Chapter 1603: The Inspection

Accompanied by Liu Yongzhen and several of his subordinates, Liu Xu ascended Aolai City, walking along the city walls that had clearly been freshly swept and tidied.

To welcome the Prince of Qin's inspection, Liu Yongzhen had treated it like a major crisis, thoroughly turning Aolai City upside down and carrying out a city-wide sanitation and cleanliness campaign.

The old buildings left behind by the Khitan and the Olimi people in the city had all been demolished, as they were eyesores. At the same time, efforts to maintain public order were intensified, and the city's garrison troops were dispatched to drive the few natives active in the surrounding area far away.

The common people under his jurisdiction were also given stern admonitions, requiring them to behave themselves and keep to their place. In particular, those still panning for gold at the bottom of the Blackwater River were given extremely severe warnings, for those gold panners could be said to be the most restless of people.

After making a series of thorough and proper preparations, he was somewhat reassured, but when Prince Qin Liu Xu arrived, he could not help but feel a measure of unease. Especially as he accompanied Liu Xu strolling along the city walls, with Liu Xu remaining silent the entire time, not uttering a single word—such behavior from a superior often tends to put pressure on subordinates.

The entire Aolai City was built of rammed clay, and due to technical limitations, it appeared very crude. Even after repairs, it still stood out for its rough and simple style.

The city was very small. Standing on the walls, one could see everything both inside and outside the city at a glance. The only places in the city truly worth inspecting were probably the long street running straight from north to south, and Liu Yongzhen's garrison commander's residence.

Standing before the low parapet wall, looking outward, the Duck River lay stretched across the wilderness, surging eastward like a bolt of white silk. On the river, a few fishing boats could be faintly seen, with fishermen casting their nets.

The scenery on both banks was steeped in deep verdure, and a cool breeze blew across that primitive, desolate wilderness, giving one a sense of mystery and profundity.

After a long while, just as Liu Yongzhen could not help but venture a probing remark, Liu Xu gazed out beyond the city and said softly: "Aolai City is not bad. Though the city is small, it is tranquil and peaceful."

Seeing that Liu Xu had finally spoken, Liu Yongzhen hurriedly said: "It is all thanks to Your Highness's governance that there is such peace and order!"

Hearing this, Liu Xu smiled faintly: "The one who governs this city is you, Liu Yongzhen. This is, after all, my first time setting foot here!"

Liu Yongzhen said: "Your Highness's visit is the supreme honor of this humble city. We truly need Your Highness's guidance and instruction!"

Liu Xu made no comment, and instead asked: "How many people are there in the Aolai region now?"

Matters within his official duties were things Liu Yongzhen had prepared for in advance. Almost without thinking, he replied: "To report to Your Highness, the registered adult population numbers 1,384 people!"

"Registered adult population? And what of those not registered?" Liu Xu tilted his head to look at Liu Yongzhen.

Liu Yongzhen was immediately put in an awkward position. He stammered and replied: "Probably another one to two thousand or so!"

"One to two thousand? That number is not precise at all!" Liu Xu said.

"This is this official's fault. On another day I will certainly conduct a new census and bring all the people within Aolai's borders under governance!" Liu Yongzhen responded shrewdly.

Liu Xu finally nodded slightly, and after a brief pause for thought, said: "Public order in Andong has always been a major problem. It is not just the barbarians causing trouble—these people within the civilizing influence also need to be restrained.

In governing the people, what the government needs to do is discover problems and resolve troubles. And problems and troubles rarely come from those law-abiding, good common folk!

Those who dare to venture into Andong are mostly not well-behaved, law-abiding people. They are all gamblers who dare to take risks and enjoy adventure. By comparison, the registered population is easier to govern and manage. You also need to provide them with a stable environment, letting them work and make a living in peace—that is your duty!"

"Your Highness's instruction is correct. This official has truly benefited greatly. I will certainly follow your directives, purge the disorder, and benefit the people!" Liu Yongzhen said.

"Those one to two thousand you spoke of—they must have flooded in recently, right?" Liu Xu said leisurely.

"Your Highness sees with perfect clarity!" Liu Yongzhen said: "Ever since gold was discovered at the bottom of the Blackwater River, the whole of Andong has been stirred up, and the number of people coming to pan for gold has grown day by day. By this official's estimate, there will likely be even more in the future. It is precisely the arrival of all these people of every description that has brought some hidden dangers to local public order!"

