Chapter 399: Li Yuan's One-Day Tour of Weinan (1)

February 6, the newborn east sun carried a thread of warmth, shining upon the world, dispelling the morning chill.

Surrounded by an energetic, upward-looking atmosphere, Weinan County welcomed a special guest.

He was an old man wearing coarse hemp clothes, appearing sixty-seven years old, with a ramrod-straight back, a head full of white hair, and a long white beard.

"Fushun, how many years has it been since we last went out?"

Beside the old man, Li Fushun, stooped like an old servant, also seemed somewhat moved: "Going back... Master, it's been seven or eight years."

"I remember, seven or eight years ago we only wandered around Chang'an City, never even left Chang'an."

"Seven or eight years......" Li Yuan slowly paced forward; occasional hurried passersby went by, and though everyone was busy, he could feel that these people were full of hope.

He fell silent for a moment, his voice full of vicissitudes: "Then, when was the last time we saw the people looking so hopeful?"

Li Fushun blinked, thought carefully, and gave a wry smile: "Master, it seems we've never seen the people like this—not even when we overthrew the tyrannical Sui and founded the Tang Dynasty; I never saw such an expression on the faces of Chang'an's folk that day."

"Yes, even on the day the Tang was founded, I never saw the people look like this." Li Yuan sighed, his heart unable to tell whether it was relief or something else.

But anyway, it's probably a good thing.

At least Emperor Li Shimin is doing a decent job, and Chen Yan and his lot are doing pretty well.

In Weinan County's streets, people come and go, carriages never cease, roadside shops opened early, steaming buns, vendors' cries, and chatter intertwine into a vivid tableau of life.

Li Yuan stood at the street corner, gazing at the scene, and suddenly felt that the knot in his heart seemed to loosen a little.

A smile gradually appeared on his face, yet he muttered: "What's that brat Er Lang thinking? My son-in-law isn't just a bit younger, is he?"

"With such ability, not giving him an important post but instead placing him in this county as a petty magistrate—he really deserves a scolding!"

Having served Li Yuan for many years, Li Fushun understood the retired emperor's mind well; he first echoed a sentence, then explained: "Master, I think His Majesty and the Marquis of Weinan must have their own arrangements."

"Didn't the Great Tang Daily say just a couple days ago? They want to test many good policies in Weinan County; if they work, they'll roll them out nationwide."

"That being the case, Weinan County's importance has greatly increased; letting the Marquis of Weinan take charge must be the result of careful deliberation."

"Hmm, what you say makes sense." Li Yuan gave a noncommittal nod, pointing ahead: "Let's go, let's take a good look around Weinan County today and see what achievements Er Lang and my son-in-law have actually made."

"Eh, sure." Li Fushun had no objection, following Li Yuan as they walked about looking around.

Just as Li Yuan wanted to find someone to ask about the county's situation, a boy with a small satchel ran up, waving the newspaper in his hand: "Sir, want a newspaper?"

"Today's news is pretty explosive: the cow of the Lu Duke's household died, and his wife hanged herself."

Li Yuan: "......"

Li Fushun: "......"

Li Yuan, at a loss whether to laugh or cry, gestured to Li Fushun, who then asked the boy the price and handed over a copper coin.

"Kid, you're selling newspapers at such a young age?" Li Yuan asked, intrigued, as the boy took the money.

"Yeah, gotta make money, right?" The boy was a quick‑talker, bold, and replied offhand: "Sir, you're probably not a local, huh? Need a guide?"

"I'm Liuzi, Weinan County's know‑it‑all; even the county magistrate says I'd make a great tour guide."

Upon hearing that, Li Yuan grew more interested: "You even know the county magistrate?"

"You bet!" Liuzi lifted his head proudly: "Back when I brought my sister and had nowhere to go, nearly starving, it was the county magistrate who guided me into this; after the Great Tang Daily came out, they even specially summoned me to sell newspapers."

"This is a government job, paid with government money—others don't know how envious they are of me."

Li Yuan, hearing this, understood.

It seems this kid has lost his parents, at a young age caring for his sister; Chen Yan must have seen his hardship and lent a hand.

He then joked: "That's great—you're basically eating imperial rations, but if you're selling newspapers, why do you also have to work as a guide?"

"Just want to earn a bit more." Liuzi seemed to recall something, a fond look in his eyes: "My sister's no longer little; the county magistrate recently plans to open a few more schools, hearing they'll hire famous teachers—I want to see if I can send her to study."

"If she can learn to read and count, when she grows up she could find an easy, well‑paid job under the county magistrate, and she won't have to worry for the rest of her life."

"Are the school fees expensive?" Li Yuan asked again.

"I don't know." Liuzi scratched his head, "But better safe than sorry—saving more is always good; later I'll also need to prepare a dowry for my sister."

"Good!" Li Yuan said happily: "He's a true pillar of society!"

"You want to earn more, right? You show me around for a day, answer some questions, and I'll give you... a string of cash—how about that?"

"A string of cash?" Liuzi's eyes widened in shock; he was dumbfounded.

During the time he's been guiding, he's indeed met plenty of generous people, but never anyone this generous.

A string of cash!

Saved up a bit, it would be enough for him and his sister to live on for several months.

"No problem!"

Liuzi immediately slapped his chest and agreed—any hesitation would be disrespect to a string of cash!

Li Yuan smiled, waved at him, and said: "Then let's go—I want to see what the county magistrate has done since arriving that earns such high praise."

"Sure, sir, this way!" Liuzi had no objection; anyway, these things are easy to find out with a little inquiry, nothing hard to say.

As the trio walked and talked, Liuzi chattered: "To talk about what the county magistrate has done since taking office—there's just too much to sum up in a sentence or two; I'll tell you the rest when we get there."

"Let's start with the stone‑paved road under your feet: the magistrate began repairs from the Wei River dock, and so far he's fixed up basically all the bad roads in Weinan County."

"So the main streets look much cleaner and tidier."

Li Yuan nodded in agreement; he'd noticed this as soon as he entered Weinan County.

"Even Chang'an City lacks this condition, yet that kid pulled it off in Weinan County—no denying, he's truly capable."

"......"