Chapter 390 - 233: Governor

Chapter 390: Chapter 233: Governor

Songjiang Prefecture, Xiangzhou, was the hometown of the Demon Court National Preceptor, Liang Jinglue.

To indulge Liang Jinglue’s desire to return home in glory, Zhu Jiuyuan had specifically chosen it as the place where the Demon Court’s members would go for their "studies."

He had even promised to establish a branch of Bailu Academy in Songjiang Prefecture, Xiangzhou.

Now that the Imperial Court was sending Su Mu to Songjiang Prefecture, Xiangzhou to serve as Governor, Su Mu was certain it was no coincidence.

’Building a Bailu Academy in Songjiang Prefecture, and with "exchange students" from the Demon Court on top of that... It’s a safe bet that Songjiang Prefecture is going to be rife with conflict in the future.’

Su Mu thought to himself, ’Did I just dig my own grave?’

This whole "demon exchange student" idea had been his, after all.

And now, being sent to Songjiang Prefecture as Governor... he was truly hoisting a stone only to drop it on his own foot.

’The appointment order was issued directly, giving me no chance to refuse.’

Su Mu thought with resignation.

It might be a trap, but it was also a genuine promotion.

Moreover, the Imperial Court hadn’t been stingy, granting him two special merits directly.

Special merits weren’t just for show. They could be used to redeem Cultivation Techniques, weapons, and Elixirs from the Taiping Bureau.

The trap was huge, but the rewards were equally substantial.

"A mission came along with the appointment order," Zhao Poni continued. "You will be in charge of constructing the Bailu Academy in Songjiang Prefecture."

"I’m in charge?"

Su Mu frowned. "And where are the silver and the men supposed to come from?"

"You have the authority to act as you see fit," Zhao Poni said.

It was Luo Yuxuan who clarified for him. In simple terms, it meant there was no money and no manpower.

Su Mu was expected to raise the funds himself.

If he was capable enough, he could get the money from the local Songjiang Prefecture Government Office, or he could solicit donations from the great clans.

In short, the Imperial Court had no budget for it.

"Isn’t this just asking me to make bricks without straw?"

Su Mu said, at a loss for words.

"The Imperial Court’s hands are tied," Luo Yuxuan, who already saw Su Mu as his son-in-law, spared no effort in explaining. "Several prefectures have been wracked by famine these past few years. The Imperial Court’s finances are stretched thin, and there’s simply no spare coin.

We’re lucky the Demon Court’s appetite wasn’t larger this time. Otherwise, the Imperial Court wouldn’t have even been able to pay the annual tribute."

"A few tens of thousands of silver? Surely it’s not that dire," Su Mu said.

It wasn’t that the Demon Court’s appetite was small.

Rather, the Demon Court was still in the early stages of establishing a fiscal system; their concept of money wasn’t yet well-defined.

The reason they’d asked for so little was simply that the Demon Court was testing Da Xuan’s reaction.

In other words, a few tens of thousands of silver, more or less, made no difference to the Demon Court. Compared to that, opening trade at the border and sending their own to "study" in Da Xuan were far more important to Liang Jinglue.

"A few tens of thousands here, a few tens of thousands there—it all adds up," Luo Yuxuan said.

"Truthfully, with your status as Governor, if you just ask, the Songjiang Prefecture Government Office and the local gentry will surely be willing to part with some silver," Luo Yuxuan advised.

"That won’t be necessary," Su Mu said coolly. "I already have someone in mind to provide the silver."

Luo Yuxuan froze for a second, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. A moment later, realization dawned.

Zhao Poni, however, still looked puzzled. "Who?"

"The Wu Family."

Luo Yuxuan shot Zhao Poni a disdainful look. ’All those years, and for what? He’s not even as sharp as my worthy son-in-law.’

......

「Several days later」

A low-key carriage drove into Wuling City.

Without drawing any attention, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties stepped out of the carriage and entered the Taiping Government Office.

He was alone, without a single attendant.

He had even left Wu Yiqi, who had wanted to accompany him, outside the Taiping Bureau.

He wasn’t there to cause trouble for the Taiping Bureau, so bringing more men would have made no difference.

Besides, he didn’t want too many witnesses to such a humiliating affair.

"Please inform him that Wu Sanshui of the Wu Family is here to request an audience with Governor Su Mu."

Wu Sanshui, the current head of the Wu Family and the father of Wu Yiqi and Wu Yifan, spoke politely to the attendant at the entrance to the Taiping Bureau.

A moment later, the attendant returned and led him inside.

Upon entering the rear courtyard, Wu Sanshui spotted Su Mu sitting there, and his heart filled with a wave of complex emotions.

’So young.’

That was his first thought upon seeing Su Mu.

’For someone so young to already be a Governor in the Taiping Bureau... it’s no wonder the Wu Family lost to him.’

’What a pity, though. At my age, I have to bow my head to a mere youngster.’

Wu Sanshui had mixed feelings, but he had come with the right attitude.

The reason he’d been able to stand out from his peers to become the Wu Family Patriarch wasn’t his Martial Dao Cultivation, but his pragmatism—his ability to know when to yield and when to stand firm.

To be a good Patriarch, one couldn’t rely on brute force and violence alone.

"Patriarch Wu, you’re right on time. Today is the tenth day, exactly," Su Mu said slowly, sizing up Wu Sanshui.

He had lingered in Wuling City instead of rushing to his new post for the express purpose of waiting for Wu Sanshui.

"I traveled day and night as soon as I received the news. The journey was long, and I was nearly late. Please forgive me, Governor Su," Wu Sanshui said.

"Regarding Wu Qiuyuan, I have investigated the matter thoroughly. My family’s discipline was lax, and for that, the Wu Family is ready to accept any punishment. I only beg Governor Su, in light of the Wu Family’s unwavering loyalty to Da Xuan, to leave us a path to survival."

Wu Sanshui offered no excuses.

He knew it would be useless.

The Taiping Bureau had seized upon this as a pretext. Even if the Wu Family were completely innocent, allowing the Taiping Bureau to continue its investigation would undoubtedly inflict a grievous wound on them.