Chapter 29: Governing the World (Part 2)

Chapter 29: Governing the World (Part 2)

With this thought in mind, Wenren Yue quickly became busy.

He not only had to pick up his studies, which had been neglected for over a year, and relearn, but also practice daily the set of health-preserving boxing and tai chi sword routines that Le Wuya had taught him.

Le Wuya didn't expect him to achieve much by switching tracks mid-career; the most important thing was to strengthen his physical foundation.

Scholar Ming was a good man, but his temper was too strong.

As long as one lived long enough, what enemy couldn't be outlasted?

After arranging for Wenren Yue, Le Wuya began to plan his own affairs.

Ever since he had ridden to the Prefect's meeting, Le Wuya had taken a liking to that lazy little yellow horse.

The pony, from its size to its temperament, didn't act like a horse at all, pretending to be a pitiful little donkey, moving sluggishly, swaying as it walked, which conveniently allowed Le Wuya to ride it slowly around Nanting County.

Such a small county town could be covered on foot in half a day, walking through all the main streets and alleys, so there wasn't much to see.

Sun Ru had been lying low these days, watching Le Wuya's every move coldly, and the long-dormant calculations in his mind began to stir again.

Master Chen, this strong backing, had collapsed like a mountain, but Deputy Magistrate Sun himself was a big tree in Nanting County, deeply rooted. Even if he was injured, he wouldn't die anytime soon.

Young General Pei was indeed accomplished at a young age, but his garrison was in Qingyuan, not Nanting. Once he finished his business, he would eventually return there.

After he left, would Wenren Yue really be the one to rule Nanting County?

Just like Master Chen, even when he knew something had happened at Xiaofu Coal Mine, he still clung to vain hopes, trying to protect it as best he could.

By the same token, although Nanting was a small county, power was hard to come by.

Deputy Magistrate Sun was reluctant to let go without any attachment.

However, the Magistrate's concealment of his true abilities had truly frightened Deputy Magistrate Sun.

He learned to be a bit more cautious and didn't plan to strike secretly, only hoping that the Magistrate had lofty ambitions and would look down on such a small place as Nanting.

This small place was indeed dull—even the plays in the theater and the stories told by the storyteller were repeated over and over again, just a few variations.

Since the Magistrate had caught the eye of the Imperial Commissioner, and by handling a few important cases, he would likely be promoted soon.

While Deputy Magistrate Sun was making several trips to the City God Temple, sincerely burning incense and praying for the Magistrate's swift promotion, Le Wuya was studying Nanting County inside and out.

He didn't find Nanting dull at all.

After strolling around these past few days, he had actually worn down half an inch of his horseshoe.

That day, Le Wuya was watering his horse by the Mang River. With nothing to do, he took out the second letters sent separately by Xiang Zhijie and Xiang Zhishi.

Xiang Zhishi wrote: "Seeing that your clothes were thin and old that day, I am sending you a tailor. He is on his way, and spring is coming."

Le Wuya was unfazed by his eccentricity.

Xiang Zhishi's way of showing goodwill was to shower people with money.

His mother's position in the palace was not high, but his family was quite wealthy, almost a moneybag family that could rival the state, making Xiang Zhishi, even at a young age, like a reincarnation of the God of Wealth, using only the best and most expensive items within his allowable attire and transport.

Xiang Zhijie, on the other hand, sent a small box.

When opened, it contained a music score and a peach blossom branch.

This time, he didn't pose any difficult questions to Le Wuya, and the letter was concise: "Spring has arrived here, so I send you a sprig. Also, I recently acquired a music score, and there are a few places I suspect are erroneous. Please advise."

This letter was much easier to reply to.

Le Wuya remembered that he had once advised him that practicing the flute was quite beneficial for treating his stutter.

The flute was rarely used in the court's elegant music of this dynasty, but often used in folk tunes, therefore it was often regarded as a vulgar instrument unfit for refined settings.

He didn't expect that after so many years, Xiang Zhijie would still practice diligently, never forgetting, a truly sentimental man.

Le Wuya opened the flute score; it was indeed a collection of folk music, gathering tunes from various regions for Kun flute and Bang flute.

However, because the book was privately published and lacked proper proofreading, errors and omissions were inevitable.

In his previous life, Le Wuya had put considerable effort into studying music theory to fit in with the refined literati.

But his nature was such that he was vulgar to the extreme, unable to appreciate elegant music, only enjoying lively, joyous folk music.

He began to study it with great interest. Besides the few errors that Xiang Zhijie had marked, he also found several other inaccuracies.

Just as he was engrossed in the score, a light cough came from behind him.

...He was all too familiar with that sound.

