Chapter 136: Distributing Red Envelopes

Seeing the surprised look in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes, Lord Lord Murong smiled and said.

"What Brother Jiang Xingqiu says! I traveled all this way back, of course it was to celebrate the New Year."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, whose mood was already incredibly good, restored the smile he had worn earlier.

"Was your trip to the prefectural city to deliver the iron ore successful?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked.

"Extremely successful," Lord Lord Murong said. "The Inspector was very satisfied with the iron ore we delivered, saying that our Shangmu County is truly a treasure land."

"That's good." Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. "So what comes next? Do we need to send more?"

"No need," Lord Lord Murong shook his head. "The Inspector said that seeing how hard we worked, we should stop here for now before the New Year. We'll discuss it again after the New Year."

"That's excellent." Jiang Jiang Mingyu breathed a sigh of relief. "So, how much iron ore did you deliver this time?"

"Ten thousand two thousand jin," Lord Lord Murong reported.

"Ten thousand two thousand jin?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu was startled. "So much?"

"Yes," Lord Lord Murong smiled. "We dug with our lives on the line."

"You've worked hard," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said movedly. "You have made tremendous contributions to Shangmu County."

"Brother Jiang Xingqiu overpraises us," Lord Lord Murong said modestly. "This is all Brother Jiang Xingqiu's merit; without Brother Jiang Xingqiu's command and arrangements, how could we have achieved this step?"

"You are all my good brothers, so of course I must look out for you," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "I see your hardships with my own eyes and keep them in my heart. After the New Year, I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."

"Brother Jiang Xingqiu, what are you saying?" Lord Lord Murong hurriedly said. "Following Brother Jiang Xingqiu is something we do willingly, seeking no reward. As long as Brother Jiang Xingqiu can realize his ideals, we will be fully content."

Looking at the sincere eyes of Lord Lord Murong, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt a warmth in his heart. He knew Lord Lord Murong was not speaking falsehoods, and he also knew what his own ideals were. He was not someone content with the status quo; he had higher pursuits and greater ambitions. What he wanted to be was not merely a county magistrate, but someone capable of changing this chaotic age. He wanted to become a true hero, someone whom the common people of the world would revere and be grateful for.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the various thoughts in his heart. He smiled at Lord Lord Murong and said, "Brother Lord Murong, you are truly a good person. I am very glad to have a friend like you."

"Brother Jiang Xingqiu is too polite," Lord Lord Murong also smiled. "We are the ones glad to have a partner like Brother Jiang Xingqiu."

The two looked at each other and smiled, feeling even closer to one another.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood up and patted Lord Lord Murong on the shoulder. "Alright, you must be tired, right? Go rest. There are still matters to attend to later."

"Very well," Lord Lord Murong nodded. "Then I will take my leave first."

"Go ahead," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, bidding farewell to Lord Lord Murong.

However, at this moment, because of Lord Lord Murong's appearance, Liu Liu Yifei was overcome with extreme shyness and had long since run back home, disappearing without a trace; she did not appear again until before the New Year, forcing our Jiang Da Ren's marriage proposal to be temporarily abandoned.

Time flew by in the blink of an eye; today was the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood at the entrance of the county yamen, gazing at the sky with some emotion in his heart.

This was his first time celebrating the Spring Festival here.

He thought of his hometown, thought of his parents, and thought of his brothers and sisters.

Over these years, he had experienced too many storms, rising from an unknown nobody to become an Imperial Envoy. He not only had to face the threat of the Other Xi Xia, but also deal with Prince Qi's deliberate difficulties, and furthermore had to devise ways to improve the lives of the common people. He dared not claim he had done exceptionally well, but at least he had done his best.

Suddenly, a burst of firecracker sounds broke his reverie.

He looked up and saw a streak of red firelight shooting straight into the sky.

Those were fireworks set off by the common people.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew that in the new year, even more challenges awaited him.

But he also had more confidence and backing.

Because he had a well-trained, utterly loyal army, a group of wise and brave, unwaveringly loyal confidants, and a populace that was grateful and supportive.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo," Jiang Jiang Mingyu also shouted toward Tu Tu Kesiluo, who was returning from the City Defense Camp.

"My lord," Tu Tu Kesiluo immediately ran over, clad in armor, holding a long blade, his momentum soaring like a rainbow.

"Post the notice," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said. "Tell the common people that this official is going to distribute red envelopes to them."

"Yes," Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded in agreement.

He had long known Jiang Jiang Mingyu's intentions; he had even prepared the notice to be posted.

It is worth mentioning that the notice was written by Zhu Ge Yu, who had temporarily halted military training.

To give Zhu Ge Yu a somewhat proper identity, Jiang Da Ren waved his brush and turned him into a private secretary, a position Shangmu County had never had before.

Regarding this, Zhu Ge Yu, who was devoted only to military affairs and warfare, could only offer a bitter smile.

