Chapter 31

Chapter 31

The small wooden bed swayed gently, like a cradle, with the waves of the Chen River.

Yet, Jiang Yuxun found himself unusually unable to sleep.

He could normally sleep comfortably even in a six-person dormitory at university.

...But tonight, sharing the same suite with Ying Changchuan, Jiang Yuxun felt inexplicably awkward.

After an indeterminate amount of time, he couldn't help but let his gaze drift toward the partition door.

Having inspected it in the afternoon, Jiang Yuxun had realized that to reduce weight, the doors and walls inside the barge were exceptionally thin.

Especially the partition door of this suite, which was just paper pasted on a wooden frame!

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxun, who usually slept hugging his pillow, forcibly adjusted his sleeping position, lying rigidly on the bed.

Repeatedly telling himself—stay calm, just stay calm, it's just like having a roommate, don't be anxious!

It wasn’t until late into the night that he finally dozed off into a light sleep.

……

"Minister Jiang, Minister Jiang..."

"It's time for Minister Jiang to rise for the morning meal."

Half-asleep, Jiang Yuxun rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and mumbled with some difficulty, "This early?"

"It's not early anymore, it's already the hour of Si."

The hour of Si?!

Jiang Yuxun abruptly opened his eyes wide.

Before he could fully regain his senses, Eunuch Sang's face appeared before him.

With a flattering expression, he said, "Your washing items are ready. I'll fetch them for you in a moment." He then bowed and prepared to leave.

With the obstruction gone, the dazzling sunlight poured in, causing an instinctive squint.

The hour of Si is approximately equivalent to 9 a.m. in modern times.

Ancient people went to bed early and woke up early.

Generally speaking, Ying Changchuan would get up before 6 a.m., which means...

Jiang Yuxun suddenly widened his eyes and looked towards the partition door.

Seeing that the door was still firmly closed, a glimmer of hope arose in Jiang Yuxun's heart.

After the exhausting journey, and the hard work, perhaps Ying Changchuan had also overslept?

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxun suddenly lowered his voice and called out to Eunuch Sang, "Wait! Eunuch Sang, did His Majesty, uh... has he had his morning meal?"

Eunuch Sang immediately responded with a beaming smile, "Minister Jiang is indeed concerned about His Majesty. Please rest assured, His Majesty has already had his meal." He even gave a wink as he spoke.

Jiang Yuxun's heart sank halfway in an instant.

...It's more than just concern; I'm practically dying of embarrassment.

There were two pillows on the bed.

Jiang Yuxun remembered that last night he had fallen asleep lying straight, but upon waking up, he found one pillow under his head and the other tightly embraced in his arms, with even his legs draped over it.

That was exceptionally presumptuous.

Jiang Yuxun was staying in the outer chamber of the suite.

Ying Changchuan would pass by this place whenever he went out.

With this thought, Jiang Yuxun felt utterly disheartened.

So, the way I sleep... he's seen it all...

Oh no, how is this any different from killing me?!

"...Where is His Majesty now?"

Eunuch Sang once again replied with a smile, "This morning, the barge docked, and His Majesty has already disembarked with his entourage."

The Emperor has already started working before me!

Jiang Yuxun closed his eyes in even greater despair.

"Does Lord Jiang have any other matters?"

"No more," Jiang Yuxun silently pushed the pillow in his arms away, forcing a slight smile, "…I'll freshen up and come out shortly."

"Yes, my lord." Sang Gonggong quickly nodded and withdrew, leaving Jiang Yuxun alone in the room to wash and change.

-

Historically, the region around Tao Yan County only began to gradually develop six to seven hundred years later.

The three southeastern counties of the Great Zhou were still lands urgently awaiting development.

The future scenes of little bridges and flowing streams, pavilions and galleries, were nowhere to be seen at this time.

After breakfast, Jiang Yuxun realized that the tower ship had not docked near a town but had casually stopped at a small ferry crossing.

Beyond the distant patches of rice fields and a small village, the surroundings were dominated by vast marshlands.

As Jiang Yuxun strained his eyes to look for any signs of Ying Changchuan and his party, Zhuang Yue, who was also on the tower boat, emerged from somewhere.

He slapped Jiang Yuxun's shoulder hard, "Ah Xun, why did you get up so late? Hurry, put on your wooden clogs and come with me to find His Majesty at the front."

