Dogs fighting, a mouthful of fur.
The scoundrel who had dominated Yunshui County for two or three decades was skinned alive, and the powerful families who had relied on him also received their due punishment, with their property confiscated...
An investigation revealed that most of the people's hard-earned money had been squandered.
All the confiscated assets of each household should be used to replenish the national treasury.
When an official is convicted and punished by imperial decree, his family members are also dealt with accordingly.
Sun Zhou left half of his men to temporarily garrison Yunshui County and assist Lord Jiang in governing the war-torn county.
He personally led the transport of everything seized from his home to Nanjing...
After eliminating her greatest threat, Jiang Yue began to busy herself with the reconstruction of Yunshui County.
Officials were appointed by the emperor, but she could directly order and select yamen runners and soldiers.
The situation in Yunshui County has changed drastically. Amidst the discussions among the people, a new notice was posted on the city wall—
1. Select a number of yamen runners and soldiers from among the common people.
2. Gather craftsmen to forge agricultural tools and support the eight villages under the jurisdiction of Yunshui County to revitalize agriculture and trade.
3. Establish schools and branch schools of Hope Primary Schools to cultivate talents.
4. Construct a moat to strengthen the defenses of Yunshui County, recruit able-bodied men, and provide them with food and lodging...
The news spreads from one to ten, from ten to a hundred, from a hundred to a thousand.
The people of Yunshui County remember the newly arrived Lady Jiang; it was she who brought new life to Yunshui County...
After purchasing it for zero yuan, Jiang Yue had countless riches in her hands.
Secondly, after she reshuffled Yunshui County, corrupt officials were imprisoned, and the aristocratic families and gentry who had long been oppressed by conservatism began to send "tribute" to her.
She accepted all who came, and even had the money manager record how much gold and silver and how much grain each person sent.
At the same time as the notice was issued, she ordered a huge monument to commemorate the act.
Currently, the names of more than a dozen donors are clearly written on the stone tablet.
The inscription praises these people for assisting Lord Jiang in rebuilding and strengthening Yunshui County, making them worthy of admiration by future generations!
Only after they found out did these people realize that they had been judging others by their own petty standards!
After seeing the inscription on the monument with their own eyes, these people quietly sent another batch of supplies—or rather, donated supplies.
Seeing this, the other onlookers became incredibly excited, as if they'd been injected with adrenaline, and followed suit.
For a long time to come, the merchants and families of Yunshui County will be proud to be enshrined on the monument of merit!
Of course, Jiang Yue not only gave them honors, but also granted their descendants certain privileges.
Of course, the premise is that one's character is acceptable.
The money manager is so busy, he wishes he were twenty years younger!
The more he worked with the county magistrate, the more impressed he became with her skillful methods.
He was initially worried that the proclamation issued by the county lord would be insufficient to meet the needs of the county lord's private treasury.
But now, in just half a month, the account books in his hands are unbelievably thick!
"Manager Qian, how is the construction of the moat progressing?"
Now that the weather is much clearer, Jiang Yue doesn't have to hold a hot water bottle every day anymore.
Having just finished her official business, she summoned Manager Qian to inquire about the progress of the moat construction.
"Reporting to Your Highness, the moat in the main city area has been almost completely dug, and the drawbridge is still under repair. It is expected to be completed in half a month."
Manager Qian's tone couldn't hide his excitement. With hundreds of laborers working simultaneously on excavation and repairs, the speed and progress were truly incredible!
Jiang Yue, who was not short of money and was very wealthy, said:
"Yes, make sure the people have three meals a day, and that they are well-fed. If anyone is found to be skimping on their food, arrest them and give them twenty lashes as a warning to others!"
We are all human beings, and being well-fed and watered is a basic requirement.
She met the workers' basic needs and paid them wages, which was enough to win their hearts!
"This old servant obeys!"
Steward Qian bowed and said, "My Lady of the County truly loves her people like her own children!"
Well, he couldn't say it out loud. If someone with ulterior motives overheard, they might think his princess harbored ill intentions and plotted a rebellion...
"Manager Qian, you've worked hard. You could train a few more assistants to help you with the workload. Don't overwork yourself."
Jiang Yue showed concern for Manager Qian appropriately. In her opinion, Manager Qian was quite old, only a little younger than her father-in-law. If he were to collapse from the high-intensity work, there would be no one to help her with the mental work.
"This old servant thanks Your Highness for your compassion."
The steward was deeply moved and then reported on the accounts and expenditures so that the princess could keep track of the family's finances at any time.
Jiang Yue remained completely unmoved after hearing this.
No wonder there are so many corrupt officials, because the amount they embezzle is truly staggering!
The wealth she acquired from Wang Sinian's secret room for free was dozens of times greater than the account book!
Hey, the infrastructure construction plan for Yunshui County will proceed smoothly from now on!
With money, nothing else matters!
Gu Liulang was ordered by her to be the supervisor of the school construction. On the original site of the prefectural governor's mansion, the magnificent buildings were demolished, and the outline of the brand-new and simple school buildings began to appear.
With everything in ruins and needing to be rebuilt, a new imperial edict and rewards were issued—
"Girl Jiang, receive the imperial decree—"
Jiang Yue, dressed in the solemn robes of a county princess, knelt outside the county princess's residence.
Behind her were her daughter, maternal grandparents, servants, maids, and other servants, all kneeling on the ground.
On both sides were countless people from Yunshui County...
"Your humble servant receives the imperial decree."
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—"
It was a belated conferment and reward. Due to her great merit, she was directly granted the title of Fifth-Rank Princess. From now on, Yunshui County would be Jiang Yue's fiefdom, the kind that could be passed down to her descendants!
The title of County Princess was originally just an honorary title that lasted until her death. Now, as long as Jiang Yue does not rebel, her descendants can continue to inherit the County Princess's Mansion in Yunshui County!
As for the gold and silver rewards, they were just icing on the cake. The most valuable thing was the title of princess bestowed by the emperor!
Furthermore, the emperor granted her the privilege of having a thousand guards to protect Yunshui County, given her rank.
Don't underestimate the quota of one thousand guards. Without the emperor's permission, even one guard would result in the confiscation of their property!
This is practically handing her a cheat code!
With the emperor's approval, she could choose her own personal guards without fear of being impeached by those with ulterior motives!
Clearly, everyone present, except for her, was stunned.
Is she really just a simple country woman?
In just a few years, she skipped several ranks and became a princess, a princess with a thousand guards supporting her!
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Thank you for your trouble, sir. Please convey my message to His Majesty: I promise that I will live up to His Majesty's grace, govern Yunshui County well, pay tribute every year, cultivate more talents for Tianyao, and share His Majesty's burdens!"
"I will certainly convey the Princess's words to His Majesty."
Jiang Yue knelt and accepted the decree, then secretly slipped a red envelope to the eunuch who was delivering the decree.
Since they were old acquaintances, the other party did not refuse and quickly accepted the gift.
They're all smart people; they're all very good at putting on a show...
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