The Duke's Pampered Darling is So Scheming

Chapter 452: Chapter 452: Princely Heir

Jiang Zhao Yuan’s brow twitched.

Su Wei’s report was the last thing he wanted to bring up for discussion.

Because it involved Qingzhou, and more importantly, it involved his protégé!

After a moment’s pause, Jiang Zhao Yuan said, ”State affairs are numerous and complicated. Su Wei’s report merely concerns the minor region of Qingzhou. In my opinion, we should discuss other matters first.”

As he spoke, he turned his head slightly and raised his voice.

”In the bitter cold of winter, the soldiers guarding the border lack food and clothing. How can they be expected to fend off the enemy? King Yan Nan has requested an additional two hundred thousand taels of silver for military provisions. What is the Eldest Princess’s opinion on this matter?”

Military affairs were indeed of the utmost importance.

The Eldest Princess was especially clear on this point, and she immediately said, ”The situation at the border is tense. This request should, of course, be approved.”

Jiang Zhao Yuan scoffed inwardly.

’Although the Eldest Princess once fought on the battlefield, she has spent these past years quietly recuperating and has long been out of touch with court affairs.’

’She’s just a figurehead—’

”Speaking of allocating disaster relief funds, I am suddenly reminded that the dikes of the Li River in Sui Nan burst, leaving the people displaced and homeless. And some time ago, the relief granary there caught fire.”

The Eldest Princess spoke suddenly, and certain words in her statement instantly made Jiang Zhao Yuan’s nerves tighten!

’In the testimony Xu Fengchi submitted last time, Xu Jie admitted that he had orchestrated the whole thing. The official granary had been completely empty to begin with!’

’For the Eldest Princess to bring this up now, what exactly—’

”Immediately requisition grain from Dengzhou and Qu City, and transport it to Sui Nan with the utmost speed.”

The Eldest Princess spoke without a hint of hesitation; it was clearly a direct order!

Jiang Zhao Yuan’s heart tightened. ”Eldest Princess, this is inadvisable! Dengzhou is one thing, but Qu City has failed to collect its taxes for years. They can barely take care of themselves, so how could they have any surplus grain to send to Sui Nan?”

The Eldest Princess glanced at him, and her next words nearly made him spit blood.

”That is not my problem.”

Jiang Zhao Yuan was on the verge of cursing out loud.

But before he could speak, the Eldest Princess narrowed her eyes slightly, as if reminiscing.

”I recall that Elder Jiang served as the Magistrate of Qu City in his early years. Therefore, the task of pressing for this grain contribution is best left to Elder Jiang.”

”I—”

Jiang Zhao Yuan looked up in disbelief, almost suspecting he had misheard.

However, the Eldest Princess seemed unwilling to waste any more time on the matter. Having made the arrangement, she gave Jiang Zhao Yuan no time to object and returned to the topic from the beginning of the discussion.

”The importance of farmland to the common people is self-evident. Yet Su Wei reports that something is amiss in Qingzhou—grain is being hoarded to the point that it is rotting in the granaries. How can this be allowed? We must send someone to investigate at once!”

As she spoke, she looked directly at Chen Songshi.

”Mr. Chen, what are your thoughts?”

Chen Songshi cupped his hands and replied smoothly, ”This matter cannot be treated lightly. In my opinion... why not dispatch the Heir of Duke Dingbei to personally lead the investigation?”

Jiang Zhao Yuan’s eyelid twitched violently. He instinctively retorted, ”The Princely Heir is a man of what status? How could he—”

”And why not?”

Chen Songshi chuckled.

”Everyone here trusts the Princely Heir’s capabilities, I believe. If he takes charge, he is certain to get to the bottom of this entire affair. Elder Jiang, wouldn’t you agree?”

”You!”

Jiang Zhao Yuan felt a knot of anger tighten in his chest.

How could he fail to hear the mockery in Chen Songshi’s words!

’Everyone knew that the last case Shen Yanchuan investigated involved none other than Xu Jie and Xiao Chengxuan!’

The Eldest Princess mused for a moment. ”Qingzhou...”

’That’s that girl Chutang’s hometown.’

She raised a hand.

”So be it. Excellent.”