"Act separately?" Jiang Yushu lowered her eyes in thought.
"right!"
Wei Xu sat upright, hands clasped on his knees, feeling an inexplicable surge of nervousness, mingled with anticipation. He nodded firmly and asked sternly, "Two priorities: building granaries and urging the cultivation of military farms. Both are urgent tasks, and there are so many things to do. To avoid neglecting one over the other, shouldn't we work on them separately?"
"This..." Liang Zuopu frowned, his eyes wrinkled, a sharp edge flickering through his gentle gaze. He carefully considered the situation, glancing from his female colleague to his male colleague. He hesitated for a moment before answering cautiously, "This is a matter of grave importance. No matter how urgent it is, we can't rush it right now. We need to consider it carefully."
Wei Xu smiled the entire time, but he keenly sensed that his superior didn't appreciate him. He was secretly unhappy, but he replied modestly, "Yes, we should take a long-term view."
Jiang Yushu thought for a moment and said helplessly, "There are so many things to do, and we don't have enough manpower. It seems we have to split up and act separately."
"That's true." Liang Zuopu looked embarrassed and said carefully, "But how should the tasks be assigned specifically? This needs to be discussed seriously."
Wei Xu nodded, "It's all up to you, sir."
Jiang Yushu suddenly remembered something important and asked with concern, "Oh, I just remembered something! As the saying goes, 'A good cook cannot cook without rice.' Building a granary is impossible without money. Last month, I asked someone, but the court hadn't allocated the funds yet. I wonder if they have allocated the funds now?"
"Oh, we've been waiting for over a month, and the funds have been allocated a few days ago!" Liang Zuopu smiled, adjusted his warm hat, and gestured with his hands to inform, "One hundred thousand taels, all deposited in the treasury of the Xicang government office, under the supervision of a special person appointed by the court. If we want to use the silver, we must follow the rules and obtain the permission of the supervisory officer before we can withdraw it."
Building a military granary requires land, craftsmen, bricks, tiles, wood, relationships at all levels, and official social interactions... It is complicated and tedious, and only a smart and capable person can do it.
Jiang Yushu couldn't help but frown as she listened, and sighed frankly, "Oh, just hearing about it makes me feel troubled! Sir Liang, when it comes to building fortifications, there are countless intricacies involved, and I really only have a vague understanding of them. I can only ask you to shoulder this heavy responsibility."
In reality, Guo Honglei had already given Liang Zuopu instructions, and he agreed on the spot. He smiled kindly and soothingly, "Don't worry, don't worry, I understand. You don't need to be involved in building the granary. Everyone has their own expertise, and Special Envoy Jiang is an expert in agriculture. From now on, just focus on supervising the farming efforts!"
Jiang Yushu breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you for your understanding."
At this moment, Wei Xu changed his mind and said eagerly, "If the ambassador doesn't mind, I'm very happy to follow you and serve you, learn how to do the work, and share some of the official duties."
"I dare not, I dare not. We are colleagues, both new to the position. Let's not look down on each other. Let's discuss everything." Liang Zuopu waved his hand, taking on the responsibility without hesitation, and said straightforwardly: "I have two urgent matters at hand that cannot be delayed. Since you two have recommended me at the same time, I will not refuse. I will return to the capital as soon as possible to arrange the construction of the granary!"
Jiang Yushu smiled happily, "Thank you for your hard work, sir."
"Well, it's my duty!"
Liang Zuo Pu took a sip of tea, then changed the subject and said carefully: "Seeing is believing. We have to go to Yongzhou in person to investigate and agree on the amount based on the actual situation so that we can assign tasks to the government and ask them to hand over the stored grain according to the prescribed amount. Special Envoy Jiang is a woman who is as capable as any man, and she has no choice but to take the responsibility. She will have to make the hard trip to Yongzhou, but Brother Wei..." He stopped talking and hesitated.
Jiang Yushu hesitated to speak, thought about it, and said nothing.
"It's up to you, sir." Wei Xu felt deeply despised and gritted his teeth to keep smiling.
Liang Zuo Pu pondered over the matter, but could find no other solution. Finally, he made up his mind and gently instructed, "There's no reason to let a woman go to Yongzhou alone. The inspection will be jointly led by Special Envoy Jiang and Deputy Envoy Wei. What are your thoughts?"
