Chapter 715 - 717: Traveling
Chapter 715: Chapter 717: Traveling
Jin Qianqian helped him pack his luggage. He would likely be gone for at least a month or two on this trip.
There were quite a few things to pack. Jin Qianqian ordered the servants around until they were dizzy, yet she still felt like something was missing.
"That’s enough," Gu Wenheng stopped her. "As we travel to the various prefectures and counties, the local governments will make arrangements. We just need to prepare some dry rations for the road.
"Actually, there’s no need to over-prepare. The subordinates will take care of everything."
Jin Qianqian replied, "One can be frugal at home, but must carry ample funds on the road. You should be well-prepared when traveling. At the very least, you need to bring a few extra sets of clothes..."
Gu Wenheng said, "As a grown man, I’m not that particular about traveling. However, this time, I want to bring Luo Luo and the other boys from the Gu family along."
Jin Qianqian paused her packing. "You’re going out on official business. Is it a good idea to bring them?"
"What’s wrong with it? It’s just to let them tag along and broaden their horizons, not to have them meddle in official affairs.
"I’ll have Ming Feng and the guards keep a close eye on them."
Jin Qianqian sighed. "Ah, I’ll have to have the servants reorganize everything again.
"I need to get someone to prepare Luo Luo’s things. Will the older maidservants be going with him this time?"
Gu Wenheng shook his head. "I plan for the boys to travel without any personal attendants. They will have to take care of themselves along the way."
Jin Qianqian hesitated. The others were fine, but ever since Gu Benluo was born, he had never been without maids and older servants by his side. Would he really be okay?
"Oh, you," Gu Wenheng said, patting her hand. "Don’t underestimate him just because he’s young. He has a mind of his own.
"I already talked to him before coming over. He suggested this himself.
"He said that since he’s traveling with his older cousins, it wouldn’t be good for him to receive special treatment. By eating and living together with them, he won’t be ostracized by them in the future."
Jin Qianqian frowned. "Even so, you shouldn’t leave him completely unattended. You still need to arrange proper guards for him."
Jin Qianqian preferred to err on the side of caution. Gu Wenheng was currently being watched by many people, and she was afraid someone might use the child as leverage.
Gu Wenheng replied, "Of course. I’ll make all the necessary arrangements.
"Don’t pack too much for him either. Just a few books to help him pass the time will be enough."
Jin Qianqian turned and headed toward the door. Gu Wenheng stopped her, asking, "What are you rushing off to do now?"
Without looking back, Jin Qianqian said, "I’m going over to Luo Luo’s room to check on things. I have to help him pack..."
Seeing his wife instantly change focus and leave him behind, Gu Wenheng followed her with a wry smile. "I fell out of favor way too fast..."
「Some time later.」
Starting from the outskirts of Yongchang County, Gu Wenheng began his work as the Inspector General.
He would stop and stay for a few days in every county town he passed through. Whenever he encountered diligent and conscientious officials, he would reward them. But if there were any discrepancies in the account books, he showed no mercy and settled the scores on the spot.
This had long since left the other prefectures and counties in a state of panic. Regardless of whether there were any issues, they all initiated internal audits first. Discovering and remedying problems early was far better than ending up in a situation that couldn’t be salvaged.
Gu Benluo got his wish and rode a horse with Ming Feng. Watching the scenery along the way, he found it exceptionally pleasant.
He didn’t forget to voice his teasing observations. "My dad thinks I can’t tell. Did he chafe his legs from riding the horse?"
Ming Feng looked at the distant mountain peaks, pretending not to hear. He just couldn’t understand why the eldest young master still had to ask out loud when he clearly already knew the answer.
Gu Benluo continued, "My dad must be quite hated on this trip, right? When we left just now, I saw the Lord County Magistrate let out a huge sigh of relief."
Ming Feng simply tilted his head to look at the sky. There seemed to be a lot of clouds today. He wondered if it would rain later.
Gu Benluo asked, "Aren’t you always by my dad’s side? Was there really no problem with this county town?"
Ming Feng looked down at him. "Young Master, it’s quite bumpy on horseback. How about you rest in the carriage for a while? I’ll take you riding again next time there’s a chance."
Gu Benluo scoffed. "I worked so hard to get this little bit of riding time. Are you trying to take it away from me too?"
"I wouldn’t dare," Ming Feng said, carefully guarding the little master in front of him. Inwardly, he grumbled that if the boy would just ride the horse obediently, there would naturally be no problem. However, the boy kept firing off increasingly tricky questions that a mere subordinate like him truly couldn’t answer.
"Actually, my older cousins are also very envious that I get to ride. How about I go tell my dad and have you take them riding in the future too?"
Ming Feng begged inwardly, "Little Master, please stop talking." Taking one young child along was fine, but if he had to carry the other older boys, his beloved horse wouldn’t be able to bear the weight.
"Young Master, my riding skills aren’t that exceptional. Besides, having two people on one horse is too hard on the animal. How about I lead the horse and let the young masters take a walk with it when we rest?"
Gu Benluo looked up at Ming Feng with an aggrieved expression. "Do you think I’m heavy?"
Ming Feng felt as if the word ’Wronged’ was written in giant letters across his forehead. The young master just kept picking on him today, and he was about to reach his breaking point.
Gu Benluo didn’t dare to push his teasing too far. He burst out laughing, "PFFT. I’m just joking with you. Of course I know how much weight a horse can bear.
"These fine horses still have a long road ahead of them to accompany us, so naturally, we must take good care of them.
"My cousins were actually just talking. If they really want to learn, they’ll have to wait until we get back."
Gu Benluo furrowed his brows, thinking that his father was out on official business, not taking them on a sightseeing tour, so work naturally took priority. If they really wanted to ride horses, it would have to wait until they reached their destination.
Gu Wenheng supported his lower back, looking at his son chatting and laughing with Ming Feng ahead of them. He couldn’t help but sigh, "This child is really easily satisfied. Look at him, he’s so happy now."
Jiang Mili said, "The eldest young master is very sensible. Even without the maidservants around to wait on him along the way, he can take good care of himself and rarely troubles the subordinates."
"Don’t praise him too much, lest it go straight to his head." Gu Wenheng felt satisfied inwardly but still voiced his complaints out loud. "He’s always so picky about his food. You can’t let him have his way next time."
"Master, you’re wronging the eldest young master," Jiang Mili said, showing quite a bit of partiality toward his little master. "Although the young master asked the subordinates to prepare extra food, he never kept the good food all to himself. Every time, he dutifully brought it to you out of filial piety.
"I don’t think he wanted to eat it himself at all. He was afraid you wouldn’t eat well, so he specifically requested it for you."
Gu Wenheng had already guessed as much in his heart, but he still had to sound humble. "This might just be blind luck, and you’ve misunderstood his intentions.
"This boy has never suffered any hardships growing up. Whenever he wanted something, the people around him would immediately bring it to him. I can understand if he can’t endure hardship right away.
"It’s just that some things need to be changed slowly. A little man should grow up. Don’t help him too much normally."
Jiang Mili cried out in injustice, "Master, you’re really wronging us now. Every time we saw the young master bustling about on his own, we couldn’t bear it and wanted to lend a hand, but he rejected us every time."