Chapter Five: When the Fish Thrive, So Does the Village

Zi Yi had suddenly become exceptionally diligent. Before dawn had even broken, she began cleaning Mo Dun’s room, making such a racket that Mo Dun couldn’t get any sleep at all.

It wasn’t just her—Uncle Fu was also up early, directing the villagers, who were temporarily residing in the Huo family estate because their own houses were unsafe, to help clean as well.

“All right, you can leave now! I’m getting up!” Mo Dun said irritably, shooing Zi Yi away. She was just making a show of cleaning, intentionally making noise to keep him awake.

“Hooray! Young Master is up!” Zi Yi cried out delightedly, darting off like a little magpie to spread the news.

At once, a commotion erupted outside, followed by the clatter of tools being set down. Suddenly, the entire Huo estate fell silent.

Yawning, Mo Dun rubbed his bleary eyes and stepped out the door.

“Good morning, Young Master!” a chorus of loud voices rang out, startling him.

Only then did he realize that the entire estate was packed with people, and beyond the gates, the villagers had gathered in droves.

“Why is everyone up so early?” Mo Dun glanced at the sky, which was just beginning to pale.

“Young Master,” Uncle Fu replied with a beaming smile, “when the folks heard of your method, everyone was so excited. They all want to see the results.”

“That’s right! Young Master, that rascal Li Xin won’t open the door no matter how I call him. It’s infuriating!” Li Yi grumbled, clearly annoyed.

He had thought, as Li Xin’s father, he could learn the results ahead of time. Unfortunately, Li Xin had followed Mo Dun’s orders and refused to divulge anything, so Li Yi was left at the door, his pride wounded.

Glancing at the villagers, each face bright with anticipation, Mo Dun wasted no time and strode straight to the side room.

Li Yi hurried ahead, banging on the door and shouting, “Li Xin, you rascal—open up! Young Master is here!”

After a while, Li Xin’s exasperated voice came from behind the door, “Father, you already tried that trick just now. Stop trying to fool me!”

The villagers roared with laughter, leaving Li Yi’s face burning with embarrassment.

“Open the door! This time it’s real—Young Master is really here!” Li Yi snapped.

“Li Xin, open the door,” Mo Dun called, sparing Li Yi further embarrassment.

“Yes, Young Master!” came the reply.

As the side room door swung open, all eyes focused on the water cart slowly being pushed out.

The water cart was moved to the center of the courtyard. Li Yi, forgetting to scold his son, rushed over, as did Master Yu, who pressed his ear to the cart to listen for any sound.

“Well?” Li Yi asked anxiously.

“There are live fish!” Master Yu declared with certainty.

“Live fish?” Excitement swept through the crowd. Could the Young Master’s method really have succeeded?

But Master Yu did not celebrate too soon. He was unsure how many fish had survived; if too few, the effort would have been in vain.

Yet Mo Dun, well-prepared, smiled confidently. “Open the water cart.”

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, the cart was opened. A strong scent of fish filled the air, but no one minded; in fact, Master Yu looked positively delighted—the pungent smell meant there must be plenty of live fish.

Li Yi was first to peer into the cart. He let out a startled cry, “How is this possible?”

“What’s wrong?” Master Yu leaned over as well—and was stunned. All the fish were swimming about; not a single one had died.

The others crowded forward and were equally amazed.

“Not a single dead fish!” Li Yi shouted.

A cheer erupted from the villagers.

Not a single dead fish—at least six hours had passed since last night, enough time for two round trips between Mo Family Village and Chang’an.

This meant that however many fish they caught, they could transport them all alive to Chang’an, where their catch would fetch a good price.

It meant that Mo Family Village would no longer go hungry; it meant that everything the Young Master had promised—spacious houses, every man finding a wife—could come true.

In that moment, all doubts vanished. The villagers were elated; even the homeliest among them believed he could find a bride, for their Young Master was truly extraordinary.

“Long live the Young Master!”

“Long live the Young Master!”

The crowd cheered for Mo Dun with fervor, and even the usually soft-spoken Zi Yi gazed at him with open adoration.

Seeing all this, Mo Dun knew that none of his efforts had been in vain. Such simple, honest villagers—they asked for so little: enough food and warmth, a house overhead, a wife to share their life.

As for becoming the wealthiest village in the Tang Empire, that was still beyond their imagination—but already, the seed had been planted deep in their hearts.

Tears brimmed in Li Yi’s eyes. Looking at the villagers now, he was reminded of the days when the old general was alive, and Mo Family Village was the richest for miles around.

But it was not too late. Li Yi believed that, under the Young Master’s leadership, the village would surely regain its former glory.

No, it would be even more glorious.

Unconsciously, everyone stopped what they were doing, gazing at Mo Dun with passionate devotion.

Knowing what he must do, Mo Dun cleared his throat and said loudly, “Master Zhang, organize a team to build water carts immediately. In three days, we’ll begin sending fish to Chang’an! How many fish we can transport depends on you.”

Old Zhang promptly stepped forward. “Rest assured, Young Master. Within three days, I guarantee ten water carts will be ready!”

He had already caught Mo Dun’s hidden meaning: how many fish they could transport depended on him—he’d need to craft the oxygen pumps as well. Old Zhang gave Mo Dun a discreet nod and called out, “All carpenters in Mo Family Village, follow me!”

“I’m a carpenter!”

“Count me in!”

The villagers’ enthusiasm surged; over fifty immediately joined Old Zhang.

Seeing their excitement, Mo Dun nodded with satisfaction. “Uncle Yu, gather a team to go fishing at once. I want every water cart filled to the brim with fish for Chang’an. If there aren’t enough, go to Qujiang and the Wei River!”

“Yes, Young Master!” Master Yu replied heartily.

“Those who can fish, come with me!”

Mo Family Village sat in low-lying land, dotted with ponds and close to Qujiang; there were many skilled fishermen. At Master Yu’s call, a hundred or more men quickly followed.

The rest, under Li Yi’s direction, continued repairing bridges and houses, but now every villager was brimming with spirit and energy.

Their master had shown them a path—if they did not seize this chance, they’d be the greatest fools in the world.