Chapter 29 Misty Western Hills (Part 1)
Ling Wei listened and gave an ambiguous "Oh," without delving into the matter, as if it were just a casual question.
She leaned back in her chair, her slightly tipsy weariness returning to her face, and tapped her fingers on the table: "So, this gang of thieves is quite interesting, not like an ordinary rabble. Prefect Sun, bring me the case files and reports on the bandit suppression, as well as the mine's output losses and employee roster over the past few years."
As if remembering something, she added, "Oh, and also bring the general outline of the changes in household registrations and population increases and decreases in the mine and surrounding villages and towns over the past two years."
My mother always talks about bringing peace to the people, and I need to know just how many people have been affected by this banditry.
These words caused a moment of silence in the room.
Prefect Du Wen glanced at Sun Man subconsciously. Sun Man's smile remained unchanged, but a dark glint flashed in his eyes. He then replied respectfully, "Your Highness is compassionate towards the people's suffering, which I admire. However, the registers are numerous and tedious. Would it be better if I first ordered someone to compile the important documents related to the bandit suppression and the mine outlines for Your Highness to review?"
As for the details regarding the households, may I, Your Highness, compile a general outline later and then report back to Your Highness?”
This was a tactful refusal, an attempt to limit Ling Wei's focus to the banditry.
Ling Wei seemed not to understand this implication. She yawned, waved her hand, and said casually but firmly, "It's fine, I want them all. Otherwise, when I return to the capital, if Mother asks about the livelihood of Fuling, I won't be able to say anything and will be scolded for no reason."
Sun Man and Du Wen exchanged a glance.
Sun Man's smile deepened, and his tone became even more earnest: "Since Your Highness has this intention, how dare I neglect it? Prefect Du, you must do it immediately. Retrieve all the documents and files Your Highness needs and send them to Your Highness's courtyard. Make sure they are detailed and accurate!"
Du Wen bowed and accepted the order: "This humble official understands and will do her utmost to prepare everything for Your Highness."
The banquet ended amidst Sun Man's constant flattery and assurances.
Ling Wei was helped back to the quiet courtyard with its high walls and deep courtyard, seemingly unable to hold her liquor.
Once they were far from the courtyard and alone, Du Wen's respectful expression vanished, and she lowered her voice to Sun Man, "Sir, the household register has changed; are you sure you want to give it to me?"
Sun Man's lips curled into a cold smile: "Give it. Why not? Not only should we give it, but we should give it all, and give it a lot. Get all the relevant documents from the past five years... no, the past eight years, anything even remotely related."
The secret letter sent from the capital a couple of days ago had a clear core message: even if the Fifth Princess was indeed as useless as rumored, she was still of imperial blood and an imperial envoy. They absolutely could not allow anyone to find fault with her for "neglecting the imperial envoy" or "perfunctorily disobeying the imperial order."
In the letter, he even specifically reminded Sun Man to be "very careful with this prince and not to treat him with ordinary reasoning."
Sun Man was able to hold the lucrative post of Prefect of Fuling for many years not only because of her skill, but also because she had submitted her application to become a protégé of the Cai family early on, making her one of the important pawns in Cai's local maneuvering.
She had an almost instinctive admiration for Cai, the chief minister who had served two dynasties and remained in power.
If Chief Minister Cai says to be cautious, then we must be cautious. Chief Minister Cai is implying that this princess may not be simple. Even if the other party currently appears to be just a lazy, drunken, and impoverished prince, she would never dare to treat him as a fool.
The Cai family's vigilance is her vigilance.
Sun Man lowered his voice even further: "Let her read as much as she wants. There are thousands upon thousands of files piled up in the room. Even if she doesn't sleep or rest, she still won't be able to finish reading them all before she leaves office. She'll be the one with a headache."
We just need to put what 'she should see' at the top, in the most conspicuous place.
The God of War in the North? That's for the battlefield. In this sea of documents, even a dragon would drown.
Du Wen understood immediately: "This subordinate understands, I will do it right away, and I guarantee that His Highness will be overwhelmed with choices."
Inside the courtyard, the door closed, and the drunkenness in Ling Wei's eyes instantly cleared up.
She walked to the window and looked out at the sky surrounded by high walls. "Several hundred thieves, we can't wipe them out..." she repeated in a low voice, her tone sarcastic.
Just then, a warm cup of hangover tea was quietly handed to me.
Ling Wei took it casually and looked up to see that Shen Zhilan had been standing quietly to the side at some point.
"You?" Ling Wei was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously asked, "Aren't you going to rest?"
Shen Zhilan paused for a moment, her eyes flashing, then nodded slightly, turned and left the room.
Ling Wei held the tea, watching his figure disappear outside the door. The doubt on her face vanished in an instant, and she lowered her head to take a sip of tea. Her mind had obviously returned to the thoughts she had just been having.
Qing Shu, who had witnessed everything just now, was speechless.
She silently looked away.
Your Highness seems completely unaware that Young Master Shen is supposed to stay here tonight.
Ling Wei sat under the lamp for a while longer, her knuckles unconsciously tapping the table. Sun Man agreed so readily, was he really not afraid of being investigated, or was he certain that she wouldn't find anything?
The answer was presented to her in the most direct way the following morning.
Boxes of files, ledgers, and registers were carried into the courtyard by the constables in a continuous stream, almost filling half of the hall.
The air was filled with the dull smell of old paper mixed with ink.
Ling Wei put on her coat, got up, walked to the door, and looked at Wen Shan, who was almost blocking the doorway. She was first taken aback, then her brows furrowed, and her lips pursed, revealing an undisguised expression of impatience.
"What is all this!" Her voice was hoarse from just waking up and filled with impatience. "Did Prefect Sun bring the entire treasury of the prefectural government here for me? When will we get there?!"
She rubbed her temples in frustration and turned to look outside: "Qing Shu, call a few literate people over here and divide up these... these things for me. They're just an eyesore here."
Soon, several guards were summoned and began to silently sort and classify the vast amount of documents.
Ling Wei stood at the door for a while, looking at the mess in the room. She seemed completely defeated by the scene and lost interest in exploring. She yawned widely.
"I'm sleepy, I'm going to lie down for a while, you all continue with your work." She waved her hand dismissively, and indeed turned and went back to her inner chamber, leaving her guards to deal with the mountain of documents.
The news reached Sun Man's ears quickly, while she was leisurely having her breakfast.
Upon hearing Ling Wei's reaction, the hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"It seems that our princess is truly frightened by this mountain of documents." She put down her chopsticks, took the handkerchief handed to her by a servant, and wiped her hands. "Very well, let her take a look for now."
Her tone was relaxed, as if she had everything under control.
"Tell the people below that if His Highness gives any further orders, they should comply without delay. Let's just observe and see what happens."
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