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To build a hut, the first step was naturally to find craftsmen.
Now that Fei Qian had an official status, he could naturally call upon official craftsmen.
The craftsman in charge of such matters in Xiangyang was named Huang Dou, with no courtesy name, and held a high rank, being a master craftsman.
Fortunately, in the Han Dynasty, it was not customary to call someone by their full name, otherwise Fei Qian might have burst out laughing, especially given Master Huang's short and round figure...
Initially, Master Huang had refused, citing the lack of official orders. But when Fei Qian mentioned that the expenses would be covered privately and threatened to find someone else, Master Huang eagerly agreed.
With the autumn harvest over, many farmers were idle at home, willing to earn some extra money by doing odd jobs. Thus, finding laborers was not a problem. For the more specialized tasks, the craftsmen could bring along a few apprentices to oversee the work, making it a straightforward opportunity to earn extra income. Only a fool would pass it up.
After circling the base of Lushan twice, Master Huang selected a spot to build the wooden hut.
Though Fei Qian was not an expert, he could see the appeal of the location. A small mound slightly elevated from the flat ground, with a creek flowing nearby, making water access convenient without the risk of flooding during the rainy season.
It was indeed better in the Han Dynasty. Such a large piece of land could be developed as one pleased. All that was needed was to file a document with the local authorities. Fei Qian stamped the newly acquired seal of the Assistant Inspector, paid a nominal fee, and the land was officially under his name.
This wasn't Fei Qian abusing his power; the land was mountainous, somewhat distant from the city, and not highly valuable. Moreover, hearing that Pang Degong had approved, the officials were happy to oblige as a small favor.
With the decision to build a hut at the mountain base, there was no need to look for a house in the city.
Fei Qian also avoided the petty, short-sighted clerks, choosing instead to travel early and return late to Lushan with Uncle Fu.
As for official duties?
Well, in terms of rank, only the Inspector was above the Assistant Inspector. As long as Liu Biao didn't object, no one could really control Fei Qian...
Originally, Fei Qian had planned to build just a simple wooden hut. However, after discussing the costs with Master Huang, he realized that building a house in the Han Dynasty was surprisingly cheap, so he decided to expand the project.
With his official status, materials could be procured at government rates directly from the Xiangyang storerooms, eliminating the need to wait for freshly cut wood to dry. Ready-made materials were available, making the process much more convenient.
Not being well-versed in construction, Fei Qian left everything to Master Huang. Each day, after arriving with Uncle Fu, he would find a quiet spot to ponder Pang Degong's words, avoiding any interference with the construction work.
Fei Qian wasn't in a hurry to visit Pang Degong again. Without clear thoughts, a visit would be of little help and might be seen as impetuous. Pang Degong had previously hinted at this, so Fei Qian felt it best to sort out his thoughts before another visit.
Today at the construction site, after greeting Master Huang, Fei Qian found a secluded spot by the creek, untied the carriage, and let Uncle Fu take the horses to graze. He sat on a large rock by the water.
The babbling creek and the warm autumn sun were delightful.
Yet, Fei Qian's mind was anything but calm.
The concept of "Dao" that Pang Degong had mentioned days ago had been constantly on his mind. He realized that this might be a significant difference between people of the Han Dynasty and those of later times.
In terms of the sheer number of people with general knowledge, later generations, with broader education, might have the upper hand. But when it came to having a personal "Dao," it was possible that more people in the Han Dynasty had found theirs compared to later times.
Reflecting on his past life, Fei Qian realized he had never truly formed his own "Dao."
As a child, he might have been prompted by adults to declare grand ambitions about becoming this or that, but those were mere jokes, not taken seriously by anyone, least of all by a naive child.
Growing older, through elementary and middle school, how many remembered their childhood dreams? Some might, but most were indoctrinated under the red flag to become successors to certain causes, to dedicate their lives to certain endeavors...
Then came university, where one should ideally find their life's direction. Yet, even in philosophy classes, the professors merely recited textbooks, never touching upon what should be the greatest motivator in life, let alone other subjects.
What did he do most in university?
Play.
Then, entering society, the job he found was unrelated to his major, and he had no real interest in it. He just drifted along until now, in the Han Dynasty...
A few days ago, during a lecture at the Xun family, when Xun Yu proposed the "Four Virtues," Fei Qian had felt an inexplicable shock. Now, reflecting on it, that feeling wasn't just about Xun Yu's Dao of Four Virtues but a realization of the biggest gap between himself and these top-tier individuals.
Recalling the figures he had met from Luoyang to Xiangyang, those who shone in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Fei Qian realized that while he couldn't compare to the martial prowess of figures like Zhang Liao, even on the civil side, individuals like Cai Yong, Liu Hong, Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Xun Yu, and Guo Jia all had their own "Dao" early on and strived tirelessly towards it.
Even Zao Zhi, whom he had teased, was determined to achieve his "Dao of Agriculture."
And himself?
Drifting.
The habits from his past life remained unchanged.
Although he could recall the sudden question from that night, "What is your ambition?" in practice, avoidance had been his main response.
If not for the wake-up calls from Cai Yong and Pang Degong, he might never have realized his greatest shortcoming...
Master Cai Yong said his Dao was not suitable to teach me, hoping instead that Pang Degong could impart it. What did that mean?
Did he think I was too cunning to follow the Dao of Humility and Integrity?
Or that my evasive nature didn't align with the Dao of Perseverance?
Or both, or something else entirely?
Sigh...
How do I find my own "Dao"?
What are my strengths?
What are my weaknesses?
What do I truly want to do in this turbulent era?
Where is my direction?
Sitting by the creek on Lushan, Fei Qian pondered deeply...