Chapter 1613: Knowing A Lot
If the Crown Prince possessed both the courage and the means, he could potentially reverse the situation and seize power. However, such qualities were not inherent in his character.
Even if he were to ascend to the throne, the relentless expansion of Great Qin would persist, leading to an escalation of brutality and bloodshed. It became imperative to distance oneself from the capital and the imperial court.
The Crown Prince still harbored hopes of retaining him in the capital as an official, but such a scenario seemed implausible.
Xie Jingrong’s knowledge of Anze Province surprised both Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan. Entranced by his insights, they were previously unaware that the region, rife with bandits and challenges, held a deeper complexity. The influential families collaborated with the bandits, openly or covertly, exerting control over nearly every aspect of the area. Their understanding had been superficial until Xie Jingrong illuminated the intricate details.
Xie Jingrong possessed information on the most influential bandits, the dynamics of the three major families, and even secured a map of An Zezhou. Shao Yunduan expressed profuse gratitude, treating the information as a valuable treasure.
Maintaining a semblance of distance from Shao Yunduan, Xie Jingrong, and his newfound acquaintances, departed after half a day. The secrecy surrounding their amicable terms was crucial, as it wouldn’t be advantageous for others to discover the close association between Shao Yunduan’s family and Xie Jingrong.
Once Xie Jingrong left, Shao Yunduan couldn’t help but express admiration. “Brother Xie’s knowledge is truly vast and all-encompassing. It’s no wonder the Crown Prince values him so highly. We find ourselves indebted to him once again!”
Qiao Xuan shared Shao Yunduan’s sentiment, wholeheartedly admiring Xie Jingrong.
Shao Yunduan’s appointment as the Prefect of Anze Province was inevitable and immutable, rendering the Shao Mansion desolate.
Anticipating a decrease in visitors before the New Year, Qiao Xuan foresaw the absence of last year’s invitations. Considering the bleak outlook for the princes, both Xie Jingrong and her husband held a pessimistic view of the future troubles. She wished for their existence to fade from the memories of the capital.
As the twelfth lunar month commenced, the long-awaited resettlement of the Cloud Water Town manor concluded.
Accompanied by Ah-Ye, Mianmian, Lixia, and Liqiu, Qiao Xuan embarked on this significant day. Originally spanning 1,200 mu, Qiao Xuan expanded the farm to 1,600 mu after acquiring an additional 400 mu.
Over the years, various crops such as potatoes, strawberries, watermelons, cantaloupes, melons, radishes, and cabbages had been cultivated for sale. Qiao Xuan’s foresight led him to diversify crops, ensuring sustainability for the future.
Given the expansive nature of the manor, Qiao Xuan decided against congregating Zheng Sangge and the other 70-odd individuals into a single large residence. Instead, he opted to allocate living spaces based on the original households, promoting autonomy.
In this vision for the future, each family would lead independent lives, offering mutual support when needed. Qiao Xuan recognized that sustaining a harmonious coexistence required a shift from the communal living arrangements of their impoverished past. As prosperity loomed, an individual’s ability to earn a livelihood became paramount. The principle of shared efforts would replace indiscriminate compensation, preventing potential conflicts from arising.
Understanding the value of the enduring friendships forged over the years, Qiao Xuan believed that it was wiser to allow each family to face their challenges independently. This approach, she reasoned, would safeguard the bonds they had cultivated and prevent unnecessary strain on their relationships.
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