Saving My Life By Simping For My Empress - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: “The journey is long; why don’t we start our lessons first?”

Qin Ji was set to depart, traveling along the Grand Canal toward the border. He brought a significant entourage: in addition to the master-apprentice duo Gao De and Gao Huan, there were secret guards like Chen Xuanwen and Bailu, as well as a troop of Imperial Guards led by Chen Xuanwu.

Though it was billed as a leisure trip, Qin Ji didn’t intend to just play the whole time; he planned to inspect several locations along the canal.

After having breakfast in the palace, they departed by carriage for the pier and boarded the ship. They would be spending a considerable amount of time on the water.

The distance from the palace to the canal was not short, and with so many people in the party, they missed the lunch hour by the time they boarded. The group ate a hasty meal on deck before the sails were raised and they set off.

“The wind on the river is strong. If you go outside, you must wear your cloak properly.” Qin Ji took a bean-green cloak and carefully fastened it around Wei Yu. “You can see the river from inside the cabin; why go out and brave the chill?”

The river was different from the palace. It was still spring, and the wind was cool; blowing over the water, it carried a damp chill that made it feel even colder.

“The view outside is much wider. How can the scenery hidden in a room compare to this?” Wei Yu pointed toward the distant, overlapping green mountains. “Look, the clouds and mountains are misty and interconnected. You can’t see that from inside.”

Given Qin Ji’s level of aesthetic appreciation, he could only sum it up in two words: “It’s pretty.” Thus, he tactfully chose to change the subject.

“Are you seasick? If you are, I’ll call the physician to check on you.”

This was also Wei Yu’s first time traveling by boat, having always lived on land. Qin Ji was constantly worried he might get sick.

“I’m not seasick. Don’t treat me like a porcelain doll,” Wei Yu said, amused.

Qin Ji muttered, “I’m not.”

Wei Yu humored him: “Yes, yes, you’re not.”

The two shared a laugh.

“What is the first stop after leaving the capital?” Wei Yu asked.

“It’s Wang County. A large river already passed through it, and once the Grand Canal was completed, its water transport became excellent. Large ships dock there every day.” Qin Ji intended to take a look at Wang County himself.

The Qin Grand Canal was a peerless feat of engineering, as it connected the various rivers of the Qin State, linking all its waterways.

Qin Ji had inadvertently learned that this project was spearheaded by his father. It had lasted ten years and consumed countless resources and labor to open up the nation’s water transport.

Digging a canal has been a massive undertaking since ancient times. Ordinary rulers wouldn’t dare preside over such a project. After all, if the canal is successful and the people benefit, they will remember the one who ordered it as a good man; but if anything goes wrong during construction, the ruler will be cursed to death.

Qin Ji knew he didn’t have the courage to be that kind of emperor. His desires were modest: he only wanted the Qin State to remain stable and trouble-free during his reign. Anything beyond that was outside his capabilities.

“The border is still busy anyway, so we can stay in Wang County for a few days to play.” Qin Ji had done his “travel research” and could name their stops with ease. “The Baichun Cakes in Wang County are delicious. I’ll take you to try some.”

Wei Yu smiled. “Then I shall leave it to Your Majesty’s arrangements.”

Since Qin Ji was handling the itinerary, he would focus on the eating and drinking.

“By the way, are Wei Wuxia and the others already on their way?” Wei Yu had been living so carefree in Ziji Hall that he nearly forgot there was still a Wei diplomatic mission to deal with. If Qin Ji hadn’t mentioned the border, he might have put it out of his mind entirely.

Wei Yu couldn’t help but feel a bit stunned. Had he become so happy here with Qin Ji that he “forgot his home of Wei”?

“Zheng Shou is personally escorting them to the border to hand them over to Wei Qiong’s people. Don’t worry, I told Zheng Shou to make sure they eat and sleep well on the road. I guaranteed they’d return ‘fair and plump’ (zhuyuan yurun).”

Previously, he had restricted the mission’s food, but for the journey—to ensure they didn’t starve to death before reaching home—Qin Ji specifically ordered that all their reasonable requests be met. Although everyone knew the mission had suffered in Qin, Qin Ji still wanted to maintain a good outward appearance.

“That’s good then.” Wei Yu realized that since his rebirth, his concern for family ties—whether for Wei Qiong or Wei Wuxia—was slowly fading. He wasn’t sure if he had been too blinded by illusions in the past to see their true faces, or if his previous life had just ended too quickly to realize the truth.

