Exile? A mad, wicked woman empties the national treasury to escape famine.

Upon hearing the words "fish meat," King Nian's heart stirred.

No wonder she's had an extra serving of fish these past two days. She's tasted the fish herself, and it's definitely better than any fish she's had before. She even praised it at the time. She never expected that the fish was made by Ji Yunshu!

"Damn it! You let her sell fish just because she wants to, and you let her grow vegetables just because she wants to? She's just an exiled prisoner, what right does she have to do all this!"

Bao Taishi looked troubled, his face long and mournful.

"Your Highness, her selling fish and growing vegetables do not violate the law!"

I initially wanted to use her status to pressure her and prevent her from doing these things, but Ji Yunshu was well-versed in the law and knew that there was no article in the law that prohibited exiled prisoners from clearing land for farming, capturing wild animals, or finding wild vegetables to fill their stomachs.

At that time, Anjia Village had a large population, all of whom were exiled people. There were also miners not far away, making a total of more than a thousand people. Without this law, I, as the official, could not forcibly stop them!

Your Highness, you have an excellent reputation in Liancheng. If I were to make things difficult for them because of such unfounded accusations, wouldn't that be causing trouble for you? I dare not do such a thing!

When he met the stern gaze of the Prince, Bao Taishi almost burst into tears.

Wang Su valued his reputation, and he couldn't keep targeting the Xie family and Ji Yunshu over trivial matters.

With so many people around, if public opinion were to rise and reach the ears of other people in Liancheng, the prince might take action against him to protect his reputation.

After much deliberation, he decided not to stop Ji Yunshu and Xie Moyao from farming. Remembering the warning he had given Ji Yunshu earlier, Bao Taishi quickly said:

"However, Your Highness, rest assured, I have already spoken with Ji Yunshu. As exiled prisoners, they are allowed to cultivate the land, but half of the grain and produce must be handed over to the government. Ji Yunshu has agreed to this."

Your Highness, rest assured. They are probably just putting on a show. So many people have been sent to the exile area, and people have been replaced one after another. Who doesn't want to clear wasteland, farm, and get some food?

But over the years, as you know, the weather in the Northwest is like this: whether it's winter or summer, no one who tries to grow crops has succeeded; in the end, nothing ever comes of it.

It seems Ji Yunshu and Xie Moyao are just having a bit of fun; the seeds they planted in the dead of winter have no chance of surviving. Your Highness need not worry too much.

Upon hearing this, the King's expression softened considerably.

These days, things aren't very peaceful around Liancheng. It's better to avoid trouble. Ji Yunshu and Xie Moyao had better behave themselves and not cause any more trouble for him!

They should just stay put. Instead of doing work in the exile, they go and farm. They must be so bored that they have nothing better to do.

"You handled this matter fairly well. Let them make trouble if they want to. Just put the pressure on them where it's due."

When they are under a lot of pressure, they naturally lose the will to make things difficult.

Coming to farm in the dead of winter, they really don't have any common sense at all!

"Keep a close eye on Anjia Village. Make sure Ji Yunshu and Xie Moyao are kept under close surveillance. Under no circumstances are they allowed to leave the exile area!"

No matter how capable Xie Moyao and Ji Yunshu are, they can't accomplish anything if they stay away from their place of exile!

But if Xie Moyao and Ji Yunshu had never left their place of exile, then who was responsible for the theft of the county government office?!

Thinking about all this, Nian Wang felt his forehead throbbing.

What's wrong with the Northwest?! It was something he had always held firmly in his grasp, but lately, he felt like he was losing control.

The three thousand troops that Chu Jinsheng and Chu Jingrui took from him, I don't know what those two did with them. I heard that they've been running out of the city these past two days.

He had been secretly pleased that Chu Jingrui and Chu Jinsheng had asked for troops to deal with Xie Moyao and Ji Yunshu, but he never expected that they were just two useless people.

Bao Taishi kept nodding secretly. Seeing that Prince Nian was getting impatient, he wanted to slip away, but when he thought of the purpose of his visit, he still looked at Prince Nian with a fawning expression.

"Your Highness... I will keep these matters in mind, but Your Highness, what about the things in my office..."

The weapons were gone, but they weren't his anyway. What he was heartbroken about were the coal in his mansion, the rare items in his storeroom, and the gold and silver he had accumulated over the years!

That was all his savings!

Coal is so expensive now! Selling all that coal would bring in a lot of money!

He lost his money, his coal, and the county government office was burned down; now he truly has nothing left.

"How dare you bring this up with me? Get out of here right now and go back to keep an eye on Ji Yunshu and Xie Moyao. If you mess this up again, I'll kill you!"

As for those things in your government office, I'm even more anxious than you are!

That weapon was something I painstakingly collected over a long period of time!

I thought I would be almost ready in the next few days, but I never expected that you would throw away so much more for me!

You've delayed my important business! I've already shown mercy by not skinning you alive! Get out of here now!

Bao Taishi trembled with fright. He dared not linger any longer, hurriedly kowtowed a few times, got up quickly, and left the Prince's mansion.

His forehead and body were covered in blood. As soon as he stepped out, his guards took him aside to clean him up and bandage his wounds before he slowly left the Prince Nian's residence.

At that moment, at the city gate of Liancheng, the men under King Nian received the news and closed the city gate as quickly as possible.

Just then, Chu Jingrui was also leading his men and was about to leave at the city gate. Before they could even leave, they were locked inside the city.

Chu Jingrui sat upright on his horse, with Xiao Liu beside him. Looking at the soldiers guarding the city gate, Xiao Liu snorted coldly.

"Why are you closing the city gates in broad daylight? Are you blind? Don't you even recognize our Second Prince? Open the gates immediately and let our Second Prince out. If you delay our important business, how many heads do you have to chop off?!"

The guards looked terrified. "Sir, please spare us! We were just following orders. They said that the county government office in the city was robbed last night, and Prince Nian ordered that the city gates be closed to search for the thieves. We can only enter, not leave."

If you're going out, I need to send someone to inform the Prince. The messenger has already gone and should be back soon. Please wait a moment, it will be over in a little while...

The officials were almost in tears. Of all times, the second prince had to come right when they were closing the city gates!

The prince has given a strict order: they are only allowed to enter, not leave. They don't know if they can let the second prince and his entourage out; they'll have to ask the prince.