Chapter 43: Mission Completed: Obtain Instant Noodles and Cola^...
"Go to the government office and find Mr. Qin, who's on duty?"
Young Master Wen raised an eyebrow. He opened his folding fan, fanning himself with an elegant and natural grace even in the dead of autumn, and prepared to take his leave with a flourish. "Then I won't go. The manor on the mountain still needs me. Let's drink again next time we meet—"
Wuyou went to praise his subordinates for their competence. What was he doing there?
To be a green leaf tree used as a backdrop? That would be too boring.
"Ah...then come to my residence?" Qi Chengming suddenly realized and changed his mind.
He recalled that during his travels, the Second Young Master Wen had encountered many corrupt officials. Sometimes he could devise ways to secretly bring them down, while other times he could only watch helplessly as people suffered, and could only try his best to help those who were in distress. So perhaps the Second Young Master Wen would dislike going to the government office.
"You guys go ahead and do your work. I don't have the patience to listen to so many trivial matters." Wen Zhongnan innocently crossed his arms in front of his chest, refusing again. The hair ribbon tied in his smooth long hair hung down, hooking around his shoulder like a cat's tail, swaying back and forth.
He simply developed a love for farming in his past life and found great enjoyment in it, which is why he can now help Wuyou. As for other troublesome tasks... he really doesn't want to be busy all day long and can't even bear to listen to them.
Qi Cheng clearly put his hands behind his back, putting on a mysterious look as he continued to tempt him: "There's something really delicious here, something you've never seen before."
Wen Zhongnan thought to himself, what else could he not have eaten?
Could Wuyou be showing off "pork"? But after he gave those piglets to him to prepare feed for raising, wasn't the plan to raise them into breeding pigs? What will they eat?
"Ahem, the kind of delicacy I'm talking about is very rare; there are only a handful in the world." Qi Chengming held out one hand with a reserved air, continuing to add to the deal, "One for Mr. Qin, one for me, and you...?"
"I'll go!" Wen Zhongnan decisively changed his mind.
This doesn't sound like a common thing, and he'd be incredibly stupid not to go!
"Good." Qi Chengming clenched his fist in satisfaction. Feeling something was missing, he looked around and unceremoniously snatched the folding fan from the Second Young Master Wen (Wen Zhongnan stared blankly at his empty hand: ?).
Then, Qi Chengming also quickly opened his folding fan, smiling as he waved it in the autumn breeze, adopting the leisurely demeanor of a hermit, before heading home.
'Hmm, that's great, now it's his turn to relax!'
The young man whose fan was snatched wasn't angry. With nowhere to put his hands, he continued to hold them in front of his chest, swaying them beside him, watching his friend go crazy with a smile.
A guard following at a distance couldn't help but sigh, "...The Prince and this newly acquainted Young Master Wen are really on good terms."
They had watched His Highness the Second Prince arrive from the palace. To be honest, His Highness was good in every way—unpretentious, gentle yet decisive. He treated ordinary artisans, imperial guards, eunuchs, and palace maids with the same respect, treating them as human beings. This was the truly gentle and virtuous demeanor that made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.
But now... the prince who grew up in the palace has made friends so easily, and the two of them are playfully bickering, treating each other as equals, and getting along very naturally.
Even if this prince is the Second Prince, it's enough to surprise the Imperial Guards. Moreover, Young Master Wen is quite remarkable; he can so casually befriend a prince.
Commander Mao repeated, "That's why he's the Second Prince."
How could people in the palace have the concept of "friends"? Only the Second Prince has such a kind heart, but unfortunately, he couldn't survive in the palace and was banished to Liuzhou.
...
Two hours later.
It was already time to finish his shift, but Qin Liusong was still busy writing something in the county government office, with obvious dark circles under his eyes and a tired look on his face.
He persuaded all the minor officials around him to leave.
On the table in front of Qin Liusong lay a densely covered map of Liuzhou, with many locations marked in red ink. These were suitable land reclamation sites that His Highness had circled for him.
The local population of Liuzhou wasn't very large; the majority were exiled laborers and landless migrants. Encouraging this unstable group to actively cultivate the land was, in essence, the responsibility of the prefectural government. This wasn't just about fulfilling His Highness's task; eliminating potential threats was also the duty of a county magistrate.
Therefore, Qin Liusong took it very seriously.
