spend time

Chapter 394 No Work
After dinner, everyone who had been busy all day took a rest.

In the past two years, the farm has built many empty houses. The houses only have beds, tables and chairs, and the furnishings are very simple.

The moon was bright in the sky, casting a white light all over the ground. The moonlight filtered through the window lattice and quietly penetrated into the house.

After Wang Jin entered the room, he sat down at the table and looked out the window. It was unknown what he was thinking about, and he didn't say anything for a long time.

Doctor Tan, who had entered the room with him, coughed and broke the silence: "Fourth Master, you have visited the farm today and have seen Cui Du's ability. I still stick to my previous idea. Such a capable minister must not be missed. We must do everything we can to bring him to the capital."

Wang Jin turned his head and looked over with a complicated look: "Cui Du has made it clear that he will stay in Nanyang County and serve the princess. May I ask Doctor Tan, is there any way to make Cui Du change his mind?"

Doctor Tan obviously had some thoughts in mind, but he did not say it. He just smiled and said, "People always come up with solutions. We have to give it a try."

Wang Jin was silent for a moment and said, "I still have the same attitude as before. I will not steal the princess's girlfriend, I will not anger her, and I will not make such a strong political enemy."

Three consecutive "no"s also show Wang Jin's attitude.

Doctor Tan frowned and looked at the fourth son of the Wang family deeply. "The Prime Minister and the Princess of Nanyang have long been at odds with each other. Even without this incident, there is no room for change. The fourth son insisted on coming to Nanyang County, and I couldn't stop him, so I had to come with him. However, this doesn't mean anything. Although the princess is young, she is very shrewd, calm and rational. She didn't say a word to you, so why should you consider the princess in every way?"

Wang Jin's true feelings were revealed by Doctor Tan, and he remained silent again.

Doctor Tan stopped talking and said, "It's getting late, please go to bed first. I'm going to chat with my old friend Lu Cong."

Wang Jin nodded. After Doctor Tan left, Wang Jin sat alone in front of the window for a long time, sighing softly.

……

The fourth son of the Wang family was in a gloomy mood because of his love troubles, but Doctor Tan was more pragmatic. He went to look for Lu Sheren under the pretext of reminiscing about the past.

The most interesting thing was that Lu Cong seemed to have expected Doctor Tan to come, and had already placed a pot of tea and some snacks on the table.

"The conditions at the farm are simple, and there is not much good tea. Fortunately, this is new tea this year, and the snacks are also made from the new grains at the farm. It's all about freshness and fun."

Lu Cong, who was a little darker and dressed simply, was still elegant and graceful. He extended his hand and made a gesture of invitation, showing the elegance of a civil servant: "Doctor Tan, please sit down and taste it."

Doctor Tan readily agreed. After sitting down, he first took a sip of the new tea, tried a piece of sweet potato cake, and then a bite of corn cake. He couldn't help but praise: "The tea is good, and the new grain is even better."

In the past few months, Doctor Tan had also eaten new grains, but none of them were as delicious as the two snacks in front of him.

Lu Cong smiled, poured himself a cup of tea, and sipped it slowly while saying, "What the people want is to fill their stomachs. The new grain is drought-resistant and has a high yield. It can save lives, which is the best thing in the world."

Doctor Tan said with a double meaning, "You used to be a fifth-rank county governor, but now you are hiding in a farm. You have the title of a servant, but you do the job of a manager. It's a pity that a pearl is thrown into the dark." Lu Cong put down his teacup and looked at Doctor Tan, "I was convicted and imprisoned, and my life was saved by the King of Nanyang. I went back to my ancestral home Fanyang and stayed there for three years. Everyone avoided me. I am only in my thirties, and I am really unwilling to live such a cowardly and depressed life. I shamelessly came to Nanyang County and begged the princess to take me in."

"The princess made me her servant and took me to inspect fourteen counties. During those six months, I was reborn. I saw a princess who loved the people and was kind-hearted. I also saw what a good official looked like in the princess's mind."

"Don't be afraid of being laughed at by Doctor Tan, I just feel that the first half of my life has been lived in vain. I, Lu Cong, thought I was on top of the world, but in fact I was muddle-headed for half my life. Fortunately, it's not too late, I finally know what I should do and what I can do."

"I volunteered to come to the farm to assist Master Cui. Every two months, the fourteen counties would select a group of farmers to come and learn how to grow new crops. Now every household in Nanyang County has grown new crops and filled their stomachs. The new crops from Nanyang County were sent to the disaster-stricken northern counties and gradually spread. I am so lucky to be a part of such a great cause that I would smile even in my sleep."

"Where does the pearl come from? Besides, I am not a pearl. I am just a dull stone. Under the shining light of the princess, I flashed some light, which Doctor Tan saw."

Doctor Tan was shocked.

As a seasoned official, it is his basic quality to speak to people in a way that suits them. He has known Lu Cong for more than ten years and they have a good relationship in private, so he naturally understands Lu Cong's temper.

Lu Cong's words were actually sincere and not pretentious.

Lu Cong truly respected and loved Princess Nanyang, and was determined to serve under her.

Although he only wanted to start with Lu Cong and use Lu Cong to influence Cui Du, and had no intention of poaching Lu Cong, he was still shocked by Lu Cong's firm attitude.

Lu Cong looked at Doctor Tan, who was looking surprised, raised his teacup and smiled: "We have known each other for more than ten years, so there is no need to beat around the bush when talking."

"I know your intention very well. However, I advise you not to think about poaching him. Master Cui will never leave Nanyang County. Even I, a servant who was born a criminal, will never betray the princess and join Prime Minister Wang."

"After drinking this cup of tea, Doctor Tan, please go back and take a rest!"

Doctor Tan was silent for a moment, raised his teacup to signal, and slowly drank half of it.

The tea tasted sweet, but Doctor Tan's mouth was a little bitter. He couldn't help but ask, "After I return to Beijing, I can recommend you to the Prime Minister. Are you really unwilling to join the Prime Minister's school?"

Lu Cong replied straightforwardly: "If we are on different paths, we cannot work together. Doctor Tan, please go back!"

Doctor Tan took a deep breath and drank the rest of the tea. "No matter what, it is always a happy thing for you and me to meet again. I also hope that you can find your own position and ideals in Nanyang County."

Lu Cong smiled and said, "I have found it. Doctor Tan, don't worry about it. I also want to give Doctor Tan some advice. Prime Minister Wang is indeed very powerful, but the world belongs to the Jiang family after all. The emperor, who has only been on the throne for half a year, is still young. The emperor is a true dragon emperor. One day he will soar into the sky. He will not always tolerate his ministers fighting for power and acting recklessly."

"Prime Minister Wang, this ship will be fine in the short term, but it's hard to say what will happen after three, five, ten or eight years. You should also think carefully and find a way out for yourself."

Doctor Tan: “…”