Chapter 128 The Affairs of the City

Inside the Sheng Le City Lord’s manor, in the signing room,

Si Niang sat upright at the head seat, a large pile of official documents awaiting her approval on the desk before her.

Sheng Le City wasn't really that big, and it didn't have many residents under its jurisdiction.

In peacetime,

Yan country officials could still frequently go out and invite friends to hunt, while Qian country officials would often gather to drink, feast, and compose poems.

But here, everything was handled meticulously. After all, this was their first territory, and they couldn't possibly adopt a laissez-faire approach at this time.

Moreover, construction in various aspects was still in its initial stages. The Wen family and their group of civil servants hadn't fully familiarized themselves with and adapted to their jobs. Blind Man and the others hadn't returned from following the Master to the Heavenly Barren Mountain Range yet, so the burden on Si Niang's shoulders was naturally much heavier.

Up and down, there were countless matters that needed her to coordinate and make decisions on. Liang Cheng, on the other hand, was carefree, only needing to immerse himself in the military camp to train troops.

At this time, sitting in the lower seat next to Si Niang was Blind Man's wife, Yue Xin.

She was arranged by Si Niang to come to the signing room to work together. After all, she was the granddaughter personally taught by that old fox, Wen Su Tong, and she was naturally intelligent. Even with mundane matters, she understood them instantly. Even Si Niang marveled at her intelligence.

It was a pity that Zheng Fan and the others hadn't returned yet. If they could see this scene in the signing room, based on Xue San's consistent habit of "sowing discord," he would definitely whisper loudly enough for the Master to hear:

"Isn't this Wu Zetian and Shangguan Wan'er?"

Si Niang put down her pen and rubbed her wrist, sighing in her heart that even doing needlework with the Master wasn't as tiring as this.

Yue Xin stood up and personally refilled Si Niang's tea.

"Milady, if you're tired, you should rest first."

"If Elder Sister isn't resting, then I'm not tired either."

Si Niang smiled without saying anything.

Yue Xin also smiled discreetly.

"Ah, counting the days, it's been so many days already, and the Master and the others still haven't returned. I heard that the barbarian girls have fiery personalities. Maybe he's tired of the delicacies at home and wants to try some mountain delicacies."

"The home is deserted anyway. Bringing back some wild pheasants can also add a lot of liveliness."

"You're quite open-minded."

"I learned it from Elder Sister."

"Milady, don't blame me for dragging you here to do these mundane tasks. Without your help, I might be busy from morning till night without any free time."

"This is what younger sister should do. Grandfather often said at home, 'There's no rice for idlers in the rice jar.'"

"Hehe, speaking of the old man, has the old man sent any letters from Yanjing?"

"It arrived just the day before yesterday. Grandfather said that everything is fine in Yanjing. His Majesty intends to let him take charge of the Imperial Academy, but he declined due to his old age."

"In fact, living like the old man is quite comfortable. There's no need to worry about anything anymore, and he can enjoy his old age in peace."

"Elder Sister is right. When young, one seeks to gain, but when old, one seeks to let go."

"Milady, do you usually talk to A-Bei like this?"

"My husband is even better at talking than I am."

"That's true, his mouth is really… um, why are you blushing?"

"Elder Sister, there's something that younger sister doesn't know if I should say or not."

"Say it, there are no outsiders here."

"Younger sister has been looking at the account books you've been keeping these days. The cost of raising troops is indeed not small. Nowadays, if you don't have soldiers in your hands, you really don't feel at ease. This money should be spent and can't be saved.

But the academies, clinics, and so on..."

"Milady thinks it's not worth it?"

"This is a great thing, it's worth it. Throughout history, what the great sages and virtuous men have sought is nothing more than this."

"Then?"

"Younger sister just thinks that it's fine now that we're a small family, and we can spend it like this. But if the family gets bigger in the future, we won't be able to sustain it."

Si Niang nodded and said, "Right now, it's to solidify the foundation. As for what happens in the future, let it be. Doing well in the present is the most important thing."

"Elder Sister, this..."

"First use this to strengthen the foundation, win people's hearts. We'll talk about the future later. If there really is a future, no one will dare say you've changed."

"Younger sister understands."

"You're a smart and clever person. Learn more, look more, and help out as much as you can. Don't look at those pretty maids I keep in the backyard, none of them can come out and do this kind of work.

Moreover, it's the custom in Yan country for women to come out and work, unlike your Qian country's noble ladies who have to abide by etiquette."

"That's why it's more free, and life is more comfortable and not boring."

"I also know that you're someone who can't stay idle. Although it's a bit too formal to ask you to treat us as family, try to be a useful person."

"..." Yue Xin.

At this time, Xiao Yi Bo, the steward of the city lord's mansion, came to report:

"Mr. Feng, the Master and the others have returned."

........

The hot spring pool in the back residence has already been built, even faster than the school and clinic. After all, the leaders can't suffer, no matter how hard things are.

At this time,

Zheng Fan was soaking in the hot spring pool, with his eyes closed, enjoying the comfortable temperature.

