Chinese New Year

Chapter 1490 Comfort
Yu Liang did not go to the government office of the agricultural envoy immediately because he was ill.

Some say it's because of a bad mood that led to illness, but there's no way to verify that, who knows?

On March 15th, Yu Liang, who had been resting at home for over a month, felt that he was ready and prepared to go to Yewang County to meet the Crown Prince who was stationed there. Just then, the "miracle doctor" arrived—the Emperor summoned him for a consultation.

Yu Liang hurriedly got up, tidied his appearance, and then went to Xiyuan Xiaozhu.

"Yuan Gui, come here." By a pool of spring water, Shao Xun was sitting and beckoned to him.

Not far away, there was a pavilion where several women were sitting and talking quietly.

Yu Liang withdrew his gaze, walked to Shao Xun's side, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty."

"Sit down," Shao Xun said, pointing to a rug next to him.

Yu Liang skillfully sat cross-legged.

"Yuan Gui, do you still remember the old story of Guangchengze?" Shao Xun asked casually, staring at the lake.

“Of course I remember,” Yu Liang said. “Back then, this was just a piece of undeveloped land. Through hard work and pioneering spirit, it eventually became a land of plenty.”

"Yes," Shao Xun said with emotion, "Back then, you led your family soldiers to guard the garrison, often sleeping in the fields, and you got tanned from the sun. Our bond as ruler and subject began from there, and thirty years have passed in the blink of an eye, haven't they?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Liang looked on with longing and said in a low voice, "It's been at least thirty years."

"I was quite worried when I heard you were ill," Shao Xun said. "Are you feeling better?"

"Your Majesty sent the imperial physician with excellent medicine, and I recovered," Yu Liang said.

"Has the root of the problem been removed?" Shao Xun glanced at him and asked.

Yu Liang hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Shao Xun laughed and said, "Still throwing a tantrum? Tai Zhen has known you for many years. What's wrong with handing over the position of Chancellor to him? You are now the Chief Secretary of the Agricultural Promotion Commissioner's Office. Everyone in the office must obey your orders and cannot be separated from you for a moment. Tell me, how much work has piled up in the past month?"

Yu Liang looked ashamed.

The Chief Secretary of the Tokugawa Shogunate, who was in charge of agricultural reform, actually wielded considerable power. He could be extremely strict, capable of inflicting unimaginable suffering, or lenient, preserving a person's ancestral property. Therefore, many people would come to him seeking favors, even though he had previously been known for his impartiality.

First, he was not short of money and was afraid of losing face in front of his nephew and losing his image as a noble uncle; second, he wanted the emperor to know that he could also achieve results when he worked hard.

Wen Qiao ended up in the Council of State Affairs? How long have I been waiting? Before, it was Wang Yifu, and it was hard to compete with him. But now, after working so hard for so long for someone who was the Chancellor more than ten years ago, I still have nothing to show for it. It's no wonder I'm unhappy.

His illness was half real and half fake; it wasn't entirely an act, just not as serious as it seemed.

"Liang Nu values ​​you, his maternal uncle, highly," Shao Xun said. "Work hard and let him see your abilities; wouldn't he value you more?"

Yu Liang rose and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."

"Why are you being so distant with me?" Shao Xun glared at him, displeased. "Back in Biyong, we ate from the same pot. Guang Chengze got a fish, and we split it in half. Now you're doing this to me?"

Yu Liang quickly sat up straight, feeling much better. His Majesty still valued their past relationship.

"Have you been exchanging letters with the shogunate during your time at home?" Shao Xun asked.

Yu Liang was a little embarrassed and said, "Yes."

Not only were there correspondence, but also personnel exchanges. After all, this year's new start was for half of the Sishu that was not completed last year, which was relatively close. It wouldn't take long for the lower-ranking officials of the shogunate to bring the letter over.

"How has Huan Wen, the Attendant Gentleman, performed?" Shao Xun continued to ask.

Yu Liang coughed lightly and said, "Yuan Xi is ill. The Crown Prince has ordered him to temporarily take over the Eastern Palace Left Guard. He just arrested dozens of people in Wangwu Mountain half a month ago."

Even in the nearby Hanoi prefecture, there were Hu tribes, mainly Jie people, who came from Shangdang and Hedong respectively. In the past, they were too lazy to deal with these people who farmed and herded in the mountains. This time, they were to be registered as commoners. As a result, some people were dissatisfied and passively resisted. They were directly arrested by Huan Wen and his men at night.

Huan Wen handled the first matter after entering the government office with great skill, earning everyone's admiration.

"What is the situation of Huan Maolun, who resigned due to old age and illness?" Shao Xun then turned the topic to Huan Yi.

“He is old, and Jiangzhou is too hot and humid to bear, so he wants to return to Qiao County to live a quiet life,” Yu Liang said. “Besides, Yuanzi is quite capable and can support the family, so he doesn’t need to work so hard.”

Shao Xun nodded and said, "Since you have a past with him, you should take good care of Yuanzi. In the end, this world will be handed over to them."

"Does Your Majesty wish to appoint Yuanzi as a civil official or a military general?" Yu Liang asked.

Shao Xun smiled and said, "For scions of prominent families, there's no question of whether literary or martial arts are separate paths. Is Yuanzi bad at poetry or prose? But he has practiced martial arts since childhood, is well-versed in military strategy, and has led troops in battle. He is capable in both literary and martial arts. If one had to choose, it would be good for him to have more exposure to military affairs."

