Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home Chapter 1608: Unruly Zone

Chapter 1608: Unruly Zone

After the military intervention, the bandits in Anze Province took advantage of the chaos to engage in infighting and territorial annexation. What emerged from the ashes were three formidable gangs that solidified their dominance, their influence remaining unchallenged.

In such a lawless environment, collusion between affluent families and the bandits, both overt and covert, became monplace. Cooperation was deemed essential for survival and mutual benefit – a symbiotic relationship where both sides thrived.

The so-called bandit suppression operation not only tarnished the face of the Imperial Court but also eroded its dignity and credibility. The Emperor, infuriated by the failure, demoted the high-ranking officials in the intermediate court who had played a role in the operation. Numerous local officials faced punishments, ranging from job loss to exile, depending on the severity of their involvement.

Since then, the Anze Prefect position had bee a dreaded assignment. Officials assumed their roles with solemn faces, eagerly seeking opportunities to depart. No one pleted a full term, let alone contemplated re-election.

Upon learning that Shao Yunduan was assigned to such a challenging post, his peers at the Ministry of Revenue reveled in his misfortune. Some envious officials even taunted him.

Crown Prince, too, was taken aback by the news. It was evident that someone, likely his fourth brother, aimed to thwart Shao Yunduan. The animosity between them was well-known, and the fourth brother harbored a deep-seated wish for misfortune to befall Shao Yunduan

While the second and third royal brothers harbored their own grievances about seeing someone else succeed, they tended to maintain a low profile. Their usual strategy involved subtly fanning the flames when conflicts arose, providing clandestine assistance without taking direct action.

Initially, the Crown Prince contemplated intervening on Shao Yunduan’s behalf, seeking to change his assignment. However, influenced by the counsel of his advisors, he decided against it. The prevailing sentiment was that it wasn’t worthwhile to extend a favor to Shao Yunduan, opting instead to wait for him to e seeking assistance, a move that would be etched in his memory.

Confident that Shao Yunduan would inevitably turn to him for help, the Crown Prince believed that Anze Province was an undesirable post that even the most petent officials would avoid. Therefore, Shao Yunduan would surely be willing to seek assistance.

The Crown Prince envisioned Shao Yunduan approaching him, allowing for a diplomatic solution. He intended to convince Shao Yunduan to stay and, if he felt uneasy about Anze Province, offer an alternative role as a County Magistrate, with a promise of returning to the capital within a year.

However, Shao Yunduan had no intention of seeking the Crown Prince’s assistance. Some of the Crown Prince’s staff, attempting to provoke him, confronted Shao Yunduan. They questioned his purported capabilities and dared him to demonstrate true governance in Anze Province by eradicating the bandit menace. Shao Yunduan saw this as an opportunity to showcase his genuine abilities and not succumb to hypocrisy or the theft of unearned prestige.

While the Crown Prince maintained a high opinion of Shao Yunduan, expecting him to eventually seek aid, Shao Yunduan had no plans to kneel at the Crown Prince’s residence, begging for assistance. He intended to confront the challenges of Anze Province head-on, displaying authentic leadership and administrative prowess.