The Humble Family’s Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!
Chapter 1148 - 971, Competing to Enter Xiliang

Chapter 1148: Chapter 971, Competing to Enter Xiliang

Xiao Yeyang hadn’t expected that Yan Wenxiu would really bring back a group of scholars for him.

Yan Wenxiu smiled, he hadn’t anticipated that these scholars would be so keenly interested in Pinyin; he hardly had to persuade them, and they were willing to follow him to Xiliang.

Xiao Yeyang asked Defu to arrange accommodation for the scholars; it’s the end of the year now, the coldest time, they mustn’t let these scholars catch a cold.

"This Xiliang doesn’t seem as poor as I imagined."

"Especially this area near Liangdu, it looks quite bustling, with every household immersed in strong New Year vibes."

"Right, did you notice? The roads in Liangdu City seem exceptionally flat, apparently built with something called cement."

"Yes, after the snow melts, there’s no mud on the ground, but it’s clean."

"Look at this, our lodging even has glass installed, the conditions are even better than in the Academy."

"Isn’t that stating the obvious? We are, after all, guests of Prince Weiyuan."

"We shouldn’t get too comfortable with the idea of being guests; we are here to learn Pinyin, so we need to stay humble."

"What do you think about the suggestion from Lord Yan on the road, about us staying in Xiliang to teach?"

Upon this, everyone fell silent.

Although Xiliang was not as poor as they had imagined, it still lagged behind other places, and most people were not too keen on staying here.

...

Prince Residence of Weiyuan.

Daohua, seeing that Xiao Yeyang had some leisure time, asked curiously, "Why didn’t you go to the Governor’s Office today?"

Xiao Yeyang replied resignedly, "My dear Princess Consort, it’s already the twenty-fifth of the twelfth lunar month; aren’t I allowed a little rest?"

Daohua smiled, "I’m just not used to seeing you idle all of a sudden, after getting used to your busyness." She paused, "Didn’t your elder brother bring you some scholars? Why don’t you go meet them?"

Xiao Yeyang: "What’s there to meet about? Nothing in this world comes for free. They want to learn Pinyin? Fine, they can stay and teach in Liangdu Prefecture. I’ve already had Defu pass on my message; it’s up to them if they want to stay."

Daohua: "Is your academy built already?"

Xiao Yeyang: "When Wenxiu went back to Beijing, he already reported to the Emperor. Next year, Xiliang will start full-scale construction of prefectures, counties, and townships."

"The Provincial Governor’s Office and Supervisory Office I had built early on. As for the academy, it was built incidentally. I have also ordered the construction of Governor’s Offices in other garrison posts."

Daohua laughed, "No wonder you’ve been so busy every day, accomplishing so much."

Xiao Yeyang: "To govern Xiliang, we must at least set up the most basic administrative institutions first." Saying this, he paused, "Next year, our Xiliang is probably going to get busier."

Daohua nodded, with the establishment of prefectures, counties, and townships in Xiliang, a large number of positions would suddenly become available. Now that Xiliang was stable, even though remote and harsh, there would still be those willing to come.

Especially since the establishment of Ganzhou Prefecture, Elder Dong had achieved commendable administrative performance there, which would certainly attract a portion of the officials.

At this moment, Defu came over to report that there was an issue at the Governor’s Office and Xiao Yeyang’s decision was needed.

Xiao Yeyang sighed, "The older the son gets, the more interesting it becomes, I don’t feel like fulfilling official duties anymore."

Daohua spoke irritably, "That’s because you’ve only been playing with the son. You don’t know how infuriating this little rascal can be at times."

Xiao Yeyang countered, "I think our son is quite well-behaved."

Daohua immediately responded, "Then you go to the amusement park now and bring that little guy back."

Xiao Yeyang knew his son was active and wouldn’t want to return if he hadn’t had his fill of fun, which would surely end in tears. Once his son started crying, his uncle and mother would definitely chastise him.

"I need to go to the Governor’s Office, and after I’m back, I’ll discipline that brat."

Watching Xiao Yeyang stride away, Daohua pursed her lips: "Xiao Yeyang is reluctant to be a strict father, effectively forcing me to become the strict mother."

Guyu chuckled, "But the closest person to the Little Prince is still the Princess Consort."

Upon hearing this, Daohua laughed, "That little brat does have a bit of conscience. Let’s go and drag him back. He has been out playing for so long; don’t let him catch a cold."

...

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Emperor announced in the early court that Xiliang would establish new prefectures, counties, and districts, and instructed the Ministry of Personnel to draft a list of officials for these positions.

The news set the entire bureaucracy abuzz.

Official positions in Beijing are fixed, one for each post. Local positions require vacancies before new appointments can be made, causing many officials to wait for an opening. Even the scions of aristocratic families cannot simply obtain positions whenever they wish.

Now that Xiliang had many new official posts, it sent everyone’s hearts racing.

So, this year, many people did not enjoy the New Year as they were busy pulling strings and seeking connections.

Feng Family.

The members of the Feng Family looked at the brooding Feng Shuo, each lost for words.

Both Elder Mr. Feng and Madam Feng deeply regretted, if their second son had not divorced Yan Yile, with the connections of the Yan Family and the distant Prince Residence, he would surely have secured a decent position in Xiliang.

They heard that Yan Wenxiu and his, the second and third sons-in-law of the Yan Family, would directly take on the positions of Magistrate upon the establishment of the new governance, a post of full fourth rank! If one were to work their way up from the ground level, how many years would it take?

The eldest son of the Feng Family and the third son looked at Feng Shuo with sympathy. Their second brother had such bad luck; having been married to Yan Yile for many years without any benefit, and now that the opportunity arose right after their divorce.

What a pity, such a pity!

Upon learning the news, Yan Yile burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face.

Why did she insist on divorcing Feng Shuo?

Because she accidentally overheard Feng Shuo and his favored concubine saying that he married her solely to use the Yan Family to advance his career, their chance meeting in the Earl Residence was a meticulous plan of his own making.

He had no affection for her, and if it weren’t for her family, he wouldn’t even be interested in glancing at her.

Foolish and unaware...

This was Feng Shuo’s evaluation of her!

It was as if the heavens were helping her; Feng Shuo must now be regretting so much he’s green in the guts, right? She wanted him to regret it, to regret their divorce, to regret how he undervalued her.

He adored that mistress, didn’t he? Let that mistress help him advance his career then!

These were the ferocious thoughts swirling in Yan Yile’s mind.

Feng Shuo looked down on her, didn’t he? Now without her, he could only obediently roll back to that desolate Huzhou to serve as his sixth-rank official.

...

While the powers in Beijing contested for the official positions in Xiliang, the distant Prince Residence was happily celebrating the Chinese New Year.

This year, both Yan Yihuan and her husband and Yan Yishuang and his spouse came to Liangdu City for the New Year celebration.

Seeing Dong Yuanxuan in Liangdu as well, Xiu Yi and You Kai seized the opportunity to ask him about potential difficulties and issues that might arise during the initial establishment of the Governor’s Office.

Dong Yuanxuan didn’t hold back and shared his own experiences and issues he encountered with Xiu Yi and You Kai.

After Lantern Festival, Dong Yuanxuan and the others returned to their respective garrisons.

After they left, Daohua couldn’t help asking, "If the Imperial Court sends incompetent officials to establish the prefectures, what then?"

Xiao Yeyang smiled and said, "I’ve already presented a memorial to the Imperial Uncle about this matter. He also wishes to govern Xiliang well, so the officials coming won’t be incompetent."

Daohua: "That’s good then. Xiliang has finally begun to thrive under your leadership. We mustn’t let that be ruined."