Before Jiang Yushu could speak, Wei Xu immediately stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Please give me your guidance from now on."
She politely stood up and returned the greeting, "I don't deserve it, let's take care of each other."
"Sure." Wei Xu was polite and couldn't help but feel secretly happy.
Liang Zuopu adjusted his warm hat again. "Then, it's settled! Let's discuss it and come up with a set of rules so we can go our separate ways as soon as possible."
The three of them discussed until noon, when the county magistrate and his wife sent a servant to invite them:
"My master has prepared a small banquet with some wine, and I hope you three will do me the honor of coming."
Liang Zuopu was the first to stand up, temporarily putting aside his official duties, and said cheerfully, "The magistrate has invited me so kindly, I would be honored to refuse. Gentlemen, let's go have some food first, rest for a while, and then continue our discussion this afternoon, shall we?"
Jiang Yushu stood up tiredly, "Okay."
"Please." Wei Xu leaned over and raised his hand, letting her pass. The two of them were so close, he couldn't help but take the opportunity to glance over, amazed at her flawless, fair face, her bright glow making her skin seem almost as delicate as a baby's.
Jiang Yushu ate breakfast in a hurry. She was hungry and only thought about lunch. She raised her hand unconsciously and said, "Please."
In a short while, the group walked into the small banquet hall in the back hall.
Since there was only one female official, in order to avoid embarrassment for Jiang Yushu, the new county magistrate Liu Tong had to make an exception and ask his wife to attend as well.
In addition to the county magistrate and his wife, Pei Wenfeng was also present at the banquet.
The county magistrate's wife smiled brightly and hurried to greet him. She approached him, took his hand, and asked affectionately, "Yushu, are you hungry? I specially asked the kitchen to cook a few dishes that tasted like the capital. I wonder if they will suit your taste."
Jiang Yushu quickly replied, "Thank you for your trouble. I'm sure it tastes good."
"Come on, come on! Let's sit next to each other and chat."
"Hey, please go first."
Yushu? Which two words were they? Wei Xu followed, silently curious.
Liu Tong greeted, "Everyone, please sit down."
"Please take a seat first, sir." Liang Zuopu and Wei Xu bowed repeatedly and politely waited for a while before everyone took their seats one by one.
Pei Wenfeng looked at his cousin and said gently, "I'm taking advantage of you and am here to have lunch."
Jiang Yushu smiled and said, "Of course not. With my cousin's friendship with Lord Liu, there's no need for him to rely on anyone else."
"Hahaha, everyone here is a distinguished guest!" Liu Tong endured for more than ten years and was finally promoted to county magistrate. His face was beaming and he warmly entertained the guests.
After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the host and the guests chatted harmoniously.
Among them, Jiang Yushu and the county magistrate's wife drank tea instead of wine.
"ah?"
Liu Tong was stunned for a moment and asked in surprise, "You're actually going to Yongzhou?"
Jiang Yushu nodded. "It's our duty. We have to go. Without a personal inspection, we won't know the exact current situation in Yongzhou."
Liang Zuopu, still wearing his warm hat, gave a wry smile and explained to everyone, "We have urgent matters to attend to, and we're short on manpower. We have no choice but to ask Special Envoy Jiang to make the trip."
"Everyone's worked hard." Jiang Yushu was full of energy. "Once the granary is completed, I think things will get easier."
"Alas, I heard that Yongzhou is in a state of disrepair. I'm sure there will be many inconveniences in terms of food, clothing, housing and transportation." The county magistrate's wife reminded him with concern: "When you go out, you must be very careful!"
Jiang Yushu turned her head and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I will be careful everywhere."
Liu Tong took a bite of food, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and reminded him, "Think about it carefully, it's not a bad idea. Lord Pan has been promoted and is now in Yongzhou. It will be easier to get things done with an acquaintance. Not only can you live in the back hall of the government office, but when you go out for inspection, you can also ask Lord Pan to send yamen runners to escort you."
"Good idea!" Liu's wife nodded in agreement.
Jiang Yushu readily agreed, "Just in case, it would be best if we could stay at the government office. If necessary, I will ask Lord Pan for help."
