Chapter 32

Jiang Yuxun's eyes reddened, his gaze never more helpless than at this moment.

He lifted one hand laboriously, trembling lightly with each breath.

His other hand, unconsciously, was patting his neck, turning his originally fair skin red from the slapping.

...Wanting water?

Ying Changchuan couldn't help but frown and was momentarily lost in thought.

It took a few seconds before he understood what Jiang Yuxun meant - was he asking him to pour water for him?

For Emperor Ying Changchuan, this was the first time in his life he had been beckoned to serve.

He had even forgotten when the last time was that he had personally poured water.

The moonlight shone through the window, and Jiang Yuxun clearly saw a faint confusion in Ying Changchuan's eyes.

It's cold.

Seeing Ying Changchuan frown, Jiang Yuxun's heart instantly felt half as cold.

Ying Changchuan is the Emperor!

What was I thinking, indulging in such a fanciful dream?

His gaze drifted aimlessly before suddenly settling outside the window.

The Chen River's white waves are endless; water is the least of its scarcities.

...Perhaps I should just jump into it before Ying Changchuan makes a move.

Jiang Yuxun's thoughts churned in an instant.

But by the time he gathered his senses, the dark silhouette of Ying Changchuan had disappeared.

The next second, a cool teacup was placed steadily in his hand.

Jiang Yuxun: !!!

Disregarding everything else, he shakily took the teacup and drank it in one gulp, nearly choking to death.

In his panic, his fingers unintentionally brushed over the back of Ying Changchuan's hand.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Accompanied by the soft coughs, the Emperor paused his movements and then silently refilled his cup.

After a moment of hesitation, he gently patted Jiang Yuxun's back.

Jiang Yuxun, who had sneaked out for a late-night snack, was clad only in a thin inner garment.

It was indeed autumn, and the southern nights had begun to bear a chill, not to mention that the cabin windows were open for ventilation.

Jiang Yuxun's back had already started to feel the cold from the river breeze.

Only where his palm touched Ying Changchuan's did he feel a trace of warmth.

At this moment, through the thin fabric, Jiang Yuxun's body suddenly shivered slightly.

-

Meanwhile, outside the cabin.

Eunuch Sang, standing guard outside, dismissed the other attendants the moment he heard a strange noise from within the cabin.

He then stood guard alone, pacing back and forth.

Unlike the cabin door, this outer door, though also thin, was filled with sound-absorbing fabric.

Eunuch Sang, positioned at the innermost part of the corridor, could only faintly hear some sounds.

But even this faint sound was significant!

After the other attendants had left, the dizzy Eunuch Sang, from his continuous pacing, finally stopped.

He silently warned himself to neither look nor listen inappropriately.

Yet, he couldn't help but sneak curious glances at the cabin door.

Could it be... Could the Emperor and Minister Jiang actually be...?

……

After drinking three cups of water, the rice cake that was stuck in his throat finally went down.

Jiang Yuxun took a deep breath, gradually regaining his composure bit by bit.

With the pause in coughing, silence suddenly fell over the cabin.

Jiang Yuxun instinctively tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand.

The cold, smooth touch from his fingers slowly brought clarity to his mind.

At this moment, Jiang Yuxun's face and fingertips were thoroughly flushed.

The Emperor, standing aside, finally slowly put down what he was holding and looked at Jiang Yuxun with slight confusion, "Why did you choke just now, my dear official?"

Jiang Yuxun, belatedly realizing that Ying Changchuan had indeed poured water for him, looked up at the Emperor in utter shock.

— Damn, what did I just do?!

He immediately stood upright and honestly replied, "Your Majesty, cough, cough... I, I wanted to eat a rice cake and accidentally choked on it."

After speaking, he instinctively glanced at Ying Changchuan.

"Rice cake?" The Emperor raised an eyebrow, looking towards the desk.

The half-wrapped rice cake in lotus leaves shimmered under the moonlight.

It seemed utterly harmless.

"Yes..." Jiang Yuxun explained instinctively, "Rice cakes are a specialty of the south. I loved them as a child, and they taste quite good."

His voice grew quieter as he spoke, feeling guilty, until it was barely louder than a fly's buzz.

