Volume 7, Chapter 4: Visit (1/2)

Warning: insects

Baryou. Gaoshun’s son. Basen’s older brother.

He’s a member of the Ma Clan known for producing many warriors, but the person himself had more talent in the literary side of the literary and military arts pairing— or rather, he possessed no talent in the military arts.

And so, that was why Basen, his younger brother, became Jinshi’s assistant.

Baryou will be completing office work as Jinshi’s aide for the time being, while Jinshi himself goes on an expedition.

“Will Baryou be okay?”

“Yes. I think he’ll be okay.”

Rocking around in a carriage for half a day. To finish the task as quickly as possible, they changed horses at every town, and alternated coachmen. Nonetheless, escorts included, they had around ten subordinates with them.

An expedition group of this size was a little small for someone of Jinshi’s status, however expanding the entourage takes time. In order to swiftly inspect the site, he forced the others to go along with his whims.

Thus, he forgave them for the selfishness with the members. Currently, the one next to him wasn’t Basen, but Gaoshun. Basen was escorting on horseback.

No offence to Basen, but Gaoshun was still better as Jinshi’s advisor. He borrowed him from his majesty.

There was revenge for his majesty using Gaoshun to ease his workload included though.

“That guy has been physically weak since long ago. I heard that he was recuperating at home due to his illness, though,” Jinshi said.

And yet, it was Jinshi who made an unreasonable request and brought him along, but he felt awkward about the deterioration of his condition once again.

“You can call it an illness, but it’s the usual,” Gaoshun said.

“The usual?”

“Yes. This time, he didn’t hit it off with his boss from the same department, and opened a hole in his stomach. He vomited a torrent of blood on his boss’ table, was carried to the medical office and promptly retired from his office. This was around three months ago?”

He wasn’t fine at all. He’s been bad at socialising since a long time ago. Jinshi recalled how that guy got loose bowels whenever he interacted with people he couldn’t get along with.

As if he read Jinshi’s look of unease, Gaoshun made a comment. “My daughter is there to assist him. Now that her baby has gotten quite big, she said she wanted to return to work.”

“Then… it should be, okay?”

Gaoshun’s daughter. Basen and Baryou’s elder sister. She already has two children, and greatly resembles Gaoshun’s wife, a strong-willed woman. Wouldn’t Baryou’s stress get worse, he couldn’t help but think.

“Take a look. We have arrived.” Gaoshun looked out the carriage window.

Jinshi also gazed out. He saw an isolated village amidst a tranquil rural landscape. Amongst the rows of simple shacks, he could see a large estate rising up from behind them. “There?”

“Yes. Shall we head straight for the village chief’s residence?”

“No, before that. Can Rihaku come along?”

Rihaku. The military official who somehow had the aura of a dog. He doesn’t get agitated even with a glance at Jinshi’s face, moreover, he had a generous personality, so Jinshi valued him. This time, Jinshi nominated him and had him accompany them as an escort.

“Understood.” Gaoshun then called for Rihaku from the window. It was faster for Jinshi to call him directly, but it was better if he doesn’t show his face too much. He planned to wear a mask outside.

It was most suspicious, but if they give out Gaoshun’s name, the village chief probably wouldn’t probe deeply.

“What is it, Jinshi-sama?” Rihaku lightly hopped onto the moving carriage.

This man, who knew Jinshi from his eunuch days, didn’t call him by the long-winded name “Prince of the Moon”, but by Jinshi.

“You’re from the countryside, right? What are your thoughts when you see this village?” Jinshi asked.

“Even if you ask me…”

“For a farming village, the houses are sturdily built. It might seem simple to the big shots, but it’s proper. However, the locust damage appears to be particularly dreadful.”

The plain appearance was due to the awfully worn out pillars.

“I heard from my grandfather, that locusts not only eat grains, but also gnaw on house frames and clothes.”

It was bound to look somewhat worn out.

“According to the reports, the remaining crop have all been harvested and are being stored in the warehouse.”

“This talk is headache inducing.” Rihaku’s face stiffened.

“Unfortunately, having it occur during this season might have been fortuitous.”

If it were during wheat harvesting season, the damage would be a much more severe. Otherwise, if it travelled south, it’ll be dangerous due to the rice farmlands in the region.

“It’s hard to see from here, but there are dead insects on the ground. It’s from the extermination preparation performed beforehand. Despite how it looks, the damage was fairly minor.”

Rihaku shook his head in relief while sighing. His actions were a little disrespectful, but he was aware of his timing, so Jinshi let it pass. Above all, it was a relief for Jinshi. Gaoshun also said nothing, appearing to take Jinshi’s feelings into consideration. Basen would snarl on this occasion.

“Then I’ll be heading out. Since Basen-sama will glare at me,” Rihaku said.

Not long after he left, the carriage stopped. Apparently, they had reached the village chief’s house.

Apparently, it wasn’t amusing to Basen that Jinshi valued Rihaku. The dog-like man quickly alighted from the carriage.

Jinshi put on his mask and followed.

The house of the village chief, though the supports and the roof were bitten, was splendid enough. He understood that from Rihaku’s incredulous expression.

“Rather than a house, this is more of an estate, huh.” The man dared to say that.

There was a canal surrounding the estate, with a lake in the centre of the garden. It looked stylish, but with the lack of greenery, it seemed desolate.

It looked stylish as a reservoir for the paddy field, but let’s not mention that part.

Jinshi stood behind Gaoshun.

The village chief who was rubbing his hands together, lowered his head at Gaoshun while glancing at the suspicious, masked man, that is, Jinshi.

Was even the interior of the estate splendid enough for a village chief? He speculated as he listened to Rihaku’s mutters from behind his mask. Whilst he looks simple-minded, Rihaku is sharp.

“Come here.”