Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 514: Rearguard (Part 1)

In fact, ever since Doctor Sun and his son left for Pingzhou, it has already become the Commandery Princess’s territory. However, having a legitimate claim is exceedingly important.

When Lu Cong became the Pingzhou Governor, he could truly and completely control Pingzhou. In the future, Pingzhou and Nanyang County would stare at each other from a distance and respond harmoniously, leveraging the rapidly expanding Tang’s Grain Shop to spread their influence...

"Ten years," Chief Historian Chen suddenly whispered these two words.

The two words came out of nowhere, only Chief Historian Feng could understand them: "It won’t take ten years; in eight years, Nanyang County’s influence will cover the North."

"The Commandery Princess is displaying great prowess in the court, and among the Inspectors of various provinces, there are a good number who are discerning. Many secretly express goodwill toward our Nanyang County." Chief Historian Chen smiled contentedly, stroking his beard.

Chief Historian Feng smiled and picked up the conversation: "In recent months, more and more refugees have been coming to seek refuge. To be honest, I can’t even calculate the exact numbers now."

Having undergone several years of natural disasters, the North saw countless people abandon their homes and flee in famine. The fact that Nanyang County secretly accepts refugees has long been quietly spreading. Tang’s Grain Shop has become the best channel for refugees to seek refuge in Nanyang County.

Nanyang County is rapidly expanding, and the incoming population is about to equal the original population. The total population has nearly doubled. In other words, the number of people registered in the household register has reached two hundred thousand. This far exceeds the Northern Provinces.

The population is, indeed, the greatest wealth. Refugees are still rushing in uncontrollably, and among them are many highly skilled craftsmen and some middle-class families. At this rate, in a few years, the population of Nanyang County will reach an astonishing number.

Nanyang County has a strict system of regulations for settling refugees. Under the strict implementation by the County Magistrates of the Fourteen Counties, there have been no major disturbances. However, the myriad trivial matters are countless. Thanks to Chief Historian Feng and Chief Historian Chen working together expertly, even in the Commandery Princess’s absence, they manage Nanyang County in perfect order.

"The Personal Guard Camp has been continuously expanding and recruiting new soldiers." Chief Historian Feng habitually took out his abacus, sliding the beads back and forth, a bit worried: "Sustaining soldiers is indeed a drain on money and grain. No matter how deep the reserves of our Prince Mansion, we can’t withstand such an expenditure like running water."

Chief Historian Chen, smiling, flattered his friend: "You are the Chief Steward of the Prince Mansion; with you managing household affairs, the Commandery Princess is at ease in the Capital City, and I am truly reassured."

"The Minister of Revenue in the Capital City, even though he’s from a better family background and his daughter was the Late Empress, with his granddaughter as Princess Bao Hua, truly, when it comes to managing finances and skills, he’s far inferior to you."

Chief Historian Feng’s eyes flashed a trace of pride, giving Chief Historian Chen a sideways glance with a smile: "Alright, stop feeding me seductive soup every day. I’m already used to working tirelessly for the Commandery Princess. Just a casual grumble, I won’t throw in the towel."

"Do you think the Commandery Princess, wielding such power in the Capital City, might become enchanted by power and decide to stay there permanently?"

Once having tasted power, can one easily set it aside?

Chief Historian Chen thought for a moment, then said: "The Commandery Princess mentioned she would return before the year ends, so she will definitely come back. We must trust the Commandery Princess."

Chief Historian Feng still felt somewhat uneasy and spoke quietly: "What if, just what if, the Commandery Princess only sends back Chen Sheren to marry, staying behind in the Capital City herself, how should we respond?"

Chief Historian Chen, evidently having pondered this possibility as well, said: "If it indeed turns out that way, we will continue to safeguard Nanyang County for the Commandery Princess. No matter when, Nanyang County is the Commandery Princess’s main base and the foundation for her confidence in the court."

This makes sense.

Chief Historian Feng deeply agreed and nodded vigorously.

At that moment, a long-term follower hurriedly brought in a pile of documents. Chief Historian Chen immediately got busy, and Chief Historian Feng went back to his Household Department, calling over Tang Youyin.

"Bring all the account books of Tang Family Grain Shop for this month; I, Chief Historian, need to conduct a detailed calculation."

Tang Youyin bowed and accepted the order, quickly gathering a stack of account books.

Under the Commandery Princess’s directive and full support, Tang Family Grain Shop has now established over twenty stores. Each grain shop is equipped with one to two hundred highly skilled "house servants."

The main business of the grain shops is selling new grain varieties and various fruit and vegetable seeds. At the same time, they are tasked with secretly recruiting refugees and collecting local intelligence.

It can be said that Tang’s Grain Shop is the arm through which Nanyang County extends its influence into the North. Extremely important. Each branch shop sends back account books to the Prince Mansion every month. The energetic Chief Historian Feng personally inventories the account books every month, also to supervise the grain shops.

Tang Youyin has long adjusted his position, and while Chief Historian Feng tallies the account books, he spares no effort, even being more stringent than Chief Historian Feng.

Chief Historian Feng casually smiled and said: "Don’t be too strict. Running a grain shop outside is no easy task. The shopkeepers and their staff all have to leave their homes and toil. The Commandery Princess has instructed that there can be some minor discrepancies in the account calculations."

Tang Youyin, however, stated: "That won’t do. Greed is nurtured through minor allowances. From the start, accounts must be thoroughly scrutinized. As soon as it’s discovered someone is playing tricks, they should be expelled from the Tang Family immediately."

Every shopkeeper in Tang’s Grain Shop bears the Tang surname. Some are direct descendants, some collateral. Others have changed their surname to be adopted members of the Tang Family; in any case, they are all of the Tang lineage.

Being familiar with his brothers and cousins, Tang Youyin is particularly vigilant when auditing the accounts. This month, he found an issue with one of them.

Tang Youyin was extremely annoyed but remained relatively composed, presenting the account book of that grain shop to Chief Historian Feng: "Chief Historian Feng, the accounts of this grain shop are not accurate. The shopkeeper’s name is Tang Youliang; he’s a cousin from my sixth uncle’s family. From a young age, he has been greedy, always enjoying secretly skimming off silver in whatever he does. Previously, when trading grain, he made mistakes and was heavily punished, having been confined at home."

"Last year, when the grain shop was short of people, my father specifically reprimanded him before allowing him to work outside. It’s been just a year, and he’s already back to his old ways."

"This account book, on the surface, balances. However, other grain shops have some surplus, while this one continues to lose money. There must be some underhanded dealings involved. I request Chief Historian Feng to issue an order to send inspectors to the grain shop for a thorough investigation."

Chief Historian Feng, though outwardly silent, always had a deep appreciation for Tang Youyin’s decisive and capable nature. He inquired: "Who do you think is the best candidate to go?"

Tang Youyin responded without hesitation: "I’ll go!"

Tang Youyin’s father, Tang Wu, is the Tang Family Master. Now that Tang Youyin works and serves in the Prince Mansion, going himself to investigate Tang Family Grain Shop won’t invite gossip and is indeed the most suitable.

Chief Historian Feng pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Tang Youyin packed swiftly and quietly set off that afternoon.

Chief Historian Feng praised Tang Youyin in front of Chief Historian Chen: "He has a plan to his actions and understands what is most important!"

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