Chapter 62
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After emerging from behind the tree, Eldest Young Master Xue’s face, which had been in the limelight recently, had symmetrical red marks on both sides.
Eldest Young Master Xue didn’t seem ashamed of this; instead, he seemed proud. The clear marks of two slaps attracted everyone’s attention. Tian Fusheng and others looked at him in surprise, but Eldest Young Master Xue didn’t show any embarrassment or shame.
Eldest Young Master Xue was very open-minded, showing off what was on his handsome face. With a slight smile, he walked beside Gu Yuanbai with his hands behind his back.
Gu Yuanbai walked calmly towards the lake, with a faintly pensive expression.
Because of this faintly pensive expression, he forgot to immediately punish Xue Yuan’s audacity.
Xue Yuan had walked away, and the guards around him kept looking at his face. After holding back for a while, the chief guard couldn’t help but ask, “What’s going on with you?”
Xue Yuan touched his face, feeling the swelling, and suddenly smiled, feeling proud, “Jealous?”
The chief guard: “…”
Seeing others at a loss, Xue Yuan felt refreshed. With light steps, he glanced at Gu Yuanbai, who was walking ahead for a while before shifting his gaze away and smiling.
The Emperor’s clothes were tailored to fit his body perfectly, and new clothes were sent to the palace every month. Whether it was everyday wear or the most formal ceremonial attire, the complexity and seriousness of the emperor were evident in these clothes.
Looking at them only evoked a sense of majesty, without any hint of disrespect.
But with each step, the hem of the robe swayed lightly with his stride, as if it was inviting scrutiny.
Little Emperor.
Xue Yuan sighed, feeling that he was perfect for his taste.
After this day passed, news of the Emperor’s departure to the summer palace in four days had already spread.
The various princes, ministers, and royal relatives had long been prepared to set off at any moment. Upon hearing the order, they immediately began their final preparations.
Most of them had their own residences outside the summer palace, and there were also various government offices within the palace. Now, in mid-July, during the first half of the month when everyone’s brains were muddled from the heat, what everyone most anticipated was the Emperor’s preparation to move to the summer palace.
The summer palace was located in the north of the river to the west of the capital, with coolness in summer, warmth in winter, and frequent rainfall, making it a true spring-like scenery throughout the four seasons.
The people in the palace were also busy preparing for the final things. On this day, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue came to see Gu Yuanbai, along with the Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue, to report to the Emperor on the total number of donations obtained from the recent suppression of the rebel army. Both of them were beaming with smiles, and after reporting the specific numbers, Gu Yuanbai took a moment to react before coming back to his senses.
Now both Jiangnan and Jinghunan are firmly in the Emperor’s hands. Jiangnan, the land of fish and rice, is so prosperous that the wealth acquired from leveling the assets of those wealthy families alone could fill several national treasuries and stock the granaries of the entire country with food and meat.
The accumulated wealth of these wealthy families over the past decade is astonishing.
Not to mention the donations pouring into the capital from all directions. Even now, these donations are continuously flowing into the capital, leaving the Ministry of Revenue stunned.
“Even during the most prosperous times of our dynasty, when the treasury was most abundant,” the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue smiled, “it couldn’t compare to one-tenth of what it is now.”
Gu Yuanbai came back to his senses, feeling happy but still calm. He joked, “Nowadays, aren’t people accusing me of squandering money?”
The Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue chuckled, “How could I dare?”
Gu Yuanbai snorted, “In the future, when I raise troops, build roads, and construct ships, I’ll be generous.”
“Yes, Your Majesty’s words today will always be kept in mind by me and the minister,” the Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue smiled and said, “Your Majesty, the minister and I are actually here to discuss road construction.”
In ancient China, every dynasty and every county would repair official roads. These roads could be traveled by anyone but could not be claimed by anyone as their own.
The official roads in various provinces and prefectures have already been mostly constructed. Currently, it’s just about repairs or filling in the gaps in transportation that were previously left unaddressed. The two officials came here precisely to inquire whether His Majesty wishes to allocate more funds to extend the roads to the counties and townships.
In ancient times, road construction mainly relied on earth, stones, bricks, and tiles. In fact, the level of road construction in ancient times was better than what the Emperor thought. During the Han Dynasty, stone-paved roads were already smooth and even, and the roads preserved from the Tang Dynasty to the present day are also very neat and clean.
Especially the Great Qin Road built during the Qin Dynasty, which extended from Xian all the way to Inner Mongolia, almost in a straight line. They dug through mountains and bridged rivers. The road was wide enough for two horse-drawn carriages to pass side by side. Even in later years, because the roadbed was so tightly constructed, no trees could grow from it.
Regarding road construction, the Emperor didn’t need to worry too much. Upon hearing this, he naturally nodded and said, “Extend the roads to the towns and villages, break their self-imposed isolation. This is my requirement and the goal of my reign. I don’t expect it to be completed in one step; take it slowly. Ensure that the dense relay stations are interconnected, ensuring continuous transportation. Wherever the army goes, the relay stations follow. Do you understand?”
After saying this, Gu Yuanbai looked at the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue and the Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue, suddenly realizing, “Road construction is the responsibility of the Ministry of Works.”
“You should convey what I said to the Minister of Works,” Gu Yuanbai chuckled. “Minister Tang, why didn’t the Minister of Works come with you?”
Minister Tang, the Shangshu of the Ministry of Revenue, smiled, “I came to ask Your Majesty about the cost of road construction. If Lord Wu had heard about it, he would have argued with me again.”
After discussing this matter, the two ministers left.
