Qin Fang and Du Ke were discussing the imperial grain franchise plan for the Crane Cave Manor.

Regardless of what situation Lord Liu was in, as long as he wasn’t one of those notoriously corrupt officials, he would definitely be the agent in the city.

Having the government as the agent had two advantages: first, the common people, local gentry, and hoodlums wouldn’t dare to act recklessly; second, the government would actively cooperate with the relevant promotions.

Although officials may have the well-being of the common people in mind, this concern is usually based on their own secure circumstances.

Du Ke was a good official, but he was also realistic.

Would he be expected to give up all his wealth to be a good official?

That was impossible.

Not only was it impossible for Du Ke, but Yang Haiyan would never agree to Qin Fang doing such a thing either.

Of course, Qin Fang wouldn’t do it.

He wasn’t foolish; why would he spend the hard-earned money he worked for to help others?

Therefore, the definition of a good official is complex.

However, being an official isn’t just about not oppressing the common people; one also needs to learn how to survive in the bureaucracy.

Giving the city’s agency to Lord Liu was the way to navigate the official world.

Otherwise, if one were to fail oneself, why bother managing others?

Even the Bao Zheng from “Justice Bao” is ultimately just a fictional character.

Qin Fang stood up. “In that case, thank you for the information, Teacher. Yan Yan said we should issue the announcement today, then have County Magistrate Yang issue an official document.

The joint document from the General’s Residence and the county office will surely be trusted by the people of Yunxiang County.

As for the documents for other counties and the city, we will leave that to Lord Liu to handle the documents for the prefectural office.”

Since they had taken his benefits, they must have him do something in return.

Du Ke said, “That sounds excellent. Once the imperial grain factory in Yunxiang County is up and running, I will move on to the next city.

I hope this place brings good fortune. By the way, I still want to discuss the matters concerning the Huguo people and the Hu family with you; I’d like to pay a visit to them.”

Qin Fang was surprised. “What do you mean, Teacher?”

Du Ke replied, “Previously, Bing Yun mentioned matters about the Huguo, and I found it very enlightening.”

Qin Fang hurriedly said, “She was just talking nonsense. Please don’t praise her, or she’ll become even more conceited.”

Although he knew his wife was very clever, he still wanted to be humble in front of his teacher.

Du Ke snorted, “If your tone were a bit more sincere, you wouldn’t have to sound so proud.”

Qin Fang: “……”

He realized he was mistaken; he had originally thought that his teacher favored him the most, but now he discovered it was not the case.

Du Ke continued, “Bing Yun is a smart girl; she’s different from those young ladies in the capital who only know poetry and flowers. If we had to compare, those girls are also clever, but their cleverness doesn’t concern serious matters. Bing Yun, however, has great wisdom. You, ah, have good fortune accumulated from your previous life.”

Qin Fang loved to hear that. “Exactly! I’ve indeed accumulated good fortune from my previous life, which is why I married such a wonderful wife and have such a great teacher.”

Du Ke: “……”

He just couldn’t understand it.

Previously, he thought this fellow was sincere and somewhat clever, but now that he had become a disciple and established his identity, he seemed a bit slick.

To borrow from Du Ke’s earlier words, if one thinks the other is too slick, one shouldn’t look at them with such kind eyes.

Yes, although Du Ke felt that Qin Fang had become a bit too slick, he still looked at him with satisfaction.

How should one put it?

Throughout his life, Du Ke had never received such flattering words.

His own sons and daughters avoided him as much as possible.

Now, a junior didn’t fear him and even praised him, which made him feel… quite comfortable.

This is called a longing for praise.

Du Ke said, “Regarding what Bing Yun mentioned about the Huguo, she pointed out that the Huguo is a group of people brought from their homeland.

I began to think that the former barbarians were composed of various different races. Doesn’t that mean that different races possess different abilities?

A few days ago, I submitted a memorial to the emperor about this matter. I want to visit different races and note down what each race excels at, and then compile it all together.

This might benefit our Qi Kingdom as well. Just like how Bing Yun discovered the merits of the Huguo, our Qi Kingdom could gain another food source.”

As he spoke about this, Qin Fang suddenly said, “Teacher, is there also a specialty in raising cattle, sheep, and horses? Isn’t that also a form of expertise?”

Du Ke’s eyes brightened upon hearing this. “Are there people who excel at raising horses?”

Qin Fang replied, “If there are, what benefits will the teacher give the student?”

Du Ke chuckled in exasperation.

He jokingly scolded, “Look at you, so naive. Do you think I can take your benefits for free? Speaking of which, we have many infantrymen and few cavalrymen.

This is because our horsemanship is average, and we have few warhorses. If we can find skilled horse breeders, we can cultivate our cavalry.

In the future, our Qi Kingdom will become even stronger. Plus, if we incorporate medicine, how could we not become the strongest country?”

Qin Fang said, “I actually have people who are skilled at raising horses here. You know that horses are expensive; an ordinary horse costs around sixty taels of silver. I have a thousand soldiers, and if each person is given a horse, it would require sixty thousand taels of silver…”

Du Ke interrupted him, “Your ambitions are too small.”

