Baili Jia Jue also knew that the location was not suitable, so he was not going to do anything to her. He pulled her back into his arms and they both went into a shallow sleep.
The two of them rested for not up to five minutes and a servant was already knocking on the door, "Lord Wei, Lord Wei!"
Helian Wei Wei slightly adjusted her clothing and opened the door after putting on a coat, "What's wrong, what's so urgent?"
The servant said in a hurry, "They sent someone from the provincial capital. Magistrate Liao had given the order for all county magistrates to get up early and gather at the Yan Manor."
"Gather at the Yan Manor?" Helian Wei Wei's fingers stopped in the middle of tying her coat and the corner of her mouth lifted. "Alright, you may leave for now."
The servant answered "yes" with his eyes down and with that, he vaguely saw the figure of Private Advisor Long in the room. He muttered without hesitation, "Lord Wei, your relationship with Private Advisor Long looks pretty good. He is already here waiting in your room so early in the morning."
Baili Jia Jue listened to everything with ease, then he extended his arms from the back and took over the buttoning task from Helian Wei Wei. "As a recognized private advisor, I should be the one doing this kind of work."
Both of them were facing the bronze mirror and his breaths were just beside her ear. Helian Wei Wei felt numb everywhere. She did not want to move around because if she did and touched anything, she would be late.
It took quite a while for His Highness to finish buttoning her clothes up. There was a sneer on his thin lips. "Your expression right there, definitely means that you're annoyed because we did not continue on."
Helian Wei Wei was rendered speechless.
When did she get annoyed?
His Highness must be imagining things again; they were not on the same frequency since the beginning!
"I'll compensate for everything once we're back to the palace." Baili Jia Jue bent a little to kiss her ear and the tip of his tongue slightly brushed her skin.
Baili Jia Jue grinned naughtily, "Are you going to come onto me by yourself?"
Helian Wei Wei's heart skipped as she looked at his sly smile. The feeling of blissfulness rose, she guessed that was how it felt like to be fond of someone more and more. Although this person was so unreasonable until an almost unbelievable level, she would be grinning along as she saw those smiling eyes.
After breakfast, the officials from the provincial capital entered the Yan Manor alongside the county magistrates.
As if wanting to boast about his social network, Magistrate Liao was talking and laughing with the officials from the provincial capital along the way. This event led the commoners who were fixing the roads to have hope, and therefore they started to discuss it with each other.
Liu Yin and Old Man Liu were eavesdropping while their eyes were on Helian Wei Wei. They could not help but worry...
Chapter 474 - Framing Wei Wei
Helian Wei Wei's face did not change even a bit, as if she did not see the Magistrate Liao and the officials from the provincial capital brown-nosing. Everyone who came was indifferent in her eyes and she was not affected by the gifts they had brought.
Private Advisor Zhang pulled a face and muttered with disgust, "Just go on pretending then!"
To him, the one named Wei was really dumb. The officials from the provincial capital had already come yet he was still trying to be modest and arrogant. He did not even care to lighten things up, thus, he deserved to be unlucky!
Helian Wei Wei was not being arrogant, she just was not the type of person who would fawn over her superiors. She would do things in moderation yet not acting too rude.
As soon as the officials from the provincial capital sat, they started questioning, "The budget from the imperial court has been assigned. We heard that there are plans to build some roads here in Fuping, how do you all plan to do that?"
"We will use the same ways we did in previous years." Magistrate Liao was holding his teacup as he grinned and replied, "It would be best if the roads leading to the village can all be built, this would ease the convenience of the people to travel to the city."
After listening to that, the officials all nodded their heads in agreement. "Fuping county covers a big area, if adding a few roads could help the commoners with their traveling, it should be a good thing." Then, they turned their attention toward the county magistrates and asked, "What about you all? Do you all have any suggestions?"
Those county magistrates would definitely not have any other ideas as they were all very happy with the project of building roads! Among their conversations, they could not help but worship Magistrate Liao up until the sky.
However, Helian Wei Wei who actually had the most right to talk was drinking tea calmly the entire time.
She only let go of the teacup in her hands until they finished with the discussion. Then, she spoke with a voice as clear as crystal, "I don't think building roads is a good idea."
Magistrate Liao's smiling face suddenly deepened and he turned to look at Helian Wei Wei.
A few of the officials from the provincial capital also exchanged glances, then furrowed their thick brows. "Let's hear your reasons then."
"Fuping county already has two main roads going out of the village and both of them lead straight to the capital city. There's no need to build another one." Helian Wei Wei sounded calm, but each and every sentence was on point.
Magistrate Liao chuckled in a deep voice, "Lord Wei, you have just gotten into this field, you do not understand the meaning of building these roads to the commoners. People are building roads everywhere now. In order to let the people prosper, we will need to connect the roads and rails to the provincial capital. Otherwise, Fuping county will face poverty and be outdated in the future. This is a decision made after gathering all our concerns."
"Let me ask you then, Lord Liao. When you made this decision, did you consider the fact that Fuping county is covered with mostly fields? To build roads, these fields will need to be replaced. All the commoners grow food in the fields, what are they going to eat if their fields no longer exist?" Helian Wei Wei retaliated with a question casually.
