Chapter 141: Strategic Reserves

The four of them returned to the inn, but the hour was already too late to visit Head Cao.

Wu Wei handed a few copper coins to the waiter and asked him to decoct the medicine before delivering it to Zhang Shuisheng’s room.

Wu Wei then took the Embroider Maiden out onto the streets. For extra caution, she had left both her own luggage and the Embroider Maiden’s in Zhang Shuisheng and the others’ room before they departed.

Compared to Taizhou Prefecture and Qinglu County, Cangshi County offered a completely different blend of culture and scenery. Its city walls might not match Taizhou’s majestic scale, but they buzzed with lively crowds and infectious energy.

Cangshi County was naturally larger than Qinglu County, yet it lacked the serene leisure of its smaller neighbor.

As they walked, Wu Wei and the Embroider Maiden spotted plenty of people hurrying along the streets—peddlers and laborers, shop assistants from nearby stores—and travelers shouldering packs or hauling large bundles were everywhere.

The markets of Cangshi County were spacious to begin with, but endless rows of street stalls had claimed nearly a third of the space, leaving everything feeling cramped.

With roads like these, walking side by side was a challenge, so Wu Wei took the lead to forge a path ahead. They proceeded in a formation like a mother hen sheltering her chick, the Embroider Maiden tucked safely behind Wu Wei, clutching her waistband to keep pace.

They had strolled for less than half a shichen when Wu Wei was already soaked in sweat, her hair at the temples in disarray.

The bustle was even greater than Qinglu County’s end-of-year grand market. In the end, Wu Wei couldn’t endure it any longer and escorted the Embroider Maiden back the way they had come.

Wu Wei’s aim had been to glean clues about the massive stockpile of niter from the types of shops and stalls in the market, but she had underestimated Cangshi County’s thriving chaos. She found no leads and returned looking utterly bedraggled.

Back at the inn, Wu Wei ordered hot water from the waiter, fetched their luggage from Zhang Shuisheng and the others’ room, pulled out the Four Treasures of the Study, and settled at the table to write.

In short order, she finished a properly worded calling card. She showed it to the Embroider Maiden before heading to the inn’s lobby, where she enlisted the waiter to run the errand: deliver it straight to the docks and into the hands of dock boss Cao Tianwang.

Wu Wei passed a string of copper coins to the waiter and said, “Thanks for making the trip, brother. Be sure to put it directly into Head Cao’s hands. If he has any reply, please bring it back for me.”

The waiter promised eagerly, tucked away the coins and card, and dashed out of the inn.

…

The docks must have been some distance away, for the waiter did not return until dinnertime. He brought Head Cao’s message: tomorrow at noon, he would await Wu Wei’s honored presence at the Four Seas Restaurant just outside the docks.

Once he relayed this, the waiter’s gaze toward Wu Wei shifted, now tinged with curiosity and a touch of respect. He had no clue what standing this woman held, but Head Cao was a big name in Cangshi County—yet here he was, extending such courtesy.

…

The next morning, Wu Wei left Zhang Shuisheng at the inn to mind the luggage and set off for the docks with the Embroider Maiden and Zhang Quan.

They reached the Four Seas Restaurant right on time. An enthusiastic waiter led the trio to a private room on the top floor, knocked, and bowed himself out.

Cao Tianwang was already waiting inside, accompanied by a capable woman who appeared to be in her thirties. As Wu Wei and the others entered, the woman rose first to greet them. Her smile was so warm and infectious that it drew smiles in return.

Her eyes flicked between Wu Wei and the Embroider Maiden as she said with a laugh, “My surname is Hou—Yuexia. I’m a half-owner of this Four Seas Restaurant. Boss Cao mentioned yesterday that he was entertaining an esteemed guest and asked me to join as company. Might I have the honor of your names, sisters?”

Boss Hou’s words were flawless, impossible to fault.

In truth, Cao Tianwang hadn’t known how many guests to expect. Fearing Wu Wei might feel out of place as the sole woman at the table, he had specially summoned Hou Yuexia.

The Embroider Maiden offered Hou Yuexia a curtsy and replied, “Greetings, Boss Hou. My surname is Liu, and I’m third in my family’s order of birth.”

Hou Yuexia took the Embroider Maiden’s hand affectionately. “I’m a bit older than you, little sister. If you don’t mind, call me Elder Sister Hou, and I’ll call you Third Sister.”

“Very well.”

Wu Wei curtsied to Hou Yuexia as well. “Greetings, Elder Sister Hou. I’m Wu Wei—just call me Weiwei, sister.”

Hou Yuexia’s eyes brightened. “Sister Weiwei, you’re a delight! I do love straightforward folk.”

From behind, Cao Tianwang quietly noted the “esteemed guest.” Hou Yuexia didn’t overlook Zhang Quan either. After some light chatter, she seated Wu Wei in the place of honor, the Embroider Maiden at her side, then herself, with Cao Tianwang to Wu Wei’s right and Zhang Quan at the far end.

Hou Yuexia clapped her hands and called out, “Serve the dishes!”

Moments later, the door opened, and servers brought in course after course of exquisite cuisine.

Every dish, in style, color, and ingredients, was of the finest quality without presumption.

