Chapter 549: Enemies Meet Again (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
"If you don't mind, sir, why don't you come to my humble abode to rest for a while? Registrar Qi has been very busy these days, and I'm afraid you'll be disappointed if I come now." The young man kindly suggested, as if afraid that the other party would run away. His hospitable manner aroused the suspicion of the young lady of the Zhao family.
A young scholar believes a single sentence?
What if the other party is lying?
Little did they know, the boy was not worried about this at all.
Within the territory of Longwu, who would dare to deceive the government?
"In that case, I'm sorry to have bothered you."
The young scholar nodded in acceptance of the invitation.
The young man smiled brightly, tossed the unconscious man onto the horse's back with one hand, and led the way with the young lady from the Zhao family, holding the reins.
Along the way, they didn't forget to boast about the government's recent construction achievements, such as the main road that extended from the city of the capital! This road could accommodate three carriages side by side, and it not only connected the main road but would also be extended to the surrounding villages and towns in the future.
It greatly facilitates the travel of villagers and townspeople, and also helps them sell their local specialties, exchange goods and services, and save time and manpower.
The young scholar frowned slightly upon hearing this.
"Such corvée labor is probably inappropriate."
Whenever the government needed to undertake a project, it would conscript laborers from the populace, forcing every household to send able-bodied individuals to participate in unpaid labor. Judging by the construction progress and scale of this avenue, it definitely started during the spring planting season or even last year's Chentangping labor festival.
The people born from the common people are the main labor force of each family.
How can they balance their corvée labor with taking care of their farmland?
On second thought, I felt conflicted.
The road was built flat and wide, and the spring plowing in Longwu was completed very well without any delay.
The young lady from the Zhao family whispered, "It's not corvée labor."
The boy, who was about to explain, looked at her with surprise.
"How did Xiao Lang know?"
The young scholar also looked at her: "Isn't it corvée labor?"
Zhao's young lady coughed lightly: "It was my family... my family said so. A relative of mine once went to Heyin to do business and came back to say that Heyin rarely has corvée labor. Even if there is, they will pay the common people the same amount of money and grain. Some time-consuming and physically demanding jobs are basically done by the warriors under Shen Jun's command. The remaining lighter jobs are done by the common people so as not to delay the farm work of each family."
It can even supplement household income and improve living standards.
Tasks like land reclamation were directly handled by martial artists. If there weren't enough farming tools for spring plowing, martial artists would also be sent; they could do anything. When the young lady of the Zhao family saw that spring plowing in Longwu County hadn't been delayed, she guessed what the method was.
My father also deserves credit for his hard work and dedication!
Actually, she was also slightly indignant when she first heard about this.
My father is a general who is skilled in battle!
How can I do manual labor in the fields?
Her father, however, did not think so. He even told her with a smile that these two years had been a rare period of peace in his life: "Is killing on the battlefield more noble than farming? The former makes a living by killing, while the latter makes a living by farming."
Zhao Feng sat down and rubbed his aching feet: "Whether you're a general or an old farmer, aren't you all just trying to make a living?"
He then pointed to his family's house, which could be considered a mansion: "There's a saying, 'If your ten fingers never touch the mud, you'll live in a grand mansion.' Is that really true? You can take it for granted, but you can't think that it's wrong for your father to work in the fields."
My father isn't that noble.
Zhao Feng knew that his daughter was worried about him.
I find this little cotton-padded jacket increasingly heartwarming.
At first, the young lady of the Zhao family didn't understand, but her father had always been a hero in her eyes, and she remembered everything he said. Having witnessed so much chaos along the way since running away from home, she could vaguely understand the feelings her father had when he spoke those words…
The young scholar was astonished.
He looked at the boy for confirmation.
The young man nodded and smiled, "Indeed, it is so. Our Lord felt sorry for the hardships of the people under his rule, and was also afraid that delaying farming would make it difficult for them to have enough to eat next year, so he resorted to this measure. Fortunately, the generals all understood. The people under his rule are all deeply grateful..."
Her expression was full of—
Look, my lord is so good!
