When the prefect arrived, the entire Tuning County government worked together to receive the Yongzhou chief, fearing that they would neglect the important official.
A welcoming banquet was inevitable. At night, Jiang Yushu ordered a banquet to welcome several officials from the government office.
She has always disliked socializing and had attended reluctantly in the past. Now that her husband's life or death is uncertain, she is exhausted, but she has to attend and maintain etiquette.
During the banquet, the dishes were plentiful and the wine was fragrant. Maids and servants served respectfully. Clerks were only responsible for the dishes and wine. The county magistrate and the teacher accompanied the guests at the table and were responsible for pouring wine and urging them to eat.
Before the banquet, everyone bathed and changed into casual clothes. Jiang Yushu, dressed in a pale blue dress and bare except for a jade hairpin in her hair, looked simple, elegant, and capable. She forced herself to speak with a smile, "This is a remote place, and conditions are simple. We only have game and a little wine. I apologize for neglecting you gentlemen."
"Where?" Ji Xuelian sniffed the wine and tasted it, saying, "This wine is good. It's mellow and long-lasting, with a sweet and fragrant aftertaste."
The female official was not good at drinking, so the dull Huang Yichun felt obliged to take the lead. He led the new instructor Guan Weihe to stand up and toast: "It's rare that your Excellency likes me. I dare to offer you a toast!"
Guan Weihe was a newly minted Jinshi. He was very young and lacked experience in socializing. He was reserved and shy. He hurriedly followed the county magistrate and mustered up the courage to toast.
"Okay, okay." Ji Xuelian smiled and took a sip. There was a special clerk in the government office who was responsible for drinking with him.
Jiang Yushu has been anxious and worried lately, suffering from frequent headaches. She really can't drink, so there's no wine glass in front of her, only a soup bowl. She said apologetically, "Everyone, I'm sorry, please forgive me--"
Life is unpredictable. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that one day I would serve in the same court as Sister Shu, even sharing a banquet... Pei Wenfeng came back to his senses and interrupted knowingly, "It's okay. You're not feeling well and can't drink, so don't force yourself."
Ji Xuelian said with a pleasant expression, "What's the big deal? It's just a small private dinner, no need to be so formal."
"Thank you all for your understanding." Jiang Yushu smiled gratefully. It was indeed quite inconvenient for women to work in officialdom.
Ji Xuelian, with a dignified demeanor, sighed with emotion and praise, "For an official, alcohol tolerance isn't important; the ability to get things done is. I've seen with my own eyes these past few days that you've managed Tuning quite well in just a short time since taking office. Not bad, very good!"
"I don't deserve it, Your Excellency, you are too kind." Jiang Yushu said modestly, "In fact, Tuning still has many shortcomings. I wonder how many years it will take for it to become as prosperous as the capital city."
Ji Xuelian smiled and encouraged him, "This place has a lot of work to do. Don't be impatient. Take your time to think about it. For the northwestern frontier, as long as the people can have enough food and clothing, the area will be considered prosperous."
Jiang Yushu nodded in agreement.
Pei Wenfeng had been silent since they met, feeling melancholy and also because of his father-in-law's presence. He took the initiative to ask, "That building near the granary that's half-built today is supposed to be a textile workshop, right?"
"Yes." Jiang Yushu said casually, "If nothing unexpected happens, in the future, there will be three workshops side by side in that area, dedicated to silk reeling and weaving."
Ji Xuelian frowned slightly and said slowly, "Silkworm farming and silk reeling have been popular in the south of the Yangtze River since ancient times. Winters in the northwest are long and cold, and people rely on leather to survive. Mulberry silkworms are good, but I'm afraid ordinary people can't afford them. Besides, can mulberry trees survive here? Can they survive the winter?"
Talking about the cause she had poured so much effort into, Jiang Yushu's spirits lifted a little. With great patience, she answered each question one by one, "Your Excellency's considerations are very reasonable. The questions you raised are exactly what have troubled me, but after careful consideration, I believe it is worth a try. About 60% of the mulberry trees planted at the beginning of the year have survived, and the farmers are currently trying to harvest the leaves and raise silkworms. The most worrying thing is the cold winter. Everyone is worried that the mulberry trees will not survive the winter. However, I have a small mulberry tree plot at my home in Xicang Heqin. It's over ten years old, and it still withers in winter and blooms in spring."
