IDWBE -Chapter 434 Hobbies

Living in such a feudal era, you never worry about food or drink, but come nightfall, worries start piling up.

All those tales of wine pools and meat forests? Just nonsense in books—guaranteed to get boring in three days!
High-methanol spirits, mediocre food… as for young women capable of stirring a man’s hormones, sure, they’re appealing, but you can’t keep them in your arms all day, can you?

Even an iron-hard waist and titanium-alloy kidneys can’t withstand that kind of abuse.

Everything has its limit; too much of anything leads to fatigue.

Even emperors crave novelty, seeking some amusement.

It’s not just interaction with women—they want participation in communal activities too.

But the greatest tragedy is that powerful people are like incandescent lights in the dark: impossible to dim, no matter how hard they try.

Whatever they say or do, there’s always someone flattering them, fawning over them; honest words are rare.

They live in a world of false flattery and lies, and over time, their self-awareness becomes distorted.

Some emperors begin to think they are truly remarkable, that their authority is unmatched, and that their judgment is supreme. Eventually, every decision they make is flawed, and they become tyrants.

Some emperors, indulging excessively in pleasures, overexert themselves, and with limited medical care and lifespan, don’t even get the chance to become tyrants.

Past mistakes repeat, the future is unknown—how can one be aware?
Without insight, without suffering, confusion leads to missteps.

Lin Yi, though not particularly clever, occasionally reflected on such matters.

How others died, he had to take heed.

“This…”

Even through the greaseproof paper, Guan Sheng could smell the fragrance of pig’s head meat and peanuts inside. He gave a sheepish smile: “Little brother, you’re so generous. I, your elder brother, won’t refuse. Thank you.”

He took the paper-wrapped bundle in front of him and handed it to his eldest daughter, Guan Xiaoqi.

Guan Xiaoqi glanced at Lin Yi and bent down, disappearing into the dark little room.

Lin Yi stood at the door. Out of courtesy, he didn’t cover his mouth or nose, but the damp, musty smell inside was unbearable.

Having never smoked, his nose was extremely sensitive!
Because it was so sharp, wherever he went, it felt both rewarding and torturous.

He didn’t know whether to feel pleased or distressed.

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Yi gritted his teeth and stepped inside.

The room had only a small window, letting in almost no light, so an oil lamp had already been lit.

By the dim light, Lin Yi saw that though the room was damp, it was very clean. The old wooden furniture was spotless, and the quilts stacked neatly in the kang corner.

“Little brother, this way, please,”

Guan Sheng, unaware of Lin Yi’s expression, said warmly, “Sit here. I’ll make you a bowl of tea.”

“Thank you.”

Lin Yi looked at the dirty bowl of water with broken tea leaves floating on top—he didn’t dare take a sip.

Not in this life, not even the last, had he drunk such tea!
Once brewed, the leaves were full of holes—truly organic and unpolluted!

Just as he sat, a faint, subtle fragrance reached him. He then heard Guan Sheng scold Guan Xiaoqi: “This isn’t a festival, why are you lighting incense? Girls these days, so pretentious.”

Guan Xiaoqi defended herself: “Father, you’ve just recovered from a serious illness. I’m only fulfilling a vow on your behalf. It’s unfortunate our home is humble; if conditions were better, I’d have gone to the big temple.”

Guan Sheng smiled wryly: “The intention matters. Surely the Bodhisattva won’t mind.”

Breathing in the faint sandalwood scent, Lin Yi felt much more at ease, delighted. “Good, the thought counts more than anything.”

After watching Guan Xiaoqi leave, Lin Yi looked around the small earthen cottage, barely ten square meters, curious: “You’ve lived here all along?”

He remembered what Jiao Zhong had said about the Guan family.

Though poor, their living conditions weren’t supposed to be this bad. Like many in the village, they had a large courtyard with three earthen houses.

Such a tiny hut? It would probably collapse in rain.

Guan Sheng laughed and explained: “Little brother, you don’t know. I’m not capable of much, but I once had three proper houses. After falling ill suddenly, the family deteriorated day by day. My daughter is capable, but in these hard times, she can’t manage alone. To be honest, if it got any worse, we’d have had to sell these straw huts just to scrape by.”

“I see,” Lin Yi nodded. “This house really doesn’t do justice to you.”

Guan Sheng smiled: “I don’t mind. The one who suffers most is my daughter, who’s endured hardships all her life. I’ve already decided, once things settle, I’ll find her a good husband, so she won’t suffer alongside me anymore.”

“Father, what are you saying?”

Guan Xiaoqi’s voice came from outside the window.

Guan Sheng laughed heartily: “I speak the truth. I’ve inquired—there’s a good family in South City, the Hong family. Though the father is just a night watchman, the son is promising. Only nineteen, and he’s already passed the civil service exam and become a clerk at the Ankang Prefecture office. A clerk, I don’t fully understand, but the Ankang Prefecture is significant. Those working there aren’t simple people. Trust me, if this marriage succeeds, you’ll live well your whole life.”

With a clatter, Guan Xiaoqi poked her head in, feigning annoyance: “If you keep talking nonsense, I won’t cook for you anymore.”

“Ha, I’ll stop, I’ll stop,” Guan Sheng laughed loudly, then sighed quietly to Lin Yi: “Her mother died young. She’s suffered enough. If she marries into a good family, her mother won’t begrudge me from the afterlife.”

