Chapter 73: She in the Snow

Seeing the situation had already spiraled out of control, the Prince of Qi's face instantly turned beet red, swelling up like a pig's belly.

He ground his teeth, speaking with hatred: "Good, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you are ruthless!" With a wave of his hand, he signaled the personal guards behind him to follow, and stormed off in a flurry.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched his retreating back with a cold sneer, saying in a low voice: "Count yourself lucky. Next time you dare to cause trouble, this official will not be so polite to you!"

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, standing nearby, furrowed his slender eyebrows and asked in confusion: "Brother Jiang Xingqiu, something seems amiss. According to logic, the city defense forces under the Prince of Qi should number over ten thousand, enough for him to dig coal. How is it that they cannot dig any out at this moment?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu blinked his eyes and agreed: "What you say makes sense. It seems there must be some hidden matter within that city defense camp, a secret we do not yet know."

Having finished speaking, he waved his hand and said: "Enough, enough. Since matters have come to this, we can do nothing about it. Everyone, continue working; do not let this matter delay you." On the road back from outside the city, Jiang Jiang Mingyu instructed Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, who was following behind him: "Brother Lord Murong, once you return to the county yamen, have Dog Egg and Xiao Er immediately post notices that house repairs will begin tomorrow."

"As before, prioritize the elderly and the destitute."

"Also, tell the people that I will buy back the coal slag after it is burned, at ten large coins per cart."

The cold wind howled. Lord Murong Murong Yunhai asked in confusion: "My Lord, why collect coal slag from the common people?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes and smiled: "To pave the road! Coal slag is not only non-slip but also looks nice."

Soon, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's notices once again covered every street and alley in Shangmu County.

The people gathered before the notices, whispering with joyful expressions. The elderly wept with gratitude, while the women, holding their children, beamed with happiness.

In the cold wind, Shangmu County was once again filled with the breath of hope.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched from afar, the corners of his mouth rising slightly. He swung himself onto his horse and returned to the county yamen.

"Come quickly, the Imperial Envoy is going to build houses for us."

"Is it true or false? With so many people in the city, can they possibly finish the repairs?"

"The notice is right there; how could it be false? Moreover, coal slag can be exchanged for money."

"..."

The people discussed the matter fervently, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu's famous reputation for loving the people like his own children spread once again through street gossip.

Early the next morning, groups of people spontaneously gathered before the county yamen gates, their enthusiasm high.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu did not stand on ceremony; he directly divided the crowd into several batches: one part to chop trees, one part for transport, one part responsible for road construction, while the masons began renovating the houses...

The people temporarily forgot the cold, busy with their respective tasks in a scene of great activity.

Just then, a strange visitor suddenly arrived at the county yamen.

When Lord Murong Murong Yunhai found Jiang Jiang Mingyu, the latter was busy supervising the work: "Brother Jiang Xingqiu, Master Liu has come to the county yamen to see you."

Master Liu, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who was gesturing in all directions, paused in surprise: "Which Master Liu?"

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai explained: "Brother Jiang Xingqiu may not know, but this Master Liu is a famous philanthropist in the city; he cannot be compared to scum like He He Dachuan."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly understood: "So it is him. I was wondering why that name sounded so familiar. What does he want with me?"

As he spoke, he recalled having heard of the same person from Wu Er at a tavern.

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai coughed lightly, his expression complex: "He did not state his purpose; you should return to the county yamen and see for yourself."

Inside the county yamen, at noon.

Seeing the middle-aged man in front of him wearing a brocade robe, Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and clasped his hands, saying: "Master Liu, you have waited long."

This man was as thin as a bamboo pole, yet a kind smile always hung on his face, and a quality of loyalty and honesty shone between his eyebrows. After the pleasantries, Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and asked about the man's purpose.

The man introduced himself: "I am Liu Ximen. Hearing that My Lord governs the people with skill, I, Liu, wish to contribute my humble strength." Having finished speaking, he took a silver note from his sleeve: "This is five thousand taels; consider it a small token of my heart for the people."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu politely declined several times before finally accepting the silver note: "Thank you for Master Liu's generosity. I will certainly accept this on behalf of the people of the city. Once this busy period is over, I will definitely visit your residence."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took Liu Ximen on a tour of the county yamen, where the wall plaster was peeling, the wooden floors were crooked, and the window lattices creaked.

Liu Ximen frowned, looking around, and joked: "The Magistrate is busy repairing the people's houses, yet how can he let the county yamen itself be exposed to wind and dew?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed with a hint of apology and said: "Master Liu understands; our Shangmu County lacks resources everywhere. There are too many places where money is needed, and the treasury is empty."

Pointing to the street outside the window, he said: "This official is still young and strong, so I will first devote my energy to the people. If I were to spare time to repair the county yamen, only for the people to freeze or starve to death, what meaning would there be in me alone living in a palace?"

Liu Ximen's gaze upon Jiang Jiang Mingyu held a bit more admiration; he nodded slowly and said: "The Magistrate indeed possesses extraordinary bearing and surpassing insight. I, Liu, am in awe."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled: "To serve as an official for one term and bring benefit to one region is merely my duty."

