Chapter 1099: Chapter 935: Returning to the Capital

With this thought, Ming Mo asked.

"Lu Chen and I are only in a temporary alliance. Once interests are involved, who knows if he will stab me in the back? Relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself; some information cannot be fully revealed to Lu Chen."

Gu Chengyu has always been wary of Lu Chen, even though Lu Chen’s character is acceptable, the family behind him does not allow him freedom of choice.

Being forced to do what goes against one’s heart has become commonplace.

Ming Mo immediately understood that the lord wanted to guard against Lord Lu. It seemed that the lord had no special feelings for Lord Lu, which made Ming Mo feel a bit relieved.

On this day, the sky finally cleared up. The long-lost sun finally appeared in the blue sky, and the whole city’s people rejoiced.

The prolonged rainy weather had already wearied them.

Jiangnan is already humid, and coupled with continuous rain, the people found it difficult to travel, and even the rice plants planted before could not survive.

"The weather finally cleared up. I wonder if the rice can be replanted? If not, there will be no harvest this year. Without new grain, not only will we have no food to eat, but we also won’t be able to pay taxes."

A farmer gazed at the toppled rice seedlings with infinite sorrow.

This is considered a higher ground; in some low-lying areas, the seedlings have long been submerged. Even if ditches were dug, they were useless because there was simply too much water, nowhere to drain it.

"Alas! You are considered lucky; maybe draining the water will save some. But my fields are a lost cause, and once the water is drained in a few days, I will have to replant everything, and I don’t know if it’s in time. I hope it doesn’t rain again, or we won’t have any grain for taxes next year."

Another person sighed for a while before walking away with hands clasped behind his back.

Government Official Chen Zhao watched the river workers toiling before him with a sense of helplessness. Originally heading to Changtian to prepare to evacuate the people, Changtian Prefecture continued to suffer disasters. He only managed to find his eldest son and wife until now, while other family members were neither found alive nor dead.

Needless to say, they were probably swept elsewhere by the flood and are likely in dire straits.

He fled to Hangtian Prefecture with his wife and children without revealing his identity. He saw the two imperial envoys designated by the Emperor, feeling uneasy.

The breach incident’s handling of those officials remained unknown. Wouldn’t it be seeking death to confront them now?

Initially planning to go to Yingnan Prefecture with refugees to discuss with Li Taixing, on the second day in Yingnan, he heard that Li Taixing was jailed by the imperial envoy due to bribery.

So how could he dare to reveal his identity now? Though not the mastermind, nor even an accomplice, he was at best a marginal figure.

But if the imperial envoy found out he had evidence of former Changtian Magistrate Qian Hui Chun and other officials’ crimes, he would definitely be asked to testify.

Ultimately, he had extended his hand, and combined with not reporting what he knew, he would inevitably be caught up in this, so he might as well keep everything hidden.

Among the many disaster victims, as long as he kept his family far from familiar faces, no one would necessarily recognize him.

Eventually, the government would have to reissue them household registrations. He could conceal his identity and live a good life with his family.

It’s just a pity for his Government Official identity, which at least fed by the official’s salary. Now without this job, he doesn’t know what livelihood to pursue to support his family.

With a look of regret, Chen Zhao felt both remorseful and more resolute. He must not get involved in this matter, or he and his family would not survive.

To protect their lives and positions, those officials will surely not let him go. Hiding among the disaster victims seems safer.

However, doing river labor with the disaster victims doesn’t suit him. Such hard labor brought little Silver Coin earnings.

Swallowing the bitterness, Chen Zhao lifted a large stone and struggled to walk uphill.

"My lord! A document from the Capital, sent urgently by the relay station." Ming Mo handed the document to Gu Chengyu and turned to leave the study.

Gu Chengyu was not surprised; someone had to replace the Yingnan Prefecture Magistrate position. The document at this time should be related to that.

Indeed, opening the document, Gu Chengyu saw the person replacing the Magistrate; it was Ji Yan from the Ministry of Revenue.

Ha! This choice surprised him a bit; is this an attempt to pick the fruits of others’ labor? A Capital Official of fifth-rank becoming a fourth-rank local official is not exactly a big deal.

Because once you leave the Capital, without strong court connections, the chances of returning are slim.

But Ji Yan is different. Once his three-year term ends, Xia Qing could transfer him back to the Capital.

Gu Chengyu and Ji Yan never had direct conflicts, but due to Ji Mingxuan’s affair, they bore a grudge.

Kong Shuhuan’s cousin Ji Yuying was eventually taken as Ji Mingxuan’s concubine. Though the woman was beautiful, Ji Mingxuan was displeased not having outsmarted him, especially due to Zhu Pang’s relation to him.

If Ji Yan heard about it, surely he’d harbor strong prejudice. They serve different masters with different standings.

However, Gu Chengyu was soon returning to the Capital. Aside from being inconvenienced by Ji Yan and Xia Qing, these matters had little to do with him.

But because Ji Yan became the Magistrate, Gu Chengyu planned to discuss road construction with the Crown Prince in the Capital.

After all, the Crown Prince is the legitimate heir, and the Emperor may not live much longer. This matter was somewhat of a allegiance pledge!

Having decided, Gu Chengyu continued reading. Hmm? The Crown Prince actually agreed to the establishment of a commerce association?

Humph! Such a boon for Ji Yan!

"My lord! Lord Lu has arrived." Ming Mo’s voice sounded from outside the study, and Gu Chengyu didn’t put down the document in his hand. The document was standard and court-issued, so there was nothing not to share.

Just as Gu Chengyu said to enter, Lu Chen’s voice resonated within the study.

"Jinyu! I’ve heard the court intends to assign Ji Yan from the Ministry of Revenue to take the Magistrate’s position."

As soon as Lu Chen entered the study, seeing the document in Gu Chengyu’s hand, he raised his eyebrows, "It seems you already know!"

Gu Chengyu nodded, "Take a look; it is indeed him."

Lu Chen took the document and read it thoroughly, "Tsk tsk! The commerce association has really been established? And Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue Mao Jin Yuan was sent to Jiangnan?"

"Once they arrive, we can return to the Capital. Things here are about done; no need to delay further."

The granary’s grain had been supplemented these few days. As for how much Silver the Xia Family and the other two trading firms lost, that was no concern of his.

In business, naturally, there are gains and losses, can’t always be profiting, right?