Chapter 28: The Round Table Conference

“Uncle Yu must of course put his true skills to use. I’m planning to open a restaurant in Chang’an specializing in fish,” Mo Dun declared. Only then did Fisher Yu’s face light up with joy, and he thanked Mo Dun profusely.

“Will that really work?” Master Yu certainly hoped his craft could be put to good use, but in Chang’an, every restaurant treated fish as just another dish. A restaurant dedicated solely to fish simply didn’t exist.

“Don’t worry—this will be a different kind of establishment. I’ll bring the secret technique for keeping fish alive into the restaurant, so customers can choose their fish, which will be killed and prepared on the spot. I’ll also give you several new recipes for fish dishes,” Mo Dun said.

“Recipes as delicious as the ones we had today?” Master Yu asked hopefully.

Mo Dun nodded.

“Then I want a copy of today’s recipes too!” Master Yu said, full of anticipation.

“In the future, Uncle Zhang will be in charge of all the construction in Mo Village,” Mo Dun continued, turning his gaze to Old Zhang.

“You’re too polite, Young Master! Carpentry is all I know—I’m perfectly suited for this,” Old Zhang replied modestly. In his day, he had been a master craftsman in the Imperial Artisan Corps.

“I’ll be designating a new area by the river for the Mo Village Workshop, focusing on building waterwheels and fish-breeding equipment. With the secret of live fish now public, we’ll manufacture as many as possible—large orders are bound to come in! Train more carpenters, and keep the crucial components secret,” Mo Dun instructed, describing the assembly line methods of future generations to Old Zhang.

“Young Master, you’re a genius!” Old Zhang was deeply moved. Assembly line production would boost efficiency and maintain secrecy—a single apprentice would only know how to make one component, and even if he left Mo Village, he wouldn’t be able to replicate the whole. As for the core parts, Old Zhang would always handle them himself.

“Uncle Wang, assemble a village defense team. Once Mo Village prospers, there will inevitably be those with ill intentions. The defense team will ensure the safety of Mo Village.” Mo Dun knew better than anyone how remarkable One-Armed Uncle Wang was. The feats he had achieved in the past were countless; had he not lost his arm, he would have surely become a general.

“Rest assured, Young Master! Mo Village was founded upon martial strength—every one of us is a skilled fighter, and our sons are no less capable. I guarantee I’ll train a team that could even take the battlefield,” Uncle Wang responded with lofty spirit.

“Physician Hua, for all these years of caring for Mo Village, I want to thank you,” Mo Dun said sincerely.

Despite his superb medical skills, Physician Hua had chosen to endure hardship in Mo Village, dedicating his life quietly to its people.

“Young Master, you’re too kind. I, Hua Yi, am a son of Mo Village. Treating the villagers is simply my duty,” Physician Hua replied with calm humility.

“I plan to implement free medical care in Mo Village,” Mo Dun announced, dropping a bombshell.

“What!” Everyone gasped in shock. Such a thing was unheard of! In these times, medicinal herbs were scarce and treatment costs high; many elderly, once ill, were simply left to fate. If not, families would be ruined by medical expenses—a plight as common as the scenes of daughters selling themselves to save their fathers in later popular dramas.

Physician Hua was no longer able to maintain his composure. He muttered to himself, “How can this be possible…”

His mind drifted, envisioning the grand scene of free medical care Mo Dun described.

Mo Dun cleared his throat. “Of course, Mo Village is just getting started. We can’t do everything at once, but for common colds, fevers, and minor injuries, it’s quite doable. We’ll expand to other illnesses gradually.”

On hearing this, Physician Hua was not disappointed; instead, he gazed at Mo Dun with admiration. “Young Master, this is unprecedented—a vision no one before or after could match!”

Such lavish praise made Mo Dun rather embarrassed.

Quickly, Mo Dun turned his attention to Teacher Li.

“Free education, I suppose!” Teacher Li smiled. Having seen Physician Hua’s reaction, he resolved to maintain his composure.

Mo Dun shook his head gently, causing Teacher Li’s face to fall with disappointment.

“No—it’s compulsory education. Every child of school age in Mo Village will attend school for free,” Mo Dun said, enunciating each word.

“Is it true?” Teacher Li shot to his feet, staring directly at Mo Dun.

“The new houses being built will have ten set aside as classrooms. For desks, speak to Uncle Zhang,” Mo Dun replied with a bright smile.

“But we don’t have enough teachers!” Teacher Li had been pacing restlessly over this very problem the day before.

“If teachers are lacking, we can hire them, or let older children teach the younger ones—focusing on literacy, with arithmetic as a supplement. The core curriculum will be the works of Mozi, with selected readings from the other major schools,” Mo Dun listed his requirements.

“In the evenings, there will be night classes for adults. Anyone who can read a thousand characters or more will have hiring priority and receive thirty percent higher wages!”

“Don’t worry, Young Master. If there are night classes, I’ll be the first to send Li Xin there,” Li Yi immediately voiced his support.

At once, Li Xin’s head drooped to the table, while Yu’er watched gleefully.

“Yu’er will go too!” Master Yu’s words sent Yu’er from heaven to earth in an instant.

The two unfortunate comrades found the world suddenly full of malice toward them and exchanged wry, helpless smiles.

The more Teacher Li pondered, the more excited he became; his eyes shone as he fixed them on Mo Dun. “A true genius—extraordinary! You are the most accomplished student I, Li Gang, have ever taught. For the sake of compulsory education, I, Li Gang, will accept any criticism that comes my way.”

Li Gang! Mo Dun was startled. He had not realized that such a great figure was hidden in Mo Village.

“Tie An and Zi Yi, you two will come with me to Chang’an.”

“Yes, Young Master!” The two, long impatient to leave, beamed with delight—Zi Yi especially had yearned to see Chang’an, and now her wish was granted.

Tie An had already been registered as Mo Dun’s personal retainer, responsible for his protection, and in his mind, as long as he followed the young master, he would never go hungry.

Now everyone had a clear task, except for Uncle Fu and Li Yi.

“Uncle Fu, you’ll serve as chief steward of the Mo household, managing all the village’s finances.”

“Yes, Young Master!” Uncle Fu had always been the chief steward. Without his efforts, Mo Village would not have survived.

“Each department will report their accounts to Uncle Fu every month and submit to audits at any time. I don’t want Mo Village, once it prospers, to be divided by petty disputes. We must share both hardship and prosperity,” Mo Dun cautioned, knowing that wealth could change people’s hearts—a warning now was better than conflict later.

“Rest assured, Young Master!” everyone promised.

Mo Dun nodded.

“In addition, Li Yi will serve as village chief. In my absence, Uncle Li will handle daily affairs.”

“Don’t worry, Young Master—there will be nothing to trouble you,” Li Yi answered loudly.

Mo Dun looked around, then slowly rose to his feet. The others followed suit.

“From now on, this meeting will become an annual tradition in Mo Village, where major matters are discussed collectively. In my absence, decisions will be made by majority vote among you; if there are doubts, you may report them to me!” Mo Dun reserved the right of final veto—not out of distrust, but because Mo Village needed his guidance.

“Yes, Young Master!” everyone responded in unison.