Chapter 133 Western Cold Crisis

In the study in the backyard of Xihan County Government Office, the window paper fluttered in the wind. Qu Zhinian, the magistrate of Xihan County, held a letter in his hand, his fingers trembling slightly.

His old face, etched with deep lines by the cold western winds and sandstorms, was now filled with excitement and ecstasy.

The letter was sent by Xie Sangning at top speed, in order to arrive before the eunuch who was to deliver the imperial edict.

The handwriting on the letter was calm and powerful, each word like a stabilizing force!

"My lord! What did the young lady say in her letter?"

The trusted advisor standing beside him watched as his magistrate's eyes widened, his lips trembled, and he paced back and forth in the study, almost knocking over the desk. His heart leaped into his throat, and he couldn't help but lower his voice and ask.

Qu Zhinian suddenly stopped, his bloodshot eyes shining brightly. He pressed the letter tightly to his chest, as if holding a life-saving talisman, and said excitedly, "Young Miss... Young Miss is so resourceful! Young Miss has such a kind heart! She still remembers me!"

He spun around twice before suddenly remembering the advisor's question. He quickly recited Xie Sangning's instructions from the letter, as if pouring out beans.

"...The young lady says that the imperial decree will arrive soon! The decree will surely grant the entire Western Han territory to the young lady as her fiefdom!"

The advisor instantly stood up straight! What!

Is Xi Han really a young lady now?!

"Not only that, the young lady has also come up with a follow-up plan! She's afraid I've committed the crime of deceiving the emperor!"

Magistrate Qu, panting heavily, lowered his voice, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation, "When the time comes, no matter what the eunuch delivering the decree asks, even if he sees how our Xihan is now, with its abundant granaries and peaceful people, we must insist on it!"

"All these changes are to prepare a birthday gift for the Emperor!"

"A congratulatory gift?!" The advisor exclaimed in astonishment.

“Yes! A congratulatory gift!” Qu Zhinian’s train of thought was completely cleared by Xie Sangning’s letter. He spoke more and more smoothly, his words flying by. “Just say it! Just say that the young lady is concerned about the country and grateful for the emperor’s kindness! When she was in Xihan, she devoted herself to researching special grain varieties that could grow in barren lands! For the past two years, our Xihan has been a testing ground for the young lady! Those bountiful crops, those newly built irrigation canals, those people living in peace… all of these are part of the experiment!”

He waved his arms excitedly, spittle flying everywhere:

"The young lady said that this grain seed is of great importance. Whether it succeeds or not is related to the well-being of countless people in barren lands across the country! She dares not speak rashly before she is absolutely certain that a stable bumper harvest can be achieved! She is afraid that if she gives His Majesty and the court hope, only to have it fall short in the end, then that would be deceiving the emperor!"

"Therefore! That's why she strictly ordered us to keep a low profile and not to make a fuss! All the produce, except for what is needed to supply the local people, should be secretly stored away, to be presented to His Majesty as a gift on His Majesty's birthday, along with the successful grain seeds! To give His Majesty... a surprise!"

Qu Zhinian finished speaking in one breath, feeling his mouth dry and his heart pounding wildly, almost as if it would jump out of his chest!

He picked up the teacup on the table, which had long since gone cold, and gulped down several mouthfuls before calming down a little.

The clerk was dumbfounded. It took him a long time to recover before he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Brilliant! Brilliant! My lord! Miss's plan... is simply... a stroke of genius! She has transformed the concealment into a display of unwavering loyalty to the emperor! She has turned the suspicion of deceiving the emperor into a sincere effort to prepare a surprise! This... this reason is perfectly justified and aboveboard! No one who hears it can find a single fault with it!"

"In this way, as long as the matter of the grain seeds can be confirmed, you, sir... will not only be blameless, but will be a meritorious official who secretly helped the young lady prepare the congratulatory gift! But... in this way, won't the emperor take back Xihan?"

"A meritorious official?" Qu Zhinian stroked the rough letter paper and sneered, "Take it back? Do you have the nerve? Everyone knows why he gave Xihan to the young lady. Now that he's taking it back, does he even care about the Emperor's reputation? Besides, have you ever seen anyone steal the young lady's things?"

