Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Jiang Yuxun stood frozen, trying hard to recall the events of last night...

The silence of Liuyun Hall at night was profound, with only the faint sounds of his and the person next to him breathing, and the distant clicking of abacus beads rolling on the floor.

Hearing his own words, Ying Changchuan seemed to chuckle softly.

Without confirming or denying, he simply instructed softly, "Master Jiang is drunk, take him back to rest."

"Yes, Your Majesty." As the voice faded, Eunuch Sang quickly stepped forward to assist Jiang Yuxun back to his duty room.

The Emperor then returned to his desk and slowly began to write – thinking back now, he was probably writing the words "Wine Money."

Jiang Yuxun really couldn’t remember anything beyond that!

"What else…?" He cautiously looked up at Ying Changchuan, trying to glean clues from his expression to recall last night's events.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, the Emperor had lowered his gaze and started to flip through the memorials.

"Think again, my official," Ying Changchuan said while reviewing the documents.

...Think again?

How else could he think!

Jiang Yuxun was on the verge of tears.

He instinctively looked towards Eunuch Sang, seeking help from someone who was also present in Liuyun Hall that night.

Surprisingly, he saw Eunuch Sang standing there as well, equally shocked and confused.

Eunuch Sang glanced at Jiang Yuxun, then sneakily at Ying Changchuan, seemingly just as perplexed about the Emperor’s intentions.

Wait a moment...

Seeing the expression on Eunuch Sang's face, Jiang Yuxun suddenly had a ridiculous suspicion – could Ying Changchuan be deceiving me?

Although I'm not great at holding my liquor, I wouldn't lose my senses after getting drunk...

The more Jiang Yuxun thought about it, the more it seemed to make sense.

After a pause, he tentatively replied, "I really can’t remember anything else. It should be... just that."

The sun had set without him noticing.

For a moment, only the soft glow of the lamps remained in Liuyun Hall, casting a warm light on the Emperor's ash-grey eyes.

Ying Changchuan, sitting under the lamp, habitually set aside the reviewed memorials.

He paused, then surprisingly admitted, "Right."

...He was indeed just teasing me!

How could there be someone as playful as Ying Changchuan in this world?

Jiang Yuxun was momentarily at a loss for words.

Since Ying Changchuan had already approved his leave, there was no need to stay any longer.

Frustrated, Jiang Yuxun silently bowed to Ying Changchuan and then planned to take the documents and leave Liuyun Hall.

But the next second, the Emperor's voice came from behind him.

Ying Changchuan, having set down the memorials, asked in a gentle voice, "Are you upset, my official?"

...He actually has the nerve to ask that!

Jiang Yuxun paused in his steps, feeling he had no choice but to admit frankly, "...Indeed, that’s true."

Annoyed as he was, a true man knows when to bend and when to stand.

...Thinking of the seven hundred taels of silver in the duty room, it seemed bearable after all.

In Liuyun Hall, the Emperor finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.

At this moment, Eunuch Sang, who had just figured out what had happened, almost fainted in shock.

When did His Majesty ever have such leisure and playfulness?!

-

The next morning, before dawn, Jiang Yuxun rode out of Xianyou Palace with several members of the Xuan Yin Monastery.

Instead of rushing home, he first went to the address given by Tong Hailin, finding a residence by the Yi River.

Located close to Zhao city, in the lower reaches of the Yi River, it was one of the areas most severely affected by disasters.

At first glance, the surrounding farmhouses and fields were completely destroyed by floods, now being rebuilt with the help of soldiers, except for one small courtyard standing firmly by the river.

Such a sturdy structure could only have been built by the person Tong Hailin had mentioned.

"...This is it. I'll go in and have a look; please wait here for a moment," Jiang Yuxun dismounted and tied his horse to a nearby willow tree.

He had informed the Xuan Yin Monastery in advance that he was going to meet Tong Hailin's "teacher," so his companions were not surprised.

The members of the Xuan Yin Monastery exchanged glances and dismounted as well: "Yes, Master Jiang."

The courtyard was too small to accommodate many people.

Apart from Gu Yejiu, the others stayed outside the courtyard.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Jiang Yuxun knocked lightly, and the door was slowly opened from the inside.

