ROHYX Chapter 699 : A Tangled Web Of Affairs (2)

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The turmoil in the capital had little to do with Yuxi and Yun Qing for the moment. However, Yuxi was extremely concerned for Qiu Shi and Han Jianming, who were in the capital. "He Rui, I'm really worried about Mom and Dage¹!" Yan Wushuang had nearly caused her death, and this debt of vengeance must definitely be repaid. If they ended up confronting Yan Wushuang, he would surely use her mother and brother to threaten her, since he was not the Emperor.

Yun Qing nodded. "Then how about I send people to bring them here to the Northwest?"

Yuxi nodded. "Don't send too many people — too many would draw suspicion. Also, when the time comes, have Master Yang go with them." Master Yang knew many people in the jianghu² and had plenty of experience, so Yuxi felt more at ease with him accompanying them.

However, Yun Qing was reluctant to let Master Yang go, since Master Yang refused to hand over the secret prescriptions for his highly effective medicines. This trip would take months; if Master Yang joined this journey, they would prepare far fewer medicines that could save lives. Yun Qing said, "Master Yang needs to prepare a lot of the medicines. If you don't feel secure, I'll send Shang Da. He has experience and can speak the official language, too!" Shang Da had served as a veteran soldier in Yu City for over twenty years and had previously been a scout—he was extremely perceptive.

Yuxi nodded. "If you think that he's the best, then let's go with that."

Walking out of the study, Yuxi tilted her head up to look at the moon above. "The moon is so round tonight." Not only was it round, but it was also bright, illuminating the courtyard so clearly that lamps weren't needed.

Yun Qing wasn't in the mood to appreciate the beautiful night. Taking Yuxi's hand, he urged, "You're tired today, so let's go to bed early. I'll watch it with you another day."

Yuxi nodded.

By the time Yuxi had finished bathing, Yun Qing was already in bed, and the moment she joined him, he pulled her into his arms. Yuxi quickly warned him, "I'm exhausted today, let's not." Ever since that day, Yun Qing had been especially enthusiastic about that matter. Every night, he wouldn't stop until he had practically exhausted her. Yuxi regretted it so much her intestines turned green³, and these past few days, she had been getting up very late.

Yun Qing hadn't actually intended anything. Seeing how exhausted Yuxi was, it would have been heartless to insist. He kissed her and said, "Don't worry, I won't bother you tonight."

Yuxi murmured an assent and awkwardly kissed Yun Qing on the cheek. "Then let's sleep." Having been busy all day and mentally drained in the evening, she fell asleep quickly.

The next morning, after finishing a set of Wuqinxi, Yuxi's face was covered in sweat. She wiped it off and walked into the courtyard, where she saw Yun Qing carrying Zaozao in. Yuxi smiled. "Where did you take her?"

Yun Qing replied, "Just walked around the front courtyard. This little girl was fussing to go out and play! Let's find some time to go out for a walk." They had been in Haocheng for so long, yet he still hadn't taken Yuxi out anywhere.

Yuxi laughed. "Once we've finished what we're working on, we're going to go to both the daytime and nighttime markets." With so many things piling up now, she wished she could treat one day as two⁴—how could they find the time to go out and play?

Yuxi ate very slowly, chewing her food carefully. Yun Qing was the complete opposite, wolfing down his food quickly. She had told him many times to slow down, but nothing she said made any difference.

After finishing his meal, Yun Qing looked at Zaozao, whose face and body were covered in food. He picked her up, placed her on his lap, then brought over a bowl of , and began to feed her.

Yuxi glanced at Yun Qing but said nothing. She could order Zeng Shi and Momo Quan not to interfere and let Zaozao feed herself, but she had no control over Yun Qing. She had told him several times before, but he wouldn't listen, claiming that Zaozao was still young and didn't need such strict treatment. Anyone unaware of the situation might think Yuxi was the stepmother! After several attempts, Yuxi gave up and let Yun Qing do as he pleased.