"What are you afraid of?" Pei Wenfeng raised his head slightly, put down his wine glass, and instructed without hesitation: "Don't rush to leave. Wait a few days. When I finish the case at hand, we will go to Yongzhou together so that we can take care of each other."
"Right!" Liu Tong, slightly tipsy, clapped his hands in agreement and instructed Jiang Yushu, "Wen Feng is about to go to Yongzhou to take up his post. We happen to be going the same way. You two should be safe together!"
Liu's wife echoed her husband, "That's great. Your cousin is here to escort us. We don't have to worry."
Entrusted by Guo Honglei, Liang Zuo Pu was worried about his female colleague. Upon hearing this, he hurriedly bowed and said, "That's great! Thank you, Master Pei."
"Thank you." Wei Xu looked calm, but he was thinking: You may not know about this, but I just came from the capital and sent people to secretly investigate. The rumors about the minister's daughter, her cousin, and the marquis's son were once a hot topic and known to the whole city... Are the rumors true or false?
Pei Wenfeng's face turned pale as he drank. He returned the greeting and replied calmly, "It's just a favor. It's just to take care of a relative. It's nothing to worry about."
The banquet was bustling with activity. Seeing this, Jiang Yushu had no choice but to swallow her refusal and said nonchalantly, "Then I'll trouble you, cousin."
"You're welcome, cousin." Pei Wenfeng picked up the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. He didn't taste the mellow flavor of the wine at all, but only felt annoyed and depressed.
After the meal, they took a short rest for quarter of an hour and then continued the discussion. They were busy until the evening, when Jiang Yushu left the county government office and got on the carriage to go home.
As the sun sets, the wheels rumble and the carriage returns safely to Guangchang Lane.
She was helped out of the car by a maid, while another maid was holding two butterfly kites.
"Aunt is back?"
"Oh, kites!" Guo Yu couldn't wait and ran out to greet them, cheering and jumping for joy. He stood on tiptoe to reach the kite and asked in surprise, "Butterflies—huh? Two?"
Jiang Yushu walked briskly, touched her nephew's head, and said, "You take one, and the other one is for Baozhu."
"Oh, all right. Thank you, Auntie!" The little chubby boy clutched a kite in each hand and ran towards the south room, shouting happily, "Sister? Sister Baozhu? Hahaha, Auntie bought a new kite, come out and play!"
When the mother-in-law is around, the daughter-in-law has to meet her mother-in-law before returning home after being out for the whole day.
Jiang Yushu walked straight to the main room. As soon as she entered, she saw Wang Qiaozhen making her mother-in-law smile.
She calmed herself down and bowed, "Madam, what did my sister-in-law say that made you so happy?"
"You're back. Sit down." Wang asked with a smile, concerned, "Nothing's wrong. It's just that your sister-in-law is humorous and makes people laugh. How's it going? Is everything going well on your first day in office?"
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sat side by side on a low couch. Wang Qiaozhen took her mother-in-law's arm and asked with a smile, "No one is giving you any trouble, right?"
Jiang Yushu sat down and replied with a smile, "It's going pretty smoothly. No one is giving me any trouble." After a pause, she said, "However, my superiors have assigned me an errand to go to Yongzhou to survey the farming situation."
Wang was startled, "What?"
"Yongzhou?" Wang Qiaozhen curled her lips. "I heard that place isn't very peaceful. You better be careful."
Jiang Yushu knew she couldn't hide it, and she was also open and honest, unwilling to hide anything, so she simply told them frankly: "Old Madam and sister-in-law, please rest assured, I am not alone. I am accompanied by colleagues and relatives, and including my entourage, there are at least a dozen people, so there should be no accidents."
Wang was stunned. "Relatives?"
"What relatives?" Wang Qiaozhen guessed instantly and listened carefully with bated breath.
Jiang Yushu said calmly, "My cousin. He happens to be going to Yongzhou to take up his post, and we're going the same way."
Wang frowned, her smile vanishing without a trace. She shook her head repeatedly, unable to conceal her displeasure, and sternly ordered, "Yushu, I won't mention what happened back then, and I never allow the servants to discuss it. But you, you—you must be sensible! Alas, how can you travel with Master Pei?"
"If you do that, how will Honglei save his reputation?"
The author has something to say:
Wang Qiaozhen: Right! If you do that, how will Honglei save his dignity? [Excited face eating melon]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
