TNIBFT -Chapter 252 Elderly People Sleep Less

Looking at the black horse behind him, snorting.

Ye Tian’s eyes held a hint of sympathy. “You’ve been abandoned too. Misery loves company, let’s go, Ma Ge!”

Saying that, Ye Tian reached out to grab the reins.

The black horse was large and strong. As Ye Tian reached out, it turned its head proudly, refusing to let him hold the reins. It trotted a few steps, swishing its tail, and followed Qin Fengyi, leaving Ye Tian in the back.

Ye Tian was left staring, utterly frustrated.

What the hell!

Even the horse dislikes me?

Come to think of it, this horse actually seems smart—probably not dumb at all.

It wasn’t until they reached the hot pot restaurant that Ye Tian waved goodbye to Qin Fengyi.

Watching Qin Fengyi swing herself onto the horse, Ye Shuangxue’s expression was complicated.

Ye Yunting’s little face showed reluctance.

The two children remained silent, knowing that adults had many responsibilities, and that crying and whining would not make them “good children.”

Qin Fengyi pulled the reins, making the horse spin in place. She cast a lingering glance at her children and was about to leave when she heard her daughter’s hesitant voice: “Will you really come tomorrow?”

“I will!”

Qin Fengyi nodded seriously. She wanted to stay, but her subordinates were still waiting, and the team had originally been ready to depart. Now that plans had changed, there were follow-up issues to handle.

“Then… will you teach me to write my name tomorrow?”

Ye Shuangxue continued, nervously clenching her tiny fists. Her handwriting was really ugly; after Lord Meng saw it, she was sure he wouldn’t like it.

Seeing her daughter’s little brows furrowed in worry, Ye Tian couldn’t help but smile. “Tomorrow, I’ll be taking Lord Meng somewhere else. She might not teach you to write until the day after.”

“Ah.”

Ye Shuangxue quickly stole a glance at Qin Fengyi, then hurriedly lowered her head.

She decided to practice writing properly tonight.

There was still time.

Meanwhile, Ye Tian and Qin Fengyi said their farewells. Under the moonlight, Qin Fengyi, clad in her combat gear, looked heroic and resolute. At a single command, her warhorse shot forward like an arrow, and in an instant, her figure vanished into the darkness.

“I’m going to practice writing.”

“First, I’ll write my name.”

“I’ll write it now.”

Ye Shuangxue was full of energy. This was the first time the little “Overbearing Flower” had taken the initiative to learn. Truly, the sun had risen from the west! Ye Tian laughed, shaking his head as he turned to enter the hot pot restaurant.

At that moment, he noticed Zhu Zhongyi entering the store, his face wrapped in bandages, his eyes suspicious but panicked.

“Brother Zhu?”

Ye Yunting spoke up.

Ye Tian said, “His face was injured because of your father. Normally, do not tease or mock Brother Zhu, understood?”

“Understood!”

Both children nodded in unison.

…

The next morning.

Before Ye Tian had gotten out of bed, Tao Lichun arrived with several civil officials, waiting outside his room.

“The city lord hasn’t gotten up yet?”

“Hey, what time is it already?”

Tao Lichun shook his head in frustration. Ye Tian was great in many ways, but he was just too lazy.

Inside the room, Ye Tian, still sleepy-eyed, got dressed.

Listening to the chatter outside, he sincerely thought that people in ancient times were too rigid—waking up earlier than the roosters, sleeping later than the dogs. Their thoughts were constrained by countless rules, their actions restricted, and most people ended up frustrated and unfulfilled. No wonder the average lifespan was so short.

Thanks to Master Tao, otherwise being the city lord would be unbearable!

“Come in.”

Ye Tian spoke, and only then did Tao Lichun and the others push open the door and enter.

“City Lord, these are the matters from the past two days that require your review,” Tao Lichun said, handing over a collection of documents that needed Ye Tian’s approval. Ye Tian glanced at them and looked at Tao Lichun: “I trust Master Tao’s handling completely. I won’t look through these. Master Tao’s heart is entirely for the people; with such integrity, I have never doubted it.”

Integrity?

Tao Lichun was deeply moved by Ye Tian’s sincere gaze.

This absolute trust—under heaven, no one else would trust him like this except Ye Tian.

“I will not fail your expectations.”

Tao Lichun cupped his hands in respect, his gnarled, tree-like hand slightly trembling.

Those around him looked at Ye Tian with even greater reverence.

A city lord like Ye Tian, who trusts his subordinates implicitly, is almost unheard of. Ye Tian knew people well and used them wisely, which made their work even more motivated.

After a moment, someone said, “The city lord’s residence has been prepared. Perhaps the city lord could move in today; it would make handling official matters more convenient.”

Move to the city lord’s residence?

Ye Tian shook his head: “I think it’s better this way: you move the administrative office to the city lord’s residence. Each day, you go there to work. I will come when I have time. If work is busy, you can stay overnight at the residence. That way, it’s convenient for everyone.”

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.

You can do it like this?

As city lord, Ye Tian never considered his own convenience, always thinking of others. Everyone was deeply moved.

The more they observed Ye Tian, the more they saw the qualities of a wise ruler. These past few days, they had been actively implementing Ye Tian’s advocated land redistribution system, and the people of Sifang City were filled with gratitude.

In this world, the problem is not scarcity, but inequality.

What Ye Tian was doing would certainly win people’s hearts.

“By the way, who among you manages the population?”

“Find someone for me.”

“Feng Jiaojiao!”

The group paused, and Ye Tian continued: “The faster, the better. Someone in the city, a widow around thirty years old. Once found, do not make it public—report immediately. Understood?”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

After reporting, Tao Lichun led the group out of the room.

Duan Qingshan kept glancing back at Tao Lichun: “Master, I notice Master Tao has been radiant and full of energy these past two days, looking much younger.”

“But he has always been in poor health. If we leave all the work to him, I worry he won’t be able to handle it.”

Ye Tian glanced at Duan Qingshan.

Just having taken Sifang City, there’s so much administration to handle. If Master Tao, the veteran, can’t cope, then I’ll have an even harder time.

Seeing Duan Qingshan looking at him, Ye Tian shook his head helplessly: “I’m doing this for Master Tao’s own good.”

“Think about it: as you age, sleep naturally decreases. If you don’t find something to do, constantly thinking about trivial things, feeling melancholy—it’s worse for your health.”

Duan Qingshan nodded in agreement.

Ye Tian continued: “Now, keeping him busy makes him energized instantly.”

“Yes!”

“Once again, our master thinks everything through,” Duan Qingshan said, handing a hot towel to Ye Tian. “Master Tao’s handling of administration is really skilled. The city garrison is divided into three: Zhu and Yu guard the city, I handle city safety, and Brother Fang handles the city lord’s security. This mutual check system, all following the city lord’s orders, is better than before.”

Ye Tian nodded.

“The soldier training methods I mentioned—have you started using them?”

“In less than ten days, there will be military action. That will be your time to show your abilities.”

Ye Tian spoke, and Duan Qingshan cupped his fists, his expression serious.

Just as Ye Tian finished, his daughter shouted from outside: “Ye Tian, Lord Meng has arrived!”

“Why are you still in bed?”

“Lord Meng, my father always sleeps until this hour. Come, I’ll take you to his room…”