Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

In any case, Juhua thought their suggestion was entirely necessary. If common folk like them weren’t clever and sharp, they might just get hounded to death.

Zhang Huai laughed. "Who with a bit of money hasn’t done something like this? The other day, I was chatting with Manager Jin at Xiatang Market, and he told me a strange tale. He said a traveling merchant surnamed Zhang bought a plot of land in town to build a new compound—he planned to set up his business in Xiatang Market. But when they started construction, they dug up several small gold bricks from the ground. A true windfall from the heavens. No one could dispute his claim to something found without an owner. The man who sold the land was hopping mad but couldn’t say a thing. After all, if he claimed the gold was his, why hadn’t he dug it up before he sold the land?"

Juhua snorted with laughter. ’Isn’t that just like the story I was remembering earlier!’

Qingmu then laughed. "Well then, next time we build a house in Xiatang Market, we’d better dig carefully. Who knows what we might unearth."

After they all shared a laugh, Juhua grew serious. "If we’re going to do this, we need to do it properly. And it’s better to act sooner rather than later. To keep it a secret, we can’t dig in broad daylight. We’ll have to do it at night. We also need to get bricks, stone, and lumber ready."

Zhang Huai nodded. "I’m planning to add a room on the west side of the house and build a cattle shed in the backyard. We can use that as a cover to buy extra bricks and stone. No one will be keeping track of exactly how many we use."

Qingmu added, "I’m thinking of building an attached utility room behind my west wing, too. It’ll make bathing easier. Otherwise, once your sister-in-law has her baby, she’ll easily catch a chill walking back from Mother’s place after a bath in the winter. It’s a perfect excuse to buy more bricks and stone."

With the plan settled, they called for Zhang Dashuan and Zheng Changhe. The two families gathered at the Zheng Family’s home to discuss the matter, and naturally, everyone approved.

Zheng Changhe asked with a grim look, "What’s this new County Magistrate really like? Huai Zi, didn’t Changyu say more in his letter?"

He was particularly frightened. They had only enjoyed a few years of good fortune, and now they were faced with such an official. If he were still as destitute as before, he wouldn’t be scared—it was as the saying goes, "those with bare feet don’t fear those with shoes." But now his family had land, a house, and even a cart. ’Will we be extorted by the government officers?’

Zhang Huai shook his head. "He only wrote a few hurried lines. The man is definitely greedy, otherwise Changyu wouldn’t have bothered to send a letter just for this. We’ll find out what tricks he’s up to when the summer tax is due."

Seeing Zheng Changhe’s deep unease, Zhang Huai offered a reassuring smile. "Don’t you worry, Uncle Zheng. The very reason we’re digging this cellar is to protect ourselves from that greedy official, isn’t it? Besides, there are quite a few merchants in Xiatang Market these days, and someone from the Fang family is an official themselves. I doubt that County Magistrate will dare to get too out of hand, though we can certainly expect some extra levies. Qingmu and I will take care of things on the outside, so you all don’t need to worry. The workshop belongs to the entire village; the village chief won’t stand by and do nothing. His sons, Changfeng and Changyu, are in Qinghui and can help navigate the situation. If worst comes to worst, they can at least get a message to us."

Zhang Dashuan laughed and said to Zheng Changhe, "With those two calling the shots, all we old-timers need to do is provide the manpower. No need to worry ourselves to death; we don’t want the youngsters to have to waste their time consoling us."

Zheng Changhe smiled and nodded, his heart settling as he looked at his son and future son-in-law.

The lamplight swayed, casting flickering light and shadow across the faces of the young and old gathered in the room. Although Yang and He kept their heads bent over their needlework, the worry on their faces was plain to see. They would often make a single stitch, only to pause and drift off, forgetting to continue. Liu Yunlan had been anxious herself, but seeing Qingmu and Juhua’s calm demeanor helped her to settle her own heart. She took Yang’s hand, offering a gentle smile as she softly comforted both her and He.

Zhang Yang was filled with indignation. He was still young and immersed in his studies, full of what one might call a scholar’s idealism. He simply couldn’t stomach such vile and corrupt affairs. ’How can people like that actually become officials?’

His face dark with fury, he exclaimed, "The court’s discipline is being corrupted by these very people! They should all be executed to restore justice and order to the realm! It’s a shame Brother Changfeng failed the metropolitan exam last spring. If Qingnan Village had produced an Advanced Scholar, at least that damn official would have to think twice!"

Juhua looked at the half-grown boy and held her tongue for a moment. But since everyone present was family, she decided to speak her mind. "Yangzi, you’ve read your history books. You should know that every dynasty has its share of corrupt officials. Even with an enlightened emperor on the throne and an honest government, you can never be completely free of such people. Killing one or two of them is pointless; new ones will just rise to take their place. And it’s just as useless to be cynical and resentful. If you’re truly determined, you should focus on finding a way to gain a foothold in the political world. Become a good official, an important official, a high-ranking official. Fight them from a position of power. Perhaps then you could help maintain some semblance of integrity in the government. But that path is by no means an easy one. Countless scholars are just as upright and idealistic as you are now before they begin their official careers. But once they truly step onto that path, some are defeated by the corrupt officials they meant to fight—or worse, they become the very people they despised."

Zhang Yang was silent for a long time after hearing her words, clenching his fists as he pondered something deeply.

Qingmu chuckled. "It’s pointless to talk if you don’t have what it takes to become an official. But to become a *high-ranking* official, you can’t succeed without some cunning. You need both the talent and the tactics to secure your position, all while not becoming corrupt yourself. Now that’s a tall order!"

He had no experience in politics, but these insights came from managing the workshop. Combined with his frequent discussions about economics and history with Juhua and Zhang Huai, he had simply come to think more deeply on these matters.

Zhang Huai glanced at his younger brother. "So what if Changfeng had become an Advanced Scholar? At most, he’d be a minor official. You think County Magistrate Li would give him a second thought? Changyu said that man has powerful backers in the capital. Your sister Juhua is right. The first thing you must do is secure your own position in the government. Only then can you even think about making a difference. Otherwise, you’ll just be throwing away your career and your life for absolutely nothing."

Juhua smiled and winked at Zhang Yang. "I wouldn’t be so sure. Yangzi is still young, you know. In the future, our village will be counting on him and Little Shitou. If you ask me, even Li Changfeng is no match for them."

Her words made everyone laugh, breaking the somber mood. Zhang Dashuan beamed. "Haha! Did you hear that, son? Your sister Juhua thinks you’ve got great potential!"

Zhang Yang couldn’t help but blush, yet at the same time, he felt a surge of inspiration.