After all, Ying Changchuan had just saved his life.

Seeing the other's curious gaze on the items on the desk, Jiang Yuxun politely offered after explaining the rice cake, "Would Your Majesty care to try?"

— Anyway, the Emperor is extremely particular about his diet and surely wouldn't accept my offer.

A river breeze carried the faint sweet aroma to Ying Changchuan's nose.

Just when Jiang Yuxun thought the Emperor would refuse.

Surprisingly, he responded with a smile, "Alright."

Jiang Yuxun: ...?

Wait, that's not right!

Ying Changchuan raised an eyebrow: "What, do you not wish to offer it?"

"Your servant was merely being polite."

"I know."

...How did he become so assertive all of a sudden!

-

Jiang Yuxun never expected things to develop in this direction.

He carefully broke off a small piece of the rice cake through the lotus leaf and offered it to Ying Changchuan.

The Emperor scrutinized it closely and, to Jiang's surprise, actually put it in his mouth.

Ying Changchuan isn't joking with me, he really ate it?

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but be astonished.

Although Ying Changchuan didn't use a silver needle to test for poison before eating, as emperors in historical dramas do.

But isn't he afraid that I might have poisoned the rice cake?

Thinking this, Jiang Yuxun instinctively said, "...Your Majesty."

"What is it?"

Jiang Yuxun: !!!

Realizing what he was about to say, he quickly shut his mouth and shook his head vigorously.

Meanwhile, Ying Changchuan had already finished tasting the item in his hand.

"My minister, what did you want to ask me just now?"

"Your Majesty, I was wondering... aren't you worried that these rice cakes might contain something harmful?" Jiang Yuxun asked very seriously.

After speaking, his heart sank heavily.

Oh, Jiang Yuxun, Jiang Yuxun.

It seems you really can't control your own mouth, blaming so-called 'debuffs' is useless!

Aren't you just seeking your own doom, perhaps even that of your entire family?

Jiang Yuxun, who had lost face more than once, had greatly improved his mental resilience.

Despairing for only three seconds, he quickly regained his composure and began to make amends, "Your Majesty trusts me too much, and I am somewhat apprehensive. There's no other meaning, please, Your Majesty, understand my sincerity!"

Saying this, he immediately put down what he was holding and bowed deeply.

The moon over the Chen River was bright and tranquil.

Unlike the flickering lights, there was a unique tranquility to the scene.

The Emperor standing in the outer cabin wore his dark robes much looser than usual.

Jiang Yuxun, wearing only his undershirt, was still barefoot.

In this moment, even the distinction between sovereign and subject seemed to blur slightly.

Ying Changchuan delicately wiped his hands with a silk cloth, casually asking, "Do you then harbor such thoughts, my minister?"

"Of course not—" Jiang Yuxun immediately shook his head.

"Is that so."

If something were to happen to Ying Changchuan, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty would collapse with him.

Recalling Zhuang Yue's often spoken words about the way of an official, Jiang Yuxun looked into Ying Changchuan's eyes with utmost sincerity and said, "Your servant... perhaps wishes for Your Majesty's health and safety more than anyone else in this world."

Ying Changchuan's movements paused, and he slowly lifted his gaze to Jiang Yuxun.

Such words, if spoken by someone else, would hardly stir any emotion in Ying Changchuan.

— Being the Emperor, he had heard too much flattery and appeasement.

However, when these words came from Jiang Yuxun, the simple sentence seemed to hold a special significance.

Ying Changchuan had long noticed that Jiang Yuxun never lied to him.

Inside the cabin, the young Imperial Attendant who had just had a coughing fit, still had eyes slightly reddened.

Jiang Yuxun stood facing the bright moon.

At this moment, the moonlight over the Chen River poured from the sky, filling his eyes.

At the moment their gazes met, Jiang Yuxun smiled sheepishly, then averted his eyes and said softly, "If possible, I wish for Your Majesty to live a long and prosperous life." His tone was incredibly sincere.

As the Emperor, Ying Changchuan was accustomed to hearing "Long live the Emperor" endlessly.

But Jiang Yuxun was the first to so earnestly wish him a long life.

The moon swayed with the wind.

Casting silver ripples across the Chen River.

