Chapter 587: Chapter 589: Arrangements
Gu Wenheng hadn’t expected so many people to be eyeing the position he held, even though his term wasn’t over yet.
The spring planting had just been completed. Even when his term ended, it would still be before the autumn harvest, which was several months away.
"Lu City has certainly gained a lot of good farmland these past few years." Wu Yichen beamed with pride. Although he hadn’t led these efforts, he had still contributed his part.
"That’s all thanks to the composting method and irrigation canals Mr. Gu provided. They not only saved labor but also made the once-barren land fertile," He Gaofei said, flattery rolling off his tongue.
Wu Yichen then chimed in, pledging his loyalty. "It would be a true blessing to have the opportunity to continue working alongside Mr. Gu.
I’ve already written back to the capital. I believe the elders in my clan will do their best to arrange it for me."
At this, Wu Yichen couldn’t help but puff out his chest. To have gone from a nobody in his clan to someone with a voice meant his achievements over the years had been recognized.
This solidified his determination to follow Gu Wenheng, believing it might truly be his path to a lofty career.
Witnessing the two of them trying to curry favor, Lu Shenggen couldn’t help but feel a little anxious.
’When it came to cunning or influence,’ he thought, ’I was no match for either of them.’
Gu Wenheng said, "You all deserve credit for these achievements as well. However, our terms are now coming to an end, and our departure is inevitable. Before that happens, I hope we can all continue to perform our duties diligently to the very end.
Please wrap up your current tasks as quickly as possible. The person taking over might arrive soon."
The mention of this left a bitter taste in the mouths of He Gaofei and the others. Who would be happy to have someone else come and harvest the fruits of the fine seeds they had so painstakingly cultivated?
His expression turned a bit dejected. "We’ve already assigned people to keep an eye on all the important areas.
The government office’s ledgers have also been sorted out."
At this, Wu Yichen couldn’t help but laugh. "Those people think we’re rolling in money here. But they don’t stop to think how much investment is needed to bring about such a massive transformation in a city.
I bet if they saw the deficits in the government office’s accounts, they’d jump up and start cursing."
Over the years, whenever there was any income, Gu Wenheng would immediately reinvest it into development projects.
He Gaofei shot him a look. "So what? With the way this place is developing, the treasury will be full in less than a year."
Gu Wenheng knew this was the moment to offer them some reassurance. "Don’t worry. No one can steal the credit for our accomplishments."
He Gaofei felt his heart quicken. "...What do you mean?"
"I’ve prepared an estimate of the future tax revenue and other income for this region. When I return to report on my duties, I will present it to the Holy Emperor."
He Gaofei was speechless. ’All I feel for my successor now isn’t envy, but immense pity,’ he thought.
Lu Shenggen was also silent. ’I’ve been doing my job dutifully all these years. I haven’t offended Mr. Gu, have I?’
Wu Yichen, however, clapped his hands and laughed. "Oh, what a shame! I won’t get to see their reactions when they find out.
They thought they were getting a great deal, but it turns out to be a hot potato."
The Emperor will have a number in mind. If the new official exceeds it, that will be considered their duty. But if they fall short, they will face the Emperor’s wrath.
Gu Wenheng, however, said with a serious expression, "When you return, you should also prepare thorough performance reports. Be sure to list all your accomplishments from these past years clearly."
It was as if a new world had opened up for He Gaofei and the others. ’So we can list our own accomplishments like this!’ They realized they needed to carefully think about and organize the very rules they had established through trial and error.
If their successors simply followed the arrangements they’d put in place, those people would merely be living off their leftovers.
But if they tried to innovate, they would have to not only succeed but also surpass the previous results; otherwise, it would all be for naught.
The three of them now had a new understanding of Gu Wenheng. ’This man is truly not to be trifled with. Anyone who tries to take advantage of him might just end up being the unlucky one.’
Gu Wenheng then led the men to the newly reclaimed wasteland.
After several years, these bandits had become veritable old farmers.
Their formerly sleazy and treacherous expressions had now become a lifeless gray.
They moved like marionettes all day, working from sunrise to sunset. It seemed they had lost all hope of returning to the Eastern Yi.
But it was no wonder. The year before last, Prince Zuo Tengshang had used some unknown trick to gather tens of thousands of troops, and charged over with more than a dozen warships in a great show of force.
Unfortunately for them, while they were still in the outer seas, Zhou Shixiong’s men had already spotted them from the lighthouse.
Seizing the initiative meant controlling the entire battlefield.
Just as they thought their plan had succeeded and were about to sneak into Lu City via a remote path, they were caught in a single swoop by the soldiers already lying in wait.
As for the dozen or so ships they had brought, they were naturally taken as spoils of war, which significantly reduced the obstacles to establishing a Navy.
Because of the Navy’s establishment, Vice General Wang Liqiang was now Great General Wang, in command of the Navy.
The aristocratic families in Shangjing had their eyes on this position, but based on experience and combat record, no one besides General Wang was qualified or could command the respect of the troops. Thus, the position naturally fell to Wang Liqiang.
For the sake of the Navy’s stable development, this position would certainly not change for the next few years.
It was also for this reason that Gu Wenheng had Jin Qianqian retain some shares in the sea trade.
As soon as the carriage stopped, the chief supervisor stationed there immediately came forward to greet them.
"Greetings, my lords," Wutou said hurriedly, seeing the officials disembark from the carriage.
"How are things here now?" He Gaofei, knowing the purpose of their visit, spoke on behalf of Gu Wenheng.
Wutou replied, "All the newly cleared land has been planted. We’re striving to finish the hundred-acre plot of wasteland on the western corner by the end of this month."
Gu Wenheng said, "You must still give them a full meal every day. And remember to mention to them that if they work hard, they will have a chance to return to their homeland in twenty years."
Wutou was confused. "These men are all extremely vicious. Leaving them alive is already a chance for them to atone. Why let them go back? Wouldn’t that be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains?"
They had already discussed this issue back at the government office. Wu Yichen stepped forward to answer him, "They are in their twenties or thirties now, some even older. After twenty-odd years of hard labor, what kind of trouble could they possibly stir up with the bodies they’ll have then?
Besides, do you really want them to be buried in our land in the future?"
Wutou thought it over and realized that made sense.
They would have to set aside land to bury them, which was clearly not a good deal.
’In that case,’ he thought, ’I really need to consider how to assign their tasks from now on. No matter what, I have to squeeze every last drop of value out of these men. It’s what they owe the people of the Rong Dynasty.’