The documents from the Ministry of Revenue clearly stated the revenues and expenditures. Gu Yuanbai picked them up and looked at them carefully. Making money indeed brought joy, and as he looked at them, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.
At noon, Xue Yuan was even more punctual than Tian Fusheng. “Your Majesty, it’s time for lunch.”
Gu Yuanbai put down the documents and enjoyed his lunch with a pleasant mood.
After the meal, palace attendants changed the Emperor into thin clothes for his afternoon nap behind the screen, while Xue Yuan and others waited outside. After a while, the Emperor seemed to remember something and lazily said, “Official Xue, tomorrow I will issue a decree. You have outstanding abilities and extraordinary strength. It’s really unfair for you to stay by my side. After returning today, just wait at your mansion for the decree.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Yuan’s expression momentarily turned cold, and he clenched his fingers tightly. “I don’t feel wronged staying by Your Majesty’s side. How could I?”
So soon, was it because of what he said before?
Xue Yuan had long been prepared for Gu Yuanbai’s thunderous actions, whatever punishment he chose. As he said, even making him bleed was acceptable.
But what he received so quickly was a decree from Gu Yuanbai.
Xue Yuan’s expression turned ugly. He would rather be punished than leave Gu Yuanbai’s side.
Gu Yuanbai changed his clothes and washed his face with a towel. The sound of water came from behind the screen as Xue Yuan patiently waited for his words. Finally, Gu Yuanbai spoke, “These are the rewards you deserve.”
Meaning he had to be transferred.
Xue Yuan sneered coldly and respectfully said, “This official will comply with the decree.”
Rewards must be given promptly. After allowing all the meritorious officials to rest for a day, the next day, the decree for rewarding achievements was issued.
As the main general who captured the main force of the rebel army, Xue Yuan was promoted from the rank of fifth-rank Marquis Douyu to the deputy commander of the infantry, Douzhi Huishi. He was transferred to command infantry in the army, with his official position rising, but he was removed from the palace.
The entire Xue family was jubilant, but Xue Yuan alone accepted the decree with a solemn face. Facing the eunuch who read the decree, his smile seemed to have a taste of indifference.
Seeing his unpleasant expression, General Xue scolded him a few words. However, this time, Xue Yuan, as if he hadn’t heard him, remained terrifyingly silent with a gloomy expression.
This was getting serious.
Others scolding Xue Jiuyao, and Xue Jiuyao not retorting, was very unusual.
General Xue shut his mouth and instructed others not to bother him, lest someone directly provoke this madman from the Xue family.
Xue Mansion, the bedroom.
Xue Yuan had three items belonging to Gu Yuanbai here: the handkerchief he picked up from the lake, the handkerchief Gu Yuanbai used to wipe his hands in the palace, and the white jade cup.
Xue Yuan was now sitting at the table, looking at these three items on the table with a dark and unclear expression.
After a while, he called a servant, “Go and bring Second Young Master Xue here.”
Second Young Master Xue had his legs broken by Xue Yuan, and they were broken in half from the bones. Now he could only lie in bed, and others had to take care of his eating, drinking, and excretion. He couldn’t bear to be tossed around.
But with just a word from Xue Yuan, Second Young Master Xue dared not disobey. He was carried by the servants to the door of Xue Yuan’s room. Seeing that Xue Yuan didn’t even let him in, he could only lie in the corridor and shout, “Big Brother, did you call for me?”
Xue Yuan’s sinister voice came from inside the door: “What did you want to tell me last time?”
Second Young Master Xue shivered, regretting coming to see Xue Yuan last time. His voice became smaller and smaller, “The shizi of Marquis Anle scolded me as a cripple. He even encouraged me to hang myself from a beam or drown myself in the lake. I couldn’t stand him, so I wanted to ask my big brother to teach him a lesson.”
Xue Yuan didn’t respond. Second Young Master Xue became increasingly frightened, eventually trembling all over.
After a long time, Xue Yuan coldly chuckled, “I’ll go teach the shizi of Marquis Anle a lesson. As for you, figure out a way for me.”
His tone was like an evil spirit from the depths of the earth, chillingly gloomy, “Give Laozi a serious illness.”
The decree for rewarding achievements issued by Gu Yuanbai yesterday was rejected by Xue Yuan the next day.
He submitted a document stating that Second Young Master Xue was seriously ill and his condition was deteriorating rapidly. Xue Yuan, as his elder brother, was extremely worried about his younger brother’s condition. Therefore, he temporarily declined the Emperor’s appointment and wanted to stay at home to take care of Second Young Master Xue.
Otherwise, taking the Emperor’s salary while being unable to fulfill one’s duties due to mental unrest would ultimately disappoint the Emperor’s trust.
Gu Yuanbai threw the document onto the table and turned to ask Tian Fusheng, “What do you think?”
Tian Fusheng chuckled awkwardly a few times, thinking that Second Young Master Xue’s legs were broken by Xue Yuan. Now, saying such things, he really left people speechless.
“I guess Second Young Master Xue is very seriously ill,” Tian Fusheng said tactfully. “Look, Lord Xue is very anxious.”
Gu Yuanbai smirked, “He’s taking me for a fool.”
But the document was well-written, portraying brotherly love and respect. As an elder brother wanting to take care of his younger brother, no one could stop him, not even the Emperor.
So Gu Yuanbai didn’t mind. He casually said, “In that case, let the imperial physicians from the palace go to the Xue Mansion to check on Second Young Master Xue and bring along some medicinal herbs.”
Tian Fusheng said, “Yes, I’ll arrange it.”
“By the way, tell Xue Yuan on my behalf,” Gu Yuanbai opened another memorial, picked up a brush, and said casually, “I’m waiting for the day he will come on duty.”
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