My wife, Wei Gui, was 1.9 meters tall and fought against the Tang dynasty for the throne.

April of the eighth year of the Daye era.

Battle reports from the Liaodong front arrived three times a day, each one urging for supplies.

Documents from Zhuojun poured into the Water Conservancy Bureau like snowflakes, each one more urgent than the last. The Water Conservancy Commissioner summoned Li Ju to the main hall, pushed over a thick stack of grain-urging documents, and looked grave.

"Lord Li, the situation at the front is critical, and His Majesty has already lost his temper. People in Zhuojun say that if we run out of food, the morale of the army will collapse."

Li Ju flipped through a few copies and put them down.

"Rest assured, my lord, the grain ships are already on their way."

"It's not that I don't trust you," the Water Envoy lowered his voice, "I'm worried that you'll be tripped up again on the road."

Li Ju did not reply, but simply cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Your subordinate will do his best."

The Water Envoy looked at him, sighed, and waved his hand.

Li Ju left the main hall, walked through the corridor, and returned to his duty room.

Wang Yu and Du Chen were both there. Wang Yu was wiping his knife, and Du Chen was doing accounts.

"Li Cheng," Wang Yu put down his sword, "is Zhuojun pressing us again?"

"I urged them," Li Ju said, sitting down. "This time, they need 30% more than last month."

Wang Yu cursed, "Damn it, while the front lines are fighting, the rear is being skinned alive. The grain hasn't even left Luoyang yet, and they've already been skimmed off."

Du Chen didn't even look up: "Li Cheng, I've already checked the accounts. This month's 'losses' are 20% higher than last month's. It's not that our ships were damaged, it's the losses reported by others. Li Zixiong's men, and those warehouse supervisors, they're all reaching out for their money."

Li Ju leaned back in his chair and remained silent for a moment.

"Xingyuan," he began, "how's the matter in Wu'an County going?"

Wang Yu put down his knife and lowered his voice: "The granary in the mountains has been built. It's located in the foothills of the Taihang Mountains, near the canal, but hidden in a ravine, invisible from the outside. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one road leading in, it's easy to defend and difficult to attack."

"How much have you saved?"

"The grain supply is 28,000 shi so far. As for equipment, we have 1,200 sets of armor, swords, spears, and crossbows. These were all taken from the 'losses' each time, not much at a time, just a few hundred shi or a few dozen sets, so nobody noticed."

Li Ju nodded.

"Double the storage capacity."

Wang Yu's eyes lit up: "Li Cheng, you're going to—"

"Don't ask," Li Ju interrupted him. "Just do as I say."

Wang Yu chuckled and didn't ask any more questions.

Du Chen didn't look up from beginning to end; the pen tip scratched on the paper.

Li Ju glanced at him.

Du Chen knew. He knew Li Ju was stockpiling grain, he knew Li Ju was hoarding weapons, and he knew what Li Ju was planning to do.

But he never asked questions or offered advice; he simply kept meticulous accounts and ensured that every "loss" was accounted for perfectly.

Such a person is a true confidant.

It wasn't because he was obedient, but because he understood the situation and chose to stay.

"Shoucheng," Li Ju said.

Du Chen looked up: "Hmm?"

"You are in charge of the accounts for Wu'an County."

Du Chen glanced at him, didn't ask any further questions, and nodded: "Okay."

Wang Yu leaned closer and whispered, "Li Cheng, aren't you afraid Du Shoucheng will sell you out?"

Du Chen glanced at him: "Why would I sell?"

"Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"I'm afraid." Du Chen lowered his head and continued doing the calculations. "But following Li Cheng means I'll live longer than following anyone else."

Wang Yu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Du Shoucheng, I like hearing that!"

Li Ju did not laugh.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the locust trees in the yard that were gradually becoming lush.

It's April, spring is in full bloom.

But the snow in Liaodong has not yet completely melted.

Su Huai'an arrived on the day the first batch of grain ships set sail.

He walked into the duty room, and Wang Yu and Du Chen both stood up.

"Li Cheng, busy?" Su Huai'an asked with a smile as he sat down opposite Li Ju.

Li Ju cupped his hands in greeting: "Junior Supervisor Su, what are your orders?"

"It's not really giving orders," Su Huai'an waved his hand. "I just wanted to say a few words to you."

Li Ju looked at him without saying a word.

Su Huai'an picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and slowly said, "Li Cheng, you've been at the Water Conservancy Bureau for almost a year now. In terms of getting things done, you're top-notch." He gave a thumbs up, "But some things require more than just being good at getting things done."

"Junior Supervisor Su made it clear."

Su Huai'an put down his teacup, leaned closer, and lowered his voice.

"Li Cheng, everyone else is taking, but you're not. The more perfectly you do it, the more it makes others seem greedy. Tell me, how are they supposed to live?"

Li Ju's expression remained unchanged.

"Junior Supervisor Su, I only know how to serve my duty; I know nothing else."

Su Huai'an glanced at him, his smile fading slightly.

"Li Cheng, you're a smart man, I don't need to say more. Leave some room for maneuver, don't cut off everyone's source of income. Otherwise—" He stood up, patted Li Ju on the shoulder, "Don't say I didn't warn you later."

Li Ju stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "I appreciate Supervisor Su's kindness."

Su Huai'an nodded, turned around and left.

Wang Yu watched his retreating figure and spat, "What the hell?"

Du Chen said, "Li Cheng, he is relaying a message from Li Zixiong."

"I know," Li Ju said, sitting down. "Don't worry about him."

"What does Li Cheng plan to do?" Wang Yu asked.

Li Ju picked up his pen and continued reviewing official documents.

"As usual."

Three days after Su Huai'an left, Li Xiaochang arrived.

Li Xiaochang rarely visited the Imperial Water Conservancy Bureau. As the head of a powerful family, he was arrogant and disdained to step into the government office. But today he came, and his expression was not good.

Li Ju greeted him outside the duty room.

"Father, what brings you here?"

Li Xiaochang glanced at him, but didn't answer, and went straight into the duty room. Wang Yu and Du Chen tactfully withdrew.

Li Xiaochang sat down, looked at Li Ju, and remained silent for a moment.

"Huai Run, have you offended someone again lately?"

"The son did not understand what his father meant."

"Su Huai'an," Li Xiaochang said, "He said a lot of bad things about you to Li Zixiong's men. He said you were too high-profile and didn't leave others any way to survive."

Li Ju remained silent.

Li Xiaochang continued, "Huairun, listen to your father's advice. Don't be too flashy. Noble families all hate people like you—if you handle things too well, it makes others look incompetent. If you continue like this, even the family won't be able to protect you."