CHAPTER 137: CHAPTER 137: BI YANG

Nanyang County has three Upper Counties, each with a population of over ten thousand: Bowan County, Ye County, and lastly Biyang County.

Bowan County has iron and silver mines, Ye County is known for its silk production, but Biyang County boasts a horse farm that the Northern Provinces envy.

The Da Liang Dynasty has always faced a shortage of war horses. The Da Liang Army numbers as many as six hundred thousand troops, with two hundred thousand stationed in the Capital City. They are equipped with armor and weapons; fifteen thousand are infantry, and only five thousand are cavalry equipped with war horses.

In reality, even among the five thousand cavalry, most are one rider per horse. Elite cavalry with two horses per rider are rarities.

Da Liang wishes to raise more cavalry, but the shortage of war horses and their high cost is a hindrance. Each horse consumes a substantial amount of feed and grain yearly, to such an extent that the funds to maintain one cavalryman could support ten ordinary soldiers.

Even the Capital City faces similar challenges, so there’s no need to mention other garrisons. For instance, the Nanyang Army has only five hundred horses in its entire camp.

It’s noteworthy that in the Commandery Princess’s Personal Guard Camp, everyone has a war horse, and her personal soldiers have two horses each — truly enviable.

These superior war horses are all bred at Biyang County’s horse farm.

"Commandery Princess, up ahead is Biyang County."

Chen Jinyu peered out, barely containing his joy and excitement: "There are many people waiting outside the city gates to welcome the Commandery Princess!"

After two days of consecutive travel, man and horse weary, entering Biyang County would mean a proper place to rest and settle.

Recently, Jiang Shaohua has become much more lively, leaning forward to look outside: "The main road of Biyang County is much wider than elsewhere, and the city gates are particularly broad."

"This was specially refurbished for the convenience of transporting war horses," Chen Jinyu replied with a smile, gazing afar: "By the way, is the person at the front the County Magistrate of Biyang? I heard my grandfather mention that the County Magistrate of Biyang is different from others."

Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly: "Yes, most County Magistrates are court-appointed. Even though your father used connections, he still came through the Imperial Examination. But the County Magistrate of Biyang, County Magistrate Ma, barely recognizes a few characters and comes from a merchant background."

How did County Magistrate Ma become a County Magistrate?

There’s a story behind it.

Years ago, when Prince Nanyang arrived at the vassal territory, his governance was lenient, focusing on agriculture and mulberry cultivation, collecting modest commercial taxes from merchants, encouraging them to venture out of Nanyang and open up trade routes.

The Ma Family were merchants in Biyang County, specializing in selling cattle and sheep. Family Head Ma Hong, with a strong sense of enterprise, deemed it a heaven-sent opportunity for the Ma Family.

Ma Hong, accompanied by over twenty male members of the family, hired a hundred escort masters, and ventured north from Nanyang County, crossing outside the border into the vast grasslands.

Along the journey, they encountered several instances of bandit troubles, some fell ill, and others suffered unexpected fatalities. Over a year later upon returning, only six of Ma Hong’s nephews and juniors remained. Half of the escort masters also perished, marking severe losses.

Ma Hong exhausted the family’s resources, compensating the armed escort office with a significant sum of silver.

After such efforts and sacrifices, Ma Hong’s gains were three hundred fine foals, including two hundred mares capable of breeding and one hundred stallions fit for mating.

It’s worth noting that fine stallions fit for mating were scarce in the Da Liang Dynasty, one capable stallion could be sold for a thousand silver taels, and the critical issue was that demand exceeded supply.

With such a number of breeding horses brought back, it was enough to establish a horse farm.

Prince Nanyang was overjoyed and immediately petitioned the court to commend Ma Hong. The late Emperor who sat on the Dragon Throne, deeply fond of his sibling, granted Prince Nanyang’s request without hesitation.

Thus, the cattle and sheep merchant transformed into the County Magistrate of Biyang County.

Three years later, the first batch of meticulously bred foals was sent to the Nanyang Prince Mansion from the horse farm.

