Xie Changshi was momentarily stunned and whispered, "How could we not get fish in Xinliang?"

Even if Xinliang doesn't have any for sale right now, people can still buy it in Changzhou or Quanzhou, right?

Little did Xie Changshi know that the young prince was using this opportunity to remind him that a reservoir should be built in Xinliang.

Gu Yuzhi was almost in tears; he hadn't expected Manager Wen to make such a miscalculation.

Xie Changshi is suitable as a staff member and in charge of various affairs in His Highness's fiefdom, but when it comes to farming, he is completely clueless!

He grunted twice in dissatisfaction. "Eat fish, eat fish. After two more meals of fish, Xie Changshi will probably understand what he means!"

After the entire Wen family had been eating fish for three days straight, Prefect Qi's visit finally saved them.

Prefect Qi looked at Chief Secretary Xie, whose face had become noticeably sunken despite his recent apparent lack of free time, and said in surprise, "Even if there are many affairs in the prefecture, Chief Secretary Xie should take better care of his health."

Chief Secretary Xie seemed to have been holding back for a long time before finally asking, "Does Prefect Qi like to eat fish? If so, why don't you stay for lunch at his residence?"

The more people eat fish, the less fish they have to eat!

It was rare for Chief Clerk Xie to use such a subtle scheming to plot against someone, and his gaze towards Prefect Qi carried a hint of something more.

Prefect Qi was not oblivious; he could tell that Chief Secretary Xie's gaze was not quite right, and he hesitated before saying, "Then this humble official will respectfully comply."

Chief Secretary Xie breathed a sigh of relief, a slight smile appearing on his face. Fearing that Prefect Qi might change his mind, he quickly sent a servant to inform Granny Xu.

This situation...

Prefect Qi found something strange about it. He coughed lightly and said cautiously, "Is there something bothering you, Chief Secretary Xie? You might as well tell me, and perhaps I can help you think of a solution."

Chief Secretary Xie sighed for a long time, but in the end, he couldn't say anything bad about Prince Wen. He only touched on the subject: "His Highness was afraid that there would be no fresh fish to eat in Xinliang. The mansion has been eating fish for three days straight."

Eating fish for three consecutive days at every meal isn't scary; what's scary is that every day in the future will be like this.

Chief Secretary Xie exuded an aura of resentment, his eyes filled with pity and helplessness. Prefect Qi tried hard to suppress his laughter, racking his brains to recall his sorrowful thoughts.

"Your Highness is still young and doesn't know that there are fish to eat even in Xinliang..."

Prefect Qi suddenly remembered something and laughed heartily: "Your Highness has reminded me that the Xinliang Reservoir should be built ahead of schedule. However, this year's official duties are to repair the official road, so Your Highness will have to find a solution for the reservoir."

"As for the selection of people to build the reservoir, I can help think of a solution. His Highness likes to eat fish, so I suggest that some small ponds be built at the same time as the reservoir. Once it is completed, I can have someone send some fish fry from here over."

Chief Secretary Xie calculated the treasury's silver reserves. Subsidizing the reservoir himself was not a big deal, after all, His Highness was young and had not picked up any bad habits. The income from the escort agency and the clinic was enough to cover all the expenses of the mansion. After the New Year, the treasury's silver reserves had not been used much.

“In that case, I’ll trouble Prefect Qi to take care of this matter.” Chief Secretary Xie’s smile became much more sincere. “I’ll go and tell His Highness the good news right now.”

While it's still early, I'd better quickly send the household purchasing agent to get some vegetables. If possible, we'll avoid having fish for lunch...

Gu Yuzhi looked at the fish with some worry. Wusheng and Wenshu complained, "The guards in the manor have all been using the excuse of the escort agency to make a living lately, so there are fewer and fewer people who can eat fish."

Not to mention the guards, even Xueye has recently found the meat prepared by Cailian to be more fragrant, and hasn't come to dine with him for two days in a row.

Wen and Shu were speechless for a moment, unsure whether to sympathize with Gu Yuzhi or think he had brought it upon himself.

Your Highness might as well just ask how fish grow...

Hoping to make Xie Changshi understand the importance of building the reservoir through such a roundabout method is harder than climbing to heaven.

Gu Yuzhi couldn't even continue practicing his calligraphy. He rested his chin on his hands and sighed, mimicking Xie Changshi's manner.

"Your Highness, Your Highness!" Xie Changshi, unusually flustered, not only raised his voice but also spoke with an impatient tone, "Your Highness, I have found a way to solve the problem of not being able to eat fish in Xinliang."

Gu Yuzhi didn't react for a moment, her little face filled with melancholy and confusion: "What method is there?"

Chief Secretary Xie straightened his appearance slightly. "We're building a reservoir. Prefect Qi said that while the reservoir is being built, several small ponds can also be constructed. Whatever kind of fish Your Highness wants to eat, fish fry can be sent from Changzhou, but..."

But what do you mean "but"?

Gu Yuzhi didn't want to hear it, but he was almost moved to tears when he heard about building a reservoir.

o(╥﹏╥)o

If he had known that only Prefect Qi could think of it, he should have gone to Prefect Qi much earlier.

"But Your Highness will have to pay for this yourself..."

As soon as Xie Changshi finished speaking, he looked up and saw Gu Yuzhi with tears in his eyes. He couldn't help but wonder if his tone had been too serious.

Or is it that after experiencing these things, His Highness gradually developed a petty and stingy personality?

This can't go on.

Xie Changshi thought to himself, "Should I mention this matter to the Emperor next time I reply to him, and offer more guidance to the young prince to prevent him from going astray?"

The thought of not having to eat fish anymore made Gu Yuzhi's tone exceptionally cheerful: "If the reservoir is so important, then Chief Secretary Xie should quickly arrange for people to repair it first."

He promised that he would...

No, I don't want to eat fish all year!

Gu Yuzhi rolled his eyes and said cleverly, "Is the treasury enough? We should build the reservoir first. There's no need to rush the pond and such."

Xie Changshi naturally didn't know how much it would cost to build a large reservoir; that was a matter for professionals to handle.

He had already allocated funds separately for the land reclamation and mansion construction, and the remaining treasury silver could be used to build a reservoir.

However, these matters still need to be recalculated by the accountant. Chief Secretary Xie did not dare to put all the pressure on the young prince, so he turned around and consulted with Prefect Qi and others.

Since we've already approached Prefect Qi so many times, one more time won't hurt.

On the fifth day after Wenfu finally stopped eating fish, the first group of artisans set off for Xinliang.

These people were sent from various prefectures in the northern desert, along with belated tributes.

After carefully reviewing the goods, Xie Changshi indicated to Gu Yuzhi that it was acceptable. He then instructed Qi Chenglang to take these items to Jinzhou to sell under the pretext of escorting goods.

For Prince Gu Yuzhi, what he needs most right now is money, but if these prefects really send him money, he wouldn't dare to accept it. Having someone take it to Jinzhou to sell is the best solution.