Chapter 10

When one is successful, one should help the world; when one is in adversity, one should cultivate oneself.

This is the statement of the second sage Mencius, expressing his noble aspirations and principles of conduct, but it is also applicable to Zhao Junchen, a "corrupt official."

There are some things he has seen and thought about, but due to the constraints of timing, environment, position, and ability, it is not yet his turn to get involved. It is enough to have a clear understanding in his heart.

In Zhao Junchen's view, thinking about the state and the people when one cannot even protect oneself is, if not laughable, at least an overestimation of one's capabilities.

Therefore, what Zhao Junchen needs to do first is to reverse the unfavorable situation he faces.

"Let everything change starting with this locust disaster in Luan Prefecture."

This is Zhao Junchen's most genuine thought at the moment.

...

The night passed without incident.

Although he was awake for half the night due to various reasons, Zhao Junchen felt much better when he got up the next morning. The headache and dizziness had improved significantly after a night's rest.

Therefore, Zhao Junchen did not follow the doctors' advice to continue resting in bed but got up early instead.

Although he was not used to being served, to avoid arousing suspicion, Zhao Junchen allowed a group of maids and servants to help him wash his face and change his clothes.

The decadent life of the feudal landlord class, where one is waited on hand and foot, might be something Zhao Junchen would gradually adapt to and even find comfortable, but for now, he felt like a puppet on strings.

Xu Qingyan, as Zhao Junchen's chief attendant, was in many ways incompetent. Perhaps spoiled by Zhao Junchen, he was usually lazy. When Zhao Junchen started eating breakfast, Xu Qingyan had just woken up. Upon learning that Zhao Junchen had already gotten up, he hurried over.

Entering Zhao Junchen's room, Xu Qingyan saw him leisurely enjoying his breakfast and could not help but complain, "Young Master, you were just injured yesterday. How could you get up so early today? What if it affects your recovery?"

Xu Qingyan, though not a good person in many ways, genuinely cared for Zhao Junchen.

Therefore, Zhao Junchen was not angry at Xu Qingyan's complaint but smiled and said, "It was just a hit by a stone, nothing serious. Lying in bed for days over this would be an overreaction and would delay important matters."

Waving away the maids and servants, Zhao Junchen pointed to the seat beside him and said to Xu Qingyan, "The breakfast prepared by Magistrate Liu is quite exquisite, but there's too much to eat. With the locust disaster in Luan Prefecture, we can't waste food. Sit down and have breakfast with me."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Xu Qingyan thought he had misheard and looked at Zhao Junchen in disbelief.

"Can't waste food" was not something Zhao Junchen would typically say.

Seeing Xu Qingyan's confusion, Zhao Junchen sighed lightly and said, "I know what you're wondering. Sit down, and we'll talk while we eat."

Xu Qingyan and Zhao Junchen had a relationship that was both master and servant and brotherly. They often ate together, so he did not refuse and sat beside Zhao Junchen. However, he did not touch the food, just looked at Zhao Junchen with confusion, waiting for an explanation.

Xu Qingyan had known Zhao Junchen for a long time and understood him deeply. From yesterday, he had felt that something was off with Zhao Junchen, as if he had become a different person. It was impossible for him not to be puzzled by Zhao Junchen's behavior.

On the other side, the new Zhao Junchen, to avoid leaving any loopholes and to ensure Xu Qingyan would align with him in the future, needed to dispel his doubts and explain his current thoughts.

The situation Zhao Junchen faced was severe, with both immediate and long-term concerns. To change this unfavorable situation, he needed to start now and from his surroundings.

Seeing that Xu Qingyan had not started eating, Zhao Junchen sighed lightly and put down his chopsticks, saying, "Qingyan, stay with me today and don't run to those grain shops anymore. Our purpose and methods for coming to Luan Prefecture need to change."

Hearing this, Xu Qingyan was startled and asked, "Young Master, you don't plan to use the disaster relief grain?"

