Between sovereign and subject, courtesy must be meticulously observed, with no detail overlooked.
This time, Prefect Chen and Governor Qin did not bring ostentatious gifts.
Instead, they presented toys and snacks that children enjoyed.
Upon entering the main hall, the two officials saw Xiao Jinheng and Xiao Xitian playing chess.
It seemed the Yun family's youngest daughter was highly favored by the young prince.
They would have to visit often in the future.
"Young Master Xiao, I have come today specifically to..."
"Wait!~"
Before Governor Qin could finish speaking, Xiao Jinheng made a move, his face beaming with joy, "Haha, little village child, I win!"
Despite Xiao Xitian's young age, she was quite skilled at Gomoku.
She often infuriated Xiao Jinheng with her victories.
Xiao Xitian pouted, "I was letting you win this round!~"
Winning by herself was too boring!
If the little brat didn't get a chance to turn things around, he would end up swallowing the chess pieces...
Governor Qin and Prefect Chen glanced at the chessboard.
What were they playing?
Although there were black and white pieces, the flow of the game was completely chaotic.
They couldn't understand it at all.
Xiao Jinheng's brow relaxed slightly, and he looked at Governor Qin, asking, "What were you saying just now?"
"Young Master Xiao, may I speak with you in private?"
Governor Qin looked troubled.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Little Sweetheart, but it felt too awkward to speak this way.
Xiao Jinheng replied expressionlessly, "Say whatever you need to say right here!~"
This way, the little village child could hear more and be more astute when she entered the palace later.
Governor Qin acknowledged, "Alright!~"
He then explained the matter of cutting down the Agarwood forest.
At the end of his statement, he added, "Young Master Xiao, once these trees are sold, waterwheels can be built to irrigate farmland for ten miles around, preventing crop failure and famine!~"
Prefect Chen nodded in agreement, "Indeed, aside from Dashui Village, other villages are also suffering from drought."
"Therefore, we implore Young Master Xiao for approval to exploit the Agarwood forest for the benefit of the common people..."
Xiao Xitian couldn't help but twitch her lips upon hearing this.
Uncle Governor, Uncle Prefect, do you have some misunderstanding about waterwheels?
Waterwheels can only operate where there is flowing water.
Furthermore, as far as she knew, there were no abundant water sources in the surrounding ten miles.
Only Dashui Village had a Gou Gou Lake, which was the most suitable for building waterwheels.
These things needed to be adapted to local conditions and not built arbitrarily...
Xiao Jinheng also considered this point and his small face turned cold, "I said that forest cannot be touched!~"
"Besides, you talk about cutting down trees incessantly. Are you trying to line your own pockets and profit from this?"
His words immediately terrified the two officials.
They knelt on the ground, trembling.
"Young Master Xiao misunderstands us!"
Governor Qin cupped his hands, "The county yamen is out of funds, and the prefectural yamen's finances are also tight. This is the only practical solution."
"Hmph, absurd!~" Xiao Jinheng rebuked.
He tossed the chess piece in his hand into the wooden box and stood up, "The county yamen is out of money, the prefectural yamen is also out of money, yet you officials feast and drink daily on delicacies."
"Governor Qin, as far as I know, you have three or four concubines in your official residence, don't you?"
"The expenses for their upkeep each year, aren't they all squeezed from the common people?"
"You cry poverty now, but why didn't you think more of the people back then?"
Governor Qin was berated thoroughly, filled with trepidation, and sweat beaded on his forehead...
Xiao Jinheng then looked at the trembling Prefect Chen and snorted, "Prefect Chen, you consume no less than eighty to a hundred wild game animals annually."
"Whether it's roe deer, wild boar, pheasants, or various birds and beasts, you've eaten almost everything."
"While the common people toil under the sun and wind, suffering from hunger and cold in the fields, you indulge in feasting."
"Now, when you are needed, you are utterly useless."
"What use does the court have for such parasites like you? Hmm?"
Prefect Chen was so frightened he almost prostrated himself on the ground.
Alas, if he had known this would happen, he would have let Governor Qin come alone.
Why must he endure this suffering?
"Look up!~" Xiao Jinheng stood before the two officials, his hands behind his back.
The 'Mayor' and 'Governor' both looked terrified, treading on thin ice, and slowly raised their heads.
"Listen carefully, the funds for building waterwheels and excavating canals this time will be provided by me."
"However, the county yamen and the prefectural yamen must each send thirty yamen runners to the village to help the common people with the work."
"If you can atone for your past deeds, I will turn a blind eye and let you off this time..."
Having said this, Xiao Jinheng gazed at the sun outside the window and continued, "Immediately send people to survey the affected villages."
"Considering the terrain and water sources, if waterwheels can be built to save the crops, that would be ideal."
"If it's all dry land, then allocate grain from other prefectures or counties and distribute it to the disaster victims."
After his speech, it completely overturned Governor Qin and Prefect Chen's perception of him.
They had thought that this young prince, having lived in a mountain village for so long, had become dull and unintelligent.
Even inferior to the mischievous children in the village...
But after meeting him today, they realized they were entirely mistaken.
Some people, no matter where they go, are born with a regal aura.
They cannot be buried by the rustic environment.
"Your subordinate obeys!~" The two nodded in unison.
Xiao Jinheng gave a "Hmm" and waved his hand, "You may go and attend to it!"
This young master still needs to play chess with the little village child!
Xiao Xitian rested her chin on her hands, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.
Her dark pupils were as clear as a bubbling spring, with a moist sheen.
"Xiao Jinheng, why do they listen to you?" Xiao Xitian asked knowingly.
She wanted the little brat to reveal his identity himself.
Just as Xiao Jinheng was eager to know where she came from...
"Guess!" Xiao Jinheng sat cross-legged on the chair and tapped the chessboard, "Come, let's continue!"
Xiao Xitian scoffed and wrinkled her little nose, "Hmph, if you don't want to say, then forget it!~"
Governor Qin and Prefect Chen walked out of the grand residence, wiping their sweat.
"Alas, this young prince is even more stringent than His Majesty. Truly wise and commendable!"
Governor Qin murmured.
He now felt relieved, as if a prisoner released from jail had seen the light of day again.
Prefect Chen felt a surge of lingering fear.
Fortunately, he had not engaged in corruption or bribery, otherwise, if the young prince had caught him, his fate would have been dire.
"Your Excellency Governor, wha- what should we do next?" Prefect Chen stammered.
Governor Qin shot him a glance, "Of course, we must go and inspect that Agarwood forest."
Since they were already here, why not see the site?
Although Xiao Jinheng had promised to fund the construction of waterwheels, the two officials also had to dip into their own pockets and sacrifice some money.
If the Agarwood forest were targeted by villains again, they would not be able to account for it to His Highness the Prince...
"Go and fetch Er Man, we're heading into the mountains now."
"Alright!~"