Chapter 557: Could You Give Me Another Chance?

Chapter 557: Could You Give Me Another Chance?

Therefore, the stewards of the noble families in the Great Shun Dynasty were figures many resented but dared not confront. Even a lowly servant would throw their weight around, earning disdain but remaining untouchable, and very few had a good reputation.

If Fang Chuanzhou and Xie Tianhai were to assist Mo Jiuya in temporarily managing the fiefdom affairs, they would risk being labeled as power-abusing lackeys.

What of it?

In the hearts of the two, including their families, they had pledged their loyalty to the Mo family since the beginning of their exile journey. Without the Mo family’s help, let alone surviving the journey to the Northwest, even if they did, they would struggle to make ends meet.

Although they were no longer court officials, relying on the continuous care of the Mo family, they were living comfortably.

As commoners, or worse, as exiled convicts, they could live without worrying about food or clothing, and even have surplus grain at home—something they never dreamed of when they left the Imperial City.

Now that they finally had the opportunity to repay the Mo family, the two were giving it their all. So what if they were stewards?

To work for the Mo family, they’d even work as servants...

Seeing that the two did not hesitate at all, Mo Jiuya knew that he and his wife had made the right call.

"Thank you both, uncles."

After saying that, Mo Jiuya brought the two in front of the local officials.

Currently, Meng Huaining hadn’t yet gathered evidence of the prefect’s crimes for him, so Mo Jiuya couldn’t make baseless accusations.

"Prefect Liu has failed in his duties and is suspended pending further review."

After saying that, he invited Fang Chuanzhou and Xie Tianhai to his side.

"From today onwards, these two will serve as stewards of my estate. While I’m away on campaign, all matters within the fiefdom will be their responsibility."

At this moment, the prefect was stunned into silence. In front of Mo Jiuya, he was indeed guilty.

"I admit my mistakes. Please, give me another chance."

For such a person, Mo Jiuya was too lazy to deal with him. Giving him another chance would only cause more problems.

He waved his hand: "Remove him."

Soon, someone came up and dragged the prefect away.

Aside from one or two who felt guiltless, the rest of the officials lowered their heads, not daring to look at Mo Jiuya.

Mo Jiuya directly instructed Fang Chuanzhou and Xie Tianhai.

"Uncles, now that I have just taken over the fiefdom and am about to go on an expedition, I leave all matters here in your hands.

I hope to see significant changes when I return."

Even if Mo Jiuya did not say it, the two knew how to proceed.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, we will do our utmost."

Mo Jiuya nodded.

"Good, if you run into trouble, consult my father for guidance."

In fact, Mo Jiuya was not completely without people to use.

He Ziming is exceptionally skilled in literature and has been learning the art of governance since he was young. He would be more than capable of handling the role of prefect.

However, Mo Jiuya knows He Ziming all too well; he has no interest in pursuing an official career and is entirely focused on studying medicine.

During the time Mo Jiuya and his wife were in the Imperial City, He Ziming had already purchased a shop in town, waiting for everything to be ready before opening it.

Mo Jiuya couldn’t force his brother-in-law into a position he disliked just for his own benefit.

Therefore, when Mo Jiuya was considering potential candidates, he quickly ruled out He Ziming.

Then there was his dear father-in-law, Minister He. Though he hasn’t arrived in the Northwest yet, it’s just a matter of time.

Minister He’s management skills are second to none, but Mo Jiuya still had to consult the old man.

He couldn’t simply convince him to resign and come here to manage the fiefdom, could he?

Anyway, Fang Chuanzhou and Xie Tianhai were people he trusted, and they couldn’t leave at the moment.

Once Nan Yu clears the reputations of the two families, whether they stay or go will be their choice.

By then, which would be far in the future, Mo Jiuya believed he could also train some capable people under his leadership.

Moreover, he has many elder brothers, especially his fifth brother, who is steady and deliberate in his actions. It would be fitting to let him handle these matters.

Of course, these were all things he would need to consider in the future. For now, his top priority was to lead his men to the battlefield.

The officials who had accompanied the prefect were still kneeling. Mo Jiuya glanced at them and said, "I don’t need your gifts. The best gift you can offer is to do your jobs well."

Then he waved his hand, "Take these back. If you feel you have excess wealth, use it to help those who are hungry."

The officials had feared that after the Prince of the West dealt with the prefect, he would target them. To their surprise, he let them off with just a warning.

Looking at the gifts they had brought, what was there to hesitate about?

They would return and immediately organize aid for the struggling commoners.

With the immediate matters simply arranged, the women of the Mo family also came out to see the men off.

He Zhiran was holding Zhuer in her arms, and Lady Mo was holding Mingzhu.

The two of them came to Mo Jiuya together.

He Zhiran took one of Zhuer's little hands and waved it towards Mo Jiuya as if to say hello.

"Zhuer, tell your father that I will wait at home for you to return victorious."

Zhuer seemed to understand his mother's words, staring at Mo Jiuya with wide eyes and making babbling sounds, then smiling at him.

Mo Jiuya stepped forward and took Zhuer's little hand, "Son, your father is going to fight for the country. The responsibility of protecting this land will be yours in the future."

On the surface, Mo Jiuya was just playing with Zhuer in front of everyone, but in his heart, he truly meant it.

When he agreed to Nan Yu to become the Prince of the West, the grant of the fiefdom was only one of the reasons.

As a father, he indeed wanted to leave something for his descendants.

Therefore, his agreement to become the Prince of the West was based on these two indispensable reasons.

Lady Mo also came over holding Mingzhu.

Mingzhu's eyes crinkled with a smile when she saw her father, then she imitated her brother, babbling as if saying goodbye to him.

Mo Jiuya's heart melted at the sight of the two adorable children.

He couldn't resist touching each one, unwilling to let them go.

The two little ones also had a bunch of uncles. Although they didn't interact with their little nephew and niece like the Ninth Brother did, their hearts softened at the sight of them.

For the Mo family women, all except He Zhiran, this scene of parting before the men headed to battle was nothing new.

Their anxiety at that moment was indescribable.

Although their husbands were still alive, the unbearable pain they had felt upon hearing of their deaths still weighed heavily on their hearts.