Chapter 113 Infrastructure Mission: Expanding the Map...
"Yes." Song Gu replied with a smile, then turned around and adopted a serious expression.
When the Prince's Mansion wants to use its power to intimidate others, it has many tricks up its sleeve, both overt and covert.
After receiving the news, Uncle Yang's fourth brother rushed over without stopping, sweating profusely. He couldn't eat or sleep well along the way. When he finally arrived, the steward of the Prince's mansion announced their arrival but then seemed to have forgotten about them.
Uncle Yang, the fourth son, was a skilled man who handled household affairs and usually took care of things outside. He was very clever, and immediately kicked the servant next to him, saying, "Were you greedy again when you gave gifts?!"
"Master, how dare we?" The servant was in so much pain that he couldn't get up, but he quickly knelt down and cried, "This is an apology to the Prince. We were blinded by greed, and we wouldn't dare to do anything at a time like this!"
Uncle Yang suddenly realized, "That means they gave too little."
This doesn't refer to the gift list sent to the prince, but rather to the chief steward.
Before coming, I didn't have time to inquire, but I vaguely heard that the steward of the Prince's Mansion was greedy. So, Uncle Yang gave me a pure gold tortoise, which was very heavy and had a lot of weight in my hand. However, the carving was exquisite and did not look crude at all. It was lifelike and exquisite.
Don't underestimate this small ornament; an ordinary family could never scrape together even a corner of it in their entire life. Plus, with the master craftsmanship... it's quite a splurge for the steward.
Is that really not enough?!
Uncle Yang thought it over and over, feeling a sharp pang of regret. If he sent another gift, it couldn't be less than the last; there was no room for adjustment, it had to be doubled in value…
A few days later, Qi Chengming was playing with the gold ornament when he heard Chief Steward Song report with a forced laugh: "They've sent gifts three times now, Your Highness. Look, they've even sent the mountain. Add to that the gift list, and the Yang family must have been completely drained this time."
“If they hollow out this place, they’ll just go back and oppress the people even more. We can’t give them that chance,” Qi Chengming said calmly, tossing down the ornament. “It’s too extravagant; the style doesn’t suit my place.”
He regretfully returned it to Song Gu: "Only the carving technique on it is still worth looking at. You can take it back and play with it... Such good gold, sigh."
Song Gu still had the habit of sharing the spoils with his prince as soon as he returned. Now that the prince didn't want them, he accepted them without ceremony, saying, "Then I'll keep them for the prince to play with. If you ever need them, you can use them in an emergency."
The voucher is equivalent to silver, and larger transactions can sometimes be substituted with gold. This small ornament weighs eight or nine pounds, so it can really be used in emergencies. In recent months, Song Gu has heard that His Highness's most pressing concern is the inflow and outflow of accounts from those several silver shops, knowing that even in normal times, silver can be a bit tight in case of emergencies.
"Let them come," Qi Chengming said reluctantly.
During these past few days, when he didn't want to see anyone, he finished copying the "Barefoot Doctor's Manual." He discarded some of the more modern parts and the content about herbs that only grow in the south, as those were useless to his cousin.
This was another piece of bad news for Qi Chengming. His cousin went back happily to pack his bags, which made him feel quite bad.
In addition, during the past two weeks, the people who went to Yulin Prefecture to investigate returned, and Li Banhui from the capital sent back a message via carrier pigeon. The bloody evidence of crimes was there, too numerous to list. Even though the Empress was fooled by Li Banhui and said that she would not care about the conflicts between the eight relatives outside and Prince Rui, and that Qi Chengming could act as he saw fit, he was still in low spirits.
What did the people of Yulin Prefecture do wrong?
If it weren't for this prince standing up for them, who knows how long they would have been bullied by the Yang family.
"Your Highness! It's all because of that wicked scoundrel who angered you. Our Yang family's sincerity is evident!" Yang's fourth uncle was led over nervously. He kowtowed as soon as he entered, crying and wiping away tears. His remorse and pain were truly genuine. He didn't mention the fate of the brother and sister at all, only saying kind words and hoping that His Highness would spare the Yang family.
This is treating people like abandoned pawns. The brother and sister by the sea are probably still hoping day and night that their family will come to rescue them. They've been pampered since they were little, and they probably never imagined that their family would just abandon them like this.