“The journey is long; why don’t we start our lessons first?” Wei Yu turned away from the river scenery and prepared to head back inside.

Qin Ji’s face contorted slightly. “Wouldn’t you like to look a bit longer?”

Wei Yu reached out and hooked his finger into Qin Ji’s. “Let’s go back inside, okay?”

Qin Ji immediately changed his tune: “Okay.”

Wei Yu bit his lip to keep from laughing.

What else could Qin Ji do? He had to buckle down and study. If he didn’t make something of himself, how could he face the hard work Wei Yu and Xu Ziye put into tutoring him?

…

The voyage to Wang County took two full days. Qin Ji spent those two days on the ship studying diligently. When they finally reached Wang County, he was finally liberated from his “head-tied-to-the-beam and thigh-pricked-with-an-awl” academic grind.

The fleet docked at the pier. Qin Ji and Wei Yu dressed as young masters from an ordinary wealthy family to go sightseeing, with Chen Xuanwen and Bailu following as a guard and a maid.

“There are quite a few people selling kites here.” Wei Yu walked through the county seat, seeing many vendors with kites on display. Thinking of the time Qin Ji took him kite-flying, he couldn’t help but walk over to a stall.

“I haven’t seen many of these styles before.” Wei Yu picked up a dragonfly-shaped kite. “I’ve seen butterfly ones, but this is my first time seeing a dragonfly.”

“You folks must be from out of town, eh?” The stall owner was an old man. He stroked his beard and smiled. “Here in Wang County, we have a tradition of flying kites, so our designs are a bit more creative than elsewhere.”

Qin Ji promptly pulled out some money and bought the dragonfly kite Wei Yu was playing with.

“Why are you buying this?” Wei Yu asked. He was just curious; he wasn’t a child who needed to buy every new thing he saw.

Qin Ji replied with perfect logic: “Out of all those kites, you only picked up this one.” If you didn’t like it, why wouldn’t you grab another? Qin Ji felt his logic was flawless.

Wei Yu: “…” Qin Ji’s mouth was always full of strange reasoning.

“Old man, you said Wang County has a kite tradition. Are there any festivals or activities?” Qin Ji rubbed his hands excitedly, thinking he could take Wei Yu to play.

The old man waved his hand. “People just fly them for their own fun. There aren’t any formal activities.” They were just commoners; who had the time or money to organize a dedicated festival? Only the wealthy could afford that.

“Actually, Wang County’s water transport is developed,” Wei Yu mused. “If a Kite Festival was organized to attract people from the surrounding counties, it could generate quite a bit of profit.”

Qin Ji’s eyes lit up. Right! To get rich, you first build a road. Wang County already had the “roads” (waterways); developing the tourism industry was very scientific!

“What ideas do you have, young master?” A middle-aged man in deep-green hemp clothes heard Wei Yu’s words and stepped forward. “I am Mo Ziqian. May I ask your name, sir?”

Wei Yu replied calmly: “Wei Liuguang.”

“You also think Liuguang’s idea makes sense, right?” Qin Ji admired this man; he had a good eye.

Mo Ziqian laughed at Qin Ji’s remark. “Yes, Master Wei’s words are indeed very logical.”

Damn right, Qin Ji thought.

“Are you two visiting from elsewhere? If you aren’t in a hurry to leave, why don’t I treat you to a seat at a teahouse? I’d like to ask Master Wei more about his ideas for organizing a Kite Festival,” Mo Ziqian said with a bow.

Qin Ji and Wei Yu exchanged a glance. Wei Yu gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

“Then we shall trouble you.” Since someone was treating, they might as well go. Moreover… this Mo Ziqian was very likely the County Magistrate of Wang County, Mo Ping.

Qin Ji and Wei Yu were using their courtesy names while traveling; it wouldn’t be surprising if others did the same. The main thing was that an ordinary person wouldn’t invite them to sit and talk at length just because they were interested in an idea. A sit-down talk meant it wasn’t something that could be finished in a few sentences.

Mo Ziqian found a teahouse in a good location. The private rooms on the second floor were partitioned off, offering a view of the streets and alleys through the window.

“What tea would the guests like?” the waiter asked enthusiastically. “We have high-quality Biluochun and Houkui.”

Mo Ziqian naturally left the choice to Qin Ji and Wei Yu. As the host, he wouldn’t presume.

“Biluochun is fine, thank you,” Wei Yu ordered.

