Chapter 035: Deluded Governor Liang, Liang Wanda Atones for His Crimes
“I was momentarily deluded and embezzled the disaster relief grain. I only beg Your Highness to grant me a chance to atone for my crimes. Please don’t… please don’t…”
Xie Chengze chuckled lightly, tapping his golden-threaded fan behind the man’s neck. Liang Wanda shuddered violently, collapsing to his knees in terror.
“You mean, don’t chop off your head?”
“Your Highness, considering my years of service if not merit, I beg for mercy! I swear to devote myself completely to the Second Prince, never again engaging in corrupt practices! I’ll immediately retrieve all the hidden disaster relief grain to support Your Highness’ city quarantine plan, ensuring no mistakes occur!”
After floods, grain prices inevitably rose. Since most silver had been embezzled by higher officials, Liang Wanda naturally targeted the relief grain, hiding the majority in his personal cellar. He planned to have associates “launder” it as commercial grain once prices increased.
Shen Yuan had reserved this grain for emergencies, keeping it as his safeguard. Now, Xie Chengze’s strategic maneuvers attracted numerous grain merchants to Yi Province, and his plan required this emergency grain reserve. Thus, its retrieval became timely.
Xie Chengze had intended to intimidate Liang Wanda before demanding the grain, but since the man proactively offered, he was pleased to oblige.
“You’re clever. As long as you’re willing to reform, I’ll naturally give you a chance.” Xie Chengze helped him up with both hands, smiling. “Go handle it. Do well, and I’ll let you live.”
These days, few people swallow empty promises so readily. How could I bear to let you die?
As for how he’d ultimately survive… Xie Chengze smirked sinisterly inwardly, having already selected the most fitting punishment for Liang Wanda.
Liang Wanda withdrew with profuse gratitude, diligently dispatching men to execute Xie Chengze’s orders.
Xie Chengze stood at the doorway, waving his golden-threaded fan. After a moment, he said calmly, “Wuhen, follow him.”
This matter allowed no errors. To prevent mishaps, having Wuhen shadow Liang Wanda and monitor his movements was prudent.
Then he glanced subtly toward the distance, catching a glimpse of disappearing robe hem behind a corridor pillar.
It seemed someone distrusted him too.
——
That day, all Jiangdu Xian’s citizens mobilized.
Elders lit stoves, steaming the county office’s remaining grain into warm buns. Women sewing oilpaper covers swallowed saliva enviously, suppressing hunger as they focused on their tasks. Men transporting bedding and iron pots frequently stole glances while passing, feasting their eyes to curb their stomachs.
Hearing they could earn buns by reciting rhymes, children gathered at the government office entrance, lisping after scholars with clear, tender voices:
“In Yi Province dwells a mountain immortal,
Compassionate to all living souls,
Entering dreams at midnight,
Enlightening Governor Liang.”
The storm approaches,
Torrents soon to descend,
Seek refuge at Yu Ji for three days,
Thus saving countless lives.”
“The Governor acted accordingly,
Indeed the flood arrived,
Yu Ji Mountain blocked the waters,
Cleverly preserving many lives.
The Governor, keen-minded,
Prayed to reenter dreams,
The mountain immortal reappeared,
Asking what he desired.”
“Can this mountain be leveled? Can this river be split? When east and west aren’t balanced, all people suffer its plight! The mountain deity laughs aloud, praising such bold thought, with but a pointed gesture, all methods come to light!”
“This mountain shall be leveled! This river shall be split! Diverting flows east and west, the Land of Abundance is made!”
The children’s voices rang with conviction, stirring one’s passions, inevitably making one ponder the meaning within the rhyme: Could this mountain truly be leveled? Could these waters truly be split?
Could Yi Province truly become the Land of Abundance?
“Impossible!”
In the inn, Ji Songhua shook his head while chewing on a steamed bun. “Governor Liang would do anything for fame, even fabricating such rhymes to deify his achievements. If Brother Ouyang Jiu hadn’t some knowledge of stars and clouds, and if it hadn’t reached his ears through Brother Cheng, how could he have foreknown? And that latter part of the rhyme is pure nonsense!”
