CHAPTER 339: CHAPTER 339: OFFICIAL BUSINESS

The next morning, Tu Bai and Yin Zhu were astonished to find that the Commandery Princess, who usually woke up at the fifth hour, had unexpectedly not risen today.

"The Princess rushed back from the Capital City and hasn’t rested for a day before going to the field manor, she must be exhausted," Yin Zhu whispered, "Let’s stay outside her door and let her sleep well today."

Tu Bai nodded repeatedly.

After a little while, someone from the trusted aides couldn’t help but come over: "Silver Vermilion sister, what’s wrong with the Princess today? Why hasn’t she gotten up?"

The overly curious young personal soldier, tall and handsome yet simple and honest in appearance, was none other than Meng Sanbao.

Yin Zhu, sixteen years old, was lively and elegant, slim and graceful, considered a blossoming flower among the maids in Nanyang Prince Mansion. Many young men secretly admired Miss Yin Zhu.

Unfortunately, Miss Yin Zhu and Meng Sanbao were childhood sweethearts; the families had a tacit understanding, just waiting for the day Yin Zhu would be released by the Princess to marry. Others simply had no chance.

Yin Zhu hushed softly, "Speak a bit quieter, don’t wake the Princess. She’s really tired and needs to rest well."

Meng Sanbao gave a hum, thick-skinned and unwilling to leave, he started chatting aimlessly with Silver Vermilion sister.

Tu Bai turned her head calmly to one side, pretending she was a piece of decoration.

Sheren Chen and Sheren Ma soon arrived, seeing the lineup, they didn’t speak, waiting under the hallway. Shortly afterward, Chief Historian Chen sent his long-term follower.

"Chief Historian Chen ordered me to ask if there’s a meeting in the study room today?"

The Princess hadn’t woken up, leaving Chen Sheren in charge. Chen Jinyu pondered and said, "The meeting will not be held today, everyone should tend to their tasks and wait for the Princess’s summons anytime."

As soon as the words fell, the door opened.

Everyone turned their heads simultaneously to look.

Jiang Shaohua appeared, fully dressed, smiling lightly: "Convey my orders, let all officials wait in the study room."

The long-term follower responded quickly and withdrew.

Chen Jinyu approached with a smile: "Why did the Princess suddenly wake up? You didn’t even call Yin Zhu and Tu Bai to serve you?"

Jiang Shaohua casually smiled and replied, "Already an hour later than usual, I’ve had enough sleep; today I’m feeling particularly spirited."

With such energy, naturally, one must attend to serious matters. One shouldn’t squander a fine day.

Chen Jinyu accompanied the Princess for breakfast. Jiang Shaohua disliked extravagance and waste; the breakfast wasn’t lavish, but the portion was indeed generous.

Jiang Shaohua happily filled her belly, praising contentedly: "It’s still better back here, not once in the Capital City did I truly have a full meal."

Chen Jinyu observed the table full of empty bowls and plates, and chuckled silently.

No more idle chatter. After entering the study room, Jiang Shaohua immediately involved herself in discussions with the officials. Truth be told, this setup was similar to the small court held by the Emperor with high ministers. Nanyang County’s big and small matters were decided in the officials’ reports and Jiang Shaohua’s judgments.

Jiang Shaohua disliked unnecessary talk, handling things swiftly and effectively. In just over an hour, she dealt with several days’ worth of accumulated affairs.

Chief Historian Chen felt the heavy burden on his shoulders lighten significantly, feeling rather comforted, and whispered to Chief Historian Feng: "With the Princess back, I feel much lighter."

Chief Historian Feng glanced at Chief Historian Chen: "Don’t speak so soon. With the Princess’s temperament, she won’t stay put at the Prince Mansion for long."

Indeed, after staying at the Prince Mansion for five or six days, Jiang Shaohua decided to go inspect the military camp and the Fourteen Counties.

Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng were familiar with the Princess’s disposition, knowing they couldn’t persuade her, so they didn’t even try: "If news from the court arrives, I will send someone to inform the Princess."

"Return safely soon."

...

For everyone, the Princess going out for inspection was nothing new; they had long been accustomed to it. In the past three-plus years, the Princess spent half of each year at the counties and military camps. This time having been away for more than half a year, upon returning the Princess wished to inspect the counties, which was understandable.

Song Yuan led two hundred personal soldiers accompanying to protect the Princess’s safety, Sheren Chen and Sheren Ma, of course, were to go along too, and this time Jiang Shaohua also included Tang Youyin in the entourage.

Chief Historian Feng was actually not very willing. Tang Youyin, in his prime, was energetic and willing to endure hardships, known as a strong arm in the Household Department—no, more accurately, his capable assistant.

However, the Princess having Tang Youyin accompany her was an intention to promote him and also to give the Tang Family face. Feng knew as his superior, he couldn’t obstruct his subordinate’s path of advancement, so he reluctantly let go.

Tang Youyin wasn’t foolish at all and naturally understood the benefits of accompanying. To say nothing else, getting familiar in front of the Princess every day was worthwhile.

Tang Youyin happily packed his luggage, beginning a new Chapter in his life. Fortunately, having learned horseback riding in his youth, otherwise, riding daily would be unbearably challenging.

The first stop of the inspection, of course, had to be the Personal Guard Camp.

Grain is the foundation of the people, military strength is Jiang Shaohua’s real leverage at the court. Although the Nanyang Army had returned loyalty, it still couldn’t compare to the Personal Guard Camp.

The Personal Guard Camp, in the past three years, had silently recruited and expanded, from the original two thousand soldiers, the numbers had quietly doubled.

The Personal Guard Camp had sufficient military pay, lacked neither clothing nor food, and trained daily without fail. From last year, the guards were continuously sent out to escort and protect grain deliveries, which counted as actual combat training. Such military drills inevitably came with losses.

Of the three commanders, only Liu Hengchang was at the military camp; Qin Zhan and Meng Dashan were leading troops outside. Jiang Shaohua settled at the Third Elite Guard Camp.

"Commander Liu, having seen the situation in the North firsthand, what are your feelings?"

That evening, a bonfire was lit in the military camp, and the guards ate barbecued meat around it, each one with grease flowing from their mouths, smiling happily. Jiang Shaohua sat with Liu Hengchang, chatting casually while eating.

Liu Hengchang paused his movements, quietly said: "To be honest with the Princess, I always considered myself cold-hearted. But these months, having seen so many starving civilians, it’s truly unbearable."

"I followed the Princess’s instructions and secretly took in starving civilians. Whenever there were around five hundred, people were sent to escort them back to Nanyang. Over the past few months, Nanyang County has taken in over four thousand starving civilians. But this number pales compared to the numbers suffering, displaced, and catastrophically afflicted."

"Often people kneel outside the grain depot, pleading for shelter and a bite to eat, promising to give their lives. But our resources are limited, and we can’t endlessly take in refugees."

At this talk, the typically reserved and deep-thinking Commander Liu’s eyes became a bit moist, suddenly unable to continue.

Jiang Shaohua’s mood was heavy and she spoke softly, "You eat one mouthful at a time, step by step down the road. Right now, we’ve done our best; there’s no remorse for us."

Liu Hengchang took a deep breath: "The Princess’s benevolence and virtue, I am forever willing to follow the Princess."

Over three years, this was Liu Hengchang’s first expression of loyalty.

Jiang Shaohua’s brows lifted slightly, and she smiled.