From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 862: Chapter 865: Reward

He Nan beamed. "This is all thanks to Mrs. Gu. Previously, when she corresponded with my Madam, she detailed some interesting things about the journey. My Madam has been following her advice to prepare these past few days."

Gu Wenheng replied, "...Letters can be biased; it’s still better to ask the escort team."

"Exactly," He Nan said. "I’ve already contacted Mrs. Gu’s escort team, so we’ll have nothing to worry about on the journey."

Gu Wenheng smiled. "If you had this much tact earlier, you wouldn’t have been stuck in the same position for so long."

To think He Nan actually pulled this trick on him. Sure enough, there were no fools in the world; it just depended on whether they were willing to put in the effort. Although his family was a major reason why He Nan hadn’t been promoted for many years, his own stubbornness also played a large part.

He Nan gave a mocking smile. "Well, at least it’s not too late now. Knowing I’m about to take an external post in a remote place, some people got anxious. It’s been incredibly annoying at home, so we moved to a manor in the suburbs recently."

They did have a courtyard in Shangjing, but it was too close to his family. To avoid disturbances, they had been living at the manor for a while. Today, he returned to the capital temporarily just to thank Gu Wenheng and because he was about to leave for his new post.

Gu Wenheng took the initiative to help this time because when He Nan served as Vice Prefect of Dao City, he had helped look after the Gu family for many years. Before the meal was served, Gu Wenheng did a convenient favor by picking out some of his past experiences to share.

He Nan felt even more grateful. Sometimes, family couldn’t even compare to a friend. Thinking of the implicit warnings his clan cousin gave him before he left the house, He Nan felt a deeper chill in his heart.

He Nan brought up another matter. "Ning Yuchen, whom I mentioned to you a few days ago, wrote to me again yesterday.

"I don’t know where he heard that you were on Ding You leave at home, but his letter was full of gloating. If you run into him in the future, you should be on your guard!"

He Nan had no idea why Ning Yuchen would have such strange thoughts. Gu Wenheng’s achievements over the years were long registered with the Royal Family; how could a mere Ding You make him fade into obscurity? It was just a pity that Ning Yuchen was located in a remote area. Even if he received news, it was slower than others. He Nan wondered what kind of mood he would be in when he received the latest updates.

Gu Wenheng said, "He’s just a petty buffoon. I advise you to correspond with him less in the future."

He Nan sighed helplessly. "It’s not like I initiate contact with him. He writes to me of his own accord, and it would be a breach of etiquette not to reply.

"Previously, he just showed off his promotions, which I didn’t mind.

"But after this incident, I’m planning to cut ties with him."

From the malice he sensed in the two recent letters, He Nan naturally wouldn’t associate with him anymore.

Regarding Ning Yuchen, after He Nan’s reminder last time, Gu Wenheng had someone investigate him. The woman he publicly claimed as his sister was taken in as a concubine by Zhou Shixiong’s father-in-law. Fortunately for her, she gave birth to the man’s only son. Thanks to this connection, Ning Yuchen received some extra consideration.

None of this was enough for Gu Wenheng to care about. However, that concubine, Lady Yao—the one Ning Yuchen had tried to use to scheme against him back then—made him feel somewhat disgusted. Because of this, he added a word of caution to He Nan. Who knew if Ning Yuchen was plotting something else in the meantime? Gu Wenheng only hoped this person wouldn’t cross his path in the future.

Gu Wenheng began a busy life, leaving early and returning late.

Just as he had straightened out the Ministry of Revenue and cleared up the old accounts, a Holy Decree was delivered directly to the Ministry.

Hearing the decree full of praise, the eyes of the two Ministry of Revenue officials turned red with envy. They also worked conscientiously, yet they couldn’t compare to his achievements of just over half a month. Especially when they heard that a residence was bestowed upon him, and it was a former Prince Mansion, no one could remain calm.

Whether it was the Supreme Emperor or the late Emperor, neither had ever been so generous. One had to know that a Prince Mansion occupied a vast area and was closest to the palace gates. Who wouldn’t be envious? Everyone thought these estates were prepared for the royal descendants. They didn’t expect a precedent to be set by rewarding one to Gu Wenheng.

Everyone was jealous and resentful. They were all officials in the court, yet the difference in treatment was too great. The regulations Gu Wenheng issued tormented these officials, while he was the one who reaped the benefits. Faced with such a Holy Decree, no matter how much resentment they had in their hearts, they had to restrain their expressions. The eunuch delivering the decree from the palace even smiled brightly as he congratulated Gu Wenheng, which made the officials feel even more sick to their stomachs just watching.

Gu Wenheng didn’t expect such a windfall—a five-courtyard Prince Mansion rewarded to him. This was the biggest reward he had received since becoming an official. He couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. When did the Royal Family become so generous? It was truly worth pondering.

Even when they benefited from him previously, apart from some protection for his businesses, the Supreme Emperor hadn’t shown any appreciation. However, only a fool would refuse free benefits. One only had to look at the officials around him; although they put on a festive front, their expressions couldn’t have been more forced.

Gu Wenheng was naturally familiar with the rewarded mansion, as he had to pass by it every day on his way to the morning court. With such a location, he could rest for an extra quarter of an hour longer than others before morning court every day. It was foreseeable that during tomorrow’s morning court, some people would start sprouting sour words again.

Having gained a tangible benefit, he finished up his work and brought his people to the new mansion. The Ministry of Internal Affairs sent people to perform maintenance on it every year. Although some places were a bit old, overall, it was maintained fairly well.

Gu Wenheng took a stroll and picked two courtyards in the front, ordering people to do some simple repairs and furnishing. As for how the entire mansion would be tidied up, he would leave it to its mistress to handle.

Meanwhile, the news of the reward hadn’t yet reached them. At this moment, the Gu family in Gaoling Village were all gathered on the back mountain. Not only was Li Cuicui present, supported by the others, but even Gu Sanbu was carried up the mountain in a sedan chair.

Seeing these people walking carefully along the ridges of the fields, not even daring to touch the cornstalks, Jin Qianqian once again gained a deeper understanding of how much the people of this era valued food. Although this was a novelty they had never seen before, they had already learned from Gu Ben Can and the others that it was food, and their eyes held a sense of reverence.

"Mother, I specifically had someone bring a pot up. Let’s boil a few ears of corn and share them with everyone!" Gu Ben Can rubbed his hands excitedly. This corn his mother spoke of was grown by him.

"Cancan, what did you tell Grandma this was again?" Li Cuicui carefully touched the corn husks. Suddenly, she saw her little grandson twist his hand and snap a whole ear off the stalk. She hurriedly cried out in heartache, "What are you doing?"

"Grandma, this is called corn." Gu Ben Can skillfully peeled back the outer husks, revealing the bright yellow cob inside.

"It’s so beautiful. Golden and bright, it should be called golden rice," the old lady said, her eyes mesmerized. "This grain grows so big. It’s really pretty..."

Gu Sanbu also felt a bit of heartache. "Why did you tear it off? Are you sure it’s ripe?

"Also, is it true or false when you say this thing can be eaten?"

Gu Ben Can pointed to the pot where the fire was already burning and said, "Won’t everyone know once we try it in a bit?"