Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 370: Wasteland (Part 1)

Jiang Shaohua and his party stayed on the silver mine for four days. After inspecting the entire mine, they descended the mountain. Upon returning to the Bo Wang County Government, Chief Historian Chen suddenly fell ill.

After inquiring, Jiang Shaohua immediately instructed the accompanying Doctor Sun to tend to Chief Historian Chen.

Doctor Sun carefully took the pulse: "The wind in the mountains is strong, and the temperature is significantly lower than outside. Chief Historian Chen has caught a chill, but it’s nothing serious. A few days of medicinal broth and rest will do the trick."

Chief Historian Chen had a low fever, his face flushed and his spirits lacking: "Thank you, Doctor Sun."

Doctor Sun advised gently: "Everyone gets sick from time to time. Chief Historian Chen is not young anymore, and he doesn’t have the strength he once did. It’s not suitable to be constantly on the move. The Commandery Princess still needs to inspect the counties; once you’re recovered, it’s better to return to the Prince Mansion to oversee things."

Don’t insist on accompanying them.

Chen Zhuo nodded slightly. After regaining some energy over the next two days, he said to the Commandery Princess: "You should continue your inspection tour. I will stay in Bo Wang County to recuperate. Once recovered, I will return to the Prince Mansion."

Jiang Shaohua agreed with this, smoothly going along with it, and gently instructed Chief Historian Chen to recuperate well. When leaving Bo Wang County, Yang Shi was also conveniently left behind.

Yang Zheng: "..."

He wasn’t sick, and his stamina was excellent, enough to accompany the journey. Why did the Commandery Princess leave him behind too? He was hoping to display his prowess in the upcoming tasks!

Yang Shi felt wronged and frustrated, yet helpless. After seeing off the Commandery Princess, he turned around and complained to Chief Historian Chen: "Chief Historian, I realize my past behavior was inappropriate. Over the past three years, I’ve reformed. I’ve diligently followed the Commandery Princess’s orders. Yet, she still refuses to trust me."

This highlights the Commandery Princess’s brilliance in leadership.

A blend of sternness and kindness, authority and approachability, mastering the art of handling people. Comparing Yang Zheng’s past actions to now is like night and day!

Chief Historian Chen silently praised the Commandery Princess in his heart, kindly smiling as he said: "The Commandery Princess’s inspection of the counties will take at least four to five months. You are in charge of the Ministry of Justice; you can’t be absent for that long. You’ve been on this journey for over a month; it’s time to return to the Prince Mansion."

It’s not just about returning to the Prince Mansion; it’s about the Commandery Princess not yet considering him a confidant. Even a newcomer like Tang Youyin holds more prestige than he does.

Yang Shi, summoned and dismissed at will, couldn’t help but grumble a bit.

Chief Historian Chen listened patiently, interjecting a word of advice here and there, while thinking that if not for the influence of Vice Minister Yang, the Commandery Princess would’ve dismissed you from the Nanyang Prince Mansion long ago. If you wish to become a confidant, it might take some time!

...

"Commandery Princess, where is our next destination?"

Heading east out of Bo Wang County, the official road quickly became narrow and less smooth. Cui Du, whose riding skills were mediocre, felt quite sore after half a day’s ride. Jiang Shaohua, having traveled for an hour, instructed the group to stop and rest for a while.

Seated under a tree, sipping cool water, Cui Du curiously inquired.

Jiang Shaohua casually chuckled: "Didn’t I tell you before? Our next stop is Li County."

Off to County Magistrate Cai’s territory!

Cui Du had a favorable impression of County Magistrate Cai, and said with a smile: "I’ll seize the opportunity to see the farmlands of Li County."

Li County is the most remote, with no post houses between towns, leading to nights spent in the wilderness. The trusted aides, well-prepared, swiftly set up tents, forming a circle to encircle the Commandery Princess’s tent in the center.

Jiang Shaohua fell asleep amidst the night wind and the chorus of snores. Awakening the next morning, she was spirited, yet noticed Cui Du approaching with noticeable dark circles.

One glance, and Jiang Shaohua burst into laughter: "How come? Didn’t sleep well last night?"

Cui Du humorously lamented: "Last night, I shared a tent with Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao. Their snoring was thunderous—Qin Hu even ground his teeth, and Meng Sanbao talked in his sleep. I couldn’t catch any rest."

Everyone chuckled quietly.

Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao, unabashed, replied emphatically: "We had a great sleep. Next time we camp outside, you should bunk with Commander Song."

Cui Du originally aimed to befriend the younger trusted aides, but after enduring a night of noise, he quickly abandoned that idea and nodded repeatedly.

Jiang Shaohua laughed again and turned to instruct Ma Yaosong: "Look after Cui Du a bit on the road today."

Ma Yaosong acknowledged with cupped hands.

Fortunately, the young can endure; an occasional restless night isn’t too troublesome. As they continued their journey, Cui Du was cheerful. Come nightfall, he bunked with Song Yuan. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Thus, after two days, they reached Li County.

County Magistrate Cai, well-prepared, led everyone from the county government to greet them.

Upon seeing Cui Du, County Magistrate Cai’s small eyes lit up instantly, and he clasped Cui Du’s hand excitedly: "It’s wonderful that Mr. Cui is here too! We’ve encountered a tricky issue, and would like your guidance."

Cui Du, ever keen, immediately inquired about the issue.

Listening in, Jiang Shaohua overheard County Magistrate Cai: "...This year, Li County has settled four batches of starving people, cultivating wasteland of ten thousand mu. However, after sowing, sprouts are slow, and growth is particularly sluggish. I’m gravely worried."

Cui Du pondered briefly: "It’s likely a problem with the soil and terrain. I’ll take a look first."

County Magistrate Cai was ecstatic, about to nod in agreement, when he remembered something, looking slightly embarrassed towards the Commandery Princess: "Let me escort the Commandery Princess to the county government for a rest first, then have Mr. Cui visit the fields."

Jiang Shaohua casually chimed in with a smile: "I’ve visited Li County annually. There’s no need for such cautiousness, County Magistrate Cai. Point out where the wasteland is, and I’ll join you in a look."

Being straightforward, County Magistrate Cai led the way without hesitation.

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong were accustomed to the Commandery Princess’s style; Tang Youyin, however, had his eyes opened anew, feeling quite awed.

The Commandery Princess truly prioritizes the livelihood of the people above all else!

If the court dignitaries each possessed the Commandery Princess’s empathy, what brilliance would the Da Liang Court exude? If the young Emperor on the Dragon Throne wielded such skill and determination, the North could have been pacified earlier, sparing the populace much suffering.

Tang Sili, lost in thought and filled with emotion, spurred his horse to follow the Commandery Princess towards the wasteland.

Compared to Xi’e County, Li County’s settling of the starving populace was notably better. The people cultivating the wasteland wore threadbare yet clean clothing, their faces free from hunger, eyes filled with hope and enthusiasm for the future.

Such a mental state clearly attests to County Magistrate Cai’s diligence. Suddenly, the seemingly nondescript, skinny, and dark County Magistrate Cai appeared much more dignified.

"Commandery Princess, Mr. Cui, here is the wasteland."