Chapter 0287: Don’t Make Things Hard for the Working Class, I Actually Believed Your Nonsense

The earthquake relief efforts had begun.

Drawing from their memories of their previous lives, Shen Yuan and Xie Jinyu replicated disaster data from various regions to assess the extent of the damage in each area. They planned safe and convenient migration routes based on geography and official roads, avoiding areas plagued by banditry as much as possible. They also considered establishing relay stations and supply points along the routes to ensure the basic needs of the people during their migration.

They also needed to confirm the migration destinations, ensuring these locations could accommodate hundreds of thousands of people. Sufficient food, clothing, and medicine had to be prepared in advance to prevent riots caused by shortages. Ample horse-drawn and ox-drawn carts were also required to transport those unable to move easily and goods that were difficult to carry…

All these tasks were delegated to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, urging them to expedite the transportation of earthquake relief supplies and set up temporary relay stations. Carpenters in Dezhou, Qingzhou, Yizhou, and other regions were ordered to fully cooperate with local government offices, using all available local timber to manufacture carts. It was far better to use the wood for this purpose than to let it become worthless debris after the earthquake.

The work progressed in an orderly manner. With the cooperation of Shen Yuan, Jing Ze, and others in the court, each department had clear responsibilities. The edict for earthquake relief and migration was swiftly dispatched to the eastern provinces, where officials tasked with enforcing it supervised its immediate implementation, beginning the migration of people on the scheduled dates.

Everything went smoothly up to this point.

But just as Xie Chengze had predicted, the common people were not necessarily willing to leave their hometowns and homes.

What earthquake?

They didn’t believe it.

Would they be allocated houses and farmland when they got there?

No? Then they weren’t going!

The officials were up to their tricks again—they must be trying to seize their properties and land!

Those people cut down all the trees on the mountains, claiming it was to make wooden carts. But I think they clearly want to freeze us to death in winter! Or maybe they’re forcing us to buy that so-called black coal. Ha, those officials and merchants are always using these kinds of tactics!

Many commoners believed these rumors and obstructed the government from cutting down trees, accusing them of committing sins against heaven. It was only when the authorities exerted their power that the people reluctantly left, grumbling and looking back every few steps.

Every day, some absurd and frustrating incidents occurred. There were even those who took advantage of the situation to embezzle funds, slowing down the progress of the migration and relief efforts. When certain issues proved difficult to resolve, they were reported to the court for further instructions.

Xie Jinyu tossed these memorials aside. As for those foolish commoners, he believed they weren’t even worth saving.

“I have done all I can. The court has issued an edict, but they refuse to listen or leave. So stubborn and obstinate—what use do I have for such disobedient subjects?”

Under the flickering candlelight, Xie Jinyu’s expression shifted between light and shadow, appearing profoundly dark and sinister. “Only when some people die will the survivors learn to trust the court and become more loyal to it.”

Shen Yuan calmly reviewed the memorials, his composure unshaken as if Xie Jinyu had merely let out a soundless fart. He didn’t even look up. “Oh, but the Second Prince wants these people to live.”

Xie Jinyu: …

“Don’t use Second Brother to pressure me!” Xie Jinyu glared at Shen Yuan with a menacing gaze, his hand pressing restlessly on the long sword at his waist. “If not for Second Brother’s instructions, I would have killed you long ago!”

Shen Yuan finally deigned to glance at Xie Jinyu.

Although this Crown Prince was no longer as refined and amiable as before, his temperament had become twisted and sinister, and he was always quick to threaten to behead his ministers…

Fortunately, Xie Chengze’s presence could still restrain his violent tendencies, making him properly fulfill his responsibilities as the new emperor of Jian’an.

As for Xie Jinyu killing him in his previous life…

Shen Yuan sighed inwardly. He no longer cared about it now. Though he didn’t understand why Xie Jinyu was so obsessed with Xie Chengze, he figured there must be a reason why the young man doted on and indulged the Crown Prince so much—just as he himself would have fought tooth and nail if Xie Jinyu had killed his family in his past life.