With that, an attendant picked up a pair of new shoes and placed them there.

One naturally couldn't wear ordinary shoes and socks while walking in the marshes.

Wooden clogs were very common in this era.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Jiang Yuxun immediately felt guilty, "I slept too much during the day yesterday, so I had insomnia for a while at night and got up late... I'm really sorry."

He originally thought Zhuang Yue would be angry or lecture him.

Unexpectedly, the other party burst into laughter and couldn't help but stroke his beard contentedly, "I know, you were sleeping in His Majesty's chamber last night."

Jiang Yuxun: "?!"

"Yes, but..."

Although he said so, why did it sound a bit strange?

"That's right!" Zhuang Yue, who came from a military background, was quite bold and hearty, and as he spoke, he patted Jiang Yuxun's shoulder heavily twice, "Such a favor! Anyone would be too excited to sleep."

"However, my dear nephew, you should still go to bed early and rise early. His Majesty won't always indulge you like this."

Jiang Yuxun, who overslept this morning and couldn't refute, could only nod with difficulty.

As they spoke, Zhuang Yue had already led Jiang Yuxun, who had changed his shoes, to the first deck of the tower ship.

Seeing guards all around, Zhuang Yue unconsciously lowered his voice and leaned close to Jiang Yuxun's ear, saying, "This is how it should be; we, as subjects, need to frequently present ourselves before His Majesty. Only then will he think of you first when something arises."

Finally, he managed to take Jiang Yuxun off the tower ship to find Ying Changchuan.

Xuan Yin Supervisor, who had already disembarked and was waiting, followed them.

……

The plain near the Chen River, from a distance, looked like waves breaking into a lake, turning into rivers upon touching the ground.

Up close, it was even hard to find a place to set foot.

Although Zhuang Yue was a military man, he was of a certain age.

Along the way, Xuan Yin Supervisor was using a bamboo pole to lightly hit the water grass, driving away snakes and insects.

Jiang Yuxun was responsible for assisting Zhuang Yue: "Uncle, watch your step—"

As they spoke, suddenly a flash of blue light streaked through the water.

Zhuang Yue was startled: "What was that just now?!"

"It's a water snake," Jiang Yuxun replied, "There are many of these snakes in the swamps, but uncle, rest assured, they are not venomous."

The southern swamps were rife with snakes and insects, especially unbearable during the stifling heat of summer.

It was for this reason that Ying Changchuan had scheduled the southern inspection tour for autumn.

Hearing Jiang Yuxun say that the snake was not poisonous, Zhuang Yue finally relaxed.

Meanwhile, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "The conditions here are indeed poor, no wonder the entire court sees these three counties as a burden."

As he finished speaking, he let out a sigh.

Jiang Yuxun pursed his lips and remained silent.

The group walked and paused intermittently, and after about two quarters of an hour, they finally caught up with the main procession.

At that moment, the Governor of Tao Yan County was briefing Ying Changchuan on the surrounding environment.

"…Reporting to Your Majesty, although Tao Yan County is on the plains, the plains are all marshlands. The ground is muddy and uneven, with very little arable land," he said, sighing, "The people of the county are all struggling against nature for land."

Ying Changchuan's face, unusually devoid of smiles, frowned slightly.

The Emperor's mood was as heavy as that of everyone here.

"What Minister Xuan says is true..."

The accompanying officials also nodded in agreement.

The Governor of Tao Yan County was named Xuan Wenli.

Perhaps it was because Jiang Yuxun had just arrived.

Compared to last night, he seemed much more composed, yet the worry on his face was particularly evident at this moment.

Jiang Yuxun did not step forward, but was quietly listening from a distance.

"To be frank, the reason Tao Yan County has managed to survive these years is solely due to nature’s mercy, free from major disasters. Even so, most of the common people are barely scraping by, barely avoiding starvation," Xuan Wenli spoke with a heavy heart.

"—And a small portion of the populace has already become refugees, leaving this place."

As he finished speaking, he suddenly looked up and saw Jiang Yuxun standing at the other end of the crowd.

"Minister Jiang, having disembarked and seen the situation firsthand, do you still hold the same opinion as last night?"

Xuan Wenli and the original protagonist's father were old colleagues.