A man in his forties, lean in stature, appeared before him.

The man wore a long shirt, bleached white from washing, with several patches of the same color on the sleeves.

"...Who are you?" After the breach incident, the residents along the Yi River had come to recognize Jiang Yuxun. The man furrowed his brows, pausing for a few seconds before suddenly waving his hand and asking, "Jiang, Jiang Yuxun?"

The next second, he quickly covered his mouth to correct himself: "No no, Master Jiang."

As soon as he spoke, the man inside the door stepped back to bow, "I am Yin Songquan, a humble citizen. I greet Master Jiang!"

"You are too kind," Jiang Yuxun quickly bowed in response.

Although Yin Songquan didn’t understand why Jiang Yuxun had come to see him, he immediately stepped aside to invite him in, bending over to pour water, "Please come in, Master Jiang! I don't have much to offer in my humble home, please don't take offense."

"Not at all, it's me who is intruding," Jiang Yuxun accepted the porcelain cup and sat down, with Gu Yejiu taking a seat behind him.

Yin Songquan’s house was small, with only a bed, wardrobe, desk, and piles of paper, along with maps hanging on the walls.

After sitting down, Yin Songquan appeared somewhat uneasy: "May I know the purpose of Master Jiang's visit today?"

Jiang Yuxun put down his cup and got straight to the point.

He glanced back at Gu Yejiu, who then took out the half-written Yi River renovation plan.

"Please have a look, sir," Jiang Yuxun respectfully handed it over with both hands to Yin Songquan.

Hesitating for a few seconds, Yin Songquan finally took the renovation plan and began to read it carefully.

True to his reputation as Tong Hailin’s "ghostwriter," Yin Songquan finished reading it in just two or three minutes, gently placing it back on the desk.

By then, he had understood Jiang Yuxun’s intention.

Yin Songquan hesitated before looking up at Jiang Yuxun and asking, "Master Jiang... do you want my assistance in completing the renovation plan?"

He emphasized the word "assistance," his tone less warm than at the beginning, now tinged with a hint of disappointment.

After speaking, Yin Songquan immediately shook his head in fear and refusal without waiting for Jiang Yuxun to respond: "Master Jiang, I am afraid I cannot bear such a heavy responsibility."

His expression even hinted at wanting to see the guest off.

Seeing Yin Songquan's refusal, Jiang Yuxun quickly waved his hands: "No, no, this time it’s different."

Having talked with Tong Hailin, Jiang Yuxun knew that "assisting" was a euphemism for hiring Yin Songquan as a ghostwriter.

In ancient times, the hierarchy of “scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant” was clearly defined.

Artisans like Yin Songquan were never esteemed by the nobility and high-ranking officials.

After hard work, not only were their names deliberately omitted, but in case of any mistakes in the project, the unfortunate ones would be made scapegoats, risking their lives for errors not their own.

The complexity and scale of periodic embankment repairs and straightening river bends are entirely different.

Yin Songquan had taken on such work before out of financial need.

Although he still lived a frugal life, he was no longer as destitute as before and wasn't willing to take greater risks for money...

Jiang Yuxun looked into Yin Songquan’s eyes, speaking very earnestly, "I would like to invite you to be the chief responsible person for this project, fully in charge of the river channel design and construction. If not for assistance, it should be me assisting you."

"You—" Yin Songquan was immediately stunned.

Could it be that what Jiang Yuxun meant was...

His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked up at the other person.

"For this project, all construction personnel will be under your command, and your salary will be directly paid by the imperial court."

While speaking, Jiang Yuxun slowly stood up and walked towards the wall.

Yin Songquan's heart involuntarily began to beat faster.

Jiang Yuxun's intention was now crystal clear – he intended to bring Yin Songquan to the forefront!

Jiang Yuxun, dressed in a light blue robe, first traced the proposed new course of the Yi River on the wall, then drew a parallel route alongside it:

"As per the plan, in addition to straightening the Yi River, we will also build an irrigation canal parallel to it. If Mr. Yin is willing to undertake this project, the naming of this irrigation channel will also be up to you."

Yin Songquan's hands began to tremble slightly.

