Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Authority and Prestige
In the following days, Jiang Shaohua, accompanied by the newly appointed County Magistrate Cai, toured the spring plowing sites throughout the county town.
Firstly, in Li County, the land is vast and sparsely populated, with a registered population of about six thousand, a standard for a Lower County. Excluding the elderly and weak, there are just over four thousand people who can participate in spring plowing. Five households share one ox for plowing, though every household has a wooden plow.
Upon inspection, vast fertile fields appeared sparsely populated with people farming, their sweat occasionally dripping down, exerting extreme effort.
County Magistrate Cai wore his official garb, slightly masking his indecorous demeanor, and his unsightly face was full of worry: "More than half of the spring plowing days have passed, and there are quite a few households that haven’t plowed even half of their fields. At this rate, some land might miss the spring planting season."
Jiang Shaohua glanced at County Magistrate Cai with a smile: "County Magistrate Cai, feel free to speak your mind, no need to beat around the bush."
County Magistrate Cai carefully grinned apologetically: "Your Majesty, there’s no hiding this little selfish motive of mine from you. Yesterday, as you inspected the spring plowing, you mentioned the new-style curved plow, which is light and labor-saving, significantly speeding up the plowing process."
"I was thinking, once the people in Nanyang County all have the new-style plows, perhaps Your Majesty could also consider granting some of these plows to the people of Li County."
Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "That’s not a significant issue. I intend to vigorously promote the new-style curved plows. Currently, all the craftsmen and blacksmiths in Nanyang County have been conscripted to urgently produce these new-style plows. They’re delivered to the Prince Mansion daily, awaiting allocation and use."
"For this year’s spring plowing, it’s indeed too late. However, in at most two to three months, a batch of new-style plows will be sent to each county. By then, there will also be a blueprint. The county governments can replicate them according to the blueprint and sample."
County Magistrate Cai, his mind genuinely concerned about the people, thickened his skin and pleaded: "Li County isn’t short of wood; there’s plenty in the mountains. However, Li County lacks iron materials and ironworkers, making replication difficult. I still request Your Majesty to bestow more."
In reality, it’s not just a shortage of manpower and iron materials—it’s also a shortage of silver.
Half a month ago, Your Majesty ordered each county to restock the Taiping Grain Warehouse, which is a significant expenditure. In the future, more warehouses will need to be built to continuously stock grain...
A small county town of six thousand people, with a dilapidated county government, couldn’t possibly have much silver, surely struggling to make ends meet. However, these things were naturally things that County Magistrate Cai couldn’t say or wouldn’t say.
As a subordinate, one must alleviate worries and solve problems for one’s superior. If one can’t even do this, then are they still fit to be a county magistrate for Her Majesty?
Jiang Shaohua, with a clear mind, let her gaze linger on County Magistrate Cai’s face briefly, and then she spoke slowly: "Nanyang County governs fourteen counties, and the allocation of new-style plows is based on the population of each county. I’ve already assigned Chief Historian Feng to handle this. I won’t interfere."
Before County Magistrate Cai could show disappointment, Her Majesty continued: "Speaking of which, Li County has many mountains and bandits, discouraging merchants from coming, and the life of the people is tough."
"I have eradicated the Black Pine Village, and sent people to encircle another bandit lair. Once Li County is completely tranquil, free of bandit threats, life will become much better."
"Half the spoils from Black Pine Village, I have taken, and the other half was rewarded to the Personal Guard Camp. As for the spoils from the other bandit lair, they will all be left to the county government."
County Magistrate Cai, invigorated, bowed to express gratitude: "I thank the Commandery Princess for her grace."
Beside him, County Magistrate Mo and the County Captain Chief Clerk joined in expressing gratitude.
With County Magistrate Mo’s inner resentment unspoken, the County Captain Chief Clerk deliberately fell back a few steps, whispering quietly.
"Look at our County Magistrate Cai, clearly favored by the Commandery Princess. The Commandery Princess even rewarded the spoils from the bandit suppression to the county government."
"Indeed! Aligning with the Commandery Princess is beneficial. Perhaps your and my days might improve because of it."
Li County is not known for much, except its poverty. The former County Magistrate Cai, though incompetent, at least wasn’t a corrupt official, mainly due to the county government being so impoverished it barely had any resources.
Among the fourteen counties under Nanyang County, Li County has consistently ranked near the bottom. Every year, when the Prince Mansion allocates silver and rewards, Li County always receives the least. Now, the new County Magistrate Cai has suddenly become a confidant of the Commandery Princess, and with it came the benefits.
The County Captain Chief Clerk had initially decided to remain neutral but now couldn’t help but lean slightly toward County Magistrate Cai.
"Reporting to the Commandery Princess!"
Two swift horses approached with clattering hooves, as two trusted aides dismounted simultaneously, one loudly reporting: "A message came from the Personal Guard Camp, General Qin’s forces have eliminated the bandit lair, all bandits were killed, leaving only five or six who escaped down the mountain."
Jiang Shaohua’s eyes twinkled with amusement, praising: "The battalion is indeed valiant!"
Chen Zhuo, smiling, chimed in: "Since the bandits have been exterminated, perhaps we can invite General Qin and General Liu to the county government for a gathering, and bring the spoils along."
This operation to Li County to suppress bandits took a full ten days inclusive. Having completed all necessary tasks, it was time to return to the Prince Mansion.
Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly.
...
That afternoon, Qin Zhan and Liu Hengchang both arrived at the county government.
Jiang Shaohua personally led the group to welcome them, and after a round of formal greetings and courtesies, they took their seats in the main hall. Qin Zhan started narrating the bandit suppression process enthusiastically: "...Xiao Tian led the scouts to map out the routes and terrain. After leading the troops into the mountains, I stationed personnel at three road junctions outside the bandit lair. Then, I led the loyal personal soldiers to attack the lair."
"This lair was much smaller than Black Pine Village; a few volleys of arrows broke their courage, sending them scattering. In just over an hour, the lair was captured. However, the subsequent pursuit and encirclement took several days. Each bandit hid deep in the mountain crevices. I thought, they must be completely eliminated to prevent future regrouping and harming the people."
"Following Your Majesty’s previous orders, all bandits were executed, and not one was left alive."
The last statement made everyone’s expression slightly odd.
Chen Zhuo slightly furrowed his brows, looking towards the composed Commandery Princess, and tentatively suggested: "The Commandery Princess, with ironfisted means, cleansed the bandits, restoring peace to Li County, which is indeed a good thing."
"However, I have a word of advice for the Commandery Princess. The lives of the bandits are of no worth and their death inconsequential. In such matters in the future, it is enough to let General Qin and his team decide; there’s no need to report specifically to the Commandery Princess."
To avoid sullying the Commandery Princess’s hands.
If spread, a reputation for ruthlessness and bloodthirstiness would not sound good for the Commandery Princess.
Although these last two statements weren’t spoken aloud by Chen Zhuo, everyone understood their meaning.
Song Yuan also spoke up in agreement: "Chief Historian Chen speaks reasonably."
Qin Zhan was already somewhat regretful for his misspeak and quickly amended: "Earlier was a mistake from lower-ranked myself. It was I who ordered the execution of all bandits."
Liu Hengchang coughed and added: "Actually, General Qin and I discussed this matter before he left. It was I who suggested to General Qin to leave no stone unturned, and leave no survivors."
Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping across each individual’s face: "There are no outsiders here, no need to hide."
"This matter was originally my idea."
"Even if it gets out, so be it. I am only ten years old; those outside who don’t know the inside story might underestimate and belittle me. It’s better to be feared than to be despised."