Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Involution (Part 1)
There were over ninety bandits in total, with only seven or eight escaping into the mountains.
As it was already night, it was not advisable to pursue desperate bandits any further.
Jiang Shaohua slightly nodded, and asked with concern, "How many of our men were injured or lost?"
Liu Hengchang replied, "There were no losses in the Personal Guard Camp, only two were seriously injured, and five were lightly wounded. Additionally, one more person fell while chasing the bandits and broke a leg."
This was already a very minor loss and could almost be disregarded.
Jiang Shaohua relaxed her brow and ordered, "Have the military doctors treat the injured. Once daylight comes tomorrow, send them back to the Personal Guard Camp."
"As for the captured prisoners, send them all to Bowan County and hand them over to County Magistrate Chen for him to deal with."
Liu Hengchang agreed to each instruction.
That night, everyone camped outside under the stars. The bonfire burned all night. The sounds of snoring rose and fell, to which Jiang Shaohua had grown accustomed, even finding it especially reassuring.
These personal guards were her people. With such a loyal and valiant group of aides, no matter how rough the road ahead, what was there to fear?
...
Early the next day, the wounded were sent back to the Personal Guard Camp, and the prisoners were sent to Bowan County.
Jiang Shaohua led the crowd to continue forward.
By noon, they finally arrived at Ye County.
County Magistrate Cui had waited outside the city gate for half a day before finally getting to welcome the Commandery Princess with joy. After exchanging greetings, he learned the reason for the Commandery Princess’s half-day delay.
"This is excellent!" County Magistrate Cui was overjoyed, "Recently, we were troubled by the banditry of cloth traders in Ye County and didn’t know what to do, but I hadn’t expected the Commandery Princess to have already led forces to eradicate them."
Jiang Shaohua smiled slightly, "If there are such incidents in the future, immediately send someone to notify the Prince Mansion. The people pay taxes, and it’s my duty to protect them."
County Magistrate Cui continuously agreed.
Born of the Qinghe Cui Family, County Magistrate Cui used to be somewhat arrogant, but now he appeared much more pragmatic, bending his waist quite swiftly.
It seemed he had learned quite a bit at the Prince Mansion earlier in the year.
Jiang Shaohua noticed the subtle change in County Magistrate Cui with satisfaction.
Upon entering the city gates, there was suddenly a burst of cheering.
Jiang Shaohua was a bit surprised and lifted the curtain to look outside. She saw a crowd of commoners packed along both sides of the road, including many women. These cheers were indeed coming from the women.
"Commandery Princess! They’re shouting long live the Commandery Princess!" Chen Jinyu’s dark eyes sparkled, and her lips curved into a smile, "Last year, the Commandery Princess visited Ye County and stood up for them. They are all grateful for the Commandery Princess’s kindness and came out today to welcome her specially!"
Jiang Shaohua chuckled and nodded, her heart warmed by a surge of emotion.
Indeed, the commoners were so simple and honest. A bit of goodwill from those in power was to them like a piece of the blue sky above their heads.
"Wait a minute, that man looks so familiar." Chen Jinyu had sharp eyes and suddenly spotted a somewhat familiar face, "Isn’t that Huang Sanmei’s father? Huang Sanmei has married Sun An and settled in at the Prince Mansion. Could he be thinking Sanmei has come too?"
"Hmph, even if she did come, he should be ignored. Can such a man still be called a parent, acting this way towards his daughter?"
Jiang Shaohua glanced lazily and said indifferently, "If he dares to come to the county government, give him a few pieces of your mind."
Chen Jinyu nodded in agreement.
...
After entering the county government, they had lunch first.
After lunch, Jiang Shaohua rested for a bit. An hour later, she got up and left the county government.
Those accompanying her had long been accustomed to the Commandery Princess’s way of doing things. No one complained or tired. Even County Magistrate Cui was well-prepared, appearing promptly when the Commandery Princess moved.
Jiang Shaohua smiled, "I’m just wandering about with nothing urgent, County Magistrate Cui need not accompany me, attend to your own duties instead."
County Magistrate Cui insisted, "There are the county chancellor, county captain, and chief clerk at the county government, I will accompany the Commandery Princess."
Alright! When the officials wish to demonstrate, the Commandery Princess cannot hinder them.
Jiang Shaohua chuckled without a sound, nodding slightly, "Fine, if you wish to come, then we go together. Let’s first take a look at the grain warehouses."
County Magistrate Cui nodded in agreement.
Upon reaching the newly built Taiping Grain Warehouse, Jiang Shaohua was a bit surprised, "Weren’t the grain warehouses supposed to be completed during the New Year? Why are they still constructing more?"
County Magistrate Cui expected this question and responded unhurriedly, "Report to the Commandery Princess, in Ye County every household raises silkworms and plants mulberries, so the grain produced each year is not enough for the people. It needs to be purchased from outside. Therefore, I plan to build a few more grain warehouses and store more food. In the future, we’ll be able to cope with years of disaster and famine."
Look at County Magistrate Cui speaking with the air of treating the populace as his own children.
Jiang Shaohua smiled approvingly, "County Magistrate Cui has thought this through thoroughly."
"It could only be Ye County that could build so many grain warehouses." Chen Jinyu cheerfully picked up the Commandery Princess’s comment, "It’s still due to County Magistrate Cui’s excellent governance."
County Magistrate Cui was quite humble, "Ye County’s wealth lies with its people. No matter who takes on the role of county magistrate, they could do well. It’s the more challenging places like Li County that require effort and attention, where County Magistrate Cai excels beyond me."
Jiang Shaohua and Chen Jinyu exchanged smiling glances.
Indeed, competition is the greatest motivator.
Targeting County Magistrate Cai, County Magistrate Cui looked to have quite the battle ahead since County Magistrate Cai was exceedingly diligent.
"The Commandery Princess first visited Li County. Now, it has truly transformed."
Chen Jinyu couldn’t help but praise County Magistrate Cai, "County Magistrate Cai strives diligently for everything and exhausts himself over the people’s livelihood. He is simply a model county magistrate."
The once proud County Magistrate Cui genuinely admired County Magistrate Cai, "County Magistrate Cai deeply cares for the people and works hard in his role, serving as a model for our ranks."
After pausing, he added, "Chen Sheren’s account of County Magistrate Cai is also very well written. I have read it three times."
Having read it, his eyes were somewhat envious.
A county magistrate who could be praised this way by the Commandery Princess and have a note written about him and spread everywhere—what an honor and glory.
He wished it were him, with a similar account bearing his name.
Chen Jinyu humbly smiled, "County Magistrate Cui is both a first and second list scholar, while my bit of literary talent is hardly worth mentioning, merely making you laugh."
Ma Yaosong promptly said, "Chen Sheren is overly modest. The account of County Magistrate Cai is excellently written, with brilliant prose."
Jiang Shaohua also nodded with a smile, "Indeed, it’s very well done."
Chen Jinyu was all smiles, basking in the praises.
Lu Cong found no opportunity to interject, but silently thought to himself that if he were to write it, it would be even more moving and brilliant.
Unfortunately, he had not yet earned the trust of the Commandery Princess. Such a visible and noteworthy role hadn’t come his way, leaving Chen Sheren the young talent to seize it first.
Indeed, Lu Cong—Lu Sheren felt somewhat resentful and dissatisfied. Despite his claim to be a literary genius in his youth, excelling in penmanship and elegant writing,
Chen Jinyu certainly had talent, especially for her age, it was uncommon... However, how could she compare to him!!!