A secret joy, one even Ying Changchuan himself could hardly detect, suddenly blossomed in his heart.

-

"Achoo—" Jiang Yuxun sneezed again.

"Minister Jiang, are you truly alright?" Tong Hailin paused in his work, turning with concern to ask, "If you've caught a cold, you should take some medicine and rest. Our work isn't so urgent that it can't wait."

The distance between Zhao Du and Tao Yan County is a thousand miles, and Tong Hailin felt unwell after arriving here.

He thought he would adjust in a couple of days, but instead, his condition worsened with vomiting and diarrhea, and his complexion turned waxen.

Worried about being infected by Jiang Yuxun, he unconsciously tightened his grip on the brush and subtly moved to one side.

Noticing the other's aversion, Jiang Yuxun rubbed his nose and moved closer: "It's alright, please be assured, Minister Tong. I caught a chill last night eating late-night snacks, it's not contagious."

After Ying Changchuan left last night, he had Eunuch Sang bring in ginger soup.

But Jiang Yuxun, who had stood outside in just an inner garment, still caught a slight cold.

Tong Hailin eyed him doubtfully: "Alright then."

As they spoke, he finally set down his brush: "The land in the marshes is almost ready. I've also made some progress on the 'Pond and River Network System' Minister Jiang mentioned earlier."

Jiang Yuxun looked down at the map.

Ying Changchuan, a military man by origin, understood the importance of maps better than most.

After incorporating the three southeastern counties into the territory, he dispatched people to travel through them and create detailed maps.

At the moment, one such map lay on the table, thoroughly marked by Tong Hailin.

Tong Hailin stroked his beard while studying the map, softly saying to Jiang Yuxun, "You were right before, Minister Jiang. Draining and reclamation are quite straightforward, and the common folk alone could clear enough land."

"But if the common folk are left to dig indiscriminately, the three southeastern counties would become chaotic, and it would be difficult to form a network of rivers."

Jiang Yuxun nodded slightly.

Indeed, letting the people dig their own channels could solve the immediate problems and be more labor and time-efficient.

But it would leave significant hidden dangers for future generations.

To ensure future prosperity and avoid these dangers, it is essential for the imperial government to organize the cultivation and systematically arrange it.

This project is not in a rush to be completed in a short time, but the planning for the future river network must be prioritized.

The map Tong Hailin has been working on for several days now is densely lined, already revealing the outline of the river network.

"Minister Tong's speed is truly remarkable," Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but be amazed at the efficiency of his colleague.

Tong Hailin had been unwell due to the unfamiliar climate and was occupied with other duties during the day.

It was unexpected that he still managed to find time to draw the map so meticulously.

Tong Hailin looked at the map on the table with pride and relief, then suddenly frowned, "This map only covers part of the marshes around the Chen River. To complete the whole, much more time is needed."

His tone was somewhat grave.

At this point, no one believed that the humid, sparsely populated southeastern three counties would one day be prosperous and populous.

Being a former official of the previous dynasty and having experienced years of war, Tong Hailin instinctively doubted whether Ying Changchuan would be willing to invest the effort in this project.

Jiang Yuxun sensed the underlying meaning in his words.

But he did not respond directly.

Jiang Yuxun smiled, stood up, and looked out of the cabin.

— Not far away, a dozen soldiers had already reclaimed a piece of land.

"Minister Tong need not worry too much. With the numerous troops stationed in the southeastern three counties, even for the sake of military provisions, His Majesty will surely assign people to cultivate the land," Jiang Yuxun paused before adding, "Not to mention, the issue of refugees in the southeastern counties can also be resolved this way."

As he spoke, his hand unconsciously tightened.

The wars in Great Zhou in recent years primarily erupted in the southern regions.

Countless refugees consequently migrated northward, flocking towards the vicinity of Zhao Du—among them were Gu Yejiu and his family.

The Yi River Plains, where Zhao Du is located, have limited capacity and cannot sustain so many people. Prolonged overpopulation will inevitably lead to trouble.

If the southeastern three counties could be successfully cultivated, the court could then relocate those people who were displaced due to war and disaster.

When that time comes, the realm will surely be more stable.

※

The position where the tower ship was anchored was not far from the capital of Tao Yan County—the "provincial capital."

