Chapter 47: If you suspect a man, do not employ him; if you employ him, do not suspect him

After a few swift moves, Zhao Hu was pinned to the ground by Jiang Yi, unable to get back up.

The villagers broke into enthusiastic applause and cheers, making it clear they had no desire for Zhao Shengkui to become the township magistrate.

Back when they were facing their most desperate hour, Zhao Shengkui had fled with his entire family to take refuge in the city. Consequently, he had completely lost the support of the villagers, who now wished nothing more than to drive him out of the village entirely.

"We refuse to have him as our village head! Make him leave Funiu Village!"

The villagers were deeply agitated, showing strong hostility toward Zhao Shengkui's return.

"My fellow villagers, if you do not wish for him to be your village head, please raise your hands."

Observing the crowd, Jiang Yi decided to let them vote so he could act in accordance with their wishes.

One after another, the villagers raised their right hands. It was evident that a vast majority opposed Zhao Shengkui holding any position of authority.

"Now, those who do not want him to remain in the village, please raise your hands."

Jiang Yi wanted to gauge how many residents truly rejected Zhao Shengkui's presence. The result was that the overwhelming majority of the villagers raised their hands in agreement.

"You've seen it for yourself. The people neither want you as their village head nor wish for you to stay in Funiu Village."

"This is rigged! You must have bribed them with money! I refuse to accept this!"

Zhao Shengkui contested the villagers' verdict, stubbornly believing that Jiang Yi had bought their votes.

"This is the collective will of the people. When they were in their deepest peril, you and your family were safe in the city. Your actions were simply heartless."

Since the villagers had no desire for Zhao Shengkui to lead them, the outcome perfectly aligned with Jiang Yi's own intentions.

"It won't be that easy to drive me away! My household registration is right here in Funiu Village!"

Even if Zhao Shengkui refused to leave, the villagers of Funiu indeed lacked the legal authority to force him out.

"His household registration is indeed in this village, so we have no legal right to expel him by force. Everyone, please return to your respective homes and attend to your daily affairs."

"You treated them so well, yet they tried to strip you of your rightful position as magistrate. We simply cannot stand by and watch this injustice."

"The roads in our village become an impassable quagmire whenever it rains or snows. Can't something be done to pave them?"

What concerned the villagers most was when they would finally have reliable roads that were free of mud, making travel convenient for everyone.

The paths in the village had merely been beaten into shape by countless footsteps, and the residents certainly lacked the funds to pave them properly. Knowing that Jiang Yi was now a man of considerable wealth, they secretly hoped he would invest some money into building proper roads.

"The village roads are indeed in desperate need of repair."

Jiang Yi did not reject the villagers' proposal; building roads would benefit both the public and himself. Doing so would win over the hearts of the people while laying the groundwork for his future plans.

To achieve prosperity, one must first build roads. His vision was to connect the pathways of all ten villages under the jurisdiction of Shuangma Township. By extending the roads from the other villages directly to Funiu Village, anyone from neighboring settlements wishing to travel to Hanyang City would be forced to pass through Funiu Village.

Currently, I have five thousand strings of cash. I wonder if that will be enough to pave the roads for every village, Jiang Yi calculated silently in his mind.

He decided to dispatch men to conduct field surveys of the road conditions in each village and draft detailed maps of the region. This would allow them to construct the shortest possible connecting routes to Funiu Village, facilitating travel for all local residents.

He assigned Pang Xiong to lead a team to inspect the routes in the surrounding villages and map the terrain. This served a dual purpose: facilitating logistical transport and preparing for future strategic maneuvers.

Upon returning home, Jiang Yi summoned Pang Xiong, Chang Kun, and Zhao Yong to his side.

"I have a task for you. Go and investigate the condition of every road in the other villages of Shuangma Township, and draw up detailed maps for me."

"I guarantee the mission will be accomplished to perfection."

Pang Xiong vowed to execute the assignment flawlessly, feeling honored to prove himself as one of Jiang Yi's most capable aides.

"I have a task for the two of you as well. Manufacture these items strictly according to this blueprint. I will assign a few assistants to help you, but the components must be forged separately, and no information must be leaked outside."

Jiang Yi handed the flintlock blueprints to Zhao Yong and Chang Kun, having already gathered all the necessary raw materials.

"Starting today, you two are the chief overseers. You must strictly supervise the others in crafting these parts. If anyone leaks a word to the outside world, report it to me immediately."

Jiang Yi would treat them generously, but he strictly forbade any leakage of confidential information.