Magistrate Liao's gaze deepened and he laughed, "What a good question Lord Wei! We were worried about this problem in the beginning too. But then after much thought, there will need to be sacrificed in order to achieve something. After the roads are done, the people will only need to wait until the season of harvest. By then, all losses can be earned back. If this doesn't work, we still have a number of dry foods for the needy in the store, right? We can just use them when the time comes."
"Lord Liao seems to have forgotten that just two days ago, you have handed the rest of the dry foods to Private Advisor Zhang, asking him to sell them off. What are we going to give the people when they are having difficulties?" Helian Wei Wei had already put down the teacup in her hands and went straight to the point.
Magistrate Liao listened and let out a cold laugh, "So what Lord Wei really means is to disagree to build those roads? Have you ever thought of the things that the commoners in Fuping county will miss because of your rash decision?"
As if to agree on what Magistrate Liao had just said, suddenly there were noises from far away, "We want to meet Lord Wei! We want to meet Lord Wei!"
This kind of ruckus sure would have been heard by all. The officials from the provincial capital exchanged looks and asked curiously, "What is going on outside?"
"My lords, several farmers were making a fuss wanting to meet Lord Wei. They seemed to want to ask him about something." Private Advisor Zhang was the one who replied. He opened his mouth again as if to speak but he stopped, this made everybody even more eager to know what was really happening.
Helian Wei Wei saw him exchanging looks with Magistrate Liao. Her slender fingers were knocking on the tabletop, but she kept quiet.
One of the officials from the provincial capital spoke, "Let the common people in, we want to
hear what they have to say and what they want to ask Lord Wei."
"Yes." Private Advisor Zhang followed the order with his head down and a sneer on his face as if his plan was about to succeed. After a while, he led the farmers into the manor.
Private Advisor Zhang lowered his voice and spoke with a strangely kind attitude, "You do not have to be scared, you may voice out if you have anything to say. All the masters here came from the provincial capital, they are able to help our people."
After hearing this, someone finally had the courage to shout, "I want to meet Lord Wei! Where is the newly promoted county magistrate of Fuping!"
After noticing the huge change of emotions among the farmers, the few officials who came from the provincial capital all turned to look at Helian Wei Wei with questions in their eyes...
Magistrate Liao kept his head down and sipped his tea, but that was not enough to cover the contemptuous curl of his lips.
Helian Wei Wei, on the other hand, was unexpectedly calm. She stood up with ease and said slowly, "I am the newly promoted county magistrate of Fuping…"
"So you are the one greedy official who has been preventing us from earning a living!?" A young man shouted loudly before Helian Wei Wei could finish her sentence, "Why are you stopping Magistrate Liao from repairing the roads? Here you say that it's all for the good of the people, but you have obstructed us from connecting the train roads to the provincial capital and use that money to build a what, buried water diversion system!? Everyone knows that the river terrains in Fuping is lower than the fields, it is impossible to use this method to water the fields. You can do all that by yourself, but why did you use up the budget for repairing roads and stopping us from earning money! The one named Wei, you are really the most shameless and greedy official I have ever seen!" Helian Wei Wei did not get angry after being scolded, in fact, she questioned him with a calm and steady voice, "Only a few of the lords and masters here know about the budget from the imperial court, my dear brother, where did you hear of this news?"
That man's gaze automatically shifted toward Private Advisor Zhang.
Private Advisor Zhang then let out a loud cough!
The man continued, "Who cares where I heard that from! For your own benefit, now you are stopping us from repairing the road and this is the truth!"
"About this, Lord Wei needs to have a proper explanation indeed." After listening to what that farmer had said, the officials from the provincial capital all turned to look at Helian Wei Wei sternly. "The imperial court will never accept corruption, we will not risk such a huge amount of wages to feed the mouth of a corrupted official who would endanger the people!"
Chapter 475 - Wei Wei Began To Bruise Their Ego
Helian Wei Wei was able to keep her equanimity while facing the accusation. She did not go on the rampage as Magistrate Liao expected but uttered in a leisure manner instead, "The officials are right, we might as well talk it over since the villagers have inquired." She glanced at the farmers and continued, "Folks, why are you so sure that you can make a pot of money by fixing the road?"
The farmers exchanged glances with each other, they could not help but look at the direction of Private Advisor Zhang again.
Helian Wei Wei said with a smile, "Why do you folks keep looking at Private Advisor Zhang? Does he have any good ideas? I have a question for him then. The second after-autumn drought will happen seven days later, there will be no grains to harvest in the fields once the drought is here. You can't sell any food if there's no harvest. How are you going to make a pot of money if there is no sale? What's the purpose of fixing the road then?"
Private Advisor Zhang was at a loss for words, unable to answer Helian Wei Wei's continuous questions. He opened his mouth, trying to make an explanation but he failed to say anything.
"It appears like Private Advisor Zhang doesn't know about it as well," Helian Wei Wei continued with a smile, "I shall be surprised now, why are you folks so sure about something that none of the officials can guarantee?"