Tu Tu Kesiluo took the notice and began posting it in various places throughout the city. The notice read:

This official, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, hereby informs the people of Shangmu County:

Today marks the joyful Spring Festival; this official, mindful of the people's hard labor, specially approves the distribution of red envelopes as a reward.

Anyone registered as a household in Shangmu County, regardless of gender or age, may come to the county yamen to receive one red envelope.

Each red envelope contains either one tael of silver or ten copper coins. This official wishes the people a happy festival and great fortune in the New Year.

Additionally, this official has important matters to announce:

This official has established a kiln factory in Chengxi and prepares to mass-produce porcelain.

This official requires the people to participate in the operation of the kiln factory and to provide services such as raw materials, labor, and transportation.

This official will compensate the people according to market prices and guarantees that the people will have sufficient income and profit.

This official hopes the people will respond actively and seize this opportunity to become wealthy.

Finally, this official must make an appeal:

This official knows that due to the harassment by the Other Xi Xia, some people were forced to leave Shangmu County and drift to other places.

This official hereby solemnly promises to do everything possible to protect the safety of Shangmu County and prevent the Other Xi Xia from invading again.

This official earnestly requests these people to return to Shangmu County, rebuild their homes together with this official, and share prosperity and peace.

This official, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, respectfully wishes

The people of Shangmu County a Happy New Year.

As soon as the notice was posted, the people in the city immediately surged over.

Some of them could read, others could not, but all had heard the news that Jiang Jiang Mingyu was distributing red envelopes.

They were overjoyed, praising Jiang Jiang Mingyu one after another as a good official, a righteous and great lord.

They scrambled over one another to run toward the county office, hoping to receive their red envelopes as early as possible.

"Er Lu, look at this!" an old man said excitedly to a young man, holding up a red envelope.

"It's a red envelope—how many copper coins are inside?" the young man said after a look.

"One tael of silver!" the old man said.

"Heavens, that's far too much." the young man said.

"And that's not even the most of it—have you heard? Jiang Da Ren is also going to build a kiln factory in Chengxi to produce porcelain. He says as long as we go help out, we can earn even more money." the old man said with feeling.

"Really? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go sign up!" the young man said.

"Wait, let's go pay our New Year respects to Jiang Da Ren first. Such a fine official—we can't be rude." the old man said.

"Right, right, right, let's go pay our New Year respects." the young man said.

And so it was that the tens of thousands of common folk of Shangmu County surged toward the county office like a tide. Some carried red envelopes, some carried gifts, and some carried nothing at all.

But they all shared one common purpose: to pay their New Year respects to Jiang Jiang Mingyu and express their gratitude.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood in the great hall of the county office, gazing at the dark, pressing sea of people before him. His heart was both moved and gratified.

He knew he had done well; he had won the trust and support of the common folk. He also knew there was still much to do—he had to make Shangmu County more prosperous and stable.

He had to let the Other Xi Xia know whom they had picked a fight with, and let everyone under heaven know what kind of man he, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, was.

By the time the very last red envelope was handed out, the dark, pressing crowd had long since knelt across the ground. An old man, his hair all white and his bony frame barely two taels of flesh, spoke to Jiang Jiang Mingyu with reddened eyes.

"My lord, you truly are the parents of our Shangmu. Though you haven't been here long, you've lived up to those three words—'parental official.'"

"Today is New Year's, and this old fellow not only wants to pay his New Year respects to my lord, but also to speak a word on behalf of everyone."

"You are the finest official we've ever seen, a clear-sky great lord. The people of Shangmu will follow you to the end."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt a sudden warmth in his heart, quickly helped the old man to his feet, and said in a loud voice.

"Folks, all of you, rise. This is all simply what this official ought to do."

"And remember, this is only a beginning. Have you seen the kiln factory in Chengxi, nearly finished?"

"That is the new livelihood this official has found for everyone. Once the kiln factory starts operating, this official will need even more helpers."

"There's money in preparing the materials, money in making the porcelain, and money in escorting the porcelain to the prefecture city."

"In the future we'll have even more business. Our Shangmu days will surely grow more and more prosperous."

At this point, he suddenly raised his tone and said.

"I ask all you elders to find a way to pass word to the folks of Shangmu who fled out of fear of the Other Xi Xia."

"Tell them Shangmu now has soldiers, and soon will have money too. Tell them to all come back and live their lives in peace and stability."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words drew a cheer. The common folk one after another said they would convey the lord's meaning. They also longed for their kin and friends to return to Shangmu and share in the peace and plenty of this land.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked upon these plain, kind-hearted common folk and silently swore an oath in his heart. He would protect them, so they would no longer be harassed by the Other Xi Xia. He would lead them, so they would no longer live out their days in poverty and ruin. He would build them a new Shangmu—a Shangmu brimming with hope and vitality.