All he prayed for now was that this Crown Prince would act normally and conscientiously handle state affairs by reviewing memorials.

Training another prince from scratch was truly exhausting.

The workaholic Shen Yuan, feeling disheartened, lowered his head and continued flipping through the memorials. “Your Highness, please attend to these matters quickly. This subject wishes to return home and rest early.”

Seeing Shen Yuan respond to him so listlessly, Xie Jinyu was filled with pent-up anger with no outlet. He could only viciously pick up his brush, intending to vent his frustrations on the memorials.

Then Shen Yuan spoke up: “No writing about beheadings. Be careful, or this subject will report it to the Second Prince.”

Xie Jinyu: “…”

Fine, he wouldn’t write it then!

Once his second brother recovered, he would definitely sow discord between those two until they were done for!!!

Meanwhile, in Zhuolu County, Jizhou.

Xie Chengze was engrossed in reading the “storybook” in his hands. A Crown Prince guard meandered past, secretly glancing at it, but his view was blocked by Wuhen and Wuji’s bodies.

“Hey~ Don’t make things difficult for the working man~ Come, come, look! I’m just reading a storybook!” Xie Chengze signaled Wuhen and Wuji not to trouble the guard, then revealed the cover title of the book.

The Crown Prince guard took a glance. Hmm, The Domineering Prince and the Charming Imperial Consort.

Could such storybooks really be sold openly among the common folk?

He’d have to inquire about it later.

The Crown Prince guard wandered off again.

Xie Chengze continued reading the storybook, occasionally making exclamations like “Tsk tsk tsk,” “Oh my,” “I never expected this,” “Hah~ Oh ho~”. Sometimes he would pick up his brush to circle and annotate passages in the book, as if greatly approving of the text.

Hearing the noises, the Crown Prince guard secretly speculated that the Second Prince must have come across some… risqué content.

Tsk tsk tsk.

Perhaps because Xie Chengze had been behaving so well, the guards at the county office had grown rather lax. Combined with Xie Chengze’s broken ribs, even the Crown Prince guard believed that, for the sake of his health, the Second Prince wouldn’t attempt to escape anytime soon.

Until one early morning, when he noticed that Wuhen and Wuji—who usually stood night watch—were nowhere to be seen. His face instantly pale with alarm, he rushed into the room only to find it empty. On the wooden table was left a single letter.

Written in Xie Chengze’s atrocious handwriting:

[We’re going out for a stroll for a few days~ We’ll be back soon~ Don’t snitch. You wouldn’t want the Crown Prince to know you neglected your duty, would you? ^_^~]

Crown Prince guard: ???

Your Highness, the Second Prince!!!

You promised not to make things difficult for the working man!!!

If you were going to leave, you could have at least taken this humble subordinate with you! This humble subordinate wouldn’t mind going on a business trip together!

Meanwhile, Xie Chengze was already in a carriage on his way to Pingcheng.

Da Dangjia, Er Dangjia, and San Niang had all come along. Listening to Xie Chengze explain his plan, San Niang couldn’t help but giggle. “Oh my, this method is truly amusing. Only the Second Prince could come up with something like this.”

“Sister-in-law, there’s no need to call me Second Prince. You can just call me nephew like Martial Uncle does.” Xie Chengze smiled. He was no longer the Second Prince nor the Prince Regent now. Though he still referred to himself as ‘this prince’ when speaking with guards, San Niang was Da Dangjia’s wife – there was no need for such formality between them.

San Niang didn’t stand on ceremony either, cheerfully calling out, “Alright~ nephew~”

After calling him that, she continued with a beaming smile, “According to what you said, nephew, shouldn’t you change your clothes? What you’re wearing now is far too plain!”

Xie Chengze tilted his head, puzzled, “Isn’t it normal for fortune-tellers to dress plainly?”

San Niang wagged her index finger, shaking her head, “No no no~ You can’t be a fortune-teller.”

“You have to be the reincarnation of Akashagarbha Bodhisattva.”