Chapter 34 Master Qin Resumes His Post on the Spot! (Part 2)
Qi Chengming was deeply moved and could not calm down for a long time.
Faced with such unexpected kindness, he was somewhat at a loss. But he said nothing, instead deeply remembering this gesture of kindness.
"It's moved!" Commander Mao suddenly said.
Within their line of sight, the person who had been drinking with Zhuzi at the same table swayed away, leaving only Zhuzi with a few snails in his hand, casually stuffing them into his mouth, and reeking of alcohol as he strolled over, looking extremely relaxed.
He walked along nonchalantly for quite a while, clearly seeing the two of them but continuing on without even glancing at them. Qi Chengming and Commander Mao exchanged a glance, stood up, and followed him in tacit agreement. The three of them walked back to their inn room one after the other. Only then did Zhu Zi regain his upright and serious demeanor, and quickly replied:
"Your Highness, Boss—I have already found out."
"How so?" Qi Chengming asked.
"The prefect is fond of collecting rare antiques and treasures," Zhu Zi recalled. "The prefect, who had only been here for two years, was very greedy, and the county magistrate of Liuzhou was just like him. So there's a saying here: 'Don't go to the yamen unless you have something to do.' No matter how well-off you are, going to the yamen will make you suffer."
Qi Chengming couldn't help but sneer: "Heh... just as I thought."
He was not surprised at all.
Qi Chengming, an ordinary man in modern times, despised corrupt officials who exploited the people. But along his journey, he encountered such cases everywhere. Pursuing the truth? Seeking to solve cases? There aren't that many upright officials like Bao Zheng in the world; they were looking for ways to extort money. Or rather, without money, they couldn't even get through the gates of the government office.
The young prince, his expression unreadable, pressed on, "How dare a mere county magistrate be so arrogant? Or does the magistrate share his ill-gotten gains with that prefect?"
Zhu Zi responded tactfully, "Yes, not only the prefect, but also any antiques and artifacts they collect, they will present to the prefect."
Qi Chengming frowned deeply: "..."
The entire Liuzhou prefecture is rotten to the core; they're all birds of a feather.
Zhu Zi continued his report, recalling the news he had just heard:
That prefect was persecuted and sent to Liuzhou as a post by his political enemies. As everyone knows, Liuzhou was an extremely impoverished place of exile, making it particularly difficult to endure. Once officials were transferred there, they had no future prospects and no achievements to earn a promotion back. Those who were unlucky could stay for more than a decade.
It was a very tough time.
After the prefect was transferred here, he was utterly disheartened and began to try every means to make money.
"To squeeze every last drop of profit out of such a poor place, completely disregarding the suffering of the people, it's truly remarkable how much effort he's put into it," Qi Chengming said bluntly, his expression one of disdain and disgust.
Although the more corrupt the local officials in Liuzhou, the easier it would be for him to carry out infiltration work, Qi Chengming found it unbearable to think about how miserable the common people were in ancient times.
Both Chairman Mao and Zhu Zi looked somewhat moved and warm.
They despise these corrupt officials, and their own prince is showing it so openly.
"Yes," Commander Mao thought to himself, "His Highness has always been like this, never aloof, as if he were just an ordinary person like them, and he can never tolerate corrupt officials..."
"Now that such a good prince has arrived, he will surely lead Liuzhou to develop well." Commander Mao firmly believed this.
"Alright, let's get started." Qi Chengming perked up, clapped his hands together, and made a crisp 'snap' sound.
Now that we've vented our frustrations, the next step is to figure out how to solve the problem.
"What should we do?" Commander Mao stood up, his shoulders taut and his legs long, glaring menacingly.
He was ready to depart at any moment. Because he trusted His Highness to handle everything—he did whatever His Highness asked him to do.
"Once the caravan arrives, we'll find a way to contact that prefect—doesn't he love money? I happen to have plenty right now. We'll stuff him with money—and say that I'm new here and very dissatisfied with the state of Liuzhou, and I want to renovate it. I need the county government's cooperation, so we'll ask them to turn a blind eye."
Qi Chengming's mind raced, and he immediately came up with a solution. But the boy who said this looked rather listless and unenthusiastic.
He disliked the feeling of having to coexist with corrupt officials while holding his nose.
