The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0682 Reclaiming The Wasteland

Xu Wu asked Yuxi, ”Madam, how do you intend to deal with Dong Er?” Although Dong Er had confessed to accidentally causing the death of his younger brother, Dong San, and had signed and sealed the confession, Yuxi had not handed down any punishment. This action puzzled Xu Wu.

Yuxi replied, ”Large areas in the northwest have been left uncultivated. Rather than executing or imprisoning people like Dong Er, it would be better to send them out to reclaim land.” Reclaiming wasteland for grain production would increase both food supplies and tax revenues.

Xu Wu shook his head. ”Madam, the idea is a good one, but difficult to implement. A pampered young man like Dong Er wouldnʼt be able to endure the hardships of land reclamation — heʼd probably break down within a day or two.”

A faint, almost colourless smile played on Yuxiʼs face as she said, ”If it truly comes to that point, people will endure any suffering to stay alive.” She herself was the best example. When misfortune struck her in the past, she had literally walked for more than half a month from the village to the capital, surviving by begging and eating wild greens. Nothing more than her raw, burning will to survive had carried her through.

Looking at Yuxiʼs expression, Xu Wu couldnʼt help getting the false impression that Madam had once suffered in the same way. He quickly shook off these thoughts before reporting, ”Madam, I just received word: the General left Yu City three days ago. At his pace, he should catch up with us within the next couple of days.”

Yuxi nodded, picked up a few sheets of paper on the table, and handed them to Xu Wu. ”Send these to Xu Zhen. Tell him that from now on, matters in the city of Linzhou should be recorded according to the requirements in these documents.” The notes in the booklet were too simplistic, and those keeping the records were writing at their own whim, jotting down whatever came to mind.

Xu Wu took the papers and said, ”All right, Iʼll have someone deliver them to Xu Zhen shortly.” Madamʼs efficiency in handling affairs was truly beyond words. Nevertheless, Xu Wu couldnʼt help adding, ”Madam, your health is important — donʼt overwork yourself. If you fall ill, we wonʼt have good days.”

Yuxi smiled. ”Donʼt worry, I know my limits. Oh, right, this time when we leave, take Zhou Wei and the others with us!” A promise made, of course, must be fulfilled.

Having gained such significant benefits, failing to find placements for these children would weigh heavily on oneʼs conscience. Xu Wu responded, ”Iʼll arrange it. Madam, do you think we should give these children some money?”

Yuxi frowned slightly. ”We mustnʼt give money to too many people. If someone canʼt protect themselves, having a lot of money will only invite trouble.”

Xu Wu had a clear idea in his mind.

Yao Guangzhang had learned that Yuxi had left, and he fixed his eyes on the official document that Xu Wu had delivered to him. He had been poring over it all day, but still couldnʼt see any flowers from above.

Yao Guangzhangʼs legal adviser advised, ”Daren, Madam Yun says to dismiss Tongpan Guo; you must not go against her wishes.”

Looking at the paper, Yao Guangzhang said, ”For Han Shi to dare remove an official — this must not be tolerated.” A woman meddling in the appointment and dismissal of officials — wasnʼt that ʼa hen crowing at dawn.

The legal adviser was taken aback and reminded him, ”General Yun would even take up arms for Madam Yun. If you go up against her, Daren, youʼll be the one to suffer! At worst, you could lose your life and drag your whole family into it. At best, youʼll only be stripped of your office and dismissed.”

Yao Guangzhang was so furious that even his beard bristled. ”No, absolutely not! Even if it costs me my old life, I will never allow Han Shi to act recklessly!” Having been educated in the Confucian way, Yao Guangzhang could never tolerate a woman meddling in politics.

No matter how hard the legal adviser tried to persuade him, it was useless. In the end, he could only watch Yao Guangzhang write a memorial in vigorous strokes. Once finished, it was immediately sent to Haocheng.

Yuxi and her party couldnʼt find a village to stop at that day. As night fell, they could not travel any further, so they had to camp out in the open. Zaozao, being a bold little girl, was carried outside by Xu Wu. Liu-er was too young, so Yuxi left her in the carriage in case she got scared. With candles lit inside, the carriage was actually brighter than outside!

After a full dayʼs journey, everyone was exhausted. After supper and a quick wash, they all went to sleep. Yuxi and Mama Lan stayed in the main carriage to look after the two children, while Momo Quan and the others slept in the carriages behind.

”Awooo…” Yuxi heard wolves howling in her sleep. Immediately afterwards came the cries of Zaozao and Liu-er. Zaozao had been startled awake, while the noise had woken Liu-er.

Zaozao burrowed into Yuxiʼs arms, crying and calling, ”Mom, Mom…” The sound of the howling was chilling. Even Yuxi felt a shiver run through her heart, let alone a two-year-old child.

Yuxi held Zaozao in her arms and smiled as she comforted her, ”Donʼt be afraid, Momʼs here. Zaozao doesnʼt have to be scared.” As for Liu-er, she was still too young even to understand what fear was.

After spending quite a while soothing them, Yuxi finally managed to lull both children back to sleep.

Mama Lan, however, got down from the carriage and returned after a while. When she got back in, she first placed two pieces of red cloth, each wrapped around an item, on top of Zaozaoʼs and Liu-erʼs heads. Then she leaned close to each of their ears and whispered something.

