Chapter 9

The moonlight made his smoky-gray eyes even colder.

He smiled and looked down at the skinny man.

It was a casual glance, yet it sent shivers down one's spine.

Everyone inside and outside the courtyard fell silent in an instant.

The soldiers responsible for escorting the man had never seen the Emperor and didn't recognize the person before them.

But the oppressive aura of long-held power emanating from Ying Changchuan hit them instantly, making them pause in their tracks and hesitantly bow in respect.

Jiang Yuxun, who was about to leave: !!!

Damn, why is he here?

Jiang Yuxun's gaze met Ying Changchuan's across the small courtyard.

The latter nodded gently at him.

A few seconds later, Jiang Yuxun realized – Ying Changchuan was so autocratic that he not only led battles personally but also needed to oversee river affairs himself to be reassured.

The Emperor in disguise clearly didn't want to be recognized.

As Jiang Yuxun hesitated on how to greet him, an attendant accompanying Ying Changchuan suddenly spoke up: "My lord has temporarily stopped here to inspect the river channels. Please, Minister Jiang, arrange a place for him to rest."

The young man immediately turned to lead the way: "Of course, this way, my lord."

-

Jiang Yuxun took the Emperor to a newly built vacant room in the farm, everything inside was brand new.

However, upon entering the room, Ying Changchuan couldn't help but frown slightly. Such simple furnishings indeed fell short of his expectations.

"Lord Jiang, please wait."

Just as Jiang Yuxun was leaving, he was stopped by the attendant who had come with Ying Changchuan.

"What is it, Eunuch Sang?"

"His Majesty has been on horseback all day and hasn’t had a proper meal. Could you arrange some late-night snacks for him?" Eunuch Sang said with a smile, then added, "Oh, and please, there’s no need for a big fuss. Something simple will do."

Casual? Is this really a situation to be casual about?

Ying Changchuan is extremely particular about his daily meals and attire.

He avoids heavily flavored or greasy foods and doesn't eat simple meals unbefitting of his imperial status... And most importantly, where am I supposed to find late-night snacks in the middle of the night?

This old eunuch really has some ideas.

"Hurry, Lord Jiang," seeing him standing still, Eunuch Sang gently patted Jiang Yuxun's shoulder and softly urged, "Don’t take too long."

"…Alright."

Cursing inwardly, Jiang Yuxun reluctantly took a lantern and left the courtyard.

The moonlight illuminated the farm, casting a quiet atmosphere all around.

As Jiang Yuxun pondered where to find late-night snacks,

The distant sound of water suddenly reminded him of the melons he had chilled in the well.

Why not use those?

……

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea,

Jiang Yuxun, with a heavy heart, brought the sliced melons into the room.

However, this time Eunuch Sang didn't take the melons but instead opened the door for him: "It's quite a coincidence, Lord Jiang. His Majesty was just looking for you. It seems he has something to ask."

Saying this, he let Jiang Yuxun bring the items in himself.

The flickering bronze lamp illuminated half of the room.

Ying Changchuan was sitting under the lamp, carefully examining the map of the Yi River banks.

Only when he heard the footsteps did he look up.

"Sit."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Jiang Yuxun gently placed the melons aside and sat at the edge of the desk.

"What does my minister think about the condition of the river dike?"

"Your Majesty," Jiang Yuxun thought for a moment before replying, "The soil near the Yi River dike is friable, and there are multiple places damaged by termites, snakes, and rats."

Ying Changchuan slowly nodded.

For a moment, the room was so quiet that only the crackling sound of the lamp burning could be heard.

The young man also lowered his voice: "When it's not raining, there might seem to be no problem. But once there's a torrential downpour, it will cause concentrated seepage, forming a breach, and then lead to a widespread dike collapse."

You don't realize how serious it is until you see it.

After walking along the dike, Jiang Yuxun was certain – this section of the dike wasn't just at risk of breaching, it was bound to happen. It was only a matter of time.

The Emperor slowly nodded.

What Jiang Yuxun mentioned was entirely consistent with the issues Ying Changchuan had discovered during his inspection of the river.

Compared to the court officials who only noticed the rise in the Yi River's water level and missed these details, Jiang Yuxun’s observations were obviously more meticulous.

After the young man finished speaking, Ying Changchuan asked him a few inconsequential questions.

While answering, Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but steal glances at the melon on the desk.

...If not eaten soon, the melon will spoil.

This small room was no match for the grandeur of the Liuyun Hall.

At this moment, the distance between Jiang Yuxun and Ying Changchuan was less than a meter.

Therefore, he was completely unaware that his subtle movements were all seen by the Emperor…

After discussing the river, Ying Changchuan suddenly asked in a seemingly considerate manner:

"Does my minister have something to say to me?"

Ah?

Ying Changchuan’s question caught him off guard.

Unprepared, Jiang Yuxun blurted out: "…If Your Majesty doesn’t like the melon, may I have it? I spent a whole tael of silver on it, and it would be a pity to let it go to waste."

Ahhh?!

How did I end up saying something so embarrassing?

Competing with the emperor for a midnight snack, I really have some nerve!