According to Jiang Yuxun's vision, once the Yi River was straightened, this canal would bear the responsibility of irrigating the entire plain. In an era where agriculture was paramount, it was like holding the lives and destinies of millions of people in one's hands.

Yin Songquan, who had been a ghostwriter for others all his life, had never imagined such a day would come.

During the conversation, Jiang Yuxun's gaze inadvertently passed through the window, settling on the flowing waters of the Yi River heading eastward.

Looking back from the future, power and wealth might seem like fleeting clouds.

...Only the endless flow of the great river remains constant.

Clearly, Yin Songquan was shocked by Jiang Yuxun’s words and had not yet recovered.

But at that moment, the person standing beside the map had already turned around: "Once this canal is completed, it will benefit thousands of miles for generations to come. Don't you wish your name to be forever remembered alongside the mighty Yi River?"

Yin Songquan clenched his fists tightly.

...Born in the chaotic times of the former dynasty, he had grand ideals in his youth, but had long since persuaded himself to live out the rest of his life contentedly.

Yet, Jiang Yuxun’s words suddenly presented him with another choice – if given the opportunity, who wouldn’t want to achieve something noteworthy and leave a lasting legacy?

Perhaps... even cause a slight change in the fate of this world and countless lives.

As they spoke, a wave crashed against the riverbank with a roar, sending a spray of water splashing through the window.

Jiang Yuxun's breathing quickened slightly.

His words were meant for Yin Songquan as much as they were for himself.

Jiang Yuxun's proposal was sudden, leaving Yin Songquan still in a dilemma: "But..."

Jiang Yuxun finally sat back down and smiled softly, "Rest assured, sir. Any issues encountered during construction, you can discuss directly with me, and I will communicate with His Majesty. If there truly are problems, I will share the responsibility with you."

With this promise, the worry on Yin Songquan's face lessened slightly.

It seemed his earlier concerns were indeed about Ying Changchuan.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxun, about to drink water, paused in his action.

He suddenly added, somewhat against his conscience, "Rest assured, in my opinion, His Majesty is... not as unreasonable as the rumors suggest."

Yin Songquan: ?

"Master Jiang's words are indeed full of sincerity, but why do they sound so frightening..."

※

Although Yin Songquan did not directly agree to the proposal, he kept Jiang Yuxun's renovation plan at his home, stating that he wanted to study it carefully.

Jiang Yuxun was not in a hurry either. After thoroughly discussing his ideas with Yin Songquan, he returned to the Jiang family estate with the Xuan Yin Monastery.

Jokingly, he thought to himself that he had risked a lot to get this short leave from Ying Changchuan and couldn’t afford to waste it.

"Sigh—"

The white horse leaped into the estate, and Jiang Yuxun gently pulled the reins to stop it, then looked around from the horseback.

At noon, the fierce sun generously spread its rays across the land.

Illuminating every corner of the estate.

Unlike his last visit home, the previously wild and grassy wasteland on the hillside of the estate had been cultivated.

After the recent heavy rain, men, women, old, and young of the estate were taking advantage of the last opportunity for summer planting, working on the newly cultivated land nearby, not even noticing Jiang Yuxun’s sudden arrival.

“They’ve actually cultivated this land?!”

"Aren't those people in the distance the refugees Master Jiang took in at the temple gate?"

Behind Jiang Yuxun, a member of the Xuan Yin Monastery widened his eyes in disbelief, murmuring to himself.

—The scene of Jiang Yuxun sheltering refugees at the temple gate more than a month ago was still vivid in his mind.

At that time, they firmly believed that those groups of elderly, women, and children would only be a burden.

It was utterly unexpected that Jiang Yuxun had actually managed to cultivate the wasteland with their help!

This was an unprecedented achievement in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Even Gu Yejiu widened his eyes in amazement, and couldn’t help asking Jiang Yuxun, “How did you manage to do this, sir?”

Jiang Yuxun gently tugged at the horse's reins, heading towards the newly cultivated fields, and spoke softly, "Farming and land reclamation rely not just on strength, but on tools."

Agricultural tool development in the Great Zhou was slow and backward.

Not only was agricultural productivity low, but large areas of land remained uncultivated.

This situation persisted for over a thousand years, until a certain dynasty organized large-scale land reclamation and invented a series of agricultural tools, bringing about change.