But Qi Chengming knew very well that reality wasn't a fairy tale... He couldn't be so black and white, and he couldn't immediately wipe out all the corrupt officials. So for now, he could only go along with them.
No rush, we mustn't rush.
Qi Chengming repeatedly reminded himself of this.
They say a new broom sweeps clean. He needed to lull these parasites into a false sense of security first, not let them think his reforms were aimed at them. Besides, he didn't have enough manpower, and direct confrontation would be unwise. So, his approach was decided: first, properly appease the county magistrate and the prefect, and then, once they were well-fed... that's when things would get interesting.
And he wanted to use his power of secret reports to intimidate corrupt officials, using their weaknesses to play a game of checks and balances.
Qi Chengming knew that the power to submit secret memorials was actually Emperor Hongren's right to inform him of the subsequent developments in the case in the capital. But just as he had misunderstood it before, if others heard this decree, they would all assume that he had a way to secretly contact the emperor from Liuzhou to the capital and that he had the privilege of submitting memorials.
This is very intimidating. Which official stationed abroad wouldn't be afraid of this?
In this way, the carrot and stick approach was enough to keep the prefect and governor in line and get through the first few years in Liuzhou.
"...Your Highness has been wronged!" Commander Mao said involuntarily, his expression also falling.
Even though Your Highness is a vassal king, you still have to go to such lengths and compromises in your own territory.
"The ones who are truly suffering are the common people here." Qi Chengming shook his head. He was a prince; how could he possibly be wronged? At most, he'd be in a bad mood. It was the common people who would have to endure this for a while longer…
Qi Chengming shook his head, took a deep breath, and decided to stop thinking about it for now. He was good at regulating his emotions: since he couldn't change the powerless situation in the short term, he should just take action. Doing more would eventually bring about change.
...
Less than a day later, the main force approached Liuzhou City. Qi Chengming found an opportunity to sneak back into the caravan unnoticed outside the city and sat back in his carriage with the dragon emblem.
"Your Highness, you're back?" Bishu looked over with concern.
Not to mention her concern, even after only a day or two apart, Xiao Dezi, Xiao Chengzi, Steward Song, and Master Qin all came over. Especially Master Qin—he looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't, seemingly still immersed in the disbelief and resentment of not being taken along before.
Qi Chengming chuckled inwardly and couldn't help but comfort him, "Mr. Qin, you'll be busy soon, don't worry."
"It is my honor to share Your Highness's burdens!" Qin Liusong's spirits lifted, and he responded quickly. He wasn't afraid of being busy; he was afraid of being forgotten by the new emperor if he was idle.
Qi Chengming then responded to the others' concerns one by one: "Yes, we have a palace now." "After we arrive, make some repairs everywhere as Mr. Huang instructed. He understands the situation." Qi Chengming gave these instructions, his gaze finally settling on the attentive-listening Steward Song, thinking of his conversation with Commander Mao earlier.
The current situation is not suitable for speaking.
Qi Chengming swallowed his words and instead gave the other person a deep look, waiting for an opportunity—he still wanted to talk to Steward Song.
"Your Highness," Commander Mao's voice came from outside the carriage, "...Someone has come to greet us; it's officials and wealthy merchants from Liuzhou City."
Qi Chengming lifted the curtain and looked outside.
A large crowd stood in front of the city gate of Liuzhou, creating a very enthusiastic welcome. He carefully observed for a while before recognizing which one was the prefect described by Zhu Zi.
He was a handsome middle-aged man, well-maintained, with a beaming smile and an air of authority; he didn't look like someone who had suffered ravages in this barren land. He approached, his manner respectful yet appropriately warm, bowing to the carriage and speaking loudly:
"Your humble servant respectfully welcomes Prince Rui. The city of Liuzhou has prepared a banquet to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey. We humbly request that Your Highness grace us with your presence."
"Hmm." Qi Chengming adopted the air of a prince, responding indifferently without even getting off the carriage, exuding arrogance.
"..." Xiao Dezi and Xiao Chengzi stared at this scene in surprise, realizing that there must be something wrong with the officials in Liuzhou City, otherwise His Highness would not have such an unusual attitude.
They exchanged a glance, and a subtle change occurred in their eyes; they were now united in their hatred of the enemy.
Qi Chengming didn't notice the commotion between the eunuchs; Mr. Qin was still in his carriage. Qi Chengming lowered his voice and whispered in his ear, "Your chance has come."
