From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 700: Chapter 702: Cozening

Li Mingyun also wore a curious expression, to say nothing of the officials following behind him.

Everyone just wanted an answer to put their minds at ease. Otherwise, guarding this much treasury silver would leave them feeling utterly restless.

If nothing went wrong, that would be fine. But if something did happen, no one present would be able to escape the consequences.

Ancient Wenheng didn’t keep them in suspense. "This is the construction fund I requested from the Holy Emperor in a memorial. Whether our Yi Province can change for the better all depends on this."

Cen Gaosong and the others suppressed their annoyance. ’For such a major affair, why wasn’t there any prior notice?’

’If it succeeded, everyone would be happy. But if something went wrong, would we all have to bear the blame together?’

"Mr. Gu, for a matter of this magnitude, how is it we heard not a whisper about it beforehand?" Cen Gaosong asked, his face cold.

Ancient Wenheng replied, "I have already discussed this matter with Governor Liang. The memorial was submitted jointly by myself and the Governor."

Liang Shi, who had just stepped inside, slowed his pace upon hearing this. This was the riskiest thing he had ever done. Whether he could enjoy a peaceful retirement depended entirely on this venture.

Since the two highest local officials had already come to an agreement, the underlings beneath them had no grounds to object. The atmosphere instantly grew chilly.

"I hear the treasury silver has arrived?" Seeing that he had been noticed, Liang Shi stopped hiding and asked in a loud voice.

Everyone quickly paid their respects. Only then did Ancient Wenheng point to the tightly locked treasury door. "It has all been stored. Would the Governor like to take a look?"

Liang Shi shook his head. "It’s good that it’s stored. Remember to post heavy guards.

Success or failure rests on this alone."

When Ancient Wenheng had brought up this proposal, he hadn’t been without hesitation.

However, he had gone along with submitting the memorial because he felt it was impossible for it to be approved.

He never expected that Ancient Wenheng was far more favored by the Holy Emperor than he had realized. A Holy Decree had even been delivered along with the treasury silver.

Ancient Wenheng now clasped his hands in a salute to the officials present and said, "Having been shown favor by the Holy Emperor, I will certainly do my utmost, along with all of you esteemed sirs, to build a better Yi Province."

This was the perfect time to borrow the tiger’s skin, so to speak. Ancient Wenheng naturally had to bring up the Holy Emperor, who was far away in Shangjing, to inform everyone present that they weren’t working for him, but serving the reigning monarch.

With this sum of silver taels, they could get off to a good start.

Striking while the iron was hot, Ancient Wenheng gathered all the officials and took out the plan he had long since prepared.

Each copy had been transcribed by Gu Yi during this period, so there was one for every person.

Not a single person present who had survived so long in the officialdom was a fool. After a quick read-through, their hearts were already filled with excitement.

If this plan had been presented yesterday, everyone would have scoffed at it as nothing more than a wild fantasy.

But today was different. With the sovereign’s strong support and the treasury silver to pave the way, achieving something meritorious now seemed truly possible.

’This is a political achievement that could lead to promotions and advancements. If we really pull it off, won’t we be carried along to success, just like the officials in Lu City?’

The bit of displeasure from being kept in the dark earlier vanished into thin air.

Regardless of their private thoughts, they all joined the discussion, one after another, determined to make the plan even more perfect.

Liang Shi gave Ancient Wenheng a meaningful look. ’Indeed, a man of schemes and calculations. This one really knows how to play the game.’

* * *

Hidden deep in the mountains, Wu Xiaoliu listened with a heavy expression to the news brought by his subordinate.

"Are you sure you saw it correctly? There’s really a notice like that posted at the foot of the mountain."

Wu Xiaoliu stared at the messenger and asked again to confirm.

"If I recall correctly, you can’t read, can you?"

Lai San replied, "Boss, I can’t read, but have you forgotten? I have a cousin down in Dahe Village.

I was passing by, so I went over for a cup of tea and managed to get a free meal.

My cousin secretly told me behind his mother’s back. The notice has been posted in the village for a few days, and the village chief has notified every household. But my aunt said it’s a trick to lure us down.

She didn’t want my cousin and the others to tell me, but my cousin is a simple-minded fellow who can’t keep a secret. I tricked it out of him with just a few words.

Tell me, if the government can really get us settled, should we keep staying in this place?"

Back then, they had only resorted to robbing for food on the official roads out of desperation. Later, they were forced to flee into these deep mountains, often going hungry one meal and full the next. Everyone had long grown tired of this life.

"I think your aunt is right," Zeng Dawang said, leaning lazily against the cave wall. "This is probably a dirty trick by the local government. They want to capture us to claim credit. From now on, just ignore this kind of news. I have no desire to end up in a jail cell."

The other bandits nearby also scoffed. When had the local government ever been so kind? To forgive their past deeds, and even provide them with land and a settlement allowance? They figured only a simpleton like Lai San would believe such a thing.

Lai San began to doubt himself. "So... we’re not going?"

"Go? Go where? If you want to go, you go. I’m not moving. With this much time, I’d rather take a walk on the mountain and see if I can find some wild bird eggs." As he spoke, Zeng Xiaowang stood up, patted the dust off his rear, and called over a couple of his brothers before walking right out of the cave.

Situations like this were happening on many mountains.

Everyone was skeptical, even wondering if this was all a new conspiracy by the government to lure them down.

While everyone was waiting and watching, Ancient Wenheng was in no hurry. He spent his days leading men to survey the terrain on the nearby mountains, followed by the magistrates and officials from the commanderies below.

A few mountains here had already been designated as demonstration sites for his terraced fields. The people working here were all poor families selected from the nearby villages.

They were all from the lowest rungs of society, with only small, barren plots of land at home, relying on odd jobs to survive.

Now the government was giving them such a great opportunity. As long as they reclaimed the land, they would be exempt from tax silver for several years, and the land would eventually be registered in their names.

With such a good thing on offer, everyone was full of energy.

The clerks from the government office also made daily records of how many farm tools were purchased, how many seeds were bought, and other miscellaneous expenses.

In time, these records would be used as a basis to tightly control the allocated silver, ensuring that as much fertile land as possible was created.

"Mr. Gu, there’s plenty of wasteland, but these grass roots are incredibly difficult to deal with." Li Mingyun crouched down, dug at the soil, and easily pulled out a handful of roots.

Ancient Wenheng pointed to a spiked rake he had just had artisans rush to produce. "Mr. Li, try using that."

Under the guidance of an old farmer, Li Mingyun quickly cleared a small patch of land.

He was all smiles. "This is quite good. Any remaining bits can be cleared away by the women and children."

In order to get their own land, these common people had truly mobilized their entire families.

If they managed to reclaim their designated plot of land within the deadline, the government would even reward them with a full set of farm tools. Because of this, the mountains were filled with people working with fiery enthusiasm.