Chapter 169: Leave the Mother and Sons a Way to Live

Some things were difficult to avoid.

The principal wife had died, leaving behind one son and one daughter. The secondary wife was still alive and had two sons of her own. Naturally, she favored her own children, and before anyone quite realized it, opposing sides had begun to form.

They were all Shao Dengyun’s children. Which side was he supposed to favor?

There were things he understood perfectly well, yet could only pretend not to see.

But he knew the temperament of his eldest son better than anyone. So long as Shao Dengyun himself remained alive, he could still keep that son under control. Once he was gone, however, he truly did not dare imagine what would happen to that mother and her two sons.

He knew very clearly that the three of them were no match for his eldest son, yet they were unwilling to remain quietly in their place. He understood why.

And so he regretted it.

If he had never taken another wife back then, if he had only this one son and one daughter, many things would have been much easier.

Shao Pingbo climbed the tower and stopped behind Shao Dengyun’s broad back. He cupped his hands.

“Father.”

Still facing away from him, Shao Dengyun said, “Going to the capital to beg for alms this time—hard on you.”

Shao Pingbo replied, “People in the capital covet Beizhou. It is hardly surprising that some made things difficult. Fortunately, your son did not fail the mission. The supplies should begin crossing the river within the next few days. I have already arranged their distribution.”

Shao Dengyun sighed softly. “Disaster year after disaster year. I sometimes wonder whether Heaven itself is punishing me.”

“Father speaks too seriously. Natural disasters are fickle and beyond human control, but what happens afterward is something we can still manage. The floodwaters are already receding in the inundated areas. Certain measures should be implemented quickly.”

“My suggestion is to use work relief. Use relief grain to organize disaster victims into work crews and clear damaged or blocked waterways as quickly as possible. That way the refugees have food to eat, while the latter half of the year’s farming is protected. Beizhou can recover its strength sooner.”

Shao Dengyun said, “Very good. Approved.”

Shao Pingbo cupped his hands again. “This flood has also exposed how inadequate Beizhou’s waterworks are. I recommend sending survey parties throughout the province as soon as possible, drawing up an overall plan, then concentrating our strength on large-scale water-control works.”

“We should build major channels for water storage, transport, and irrigation. In drought, we can draw water from the Great River and carry it inland for irrigation. In flood, we can discharge excess water quickly. At the very least, the next disaster would pass faster instead of leaving places turned into lakes for so long that the farming season is lost.”

“If this project is completed, the damage from droughts and floods can be greatly reduced. In only a few years, Beizhou will present an entirely different face.”

Shao Dengyun rested both hands on the railing. He still did not turn around.

“Easy to say. A project that large would consume an incalculable amount of money and material. And where would you find enough laborers?”

“We cannot spread the work across the whole province at once, and we could not afford to. But it can be done in stages, beginning with the main grain-producing regions.”

“Encourage wealthy households to contribute money and grain and organize refugees to work. Whoever funds and completes a section can be granted ownership of the fertile fields in that section. That will give wealthy households a strong reason to participate, while costing us comparatively little.”

“We can even allow wealthy households from outside Beizhou to join in. If they meet our standards and complete the work, what does it matter whether they are Beizhou people? Give them the fertile land for nothing.”

“The land itself cannot run out of Beizhou. The grain it produces will still be produced inside Beizhou, and naturally Beizhou will have first claim on it.”

Shao Dengyun finally spoke more heavily. “Have you thought this through? Ordinary commoners cannot compete with wealthy households. Once you do this, who knows how many families will lose their fields by another name?”

“That pain will have to be borne. Some sacrifices cannot be avoided.”

“Scattered households think first of their own patch of land. Relying on them to volunteer labor is unrealistic. Everyone looking only to himself leaves us a sheet of loose sand. A project of this scale must have people capable of organizing it.”

“And without profit, why would wealthy households spend their own money and grain? Once the advantage is obvious enough for everyone to see, wealthy families from outside Beizhou will come as well.”

“As long as the pooled grain and funds are enough to fill people’s stomachs, the other provinces outside Beizhou have no shortage of starving refugees. They will hear of the work and come. We can use labor and wealth from outside the province to complete the waterworks beyond the main grain regions more quickly and step by step.”

“The more complete the irrigation network becomes, the more stable our grain supply. The more stable the grain supply, the more people will gather here.”

“In these chaotic times, people from other provinces who come to Beizhou and find food will put down roots. Naturally, they will become Beizhou people.”

“And once the population grows strong, Beizhou will have an ample source of soldiers. A prosperous population brings prosperous trade. Wealth will naturally begin to collect here.”

“Several years from now, Beizhou can become a rich and flourishing land. That will be the Shao family’s foundation for the long term.”

“Of course, the immediate priority is still replanting after this year’s disaster. We must first survive the present difficulty, or disorder will break out.”

Shao Dengyun said, “Draw up a detailed plan first.”

“Yes.”

Shao Pingbo accepted the order, then took a sheet of paper from his sleeve and respectfully offered it with both hands.

“Father.”

Shao Dengyun glanced back, slowly turned around, and accepted it.

After lowering his eyes to the writing, he muttered the first words aloud.

“‘King of Beizhou, King of Beizhou, one piece of candy...’ I have already seen this. Do you know who did it?”

“Niu Youdao. I ran into him on my way back from the capital...”

Shao Pingbo briefly recounted what had happened.

Shao Dengyun flicked the paper with his fingers. “Vicious intent. He wants to drive a wedge between father and son.”

“Father sees clearly.”

“If you take control of Beizhou one day, how do you intend to deal with that mother and her two sons?”

The question came without warning.

Shao Pingbo froze.

He stared at his father, quickly understanding what was meant, yet still not daring to answer.

