spoiled brat

Chapter 150, Section 149: The Sun Flame (Nine)

Li Qingwen said calmly, "Young Master Xie may not know this, but our dynasty currently operates under a system of imperial herding, which is a complex and multifaceted system with many intermediaries. Even if you pour a lot of money into it, you still won't produce many good horses."

"..."

Even wicked people can be knowledgeable and resourceful, something Xie Xiaoqing truly did not know.

This method of providing work relief is excellent, he said after careful consideration:

"Lord Li is right, but the manpower required to raise horses is not much, and the refugees who have not been taken in may harbor resentment."

"How about this: first send people to receive the refugees, then use them in batches. Those who know how to raise horses can raise horses, and those who don't can join the auxiliary military camp to train with the students. The rest can be settled in the north of the city to reclaim wasteland and become self-sufficient."

Li Qingwen would have preferred Xie Xiaoqing to offer a few words of rebuttal, and for the two of them to have a debate, so that Minister Jiang could see who was truly capable. However, if Xie Xiaoqing went along with the argument, it would make Li Qingwen appear to have lacked foresight.

“You two are both bookish in your views,” Minister Jiang smiled. “You don’t know how difficult things are until you experience them yourself… But it’s always good to dare to think, far better than those mediocre officials who can only be paperhangers.”

He slightly raised his hand, and Li Qingwen, understanding, handed him paper and pen. The ink absorbed the paper, so there was no need to write any extra words. The single handwritten "Jiang" was enough for the recipient to move freely through most government offices in the capital.

No matter the rank or the rules, they are all insignificant under the power of authority.

Minister Jiang affixed his seal and handed it to Li Qingwen: "Go and do it."

He was an excellent teacher who never restricted his students too much, allowing them to do things independently. Li Qingwen had been under his tutelage for nearly a year and had benefited greatly from his ability to seize opportunities.

"Yes."

Li Qingwen calmly accepted it, a fire igniting in his heart. Before it could even heat up, he saw Minister Jiang also hand one to Xie Xiaoqing:
"Young Master Xie, you are quite well-versed in poetry and military strategy, and you have seen many beautiful landscapes, but you are too shallow in worldly affairs and lack understanding of human relationships—"

Xie Xiaoqing accepted the gift with both hands, and said gratefully, "Thank you for your help, sir!"

He never expected it would be his turn. If he did a good job in this beneficial task, he would benefit immensely even if he didn't enter officialdom in the future.

After Xie Xiaoqing left, Jiang Ying said with a drooping smile:
“Father, this Xie fellow hasn’t entered officialdom, he’s not even half an official, why should he go too? Qingwen can do it all by himself, why bring a burden along?”

Li Qingwen said, "Aying, the teacher is thinking of me."

"Letting outsiders steal your thunder, and you call that considering your well-being?" Jiang Ying asked, puzzled.

Minister Jiang looked at his naive daughter, smiled, and shook his head.

-

Jiang Ying didn't understand, but Xie Xiaoqing did.

Having received the assignment, he arranged to meet Zhao Zhao at a teahouse. After briefly explaining the situation, he sighed, "Minister Jiang really treats him like a son."

Zhao Zhao leaned against the window, lazily watching the bustling traffic on the street: "Yeah, make that beast's road smooth and stable."

Minister Jiang is rigid and strict, but as someone in a high position, he is certainly not lacking in political maneuvering.

The reason for making an exception and sending Xie Xiaoqing was threefold: first, to mentor the younger generation; second, to set an example for the students; and third, to overshadow Li Qingwen and prevent him from becoming too dazzling, lest people say he was using a woman to curry favor with his father-in-law.

So thoughtful, so appropriate.

“That guy surnamed Li is no fool; he’s far smarter than me. That’s why he’s won over Minister Jiang…” Xie Xiaoqing sighed again: “You’re asking me to block his path to advancement? That’s a difficult thing to do.”

A sparrow landed by the window; it was gray and round. Zhao Zhao crushed some pastries and fed it with the crumbs.

"If it's too difficult, don't do it. I'll just give you money to buy a coffin."

She said casually, "I have a powerful backer, so even if Li Qingwen resents me, he wouldn't dare to kill me rashly. He can only hire some chattering clowns to spread some dubious rumors."

“You’re different. You’re his former master’s nephew, all alone and without any family connections. The higher he climbs, the easier it is for him to crush you. Aren’t you worried?”

Xie Xiaoqing was stunned: "...We are allies, after all."

Zhao Zhao doesn't need useless allies.

The sparrow flew away, and she brushed the powder off her hands: "What, do you also want to be like that beast, relying on women to survive and climb the social ladder?"

"I..." Xie Xiaoqing hesitated, feeling somewhat disappointed. He couldn't tell if it was because Zhao Zhao had drawn a clear line between them, or because she didn't care about his life or death at all, as if he were just a dispensable dog at her feet.

"I'll do it," he said, trying to hide his disappointment.

This docile attitude always reminded Zhao Zhao of Xiao Duo. Whenever she raised her thorns, Xiao Duo would hug her like a ball of cotton.

Now that her friend has passed away, she belatedly wondered: Does it hurt when a cotton quilt is pricked by a needle?
Zhao Zhao looked down at her reflection in the cup and said to someone, "I'll take care of you."

These words, though neither heavy nor light, carried immense weight in Xie Xiaoqing's ears.

The person before him had no heart, or if they did, it wasn't with him. He understood, he knew it, yet he still smiled.

"I'll listen to you. Teach me what to do next."

Zhao Zhao liked things or people that were easy to handle. Her waist knife was two inches shorter than usual, but it could still kill when drawn.
“Li Qingwen was a fame-seeker who acted like a theatrical performer and was extremely adept at deception. He always took personal responsibility when dealing with refugees, which won him many people’s hearts.”

Xie Xiaoqing sighed, "What a fine appearance and mind, yet it's all in the body of such a beast in human form, a charlatan who steals fame from the world."

Zhao Zhao continued, "If he wants to act, don't argue. Let him show off however he wants."

"Then what should I do?"

"Go and learn how to use money."

Zhao Zhao tossed out a bag of silver and pointed out the key point: "In these chaotic times, when the front lines are advancing, the biggest fear is instability in the rear. This time, Minister Jiang has asked the two of you to provide relief and assistance to the people, both to promote Li Qingwen and to build up his political achievements, and also to prevent the refugees from having nowhere else to go and suddenly rising up in rebellion in the city."

“This is a win-win situation,” Zhao Zhao tapped her fingers on the table. “But what if the official in charge of relief embezzles funds?”

Xie Xiaoqing had a hidden worry: "The man surnamed Li is smart; he won't do anything foolish at this critical juncture."

"Does it matter whether he committed the fabricated crime or not?"

Zhao Zhao laughed: "If the refugees are willing to believe it, that's fine. Rumors spread like wildfire, and then we can hire some beggars to spread the word throughout the capital. Even the most innocent person will be smeared."

Xie Xiaoqing pondered for a moment, then put the money pouch into his sleeve.