“I’m not so sure,” Gu Ying countered. “Just because you can’t think of a way doesn’t mean others can’t.”
“Exactly! I agree with Brother Gu!” Zhu Xiaobiao immediately chimed in.
“You two…” Ji Songhua pointed at them, finally shaking his sleeve in frustration. “Unreasonable! Brother Ouyang, look at them! They can’t actually believe Governor Liang is some kind of deity, can they?”
Ouyang Jiu glanced at Xie Chengze. “He is certainly no deity.”
But perhaps…
Ji Songhua immediately turned to Zhu Xiaobiao triumphantly. “See? Brother Ouyang said it too—Governor Liang can’t do it!”
He then nudged another scholar beside him. “What do you think?”
The scholar was burly and robust but seemed extremely taciturn, making his presence easily overlooked. When addressed by Ji Songhua, he merely shook his head silently and continued chewing on his flatbread.
“See? Any sensible person thinks it’s impossible!” Ji Songhua declared proudly.
Zhu Xiaobiao, however, remained unconvinced. “I’ve thought about it—why can’t a mountain be leveled? Why can’t a river be split? Since we can quarry stone, why can’t we level Yu Ji Mountain? Since we can design ditches in courtyards to divert rainwater, why can’t we divert the Min River?”
“They’re just bigger, so we can find more people to do the work! It’s only a matter of time!” Zhu Xiaobiao said angrily. “We haven’t even tried—how can we say it’s impossible!”
‘Just bigger’? They’re far more than just bigger! Weren’t you there on Yu Ji Mountain that day? Did you not see how fierce and rapid the Min River’s flash flood was? Battling nature costs both wealth and lives!” Ji Songhua retorted heatedly. “You’re all talk!”
Zhu Xiaobiao was left speechless by his rebuke.
Bian Yangchun thought for a moment, then looked toward Xie Chengze, who was smiling faintly as he fanned himself. “Brother Cheng, you’re on good terms with Governor Liang. Do you know something?”
Everyone turned their attention to Xie Chengze. After the flash flood, they had noticed that Xie Chengze and his companions seemed quite familiar with Governor Liang. However, since Xie Chengze was, after all, from a wealthy family, it wasn’t unusual for him to spend money to establish connections and receive special treatment, so they hadn’t been particularly suspicious.
“Well…” Xie Chengze shook his head. “I haven’t heard anything.”
Gu Ying and Zhu Xiaobiao instantly deflated.
After their small gathering dispersed, Zhu Xiaobiao walked back to the government office with his head drooping, looking dispirited. Xie Chengze tapped his head lightly with a folding fan. “What’s wrong? Why so glum?”
“Your Highness, am I really wrong?” Zhu Xiaobiao hung his head dejectedly. “Is it because I’ve never studied, so I can only think in simplistic terms?”
Xie Chengze raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Why don’t you ask Jing Ze? Hasn’t Jing Ze read many books? You even praised him as a talented scholar.”
Zhu Xiaobiao thought this made sense and immediately looked at Jing Ze expectantly. “Jing Ze? What do you think? Am I right, or are Ji Songhua and Ouyang Jiu right?”
Jing Ze fell silent for a moment before speaking. “The young master is right.”
“You hesitated!” Zhu Xiaobiao pouted, not wanting to engage with Jing Ze anymore. “And you’ve learned to flatter now!”
Jing Ze could only smile wryly in response.
“You! You don’t like hearing the truth, and you don’t like flattery either?” Xie Chengze tapped Zhu Xiaobiao’s head with his folding fan again, then leaned close to whisper, “Xiaobiao, would you like to witness a real immortal?”
Zhu Xiaobiao looked up blankly. “Huh? A real immortal? Do such beings truly exist in this world?”
Xie Chengze laughed with unrestrained confidence, his brilliant eyes shining with a radiance that seemed to outshine even his peerlessly handsome features. “Indeed! The myths you’ve imagined—this prince will make them real for you!”