Chapter 54: Returning with a Full Harvest

With just a few words, the king of another nation was decided. Such is the benefit that comes with true power. Had it not been for the invincible flying cavalry trained by Chen Mu, the sea vessels he designed and built, and his knowledge of geography, the Great Xia could only have watched helplessly as the Persian king escaped back to his homeland, plotting his next scheme.

The following day, under Chen Mu’s supervision, the new king of Persia was enthroned and declared Persia a vassal state of Great Xia. Tribute would be paid annually, and Persia would recognize Xia’s supremacy year after year. Cotton, peppers, curry, and other specialties, along with gold, gems, and other strategic resources, were to be surrendered in half to Great Xia.

The former king, having incited rebellion within Great Xia, provoked war between the two nations, and fled the battlefield, was charged with treason. Should he refuse to recognize the new government’s judgment and persist in rebellion, Great Xia reserved the right to provide military support.

Persia’s first tribute was to accompany Chen Mu’s army back to the capital of Great Xia. Those Persian merchants who failed in their bid for the throne would serve as ambassadors.

Ten days later, Chen Mu led his triumphant army home, laden with the gold and silver of the Persian palace, cotton and peppers distributed among the soldiers, and other spoils of war. The people of Persia, led by their new king, bid farewell to the Great Xia army, the new monarch proclaiming everlasting friendship between the two nations.

This time, Chen Mu traveled by land, while three ships under Zhang Zhong’s command sailed from Wanghai County to the capital. Chen Mu’s first stop upon return was Wen’an County.

As the army entered Wen’an, the local people lined the roads to welcome them. Unlike the Persians, these were welcoming their own kin. Chen Mu sat astride his horse, basking in the crowd’s cheers. Yet as they proceeded, he sensed something amiss. Though it was already winter, many in the crowd wore only thin garments.

Wen’an lay in the southern part of the realm, just a few cities from the sea. While not cold by northern standards, Chen Mu could feel the temperature was barely ten degrees. Wearing only thin clothing in such weather could be life-threatening.

Chen Mu called out to the magistrate, “Why are the people all dressed so thinly?”

The magistrate replied, “Your Highness, when Deng Xian colluded with the Persians and stirred up chaos, the people’s belongings were forcibly seized. Now, none can afford new clothes.”

“What? That’s outright robbery!” Chen Mu retorted in fury.

“Pass my order! Take a portion of the tribute cotton and have it made into padded jackets for the people. The necessary funds shall be drawn from the treasury of the Western Hills region.”

It was not stinginess on Chen Mu’s part; rather, if free distribution was allowed in the Western Hills, every region would demand the same, a burden too great for the nation to bear.

When word spread that the Crown Prince would distribute padded jackets, the nearby people knelt, bowing their heads and praising his virtue. Even those farther away, hearing the news secondhand, followed suit in gratitude.

Chen Mu, waving to the crowd from horseback, felt his spirits lift. Once the army had set up camp, he announced they would remain in Wen’an for a few days. He instructed the Persian envoys to lead craftsmen in processing the cotton and summoned the county’s tailors to hasten the making of jackets.

Since the Persians were unaccustomed to wearing padded clothing, Chen Mu himself designed the garments, using a method from his previous life for making heavy winter coats in rural villages: ties for fastenings in the middle, with a thin outer layer. Given the local climate, Chen Mu did not have too much cotton stuffed inside—just enough for warmth.

He tried on the finished product and found it wonderfully warm. The officers and soldiers, too, were amazed at how comfortable the legendary padded jackets were, reluctant to take them off. The impoverished townsfolk cherished them even more, especially after being taught how to care for the jackets: they must not be washed with water, or they would lose their warmth. Thus, everyone was careful not to soil them.

With the matter of warm clothing settled, Chen Mu prepared to return to the capital. Many official posts in the Western Hills were still vacant, and Chen Mu had sent word to Chen Xingtian not to fill them for the time being.

Now, after several months, the campaign to promote books should have yielded some results, and it was time to begin the imperial examination. Though most of those who could afford books were from noble or wealthy families, many poor people would have had the chance to obtain, read, or hear the books read aloud.

If, in this examination, even one poor youth became an official, it would serve as an inspiration, giving hope to the downtrodden across the land.

Chen Mu led his army and the diplomatic delegation slowly back to the capital, distributing jackets along the way. It was nearly New Year by the time they arrived.

There was much rejoicing. Afterwards, Chen Mu reported the events in Persia privately to Chen Xingtian, who was greatly pleased—especially with the padded jackets. Even if they were a bit warm for the capital’s climate, Chen Xingtian wore one every day.

A few days later, at court, Chen Mu proposed the adoption of the imperial examination system. This time, no one objected. He explained that the examination would focus on the classics, with practical knowledge as a supplement, so both scholars and those skilled in practical affairs would find their place.

Practical affairs meant talents such as accounting or knowledge of geography, enabling such individuals to serve the court. Since books had previously been bought mainly by the wealthy, the nobles were not worried about competition from commoners.

Most of those who passed the examination would be posted to the Western Hills region. Previously, officials were selected from the most talented locals, but almost all came from noble or affluent families. The poor, struggling for survival, had neither the means nor the leisure to study, let alone dream of governing.

This led to an unbreakable alliance between officials and powerful families, and a rigid social hierarchy. Chen Mu’s purpose in instituting the examination was to shatter this entrenched barrier.

News of the imperial examination would take time to spread. Chen Mu set the first examination for the second day of the second month, which would henceforth be known as “Dragon Raises Its Head.” The hope was that the examination would allow commoners to rise as officials, turning that date into a symbol of hope.

Having set the general policy, Chen Mu entrusted the details to Scholar Zhou and other officials, and then spent the New Year at home in comfort.

One day, Liu Susu said to Chen Mu, “Husband, I’d like to go out for a walk.”

Chen Mu replied at once, “Of course, but I’ll need to disguise myself, or things could get troublesome.”

In the culture of Great Xia, wealthy women were not supposed to go out freely, but Chen Mu cared little for such customs. In fact, it was he himself who had trouble going out, as the people recognized him everywhere and would bow and kowtow, making it impossible to stroll or relax.

So Chen Mu disguised himself as a well-to-do young gentleman and took Liu Susu and Mei Linger out with him. A team of covert guards followed them at a distance.