Chapter 50 Chapter 50 Ending

The next day, the prince indeed received the news from the city gate early.

Logically speaking, the young masters in the capital have done many strange things. Although it is not common to escort so many people into the city, it does happen. The city gate guards took the money and pretended not to know.

However, Wu Tianyue had never had anything to do with these things, and since he had been working for the prince recently, the city gate guard thought about it and decided to go to the prince's mansion.

The Crown Prince learned of this and was about to order someone to call Wu Tianyue when he heard someone outside say, "The Crown Prince is here."

Before he finished speaking, Wu Tianyue ran in with a smile: "No need to call, I'm here by myself, right?"

The prince raised his eyebrows: "You are quite obedient."

"I have my reasons." Before the Crown Prince could say anything, Wu Tianyue began to complain. "Xue Pan was one of my employees, and he was kidnapped like that. If I don't react, won't I be treated as an easy target?"

"We can't suppress bandits without going through the government." The prince strongly disagreed.

"I didn't want to, but the government remained silent," Wu Tianyue complained. "At first, I wanted to keep things quiet, but then I heard these people were still harassing the people, so I impulsively went."

When the prince heard about the harassment of the people, he frowned and thought for a moment, but said nothing. He only said, "Forget it this time. They are just small fry. You should be more careful in the future."

Wu Tianyue nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "There is one more thing I would like to ask Your Highness. I would like to ask Your Highness for some advice."

"What's your new idea?"

"That's not a bad idea at all." Wu Tianyue knew that the prince often talked about the people, so he played to his will and said, "Yesterday I asked Fei Yan to interrogate this group of people. I found that apart from the leaders, many of the others had not committed any serious crimes. They were just ordinary people who couldn't survive at home."

When the prince heard him interrogating people, he frowned and was about to scold him, but when he heard him say that they were all ordinary people, he lowered his head and fell into deep thought.

"Here's what I think," Wu Tianyue continued, "since they are all people who have lost their land, it would be better to lock them up and have someone take them to study seeds. After they have atoneed their sins, they can be released."

"Why did you suddenly think of this?"

"The country is peaceful and the people are safe now, but my mother and I often give alms, and we understand the people in the city. Even though the capital is under the rule of the emperor, there are still many people who don't have enough to eat." Wu Tianyue sighed, "The sage said: 'Food is the people's first priority.' I think Your Majesty is working tirelessly for the people, but there are too many and too complicated issues to deal with in a country. I don't have much ability now, so I want to share some of these subtle responsibilities with Your Majesty."

Of course, being able to leave the city more often through this matter can also help share the burden of His Majesty worrying about my inaction all day long. Wu Tianyue thought about it and said, "But after all, I am weak and insignificant, and I am afraid I can't do it. So I want to ask you for a hand. But don't worry, all you need is a word, and it would be best if you can give some people, and I will do it right away."

The Crown Prince knew that Princess Zhongshun often led people to make donations. No one paid attention to it before, but later his cousins ​​gradually became famous, which led everyone to follow suit. He always thought that these were things done by the women in the harem to become famous, but the common people did get something in the end, so although he felt that it was a bit of fame-seeking, he did not think of criticizing it.

After hearing Wu Tianyue's words, he was shocked to see that people were starving and freezing right under the emperor's nose. He lowered his head and thought for a moment before replying, "Let me think about this."

"Take your time." Wu Tianyue said with a grin, "This just came to me suddenly. I'll give you a detailed plan tomorrow."

After hearing this, the prince said with relief: "You have really grown up."

"It's all because of your good teaching."

"Stop flattering me," the prince rebuked with a smile, then asked, "Have you dealt with those bandits?"

Wu Tianyue shook his head: "They are all locked up in the house I bought a few days ago, waiting for your reply."

"Hand over the evildoers to the authorities, and keep the rest in jail for now." The prince said, then thought for a moment and said, "I'll send someone to check it out later."

Wu Tianyue nodded in agreement, then thought of the prince's indecision and sighed softly.

Seeing him like this, the prince knew he was going to act funny again, so he said with a smile, "What's wrong again?"

"I saved up for a long time to buy that house. I originally planned to use it as a place to take my wife out shopping and rest." Wu Tianyue pouted, "Now it's occupied by those people, all stinky men. How am I going to use it in the future?"

The prince was amused by him: "How old are you? It will take several years for you to reach adulthood."

"I don't know when you'll be ready, so it'll take quite some time," Wu Tianyue said. "Add in the time I'll have to prepare, and it'll be the day I get married."

"Enough of that," the prince said with a smile. "I'll get back to you as soon as possible, okay?"

Wu Tianyue then nodded.

Seeing that he was still pretending to be reluctant, the prince smiled and said, "I have a house in West City that has always been empty. I'll give it to you."

Unexpectedly, there was a pleasant surprise. Wu Tianyue jumped for joy and said, "Thank you, cousin."

"Now you know how to call me cousin?" the prince asked. "Why didn't you think of me as your cousin when you were sneaking around doing things?"

Wu Tianyue said perfunctorily: "I will never hide it from you in the future."

The prince didn't believe it, shook his head, and asked about his recent studies.

Wu Tianyue was tested with a bitter face, and only escaped because he had to deal with the bandits.

As soon as he left the house, he saw the Junior Secretary of the Crown Prince's Mansion waiting at the second gate. Upon seeing him come out, he bowed and said, "I, your humble servant, am ordered by the Crown Prince to go with the Prince to bring those bandits to the government office."

Wu Tianyue returned the gift, and the two of them mounted their horses and headed for East City.