Some time ago, three households signed contracts with Baijia Restaurant to clear land and plant tomatoes next year. Another seventeen households also voluntarily chose to clear land, probably because they didn't have enough food for the winter and were hoping for the very small tax reduction promised by the county government.
The remaining free and uncontrolled refugees and laborers were also sent to reclaim wasteland, with the promise that as long as a piece of land was reclaimed, it would be exempt from taxes for the first five years, and after cultivating it for twenty years, it would belong to them.
...and only then were His Highness's requirements for land reclamation largely fulfilled.
"I need to be more diligent..."
Qin Liusong rubbed his dry eyes and took a sip of tea to refresh himself.
What kept him from relaxing was that others might not know what His Highness had been doing lately. But because he was involved in everything, he knew everything perfectly well:
The topographical survey map for land reclamation was provided by His Highness, clearly outlining what each piece of land was suitable for and unsuitable for. The idea of building "public toilets" was also proposed by His Highness, who subsequently provided methods for utilizing excrement to produce fertilizer and "biogas." The caravan brought a type of seed called "potato," and His Highness also wrote down how to plant it, how to prevent disease, and when to promote its distribution.
Everyone else only knows that he is so busy in the county government office that he doesn't have time to rest, as if he does everything himself.
But without the knowledge and excessively detailed survey maps that His Highness secretly provided, how could Qin Liusong have achieved such success? What terrified him most was that His Highness provided him with whatever technology he lacked. Wherever he encountered a problem, His Highness offered advice.
I'm drenched in sweat.
Qin Liusong was somewhat apprehensive.
He was quite proud of his shrewdness and ability; in his past life, he only lacked a bit of luck to rise in rank. But... what was going on with the Second Prince? How did he become proficient in everything at such a young age? A wise ruler who knew so much was unfathomable, making Qin Liusong somewhat apprehensive.
Thinking back to their first meeting, His Highness didn't know how he suddenly ended up in Yiyang County, causing most of his plans to fail before they even began.
...Therefore, Qin Liusong dared not rest. He had to put in twice the effort to get even a glimpse of such a prince.
"Master Qin, someone from the Prince's Mansion is looking for you outside!" A yamen runner who hadn't left yet suddenly reported obsequiously.
"Huh?" Qin Liusong looked up in a daze.
A quarter of an hour later, the polite eunuch who had gone to the government office to fetch someone packed up a well-behaved but bewildered Master Qin and brought him back to the Prince's mansion.
Qin Liusong stepped across the bustling, chaotic repair site. Xiao Dezi, beaming with pride, was talking and directing Huang Dong, while workers pushed a beam to the sound of chants. He walked through the covered corridor and past the flower hall. Steward Xiao Song frowned, and seven or eight managers stood silently before him, listening to his instructions.
Finally, Qin Liusong arrived at the main courtyard where His Highness resided.
Outside the archway, the young palace maids and eunuchs sat in the courtyard with worried expressions, listening to Bishu explain how to write characters.
He looked into the main courtyard with a puzzled expression. The huge courtyard was quiet and had been deliberately cleared out. Only the new emperor and the unfamiliar young man were inside.
"Come on! We've been waiting for you!" Qi Chengming beckoned mysteriously to Qin Liusong. The Second Young Master Wen, who was standing at the door, couldn't wait and gave him a light push on the shoulder before closing the main door himself.
"Your Highness... what are you doing?" Qin Liusong wanted to perform a proper bow, but he couldn't help asking out of curiosity.
In broad daylight, the three of them were sneaking around in the main room.
On the table were three bowls filled with something unidentifiable—a large, yellowish substance. Next to it was a copper kettle, steam rising faintly from its spout, as if it had just been boiled. Three porcelain cups held a strange, black liquid; the surface was not calm, with tiny bubbles rising subtly, making it look like some kind of highly toxic poison.
A charcoal brazier sat on the ground, its ashes emitting a pungent, strange smell, as if something odd had just been burned, and wisps of blue smoke rose from it.
"Is this the good food you wanted to treat us to after making me wait outside for so long?" Wen Zhongnan asked subtly.
As a general, he naturally had a keen eye for transportable rations. This large yellow piece was clearly made of some kind of noodles, and the spices and oil on top smelled incredibly fragrant, indicating it was exceptionally expensive.
But... isn't this just a luxurious version of transporting dry rations? The noodles are bare, without even a single leaf of vegetable to go with them. And the water smells unbearably bad.
