Chapter 855 – I Opened a Fake Live Stream (Part 1)
Cheng Jing felt that these past few days had to be the most torturous and tumultuous days of his life.
When he heard Jiang Pengji telling him to go back, it felt like a decree of mercy had dropped upon him, and he secretly wiped the cold sweat from his face, bowing as he retreated.
Looking at the blazing fire in the distance, Cheng Jing’s fear of Jiang Pengji deepened.
Who exactly was this person, to repeatedly slay even that kind of monstrous evil?
More importantly, would that monster rise again and descend upon the world?
Cheng Jing had no answers to these questions.
He sat in the carriage, ready to return to his lodgings when suddenly, a series of urgent hoof beats rang out in front, forcing his driver to yield.
At this time of night, who could still be galloping wildly through the streets?
Cheng Jing lifted the curtain of the carriage and was startled to see a familiar figure on horseback, instinctively calling out.
“Zixiao?”
The night was too dark; he only felt that the silhouette was exceptionally familiar. Given the angle, he couldn’t see the person’s profile clearly and wasn’t sure if it was Wei Ci.
Cheng Jing and Wei Ci were both disciples of Mr. Yuanjing, not just brothers in arms but also kindred spirits.
However, in this era, there were no convenient communication tools, no internet or video calls—only unreliable, time-consuming letters. It had almost been three or four years since Cheng Jing last met Wei Ci, and to reunite now was nothing short of a surprise!
After all, meeting an old friend in a foreign land is one of the four great joys of life!
The man on horseback heard someone call him and hurriedly pulled on the reins.
Looking in the direction of the voice, wasn’t that face belonging to Wei Ci?
“Yǒu Mò?” Wei Ci exclaimed, surprised, never expecting to see an old friend here. Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time for old friends to reminisce; he had rushed here from the capital for urgent matters, and catching up would have to wait.
Cheng Jing could tell Wei Ci had traveled hard and likely faced quite a bit of trouble.
He empathetically said, “I’ve been in Xiangyang these past few days; no rush on catching up, Zixiao, you should attend to your urgent business first.”
Wei Ci, on horseback, cupped his hands in a salute and waved the whip again, making his way towards the county office.
Cheng Jing was puzzled, wondering what had happened that made Wei Ci so hurried?
Jiang Pengji had the same question. She had just sent someone to handle the remains of a time-traveling girl when news arrived that Wei Ci was seeking an audience.
“Isn’t Zixiao constructing the state office in the capital?”
Even though the weather was still warm, with all this back and forth, what if Wei Ci, with his frail body, fell ill?
“Quickly let him in, and prepare some warm food. Zixiao has traveled quickly; he won’t have time for a proper meal.”
Jiang Pengji ordered someone to prepare supper in the small kitchen, just as Wei Ci entered, his face smeared with a bit of dirt.
“Greetings, My Lord.”
Wei Ci bowed, and Jiang Pengji instructed him to rise, casually asking,
“What happened in the capital? Why did you return so suddenly?”
Calculating the time, Wei Ci should have only spent a month in the capital before returning; was there a setback in the construction of the state office?
Jiang Pengji looked at Wei Ci’s face and saw his calm demeanor; it seemed it wasn’t anything too alarming.
As expected, Wei Ci pulled several scrolls from a bamboo tube at his waist.
“There are some matters that are difficult to decide, so I hurried back to submit them for your ruling, My Lord.”
Although Jiang Pengji entrusted the authority to rebuild the capital to Wei Ci and Zhang Ping, there were still matters that required her input.
Jiang Pengji received the documents and said, “Your health still needs care. If there’s something urgent, just send word; no need to make the trip yourself. The weather is still hot; what if you fall ill on the way?”
At her words, Wei Ci lowered his head, not daring to look up, the heat flushing his ears and making him uneasy.
Jiang Pengji paid no mind to Wei Ci’s reaction; instead, she examined the materials he had brought carefully.
There were many assorted items inside, but two matters stood out as the most important.
One was Ji Mountain outside the capital; known for its hot springs, it was a treasure bestowed by heaven.
Years ago, after the earthquake hit the capital, the hot springs at Ji Mountain suffered a massive blow, and the spring outlets were severely altered.
Wei Ci believed that this rebuilding effort could also integrate the planning and restoration of Ji Mountain; it shouldn’t simply be wasted.
Of course, Zhang Ping held opposing views.
In Zhang Ping’s traditional mindset, hot springs were a privilege exclusive to the wealthy, a hallmark of extravagance.
With the capital still under reconstruction, why to allocate resources to fidgeting with Ji Mountain hot springs? Wasn’t that pouring resources down the drain?
Jiang Pengji asked Wei Ci, “What is Zixiao’s opinion?”
Wei Ci responded, “Ci and Xi Heng disagree; if possible, I hope we can restore Ji Mountain.”
Right now, the damage to Ji Mountain hot springs wasn’t too severe; if they waited several decades before addressing it again, it might be hopeless.
Jiang Pengji glanced at the documents Zhang Ping had asked Wei Ci to bring along, which detailed his objections.
Zhang Ping didn’t specifically say that restoring the hot springs was merely for pleasure; he just felt the costs would be too high.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Do you have reasons?”
Wei Ci knew that complicating matters would increase the reconstruction budget, making him hesitant.
He said, “My Lord, have you considered residing in the capital for the long term?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “The capital has experienced an earthquake; perhaps it won’t occur again for hundreds of years, or maybe it will happen every few years. Who can say for sure about the heavens? Living in such a place wouldn’t put anyone at ease. If further developments are planned for the future, naturally, we must seek another location.”
Based solely on the past earthquake in the capital, she wouldn’t even consider making it the capital of a unified nation in the future.
Wei Ci added, “I have carefully observed, and apart from the hot springs and the capital, there’s nothing else noteworthy about this area.”
The capital is no longer the royal city and will not be in the future; what remains special here?
There’s also been an earthquake, and without alternative measures, it’s doubtful this area will thrive within a hundred years.
If Ji Mountain hot springs can be preserved, at least it would maintain some uniqueness.
Jiang Pengji understood Wei Ci’s point and fell silent for a moment before saying, “Proceed according to your wishes.”
Wei Ci was taken aback, bowing deeply in gratitude.
He wasn’t a dull person; if he didn’t understand this, it would truly be foolish.
His Lord seemed particularly indulgent towards him… as long as it didn’t violate principles?
Wei Ci was left feeling confused, filled with indescribable joy yet also a vague sense of anxiety.
He had no idea how to respond and could only choose to remain silent.
In addition to the matter concerning Ji Mountain hot springs, another issue also needed Jiang Pengji’s decision.
This matter wasn’t too big but neither was it small.
“To construct a reservoir?” Jiang Pengji asked, “Whose idea is this?”
Wei Ci replied, “This was proposed by Chongming and Ci.”
Shao Guang, inspired by the Xiangyang water reservoir, thought it could utilize the terrain to build a reservoir; once completed, Shangyang County would benefit significantly. As long as there wasn’t a particularly severe drought, this area could hold out. However, the project seemed too grand, and he felt he couldn’t manage it.
So, Shao Guang approached Wei Ci, feeling a bit more at ease.