Seeing Zhao Junchen nod, Xu Qingyan became anxious and said, "Young Master, how can this be? Selling the disaster relief grain to the grain shops would bring in hundreds of thousands of silver taels! Besides, we've already spent a lot of money on this. If we give up now, all that money will be wasted. We've never done a losing deal. Moreover, the officials in Luan Prefecture are all watching this disaster relief grain. If we give up, it will be hard to explain to them. Even if we don't take the grain, those corrupt officials in Luan Prefecture will still take it once we return to the capital. We'll get nothing, and we'll just be letting others profit."

Xu Qingyan's rapid-fire speech was logical and well-reasoned, making Zhao Junchen look at him differently.

Although, Xu Qingyan's "logic" was all based on the theory of corrupt officials.

Shaking his head lightly, Zhao Junchen said, "Qingyan, being hit by a stone has made me realize something. We've never been to Luan Prefecture and have never done anything to harm the people here, yet the locals are so hostile towards me. It seems that the propaganda of the reformists has made me infamous throughout the country."

Hearing this, Xu Qingyan looked indignant and said, "Those reformists are all scoundrels. The current emperor doesn't like them, and they have no power. They can only deceive the common people and scholars. Young Master, when did you start caring about these reformists and the common people? We do our own thing; why should we care about them?"

Zhao Junchen shook his head again and said, "That's not the right way to think. You don't like reading, but you must have heard stories. Take Li Linfu, Qin Hui, and Yan Song. Each of them was favored by the emperor and held immense power, yet none of them had a good end. Why? Because their reputations were too bad. If one doesn't think long-term, there will be immediate troubles. They are examples we should learn from. Money is good, but you need to have the means to spend it. Besides, we have enough money now. Is it necessary to keep accumulating more? What we need most now is a long-term strategy for survival. My reputation is already very bad, and if I let the reformists continue to defame me, it's time for a change."

Hearing this, Xu Qingyan felt very uncomfortable but understood Zhao Junchen's thoughts. He hesitated and asked, "Young Master, do you mean that this time we won't use the disaster relief grain but will use this opportunity to earn a good reputation?"

Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "That's exactly what I mean."

Xu Qingyan, however, did not agree and said, "Young Master, your intention is good, but it won't work. The officials in Luan Prefecture are all corrupt. They won't act without profit. They are respectful now because of your high position and the emperor's favor, and they hope to get a share of the benefits. If you don't give them anything during the disaster relief, they won't sincerely help you and might even resent you. The distribution of disaster relief grain will be handled by them. If they continue to deceive, you won't earn a good reputation, and the people's anger will fall on you."

Xu Qingyan shook his head repeatedly, looking like a businessman, and continued, "Young Master, this deal is not worth it. Are we going to pay those corrupt officials ourselves?"

Although Xu Qingyan was uneducated, he understood the corrupt ways of the officials and their psychology very well, which made Zhao Junchen value him more. After all, in the official world, one needs such people around.

However, Zhao Junchen was pleased with Xu Qingyan's doubts because it showed that he ultimately agreed with Zhao Junchen's thoughts and understood his intentions. This way, no matter what Zhao Junchen did in the future, Xu Qingyan would not doubt him.

Feeling more relaxed, Zhao Junchen smiled and said, "I have already thought about all these things and have a solution. In my view, with a slight adjustment, we can take care of all parties' interests, and we will get our share of the benefits without losing a single coin. If everything goes well, we might even get more."

Hearing this, Xu Qingyan was delighted and asked, "Young Master, you are so smart. Tell me what to do, and I will follow your lead."

Xu Qingyan, like others, would only act if there was a benefit. Once he heard about the benefits, he became very enthusiastic.

This also showed Xu Qingyan's loyalty, as all the benefits would go to Zhao Junchen, and he, as a chief attendant, would not get much.

On the other side, just as Zhao Junchen was about to explain, a servant reported from outside the door, "Sir, Magistrate Liu Chang'an is here to see you."