After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times

Yu Hong remained silent.

Xun Fan’s eyes reddened, and he turned and left.

Upon arriving at the guest courtyard, Xun Fan turned back and scolded in a low voice, "Stop following me!"

Yu Hong sighed and quietly said, "Do you really think I would embezzle disaster relief funds? My brother-in-law is merely going with the flow. You’ve also been a local official before, so you know how powerful the local aristocrats are. We outsiders find it difficult to walk this path..."

"But this is post-war!" Xun Fan exclaimed angrily, "Most people are returning after fleeing, and many are new settlers. The so-called local aristocrats mostly perished during the war or their influence was greatly diminished. It’s impossible for them to have absolute control!"

"Otherwise, after the war was settled, why did Zhao Hanzhang keep sending troops to eradicate bandits? Because, as long as there are no bandits in the area, and no one is armed, no power can quickly arise to dominate a region," Xun Fan said sorrowfully. "I know some local officials are greedy for personal gain, but I didn’t expect you to be one of them!"

Containing his anger, Yu Hong said, "Do you suspect me based on just the few words you’ve heard? We’ve been friends for over a decade..."

"It’s been five years since we saw each other, and I truly cannot discern any changes. Now, I don’t have the time or energy to figure it out, so I’ll ask Yuan Li to come. Regardless of right or wrong, let him investigate."

Yu Hong’s eyes widened, and he shivered with cold. Seeing Xun Fan push open the door and about to close it, he hurried forward, blocking the door. He looked at him incredulously, "You’re actually going to ask Yuan Li to come? Have you lost your mind? He’s a tyrant, a tyrant!"

Xun Fan was stern-faced, "He’s a tyrant, but he doesn’t wrong people."

Yu Hong’s chest heaved, "How do you know he won’t torture a confession out of someone? Also, can we pass through his hands unharmed?"

Xun Fan said, "In the past, I definitely wouldn’t have done this, but he now dares not use torture on the innocent. Don’t worry, if he has no solid evidence, he wouldn’t dare use torture on you."

Yu Hong: ...But his record isn’t exactly clean.

Xun Fan looked at his silence and understood. He exerted force and was about to close the door.

Yu Hong pressed against the door forcefully and said in a deep voice, "Tai Jian, you should know that water that’s too clear won’t hold fish."

"Clear water may have no fish, but water that’s too murky will poison all the fish," Xun Fan said. "Take care of yourself."

Yu Hong still wanted to speak, but Xun Fan couldn’t help it and shouted loudly, "Feng Bi!"

The follower, who had been silently standing not far away, immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Mr. Yu, my lord wishes to rest, please return."

Blocked by Xun Fan’s servant, Yu Hong’s words were stuck in his throat. He could only let go and watched as Xun Fan closed the door with a bang.

Yu Hong turned and left. Only upon returning to the main courtyard did he realize his back was wet. His face was somewhat pale as he called for a servant and said, "Go, quickly find Zheng Zhi, tell him to sell all grain at a fair price, no, the price can’t be higher than the Zhao Family’s or the Fang family’s."

The servant responded and was about to leave when Yu Hong stopped him again and gritted his teeth, "Tell him Yuan Li is coming."

Zheng Zhi was initially unhappy with Yu Hong’s orders. But upon hearing that Yuan Li is coming here, his face turned pale immediately and he asked, "There’s already an Angel here. Why is he still coming?"

"I do not know."

Zheng Zhi was so anxious he spun around. Those allied with him happened to be there to hear the news and were somewhat frightened, whispering speculations, "Did he hear some rumor?"

That would be even more terrifying.

Feng Bi placed the noodles before Xun Fan, "My lord, you’ve been working hard all day, eat something before thinking further."

Xun Fan took the chopsticks, picked up some noodles, and looked at the gray-white noodles, feeling depressed, "I thought he was honest and poor, hence his household’s difficulties. But I didn’t realize it was all just a facade."

Feng Bi said, "No disrespect, but among those serving as officials in the court, excluding those newly appointed from the academy, none of the officials have financial difficulties at home, especially the old ministers who remain."

Xun Fan looked at him, "So you also think it’s better for the Great General to govern?"

"I don’t know much about the lords’ principles, just that since the Great General took charge, the atmosphere among the populace has improved. Humanity, justice, propriety, wisdom, trust, and even courage are valued, unlike before when commoners secretly cursed the king and officials."

Xun Fan: "Now, people curse them openly."

Feng Bi chuckled heartily, "The Great General said that as long as there is no unwarranted abuse, it’s considered advice, and officials must not intervene."