He wanted a thousand cavalrymen; even the fifty thousand soldiers in Yonghe Marquis’s hands were only a bit more than that.

Could this kid really dare to dream?

Qin Fang chuckled; in front of Du Ke, he seemed like a straightforward young man without any cunning: “Indeed, my ambitions may not be small, but I’m not daydreaming.

Earlier, while chatting with the soldiers, I found out that among the original barbarians, now the new subjects, there are some skilled at raising cattle, sheep, and horses.

I’ve already gathered them and settled them in the military camp estate next to the military fields.

Since I can’t afford to buy too many horses, I’ve purchased a few stallions and mares to breed.

With these stallions and mares, we can raise colts.

In a few years, once the colts grow up, who would worry about not having horses?”

“Not only that, but I also asked them to raise sheep and cattle. Once raised, we can sell them for silver. As for the sheep, we can boil the milk to make it safe, and the soldiers can drink it to boost their health. It’s killing two birds with one stone.”

Du Ke was astonished.

He never expected this seemingly dull-witted student to have such grand ambitions. “You… you…” He stuttered, momentarily at a loss for words.

He had intended to praise him, but he didn’t want him to get too proud, so he held back. “Quick, take me to see.”

His father had said that Qin Fang was a person of fortune; he had believed it before, but now he was even more eager to see.

Qin Fang replied, “Please, Teacher.”

The two left the courtyard, and Du Ke said to Zhang Hao, “Go and call over Shen Lixian from next door.”

Zhang Hao responded, “Yes.”

Du Ke asked Qin Fang, “Do you know why I want to bring Shen Lixian along?”

Qin Fang replied, “Because he is your assistant?”

Du Ke shook his head with a smile, “Because he is the heir of Lord Cheng’en.”

This identity had another layer: he was the emperor’s brother-in-law.

Some matters, if he praised Qin Fang in front of the emperor, wouldn’t be as effective as Shen Lixian praising him.

Since Qin Fang was now his student, if Du Ke praised him too much, it might diminish Qin Fang’s standing in the emperor’s eyes.

However, these things were better left for Qin Fang to figure out himself.

Not long after, Shen Lixian arrived.

Although he seemed to be in the general’s mansion these past few days, he had been secretly sending people around Yunxiang County to look for his nephew’s whereabouts.

Wherever he went, he made sure not to miss any location.

“Lord Du, General Qin,” Shen Lixian greeted.

Du Ke said, “Let’s go. We’ve been here for several days, we’ve visited the Shoushan Daoist Temple and the Shoushan mine, but we haven’t seen the military fields that the emperor praises highly. I hear from Qin Fang that there are more surprises there. Let’s go check it out together.”

Shen Lixian’s main goal was to find his nephew, but since he wasn’t the one looking, he wouldn’t neglect the business at hand.

The military fields addressing the livelihood issues of the army was indeed worth noting.

Since Du Ke invited him, he naturally wouldn’t miss it. “In that case, I’d be honored to follow.”

Then, Qin Fang led them to the military fields, and they went in a horse-drawn carriage.

Apart from Du Ke, Qin Fang and Shen Lixian rode horses.

On the way, Qin Fang spotted a carriage approaching from afar, driven by Uncle Hong.

Uncle Hong also saw Qin Fang, and when the carriage reached him, Uncle Hong said, “Greetings, General.”

Qin Fang nodded, “Uncle Hong, are you heading to the military fields?”

Before Uncle Hong could answer, Qin’s mother emerged from the carriage, her face beaming. “Where are you off to? Oh, I haven’t congratulated you yet; before you know it, you’ll be a father!”

Qin Fang was momentarily stunned by his mother’s words. “Mother, what are you talking about? I’m just taking my teacher to the military fields to have a look.”

Seeing that her son was busy, Qin’s mother quickly said, “Then you get on with your work; I’ll go back to the general’s mansion to see Yanyan.”

As she spoke, Uncle Hong stepped aside to let them pass.

Qin Fang didn’t think much of it and continued on with Du Ke and the others.

However, after a moment, he suddenly came to his senses and called out, “Stop…”

He pulled the reins and rushed after Uncle Hong’s carriage.

Uncle Hong hadn’t moved yet and was quickly caught up by Qin Fang.

“General?” Uncle Hong inquired.

Qin Fang jumped off his horse and approached the carriage, lifting the curtain.

He saw not only his mother but also Granmy Lian.

He asked with a mix of nervousness and excitement, “Mother, what do you mean by that? What do you mean I’m going to be a father?”

Qin’s mother was taken aback and blinked, “What? You’re going to be a father, and you still don’t know?”

Qin Fang’s mind was in a haze.

Granny Lian exclaimed, “Oh dear, Madam, the general really doesn’t know! This morning, Doctor Li came to check the pulse and learned that the young lady is expecting. I first told the old lady in the mansion, and then I came to tell you. We hadn’t told the general yet.”

Upon hearing this, Qin’s mother said, “I see. Now that you know, it’s the same. Afang, you’re going to be a father!”

Qin Fang looked at his mother, then at Granny Lian, with no trace of joy on his face.

Qin’s mother noticed something was off in his expression and couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong? Your wife is pregnant, and you’re not happy?”