The Demonic World I designed-Chapter 45 - 43 Terrible Situation

45: Chapter 43: Terrible Situation…..

45: Chapter 43: Terrible Situation…..

South Street in Lyuzhou is known as Yuquan Road, named after a natural spring near the Nan Mountain.

Its location was sealed off by the government, strictly prohibiting outsiders from fetching water.

On ordinary days, only prestigious scholars and wealthy households could afford to buy the sweet natural spring water from the government for making tea, an exclusive luxury for the aristocracy.

This project was also a decent source of income for Lyuzhou’s government office.

After all, with many rich people around, there is no shortage of those willing to spend money on luxuries.

Ordinary people cannot tell the difference between boiled water and spring water, yet they are willing to spend countless amounts of gold for that hint of sweetness.

After confirming his appointment as the Magistrate of Lyuzhou, Chen Qing had already made plans for the spring water.

He intended to further develop the plantation of teas and fruits that utilize the spring water in order to increase revenue.

And of course, he would certainly take control of the finances himself, making sure that the assigned Administrative Commissioner and Deputy Prefect wouldn’t even dream of getting involved.

But now, the situation was completely different from what he had expected, just as Ma Erniang had said; not even a ghost was to be seen along the way, leaving him feeling chilly and disheartened!

Such luxury projects as the spring water only thrive when the rich patronize them.

But now, everyone has fled.

What use is the wretched spring water to the Ghost Master?

Along the way, looking at the disorderly and desolate streets, and seeing that so many of the previously popular shops were now empty, Chen Qing felt like he wanted to die.

“My lord?

What are you looking at?” The coachman, who followed behind Chen Qing, asked curiously.

Chen Qing paused for a few seconds, then pointed ahead to a shop marked with “Wufang Home” and said, “This used to be the most popular pastry shop on South Street.

The proprietress was said to be a former Imperial Chef from the palace, renowned for making pastries that were not only beautiful in appearance but also unparalleled in taste.

When Mao time came each day, servants from various wealthy households would be lined up here to order pastries.

If you were late, you might not get a chance even if you waited all day.”

“Such a good business?” The coachman was stunned, then cautiously said, “Is this…owned by your family, my lord?”

“No…”

The coachman rolled his eyes; then what’s with the look as if your own father had died…

“You know how much tax this single shop had to pay every year?” Chen Qing’s voice started to tremble.

“Uh…

I…I don’t understand accounting.”

“Go stand on the side and cool off!”

“Oh!”

Looking at the foolish coachman, Chen Qing suddenly felt breathless and helplessly slumped to the ground, continuing to zone out.

In ancient times, economic development primarily relied on people.

Lyuzhou was able to attract such a large population because of its commerce and its highly praised educational environment.

People from across Jiangnan would send their sons here to study.

Now the wealthy merchants are gone, and even the scholars are gone; what should he do?

These individuals were exceptional resources, especially the famous scholars who moved to the neighboring Provincial Government Office.

The local officials there would surely try their best to attract and retain them for political achievements.

He was left with only the common folk who had fled to the countryside; how was he to manage?

Indeed…

the wretched heavens just can’t stand to see him live comfortably!

————————————

“Sir…

the situation looks grim.”

Chen Qing wasn’t the only one troubled by Lyuzhou’s dilemma; Jiangnan Provincial Governor Gong Qiniang was also immensely concerned.

Lyuzhou’s geographical location wasn’t one that could just be allowed to go to waste; it housed the best waterway port that connected to the Northern Territory.

Each year, all sorts of Northern pelts, jewels, and horses came through this waterway and were highly sought after here, while Jiangnan’s silk, tea, porcelain, and handicrafts could make at least five times the profit when sold in the north!

This attracted countless merchants from both south and north.

Although merchants did not hold high status, every official knew that the prosperity of tax revenue depended on these traders.

If Lyuzhou were to collapse, the finances of the entire Jiangnan region would be hugely impacted!

“Sir…” the Daotai, who was responsible for one of the five major waterways in Jiangnan, shook his head and said, “Since the news about Lyuzhou spread, aside from a few who aren’t afraid of death, almost no one wants to go to the Lyuzhou docks anymore.

They have all started moving towards the ports of Taizhou, Suyang, and Jin City.

But with the large volume of cargo, those ports are beginning to turn ships away.”

“And changing the routes is so costly that many traders are running at a loss.

This isn’t good at all!”

“Do you think I don’t know that?” Gong Qiniang rolled his eyes.

“What can I do about it now?”

Jiangnan’s trade was already bustling, and its ports were congested.

The opening of the Lyuzhou route had relieved some pressure on Jiangnan’s business routes.

Now, after years of prosperity, if Lyuzhou suddenly falls apart and isn’t quickly restarted, the chain reaction could cause significant unrest.

If he fails to handle this well, he might even lose his official cap.

“With Lyuzhou looking like a ghost town, even the locals are fleeing and unwilling to return; what can I do?” the Provincial Governor lamented.

Initially, the response was too slow.

They should have stopped people from fleeing Lyuzhou City from the start; then, they wouldn’t have ended up in such a mess later.

Now, all the wealthy households and scholars had left, and local officials disregarded his ban, secretly courting favor.

It would be incredibly difficult to convince those people to return now.

The key issue was that no officials were willing to manage order in that area, and it was left to rot.

If things continued like this, Lyuzhou…

might truly be doomed!