Prince Nanyang was delighted and personally told County Magistrate Ma: "As long as you dedicate yourself to horse breeding, the position of County Magistrate in Biyang County will not change; it’s yours to hold."

County Magistrate Ma deeply appreciated this, and for the next twenty years, diligently bred one fine horse after another. Naturally, his position as County Magistrate remained as solid as a rock.

This story is truly legendary. Chen Jinyu had heard it from his grandfather several times and glanced around with a smile: "Today I must properly meet County Magistrate Ma."

Jiang Shaohua beamed with a pleased smile.

...

The renowned County Magistrate Ma, now sixty-nine years old, with a face full of wrinkles, a hunched body, supported by his children and grandchildren, trembled in salutation: "This humble servant, Ma Hong, pays respects to the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua is particularly magnanimous to capable and accomplished individuals, stepping forward personally, extending her hand to assist: "County Magistrate Ma, please rise quickly."

County Magistrate Ma was astonished by the favor, expressing gratitude repeatedly.

Upon meeting Chen Zhuo and other subordinates, County Magistrate Ma give a deep bow in salutation once again.

It’s notable that, at such an advanced age, his unsteady gait did not deter him from personally going outside the city to welcome, enough to be commendable.

Chen Zhuo smiled, helping County Magistrate Ma up: "County Magistrate Ma, please rise. It’s been more than a year since we last met."

County Magistrate Ma sighed deeply: "The last time I saw Chief Historian Chen was when the Lord passed and I went to the Prince Mansion for mourning... In a blink, it’s been more than a year."

The mention of the deceased Prince saddened Chen Zhuo; he lifted his spirits with a smile and said: "Today, the Commandery Princess is personally inspecting Biyang County. County Magistrate Ma, make sure to showcase the fine horses from the horse farm."

Wise with age, County Magistrate Ma understood the subtle hint from Chief Historian Chen.

With the Lord gone, the previous way of conducting affairs must change. Quick adjustments are needed to adapt to the Commandery Princess’s style of speech and action.

As for the Commandery Princess’s temperament... the sporadic rumors over the past three or four months have revealed quite a bit.

The ability to hold the position of County Magistrate for over twenty years relied not just on horse breeding but also on adaptability and thoroughness, a skill set that young County Magistrate Cui cannot match.

Upon entering the city, County Magistrate Ma disregarded his age, personally organizing the Commandery Princess’s accommodation.

The Ma Family is a prominent local family; County Magistrate Ma usually resides either at his own large house or the county government. This time, in anticipation of the Commandery Princess’s arrival, the entire family moved to the back courtyard of the county government, leaving the Ma family’s grand mansion spotless and impeccably arranged.

Yin Zhu and Tu Bai entered the bedroom, their faces broke into smiles instantly.

"Commandery Princess, County Magistrate Ma is truly meticulous, even the bed, table, and chairs in the bedroom are brand new."

The bedding and pillows weren’t placed, which is another layer of careful thoughtfulness.

The Commandery Princess, naturally, travels with her accustomed pillows and bedding.

Jiang Shaohua chuckled softly: "County Magistrate Ma is indeed a detailed person."

Yin Zhu and Tu Bai busied themselves with making the bed and lighting incense.

Chen Jinyu, residing next door, settled and came over for a stroll: "Commandery Princess, County Magistrate Ma will host a welcoming banquet tonight; there are still two hours until dark. Shall we take a stroll outside?"

Jiang Shaohua’s interest was piqued, instructing Yin Zhu to find an everyday, old outfit for a change.

Chen Jinyu surveyed, reached out to remove the golden hairpin from Jiang Shaohua’s hair, and plaited her hair into a sleek, black braid, then nodded in satisfaction: "That’s much better."

Jiang Shaohua looked in the mirror and saw a youthful and fresh maiden’s face reflected back, unable to suppress a charming smile.

Considering the discreet outing, taking too many people would be unwise. Yin Zhu and Tu Bai were to follow, along with Song Yuan, Qin Humeng, Sanbao, and around fifteen personal soldiers, making a party of approximately twenty.