“Your Majesty, I have heard that the position of General of the Left Changzhi Guard has become vacant. Why not let Yuanzi temporarily assume this post?” Yu Liang said. “At the latest by May, the Crown Prince will be heading to Chang’an to survey the land in Yongzhou. Yuanzi, leading ten thousand men of the Left Changzhi Guard, should be of great help. After all, Guanzhong is not as peaceful as Guandong.”

"Yuanzi has never led the imperial guards before. Can he be competent to be appointed as a general? Can he convince people?" Shao Xun seemed to be asking a question, but also seemed to be talking to himself.

Yu Liang said dismissively, "Yuanzi is loyal, that's enough." Shao Xun glanced at Yu Liang with a half-smile and said, "Alright, let Yuanzi try. If he can't win over the Left Guard, then he's incompetent and needs to go back and get some more experience."

Hearing Shao Xun say this, Yu Liang felt a little uneasy.

Quan Zhong is always causing trouble. What's with all this talk of being convinced or not? He was appointed by imperial edict, how could he possibly incite rebellion and expel generals?
It was just a casual remark; Yu Liang wasn't stupid. He knew that if a general could gain the soldiers' trust, the army's combat effectiveness could increase explosively. The same unit, led by two different people, could have completely different appearances.

Hopefully, Yuanzi can live up to expectations. I've helped him, but whether he can make the most of it depends on him.

"That's how the world is," Shao Xun said, shoving the fishing rod into Yu Liang's hand. He stood up, stretched, and said, "I have created all sorts of systems, but I lack suitable candidates. From now on—that's enough. My children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes."

Yu Liang stared at the fishing rod in his hand, lost in thought, until the fishing line was tugged. He snapped out of his reverie, pretending not to notice, until Shao Xun went to the pavilion. By then, the fishing line had been taut, and Yu Liang deftly lifted the rod, reeling in a large, plump fish.

"Fish, oh fish, why don't you escape? Now you can't escape even if you want to. Today I've come here, it's your destiny to suffer this calamity." Yu Liang chuckled and put the fish into the basket.

Shao Xun had already arrived in the pavilion, where Wang Yinling and the others were talking to Wang Huifeng, who was lying down.

“Actually, it’s still a bit chilly, you shouldn’t have come out.” Shao Xun touched Wang Huifeng’s hand; it was ice cold.

"I just want to see the bright spring sunshine and hear the sounds from outside," Wang Huifeng said.

Wang Yinling and the others bowed and took their leave.

Shao Xun gave Wang Yinling a meaningful look, and Wang understood.

Liangcheng County Yuanzhen married Xun Shi after returning to the capital last year.

That brat used to be uninterested in women, but now that he's married, he doesn't go out riding horses or shooting arrows anymore, and he doesn't hang out with Shao Ji and Shao Hou either. He just stays at home, and I don't know what he's doing. Strangely enough, this small group of a few people really did start to fall apart when they all got married. They were torn apart by women. How tragic!
At Shao Xun's behest, Yuan Zhen grew very close to the Crown Prince, and their relationship gradually warmed up. His wife, who came from the Xun clan of Yingchuan, further deepened this relationship.

Wang Yinling is a smart person; she knows what she should do.

When we get back, I'll first teach that brat a lesson and tell him to stop spending all his time with his new wife and to go out and socialize more.

In addition, Wang Yinling also had some ulterior motives. This daughter-in-law was too alluring, and as her aunt, she had to give her a good talking-to.

However, it's unclear whether this daughter-in-law is a kind person. If not, then there's going to be quite a show.

Shao Xun sat down next to Wang Huifeng without saying a word, just looking at the rustling woods in the distance.

“Winter goes and spring comes, another year has passed,” Wang Huifeng said softly.

She gazed at the distant sky, her face filled with longing, without a trace of melancholy. Perhaps, the long-standing weakness and illness had worn away all her emotions, and now she only longed for liberation.

“Yes, the years go by so fast,” Shao Xun said.

“You’ll have to keep working hard…” Wang Huifeng looked at Shao Xun and sighed softly.

“Sometimes I feel tired, but I can’t let go of the worries and I’m afraid others won’t do a good job,” Shao Xun said.

“This world has already taken shape,” Wang Huifeng said. “I always feel that you know something. You use many things without consulting anyone, yet they fit perfectly.”

Shao Xun did not answer.

Wang Huifeng didn't take it to heart, her expression calm as she quietly savored the fragrance mixed with the scent of wildflowers.

Shao Xun's expression was also calm.

The two were like fellow travelers, encouraging and supporting each other as they moved forward. Then, somewhere along the way, someone got off the bus, smiling and waving goodbye.

There was reluctance and confusion, but I remained calm because I had known this day would come all along.

"Let's persevere a little longer, make the new policies run more smoothly, and let everyone get used to everything in the Great Liang Dynasty. Once they get used to it, they'll accept it." Wang Huifeng seemed to be falling asleep, and said softly, "You still have to keep it under control. I can only stay with you this far."

Shao Xun gently stroked Wang Huifeng's face and said, "Okay, I promise you."

A smile appeared on Wang Huifeng's lips, as if her heart had become more at peace after seeing everything back on track.

Compared to that, death might not matter; she was already tired of being a burden to others.

On the third day of the fourth month of the third year of Longhua (344), Ba Gong Shao Ke returned from Zuo Guo Yuan.

On the fifth day, Consort Wang Huifeng passed away in the West Garden.

After she left, Shao Xun suddenly felt a bit disgusted with Xiyuan and never wanted to come to this place again.

In May, an imperial edict was issued ordering the sweeping and cleaning of the palaces in Bianliang (Kaifeng) without fail—after several years, the center of gravity of the Great Liang Dynasty would once again return to the Eastern Capital.

(End of this chapter)