Ji Xuelian seemed to be lost in thought. "Never mind. It wouldn't hurt to give it a try. If it succeeds, it will provide the local people with an additional livelihood. There will always be wealthy people who can afford to wear silk fabrics."
Everyone at the table nodded, "Your Excellency is right."
Pei Wenfeng looked at his cousin and couldn't help but smile, sighing with mixed emotions: "I didn't expect you to be so capable of such trouble!"
"Hahaha~" Ji Xuelian couldn't help laughing. "Local officials can't just sit back and relax on a daily basis. They must be diligent and work hard to ensure the people live and work in peace and contentment, so as not to disappoint the court's trust."
Jiang Yushu understood the prefect's implication: appropriate efforts were encouraged, but reckless ones were discouraged. "I understand," she humbly replied, "and I will do my best to fulfill the court's trust."
"Um, good, very good."
After three rounds of wine and five kinds of dishes, the table was harmonious and joyful, with laughter rang out from time to time.
But soon, officials inevitably began to talk about the border war situation.
"Today I saw two groups of soldiers heading to Tuningwei. I guess they are going to provide support." Ji Xuelian twirled his beard, his smile disappeared, and he frowned seriously.
Jiang Yushu was in a low mood. "I guess so. There's been no definite news, which is really worrying."
"Remain calm," Ji Xuelian ordered sternly. "The battle plan is a military secret. I have no way of knowing it. Even if I did, I cannot disclose it. The court has instructed all local authorities to fully assist the border troops, but no specific orders have been issued yet. Therefore, you must be aware of the situation and plan ahead. As for food and fodder, follow local customs and gather as much as necessary so that they can be shipped to the garrison at any time."
Jiang Yushu nodded repeatedly, "As soon as we received the order from the government office, we started making preparations. Now everything is almost ready. We just need to wait for the commander-in-chief to give the order and we can send it to the soldiers immediately!"
"Hmm." Ji Xuelian looked at his female subordinate, about to inquire about Guo Honglei's whereabouts, but changed his mind and gave up the idea. Instead, he said soothingly, "Yongzhou has four guards, with sufficient troops. If they're not enough, there are troops available in Xicang across the river. No matter how big the situation, they should be able to calm it down. You don't need to worry too much. Just comfort the people, assist the border troops when necessary, and follow General Song's orders."
Talking about the war situation, considering the various unbearable painful consequences, Jiang Yushu almost lost her composure. She barely managed to hold on and sat upright to answer: "I understand. I will obey your orders and will do my best to assist the army."
Pei Wenfeng glanced at his thin and haggard cousin, feeling very uncomfortable. He was helpless and simply changed the subject, asking gently, "Where are your mulberry trees planted?"
Huang Yichun saw his superior looking at him and asking questions, so he quickly replied, "To reply to Master Pei: Plant them in the suburbs, on the gentle slopes along the banks of the Run River."
"Oh." Pei Wenfeng took a sip of wine. "From what you guys said, the prospects for silkworms are good. I'd like to go and take a look."
Ji Xuelian also said: "I came here specially for the inspection, so I must see the farmland. If you are on the way, you can also take a look at Sangshan."
Jiang Yushu suppressed her worry, quickly calmed down, and said with a smile, "It's on the way. If you are interested, I will arrange it later. There are large tracts of farmland on both sides of the Run River at the foot of Sang Mountain. Most of the crops are ripe and will be harvested soon."
"Okay, you arrange it."
Since the officials from the government office came from far away and were exhausted, although they rested for an entire afternoon, the prefect was old and could not hold his liquor well, so the banquet ended after more than half an hour.
Outside the banquet hall
Wen Xi, Li Qigong, and other low-ranking clerks were not qualified to attend. They sat in the courtyard drinking tea and waiting for orders. As soon as the banquet in the hall was over, they immediately rushed over to receive orders. "The banquet is over, hurry up and go take a look!"
In front of the old prefect and the female official, no one drank too much, only the new instructor, who had a poor alcohol tolerance, had an unsteady pace.
"Sir, go slower." Jiang Yushu was not in a position to support him, so Pei Wenfeng supported his father-in-law and stepped out of the banquet hall first.
Ji Xuelian waved his hand, stopping the clerks who were about to salute, and said gently, "No need to salute."