He exchanged a few more pleasantries, yet could hardly withstand the severe cold of the county yamen; his complexion changed slightly, and he soon took his leave.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched Liu Ximen depart, then turned and buried his head in official duties with Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, working busily throughout the afternoon.

Three days later, inside the prefectural city.

Huang Huang Chaoran's massive face, like a water vat holding its breath, remained silent. He asked the servant before him coldly: "What news have you brought from your investigation in Shangmu County?"

Ever since making a plot with He Hua to murder Jiang Jiang Mingyu, Huang Huang Chaoran had sent servants on fast horses to spy on Jiang Jiang Mingyu's movements.

A servant dressed in a coarse cotton robe immediately clasped his hands and reported: "Returning to the Master, Jiang Jiang Mingyu is leading the people in repairing houses; he appears very busy."

The fat on Huang Huang Chaoran's face trembled as he said sinisterly: "Good, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Go immediately and notify that person to set out; we must win a quick victory!"

Huang Huang Chaoran narrowed his small eyes and said viciously: "This official wants to see; once that person succeeds, can Jiang Jiang Mingyu still be hopping around alive!"

Having finished speaking, a flash of sinister cold light passed through his eyes, and a sinister smile appeared on his lips.

Seeing the servant depart, Huang Huang Chaoran's mood instantly improved. He patted his fat thigh and arrogantly shouted: "Someone! Nothing to do today, so follow this official to the pleasure quarters for some recreation!"

A servant attending nearby immediately forced his spirit up to dissuade him: "My Lord, the old master's revenge has not yet been avenged. If the Lady were to find out, she would likely be displeased."

The old master the servant referred to was naturally Huang Huang Chaoran's father-in-law, He He Dachuan.

Huang Huang Chaoran sneered disdainfully: "What can she do about it? If it were not for the fact that the He family had some assets back then, this official would never have lowered his status to marry the daughter of a country bumpkin!"

"Avenging that old dead man is first to wash away the shame lost at the Inspector's residence that day; second, it is to seize all the silver tricked from the He family by Jiang Jiang Mingyu for myself."

"Do not treat this official as a fool, believing his ghost stories about building the city. He wants to fight me? Jiang Jiang Mingyu is still too young!"

Having said this, a lewd smile appeared in Huang Huang Chaoran's eyes: "Enough, enough, let us not speak of him. Just thinking of the new young ladies who arrived at Man Chun Yuan, I cannot hold back. Let us go!"

Having spoken, he strode away with long steps. The servants under him, showing difficulty on their faces, could only follow with bitter expressions.

Shangmu County Yamen, at dusk.

Suddenly, goose-feather snow began to fall this afternoon, so Jiang Jiang Mingyu had to order the work to stop.

He stood by the window, watching the snow outside grow thicker, and said with a bitter smile, "The progress on the housing repairs will have to be accelerated; if even one commoner freezes to death because of this, it will be my fault."

Lord Murong Murong Yunhai, wrapped in a cotton robe nearby, shivered. Looking at the wind-leaking beams of the county yamen, he complained, "This yamen must be repaired; if things continue like this, we will be the first to freeze to death."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu couldn't help but shiver as well, smiling as he said, "You make sense; let's repair it then."

A smile finally appeared on Lord Murong Murong Yunhai's effeminate face, and he said proudly, "That's more like it."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood up and said, "Since there is nothing to do today, let us visit Master Liu's home. He has contributed so much silver for the common people; I must go and thank him."

Having spoken, both of them tightened their cotton robes, stepped out of the county yamen gate, and boarded a carriage to head for the Liu residence.

In Nancheng, Shangmu County, goose-feather snowflakes swirled, the cold wind howled, and thick layers of snow piled up on the trees on both sides.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood before the Liu residence, watching Liu Ximen's servants, braving the snowflakes, distribute large and small bundles of grain to the hurried, impoverished commoners.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu couldn't help but nod in praise, saying, "Master Liu is truly a good man."

At that moment, Liu Ximen, having heard the news and rushed over, greeted Jiang Jiang Mingyu with a beaming smile, respectfully inviting him inside to escape the snow: "Your words are too heavy. The snow is falling so heavily; please come in quickly to rest."

To Jiang Jiang Mingyu's surprise, Liu Ximen's house was unexpectedly simple and elegant, lacking any of the extravagance typical of wealthy families. Liu Ximen smiled shyly: "My humble dwelling is crude; please forgive me, my lord."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was about to say "Not at all," but before those words could leave his lips, he saw a young woman in a pale purple dress walking slowly toward him.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was instantly dazed, thinking that this Young Lady was truly a beauty of unparalleled charm; her skin was snow-white, her appearance delicate and captivating, her features clear and refined, and her every gesture and movement exuded an elegant temperament.

The woman offered a gentle smile to Jiang Jiang Mingyu; Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt his heart race, his face grew hot, and he nearly stood frozen on the spot.