Chapter 054 Leaving
King Yong said that when Han Huaiying first chose the land that the Liu family was going to use as the ancestral tomb, he was extremely opposed to it.
The Liu family's land might be the best solution, but it was not the only solution. He did not want others to sacrifice for it unless it was absolutely necessary.
However, the people of Xiashi Village were more stubborn than expected. Their village chief was obviously not a short-sighted person. For the sake of his descendants, he refused to give in. Between the high compensation and the fertile land, he chose the latter without hesitation.
Therefore, Han Huaiying had to find King Yong again and tell him about his dilemma.
Prince Yong still refused to accept Han Huaiying's proposal and was ready for a protracted war. However, at this time, a major news came from the capital. When he heard this, Prince Yong was stunned.
He did not tell Yuan Ming what the news was, but only told him that the sudden change must be resolved quickly, so he had to resort to this bad idea and requisition the land of the Liu family. When
Yuan Ming thought of this, his thoughts deviated a little further.
During the years he served as an official in the Hanlin Academy, he read all the major events in the history of this dynasty. In the fifth year of Xuanhong, there was only one event that could be called a major event.
His eyes became sharp and his lips moved. The remnants of the previous dynasty made a comeback. The first battle was fought in the northwest in December. For decades afterwards, the border was not peaceful.
Yuan Ming clearly remembered that his country was strong, the border troops were strong, and the chaos lasted for many years, but the remnants of the previous dynasty did not get any benefit, and even other cities outside the northwest were not affected.
Prince Yong's industries were spread all over the country, he was rich enough to rival other countries, and he did not care about the government. He did not look like a person who would worry about war.
Therefore, the change mentioned by Prince Yong should have nothing to do with the turmoil of the previous dynasty in Yuan Ming's memory.
However, Yuan Ming felt that although the Liu family contributed to the ancestral tomb, this business was obviously a stable profit.
As compensation, King Yong not only gave Liu Huairen a mountain of the same size, but also personally inscribed a plaque with the words "Home of Benevolence and Kindness". This was unique in the entire Wenzhou Prefecture. Even if Liu's descendants were engaged in business and could not become scholars, they could still be proud of this plaque and would not kneel before officials.
King Yong did a really good job and could not be faulted. But why did he do this? Yuan Ming did not know and had no interest in exploring it. He just thought about it for a while and then disappeared.
The days that followed were very peaceful and fulfilling. The outline had been written, and Yuan Ming did not need to go up the mountain every day. He continued his school life and handed the finished manuscript to King Yong for review every few days.
But half a month later, when Yuan Ming went up the mountain again, it was almost unrecognizable. A huge stone tablet was set up at the foot of the mountain. The name of the mountain and its origin were engraved on the tablet.
Jushi Mountain, a name given by King Yong himself, gave great honor to the people of Xiashi Village. Yuan Ming had reason to believe that as long as this country still existed, people living on this mountain would be able to live in peace and without worries.
The mountain road was expanded more than twice, and the road surface was compacted and flattened, allowing a large carriage to pass through. The terraces on both sides of the road were planned neatly.
Arriving at the place where people lived was even more eye-opening.
The tall and majestic gate of the manor was built on the hillside. On dozens of steps, the Yongwang Palace in the manor is almost completed. Behind the palace are scattered courtyards, and the people of Xiashi Village will live here in the future.
Yuan Ming knew that Yongwang had spent a lot of money on this place, but when he really saw the results, he couldn't help but sigh.
Standing on the stand of the prince's mansion, Yuan Ming couldn't tell what he felt in his heart. Fortunately, he didn't need to write about his feelings in his storybook. It was enough for him to know the feelings of the envoy and the people of Xiashi Village.
"Yuan Ming. What do you think of this place?" Yongwang's voice quietly appeared behind him, but Yuan Ming was not panicked.
He turned around, bowed briefly to Prince Yong, and took out all the manuscripts he had prepared in his arms.
"Very good, everything you have done for the people of Xiashi Village will definitely be remembered by them for generations." Prince Yong
took the manuscript, turned around and sat on the recliner at the back, and said casually: "I don't need them to remember, but it's a pity that the people of Xiashi Village have such a good memory that they can't forget some things even if they want them to."
