Chapter 4: The garden full of flowers—all of that money I dug up was mine! It's mine…
As the emperor's carriage was about to arrive, Cao Cao personally mustered his troops, sending out all his elite forces to Luoyang to welcome it.
The affairs of Xu County were entrusted to Xun Yu, while Guo Jia was responsible for training and educating the students in the Imperial Academy.
Compared to the unpredictable nature of military affairs on the front lines and the complicated internal affairs, the establishment of the School Affairs Office and the training of new personnel were on track. These matters were handled by Guo Jia with ease and composure.
Therefore, he had some free time again, and his mind began to wander.
Especially when he saw that Deng Jie had put more and more energy into planting medicinal herbs in the front and back yards after being relieved of the heavy responsibility of cooking, he couldn't help but have some thoughts.
Unlike the front yard, the back yard was only connected to the study and their bedroom, with a small door on the side connecting the front and back, making it much quieter.
He felt that this private space should belong only to the two of them and shouldn't be filled with these bitter herbs, which made him feel uneasy.
Every night, Deng Jie would prepare a medicinal soup for him to regulate his body.
When I brought the food to his study that day, I saw him hunched over his desk, writing and sketching furiously. I curiously leaned over and asked, "Fengxiao, what important military or national affairs are you planning now that you're so engrossed in?"
Upon hearing this, Guo Jia immediately covered the cloth on the table with his wide sleeves, looking somewhat guilty, "A big matter? A big matter!"
Seeing his secretive manner, Deng Jie guessed it was some important secret, but she didn't want to ask too much. She just gave him a reproachful look and said, "Being so mysterious, hurry up and drink your medicine!"
This continued for several days in a row.
During the day, Guo Jia would transform into a private tutor at the school administration office, and at night he would shut himself in his study to work on his research, finding great enjoyment in it.
One day, he ended the training at the school affairs office early and led Lu Hong and the others back home.
The group respectfully bowed and greeted Deng Jie, who was busy in the herb garden in the front yard.
Deng Jie was surprised that her husband had brought so many people today when she saw Guo Jia pull out a piece of silk from his sleeve to draw a picture. He waved to the crowd with great enthusiasm and said, "Let's go, follow the picture and get started!"
The group of burly men then began to storm into the backyard.
"What are you doing!" Deng Jie quickly put down his small hoe and followed. As soon as he stepped into the backyard, he saw Guo Jia instructing them to wave their tools and dig the soil.
"Stop! My medicine!" Deng Jie stamped his foot in distress and rushed forward to stop him, but Guo Jia grabbed him and said, "Don't be hasty! None of your treasures will be harmed!"
He coaxed and tricked Deng Jie back to the front yard, invited her to sit on the straw mat, and handed her the silk cloth to show her: "Look, I've planned everything. I'll move all of these to the front yard for you, here, here, and there!"
As he spoke, he pointed out to Deng Jie, "The front yard is spacious, sunny, and close to the kitchen and well, so you don't have to run back and forth between the two places!"
Seeing his expression, Deng Jie was both annoyed and amused. She lightly punched his shoulder and said coquettishly, "Why didn't you discuss it with me before ordering people to pull weeds right away!"
Guo Jia moved to sit next to her, took her hand, and argued in his usual pitiful tone: "Wouldn't there be no surprise if we discussed it? Besides, I'm afraid you won't be able to bring yourself to do it if we don't act first and inform her later."
He moved closer to her face. "I want to turn this backyard into a private place that belongs only to the two of us. It needs to have a different kind of feeling."
Deng Jie blushed at his description of a "private place," saying, "What, what feelings? What kind of feelings can be contained in a courtyard? Besides, haven't we always had a doctor-patient relationship over the years? Herbs are a perfect match!"
"No! No! More than that!" Guo Jia, in a moment of boredom, tossed the silk cloth aside, slipped into Deng Jie's neck, brushed aside her defensive hands, and tightly wrapped his arms around her waist. "We are a proper couple, bound by the three letters and six rites! Comrades in troubled times, sharing joys and sorrows, life and death!"
The couple in front were one thing, but what was this "comrade in troubled times"? Deng Jie couldn't help but laugh at him, and gently pushed him away: "Alright, alright, stop talking nonsense. Everyone's at home, what kind of behavior is this!"
Lu Hong was just coming out carrying a medicinal herb with soil on it when he saw the two of them being affectionate. He couldn't help but exclaim "Oh dear!" and turn back.
Deng Jie tried to run away in embarrassment, but Guo Jia held him tightly.
The man with the mustache who followed behind was quick-witted. Seeing this, he laughed loudly and said, "Madam, don't be ashamed. This is your own home, so it should be like this!"
He then urged Lu Hong back, saying, "Gentlemen, take a look and see where these treasures should be moved?"
Guo Jia said to Deng Jie triumphantly, "That's exactly right, that's exactly how it should be!" He then pointed out to the two of them, "Plant this."
In the days that followed, the officials of the School Affairs Office were Guo Jia's students during the day and became Guo's laborers after noon.
After the terrain of the backyard was completely transformed, a gnarled old locust tree was moved here with its soil by the group and planted in the center of the backyard.
