“Ah Gui, what do you think now of this booklet, this Ning Liheng…?”

As dusk approached, the Duke Consort’s sedan chair passed through the streets of Jiangning. After Kang Xian asked this question, Lu Agui pondered for a long time.

“If it were in the past, it would be difficult to make a decision. But after seeing this booklet today, this humble one believes that this Ning Liheng… may be a man of practical ability…”

“I think so too…” Kang Xian sighed. “This single booklet covers a wide range of topics. How to manage, guide, and subtly influence the disaster victims to exert their effective efficiency, rather than blindly suppressing them, this is the true Way of the King. His theories on hygiene are not mere fabrications either. He mentioned when discussing *gewu* in the past, that the study of *gewu* must first confirm that all facts have rules, record various similar events using a unified method, and analyze their internal causes through comparison and induction to find objective causes and effects. One cannot assume or accept supernatural powers. He has repeatedly cited examples when talking about hygiene today, which may also be his conclusions derived from *gewu*…”

He thought for a moment, “Tonight I still have to deliberate and consider how to hand this booklet over. Tomorrow, I will discuss it with Duke Qin… The disaster relief is urgent now. Once things ease up, Ah Gui, I want you to gather as many doctors and medical officers as possible and conduct a detailed integration, comparing the surrounding conditions when various diseases occur, as Liheng said, to understand the impact of hygiene and other conditions on the disease, record everything seriously, and everything must be based on facts, and no wild claims are allowed.”

“Yes.”

“After the floods, disasters will arise. Some things can be done now. Arrange for manpower to make observations and records in every place where the family’s business can allocate manpower. Disasters are happening everywhere this year, Duke Qin will send out that booklet, and I will also submit it to the imperial court. Some people will use it, some will not, and some will be perfunctory. Have them record the implementation, the beginning and end of the epidemic, the detailed number of days, the situation after the outbreak, and make this… what did Liheng call it… the ratio. If it can really be confirmed that this method can stop the epidemic, tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of lives… this will accumulate merit in the eyes of the Bodhisattva…”

“Yes.”

“It’s a pity that he is unwilling to take real action.” Kang Xian shook his head. “I don’t quite believe in armchair strategists. As for bringing out this booklet just to let Old Man Qin accept that Nie Yunzhu as his adopted daughter, so that she has some support, ha, he has both literary talent and foolishness. But, Ah Gui, do you believe it?”

“This subordinate… doesn’t believe it.” Lu Agui thought for a moment, “Although Young Master Ning’s words have a bit of self-interest, in fact, the significance of this kind of procedure is by no means comparable to a merchant. Given his current relationship with Duke Qin and you, Master, even if there are a few small matters, asking Master to take care of them is just a matter of lifting a finger. Even saying a word to this humble one about ordinary merchant affairs can probably solve them. Young Master Ning himself is not incompetent. With the weight of this booklet… this humble one feels that although he has thought about these things, I am afraid that he is just using them as an excuse to show his unwillingness to become an official.”

Kang Xian laughed, “Haha, could it be that he himself doesn’t take this little booklet too seriously?”

“There are also people who are humble and modest. Young Master Ning was originally modest, but his judgment is extremely accurate. If you want to say that he equates these two things, it is really puzzling. Even if he owes Duke Qin a favor, he should understand the use of this booklet. Otherwise, this humble one feels that he would not have solemnly instructed us not to say his name.”

“That’s the principle, but in any case, he still only wants to be a live-in son-in-law in this Jiangning. In the ‘Wei Zi’ chapter of the Analects, Zilu once said, ‘A gentleman serves in office to fulfill his duty…’ He has a heart of reclusion, but he usually has many things to do. His remarks may be biased, but not indignant. At this time, taking out this booklet also proves that he has the people of the world in his heart. This idea is really a bit incomprehensible.”

“He cares about the people, but is unwilling to enter the imperial court. Master, could it be that he offended some superior in the past, was treated unfairly, and therefore became disillusioned with officialdom? This humble one hears that although Young Master Ning is not very old, when he talks about things like infighting, flattery, and calculation, he does seem to have some feelings.”

Kang Xian nodded, “I didn’t investigate in detail before, this time you should have someone investigate carefully. If he really offended someone… then we’ll talk about it later.”

“Yes.”

The setting sun had already become magnificent in the distance, the sedan chair returned to the Duke Consort’s mansion. As they went in, a servant reported that the King Kang’s children had come and were playing with the princess in the back. Kang Xian smiled and went in.

The term “princess” always sounds very young, but as Kang Xian’s wife, Princess Chengguo Zhou Xuan is actually fifty-four years old this year. This princess is the current Emperor’s own aunt. She was quite talented when she was young. After marrying Kang Xian, their relationship was very good and could be regarded as respectful as guests. Although this princess is now keeping a low profile, because Kang Xian and her jointly manage a large number of businesses, although she is not involved in politics, she actually has considerable influence in the royal family.