Having calmed down somewhat overnight, and out of respect for the past relationship with the former Southern Expedition General, he afforded Jiang Yuxun some face.

Hearing this, everyone on the marsh turned their gaze towards Jiang Yuxun.

Standing at the very end of the group, he slowly walked forward.

Jiang Yuxun surveyed the surroundings and said, "Minister Xuan's words just now indeed make sense."

Xuan Wenli couldn't help but smile smugly.

However, his pleasure lasted only a few seconds before Jiang Yuxun's tone shifted.

The young Imperial Secretary in bright blue robes slowly turned to face the Emperor, "But Your Majesty has also seen today that the banks of the Chen River are mostly such marshlands. The lakes suitable for rice cultivation are the minority… When the lakes are fully enclosed, what should the common people do then?"

A sudden silence fell over the marsh.

Jiang Yuxun's question weighed heavily on everyone's mind.

Xuan Wenli was taken aback.

At this moment, Ying Changchuan also turned his gaze to Jiang Yuxun, "Do you have a solution, my dear minister?"

"Replying to Your Majesty," Jiang Yuxun smiled slightly and spoke softly, "Indeed, there is one."

His tone was particularly gentle.

Like a stream flowing past Ying Changchuan's ears.

Though Jiang Yuxun had not yet disclosed his method, Ying Changchuan couldn't help but pause, the gloom that had been looming in his heart since disembarking partially dissipated at this moment.

"What method?"

"Construct ponds for drainage and manually dig canals," Jiang Yuxun said, absentmindedly tapping the water's surface with the tip of his foot, "to divert the water from the fields and marshes towards the canals and lakes. As these areas gradually dry, the vast marshlands here can be transformed into traditional farmlands with a drainage system."

—The vast marshlands of the Chen River plains in later generations were gradually turned into thousands of acres of fertile land in this way.

The world-renowned "bridges over flowing water" were not only natural but also owed much to man-made canals.

"Manually digging canals..." Ying Changchuan unconsciously repeated these words.

The method Jiang Yuxun proposed was simple, yet unheard of in this era.

Wary of being misunderstood, Jiang Yuxun quickly added:

"I'm not talking about a massive project like the Yi River. The narrowest canals being just a foot wide would suffice! The common people can dig them themselves. If you think about it, it might even be more convenient than developing rice paddies."

"…I understand now!" Hearing this, Tong Hailin, the Emperor's Water Management Envoy on the southern tour, was the first to catch on, "Minister Jiang means to use accumulation and drainage! This was the method used by the great Yu in controlling floods!"

Tong Hailin, usually as inconspicuous as a quail, was excited for once and the first to stand by Jiang Yuxun's side.

Tong Hailin bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty, I believe Minister Jiang's method is feasible!"

Most ministers of the Great Zhou Dynasty were of noble origin from the north.

"Rice fields" were entirely outside their realm of knowledge.

It was only after Tong Hailin mentioned the ancient sage that the others finally understood and began to discuss the feasibility together.

Only the Governor Xuan Wenli remained, lost in his thoughts and mulling over the proposal.

Jiang Yuxun's suggestion seemed to make some sense.

However, as an elder with a much higher official rank, he was not willing to immediately abandon his own proposal.

In the shallow marsh, ripples spread out one after another.

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but blink, looking towards Ying Changchuan with great anticipation.

Unbeknownst to him, the Emperor's previously furrowed brows had now smoothed.

He smiled at the excited Tong Hailin, "Then let's start by having you lead a team to try this method here."

As the Imperial Water Management Envoy, and not one to shirk his duties, Tong Hailin was not entirely incompetent.

His expertise and responsibility mainly lay in the smaller-scale agricultural water management.

Although Tong Hailin had mostly worked in the northern regions before, after hearing Jiang Yuxun's idea, he not only instantly grasped the concept but also rapidly formed a preliminary plan.

An elated Tong Hailin immediately stepped forward, "Your servant obeys the decree!"

After speaking, he couldn't resist squinting around him.

The river wind swept over the marsh.

Large swathes of water grass swayed in response.

Although this method had not yet been verified, Tong Hailin couldn't help but envision the future.

He seemed to already see the vast fertile lands here, abundant with fish and rice.

And was emotionally stirred by this prospect.