A man who had climbed from an ordinary soldier to a general holding military power could hardly be a mere rough brute.

His father appeared coarse on the outside, but his mind was meticulous.

Beizhou’s troops were firmly under Shao Dengyun’s control. Officers high and low were all his men. Outsiders found it difficult to interfere.

Whoever controlled Beizhou’s army controlled Beizhou itself, and cultivation factions such as Dachan Mountain would naturally support the one who held that power.

“Father’s words leave your son apprehensive,” Shao Pingbo finally said, lowering his head.

Shao Dengyun lifted the sheet in his hand. “I know what you are worried about. Relax. I will not fall for such a petty stratagem.”

“I can tell you clearly today: you are the Shao family’s eldest son. Whether by ability or by seniority, the Shao family’s foundation will ultimately pass into your hands.”

“A children’s rhyme wants to estrange father and son? It underestimates me, Shao Dengyun.”

“From now on, I will increase my support for you. Do what needs to be done. Do it boldly. There is no need to shrink back or worry about this and that.”

“Thank you for Father’s trust.”

Shao Pingbo answered with perfect propriety.

“But I want to know how you will deal with that mother and her sons.”

“Second Mother is also my mother. Wubo and Fubo are my younger brothers. Naturally, I would...”

“I don’t have as many twists in my head as you do,” Shao Dengyun cut him off. “Stop winding around and saying useless things.”

Silence settled over the tower.

This was an extremely difficult question for Shao Pingbo to answer.

He did not know whether his father was testing him.

At the side, Steward Yang Shuang scarcely dared breathe. He had not expected Shao Dengyun to throw out such a subject without warning.

Even listening to it made the steward uncomfortable.

He slowly backed away, intending to remove himself from a family matter.

Shao Dengyun glanced sideways. “Did I tell you to leave?”

Yang Shuang’s steps froze.

He lowered his head and remained where he was.

What else could Shao Pingbo say?

After a period of silence, he replied, “I would honor Second Mother as though she were my own mother. As for my two younger brothers...”

“I want the truth!”

Shao Dengyun interrupted him again.

Under his father’s overwhelming pressure, Shao Pingbo was caught in a difficult position.

If he said something pleasant, his father did not believe it. If he said something unpleasant, could his father truly accept it?

“Ah.”

Shao Dengyun suddenly sighed softly.

“Promise me. Leave the mother and sons a way to live.”

At that point, Shao Pingbo understood.

His father was probably finally speaking from the heart.

He slowly raised his head.

“Does Father truly want to hear what is in your son’s heart? I fear it will not sound pleasant.”

Shao Dengyun merely watched him, waiting.

Shao Pingbo gathered his courage and forced himself to speak plainly.

“Some sources of disruption have no need to exist. It is not that your son is heartless. I am afraid that certain people will refuse to accept their place and create turmoil that benefits no one.”

“If I one day take control of Beizhou, I will strip the three of them of every form of power and let them live at home as wealthy idlers.”

“I hope that is the truth.”

Shao Dengyun gave a slight nod.

After another silence, he waved with a trace of helplessness.

“Go. Attend to your own affairs.”

After descending the tower, Shao Pingbo went to the Government Affairs Hall.

Everyone inside rose and saluted.

“Eldest Young Master!”

Shao Wubo and Shao Fubo respectfully addressed him as Elder Brother.

“How is Second Mother?” Shao Pingbo asked indifferently.

Shao Wubo replied, “Mother is well.”

“Continue with your work. I will go pay my respects.”

With that, Shao Pingbo left.

He passed through the Government Affairs Hall and went all the way to the principal courtyard of the inner residence.

After having a servant announce him, he waited in the courtyard.

Before long, a richly dressed woman came hurrying out.

It was Madam Ruan, Shao Dengyun’s secondary wife.

Having heard that Shao Pingbo had arrived, she had come personally to receive him, a broad smile on her face.

“Eldest, you’ve come.”

“Greetings, Second Mother.”

Shao Pingbo bowed respectfully.

“Has Second Mother been well?”

“Quite well. It has been so long since I saw you. I heard you went to the capital. That must have been exhausting.”

Madam Ruan warmly invited him inside.

“Come, sit in the house.”

Shao Pingbo followed obediently.

He knew perfectly well how much of her warmth was genuine.

Before he had even married, his father had moved him out and separated his household from the main residence.

This Second Mother had contributed no small amount to that.

Put plainly, she had not wanted him remaining at his father’s side.

Madam Ruan bustled about and had someone bring over a bowl of soup.

“I just finished stewing this.”

“I have already eaten.”

Shao Pingbo declined.

In truth, he did not dare eat anything she gave him.

Knowing her warmth had once again been wasted, Madam Ruan waved for the soup to be taken away.

Still smiling, she said, “Eldest, you are already past thirty. You are not young anymore. Even those two disappointing younger brothers of yours have children running everywhere. It is time you thought about your lifelong affairs.”

“I have recently looked at several daughters from respectable families. How about I bring them for you to meet another day?”

“Good.”

Shao Pingbo nodded.

Then he changed the subject.

“Second Mother, Liuer should not be indulged too much. From now on, it would be better if she went out less often.”

Madam Ruan smiled. “It is hardly indulgence. She only goes out to learn poetry, songs, and things of that sort. That is a good thing.”

Shao Pingbo did not accept the explanation.

“Second Mother, I came here because I would like you to pass a message to certain people.”

“I have only this one younger sister. If anyone has business with me, then come at me.”

“They had best not form crooked designs around Liuer.”

“Liuer is precious. I promised my mother I would take good care of her.”

“If anything happens to her, two lives will still make an adequate payment.”

“Second Mother, I have official business to attend to. I will take my leave.”

He rose, cupped his hands, turned, and strode away.

[End of Chapter 169]