Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 515: Rearguard (Part 2)

Chief Historian Chen nodded and said, "The Commandery Princess is charging forward in the Capital City; we will stabilize the rear to ensure she does not worry."

Chief Historian Feng agreed and chuckled softly, "This autumn harvest, Nanyang County has had another year of abundant yield. All of Jingzhou is planting our new crops, and this year’s grain is plentiful."

With grain at home, there’s confidence in everything, no trace of panic.

Chief Historian Chen hmm-ed softly and reminded, "Send more gold and silver treasures to the Capital City. The Grand Empress Dowager cherishes filial piety; we must ensure the Commandery Princess is not short of resources."

"No need for you to say," laughed Chief Historian Feng, "I already sent two carriages to the Capital City yesterday."

As they were speaking, the young Chief Steward Ma arrived.

Ma Yaosong, having obtained a formal seventh-rank official position, wore the attire of a Prince Mansion Official, looking considerably more composed.

The duty of the Prince Mansion’s Chief Steward should be to oversee rituals and guest ceremonies. It’s quite similar to the Ministry of Rites of the court. Ever since the previous Qiu Dianshan was driven away, this position remained vacant, with no impact on the Prince Mansion’s operations. This shows how leisurely the Chief Steward’s position was.

After becoming Chief of Food, Ma Yaosong did not want to be idle; he often took the initiative to see Chief Historian Chen, seeking tasks to relieve him of his worries.

Despite his youth, Ma Yaosong was shrewd and talented, methodical in his work. As the future grandson-in-law, Chief Historian Chen could not help but support him to some extent.

"This subordinate pays respects to Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng," Ma Yaosong respectfully saluted with cupped hands.

Chief Historian Chen smiled and said, "Rise, please! Feel free to speak if you have something on your mind."

Ma Yaosong said, "The Commandery Princess and Elder Changning have agreed on their marriage. For this year’s New Year gifts, should we prepare the gifts for the Boling Cui Family a bit more lavishly?"

Chief Historian Chen smiled, "There are still more than two months until the New Year, and you’re preparing this early?"

Ma Yaosong laughed, "I’m afraid that end of the year will be busy, and there might be errors in the New Year gifts; I’m preparing the gift list now while I’m free."

What busy affairs could there be at the end of the year?

Of course, it’s the joyous marriage celebration!

Chief Historian Chen looked at the jubilant face of his future grandson-in-law and couldn’t help but smile while stroking his beard.

Chief Historian Feng laughed, joining in the fun, "Preparing early is good. Besides the Boling Cui Family, this year’s New Year gifts to Governor Xue’s Mansion should also be increased by thirty percent. Additionally, for the Fan Yang Lu Family, increase theirs as well. You should find the annual gift list, mull over it first, and prepare accordingly. Once prepared, bring it over for me and Chief Historian Chen to check."

Ma Yaosong responded promptly and went briskly to handle the tasks.

"Young people surely have abundant energy," Chief Historian Feng praised while laughing, "Your choice of a grandson-in-law is indeed wise; Ma Yaosong is quite good."

Not just the grandson-in-law, but the granddaughter-in-law Xue Liuniang is also excellent. Just passed the door and already with child; she’s now several months pregnant and by spring next year, will continue the family line for the Chen family.

Chief Historian Chen was delighted but felt it inappropriate to praise his granddaughter-in-law too much in front of his old friend. After all, the Chen and Feng Families initially considered a marital alliance, but later, Chen Haoran allied with Governor Xue’s Mansion, leaving Chief Historian Chen with a lingering sense of guilt toward his old friend.

Chief Historian Feng praised Ma Yaosong, and Chief Historian Chen, following the topic, laughed, "The Ma Family is commendable too. The Commandery Princess needed warhorses, and the Ma Family expanded the horse farm this year, purchasing Rouran Horse Slaves and preparing fodder, leaving no stone unturned."

County Magistrate Ma did even more. The Personal Guard Camp has been training, and secretly, he sent people outside the border to buy Rouran Horse Slaves, selecting defeated cavalry from small tribes, secretly sending them to the Personal Guard Camp.

Even Chief Historian Feng was unaware of the exact numbers. But from the variety of new weapons requested by the Personal Guard Camp, it can be inferred that the training is proving effective.

A long-term follower quickly entered, cupping hands to report, "Sires, a letter has arrived from Ye County."

Chief Historian Chen nodded slightly, took the letter, opened it, and frowned, "This County Magistrate Cui actually wants to teach the skills of mulberry cultivation and cloth weaving to the newly arrived immigrant populace." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Chief Historian Feng said, "Young people have energy and momentum; desiring achievement is good. However, this matter indeed requires some caution. It should wait until the immigrants have thoroughly settled and integrated into Nanyang County before proceeding."

"I will write a letter instructing County Magistrate Cui to delay a bit," Chief Historian Chen pondered slightly and decided, "At least until the immigrants have been registered for two years before they can learn mulberry cultivation and cloth weaving."

Nanyang County’s fourteen counties are actually a miniature small court, with not many big matters, but plenty of small ones. Every issue needs someone to make decisions and take charge.

Chief Historian Chen manages Prince Mansion’s personnel; his status is similar to Prime Minister Wang. However, Chief Historian Chen has never been self-serving nor formed factions for personal gain, surpassing Prime Minister Wang by far.

On this side, a document was sent from the Household Department, waiting for Chief Historian Feng’s approval.

Chief Historian Feng took a look; it was sent from the field manor.

Since Jiang Shaohua left, Cui Du directly stayed at the field manor, rarely returning to the Prince Mansion. Apart from cultivating grain seeds, he has recently been researching matters such as fertilizing and irrigation for farmland. Any research inevitably costs silver.

The silver spent by the field manor is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the military camp’s consumption.

Chief Historian Feng didn’t look closely and immediately signed with his pen, stamping the Household Department’s seal. Two days later, silver and equipment were delivered to the field manor.

These trifles were all managed by Cui Wang, as Cui Du was unconcerned. Wearing simple old clothes, he wandered the experimental fields, occasionally discovering a particularly plump ear of wheat. Then, he carefully dug it up, root and all, to be sent into the special grain seed cultivation shed.

Grain seed cultivation is a task requiring extreme patience. High-quality grain seeds are selected and cultivated year after year in this way.

Cui Wang came to deliver a message and saw Cui Du engrossed in his work; he refrained from disturbing and quietly waited at the edge of the field.

Only love can endure the long years.

No flowers or brocade, no luxurious food and drink, no songs or dances—just the monotonous and tedious life of grain seed cultivation repeated day after day, month after month, even year after year. Toiling in the fields from dawn to dusk, dealing with farmers who can’t read or write.

The patience and perseverance of Cui Du were awe-inspiring and worthy of respect.

Dusk gradually descended.

Cui Du finally emerged from the fields.

Cui Wang stepped forward with a smile, "The document was sent to the Prince Mansion, and Chief Historian Feng has approved it, allowing silver and the needed equipment to be delivered."

Chief Historian Feng was notoriously frugal. Documents requesting silver often got cut back to some extent, but expenses for the field manor were approved in full.

Cui Du was accustomed to such treatment and replied with a chuckle, "It’s good they have arrived; I’ll start researching new fertilizers in a couple of days."

Cui Wang suddenly chuckled softly, "The Commandery Princess has been gone so long and only left you one letter. Can’t you be a bit proactive and write more letters to her?"

This engaged couple, after their betrothal, maintained the same mode of interaction as before, each busy with their own tasks. They corresponded occasionally, but with a frequency even lower than between Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng.

Cui Du was stirred, "I’ll write to her when I return."

...