Chapter 86: Fish Head Town

After a light rain, the ground was damp and glistening. Dewdrops, clear and pristine, clung to the leaves and branches of the vegetation. Fang Yue stood in the courtyard, gazing absentmindedly at the sky, now cleared after the rain.

It had been half a month since the attack of the sea bandits. The entire county of Ping’an, including its surrounding towns and villages, had become a realm of death. No one came to govern this land, not even the imperial court, which turned a blind eye as if Ping’an County had ceased to exist.

Yutou Town had become an oasis in the desert, a solitary island amidst a desolate sea—still holding onto a spark of vitality in this domain of death. Most of the survivors had fled to other counties, though a small number had found their way to Yutou Town.

A patrol of local militiamen, armed with long spears, passed by Fang Yue’s gate and paused.

“Good morning, Scholar Fang.”

“Good morning to you all. Thank you for your hard work,” Fang Yue replied, waving at them to continue their rounds.

This was the market town of Yutou. Since the sea bandit incident, the existing order had been shattered. The imperial court remained deaf and indifferent, and no one in Yutou Town cared to intervene, so it had essentially become an independent little kingdom. In matters of finance and taxation, civil affairs, and security, the town now acted autonomously.

The patrol team, selected from among the sturdy townsfolk and funded by the town’s own coffers, was responsible for maintaining peace and order.

Not long after the patrol passed, Xing’er and Li Zhilan came in from outside.

“Master,” Xing’er called.

Fang Yue nodded to her, then turned to Li Zhilan. “Madam Li, how is the work at the Orphanage? Are you settling in well?”

A faint smile appeared on Li Zhilan’s face. “The children are very well-behaved. It’s a joy to be with them, but…” Her voice trailed off into a sigh.

The orphanage, established under Fang Yue’s leadership, took in the children left parentless by the sea bandit tragedy in Ping’an County. After such upheaval, it was impossible for the children to escape the shadow of their loss so soon—that was the reason for Li Zhilan’s sigh.

She paused, knowing that only time could heal such wounds. “Scholar Fang, I would like to ask a favor of you.”

“Oh?” Fang Yue was a little surprised. As far as he knew, Li Zhilan was a strong-willed woman who almost never asked for help.

Her husband had been killed by wild beasts in the mountains, and even during that trying time, she had borne her burdens alone.

“Is there some trouble?”

“It’s not exactly trouble, it’s just…” As Li Zhilan hesitated, Xing’er explained for her, “Sister Zhilan is busy at the orphanage and also needs to care for her mother-in-law, but it’s hard to go back and forth. She’s hoping to build a small house near the orphanage so her mother-in-law can move in, making it more convenient to look after her.”

Li Zhilan added sheepishly, “I have enough money for the house, but the land nearby is managed somewhat chaotically. I was hoping you could help.”

Her plan was to build a small home. In these times, constructing a house didn’t cost much, and with the compensation she’d received, she could afford it. The problem was finding a piece of land.

The new orphanage, currently under construction, was to be located at the foot of a hill—a quiet spot with plenty of open, unused land, not far from the town center. For now, about a hundred orphans were housed temporarily in some vacant houses at the eastern edge of town, where the sea bandits had first invaded and many had perished. But that was not a long-term solution, nor convenient for management.

Li Zhilan wished to build her mother-in-law’s house near the new orphanage. The vacant land there was ownerless, but one could not simply build a house without permission.

Fang Yue thought for a moment. “So that’s what it is. Don’t worry. When the new orphanage is finished, housing will be allocated to its staff. There’s no need for you to build a house yourself.”

“Really?” Li Zhilan was surprised. “That seems too generous. I only meant to help out at the orphanage, and the town already pays me a salary. If I also get a house, I…”

Fang Yue smiled. “It’s not just for you. You can’t refuse on behalf of the others, can you? When we designed the orphanage, we planned for the staff to have housing.”

Li Zhilan’s face flushed bright red. Since it was a benefit for all, she could hardly decline without making things awkward for the other women working there. With over a hundred children and herself, there were six caretakers assigned.

After Li Zhilan left, Xing’er’s eyes shone brightly as she looked at Fang Yue. “Master, you really are a good man.”

“Hm?” Fang Yue found the phrase familiar, but chose to take it as a compliment.

“All right, I know I’m a good man. It’s nearly noon—go prepare a couple of dishes. We’ll be having guests soon.”

“Yes, sir!” Xing’er darted off cheerfully.

At noon, four guests arrived: Ren Junlin, Qian Dagui, Fang Baoliang, and the Mayor of Yutou Town, Deng Hetong.

Deng Hetong had not been among those Fang Yue expected, so Fang Yue asked him first, “Mayor Deng, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Deng Hetong answered with studied deference, “Master Fang, a new statue of the Sea God has been sculpted for the Sea God Temple at the eastern end of town. The unveiling is this afternoon, and I would like to invite you to attend the ceremony.”

Fang Yue frowned slightly, and Deng Hetong’s heart skipped a beat.

Qian Dagui spoke up for his brother-in-law, “Scholar Fang, the original statue was destroyed during the sea bandit raid. Hetong had a new one sculpted in clay. With the people so unsettled, something like this can help restore their spirits.”

Deng Hetong nodded eagerly, “Yes, that’s exactly my thought. Master Fang, you are now the pillar and mainstay of Yutou Town. If you attend, it will calm the people’s hearts all the more.”

Fang Yue considered this. The words were reasonable. After such turmoil and so many deaths, the people were anxious and fearful. In this world, where demons and spirits truly existed, idols sculpted from clay and wood could indeed bring comfort.

“Very well. If I’m free this afternoon, I’ll attend.”

At this, Deng Hetong’s face lit up with delight. These days, in the independent little kingdom that was Yutou Town, Fang Yue’s word carried the greatest weight. Deng Hetong, though still town mayor in name, was little more than a puppet now, holding no real power.

With business concluded, Deng Hetong began to take his leave, but Fang Yue said, “Since you’re here, stay and join us for a meal.”

“Yes, of course!” Deng Hetong agreed at once.

Fang Yue then turned to Fang Baoliang, who had been silent. “How is the supervision of the glassmakers going? Have they produced any finished pieces?”

Without a word, Fang Baoliang took a box from his breast and opened it carefully. Inside was a piece of transparent glass.

Fang Yue took the box, holding the glass up to the light. The others crowded around, marveling at the clear, luminous pane.

“What kind of glass is this? How is it so crystal clear, without a single blemish?” Qian Dagui asked, full of curiosity.

Ren Junlin, on the other hand, was visibly excited. “Fang Yue, is this the kind of glass you said could be made by firing sand? Incredible! Simply incredible!”

What he was really thinking was, “Valuable—extremely valuable!”