Chapter 31: Exchange

Page (1/3)

A chill ran through Liu Yitiao’s heart. Since news of his ability to cure the intestinal epidemic had spread, he had expected that Magistrate Wang would inevitably seek him out. After all, with an illness resembling a plague, the authorities would never stand idly by.

He just hadn’t imagined it would happen so quickly; he’d only just made money from two cattle.

“Replying to Your Excellency, the matter is true. It’s a folk remedy passed down through my family, and it does have some effect,” Liu Yitiao answered respectfully, calculating how best to handle the situation.

“Oh? Are there any cases of successful treatment?” Wang Zhihong signaled for Liu Yitiao and Liu Ertiao to sit, his tone hopeful—perhaps Liu Yitiao would bring him a pleasant surprise. The epidemic had tormented him to the brink of madness these past days. Plough oxen all across the county were falling ill; several had died already, and if unchecked, the consequences would be dire, severely impacting agricultural production come spring.

Liu Yitiao replied, “Including the oxen in my own household, three have recovered. There are still three awaiting treatment at home.”

“Really?!” Wang Zhihong rose again, elated—this was the first good news he’d heard in days. He looked at Liu Yitiao, “Why didn’t you speak up earlier, young Liu? Hundreds of oxen are sick throughout Sanyuan County, and every day brings news of deaths—heartbreaking, truly. Since you possess this remedy, would you be willing to share it to save the people of Sanyuan?”

“Trying to get something for nothing, are you?” Liu Yitiao inwardly scoffed at Wang Zhihong, then said aloud, “Your Excellency speaks wisely, but the prescription is an ancestral secret. If I disclose it, I fear…”

Having anticipated Liu Yitiao’s reluctance, Wang Zhihong offered terms directly: “I realize this is a difficult request, but the people suffer, and drastic times call for drastic measures. I am authorized by the county office to offer thirty hectares of hereditary farmland in exchange for your prescription. What do you say? With such a reward, surely your ancestors would not begrudge you.”

“Thirty hectares?!” Liu Yitiao was startled—when did Wang Zhihong become so generous? Three thousand mu (about three hundred acres by modern measure), hereditary land that could be passed down through generations, offered so readily. Was land in this era so worthless?

Seeing Liu Yitiao’s surprise, Wang Zhihong thought he was dissatisfied, so he sweetened the deal: “If you agree, the county office will also reward you with ten plough oxen. If this still doesn’t suffice, then so be it—I’ll find another solution.”

Page (2/3)

“Another solution?” Liu Yitiao understood Wang Zhihong’s meaning clearly: after the sweet fruit comes the stick—if you refuse the carrot, prepare for the stick. The choice is yours.

But the offer was tempting. Liu Yitiao had always wanted to earn more, and wasn’t this what he sought? Thirty hectares and ten oxen—far more than he had dared hope.

Furthermore, the folk remedy for the oxen’s illness was simple and easily discovered. Though he had disguised his purchases of ingredients, sooner or later someone would figure it out. Better to sell Wang Zhihong a favor now—gain both reward and goodwill. Why not?

Liu Yitiao stood, bowed deeply, and said, “For the people of Sanyuan, I am willing to offer my prescription, to help the county endure this calamity.”

“Excellent!” Wang Zhihong was overjoyed, not forgetting to promise Liu Yitiao his reward. “Tomorrow I’ll send someone to allocate the land and oxen to you. Rest assured, though the land is currently wild, once cleared it will be fertile.”

“Thank you for Your Excellency’s generosity!” Liu Yitiao replied, “Please prepare some paper, brush, and ink for me; I will write out the prescription at once and present it to you.”

Thus, the mutually beneficial transaction was concluded. Liu Yitiao traded a single sheet of prescription for thirty hectares of hereditary land and ten oxen. Wang Zhihong, leveraging the imperial policy of encouraging cultivation, acquired the remedy for the oxen’s intestinal epidemic. Both got what they wanted, and the cooperation was pleasant.

It was nearly noon when Liu Yitiao and Liu Ertiao took their leave. Wang Zhihong, busy with preparations for garlic and spirits to combat the disaster, did not try to detain them.

On the way back, Liu Yitiao learned from Liu Ertiao why Wang Zhihong had been so generous with land and oxen. Though this was the famed reign of Zhenguan, the Tang economy was not as prosperous as he had imagined. The chaos of the Sui-Tang transition had only ended a few years prior, with many able-bodied men dead and vast tracts of land lying fallow. The empire was in a state of renewal; industries and livelihoods all awaited revival. The nation had land in abundance but lacked farmers willing to reclaim and cultivate it.

Wang Zhihong’s generosity with land was likely motivated by the prospect of increased tax revenue. But his willingness to offer ten oxen showed he still had some conscience.

Page (3/3)

Returning home, Liu Yitiao found Old Liu diligently cleaning, trying to clear more space. He spoke, “Father, take a rest—you don’t need to work so hard anymore. From today, we won’t accept any more sick cattle. We just need to cure the three we have now.”

“Why?” Old Liu asked, puzzled.

“The prescription was given to Magistrate Wang in exchange for thirty hectares of wild land and ten plough oxen. Starting tomorrow, the county office will treat the cattle free of charge or for a nominal fee,” Liu Ertiao replied for Liu Yitiao.

“Thirty hectares and ten oxen?” Old Liu paused, seeing Liu Yitiao nod in confirmation, then hesitated, “That’s so much land—we probably can’t farm it all. If we fail to pay the taxes, it’ll be trouble.”

Old Liu had no objection to giving up the prescription; he trusted Liu Yitiao’s judgment. But thirty hectares seemed excessive. They already struggled with their hundred and twenty mu, so how would they manage thirty hectares?

Who would ever complain about having too much land? Liu Yitiao shook his head—were landlords reluctant to be landlords? He shrugged, undaunted, and said, “Father, don’t worry. As long as we have land, there’ll always be people willing to farm it. After the New Year, I’ll recruit some hands. As for taxes, there’s no levy in the first year after reclamation.”

“That’s good. As long as you have a plan. After the New Year, you’ll be eighteen—you’ll need your own land and must start making decisions yourself. Others your age are already married and have their own households. If our family hadn’t been so poor, you’d have had a wife two years ago. But it’s not too late; after the New Year, I will ask a matchmaker to find you a bride!”

Old Liu’s resolve was firm; to him, the greatest failing was not having descendants. He had always worried about not finding a wife for Liu Yitiao. When the family was poor, it was understandable, but now that their fortunes had improved, the matter could no longer be delayed. Seeing others with grandchildren to dote on, Old Liu felt envious.

Page (3/3)