Once the tea was being prepared, the room was left to the three of them.

“Regarding the Kite Festival Master Wei mentioned, do you have any specific thoughts?” Mo Ziqian went straight to the point, bypassing any small talk.

Wei Yu didn’t waste time either: “To organize a large-scale event, it is best for the government to take the lead. That is the best way to mobilize the people. It would be ideal to cooperate with surrounding counties to maximize the scale.”

Qin Ji added, “People from other counties will need food and lodging in Wang County, which is significant revenue. As for the festival itself, the commoners can do a lot—setting up stalls, selling kites, or selling other local specialties that can only be found here.”

He might not have a talent for governing, but he had plenty of “leisure talent” from modern society. Every trip involves spending on food and lodging, then buying local specialties and souvenirs for friends. People love the phrase: “Well, we’re already here.” Since we’re already here, shouldn’t we eat the local dishes? Since we’re already here, shouldn’t we buy something to take back?

“With government organization, many things become easier,” Qin Ji smiled. In his days as Emperor, he had deeply felt the power of authority.

“Mingche (Qin Ji) is right. As long as the Wang County government is willing to act, it isn’t hard to organize the people,” Wei Yu echoed.

Most people live ordinary lives. If there was a grand event where they could earn extra money for their families—like during the Lantern Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival—they would be more than happy to participate.

“I believe everyone is very willing to join in, as long as there is profit,” Qin Ji said warmly. He always believed that most people in the world were willing to work hard for a better life.

The waiter knocked and brought the Biluochun along with two plates of teacakes. Gao De stopped the waiter. “Give the things to me. No need for you to serve here.” The waiter didn’t think much of it, simply assuming wealthy families were different and brought their own servants.

Gao De brought the tea and snacks into the room. “Young Master, and this gentleman, the tea and snacks are here.”

He served the Emperor; his technique was much more refined than the waiter’s—the way he lifted the teapot from the tray and poured the tea was highly meticulous.

Mo Ziqian watched Gao De’s fluid, sophisticated movements, and when he looked back at Qin Ji and Wei Yu, he felt a flicker of astonishment. Wait…

Gao De finished pouring and placed the cups before the three of them before taking the tray back out. “Please enjoy.”

Qin Ji picked up his cup and tested it. “It’s a bit hot; wait a moment before drinking.” He still hadn’t really learned how to appreciate tea; it all tasted the same to him. If he weren’t so concerned with appearances, he would have had the royal chefs invent ancient versions of “bubble tea” with various toppings.

Wei Yu nodded gently. “Alright.”

Mo Ziqian: “…” He felt the interaction between these two was a bit… unusual.

Forget it, back to business.

“To make it work, the first year must be successful so there can be a second and third. But how can we guarantee the first year succeeds?” Mo Ziqian had only recently taken office and hadn’t thought about these issues. Thinking on his own was a torment. He used to be a clerk and was good at writing essays, but suddenly becoming a local “parent official” was truly difficult.

“That’s easy. For the first session, you just need to offer a very large grand prize,” Wei Yu said, taking a sip of tea. The tea couldn’t compare to the palace’s, especially since Qin Ji gave him all the best leaves. However, the snacks were decent, with a faint, clean fragrance.

“Please enlighten me, Master,” Mo Ziqian said sincerely.

Seeing Wei Yu still eating snacks, Qin Ji answered for him: “Write a memorial to the palace. Request a few items from the imperial treasury to use as prizes.”

Ancient society was a feudal society; the Emperor was supreme. An item bestowed by the Emperor—even if it was a tattered sack—would be praised with flowery words by countless people.

Hearing Qin Ji say this, Mo Ziqian became more certain of his suspicion. These two must be nobles from the capital.

“Master says it lightly, but I am just a small County Magistrate. If I write such a memorial, I fear it wouldn’t even reach His Majesty’s desk,” Mo Ziqian probed.

Wei Yu wiped some crumbs from his fingers. Before he could finish, Qin Ji took a handkerchief and wiped each of Wei Yu’s fingers clean for him.

“Just write it. The Emperor is very easy to talk to,” Wei Yu said, looking at Qin Ji with teasing eyes.

Mo Ziqian was shocked. What is their identity? They are this familiar with the Emperor?

“The status of you two must be extraordinary. Could you help me with this favor?” Mo Ziqian stood and bowed.

“What else does Magistrate Mo need help with?” Qin Ji said, half-amused, half-exasperated. “Am I not already standing right in front of you?”