Chapter 0025: Hu Yu Hai with Hidden Schemes, Xie Chengze with a Ghost in His Heart
Uncertain how many vacancies remained at the inns, Xie Chengze instructed Bian Yangchun and the others to enter the city first, planning to find them after securing suitable accommodation.
Though reluctant, Bian Yangchun had no choice but to comply. After they entered the city, Xie Chengze finally had Zhu Xiaobiao present his identification token.
The city guard, upon seeing the token, hurried over to bow. Xie Chengze waved a dismissive hand, “Inform Governor Liang that I am entering the city discreetly. No need for elaborate welcomes.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” The guard hastily departed.
The procession of carriages entered Jiangdu Xian quietly, slipping through the rear gate of the governor’s residence where Liang Wan Da was already waiting. Seeing Xie Chengze and Xie Zimiao alight, he rushed forward to greet them, “Welcome, Second Prince and Fourth Prince! May the Second Prince live ten thousand years! May the Fourth Prince live ten thousand years!”
After paying his respects, Liang Wan Da couldn’t help stealing a glance at this Second Prince.
Days earlier, he had received a private letter from Xie Chengze instructing him to arrange accommodations for the scholars, with a subtle reminder that scholars excelled at wielding their pens and tongues. If mistreated, any mention during next year’s Spring Examination reaching the Emperor’s ears could jeopardize Governor Liang’s career.
Initially annoyed by the scholars’ inconvenient arrival, Liang Wan Da now saw the wisdom in the Second Prince’s guidance. He didn’t mind cultivating a favorable reputation among them—perhaps word would reach the Emperor before the Spring Examination, earning him rewards or at least name recognition.
As for the inn rental costs… Liang Wan Da smiled inwardly. He certainly had ways to recover those expenses.
Xie Chengze also glanced at Liang Wan Da.
Days ago, he had sent that private letter emphasizing the importance of treating scholars well. Surely, Liang Wan Da—eager for imperial recognition—would willingly don this “benevolent official” hat crafted for him. But whether he could keep wearing this specially prepared crown…
Xie Chengze smiled darkly to himself. He was truly looking forward to it.
“Governor Liang, you’ve done well. Once the Jiangdi reconstruction is complete and the scholars depart contentedly, your reputation will spread across the land. All officials will see you as a model, and His Majesty will be so pleased he might promote you to the imperial court.” Xie Chengze spared no effort painting this glorious future.
Serving in the imperial court was the ultimate dream for local officials. Undeniably, Xie Chengze had pinpointed Liang Wan Da’s greatest ambition.
Sensing the deeper implications in Xie Chengze’s words, Liang Wan Da knelt excitedly, “This humble official will devote his life to the Second Prince!”
Shen Yuan watched everything with concealed intensity.
His suspicions were correct—the current Xie Chengze had grown wiser. He knew how to leverage scholars’ influence to craft a benevolent public image, applying the same strategy to Liang Wan Da.
Once Liang Wan Da received an imperial summons to court, he would become a powerful ally in Xie Chengze’s faction—serving his cause, overthrowing the Crown Prince, and rebelling for the throne.
But…
Shen Yuan flicked the Azure Sword in his hand rhythmically, a mocking smile curling his lips.
Given Liang Wan Da’s character, would he really let scholars stay in those inns for free?
“What? Staying one night actually costs 50 coins?” Bian Yangchun frowned upon hearing the price and asked doubtfully, “Didn’t they say scholars could stay at a lower rate?”
The common dormitory in inns usually only cost 10 coins per night!
“Oh dear customer, these days there are quite a few scholars coming to Jiangdu Xian. The common dormitories, firewood rooms, and even the stables are all fully occupied. The cheapest ones left are these two lower-grade rooms!” The innkeeper said helplessly, “If you’re not staying, please don’t block others who want to stay!”
“But…” Bian Yangchun calculated the money they had among them. They didn’t know how long they would be staying here, and most of their silver had been spent on food along the way, so they could only save on accommodation. “Innkeeper, there are many of us, and we’ll be staying for a long time. Are you sure there aren’t any cheaper rooms?”
“Ours is already the cheapest. If it weren’t for the prefect’s subsidy, how could I let all of you stay here!” The innkeeper shook his head. “Nowadays, the city’s food reserves are scarce, and I still have to provide you with two flatbreads for free every day. This is practically charity!”
Bian Yangchun had no choice but to grit his teeth and take out 150 coins. “Fine, we’ll book three nights for now. I hope we can use the kitchen later.”
There were five of them in total. Ouyang Jiu and Gu Ying contributed the most money, so they would sleep on the beds. As for him, Ji Songhua, and another scholar, they could squeeze together and sleep on the floor.
“Alright! No problem!” The innkeeper took the money and then pointed out a solution. “If you’re short on money, the reconstruction of Jiangdi outside the city requires moving a lot of stones. If any of you are strong, you can go sign up at the prefect’s office to earn some lodging money.”
“There’s such a thing? Thank you, innkeeper!” Bian Yangchun said joyfully, then went upstairs with the others carrying their bundles and rice bags.
After settling in, Bian Yangchun said to Gu Ying and Ji Songhua, “Since we’ve brought so much food, it’s best to have someone guard the door to prevent thieves from coveting it. Xiao Ying, you know martial arts, so don’t go move stones. The rest of us will take turns going. Brother Ji is physically weak, so rest today.”
Gu Ying and Ji Songhua nodded.
Bian Yangchun took the other two to the prefect’s office. After registering their names and hometowns from their travel permits, they found that many scholars had come to sign up. Since the quarry was quite far away, those who registered that day needed to gather at the office the next day at mao hour (5-7 a.m.), where officers would lead them to the quarry.
So Bian Yangchun brought the two back to the inn.
The next day, the scholars set off for the quarry and found many prisoners with iron chains on their feet quarrying stones from the mountain. Their treatment was clearly worse than that of the scholars—even if they couldn’t quarry anymore, they weren’t allowed to rest and would be whipped to get up.
The officer leading the way pointed at the woven grass baskets on the ground. “Fill them all with stones. We leave in half an hour and won’t wait for anyone!”
Wages were calculated based on the number of baskets moved. The more trips they made, the more familiar they became with the route. The scholars had just finished trekking over mountains and through rivers and hadn’t eaten their fill, so naturally, their moving speed was slow. However, no one bothered them since they were earning money for themselves and couldn’t be beaten or scolded. The guarding officers naturally paid them no mind.
By the end of the day, Bian Yangchun’s shoulders were rubbed raw and bleeding.
Gu Ying looked at him with heartache, blowing on his wounds. “Brother Bian, don’t go anymore. I still have some silver left!”
“Xiao Ying.” Bian Yangchun looked at him with disapproval, “Keep that money for yourself. In case of emergencies, you can hire a carriage to leave Jiangdu Xian.”
He knew what often happened in famine-stricken areas, so he absolutely couldn’t let Gu Ying stay in Jiangdu Xian without any means of escape.
“Then I’ll work as a guard to earn money!” Gu Ying said stubbornly.
“No, Ji Songhua and the others don’t know martial arts. They can’t protect the rice and grains in the room.” Bian Yangchun ruffled Gu Ying’s hair. Gu Ying wasn’t tall and was straightforward and simple-minded – Bian Yangchun regarded him as his own younger brother and naturally didn’t want him to suffer. “Just stay properly in the inn.”
Gu Ying pouted, “Alright then, but don’t overwork yourself. At worst, we can find a kind family and pay them some silver to let us stay with them.”
“Okay.” Bian Yangchun chuckled and affectionately ruffled his hair again.