And Tao Yan County was right at the center of the southeastern three counties.

In the past few days, not only Tao Yan County's Prefect Xuan Wenli, but also the prefects of the other two counties, had come here in advance to report on governmental affairs to Jiang Yuxun.

Jiang Yuxun and his party did not widely promote the idea of draining fields and directing water, but neither did they carry it out secretly, away from the public.

As time passed, more and more bold locals gathered to closely observe the process.

The rice fields on the marshland gradually became clearer, and the number of onlookers increased.

One day, someone finally couldn't contain their excitement and approached Jiang Yuxun's group, eager to say something.

Zhuang Youli listened for a while but couldn't understand, and eventually turned to ask, "What is this elderly man saying? Can anyone understand him?"

As the saying goes, "Accents change every ten miles."

Although the original character was also from the south, there was a certain distance between Lanzhe County and Tao Yan County, and Jiang Yuxun couldn't understand what the local was saying.

The officers of Xuan Yin looked at each other, puzzled.

After a moment of silence, Gu Yejiu, who had once been a refugee, stepped forward and explained, "He's asking if he can farm the land once it's cultivated. He also assures the officials that he will pay his dues annually."

— The concept of the imperial court is vague for the people far from Zhao Du, and some even don't know about the change of dynasties.

Clearly, the old man was unaware of Jiang Yuxun's true identity.

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but smile.

Instead of directly answering the question, he turned to Gu Yejiu and said, "Ah Jiu, ask the elder how they currently cultivate their land."

"Yes," Gu Yejiu promptly responded and turned to have a detailed conversation with the local.

The officers of Xuan Yin remarked among themselves, "The inclusion of the southeastern three counties into the Great Zhou territory was just a few years ago. It's impressive how well Ah Jiu speaks the official language!"

"Right! I thought Ah Jiu was from around Zhao Du too."

Gu Yejiu, feeling a bit shy from the praise, scratched his head and said, "My father was a small trader. In his early years, he traveled around and learned the official language of Great Zhou."

Although Gu Yejiu was a refugee, it did not mean he came from a poor background.

In this era, the truly impoverished, who knew little of the outside world, could not make it to Zhao Du.

The group of refugees Jiang Yuxun had saved had, to varying degrees, some means.

"No wonder..." Everyone suddenly understood.

After this tangent, Gu Yejiu began to explain in detail to Jiang Yuxun about the current farming practices of the people in Tao Yan County and the surrounding areas.

As they listened, the people around all furrowed their brows.

Jiang Yuxun subconsciously murmured, "...burning before planting, watering after sowing."

Zhuang Youli couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Ah Xun, what do you mean by that?"

"Use fire to burn the weeds directly. Or, when the grass and rice grow together, flood the field. Once the grass is drowned, what remains is the rice."

Although he had been in this era for a while, seeing terms from history books become reality still seemed magical to Jiang Yuxun.

After speaking, he suddenly remembered something and said to Gu Yejiu, "Ah Jiu, ask Elder again how they usually sow the seeds?"

"Yes, Minister Jiang."

Gu Yejiu asked a few questions and then replied, "He said they just scatter the seeds directly."

Just as expected!

At this time, the people of the southeastern three counties had not yet adopted the later practices of transplanting seedlings or using manure as fertilizer.

Their farming habits were quite outdated.

To truly transform this area, besides large-scale land cultivation, the locals must also change their farming habits.

...But how can this be achieved?

Even Xuan Yinjian, who came with Jiang Yuxun, had never farmed, and some had only seen paddy fields for the first time after coming to Tao Yan County.

Hearing this, a member of Xuan Yinjian expressed his doubt, "Minister Jiang, if not directly scattering the seeds, how else can one plant?"

"Transplanting seedlings," Jiang Yuxun answered without hesitation, "This method produces higher and more stable yields of rice."

After finishing his explanation, the audience was amazed, expressing wonder continuously.

Zhuang Youli, both admiring and somewhat puzzled, asked, "Ah Xun, how do you know all this?"

"Indeed, Minister, you seem to know an awful lot!"

