CHAPTER 334: CHAPTER 334: RETURN (PART 1)

Jiang Shaohua did not respond to this warm and sincere father-daughter affection, only gave a faint smile: "Seeing that Father is well after our long separation, I too feel pleased in my heart."

Even with that, Lu Junma was satisfied.

The actions of Jiang Shaohua in the Capital City were relayed back to the Nanyang Prince Mansion one by one. He was both shocked by Jiang Shaohua’s formidable and sharp demeanor and secretly relieved. Thankfully, he hadn’t truly fallen out and turned his back that day, choosing instead to shamelessly stay on at the Prince Mansion.

After all, he was Jiang Shaohua’s biological father. As long as he was cautious and didn’t provoke or anger Jiang Shaohua, he would have a place in the Prince Mansion.

Next, Yang Zheng and a crowd of subordinate officials stepped forward to offer their greetings.

Jiang Shaohua, though weary from her journey, was still full of energy and said with a smile: "Everyone rise, we’ll talk further inside the mansion."

Her gaze swept around, and she suddenly noticed someone was missing, prompting a slight exclamation: "Where is Cui Du? Why is he not here?"

Chief Historian Chen replied with a smile: "A few days ago, I sent someone to the field manor to deliver a message. Mr. Cui is currently leading a group of new students, stating that he would return to the Prince Mansion after completing the current session, which would be delayed by two or three days."

"Not only did Mr. Cui not return, but Lu Sheren also remained at the field manor."

Whether Lu Sheren was present or not, the Commandery Princess evidently did not care much, casually nodding as she led the crowd into the main hall of the Prince Mansion.

Jiang Shaohua took the lead seat, and the subordinate officials each found their familiar spots, eager to report the tasks they had performed over the past six months.

Chief Historian Chen stopped them with a smile: "The Commandery Princess has traveled a long and tiring journey and needs to rest for a few days. These affairs of governance can be reported slowly at a later time. Everyone quiet down and listen to the Commandery Princess’s instructions first."

Once Chief Historian Chen spoke, the subordinate officials immediately fell silent. This showed the authority Chief Historian Chen had within the Prince Mansion.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "I originally had a lot to say, but now there’s nothing more to say. In short, I did not stay in the Capital City; I have returned."

In these few simple words, there was a display of immense confidence and composure.

The subordinate officials felt their hearts surge with inspiration. Indeed, the Commandery Princess had demonstrated her determination through actions. No matter how splendid the Capital City might be, she had chosen to leave and return to Nanyang County.

Since the Commandery Princess has returned, the skies over Nanyang County will forever belong to their Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua smiled again: "Everyone, disperse and attend to your tasks. Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng, please stay behind."

The subordinate officials took their leave with cupped hands and departed one by one. Lu Junma, in fact, didn’t want to leave, but since Jiang Shaohua showed no intention of keeping him, he hesitated for a moment and had no choice but to leave.

Only Jiang Shaohua and the two Chief Historians remained in the main hall.

Chief Historian Chen’s smile vanished, and he whispered: "Commandery Princess, the North is about to descend into chaos."

"The refugees being gathered by the Pingzhou Army are increasing in number. The court sent General Fan to quell the rebellion, but the rebel forces in Pingzhou did not collapse, merely relinquishing three counties they had recently occupied. They tightly control Pingzhou instead. It’s reported that the Pingzhou Army now numbers several tens of thousands."

Chief Historian Feng sighed heavily and continued: "The grains from those three counties have all been plundered, and the able-bodied men taken away. Countless old, weak, and women have starved to death."

"A few days ago, Commander Liu sent back five hundred hungry refugees, some from these three counties. It’s said that these three counties have nearly turned into empty cities."

It’s truly tragic!

These startling truths might just be light mentions in war reports. Court officials know this, and so does Emperor Taihe who sits on the Dragon Throne, but they all feel powerless.

The Capital City is too far from Pingzhou, and besides sending troops to ’recapture’ Pingzhou, there is little else they can do. The court cannot attend to the people suffering terribly in those three counties.

Jiang Shaohua felt heavy-hearted and lightly nodded: "On my way back from the Capital City, I encountered five or six groups of refugees. This is just what I saw; in unseen places, there are even more displaced people."

"At this rate, even if this year’s locust plague is endured, next year the North will be barren with no one to cultivate the good fields." Chief Historian Chen’s eyes dimmed, and his voice was full of sorrow.

Jiang Shaohua remained silent.

Indeed, in the past life, the chaos in the North resulted in an enormous and shocking number of people dying due to drought, locust plagues, and war. In the end, no one could calculate the exact numbers.

Chief Historian Feng began to express anger again: "What exactly is the court doing? Apart from sending troops to attack Pingzhou, have they done anything practical or useful?"

"The court dispatched three imperial envoys to provide relief to the people." Jiang Shaohua steadied her mind and continued: "When I was in the court, the Emperor personally opened the Dragon’s Mouth, and I couldn’t refuse; I had to willingly offer a batch of seeds. As for the other two batches of grain, the Ministry of Revenue merely issued IOUs."

"Regardless of whether they will ever be repaid, these IOUs must be kept. If anything arises in the future, they can be brought out to intimidate others."

Saying this, Jiang Shaohua took out two IOUs from her sleeve and handed them to Chief Historian Feng.

Chief Historian Feng received the IOUs and couldn’t help but complain: "Just with these two paper-thin IOUs, they took away several tens of thousands of bushels of grain. Commandery Princess, although we do have some surplus grain, it’s true that the three commanders constantly bringing in hungry refugees, along with the Tang Family promoting new grains outside, are stretching us thin. We cannot be so generous in the future."

One could predict that Chief Historian Feng would seize this opportunity to vent a little.

Jiang Shaohua coaxed with a smile: "Chief Historian Feng is right; in the future, I will not casually donate grain."

Chief Historian Feng was just speaking offhandedly. As long as the Commandery Princess issued a command, the entire Household Department would obey. However, the Commandery Princess’s willingness to lower herself to speak kindly to him was always comforting.

Chief Historian Feng fell silent and, after examining the IOUs carefully, folded them with caution and stored them in his sleeve.

"Chief Historian Chen, how many hungry refugees has Nanyang County taken in over these past few months?" Jiang Shaohua asked softly.

Chief Historian Chen gestured a number with his fingers and, lowering his voice, replied with a smile: "The three commanders have followed principles in their actions, and the refugees brought back are mostly law-abiding citizens, settled one family at a time. Occasionally, some thieves sneak in, but the county governments don’t just sit by; they’ve caught and executed a couple. The refugees have thus become obedient."

"At this rate, within this year, our Nanyang County’s population could increase by at least twenty percent. In peaceful times, it would take at least a dozen years to increase the population by this much."

Once the topic of population was brought up, Chief Historian Feng became enthusiastic, continuing with interest: "Now, each county is leading the refugees to reclaim wasteland, and Li County started the earliest. They have already reclaimed thousands of acres, planting a crop of maize and sweet potatoes. In a few months, they can harvest a crop of grain."

Of course, the yield from newly reclaimed land is surely low, but it’s better than nothing!

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes lit up, and she said with a smile: "This is truly excellent news. Both of you Chief Historians have worked hard."

"However, the increase in population should not be publicized for the time being, lest it invites dissatisfaction from the court."

The two Chief Historians agreed in unison.

Quietly making a fortune, they all understood this principle.