Once she had finished, Mama Lan lowered her voice as she spoke to Yuxi, ”Madam, I did this to calm the Eldest and Second Young Missesʼ souls.” This ritual, which was intended to prevent children from falling ill after being frightened or touched by unclean spirits, was called ʼcalming the soulʼ.

Yuxi quickly asked, ”Mama, is there anything I should do?” She was worried, too—children often fall ill after being frightened.

Mama Lan shook her head. ”Madam doesnʼt need to do anything else—just stay close to the Young Misses.”

Yuxi barely slept that night, worried that the two children might have any problems. Fortunately, they slept soundly until morning. Yawning, Yuxi muttered, ”Iʼll have to catch up on sleep in the carriage later.” After a sleepless night, she had no energy left for the day.

Breakfast that morning was simple: just red date porridge with two side dishes of dried vegetables. Out on the road, a hot bowl of porridge was a luxury in itself, so there was nothing to complain about. Of course, Zaozao still had a bowl of steamed egg custard all to herself.

After eating, Yuxi didnʼt get back into the carriage right away. She walked alongside it for about fifteen minutes before finally climbing in.

Momo Quan urged, ”Madam, you should get some rest.” Yuxi had the remarkable ability to fall asleep in a jolting carriage. Momo Quan herself couldnʼt do that, even with thick seat padding.

Feeling a pair of large hands touching her face, Yuxi opened her eyes in fright. Seeing Yun Qing lying beside her, she reached out and pinched his cheek, murmuring, ”Why does this dream feel so real?”

Yun Qing had rarely seen Yuxi looking so sleepy. Taking her hand, he leaned down and kissed it gently. Smiling, he asked, ”Doesnʼt this feel a bit more real now?”

Feeling something sticky on her face, Yuxi sat up in shock. ”Yun Qing, it really is you! When did you get here?” She had just thought she was dreaming!

Yun Qing also sat up and replied, ”I got here a while ago. You were sleeping so soundly that I didnʼt want to wake you.” He had just spent quite some time keeping Zaozao company earlier.

Yuxi looked at Yun Qing reproachfully. ”Honestly, you could have at least woken me up when you arrived.”

Yun Qing pulled Yuxi into his arms and said, ”Xu Wu told me the children were frightened last night, and you stayed up with them all night.” In that situation, how could he bear to wake her?

Yuxi didnʼt think much of it. ”Luckily, we had Mama Lan with us, otherwise Iʼd have worried the two children might fall ill from the fright!” Having Mama Lan around really put her mind at ease.

Yun Qing grunted in acknowledgement. ”From now on, no more sleeping out in the open. Children are easily frightened out there.” Heʼd rather have them travel more slowly than risk the children coming to any harm.

Yuxi promised, ”There wonʼt be a next time.” She had no intention of ever camping outdoors again — this had only happened because of an error on Xu Wuʼs part.

To stop Yun Qing from asking why they had to sleep outside, Yuxi asked, ”Has everything in Yu City been settled? Who did you leave in charge of the city?”

Yun Qing replied, ”Iʼve left Chu Shaoguang and Cui Mo to defend the city together. Oh, and Han Jianye said he wanted to stay in Yu City, and I agreed.”

Yuxi already knew of Han Jianyeʼs intentions. ”How is Er Geʼs injury?” When she heard that he was fine, she frowned. ”Herui, news that Er Ge is alive will reach the capital soon. Iʼm worried the Emperor might use it as an excuse to cause trouble.” In truth, even if Han Jianye hadnʼt been injured, the news of his survival would still have reached the capital quickly.

Yun Qing wrapped an arm around her shoulders and said, ”Donʼt worry. With Dage there, Mother-in-law and everyone else will be fine.”

Yuxi knew well that affairs in the capital were too long for her whip to reach. After a pause, she raised the subject of Linzhouʼs situation: ”I couldnʼt find a better candidate at the moment — otherwise, Prefect Yao Guangzhang would have been dismissed long ago.”

Yun Qing said, ”If Yao Guangzhang isnʼt suitable, then replace him. Let Tan Tuo handle the appointment.” Tan Tuo was the Provincial Governor of Gansu, so entrusting him with the matter was the most appropriate choice.

Yuxi pressed her lips into a smile and said, ”I was afraid youʼd say I was being unreasonable!”

Yun Qing replied helplessly, ”You always overthink things. Think about it, have I ever once objected to anything youʼve done these past few years?” He had always supported everything Yuxi did.

Yuxi wrapped her arm around Yun Qingʼs waist and nestled against him. ”Yun Qing, thank you.” Truly, Yun Qing was the broadest-minded man Yuxi had ever known.

Yun Qing shook his head. ”There you go, saying silly things again.”

From outside, Xu Wu called out, ”General, Madam, weʼre almost at the place for lunch.” Having spent so much time together, he knew Yuxiʼs habits well. For example, if she napped in the carriage, she would never come out without first fetching some water to wash her face.

Yuxi said softly, ”Letʼs stay here for the night and go to Haocheng tomorrow.” The northwest could do without her, but it couldnʼt do without Yun Qing — there were still many matters awaiting his attention.

Yun Qing nodded. ”All right — weʼll leave in the morning.”