Chapter 729: Arrangements

The imperial court's disaster relief grain and silver were left by Yu Qian, but he was not entirely confident entrusting their management to Cai Cheng.

Cai Cheng estimated he wouldn't stay in Yushan County much longer; to secure the merit of amnesty and save his own head, he had spent a great deal of money.

No one knew whether he would, after Yu Qian left, act foolishly and seize the relief supplies—or whether he wouldn't act directly but could still not control those beneath him.

So, to ensure smoother post-disaster reconstruction, Yu Qian invited the County Commander, the Registrar, Pan Yun, and the county's prominent landowners and elders.

He handed the grain and silver over to the government office, entrusting it to oversee post-disaster reconstruction, while Pan Yun and the landowners and elders served as witnesses and supervisors.

That is, Pan Yun and the others had the right to inspect the accounts of this grain and silver and monitor its every movement.

Old Man Qian squeezed beside Pan Yun and whispered: "This is a once-in-a-century event—I never thought I'd live to audit the government office's accounts. This Imperial Commissioner is truly enlightened."

Pan Yun: "Yu the Upright isn't called that for nothing."

Old Man Qian nodded slightly.

Two elderly men hunched over, squinting at Pan Yun: "Is this the Pan Temple Keeper of Mount Sanqing?"

Old Man Qian immediately responded warmly: "Old Zhou, Old Yang, this is the Pan Temple Keeper—Master Wang's junior sister, a disciple of the Mountain God!"

One old man leaned close to Pan Yun, studied her carefully, and nodded: "Good, good—this young one is handsome, kind-hearted, just like her brother, capable too—she's even more like him."

The other elder asked Pan Yun: "You've given out so much grain and silver to aid the villagers—can your temple still sustain itself?"

These elders were older than Wang Feiyin, likely belonging to his father's or even grandfather's generation; Pan Yun dared not be careless and bowed deeply in reply: "We won't go hungry."

The elders relaxed, exhaling deeply: "As long as there's food, that's enough. The old saying goes: when misfortune peaks, fortune turns. This first half of the year, Yushan County suffered one calamity after another—but the second half will improve, and next year will be better. Tell Feiyin not to rush—what's owed will come."

Pan Yun obediently replied: "My senior brother takes it all in stride."

"He's lost money for years now—he should be used to it," the elder said. "In the end, it's still the Mountain God who protects our people of Yushan County."

The elders planned to visit Mount Sanqing to offer incense to the Mountain God once reconstruction was complete.

Pan Yun welcomed this with great joy.

Yu Qian cleared his throat, interrupting them, and walked over to ask: "How is the inventory going?"

Pan Yun said: "We've verified everything against the ledger—no issues."

Yu Qian: "Then I entrust the post-disaster reconstruction of Yushan County to all of you."

Everyone quickly returned the bow, assuring him it was no problem.

Pan Yun asked: "My lord, the proclamation?"

"I just had it posted." Moreover, Yu Qian took advantage of everyone's presence to announce the amnesty of the rebels; now that the order was out, it could not be recalled.

The landowners and elders invited as witnesses and supervisors wore complex expressions, sighing: "Good—Yushan County avoids chaos. Thank you, Imperial Commissioner."

Everyone thanked Yu Qian in turn.

Yu Qian pointed to Pan Yun: "This matter's primary merit belongs to Daoist Pan. Had she not mediated, the amnesty would not have proceeded so smoothly."

Hearing this, everyone praised Pan Yun even more.

Cai Cheng stood silently to the side, saying nothing.

Yu Qian said: "The reason the amnesty succeeded so smoothly was also due to County Magistrate Cai's contribution. Had he not persuaded the Prefect to agree to conditions like abolishing the two-silver tax, Song Dalin would not have agreed so quickly."

Facing Cai Cheng, the elders could not quite smile.

After all, wasn't the rebel uprising ultimately his doing? But Old Man Qian, ever smooth, smiled warmly and bowed to County Magistrate Cai, leading the thanks.

With the proclamation posted and government office Runners beating gongs to announce it, the entire county soon erupted in joy.

The news spread like wings.

Fang, the Deputy Commander on the city wall, hearing the cheers below, rose and walked to the edge to look down.

He saw the townspeople pouring out of their homes as if they'd found money, waving their arms joyfully, dancing in groups of two or three along the streets.

His hundred-man captain was also delighted, running up the wall with excitement: "General, the government office has issued the proclamation—the amnesty is confirmed! This year's labor conscription and silver taxes for Yushan County are abolished!"

Fang nodded: "It seems the Imperial Commissioner is leaving."

"General, when do we leave? The men are bored stiff here, and the food's terrible."

Fang: "Once Song Dalin's men disperse tomorrow, we leave the day after."

"That's wonderful," the captain glanced sideways, unimpressed: "General, their people are leaving."

Fang leaned out to look: two peasants, wearing straw sandals and short shirts, were carrying two empty baskets out of the city—he'd seen them enter that morning.

He snorted: "Probably came in to confirm the news. Let them go."

The captain "oh"ed, gave a subtle hand signal, and ordered the gate guards to let them pass.

The whole county cheered; wherever the amnesty news reached, the village erupted in joy, and villagers knelt to thank Pan Yun, thank Yu the Upright, thank the Mountain God.

Hmm—the Mountain God came last.

But the Mountain God didn't care: boundless golden light of merit poured down from the nine heavens, splitting in half midair—one half flew toward Pan Yun, the other toward Mount Sanqing.

Pan Yun felt refreshed and invigorated, walking as if carried by wind.

She remained in high spirits all the next day.

Early that morning, the group set out together for Sanhu Village.

The distance from the county seat to Sanhu Village was considerable—over an hour and a half on horseback—so they all rode today.

Yu Qian arranged the escort himself, sincerely bringing only a few Embroidered Uniform Guards to depart immediately;

From the garrison, he requested a hundred-man captain to bring a small squad along;

Cai Cheng wanted to bring more government office Runners, but Yu Qian refused; instead, he summoned the County Commander and the Registrar.

Cai Cheng wouldn't stay long; Yushan County needed a few people who knew the truth.

The Registrar set out with ink, brush, and paper, planning to record this historic moment for inclusion in the county annals.

The county annals would certainly record this event—the County Commander's writing wasn't good enough; only the Registrar's account would be used.

His name would endure alongside the Yushan County annals—how could this not count as eternal fame?

The Registrar grinned widely.

The county captain warned him: "Stop laughing—Miaohe has looked at you three times already."

Pan Yun rode beside Yu Qian on a horse borrowed from Captain Fang; she called out loudly: "My lord, you bring so few men—aren't you afraid?"

Yu Qian: "I trust Song Dalin is a man of his word. Besides, I am but a lowly Vice Minister. The imperial court has twelve Vice Ministers—if I die, they'll send another."