TGCFNM -Chapter 90 The Identity of the Male Ghost

All the people of Changzhou had now witnessed just how extraordinary this newly arrived Magistrate Chu was.

To be precise, it had started the night before.

Magistrate Chu had arrested all the city’s defending military officers, successfully exorcised evil spirits, injured members of the Sun family, and the next day led a charge into the Sun residence to rescue the magpies. They had even uncovered a skeleton and redistributed the Sun family’s grain.

Then, new notices were posted outside the yamen and outside Cangzhu Academy—announcing that Magistrate Chu would lead everyone to capture “divine insects”… and even fry them to eat!

The common people didn’t mind too much. One hundred insects earned ten wen; catching them didn’t seem particularly difficult.

The students of Cangzhu Academy, however, were practically wailing in despair. Not only did they not get paid, they also had to rush to the very front. After all, they were scholars—future officials and “parents of the people.” Naturally, they had to learn these things. And Magistrate Chu had generously decided to teach them first.

After a good night’s rest, the willing townspeople of Changzhou gathered at the city gates. Chu Ling was already waiting there. Once everyone had assembled, she led them out.

This time, eight villages had been affected by the disaster. The villages weren’t heavily populated, but the farmland was extensive, so the people were divided up to catch insects separately.

By the time the townspeople arrived, the students were already there with dark circles under their eyes, clearing torches and hauling out heaps of insect corpses from deep pits. One by one, they seemed almost numb to the task.

Seeing how casually the scholars handled the insects, the townspeople followed suit—first smoking them out, then catching them.

Headmaster Shu edged closer to Chu Ling. “Magistrate Chu, can these insects really be eaten?”

“As drinking snacks? Absolutely superb!” Chu Ling gave a thumbs-up.

Headmaster Shu tried mimicking the gesture. “Then shall we give it a try at noon?” After all, his students had caught at least a basketful.

“No problem,” Chu Ling replied.

Xiao Hua had already carried over a large iron wok, and Zhang Dong had prepared the firewood. At noon, the cleaned insects would be coated in batter and tossed into the pot. When the time came, Wan Sanjin would be the first to taste them.

Fu Qingyu stepped beside Chu Ling and said in a low voice, “I’ve already sent men on fast horses to deliver a message to the capital, thanking the Sun family for their generosity. When the time comes, everyone will know of the Sun family’s ‘kindness.’ I imagine Grand Tutor Sun will have no choice but to swallow his anger along with his blood.”

Chu Ling couldn’t help laughing. She wondered what kind of expression the Sun family would wear when they returned to find their estate completely emptied.

“Many thanks for your help, Young Master Fu. I’ve also sent a letter to the capital. I won’t let anyone catch me by the handle,” Chu Ling said confidently.

She still remembered Mei Gao’s shocked expression upon receiving the letter. Presumably, the subordinates of Prince Rui had even faster internal channels of communication, so she wasn’t worried.

Besides, Mei Gao didn’t know about the silver mine.

Was Prince Rui really so trusting of her? She couldn’t quite understand it.

Everyone worked continuously until Xiao Hua called out that lunch was ready. Only then did they realize how much time had passed. Carrying their baskets, they first went to Zhang Dong to have their counts recorded, then headed to the temporary shed.

To show their gratitude, the villagers had cooked fresh rice distributed from the Sun family’s stores. The enticing aroma of rice could be smelled from far away.

In addition to rice, there were homemade pickled vegetables—and freshly fried insects.

The insects were mixed with salt and sauce. Chu Ling had already tasted them; the flavor was quite good.

Everyone sat in a circle, glancing at one another. In the end, Ye Bisi bravely took the first bite. Chewing as if marching toward his death, he then widened his eyes in surprise. “It’s… actually not bad?”

Only then did the others begin cautiously sampling them.

Headmaster Shu sipped some tea and ate one insect, sighing. “It truly is quite good.”

Wan Sanjin ate several in a row and secretly gave Chu Ling a thumbs-up. So their magistrate hadn’t lied after all—they really were edible.

Chu Ling smiled and glanced around casually, only to see Ghost Scholar and the male ghost standing in the fields, watching from afar.