"...?" Qin Liusong's expression shifted slightly, as if he were deep in thought.
The massive convoy slowly entered the city, attracting a large crowd of onlookers. Commander Mao shouted orders, riding his horse to direct the group, which split into two parts. The convoy headed towards the Prince's Mansion first, while the other part, consisting of the Imperial Guards and Qi Chengming's close confidants, accompanied the Liuzhou officials to the welcoming banquet.
A round of toasts and laughter ensued.
When the atmosphere was just right, Qi Chengming secretly gave him a look.
Commander Mao chuckled and, adopting the demeanor of a hearty and generous man, went over to offer a toast. As a commander appointed by the Emperor from the Imperial Guard in the capital, the Prefect of Liuzhou couldn't refuse and accepted the toast.
The honest and simple-minded Commander Mao forced a look of disdain and resistance, and then made a request: "Our prince really can't stand the terrible environment here, and the newly built mansion is not comfortable to live in either. Prefect... we should cooperate with each other in the future."
With a deft flick of his wrist, he slipped something to the prefect. The prefect, without a word, reached into his sleeve and squeezed it; it was a light, fluffy packet of silver notes. He beamed with delight, readily agreeing, and even shamelessly inquired, "It's perfectly understandable that Your Highness is not comfortable here and wishes to change; please feel free to do so! Is there anything else I can help you with?"
At this moment, in the eyes of the prefect, the newly arrived Prince Rui was a walking gold mine.
He was initially worried. The emperor's son being granted the title of prince here was clearly unwelcome, but according to his inquiries, this prince was bestowed the title Rui, an extremely noble and auspicious name. Moreover, Prince Rui also possessed the power to submit secret memorials to the capital... The prefect of Liuzhou was on edge, wondering what kind of person this prince was.
Is he a difficult person who's a real headache, or a sucker who can be taken advantage of and doesn't require too much stress?
He has probably come to a conclusion now.
This is a living ancestor who can give you money. As long as you don't provoke him, you can let him do whatever he wants and live peacefully together.
The prefect was relieved.
—The illegal activities carried out in secret went very smoothly.
This was the first time Qi Chengming had done something like this. He slowly unclenched his fist, which was hidden in his wide sleeve, his palms sweating. Then he glanced at Mr. Qin leisurely, as if to say, "..."
Qin Liusong is so clever.
He immediately approached warmly, respectfully bowed to the county magistrate who had no right to speak, and introduced himself: "I used to be a secretary. Your Highness has many requirements for Liuzhou City, and I will be assisting you in the county office from now on."
The prefect didn't take it seriously at all, and rubbed his sleeves while laughing heartily.
The county magistrate glanced at his superior's reaction and, not daring to refuse, spoke to Qin Liusong in a polite and courteous manner.
Song Gu served him respectfully from the side, but in his heart he took everything in and admired him greatly.
Your Highness has placed one of your own people in the county government... This is a blatant attempt to sideline the county magistrate! As long as enough money is paid and the connections with the prefect are made, who cares how you mess with Liuzhou City in the future? Your Highness's entire plan can proceed smoothly.
He looked at his prince with admiration.
The young prince appeared listless throughout the banquet, listening to the conversations indifferently without participating in any of them. He merely ate his food and wine casually, seemingly confident yet also indifferent to everything. His noble bearing was immediately apparent; after all, he was of imperial blood, a prince of the highest rank and privilege.
This aloof demeanor, in stark contrast to his usual warm and approachable nature, only amplified the respect and admiration of those close to him.
Song Gu couldn't help but drift off into thought, recalling the new emperor from his memories...
He remained silent for a while.
Sure enough, he still preferred His Highness's calm and composed demeanor.
It seems like nothing can defeat him.
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Author's Note: First update of the day!
I've been overusing my eyes lately... Last night, I was washing my face with normal force, and when I looked up, I saw my eyes were bloodshot and looked like red rabbit eyes. I quickly applied a cold compress. They're much better today, but I'm using voice input to edit this article so my eyes can rest for the next few days.
So, although I've almost reached the required number of extra chapters, I might postpone it for a few days (I'll still be postponing the daily 10,000-word update on weekends as usual).
The comments section has been the same these past few days; I'll probably have to wait a few days before replying.
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