Chapter 583: Chapter 585: Who Will Take Over?

Jin Qianqian looked back at the generals huddled together against the cold wind, discussing matters, and couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart.

After getting to know them, she knew they all had their petty, selfish motives, but when it came to matters of principle, they always stood united.

It was because of them that Maozi Country, Lu City’s greatest threat, couldn’t take a single step past the border city.

As for the Eastern Yi, who were like pesky fleas, now with the watchtowers and telescopes, they wouldn’t be able to cause any more trouble.

What she didn’t know, however, was that the Eastern Yi, whom she thought were neutralized, would attack again before the year’s end, driven mad by poverty.

Only this time, their fate would be even more miserable than the last. No one would be sending them back home.

* * *

「Two years later.」

During his term in Lu City, Ancient Wen Heng made remarkable achievements. He and Zhou Shixiong held the Lu City border firmly in the palm of their hands.

These past few years had been the most comfortable for Hua Shunming as well.

Free from the troubles on the Lu City border, he had the confidence to order his troops to retaliate against even minor skirmishes on other frontiers.

As for the civil servants under him, when they caused too much trouble on one occasion, he simply waved his hand and sent several princesses off in marriage alliances, which finally shut them up.

Hua Shunming sipped his tea contentedly. "Those old coots in court were quiet today."

"It seems the lessons I taught them before have made them too scared to stick their necks out. It’s actually a bit boring."

Le San smiled and said, "That is because Your Majesty is wise. They naturally have no reason to object."

"Hah. I thought Wana would get a princess for a marriage alliance this time. I didn’t expect these cowards to make Prince Wana’s trip a complete waste."

Le San silently pitied the ministers for a moment. ’Who would have thought? This young Emperor doesn’t play by the rules. He actually used those young ladies from noble families, who had been brought into the palace, for the marriage alliances.’

’Although he bestowed them with the title of Princess, he was incredibly stingy with their dowries. He’d send them back to their own families before the wedding with only a meager reward, leaving the ministers to arrange everything themselves.’

Recalling the looks on those ministers’ faces, Le San quickly lowered his head even further.

"It seems the ministers are advocating for war this time." Le San didn’t answer, but Hua Shunming didn’t mind, muttering to himself.

"Things in Lu City have stabilized. It’s about time General Zhou was reassigned."

Hua Shunming was satisfied with Zhou Shixiong.

Of all the frontiers, Lu City, under his command, had been the most stable over the years.

’And a large part of the credit for that belongs to Ancient Wen Heng.’

"Ancient Wen Heng has been stationed in Lu City for three years now, hasn’t he?"

Le San was naturally well-informed about the officials’ terms of office, especially this Prefect Gu, whom the Emperor was always mentioning. "His term is up this year."

"If I had a few more capable ministers like Mr. Gu under my command, my life would be so much easier."

His words were filled with admiration for Ancient Wen Heng.

If he had merely been observing at the beginning, after the past few years, the accomplishments of Ancient Wen Heng as Magistrate had now garnered his full attention.

In just a few short years, he had transformed a border city where the people could barely eke out a living into the bustling commercial hub it was today.

And because his wife had opened up the sea trade, various foreign goods now came ashore there, causing merchants from all over the country to flock to the city.

Furthermore, his extensive road-building projects had brought great convenience to the nearby fishing villages, allowing them to easily trade and sell their goods.

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In such a short amount of time, he had brought prosperity to the region, transforming it from a place with zero tax revenue into the Rong Dynasty’s personal treasury.

To be honest, Hua Shunming was truly reluctant to transfer him away from this post.

He didn’t know if the next official would harbor selfish ambitions and ruin this land of riches.

Le San knew just what to say to please the Emperor. "Mr. Gu is indeed a capable man, and a loyal servant to the throne."

"This Mr. Gu is also the Holy Emperor’s Midas touch, as if he were born with a gift for creating wealth."

Hua Shunming smiled and nodded. "That’s true. From the formula for glass to the profits from the sea trade, I have received several million taels of silver from him."

"If every one of my courtiers had his ability, I could truly rest easy as Emperor."

Le San lowered his head and said no more. ’Saying anything further might inadvertently harm Mr. Gu.’

Hua Shunming continued, "But who do you think should be sent to take over as the Magistrate of Lu City?"

Although he was satisfied with Ancient Wen Heng, he had no intention of leaving such a cash cow in one person’s hands indefinitely.

Besides, with such great accomplishments, it would be unreasonable not to grant him a promotion.

"This servant does not know," Le San said, not expecting the Emperor to ask him such a question. "The Holy Emperor could discuss it with the ministers."

Hua Shunming sneered. "They’ve been eyeing this fat prize for a long time. Why else do you think I brought it up today?"

’These people have had their eyes on it for a while and submitted their memorials long ago.’

’I came across them a few days ago but just tossed them aside, hoping to delay the matter.’

’I didn’t expect them to get so restless and bring it up in open court this morning.’

’If it hadn’t been for the interruption with Prince Wana, they probably would have been relentless.’

Le San felt he had already said too much for the day, overstepping his bounds as a servant, and stood silently to the side.

Hua Shunming didn’t press him, quickly summoning Imperial Tutor Liu Hai’an and the old minister, Liu Donglai.

"Who do you two think would be most suitable to take over as Magistrate of Lu City?"

Liu Hai’an remained silent. His second daughter-in-law was very close with Mrs. Gu and had invested in the sea trade for years. Because of this connection, he felt it was inappropriate for him to speak on the matter.

Liu Donglai rolled his eyes. ’This old fox’s silent act is far too obvious.’

’Apparently, the Emperor and the official before me have forgotten that I’m now just a wealthy man of leisure.’

Hua Shunming took a deep breath. "I trust you two the most. Now, help me analyze the situation."

Inwardly, however, he thought, ’These two old foxes. They won’t lift a finger without a clear incentive.’

Liu Donglai couldn’t understand it. ’Why do I always get summoned for this? Can’t they just let me catch a few more fish?’

’Maybe my luck would be good today, and I could finally catch that big one that got away.’ "Holy Emperor, this old subject has long since stepped away from court affairs. I am not acquainted with many of the promising young officials, so I am truly unable to assist the Holy Emperor in this matter."

Liu Hai’an said, "Holy Emperor, Lu City’s tax revenue is now a huge portion of our income. The post is of the utmost importance. This old subject truly cannot make a definitive judgment alone. Perhaps we should summon the Six Ministries to deliberate together?"

"It was already brought up in court today. But as you both know, those men are driven by selfish motives. I cannot trust any candidate they put forward."

Liu Hai’an said, "Reporting to the Holy Emperor, it is truly inconvenient for this old subject to comment on this matter. It is a fact that my second daughter-in-law and Mrs. Gu are close, and because of this connection, our household has seen some additional income over the years."

"To maintain the appearance of impartiality, it is best that this old subject recuses himself from this matter."

Hua Shunming replied, "Is that all? I am aware. Everyone in court is scrambling to invest. I have a complete grasp of who holds a share."

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