Deng Jie couldn't help but be moved.
It was by the old locust tree in the fields of Deng's residence that he first met Guo Jia.
Guo Jia even remembered adding a blue stone, identical to the one in the old house, next to the locust tree.
That was not only the place where the two first met and played with the cat, but also the place where she lived for ten years and laughed and played with her family.
She stared blankly as everyone recreated the setup, her eyes welling up with tears.
Guo Jia clearly sensed his wife's emotions, gently held her shoulders, and whispered, "Although this tree is not as thick as the one in your yard, it can still support your home in our little courtyard."
Deng Jie buried her burning eyes in his clothes and softly hummed in agreement, a thousand words turning into a warm current in her heart. So many years have passed, yet he still remembers her.
Besides the locust tree, Guo Jia also carefully selected other flowers and plants in the backyard, keeping himself very busy.
He personally led Lu Hong, Zhao Da, and others to search for plants in and around the city, bringing back various plants every now and then and arranging them in a well-organized manner in the planned locations. As a result, the scenery in the backyard gradually became more and more vibrant.
However, an even bigger project is yet to come.
Guo Jia directed the group to dig two ponds against the wall in the courtyard; the larger one was neat and orderly, while the smaller one was hidden.
The large pool was normal; the bottom was paved with stones, and the depth was just right.
The bottom and walls of the small pond were reinforced, and a stove with a flue was built on one side below. The opening of the stove was connected to the stove in the front yard, so that Mr. and Mrs. Yu in the front yard could add firewood and start a fire at any time.
"Strategist, what does this mean?" Zhao Da asked curiously while working on the blueprints. "Is it for cooking in the backyard?"
Deng Jie seemed to understand something, and his ears turned red without him noticing.
Guo Jia raised the corners of his mouth smugly: "It seems that my lady has mastered the technique; this is the warm water!"
He embraced Deng Jie, who was trying to run away, and said, "Back then, when we were soaking in the hot springs in Wanshan, we were inevitably disturbed and made uncomfortable. From now on, you can enjoy yourself at home, so you don't need to worry so much, my wife."
The words "restless" reminded Deng Jie of the events of January of the fourth year of the Chuping era.
At that time, Guo Jia was poisoned and injured. In order to accompany him to the mountain village to recuperate in peace, Deng Jie, at the grand New Year's banquet of the Deng family, under the gaze of all the merchants in Wancheng, publicly declared, "I have recognized Mr. Fengxiao myself, no matter what else."
Deng Zhao went along with it and arranged their engagement on the spot with a wedding ceremony, giving them a legitimate reason to be alone together.
When the two went to Wanshan for a hot spring bath, they unexpectedly encountered two envoys from Yuan Shu, carrying secret letters and tokens, intending to contact the Yue tribes to launch a surprise attack on the Lujiang granary.
Guo Jia had barely touched the water when he abruptly got up and conspired with Deng Jie to impersonate a Taoist priest and a boy, using the mountain fog to their advantage and trick the two into giving them the token.
"We didn't get to soak in the hot springs, but we certainly put on a good show." Guo Jia chuckled in her ear. "Now that we've settled here, we should naturally make up for our past regrets little by little."
Deng Jie understood her husband's painstaking efforts and affection. Taking advantage of everyone's busy work, she gently cupped Guo Jia's face, her eyes sparkling as she leaned close to him: "Even though Fengxiao has gone to such lengths, I..."
Guo Jia saw his wife's shy and charming appearance and was about to lean in to kiss her when she pinched his waist, saying, "I think you have ulterior motives!"
After doing his evil deed, he pushed Guo Jia away and ran away.
Guo Jia was caught with one hand still hanging in mid-air, unable to grab her, while the other hand rubbed his waist.
"What need is there for kindness between husband and wife?" He laughed as he watched Deng Jie run away.
After the water tank was completed, Guo Jia instigated Lu Hong and others to secretly dig a very hidden ditch while Cao Cao was away from the city and Xun Yu was busy with internal affairs, so as to bring in fresh water from outside.
When the clear water flows into the large pool, it reflects the sky and clouds, making the whole courtyard come alive and look beautiful.
The orchids exude a delicate fragrance, the pomegranates burst into bloom, and the green bamboos sway gently in the breeze.
The locust tree stands tall and spreading its canopy, blocking out the sunlight and casting a cool, green shade.
The pool's clear waters rippled, reflecting the enchanting scenery of the courtyard.
Everyone marveled at the strategist's plan.
After the backyard was renovated, Guo Jia instructed A Yu to rebuild and seal the doorway that connected the front and back, and told him and Huai Niang: From now on, there is no need to worry about the backyard; he will take care of it himself.
This massive project was finally completed just before Cao Cao welcomed the emperor's carriage back to the city.
In August, Xuxian County should be a time of lush vegetation and vibrant flowers.
Before Cao Cao left the city, Guo Jia specifically proposed the strategy of "planting flowers for the emperor within the city," which Xun Yu also carried out well.
only……
As Cao Cao rode at the head of the procession, receiving a warm welcome from the civil and military officials and the common people, his sharp eyes caught a glimpse of something unusual.