Next, he arranged for workers to process the gunpowder ingredients—grinding and sifting charcoal, saltpeter, and sulfur. The final blending stage, however, would be handled personally by Jiang Yi, as the exact ratio of the gunpowder formula was of paramount importance. Even if outsiders managed to identify the materials used, replicating the precise formula without endless trial and error would take a very long time, and any attempts would yield only the most rudimentary results.

Although Pang Xiong and his companions sensed that the grand enterprise Jiang Yi was undertaking carried immense risks, they prudently refrained from asking questions, focusing entirely on fulfilling their own duties.

"Perform your tasks well, and I will reward you handsomely."

As long as Jiang Yi provided sufficient incentives, Pang Xiong and the others would remain unswervingly loyal to his cause.

Jiang Yi handed two sets of flintlock components from his desk to Zhao Yong and Chang Kun to serve as physical references. He was also contemplating the application of broaching and die-extrusion techniques—methods that were currently viable—to rifle the barrels of guns and cannons, thereby enhancing shooting stability and range. For now, the priority was simply to produce the firearms and artillery; rifling could be refined later.

After examining the blueprints, the two craftsmen concluded that if the items depicted could actually be manufactured, they would undoubtedly surpass any weapons currently utilized by the military.

"Just succeed in making them, and your rewards await."

The quality of the initial batch of firearms and artillery might not be entirely ideal, but Jiang Yi intended to test them personally and implement continuous improvements.

"We will give it our best. As long as there are sufficient raw materials, making the prototypes will be no problem."

Zhao Yong and Chang Kun were master blacksmiths and carpenters; bringing the items on the blueprints to life was well within their capabilities.

Gesturing toward a canvas sack on the floor filled with copper coins, Jiang Yi spoke:

"This money is for your use. Work diligently, and I will never treat you unfairly. Remember, keep this strictly confidential."

Though his funds were still somewhat limited, the rewards he promised were substantial.

Zhao Yong and Chang Kun suspected that Jiang Yi's actions amounted to rebelling against the local authorities and the imperial court. If that truly was the case, the consequences would be momentous. Yet, they decided to keep silent and pretend ignorance. Moreover, the monthly wages offered by Jiang Yi were exceptionally high, and coupled with the prospect of generous bonuses, their annual income would be quite considerable.

"Take the blueprints and study them first. If you need anything else, come directly to me. You may go about your work now."

After Pang Xiong and the others departed, Wu Shimiao approached Jiang Yi.

"Are you truly so confident in letting them manufacture firearms? Aren't you worried they might report you to the authorities?"

"There is nothing to fear. As long as I provide them with sufficient benefits, they will never betray me. The government offers a one-time reward for whistleblowers, but what I give them is far greater."

Jiang Yi was genuinely unconcerned about the possibility of being reported, knowing that the craftsmen were capable of basic arithmetic. Take Zhao Yong and Chang Kun, for example: working at carpentry and blacksmith shops in Hanyang City would net them at most fifteen hundred copper cash a month, whereas working for Jiang Yi guaranteed two thousand cash monthly, not to mention upcoming wage increases and performance bonuses.

"The saying goes: 'If you suspect someone, do not employ them; if you employ them, do not suspect them.' Whatever the imperial government cannot provide them, I can."

"You should still proceed with caution. Certain officials from the yamen may send agents to monitor you because of your special status."

Originally the Thirteenth Prince, Jiang Yi had been demoted to a commoner, a circumstance that surely left the reigning Yongkang Emperor uneasy. The local authorities had undoubtedly been instructed to keep him under surveillance to prevent any plots of treason or rebellion.

"I have been sufficiently cautious. If my calculations are correct, the political climate is going to change drastically before long."

Wu Shimiao fully grasped the implication behind Jiang Yi's words. With Hanzhou thrown into turmoil by the Fire Lotus Cult, the local government's grip on the region was rapidly weakening. Influential families were seizing the opportunity to expand their own spheres of influence, rendering the imperial court's new decrees entirely useless in this area.

The court's declining control over the localities presented a golden opportunity for Jiang Yi's rapid rise—an opportunity he naturally had no intention of letting slip. During this period, hoarding supplies and forging firearms were paramount.

"You gave the design drawings for the three-eyed gun and the gunpowder formula to Yang Che. If he manages to have his own craftsmen manufacture them, won't that pose a direct threat to you?"

"They will only be able to produce crude, low-quality firearms, and they won't be able to formulate the gunpowder in any short span of time."

Jiang Yi replied with absolute confidence, knowing he had intentionally introduced subtle flaws into the blueprints he shared. Even if Yang Che's men managed to forge the weapons, they would break down after only a few uses.