Unlike modern times, it went without saying that the citizens in ancient times were afraid to see the imperial officials. Their fears intensified upon hearing what Helian Wei Wei said.
Some farmers feared that they would be condemned and spoke with hesitation, "It's, it's Private Advisor Zhang who guaranteed that we can build up our family fortunes once the road is fixed."
All the officials from provincial capital went silent after hearing that. The underlying message could not be more obvious. It was evident that Private Advisor Zhang had created some rumors.
Besides, the biggest problem that needed to be solved in Fuping County was not fixing the road, but the worrisome drought.
Private Advisor Zhang never mentioned it at all, he kept talking about fixing the road instead.
When the time came and not a single grain was reaped because of the drought, everybody in Fuping District would have to flee famine. What penny could they earn by that time!
When the moment came, not only the imperial court would blame them, perhaps the Retired Emperor would fly into a rage and they would be held responsible for it.
Their original intention was to seize the opportunity to make fast money, but they were only willing to get the money if there was no danger in it. If it was way beyond their capability, none of them would want to bear the consequences.
"Private Advisor Zhang, you're wrong in handling this affair," said one of the officials.
The rest of the people turned to look at Private Advisor Zhang upon hearing that.
Private Advisor Zhang never expected this outcome, he tried his best to maintain the stiff smile on his face and said, "I'm just worried for the folks."
However, with things as such, no one would trust his words anymore.
Even the villagers that he brought with him came to understand the situation, hence, they gave him ferocious stares. An old man who knew better opened his mouth and said, "Are you just using us? Say something!"
"I…" Private Advisor Zhang's face took on a ghastly expression upon hearing the accusation, he then expressed himself, "My fellow villagers, don't simply make slanderous charges against me! All of you volunteered to come, why are you saying that I'm using you instead? I didn't even say anything!"
Id*ot! Magistrate Liao scolded him in his heart while listening to his useless explanation. His expression changed as well.
Basically, everyone knew that Private Advisor Zhang worked for him. If Private Advisor Zhang had made a mistake, it was tantamount to a huge slap in the face for him.
Lord Wei obviously knows it, yet he still takes such measures!
Good, very good!
Magistrate Liao's eyes wandered around, he said in an attempt to change the topic, "Let's put the matter of fixing the road aside. Lord Wei, you must have mistaken the questions that the folks asked you. They want to know why you insisted on spending a lot of money to bury the pipes to channel water despite the fact that the rice fields in Fuping County are at a higher terrain than the river. It is simply a waste of manpower and resources and a futile effort."
"Right, that's what they meant!" Private Advisor Zhang could not help but chime in with him, "According to what Lord Wei said, fixing the road will cause damages to the rice fields. But you have to go through the rice fields to bury the pipe and channel water too. If there's no water in the end and the rice fields are already destroyed, the folks will still lose their grains!"
Magistrate Liao took a sip of tea before saying anything, "Private Advisor Zhang, Lord Wei is a newly appointed official and he put his whole heart to make outstanding achievement. We can understand all these, but that doesn't mean we will allow it. Don't you worry, you can explain slowly to the folks if anything were to happen, so as to avoid misunderstandings of officials from the provincial capital."
"I'm just worried for the folks." Private Advisor Zhang looked as if he felt deeply grieved and said earnestly, "The citizens of Fuping District can still receive relief grains from the pr
ovincial capital even if they do not have food after the roads are fixed. Burying the pipe and channeling water is simply an act of wasting money, how effective will it be?"
Helian Wei Wei sneered and said, "Private Advisor Zhang hasn't seen whether the method is effective or not, how can you come to a conclusion right away?"
Magistrate Liao waved his hand and said, "Lord Wei, let's stop fighting and head to the rice fields to have a look. Let the Lords from the provincial capital be our witnesses."
This Wei guy, it seems like he will never accept defeat if he does not get a slap in his face!
He knew Fuping County very well, it was impossible for the river water to flow to the rice fields at high terrain!
"Just listen to Lord Liao and go have a look at the rice fields," said one of the imperial officials from the provincial capital. The imperial official was indeed amiable and nice to the citizens. "Folks, follow behind us. Later you can explain to Lord Wei as well."
Everyone broke out laughing upon hearing him, they looked at Helian Wei Wei with clear mockery in their eyes.
The farmers had no idea whose words they should believe; they had a vague feeling that they should not have come to Lord Wei. However as the matter stood, there was no room for them to remorse now. All they could do was to brace themselves and follow behind the officials to the rice fields.
Even though they said they were going to the rice fields, Magistrate Liao, intentionally or unintentionally, kept guiding them toward the river. He wanted the imperial officials from the provincial capital to see how low the terrain of the river was.
One of the officials said indifferently while walking, "Lord Wei, sometimes you have to think before you act. The river is so low, how are you going to channel the water to the rice fields?
The corners of Helian Wei Wei's mouth were slightly curved into a mocking smile, she had yet to open her mouth.
All of a sudden, the sound of water flowing could be heard not far away, coupled with the sound of cheering from the farmers. It had created quite a commotion!
The Anarchic Consort c1-1376 Page 209
