Chapter Fourteen: The Uprising at the Mine, Part One
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Old Zhang Han needed Shen Jifeng to find a mortise-and-tenon craftsman and a water engineer.
Shen Jifeng knew that a water engineer was a craftsman who built drainage and irrigation channels, but the mortise-and-tenon craftsman was something he had never heard of before.
“The princess might not know,” Old Zhang Han explained, “this mortise-and-tenon craftsman isn’t an ordinary carpenter. They specialize in intricate mortise-and-tenon mechanisms. It’s said that their ancestors once assisted Master Lu Ban himself. Later, they focused solely on mechanical craftsmanship, capable of building wooden structures without using a single nail, hiding secret mechanisms within the beams and pillars.”
“Oh?” Shen Jifeng wasn’t very interested. “That’s quite extraordinary, but what does it have to do with our mining?”
Old Zhang Han rolled the finger counter on his hand. “If you ask me, building a wooden tower without nails isn’t the impressive part. The greatest skill of the mortise-and-tenon craftsman is their ability to calculate the load changes on every beam and pillar according to the structure. Having one in the mine means they can reinforce the beams and pillars at just the right spots within the tunnels, greatly reducing the risk of collapse.”
“But,” Old Zhang Han sighed, “these mortise-and-tenon craftsmen are hard to find. My father once told me that in the previous dynasty, there was a remarkable one specializing in mines, able to support a 30-zhang tunnel with just one pillar. Nowadays, such people are becoming rarer and rarer.”
A glimmer flashed in Shen Jifeng’s eyes. “The capital, Bianjing, gathers talents from all over the world. If they can’t be found elsewhere, they must be in Bianjing. I’ll send someone to look immediately.”
Zhao Zhen had planned to stay in Western Capital a few more days, but Shen Jifeng entrusted him with the task of finding the mortise-and-tenon craftsman and the water engineer.
“The water engineers are in the Ministry of Works, but my relations there are strained now, so I can’t intervene directly. I’ll have to trouble Your Royal Uncle.”
“Why do you need a water engineer when you’re mining, not building canals?”
Shen Jifeng showed off the knowledge he had just learned from Old Zhang Han that morning. “Gold and water coexist. Wherever there are veins of gold and silver, there is abundant water. While excavating the veins, drainage tunnels must be built as well. This is the specialty of water engineers.”
Understanding the full context, Zhao Zhen was about to leave. Like a caring father, he nagged, “If you can’t manage, don’t force it. Just return to the capital. I’d kneel before the Emperor for three days and nights to beg forgiveness for you.”
Warmth flooded Shen Jifeng’s heart, but she deliberately put on a stern face. “Fourth Uncle, don’t underestimate me. Since I accepted this mission, I will never abandon it halfway.” She paused, lowering her voice, “But... if I truly run into trouble, I’ll be the first to seek your help.”
Only then did Zhao Zhen smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “That’s more like it.” Turning around, he mounted his carriage. “The mortise-and-tenon craftsman and water engineer you need? Leave it to me. In Bianjing’s myriad professions, I know a few people. Don’t worry, I will definitely find them for you.”
Watching Zhao Zhen’s carriage gradually disappear from sight, a surge of sorrow called parting grief welled up in Shen Jifeng’s heart. Unbeknownst to her, at that very moment, a riot was erupting in the mine that would shock the entire court.
After Shen Jifeng left the mine, Old Zhang Han and several craftsmen descended from the tunnels. Old Zhang Han felt uneasy about the mining map behind Shen Jifeng and insisted on inspecting it personally to be reassured.
When he came back up, noon had passed and the canteen’s meals were long gone. The cooks knew that these craftsmen were brought back by much effort from the princess and dared not neglect them. They rekindled the fire and prepared a few dishes solely for them.
The aroma of stir-fried dishes wafted far on the southern breeze. The miners working in the yard caught the scent and their stomachs churned, swallowing hard.
“I want meat too. The princess said she’d improve our meals, but we only got to eat meat once. The rest have been just vegetable soup and coarse bread—not much better than before.”
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“Why can they eat meat while we’re stuck with pig slop?”
A group gathered around the burly man who had caused trouble last time. “Big brother, what do you say we do?”
Feng Da, holding a stone in his hand, threw it down with a clatter. “I’m done. We work ourselves to death digging, and can’t even get a hot meal! Those craftsmen just boss us around but feast on big fish and meat!”
“I quit!”
“Yeah, quit! Let’s go find them!”
“Everyone to the canteen! Let’s eat meat!”
Their shouts were like a fuse igniting a pile of gunpowder, instantly unleashing the miners’ long-suppressed rage.
They grabbed pickaxes and clubs and surged like a tide toward the canteen.
Old Zhang Han had just taken a piece of meat when he heard the deafening shouts and cries outside. His face turned pale as he hurriedly put down his bowl and chopsticks. “Trouble’s coming!”
Before he finished, the wooden door of the canteen was kicked open. Feng Da and a dozen burly men stormed in, overturning tables without a word. Hot soup and dishes spilled onto the floor, and some craftsmen who couldn’t dodge in time cried out as they were scalded.
“Stop!” Old Zhang Han stepped in front of the young craftsmen. “Let’s talk this through. What are you trying to do?”
The lead man sneered and swung his pickaxe. “Old man, you’re asking for death!”
At that critical moment, a silver light flashed. With a clang, the pickaxe was knocked aside. Everyone turned to see Dong Yang standing at the door, his longsword gleaming coldly.
“Feng Da, take the other miners back!”
“I’m not retreating! Brothers, better to die today than live like pigs and dogs in this tunnel every day! Let’s kill them, seize the mountain, and live free and easy!”
“Seize the mountain, live free and easy!” echoed the cries, not only from the dozen who charged in but also from the noisy crowd outside in the mineyard.
Dong Yang protected the craftsmen as he retreated step by step. Without the princess’s order, he dared not act recklessly.
“Someone’s killing! Someone’s killing!”
Shrieks like pigs being slaughtered rang out across the mineyard. The Western Capital guards clashed with the miners, and two people fell bleeding on the ground.
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Dong Yang’s heart sank. “Everyone calm down, put down your weapons!”
No one heeded his words. Their already high emotions, fueled by the sight of fresh blood, ignited like fire meeting hot oil—an uncontrollable blaze.
Seeing a craftsman fall beneath a miner’s hammer, Dong Yang no longer hesitated. The swordlight flashed, slicing across the wrist of the miner at the front.
“Anyone else steps forward, I’ll cut off their hand!” Dong Yang shouted fiercely.
Feng Da sneered. “Brothers, don’t be afraid—kill them!”
The mineyard instantly descended into chaos.
When Shen Jifeng returned to the mine, Dong Yang and the princess’s guards had regained control, but the miners suffered heavy casualties. Over ten craftsmen were injured, and two lost their lives from hammer blows to the head.
The air hung thick with the stench of blood, making Shen Jifeng nearly sick. Yet the ringleader Feng Da was unharmed, his eyes full of defiance as he stared at her.
“Who sent you to do this?” Shen Jifeng pressed her dagger against Feng Da’s throat.
Feng Da grinned, revealing blood-stained teeth. “Brothers just want a full stomach...”
“Dong Yang!” Shen Jifeng stepped back half a pace. Dong Yang understood immediately, took the dagger from her, and with a swift motion severed Feng Da’s tendons in his hand.
Feng Da howled and collapsed.
Shen Jifeng’s face turned icy. “Speak—who exactly sent you?”
Feng Da seemed not to hear her, his body convulsed violently a few times before going still.
Dong Yang leaned in to check his breath, startled. “He’s dead.”