This couple is neutral and wealthy. Several royal family members who are also wealthy and idle are willing to be close to them. For example, Zhou Yong’s children Zhou Pei and Zhou Junwu came to the mansion to play again today, bringing a group of their grandchildren and granddaughters to run around in the garden. His graceful and noble wife Zhou Xuan was smiling and watching in the pavilion. Seeing him coming, she said, “The master is back.” Then she reached out and made him a cup of tea. Afterwards, the children also clamored and came over.

Honestly, among these children, Kang Xian liked the little adult Zhou Pei the most. This girl is indeed smart, her own grandchildren and granddaughters cannot compare. As for Zhou Junwu, who is often bullied by his sister, he is more popular with his own grandchildren and granddaughters. Zhou Yong’s family really has a good pair of children. As soon as he sat down, Zhou Pei ran over first.

“Duke Consort Grandpa, Duke Consort Grandpa.”

Her mouth was sweet, which was a sign of asking for something. Of course, Kang Xian also knew what she was asking for. This girl is very capable. A few days ago, she came up with a set of methods for calculating and allocating grain for disaster relief, which was quite thought-provoking. She knew that Kang Xian had some capable people under him, so she brought it to him to take a look. She was confident that she would present it to her "Emperor Uncle."

“Duke Consort Grandpa, that thing… how is it?”

The little girl smiled brightly. Kang Xian smiled here and praised her.

“…This kind of allocation method is indeed quite thought-provoking, and it also takes into account the allocation efficiency of increasing income and reducing expenditure. Several accountants in the mansion also praised Pei'er as a child prodigy, and only made a few small modifications. Regarding the distribution and allocation links between states and counties, there are a few small details that Pei'er may not be very clear about…”

Kang Xian took out a booklet and explained it in detail. As expected, it was just a few minor details. After these were explained, he took out another booklet, “However, Grandpa also got another set of calculation and recording procedures today, which is different from Pei'er’s focus. Pei'er, you are proficient in this way, take a look at whether this can work, and give Grandpa an idea.”

“Uh…” The beautifully dressed little County Princess was slightly puzzled. After a moment, she tilted her head, “Okay!”

She picked up the booklet and flipped through it, “Some of the later ones.” Kang Xian pointed it out, then smiled and spoke softly with his wife and a group of grandchildren aside. Zhou Pei sat on one side of the pavilion, frowning and flipping through a few pages, then frowned even deeper. She ran to the study next to her, and through the window, you could see the little girl finding some paper and pens to write and draw, concentrating. Zhou Xuan looked at it, turned her head and asked Kang Xian, “Husband, what did you show Pei'er?”

“It’s okay, we’ll talk about it after she comes out.” Kang Xian smiled and went to talk and play with his grandchildren. Zhou Junwu also looked at the study with some confusion. When the girl came out of the study, she had a somewhat dejected expression holding the booklet. She was now flipping through it from the beginning again. After flipping through it once, she thought about it and flipped through it again. After a long time, she closed the booklet and put it next to Kang Xian, “Duke Consort Grandpa, who wrote this?”

Kang Xian looked at her, thought for a while in his heart, and then said, “Originally, I shouldn’t say, but… if Pei'er swears to keep it secret, I will tell you. This is not a joke. Pei'er, you have to think carefully. If you think you can keep the secret, then I can tell you.”

Zhou Pei thought for a long time. Not long after, she solemnly raised her right hand.

The setting sun was slanting on the eastern city wall, casting warm yellow light on the yard. Not long after, a low exclamation suddenly came from the pavilion: “Huh? That barbarian?”

Little Junwu was leaning over at this time, and hearing his sister say this, he couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “Barbarian? Sister, what did that Ning Liheng do again?” Since the Dragon Boat Festival, his sister had been very uninterested in that Number One Scholar, calling him a barbarian.

Zhou Pei glared, “Go away!”

“I am also a little Prince, you can’t be like this…” A group of younger siblings were watching not far away. Little Junwu decided to resist, but before he finished speaking, he saw his sister’s eyes and turned around and ran away dejectedly.

“Oh…”

*******************

For Ning Yi, the two things he gave to Old Man Qin and Old Man Kang were naturally not as simple as they seemed. Compassion for the disaster victims and doing a good deed incidentally was certainly one of the reasons. Letting Old Man Qin accept Nie Yunzhu as his adopted daughter was the main body. Although in the eyes of Kang Xian and Lu Agui, this effort and reward might not be balanced, in Ning Yi’s view, there were actually more considerations.

Since the Gu Yanzhen incident, all the way back, he has been paying attention to the changes in various things. Finding a backer for Nie Yunzhu was not just to prevent her from encountering people like Gu Yanzhen again, or to make it more convenient for her in business. These considerations were only part of it. Another part was because Ning Yi discovered that constables were already looking for Li Pin and Nie Yunzhu to ask about Gu Yanzhen.