From birth to this moment, Jiang Yuxun had never felt as embarrassed as he did right now.

As his words fell, the room was enveloped in silence.

Jiang Yuxun cautiously raised his eyes, trying to gauge if the sensitive Ying Changchuan was angered by his remark.

But, unfortunately, he found himself directly meeting the other's eyes, brimming with amusement.

"It is my oversight," Ying Changchuan, far from being angry, actually nodded and said to him, "Feel free to have it, my dear official."

The emperor's mind is unfathomable.

Jiang Yuxun was momentarily unsure if Ying Changchuan was genuinely kind in offering him the snack.

...Or was it just a casual courtesy?

He initially wanted to refuse, but... now that it had come to this.

Wouldn't refusing make it seem like he was just picking a fight with Ying Changchuan?

Jiang Yuxun found himself in a dilemma.

Oh well, I might as well eat it.

After a few seconds of silence, the young man finally, with great difficulty, raised his hand to pick up a piece of fragrant melon under Ying Changchuan's watchful gaze.

In the end, he stiffly brought it to his mouth and bit into it as if in slow motion.

The emperor then lowered his gaze again, turning his attention to the map.

Jiang Yuxun's heart sank, a wave of despair washing over him in an instant.

The Emperor works while I eat melons...

In all of history, across the world, who has been more oblivious than me?

The sweet aroma of the fruit enveloped the young man.

Yet, this late-night snack was particularly difficult for Jiang Yuxun to consume.

Too preoccupied with his own embarrassment, he didn't notice that Ying Changchuan, who was examining the map, also lost focus for a moment.

—A three-year salary penalty may have been a bit harsh for Jiang Yuxun.

-

The next morning, the sun shone brightly, and the Yi River was still as placid as a mirror.

Jiang Yuxun was woken up by a commotion and a piercing loud noise.

"What’s happening outside?"

Having talked with Ying Changchuan until midnight, Jiang Yuxun had fallen asleep as soon as he returned to his quarters and was still groggy.

Seeing him awake, Zhuang Youli, who was standing by the window, immediately turned around and anxiously said, "Some villagers saw the clear sky today and refused to wait any longer. They started arguing when they got up and just now had a conflict with the people in charge of guarding the farm."

The noise outside the window grew louder, interspersed with the sound of metal clashing.

This issue was probably not just "a little conflict" as it seemed the whole farm was now in chaos.

Fully awake now, Jiang Yuxun immediately got up to wash and get ready.

Just as he finished, he heard a voice from the Xuan Yin Surveillance outside:

"Lord Jiang, villagers are gathering at the gate, about to break out of the farm! Please come to the front yard quickly!"

So, it has come to this after all.

Jiang Yuxun’s heart sank.

He exchanged a glance with Zhuang Youli and quickly followed the Xuan Yin Surveillance outside.

At the entrance of the farm.

Hundreds of villagers were confronting the soldiers.

From a distance, Jiang Yuxun heard:

"The water level of the Yi River has dropped. Look for yourselves, does it look like it's about to breach?"

"Yeah, let us go back!"

"—Where is Jiang Yuxun? Let him come out and see us!"

"Jiang Yuxun is a liar!"

It was unclear who first shouted Jiang Yuxun’s name, but the crowd echoed it, and the entrance to the farm quickly descended into chaos.

Zhuang Youli became anxious: "Ah Xun, you need to calm the villagers!"

Jiang Yuxun pursed his lips without speaking, his gaze surveying the crowd.

The devout followers of the Listening Sky Platform, despite their own hardships, regularly offered tributes in exchange for "immortal pills."

Most of them were thin and agitated.

The few leading the disturbance fit these descriptions.

Seeing him silent, Zhuang Youli couldn’t help but urge him again: "Ah Xun?"

Jiang Yuxun shook his head and suddenly took a deep breath, stepping forward: "No."

"Ah, no?" Zhuang Youli was taken aback, "Wait, are you joking, or are you serious, Ah Xun?"

The young man didn’t answer his question but quickly stepped into the midst of the crowd.

Jiang Yuxun's appearance was too striking; he was noticed as soon as he approached.

"Everyone quiet down, Minister Jiang has arrived!"

The previously noisy crowd suddenly fell silent for a few seconds.

Hundreds of eyes simultaneously turned towards him.

Everyone was waiting for him to speak.

Under the cover of his wide sleeves, Jiang Yuxun instinctively clenched his fists.

After a few seconds, he pretended to be unaware of the situation and turned to ask a soldier beside him, "Is anyone wanting to leave?"

Before the soldier could answer, the leader of the disturbance stepped out from the crowd, arrogantly saying, "Yes, we've already waited for an entire—"

He was interrupted mid-sentence by Jiang Yuxun, who said abruptly: "Alright."

As he spoke, the young man slowly unclenched his fist.

"Ah... alright?"

The other party stood frozen, his prepared speech blocked.

Had Jiang Yuxun agreed so readily?

Without waiting for a response from the few, Jiang Yuxun immediately turned around and considerately instructed the Xuan Yin Surveillance: "Count how many people want to leave. Help them pack their belongings and escort them out of the farm."

