freenovelworld Chapter 402 First Arrival in Yan Land!
Chapter 402 First Arrival in Yan Land!
The group set off in a grand procession towards Yan. Although Yan consisted of eight prefectures and twenty-four counties, it was the most extensive fiefdom among all the vassal kings.
"Everyone knows that Yan is poor, but Yan City is located at the southernmost part of Yan and is no different from ordinary cities and counties, so it does not look poor. The poorest parts of the entire Yan region are Qi County and Yu County in the far north. And the poorest five counties in these two counties are Feng County and Xiang County under the jurisdiction of Qi County, and Liu County, Fang County and Huayang County under the jurisdiction of Yu County."
"You seem to know quite a lot," Mu Xinnuan said with a smile.
"I need to figure out my fiefdom as soon as possible. Yan may seem poor, but there are quite a few prestigious families here, so it's not easy to deal with them."
"A prestigious family?" Mu Xin Nuan naturally understood. Wherever there are people, there will be a struggle for power and interests, and Yan is no exception!
The thought of facing these challenges on her own now gave Mu Xin Nuan a headache.
She wasn't worried about not being able to handle it, but she was worried that she was too young and might not be able to help much.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? If you're tired, we can rest for a couple of days in the small town ahead. If necessary, we can stay for a couple of days before continuing."
"No need! I'm fine. Yan knows you're coming, so officials from all sides have already made preparations, and those powerful families certainly wouldn't be completely unprepared. Let's try not to delay. Most importantly, the people of Yan can't wait any longer."
"Yes. Don't worry, I've already sent Zi Yi to Yu County ahead of time. There are three counties there that were hit hardest by the disaster, and the largest number of people have no food to eat. I received Zi Yi's report yesterday that more than thirty soup kitchens have been set up in the three counties. In addition, several wealthy merchants in the area have also set up soup kitchens. For the time being, things are stable."
"With only thirty-odd soup kitchens set up for the people of the three prefectures, there's bound to be some trouble with public order."
"Don't worry, I've arranged everything. Today, Zi Yi will send people to set up soup kitchens again, for a total of fifty. If there are any more, we might not have enough food."
"Were all 200,000 shi of grain transported to Yu County?"
“How could that be? I gave him 50,000 shi of grain. Although the natural disaster was severe, there are still some wealthy families in the area who eat fish and meat every day. Since they were born in Yu County, they can’t just not think of any way, can they? At worst, I’ll find a way to pin a crime on them and force them to pay the grain.”
"Hehe! You're quite ruthless." Mu Xin Nuan chuckled.
"There's nothing we can do. These people clearly have grain and silver, yet they refuse to help the people. I've had Zi Yi write down the names of the families who took the initiative to set up soup kitchens to help the people this time. Once this crisis is over, I will naturally give them important positions."
"You're quite good at winning people's hearts."
“I have to bribe him. If it were just me, it wouldn’t matter, but now I have a wife, and I have to plan for our future. From now on, this Yan region will be our home. If nothing unexpected happens, we will spend the rest of our lives here in Yan. Ah Nuan, for your sake, I have to find a way to make Yan region prosperous.”
"Aze, have you figured out what to do with warm clothes?"
"Not yet." Duanmu Chuze shook his head. "Right now, I've just managed to get some tents. After all, there are too many refugees. In some places, people are so poor they can't even afford to eat, so they abandon their homes and have nowhere to live. We have to find a way to help them."
"Having a tent is already quite good. At least we won't have to sleep on the streets at night, which reduces the chances of people dying. Don't rush, take it slow." Mu Xin Nuan comforted her like this, but she knew in her heart that how could she not be anxious?
After getting to know Duanmu Chuze for the past few years, how could he not know anything about his personality?
He either doesn't do something, or he does it to the best of his ability. This was evident in his previous trip to the border to defend against the enemy.
"The last few carriages of ours are filled with warm clothes, mostly old clothes from the servants of the Prince's Mansion and the Mu and Li families. As you know, even if the masters' clothes are ruined, they can't be given away. This is all the way I can think of. I've collected less than ten carriages of clothes in total. I don't know how much help it will be to you."
A hint of surprise flashed in Duanmu Chuze's eyes. "Anuan, you've done a great job! Thank you!"
“We’re all family now, why are you thanking me? Besides, I’ve sent someone to buy some charcoal, but it might not arrive in Yan in a short time.”
Duanmu Chuze's eyes lit up. "Sister, don't worry. I have a way to deal with the charcoal fire. It just will take some time."
"I knew you would have a way."
After traveling for another three or four days, Mu Xin Nuan was feeling rather listless in the carriage and almost fell asleep.
"Your Highness, Yancheng is less than a hundred li ahead. According to our scouts, all the officials and prominent families of Yancheng have come out to welcome Your Highness and Princess Consort from sixty li away in He County."
"Yes, I understand. Give the order to travel at full speed. Tonight, the King and Queen will stay at the Chang Le Prince's Mansion in Yancheng."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Mu Xin Nuan perked up immediately. She was about to arrive at the place where she and her husband would spend the rest of their lives. How could she not be excited?
"You are my queen consort. From now on, this Yan land belongs to me, and it also belongs to you. There is no need for you to wrong yourself. No matter what happens, I will make the decisions for you. Remember, this is our own territory. Even Father Emperor would never just extend his hand to us."
"Mmm." Mu Xin Nuan responded obediently, knowing that he was worried that she would be ostracized by those women and young ladies. No matter how famous or prestigious she was in the capital, this was Yan, a place she had never been before, and she was just a young princess who had not yet reached marriageable age. She was afraid that this would not be enough to win people's hearts.
“I’ve already had someone investigate. They know they only have a few tricks up their sleeves when it comes to flattering me. They certainly won’t miss out on this honey trap. Ah Nuan, we’ll have to work together then.”
"Don't worry. I understand. You shielded me from trouble in front of the Empress, so naturally I will help you as well. Anyway, it was your own unwillingness to take concubines, not my own narrow-mindedness or jealousy."
"You little rascal! You're really getting a good deal and still acting innocent!" Duanmu Chuze said, then leaned over and gave her a light peck on her cheek.
The low laughter and coquettish voices from inside the carriage caused the stewards and personal guards outside to exchange bewildered glances, their expressions a mixture of helplessness and delight.