The Anarchic Consort

Helian Wei Wei was able to keep her equanimity while facing the accusation. She did not go on the rampage as Magistrate Liao expected but uttered in a leisure manner instead, “The officials are right, we might as well talk it over since the villagers have inquired.” She glanced at the farmers and continued, “Folks, why are you so sure that you can make a pot of money by fixing the road?”

The farmers exchanged glances with each other, they could not help but look at the direction of Private Advisor Zhang again.

Helian Wei Wei said with a smile, “Why do you folks keep looking at Private Advisor Zhang? Does he have any good ideas? I have a question for him then. The second after-autumn drought will happen seven days later, there will be no grains to harvest in the fields once the drought is here. You can’t sell any food if there’s no harvest. How are you going to make a pot of money if there is no sale? What’s the purpose of fixing the road then?”

Private Advisor Zhang was at a loss for words, unable to answer Helian Wei Wei’s continuous questions. He opened his mouth, trying to make an explanation but he failed to say anything.

“It appears like Private Advisor Zhang doesn’t know about it as well,” Helian Wei Wei continued with a smile, “I shall be surprised now, why are you folks so sure about something that none of the officials can guarantee?”

Unlike modern times, it went without saying that the citizens in ancient times were afraid to see the imperial officials. Their fears intensified upon hearing what Helian Wei Wei said.

Some farmers feared that they would be condemned and spoke with hesitation, “It’s, it’s Private Advisor Zhang who guaranteed that we can build up our family fortunes once the road is fixed.”

All the officials from provincial capital went silent after hearing that. The underlying message could not be more obvious. It was evident that Private Advisor Zhang had created some rumors.

Besides, the biggest problem that needed to be solved in Fuping County was not fixing the road, but the worrisome drought.

Private Advisor Zhang never mentioned it at all, he kept talking about fixing the road instead.

When the time came and not a single grain was reaped because of the drought, everybody in Fuping District would have to flee famine. What penny could they earn by that time!

When the moment came, not only the imperial court would blame them, perhaps the Retired Emperor would fly into a rage and they would be held responsible for it.

Their original intention was to seize the opportunity to make fast money, but they were only willing to get the money if there was no danger in it. If it was way beyond their capability, none of them would want to bear the consequences.

“Private Advisor Zhang, you’re wrong in handling this affair,” said one of the officials.

The rest of the people turned to look at Private Advisor Zhang upon hearing that.

Private Advisor Zhang never expected this outcome, he tried his best to maintain the stiff smile on his face and said, “I’m just worried for the folks.”

However, with things as such, no one would trust his words anymore.

Even the villagers that he brought with him came to understand the situation, hence, they gave him ferocious stares. An old man who knew better opened his mouth and said, “Are you just using us? Say something!”

“I…” Private Advisor Zhang’s face took on a ghastly expression upon hearing the accusation, he then expressed himself, “My fellow villagers, don’t simply make slanderous charges against me! All of you volunteered to come, why are you saying that I’m using you instead? I didn’t even say anything!”

Id*ot! Magistrate Liao scolded him in his heart while listening to his useless explanation. His expression changed as well.

Basically, everyone knew that Private Advisor Zhang worked for him. If Private Advisor Zhang had made a mistake, it was tantamount to a huge slap in the face for him.

Lord Wei obviously knows it, yet he still takes such measures!

Good, very good!

Magistrate Liao’s eyes wandered around, he said in an attempt to change the topic, “Let’s put the matter of fixing the road aside. Lord Wei, you must have mistaken the questions that the folks asked you. They want to know why you insisted on spending a lot of money to bury the pipes to channel water despite the fact that the rice fields in Fuping County are at a higher terrain than the river. It is simply a waste of manpower and resources and a futile effort.”

“Right, that’s what they meant!” Private Advisor Zhang could not help but chime in with him, “According to what Lord Wei said, fixing the road will cause damages to the rice fields. But you have to go through the rice fields to bury the pipe and channel water too. If there’s no water in the end and the rice fields are already destroyed, the folks will still lose their grains!”

Magistrate Liao took a sip of tea before saying anything, “Private Advisor Zhang, Lord Wei is a newly appointed official and he put his whole heart to make outstanding achievement. We can understand all these, but that doesn’t mean we will allow it. Don’t you worry, you can explain slowly to the folks if anything were to happen, so as to avoid misunderstandings of officials from the provincial capital.”

“I’m just worried for the folks.” Private Advisor Zhang looked as if he felt deeply grieved and said earnestly, “The citizens of Fuping District can still receive relief grains from the provincial capital even if they do not have food after the roads are fixed. Burying the pipe and channeling water is simply an act of wasting money, how effective will it be?”

Helian Wei Wei sneered and said, “Private Advisor Zhang hasn’t seen whether the method is effective or not, how can you come to a conclusion right away?”

Magistrate Liao waved his hand and said, “Lord Wei, let’s stop fighting and head to the rice fields to have a look. Let the Lords from the provincial capital be our witnesses.”

This Wei guy, it seems like he will never accept defeat if he does not get a slap in his face!

He knew Fuping County very well, it was impossible for the river water to flow to the rice fields at high terrain!

“Just listen to Lord Liao and go have a look at the rice fields,” said one of the imperial officials from the provincial capital. The imperial official was indeed amiable and nice to the citizens. “Folks, follow behind us. Later you can explain to Lord Wei as well.”

Everyone broke out laughing upon hearing him, they looked at Helian Wei Wei with clear mockery in their eyes.

The farmers had no idea whose words they should believe; they had a vague feeling that they should not have come to Lord Wei. However as the matter stood, there was no room for them to remorse now. All they could do was to brace themselves and follow behind the officials to the rice fields.

Even though they said they were going to the rice fields, Magistrate Liao, intentionally or unintentionally, kept guiding them toward the river. He wanted the imperial officials from the provincial capital to see how low the terrain of the river was.

One of the officials said indifferently while walking, “Lord Wei, sometimes you have to think before you act. The river is so low, how are you going to channel the water to the rice fields?

The corners of Helian Wei Wei’s mouth were slightly curved into a mocking smile, she had yet to open her mouth.

All of a sudden, the sound of water flowing could be heard not far away, coupled with the sound of cheering from the farmers. It had created quite a commotion!

“Water! There’s water!”

The imperial officials were stunned, they turned around to look at the direction where the sound came from. A handsome and apathetic silhouette was standing in the vast field, tall and slender. The hem of his long robe was flying in the wind; he looked like a god from ancient times.

He wore pure black gloves on his hands, his fingers long and slender. His lips curved into an indistinct smile and his deep eyes were beaming with a faint light. It was hard for people to ignore the overwhelming pressure coming from him.

Although he was standing in the crowd, he could be recognized at first sight.

Helian Wei Wei was stunned for a while, then her lips curled into a smile. His Highness had gone missing since morning, so he was actually waiting here…