"Hmm." After listening to him rattle off a long string of words, Qi Chengming responded with a noncommittal "You can go back now."
His tone was indifferent, revealing no extra emotion.
No matter how subtly Uncle Yang listened, he couldn't figure out what the prince's mood was. He dared not look up to observe the prince's expression. Thinking of the greedy steward who had accepted the gift list that hadn't been returned, Uncle Yang felt a little relieved and didn't dare to ask any more questions. He meekly got up and left.
The brother and sister vented the prince's anger and then used money to appease him. This probably means they won't pursue the matter further, right?
Uncle Yang was filled with unease and didn't want to stay in Liuzhou any longer; he had to hurry back with his men to report back.
...He must have had a death wish to ask the prince for a straight answer.
No sooner had Uncle Yang set off than Youzi followed with his men. Then Song Gu returned to deliver the message: "Your Highness, the men have caught up."
Xiao Dezi stood to the side, somewhat bewildered. He hadn't been involved in the whole affair and was completely lost. Was his Highness planning to let the Yang family off the hook? Or was he planning to accept the gifts and then continue to attack them?
Qi Chengming glanced over. He always cared about the feelings of his two personal eunuchs. Seeing their confusion, he tapped the stacks of land deeds and gift lists on the table: "Xiao Dezi, look. How am I supposed to acquire this land and shops in Yulin Prefecture? I'll have to send someone over."
Xiao Dezi was no longer as out of touch and dull-witted as he had been in the palace at the beginning. He frowned and said, "Your Highness... are you kidding me again? If it were someone to take over Yulin Prefecture, why send Lord You? And so secretly."
"So what do you think they went there to do?" Qi Chengming wanted to test him.
Xiao Dezi pondered for a while, then looked up and saw Song Gu sitting unhurriedly beside him, sipping tea. A thought struck him: "Should we... arrest them? Once the Yang family is all here, we can wipe them out in one fell swoop!"
"Guess again?" Song Gu said, putting down his cup and looking at Xiao Chengzi, who was about to refill his tea.
Xiao Chengzi's lips twitched, he brewed some hot tea, turned around, and walked away quickly.
He didn't need to guess; Xiao Dezi alone could do the guessing. Xiao Chengzi's unformed idea might easily become a laughing stock if he said it wrong.
"What I just said is almost here," Qi Chengming encouraged.
"I'm going...I'm going..." Xiao Dezi stammered. If he wasn't going to take action against the Yang family, then why was he secretly following them?
"Xiao Chengzi, you speak."
Xiao Chengzi, who had been keeping his head down, couldn't hide any longer. He raised his face and answered in a calm tone, as if he had no other choice but to fight: "Is it... to wait for other people in Yulin Prefecture to commit crimes?"
Xiao Dezi was somewhat surprised and didn't quite understand.
Qi Chengming was delighted to have his train of thought matched and stood up excitedly, pacing around the room a few steps: "That's right! It's to force other people in Yulin Prefecture to commit crimes. Don't think that just because the Yang family doesn't treat people like human beings, they usually... these are things that can't be talked about. No matter which family actually causes a death, it's a crime to tell anyone."
Xiao Chengzi was also present when Qi Chengming listened to the Yang family's incriminating evidence that day. He knew how many accomplices there were in Yulin Prefecture regarding the interest chain surrounding the river embankment. It wouldn't be easy for Qi Chengming to uproot everyone; it involved so many officials and the bureaucracy, and he was just a minor prince from out of town, seemingly without troops or power.
That's why Qi Chengming said last time that we should stir up trouble and alert the enemy.
Now, more than half a month has passed, and everyone knows that the Yang family has angered Prince Rui. Qi Chengming sent people to investigate the matter between the Yang family and the river embankment in detail, and he didn't try to hide it from them. Now, with the addition of the people from the Prince's mansion who secretly followed the Yang family back—it seems they have no intention of letting the matter of the river embankment go unpunished. The Yang family is now just a tempting bait that the Prince is pretending to let go of.
Presumably, the people most panicked in Yulin Prefecture right now are not the Yang family, but those who share common interests.
The death of one member of the Yang family is a small matter, but if the Prince takes notice of the river embankment and exposes this major incident, it will be all over. This Prince Rui has the power to submit secret memorials! Other officials, both high and low, can tamper with or obstruct the post stations, but if it's a secret messenger directly under His Majesty, they would dare to do something only if they had the audacity of a bear and the courage of a leopard.
