Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 366: Together (Part 3)

Jiang Shaohua often went to the countryside estate, and having meals with Cui Du became a regular affair. Knowing the Commandery Princess’s appetite, Cui Du proactively served her rice and soup.

Song Yuan watched from the side, nodding in satisfaction to himself.

Chen Jinyu, seeing Cui Du take over his usual task, was a bit displeased. However, seeing the Commandery Princess looking so joyful, he refrained from showing it.

After breakfast, everyone rode out from the county government, heading towards the mine.

Every year when Jiang Shaohua came to Bowan County, she would surely inspect the mine—everyone was used to it. Only for Cui Du, it was the first time, and everything was so new to him. Looking around curiously, he frequently asked, "Commandery Princess, how far is it to the mine?"

"It’s just ahead."

"The scenery along the way is picturesque and truly beautiful."

Mr. Cui must be in a delightful mood, seeing the scenery like a painting! Chen Jinyu silently mocked in his heart.

The Commandery Princess was patient, responding one sentence at a time, "Among the Fourteen Counties, Bowan County has the most mountains, followed closely by Li County. In terms of scenery, Li County is actually more beautiful. Our next stop is Li County, you should have a look there."

Cui Du grinned, nodding in agreement.

Jiang Shaohua’s riding skills were excellent, her steed, the Hua Ma, full of vigor. Having trained for a few years, Cui Du’s riding skills were decent now, riding a gentle mare leisurely forward.

Upon reaching the foot of the mine, the group dismounted to enter the mountain.

The grand scene of open-pit mining profoundly shocked Cui Du.

Cui Du exclaimed, "So many people are mining stones here!"

Jiang Shaohua responded with a hum. County Magistrate Chen, standing aside, smiled and continued, "In these three years, the scale of the iron mine has expanded more than twice, with nearly three thousand people mining in the mountains."

This is an extremely large number. In Da Liang, where productivity is low, with vast land and sparse population, a population exceeding ten thousand is considered an Upper County. Bowan County has a population of over ten thousand, with forty percent being able-bodied young people. In other words, most of the able-bodied youths have entered the mines. Additionally, some have come from other counties, and also those selected from the young and strong among the refugees. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The mine provides one meal at noon and offers wages daily. Under County Magistrate Chen’s management of the iron mine, oppressive acts against the common people are never allowed. Thus, in Bowan County, mining has become a good job that everyone is willing to take on.

The mine is indeed too large; Jiang Shaohua spent half a day and only saw a quarter of it.

That evening, the group rested within the mine.

Jiang Shaohua was full of energy; after dinner, she took a leisurely walk around the forest. Accompanying her was none other than Cui Du.

Wisely, Chen Jinyu avoided the scene, while Song Yuan led over twenty trusted aides scattered around for protection. Beyond disregarding the aides scattered a dozen meters away, at this moment, it was just Jiang Shaohua and Cui Du walking together.

In the deep forest, under the bright moon, a cool breeze whispered.

A pair of young boys and girls walked side by side, occasionally whispering and laughing. This scene, no matter how you looked at it, felt romantic.

Actually, the conversation between Jiang Shaohua and Cui Du was ordinary, without any private matters between a man and a woman. At this moment, she was telling Cui Du about the County Magistrates of the Fourteen Counties.

"Most of these County Magistrates came from the Imperial Examination. Like County Magistrate Chen, he ranked as an Advanced Scholar back in the day. According to the court’s custom, County Magistrate Chen shouldn’t have stayed to serve in Nanyang County. My grandfather had quite a time convincing folks to keep County Magistrate Chen in Nanyang."

"The mine in Bowan County is too important for Nanyang County; my grandfather only trusted County Magistrate Chen. Facts proved that County Magistrate Chen is indeed a capable minister. Over the years, the mine’s output has been stable, and there’s never been a single riot."

Speaking of this, one had to mention the other mines in Da Liang. The court sent officials to manage these mines, where the miners were mostly prisoners from the Ministry of Justice prison. For instance, the last time the migrant crowd ’stormed’ the gates of the Capital City, they were all sent into the mines.

Officials sought achievements, squeezing the miners was a common occurrence. As for wages, there wasn’t even a dime, nor could the most basic meals be consistently supplied. As a result, riots in the mines were not new.

The stability of the Nanyang Iron Mine could be said to be its sole distinction.

Cui Du sincerely remarked, "County Magistrate Chen is indeed a good official who works with genuine intent. However, it’s also due to a compassionate Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled brightly, "We were having a good conversation, when did you start flattering me?"

"I’m not flattering." Cui Du stated solemnly, "I’m straightforward, I say what I think."

Jiang Shaohua, in high spirits after the praise, laughed, "Even if everything you say is true. Actually, I learned from my grandfather’s ways. When he was alive, he often taught me to cultivate personal virtues, to empathize with others. Ordinary people want very little; not exploiting or oppressing them, letting them fill their bellies and live stably, that’s a good life for the common folk. For those in power, it’s merely about curbing greed and doing some real work."

"Easier said than done, though." Cui Du lamented, "Greed is human nature. Of those in office, who doesn’t want to rise and prosper? Who is willing to truly humble themselves, considering the people, doing things for them?"

Jiang Shaohua restrained her smile, speaking softly, "Thus, I wield both kindness and severity, by all means, ensuring the County Magistrates follow my orders and do their work. Those who can’t, I expel from Nanyang. The previous County Magistrate Cai in Li County was an example I used to warn others. I, the Commandery Princess, can give them fame and wealth; I can also render them penniless."

"My extraordinary promotion of Steward Cai also serves to let everyone see. As long as one is diligent in their duties, I disregard their background and care not whether they are an Advanced Scholar, scholar, or mere Scholar."

"Luckily, County Magistrate Cai has proven his worth, running the county admirably in these few years. He’s silenced all those County Magistrates anticipating his failure or misfortune."

Jiang Shaohua’s appreciation for County Magistrate Cai was evident in her expression.

Cui Du too laughed, "I’ve dealt with County Magistrate Cai a few times myself. He’s indeed a fascinating individual, with a most unseemly appearance but a great sense of public duty, and a sharp mind, not the least bit stubborn. Each time there’s agricultural training, Li County sends the most people."

Jiang Shaohua nodded with a smile.

At this moment, there was suddenly a strange sound.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyebrows twitched slightly, swiftly taking action. A flash of silver pierced the night sky, and soon there was movement several meters away on a tree, with a dark thing dropping down.

Song Yuan reacted the fastest, darting like lightning to the tree in a few breaths, quickly picking up the item from the ground and bringing it over: "It’s a plump wild pheasant."

Jiang Shaohua glanced over with a smile, "Indeed, quite fat, take it to the kitchen and make a pot of pheasant soup. Tomorrow morning, everyone can have a bowl."

Song Yuan replied with a smile, casually handing the wild pheasant to Qin Hu. With dexterity, Qin Hu retreated with the wild pheasant.

Cui Du, his eyes shining, looked over, "Commandery Princess, what weapon was that you used just now? I only saw a flash."

Jiang Shaohua smiled lightly, moved her right hand, and opened her palm.