When they were young and caught doing mischief together, he would always cough like that.

Le Wuya turned around and met Pei Mingqi's gaze.

Pei Mingqi was dressed in soft armor, riding a chestnut horse, with Deputy General An Shuguo and a group of personal guards following behind.

Seeing this formation, Le Wuya knew he was about to leave.

Le Wuya put away the flute score, grabbed the reins, stood up, and greeted, "General Pei, a good journey to you."

Pei Mingqi had been practicing his smile since he spotted him from fifty paces away, but the moment Le Wuya opened his mouth to wish him a good journey, all his effort was wasted.

He scowled and said, "So eager to see me go?"

Le Wuya blinked.

In their three encounters, Pei Mingqi had used force each time.

He thought it was perfectly reasonable to want him gone.

Seeing the Magistrate staring at him blankly, Pei Mingqi's heart ached, and he warned, "If you get yourself hurt, I won't let you off."

Le Wuya mulled over those words, found them somewhat absurdly like using one's own argument against oneself, and so he put on a demure smile.

Deputy General An, seeing that his young general's words were getting out of line, quickly stepped in to mediate, trying to speak in an official tone: "Magistrate Wenren, we've done you a favor this time. When it comes to grain collection this year, please do not delay."

Le Wuya gave a restrained nod: "We'll see."

Pei Mingqi stood by with a stern face.

...Although this man's words were annoying, he still wanted to talk more with Magistrate Wenren.

He looked Le Wuya over from head to toe, then fixed his gaze on Le Wuya's mount and asked bluntly, "Why are you riding a donkey?"

The little yellow horse seemed to know Pei Mingqi was talking about it. It raised its head blankly, stuck out half its tongue, and looked so silly that it was endearing.

Le Wuya had grown quite attached to the little yellow horse over the past two days. The person before him was also someone from the past, and with the scenes blending together, he struggled to tell them apart for a moment.

So he opened his mouth to defend the little yellow horse: "You're the donkey."

As soon as he said it, Le Wuya regretted it.

Deputy General An sucked in a sharp breath and shot a quick look at Pei Mingqi.

He had to watch closely to see whether he would reach for the whip on his boot or the sword at his waist. If it came to a fight, he would be ready to stop it.

Unexpectedly, after being insulted, Pei Mingqi didn't get angry. After a moment of stunned silence, he actually smiled.

If the crow really lived inside this little magistrate, occasionally popping out so lively like this, even if he'd forgotten the past, he'd be happy just to see this.

...Even being scolded made him happy.

In a wonderful mood, Pei Mingqi dismounted and handed over his reins: "Take this."

Le Wuya knew horses well. With just one glance, he could tell that this horse had the blood of a heavenly horse and was worth at least a hundred gold pieces.

Such a fine steed, and he handed it over as casually as if he were handing him a steamed bun from a breakfast cart back when they were kids.

Le Wuya lowered his eyes: "Thank you for your kindness, General Pei. This horse is spirited; I can't ride it."

Pei Mingqi never took back something he had given: "Then keep it for me. If it gets hurt, you'll answer to me."

Le Wuya was about to refuse when he suddenly heard two muffled barks.

He turned to look and saw, at the back of the procession, Er Ya gazing at him intently, straining to charge forward with all her might.

The soldier holding the dog had been punished earlier for not holding it tightly, so now he was fully alert and refusing to let go, wrestling with the big dog, using his hands and feet.

A flash of inspiration struck Le Wuya: "General Pei, is this big dog yours?"

Pei Mingqi also noticed the barking and was pleasantly surprised. He looked into Le Wuya's eyes, searching for the old friend he used to know: "Do you like it?"

Le Wuya: "Mm."

Pei Mingqi raised his hand: "Bring it here."

The soldier received the order and was finally freed from the torment of repeated tug-of-war.

Er Ya bounded happily to Le Wuya's side, circled him once, sniffed him, and then settled down, sitting firmly beside him.

Seeing that his gift was well received, Pei Mingqi's smile deepened.

When he was fierce and irritable, he was almost unapproachable, but when he smiled, he showed two perfect canine teeth, giving him a hint of boyish silliness.

Pei Mingqi had been teased by Le Wuya since childhood, so he never liked to smile in front of unfamiliar people.

He grinned foolishly at Le Wuya for a moment before composing himself: "I'm off. See you."

...Off.

Hearing those two words, it was Le Wuya's turn to laugh.

When he first came into Wenren Yue's body, he avoided thinking about the past because he was always ready to leave.

Now that he couldn't leave, standing in this life, he couldn't help but recall the past.

According to the rules of this dynasty, civil and military affairs were separate. Civil officials had to pass imperial examinations, but military positions were hereditary.

