Du Xingguo came from the Du family of Shangcheng, a scholarly farming clan. Exceptionally gifted, he was announced as the Chuanlu 1 in the...
Du Xingguo came from the Du family of Shangcheng, a scholarly farming clan. Exceptionally gifted, he was announced as the Chuanlu1 in the twenty-seventh year of Emperor Guangzong's reign. Upon his father's death two years ago, he returned home to observe the dingyou2 mourning period. Due to his reputation in Shangcheng and the Du family's local fame for their charitable works, Yun Qing allowed him to take the position of Provincial Governor.
At this moment, Du Xingguo no longer dared to underestimate Yuxi as he said, "Madam, building irrigation canals costs a great deal." What he meant was that without money, any talk was pointless.
For the Northwest to prosper, hydraulic projects had to be developed—there was no disputing that. However, although Yuxi understood some aspects of water management, she was unfamiliar with the practical procedures. "Write me a detailed proposal and submit it tomorrow." Even if there was no budget, funds still had to be found—this was a top priority, and any delay would be unacceptable.
Du Xingguo felt that Yuxi was forcing the impossible on him. "Madam, undertaking waterworks is a major project—there's no way a proposal can be completed in a single day."
Yuxi said expressionlessly, "Setting aside the fact that you are originally from Shaanxi and know the local situation as clearly as the palm of your hand, as an official in this position, you should have made waterworks part of your routine agenda a long time ago…"
Before she could finish speaking, Yuxi realised she was being foolish. Given her current status, she didn't need to speak kindly to someone who was questioning her. Her face turned cold. "If you can't hand in the proposal by tomorrow night, I'll find someone else to take your place."
Du Xingguo was not alone—he had hundreds of clan members behind him. If the Han Shi blamed his clan because of him, he would be ostracised by the entire Du clan. Of course, the real reason was that Du Xingguo himself didn't want to lose this position. Although he was a Chuanlu1 and capable, prior to taking a leave of absence to mourn, he was only an upper fourth-rank official. Under normal circumstances, it would have been difficult for him to attain the position of Provincial Governor.
Keeping his frustration in check, Du Xingguo reasoned, "Madam, even if I manage to produce a proposal in one day, it won't be very detailed." He could only put together a rough outline.
Hearing this, Yuxi nodded. "Then give me the proposal before tomorrow ends." Unless Du Xingguo had prepared it beforehand, it would be impossible for him to produce a detailed plan in just one day.
Du Xingguo walked out of the Governor-General's Mansion looking as though he were mourning his deceased parents3.
Yuxi summoned Xu Wu and handed him the prepared letter. "Deliver this to Tan Tuo immediately." Despite Du Xingguo's poor attitude that morning, Yuxi had never considered replacing him. Even if he was unhappy with her governance, she could still make use of him as long as he was competent. However, his behaviour that afternoon made her feel that he was unfit for important responsibilities.
Not only was Du Xingguo originally from Shaanxi and familiar with the local situation, but he had also served as Provincial Governor for quite some time. Yet he had never considered developing waterworks. Someone like that was simply not suited for the position.
Xu Wu left with the letter.
Returning to the rear courtyard, Yuxi learned that Yun Qing had just been called to the military camp. Momo Quan brought over a cup of freshly brewed water. "It's just the right temperature—drink it quickly!" Otherwise, once things got busy later, Yuxi wouldn't even have time for a sip. Momo Quan sometimes truly felt that Yuxi had been born into the wrong body—she should have been a man.
Yuxi drank the water very gracefully, taking small sips, and it took her quite a while to finish it. Afterwards, she said, "Now that I'm well, there's no need to take this anymore. If I take it now and it runs out, there won't be any left when I actually need it."
For safety's sake, Momo Quan advised, "Drink it for a full three months. After that, you can take it once every few days." This substance slowed down ageing and beautified the skin, so it was still very beneficial to take it occasionally.
Yuxi nodded.
Looking at Yuxi, who seemed very tired, Momo Quan said with some concern, "Let me give you a massage!" Although she did not agree with Yuxi working so hard, Momo Quan could only support her and help share the burden as much as possible.
