Chapter 583: Busy Planting Trees

With Zhao Vermilion Pavilion present, the Great King could rest easier. Steward Zhao first brought a set of summer clothes and a set of winter clothes to the registration office to display. Due to productivity relations, the Great Jin's cloth could directly substitute for currency in trade, showing how precious it was. The two outfits, brand new and sturdy inside and out, were displayed at the gate, making the refugees even more eager.

Those who can become refugees are surely the lowest stratum of Great Jin; anyone with a relative to rely on wouldn't be lying at the city gate. Many have never worn new clothes in their lives, and this is a full set from underwear to outerwear! They even have undergarments and shoes!

The Northern Border King's move is no small feat—it not only shocked the populace, but even officials looked askance.

Everyone reached a consensus: the Northern Border King's power is unfathomable.

It seems maritime trade is truly profitable! As everyone knows, Youzhou can procure overseas goods never seen before.

Many hands make light work; there are always quick‑witted people, and those with small families immediately formed new households at the city gate. The officials in charge didn't bother—after all, you just need to take these people away in the end.

Everyone was rushing to sign up for the Northern Border, when another squad of officials arrived and posted a new notice recruiting talented individuals to join the Feather Forest Army.

The refugees outside the city gate suddenly felt in demand; illiterate folks gathered around to listen to the announcement, oh oh, this time it's about enlisting—this isn't exactly a good thing either!

Upon hearing again, the requirements were too high!

With such high demands…… it actually seems decent? Otherwise, why would they be so picky?

Everyone says the Northern Border King is invincible in war; whether it's the Xiongnu and Xianbei on the steppes or the Western Regions states in the desert, all must pay tribute to him. Once he ascends the throne, the emperor's direct‑line Feather Forest Guard—wouldn't that mean we could stay in Everlasting Peace afterwards?

Become court elite, wear the same armor as the Northern Border Mystic Armor Cavalry, bring honor to your ancestors, and achieve great deeds.

This pastry is fragrant too!

Those with a bit of talent find joining the Feather Forest far more promising than road work. Officials heard that the Tiger Guard would be abolished, and a single Feather Forest Guard would take over the duties of both the former Tiger Guard and Feather Forest. Former Tiger Guard members without status couldn't get in, but those with some connections knew the Feather Forest Guard would be highly desirable.

The Great King's recruitment of talent is sincere; he relaxed the deadline a bit, giving everyone time to head to Everlasting Peace. Notices were posted not only outside the city gates but also inside Everlasting Peace and its surroundings. Anyone who signs up, after the preliminary screening, is placed in the Proclaim Peace Camp for temporary lodging pending the final selection, pending background checks to weed out spies.

The Great King gained a new cousin‑in‑law, threw the old one over the wall, and now spends every day with Wei Ke. After discussing major matters and chatting about family affairs, they formally entered complaint‑filing mode.

Mainly, the Great King sued Wei Shen, and Wei Shen sued the Great King; each side presented its own arguments, making it hard to tell who would win. Wei Ke could only first take the initiative, dragging Wei Shen to the army camp for two days of education.

Wei Shen's foundation lagged behind his brother's; his age and physique were also inferior. Once Wei Ke also learned the Northern Border body‑refining technique and the Great King's sword and fist manuals, his slight early advantage was erased, and he ended up crying for his parents each day as he was beaten down.

The Great King watched from the sidelines, domineering and busy to his delight.

Once the grain donations were basically in place, the Great King grandly awarded the newly obtained pepper trees to the scallion rows at the front, sparking a pepper‑tree craze in Everlasting Peace. Now the city's talk is either about the Feather Forest Guard or the pepper trees—after all, no matter how high the wages, Everlasting Peace residents won't leave their homes to work in the Northern Border.

Xie Yuan's party traveled slowly; by the time Everlasting Peace came into view, the Great King's wide recruitment of talent and lavish spending on road repairs had already spread. Along the way they heard many rumors about the Great King, most of which were good, and the Northern Border Army's southward march, having harmed no civilians, was still commendable, earning a decent reputation among the folk.

Xie Yuan himself pondered: the Great King's delay in taking the throne must mean there is some resistance in Everlasting Peace, where they have no foothold. Yet he didn't see this as a major worry; the Northern Border Army's strength ensures any opposition will remain small.

He didn't believe it was a settled matter, and there were still people truly unafraid of death. Put simply, the Great King has a more legitimate claim than Baili Jun.

But he didn't expect the voices in Everlasting Peace to be the opposite.

The court officials actually all hope the Great King will ascend the throne soon?!

When Xie Yuan arrived with Lu Tong, Xie Tu, and the Great King's attendants Zhao Bao and Tong Chen, dust‑covered from travel, they paid their respects to the Great King—only to find the road empty and deserted, leading to a desolate, quiet Establishing Chapter Palace.

What's going on? Aside from a few gate guards, you can't see a single palace servant from afar—have they all been dismissed?

Once they entered the great square before the main hall, they realized—people were all here. But they really couldn't tell whether the square was under construction.

As they drew nearer, Xie Yuan felt his head nerves twitch involuntarily—a horrible, familiar sensation.

The Great King wasn't doing anything special; he was just following the trend.

Recently, the scholar‑gentry and wealthy merchants of Everlasting Peace have been caught up in a tree‑planting frenzy. Those who received awards planted the trees with delight in their main courtyards, while those who didn't bought other trees at their own expense to join the craze, making trees temporarily expensive in Everlasting Peace.

Getting back to the Great King, he didn't think much of planting pepper trees, so he obtained two Dragon‑Pattern Mulberries from Qiao Yi.

Dragon‑Pattern Mulberry—true to its name, it bears golden dragon patterns on its leaves. Though not a divine spirit‑wood, it is a rare variety; silkworms raised on it produce silk that glows with gold. Dragon pattern, eh—is there any place more suitable than the Establishing Chapter Palace?!

No.

So the Great King had the stone slabs lifted from the square before the main hall of the Establishing Chapter Palace, digging two big pits, and now he's there, butt in the air, personally digging!

"Oh dear, Your Highness! Put it down—I'll help you dig… no, Your Highness! You can't dig pits in front of the Establishing Chapter Palace!"

Zhang Xu led a group of little eunuchs circling the two pits, but couldn't get in. He didn't know whether he should first advise the Great King not to dig pits in the square, or just jump in and help.

"You're not needed—I finally found something to do!"

He had no other recourse, so he played his only trump card: "Quickly go fetch the Eldest Son!"—have Wei Ke come persuade him.

What a sin—this perfectly fine great square now has a big pit on each side of the gate.

"Asking anyone is useless! Move aside, you're blocking the Great King's light~"

It's no use asking anyone! You guys, move aside—you're blocking my light~

Well, he doesn't seem to have suffered any grievance, and is still quite lively.

Xie Tu and Lu Tong watched with relish; this familiar hustle and bustle is really nice! Since the Great King isn't in Youzhou, the whole city feels quiet—how boring.

Xie Tu and Lu Tong watched with relish—this familiar bustle is really great! The king isn't in Youzhou; it feels like the whole city has quieted down, how boring.

Zhao Bao and Tong Chen have already rushed up to help……