The morning sun cast its rays upon the earth.
Just as Mao Shi arrived, the guards stationed at Jin City's north gate had yet to change shifts, but a carriage was already gracefully approaching.
Lin Jin, seated in the driver's position, handed the dispatch in his hand to a gatekeeper.
As the north city gate opened, the horse let out a neigh and galloped northward as if in a frenzy.
A faint charcoal fire had already been lit in the carriage. Lu Wuxie poured a cup of clear water onto the coals and said, "The weather will be especially dry from Jin City northward. Adding a bit of humidity will make your nose more comfortable."
Zhong Li, who had been reading a file, replied casually upon hearing him, "Has the Heir Apparent forgotten? When we went to Ling Shan, we took the same road around this time. I could adapt then, and I still can now."
Lu Wuxie's action of pouring water paused. He looked up at her, and a twitch of his lips, he said, "Yes, a year has passed in the blink of an eye."
Zhong Li looked through the file at the man opposite her, whose face seemed slightly tired.
Hesitating, she straightened her posture slightly, set the file aside, and asked, "Did the Heir Apparent not rest well last night? Did you have nightmares again?"
"Yes, only you know about such things." Lu Wuxie's fingertips trembled as he gently fiddled with the small round sachet at his waist. The lavender inside had long since evaporated, and he feared no one would replenish it.
Zhong Li curled her lips and said with a comforting smile, "It's alright. I've heard that the Heir Apparent is about to marry a new bride. Before long, there will be someone to care about these things for you. I believe she will be able to take better care of you than I can."
Upon hearing Zhong Li's words, Lu Wuxie's already suppressed heart felt as if it were being gnawed by ten thousand ants. He was in so much pain that he wanted to sob aloud, yet he feared she would see his distress.
"Li... Minister Zhong." He slowly closed his eyes, calling out to the woman opposite him. He used to find it so easy to call her by her nickname. In fact, when they first met, every time he called out to her, there was a hint of playfulness. But now... the words stuck in his throat. Uttering these two words felt more difficult than ascending to heaven.
"You know very well that this marriage is not my wish, nor have I agreed to it. The only person I wish to marry, and the only one I'm willing to marry, is you."
Zhong Li listened to his words, her eyes cast down as if lost in thought.
After a while, when a gust of autumn wind blew in through the curtain, she was startled and quickly picked up the cup in front of her, pretending to drink water to cover her reaction.
Lu Wuxie, having lived two lives and witnessed the ebb and flow of human relationships, could not help but notice her avoidance.
He sighed and looked out at the scenery through a gap in the curtain.
Unknowingly, the carriage had left the northern suburbs of Jin City. The road heading north was not as scenic as the road south. It was an expanse of boundless fields, dotted with tenacious camel thorns.
Linzhou was a border city of the Southern Yue Kingdom and the closest city to the Northern Di. Twenty years ago, when the Emperor fled north, if Ge Meng had not defended it with his life, Linzhou might have belonged to the Northern Di by now.
It was five days later when Zhong Li and Lu Wuxie arrived.
The prefect of Linzhou, Lord Tian, had received a secret order two days prior and had been waiting early at Linzhou's south gate.
"Heir Apparent, Minister Zhong!" Tian You stood by the carriage, cupping his hands towards the two as they alighted.
Zhong Li glanced at the man opposite her. She had heard of Lord Tian of Linzhou. He had achieved success at a young age and, at just thirty, was already a prefect, with immeasurable prospects. However, due to lacking backing in the court, he had been assigned to this desolate region to benefit the people.
"You two have had a long journey. This subordinate has ordered my wife to prepare food and drink. Shall we discuss it back at the residence?" Tian You walked beside Lu Wuxie, asking in a low voice.
Lu Wuxie did not answer immediately, his gaze constantly scanning Linzhou city. After a while, he could no longer help but ask, "It's only autumn, why are so many shops along the street closed?"
Upon hearing this, Tian You sighed deeply and said, "It is due to my inadequate governance. Please, Heir Apparent, punish me."
Zhong Li had visited many cities in Jin City this year, and this was the first time she had seen a local prefect who proactively admitted fault. She couldn't help but ask, "Before Lord Tian took office, I reviewed Linzhou's situation over the past few years. Since you took office two years ago, Linzhou's tax revenue and agricultural economy have improved. What do you mean by inadequate?"
When Tian You heard Zhong Li's words, the smile on his face slowly turned serious. He sighed and said, "You two are traveling on the main street and naturally cannot see what lies beyond. If it is possible, would you two be willing to accompany this subordinate to look around the surrounding areas?"
