Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 768: Nanyang (Part 3)
Lu Ying coaxed away her simple-minded and somewhat gullible younger sister, privately instructing Aunt Mei, "Mother, my sister is straightforward and canβt hide anything. Be extra cautious when speaking in her presence; never let her know about the true circumstances of Fatherβs death." π§πβ―ππππππ°π·π¦π.πΈβ΄π
Aunt Mei nodded in agreement.
In fact, very few people knew the inside story of Lu Xuanβs sudden passing. Some others, such as several subordinates at the Nanyang Prince Mansion, had some vague suspicions but never mentioned it. Even in private, they never discussed this matter.
The Lu Family of Fan Yang didnβt pursue the matter further.
Lu Xuan disappeared completely from the Prince Mansion, entirely leaving Aunt Meiβs life.
Now, no one insults her, and no one raises a hand against her. Aunt Meiβs days are leisurely and comfortable. Staying in the courtyard is fine, as she never went out much before.
The only regret is that her son insists on staying in the Prince Mansion to mourn and refuses to go to the Prefecture School for studies.
Aunt Mei couldnβt help but whisper, "Thereβs no need to stay in the Prince Mansion for more than a year; you should still attend the Prefecture School to study! These precious years wasted like this are truly a pity."
With only the mother and son in the room, their conversation neednβt be roundabout or concealed. Lu Ying softly said, "Mother, no matter how outstanding my studies are, I cannot take the Imperial Examination."
Indeed! Lu Ying was not a blood relative of the Jiang Family but was the Emperorβs brother. With such an identity, the path of the Imperial Examination was unfeasible for him. In the future, to enter into service, he would have to rely on the Emperorβs favor.
For Lu Ying, the most important thing is to make his elder sister Jiang Shaohua content.
Both Aunt Mei and Lu Ruohua also rely on Jiang Shaohuaβs protection for their lives. Pleasing the Emperor is the most crucial thing.
Aunt Mei saw that her sonβs thoughts were clear and decided to let it be.
Lu Ruohua stayed at the Prince Mansion for a few days, then quickly returned to Ye County Womenβs Academy. Before leaving, she vowed ambitiously, "In three years, when I turn fourteen, I will also go to the Capital City to take the female examination. I want to become a female scholar and enter the palace like Lu Zhen."
Silly girl, even if she passed, she could never be like Lu Zhen.
Aunt Mei sighed inwardly, but her face was full of a gentle and pampered smile, "Alright, Mother awaits the day of your success."
After Lu Ruohua left, the two continued to live their daily lives behind closed doors.
Chief Historian Feng could not help but secretly praise. Aunt Mei and her son Lu Ying really knew how to behave appropriately. When allocating expenditures, Chief Historian Feng graciously doubled the monthly stipend for Aunt Mei and her son.
Such a small matter, Chief Historian Feng didnβt need to report to the Emperor; he could decide it himself. However, Chief Historian Feng was meticulous in all things, accustomed to reporting everything, big or small, by writing letters.
Just as he was picking up the pen to write to the Capital City, a long-term follower hastily came to report, "Chief Historian Feng, both the Personal Guard Camp and Nanyang Army Camp have sent people."
The majority of the elite troops from the Personal Guard Camp had gone to the Capital City, leaving about eight thousand personnel behind. The Nanyang Army had more than four thousand soldiers. Maintaining such an army costs a significant amount of money and grain annually.
According to usual practice, military funds for three months are allocated at one time. It was once again the time to distribute military funds.
Chief Historian Feng put down his pen, "Invite them in."
From the Nanyang Army came General Li Tie, Li Gen.
The three major commanders of the Personal Guard Camp had gone to the Capital City, leaving trusted aides behind to hold the post. People from each of the First Camp, Second Camp, and Third Camp came.
Chief Historian Feng saw the four of them and glanced at the military fund figures they reported. He slightly frowned and first said to Li Tie, "General Li, has the Nanyang Army recruited new soldiers again?"
Li Tie rubbed his hands and smiled ingratiatingly, "Yes. General Yu plans to double the troop strength of the Nanyang Army within two years to serve the Emperor in the future."
The Personal Guard Camp was also continuously recruiting new soldiers to expand the troop strength.
Adequate troop strength is undoubtedly a good thing. Although the Emperor is in the Capital City, his roots are in Nanyang. Ample troop strength in Nanyang County is, in turn, a deterrent to the Capital Cityβs garrison. The expansion of troop strength in both the Nanyang Army and Personal Guard Camp had the Emperorβs tacit approval.
However, isnβt this pace a bit too fast?
Chief Historian Feng was somewhat troubled, "You only think about expanding your troop strength; have you considered how much money and food it costs to maintain an army? The taxes collected by the Prince Mansion canβt support this yearβs expenditures."
Li Tie, thick-skinned, chuckled, "Isnβt there a silver mine in Bo Wang? Just mine more of it. If manpower isnβt sufficient, the Nanyang Army will come up with solutions."
Chief Historian Feng laughed in exasperation, "It sounds easy. Mining ore requires smelting, which consumes a vast amount of manpower and resources. Additionally, unlimited mining isnβt possible as it would impact market silver prices. The cost of grain will fluctuate accordingly. This is a matter concerning peopleβs livelihoods, do you understand?"
Li Tie shook his head, indicating he did not understand.
The other three deputy commanders of the Personal Guard Camp also shook their heads, indicating they understood none of it. Only Chief Historian Feng was burdened with such concerns, as all they did was demand silver, grain, weapons, and war horses.
Chief Historian Feng looked at the four demanding people before him, his good mood vanished, and he said sternly, "You stay in the mansion and settle down for now. Wait until the Household Department verifies the accounts, and then weβll release the military funds in a few days."
Li Tie and the others nodded one by one, tossing the difficult issue to the all-capable Chief Historian Feng, and then happily went their separate ways.
Leaving Chief Historian Feng, head aching over a pile of figures.
Nanyang Prince Mansion was large and prosperous but had enormous expenses as well. The Commandery Princess had gone to the Capital City to become the Emperor and had never returned. Chief Historian Chen had left and dumped this huge responsibility on him. He was always tense with the weight of his duties.
The issue of military funds was yet unresolved, and another problem appeared in the Fourteen Counties.
Now, refugees from the Northern Land were flooding into Nanyang County. The number of refugees accommodated by each county had reached an astonishing figure, exceeding the original residents.
Settling the refugees was a top priority, and the county government had to allocate land. Without fertile land, uncultivated land needed opening. Before refugees could cultivate land and grow food to sustain themselves, the county government had to support them for at least six months to a year.
County Magistrates complained incessantly, and requests sent in official documents were mostly for money, food, and support.
Chief Historian Feng became increasingly busy and irritable, unable to avoid expressing his anger. In the following days, even the birds over the Prince Mansion had to avoid flying over the Household Departmentβs roof.
Additionally, numerous people had sent visiting cards to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Large and small officials, noble families from various places, all were included. Chief Historian Feng still had to spare some time to look at each card and meet some of them personally. Sometimes he wished he had three heads and six arms.
Shen Mu and Wen An were also similarly busy. Among the legitimate officers in the Prince Mansion, only three remained. With Chief Historian Feng busy, naturally, he had to dispatch these two to help.
Shen Mu brought both his son and son-in-law into the workshop for work. Chief Clerk Wen did not hesitate; he brought his descendants as well for errands. After two years of experience, they could officially serve.
Amidst such busyness, May passed, and early June arrived.
On this day, Chief Historian Feng received a letter from Yu State.