Therefore, there is only one way—to stop the matter before it escalates and the prince finds out.
"Will the Yang family members die?" Xiao Chengzi still didn't trust his own guess, so he didn't say anything affirmative, but asked a question.
"Hmm, they'll probably be sent to silence them." This is the snake Qi Chengming wants to alarm.
Human life is of paramount importance.
Commander Mao has already secretly led the militia to Yulin Prefecture for their first training exercise. They've been quietly gathering evidence behind the scenes, but progress has been slow. Whether it will succeed depends on who will go to the Yang family to silence them and which officials' crimes will be uncovered by following the clues.
The issue of the river channel has been ongoing for many years, with complex and intertwined interests at all levels, and countless officials coming and going. It is unrealistic to hold most of the officials accountable from previous years...
Qi Chengming was very unwilling, but he understood this point, and he silently glanced at the infrastructure system.
Since he began making arrangements targeting the Yang family, several new tasks have been added to the list:
The primary task is: [Infrastructure Task: Expanding the Map of Yulin Prefecture]
There are a few more side quests below:
[Punishment of the Yang family] (in progress).
[Clearing up hidden dangers in the river channel and consolidating the foundation] (in progress).
[Treatment of the people] (in progress).
See, even the infrastructure system didn't force Qi Chengming to investigate thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned. At most, he could identify the corrupt officials and powerful figures who had committed wrongdoings in recent years, find a way to bring them down, and ensure the safety of the dikes and dams in the future—that would be quite an achievement.
As for the culprits further back, that's not someone a prince with no real power can fight against right now... He can only let it go for now, and if he really ascends the throne in the future, he can bring up the old grievances again.
Qi Chengming specifically wanted to communicate with the capital, not for the sake of the small Yang family, but because this incident was destined to affect many officials. Apart from Qi Chengming, who did not want to show his strength, only the Empress's side was the least willing to let matters related to her family be exposed. With her family's connections in the court, they could help cover things up to some extent and come up with some excuses.
"Sigh, it's also because I don't have anyone in the court. Li Banhui did a good job this time." Qi Chengming felt a little relieved, and his slightly furrowed brows relaxed considerably.
He didn't have many people in the court who could echo his sentiments from afar. When trouble arose, he could only rely on Li Banhui to secretly deceive the Empress for personal gain. Fortunately, Li Banhui didn't mess things up this time.
Shen Shuzhi's connections to the river are the deepest; whether he's guilty or not is another matter entirely, so he dares not use him. Letters were sent to Wang Chuandao and Elder Mu, but they could only offer token support. As for the other strangers inexplicably on the talent list…
Who are these people?! How did they get on here?! How dare you use them?!
Qi Chengming wanted to find out their secrets, but he couldn't go back.
...That's why they said they don't have enough manpower, sigh!
At worst, the river case will become public knowledge, and people in the capital will know that he has hidden talents and will be somewhat wary of him.
Qi Chengming steeled his resolve, already anticipating the outcome.
...
This time, it was someone from the Imperial Observatory who got the news first. After Shen Shuzhi left the capital, it was he who took over the task of keeping an eye on Li Banhui, and thus he understood what was going on in Liuzhou.
"Get ready. Right now, the eldest prince and the third prince are fighting fiercely, and they're just worried about not having any brothers to stir up trouble. We can't let them notice the new emperor."
"Send a letter to Lord Shen; it's his turn to take the blame for the new emperor," another person whispered, plotting.
Some people in Jiangnan also received the message sent by Lu Yu, and they sighed and plotted: "...Shouldn't we train a carrier hawk too? The land-based message is not as fast as the flying one, and it's easy to get caught up in things."
"Hmph! Shen Shuzhi and his ilk are gloating again, but we can plan ahead for the positions that will become vacant in the future."
All the conspiracies and schemes were drowned in the swirling river outside the window. They drifted away on the gentle breeze rustling the tree branches, carried to this spring in Yulin Prefecture…
This restless spring.
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Author's Note: Qi Chengming: Sigh, we're short-handed!
Officials in the capital: silently checking for omissions and filling gaps, whispering and murmuring...
(Bonus update! I was too groggy to write the past two days, but I slept through yesterday and am feeling much better today, so I'm back to update!)
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