On both sides of the street, people knelt on the ground to respectfully welcome the emperor and Cao Gong, creating a solemn atmosphere.
There were also more trees behind the crowd than before...
But, just a little more?
And I always feel like something's missing?
Cao Cao's gaze swept over the walls of the houses on both sides of the road, and his brows furrowed slightly.
What's missing?
Yes, it's the pattern!
Logically, with the warmth of August still lingering, the flowers along the street should be in full bloom, and the fruits should be hanging brightly. Why do the trees along the street look so desolate?
He clearly allocated funds and silk, and instructed Xun Yu to assign someone to oversee the matter. Could someone have embezzled the funds? Who would be so audacious as to act so recklessly regarding the emperor's affairs?
Or did Xun Yu fail to carry out the task properly? But he is always meticulous; he shouldn't be so incompetent as to fail at something as simple as this.
Just then, his gaze swept over Guo Jia, who was kneeling at the very front of the civil and military ranks.
He was dressed in a dark robe, and unusually, he had his hair styled in a bun and put on a hair crown. He bowed his head respectfully and his posture was very courteous.
Cao Cao recalled a few days earlier when Guo Jia had asked the Imperial Academy to report some local gossip to him, and the visitor had casually mentioned, "Recently, for some reason, there's been a trend of transplanting flowers and trees in the city. Many people are imitating Guo Jia's selection, digging up flowers and trees everywhere..."
At the time, he thought that the “rising” and “everywhere” were just a few wealthy houses with a strong academic atmosphere and transplanted plants from outside the city. He casually replied, “The people love beauty, it’s a good thing.” Who would have thought that they would actually move the newly planted flowers and trees in the city to their own homes?
Guo Fengxiao! It's you again!
It must be because he led people all over the city and countryside to dig up flowers and move trees in order to decorate his gilded house where he kept his mistress, and people saw it and followed suit!
These idiots! They don't even look at the layout and size of their own yards before copying the designs!
What's even more infuriating is that they dug up the flowers right in front of their own house! Those were flowers that the emperor had just planted to welcome him; it was like cutting off the very foundation of the house!
That's all money they're digging up!
It's my money!
Cao Cao was filled with rage. He had planned to create a peaceful scene of "flowers blooming to welcome the emperor," but it was ruined by Guo Jia's "refined taste" and his bunch of fools who blindly followed suit!
He stared at Guo Jia, his eyes filled with a desire to poke holes through him.
As the imperial carriage slowly passed by, Guo Jia, who was kneeling on the ground, keenly felt a scorching and resentful gaze fall upon him.
He slightly raised his eyes and met his lord's complicated gaze. His heart skipped a beat as he recalled the message they had exchanged before setting off from the Imperial Academy. Then he looked at the ravaged flowering trees on both sides of the road...
A cold sweat suddenly slid down my back.
Oh no, the wind that's been blowing so hard to move the flowers seems to have gotten stronger again.
However, just as Cao Cao was inwardly grumbling and Guo Jia was sweating profusely, the young emperor's joyful voice came from within the imperial carriage:
"Minister Cao!"
Cao Cao immediately composed himself, slowed his horse to ride alongside the imperial carriage, and respectfully stepped aside, saying, "Your subject is here."
The young Emperor Liu Xie, peering through the carriage curtain, gazed with wonder and emotion at the roadside. "Along the way, I have seen Luoyang in ruins, palaces crumbling, and people like withered grass, utterly destitute. My heart aches. But looking at this Xu County..."
His voice carried a hint of emotion, “The people live in peace and prosperity. Look at those households, they even have the leisure to tend to their flowers and plants and decorate their homes. This is a sign of peace and prosperity! Under Minister Cao’s rule, the people are indeed living in peace and happiness, and the population is thriving!”
Cao Cao turned around and looked again. He finally saw the scene Liu Xie had seen: lush greenery and scattered flowers peeking out from the walls of every household's courtyard. His expression froze instantly.
Anger? Laughter? Frustration?
A mix of emotions welled up within me.
He looked at the emperor's genuine satisfaction, then at the "Guo Jia-style" flowers and plants that were thriving in the common people's courtyards, bringing them considerable prestige...
"Ah...yes...yes, yes!"
After a long pause, he finally reacted, forcing out an incredibly "sincere" and "gratified" smile, and bowed to the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! This is all due to Your Majesty's great fortune and the mandate of Heaven, which has enabled the people of Xu County to live and work in peace and contentment, and to see this...this city full of vitality! The people are at peace, and the flowers and trees are flourishing; this is truly a sign of the revival of our Great Han!"
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Guo Jia, who was bowing and scraping behind him, admitting defeat. He had only one thought in his mind: Guo Fengxiao, you little rascal... you've hit the jackpot again!
Kneeling not far away, Guo Jia listened to his lord's rhythmic and "sincere" response. His tense nerves finally relaxed, and he secretly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, thinking to himself: It seems that I... have shifted the blame again?
He quietly looked up, gazing in the direction of his own courtyard, as if he could see the fragrant garden in the backyard.
Hmm, this trend... it seems pretty good?
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