East City was not as quiet as West City, it was very lively. In order to avoid disturbing the people, the two men dismounted and got on the carriage arranged by Fei Yan. In a quarter of an hour, they arrived outside the house bought by Wu Tianyue.

The Junior Secretary took the information from Fei Yan's interrogation yesterday, and carefully reviewed it against the evidence he had collected over the past few days before bringing out important bandit figures such as Zhang Fu.

Wu Tianyue asked, "Why don't you conduct the trial yourself?"

"Your Highness is joking," the Junior Secretary said with a smile. "The evidence is irrefutable, and with several people signing confessions, even if the Censorate came in person, they would only praise Brother Feiyan."

Wu Tianyue knew that he was trying to curry favor with him, so he raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Thank you for the compliment, sir."

"It's because the Crown Prince's people are capable, otherwise there would be no one to praise them." The Junior Secretary praised again, and then said, "I will take my leave first. I'll trouble the Crown Prince to keep an eye on the remaining people for a few more days."

Wu Tianyue nodded: "Of course."

After hearing this, Shao Zhanshi took those people away.

After he left, Wu Tianyue asked Fei Yan again, "There were so many people talking yesterday that I couldn't ask in detail. How is Chang Jian?"

Fei Yan replied, "It's nothing serious. It was just a show. He got a few scratches while saving Xue Pan, but they were all superficial injuries. After I captured the Xue family caravan, I separated them and imprisoned them. I gave him medicine, and you arranged for the imperial physician to come yesterday. He should be fine in two days."

Wu Tianyue nodded and said, "You have done well this time. Each of the people who followed you will be rewarded with 100 taels of silver. This month's grain, oil, and cloth will be doubled. You and Chang Jian will receive an extra 5 taels of gold."

"Thank you, Prince." The guards and servants in the room bowed excitedly after hearing this.

"Get up." Wu Tianyue waved his hand and said, "There's nothing to do for the next few days, but the remaining people in the house still need to be looked after. You arrange shifts, leaving some people to watch over them every day, and the others to rest for a few days."

Fei Yan heard what he meant and thought that he wanted to let him manage these people. After calming down, he said, "As you wish."

Seeing that everything was arranged, Wu Tianyue nodded and turned to check on Chang Jian.

"Prince." Fei Yan hurriedly called him, "The person you sent earlier..."

Wu Tianyue then remembered that he had left Jia Huan to Fei Yan. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Where is he now?"

"Inside the house," Fei Yan replied. "Before, I was busy and had to be careful not to let anyone leak the news, so I locked him up in that farmyard. He was well behaved at first, but then he made a few noises. I dealt with him a few times, and he became quiet. He just reads every day and practices martial arts with the people below in his free time."

Wu Tianyue listened and nodded, saying, "Bring him up."

A servant standing outside the door hurried to call for help.

After Jia Huan learned from others that Chang Jian's martial arts skills were similar to Fei Yan's, he shamelessly pestered him to teach him sword.

After being brought to this house this morning, he complained a few words that they had forgotten him, and then went to look for Chang Jian, who was waving a wooden sword at the moment. When he heard that Wu Tianyue wanted to see him, he instantly became nervous.

Trembling all the way to the main courtyard, he saw Wu Tianyue sitting there with a cup of tea. He suppressed his fear and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Prince."

Wu Tianyue looked him up and down, and saw that he was no longer as shabby as he had been a few months ago, and actually looked a bit more human. He turned to Fei Yan with some surprise and said, "I didn't expect you to have such a skill."

Fei Yan saw that he had started talking nonsense again and said speechlessly, "Your Excellency, you are too kind."

"That's not an exaggeration." Wu Tianyue circled Jia Zhou several times, then changed his mind about leaving him there. He muttered, "I don't believe I won't get a reward this time."

Then he said to Fei Yan, "Go tell Chang Jian that I will come to see him in a few days."

After saying that, he took Jia Huan out and went all the way back to the Grand View Garden.

He threw Jia Huan into the study and said, "Wait here."

He returned to Yihong Courtyard and asked Lan Ye, "Where is Sister Lin now?"

"Yesterday, a distant relative of the Wang family came to visit and had a pleasant chat with the old lady of the Jia Mansion. The old man was quite curious about the garden. It just so happened that the old lady wanted to return the table for Miss Shi and you today, so she had it set up in the garden. I think he's probably touring the garden now."

There are so many people here, Wu Tianyue thought, so this matter will have to be postponed.

He didn't reply, and Lan Ye didn't ask. She just said, "Everyone calls that old lady Granny Liu. She even sent me some vegetables from her own garden yesterday. You weren't there when Yuanyang came to invite you this morning. I told her I was at the Crown Prince's. Now that you're back, you might as well go."

Wu Tianyue thought for a moment and nodded, "Send someone to ask. If they haven't dispersed yet, I'll go there."

Lan Ye casually called a maid and went to go. Then she heard Wu Tianyue say, "Have someone bring some tea and snacks to the study."

"Yes." Lan Ye responded and asked, "Who's there?"

"Tan San's younger brother." Wu Tianyue said, "If he's hungry, have someone serve him food. After he finishes eating, have someone watch him read."

Lan Ye looked at Wu Tianyue in confusion. "Everyone still has to study. What sin has this kid committed?" But she didn't ask any more questions and went down to make the arrangements.

Not long after, the maid who had gone to inquire earlier replied, "The young lady has just had tea with the masters of the Jia Mansion and is going to the Rongcui Temple."

Longcui Temple was not far from Yihong Courtyard. After hearing this, Wu Tianyue went out and headed there. When he reached the door, he saw a group of people coming from a distance in sedan chairs.