Bai Su and Cui Xi curiously watched Zhang Dong taking notes. Those numbers had been taught by Chu Ling—they seemed different from the ones used in Great Zhou.

Chu Ling stood up and slowly walked over. Catching sight of the male ghost’s ghastly, almost unbearable face, she was taken aback to see an expression of relief on it—there was even a trace of emotion, perhaps gratitude.

The male ghost looked at her, smiled, then crouched down and pointed at the ground. “Bugs, gone. Good. Soil, bad. Must turn over. This land, not fed. Grain, not good.”

Chu Ling crouched as well. The soil indeed looked poor—hard and compacted.

“It can be nourished with compost,” Chu Ling said softly. “Chicken manure, pig manure, even night soil—pile them together to make fertilizer and feed the land. Turn the soil first, then apply the fertilizer. That way, you won’t need to leave a field fallow every year.”

Ghost Scholar’s eyes lit up. “If so, every plot can be cultivated without being left empty. Grain yields would increase, and the people’s lives would improve.”

The male ghost nodded excitedly. “People… have food.”

“Your Excellency?” Wu Xiaoxiu squatted down somewhat dazed. “Is what you said true?”

“It can indeed be used to enrich the soil. But I don’t know the exact amount of fertilizer needed or the proper method. I only know these things can nourish the land—but the soil must be loosened first with a hoe,” Chu Ling replied.

Wu Xiaoxiu bit her lip. “Your Excellency, yesterday we received grain. If we eat sparingly, it will be enough for my father and me. I’ll try it!”

“You want to try?” Chu Ling asked in surprise.

Wu Xiaoxiu nodded seriously. “Your Excellency, my mother… her health was poor. She couldn’t bear to eat and always saved food for my father and me. She starved to death…”

Her eyes reddened, and she wiped away her tears.

Chu Ling felt her own nose sting. “I remember reading something in a miscellaneous book—though I may not recall it clearly. When I return today, I’ll write down everything I remember and give it to you… It’s alright if you’re illiterate. I’ll find someone to teach you.”

“Your Excellency, I’m a woman… I… can I study?” Wu Xiaoxiu asked blankly.

“If you want to grow more grain, you must study. Once you understand the principles, experiment slowly—there will eventually be results,” Chu Ling said as she slowly rose to her feet.

Wu Xiaoxiu stood as well. “Your Excellency, I’m willing to learn. I’m willing to try.”

After a moment’s thought, Chu Ling called Ye Bisi over and smiled at him—so much so that his scalp tingled—before telling him to teach Wu Xiaoxiu how to read.

“I—I can. I won’t charge any money, Your Excellency,” Ye Bisi quickly said.

“Good. After we return today, come with me to the yamen. I’ll dictate, you write,” Chu Ling said. “Once it’s done, you teach Xiaoxiu to read and let her try slowly.”

“Understood,” Ye Bisi agreed.

The male ghost poked Chu Ling’s shoulder. “You… good person.”

Chu Ling found the ghost rather strange. Aside from nearly frightening people to death at their first meeting, someone who had died so miserably bore very little resentment. His face remained calm, and he even seemed knowledgeable about farming.

That afternoon, after everyone returned, Ye Bisi followed Chu Ling to the yamen to transcribe her notes. Only then did Chu Ling realize that the male ghost was not merely somewhat knowledgeable—he knew quite a great deal.

Even Ye Bisi exclaimed in shock, “Your Excellency understands agricultural matters so thoroughly. Truly worthy of being the people’s parent-official. I, too, wish to be like Your Excellency in the future.”

A thought struck Chu Ling like lightning. She suddenly turned to look at the male ghost, then took out a token from her sleeve.

So this male ghost had once been a court official stationed in Changzhou?

Ghost Scholar’s face turned pale with alarm. He immediately pressed down on Chu Ling’s hand, urging her to put the token back.

“This is the Golden Dragon Token—the former Crown Prince’s token. The former Crown Prince was executed for treason. This token can cost lives!” Ghost Scholar said sternly.

So why would the former former magistrate of Changzhou possess the Golden Dragon Token of the former Crown Prince?