Jiang Yushu waved her hand, and her men quickly approached. Wen Xi squeezed to the front as usual, "What are your orders, County Master?"
She asked softly, "Have you divided the servants into two shifts?"
Wen Xi nodded vigorously, "It's divided! Don't worry, there are people to serve you day and night, and the kitchen is always ready with tea and food."
"Okay. Master Guan is a little drunk, and his pupil is too young. Remember to send a servant to look after him."
"yes!"
Afterwards, Jiang Yushu led a group of his men to accompany the prefect for a while. After saying goodbye, they each returned to their rooms.
It was almost the second watch. Pei Wenfeng returned to his room only after seeing his father-in-law rest peacefully. He had just taken off half of his coat when there was a knock on the door.
"What's up?"
The confidant pushed the door open and entered, whispering, "County Magistrate Huang wants to see you. He said he's following orders from Miss Biao. Please come and have some tea."
"Huang County Cheng?"
"Tea?" Pei Wenfeng was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously put on his coat. "Did Yushu send him?"
"yes."
Pei Wenfeng didn't think twice as he strode out the door. He immediately turned back and quickly took something out of his luggage and stuffed it into his sleeve. "Let's go."
"Look, County Magistrate Huang is waiting there."
On a summer night, everything is quiet and there is a cool breeze.
Huang Yichun kept his mouth shut and didn't reveal a single word to anyone. "Please, be careful with the steps."
Pei Wenfeng was unaware of this and walked faster and faster. When he stepped into the study, he only saw Zou Gui and a maid.
"Master Pei," Zou Gui trotted over to greet him, "Please take a seat."
The maid made tea and served it, then quietly left.
Pei Wenfeng sat down and recognized Guo Honglei's servant in front of him. He asked calmly, "Where is my cousin?"
"Wait a moment, our wife will be here soon!" Zou Gui immediately told Huang Yichun, "She asked you to tell Lord Pei about the situation."
Huang Yichun nodded and said carefully, "Let me think about where to start."
Pei Wenfeng was completely confused. "What's going on? Why are you being so mysterious?"
"In short, our county magistrate wants to borrow the government office's guard team." Huang Yichun sat upright and began to talk about the evil officials and several cases in Tu Ning from the beginning.
After a cup of tea, Pei Wenfeng sighed and said with a stern face, "I had long suspected that this frontier county wouldn't be peaceful, but I didn't expect it to be so chaotic. For petty officials in the government offices, corruption and bribery are serious crimes, but how dare they murder an official appointed by the imperial court? How audacious!"
"Alas." Huang Yichun smiled bitterly. "To be honest, the local people are tough and unruly. In the eyes of some village bandits and bullies, they are far away from the emperor. Only Magistrate Jiang is not afraid of trouble or enemies, and dares to make the decision to eradicate the evil officials."
Pei Wenfeng asked seriously, "Is the evidence conclusive?"
"Yes!" Huang Yichun nodded firmly. "We've been secretly investigating for over six months. We have all the evidence, both human and physical. But, just because... well, it's helpless. Our force is limited. After careful consideration, it seems we are no match for the criminals. The Wen and Li families both employ a large number of thugs, and they are ruthless. The magistrate asked the government office for help just to be on the safe side."
Pei Wenfeng looked at the door. "Where is she? Didn't she say she needed some more supplies?"
"This..." Huang Yichun also looked at the door and answered hesitantly: "She said she had something to do and should be here soon."
So the two of them talked while waiting, but after half an hour, there was still no sign of Jiang Yushu.
At the same time, the side hall
The uncle suddenly came running over, and Jiang Yushu felt a headache. She kneaded her solar plexus and said tiredly, "Hongxuan, get up first, don't kneel."
"I won't get up until sister-in-law forgives me!" Guo Hongxuan knelt down, his shoulders shaking with tears. "I know I was wrong, and I will definitely change from now on. I beg sister-in-law to forgive me for once."
Jiang Yushu frowned and said without refusing to be disobeyed, "This matter cannot be decided by me alone. Wait until your second brother comes back and you two brothers can discuss it!"
Guo Hongxuan was very excited. He wiped his tears and looked up, saying, "I came to Tuning to join the army. I want to go to Beijiao to find my second brother!"
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