Some were rare seafood seldom seen in Qinglu County.

Zhang Quan gawked, wide-eyed, as if beholding priceless artworks on the table.

Cao Tianwang and Hou Yuexia bantered smoothly, all the while subtly gauging the trio’s reactions. Wu Wei and the Embroider Maiden remained perfectly poised, their eyes pausing only briefly on each delicacy before moving on, the picture of nonchalance.

Cao Tianwang and Hou Yuexia exchanged a glance, both thinking: These ladies are no ordinary women.

They had never encountered such plainly dressed young women who could remain so utterly unmoved.

Cao Tianwang and Hou Yuexia served the same faction. Their duties extended beyond aiding Wu Wei with grain procurement; they were also to report her every word and deed to their superiors.

…

Halfway through the meal, Zhang Quan was out cold. Hou Yuexia was a virtuoso at toasting, with bottomless capacity herself—far beyond what poor Zhang Quan could withstand.

Cao Tianwang nudged the man slumped over the table and called to him twice. No response.

Wu Wei set down her chopsticks and said quietly, “My friend has had too much. Elder Sister Hou, could you have two attendants carry him to a guest room for some rest?”

Zhang Quan was carted off, and Hou Yuexia excused herself as well. She tried to whisk the Embroider Maiden away too, but Wu Wei stopped her. Turning to Cao Tianwang, Wu Wei said, “Head Cao, Third Sister isn’t an outsider. Nothing here is beyond her.”

Cao Tianwang gave a small nod toward the door, and Hou Yuexia departed alone.

Cao Tianwang began, “My superiors have ordered me to assist Miss Wu without reservation—manpower, goods, whatever you need, just say the word. I’ll handle it.”

Wu Wei drew two thousand-tael silver notes from her bosom and slid them across to Cao Tianwang. “Head Cao gets right to business, so I’ll be direct too. Here’s two thousand taels. Procure grain for me: thirty percent new rice, the rest good-quality aged rice no older than three years. Quantity is no object—the more, the better.”

“Aged rice? Word is Miss Wu runs a rice shop in Taizhou Prefecture. That stuff… doesn’t move easily.”

“Our shop’s main trade is with villagers under Clear River County—humble folk without deep pockets. Sure, everyone prefers the taste of new rice, but those farmers slave away all year just to keep a scrap of their harvest for the able-bodied at home. The bulk goes to shops like ours for silver to cover taxes, buy salt and iron essentials—and that’s that, little left over. A bumper crop year might leave a pittance extra, but nothing substantial.”

Wu Wei had been gently pressed to down a few cups by Hou Yuexia during the meal, and the wine was now warming her words. Truthful as they were, they came out heavier than intended.

Under the table, the Embroider Maiden tugged Wu Wei’s hem, sensing she shouldn’t broach taxes or salt and iron.

Cao Tianwang regarded Wu Wei, his look probing, laced with unspoken depths. “Miss Wu speaks from the heart.”

Wu Wei gave a light laugh and a sigh. “Hardly from the heart—just memories of scraping by. Even with one foot out of poverty now, those days linger.”

She glanced at the Embroider Maiden, her gaze profound.

“I understand. But taxes, salt, iron—it’s ever been thus, time out of mind. We’ve all endured. Why lament, Miss Wu?”

Sarcasm flickered in Wu Wei’s eyes as she shot back, “Because it’s always been so, does that make it right?”

Cao Tianwang froze, words of rebuttal dying on his tongue. It rang true on the surface, yet stirred an inexplicable resistance.

Wu Wei burst into frank laughter. “Drunk prattle, Head Cao—pay it no mind. Something else occurred to me just now. Could you lend a hand?”

“Please, Miss Wu.”

“Here’s the thing: I need containers made for the rice. Store all the grain in them for transport to Qinglu County.”

“Containers for rice? What sort?”

“I’ve heard Cangshi County boasts the grandest docks for a hundred li around, so shipbuilding here must be unmatched. Find me some shipwrights, Head Cao. Craft the granaries like boat hulls—shaped like wine jars, watertight as a proper hold, no drop escapes if filled, buoyant enough to float. Size-wise… horse-drawn, ideally with wheels.”

Cao Tianwang mulled it over, then asked, “What Miss Wu describes… is that a waterwheel?”

Wu Wei’s eyes lit up. “There’s already a waterwheel here?” she said excitedly. “Yes, that’s exactly it!”

“Cangshi County doesn’t have waterwheels,” the other replied. “They’re a brand-new invention, only found around the Capital Region. I’ve only ever seen them there. The cities in that area are vast, packed with people, and the water sources are often too far from some homes. It takes hours to carry water back and forth, so clever folks came up with waterwheels. In a small backwater like ours, who needs something like that?”

Wu Wei was thrilled. Who was the genius that invented the waterwheel? she thought. A true lifesaver for the people!

The idea had only come to her while she was on the road. Her original plan had been to craft mobile water reservoirs using shipbuilding techniques—store water during droughts and convert them into boats during floods. With just a few modifications, they would be incredibly practical!

These were strategic reserves! Back on Blue Star, every city’s emergency stockpiles included them. It was a pity this was the Liang Dynasty.