Yuxi shook her head. "No need. I'm a bit tired and need to rest." She had developed the habit of taking a nap at noon; if she skipped it, she would feel drained in the afternoon.
Du Guoxing returned to his residence, his face full of anger. He complained to his aides, "This woman is clearly trying to make things difficult for me. Even if I write the regulations properly and hand them to her, will she be able to understand them?" He felt that Yuxi thought very highly of herself.
Zhang Zhiwen, one of his aides, understood Du Xingguo's meaning and quickly said, "I've heard that Madam Yun is well-read and knowledgeable in poetry, and understands astronomy and geography. If that's true, we must treat her carefully." Even if the rumours were not true, it would be disastrous if Han Shi really knew about hydraulics and her master tried to deceive her with a memorial.
Du Guoxing laughed. "Since she knows astronomy and geography, I'll write properly—write regulations she can actually understand." He intended to investigate the matter further to see whether Han Shi truly understood hydraulics or was merely pretending.
As the sun set, Yuxi took Liu-er for a walk around the courtyard. The main courtyard was enormous, and Yuxi had renamed it to Hexin Courtyard. 'He (和 hé)' signified peace and gentleness, while 'Xin (馨 xīn)' signified warmth and cosiness. Yuxi felt that this name carried a very positive meaning.
Two jujube trees had been planted in Hexin Courtyard, one on each side. The last rays of the sun fell on Yuxi, casting dappled shadows. A gust of wind rustled the leaves.
Looking up at the tall jujube trees, Yuxi laughed. "I wonder why the previous owner planted two jujube trees in the courtyard?" Other courtyards were filled with various precious flowers and plants. But it was only in the main courtyard that they had planted two jujube trees, which were now laden with plump, glossy jujubes📹.
Momo Quan shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either. However, she had her own theory: "Jujube trees produce edible fruit, but things like old vines or orchids are only for show." Such flowers and trees were luxuries for the wealthy; ordinary people just wanted to fill their bellies.
Yuxi smiled. "Momo, what you said makes sense. These two big jujube trees will yield quite a lot of fruit."
Yuxi heard heavy footsteps and knew that Yun Qing had returned. She turned towards the doorway and saw him.
Yun Qing told Yuxi, "There's a problem with the newly forged blades. We're investigating the cause." He took military equipment very seriously.
Yuxi said, "There's no rush; let's take our time to resolve it." She didn't understand weapons at all, so she couldn't offer any helpful advice.
After dinner, Yuxi took Yun Qing for a walk in the garden to aid digestion. Although the courtyard hadn't been fully renovated, it was already far better than the one they had in Yu City.
The couple walked up to the Viewing the Mountain Tower, listening to the gentle sound of running water. Yuxi mentioned her plan to start a water conservancy project. "He Rui, improving the water system is essential to the stability and prosperity of the Northwest. I plan to entrust this heavy responsibility to Tan Tuo." Initially, Du Guoxing would have been the best candidate, as he was familiar with Shaanxi, but Tan Tuo, on the other hand, would have to start entirely from scratch. Unfortunately, after today's events, Yuxi no longer trusted Du Guoxing. If Du Guoxing weren't still useful, Yuxi would have sent him home long ago.
Yun Qing did not oppose Yuxi's decision to appoint Tan Tuo to an important position, but he was hesitant about taking on the waterworks project. "It's good to improve the water system, but it costs far too much. You know what situation we're in right now." Water conservancy projects burn through money, and building them in two provinces might completely drain their resources.
Yuxi argued, "He Rui, grain is the true foundation of stability and development in the Northwest. So no matter how costly it is, this can't be delayed." Without grain, the Northwest would never be peaceful, and talk of prosperity and abundance would be nothing but empty words.
Yun Qing did not oppose improving the water system; he just worried that it would become too costly. After all, they had to support an army of more than two hundred thousand and replace weapons and equipment—another huge expense. If they spent all their money on waterworks, how would they support the army?
Yuxi shifted his thoughts and brought up another matter. "Three people have starved to death in Fuxian. I think we need to address this."
