叭哒漫画

“In the past, when the land was being cleared to the south of Xingshan County City, there was less land, fewer people, and naturally lesser expenses. Before the farmers who were clearing the land could harvest crops, a significant portion of their food and clothing expenses were borne by the government office and Your Highness. I believe you understand that this was a considerable expense,” said Wei Ruo.

“This servant is aware of that. Indeed, it was a substantial expense.”

“Now, the scope has expanded to accommodate the refugees from Taizhou Prefecture, with several times more people. Can you imagine the expenditure incurred before they can harvest crops?” Wei Ruo asked.

Madam Qin didn’t respond immediately, but her expression already revealed to Wei Ruo that she was aware this would not be a small amount.

Wei Ruo continued, “Furthermore, the more refugees and disaster victims there are, the more challenging it becomes to manage them. We would need more people to aid in management to avoid chaos.”

Madam Qin fell silent again, she was definitely able to grasp Wei Ruo’s point.

Even ordinary commoners are hard to control when their numbers grow, let alone refugees and disaster victims who have lost their homes and lands.

“Does Miss mean… that the method proposed by His Highness is infeasible?” Madam Qin inquired.

“Pardon my straightforwardness, but I must say that solely relying on the manpower that the seventh prince currently has with him is far from sufficient,” Wei Ruo candidly stated.

“His Highness doesn’t necessarily have to settle all the refugees and disaster victims. If he only selects a small portion and keeps the scale within a certain range similar to before with Xingshan County City, wouldn’t it be manageable?” Madam Qin said.

Wei Ruo gave a slight smile, “Madam, if the scale was to remain the same as before, why would His Highness worry so much? He has already achieved such a merit once, what would be the significance of doing it again? The reason His Highness wishes to complete this task now is surely to resolve the disaster problem of the entire Taizhou Prefecture and aim for greater accomplishments, isn’t that right?”

We Ruo’s words hit the nail on the head, leaving Madam Qin without any rebuttal.

After contemplating for a moment, Madam Qin said, “Is Miss planning to use these two excuses to refuse His Highness?”

Wei Ruo replied, “I’m not exactly refusing. I just believe that we could approach this in a different way.”

“Does Miss mean that she has a better solution?” Madam Qin asked hastily.”

“I suppose so,” responded Wei Ruo.

“How do you plan to solve it?” Madam Qin inquired eagerly.

“My solution is also quite simple. If His Highness and I, a mere commoner, are deterred by this issue, then we should let the Yuan family, along with the nobles of Taizhou Prefecture, participate together, call upon all available resources. Only then we will have a chance to achieve success,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Getting the nobles within Taizhou Prefecture to participate together won’t be an easy feat,” Madam Qin said.

“I know that, Madam. Rest assured, I wouldn’t propose such a solution without having a strategy to persuade them,” Wei Ruo retorted.

Looking at Wei Ruo’s confident eyes, Madam Qin contemplated for a moment and then declared, “This servant cannot answer what the Miss has said, I must go back and consult His Highness.”

“Feel free to consult His Highness,” Wei Ruo said, showing a calm demeanor.

After Wei Ruo finished her analysis, Madam Qin didn’t dare to tarry and hastily left the Military Prefecture, rushing back to report to Chu Lan.

After Madam Qin left, Xiumei expressed her worrisome concern to Wei Ruo, “Miss, if the seventh prince agrees to your terms, won’t we still be involved with him?”

Wei Ruo replied, “To hide in a forest filled with trees. If everyone is involved, there won’t be an unusually close connection between the Wei family and the seventh prince. Furthermore, should there be any future accomplishments, they won’t all be attributed to the seventh prince.”

Xiumei pouted, speaking for Wei Ruo in resentment, “After all, it’s the seventh prince who is lacking in integrity. Miss, you’ve already helped him once, but now he’s threatening you,”

And that’s not counting the time when Miss saved the seventh prince!

Wei Ruo said, “Since he carries that status, I can neither resist nor avoid him. However, should we succeed in this endeavor, it won’t be completely without benefits for me. I can at least genuinely help some disaster-stricken people and use this opportunity to delay my marriage with the Xiu family. By being more involved in the fields and running around, there’s also a chance for me to foment a bad reputation for myself in society.”

Wei Ruo did have a heartfelt desire to do something for these refugees, just not in collaboration with Chu Lan.

Given that she had no choice but to avoid him, she decided to adopt a more positive approach.

Xiumei couldn’t help but say, “I heard that the deceased Empress Xiu may have left a ninth prince alive. I hope it’s true. When this ninth prince makes his appearance, he’ll hold the seventh prince in check, preventing him from bullying you, Miss!”

Xiumei’s wish was simple, straightforward, and beautiful.

But it was only a wish. The rumored ninth prince, who might still be alive, has yet to show his face, and until now everyone’s suggestions and guesses remain speculative.

###

Madam Qin returned to the Military Prefecture an hour later, tending to the situation much faster than Wei Ruo anticipated.

“His Highness says that your analysis is reasonable, Miss. As long as Miss can convince the many nobles of Taizhou Prefecture, His Highness is willing to fully support you,” Madam Qin conveyed Chu Lan’s reply.

“Good. I will visit Madam Yuan at the Yuan Residence early tomorrow. Once the date is fixed, I’ll inform Madam Qin,” Wei Ruo said.

“Currently, I’m residing at His Highness’s temporary residence in the Government City. If there’s anything you need from me, Miss, feel free to visit me there. I’ll be at your call,” said Madam Qin.

“Alright, Madam Qin. Just await my news.”

The next morning, Wei Ruo went to the Yuan Residence to meet Madam Yuan.

That afternoon, Madam Yuan issued invitations to the heads of the noble families in Taizhou Prefecture on her own behalf.

These madams were usually guests of Madam Yuan, so when Madam Yuan invited them, they all accepted.

Madam Yun had also received Madam Yuan’s invitation, and it was directly brought back to her by Wei Ruo.

In the Cangyun Garden, Madam Yun who was seated in the principal seat, skimmed over the invitation, and then asked Wei Ruo in confusion, “What does Madam Yuan intend to discuss with us tomorrow?”

The invitation merely stated that it was regarding an important matter, but didn’t clarify what the matter was.

The timing was rather urgent, for typically an invitation would be sent days in advance for a social gathering.

“Once you go tomorrow, you will find out. I can’t easily explain it in a sentence or two,” Wei Ruo replied, her demeanor rather cold, indicating that she didn’t want to delve into greater detail with Madam Yun.

A frown appeared on Madam Yun’s face, “Why are you acting in this manner? I’m simply asking you a question; why are you so impatient?”

Wei Ruo smiled lightly, “Mother, there are some things you haven’t told me. Why do you expect me to share everything with you?”

Startled, a flicker of guilt passed across Madam Yun’s face, but she quickly concealed it.

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Madam Yun said, her voice rising with irritation..