Young scholars are quite receptive to learning.
I felt a little regretful.
What a pity?
Unfortunately, all of Qi Yuanliang's lords died young!
This unconventional Shen Jun was indeed benevolent and loved his people, willing to bear the criticism of outside martial artists to protect the common people under his rule, yet he was targeted by Qi Yuanliang. In the blink of an eye, the young man had already handed the captured man over to his colleagues who had come to meet him.
She finished her shift early today.
The girl was the daughter of the former governor of Luxia County.
Last year, Luxia County was ravaged, and her father and brothers were killed in battle. She was the only orphan left in the family, along with her brother's infant son, who was also her nephew. The aunt and nephew were entrusted to Shen Tang, and after much consideration, she chose to follow him, unexpectedly finding a way out.
Now that he is training in the military, her nephew is being cared for by her old steward, wet nurse, and maid. The "family of five" lives on her salary, the assets she brought with her, and the extra money and provisions allocated by Shen Tang. Their residence is simple but has all the necessary amenities.
The wet nurse opened the door, holding her nephew.
"Mother...ah, my husband is back..."
The wet nurse had intended to address her as "wife," but seeing two unfamiliar faces behind her, she changed her address to "my lord." Her little nephew also enthusiastically opened his arms for a hug; who could resist the affection of a chubby human baby?
"You've gotten a bit heavier in the last few days." She weighed her nephew in her arms with satisfaction, then handed the child back to the wet nurse. "Does the kitchen have any good wine or dishes? If not, have Uncle De make a trip. We have an honored guest today, so we must treat him well. Sir, please come in."
The government office was previously looted, and most of the buildings were destroyed. The houses now are the result of subsequent replanning and reconstruction.
Neat and uniform, it's pleasing to the eye.
The two were assigned to stay in two separate guest rooms.
Despite the simple living conditions at home, the young couple did not feel slighted at all. Uncle De and the others went out of their way to entertain them, making the shy young lady of the Zhao family feel a little embarrassed.
The next day, the boy got up early and warmed up by practicing with a hammer in the courtyard.
Afterwards, I went to the military camp outside the city for roll call.
They returned shortly afterward, bringing breakfast with them.
Upon returning, she happened to see the young lady of the Zhao family practicing with a spear in the makeshift training ground. She stopped to admire her skill until she came to a halt. She clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Excellent spear technique! I've never seen anything like it before. Is this your family's martial arts school, young master?"
Zhao's young lady wiped her sweat.
Slightly out of breath, he said, "It's not exactly..."
She was taught by a servant under her father's command.
"You haven't had breakfast yet, have you? I brought some back from outside. Where is the master? Why haven't I seen him this morning?" The young man wisely refrained from asking any further questions.
Zhao's young lady pouted, "She must be lazing in bed."
Unlike her, who rose at the crack of dawn, the gentleman was quite lazy and always needed to be urged three times before he would get up. During the days they traveled together, she had to wait for him until the sun was high in the sky. After a quick breakfast, the young scholar finally came over, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"I just went to the government office to inquire, and they said that Registrar Qi will not return until this afternoon. Why don't you two accompany me to Ruyao?"
Let's take a look at Ruyao's development potential!
When I see my lord again, I will surely be impressed!
"I would be honored to accept your offer; thank you for your trouble."
The city of Ruyao, reorganized from ruins, gave young scholars a first impression of spaciousness, cleanliness, and simplicity, a desolation that concealed a vibrant life. Scattered shops could be seen along the streets and alleyways.
The young man led them through the most developed parts of the area. When they got tired, they chose a restaurant with a good reputation for its food. Just as he was about to ask the two for their preferences, he noticed that the young scholar's gaze had fallen into the distance, and she looked in that direction.
A scholar with a familiar back view, a cat perched on his shoulder with its cheek pressed against his, stopped in front of a dried goods stall.
ヾ(≧▽≦*)o
It's not kind of you to take your master out to buy food in the midst of your busy schedule. Did you notice the cold, menacing gaze behind you?
(End of this chapter)
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