"But whether this is a blessing or a curse... depends on what kind of person God sends us..."

Only three days later.

Amidst the rising dust, a formidable troop of imperial guards escorted a magnificent carriage, which pulled up in front of the Xihan County government office.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged eunuch with a pale face and no beard slowly stepped down from the carriage, supported by two junior eunuchs.

He raised his eyelids, glanced at the plaque of the county government office, and let out a barely audible hum.

This is Gao Quan, the chief eunuch who was ordered to come to Xihan to deliver the imperial decree.

Although he was only a sixth-rank official, he represented imperial power and the dignity of the Directorate of Ceremonial, making him a supreme figure in this remote and impoverished place.

Qu Zhinian, along with all the county officials, dressed in their finest attire, were already waiting at the entrance of the county government office to greet them.

"Magistrate Qu Zhinian of Xihan County, along with all his officials, respectfully welcomes the imperial envoy! The envoy must be tired from his journey!"

Gao Quan didn't even lift his eyelids, only letting out a snort through his nose, his high-pitched voice dragging out: "Magistrate Qu? Get up. The imperial edict is important, quickly prepare an incense table and receive the decree."

"Yes! Yes! The altar is ready! Please, angel, proceed to the main hall!"

Qu Zhinian quickly led Gao Quan and his party through the courtyard to the main hall of the county government office.

The incense table had already been set up.

Gao Quan walked behind the incense table, unfurled the imperial edict, cleared his throat, and began to read it aloud:

"...Princess Xie Sangning of Jianing County...is virtuous and kind-hearted...and considering that she has lived in Xihan for a long time and has deep feelings for her homeland...I hereby bestow upon her the entire territory of Xihan as her fief, to be hers forever! I hope that she will live up to my expectations, govern well, and bring peace and security to the people and the borders! So be it!"

"Magistrate Qu, receive the imperial decree."

His tone was calm, yet tinged with scrutiny, “His Majesty has bestowed Xihan upon the Princess of Jianing as her fief, a hereditary title. As the local official in charge, you must diligently assist the Princess and govern this land well.”

He deliberately emphasized the words "forever a legacy," and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Who doesn't know that Xihan is a notorious financial black hole?

To treat this wretched place as an "eternal fiefdom"? It's less a favor and more a humiliation.

"Your Majesty, I... Your humble servant, in my twilight years... kowtows to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Qu Zhinian's voice was filled with obvious excitement as he raised his hands high above his head and reverently accepted the imperial edict.

Gao Quan keenly noticed the unusual expression on his face, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

This county magistrate's reaction is strange. Logically speaking, upon receiving such an imperial decree and learning that he has suddenly been given the title of county magistrate, and is being stationed in such a godforsaken place, he should be filled with fear and frustration.

Why does this person seem... somewhat happy?

“Magistrate Qu,” Gao Quan began slowly, his tone carrying a condescending inquiry, “I have come here by imperial decree, and what I have seen along the way makes me feel that this Western Han… seems rather different from what I have heard.”

He glanced at the commoner as soon as he got off the carriage. Although he didn’t look closely, the commoner had a rosy complexion, walked with ease, and had bright eyes. He was not at all like the lifeless, sallow and emaciated person he had imagined!

This made Gao Quan suspicious!

Qu Zhinian had been waiting for this question!

He immediately said:

"Angels, witness! Angels, witness! This humble official... this humble official had no intention of deceiving you! It's just... there's a real reason! It's a matter of great importance! This humble official... this humble official dared not act on his own authority! Nor dared he reveal it in advance!"

"oh?"

A glint of light flashed in Gao Quan's eyes; there was definitely something fishy going on!

"Dare not act on your own authority? Dare not disclose?"

His voice suddenly turned fierce, "Do you know what a heinous crime it is to falsify reports year after year?! The Emperor even allocated disaster relief funds for you! Deceiving the Emperor! Your family will be executed! How many heads do you, Qu Zhinian, have to be chopped off?!"