Chapter 7: Declaring the Steward Master

Chapter 7: Announcing the Estate Managers

Early the next morning, He Yuzhu cooked rice porridge using the newly acquired rice from the storage space. This time, he didn’t add any spirit spring water, wanting to taste the flavor of the rice grown within the space itself. He also boiled a few eggs from the storage.

Watching He Yushui eat contentedly, he couldn’t help but ask, “Yushui, how’s the rice porridge today?”

“It’s good, but not as tasty as yesterday’s millet porridge,” she replied.

He Yuzhu scooped a spoonful for himself to taste. Although it had a fresh fragrance, it was slightly inferior to the millet porridge from yesterday, which he presumed was due to the absence of spirit spring water. Still, it was better than ordinary rice.

Just after finishing their meal, they heard someone shouting in the courtyard. He Yuzhu opened the door and looked out. Someone said there was a meeting and everyone was to gather in the front courtyard. At this time, the traditional courtyard compound housed fewer than ten families, with several rooms yet to be allocated.

When everyone assembled in the front courtyard, they saw Director Wang from the Neighborhood Office accompanied by a clerk, already waiting at the second gate leading into the front yard.

Seeing the crowd gathered, Director Wang began reading the latest policy. After reading, he explained and arranged the details.

“Although military control has ended, the situation remains unstable. Many enemy agents still hide within the city. Due to limited staff at the Neighborhood Office and following orders from higher authorities, each courtyard must assign an estate manager to assist in handling neighborhood disputes and preventing espionage. In our courtyard, except for the earliest few private households, the rest are public housing. The remaining rooms will gradually be occupied, increasing the population. After surveys and research, we have appointed three estate managers: Yan Bugui for the front yard, Yi Zhonghai for the middle yard, and Liu Haizhong for the rear yard. Yan Bugui, you are responsible for the front yard; if you find strangers, you must inquire carefully and report any suspicious individuals to us promptly. All estate managers will undergo a three-month probation period. During this time, if there are any inappropriate actions, residents may report issues to the Neighborhood Office for review and adjustment if necessary.”

After the three estate managers gave their acceptance speeches, He Yuzhu raised his hand and asked, “Director Wang, how much authority do the estate managers have? Must everyone listen to them in all matters?”

“As I mentioned earlier, the estate managers only assist the Neighborhood Office in resolving neighborhood disputes and preventing espionage. Any violations of laws or regulations must be reported to the Neighborhood Office and Public Security. If anyone is dissatisfied with how the estate managers handle matters, they may also seek assistance from the Neighborhood Office or Public Security,” Director Wang explained.

“Any further questions?” Seeing none, Director Wang declared the meeting adjourned.

As everyone dispersed and headed home, Xu Damao approached with a mischievous grin. “Silly Zhu, your dad ran off and abandoned you,” he teased.

He Yuzhu grabbed Xu Damao’s neck firmly and, with some force, said, “Who are you calling Silly Zhu? Call me Brother Zhu! Call me Silly Zhu again and I’ll beat you up!”

Xu Damao, three years younger and still in school, had been beaten up by He Yuzhu countless times since childhood.

“Brother, brother, let go, I can’t breathe!” Xu Damao admitted defeat, and He Yuzhu released him.

“Silly Zhu, Silly Zhu, just calling you Silly Zhu,” Xu Damao called back as he ran toward the rear yard.

He Yuzhu feigned a chase, scaring Xu Damao into running away. Then, thinking for a moment, he filled a cloth sack with about twenty pounds of rice and strapped it to the front of his bicycle, intending to bring it to his master’s wife for tasting.

With He Yushui, he went to his master’s home.

Eagerly, Yushui ran inside to find Little Tiger to play with.

He Yuzhu carried the sack inside.

“Zhu, what are you carrying there?” the master’s wife asked upon seeing the rice sack.

“Rice,” He Yuzhu replied.

“Does the master’s wife still need food from you? And you bring rice?” she said with slight displeasure.

“Master’s wife, of course, I don’t lack food to eat, but this rice isn’t ordinary rice; it’s tribute rice. I happened to buy some. Yushui and I tasted it this morning; it’s quite good. That’s why I brought some for you to try,” He Yuzhu explained.

At that moment, the master came out of the house and said, “This is a gift from Zhu out of filial respect; just accept it. It’s getting late; we have to go to work.”

He Yuzhu helped the master’s wife put the rice into the kitchen grain bin, then mounted his bicycle and, with his master, headed straight to Fengze Garden.

Upon arrival, He Yuzhu went to assist in the kitchen. After a day of work, he had gained much experience, and his knife skills steadily improved.

During this time, Master Fan Dakang prepared several dishes, with his apprentices gathered around. Fan Dakang carefully explained each step, teaching his disciples with dedication.

In the evening, as usual, He Yuzhu accompanied Master Fan Dakang home.

“Zhu, where did you buy the rice you brought this morning? It was really delicious,” the master’s wife inquired.

“I met a burly man selling it earlier and bought quite a bit. I’m not sure where he’s from,” He Yuzhu answered.

“That’s truly a pity,” the master’s wife said regretfully.

“No worries, master’s wife. If I meet that man again, I’ll ask and buy more,” He Yuzhu promised.

“All right, take Yushui and head back quickly.”

“Okay, goodbye, master’s wife.”

He Yuzhu took Yushui home.

Upon returning to the courtyard, they didn’t see Yan Bugui at the entrance, which puzzled He Yuzhu. They continued inside and found everyone gathered in the middle yard. The three estate managers sat at a table on the south side, surrounded by a large circle of neighbors.

“Zhu, where have you been? We’ve been waiting for you; come join the meeting,” Yi Zhonghai said upon seeing He Yuzhu.

“Elder Yi, don’t be impatient. You had to wait for me to put the bike away,” He Yuzhu replied, parking his bike by his window, opening the door, and sitting on a small stool beside Xu Damao. “Xu Damao, what’s this meeting about?”

“How would I know? They just said there’s a meeting,” Xu Damao answered.

“All right, everyone, quiet down. The meeting starts now,” Yi Zhonghai announced.

“This morning, the Neighborhood Office appointed the three of us as estate managers. For convenience, we discussed and ranked ourselves by age. I am the eldest, so you can call me First Elder; Liu Haizhong is Second Elder, and Yan Bugui is Third Elder.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui chimed in.

“We must help each other, respect the elderly, care for the young, and strive to earn the title of Model Courtyard for our compound. This will benefit everyone,” Yi Zhonghai began painting a rosy picture—once the Model Courtyard title is earned, it would be easier for children to find partners and secure jobs, among other advantages.

After all the talk, the message was clear: if any issues arise, come to us three elders. We will resolve them within the courtyard. Don’t escalate matters outside.

After the meeting, everyone returned home. He Yuzhu took Yushui back to their room.