Chapter Forty-Nine: Returning Home

Upon learning that Qin Jian had paid the gate tax on his behalf, Zhao Mu felt an even deeper sense of guilt. Yet, there was no alternative. Under normal circumstances, if Qin Jian hadn’t covered the tax, he wouldn’t have been able to enter the city pushing a cart of fish without a single coin to his name. Thus, he could only accept Qin Jian’s kindness.

The handover went smoothly. Zhao Mu glanced back at the group of refugees. Most were still asleep; even those few who had woken remained lying on the ground, unwilling to expend energy. Autumn had settled in, bringing cooler weather. He feared that before long, many of these refugees would never open their eyes again after falling asleep.

“Let’s go,” Zhao Mu sighed and set off with the others.

Since Qin Jian was sitting in the compartment of the cart, which appeared tidy, the refugees did not approach Zhao Mu and his group despite seeing them. Still, Zhao Mu remained vigilant. Others didn’t know about the cart’s hidden compartment, but he did. He couldn’t afford to panic or show any sign of worry now.

Feng Qin and Shi Min were newly recruited, and after just one meeting, Zhao Mu couldn’t completely trust them. But under those circumstances, if he hadn’t accepted them, more refugees might have gathered, risking the fish being stolen and exposing his fishing activities.

Fortunately, the journey was uneventful, and they returned safely to Xiao Wang Village. At the village entrance, Wang Hu was on guard. Seeing Zhao Mu and the others return, he ran excitedly toward them.

“Brother Mu, you’re back!” Wang Hu asked eagerly. “Did you manage to sell all the fish?”

Zhao Mu smiled and replied, “What do you think?”

Wang Hu glanced at the cart and said, “They must have sold, right? But I wonder how much silver we got.”

Hearing this, Wang Wu’s expression changed sharply as he scolded, “Wang Hu, what did I teach you? What business is it of yours to ask about money?”

Wang Hu scratched his head, feeling wronged. “I know, I was wrong.”

Zhao Mu understood Wang Wu’s concern and quickly reassured him, “Brother Wang, what are you doing? Not just Huzi, I’m sure even Miss Huang and Sister-in-law Wang are curious about how much silver we earned this time.”

Wang Wu hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

Zhao Mu didn’t press further. Instead, he smiled and asked Wang Hu, “Huzi, let me test you. We brought ninety fish, each sold at forty wen. How much silver do you think we made?”

Wang Hu scratched his head again, shaking it. “Brother Mu, don’t test me. I might be able to write my name, but math? Even if I use all my toes, I can’t figure it out.”

Hearing this, Zhao Mu chuckled. In ancient times, except for a few scholars, few paid attention to mathematics. Though classics like “Zhou Bi Suan Jing” and “Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art” existed long before the West, math was not practical for daily life or imperial exams, so wealthy families seldom nurtured such skills.

Just as Zhao Mu was about to answer, Feng Qin suddenly said, “Master, this whole cart of fish sold for three taels and six qian of silver?”

During the transaction with Qin Jian, they hadn’t dared to approach too closely and thus didn’t know the exact amount.

Startled, Zhao Mu asked, “Feng Qin, you can do math?”

Feng Qin nodded. “I learned arithmetic from the shopkeeper for a few years.”

Intrigued, Zhao Mu immediately tested him: “There is a classic problem — a cage holds both pheasants and rabbits. There are thirty-five heads and ninety-four legs in total. How many pheasants and rabbits are there respectively?”

This was the famous “Chicken and Rabbit in the Same Cage” problem from the “Sunzi Mathematical Classic.”

Feng Qin pondered seriously. Wang Wu and Wen Zhi scratched their heads as well, trying to figure out the answer but eventually gave up.

Zhao Mu watched Feng Qin thoughtfully and patiently waited.

After a while, Feng Qin clasped his hands and said, “Master, there are twenty-three pheasants and twelve rabbits, correct?”

Zhao Mu’s eyes lit up, feeling as if he had found a treasure.

“Correct! Though it took a bit longer, the answer is right!” Zhao Mu patted Feng Qin on the shoulder and said, “Our business is still small, but when it grows, you’ll definitely be our shopkeeper!”

Feng Qin beamed and cupped his fists. “Thank you, Master, for your cultivation!”

Shi Min cast an envious look at Feng Qin. Both had joined Zhao Mu, and now Feng Qin had earned his favor, while Shi Min remained unnoticed. Yet, although envious, he bore no jealousy.

Throughout the journey, had Feng Qin not looked after him, Shi Min might have starved to death somewhere. In his heart, he already regarded Feng Qin as his elder brother.

Zhao Mu then turned to Shi Min. “Feng Qin can do math. What about you?”

“Ah?” Shi Min was caught off guard. For a moment, he couldn’t think of anything he was good at and stammered without saying a word.

Feng Qin quickly spoke for him. “Master, this brother is still young and not skilled in much yet, but he is clever and eager to learn. Sooner or later, he will be of great help.”

Zhao Mu smiled and said to Shi Min, “You’re not bad either. I hope you live up to your name.”

Shi Min was puzzled, unaware of any special meaning behind his name. Zhao Mu offered no explanation, his thoughts drifting to a history he had once read in a past life. Whenever he recalled it, his heart grew heavy.

Although the current state of Great Qi was far stronger than under the Sima family’s rule, internal and external troubles were everywhere. He feared that tragic history might repeat itself in this era.

Speaking of that history, many figures were impossible to ignore. Ran Min was one of them. His infamous “Kill the Hu” edict once struck terror into the hearts of the Hu people. Yet, the polarized conflicts eventually led to Ran Min’s downfall.

Ran Min was the adopted grandson of Shi Hu and was once called Shi Min. Though the Shi Min before Zhao Mu appeared ordinary—easily lost in a crowd—Zhao Mu held high expectations for him. Not for anything else, but because of his name.

“All right, let’s see if anyone is nearby. Let’s head home first,” Zhao Mu forced a smile and led everyone back.