The young man’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it was clear enough to reach everyone's ears.

"Yes, Lord Jiang!" The Xuan Yin Surveillance promptly responded.

Jiang Yuxun's statement was unexpectedly straightforward.

The crowd exchanged looks, and after a long pause, not a single person moved to leave.

Just as Zhuang Youli was wondering if Jiang Yuxun had deliberately said this to provoke a rebellious spirit in the crowd,

The young man standing beside him suddenly looked around and asked, "What, not leaving now?"

Wait, is Jiang Yuxun serious?!

His tone was excessively calm, so calm that it carried a hint of provocation.

The few leaders, as if having made a sudden decision, looked at each other and said: "Let's go, we'll leave right now!"

Their luggage had already been packed, ready for immediate departure.

After saying this, they shouldered their bags and began to leave.

Zhuang Youli was stunned for a moment, then tugged at Jiang Yuxun's sleeve and whispered, "No way, Ah Xun, are you serious? Then what about all the work we did these past few days..."

It seemed Jiang Yuxun had made up his mind: "Keeping them here will only incite more people to clash with the soldiers, maybe even rushing out of the farm together."

Relocating people from both sides of the river channel before the rainy season is not without precedent.

Most villagers are willing to cooperate.

Clearing them out first reduces instigation, and although others might still have reservations, they are less likely to forcibly rush out of the farm.

"That's true..." Zhuang Youli came to a realization, "With so many people inside the farm, it would be difficult to control a major disturbance."

Within the time it took to burn an incense stick, people gradually began leaving the farm.

The gate was a scene of chaos and noise.

"Jiang Yuxun is acting out of guilt!"

"Who knows why His Majesty would believe his words..."

Everyone leaving the farm made a point of rolling their eyes at the young man.

And Jiang Yuxun, as if stubbornly confronting them, stood there with the Xuan Yin Surveillance, personally seeing them off.

"Ah Xun, you don’t think this will really lead to trouble, do you?"

As more and more people left the farm, Zhuang Youli’s palms started to sweat.

"I don’t know..." Jiang Yuxun shook his head gently.

"You don’t know?!" Zhuang Youli looked at him in shock.

Jiang Yuxun truly didn’t know how much longer they would have to wait.

It's even harder to predict what might happen if we keep waiting.

"If there is indeed a problem, I will naturally go to His Majesty to confess my fault," Jiang Yuxun said with an unusually calm and matter-of-fact tone.

Zhuang Youli was startled by his words: "Do you really plan to shoulder all the blame alone? Do you know how... ruthlessly His Majesty deals with his officials?"

Before Zhuang Youli could finish, Jiang Yuxun turned to him, speaking earnestly, "Having been given the authority to act, it's only right to accept the responsibility. I can't expect to have all the advantages to myself, can I?"

Zhuang Youli stared at him, dumbfounded.

Jiang Yuxun had been by the Emperor's side for an entire half month.

How could he not know what Zhuang Youli was implying?

It wasn’t that he was unaware of the severity; he had genuinely... made up his mind.

In Zhuang Youli's gaze towards Jiang Yuxun, there was suddenly an admiration he hadn't even realized or acknowledged himself.

True to being the son of the Great General of Zhen Nan, he has integrity!

-

A while ago, the Yi River was turbid and yellow.

These past few days without rain, even the river water has become less and clearer.

From afar, it looked like a white ribbon quietly flowing through the plains.

The midday sun was scorching.

Inside the farm, dozens of people gradually left.

After the news spread, the court officials who had been silently observing seemed convinced that the situation would resolve without trouble, and that Jiang Yuxun was headed for a complete downfall.

Believing they understood the Emperor’s intentions, they quickly took action.

By evening, a flurry of secret reports and accusations against Jiang Yuxun, like snowflakes, flew into Ying Changchuan’s hands.

Beside the Yi River, inside a carriage.

One of the "Nine Ministers," Tai Pu Luo Qirong, spoke leisurely:

"The relocation of villagers from both sides of the Yi River to the farm, followed by no event, naturally breeds resentment. In my opinion, only by executing Jiang Yuxun at the Yi River bank, the instigator of this trouble, can we appease the public's anger and resolve their grievances."

His subordinate, writing the letter, appeared uneasy, hesitantly putting down the pen to ask, "Sir, doesn’t His Majesty highly regard Jiang Yuxun? Could this letter bring us trouble?"

"Regard him highly? You really don’t understand His Majesty," Luo Qirong suddenly laughed, "That Jiang Yuxun speaks so arrogantly in front of His Majesty. I believe His Majesty has long been looking for a reason to deal with him! I’m just giving him an excuse."

The subordinate had an epiphany: "…I see!"

Author's note:

Ying Changchuan: Please don’t spread rumors about me behind my back, thank you.

Today's little Jiang:

Just a tael of broken silver (out loud)

A whole tael of broken silver (internally)

The ancient version of getting in the car when the leader opens the door, and changing seats when the leader serves food – eating melon while the Emperor works.