"About that..." Anticipating such questions, Jiang Yuxun had prepared an answer. He smiled and confidently replied, "I am from Lanzhe County, remember? Lanzhe, being far from the Central Plains, naturally has different customs and practices than those near Zhao Du."

Compared to the southeastern three counties, "Lanzhe County" was more unfamiliar to them.

Hearing Jiang Yuxun's explanation, the members of Xuan Yinjian had no reason to doubt him.

-

After thoroughly understanding the local farming practices from the elder.

Jiang Yuxun didn't directly lease the land to the elder but asked him to bring his family to observe and learn about digging channels starting tomorrow, promising to lend him the tools.

Not only that, but he also gave many of the fish caught from the marshes while digging the paddy fields to the elder as a gift.

With Jiang Yuxun's promise, the elder was excited and in a hurry.

He pulled Gu Yejiu aside, enthusiastically explaining how to cook the various local fish deliciously and insisting he relay every word to Jiang Yuxun.

Unable to refuse the kind offer, Jiang Yuxun, under the elder's watchful eye, eventually carried a basket of small fish back to the boat.

The elder watched him board the deck before finally leaving.

—The unnamed mixed fish might not have been large, but each one was remarkably lively.

They constantly leaped in the basket, splashing water around.

By the time he reached the deck, Jiang Yuxun's clothes were already half soaked.

"Be careful, Minister Jiang, the deck is slippery!" Xuan Yinjian said, moving forward to help.

"It's fine," Jiang Yuxun waved his hand, "My clothes are already wet, and I'm only a few steps away, so it's no trouble to keep holding this."

As someone from the modern era, he still wasn't quite accustomed to being waited on.

Xuan Yinjian shook his head, "This isn't right..."

At that moment, the voices of Xuan Yinjian and Jiang Yuxun mingled and faintly reached inside the tower boat.

The Governor, who had come to report on official matters, was just leaving.

Hearing the noise outside, Ying Changchuan slowly stood up and walked towards the deck.

Seeing him appear, everyone quickly bowed in respect.

The deck was instantly filled with people kneeling down.

Jiang Yuxun also shifted his gaze from behind the fish basket to look forward.

Why had Ying Changchuan come out?

Perhaps because he often embarrassed himself in front of Ying Changchuan, Jiang Yuxun suddenly had an ominous feeling upon seeing him.

And just at that moment, the fish he was holding in his arms began to squirm again.

A small grass carp made a vigorous leap, managing to jump halfway out of the basket.

Jiang Yuxun: !!!

Before he could react, the light tea-colored tail of a small grass carp thrashed heavily, slapping against the side of his neck with a "smack."

"Hiss—"

Not only was the blow painful, but it also drenched half of Jiang Yuxun's hair.

His grip involuntarily loosened.

At that moment, the fish gathered its strength and leaped fiercely, jumping right out of the fish basket.

Coincidentally splashing half a basket of water onto the ground.

"—Stop!"

Jiang Yuxun's eyes widened in shock.

Damn, why is this fish jumping towards Ying Changchuan's arms!

Could it have chosen a more apt spot?

Without thinking much, Jiang Yuxun instinctively stepped forward to catch the fish.

But who could have known...

The light tea-colored small grass carp, fluttering its tail mid-air, miraculously adjusted its direction and successfully flung itself from the deck back into the water.

Then, with a flick of its tail, it disappeared without a trace.

Jiang Yuxun's hand thus awkwardly ended up right in front of the Emperor.

The wet and slippery deck, soaked with water, made Jiang Yuxun lose his balance just as he tried to pull back his hand and lean sideways.

Ying Changchuan suddenly stepped forward and gently grasped Jiang Yuxun's hand, pulling him upright with a slight tug.

The warm touch emanated from Jiang Yuxun's fingers, which had become especially cold after being soaked.

Unintentionally, he curled his fingers, brushing against a small rough patch and instinctively rubbed it twice with his fingertips.

Ying Changchuan's smoky gray eyes, unusually unsettled compared to their usual calm.

His other hand, hanging by his side, also trembled slightly.

In the moment their gazes met, Jiang Yuxun belatedly realized—what he had been rubbing was apparently the callus on Ying Changchuan's right palm, formed from years of wielding a sword.

Author's note:

Fish: I'm free—