CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 197: HIGHS AND LOWS (PART 3)

County Magistrate Lei and County Magistrate Gao left the Prince Mansion together in the same carriage.

Despite the bitter cold and howling winds outside, their hearts were warm and content.

"No wonder that old fox Cai Ye has won the favor of the Commandery Princess," County Magistrate Lei exclaimed sincerely, "He harbors no personal intentions and dedicates himself entirely to serving the Commandery Princess. If it were me, I’d also favor such a loyal subordinate."

He felt a sense of shame; compared to County Magistrate Cai, his own personal desires were much stronger.

The White Cloud Temple bled the common people dry, and as a county magistrate, he was so afraid of the repercussions that he remained inactive. It was already courteous of the Commandery Princess not to strip him of his entire official position.

County Magistrate Gao also sighed, "Wuyin County is impoverished, and it’s entirely my fault as a county magistrate. County Magistrate Cai can come up with ways to increase revenue for the people, while I just run around aimlessly every day. After returning this time, I need to thoroughly rethink my approach."

County Magistrate Gao is a good official, but unfortunately, he lacks flexibility.

No wonder County Magistrate Cai is seen as an exemplary subordinate in the eyes of the Commandery Princess! Devoted and diligent, loyal, and competent. When everyone else is not pieced together, it’s fine. But when together, County Magistrate Cai stands out immediately.

The other county magistrates were all more or less moved.

Even County Magistrate Lei secretly resolved to suppress the White Cloud Temple upon returning, to improve the lives of the people.

...

In Chief Historian Chen’s study, three generations gathered to converse.

A Chief Historian, a County Magistrate, and a Commandery Princess Attendant, all key officials of Nanyang County, and all close confidants of the Commandery Princess.

"Jinyu, you haven’t returned home for half a year, your mother keeps thinking of you," County Magistrate Chen said with a smile, "I know you’re busy with your duties, but it’s not like you’re too busy to return home. After the New Year, take a few days off and visit Bo Wang."

Chen Jinyu promptly replied, "I won’t need time off; the Commandery Princess plans to inspect the counties during spring plowing. When she visits Bowan County, I can return home for a few days."

Chen Zhuo remained impassive, but County Magistrate Chen appeared a bit surprised, "The Commandery Princess is going to inspect the counties again?"

Hasn’t she just finished an inspection not long ago?

Chen Jinyu, accompanying the Commandery Princess daily, was well aware of her upcoming plans and nodded, "Yes, the Commandery Princess previously mentioned it to me. The internal affairs of the Prince Mansion are shared by Grandfather and Chief Historian Feng. She actually has nothing much to do in the Prince Mansion, so it’s better for her to go inspect the counties."

"Last year, the Commandery Princess instructed the counties to build additional granaries. It’s a good time to see how they’re coming along and how much grain has been stored. Additionally, she will visit the Personal Guard Camp and the Nanyang Army Camp."

County Magistrate Chen couldn’t help but sigh, "The Commandery Princess cares for the people, not resting for a moment." Then he turned to ask his father, "Isn’t Father accompanying her this time?"

Chen Zhuo, spreading his hands helplessly, said: "When the Commandery Princess goes out, it’s for half a year. For these old bones of mine, first, I can’t endure the bumps. Second, the frequent correspondence between the Prince Mansion and the court will be troublesome if I’m not in the Prince Mansion. It’s better to stay and take care of all official duties."

The Commandery Princess acts decisively with clear intentions. My interfering begins to be inappropriate. It’s better to take a step back, thus preserving the graceful amity between the ruler and minister.

These words need not be spoken aloud, as County Magistrate Chen naturally understood.

Seeing that his father had made up his mind, County Magistrate Chen didn’t press the matter but instead turned to the interesting interactions among the county magistrates: "At tonight’s banquet, County Magistrate Cai was the most distinguished, and I saw that everyone envied him greatly."

"Especially County Magistrate Cui, whose eyes were practically spewing sparks," Chen Jinyu quipped with a cheeky smile, "He’s surely the most discontented."

Chen Zhuo stroked his beard and chuckled, "Discontent is just right. With a slight move from the Commandery Princess, she can ignite the fighting spirit of County Magistrate Cui and encourage a sense of rivalry among the other county magistrates."

Without rivalry or competition, how can there be progress?

Look at all the Prince Mansion officials now, each working diligently in their duties. Yang Zheng doesn’t idle anymore, and Chief Clerk Wen no longer talks of retirement.

County Magistrate Chen thought for a moment and then laughed: "The Commandery Princess’s methods are indeed brilliant."

Chen Jinyu felt proud, his eyes arching in delight.

...

"Yaosong, did you understand what happened tonight?" asked the drunken County Magistrate Ma, having had a sobering soup, he gathered his spirits to instruct his eldest grandson.

Ma Yaosong, who had served beside the Commandery Princess for half a year, had greatly expanded his horizons and knowledge. Upon hearing this, he smiled, "I understood. The Commandery Princess’s act of buying bones to treasure County Magistrate Cai was also a message to all the county magistrates."

County Magistrate Ma smiled with satisfaction, "Well said. The Commandery Princess wants everyone to understand that being loyal, competent, and diligent is what makes a good subordinate. There should be no room for idling in Nanyang County."

"Just wait! It won’t be long before the Commandery Princess inspects the fourteen counties again."

Ma Yaosong was startled and blurted, "How did Grandfather know? Did I talk in my sleep last night, and Grandfather heard it?"

County Magistrate Ma, torn between laughter and tears, slapped his eldest grandson on the back, "Nonsense! The Commandery Princess’s character is clear as day. If I couldn’t even guess that, I wouldn’t be fit to serve as County Magistrate of Biyang."

Then, in a low voice, he added, "This year, the ranch bought several hundred more horses, and the size of the brokerage has already diminished by thirty percent."

Ma Yaosong was silent for a moment before replying softly, "Grandfather’s decision is indeed correct. We ought to step back before the Commandery Princess decides to intervene; otherwise, the Ma Family could be in danger."

County Magistrate Ma was immensely pleased, "You’ve finally grown up. Good, good! Your time serving the Commandery Princess has indeed brought great improvement."

"As long as you have a promising future, even closing the brokerage business would be worth it."

Ma Yaosong’s nose suddenly tingled with emotion, and he called out to his grandfather, his throat suddenly choked.

County Magistrate Ma sighed deeply, "Years ago, to raise horses, I secretly opened a brokerage. Over the years, the brokerage business earned a large profit, far surpassing the ranch. The Ma Family has become restless and already developed a taste for luxury."

"The Commandery Princess’s warning came just in time. Gradually retreating is still possible. In the future, we should focus more on the ranch, breeding more and better warhorses for the Commandery Princess."

"This way, the Commandery Princess will hold you in higher esteem. Who knows, after ten or twenty years, when Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng retire, you might have a chance to compete."

Ma Yaosong: "..."

His almost flowing tears were immediately swallowed back, and his eyes widened, "Grandfather!"

County Magistrate Ma laughed, "What is it? Do you think your grandfather is too ambitious?"

"Let me tell you, one must dare to dream and dare to act. Without ambition, I wouldn’t have abandoned everything to buy horses outside the border. Without that gamble, there wouldn’t have been today’s Ma Family."

"The Ma Family has earned money for twenty years, and now the family’s assets are sufficient. The next step is to change direction and work hard. These old bones of mine will strive to support you for a few more years. If one day the Ma Family can produce a truly high-ranking official, I can close my eyes peacefully and meet the ancestors of the Ma Family."