The mineral-water bottle cap wasn't much in the human world—two and a half centimeters across, one centimeter deep.But inside the miniature realm, it transformed into a vast pool seven feet wide and half a zhang deep.
And what filled this pool?
Rapeseed oil.Golden. Thick. Fragrant. The kind only modern factories could refine.
The villagers sniffed once, their noses twitching in unison.
"Rapeseed oil…""The finest rapeseed oil!"
"Oh heavens! A whole pool of it!""In my life I've only ever seen a tiny bottle of oil!"
Three years ago—before the drought—the villagers could still plant a little rapeseed. New Year's was the only time they'd get a spoonful of oil to fry something decent.But when the drought struck and even grain crops refused to grow, rapeseed became a luxury no one could even dream of.
Now they were staring at a pool so large one could practically take a bath in it.
Excitement erupted.
High-schooler Fifth (the boy's unfortunate nickname) was the first to blurt,"Are we really going to use all this… to light lamps? I—I can't bear it. Let's just eat it!"
Whack!
The village chief knocked him on the head."Eat, eat, eat! That's all you know! Didn't you see the rebel band passing outside last night? Under the protection of Dao Xuan Tianzun, we aren't starving anymore. What we need now is defense, not deep-fried snacks!"
Gao Yiye raised her voice, her ceremonial robes swaying solemnly."Tianzun has spoken! Half of this oil is for eating. The other half is to make lanterns for the night watch.If thieves approach, the sentry will ring the alarm bell. Everyone will arm themselves and guard the gate!"
"Understood!" the villagers chorused.
She continued,"Tianzun further commands that San Shier (三十二) shall distribute and allocate the oil.The rest of you, return to your work. The city gate still needs fortifying. The armor must be finished. And Li Da's muskets require every ounce of strength we have. There is still much to do."
The villagers were surprised.Oil had always been divided equally—never entrusted to a single person. Why give it all to San Shier?
But curiosity was not rebellion. No one dared question the Heavenly Lord's decree.They bowed and dispersed.
San Shier's Ambition
San Shier's heart practically burst with joy.
Tianzun noticed me! He actually entrusted me with something important!
First small matters, then larger ones, and one day—one glorious day—he would become Tianzun's right-hand man.Much better than being a lowly clerk in the county yamen!
A booming voice rolled from the heavens—Li Daoxuan speaking through the box.
"San Shier!"
San Shier straightened. "Your servant obeys!"
Li Daoxuan asked coolly, "Do you know why I left the oil to you?"
San Shier bowed."I do. Gaojia Village is like a bowl of loose sand—each household thinking only of itself.Many cannot read, most cannot count, and if the oil were shared out for nightly lanterns, it would become chaos in three days. Some might even steal lamp oil for themselves."
Li Daoxuan smiled. "Good. You understand."
Then he frowned slightly, amused."And what's this? You're not ending every sentence with an idiom anymore?"
San Shier flushed."Your servant used idioms to pretend he was knowledgeable. But before Tianzun, my 'knowledge' is like a candle before the sun and moon.Better not embarrass myself by pretending."
Li Daoxuan waved him off."No need to over-explain. Tell me instead—what is Gaojia Village lacking most?"
"People!" San Shier responded instantly."We are short of manpower."
"Correct."
Li Daoxuan reached down and placed a small mound of flour before him—enough dough to feed a clan."Use this to bring in people."
San Shier's eyes shone."In this drought year, flour is more precious than gold.I will—cough—persuade… cough… recruit many people!"
Li Daoxuan raised an eyebrow."Let me hear your plan."
San Shier quickly laid it out:
"The villages near us—Wangjia, Zhongjia, Zhengjia—many of their folk were forced to join Wang Er's rebels. But not all left. Some stayed behind, unwilling to become thieves.Those people are starving and afraid. If we offer food and safety, they will come."
Li Daoxuan's lips curled.
This one really is useful.
He had read historical analyses stating that the county master clerk—the "Zhixian's aide"—was often more capable at practical tasks than the magistrate himself. Magistrates made decisions; clerks made them happen.
San Shier was exactly that type.
"Very good," Li Daoxuan said."I leave it to you."
The clouds above the miniature world drifted gently, and Gao Yiye announced solemnly:
"Tianzun has returned to the Immortal Realm."
After Tianzun Leaves
San Shier exploded with delight.
"Ha! I, San Shier, am Tianzun's right-hand man today! Wahahaha!"
He'd been holding that laugh in for so long that once the divine presence vanished, nothing could contain him.Hands on hips, head thrown back—pure ecstasy.
Gao Yiye also relaxed, letting out a long breath."Wearing this heavy outfit and pretending to look dignified all morning… I'm exhausted."
The Third Lady looked at her with deep envy."Oh, to think you find a sacred duty tiring! I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat."
"I don't mind the work," Gao Yiye said quickly. "I just need time to get used to it."
The Third Lady adjusted her posture, speaking earnestly:"Miss Yiye, you are the Saintess of Dao Xuan Tianzun. You relay his will. The more dignified you appear, the more people will respect Tianzun. Never forget that."
Gao Yiye straightened her back, instantly solemn."I understand."
Then the Third Lady turned to San Shier with a sharp look.
"You rascal. The villagers are clueless—they've done nothing for Tianzun for so long. Shouldn't our family contribute something? Shouldn't we build a small temple and a golden statue for the Heavenly Lord?"
San Shier didn't hesitate even half a heartbeat.
"Build it! Even if we have to smash pots and sell iron—we must build it!Though… in Gaojia Village, even if we wanted to spend money… we don't actually have much to spend…"
He trailed off awkwardly.