Zhong Li glanced at the sky and, feeling it was still early, nodded in agreement.
The carriage sped through Linzhou. Zhong Li, bracing against the strong wind, lifted the curtain to look outside. If the main street of Linzhou they had seen earlier was somewhat presentable, with wine shops, gambling dens, restaurants, and brothels all present, then what she saw now was the true face of Linzhou.
It was supposed to be autumn, and the weather was tending towards severe cold, yet everything in sight was houses thatched with straw. A few doors were ajar, revealing glimpses of the interior: broken stools, tattered beds. How could one describe it as anything less than abject poverty?
"Why aren't they closing their doors?" Lin Jin, who had accompanied them, asked.
Zhong Li looked at Tian You opposite her, then at Lu Wuxie, whose expression was solemn, and replied, "There's nothing to steal, so it doesn't matter whether the doors are open or closed."
Lin Jin did not expect this answer. All his curiosity to ask further was interrupted.
Zhong Li continued to observe the situation outside. A woman was holding a child in her arms, her hand in the child's mouth. The child slept soundly, but the woman's face was filled with pain. At first, she didn't understand, but when she saw the faint red liquid flowing from the child's mouth, her heart ached as if being gouged.
Lu Wuxie glanced at Zhong Li's slightly red cheeks, blown by the wind. He couldn't help but quietly lower the curtain and say, "The wind in Linzhou is strong. Be mindful of your health."
Upon hearing this, Zhong Li looked at the man beside her. To her surprise, he was already sitting upright and began to question Tian You, "The court has not been stingy with appropriations for Linzhou in recent years. Why are the people still like this?"
Tian You revealed a slightly helpless smile and said, "Linzhou mainly relies on animal husbandry for its livelihood. After the severe blow and famine twenty years ago, animal husbandry has struggled to return to its former peak. Moreover, due to the warfare, the main labor force in various families was short of hands. Women had to give birth and also rebuild Linzhou, so many could not endure and fled one after another. It has been a bit better in recent years, but last year there was a locust plague, and Linzhou, which had just begun to recover, was thrown back twenty years. It has been a bit better during the time the Heir Apparent has been here; at least the people have food and don't have to exchange children. As for those on the main street who are not engaged in business, they could not bear Linzhou's poverty and have already closed their shops and returned to their hometowns for the winter," Tian You explained.
When Zhong Li heard "exchange children," she thought of Wei Fu from the Huanxi Lou case. She couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation. Some people's wickedness was truly out of necessity. If Wei Fu had not experienced those things, perhaps she would still be singing in Huanxi Lou and have found someone to love.
"What about the Northern Di? Are there any developments?" Lu Wuxie asked after listening to Tian You's explanation and pondering for a moment.
"The Northern Di..." Tian You's brows furrowed slightly, and he said with a worried expression, "The Hua family members are stationed at the Linzhou checkpoint, and we haven't heard of any invasions from them. However..."
"However, what?" Lu Wuxie asked.
"It's just that recently, the Northern Di people have been coming and going to the Southern Yue Kingdom more frequently. As you know, as long as they have proper documents, Southern Yue Kingdom is still open to foreigners. Many Northern Di people do business in Southern Yue Kingdom, and their numbers have doubled in the past two years compared to previous years," Tian You replied.
"Doubled?" Lu Wuxie thought for a moment and then asked, "What kind of business do they do? Do you know?"
"Meat!" Tian You replied truthfully.
"Meat?"
Tian You nodded and said, "Since Linzhou's animal husbandry declined, the Northern Di people seem to have exploited this loophole and have been supplying large quantities of pork, beef, and lamb to Southern Yue Kingdom at low prices, and the meat is of good quality. Originally, I was leading many farmers who wanted to develop animal husbandry to revitalize it, but because of the actions of the Northern Di merchants, many who had agreed have now backed out."
"How much do they sell their meat for?" Lu Wuxie asked.
"Pork costs five wen, and beef and lamb are a bit more expensive, ten wen."
"So cheap?" Zhong Li was very surprised.
"Yes, Linzhou people naturally favor meat. With this, many people are unwilling to farm. Coupled with the locust plague last year, the fields have been left fallow this year," Tian You said with a sigh, murmuring, "I wonder what the Northern Di people are doing this unprofitable business for?"
Upon hearing this, Zhong Li exchanged a look with Lu Wuxie. A vague sense of unease crossed their minds.