Fang Xun quickly understood her intention and thought to himself that she was indeed a clever person, and her suggestions would probably not be too bad.
"Alright, alright. I just got back and I'm not clear about this yet, so it'll be good for you to tell me. This tea is freshly brewed and still full, so please tell me all about it."
He emphasized the last "I," clearly indicating that he was speaking to Han Yuanshu.
Han Yuanshu lowered his head and remained silent, only a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Qingchen nodded and said, "Thank you, Lord Fang. I believe..."
The problem facing Han Yuanshu was both very simple and very difficult: no money. Qingchen had calculated that three thousand taels would be far from enough to build the dike; at least six thousand taels would be needed.
The imperial court levies taxes on the people every year, money that should come from the national treasury. But the national treasury is riddled with holes and can no longer afford to pay. If they need money, they have to find other ways.
Qingchen explained this issue in three points: first, who else besides the imperial court could afford this money; second, how to get them to be willing to pay; and third, how to improve the technology, shifting the focus from "blocking" to "dredging," so that the money is spent where it is most needed, and to reinforce the dikes to the greatest extent possible.
Han Yuanshu held the wooden ruler, comparing it here and there with the drawing on the paper, looking completely focused and oblivious to what others were saying.
In fact, from the moment Shen Qingchen uttered the first word, his ears involuntarily perked up, remaining constantly alert, while his pen was already sketching something else entirely.
Fang Xun became more and more excited as he listened, his eyes already showing surprise and approval.
He who can control the waters can control the world!
Not only because floods have been a major national calamity since ancient times, but also because governing the country is just like managing water. Simply using laws to "forcefully suppress" the people will not work, because oppression will bring resistance. What is more important is "guidance." Only by guiding the people according to their needs can we govern them well and ensure the longevity of the nation.
This young man in front of me is truly extraordinary!
He's new to officialdom, and just arrived at the Ministry of Works, yet he's been able to analyze such a thorny issue so clearly and thoroughly. Add to that his high starting point—a junior compiler in the Hanlin Academy—and he possesses both prestige and ability. In the future, he's likely to be no ordinary person.
As he thought about it, Fang Xun secretly rejoiced that he had helped this frail young man. Who knows who will be helping whom in the future?
After Qingchen finished speaking, Fang Xun repeatedly praised him, then glanced at Han Yuanshu and said, "Lord Han, you must have heard it too, right?"
With a meager sum of three thousand taels, she actually came up with a brilliant way to make money, a method he had never heard of before. Let's see what that stubborn man has to say now!
This time, Han Yuanshu finally stopped pretending not to hear, put down his pen, and looked at Shen Qingchen with a meaningful gaze.
The person in front of me was wearing a light blue winter robe. He was thin but stood very straight. His fair cheeks were slightly red from the cold. His expression was pure and serene, neither humble nor arrogant.
Could it be that I really misjudged him?
...
Just then, someone outside announced that Lord Zhou, the supervising secretary of the Ministry of Works, had arrived.
Han Yuanshu said, "Please come in," and then winked at Shen Qingchen, signaling her to step aside. Fang Xun immediately stood up upon hearing who it was.
The two officials in charge were of the sixth rank, while the official in charge of the Ministry of Works was only of the seventh rank. In theory, their ranks should have been higher. However, because the position of official in charge of the Ministry of Works was special, responsible for supervising and overseeing the work of the six ministries and having access to the emperor at any time, Fang Xun treated him with the same respect as a superior, even though he was of a higher rank.
But Han Yuanshu simply doesn't follow that approach.
When Censor Zhou entered the room and saw that Fang Xun was still sitting, his expression immediately turned somewhat displeased. Fortunately, Fang Xun was obedient and took the initiative to greet Censor Zhou, which eased the slightly awkward atmosphere.
Shen Qingchen, standing in the corner, was taken aback when she saw Lord Zhou. He was...
At the same time, Zhou Shiping also saw her, narrowed his eyes and said, "So Shen Shuchang is here too. We've met twice before, at Ziwang... at Grand Secretary Song's house. I wonder if you still remember me?"
Qingchen quickly bowed, "I greet Lord Zhou." How could she forget that this man had tried to harass her while she was drunk? The moment she saw him, the hairs on her body stood on end.
Upon hearing this, Han Yuanshu glanced at Shen Qingchen in the corner and couldn't help but wonder about her relationship with Song Yue.
You've been to the Grand Secretary's house twice already? It seems your ability to curry favor is extraordinary.
Thinking this, and then facing an uninvited guest, Han Yuanshu asked impatiently, "What brings Lord Zhou here?" There were no pleasantries, no tea was offered, and his handsome, aloof face even looked a bit sour.
Seeing Zhou Shiping's gloomy face, as if he had lost a loved one, Fang Xun hurriedly invited him to sit down and poured him some tea.
Zhou Shiping had been resentful of not being promoted for many years. Now that he had finally become a powerful official in the capital, he was looking to make up for the lack of official prestige he had accumulated over the years. However, Han Yuanshu showed him no respect at all, and Zhou's face immediately darkened.
He straightened his official robe sleeves and said, "Two months ago, the cabinet meeting ordered the Ministry of Works to inspect and repair the dikes. The Beizhili region is under your responsibility, Lord Han. Why hasn't a specific proposal been submitted yet? Especially the dike in Huairou County, which is now ten years old. I say, Lord Han, if the people under the emperor's nose are flooded, can you take responsibility?!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Xun hurriedly explained, "Lord Zhou, Lord Zhou, Lord Han does indeed want to repair the dike in Huairou County as soon as possible, but... he only has three thousand taels."
"I don't care whether it's three thousand taels or three hundred taels, how much money you spend on repairing the dike is your business! I'm only responsible for supervising your progress. Two months have passed and you haven't made any progress. Clearly, you haven't taken this matter to heart, you're neglecting your duties, you're just sitting around doing nothing, despicable, shameless!"
