Chapter 387: Greed

After the affairs of Jizake County were dealt with, it was already evening of the next day.

Zhao Wenhan was locked in the county yamen's main cell, awaiting transport back to Yingtian Prefecture for trial.

Zhang Wu led men to raid his home, digging out from the backyard cellar over eight thousand taels of silver, more than three hundred taels of gold, as well as a dozen or so boxes of brocade silk and several chests of jewels.

A petty seventh‑rank magistrate, in office for less than two years, was greedy for so much.

Zhu Biao stood in the county yamen courtyard, watching the loot hauled out of the cellar, his expression calm, but Zhu Yong knew he felt uneasy inside.

That silver was all scraped from the common folk.

Behind each tael lay the blood and sweat of a household.

"Brother, stop thinking about it," Zhu Yong said, walking over and standing beside him.

Zhu Biao shook his head and said, "It's not about thinking, it's about anger. The Imperial Father often says that greedy officials can never be eradicated; today I finally believe him."

Zhu Yong said nothing in reply.

He recalled reading in a book from his previous life that Zhu Yuanzhang spent a lifetime exterminating corrupt officials, killing tens of thousands, yet greedy officials kept emerging.

That thing, killing alone won't work.

"Let's go! We have to set out tomorrow," Zhu Biao turned and strode toward the house.

At dawn the next day, the party continued westward.

Zhu Gaochi hadn't slept well the night before, sitting in the carriage with two dark circles under his eyes, still clutching the little notebook he never parts with.

Zhu Huanhuan poured him a cup of milk tea and said softly, "Gaochi, take a break; the ledger won't run away."

Zhu Gaochi took the tea, sipped, shook his head and said, "Sister Huan Huan, I'm not doing accounts; I'm thinking about Zhao Wenhan."

"What about him?"

"I wonder why he was greedy. He was a jinshi in the eighteenth year of Hongwu, spent over a decade studying in hardship, finally earned his degree, became an official—why be greedy?"

Zhu Huanhuan fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "Because of greed; once a person harbors greed, they can't control themselves."

Zhu Gaochi nodded, writing a line in the notebook: "When greed arises, all affairs cease."

Outside the carriage, Zhu Qiongjiong rode up on horseback, leaning against the window and asking, "Gaochi, what are you writing again? Come ride; the road is smooth today."

Zhu Gaochi closed the notebook, shook his head: "I won't ride; I need to think."

"Think about what? There's nothing worth thinking, come get some fresh air." Zhu Qiongjiong reached out to pull him.

Zhu Gaochi was yanked out of the carriage, nearly falling, but Zhu Huanhuan's quick eyes and hands steadied him, glowering at Zhu Qiongjiong, "Qiongjiong, stop messing around."

Zhu Qiongjiong chuckled, released his grip, and spurred his horse away.

Zhu Gaochi stood on the carriage, brushed dust from his clothes, sat back down, opened the notebook and kept writing.

Zhu Xiongying rode up to catch up, glanced at his cousin three years his junior, and felt a sudden respect.

He was fifteen; Zhu Gaochi was only nine.

Yet this nine‑year‑old child handled accounting and governance far better than him.

"Gaochi, may I see that notebook of yours?" he asked.

Zhu Gaochi looked up, hesitated, then handed the notebook over.

Zhu Xiongying took it, opened it, and saw dense script: accounts, geography, people, and his own reflections.

"Jizake County: 3,200 households, 1,800 actually present, deficit 1,400; grain 32,000 shi, stored 18,000, deficit 14,000.

Losses? Material costs?"

"When greed arises, all affairs cease."

"Zhao Wenhan, jinshi of the eighteenth year of Hongwu, native of Yingtian Prefecture, in office less than two years, embezzled over 8,000 taels of silver and over 300 taels of gold."

"Such a person cannot be kept."

Zhu Xiongying finished reading, passed the notebook back, and remained silent for a long while.

He recalled his father's words: you will become Emperor one day; people like this cannot be kept.

But could he truly be a good Emperor?

He glanced at Zhu Gaochi, still hunched over his writing, then at Zhu Qiongjiong, riding ahead cheerfully, and felt suddenly uncertain.

The party marched for three days, reaching a spot five hundred li west of Samaerhan.

It was a vast grassland, the grass taller than people, swaying in the wind like rolling green waves.

In the distance a river ran, its water clear enough to see the pebbles on the bottom.

Along the bank stood a few old hu yang trees, their massive canopies spreading a thick shade.

"Brother, let's set up camp here tonight!" Zhu Yong halted his horse.

Zhu Biao surveyed the surroundings, nodded, "Alright, this place is fine."

The Imperial Troops began pitching tents, lighting fires and cooking.

A few children slipped off their shoes and ran to the riverbank to splash.

Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Qiongjiong had a water fight, getting drenched.

Zhu Gaochi squatted by the river, using a stick to draw and write in the sand.

Zhu Huanhuan sat under the hu yang tree, took a book from her bundle and began leafing through it.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong stood side by side at the river's edge, watching the distant grassland.

"Second brother, this place is truly vast," Zhu Biao said suddenly.

"Huge, far larger than Yingtian Prefecture, endless as far as the eye can see."

"A place this big, how many cattle and sheep could it sustain?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, smiled, "Brother, you speak like the Minister of Revenue."

Zhu Biao also laughed.

The two brothers stood side by side, silent, simply gazing at the distant grassland.

The setting sun sank in the west, dyeing the whole Grassland a stretch of Jin‑yellow.

In the distance, a few yellow sheep grazed, occasionally lifting their heads to glance this way, then lowering them again to continue feeding.

"Big brother, what do you think it will be like when the railway reaches here in the future?" Zhu Yong asked.

Zhu Biao thought for a moment, then said slowly: "The train will come from Yingtian, and in half a month it can reach Samar Khan. At that time, Yingtian's silk, porcelain and tea can be shipped here to sell, and this region's wool, leather and medicinal herbs can be sent back to Yingtian.

Merchants will no longer have to travel months along trade routes, and the common folk will be able to buy cheaper goods."

Zhu Yong nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

This is what he wants.

It is not war, not killing, but letting the people of this land live good lives.

Dinner was roasted lamb and flatbread.

The lamb was freshly slaughtered that afternoon, grilled over fruit wood, brushed with honey, crisp on the outside and tender inside, its aroma so enticing that several children scrambled to eat.

Zhu Qiong Jiong alone ate three jin, yet still complained it wasn't enough.

Zhu Xiongying ate two jin, feeling so full he kept burping.

Zhu Gaochi ate little, but ate slowly, chewing very finely.

Zhu Huanhuan poured milk tea for her younger brothers, herself only eating a small piece.

"Huan Huan, why are you eating so little…" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Huanhuan replied softly: "Uncle, I'm not hungry."

Zhu Biao gave her a glance and did not ask further.

This child, like Guanyin Nu, is deep‑minded, keeping everything hidden inside.

Night deepened, and the campfire gradually faded.

A few children slipped into the tent, and soon a steady breathing sound spread.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong sat under a poplar tree, watching the sky full of stars.

The stars here outnumber those over Yingtian Prefecture, dense and countless, like a handful of scattered silver.

"Second brother, now that you're here, do you miss home?" Zhu Biao suddenly asked.

Zhu Yong fell silent for a moment, then said softly: "I miss it, especially during the New Year, missing mother's dumplings, father's scolding tone, and big brother's silhouette folding paper."

He paused, then smiled: "But now it's better; big brother has come, so I no longer miss it."

Zhu Biao looked at him, his eyes a bit watery.

"Second brother, once this place steadies, you can go back and see."

"Hmm."