Chapter 11: Patrolling the Borders

Having no mantra to chant, Prince You, besides studying his Capital Prosperity Dream, after having examined every word and every corner, spent the rest of his time horseback riding.

If he doesn't complete the novice task, he can't continue playing this game.

Seeing that the northern planting season had arrived, Prince You was also very concerned about the progress of the land reclamation policy.

After all, his father the emperor couldn't keep giving him money to spend; once his funds ran out, he'd have to rely on the Secluded Prefecture for support.

Whether he could still eat his honey-glazed fawn and braised lamb in the future was very important to him.

To this end, when the small court meeting was convened again, he announced that he would personally go on a border patrol to gain a deeper understanding of this place, the Secluded Prefecture.

Without a doubt, besides himself, everyone else opposed it.

"Your Highness must absolutely not! Can!! The trio's echo resounded even in the empty, shabby hall."

Xue said, "Your Majesty making a tour would exhaust the people and waste wealth." Put another way, the Secluded Prefecture was never wealthy; having each locality toss and turn to meet the royal procession would make it even poorer.

Xu said, "Your Highness should still study more; the books themselves contain strategies for governing the state. This is the foremost duty." Put another way, "You should go do something you can actually do!"

Zhang said, "Bandits run rampant in the Secluded Prefecture; Your Highness's life is at stake." This needs no translation; Zhang spoke justly and bluntly.

Your Majesty took a deep breath.

"How could I, sitting in Prince You's Mansion, know what the Secluded Prefecture is really like? If I never left the house, I wouldn't know that the streets outside are filled with sheep dung in the ruts, and I'd still think it's as clean and dust-free as when entering the city. If I never left the house, how would I know that the guards on the city walls of Secluded Prefecture City are all the old and weak? That's utterly unusable! And how would I know that the townspeople in the city don't even wash their faces?!"

Xue: ……What the hell is all this afterwards?!

Xu quickly stroked his handsome beard, "Your Highness, they really… don't wash their faces?"

Seeing Your Highness unwilling to speak, Zhao Bao replied, "I've heard that the groundwater in Secluded Prefecture City is deep; most families can't afford to dig wells, and many households in the city need to buy water. For those poor families, they really don't wash their faces; a thick layer of grime builds up on their faces, and they only wipe it off when they have to go out."

Xu: ……

Xu, from a branch of a great clan, couldn't understand.

Prince You's reasons for going out on a border patrol were utterly righteous; moreover, now is the best time to travel in the northern lands, so this matter was settled.

However, the plan was changed to 'incognito visit'.

Baili Jing did not set out in the identity of Prince You; the group dressed up as young scholars from a prominent clan. Prince You was the Young Master, Xu was the Mister, and everyone else were attendants and guards.

Once the itinerary was set, Baili Jing returned to the sleeping quarters and repeatedly flipped through a copy of the Youzhou Gazetteer, quite excited about going out to have a blast. He could have fun, complete the mission, and get a good look at the Secluded Prefecture—three benefits in one.

On the day of departure, rising early, he tethered his beloved Little Date beside the carriage and followed along. A party set out from West Splendor Gate, left the mansion silently, and quietly exited Secluded Prefecture City.

Half a day later, all excitement had faded.

Prince You finally realized that, when not taking the sole official road, the transportation in his fief was so bad it provoked public outrage.

"When I have money, I will pave the Secluded Prefecture with a network of thoroughfares—level, long, and straight."

Xu: "Your Highness having dreams is a good thing."

Your Majesty: "Hmph!"

The only consolation was that after a day's travel, the mapping data had changed. This time he went in a different direction from when he arrived in the Secluded Prefecture: heading straight south to the seaside, making a loop, then north to the frontier, and finally west back to Secluded Prefecture City.

At night, he lodged in a village called Stone River Village. Prince You lit a lamp, ground ink, and took out a small booklet he had commissioned.

He worked diligently at his desk.

【May 3rd, the weather was clear, and the loess on the road was flying unusually high.

Once the Secluded Prefecture becomes wealthy, I will certainly build a network of thoroughfares within its borders (mocked by the Grand Tutor), so that Little Date can run freely, and there will be no need for personal guards to lift the carriage.

At night, staying in the proper house in Stone River Village, it was the only dwelling in the village not roofed with thatch.

For dinner they ate bean rice and cold-mixed wild vegetables; the bean rice had no grain, was fishy, and not soft. (The personal guard said it was probably to save firewood.)

I miss the kitchen of Weiyang Palace, sister's osmanthus cake.