Chapter 2620 - 2593: Completion (Bonus - for Book Friend "Vicky")

Governor Yu turned back on his horse to look at Bai Shan, who was lagging behind, then turned to Tang He with a smile and said, "The people that Lord Tang brought are indeed not wasted, I am impressed."

Tang He smiled and said, "Governor Yu praises me too much."

Governor Yu smiled slightly and deliberately pulled his horse back a little. After Bai Shan caught up, he asked him, "Lord Bai, have you ever considered being deployed to a local position? There are still many vacancies in the Governor’s Office, although they may not be as prestigious as those in the capital, the rank is not very low."

A position in the governor’s office that is not lower than his current rank would be either Chief Clerk or Marshal.

The Chief Clerk position is filled, so they want him to be the Marshal?

Bai Shan twitched the corner of his mouth and politely declined.

Lord Tang laughed and said, "Governor Yu, I am still here; is it appropriate to poach my people right in front of me?"

Governor Yu laughed and said, "Lord Tang, Lord Bai is only following you temporarily; in as short as ten days or as long as a month, he will no longer be your subordinate, so why can’t I compete?"

Even if he were to compete, it wouldn’t matter; Bai Shan doesn’t even fancy the position of county magistrate in Wannian County, let alone come to Qizhou to be his Marshal and Chief Clerk.

The Zhu Family was a bit far away, but their fast horses arrived quickly.

Someone was always keeping an eye on the manor’s situation, and as soon as the tenants’ emotions were settled, someone discreetly hurried back to report.

Governor Yu and Lord Tang deliberately let those people go.

Therefore, when they arrived at the Zhu Family, they successfully met with the Great Master of the Zhu Family.

Hmm, the Zhu Family was holding a funeral today.

The mourning hall for the Second Old Master of the Zhu Family was set up in the main hall. Governor Yu walked in without a change of expression and even offered three incense sticks.

The people of the Zhu Family stared at him with red eyes, but the Great Master of the Zhu Family only looked mournful, with a calm face.

After inserting the incense, Governor Yu stepped aside, and Lord Tang brought Bai Shan forward to also offer an incense stick.

Then they looked at Old Master Zhu and said, "Old Master Zhu, we are here today to redeem the government fields."

Old Master Zhu wanted to speak, but Lord Tang lightly raised his hand to stop him and said first, "Old Master Zhu also knows that we are here from the capital to inspect, but time is short and we cannot afford delays, so how about we discuss it today?"

Censor Liang coldly said, "It has been twenty-three days since the court announcement. I imagine the Zhu Family is already prepared. Today Governor Yu is here, and the government clerks responsible for the Ministry of Revenue from the governor’s office are also here, so the paperwork can be completed on the spot, which won’t take much of Old Master Zhu’s time."

Old Master Zhu said, "Measuring the land will take time..."

Censor Ren took out a roll of paper and said, "No need, when we came to Qizhou last time, we investigated the amount of government land, which we are all aware of, and surely Old Master Zhu is also aware."

Old Master Zhu forced a smile and said, "Yes."

He turned around to lead them to the side yard and had his butler fetch the land deed and accounts.

Tang He stood in the courtyard, watching, and smiled slightly while saying to Governor Yu, "When we first arrived in Qizhou, we came to the Zhu Family on the very first day. Unfortunately, we were given a cold shoulder, saying that the hosts were not at home. When we went to the manor to see the tenants, we were stopped before entering the village, and a conflict almost erupted, so we had to leave."

Governor Yu said, "Lord Tang, you act too softly."

Tang He smiled slightly and did not argue back.

Their identities are different, and standing in different positions, the consequences they can bear are naturally different.

He is an official in the capital, and if he acts too harshly and stirs up the people of Qizhou, if they riot, who knows how many people would die and how much crop would be ruined.

Unlike Governor Yu, who is the authoritative parent of all Qizhou, with an inherent advantage in disciplining his children.

Seeing that the Zhu Family had brought out the land deeds, Tang He clapped lightly, and the Imperial Guard escort unloaded boxes of money from the carriage and opened them in front of everyone.

In a single day, they redeemed all three plots of land totaling eight qing that the Zhu Family had initially bought from the Governor’s office.

Then they directly left two government clerks in the tenant village to handle the rental contracts for the tenants for the coming years, allowing for a lease of up to three years.

This news quickly spread through the area, carried by the summer wind to every village, so that in other places, the tenant farmers didn’t require much persuasion. Bai Shan only needed to go up and give a talk, assuring them the same treatment as the Zhu Family’s tenants, and they promptly promised not to cause unrest.

With the backing of the formidable Governor Yu, their redemption work went unusually smoothly.

However, Governor Yu valued Bai Shan more and more.

Governor Yu excitedly said to his deputy general, "Did you see that? The same words, but the effect is different when I say them than when Bai Shan does."

Deputy General: ...He would feel differently too. If Bai Shan, with smiles in his eyes, told him he would be promoted and given a raise, he’d definitely light up; if the lord said it, though...

Just thinking of the lord saying it with a half-smile, eyes glinting coldly, he’d only want to kneel down and beg for mercy.

Governor Yu stroked his short, stubbly beard and sighed, "It’s a pity he’s not willing to come to Qizhou. Otherwise, if we worked together, I’d take him out with me, and that would save so much trouble."

The deputy general said, "My lord, I inquired with the Imperial Guards from the capital, and this Bai Shan is quite favored there. Within a year of entering the court, he was promoted to the Central Secretariat and is Crown Prince’s study companion. It is said he is also trusted by the Crown Prince and is a favorite at court."

Governor Yu: "So we have been mistaken, fooled by Tang He, thinking he was truly improperly making promises from a whim."

"So my lord isn’t angry?"

"Why be angry? This benefits my region’s people, and if my people benefit, so do I. However, I still wish to keep him here. I’ll submit a memorial to the emperor requesting him."

Of course, the emperor wouldn’t agree.

Bai Shan just wants to go somewhere far from the emperor’s reach to make his mark, and the emperor is also eager to see what he can achieve in a less restricted place.

Naturally, he wouldn’t place him in Qizhou.

Therefore, he directly gave a ’no’ in response to that proposal.

It wasn’t until before Bai Shan left Qizhou that he learned of this from an intoxicated Governor Yu, who was clinging to his hand in reluctance, leaving Bai Shan greatly relieved. He then thanked Governor Yu for his kindness.

Bai Shan and Tang He watched as the boxes were loaded onto the cart, and Governor Yu came to see them off, laughing heartily, "Qizhou is not far from the capital. Brothers Tang and Bai, when you have time, come to Qizhou to visit me. I’ll treat you to drinks and meat."

Tang He laughed, "Why doesn’t Governor Yu come to the capital to find us?"

"How could I casually enter the capital?"

Tang He immediately replied, "As the Deputy Governor of the capital prefecture, I can’t casually leave the capital either."

Governor Yu thought about it and agreed, then glanced at Bai Shan.

Bai Shan really could; his identity isn’t as sensitive as theirs, but... he doesn’t want to.

However, Bai Shan still raised a smiling face and responded, "Alright, if I come to Qizhou, I’ll definitely visit you, my lord."