Chapter 423: Chapter 407: The Family’s Favorite
After Fengyu’s seventeenth birthday, Xie Xun found himself entering an inexplicable state of constant anxiety and fear.
Master Miao Yun had once prophesied that Fengyu would not live past eighteen. Now that she had reached seventeen, Xie Xun couldn’t help but feel on edge. He and his brothers did not believe in gods or such prophecies, but somehow, fate and fortune always seemed intricately intertwined. The twelve provinces now focused entirely on infrastructure and agriculture, and Ningzhou no longer needed so many soldiers stationed. The situation had stabilized considerably, and the Beiman were being watched by others as well. After entrusting Ningzhou to General Cui, Xie Xun led his troops to West State.
Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu were highly capable. The twelve provinces were now connected by a crisscrossing network of roads. In addition to constructing the Liangma Road, they had also built a circular highway linking the twelve provinces, along with three main arterial roads. Within only two years, they and their soldiers managed to open up foundational transportation networks across the twelve provinces. If war were to break out in Ningzhou, Xie Xun could travel from West State to Ningzhou in just four days.
Over the past year, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry had devoted themselves to road construction, infrastructure, and agriculture—wherever there was need, they were deployed. Slowly, the twelve provinces were regaining vitality, and many of the cavalry soldiers had even settled and established families within the twelve provinces.
Xie Jue remained stationed in Jiaozhou while Fengyu stayed in West State. The two of them were connected by Lian City. Over the course of two years, the new policies were successfully implemented across the entire territory. The aristocratic clans in Jinzhou had resisted at first but were violently suppressed. In the end, Xie Jue exchanged resources to confiscate all the land held by the clans. Once the reforms in Jinzhou were implemented, the new policies were swiftly adopted in all regions and counties across the twelve provinces.
With the land reforms and taxation systems finalized, military reforms became much easier. Xie Xun oversaw the process, and as soon as the decrees were issued, they were embraced across the military and received enthusiastic support. Promotions were no longer based on social status or background but solely on individual merit and achievements. Military service accumulated its own set of merits, and even individuals like Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin, who had spent the past two years constructing the Liangma Road and focusing on infrastructure, quickly rose to the rank of second-grade generals in the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry.
This inspired the soldiers to work even harder.
With Xie Jue maintaining excellent governance, Xie Xun commanding respect among the military, and Fengyu navigating matters in between, the entire situation across the twelve provinces improved steadily. Xie Jue’s four-year plan was completed in just two years.
What came next was to conserve strength, wait patiently, and choose the most opportune moment to launch an offensive on Zhongzhou. Once Zhongzhou fell, the road to the Capital City would be open, with no opposition in sight.
Lin Helin and the Grand Marshal also understood this situation. Over the past year, they too had been implementing reforms. Under Lin Helin’s leadership, the aristocratic clans united despite their individual interests and cooperated effectively. Zhongzhou, Jiangnan, and the Capital City all began to prosper, and the entire Yanyang region exhibited signs of peaceful and thriving living.
In such an atmosphere, choosing the right moment to wage war was crucial.
Only with the right time and place could harmony among men be achieved.
In November, the temperature in West State plunged sharply. Fierce winds and blizzards heralded the arrival of harsh winter. By mid-month, Xie Jue brought Ruyi to West State. This year, they would celebrate the New Year in West State. Commerce in West State City had already begun to flourish. With Fengyu residing in West State, the commercial activity of the twelve provinces naturally centered on West State. Moreover, due to its superior geographical location compared to Jinzhou, West State saw a rapid growth in population cohesion. With nearly 200,000 people, the city exuded an air of prosperity.
Fengyu and Xie Xun went to the city gates to welcome Xie Jue and Ruyi. One-year-old Ru Yi, supported by a steady hand, could already walk. With his jade-like complexion, dark eyes, and round, rosy cheeks, he was utterly adorable. As soon as Fengyu saw Ru Yi, she smiled and was about to hug him when someone moved even faster. Xie Xun watched as Ru Yi wobbled to his feet and hurried forward, excitedly lifting the child high into the air. "Ru Yi, do you remember your little uncle?"
Having endured the discomfort of a bumpy journey, Ru Yi felt uneasy about being hoisted into the air, especially when spun around. He burst into tears with a loud wail, stretching his arms toward his father—the only word he currently knew: "Dad..."
Xie Jue’s brows furrowed, and Xie Xun froze, his scalp tingling. Hastily, he set little Ru Yi down, cradling him in his arms to soothe him. "Don’t cry, Ru Yi. Little Uncle was wrong. Be a good boy, and I’ll give you some candy."
Out of nowhere, he produced a piece of malt candy. With his eyes red from crying, little Ru Yi sniffled. Large teardrops hung from his lashes as he pitifully licked the candy. Instantly, he broke into a grin, stuffing the candy into his mouth. But before long, Xie Jue snatched it away. "He can’t eat that."
"Why not?"
"His nursemaid said he can only have candy after he turns two."
"Our Ru Yi is just three months shy of turning two."
Though Ru Yi called out to his father for help when scared, he also feared Xie Jue. After his candy was confiscated, he bit his glossy lip in grievance, teetering on the verge of tears while staring longingly at the candy, yet too timid to cry outright.
Seeing this, Xie Xun’s heart softened. He quickly reclaimed the malt candy and placed it back in Ru Yi’s tiny hands. Overjoyed, Ru Yi licked the candy again before throwing his arms around Xie Xun in excitement, planting a sticky, sugary kiss on his face.
Xie Xun burst into hearty laughter and boasted to Xie Jue, "Second Brother, Ru Yi likes me better!"
Xie Jue: "..."