A stone covered with a towel was floating beside Zheng Fan, occasionally bubbling. The father and son were used to taking baths every day when they were in Tiger Head City, and now it seemed like they were back to that time.

Si Niang was wearing a light gauze robe, her body half-submerged in the hot spring pool, helping Zheng Fan scrub his back.

"Master, A-Cheng has already led two thousand soldiers into the mountain."

"Yes, make sure everything is handled properly."

The matter of the Helian family's treasure trove should be kept quiet and make a fortune silently, because once this matter spreads, it will inevitably arouse the court's displeasure.

As for Yao Zi Zhan, because less than 10% of the Helian family's treasure trove remains, Zheng Fan believes that the old man will help keep it secret. If it were a full treasure trove, whether the old man agreed to keep it secret or not would be secondary, and Zheng Fan would not let him leave here alive.

"Everything is ready. The barbarian soldiers will enter the treasure trove to take out the wealth, then package it and transport it out as mountain goods."

"Yes, thank you for your hard work these days."

"It's not hard work, this is what I should do. Master, you must never take risks again next time."

"Yes, okay, by the way, arrange for that Helian Bao Zhu. We don't know her identity yet, so you should arrange for her to be placed separately first."

"Yes, I understand."

"Send two big, sturdy aunties from the Red Tent in Sheng Le City to Yao Zi Zhan's side."

"Master, he's a contemporary literary saint, is that okay?"

"He's used to eating delicate meat, so it's good to change the taste. Poets should experience life more to write down-to-earth poems. We're adding more life to him."

"Master is right, so does Master want to change people to experience more?"

"Huh?"

Zheng Fan pretended not to understand Si Niang's implication, but instead said in surprise:

"Can we change places again?"

………

Early in the morning, the rooster crowed vigorously, as if it really thought the sun was crowed out by itself.

Zheng Fan, who had already changed into a sweatshirt because the weather was getting warmer, was walking on the city wall of Sheng Le City, accompanied by Yao Zi Zhan.

Yao Zi Zhan's face was a little pale, and his back was a little hunched. In short, he was being exploited quite heavily.

"Teacher Yao, what do you think my city will be like in the future?"

This question is like when a company opens and you're interviewed about the company's prospects. People just want to hear auspicious words, not your professional market analysis.

Yao Zi Zhan pondered for a moment and said:

"Sheng Le, Sheng Le, takes the meaning of prosperity and peace. This old man believes that the people of Sheng Le will definitely be safe and enjoy peace under Brother Zheng's rule.

Oh, right, Brother Zheng might as well write to your Majesty of Great Yan and rename this city 'Yong Le', wouldn't that be more appropriate?"

"Yong Le?"

"Yes, Yong Le. Your Yan Emperor just changed the reign title to Yong Ping. According to custom, after changing the reign title, some cities should also be changed to comply with the Emperor's heart. Jin is a newly attached land, and renaming Sheng Le as Yong Le also has an auspicious meaning."

"So, if the name change is really successful, I'll be the City Lord of Yong Le?"

"Yes."

"Isn't that a little too much?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"It's a little too ugly of a look."

"Where is it ugly?"

"Is it a little too direct?"

"Where is it direct?"

To be honest, if he didn't know that Yao Zi Zhan wasn't a transmigrator, Zheng Fan would really think that this guy was like he used to be with the Sixth Prince, trying to instigate him to rebel.

"I'll go back and discuss this with my advisors."

"Of course."

"Teacher Yao, are you satisfied with your life recently?"

"I am so happy that I forget Qian."

"Good that you like it. I'll have someone send a jar of tiger penis wine to Teacher Yao tomorrow."

"I couldn't ask for more."

"Hehe."

Zheng Fan and Yao Zi Zhan separated. Yao Zi Zhan was going to the academy that was less than half-built to teach the children. In fact, it was a bit of a waste to have a contemporary literary master give enlightenment to children, and it didn't mean that these children would be infected with literary talent and soar to the sky from then on.

The key was to borrow Yao Zi Zhan's reputation to advertise himself, add points, and show his presence.

Although the Yan people verbally said they looked down on the weakness of the Qian people, they still had some "cultural insecurity" in their bones. It was never bad to brush up on their reputation when they had nothing to do.

Zheng Fan returned to his mansion. He didn't actually have much government affairs to do. Every three days, when everyone had dinner together in the evening, they would report some of the more important matters or matters that needed his opinions and decisions to him at the dinner table. Zheng Fan was also happy to be a hands-off shopkeeper.

When he returned to the back residence, Zheng Fan saw Fan Li coming out of his room, holding a set of tools in his hand.

"What are you doing here?" Zheng Fan asked.

Fan Li scratched his head and smiled憨憨ly.

Si Niang came out of the room, pointed inside, and said:

"Master, A-Li came to install a flushing toilet in our room."

Zheng Fan was stunned for a moment, feeling a little touched in his heart. He walked to Fan Li's side and patted Fan Li's shoulder.

Fan Li also squatted down slightly to make it easier for the Master to pat him.

"You have a good heart."

"Hehehe." Fan Li smiled憨憨ly,

Then,

Fan Li's aura began to surge!