Young Master Wen remained silent for a while, unsure of what to say: "Wuyou, I'll go back and send you some cooks."
Send over a few more chefs specializing in dishes from all over the country, so that Wuyou can enjoy some fresh flavors during this period. Look how much people are drooling over the pork before it's fully grown. In my previous life, the future emperor wouldn't even glance at this kind of portable dry rations.
Qin Liusong narrowed his eyes, accurately noticing the unfamiliar young man's address to the new emperor.
He scrutinized the other person, vaguely aware of their existence, but unaware of how they had become so intimate and affectionate with His Highness during his busy time. A sense of crisis immediately arose in Master Qin's heart.
"Watch closely." Qi Chengming knew explaining was pointless, so he might as well let them try it directly. He didn't waste any words, picked up the copper kettle, and poured steaming hot water over the three packets of instant noodles. An enticing and overpowering aroma gradually filled the room…
The complex and varied taste sensations brought about by modern technology are something that people in ancient times could never endure.
Qin Liusong took a deep breath, suddenly forgetting all about what he was saying—what was this? How could it smell so good that it suddenly made him feel incredibly hungry?
Wen Zhongnan's smile also disappeared from his face, and he looked somewhat confused, as if his mind had been captured by that bowl of instant noodles.
Qi Chengming glanced around at their reactions and smiled slightly.
He stared at his infrastructure page:
[Infrastructure task: Street appearance improvement (completed)].
The results showed that she received 200 points, five packs of braised beef flavored instant noodles, and a case of cola.
Actually, this task was completed not long ago when the government introduced the relevant policy on "public toilets". But Qi Chengming wanted to wait a while, and now, even the [Branch Task: Reclaim Wasteland] and [Branch Task: Plant Potatoes] have finally become (completed) status. The total task reward is 200 points and a blueprint for a curved plow, as well as a "Potato Disease Prevention Manual".
Qi Chengming quickly clicked through the collection points, finally experiencing a sense of exhilaration from the bountiful harvest.
Over the past month, the main streets of Liuzhou have become much easier to walk on. The basic economic foundation has also been revitalized, and many more jobs have become available this winter, allowing the people of Liuzhou to earn a living. It's a win-win situation for merchants, government officials, the people, and the royal family.
As for the infrastructure tasks in Qi Chengming's system, the only two remaining are digging a well for water next spring and waiting for the Prince's Mansion to be gradually repaired. For the next three months, Qi Chengming only needs to worry about how to grow the potatoes well for the first time.
so……
It just so happened that things happened one after another. On one hand, Qi Chengming planned to treat Master Qin to instant noodles and bring along his friend Wen Er. On the other hand, he also wanted to celebrate the large-scale completion of the mission with instant noodles, which he hadn't eaten in a long time!
"It's been three minutes, want to try some?" Qi Chengming invited, but even as he said that, he had already picked up his chopsticks and was the first to eagerly start eating.
The red grease melted and dispersed in the bowl. Wen Zhongnan carefully stirred the noodles with chopsticks, took a bite, and exclaimed, "...!!!"
He was severely and forcefully controlled.
"Cough cough cough..." Qin Liusong also took a bite, and the slightly spicy taste made him cough a few times. He quickly picked up his teacup and gulped down a mouthful of the black liquid. Trusting His Highness, Qin Liusong didn't even think twice before taking a large gulp to try and alleviate the discomfort—
Then he coughed even more violently: "...cough cough cough cough!"
"Mr. Qin, slow down." Qi Chengming chuckled and quickly patted him on the back.
"No...cough cough, don't worry about me, Your Highness!" Qin Liusong quickly lowered his head, struggling to conceal the change in his expression, because when he looked down, he saw a strange, half-burnt, blackened object in the charcoal brazier. It looked like glass, or perhaps some other brittle material, curled up from the heat, neither gold nor jade.
Qin Liusong was even more terrified.
What... is all of this?
People are afraid of the unknown. Qin Liusong had never been able to find a reasonable explanation for the Second Prince's mysterious behavior, and could only attribute it to the other party's power. But the details he was seeing now were completely beyond his comprehension.
The smarter a person is, the more they think... Qin Liusong could no longer deceive himself.
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Author's Note: I wrote an extra thousand words today. Tomorrow's the weekend, I'll continue with 10,000 words a day!
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