Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 372: Perspective

County Magistrate Cai, though praised in public by the Commandery Princess, remained humble and replied, "I am not a wise person, merely capable of handling trivial and cumbersome tasks. I dare not accept such high praise from the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua smiled, just about to speak, when suddenly a six or seven-year-old girl timidly approached with a bowl of warm water in her hands.

Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao became highly alert and immediately stepped forward to intercept the girl. The girl, having mustered all her courage to come over, was frightened pale by the two sturdy young men blocking her, trembling as she said, "I... I just wanted to bring a bowl of water to the Commandery Princess..."

"Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao, you two step aside." The voice of the Commandery Princess came.

Only then did Qin Hu and Meng Sanbao move to the side.

Jiang Shaohua stepped forward, smiling as she glanced at the emaciated girl, "What’s your name? How old are you this year?"

The girl nervously swallowed and quietly replied, "My surname is Shi, they call me Erniu, and I am seven years old."

As soon as she finished speaking, another slightly older girl hurried over, grabbing her sister’s hand, trying to kneel before the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua gently said, "Don’t kneel. Just answer me truthfully when I ask questions."

The two sisters stood up trembling.

Jiang Shaohua patiently inquired, asking mostly ordinary, simple questions.

Shi Daniu, ten years old, three years older than her sister, spoke more coherently, "...My father’s name is Shi Dayong, and we are from Bingzhou. We fled after the locust plague and almost starved to death, luckily taken in by the Tang Family Grain Shop and sent to Li County."

"Li County is very good, the County Magistrate is kind to us, and the Commandery Princess treats us even better. The clothes, food, and shelter we have are all provided by the Commandery Princess. My father became the village chief of this village and leads everyone to reclaim uncultivated land daily, even replanting new crops. We’ll have a harvest in a few months."

"From then on, we can take root here and live well."

"Our family has long since stopped worshipping Bodhisattvas. Now we worship the Commandery Princess."

As Shi Daniu spoke, her eyes suddenly reddened. She pulled her sister down to kneel, kowtowing three times to the Commandery Princess, "Thank you, Commandery Princess, for taking us in. Without you, our family of five would have starved to death in the Yellow Springs."

Shi Erniu added in her slightly childish voice, "Most of the girls who fled from our village were sold, and some were even cooked and eaten. Thank you, Commandery Princess, for giving us a chance to live!"

Across two lifetimes, Jiang Shaohua had experienced many earth-shattering events; her heart had long become as steady as a rock. Yet today, a few words from this pair of sisters moved her profoundly.

She reached out to lift Shi Daniu and Shi Erniu, then turned to County Magistrate Cai, "County Magistrate Cai, the significance of everything we do lies in this."

Indeed! For the common people to live and work in peace and contentment, this is what the Commandery Princess desires and what he, as the County Magistrate, tirelessly pursues.

County Magistrate Cai’s eyes also reddened, he softly responded affirmatively.

...

Cui Du was busy in the uncultivated land until nightfall before returning to the county government.

The backyard of the Li County government was quite spacious, with plenty of empty rooms. However, living alone lacked interest. Cui Du voluntarily went to stay in Song Yuan’s room.

Song Yuan, not one for many words, spoke directly to the key issue, "To govern soil is not a task accomplished overnight. Do you plan to stay in Li County continuously?"

The Commandery Princess, when inspecting the counties, stayed a maximum of ten days or half a month at each. It was unlikely she would remain in Li County for long. If Cui Du stayed back to govern the soil, he would have to part ways with the Commandery Princess.

Cui Du was somewhat distressed, sighing, "It can only be like this. There will be plenty of days to meet and accompany her later, but the restoration of the wasteland can’t be delayed."

Song Yuan looked approvingly, "What you’re doing is right. The livelihood of the people is of utmost importance. Working assuredly in Li County better aligns with the Commandery Princess’s wishes."

Pausing, he meaningfully added, "The Commandery Princess cares for the people with a heart embracing the world. To walk alongside her, one must broaden their horizons and be of grand stature."

Constantly entangling oneself in romance day in and day out is not suitable for the Commandery Princess. To be her consort, one must keep pace with her footsteps.

Cui Du understood, nodding firmly, "All Uncle says is invaluable wisdom; I will remember it."

Song Yuan made a sound of agreement. There’s more to say, but now is not the time nor the place. As the saying goes, "The distance tests the strength of the horse, and time reveals the heart of man." The Commandery Princess is still young, as is Cui Du; let’s watch slowly!

The next day, after meeting with the Commandery Princess, Cui Du proactively said, "It will take some time to manage the wastelands. I plan to stay in Li County for a period; once the issue with the wastelands is resolved, I will return directly to the field manor. For the time being, I won’t be able to accompany you, Commandery Princess, on the way."

Jiang Shaohua, as expected, was not bothered and said with a smile, "Managing the wastelands is important; no one else but you can do this, so stay in Li County and help County Magistrate Cai."

"I inspect the military camps and the Fourteen Counties every year. Should you wish to relax and expand your horizons, just come with me next year."

Yes, there’s always next year, the year after, and many more years to come...

Thinking of this, Cui Du’s mouth naturally lifted into a broad smile.

In the days that followed, Jiang Shaohua led her housekeeper and trusted aides to inspect Li County daily, while Cui Du spent all his time in the uncultivated lands. Tang Youyin was the busiest, having to account for the towering piles of registers in the county government.

Speaking of which, this was something new this year. Previously during inspections, the Commandery Princess would only conduct random checks on the registers. This year, with Tang Youyin, everyone’s talents were fully utilized.

A week or so later, the Commandery Princess’s party set off again.

Among those left behind were Cui Du and more than ten trusted aides.

This was also a grace from the Commandery Princess, ordering the trusted aides to accompany and protect Cui Du until his duties at the manor were completed.

Among those entrusted, Meng Sanbao was the leader.

In the presence of the Commandery Princess, Meng Sanbao was always rule-abiding. But once she left, his lively nature gradually emerged, chattering incessantly around Cui Du every day.

When Cui Du worked, he focused intently, spoke little, and rarely joined conversations. Meng Sanbao enjoyed monologuing, finding joy in it.

It’s understandable; serving by the Commandery Princess’s side often had few opportunities to speak, so moments of relaxation were rare.

"Mr. Cui, do you think your methods can really improve the soil condition?"

Cui Du responded with a nod.

Meng Sanbao continued to murmur, but Cui Du paid him no mind, occasionally acknowledging him.

"County Magistrate Cai looks honest, but he’s quite sharp. While the wasteland is yet to be dealt with, he’s already inviting you to survey other wasteland, picking out suitable spots for farmland. Tsk tsk! He’s really making the most of you, that fat sheep."

Cui Du was finally amused, looking up with a smile, "That’s where County Magistrate Cai is smart. Since I’m here, I should be utilized well."

Meng Sanbao thought for a moment and laughed along, "No wonder the Commandery Princess holds County Magistrate Cai in high regard. If it were me, I’d also like subordinates like him."

So, what is there to complain about? Once the wasteland is dealt with, ride with County Magistrate Cai to survey all the wastelands in Li County!