After breakfast, Yuxi said to Yun Qing, "I've been thinking about it seriously. The Emperor is very likely to flee the capital." If the Yu family allied with Yan Wushuang and the Emperor found out, he certainly wouldn't just wait to be k!lled in the capital.

After some thought, Yun Qing replied, "If your speculation is correct, then if the Emperor leaves the capital, he would most likely head to the ." Unlike other places, where rebellions were breaking out everywhere, that area was wealthy and relatively stable.

Yuxi responded with a hum. "I hope the Emperor can escape the capital!" No matter what the Emperor had done before, he was the legitimate ruler now. As long as he survived, Yan Wushuang would always be seen as a traitor and rebel, and their feud would continue until one of them died. Yuxi hoped that the two would clash fiercely, as this would give them more time to develop the northwest region.

However, Yun Qing thought differently: "I would rather the Emperor defend the capital to his death." As a general, Yun Qing would rather die in battle than lose his city.

Yuxi didn't argue with Yun Qing on this matter. "Madam Feng and the others have all arrived in Haocheng; in a couple of days, I will hold a banquet to entertain them." Managing both internal and external affairs was truly exhausting! But Yuxi liked this busy life; it was tiring, but fulfilling.

After a brief chat, Yun Qing left. Since Yuxi took over the administration, Yun Qing had spent half his time at the military camp and the other half at home.

Prefect Liu Biyuan met with Yuxi that day and made a suggestion. "Madam, the northwest is full of wind and sand. If more trees were planted, it could improve the harsh environment there." Liu Biyuan was originally a county magistrate of a lower county. Due to his honest and fair governance, Yun Qing promoted him to the prefect of Haocheng. However, as he had earned his position by donating his wealth rather than through a legitimate official rank, he was ostracised by his colleagues.

Yuxi nodded. "The idea is good, but we are short on silver right now, and the funds must be used for the most urgent matters."

Liu Biyuan said, "Madam, planting trees doesn't cost much. I calculated that it wouldn't exceed 200,000 taels." The main cost of planting trees is the seedlings; other expenses are minimal. Yun Qing had collected so much money recently that even if he didn't have tens of millions, he would have at least a few million on hand. Two hundred thousand taels of silver really wasn't much.

Yu Xi also thought Liu Biyuan's proposal was excellent, so she explained patiently, "These trees are easy to plant but difficult to keep alive. The northwest lacks water, so if you plant trees without watering them, their survival rate will be very low. However, once dams and canals have been built in the future, planting trees will be twice as effective with half the effort." The idea of improving the environment through tree planting was quite forward-thinking.

Previously, Liu Biyuan had heard rumours that Yuxi planned to implement water conservation projects. But that was just hearsay; he hadn't received any concrete information. "If that's the case, it would be a great good deed."

Yuxi was struck by an idea and said, "Prefect Liu, actually, if we want the northwest to improve, we need to do more than just plant trees; we also need to build more roads." Developing water conservation and vigorously promoting agriculture were the foundations of prosperity. However, the roads were difficult to traverse, so travelling took longer. Yuxi realised that if the roads were better, she could travel from Yu City to Haocheng in just over a month. Then, adults and children wouldn't have to suffer so much.

However, Liu Biyuan argued, "Building roads costs far more." While planting trees only required the cost of saplings, constructing roads required materials and labour, which amounted to a massive expense.

Yuxi smiled and countered, "Just because it can't be done now doesn't mean it won't be possible in the future." Once the northwest became prosperous, planting trees and building roads would undoubtedly follow.

Outside the study, Xu Daniu announced, "Madam, Tan Tuo Daren⁵ requests an audience." After Yuxi said she would have him go to Haocheng, Tan Tuo began making preparations to leave. As soon as Yuxi's letter arrived, he immediately set off for Haocheng.

Yuxi was clearly pleased and said, "Invite Tan Daren⁵ in quickly." She then dismissed Liu Biyuan.

