IDWBE -Chapter 245 Not Discouraged

“A teacher’s students are spread across the world; it’s normal not to remember them all. You enrolled in the Autumn Examination of the 28th year of Yongguang, and the examiner was none other than me,” Liu Boxian sobbed uncontrollably. “I once went to your residence to kowtow to you… I never imagined it’s been over thirty years since we parted.”

“Yongguang, 28th year…”

Bian Jing pondered for a moment. “If I remember correctly, the examiners that year were me and Wen Tai, the prefect of Ankang. But that’s already the past. Now I’m just a military commissioner. You don’t need to kneel—stand and speak.”

“Student dares not!”

Liu Boxian remained kneeling, head bowed. “Once a teacher, always a father. Ever since learning that my teacher was exiled to Sanhe, I’ve been restless day and night. I blame only myself for my incompetence, wasting my life as a minor prefect. I’ve been unable to help you escape suffering. Please forgive me, teacher!”

Wei Yishan, Jiang Zhen, Ma Xie, and the others nearby were stunned.

First, they had never expected Liu Boxian and Bian Jing to share such a bond. Second, they admired Liu Boxian’s performance.

Tears streamed freely, as if he had no cost to pay—truly awe-inspiring.

Bian Jing waved his hand. “No need for such formality. Stand and speak directly about the labor mobilization.”

Teacher, student… he no longer cared.

Every cold-blooded person has a past soaked in flesh and blood.

“Thank you, teacher,” Liu Boxian stood and spoke loudly, “Lord He has shown mercy, waiving taxes for three years. The people are grateful and willingly undertake this labor. Following Lord He’s principle of nearby assignment, they finish in the morning and return home in the afternoon. There’s no real complaint. By my estimate, at a single command, 150,000 laborers can be mobilized. If that’s insufficient, more can be called upon. Also, per your instructions, the lime and clay mines have been located. Everything is ready, only awaiting your personal supervision.”

Bian Jing nodded with satisfaction. “Well done. In fact, you don’t need so many; 100,000 is more than enough. Issue orders—simultaneously start the three roads from Qingyuan City to Songyang, Nanjing, and Citong City. The craftsmen will teach the laborers to produce lime and cement.”

This was where Nanzhou was better than Sanhe.

Although Nanzhou suffered from taxes and labor, it had long been a prosperous place, densely populated with deep roots.

At this moment, if taxes were waived, there would be no shortage of people for roadwork. And no monthly wages were needed; people brought their own food.

Not like Sanhe, a barren land, paying imperial grain? Impossible!

If the people didn’t revolt, it was already showing respect to Lord He.

Heaven knows how much effort Shan Qi had spent collecting taxes!

Almost resorted to killing.

In Sanhe, the roads were mostly built by convicts, barely involving the locals. If locals participated, it was because the Provincial Administration paid them a monthly wage.

Taxes? Acceptable. Labor service? Don’t even mention it. Anyone who does will get into a fight.

“Citong and Nanjing are major ports,” Liu Boxian cupped his hands. “Once the roads are open, traffic from east to west will be much smoother.”

Bian Jing nodded with a smile.

On A-Dai’s wedding day, the celebration was lively.

Lin Yi watched from a distance, not approaching—otherwise, everyone would feel awkward.

“Is the bride beautiful?”

Lin Yi asked Xiao Xizi.

“Lord, I went to see her earlier. She’s not ethereally stunning, but she has delicate features,” Xiao Xizi smiled. “I’m afraid A-Dai isn’t worthy of her.”

Lin Yi said, “Giving fifty taels of silver is just a token of my goodwill. This child has no parents; it hasn’t been easy.”

Xiao Xizi said, “Lord, your mercy—meeting you is his good fortune from a past life, his fate in this life.”

“Stop with your nonsense,” Lin Yi suppressed his jealousy.

He believed that his lover existed in the world. Whether a madman hiding in a normal soul or an idiot in a wise mind, she would cross this vast crowd and reach his side, holding him tight.

After all, he was handsome, witty, and well-educated!

On the way home, he heard a familiar song from the militia training nearby:

“I stumble and fall like the waves,
With countless grievances, I smile them away.
I know the world in wine,
My fame in the rivers and lakes needs no blade,
A thousand-pound burden I shoulder alone.”

Lin Yi frowned. “How did this song spread?”

He had sung it drunk yesterday—never expected it to spread so quickly.

Xiao Xizi said, “Lord, this morning Miss Mingyue taught it to her students in music class. At such a gathering, the whole of Baiyun City now knows it.”

“Alas, my talent can’t be hidden,” Lin Yi shook his head, sighed, and rode his donkey home.

Just off the donkey, he saw Ye Qiu standing at the door.

“Oh,” Lin Yi teased, “others gain weight after leaving the pass. Why are you getting thinner?”

Ye Qiu said, “I do not know.”

Lin Yi looked at his waist. “You’ve used the sword again? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t?”

He was surprised. In the past two years, he hadn’t seen this guy use a sword—usually just a stick.

Ye Qiu said, “From today onward, I’m truly meant to wield the sword.”

The Yellow Springs are distant, sending you far away.

This was his sword-heart, and he had regained it.

Xiao Xizi whispered in Lin Yi’s ear, “Lord, the steward said he has already reached the Grand Master level.”

“Grand Master?”

Lin Yi was surprised. “So soon?”

Ye Qiu bowed. “I, reckless as I am, finally broke through the last life-and-death barrier, and can now traverse the world, observe life, and rest upon the Yunling peaks.”

“Impressive.”

Lin Yi gave a thumbs-up and went straight inside.

People can be infuriating.

Ye Qiu smiled, then, under Jiang Chou’s watch, drew his sword and headed straight for Baiyun Mountain.

“You’ve come.”

The blind man squatted on the back mountain of the temple, holding a steamed bun, occasionally breaking off pieces to tease the little tiger beside him.

“I want to try,” Ye Qiu smiled.

“Why not ask the steward?”

The blind man asked.

Ye Qiu said, “I can’t beat him.”

The blind man picked up a bamboo stick from the ground and stood. “Do you think you can beat me?”

“I—”

The blind man exuded overwhelming pressure. Ye Qiu immediately felt it and quickly cupped his hands. “Farewell! Excuse me!”

Then he hurriedly flew down the mountain.

“Too late.”

The blind man wielded the bamboo stick and chased after him.

Jiang Chou watched Ye Qiu clutching his chest, coughing blood, and curiously asked, “Are you okay?”

“Won’t die!”

After a heavy cough, Ye Qiu returned to his room and resumed seclusion.