After thinking for a while without any ideas, Qin Fang let out a soft sigh and stood up.

A lucrative side hustle...

Easier said than done.

But just thinking about it, he knew the more lucrative it was, the more dangerous it would be.

It wasn’t that Qin Fang hadn’t considered making things like soap, perfume, salt, or refined sugar.

But unfortunately...

He didn’t know how.

He knew how to use them and eat them.

But not how to make them.

Sorry, but he was a hopeless student.

’Besides professionals in the field, what kind of normal person would bloody research this stuff?’

It’s not like he knew he was going to transmigrate...

With a thousand thoughts racing and no clear path forward, Qin Fang simply got up, changed his clothes, and went out.

’It had been four days since I last visited my master’s wife. The firewood I chopped for her is probably running low.’

He thought.

After leaving his house, Qin Fang first bought some groceries. His appetite was growing larger these days, so it was best to bring his own provisions when visiting his master’s wife.

Then he made his way toward her house.

On his way through the market, he saw a large crowd gathered, pointing and talking about a public notice board.

Several government constables stood beside the notice board. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Faint voices drifted over from that direction.

"Our land, bordering the Chujiang River and backed by Wei Mountain, has long been known as a domain of courtesy and righteousness, a truly fertile place. This magistrate, having received the Emperor’s grace, has been selected to govern this county. I am filled with trepidation, fearing I may not be worthy. Today, I have reverently prepared an incense altar, kowtowed towards the Imperial Palace in gratitude, and formally received the official seal to begin my duties. I shall naturally be diligent in my public service from dawn till dusk, exhausting my efforts to live up to the great trust placed in me by the Court above, and to meet the eager expectations of the people below..."

Someone was reading the words on the notice board, shaking his head as he did.

A glint appeared in Qin Fang’s eyes...

’Is this...’

’A notice from the new official taking office?’

His brow furrowed, and he walked over.

He looked closely at the text...

The entire thing was written in classical Chinese.

"Elder Yang, what’s all this archaic nonsense? Can you translate it for us, old sir?"

Someone in the crowd asked the scholarly-looking man of about sixty or seventy, who had been reading the text while shaking his head.

The old scholar stroked his goatee, paused, and then said, "This is the inaugural notice from the new County Magistrate... The first paragraph means that our True Martial is a good place, built by the Chujiang River and against Wei Mountain, a land of plenty. The new County Magistrate, by the grace of the Emperor, has been chosen to govern our county. He has already reverently set up an incense altar, kowtowed towards the Imperial Palace in gratitude, and formally accepted the official seal to begin his duties... The County Magistrate says that after taking office, he will naturally work diligently from morning to night, doing his utmost to, on one hand, not fail the great responsibility entrusted to him by the Court, and on the other, to meet the earnest expectations of the people..."

"What about the next part? ’I humbly believe the way of governance is, first and foremost, to bring peace to the people. When the people are at peace, bandits will not arise; when they live and work in contentment, lawsuits will naturally cease. Herein, I establish several laws with my people, so that all may know and understand’... What’s that mean?"

"It means, ’I personally believe the key to governing a region is, first and foremost, to pacify the populace. If the people are settled, bandits won’t emerge; if they live and work in peace, lawsuits will naturally diminish. Therefore, I am making a pact with all of you citizens on the following regulations, so that everyone is aware...’"

The notice was long, and with the ongoing questions and answers, many people were buzzing with discussion.

"Promote education to rectify public morals..."

"Encourage agriculture and sericulture to enrich the people’s livelihood..."

"Punish the wicked and corrupt to pacify the region..."

"Clear the courts of false litigation to redress grievances..."

"Strictly enforce the Baojia system to eliminate bandits..."

Qin Fang read carefully, but when he saw the last item, his expression changed.

"Strictly enforce the Baojia system to eliminate bandits... That means, ten households form one ’jia,’ and they are mutually responsible for monitoring each other. If there’s a stranger with a suspicious demeanor, neighbors must immediately report them to the Government Office. If one family hides them and doesn’t report, the other nine families will be punished alongside them..."

His eyelid twitched.

’It seems the new County Magistrate has arrived. The great investigation is about to begin for real.’

Qin Fang’s heart grew heavy.

He knew that the notice was full of the usual platitudes. Any local official taking office would issue a similar announcement with more or less the same content.

But that was precisely the key issue...

A while ago, the administration of True Martial County was in chaos because of a refugee rebellion that destabilized the region.

But now, nearly half a year had passed, and the aftershocks of the rebellion had gradually subsided.

Now that the new official had arrived, the first thing he would do... was naturally to get a clear grasp of the situation in True Martial, to make future governance easier.

So, setting the other points aside for a moment... investigating the composition of the populace within True Martial County was likely the top priority right now!

After all... refugees had rebelled here!

The county seat itself had once been flooded with a massive number of refugees.

Who could guarantee there weren’t some rebels still lingering here?

That was the first thing that needed to be sorted out.

’Dammit. The hidden dangers of my refugee status are finally surfacing.’

’Now they’re re-emphasizing the Baojia system... Even if I live as a recluse, I’m afraid my neighbors will report me.’

’And quite a few of my neighbors have seen me.’

And the ancient system of collective punishment was no joke.

With a heavy heart, Qin Fang took another look, let out a soft breath, and continued toward his master’s wife’s house.

’Looks like I really need to talk to Master about what to do next.’

Although he didn’t want to trouble his master, on this matter, his master was the only one who could help him.

...

He knocked on the door of his master’s wife’s house, and her voice came from within.

"Coming."

Soon, Qin Fang heard the sound of hurried footsteps, and then his master’s wife opened the door.

Qin Fang had just called out, "Ma’am..."

But he immediately sensed something was wrong.

There was a clear look of worry on her face. When she opened the door and saw it was Qin Fang, she first froze for a moment, then forced a smile. "Oh, it’s you, Fang... Come in, quickly."

Her smile was strained, and a distinct worry was visible in her eyes.

Qin Fang’s brow immediately furrowed. "Ma’am... has something happened?"

His master’s wife froze again, then sighed softly. "It’s nothing major... It’s just that something happened at Huichun Hall the day before yesterday. Your master hasn’t been back for two days, and I’m a little worried."

After his master’s visit that one morning, Qin Fang hadn’t left the house for the next few days, staying home to practice his skills and his Darts.

So he hadn’t heard about this.

"Something happened at Huichun Hall?"

Qin Fang was stunned, his brow furrowed. "What happened?"

"I’m not exactly sure of the details. I just heard that something happened to their medicine convoy, and many people were injured or killed... Someone came knocking in the middle of the night two days ago and called your master away. He hasn’t come back since, and there’s been no word..."

his master’s wife said worriedly.

Qin Fang said at once, "I’ll go to Huichun Hall and check."

With that, he handed the things in his hands to his master’s wife and prepared to leave for Huichun Hall.

’Master has shown me immense kindness. No matter what happened, I have to go see.’

"Eh? Fang, you..."

"Ma’am, please wait at home. I’ll be back soon."

As Qin Fang spoke, he had already turned and left.