In modern times, these tools became important exhibits in Chinese museums.

Jiang Yuxun, facing these artifacts and display boards daily, explaining them to visitors five or six times a day, had etched their structures deep into his mind.

During his initial days at Xianyou Palace, aside from organizing memorials, his most frequent task was silently sketching these tools.

Now, these tools had finally been crafted one by one and put into use.

“Dismount and take a look!” Saying so, Jiang Yuxun leaped down from his horse.

He had seen these agricultural tools thousands of times through the glass of museums but never had the chance to touch them.

Seeing them again now, Jiang Yuxun couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

“Yes!” The members of the Xuan Yin Monastery dismounted one after another.

Beside the field ridges, several oxen were resting and grazing, with iron plows attached behind them.

After dismounting, one of the Xuan Yin Monastery members immediately noticed something unusual, “There’s an extra hook on the back of these oxen?”

"Yes," Jiang Yuxun walked towards the oxen and explained, "Adding an extra hook separates the plow from the harness, making the iron plow more flexible. This new design allows it to be used not only on flat fields but also on slopes and even in mountainous areas."

With many mountainous regions in the Great Zhou, if cultivation could be extended to these areas, the agricultural land would effectively double…

"Additionally, a coulter has been added to the front of the plow, making it easier to cut through roots while plowing, saving both labor and time."

Up until now, many members of the Xuan Yin Monastery were guarding outside the Jiang family estate, ready to apprehend anyone conducting secret rituals.

However, since Jiang Yuxun left the estate, they had withdrawn from inside, so they were not aware of the recent developments there.

Agriculture is a matter of utmost importance in feudal society.

Jiang Yuxun knew that everything he said today would be recorded by the Xuan Yin Monastery and reported to Ying Changchuan.

Therefore, his explanation was particularly detailed, even demonstrating on the iron plow as he spoke.

What Jiang Yuxun did not expect was that the Xuan Yin Monastery seemed to take this matter more seriously than he had thought.

During the conversation, the last two members of the Xuan Yin Monastery exchanged glances.

"Should we report this to His Majesty now... or wait a bit longer?"

"There must be no delay."

"Yes!"

With that, one of them quietly left... to inform their colleagues outside about the developments within the estate.

Soon, a pigeon flew towards the sky, heading in the direction of Xianyou Palace.

……

The speed of a carrier pigeon is faster than horseback.

Not long after, a series of cooing sounds came from outside Liuyun Hall.

The Xuan Yin Monastery member guarding the Emperor immediately stepped forward and removed the cloth strip tied to the pigeon's leg.

Without looking at it, he presented it directly to Ying Changchuan.

The Emperor slowly unrolled it — the cloth had no words, only several strange symbols.

Yet, he quickly understood their meaning.

...Tools for reclaiming wasteland?

Ying Changchuan slowly raised an eyebrow, and after a long pause, suddenly tossed the cloth strip into the candle flame.

Then, unexpectedly, he stood up and walked towards the inner hall.

"Your Majesty?" The Xuan Yin Monastery member was taken aback.

Several generals were still waiting outside the hall for a military discussion; what was the Emperor intending to do?

However, Ying Changchuan’s stride didn’t falter: "Prepare my horse, we will leave the palace in the time it takes to burn an incense stick."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Although puzzled, the Xuan Yin Monastery member quickly complied and then withdrew from Liuyun Hall.

-

Having finally gotten a break, Jiang Yuxun naturally wanted to relax.

After taking a tour of the estate with the Xuan Yin Monastery, Jiang Yuxun returned to take a good nap. By the time he woke up, it was already dark, and dinner time had arrived.

With seven hundred taels added to his account, Jiang Yuxun was quite generous.

Given the large number of Xuan Yin Monastery members, Jiang Yuxun instructed the estate manager to set up a banquet in the open area.

The night deepened, and a cool breeze blew.

It was the most pleasant time of midsummer.

Jiang Yuxun and the Xuan Yin Monastery members who returned with him sat in a circle, while the estate's chef busily grilled meat inside the circle.

Additionally, a large pot simmered with river fish.

