Chapter 22: The Premier Apprentice Artisan

At the very least, leave one for me! Wang Ge was speechless. She briefly explained to Examiner Zheng how she made her own tinder in Jia She Village: soaking ramie, removing the leaves, pounding the fibers flat; then adding reed down and pounding them together until they were mush, drying them out; scraping some saltpeter from the mud wall to mix in, crushing the fibers completely, wrapping them in grass threads, rolling them into a strip, and placing it inside a bamboo tube. Light it, blow it out, and cap the bamboo tube.

Whenever you need to use it again, just open the lid, blow a couple of breaths, and the fire reignites.

Examiner Zheng then took all the little bamboo tubes!

After that, they ended up on Magistrate Huan’s desk.

On May 22nd, the results were posted.

Wang Ge deservedly took first place among the apprentice artisans! This rank came with a special title: Premier Apprentice Artisan!

Zhang Qing ranked eighty-ninth.

There were as many as seven names from Pu Zhi Township on the list!

This year’s artisan examination results were dramatically different from previous years across all categories. The reason, which everyone knew but did not say aloud: the corrupt County Magistrate Jiang, who abused his power for personal gain, had died. In the past, few from each township made the list because Jiang’s clan monopolized the spots! With the newly appointed Magistrate Huan, upright and impartial, every township had a fair chance.

“A great joy!” Officials from other townships congratulated the Wood Township official.

“Likewise, likewise!” The Wood Township official grinned so wide his mouth was crooked. “How many passed from your township?”

“Nine.”

The Wood Township official’s happiness faltered, but he quickly pointed to the first-place name—“Wang Ge”—and announced loudly, “The top candidate is from my Pu Zhi Township! Hahaha…”

In the county office’s rear courtyard.

Wen Shizhi lit the tinder stick: “It’s burning! It’s burning! Haha!”

Magistrate Huan assigned the task of studying the tinder to his nephew and a younger member of the Wen family. The two boys, eager to redeem themselves, devoted themselves to the work, categorizing the tinder by its different ingredients and recording the variations in their performance.

The kind Wang Ge made, due to limited materials, was certainly the poorest quality.

For better results, additives like sulfur and pine resin were essential. To mask the unpleasant odor of burning tinder, fragrances could also be included.

Thus, a tinder stick that worked well and produced no foul smell was far beyond the reach of ordinary folk.

The two boys, having contributed to the invention of the tinder stick, had earned some merit. When they returned to Luoyang, they would surely be spared a beating.

“Poor Tian-di,” Wen Shizhi shook his head.

Huan Zhen said, “Let’s save that for when we pass through Shanyin County—say it by his bedside.”

From afar, Magistrate Huan could hear the boys’ schadenfreude. “Have you finished making the tinder?”

“Uncle.”

“Uncle Huan.”

After bowing, the two presented their successful tinder sticks.

Magistrate Huan, suppressing his delight, said, “You’ve done well! Shizhi, go to the front hall—someone from the Wen household has arrived.”

“Yes.” Wen Shizhi bowed and left, casting a “take care of yourself” glance at Huan Zhen.

“Uncle, do you have something to say?” Huan Zhen asked as he rolled up the tinder records and tied them.

“Your father’s letter has arrived.” Magistrate Huan handed over a millet-colored silk pouch, sealed with a knot and a clay seal.

Huan Zhen opened it. Inside, the letter was unmistakably in his father’s handwriting—but the contents… dreadful! This time, his father was serious! There was no point in thinking about going to Shanyin County to tease Wang Tian!

“Uncle.” He feigned nonchalance, putting the letter back in its pouch, tucking it into his sleeve, picking up the tinder stick made with the best materials, and offered, “The outer tube of the tinder stick could be made of copper. Could the bamboo tube of the fire extinguisher gun also be replaced? That might increase its range!”

Magistrate Huan gave a meaningful smile. “You needn’t worry about these. I plan to reform the township militia in Duyi County, designating ten post stations as pilot camps. It’s an excellent opportunity for training. Since you have a taste for military and martial arts, don’t miss it!”

“I’m not of age yet,” Huan Zhen protested.

“All the better! Starting next year, the court will establish junior guards in every province. The requirements: under fifteen years old, of at least fifth-rank official family, with at least one year’s militia experience. Only after passing examinations at township, county, commandery, and provincial levels will one be admitted! Zhen, you are just right.”

Huan Zhen felt awkward. “Uncle… I’m already aware.”

“What your father’s men brought…” Magistrate Huan raised two fingers proudly. “Two letters! And two doctors—one for wounds, one for fractures! My letter contains an extra line!”

Huan Zhen fell silent, knowing his uncle was up to no good.

“If you try to run away again and I catch you, I’ll break one of your legs. I’ll do the beating, and the two doctors will heal you! Zhen, being a guard is the path every soldier dreams of. From now on, curb your wildness and stay in Duyi County. Only when you pass into the commandery guard will I let you go. Don’t worry, during this time, I’ll treat you like a true nephew!” He clapped Huan Zhen on the shoulder, took the tinder stick, and strolled away.

“Oh, one more thing,” he called back, “the steward from the Wen family looks quite angry—seems he’s taking Young Master Wen away directly. Aren’t you going to see him off?”

Huan Zhen, not bothering to lament his fate, ran out like the wind, but the Wen family’s carriage had already left the county office.

And so, the parting from his friend would last over two years.

As the Wen family’s carriage departed the west gate, Wang Ge, carrying a large basket, entered through the east gate, finally arriving in the county town. Every so often, she nervously felt the money pouch tied to her belt—heavy enough to make her both excited and anxious.

Two hundred seventy coins—surely enough to buy medicine for Grandfather?

The Wood Township official had told her that the biggest and most well-stocked pharmacies in town were “Materia Medica” and “Hua Tuo’s Apothecary.” He’d also said that herbs were only divided by grade, and prices for the same grade were always the same! Anyone who tried to cheat by selling inferior goods or raising prices would be severely punished by the authorities, so there was no need to worry about being deceived—she could buy medicine at any pharmacy.

His words had Wang Ge wondering all the way: Is this really the Jin Dynasty? Is this the ancient world? The economic system seems so well-regulated! If it weren’t for the lack of refined salt and even tinder sticks, she’d suspect that Emperor Wu himself was a transmigrator!

Ahead stood the Shennong Apothecary, its narrow wooden signboard hanging parallel to the wall. Wang Ge caught the strong scent of herbs even at the door. Upon entering, the apprentice asked, “Consultation or prescription?”

“Prescription. Do you have medicine for back pain?”

“Is it a new injury or an old one?”

“An old one.”

“Any symptoms of dampness or cold? For example, does back pain worsen in rainy weather? When the pain occurs, is there also chest tightness? Does the pain start below the back, or only in the lower back? Is it on both sides or just the bone? Are there any bumps when you touch the bone? Is the back hunched? Can the patient walk and turn over? When lying down, can he flex and extend? Can he relieve himself normally?”

Wang Ge broke out in a sweat from all the questions, but thankfully her soul was that of an adult and she had asked her grandfather carefully about his symptoms before coming—otherwise, this would have been a wasted trip.

After collecting the medicine, she recalled the apprentice’s instructions for preparing it: when decocting, add plenty of pork fat, then strain out the dregs after boiling. Once the medicine cools, it will form a black paste to be applied to the lower back. Clean linen can be used over the ointment to protect clothing.

Isn’t this just a medicinal plaster?

Wang Ge laughed at herself. She might be a transmigrator, but in this ancient world, she still ended up seeming like a country bumpkin.