Chapter 0030: The Second Prince Who Plays with Lives, Xie Chengze the Master of Empty Promises

After Shen Yuan left, Liang Wan Da immediately began slacking off.

The rice porridge distributed to disaster victims gradually became thinner, Yamen Runners stopped clearing debris from collapsed houses, huddling in the county office to play cards and gamble. Payments to shops started being delayed, causing widespread complaints among Jiangdu’s residents.

Xie Chengze began whispering in his ear.

“Governor Liang, I’ve heard that disaster relief efforts in other counties aren’t going smoothly…” Xie Chengze left his sentence hanging.

Liang Wan Da was startled, instinctively thinking he was being held accountable, and quickly knelt to explain, “Your Highness, this humble official has been negligent in supervision, it’s just that…”

“Ah!” Xie Chengze raised his hand to stop the explanation, helping him up with an indulgent expression.

“I understand you completely,” he said, like a cat that only knows how to manipulate humans, leaning close to Liang Wan Da’s ear and whispering persuasively, “Those county magistrates usually appear competent, but now that they’ve encountered floods, their true mediocre and incompetent nature has been revealed. This can’t really be blamed on you, Governor Liang, don’t you agree?”

Liang Wan Da’s eyes lit up, then he coughed lightly, assuming a serious expression, “Your Highness understanding this humble official moves me deeply. These county magistrates usually do have their merits, but who would have thought they’d be so incompetent when faced with major disasters? This humble official is frustrated at their inability to meet expectations!”

“Ah! And isn’t the current imperial court full of such useless talents who occupy official positions without doing real work? How I wish everyone standing in the Golden Luan Hall were honest and upright officials like you, Governor Liang!” Xie Chengze spared no effort in flattering him.

“This humble official is unworthy of such praise!” Liang Wan Da quickly clasped his hands in salute, speaking with perfect bureaucratic decorum, “If the court has need of me, this humble official would brave fire and water, undeterred by myriad deaths!”

“Is that so?” Xie Chengze’s eyes shone as if he had found a kindred spirit, saying delightedly, “I too hope Governor Liang can serve in the court, working for the welfare and benefit of our Jian’an people! It’s just that…”

Xie Chengze trailed off again, sighing mournfully.

Liang Wan Da pricked up his ears, “Hmm?”

Why did it seem like the Second Prince was… trying to recruit him?

Not entirely sure, better test the waters.

Liang Wan Da pretended to be reserved, asking, “This humble official is dull-witted, please speak plainly, Your Highness.”

Xie Chengze sighed and began explaining patiently, “It’s just that most civil and military officials in the court today are children of noble families. For ordinary local officials to enter court service is more difficult than climbing to heaven. Even those commoners specially promoted by His Majesty mostly either secretly pledged allegiance to some noble family, or possessed outstanding achievements in benefiting the people, having all the advantages of timing, geographical convenience, and human harmony – only then did they catch His Majesty’s eye…”

Xie Chengze glanced meaningfully at the top of Liang Wan Da’s head, “Merely having scholars mention your insignificant minor achievements during the Spring Examination probably won’t be enough to capture my father’s interest.”

Hearing this, Liang Wan Da grew somewhat excited. It seemed the Second Prince indeed intended to recruit him – not only that, but planned to become his patron and create the perfect timing, geographical convenience, and human harmony for him?

His demeanor couldn’t help becoming increasingly obsequious and devout, his heart pounding, “I beg Your Highness to enlighten me!”

“Governor Liang, with scholars from all regions now arriving in Yi Province, this is truly heaven-sent opportunity for you to change your destiny!” Xie Chengze spoke with profound sincerity as he guided him toward the doorway, raising a hand to gesture at the illusory grand vision—ahem, blueprint—in the air, murmuring:

“Governor Liang appears daily at the Porridge Shed, ladling warm congee for the starving refugees of Jiangdu. Passing scholars, deeply moved by this sight, would naturally pick up their brushes to capture your benevolent deeds…”

“Encourage the visiting scholars and common folk to uplift one another. Open parts of private gardens for planting short-term crops—let the people and Yamen Runners dry the soil while the scholars sow the seeds. A scene of harmonious prosperity and collective progress…”

“And days later, the satisfaction from seeing crop sprouts emerge would both alleviate the people’s fear of starvation and strengthen their trust in you, Governor Liang. Even the scholars, having personally participated, would feel more profoundly affected. Should they compose a couple of poems that reach Jingcheng, wouldn’t that bring far greater benefits than exhausting labor moving stones?”

“Even if wealthy gentry refuse to yield their garden lands—you are the governor! How dare they disobey? With mere words, you could gain countless heartfelt praises from scholars…” He clasped Liang Wan Da’s shoulder, speaking earnestly, “This humble prince happens to know some scholarly painters. Should Governor Liang put in some effort, these scholars would inevitably appear wherever you go, and their artworks would surely find their way to Jingcheng.”

Finally, Xie Chengze concluded lightly, “In time, this prince will pave your way and build momentum in Jingcheng, ensuring genuine acclaim from scholars everywhere. Then, with a casual mention before His Majesty—surely you know how dearly the Emperor favors this prince.”

“Though this prince could directly recommend you, doing so would inevitably invite jealousy once you enter court. You’d face enemies on all sides, struggling at every step. That’s why this prince meticulously plans to use scholars to build your reputation—letting you ascend the Golden Luan Hall with justified prestige, so civil and military officials actively seek your alliance!”

“Governor Liang!” Xie Chengze heaved a long sigh, like a worried mother hen, cupping the governor’s cheeks with both hands, his face full of frustrated concern. Do you understand this prince’s苦心?”

Liang Wan Da, who had never tasted such an elaborate “pie,” was utterly stunned.

Compared to that other lord’s hollow promise of “prioritizing your promotion when opportunities arise,” Xie Chengze was essentially slapping a freshly baked, steaming meat pie right in his face, declaring: “Do this, and I’ll promote you immediately.”

It was fucking irresistible.

So irresistible that Liang Wan Da nearly switched allegiance on the spot.

As the saying goes, no contrast, no realization of inferiority. That other lord only demanded embezzlement and extortion, taking most of the silver himself while claiming it was necessary for advancement. Yet Xie Chengze asked not a single coin—instead, he skillfully leveraged scholars to build reputation. Every word he spoke was masterful, making one marvel at such an approach.

Even a fool could see Xie Chengze was the more reliable choice.

Liang Wan Da felt like a thousand-li steed finally meeting its master. Heaven had granted him this tremendous opportunity—the turning point to transform his fate was right before him. He absolutely couldn’t let it slip away!

“Second Prince!” Liang Wan Da directly dropped to his knees with a heavy thud, performing three deep kowtows toward Xie Chengze. “This official will certainly live up to your great trust! I’ll go handle this matter right away!”

After speaking, he scrambled to his feet and, limping on his injured leg while sporting a red bruise on his forehead, charged out of the government office with fighting spirit. He shouted to the Yamen Runners, “Men! All of you, follow me!”

Watching his retreating figure, the corners of Xie Chengze’s lips curved upward slightly. Gradually, that upward curve grew wider and wider, almost stretching to his ears, until his entire face revealed an extremely cunning and sinister smile.

Aha! So damn easy to fool!

Did this idiot really think the heavens would drop pies for villains?

And a freshly baked, steaming hot pie at that—aren’t you afraid it’ll burn you to death, you old fool!

Moron!