Chapter 2618 - 2591: Different Paths, Same Destination

Tang He glanced at him and said, "Our group has been reduced to mere decoration, yet you’re quite happy about it?"

Bai Shan smiled and reassured him, "A shared journey leads to the same destination. Thank you, Senior Brother. When we return, I’ll invite you to the Nine Blessings Building for a meal."

"I’ll take ten meals."

That would likely cost a month’s salary, and Bai Shan felt a bit of a sting, but he smiled brightly, "Not a problem, not a problem."

Night had fallen, but Lord Tang did not return to his room; instead, following Governor Yu’s suggestion, he wandered aimlessly in the garden of the backyard.

Returning now would surely mean bumping into Censor Liang and his cohort, which he hadn’t prepared his words for persuading them. He decided to avoid them for now, and he wanted to contemplate this particular Governor Yu as well.

He walked through the darkness with his hands behind his back, turned his head, and said to Bai Shan, "Although traveling with him brings more constraints, observing his words and actions today shows he is indeed detailed within his bluntness. Since he has strategies in mind, we shall not fear."

In officialdom, one need not fear a formidable opponent but rather a foolish ally. Since their new partner was not foolish, Lord Tang did not mind making some concessions in the cooperation stance.

Meanwhile, in the main courtyard, Governor Yu, after soaking himself in the bath, remarked, "That Lord Tang is quite generous. I thought this trip wouldn’t just involve dealing with various forces in Qizhou but also face inspections from the capital. Unexpectedly, he seems to be understanding and generous."

The deputy standing outside the screen replied, "Is it about Lord Bai? I observed Lord Tang appears to highly value Lord Bai, wishing to avoid offending him and breaking the rules of officialdom. Also, Lord Tang calls him Junior Brother, and his demeanor seems rather friendly."

Governor Yu scrubbed his body vigorously, casually saying, "I know, while still in the capital, Ping’an probed into it. Bai Shan was once a student at the Imperial Academy and later became a study companion at Chongwen Pavilion for the Crown Prince. Moreover, he came from Yizhou Prefecture School, so no matter if it’s from Yizhou Prefecture School or Imperial Academy, he would have connections with Tang He. However, I didn’t expect them to have such a good relationship."

"But this has advantages too. By favoring them, it’ll be easier to get along in the future."

Governor Yu thought of something, shook his head with a smile, and said, "But that’s not the crucial reason; the key point is this is the fastest way to quell the tenant farmer uprising."

"What does the Lord plan to do?"

Governor Yu said, "Since we plan to lease lands to Da’an Village tenants, why not simply lease to all tenant farmers of rented lands? Leasing for one year—what worth is it? I can let them lease for three years, or even five."

"Your move is brilliant, Lord. Doing so grants them favor, making governance in Qizhou easier for us in the future."

Governor Yu said, "We just executed people; now we must soften a bit."

"But the leased lands promised by Lord Bai are somewhat few."

Governor Yu said, "What does it matter; after three or five years, we can raise it by ten percent."

"By then, you, Lord, will likely not be here, and this benefit won’t fall into your hands."

Governor Yu nonchalantly replied, "Even if I collect rents of fifty or sixty percent now, this benefit won’t be mine. Do you think the Ministry of Revenue is paying for nothing for Qizhou?"

He said, "It’s all to be repaid. Right now, because Yizhou Prefecture’s treasury is empty, the Ministry of Revenue is covering the costs. Before I came, Minister Liu specifically spoke to me: either after a property seizure repay the money used for redemption to the Ministry, or, from now on, annually return the rents of reclaimed lands to the Ministry until the debt is fully cleared."

Governor Yu said, "I’ve already decided; I won’t use existing silver for repayment."

He said, "The yield from the lands will take more than a year to emerge, yet every undertaking in Qizhou requires money. Let the Ministry slowly collect these rents."

The deputy couldn’t help but chuckle, "You’re wise, Lord."

Lord Tang turned around a corner in the garden, surrounded by mosquitoes buzzing incessantly, and disturbed, finally turned back with Bai Shan to the front.

He said, "This Governor Yu is so shrewd and experienced, Minister Liu is likely to suffer losses this time."

Bai Shan replied, "Minister Liu is probably even shrewder; I actually think he won’t suffer losses."

Lord Tang said, "This time, all the redemption money was taken from the Ministry. Initially expected the new governor to repay, but seeing today’s governor’s plans, he’s determined not to repay."

So would he.

Bai Shan suddenly thought of something and softly said, "Senior Brother, the land contracts from the redemption seem to still be with us. Didn’t Minister Liu specifically remind before that to account for expenses, all these contracts need to be brought back to the capital for verification?"

Lord Tang realized, and after a long pause, he was speechless.

The two exchanged glances and sighed in unison, "Old ginger is spicy indeed."

At this moment, Governor Yu, still oblivious, simply rubbed his hair and rinsed briefly before emerging. He told the deputy, "Darn it, just to catch them off guard, I didn’t even bring a maid servant. Tell someone to find a broker to buy a couple of capable maids."

Hair washing is such a tedious task, best done by someone competent.

The deputy smiled and agreed.

The two returned to the guest courtyard where they were staying, and upon entering, they saw Censor Liang and Censor Ren standing at the porch, hands on hips, glaring at them with anger.

Lord Tang halted slightly, lowered his voice and said, "Quickly, step out."

Unexpectedly, Bai Shan slowed down too, "Senior Brother Tang, you are the main official."

"Precisely because I’m the main official, it’s inconvenient, hurry up..."

Bai Shan had no choice but to resume normal speed, passing Lord Tang to greet the two Censors, "Lord Liang and Lord Ren, why stand here without entering the house?"

Censor Liang sternly asked, "Where did Lord Bai and Lord Tang go?"

Bai Shan then smiled and said, "We took a stroll around the garden at the back. We’ve been in Qizhou for more than ten days, yet haven’t explored the garden in the governor’s backyard."

"In the pitch-black night, Lord Bai and Lord Tang are either interest-driven or determined."

Bai Shan chuckled and said, "Although it’s dark, the moonlight is quite nice."

Censor Ren asked, "Where is the moonlight?"

Bai Shan instinctively glanced at the sky, only to realize there were one or two stars, and the moon was completely obscured behind clouds.

He forced a smile and said, "The starlight is rather beautiful too."

Censor Liang and Censor Ren let out a breath at his obvious lie, snorted coldly, and turned to enter the house.

Tang He smiled slightly and winked at Bai Shan.

Once inside, Censor Liang directly asked, "Lord Tang, what are your plans regarding Governor Yu’s killing?"

Tang He sat in the chair and smiled, "Censor Liang, I have already said, this is not within my duties, thus I have no plans."

"But Governor Yu started by killing, I’m afraid the relationship we’ve finally eased might sour again."

Tang He pondered for a moment before saying, "Governor Yu has agreed to lease lands to the tenant farmers again, and even offer them better shares, so the tenant farmer issue is largely resolved in my opinion. As long as we still hold sway over the various families in terms of momentum, this matter should be considered settled."

The two Censors exchanged glances, understanding Tang He’s plan.

Bai Shan said while smiling, "Lord Liang, Lord Ren, our main purpose in coming to Qizhou this time was to soothe the populace and redeem lands. Once these two tasks are completed, we can return to the capital, leaving the remaining matters to the governor’s mansion in Qizhou."

The two Censors fell silent, saying nothing more.

A clerk came over to invite them, "Lords, the meal is ready. Governor Yu invites you to the table."

Lord Tang then stood up with a smile and said, "Come on, let’s go to the backyard. We can dine and discuss with Governor Yu."