Chapter 325: Xie Tu

Before the king announced the dissolution, Chancellor Xue finally found a chance to interject; he hurriedly asked the king about Mr. Xie's leaving the mountain.

In the Northern Border, only he and the Grand Tutor are barely making ends meet; it's not that he distrusts other colleagues, but those people's limits are just that.

It's basically a low-tier feudal state; staying here is only an advantage because they are observant and obedient.

Expecting them to handle major affairs and control the overall situation is impossible.

The king said mysteriously, "I'm working hard, I'm working hard!"

Seeing the Chancellor's expression unchanged, the king solemnly declared: "I have my own plan! Once I return from Dragon Head, it should be about the same. If it's still… not enough? Then I can only go to Chen Commandery and seize the Xie clan's people."

All officials: ……

Grand Tutor: ……

His student, at the court assembly, just spouts off about illegal and criminal acts; the Grand Tutor is quite helpless.

Upon hearing the word "abduction", Wei Shen, who had been forcibly brought to the court assembly by the king's "forcing a duck onto a perch", instantly woke up. He was originally drowsy, now he's spirited.

The newly appointed Colonel Wei began actively spreading slander, "Your Highness, have you heard of the Xie clan's qilin child?"

The king shook his head: "I've only heard of Xie Yuan from the Xie clan; I only learned about it after he came to Youzhou."

Grand Tutor: ……

The Xie clan's qilin child is named Xie Tu; he grew up following Xie Yuan from a young age, and now studies at the Fan Yang Academy under the Lu clan. This Young Master Xie's talent is far-reaching, his reputation extremely great; I've heard of him even in Changzhou. It's said he went to Jiankang to study, and saw his maid cause a bridge to collapse. Your Highness, if you want to seize someone, he's naturally the first choice; after he comes to Youzhou, those spoiled followers of his can also be tricked into joining, and your so-called "base p" will get started. Those people are just the type that make you waste money foolishly.

The Chancellor gave Wei Shen several looks; the Wei family… doesn't seem very reliable either. Could the king's fickle nature be taking after Lady Wei?

What the heck is all this?!

He has always been silent and steady, yet he didn't speak up to scold the brat; but another brat was obviously moved.

"Really? He sounds knowledgeable; if his character is also good, I wouldn't mind giving him an official post, which would also be a way to repay Mr. Xie a bit." Old Xie also isn't easy; having fallen into banditry, he came to Youzhou and can't go back.

If the king doesn't give the final word, Xie Yuan really can't leave the Northern Border.

The king has experienced the academic circle's "black-red" fame, and understands the knack of hype. Xie Tu really has such fame; keeping him in the Northern Border might be useful for attracting the populace of Great Jin.

Xie Yuan and Xie Tu staying together in the Northern Border—doesn't that sound pretty good?!

Now just him shouting that the Northern Border's martial power is invincible makes it the top choice for a safe haven to avoid war; southern folks can't see it, but they have to believe it!

In the minds of the southern people of Great Jin, the Northern Border is a barbaric land close to the northern barbarians; it's not that they wouldn't choose this place unless mountains were barren and waters exhausted. The refugee persuasion policy continues to be carried out; some would rather starve outside Chang'an's walls than come north to Youzhou.

Never mind anything else; during the previous turmoil, the people who fled from Cool and Conjoined Prefectures never all came back!

So, some famous southerners, the so-called "celebrity scholars", moving to the Northern Border would surely be another kind of scenery.

It's just the star-chasing effect!

The king silently noted this in his little notebook.

As he fell into that thought, his Grand Tutor was startled.

My king, you won't really take this to heart, will you?!

He hurriedly spoke up: "Your Highness! Colonel Wei's plan to recruit virtuous and talented people does have some merit; it's indeed feasible. Let's now discuss the details. When implementing this, we must choose the right method; jokes like 'seizing' shouldn't be said in the court assembly, as even a few words spread could damage Your Highness's reputation.' In short, you really shouldn't actually do it!

The king waved his hand: "Huh? How would I ever do such a thing?"

Good, good!

Just as the Grand Tutor's heart settled, he heard the king continue: "Of course such a thing should be left to others! If anything happens, wouldn't I lose face? Others would still think I value him highly."

The king, arrogant·JPG

Grand Tutor: ……

Wei Shen, down below, was eager to get involved: "Your Highness, why not send me? I haven't been to Chen Commandery yet!"

"I haven't been there either! What's the difference between sending you and me going personally?"

"... Who even knows me?!"

"No, you can't go!"

……

Chancellor Xue stroked his beard; it's still better that Colonel Wei not come.

The king has a straight man; the effect is doubled.

Headache.

After the morning court dispersed, Youzhou celebrated the New Year early.

The news spread, and the whole Youzhou city boiled over; what does having two projects at once mean? It shows that families who previously didn't get a turn now have a chance.

The whole city is happily talking about the iron mine; the mine, this is a long-term meal ticket—what's there to fear if it's far? The king built an expressway! Going by the king's usual rules, the workers' treatment can't be poor; for poor families, sending someone to mine is not bad, right? They could envy the people of Tongshui Coal Mine; at home they buy honeycomb coal very cheap, and they even give the miners furnaces at factory price.

Those not conscripted for labor service, and not preparing to go to Conjoined Prefecture to mine, began to study the king's open day.

At the year's end, most of the Northern Border's common folk had little to do; most of the unemployed were at home idling through the winter, but upon hearing they could nearby observe something like a navy, someone immediately set out with two buns.

The people of Youzhou never lag behind in watching a spectacle.

…………

★

ps: I've finished the busy phase; starting tomorrow, I'll resume normal two-chapter updates, fighting!