※

Caught up in his enthusiasm, Tong Hailin returned to the tower boat to start drafting the plans.

At the same time, he asked the Emperor for a few soldiers, planning to try out the method in a random spot in the marsh.

Meanwhile, Xuan Wenli, still reluctant to give up, invited the Emperor to take a closer look at the rice paddies.

Seemingly determined to stand his ground.

The moment Jiang Yuxun brushed past Ying Changchuan, he guiltily averted his gaze.

—Having calmed down, Jiang Yuxun inevitably... recalled the events of last night.

Jiang Yuxun was usually a quiet sleeper, but the thought of that thin partition door made him involuntarily tense.

From any perspective, that door was not soundproof at all!

He wondered if he had talked in his sleep last night.

And if he did, whether Ying Changchuan had heard anything…

At this moment, Jiang Yuxun’s face was a clear billboard of guilt.

With his head down, trying to minimize his presence, he failed to notice the puzzled looks directed at him by everyone.

The Emperor paused in his stride, suddenly turning to ask, "Do you have something to say to me, my minister?"

Ying Changchuan's casual voice unexpectedly reached Jiang Yuxun's ears.

Setting aside the professional capabilities of the ministers around Ying Changchuan for now.

They were all well-versed in the art of being an official.

Hearing the words "speak with me", everyone, assisted by their attendants, retreated to make space, even Xuan Yinjian vanished without a trace.

Jiang Yuxun: ?!

"Hey, don't leave me here!"

By the time he looked up, only Jiang Yuxun and Ying Changchuan were left around.

Zhuang Yue, not far off, couldn't help but give him a reassuring smile.

"What is even happening here!"

Feeling abandoned by everyone, Jiang Yuxun's heart sank in an instant.

"Well..." Jiang Yuxun started awkwardly, "I wanted to ask Your Majesty if you heard me talking in my sleep last night?"

His voice was so soft, like ripples gently passing through one's heart.

As his words trailed off, Jiang Yuxun, feeling embarrassed, couldn't help but lower his head.

Ying Changchuan instinctively looked down, his gaze resting on Jiang Yuxun.

Walking in the marsh was difficult.

To successfully bring Zhuang Yue along, Jiang Yuxun had exerted an enormous effort, as if he had used the strength of nine oxen and two tigers.

His bright blue robe slid off his shoulder as he moved, revealing a striking patch of white.

The ponytail that was casually tied behind his head had, at some point, come loose and hung down loosely.

Ying Changchuan suddenly averted his gaze.

Jiang Yuxun, though restless in sleep, was very quiet.

On the other side of the partition last night, Ying Changchuan only heard the sound of the river water slapping against the cabin.

Ying Changchuan spoke softly, "Last night..."

Jiang Yuxun immediately tensed up, all ears.

Ying Changchuan initially intended to tell the truth, but seeing Jiang Yuxun's nervous demeanor, he was suddenly tempted to tease him a bit.

"Don't you remember, my minister?"

Ah?

Jiang Yuxun's breath hitched instantly, his heart rising to his throat.

"I really don't remember," he replied truthfully.

Ying Changchuan chuckled softly and began to walk forward slowly.

After a moment, he spoke in a slightly regretful tone, "Last night, I heard nothing."

Jiang Yuxun: ...I knew it!

A whiff of fishy river scent came with the breeze.

All around him was the rustling sound of water grass swaying.

Ying Changchuan and Jiang Yuxun walked one after the other through the marsh.

After a while, Jiang Yuxun, unable to hold back when they were alone, secretly gritted his teeth at Ying Changchuan's retreating figure.

The smile on the lips of the Emperor walking ahead of him never faded.

-

The inclusion of the three southeastern counties into the Great Zhou territory was a recent development.

There were no imperial palaces or villas near the Chen River.

For safety, everyone stayed on the tower boat during the journey.

That afternoon, Jiang Yuxun didn't accompany Ying Changchuan to inspect the rice paddies, but instead took Xuan Yinjian to a nearby town.

—His purpose was not leisure but to investigate the local scenery and customs.

When he returned to the tower boat in the evening, the notebook Jiang Yuxun carried was filled with notes, and both he and Xuan Yinjian had their hands full of items.

As soon as he boarded the boat, he encountered Zhuang Youli: "Ah Xun, why are you back so late?"

