CHAPTER 427: CHAPTER 424 THANK YOU

Guo Hui, the county magistrate of Xin County, brought Ministry of Revenue officials to the second hall of Xin County’s government office.

Everyone sat down, and Guo Hui explained the current situation in Xin County to Shangguan: "Currently, everyone is engaged in spring ploughing, and Song Jiedu has taken people to the Dai State military camp."

In past years during spring ploughing, the Liao people would always look for opportunities to cause border disturbances; naturally, this year we need to stabilize the border, especially since the market is under construction, and no mishaps can occur.

The Ministry of Revenue originally came to the North to inspect the farming situation, and traveling northward, they noticed that the Eight States were particularly different this year, as if after the cold winter, all things began to revive.

It’s not only due to the court providing grain seeds this year, but also because, after the end of the war, the common people finally felt at ease and worked harder than usual.

The Eight States are also following last year’s practices from Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou, with the court creating numerous farming tools and purchasing draft oxen lent to the people for use. It’s safe to say that both the court and the people are putting all their energy into spring ploughing.

The Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer traveled along, wearing official attire while walking on the official roads, surprisingly without anyone stopping to check. You should know that before he arrived at the Eight States, whenever he passed through a state or a county, local officials would already have received word and come to greet him. However, after arriving at the Eight States, he had to search everywhere for the officials of the Eight States.

Guo Hui and the Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer knew each other from before; after finishing official business in the government office, Guo Hui led the Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer to the side room for a private conversation.

"Our Song Jiedu is different from others," Guo Hui said. "Normally, when Jiedu visits the government office, he doesn’t notify us in advance, nor does he need our welcome. He doesn’t care much about formalities, but if someone fails to handle governance properly, he certainly won’t spare them lightly."

The Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer said, "No wonder among the officials arriving at the Eight States, some secretly sent memorials to accuse Song Xian, saying he is moody, arbitrary, and even disregarding human life."

Mentioning the disregard for human life, Guo Hui sighed: "That’s really not Song Jiedu’s fault. That Hu County Magistrate relied on having someone from his clan in the Central Secretariat and privately ignored Song Jiedu’s commands. After being publicly punished by Song Jiedu, he made a scene about going to drown himself to clear his grievances. Song Jiedu ignored him, and he really did so. When he was fished out, he was not dead yet, but the northern cold froze him into illness, and within five days, he died."

The Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer nodded: "Song Jiedu submitted a memorial explaining everything, and the Emperor did not blame him."

This was within Guo Hui and the others’ expectations; organizing the Eight States would inevitably be tumultuous. If you fear causing trouble and are timid, future constraints would be even worse. So, it’s better to act boldly, punish one Hu County Magistrate to warn others, preventing those with impure intentions from audacious misconduct.

The rare thing is that Song Xian retained evidence of Hu County Magistrate’s various actions. Even if accused before the Emperor, it would not result in anything.

Guo Hui increasingly felt that his teacher and Mr. Li You have good judgment; Song Xian is capable. Currently, in the Eight States, Song Xian is respected by officials and supported by the people, firmly holding the position of Jiedu.

The Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer whispered again: "How is the Commandery Princess?"

Usually, one wouldn’t inquire about the Commandery Princess, but many affairs in the Eight States rely on her.

Guo Hui said: "A few days ago, she was on the mountain checking medicinal materials, and these days we don’t know her whereabouts." Jiedu protects the Commandery Princess tightly, and they don’t know all her news.

The Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer said: "I still need to go check the nearby counties and then head north to Dai State."

After saying this, the Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer noticed Guo Hui smiling, and couldn’t help but ask: "Why are you smiling?"

Guo Hui coughed, returning to his usual solemnity, but his eyes still full of confidence: "You will understand after you see for yourself, the states and counties of the Eight States are the same. Soon, the fields will be planted full of crops."

The Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer said: "If this is true, I can report back to the court in the Capital City." Regardless of who guards the Eight States, the court still hopes for stability here, at least avoiding disasters and civil unrest.

Before leaving, the Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer looked at Guo Hui: "You are an official sent from the Capital, do your work well, and when you have achievements, you can be transferred back to the Capital."

Guo Hui felt a stir in his heart, bowed, and escorted the Ministry of Revenue Patrol Officer out. When he arrived at the Eight States, it was his teacher who secretly assisted him. When they were setting off for the Northern Border, the Emperor specially summoned them, making it clear that he wanted them to keep an eye on Song Xian in the Eight States.

They came to the Eight States with a mind full of concerns, but soon got entangled in the affairs of the government office, forgetting everything else. First, extending sheep wool to the people, then creating farming tools, and all these accounts and documents had to be done correctly.

There was no time for them to adapt to new duties; you could say there was no adaptation at all. By the time they realized, they were already officials serving the Eight States, and all the events mentioned by Song Xian were beneficial to the Eight States. Naturally, they had to do everything they could, and they couldn’t let the people go hungry because they lacked good officials.

Those hints from the Heavenly Family... there’s indeed no time to consider them right now.

"Mr. Guo," a government official entered and said, "Should we still go to the mountain to check the medicinal materials?"

"Let’s go," Guo Hui said.

The medicinal materials have been planted for some days, and without seeing them, it’s hard to feel at ease. Guo Hui took a couple of steps forward, suddenly feeling something strange beneath his foot, looked down, and saw his shoe sole had unknowingly worn through.

Guo Hui said: "Bring another pair of shoes." His mother certainly didn’t anticipate that, upon arriving in the Eight States, what her son would need most were shoes.

...

At the Dai State Pass, it wasn’t as tense as Guo Hui and others imagined, but rather filled with some sounds that are usually unheard.

The bleating of lambs rose and fell.

Song Xian closed the city gate, glanced at those vigorous lambs, and nodded with satisfaction. The market has yet to officially start, but Third Prince Ge Kun is very cooperative, almost always agreeing to the requests he makes.

Just like this time with the lambs, he sincerely wanted to purchase them. In Ge Kun’s eyes, it was as if he was seeking an opportunity to start a war; every lamb was carefully selected, appearing strong.

Song Xian suddenly felt a sense of admiration for Ge Kun, hoping he would stay here, as it would be beneficial for the market between the two countries.

"Send a few jars of our northern brewed wine to the Third Prince," Song Xian said, "as a token of appreciation."

Chang An could imagine what kind of mood Ge Kun would be in upon suddenly receiving a gift from him, probably contemplating what he was truly plotting.

His comprehensive considerations might take Ge Kun a lifetime to guess.

Song Xian left the pass and returned to the Dai State courtyard.

Chang Yue saw Song Xian and approached: "The Commandery Princess is in the main hall, and Liu Ji has returned from the West Mansion. The main figure searched for by the big lord and the Commandery Princess, Liu Xi, should have already passed away."

Upon hearing this, Song Xian’s gaze deepened: "How did he die?"

Chang Yue replied: "It’s said he encountered bandits, was kidnapped deep into the mountains, robbed of property, and injured fatally."

For someone who often traveled the seas to suddenly be quietly killed by bandits? Song Xian frowned slightly, suspecting there might be hidden circumstances.