These were popular delicacies in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

—Ying Changchuan was extremely particular about food and clothing, especially disliking strongly flavored dishes, so everyone in Xianyou Palace had to follow suit, often eating bland meals.

It was bearable for a day or two, but over time it became somewhat intolerable.

The meat was now grilled to perfection, and the pot of simmering river fish bubbled with enticing aroma.

Smelling the delicious scent, the Xuan Yin Monastery members sitting nearby began to swallow saliva in anticipation.

In the blink of an eye, the estate's chef had portioned out the meat, serving it to everyone’s table.

Yet, even though they were very hungry, the Xuan Yin Monastery members didn’t rush to eat.

"Why isn’t everyone eating?" Seeing this, Jiang Yuxun asked with some confusion.

There were still many uncooked pieces of meat left in front of the pyrolator — the grill.

One of the Xuan Yin Monastery members glanced at the raw meat and couldn’t help saying, "Master Jiang, this meal is quite extravagant. Perhaps we should stop after grilling these?"

"How can that be?" Jiang Yuxun shook his head, "You’ve come to my home with me; I can’t let you go hungry."

"But you haven't..."

The Xuan Yin Monastery member didn't finish his sentence, as Jiang Yuxun silently completed it in his mind — money.

Only then did he remember that the Xuan Yin Monastery probably didn't know he was no longer as poor as before.

"No need to worry," Jiang Yuxun smiled and shook his head, "His Majesty gave me some silver a few days ago."

The Xuan Yin Monastery members finally relaxed: "So that's it!"

They began to eat with a sense of relief, tasting the chef's culinary skills of the Jiang family.

As the sky gradually darkened, a bonfire was lit among the crowd.

Perhaps due to being away from Xianyou Palace, there was no wine at the banquet, but the atmosphere still became lively bit by bit.

The Xuan Yin Monastery members were only in their twenties, not much older than Jiang Yuxun.

Soon, they all found themselves engaged in conversation.

Laughter filled the open space.

The sounds of the crackling bonfire, mingled with the distant chorus of cicadas and the calls of cattle and sheep, created a lively ambiance.

Being away from Ying Changchuan meant being away from constraints; finally feeling free in his own estate, Jiang Yuxun let loose without any reservations.

After eating and drinking his fill, he put down his chopsticks contentedly and stretched lazily, saying, "Not seeing His Majesty today and not having to organize memorials feels a bit unusual —"

Unaccustomed as he was, it indeed felt exhilarating.

"Hahaha!" The Xuan Yin Monastery members couldn't help but laugh out loud, momentarily drowning out the sound of cicadas.

Half-jokingly, one of the Xuan Yin Monastery members next to Jiang Yuxun asked, "Does Master Jiang miss His Majesty?"

"Naturally, I miss him after a day apart," Jiang Yuxun replied, then lowered his gaze towards the pyrolator nearby, gently lifting his tea cup, feigning regret, "The chef here is truly skilled. It's such a pity His Majesty isn’t here to taste it himself —"

"I had no idea my official was so considerate."

Before Jiang Yuxun could finish, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind him.

！！！

The voice wasn't loud, but it was unexpectedly clear.

Jiang Yuxun’s body jolted, and he instinctively straightened his posture.

The open area fell silent instantly.

For a moment, the only sounds around Jiang Yuxun were the light crackling of the bonfire and the cicadas, along with a faint, distant sound of horse hooves.

...It couldn't be.

Jiang Yuxun’s fingers paused, nearly dropping the tea cup in his hand.

He exchanged glances with the Xuan Yin Monastery members opposite him, each seeing a hint of fear in the other’s eyes.

"I hope my arrival is not too late today?"

The newcomer slowly stopped in their tracks, positioning the bonfire behind them.

Jiang Yuxun was instantly engulfed in darkness, shrouded by the night.

Instinctively, he looked up, meeting Yingshang Chuan's almost smiling eyes.

"No, nothing."

It was only eight o'clock in the evening, but in ancient times, this was considered very late.

...Who can tell me, why is Yingshang Chuan here in the middle of the night?!

How much of my rambling did he hear just now?

The author has a message:

Jiang Yuxun: To think he tried to trick me, Yingshang Chuan is really too bad!

*Wang Zhen's "Agricultural Book"