Chapter 2553 - 2527: Not in One’s Position

"Princess!"

County Magistrate Xun frowned and stood up, asking, "Which princess?"

"Princess Mingda and Princess Changyu, their carriage just entered the main street, they should be arriving shortly."

County Magistrate Xun broke into a cold sweat, his mind quickly racing with thoughts, was it Zhou Man who brought them?

Indeed, I heard she is on very good terms with the two princesses, she even attended Princess Changyu’s wedding.

What does she intend to do?

Why did she bring the princesses here?

County Magistrate Xun hurriedly went out to welcome them, but halfway there he remembered and immediately turned around to instruct someone, "Quickly go to the backyard to inform Madam, and have her come to greet the princesses immediately."

When a princess arrives, it wouldn’t be proper to meet in the front office, it’s too formal, it’s better to welcome them to the backyard, where refreshments can be served more conveniently.

Although Liyang County is close to the capital, County Magistrate Xun rarely sees such high-ranking officials, because a county manages its own affairs and cannot overstep its boundaries; his superior is the governor of Yongzhou.

And Liyang is not particularly wealthy within Yongzhou, not poor either.

All of Yongzhou’s counties are either middle-tier or upper-tier, Liyang belongs to the middle-tier, even though it’s very close to one of the capital’s counties, Guo County’s Wannian County, its development is stagnant.

All because there are wolves in front and tigers behind.

Wannian County wants to take territory from him, and Xianyang County from Guo County in Yongzhou also wants to take territory from him, the two counties want to divide Liyang County among themselves; living in this crevice is extremely difficult.

Fortunately, Yongzhou wants to maintain its refinement and doesn’t want to reduce the number of counties, and Xianyang County is already large enough that it clearly can’t swallow an entire Liyang County.

So it would have to be divided with Wannian County, and it might even be partitioned to Chang’an County.

But these two counties belong to the capital prefecture, and Yongzhou is certainly reluctant, providing him a living space under the pressures of three factions.

No good fortune comes his way, but misfortune always does.

He has never seen a princess and doesn’t understand why Zhou Man would invite such an ancestor over, couldn’t she come over herself to discuss matters?

Serving under the same court, would he really make things difficult for her?

Furthermore, her official rank is higher and more dignified than his, what support could she possibly need?

County Magistrate Xun assumed the princesses were there to offer support, avoiding any misunderstandings, he wore a big smile when arriving at the front gate and looked toward the three incoming ladies.

His gaze moved among the three before finally landing on the one on the far right, tentatively calling out, "Lord Zhou?"

Correct!

Manbao smiled as she dismounted and greeted County Magistrate Xun, "Greetings, County Magistrate Xun, let me introduce you, this is Princess Mingda, and this is Princess Changyu."

County Magistrate Xun smiled and bowed, saying, "I didn’t know the princesses were coming, pardon me for not welcoming you from afar. Lord Zhou, why didn’t you inform me beforehand? I could have been better prepared."

Manbao waved nonchalantly and said, "Once we finish discussing matters, we’re planning to go on an outing, so it wouldn’t be right to trouble County Magistrate Xun too much."

County Magistrate Xun: "...An outing?"

"Yes, the spring weather is perfect, County Magistrate Xun, haven’t you gone on a spring outing this year?"

Coincidentally, I just went with my family yesterday, but couldn’t you have informed me ahead of time if you were going to Liyang for a spring outing?

Really scared me.

As long as they’re not here for me, County Magistrate Xun’s smile became more genuine, he stepped aside with a smile and said, "Please, princesses, come inside, I’ve prepared some refreshments."

Madam Xun also hurried over from the backyard and they invited the guests to the County Governmental Office’s backyard for tea and conversation.

Manbao didn’t hesitate, directly bringing up the matter of road construction, "It’s not farming season right now, so we can enlist labor forces; the road is divided into three sections and can be completed quickly, after the spring busy season, New City will also become bustling, and by then, the people of Liyang County will be much closer to Yongzhou."

It’s more than just a little closer, the Imperial Family estate lies directly between Liyang County and Yongzhou City, this estate mostly belongs to Xianyang County in Guo County, Yongzhou, with a small portion belonging to Liyang, but regardless of ownership, this is the emperor’s property, practically no one can govern it.

Therefore, traveling from Liyang to Yongzhou City requires detouring around the estate, and the end of the estate also leads to two mountains, oh, and beyond the mountains is Zhou Man’s official land in Pu Village, which means to reach Yongzhou City, we have to detour around there as well.

Enter through the city gates of Yongzhou City, traverse most of the city to reach New City, but now, opening a straight road through the middle of the estate...

County Magistrate Xun didn’t expect such a good thing, his spirit revived, and he couldn’t help but look at Mingda, "But the land for road construction..."

Mingda smiled and set down her tea cup, saying, "I’ve already informed the manager of the estate, there is already a small dirt road there for personnel and carriages within the estate, now that it will be constructed, anyone can use it to access New City."

County Magistrate Xun immediately stood up and bowed to Mingda, "Princess, such benevolence!"

Mingda laughed, "This suggestion was made by Zhou Man, you should thank her."

Manbao chuckled and said, "No need, no need, better thank you, considering you’ve contributed so much."

Besides providing labor to build one-third of the road, you also need to clear land along the way to widen the road, but I can be certain that in the future, Mingda will benefit the most.

After all, the land along the road is all hers, and the end is her shop.

County Magistrate Xun began to quickly think, this could not only connect to Yueyang Ancient City, which is Zhou Man’s fief, but also connect Liyang County’s city and New City; if extended further southwest, that would be...

County Magistrate Xun couldn’t stop himself from glancing at Zhou Man.

Manbao was drinking tea and didn’t notice, after moistening her throat, she continued the topic, "Actually for this matter, it would be best to get County Magistrate Guo from Wannian County involved; if he is willing to undertake a segment of the road, it will truly connect Liyang County city, New City, and the capital together."

The road leading from her fief to the East City Gate of the capital is also not easy to travel, it’s just one segment, what a pity not to improve it.

County Magistrate Xun nearly clenched his fist and shouted "soul mate," but he restrained himself and nodded seriously with a stern face, "That’s right, that’s right, this matter requires a good conversation with County Magistrate Guo."

Manbao looked at him, coincidentally he lifted his head with great anticipation, looking at Zhou Man.

Their eyes met, both were a little taken aback.

Manbao tilted her head and said, "This is a matter of county governance, County Magistrate Xun and County Magistrate Guo should have plenty to discuss."

But we don’t have a good relationship and nearly became enemies over land disputes!

County Magistrate Xun certainly couldn’t reveal this to Zhou Man, he put on a troubled face and said, "Lord Zhou also knows, my rank is humble, and Liyang County and Wannian County are quite distant, making it hard to have a conversation. But since you and County Magistrate Guo serve in the same court, I heard you sit side by side, maybe you share some rapport?"

Manbao indeed has some rapport with County Magistrate Guo, after all, he kindly reminded her several times when she was dozing off.

Manbao considered, maybe she should treat County Magistrate Guo to a meal after court to express gratitude?

However...

Manbao glanced at County Magistrate Xun and said, "I can introduce County Magistrate Xun to County Magistrate Guo."

County Magistrate Xun: ...

This kind of county matter is naturally best discussed between magistrates, don’t intervene in affairs that are not your own responsibility.