Pei Mingqi was not an only child; he had a younger brother and a younger sister. However, the principal wife of the Pei family was frail, and the other two children were by concubines.

The Pei family had only this one little phoenix, so it was natural that he would be the successor.

Back then, which idiot was it who, upon hearing that Pei Mingqi was going into the army, promptly packed his bags, left a letter, and ran away from home just to follow him?

Le Wuya, alone with dry provisions, riding his second brother's horse, chased him for about 150 miles and finally caught up.

He'd gotten ahead of him and, wanting to surprise him, hid under a tree along the path he would take. But the sunlight was too warm, and having gone two days without sleep, he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the ground.

Only when someone lifted his bamboo hat and the sunlight hit his eyelids did Le Wuya slowly awaken.

He opened his eyes to see Pei Mingqi's surprised and delighted face: "It really is you! I thought so from far away!"

Dazedly, Le Wuya held out his hand to him.

Not understanding what he wanted, Pei Mingqi cheerfully high-fived him, shaking his hand so hard that his hand went numb.

Le Wuya snapped out of his daze: "Why did you hit me? Help me up!"

Pei Mingqi: "...Oh."

Le Wuya saw that Pei Mingqi was dressed smartly and neatly, while Pei Mingqi saw that Le Wuya was travel-worn, with no fancy ornaments, only a dirty blue headband that made his eyes shine like stars.

They both stared at each other for a while, then each snapped out of it.

Only then did Pei Mingqi ask him: "Why are you here?"

"I'm going to find my father," Le Wuya said with a smile. "To keep you company."

"Great."

After blurting it out, Pei Mingqi asked: "Does General Yue know?"

Le Wuya: "The letter is already on its way. It should arrive around the same time we do."

Pei Mingqi frowned, genuinely worried: "Won't General Yue beat you?"

Le Wuya whined: "Then what good are you? Can't you stop him? Are you just going to watch me get beaten up?"

Hearing the way he talked, Pei Mingqi's heart swelled with joy. He grinned, the same goofy smile Le Wuya had always made fun of.

Le Wuya was also happy. He pinched Pei Mingqi's cheek: "What are you laughing at? You're so silly!"

Pei Mingqi blurted out: "You talk like a little wife!"

Le Wuya: "..."

The more Pei Mingqi thought about it, the more it seemed true: "Look, you even ran away with me!"

Before he finished speaking, he deftly dodged a kick from Le Wuya, and they chased each other around playfully on the main road.

An Shuguo, who was five years older than Pei Mingqi and not yet a deputy general at that time, furrowed his brow in worry.

He felt that the future junior general's behavior was utterly undignified.

At that time, Le Wuya was hell-bent on going with him.

The ambitious Jing tribe had already captured two cities.

Once Little Phoenix reached the border, he was sure to end up on the battlefield.

His days back then were so simple and happy, without anyone else around, just his father, mother, eldest brother, second brother, and Little Phoenix.

Le Wuya couldn't bear to lose a single one of them.

He thought to himself that he shouldn't have gone.

Truly, he shouldn't have gone.

Thinking of this, it was as if a shadowy figure was wildly galloping on horseback, roaring through his memory.

That person drew a bow and aimed at him sideways, his eyes held the wind and blood of the battlefield.

An arrow driven by a hatred fierce enough to pierce clouds and split rocks came and pierced through his chest.

He was pinned motionless by the arrow of memory, and could only watch Pei Mingqi ride away into the distance.

Er Ya had originally wanted the two of them to stay together, but didn't expect them to separate again.

She anxiously paced in circles, wanting to follow Pei Mingqi, yet clearly unable to leave Le Wuya. After some hesitation, she made her choice—she lay down at Le Wuya's feet, whimpering softly.

Le Wuya patted her head: "You still remember me."

She barked affectionately.

After a banquet for high-ranking officials in the capital, he found this dog.

At that time, she was skin and bones, scratching through the trash like a cat.

The capital was teeming with nobles; if a stray bit anyone on the street, it might very well bite some fourth-rank official.

Therefore, whenever the authorities caught a stray dog or cat, they would beat it to death on the spot.

Le Wuya took pity on her for losing her home, so he brought her back and raised her like a cat.

He called her "Mimi" for several days, and only after Sister Qi, at her wit's end, reminded him did he realize it was actually a dog.

Le Wuya was melancholy for two days, thinking his eyesight was seriously going bad.

Whether dog or cat, as long as it could stay by his side and not reject him, that was good enough.

The winter river was extremely gentle; watching the gentle ripples on the water helped calm the mind.