His contact with Nie Yunzhu was only one meeting before dawn every day. Apart from that, he had not met many times, but criminal investigation methods should not be underestimated. There was a good chance that the other party could find him through Nie Yunzhu. To take a step back, Gu Yanzhen planned to kidnap Nie Yunzhu, so he might have prepared something. The constables would therefore find some clues and focus on Nie Yunzhu. Since he wanted to take precautions, he would simply raise her status and nip the constable’s investigation in the bud at this level. This matter was not only good for Nie Yunzhu, but also good for him.

His calculations were so deep that they had become a habit in his bones. He would nip the danger in the bud before taking a step forward. Even if the worst happened, for example, Gu Yanzhen didn’t tell the truth before he died, and someone else knew that Gu Yanzhen hired someone to kidnap him. Under the premise that he killed the other party in self-defense, plus the weight of this disaster relief booklet, it was already a sufficient amount of insurance anyway.

Adding insurance, satisfying Old Man Qin and Old Man Kang’s thoughts of saving the country and the people, opening the way for Nie Yunzhu’s future, and he could still live leisurely. This was naturally the best result. He was a businessman, everything was an equal exchange. In this action, everyone benefited and no one owed anyone anything. Very good, saving people also satisfied his compassion. Perhaps fewer people would die of disease and starvation this year. Why not do something that benefits the world at the expense of a hair?

He had not yet mentioned the matter of finding an adoptive father for Nie Yunzhu to her. He didn’t know what she thought, and he would probably have to chat with her tomorrow morning. In the past, he only knew that the other party was born in a wealthy family when she was a child, and the conditions were good. Qin Siyuan has a good personality and will not treat her badly. Of course, if she had shadows in her heart, he would have to help her decline Qin Siyuan.

He was still calculating this matter in his heart. When he went back in the evening, he unintentionally saw Xiao Chan talking to a man in a small courtyard by the gate, looking somewhat anxious. He saw her in a hurry during dinner, and he didn’t take it to heart for a while. Xiao Chan had to deal with some things in the courtyard, and sometimes she might be anxious, but she handled them very well. It wasn’t until the family was sitting in the living room chatting and playing chess at night that he realized something was wrong. The little girl was sitting in the corner, looking down and sewing soles, and occasionally her muffled voice came over. Ning Yi observed for a while and called, “Xiao Chan, come here for a moment.”

“Yes, does Master have anything to say?” Xiao Chan made a cheerful voice, and came over with her head down. Ning Yi stretched out his finger and wiped her face, and realized that the corners of her eyes were already wet. He exchanged a glance with Su Tan’er. Su Tan’er put down the account book in her hand, walked over to take a look, and pulled her over to sit down, “Chan’er, what’s wrong? What happened?”

“Someone from home came in the afternoon and said that my father passed away two days ago…” Xiao Chan bit her lip and cried out, “I want… I want to ask Miss for a leave to go back, but Miss has been very busy recently…”

The room was silent for a while.

“You actually kept this to yourself? I’ll have… uh, Steward Chang accompany you back. What are you worried about in the mansion, you little maid…” Su Tan’er hugged her, then stared and said in a somewhat rushed tone.

“But Steward Chang is also very busy. If the city gates are closed, we won’t be able to come back…”

That Steward Chang was considered the highest-ranking steward in the main house. Having him accompany her was a sign of the Su family’s attention to Chan’er. Of course, such a level of specification was not originally needed, but Su Tan’er and several maids grew up together since childhood, and they were like sisters. Chan’er actually managed the mansion quite well, so Su Tan’er shook her head at this time.

“I told you not to think about these things. Chan’er, go back in peace, bury your uncle, and come back after you’ve taken care of things. We are like sisters, and if it weren’t for something happening recently, I should accompany you back.”

“Miss…” Chan’er had already cried. Juan’er and Xing’er were also gathering there with red eyes.

Ning Yi thought for a moment, “Then… I’ll accompany Xiao Chan back.”

Xiao Chan turned her head and wiped her tears with her hand, “Master…”

“Xiao Chan has taken care of me for so long. Steward Chang has something to do, and Tan’er you can’t go. I am an idle person, so going there is also a show of attitude. What do you think?”

There was a slight silence over there. Xiao Chan wiped her tears, feeling like she couldn’t finish wiping them, and was quite moved, “Master, Master can’t go… Master’s hand hasn’t healed yet…”

Su Tan’er hugged Chan’er, smiled and looked at Ning Yi for a while, then nodded slightly, and touched Chan’er’s cheek, “That’s good too, then it will be hard for my husband to go, and take Bodyguard Geng with you. Now that disaster victims are coming one after another, my husband and Xiao Chan must be careful along the way…”

**************

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