"We went to the market and bought some things. Do you want to try some?" he said, unfolding the lotus leaf in his hand.

"What's this?" Zhuang Youli leaned in to look.

"It's called rice cake, try it."

"Rice cake..." Zhuang Youli leaned in to smell it.

He couldn't help but swallow, then stepped back, "Never mind, I better not try it. My mother only allows me to eat what's on the boat, she doesn’t want me eating things from elsewhere."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuxun felt a sense of regret for him.

The southeastern three counties of this era were not rich in produce.

Rice cakes were a rare treat.

The two chatted as they walked towards the cabin.

Jiang Yuxun had returned somewhat late, and everyone on the boat had already had their dinner.

Hearing that he hadn't eaten yet, Zhuang Youli couldn't help saying, "…You’ve been out all day, how can you not eat? You should ask someone to prepare something for you."

Cooking on the tower boat was much more troublesome than in Zhao Du.

Jiang Yuxun shook the rice cakes in his hand and declined, "No need, I'm not hungry yet. Besides, I have these."

The unfamiliar sweet aroma reached Zhuang Youli's nose, making him swallow his saliva again.

Remembering his mother's words, he quickly held his breath, "Alright then…"

-

Late at night, on the tower boat.

It was around nine o'clock, and everyone on the boat had already fallen asleep.

Jiang Yuxun, after a day out, also felt sleepy.

However, just as he finished washing up and lay down, he realized something was amiss.

—Oh no, I think I'm a bit hungry.

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but rub his stomach, sitting up quietly from his bed.

His gaze instinctively wandered outside the cabin.

Should he go out and find something to eat?

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Jiang Yuxun forcefully suppressed it.

Outside this cabin were numerous imperial attendants.

If he went out now, it would surely cause quite a commotion.

Jiang Yuxun hesitated for a moment, then his gaze fell on the small table not far away.

The rice cakes he had bought earlier were placed there, currently emitting a faint sweet aroma.

After hesitating for less than three seconds, Jiang Yuxun pushed off the blankets and tiptoed over.

Tonight, the tower boat wasn't sailing but was docked at the ferry port they had visited during the day.

Here, the river flowed slowly, and even the sound of the waves was much quieter.

The moment Jiang Yuxun stepped off the bed onto the floor, a faint creaking sound reached his ears.

At this, he tensed up instantly.

Standing still, barefooted, Jiang Yuxun made sure that Ying Changchuan wasn't awakened by the noise before he slowly moved to the table, nervously breaking off a piece of rice cake to eat.

However... Jiang Yuxun forgot that the pastry-making skills of this era were far behind those of modern times.

The rice cake, left open for a while, had become loose and dry.

Before he could taste the sweetness, he choked on his first bite.

Jiang Yuxun: !!!

He instinctively searched the table for a water jug.

Due to the rocking of the boat on the river and fears that a water jug falling might make noise and disturb the Emperor, Jiang Yuxun's cabin did not have a water jug.

If he wanted water, he had to go outside and ask an attendant for it.

After struggling with the feeling of suffocation and searching in vain, Jiang Yuxun finally resigned himself to his fate.

Heaven wants to doom me.

...This time, I'm not even joking!

Jiang Yuxun, stifling a cough, got up from the table, intending to open the cabin door to find some water.

Unexpectedly, just then, he heard a soft creak near his ear.

Jiang Yuxun was instantly frozen in place.

He, who had gotten up in just his undershirt to have a midnight snack, instinctively pulled at his collar and turned around in alarm to look towards the inner cabin.

The bright moonlight illuminated the cabin.

The Emperor, dressed in dark robes, was frowning and standing by the door, looking at him.

"What ails you, my dear official?"

Jiang Yuxun was about to reply when he couldn't help but break into a cough, "Cough, cough, cough..."

At the same time, he instinctively stretched his hand towards the Emperor.

There's only one life to live. Is it to be choked to death, or to die of embarrassment?

At this moment, the panorama of life began to flash through Jiang Yuxun's mind.

Ying Changchuan slowly walked over.

It was then that Jiang Yuxun, in a mix of despair and difficulty, finally spoke to the Emperor, "Water... cough, cough, Your Majesty, I wish to drink water..."

Jiang Yuxun, do you expect the Emperor to fetch you water?

You really are courting death!

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*Literary References