Yun Qing paused for a moment before replying, "We don't have much military grain left. In fact, we only have enough to last a little over three months." It wasn't that he was unwilling to give food to the ordinary people, but if he handed out the grain, the soldiers wouldn't have enough to eat. How could they fight on an empty stomach?
Yuxi said, "Grain is the most important priority of all. Without it, not only can the people not survive, but even the army cannot be sustained either. He Rui, developing the water system is urgent." Noticing Yun Qing's helpless expression, Yuxi leaned closer and added, "Once we build the waterworks and introduce potatoes, I believe that within three years the Northwest won't need to buy grain from elsewhere and no one will starve to death." Yuxi had already spoken to Yun Qing about potatoes before.
Yun Qing lowered his head and asked, "Are you sure potatoes can be grown in the Northwest?"
Yuxi shook his head. "Although all the ones I planted died, judging from the characteristics of potatoes, I'm sure they can be cultivated in the Northwest." Of the potatoes that Mr Chen had given to Yuxi, she had eaten a few and planted the rest in pots. Unfortunately, none of them survived. However, Yuxi didn't think this meant that potatoes couldn't be grown; they had died only because she hadn't known the proper planting methods. When Tian Yang brought people who were skilled at growing potatoes, they would surely succeed.
Yun Qing shook his head. "If you believe this is something that must be done, then do it!" If the Northwest could become self-sufficient in the future, that would eliminate its biggest hidden danger.
Yuxi smiled and said, "There's no need to rush. The Imperial Court has spent enormous sums on waterworks, but most of the money falls into corrupt officials' hands4. As long as we invest every coin on the knife's edge5, we won't empty out our base6."
After pausing for a moment, Yuxi continued, "He Rui, we can't just focus on reducing costs; we also need to increase revenue." With so much land in the Northwest, Yuxi refused to believe there was no way to make money from it.
Yun Qing shook his head. "I'm not good at business." Government affairs could be learnt with hard work, but he honestly didn't understand how to make money.
Yuxi said, "I'm not good at it either, but we can find people who are." As long as their subordinates understood it, it didn't matter if they themselves couldn't do it.
Yun Qing racked his brains for a while, but he couldn't think of anyone around him with that kind of talent.
Yuxi smiled and said, "This isn't something that we can rush." People who were skilled at accumulating wealth were not easy to find, and even if you did find one, there was no guarantee they would work for you.
Footnotes Full List
- 传胪 (chuánlú) is a historical term from the Chinese imperial examination system. Its literal translation into English is, 'To announce the names (of successful candidates)' or 'Announcing the names (of top examinees)'. In its specific historical usage, a "传胪" could refer to both, the grand ceremony held at the imperial palace where the names of the top candidates (especially the top three: Zhuangyuan (lit. First of the submitted papers/1st), Bangyan (lit. Eye of the posted list/2nd), Tanhua (lit. Flower-picker/3rd)) were read aloud before the Emperor, or, the specific title for the fourth-highest graduate (the top candidate after the top three) in the final palace examination (殿试) during the Ming and Qing dynasties.)
- In imperial Chinese bureaucratic and social history, 丁忧 (dīngyōu) refers explicitly to a mandatory official mourning period observed upon the death of a parent. It was a core Confucian ritual obligation with strict legal enforcement. The duration usually took 27 months or was calculated as 25 actual months, representing three years by nominal count. Obligation to any official in government service, where the official had to immediately resign from their post and return to their ancestral home. They were to lead a simple, abstinent life, refraining from public office, celebrations, marriage, and sexual relations, to devote themselves to mourning and performing rituals.
- The idiom 如丧考妣 (rú sàng kǎo bǐ) literally means 'as if mourning one's deceased parents'. It is used figuratively to describe someone being extremely distressed, grief-stricken, or devastated (often over a loss, failure, or bad news).
- "落在贪官手上 (luò zài tān guān shǒu shàng)" — literally "fall into corrupt officials' hands," idiomatic meaning embezzled.
- "用在刀刃上 (yòng zài dāo rèn shàng)" — literally "use it on the knife's edge," meaning use money where it has maximum effect / use it wisely.
- "将底子掏空 (jiāng dǐ zi tāo kōng)" — "empty out our base," meaning exhaust all resources.
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