After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Chapter 1177 - 1159: Living Filial Piety

Two more thatched cottages were built on the hill in the past two days, forming a triangle that enclosed this area. Fu Tinghan can now live in one by himself, while Fu Xuan and Fu Chang, the two reunited brothers, naturally live together.

Although Fu Xuan quickly tired of it and didn’t want to live with his brother anymore, Fu Tinghan soon filled his thatched cottage with all sorts of materials, drawings, books, and various strange tools. Not to mention having another person live there, even Fu Tinghan himself occasionally feels cramped.

Turning to look at the two silly nephews, Fu Xuan sighed and consented to Fu Chang continuing to live with him.

Zhao Hanzhang took a sharpened stick and dug a shallow pit by the fire. She then tossed a handful of soybeans with shells into it, covered it with soil, and then placed two nearly burnt-out charcoal pieces over it.

Just as she was about to retract the stick, she made a turn in mid-air and nudged the yam sitting nearby, poked it, then deftly pulled it out and placed it perfectly in front of Fu Tinghan. "Try it and see if it’s cooked," she said.

Fu Tinghan smiled at her, pressed it, feeling it’s soft, so it should be roasted. He then carefully peeled off a layer and began to eat.

The wild yam was soft and powdery, with a slightly sweet taste. The long-term emptiness of eating vegetarian was comforted for his five internal organs, and he nodded with satisfaction, "It’s cooked."

Zhao Hanzhang then pulled out the remaining yams and offered them to Fu Xuan and Fu Chang.

Fu Chang stared at the basket containing those hairy soybeans, "How come there are still green soybeans at this time?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "The Ministry of Agriculture planted them; they’re experimenting with crop rotation and interplanting to analyze the differences in planting and harvesting across various times." Actually, the main concern was preparing for unforeseen needs.

Currently, there is plenty of land, with everyone getting adequate quota fields and permanent fields, but the future isn’t certain, so they need to consider how to optimize planting to maximize land value if fields reduce.

This does not need to be explicitly stated; apart from Fu Tinghan, no one knows about her concerns.

Fu Chang commented, "Can manpower handle it? Isn’t the biggest problem for Great Jin right now the lack of people?"

"Yes, so besides researching grain seeds, farm tools, fertilizers, and various methods to increase yield per acre, the Ministry of Agriculture is also focusing on animal husbandry, particularly the domestication of oxen for farming, breeding cattle, and improving cattle quality."

Zhao Hanzhang has already ordered the establishment of cattle and horse farms in several counties, and they’re continuously purchasing cattle and horses from the Dai Country and providing them for breeding and training.

The goal is to transform the prairie cattle into farm oxen, while the prairie horses remain unchanged.

Unfortunately, they are able to buy very few stallions, and even though Tuoba Liuxiu is willing to trade stallions, not many are provided, and most horses sent were gelded.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "The Ministry of Agriculture’s results are slow, but even if they only achieve slight optimization each year, they can still incrementally increase the ordinary people’s yield, which cumulatively results in a significant increase in annual productivity. However, if water management is not effective, all these efforts could be futile."

Speaking of water management issues, Fu Chang immediately thought of the Yellow River’s dire state. In the past two days, his mind had been occupied with thoughts about his father, leaving him no mood to consider other matters. When Zhao Hanzhang brought it up, an image of the Yellow River naturally came to his mind.

He sat up straighter and asked, "Third Lady has met with Doctor Shen, right? What is the court planning to do about the Yellow River’s siltation problem?"

Zhao Hanzhang replied, "We need people who can manage the water to address river management."

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Fu Chang, her intention clear and unspoken.

Fu Chang turned away to avoid her gaze, and said in a low voice, "I’m currently in the period of mourning."

Zhao Hanzhang said, "Ting Han is also in mourning; the court has allowed him to finish his three-month mourning before returning."

Fu Chang hesitated.

The current era is not like the Ming and Qing dynasties, where there were excessive formalities. Especially now, scholars are more inclined towards freedom and individuality. The term ’innovative’ might be criticized as heretical in later times, but during the Wei Jin era, to scholars, it’s a positive term.

Thus, it’s no issue for Fu Chang and Fu Tinghan to serve during their mourning period. Besides some Confucian scholars, the majority accept it.

In fact, they celebrate Fu Zhi’s departure with singing like Zhuangzi, continue eating meat and drinking wine, and wearing luxurious clothing to enter the court, without much criticism in this era.

If criticized, they should simply refute it.

The reason they chose the Confucian way of mourning, with Zhao Hanzhang issuing a decree to dismiss mourning, is because Fu Zhi was known for his filial piety. As his sons, they want to follow their father’s commitments both emotionally and intellectually.

Also, Zhao Hanzhang needs to establish a tone for society.

Wei Jin is very open, but perhaps too open.

This openness can be a double-edged sword. She can leverage its free atmosphere for many things, as Wei Jin values individuality and freedom, reducing the resistance when breaking social norms;

However, excessive openness can also lead to instability, so she needs constraints.

The law is the first tone she sets for Great Jin;

Filial piety is the second.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I know Second Uncle is filial to Grandfather, but practicing filial piety shouldn’t mean rigidly following rules. Grandfather’s wish was for national prosperity and peace. Now, when the country needs Second Uncle’s talents, fulfilling Grandfather’s wish is also filial piety, isn’t it?"

Fu Chang smiled bitterly, "Confucian scholars wouldn’t think so."

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Is Second Uncle a Confucian scholar?"

Fu Chang paused; he really wasn’t, but having studied Confucian classics from a young age, he couldn’t help but hold himself to Confucian moral standards despite not considering himself a scholar.

"Moreover, how does Second Uncle know Confucian scholars can’t understand?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "You’re underestimating Confucian scholars; if anyone embodies inclusivity, Xun Ru would be first."

Upon hearing this, Fu Chang couldn’t help but laugh aloud, realizing it’s inappropriate, paused, then pondering Xun Ru, he finally let go of the concern, slapped his leg and laughed uncontrollably.

Tears flowed from laughter, and as he laughed, he couldn’t help but mourn, "Xun Ru, Xun Ru, how did I forget Father’s favoritism for Xunzi? I was the one who restrained myself by adhering to conventions."

He wiped his tears and looked at Fu Xuan, "Big Brother, would you join me in mourning while serving the nation?"

Fu Xuan shook his head, "No, I won’t."

Fu Chang was stunned. When did his brother become so adherent to customs? "Are you going to reside here for three years to mourn Father?"

Fu Xuan paused while eating yam but then put down the yam, wiped his mouth clean with a cloth, and replied, "No, I will follow decorum; after the active mourning, I will go down the mountain and return home, perform rituals when needed, and take care of my health when necessary."

He looked at Zhao Hanzhang and said, "I, like Mr. Zhao, should observe living filial piety."

Oh, that’s a story of her dear grandfather’s. Living filial piety means adhering to mourning practices but being mindful not to harm one’s health.

Her grandfather said that, for parents, harming one’s health during mourning is akin to cutting their heart out, which is truly unfilial. Therefore, during his illness, he would occasionally tell Zhao Hanzhang, "Eat meat when needed, don’t harm your health for me."

Zhao Hanzhang adhered to that well.