When Hong Ling mentioned that she hadn't slept for over forty days, her tone was calm, but Duke Wen's brow furrowed tightly.
He had lived for over a thousand years and had seen countless diligent officials as well as countless lazy shirkers.
But he had truly never seen someone like Hong Ling—self-taught, handling government affairs without rest, and thinking it was no big deal.
Chen Zhou introduced the two to each other, and Hong Ling respectfully performed a deep bow to Duke Wen.
“Junior Hong Ling, humbly serving as the acting city lord of the City of the Wrongfully Dead, greets Senior Duke Wen.”
Duke Wen quickly reached out to support her with an ethereal gesture. “No need for such formalities, no need for such formalities.”
He studied the young girl before him.
She had a capable temperament and a clean, refined face, but there was a steadiness in her eyes that did not match her age.
Duke Wen was very familiar with those eyes.
He had seen them in Purity and Filth's eyes, in Duke Martial's eyes, and he had seen them when he looked at himself in the mirror.
Those were the eyes of someone who carried an entire province on their shoulders and held the lives of tens of millions in their heart.
“Lady Hong Ling, I heard the Sovereign say that you are only fifteen this year?” Duke Wen asked.
Hong Ling nodded. “Yes, Senior.”
“Fifteen years old, acting city lord, coordinating the distribution of resources for several provinces... truly, heroes come from the youth.”
Hong Ling did not respond.
She wasn't used to being praised to her face and didn't know how to react. Saying he was overstating it would seem hypocritical, while saying she also thought she was quite impressive would seem arrogant.
So she simply stood there quietly, waiting for Duke Wen to continue.
Seeing her like this, Duke Wen was even more satisfied.
Neither humble nor arrogant, neither impatient nor impulsive—where did the Sovereign pick up such a treasure?
“Lady Hong Ling, I would like to test you.” Duke Wen stroked his beard, a look of evaluation appearing on his face.
Hong Ling immediately straightened her posture. “Please speak, Senior.”
Duke Wen thought for a moment and said, “Suppose there is a province that has suffered long from the fires of war; the people are displaced, and the fields are barren.”
“You are ordered to govern it. Upon arrival, you discover three things.”
“First, the city's granaries have been looted by rioters, leaving only enough food for three days.”
“Second, tens of thousands of refugees have gathered outside the city, and people are starving to death every day.”
“Third, the city lords of two neighboring cities have sent messengers to borrow grain from you, claiming they need to provide disaster relief. However, to your knowledge, their granaries actually have surplus grain. How would you handle this?”
Hong Ling lowered her head, her brow slightly furrowed. Her fingers unconsciously fiddled with the silk sash at her waist as she recalled the events from when she first took over White Jade City.
Back then, what had the Master done?
Duke Wen did not rush her, waiting quietly.
After about ten breaths, Hong Ling looked up.
“First, I would open the granaries to distribute food, but only set up congee sheds outside the city. I would serve two meals a day, with each meal providing only enough to keep a person alive.”
“At the same time, I would set up a registration desk next to the congee sheds. All refugees receiving congee must register their names, places of origin, ages, and skills.”
“Second, I would screen the refugees for skilled craftsmen, able-bodied youth, and literate scholars, organizing them into three teams.”
“The craftsmen would be responsible for repairing houses and tools, the able-bodied youth for reclaiming wasteland and building city walls, and the scholars for teaching children and keeping records. Through food-for-work, those who work can receive an extra portion of dry rations.”
“Third, regarding the two city lords who wish to borrow grain, I would send a letter to each.”
“The letter would say: ‘Our city’s grain only suffices for three days, and we are truly unable to lend any. However, we have heard that your city’s granaries still have a surplus. If your city is willing to open its granaries to relieve the refugees, our city is willing to send craftsmen to assist in repairing your water conservancy projects, exchanging labor for grain.’”
After Duke Wen finished listening, his hand stroking his beard stopped.
He stared at Hong Ling for a long time before suddenly bursting into loud laughter.
“Good! Good! Good!”
He said the word 'good' three times, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out with joy.
“Food-for-work not only solves the livelihood of the refugees but also provides the manpower needed to rebuild the city.”
“Writing to the neighboring cities both exposes the fact that they have surplus grain and gives them a way to save face, while simultaneously proposing a cooperation plan. It is poised and confident, reasonable and measured.”
The more Duke Wen spoke, the happier he became. He turned to the civil officials behind him and said, “Do you all hear that?! A fifteen-year-old girl is much better than you were back then!”
The civil officials nodded one after another, their gazes toward Hong Ling filled with approval.
A white-haired old official stroked his beard and chuckled. “When we were fifteen, we were likely all inferior to Lady Hong Ling, weren't we?”
Duke Wen admitted it quite openly. “When you were fifteen, you were still stealing birds' nests from the peach trees!”
Everyone burst into hearty laughter.
Standing among the crowd, the corners of Hong Ling's mouth curled up slightly.
Once Duke Wen had laughed his fill, he clapped his hands and said to his civil officials, “Everyone, I have a proposal.”
The civil officials grew quiet.
“I have decided that from this day forward, I will take you all to the City Lord's Mansion to follow Lady Hong Ling. We will teach her through practical affairs and help lighten the burden on her shoulders.”
He paused and looked at Hong Ling with a serious expression.
“Lady Hong Ling, I am not trying to seize your power, nor am I trying to interfere. I simply want to teach you everything I have learned over the past thousand years. Are you willing to learn?”
Hong Ling was silent for a moment.
Then, she bent her waist and performed a deep bow.
“This junior is willing.”
“Thank you, Senior.”
Duke Wen laughed heartily and reached out to help her up. “Why call me Senior? Call me Master!”
Hong Ling was stunned for a moment, then she pursed her lips and said softly, “Master.”
Duke Wen's smile was so wide his beard tilted upward.
He turned and beckoned to Tao Tuantuan. “Tuantuan, come here!”
“Master, what is it?”
Duke Wen pointed at Hong Ling and said to Tao Tuantuan, “This is your junior sister.”
“Henceforth, I will remain here to teach her properly. You will accompany the Master to Cangzhou. Do not worry about me; work hard.”
“Do not lose face for your master.”
Tao Tuantuan: “...”
No, Master, aren't you going to try and keep me here?
Aren't you afraid your precious disciple will work herself to death in Cangzhou?
Duke Wen seemed to see through her thoughts and said with a chuckle, “Tuantuan, you have been clever since you were a child and learn everything quickly.”
“But you are simply too lazy. You won't move unless someone pushes you. Now that the Sovereign is giving you this opportunity, it is because he values you. You must cherish it.”
“Although our Peach Clan has no living members left, we can still contribute even after death, can't we?”
“Didn't you always tell me since you were little that you wanted to see a peaceful world where the people live in harmony? Then why not go and create it with your own hands? I believe in you.”
Tao Tuantuan looked utterly resigned to her misery.
Fine, Master has been brainwashed by the Sovereign as well.
Having finished his encouragement, Duke Wen led the group of civil officials under Hong Ling's guidance, heading toward the City Lord's Mansion in a grand procession, leaving Tao Tuantuan standing alone in the wind, bewildered.
But soon, Tao Tuantuan was also picked up by Chen Zhou. After crossing several streets, they arrived at the gate of the City of the Wrongfully Dead.
Tuoba Feng and Dream Demon were already waiting there.
Tuoba Feng was the same as ever, silent and taciturn. Dream Demon, however, had reverted to its terrifying true form, which was about a hundred feet high.
Its body was covered with nightmare eyes of various sizes, each eye slowly rotating. Its fangs were fully exposed, making it look savage and hideous.
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