei chuckled. “The greenhouses are a temporary measure—meant to reassure the refugees.”
Dalang was even more confused. “Reassure the refugees? What do greenhouses have to do with them?”
Dropping his formal demeanor, General Lei grinned. “Though I serve under Xiangfa, we’re sworn brothers. Calling you ‘master’ and ‘madam’ feels awkward. Like Xiangfa, I’ll call you Third Aunt and Third Uncle. The eunuch delivering the imperial decree is arriving with General Zhang’s parents. You’ll understand the connection then.”
Before Dalang and Li Cuimei could react, Lei Dongzhu had already begun addressing them as “Third Aunt” and “Third Uncle.” The couple exchanged bewildered glances—an imperial decree? What was going on?
After some banter, Lei Dongzhu got down to business. “Third Uncle, I’ve brought winter supplies to distribute to the refugees starting tomorrow. As a local, you know their situation best. Please assign people to assist me, ensuring everyone receives their share without greedy individuals claiming extras.”
Dalang agreed readily. “Of course, I’ll help.”
Lei Dongzhu brightened. “Thank you, Third Uncle! I have another request.”
“Go ahead.”
“Yes. While distributing supplies, we’ll also recruit workers for the greenhouse project. Those hired will receive slightly better items than others. Some might apply just for the extra goods, even if unfit for heavy labor. Your household has long interacted with the refugees—you know them well. Please help screen applicants tomorrow.”
These two requests were essentially one issue, yet Lei Dongzhu presented them separately. Dalang cut to the chase. “Any other requirements? If it’s within my power, I won’t refuse. Just say it outright.”
Lei Dongzhu grew serious. “Your assistance alone is greatly appreciated, Third Uncle. I wouldn’t impose further. Before departing, my elder brother reminded me that your family’s businesses must have suffered from the disaster. As the stationed troops, maintaining local order is our duty. While I recruit greenhouse workers, Third Aunt may also hire workers for your family’s enterprises.”
Dalang and Li Cuimei expressed gratitude. “Thank you, General Lei.”
“Third Aunt, Third Uncle, why still call me ‘general’?” Lei Dongzhu feigned offense. “Since Xiangfa and I are brothers, I should honor you as he does. Please call me Dongzhu from now on.”
Dalang laughed. “Very well, we won’t stand on ceremony. Dongzhu, don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need in the future.”
Lei Dongzhu replied heartily, “Of course! I won’t hold back.”
Whether Lei Dongzhu was genuinely warm or simply opportunistic, his actions temporarily alleviated Dalang’s pressing difficulties. The situation now favored the Lin family. The next day, Dalang personally oversaw the distribution of winter supplies to refugees.
The supplies consisted mainly of cotton clothing and bedding, with ten catties of grain per person. Those recruited for greenhouse work received additional items: a cotton vest, a pair of thick fur-lined shoes, daily meals during work, and one catty of charcoal after each shift. Though the charcoal was mediocre—producing heavy smoke when burned—it was better than nothing.
After the cold set in, all burnable trees and grass near Linzhen had been scavenged, except for those on the Lin family’s guarded mountains. Venturing farther risked trespassing into neighboring towns’ territories, where resources were equally scarce. For families with elderly or children, this charcoal was precious—practically life-saving.
Greenhouse work was limited to men, with only a few strong women selected to assist the military kitchen. Other women watched enviously but helplessly.
After greenhouse recruitment ended, Li Cuimei announced that Lin’s Cuiji Workshop was hiring—women only. This immediately caused a stir among refugee women, including elderly grandmothers, who rushed to apply.
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