HLnovel Chapter 313: Complex Ningchuan City
Chapter 313: Complex Ningchuan City
When the King of Qin Xiao Mo came to Ningchuan City, it stood to reason that the Lord of Ningchuan Prefecture, as well as the prominent officials and big families in the city should have sent him a visiting card, or come to the palace to pay him a visit in person.
But he and Ye Jintang walked around Wutong Courtyard and didn't receive a single visiting card.
"It seems that even the small city of Ningchuan is full of its own evil intentions."
"It will be a tough battle to turn Ningchuan Prefecture into the prince's treasure pot."
Ye Jintang, with a smile on his face, couldn't help but agree. Now was the real test for Xiao Mo.
It is said that it is easy to conquer a country but difficult to keep it. Whether Xiao Mo can keep his fiefdom first will directly affect his future life.
While the two were talking, they arrived at the study, where a slightly fat, friendly-looking stranger was already waiting.
"Your subordinate Chang Xingwang greets His Majesty and His Majesty the Princess."
When Chang Xingwang saw the two people coming in, he hurried forward to greet them.
"Xingwang, you came just in time. Tell me what's going on in Ningchuan City. Others may not come to see me so quickly after hearing that I'm coming to Ningchuan City, but the city lord Hua Cailiang was supposed to come to see me. Why hasn't he come yet?"
Xiao Mo, who looked unhappy, sat down and introduced Chang Xingwang to Ye Jintang.
He was one of Xiao Mo's capable advisers. A few days ago, Xiao Mo sent him to lead a team of people to come to Ningchuan City in advance to gather information. He was the first to discover the problems in the palace, and he also helped to look after Wutong Courtyard.
"Your Highness, although Ningchuan Prefecture is a place of exile, the forces here are quite complicated. There are four major families in the city, and there are various small forces outside the city that dominate one side."
The so-called four major families are Niu, Wei, Hua and Ke. Some of them are the original residents of Ningchuan Prefecture, and some have moved here from other places. The city lord Hua Cailiang's family moved here from other places.
"City Lord Hua has absolute power in Ningchuan Prefecture, and he is the man of Imperial Noble Consort Dehui. He is probably still waiting and watching. If the other families do not take the initiative to show goodwill, Hua Cailiang will probably cause trouble later."
"Imperial Noble Consort Dehui's hands are really long enough. She can even reach out to a remote city like Ningchuan Prefecture."
"Your Highness, don't underestimate Ningchuan Prefecture. It's a place where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, and it's still very easy to make money. City Lord Hua has been in Ningchuan Prefecture for more than ten years. He can still make a few million taels of silver."
"so much?"
"A little bit adds up to a lot. Those exiled people are free labor. Let them dig iron ore. One life can at least generate a hundred taels of silver."
Chang Xingwang was embarrassed to say anything too gory when he saw Ye Jintang was there, but after hearing the word "human life", Ye Jintang vaguely guessed that those who were arranged to mine would probably not have a good end.
"Well, it seems that this king will not be able to stay idle this winter."
Since Xiao Mo came to Ningchuan Prefecture and wanted to turn it into his treasure trove, all forces must submit to him. If there are other forces more powerful than him, he will probably have no say in Ningchuan City in the future.
After Chang Xingwang gave Xiao Mo a brief account of the situation in Ningchuan City, Xiao Mo asked him to go back first and come back tomorrow.
He wanted to call his advisers together to discuss how to deal with those disobedient officials and wealthy people who held real power.
As for today, let's all take a break. After traveling for such a long time, everyone is already exhausted.
After Chang Xingwang left, Ye Jintang finally spoke.
"City Lord Hua, are you planning to help Imperial Noble Consort Dehui deal with the prince?"
"It should be. Hua Cailiang helped Imperial Noble Consort Dehui to amass wealth in Ningchuan Prefecture. His own pockets must have been filled long ago. If we get rid of him, we will have the money to build the palace."
"There are only two of us living here, so the palace doesn't need to be too luxurious. Just make it about right. Your Majesty, you should keep the money for your private soldiers. Your Majesty, don't forget that you still have more than 10,000 private soldiers waiting for you."
Speaking of private soldiers, Xiao Mo smiled helplessly.
The expenses of more than 10,000 people are simply burning money.
He was temporarily unable to accommodate so many people in Ningchuan City, so he could only buy four farms outside the city to barely accommodate them.
The food, accommodation and transportation of so many people all cost money, which is a considerable expense every day.
There are only more than 2 people. If he wants to station troops and have a say in front of Emperor Jing, he must have at least 30 to people under his command, let alone a million lions.
Xiao Mo felt overwhelmed just thinking about the daily expenses of having so many private soldiers. He was too poor and could not afford to support them even if he had some.
"After we have sorted out the internal affairs of Ningchuan Prefecture, we will see how much silver we can collect. We will have to rely on Madam for the rest of the shortage."
Xiao Mo looked at Ye Jintang with a smile. This was the first time he formally called Ye Jintang Madam. The meaning was clear. He was reminding her that she was his wife and as a wife she had to fulfill her obligations as a wife, such as consummating the marriage.
Unfortunately, Ye Jintang still had some concerns, but she pretended not to understand. Her cheeks turned red and she quickly slipped away.
"I think there are still a lot of things in the house that need to be put away. I'll go back and take a look."
Having said that, Ye Jintang ran away in a flash.
In fact, what could possibly happen to her? Liuli and Gu Wan'er had arrived in Ningchuan Prefecture much earlier than her. Together with Luzhu, Lianqiao, Nanny Zhang, Nanny Liu, and the maids and old women who came from the palace, it would not take long for her to get everything done in Wutong Courtyard with their help.
Sure enough, when Ye Jintang returned to the room from the study, the things she usually used had been put away, the floor heating was burning brightly, and the room was very warm.
"My queen, what should we do with Xuetuan and Huoyan? Xuetuan is staying in the main room and won't leave."
"If they like, let them stay in the main room."
"But if a lady comes to visit the queen, Xuetuan's size might scare them."
The little kitten has grown into a big fat cat, and the flame is lying on its head, so it is very spacious and will not fall off.
Looking at Xuetuan who looked like a little tiger, Ye Jintang felt a little worried. It was used to staying with her. If she asked it to change to another sleeping place, it would probably not be willing to do so.
After much thought, Ye Jintang finally thought of another ear room.
There are a total of six rooms in the main house, with two side rooms on the westernmost and easternmost sides. Usually, maids live in the western room, but Xiao Mo doesn't have a maid, so the western room is naturally idle, and the side room becomes a storage room, which is just right for Xuetuan and Huoyan.
Ye Jintang picked up the cotton mat that Xuetuan usually lay on and went straight to the west wing room.
"You two should sleep here on weekdays, and don't run around and cause trouble for me."
After patting the two little furry heads, one big and one small, Ye Jintang rewarded them with some dried meat before returning to the house.
"Your Highness, you are the princess, the woman with the highest status in the entire Ningchuan Prefecture. The ladies of other noble families should come to see you today. But we have been preparing for a long time, not to mention a lady, not even a visiting card. This is a bit strange."
"Let alone the ladies, even the city lord has not come to see the prince. Madam Zhang, Madam Liu, we have just arrived in Ningchuan Prefecture. I am afraid the situation here is not very optimistic. Please remind everyone in the mansion not to go out alone. It is best to go with others."
"Yes, I will give the order right away."