Chapter 775

Putting the southern expedition on the agenda, the Great King wholeheartedly focuses on grain.

The Great Jin's corvée policy followed the previous dynasty, divided into labor service and military service; the service age is adult men aged 20 to 50. Military service requires two years in a lifetime, labor service one month per year. Of course, the Northern Border's Mysterious Armor Cavalry is different: after the two-year term, they become professional soldiers, supported by the court's funds.

These years the Great King has relied on squeezing wool for infrastructure; the Northern Border's labor service is no longer so heavy and terrifying. Previously, that corvée was a deadly hardship—for example, last year, due to drought, the entire Northern Border's labor service was digging a large water reservoir.

This year's corvée was originally scheduled after the autumn harvest, but the Great King suddenly came up with a new plan and changed the rules on a whim.

Previously, those unable to report for service paid the substitution tax—instead of serving, they paid silver to have the court hire a replacement. This tax wasn't fixed; it was occasionally adjusted according to project difficulty or scale, so wealthy families could simply pay silver to avoid service. This year is different: the Great King slapped his thigh and decided to take grain instead of silver.

The Great King grew more excited the more he thought about it.

What is currently lacking is not corvée labor nor silver, but grain and fodder.

"In previous years, the corvée was two taels of silver each year; two taels wasn't little either, and before there were people who fled to become bandits to avoid labor and military service! Now two taels of silver is not a small amount for the common folk, the times are bad, and two taels of silver now can only buy three and a half dan of millet. This year I intend to use troops against the south, so I'll simply substitute grain for labor service—just hand over two dan of new rice, and you'll be exempt from this year's corvée! Minister Xie, isn't this idea of mine absolutely perfect? You should feel proud of me too!!"

Minister Xie glanced at his other aide, Mr. Xu Zhi, and asked with his eyes: Are you proud?

Grand Tutor Xu couldn't help but laugh.

The King was wishfully thinking, showing no sign of Old Xie's disdain; after court, he eagerly returned to the Lantai Hall to continue researching his grain-hoarding grand project.

This guy finally had some spare cash and started topping up, pouring it all into the estate's treasure card; Mengmeng also got to see the King's refund money. Every day when he returns, he first has Wini and Bai Ze block the door, then goes to the daytime Phoenix Market to sweep through. This guy never came during the day before; he discovered that the daytime and nighttime crowds are different, with new stall owners and new goods— as long as it's cheap and filling, the King accepts anyone. Sometimes when he has extra time, he'll take the opportunity to set up a stall, selling some of his father's possessions to supplement household income.

That day, Wei Shen sweated all day at the training grounds; in the evening he came as usual to the Suiyu Hall to mooch a meal, after all the King's small kitchen had the most variety. Once he'd finished his meal, the King immediately chased him off to rest.

"What's the rush? You can fall asleep this early? After I leave, what do you want to do?!"

"I handle myriad affairs, I'm tired." the King said weakly.

To be honest, Wei Shen didn't believe it.

But it was late at night, such an important juncture; he thought it over and felt the King shouldn't have a chance to cause trouble.

Wei Shen obeyed and left, but even at the doorway he wasn't reassured; knowing the King's habits, he circled around to wait at the palace gate behind the Suiyu Hall. Who would have thought, the King lived up to expectations.

He had just crouched in the thicket when he saw the King, having quickly changed clothes, bring his Lingyin dog sneaking out from the rear side gate— one look and you knew he was off to cause trouble.

You ask him why he's so certain?

Who, in their right mind, goes out late at night and deliberately changes into an all-black night outfit!

Even the sword hanging at his side is a style he's never seen before!

Wei Shen twitched the corner of his mouth, following silently without a sound. He saw the King vigilant all the way, moving along dark paths, choosing whichever shadowy route, glancing around as he went— such practiced ease… no one would believe it was his first time doing this.

Seeing the East Splendid Gate right ahead, Wei Shen finally confirmed this guy was trying to sneak out of the palace.

Even being caught in the act counts as captured; Wei Shen had no intention of hiding either, and before he could jump out to 'join' this operation, he was engulfed by a huge black shadow.

"Oh dear~!"

The huge black shadow descended silently, and Wei Shen was genuinely startled, unable to hold back a cry.

He hadn't been prepared for a sudden startle; deep down he wasn't actually that scared, for the King's place lacked nothing except pets— there were several huge fluffy creatures in the palace! After focusing his gaze in the night's gloom, he actually couldn't immediately tell what it was!

Only when the other party lowered its head did he see clearly its large eyes glittering and shining with a faint light.

It wasn't Bai Ze, nor Wini.

Before he could even utter a test, Lord Xiao Jin lowered his head and hooked his fangs onto the back of Wei Shen's collar; in the next instant, his whole body was flung to the King's feet.

Wei Shen was flung down in a sorry state beneath the palace lanterns, he turned angrily and froze.

"…Excuse me, Lord Xiao Jin, what kind of getup is this? Hahahaha… snivel…"

Just look at the giant golden fluffy creature's huge head right now tightly wrapped in a black cloth, only its large eyes showing— the appearance is quite… comedic.

Wei Shen let out a sharp, explosive laugh.

The next instant the King jumped up and clapped a hand over his mouth!

"Shut up! The whole Purple Forbidden Palace is about to be awakened by your laughter!"

Wei Shen raised his hand and swore to stay silent before the King would let him go; the three of them plus the beast huddled uncomfortably in the thicket to avoid the patrol guards, and once they'd gone far enough, Wei Shen could finally speak.

"What are you going to do? I want to go too! And why dress Lord Xiao Jin like this?!"

The King sighed and spread his hands. "It's probably been too bored lately, hard to shake off; Bai Ze isn't helping me either, so I had to let it join. Its task is to bring up the rear— look, isn't it serving its purpose?"

Understood.

Lord Xiao Jin grabbed his tail, growing ever more smug, holding his head high and chest out, utterly pleased. Today's outfit just won't do, it drags down Lord Xiao Jin's dignity, leaving only comedy. Wei Shen dared not provoke it, struggling to keep his expression neutral. "Cough… then, what's the point of dressing it like this?"

"Its golden fur reflects in the moonlight, really too bright, and I'm afraid it'll give away my identity if it's recognized along with me~"

Wei Shen was at a loss for words; he glanced at the parts of Lord Xiao Jin not covered—the whole body of this golden fur is the only one in Youzhou City, this head-but-no-tail situation… oh well. He decided to go along with it, asking: "Where are we going? Don't think you can shake me off!"

"Let's get out first and then talk."

The King hemmed and hawed, refusing to say; but when they boarded a carriage at the side gate of the East Splendid Gate and raced across half the city to the old prince's mansion, Wei Shen finally guessed at something.

"A midnight incognito raid on the Xiongnu cavalry camp? To see what they're up to in private?"

The King was just pulling out a black cloth from somewhere and placing it over his face; hearing this, he smiled and said: "To clear space for tomorrow's final grand match, we've already moved part of our elite forces. I just want to see tonight when chaos erupts, how many of these 'my new cavalry' will be 'loyal,' and how many will keep a clear head and not think of fleeing right away."

Wei Shen nearly cried out again.

"Just the three of us?!" This is way too hasty!

The King shook his head.

Wei Shen was about to relax when he saw this guy clench his fists and say: "Originally it was just the two of us plus Lord Xiao Jin; now you've been added as an extra."

Wei Shen: ……