Chapter Forty-Five: Chief Constable Chen's Advice

As they chatted idly along the way, the sun was already setting by the time they covered dozens of miles and arrived. Staring at the completely transformed little fishing village before him, Chief Chen rubbed his eyes hard in disbelief.

The fishing village he remembered was nothing more than a sparse and humble settlement—dilapidated, impoverished, and steeped in despair. In Jiangnan Circuit, and indeed throughout the entire Da Shang territory, such villages were commonplace. There were, in fact, many nearby seaside villages even worse off than this one.

Yet now, before his eyes, the village was filled with laughter and happiness; faces young and old alike glowed with contentment and hope, utterly unlike the fishing village he remembered.

How much time could have possibly passed for such a transformation to occur? How had the fishing village changed so dramatically?

“Are we sure we haven’t lost our way?” Chief Chen couldn’t help but ask.

“We haven’t. This is indeed the fishing village,” Qin Zhen replied with a smile.

Once inside, Chief Chen’s astonishment only deepened. He saw villagers cultivating the land at the entrance, others working up a sweat in the fields, and at the eastern edge of the village, a lively pool teeming with fresh fish.

Groups of children ran by, each clad in crisp new clothing.

Several men were building a wall beside an ancient tree, and a neatly inscribed plaque hung above, bearing the words: Fishing Village School.

“You’ve even started a school here?” Chief Chen gaped in amazement.

“Just something to keep me busy,” Qin Zhen replied nonchalantly. “After all, the children in the village have little to occupy themselves with, so they might as well learn something.”

“And who’s teaching?” Chief Chen pressed.

Literacy was rare in these times. Most people were simple peasants, and only families of some means could afford to hire a teacher.

“I teach when I’m free, and there’s a Taoist in the village who’s literate as well.”

Liu Juan, too, could read and write, and Qin Zhen had considered inviting her to teach occasionally, but the textile mill’s work was so demanding and depended entirely on her that he had let the idea go.

“How do you charge for it?” Chief Chen asked, surprise in his voice.

“We’re all from the same village—what’s the point of charging? I only hope the villagers don’t blame me for corrupting their children,” Qin Zhen chuckled. “Of course, if children from other villages want to attend, they’ll have to pay a few coins for their meals. After all, the food in our dining hall doesn’t fall from the sky.”

Chief Chen was deeply impressed.

He had met many scholars, all of whom held themselves in high regard, seeking only fame and reputation, unwilling even to glance at the common folk for fear of sullying their scholarly honor. Someone like Qin Zhen, learned and willing to teach for free, was truly a rare breed.

Even in the county seat, such a person would be honored with a memorial tablet for longevity, at the very least!

Looking at the school, soon to be completed, Chief Chen thought to himself: This Qin Zhen is indeed a man of substance.

“Ah, Chief Chen, you’re here!” The old village head hurried over, all warmth and hospitality. “Yan’er, hurry up and get Old Li to prepare a few fish—let’s make a proper feast!”

Just then, Chief Chen found himself in the center of the village.

There, atop a stone platform, stood the enormous skeleton of a tiger shark, eye-catching and imposing.

“What sort of monster is that?” Chief Chen exclaimed, pointing at the skeleton in shock.

Never in all his years had he seen such a terrifying creature! Those formidable fangs sent chills down his spine.

“That’s a tiger shark—a giant fish from the sea!” the old village head said proudly.

“There are actually fish this huge in the sea?” Chief Chen stared, dumbfounded. “How did you even catch such a thing?”

Even without ever venturing to sea, he could tell from the bones alone how fearsome it must have been! It was hard to imagine how the villagers—without iron tools—had managed to overcome such a behemoth from the ocean’s depths.

“With nets, of course. Many lives were lost,” the old village head said, his tone tinged with sorrow.

After all, deaths were nothing to boast about.

Liu Yan’er chimed in, “Chief Chen, you might not know, but it was Brother Zhen who caught this fish all by himself! That beast was devouring people in the sea, and if it weren’t for Brother Zhen stepping up and fighting it, who knows how many more might have died!”

As she spoke, the girl’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Who doesn’t love a hero?

Nor was she alone; girls from all the surrounding villages admired Qin Zhen as well.

Staring at the tiger shark’s skeleton, Chief Chen fell silent.

His impression of Qin Zhen shifted yet again.

He had previously thought selling a fish for ten, even a hundred coins, was far too expensive! Now, he felt it was much too cheap.

For a hundred coins, he certainly wouldn’t risk his life at sea for any fish.

“By the way, may I ask what brings you here, Chief Chen?” the old village head inquired.

“Just some official business, and thought I’d take a look around while I was here,” Chief Chen replied, keeping his true purpose to himself.

Qin Zhen, perceptive as ever, said nothing more, and instead courteously led Chief Chen to his home.

Once inside, Chief Chen sat casually on the heated brick bed.

Liu Juan was still at the textile mill, and the constable accompanying him made an excuse to wander about the village, leaving only Qin Zhen and Chief Chen alone.

Chief Chen spoke slowly, “So, you’re not just selling fish—you’re looking into the cloth trade as well?”

With all the commotion at the textile mill, there was no way it would escape Chief Chen’s notice.

“The villagers need work; we can’t rely on selling fish alone,” Qin Zhen answered, pouring water for his guest. He understood now that Chief Chen was not just here to deal with Scarface—he was also here to inspect the fishing village.

It made sense—the sea fish business was lucrative, and all parties would want to see if the fishing village was fit to partner with them.

He added, “Of course, it’s all small-scale, nothing that can make waves.”

“Qin Zhen, I consider you a brother, so don’t take this the wrong way,” Chief Chen said gravely. “Selling fish is a new trade, and for some, it may be of little consequence. But cloth—that’s the lifeblood of the local gentry. Everyone knows Old Master Huang’s cloth business is the best in the county.”

“I won’t sell in this county then,” Qin Zhen replied with a smile.

“And you think other counties don’t have their own Old Master Huangs?” Chief Chen’s retort left Qin Zhen at a loss for words.

Chief Chen sipped his tea.

“Money—enough is enough. Take too big a step and—snap!—you’ll pull a muscle. There are deep waters here. That Scarface fellow was a problem for you; for me, he’s nothing. For the county magistrate or Old Master Huang, not even that.”

He patted Qin Zhen on the shoulder. He didn’t spell it out, but Qin Zhen understood—this was a warning to tread carefully.

“Fish stew’s ready!”

At that moment, Liu Yan’er entered, bringing fragrant dishes to the table. On her way out, she blushed and stole a glance at Qin Zhen.

Chief Chen laughed heartily, picking up his chopsticks. “Let’s forget all that messy business and eat! No matter how delicious the fish, it only counts once it’s in your belly!”

Qin Zhen’s heart stirred, lost in thought.