The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1705 - 1699: Drawing Lessons 12

Song Chongjin’s group returned to the camp with great enthusiasm along the way.

The hot-tempered ones started cursing as soon as they were back, cursing the ancestors of the King of the Grasslands up and down the eighteenth generation.

The more composed ones came over to ask Song Chongjin, "Lord Song, given the current situation, what should we do?"

Song Chongjin sneered, "A bunch of fools who have no idea of the situation, really think we are begging them! Since that’s the case, let’s cool them down for a few days, it’ll do them good to clear their heads!"

Some worried, "But with things stirring up like this, how do we account to the Capital City?"

Without needing Song Chongjin to answer, an experienced old official leisurely said, "Negotiations are never smooth sailing; if they can be negotiated, they will be, if not, putting them on hold for three to five months or even years is common. The grasslands, this time, probably wanted to maneuver us, but they didn’t master the scale, and happened to meet a hardliner like Lord Song, so they screwed up!"

"Do you believe it? When they come to their senses, let them cool down for a few days, switch a batch of people, saying the previous ones didn’t adhere to the rules, or casually attach a charge to them, give them some nominal punishment, then tear off the shame veil to cover it up. After that, they’ll shamelessly come back, and by then, the conditions will definitely not be like those proposed today, retreating by a large step."

The few dandies on the side finally realized.

But some were still unhappy, "Are we just going to let the grasslands take advantage like this?"

The official smiled slightly, his honest face looking very sincere, "See what you say, today we heard the conditions from the grasslands side, and we benefited greatly, realizing such operations are possible? Our Great Chu can also borrow a trick or two! For instance, when their merchants enter the Great Chu territory, they also have to pay various poll taxes, sundry taxes, deed taxes, and pawn taxes, and they must also present the most precious treasures to His Majesty and Her Majesty!"

"Moreover, that trading market, I think it’s quite good to build within our Great Chu, we won’t charge too much tax on grassland merchants, just add twenty percent more than our Great Chu merchants. Lord Song, don’t you agree?"

Song Chongjin didn’t realize that this unremarkable deputy was actually an old hand in this, hearing these words, clearly showing it was an old hand.

Among those sent by Qin Bohan, indeed, there were no incapable people.

He nodded, "I think this idea is good, when we negotiate next time, we’ll add this condition!"

The officials present couldn’t help but exchange glances, smiles in their eyes.

Song Chongjin clapped his hands, "I think these days, the grasslands probably have no time to negotiate either, we also don’t need to stubbornly guard here, waiting for them, giving them face! I’ll return to Chicheng County to handle official business, do you return to Chicheng County or stay here?"

"Give everyone a few days off, you can wander near the camp and Chicheng County, and Yunzhong County, only you must be accompanied, this place looks alright during the day, but at night, there are wolves roaming, and the weather is unpredictable, with sudden high winds and sandstorms that obscure the road, making it easy to get lost."

"Without locals leading, you might get lost, and by then it could be hard to find!" Song Chongjin advised.

Everyone looked at each other, wondering what’s fun at this military camp? Not to mention harsh conditions, and because it’s a military camp, many places should be avoided, with people following in and out, it’s really not free.

Enduring hardship for official business is no problem, but being here during a holiday is just self-torture.

Therefore, everyone expressed wanting to return to Chicheng County together, making arrangements after returning.

Song Chongjin understood, leading a vast group rushing back to Chicheng County.

Although it was only a dozen days’ separation, Song Chongjin was eager to return.

They passed through Yunzhong County, nearing noon; the sun’s heat made them dizzy, and Song Chongjin hesitated before deciding to stop at Yunzhong County for a break and to see Gu Zikai.

Gu Zikai had only been in Yunzhong County for about ten days but had already taken over the governance smoothly.

The Master that Gu Changqing found for him was indeed an extraordinary figure. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The previous County Magistrate had already left office, leaving the County Magistrate and Magistrate in charge.

They were local bullies, having been around for years, wanting to give Gu Zikai a hard time but were easily handled by that Master.

Moreover, they caught those two’s weaknesses, restricting them to behave properly, not daring to stir trouble again.

The saying goes, if you capture the leader, the rest will hesitate; having dealt with these two leaders, who else would dare oppose the County Magistrate?

Even local scholars and bullies vaguely heard that the new County Magistrate was no ordinary person, said to be related to the Lord of Chicheng County.

Considering the methods of the Lord of Chicheng County, they were of one mind, who would dare to court disaster? Afraid to die too slowly?

Thus, Gu Zikai took over smoothly, and with the Master’s guidance, being naturally smart, he handled official duties deftly, quickly getting a comprehensive understanding of Yunzhong County.

Today, while handling official business in the main hall, he heard someone outside reporting that Song Chongjin’s group was passing through Yunzhong County on their return and came to see him.

He was overjoyed, for the past few days even though he managed duties orderly with the Master’s help, he always felt uneasy.

Hearing Song Chongjin’s arrival, he suddenly felt a thousand questions to ask.

Hurriedly, he personally rode to the city gate to welcome them to the County Yamen.

With that impressive Master present, he had long instructed someone to prepare lunch, knowing his master Dong Weng would have much to discuss with Song Chongjin, thus proactively entertaining the others, showing them around the County Yamen.

Everyone was very perceptive, aware of Song Chongjin and Gu Zikai’s relationship.

They cooperatively followed behind the Master, wandering in the dilapidated County Yamen in Yunzhong County, making room for the two to talk.

Song Chongjin asked a few questions about Gu Zikai’s takeover and felt reassured, knowing that Master was very reliable.

Then heard from Gu Zikai that those sent to survey the gold mines had received Song Chongjin’s letter, returned yesterday, and already reported back.

While they hadn’t found the gold veins yet, they discovered several nugget gold pieces of varying sizes along the river.

The largest was about the size of an egg, the smallest a fingernail.

Clearly, the gold veins should be nearby.

Song Chongjin nodded, advising Gu Zikai to be cautious and not to hurry, avoiding exposure.

Gu Zikai, not being foolish, just smiled and said he was using the pretext of new office, unfamiliar with Yunzhong County, thus sending people to explore the terrain everywhere, creating a new Kanyu map for daily use.

Hearing Gu Zikai’s actions, Song Chongjin found it seasoned, showing how being in the Capital City’s Hanlin Academy, with the Emperor, was extremely cultivating.

Though still inexperienced in administrative matters, it was due to unfamiliarity; after two or three months, Gu Zikai will surely be more adept.

One must admit, Gu Zikai, after all, came from the Gu Family, his maneuvering skills compared to Song Chongjin back then, are much more sophisticated.