When Liu Biyuan encountered Tan Tuo outside, he took the initiative to greet him. Tan Tuo was one of the Madam's heart and belly⁶, so it was essential to stay on good terms with him.

Tan Tuo was familiar with Liu Biyuan. Having climbed up from the very bottom and experienced many hardships, he viewed matters differently from ordinary people. He believed that an official's method of gaining their position — whether through the imperial examinations or earning it by donating their wealth — was irrelevant, so long as they genuinely worked for the people. Of course, ninety-nine per cent of those who chose the latter option were corrupt. Liu Biyuan was an odd exception.

After exchanging greetings, they went their separate ways, each leaving a favourable impression on the other.

Seeing Tan Tuo covered in the dust of travel, Yuxi smiled and said, "Tan Daren⁵, you've worked hard." From his appearance, it was clear that he had come to see her as soon as he arrived in Haocheng.

Tan Tuo shook his head. "It wasn't hard at all." Back in Lanzhou, he had told Yuxi that large-scale water conservancy projects were essential for developing the northwest. At the time, Yuxi showed little reaction, which had disappointed him. Yet, unexpectedly, the path wound around the peaks and a turning point appeared⁷.

In fact, it wasn't that Yuxi hadn't considered doing that project at the time; she simply felt that a matter of such importance had to be discussed with Yun Qing before a final decision could be made.

Tan Tuo was overjoyed when he received Yuxi's letter informing him that she intended to put him in charge of water conservancy projects. This was a significant undertaking that would benefit the nation and its people. If done well, his name might even be recorded in the history books and remembered for generations. What greater wish could a scholar have than to have their name remembered in history?

Yuxi could sense that Tan Tuo was a little excited. Although this seemed unusual, she did not ask any more questions, simply saying, "Tan Daren⁵, as I wrote in the letter, your purpose in coming to Haocheng is to take charge of water conservancy matters."

For once, Tan Tuo did not bother with modesty. He said, "To be frank with you, Madam, I already began making preparations back in Xinping City." It was only due to a lack of funds; otherwise, he would have already started the project there.

Yuxi was not surprised. Since Tan Tuo last discussed the matter with her, she had known that he had a well-thought-out plan. "It's good that you're prepared." Not only was the northwest barren, but it was also desperately lacking in talent. Any official with connections would rather be posted to a wealthy region like Jiangnan than come to this desolate place. Moreover, Yun Qing showed zero tolerance for corrupt officials as he executed them on the spot, which left them with very few people to employ. Otherwise, there would have been no need to promote Liu Biyuan to be the prefect of Haocheng.

Seeing how exhausted Tan Tuo looked, Yuxi urged, "Go and get some proper rest first. We'll discuss this tomorrow." The matter was urgent, but the person mattered more. If anything were to happen to Tan Tuo, it would be a major loss for her.

Although Tan Tuo was in good spirits at the moment, Yuxi was unwilling to discuss the matter further, so he could only leave for now.

Footnotes Full List

大哥 (Dàgē): Eldest brother
江湖 (Jiānghú): lit. rivers and lakes—a term used to describe people who wander from place to place and live by their wits, such as fortune-tellers, quack doctors and itinerant entertainers.
"悔得肠子都青了 (huǐ dé cháng zǐ dōu qing le)": Literally "regretted it until her intestines turned green." Idiom meaning: deep, bitter regret.
"一天恨不能当成两天用 (yì tiān hèn bù néng dàng chéng liǎng tiān yòng)": Literally "wish you could use one day as if it were two." Meaning: extremely busy; not enough time in a day.
大人 dàren: title of respect toward superiors
"心腹 (xīnfù)" literally means "heart and belly," but idiomatically refers to a trusted aide or confidant.
"峰回路转 (fēng huí lù zhuǎn)" literally means "the mountain bends and the road turns," an idiom indicating a sudden positive reversal after disappointment.