CHAPTER 147: CHAPTER 147: ZHI COUNTY

Ma Yaosong wasn’t very old, but he’d been to quite a few places. At the age of twelve, he had even been taken outside the border by his uncles. As the future heir of the Ma Family, he had to master the trade routes for horse trading as well as the brokerage business.

This departure from home was different from before. From now on, he would be serving at the side of the Commandery Princess and couldn’t return to Biyang County.

"Do you feel like crying?" asked Chen Sheren, riding alongside and turning his head to softly console, "It’s normal to feel a bit sad and unsettled when leaving home for the first time. If you want to cry, do it. No one will laugh at you."

Ma Yaosong sniffed, "Some dust got in my eyes just now, so they’re a bit red. To serve as a housekeeper by the Commandery Princess’s side is a blessing accrued over several lifetimes. Why would I cry?"

Chen Jinyu looked at the stubborn young man but did not mock him.

Ma Yaosong was indeed highly adaptable. After half a day of riding out of Biyang County, he had already returned to normal. When they rested, he even went to chat and joke with Qin Hu, Meng Sanbao, and others.

"Commandery Princess, Zhi County is out of the way; we won’t reach it today. We’ll have to rest at the post house for the night," Chen Zhuo said while eating some dried rations.

Jiang Shaohua nodded.

Staying overnight while traveling was common enough.

That evening, resting at the post house in Zhi County, the supposed easygoing Jiang Shaohua was rather surprised.

"This post house is too filthy," Silver Vermilion muttered while cleaning. "Who knows how long it’s been since anyone stayed here? There’s a layer of dust on the floor."

Tu Bai worked diligently, sighing as he did, "Isn’t it? I’ve stayed in a few post houses with the Commandery Princess, and this is the most rundown one yet."

The post houses were funded by the court, yet their day-to-day operation had much to do with the local county. From this post house, you could gauge the state of Zhi County.

Jiang Shaohua was sitting with Chief Historian Chen, Chief Clerk Wen, and others. There was nothing impressive to eat at the post house, but fortunately, County Magistrate Ma was quite considerate, preparing two carts of cured duck, chicken, and beef jerky. The personal soldiers split a bird between five, paired with some hot buns, and it made for a filling meal.

Around the round table, they laid out six large plates of cooked food, and the kitchen sent over four hot stir-fried dishes, along with two pots of wine and a pot of fruit tea. Everyone gathered around the table, eating, drinking, and joking.

Chen Jinyu and Ma Yaosong, the youngest and with the least seniority, took on the task of pouring tea and wine.

"Commandery Princess, after traveling for another half-day tomorrow, we should reach Zhi County," said Chen Zhuo, holding his wine cup. "Among the Fourteen Counties of Nanyang, Li County’s tax levies are third from the last; Zhi County’s is second to last, handing over only about half the taxes Li County does each year."

Jiang Shaohua furrowed her brows. "Why is that? Is it due to poor land and insufficient grain production, or is there another reason?"

Chen Zhuo sighed softly, drank his wine, and gently placed his cup on the table. "Zhi County’s land is barren, the rivers don’t flow abundantly, and droughts are frequent. Even after toiling to farm, the grains harvested by the people are often not enough to fill their bellies. So come the annual land tax, they’re especially hard-pressed."

"That’s one reason. Another is that there’s a White Cloud Temple here, and the people are devout Buddhists, preferring to empty their wallets for worship, even if it means going hungry themselves."

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow slightly, responding with a nonchalant "Oh."

Chen Zhuo only touched upon it and left it there.

Chen Jinyu, curious, couldn’t help but interject, "Is Grandfather implying that the White Cloud Temple holds such a high status in Zhi County that the people only know to worship Buddha, not the Commandery Princess?"

Chen Zhuo glanced at his straightforward granddaughter, "You’ll understand the true situation once we reach Zhi County."

Realizing her grandfather’s displeasure, Chen Jinyu giggled and closed her mouth.