He said this very softly, and when he turned around, it was blown away by the wind. If Yuan Ming hadn't had sharp ears and was not close, he probably wouldn't have heard it at all.
However, when Yuan Ming turned around, Prince Yong had already lowered his head and started to read the manuscript.
Yuan Ming could only remember this sentence in his heart.
After reading the manuscript, Prince Yong said "not bad" and put it away.
Then he stood up and walked to Yuan Ming's side. He leaned over the railing and looked down. The dense crowds of workers were shuttling between the unfinished houses. It looked very spectacular.
After looking for a while, he suddenly said, "I will leave in three days at most."
Yuan Ming nodded. King Yong had told him long ago that something had happened in the capital and he could not stay here for long. Half a month was not a short time.
"Yuan Ming, I have been observing you these days. You are a promising talent. I believe we will meet again in the capital soon."
Yuan Ming did not comment.
After a pause, he continued, "I have read the manuscript. You wrote it very well. I will pay you as usual for the version that is submitted to Shiri Yidu. For the version given to me... it seems a bit vulgar to give you money. Whatever you want, I can fulfill one of your wishes."
It is no exaggeration to say that the promise of the current Yong Wang is worth a thousand gold. However, in this small Shifang Town, in a manor that has not yet been built, it was said casually.
While Yuan Ming was thinking, Yong Wang joked, "I am just an idle prince with no real power. If you want to ascend to heaven overnight, I am afraid I can't do it."
"No." Yuan Ming said.
He knew very well that it was because Yuan Ming would not make unreasonable demands casually that he dared to say such a thing.
"Have you made up your mind?" Prince Yong turned his back and said, "But don't worry. You can come to the town government to find me before I leave Shifang Town."
Yuan Ming said, "I've made up my mind."
Prince Yong couldn't help but feel surprised. He turned to look at Yuan Ming with a questioning look in his eyes.
"I want you to help me find someone. His name is Ji Lingyun." Yuan Ming said.
Prince Yong said, "His surname is Ji, and he is a relative of your husband."
Yuan Ming nodded and told the few information he knew.
"Ji Lingyun is Qingqing's elder brother. He enlisted in the army eight years ago and has completely lost contact since then. Your Highness should know that the situation in my husband's family is more complicated, and with my father-in-law's ability, he can't find out the whereabouts of Brother Ji at all, so I want to trouble you."
"No one has heard of a son who has disappeared for eight years. Lord Ji is really a good father." Yong Wang said in a gloomy tone.
Yuan Ming did not respond to his words and continued, "The army that Brother Ji joined held a red flag. As for which army it was, we don't know."
"East Yellow and West Red, the red flag should be a branch of the Western Army." Yong Wang knew very little about the army. He could only say this much for the time being. After a pause, he continued, "Don't worry, I will find out."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Yong Wang looked at him steadily, and after a long time, he sighed, "Do you know what you missed? Are you really stupid or just pretending to be stupid?"
"Maybe I'm really stupid." Yuan Ming said seriously.
After that, the two looked at each other and laughed.
Prince Yong patted Yuan Ming on the shoulder and said, "Okay, go back and prepare well for the imperial examination. I will wait for your good news in the capital."
Yuan Ming bowed to him and said solemnly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I wish you a smooth journey and all your wishes will come true."
Prince Yong said, "Go down the mountain."
Yuan Ming completed the task assigned by Prince Yong and completely lost contact. He spent all his time and energy on his studies every day.
Three days later, the town guard gathered the five of them together again, this time not in the backyard of the town government, but in the Juxian Teahouse.
They were considered the most worldly-wise in the school. Among them, Yuan Ming and Zhao Yucheng had eaten at the same table with the prince. Today, sitting at the same table with the town guard, they were not particularly cramped.
The town guard and the dean were both there. They ordered a large table of dishes and asked the children to serve wine.
"The prince has left this morning. You all performed very well. The prince is very satisfied. Before leaving, he told me that he would reward you well."
Everyone was delighted and thanked the town guard for giving them the opportunity.