Chapter 60: A Government Official Does Not Serve for Rice and Millet (Part 2)

Wang Shao looked around, seemingly oblivious to the surroundings. However, Wang Hou, being impatient, straightforwardly said, "Yu Kun, don't pretend anymore. Do you still not know why my elder brother and I have come here?"

Han Gang smiled without answering, but the term 'adult' used by Wang Hou to address Wang Shao made him feel a sense of nostalgia.

The term 'adult' was only heard by Han Gang in Wang Hou's mouth after his穿越 (time travel). At this time, it was never used to respectfully address officials. The term 'adult' could be used to address wise men; for example, Sima Xiangru of the Western Han Dynasty once wrote "The Biography of Mr. Adult." However, the most common use was to respectfully address one's father or grandfather. As for addressing officials, the proud Han literati would never use 'adult,' as they were unwilling to degrade themselves to the status of their superiors' children or grandchildren.

Even in the later Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, officials were not addressed as 'adult.' Han Gang had read "Journey to the West" and "The Scholars," both from the Ming and early Qing periods, which proved this point. It was only after the mid-Qing Dynasty, when the Han people's integrity was almost completely lost, that the term 'adult' began to be commonly used in official circles.

Seeing that Han Gang was leading the way as if nothing had happened and not responding, Wang Hou became increasingly anxious. Why were they all so evasive? His father was like this, and even his most admired friend was the same.

Wang Shao, sensing that his son was about to explode, spoke first: "Nephew Han, your convalescent camp looks different from others. The wounded soldiers here should recover in no time."

"Thank you for your praise, but there's nothing special. It's just a matter of being meticulous," Han Gang humbly replied, not taking credit. However, the facts were clear, and the credit could not be denied. The more humble he was, the more he would be respected by the world. "Many of the wounded, if they were cared for at home, would not have worsened or even died. The current situation in the camp is not due to my efforts but the result of the caregivers' meticulous care."

"Nephew, you are too modest," Wang Shao said with a smile. He watched several caregivers washing the patients' clothes by the stream, their expressions serious and focused. He nodded and said, "But you are right. Whatever one does, one must be meticulous. If the convalescent camps in all the cities and forts along the road were like this, there would be fewer worries in future campaigns."

"Exactly," Han Gang agreed. "I am currently drafting a set of regulations for the treatment of wounded soldiers in the army. It will include what has been done in Gangu City and what is planned. If the camps in other places follow these regulations, the number of deaths in the camps should be greatly reduced."

Wang Shao looked at Han Gang with some surprise. "Is this a form of 'establishing words'?"

Confucian disciples emphasize the 'three establishments'—establishing merit, virtue, and words. Han Gang's efforts in Gangu City had already established virtue and merit, and now he was just missing the 'establishing words.' But as long as he compiled the regulations, this would be fully accomplished.

So he nodded. "This is to make my efforts worthwhile." He smiled. "Zhang Dujian recommended me to manage the wounded affairs along the road. Whether it succeeds or not, now that the regulations are set, the camps in other places can refer to them and avoid falling back into the old situation."

"Yu Kun!" Wang Hou suddenly shouted, frustrated by the way Wang Shao and Han Gang were circling around the topic. "Do you really think Zhang Shouyue recommended you because of how well you managed the convalescent camp? He did it for Bao!"

Han Gang looked at Wang Hou, first stunned, then shook his head with a sigh, as if deeply moved. "I know... I know."

Han Gang knew what Wang Hou was going to say. He understood Wang Shao's intentions and Zhang Shouyue's motives. How could he not?

But what could he do? He was not born into the Han family of Xiangzhou. Otherwise, with the prestige of Han Qi, who had established two emperors, he could have worn an official robe and received a salary even at the age of eight. He was not born into the Han family of Lingshou either, where the eight sons of Han Yi, a high-ranking official during the reign of Emperor Renzong, were all prominent officials, allowing them to dominate their hometown. He was just the youngest son of the Han family from the vegetable garden. To make a name for himself in Qin Prefecture, he first needed a good patron.

Han Gang was very clear about this, but he would never fawn or flatter to find a patron. He had to make the patron come to him. To be recommended, one needed fame and talent. Han Gang seized most of the opportunities that came his way and performed outstandingly, which is why he caught the attention of Wang Shao and Zhang Shouyue.

Recommendation is essentially a form of exchange of interests, and it must bring enough benefits to the recommender. These benefits could be fame, power, or wealth. Otherwise, who would waste their ink and credibility and take on the responsibility for others? At the end of any recommendation letter, there is a phrase like 'willing to share the same punishment,' indicating the recommender's confidence in the recommended person and implying that the recommender and the recommended person will share the same fate.