"Lord Zhou, we didn't refuse to repair it... We just obtained a good law..."
Before Fang Xun could finish speaking, Han Yuanshu interrupted him, saying disdainfully and indifferently, "Lord Fang, there's no need to explain. I have my own plans for this matter. Lord Zhou, just tell me what you want to do?"
Upon hearing his tone, Zhou Shiping was immediately enraged. He had come to show off his power, not to watch others do so. How dare Han Yuanshu, this stinking rock in the latrine, disregard him?
"I don't want anything. Given your inaction, I will report this to the Emperor and hold you accountable. You should think about how to explain yourselves to the Emperor!"
Upon hearing this, Fang Xun's heart trembled, and he hurriedly said, "Lord Zhou, you've misunderstood, you've misunderstood. Lord Han has truly not relaxed for a single day regarding the dike repair; before this, he was so busy that he hadn't bathed for more than ten days..."
"I understand," Han Yuanshu suddenly said, then lowered his head and continued with his work, only waving his sleeve, "Goodbye and don't bother seeing me off."
The atmosphere became incredibly awkward.
Zhou Shiping immediately cursed under his breath, then stood up abruptly, slammed the door shut, and left without looking back.
A cold wind suddenly rushed into the room, causing the lamplight to flicker.
Fang Xun shook his head, thinking to himself that he was powerless to help and could do nothing about it.
Qingchen stood with her head down, and after a while she heard Han Yuanshu call her name, "Put your things down and you can leave."
She paused for a moment, then respectfully presented the proposal to repair the dike and withdrew.
Han Yuanshu's handsome face darkened slightly, and his gaze involuntarily fell through the lattice window onto the receding figure. Her body was slender and frail, with narrow shoulders, and she headed straight for the pawnshop, probably to borrow some book again.
He also went to the pawnshop yesterday and found that more than half of the borrowing records were her name.
Zhou Shiping is nobody; let him sue if he wants. He's so afraid of Han Yuanshu that he'd write his name backwards. What really stirred some emotion in him was Shen Qingchen.
On the one hand, she came up with such a brilliant idea, but on the other hand, she had frequent contact with Song Yue and even flattered him... What kind of person is she anyway?
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Xu family's eldest son's courtyard, a group of maids and servants were bustling about.
Two young maids stood in the cold wind at the doorway, their job being to deliver water and medicine. Anyone who came was always told to "speak softly," as the mistress had instructed them not to disturb their mistress's rest.
Xu Silin lay on the golden nanmu wood frame bed, wrapped in two layers of honeysuckle patterned brocade quilts. His lips were a little pale, his eyes were closed, and his usual unruly and unrestrained demeanor was gone, leaving only a light and handsome appearance that made people feel a little sorry for him.
Yesterday he went down to the river and then rode a long distance in his wet clothes, exposed to the wind all the way. By nightfall, he had developed a fever. In the early morning, the maid heard him muttering in his sleep and called his name twice, but he didn't respond. When she touched his strong body under his robe, she found it was burning hot. She was so frightened that she immediately went to report to the Prime Minister's wife.
Calling doctors, boiling water, wiping bodies, feeding water, administering medicine... The Xu household was bustling with activity early in the morning. Several servants were responsible for each task, and no one dared to slack off. The scene was almost as busy as that of a prince's mansion. Before going on duty, the Grand Secretary Xu Yan was unaware that his son had gotten into trouble. When he heard that his son was ill, he even came to his room to take a look and kindly told him, "Take good care of yourself."
Xu Silin was in a daze and didn't know what his father said. In his half-awake state, his mind was filled with the image of Shen Qingchen.
The way she yelled at herself for forcing her way through the city gate, the way she was angry when she bumped into herself after being jolted off her horse, the way she carefully observed the dike, the way she grabbed his hand to stop him from going into the river, the way she asked him for a pen in disappointment and resentment, the way she took the initiative to put her arms around his waist to warm him up...
Scenes kept replaying in his mind, and even as he drifted off to sleep, his emotions still fluctuated. One moment he was nervous that she was angry, the next he was worried that she was ignoring him, then he tried to cheer her up, and then his heart was pounding when she hugged him... Even in his dreams, all his emotions were swayed by her.
His mother, Madam Gu, stayed by his side the whole time, unaware of the turmoil in her feverish son's heart. She touched his forehead and felt that his temperature seemed to have dropped a bit, thinking that the medicine must be working, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
After wiping his sweat, Madam Gu couldn't help but look at her son.
His body was tall and strong, his chest was strong and solid, and his handsome face inherited his father's good looks. Coupled with his free and easy temperament, he was young but had his own opinions and knew when to advance and retreat. Although he came from an extraordinary background, he was not a playboy or a dissolute person. Such a son was really too outstanding. How happy the woman who married him and cherished him must be.
Thinking of this, Madam Gu couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance.
But ultimately, his son will get married, and he can't be with him forever. He deserves a gentle and considerate person who can soften his steely resolve and accompany him for the rest of his life.
Outside the Qianqing Palace, the Grand Secretary, the Second Grand Secretary, and the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard descended the steps together.
A cold wind blew, causing the three men's robes to flutter.
There was a slightly awkward atmosphere among the three of them.
The person who caused trouble in front of the Commander was the Prime Minister's son and also the Second Prime Minister's student.
Lu Shenyun, his hand resting on his embroidered spring knife, turned to look at the person beside him and casually asked, "May I ask, Elders, according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, what punishment should be given to those who force their way through the city gates?"
Just as Xu Yan was about to plead for them, Song Yue beside him said, "I sent them. I, their teacher, will take their punishment."
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