"Don't fear hidden dangers. Since you have noticed them, you should focus on solving them! I do not wish that the next time I come to Aolai City, it is merely to see surface efforts put on for my benefit. That is not what I want to see either!"

Clearly, Liu Xu was well aware of Liu Yongzhen's preparations for his welcome. With a pressuring gaze, Liu Xu pointed at the city behind him and said sternly: "Since you were able to create such a stable and harmonious situation in such a short time, it shows that your control over Aolai is sufficient. Therefore, I hope you can make it more practical!"

"Yes! This official understands!" Hearing Liu Xu say this, even though it was a crisp, clear autumn day, Liu Yongzhen could not help but break out in a sweat on his back.

Liu Xu's gaze then turned northward. Raising a finger, he said in a curious tone: "The black-water gold sands—I have heard of them even in Suihua. Is it truly as the rumors say, that the riverbed flows with gold sands, and one can scoop up a basin full just by going into the river?"

At this mention, Liu Yongzhen shook his head and said carefully: "Your Highness, rumors are after all rumors, and cannot be fully believed. There is indeed a good amount of gold at the bottom of the Blackwater River, but its specific distribution is still unknown, and it is not easy to find. Of the gold panners flooding in now, fewer than one in ten actually gains anything. If the whole river were full of gold, then gold would no longer be precious!"

"Well said!" Liu Xu nodded and chuckled lightly: "That is the reasoning. Rumors indeed cannot be trusted, but they are certainly tempting enough! I heard that the commoner who discovered the gold in the Blackwater exchanged it with you for a large sum of money!"

At these words, Liu Yongzhen could not help but mutter inwardly—could His Highness be hinting at the matter of his accepting bribes? His heart was uneasy, but his outward reaction was quick. Liu Yongzhen said cautiously: "That fellow is named Ma Liu. Though he is a commoner of humble cloth, he is somewhat clever. After discovering the gold, he secretly went into the river to pan for it on his own. The man was also lucky—he alone managed to pan more than fifty liang of gold. Later, when his suspicious behavior drew attention, he took the initiative to come to the city and report the matter to this official..."

After Liu Yongzhen finished his account, Liu Xu could not help but remark: "I have also heard the story of the child carrying gold through the marketplace. In Andong, a man carrying fifty liang of gold—how is he any different from that child?

From what you have described, the man was indeed fortunate and clever enough. Of course, you, Garrison Commander Liu, are no ordinary man either. Gold is enough to redden a man's face and stir his heart. He was but a commoner, yet you were not at all tempted—you had no thought of keeping it for yourself?"

Hearing this, Liu Yongzhen's heart tightened. He clasped his hands and replied: "To be honest with Your Highness, how could I not be tempted? It is just that this official came to Andong to render meritorious service, to guard the frontier and open up new lands. To ruin the rules—or even lose my head—for a mere fifty liang of gold is something this official, though dull-witted, would not do!"

Liu Xu looked at Liu Yongzhen with slight surprise, then revealed a hint of a smile again, saying: "What you say is quite honest!"

"The gold that the Aolai government has stored over these past few months—transfer it to Suihua as soon as possible! It is on these yellow and white things that we rely to request aid from the court!" Liu Xu sighed.

"This official understands. I will arrange it as soon as possible!" Liu Yongzhen agreed quickly, though a trace of hesitation involuntarily appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Liu Xu gently reassured him: "Don't worry. Suihua will provide corresponding grain, money, and supplies!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Liu Yongzhen said with feeling: "Aolai City may be small, but it lacks everything—especially grain, rice, oil, salt, wine, tea, and cloth. After the flood of gold panners arrived, these have become even scarcer. Relying only on local farming, herding, fishing, and hunting is hard to sustain!"

Liu Xu nodded.

Seeing this, Liu Yongzhen took the initiative again: "Your Highness, over here in Aolai City, the population is still too small..."

Clearly sensing the hint, Liu Xu turned his head to look at him: "It is indeed somewhat small!"

Liu Yongzhen pressed his advantage, saying: "This official has heard that the new commoners recruited by the Governor-General's office are about to arrive in Suihua!"

"You are eight hundred li away, yet your information is quite well-connected!" Liu Xu said meaningfully: "I will give some instructions!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Liu Yongzhen's face immediately lit up with joy.

Liu Xu also smiled, then directly gave instructions: "Bring out all the registers and archives of Aolai City—I want to see them. Also, gather all civil officials and military officers together for consultation. I have questions to ask!"

"Yes!" Even though he felt depressed at heart, Liu Yongzhen dared not refuse.