Wang Shao wanted to use Han Gang to assist in the development of the Hehuang region. The number of people an official could recommend was limited, even for the emperor or the prime minister. As the director of the planning office, Wang Shao could recommend only two or three people. Giving Han Gang a recommendation, Wang Shao expected to get a lot in return.

As for Zhang Shouyue's sudden recommendation of him to an official position, it was ostensibly because of his performance in the convalescent camp. But Han Gang was not so naive. Zhang Shouyue had specifically asked about the events in Fugou City the other day. Even if Wang Hou hadn't said anything, Han Gang could see the subtle relationship between Zhang Lao Dujian and Du Bao.

After Wang Hou's outburst, the three fell into a silence, walking quietly through the courtyard. The caregivers and wounded soldiers, seeing Han Gang accompanying them, immediately moved aside and bowed. They were not bowing to Wang Shao and Wang Hou but to Han Gang. Wang Shao couldn't help but marvel at how Han Gang had won the hearts of the people in Gangu.

At the entrance to the ward, Lei Jian and Qiu Yiwén had already received the news and were waiting with a group of caregivers and mobile wounded soldiers. Qiu Yiwén wore a short, practical outfit, his face showing signs of annoyance, while Lei Jian, true to his origins in the capital, was neatly dressed and attentive, his back appropriately bowed.

Han Gang stepped forward, intending to introduce the two chief physicians of the convalescent camp to Wang Shao. Wang Shao smiled and interrupted, "No need for introductions, we are already acquainted."

Lei Jian was one of the four military doctors in the Qin-Feng region, and although Qiu Yiwén was a folk doctor, he was much more famous in the Qin-Feng army than Lei Jian. Wang Shao had been in the Qin-Feng region for a year and certainly knew them.

Wang Shao was respectfully invited into the ward. The newly cleaned ward was spotless, with no debris on the floor. The beds, separated by wooden boards, were neatly arranged, and the sheets were frequently washed and changed. The severely wounded soldiers in the ward received meticulous care, and although they could not get up, they did not look like they were waiting to die. The large, clean, and tidy camp gave a sense of comfort and ease.

Wang Shao nodded in approval, praising the two doctors. Turning back, he praised Han Gang, "Nephew, you have done a good deed. A convalescent camp like the one in Gangu is truly unprecedented."

"Currently, it's just the beginning, and there are many areas that need improvement," Han Gang humbly replied, pointing to the ground. "For example, this yellow earth cannot withstand water. Laying bricks and stones in the camp would be too costly. So, when spring comes next year, we will use lime mixed with sand to level the ground."

Wang Hou was surprised. "Yu Kun, you are truly knowledgeable. You even know the method used by the wealthy in Jiangnan to build tomb walls."

Han Gang was also surprised. He was talking about homemade cement, but did it already exist in this era? He asked Wang Hou, "Do they not use tomb bricks in Jiangnan?"

Wang Hou explained, "In the past, the tombs of nobles in Jiangnan were often built with bricks and stones, but they were often stolen by unscrupulous people. Now they have learned to use lime mixed with sieved soil to build the walls. Once dry, it is as hard as stone, not inferior to bricks and stones."

Sieved soil is sand. River sand, dug from the river, contains pebbles and stones, which must be sieved before use, hence the term 'sieved soil.' Mixing lime with sieved soil is the simplest form of cement. Han Gang was truly surprised that homemade cement had already appeared in this era. He had planned to show off and even make some money once he invented cement.

After visiting two wards, Wang Shao let Lei Jian and Qiu Yiwén continue their work without further accompaniment. Qiu Yiwén turned back to the ward, while Lei Jian tried to join in, but was impatiently dismissed by Wang Hou.

The three walked casually along the clothesline, where clothes and sheets were drying. Wang Shao suddenly asked, "Nephew, do you remember the barbarians who attacked the convoy you led in Pei Gorge?"

"Of course. They were incited by the Western bandit's spy, Chen Ju, to cut off the supply route. I suffered greatly from it. Thanks to your quick action, the masterminds, Chen Ju and Liu Xian, were caught. I have heard this news, and I believe it won't be long before the barbarian tribe that attacked Pei Gorge is exposed." Han Gang spoke in line with Wang Shao's tone, as if he was willing to play along with his attempt to curry favor.

"The barbarian tribe that attacked you in Pei Gorge is the Mosxing tribe of Luomen Mountain, now known as Luomen Town. They have had dealings with the Chen family for decades, starting from Chen Ju's grandfather. The planning office has already dispatched four commands from Fugou City and Xiyang Town, along with 2,000 troops from nine nearby barbarian tribes. If everything goes as planned, the Mosxing tribe will be exterminated in a few days." Wang Shao spoke casually, and in a moment, a large tribe with nearly a thousand tents would be wiped out.