“Sir…” Just as the atmosphere in the back hall of the Government Office grew tense, a servant hurriedly came to report: “The Academic Commissioner has arrived!”

“Has the Academic Commissioner arrived?” Gong Qiniang stood up in a hurry to welcome him, along with the official beside him.

The Academic Commissioner, as a Third Rank official, technically held a lower rank than Gong Qiniang, the Jiangnan Provincial Governor.

But as an imperial envoy and due to their origins as magicians, the status of magicians compared to non-magician civilian officials was entirely different in the Great Jin Dynasty!

The nine high ministers and all the provincial governors were from a magician background.

Though the court had only been established for twenty years, many people had realized that high-ranking positions could only be contested by magicians who could compete with the noble bloodline families.

As a Provincial Governor, he represented almost the pinnacle of what an ordinary person could achieve in officialdom.

Yet, when faced with a magician official who was half a rank lower, he could not afford the slightest disrespect and had to be very polite.

“Mu DaRen, you’ve finally arrived!” Gong Qiniang greeted him enthusiastically, leading the way from the door into the house and immediately wanted to usher him to the seat of honor.

“Official Gong, please, there’s no need for formalities.

You take the higher seat!” Educational Commissioner Mu Hongqing seemed to be a very disciplined man.

Even as he was sought so eagerly, he still maintained respect for his superior and refused to take the seat of honor.

Seeing this, Gong Qiniang didn’t insist, apparently aware of the other’s character.

After he personally served good tea, he sat down in the seat of honor himself.

“Mu DaRen, what took you so long to come here?”

“I apologize…” Mu Hongqing also looked embarrassed: “I was suddenly called back to the Capital City, and I’ve been rushing here nonstop, but it seems I am still one step late.”

After the incident with Mister Hua Pi broke out, before he could fulfill his duty in Lyuzhou City, he had been summoned back to the Capital City for an inspection.

There were many who impeached him at that time, and rightly so, as the entire bureaucratic system of Lyuzhou had been replaced with puppets in human skin – a horrendous event for which he, the Academic Commissioner, could not shirk responsibility!

“Regardless, it’s good that you are back,” Gong Qiniang quickly said.

Magicians were often temperamental, and the one before him was already the easiest to get along with among any Academic Commissioner he had ever dealt with.

He really didn’t want to change partners lightly.

Local officials heavily relied on the Academic Commissioner when dealing with supernatural events.

Those who had served as senior local officials knew well the significant damage such events could cause to local governance, greatly affecting their administrative achievements.

The Lyuzhou incident was a prime example.

Being an official of his rank, if his performance had been adequate, he could recommend qualified younger members of his family to the secretive Sorcerer Academy in the Capital City.

He was only a few years away from a peaceful retirement, with his achievements being up to standard, and yet such a critical situation had arisen.

“Actually, whether I return or not doesn’t make much of a difference…” Mu Hongqing took a sip of tea and earnestly said: “I visited Lyuzhou yesterday and conducted a thorough investigation.

Besides some puppets left by Mister Hua Pi, there’s nothing else suspicious.

Supernatural events are unlikely to occur again for a while.”

“The key issue isn’t with me but with getting the local administrative order running again.

To restore Lyuzhou’s function as a major trade route, we must first regain the people’s confidence and persuade outsiders that Lyuzhou is safe.”

“That’s why we’re eager for your return, Mu DaRen!” Gong Qiniang quickly said: “With you in Lyuzhou City, the influential families and some famous scholars will be willing to return.”

“I can’t stay to oversee Lyuzhou, at least not for now…”

“What?” Gong Qiniang was startled: “Why… why is that?”

“After the Mister Hua Pi incident, Your Majesty has grown suspicious of the entire Jiangnan region.

I need to inspect the other wealthy prefectures in Jiangnan these days to prevent any more disturbances like in Lyuzhou.”

“This…” Gong Qiniang’s face froze momentarily upon hearing this.

He couldn’t really object to that; as important as Lyuzhou was, the stability of the other prefectures in Jiangnan was even more crucial.

If another incident like that in Lyuzhou occurred, the entire region could collapse.

“I will send a capable disciple to guard Lyuzhou and accompany you to discuss the matter with those reputed scholars to persuade them to return to Lyuzhou.”

“Excellent, excellent!” Gong Qiniang’s expression relaxed significantly: “Thank you very much for that, Mu DaRen.”

“No need to mention it, Official Gong.

It’s part of my duties,” Mu Hongqing said seriously, placing down his teacup: “But my role is limited.

Convincing a few famous scholars to return won’t save the situation in Lyuzhou.

The real work to restore Lyuzhou’s former role lies with the local officials.

I’ve received news that the new Magistrate of Lyuzhou arrived today; he will likely come to visit you tomorrow to seek your support.”

“Oh?” Gong Qiniang immediately stood up: “Has the Magistrate of Lyuzhou already been appointed?” Rubbing his hands, he continued excitedly: “That’s wonderful!

Do you know who it is, Mu DaRen?”

“A new Imperial Scholar named Chen Qing…”

“A new Imperial Scholar?” The smile on Gong Qiniang’s face immediately stiffened upon hearing this.

Isn’t this absurd?

The situation in Lyuzhou was so tricky that even an experienced official would find it daunting.

How could a new Imperial Scholar with no administrative experience be of any use?

Moreover, since when did a new Imperial Scholar immediately become the head of a prefecture?