“A clerk at the Prefecture office? A good family? I hear the salary is considerable. Even the wealthy city families seek such matches.”

Lin Yi knew the Ankang Prefecture’s civil service system well—it was his design. Like many offices, it had undergone reforms.

The clerk wasn’t just a minor scribe—they now had real authority.

Unlike before, even the Prefect of Ankang couldn’t decide promotions or transfers arbitrarily, ensuring efficiency while minimizing nepotism.

Of course, this was Lin Yi’s plan; even in modern society, it wouldn’t be fully feasible. Most subordinates still obeyed their leaders.

Yet such seemingly “useless” systems reflected his personal vision.

Future officials, like He Jixiang and Xie Zan, would consciously follow this approach when making laws.

Overall, the clerk position was a secure “iron rice bowl.”

In Ankang’s marriage market, such matches were highly sought after, even for the daughters of wealthy families’ secondary wives.

The position wasn’t important—the key was access to the Prefect, the real “talent” there.

Even a secondary daughter could be matched suitably.

Guan Xiaoqi was pretty, but marrying a civil servant would likely only make her a minor wife.

“Little brother, I understand your meaning,” Guan Sheng quickly grasped Lin Yi’s point and whispered: “I won’t hide it from you. My future in-laws and I have shared hardships, even begging on riverboats together. I owe them my life. After their son lost a leg and became a night watchman, I hesitated to marry my daughter into such a family—but their son turned out so capable.”

Lin Yi smiled: “Seems Guan Xiaoqi has a fortunate life ahead.”

Guan Sheng sighed: “Once she’s married, I’ll build a small hut in the mountains. Now, the government policies are good. The rural gentry can’t exploit us, so life will be comfortable—no more freezing or starving.”

“Rest assured, better days are ahead.”

Lin Yi’s face showed pride. The people’s happiness reflected on him.

“Indeed,” Guan Sheng smiled. “I’m sorry I asked you to deliver goods to the Fragrance Pavilion before.”

“Trivial matter, no need for thanks,”

Lin Yi smiled and pulled some coins from his pocket, placing them on the table: “Here’s the money from last time for lotus roots and water caltrops. Count it.”

“Little brother, what’s the meaning of this?”

Guan Sheng flushed: “I sincerely invited you to drink—no other meaning. Don’t misunderstand!”

“You guided us south along the river and saved my father’s life—I can’t repay that,”

Guan Xiaoqi poked her head in again: “Any other thoughts would be despicable.”

She worried Lin Yi might think the invitation was a ploy for money.

“I know, I know,” Lin Yi waved his hand: “No other intention. I’m just settling accounts fairly.”

The father and daughter exchanged glances.

They never imagined the street rogue would return their previous money.

Guan Sheng jumped up, grabbing the coins: “Little brother, I’ve cleared your debt, but I haven’t settled mine with you. Don’t mind the amount—take this first, I’ll make up the rest later.”

“I won’t refuse,” Lin Yi pocketed the coins. Then he added: “But I have bad news. The Fragrance Pavilion had trouble. From the shopkeeper, assistants, to the owner—even your acquaintances—were sent out of the city for labor reform. Your business probably won’t continue.”

“Little brother, you don’t know,” Guan Sheng waved casually: “Delivering lotus roots and water caltrops was never our preference. The assistant manager was a wealthy villager, owning half the land. During bad years, farmers working his land had to deliver fish, lotus roots, and water caltrops, without payment, just paying interest. I thought we’d never repay it. Then the government issued new laws, calculating land per person. Some opposed it—like Wang Dashan nearby, who had committed crimes and was executed immediately. The assistant manager was terrified. He later learned that complying with the so-called rent-free, interest-free policy earned a government medal, apparently called…”

“Model for Rural Poverty Alleviation in Liang Country,” Lin Yi blurted.

“That’s it!” Guan Sheng slapped his forehead: “The name’s awkward. I could’ve memorized it before illness, but forgot it all. People say displaying this plaque at your door is like having a death-avoidance medal.”

“Exactly.”

To encourage gentry to forgive peasant debts, Lin Yi used all means, including the rent-free, interest-free policy.

Landlords who forgave debts would receive a plaque.

Eventually, it became known as a “death-avoidance medal.”

The allure was huge; many landlords not only gave up land but also forgave some peasant debts—a happy accident.

“The assistant manager burned all IOUs in front of the officers and earned this medal,” Guan Sheng sighed. “Luckily, or else the punishment would have been far worse.”

“Indeed.”

Lin Yi had just finished speaking when Guan Xiaoqi brought in a wooden tray, smiling: “Miss Guan, that’s enough. We’re not strangers. No need for excessive courtesy—any leftovers would be wasted.”

“I’ve never seen such a nagging man,” Guan Xiaoqi placed the jar of wine and cooked meat on the table. “Our small household doesn’t serve lavish meals—you’ll have to make do.”

“Little brother, please,” Guan Sheng first filled Lin Yi’s cup, then his own, raising it: “I’ll drink first in your honor!”

“Cheers!”

Seeing his cup empty, Lin Yi drank his entirely.

“Good wine, good wine!”

Guan Sheng didn’t rush for food, savoring the wine and praising it endlessly.

“Drink more if you like.”

Lin Yi never cared for tribute wine, only his own homemade “happy water.”

At least he could control methanol and formaldehyde levels!