...
Taishi Ankang’s face darkened.
That Wang Shouzhe was indeed not so easy to fool.
However, given his status, there were so things he couldn’t say. He could only hopelessly look at Commandery Prince Wu Dianshan for help.
"Why need to feign ignorance, young Shouzhe?" Wu Dianshan reluctantly advised, "Cao Youqing is a prodigy of the Sacred Land... a heir of the Purple Xiao lineage."
"Commandery Prince, are you saying that a prodigy of the Sacred Land can collude with wanted fugitives and murder at will?" Wang Shouzhe looked shocked, "Where then is the authority of Daqian Law? If a wunderkind of the Sacred Land can arbitrarily be above Daqian Law, what are we territorial families worth? Shouzhe might as well take my household and seek shelter in the Sacred Land."
"Nonsense, stop your tall tales and distraction." Wu Dianshan admonished sternly, "I’ve already told you the truth. The matter of Cao Youqing is extrely complex and it’s not suitable to issue a public warrant yet. Young Shouzhe, you are intelligent, so it’s better not to get too involved in this matter."
"Your Highness has been kind to Shouzhe, and I will naturally comply with your wishes." Wang Shouzhe bowed and said seriously, "However, that Cao Youqing failed to steal and lost her property instead. She might not be willing to let it go."
"It doesn’t matter. I and the Prefectural Governor will jointly put pressure on the people behind her." Wu Dianshan was also slightly annoyed at the thought of Cao Youqing’s deeds, "No matter what, Longzuo County is nominally my fief. I won’t tolerate their stirring up trouble here secretly."
"With Your Highness’s words, Shouzhe can rest assured." Wang Shouzhe nodded, "As long as the Qian family has no objections, Shouzhe naturally will not object either."
"Although the Qian family has objections, they can only swallow them." Wu Dianshan frowned, "Ultimately, this matter was caused by the internal strife between the direct lines in the Qian family. That young lad Qian Qinhong can’t even control his inner courtyard. He truly lacks virtue and prestige."
After a pause, Wu Dianshan turned to the Prefectural Governor Taishi Ankang and said, "Governor, I’ve already persuaded our friend Shouzhe on your behalf. However, the Wang family have suffered a loss after all this ti, it is only appropriate that you show so goodwill."
Taishi Ankang felt a certain sense of desolation in his heart.
If it were an ordinary 7th-rank Aristocratic Family, he wouldn’t have to worry about their thoughts at all.
But now, the Changning Wang Clan, even though they were only a 7th-rank family on the surface, their foundation and background were unfathomable.
Especially Wang Liyao, the direct heir of the Wang family, was an enlightened prodigy and was accepted as the beloved disciple of Tianhe, the Enlightened One from the Academic Palace. If she takes this matter seriously and draws the attention of Tianhe, then this matter won’t be easy to resolve.
After all, this matter had far-reaching implications. Even he, as Prefectural Governor, must be extra careful in his actions.
"It is right to offer a gesture of goodwill." Taishi Ankang nodded and looked at Wang Shouzhe with benevolence. "Why don’t you tell , Master Shouzhe, what assistance do you need from ?"
As expected of a governor, crafty and cunning. He managed to return the ball to his court.
"Lord Governor, you rule over Longzuo County on behalf of the Emperor, dealing with countless issues daily, and working tirelessly. How dare Shouzhe put forward any requests?" Wang Shouzhe, being no easy prey, retorted firmly, "We, the Wang family are a 7th-rank Aristocratic Family, bestowed by Daqian and charged with the duty of ruling the land.
However, due to our efforts of appeasing refugees, we have a large population under our jurisdiction, with insufficient land and people living in unease. Shouzhe has been thinking it over, and the only solution seems to be expanding into the outer territories, developing the land. However, the Wang family resources are ager and we would very much appreciate the support of the Governor…"
Prefectural Governor Taishi Ankang’s eyelids twitched.
This Wang Shouzhe was not simple. He actually brought up the Wang family’s past acts of aiding refugees and requested the governnt to support the Wang family’s land cultivation.
It’s not unusual for a prominent family to cultivate land. Given Wang family’s status, it would be easy for them to apply for an expansion order. However, land cultivation is usually funded and carried out by the families. The governnt would typically award land grants, establish cities, build towns, and undertake so logistical work afterward.
How could this allow the governnt to pay for land cultivation?
The Wang family, poor?
Taishi Ankang felt almost driven to violence.
Where are the Wangs poor? It’s clearly stated in the information collected by the governnt that the Wang family has quite a substantial fortune. Surely not many Rank Six Aristocratic Families are wealthier than the Wang family, right?
Nevertheless, in this case, the governnt is indeed at fault, and compensation and appeasent are necessary.
Suppressing the urge to lash out, Taishi Ankang still spoke with warmth, "It’s only right, it’s only right. Master Shouzhe has done well in providing for the refugees, setting a good example for our prominent families. How could the prefecture mansion not show its appreciation? I will issue an expansion order to the Wang family imdiately, and also allocate 500,000 Qian Gold as developnt funds.
I hope the Wang family will put it to good use and contribute more to the country."
500,000 Qian Gold was no small amount.
Wang Shouzhe wisely accepted the offer imdiately and expressed his gratitude, "Shouzhe thanks the governor for his understanding and support. Rest assured, the Wang family will work harder to develop more living space for Da Qian."
The situation with the governnt and the Qian family are different. The Qian family’s investnt was willing and generous since the funds were coming from taxes and allocations from above. Every fund movent is to be registered and reported upwards, it’s not the final say of the prefectural governor. Allocating 500,000 Qian Gold already shows great sincerity.
After an agreent was reached, both parties were content.
Wang Shouzhe would no longer spread the news regarding Cao Youqing’s matters. As for the subsequent matters and negotiations with the Cao family, Qian family, and Lingyun Sacred Land... all of that would now be the prefectural governor, Taishi Ankang’s responsibility.
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