Chapter 881: Plans
Chapter 881 -884: Plans
Gu Letian had been out in the world for many years and was better at reading people than most. “Ben Can, if there is anything inappropriate about us brothers, please let us know.”
Facing his eldest cousin, Gu Ben Can also restrained himself significantly. “You’re overthinking it, Le Tian. I was just thinking that since my father hired a teacher for you, you will have to report to the Agricultural Officer during the day and attend lectures at night. I wonder if your bodies can take it.”
Gu Letian and the others were startled. “… Why did he even find a teacher?” They had only learned to recognize a few words over the years; they definitely couldn’t write essays. Did becoming an official mean they had to write essays now? That would be pure torture for them. It was like a bucket of cold water being poured over the brothers, chilling them to the bone.
“I only know how to keep accounts; I really don’t know how to study,” Gu Lehuan was the first to back out. “Maybe I should just go back to managing my grocery stores. I can’t handle such a precious job.”
Gu Le Ping rubbed his belly, which had noticeably shrunk. Thanks to a vegetarian diet and working in the fields recently, he had finally managed to lose some weight. “I don’t think I can do it either. Why don’t we just resign from our posts?”
Seeing that his other cousins shared this sentiment, Gu Ben Can hurriedly smiled and said, “You misunderstand me. My father invited the teacher over to teach you some taboos and etiquette in the officialdom. I’m sure you all have some idea about these things; it’s just to give you a reminder.
“Besides, we will be working under the Agricultural Officer, mainly teaching people how to farm. How could they possibly make us write essays?”
If they really were asked to write essays, his father would probably step in to decline before his cousins even had to say anything.
“That’s good then. Sweating a little is no problem, but do we really get official posts just for farming?” Gu Letian voiced the doubt shared by all the brothers. They had been discussing it the entire journey. They knew they were supposed to teach farming, but what would happen after they taught it?
“Of course you do.” Gu Ben Can led his cousins into the living room, where maids brought up tea. “In the future, you will all be working in the Imperial Manor. Even if you are farming, you are farming the Royal Family’s land. Besides, you all have official ranks now. You just need to help manage things on a daily basis.”
“So even farming depends on who you’re farming for.” As expected, anything associated with the royal family was on another level.
“Why don’t you all rest first? I’ve had rooms arranged for everyone. I’ll take you to see them later, and if there’s anything you’re unsatisfied with, I’ll have someone change it,” Gu Ben Can continued. “It’s just that it wouldn’t be appropriate to make major renovations in many places, so I hope you can understand.”
Gu Letian and the others understood. “We’re already very grateful to have a place to stay. However, there is one more thing we need to trouble you with, Ben Can.”
Gu Ben Can replied, “We’re family, there’s no need for such formalities. Le Tian, just tell me what you need, and I will definitely get it done beautifully for you.”
Gu Letian smiled. “It’s quite inconvenient for us brothers to keep living in your manor. Before we left, our families gave us some silver, so we were hoping to each settle down in a home nearby. The places don’t need to be too big—two or three rooms will do.”
Even without knowing the housing prices in Shangjing, they could imagine it would be much more expensive than in Fu County. Even if they had brought enough silver, they needed to budget carefully.
Gu Ben Can was a little surprised. “Do you all have this plan?”
Seeing everyone nod, he continued, “I’m actually not very familiar with Shangjing myself. I only arrived a few days before you, and I’ve been holed up in the manor the whole time. I’m afraid you’ll have to ask my father to send someone to help you look.” While his own subordinates could go out and handle it, he still felt that Gu Wenheng should be the one to make this decision.
“Seventh Uncle is so busy, it wouldn’t be right to bother him,” Gu Letian hesitated for a moment before saying. “Why don’t we put this off for now? We can look for places once we’re more familiar with the area.”
Gu Ben Can smiled and said no more. Just then, a maid announced that the food from the restaurant had arrived. He stood up. “You must be exhausted from the journey. Let’s eat first, and then you can get a good rest.”
Several days later.
With Gu Ben Can managing affairs at home, Gu Wenheng was busy leaving early and returning late. By the time he saw the brothers of the Gu family again, it had already been several days. Over these past few days, the brothers had been reporting to the Agricultural Officer daily, primarily explaining the details of their farming methods.
The massive storm Gu Wenheng had previously stirred up in the royal court gradually subsided, but it was immediately followed by shock over the Supreme Emperor’s grand move. This time, the Supreme Emperor actually opened his private treasury, preparing to use his personal treasury silver for the benefit of the people. The officials shouted praises toward the Supreme Emperor’s palace. The royal court was filled with eulogies, and some even suggested recording every detail of this deed in the history books.
Gu Wenheng, on the other hand, looked down at the thick stack of approval booklets handed to him, his face etched with a headache.
“Aren’t you all going a bit too far? Have you drawn up plans for the next few years?” Gu Wenheng pointed at the itemized expenses. “Even with the Supreme Emperor’s righteousness, you shouldn’t squander money like this.
“Look at the Ministry of War. Are you planning to replace all your equipment from head to toe? Do you have any idea how much silver this requires?
“The Ministry of Rites—the Holy Emperor has just ascended the throne, and you already want to organize a draft. You’ve even calculated the expenses for the concubines. Does the Ministry of Rites have the final say on the concubines now?
“And the Ministry of Justice—you actually think the Heavenly Prison is too small? Are you planning to give every prisoner a private room?”
The crowd didn’t dare let Gu Wenheng continue his detailed enumeration. His tongue was far too venomous, tearing their applications apart until they seemed entirely worthless, and even tacking on crimes in the process.
Mr. Yu Ligao hurriedly walked over and snatched back the list he had just submitted. “I just remembered that there’s still one matter I haven’t considered carefully. I’ll take this back and revise it properly.”
“I also feel that I need to add and remove some things.” Mr. Liao Weidong, who had just been called out, was deathly pale. In a moment of carelessness, he had listed the allowances for the concubines too clearly. One must know that the new emperor currently only had a few concubines in the harem; this was a massive taboo.
“I also feel that some parts are inappropriate. Since you all are reconsidering, I will take mine back to consider as well,” Mr. Li Laifu gasped. Gu Wenheng’s tongue was truly venomous. After that scolding, how could he dare to proceed with his application? Those who didn’t know better would think he was complaining that the Rong Dynasty wasn’t chaotic enough and lacked enough prisons.
Seeing that everyone was being so sensible, Gu Wenheng returned the remaining lists that had just been handed over. “You must have a sense of moderation in your hearts. Be careful, or you’ll end up drawing water with a bamboo basket—achieving nothing at all.”
The crowd fell silent. They wondered if they should interpret this as a veiled hint that the Supreme Emperor might go back on his word.
Gu Wenheng looked back at them with complete composure, his expression seeming to say, “Go ahead and guess.”
Just as this verbal sparring ended, a eunuch arrived to summon Gu Wenheng to the Supreme Emperor. The other officials winced with envy. They had long received the news that the Supreme Emperor had entrusted his entire private treasury to Gu Wenheng to tally. Aside from some untouchable antiques, ornaments, and medicinal herbs, everything else was to be used for the people. They had long heard that the Supreme Emperor’s private treasury was immensely abundant, and they desperately wanted a quick glimpse of it. Unfortunately, this opportunity had not fallen into their hands.