Wealth and glory seek stability

Fireworks blasted.

That night, rare and brilliant colors appeared in the lonely sky of the northern frontier. People stood in the most suitable viewing positions in their own courtyards, quietly watching the colorful fireworks.

Tang Xiaomi and Qu Xuan followed Mo Chuan happily and obediently to move things. The firecrackers were very heavy, but there was no trace of impatience on the faces of the two children.

Jian Xi watched as Mo Chuan instructed the two of them to do this and that, until finally, Mo Chuan mercifully broke the incense stick he was using to light the fireworks in half.

Tang Xiaomi and Qu Xuan stretched out their hands, their eyes shining, as if they were taking over not incense sticks but some priceless treasure.

Jian Xi found a place to sit in the corridor, leaning on the railing with one hand and looking at the happy people in the yard.

"Master Tang, are you natives of Saibei?"

Tang Qian stroked his beard and said with some emotion, "Yes, Qu Lian and I are both native people of Saibei. I am 43 years old this year and serve as the chief clerk. The war in Saibei has just ended. This year is the most peaceful year for everyone in recent years."

Qu Lian, the young man holding the fish scale book and the map, said, "The northern part of the border is close to the Xia Kingdom, the land is vast and sparsely populated, and the soil in some places is very suitable for growing crops. If you can restore the prosperity of the northern part of the border, those who left their homeland to avoid the war will surely come back after hearing the news."

Past prosperity?

Jian Xi raised her eyes. Her previous activities were limited to a small area in the capital. At most, she went to the south of the Yangtze River once after regaining her freedom. She had never been to the northern frontier, let alone witnessed its prosperity.

"What was Saibei like before?"

Qu Lian smiled, a smile appeared on the young man's resolute face, and looked at Tang Qian on the side, "I'm afraid Lord Tang knows more about the prosperity of Saibei in the past than I do. Lord Tang, please tell me."

Jian Xi pointed to the empty space beside her and pulled out two cushions from the corner. "We have only been here for a few days, so we haven't bought all the things yet. You two adults, please make do with what you have."

Tang Qian did not hesitate and took the initiative to sit next to Jian Xi. He was old, so even if he sat next to Jian Xi, he was much better than the younger Qu Lian.

"Although you are a woman, your behavior is free and unrestrained, and you are different from the female officials I have met before."

Jian Xi raised her eyebrows, "Oh? How about the other female officials?"

Tang Qian stroked his beard, and his wrinkled face showed the wisdom of having experienced many vicissitudes of life.

"It's not that I look down on women. If I'm wrong, please don't blame me. Women are more likely to be emotional than men. In the officialdom, if you are emotional, you will inevitably be bound by the law and human feelings. Officials must be ruthless. Heaven and earth are unkind and treat all things as straw dogs. That's how it is."

Qu Lian nodded aside. What Mr. Tang said was half fact and half test. He also wanted to know what the new female official thought.

Jian Xi sneered, "According to what you said, the current Majesty is also a woman, and she is in charge of the world. The subjects under her rule are all grateful. Lord Tang's words are a bit generalized. Are all men sober and rational? There are two sides to every coin. It all depends on how people choose to act. Since I have received the imperial edict, I will definitely do my job well."

Jian Xi's determined gaze swept across the two people opposite her. The sound of firecrackers continued, but Jian Xi's eyes were frighteningly quiet.

Tang Qian looked at Jian Xi's extraordinary appearance and lofty ambitions, and immediately agreed, "Your Excellency is right. I also believe that Your Excellency will lead Saibei to glory."

Qu Lian was full of admiration. Mr. Tang was really good at handling things and could say anything with ease.

Jian Xi smiled and shook her head, feeling that she was being fooled.

"Master Tang hasn't told me yet, what was Saibei like before?"

Tang Qian took a deep breath and looked at the distant sky, as if reminiscing, "In the past, the northern frontier was full of noble families and had a trade market. It was adjacent to the three major dynasties and had a natural geographical advantage. It was a must-go place for merchants from all countries to enter the country. It was a place where merchants and travelers gathered, and there was no shortage of transactions. It was also a place of debauchery and extravagance.

Not only that, the northern part of the Great Wall is also a battleground for military strategists. Every fortress is heavily guarded. The basalt minerals are extremely rich, and one can make a lot of money by reselling them. As the chief accountant, I am in charge of taxation. The taxes on entry and exit alone are a considerable amount every year."

Tang Qian twirled his fingers. It would have been nice to have a glass of wine at this moment. He was the target of many parties’ wooing back then. Any wine he had would have been enough to feed those businessmen.

Tang Qian just finished speaking.

Boom boom boom!

Jian Xi vaguely heard a knock on the door.

Looking at the people having fun in the yard, they were probably not able to hear the sound at this moment.

"Please wait a moment, my two lords." Jian Xi nodded, supported her waist and slowly stood up, walked through the corridor, and found that the door was ajar.

Through the bright moonlight, Jian Xi saw a familiar face, "Chu Lu?"

Chu Lu was wearing a coat and wrapped up like a dumpling. She even took off her hat so that Jian Xi could recognize her.

"Sir, the princess asked me to come." Chu Lu bared her teeth, and the horse behind her kept stomping on the ground.

Chu Lu slapped the horse on the neck and said, "Behave yourself."

Jian Xi stepped aside and said, "Then come in."

Chu Lu led the horse in with a smile. The horse became a little irritable when it heard the sound of firecrackers.

Jian Xi pointed to the stable outside the yard and said, "Tie it outside. It's New Year's Eve today. Why don't you wait until after the New Year to come back?"

Chu Lu laughed heartlessly, dragged the struggling horse to the stable, and said loudly: "I can't stay idle. Anyway, my mother can't come out. I still like to stay with adults. The princess is out, and it's boring for me to stay in that yard."

Jian Xi didn't know why Chu Lu always liked to stay around her. She already knew Chu Lu's identity, so even if Zhang Cen'er wanted to send a spy over, she would not choose her.

Seeing Chu Lu jumping up and down and looking very happy, Jian Xi was a little puzzled. "You followed me to serve others, and you are at least a female official in the princess's mansion. Why are you so depressed?"

Chu Lu quietly approached Jian Xi and said mysteriously, "It's fun to be with adults. My mother only has Li Cejun in her eyes, so she has no time to take care of me. Besides, I came here with Li Cejun's consent. He wanted me to protect adults."

"protect me?"

Jian Xi pointed at herself, thinking that things might not be that simple, and pulled Chu Lu to an open area outside the yard, "Explain clearly."

"There's news from the royal court that His Majesty has secretly made a will to make the Sixth Princess the Crown Princess and inherit the throne. The eldest princess and her group have been jumping around in the court recently, trying to get His Majesty to revoke his order. Li Cejun remembered that you had a secret meeting with the Empress before coming to Saibei, and was afraid that the Ruan family would harm you, so she asked me to come and protect you."