Chief Clerk Wen chuckled to lighten the mood, "Buddhist temples thrive in Da Liang, and there are numerous devotees. The White Cloud Temple in Zhi County has been around for decades and having thriving incense isn’t unusual."

Not to mention, even the Empress Dowager of Da Liang and the Emperor are Buddhists. When Princess Nanyang was alive, she also believed in Buddhism, going to White Cloud Temple every year to offer incense and pray!

When the higher-ups favor something, those below will surely follow.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes flashed briefly with a faint smile. "While others may believe, I do not."

Song Yuan, familiar with the Commandery Princess’s temperament, promptly said, "Tomorrow, I shall change into different clothes and visit White Cloud Temple to probe into the situation."

The Commandery Princess, clothed in grandeur, couldn’t easily disguise herself even with a change of clothes, and having a trusted aide around meant too much attention would be drawn to her at the temple.

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly, "Very well, sorry to trouble Commander Song for the task."

...

The night passed without event.

The next morning, they continued the journey.

Upon entering the realm of Zhi County, people began to appear sporadically on both sides of the official road. Having passed the spring planting season, the fields bore a layer of verdant wheat sprouts. Bent over and head down, the people weeded the fields, hoping to trade their hard labor for a fruitful harvest in autumn.

Jiang Shaohua rode her magnificent horse, progressing neither swiftly nor slowly.

Chen Jinyu, Ma Yaosong, and others rode alongside, while Qin Hu and the personal soldiers cleared the way ahead.

Meng Sanbao found a free moment and rode over to the side of the carriage.

The curtain lifted, revealing a charming face. "Brother Sanbao, you haven’t been well for long, and your body is still a bit weak. Don’t tire yourself out."

Meng Sanbao grinned broadly, "Don’t worry, Silver Vermilion. I’m as strong as an ox."

No sooner had he said two words than two gazes shot over from behind him.

Silver Vermilion chuckled under her breath, "Brother Sanbao, you’d better not linger here. Otherwise, Uncle Meng will come over to give you a beating again."

Meng Sanbao felt a chill on his back but still wanted to act tough, "Ah, martial artists are just rude. I only respect my father, so I can’t hit back. Otherwise, I wouldn’t fear him at all."

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar cold snort sounded from behind him.

Meng Sanbao: "..."

Silver Vermilion covered her mouth and laughed, calling warmly, "Uncle Meng, Tu Bai and I are sitting inside the carriage and are quite bored. Brother Sanbao came over deliberately to talk to us to ease the boredom."

Meng Dashan first glared at his son and then turned with a smiling, genial face, "Sitting in the carriage all day is indeed stifling."

As Silver Vermilion chatted with Uncle Meng, Meng Sanbao made a face and quietly rode off.

Qin Hu grinned wide, finding the humor endlessly amusing.

Meng Sanbao shot him a white-eyed glare, "If Uncle Qin were here, I wonder if you could still laugh."

Qin Hu, feeling pleased with himself, whistled, "Even if my father were here, he wouldn’t scold or yell at me like that!"

Meng Sanbao rolled his eyes, "Of course, since you have no chance to curry favor. Uncle Qin wouldn’t treat you like that at all."

Qin Hu: "..."

These good brothers glared daggers at each other, as if they were about to fall out right then and there.

Jiang Shaohua, with keen hearing, smiled and turned to glance over.

Meng Sanbao and Qin Hu instantly ceased their goggle-eyed battle.

...

After a half day’s journey, they finally reached Zhi County.

Zhi County was indeed impoverished; its city gate low and dilapidated. County Magistrate Lei, in his forties, was tall and skinny, his seventh-rank official uniform nearly bleached from washing, making him look all the more destitute.

"Your humble servant greets the Commandery Princess!"

County Magistrate Lei and several officials bowed in respect.

Jiang Shaohua’s gaze skimmed over them, her smile slightly faded, "County Magistrate Lei, this is all the staff in the Zhi County government?"