Chapter 1523: Good Job

Of course, the danger from Qingyang had not dissipated. He Lingchuan was now the chief consultant for the grand Tianshui project, so King Yao still needed to diligently protect his brilliant mind.

After thanking him, He Lingchuan scratched his head. "However, I've just acquired Yongquan Villa, and there aren't enough rooms to accommodate nine hundred people," he said.

This was not an excuse; it was the truth.

"No matter, my brothers can even stay in the storerooms," Zhao Song replied, as he certainly couldn't take the entire troop away. "If worst comes to worst, we've also brought military tents."

"Oh, how could I let the Imperial Guards stay in storerooms? That's just too embarrassing!" He Lingchuan exclaimed. Although he said this, he felt no embarrassment at all. Yongquan Villa was too large, and with his limited staff, he truly couldn't manage it all. Now, with Zhao Song bringing these nine hundred people, the villa's security was significantly bolstered.

Dong Rui's temporary departure meant He Lingchuan's methods were no longer as flexible as before. He also had to expend mental effort guarding against Qingyang.

At this moment, the guard team sent by King Yao was truly a godsend.

Since there were ample personnel, He Lingchuan asked Zhao Song to assign two hundred guards to clean up vacant rooms for the leading officers to move into, and simultaneously clean out the warehouses to settle these hundreds of men.

The villa was very large, and it took this team two full days of hard work to finally settle in.

As for the meals for nine hundred people, He Lingchuan magnanimously waved his hand and declared, "I'll cover all the expenses."

On the first night the guard army moved in, He Lingchuan canceled two banquets in Tianshui City, instructed the chef to prepare a welcome feast, and invited Zhao Song and several guard leaders to a hearty meal.

The same was true in Tianshui City: whenever a few people set out, they were surrounded by hundreds of elite guards.

The century-old streets were already narrow, and whenever He Lingchuan passed through, the entire road would be blocked!

Although they didn't shout "Lord He has arrived, bystanders step aside," no strangers could approach within five zhang of He Lingchuan.

The fact that he dared to act this way in the capital and suffer no repercussions indicated that all his actions had the tacit approval of those in power.

He truly was the King's most favored individual.

Ever since He Lingchuan joined as a "senior advisor," all matters concerning the new city's expansion seemed to hit a fast-forward button, suddenly unfolding comprehensively and accelerating.

The authorities posted announcements in streets and alleys, clearly stating that Tianshui City was about to expand eastward, detailing its size, boundary locations, and so on, as well as the public infrastructure projects accompanying the new city's expansion.

Dedicated personnel were also stationed next to the announcements to explain them to illiterate commoners.

Don't believe it? If you don't believe it, go see the official residences south of Youhu Lake, and the royal palace currently being renovated.

He Lingchuan's reputation in Tianshui reached its peak. Although he wasn't the principal in charge of the capital's eastward expansion plan, everyone in the royal court knew King Yao valued his opinions. A single word from him was worth ten from other ministers.

Otherwise, how could he have a thousand-person guard team? In the history of Yao, what foreign merchant had ever received such an honor?

As a result, he received endless flattery and countless gifts.

At this point, He Lingchuan suddenly became upright and incorruptible, refusing everything. To the outside world, he simply claimed to be in a leisurely position.

Why would someone in a leisurely position accept bribes?

Fan Shuang, too, couldn't stop smiling.

By following He Lingchuan, he essentially enjoyed the grandeur of being escorted by hundreds of people wherever he went, becoming the center of attention everywhere.

Moreover, many officials who couldn't reach He Lingchuan directly hoped to send messages through Fan Shuang.

Begging for favors required the right attitude, and seeking assistance required proper etiquette and gifts.

Fan Shuang had never been so prominent in his life.

From now on, not only Youhu Lake but also the surrounding villages, towns, and counties became major construction sites. As Qingyang traveled between Youhu Lake and Tianshui City, the journey was rough and bumpy, damaging two carriage wheels within three days.

Being wealthy, she affixed two expensive gliding talismans to her carriage. Only then was she spared the awkwardness of being constantly jostled throughout the journey.

In fact, Qingyang no longer wanted to stay at Youhu Cottage. It was neither secluded nor convenient.

But she couldn't move away, as that would be tantamount to openly admitting defeat to King Yao.

As soon as she returned to Youhu Cottage from the palace, Yuan Xuan handed her a document. "Palace Mistress, this is the finalized information for Tianshui City's eastward expansion."

The matter of Tianshui City's expansion had been debated in court for seven or eight years, but in the past few days, it had suddenly accelerated, with progress made daily.

King Yao also decisively approved the plan with unprecedented speed, not once mentioning the empty national treasury or the lack of funds for expansion.

Qingyang had many eyes and ears in the palace, and she quickly figured out the reason.

No matter how she looked at it, the name "He Xiao" was central to it all.

She read the detailed information Yuan Xuan brought very carefully and slowly, almost scrutinizing every single word of the so-called "city expansion and construction" plan.

By the time she put down the thick dossier, her expression had changed. "How brilliant!" she exclaimed.

"Palace Mistress?" Yuan Xuan asked. Qingyang was always composed and calm, and Yuan Xuan had not seen such an expression on her face for a long time.

"When Heyang was alive, I told him that King Yao's trick of forcing his officials to declare loyalty by buying villas in Youhu Lake could only last one or two months." Lightning flashed in the west, illuminating the night sky as Qingyang walked to the window. "I never expected He Xiao to have new tricks up his sleeve! If all the plans in this proposal are implemented, King Yao's game could continue for another year or two!"

Yuan Xuan was a smart man, but he truly didn't understand Qingyang's words.

After much hesitation, he still asked, "Palace Mistress, this entire plan is the result of collective discussions among the ministers. He Xiao only seemed to offer a few scattered opinions?"

In such a thick stack of documents, He Xiao's suggestions were minimal, and his name only appeared two or three times.

Why did the Palace Mistress seem to be facing a formidable enemy?

"Dozens of officials purchased villas by Youhu Lake," Qingyang explained. "I originally thought King Yao wouldn't be able to make every single one of them prosper, and that the court would soon become chaotic and difficult to operate."

If King Yao were to forcefully promote dozens of officials at once, wouldn't the royal court descend into chaos?

So, promotion wouldn't be based on diligence, performance, talent, or virtue, but merely on choosing sides and bribing the monarch with money?

What would the entire Yao court become then? Would King Yao still be worthy of diligent and dedicated subordinates?