Le Wuya stared at the river in a daze for so long that he didn't realize someone had appeared beside him.

Wen Renyue looked at the long, slender dog, already having an idea: "General Pei has left?"

Le Wuya: "Mm, he's gone."

Wen Renyue: "He left the dog to you?"

Le Wuya: "This dog is close to me."

Wen Renyue stood a dog's length away from him, both gazing at the river.

Wen Renyue asked him: "What are you looking at?"

Le Wuya blurted out: "I'm checking if there's a water monkey."

Wen Renyue laughed softly, then turned his head and said seriously: "There's no such thing in the world."

Le Wuya looked back at him, his gaze somewhat dazed: "The way you speak reminds me of someone."

Wen Renyue understood in his heart that this "Brother Gu" was so melancholy today, probably because he was thinking of his past life.

He totally understood that feeling; occasionally when he thought of his father back home, he also felt a pang of pain and anxiety.

... He didn't know if Brother Gu still had any relatives alive.

Wen Renyue tentatively asked: "Is there anyone you want to contact?"

Le Wuya, always alert, raised an eyebrow at him and laughed: "Are you trying to test me?"

Wen Renyue was taken aback, then waved his hand to explain: "No, no, I mean... if you want to contact your family or trusted friends, you don't need to tell me. Just go find them yourself."

Le Wuya lazily folded and played with Er Ya's long ears.

He had already seen almost everyone he could see.

The rest were almost all people he couldn't see.

The things Le Wuya couldn't make sense of in his past life were no clearer after his reincarnation.

Helpless, he turned his mind back to practical matters: "There is a barren mountain outside Nanting County. I recently got to know an old county magistrate who is quite knowledgeable about land reclamation methods. Perhaps we can consult him about what can be planted in the mountains."

Wen Renyue naturally was extremely in favor: "That's great!"

Nanting County had just paid its taxes this year, and paid a lot more than in previous years, so the treasury was completely drained.

But Le Wuya, with his ruthless methods, first confiscated the Jixiang Workshop and then the Master's mansion, making a good sum of money.

Le Wuya continued: "The roads also need to be paved. The yellow mud roads get muddy and hard to travel on when it rains. Nanting has decent geography; we need to make good use of it."

Wen Renyue nodded.

"There are many merchants passing through this county, but after a few days of observation, I found that many stop here to rest and have tea or meals, but few buy things. People traveling from north to south have large amounts of money in their hands but don't spend it in Nanting. What's the point of them passing through if they don't spend?" Le Wuya said. "We need to make everything exquisite and distinctive so that others are willing to rest longer, stay longer, and buy more here."

Wen Renyue frowned slightly.

In that case, the money from confiscations would not be enough.

Le Wuya: "We also need to build several public latrines. We cannot use the ditches as places for urination and defecation. Not only is it dirty and filthy, but it also wastes such good fertilizer."

Wen Renyue calculated in his mind: "No money left."

Le Wuya ignored him: "We also need to build several ponds and dams. The Nanting coal mine extracts a lot of water, and we also need to deal with droughts. Ponds and dams can conserve water sources. I've already picked out seven or eight locations..."

Wen Renyue: "No money."

Le Wuya continued talking about his ideas: "To attract more people, we also need to reduce the tax on people and horses at the city gates. Small savings add up, and only then can this place truly achieve long-term development."

Wen Renyue: "That will make us even more broke."

Le Wuya: "...Can't you say anything else?"

Wen Renyue said sincerely, "There really is no money."

Gradually, new worries crept into Le Wuya's mind.

Indeed, there were too many things he needed to do, but none of them would turn a profit in the short term.

Without money, nothing could be carried out.

He could proceed slowly, handling one or two tasks at a time, but he was used to charging ahead and doing several things at once.

That was how it was on the battlefield, and in the political arena too.

Now, being forced to tread carefully and slowly frustrated him; he wasn't used to it, and he didn't like it at all.

After thinking it over for a long time, Le Wuya suddenly lifted his head, his eyes brightening.

Wen Renyue: "What is it?"

Le Wuya was so delighted that he patted the dog's head several times: "There's someone I can reach out to!"

Wen Renyue knew that Le Wuya never spoke to him about his past, yet he couldn't help being curious: "Who is it?"

As expected, Le Wuya did not answer. Instead, he grabbed a piece of broken tile, hefted it in his palm, and flung it sideways.

The tile skimmed across the water with amazing agility, skipping off until it vanished into the distance.

Wen Renyue had never seen anyone skip a rock that far in his life. He stared at the last ripple for a long time before turning to look at Le Wuya, who stood smiling beside him. He felt that the ripples were like Le Wuya's eyes—shimmering and bright, really beautiful.