Led into the second hall, Song Qiming noticed that the yamen runners' attitudes were noticeably colder than before, but his tightly pursed lips actually relaxed.
Since he knew what Gu Zhongxun was thinking, he already had an idea of what to do.
"Your humble official pays his respects to Lord Administration Commissioner."
A tense atmosphere filled the air. The sound of pages turning, one after another, echoed like thumping heartbeats in Song Qiming's chest.
An unknown amount of time passed before Gu Zhongxun finally looked up at him.
"With the heavy administrative duties in Suining City, for what matter do you seek an audience with me?"
Song Qiming curled his lips into a faint smile, neither haughty nor humble.
Smiling, he handed over a memorial as thick as a finger joint to Gu Zhongxun, with a stack of bank notes pressed beneath it.
"The construction plan for Suining Prefecture that I submitted to Your Excellency last time consisted of only a few words. After several days of detailed sorting and calculation, your humble official discovered that the required funds could be reduced by twenty thousand taels of silver, so I have come specifically to hand it over."
Glancing over the bank notes, the displeasure in Gu Zhongxun's heart eased slightly.
But upon picking up the memorial and opening it, his anger flared up once more.
He waved the memorial at Song Qiming, his eyes as dark and deep as still water.
"Ideals are grand, but reality is harsh."
"The things written here are beyond your reach for a lifetime. Young people should keep their feet on the ground and stop daydreaming all day."
Expanding the population tenfold, increasing tax revenue tenfold, and having every household's granary overflowing with surplus grain—it was simply a pipe dream.
Seeing the memorial forcefully thrown onto the desk by Gu Zhongxun, Song Qiming met his gaze directly and spoke with firm resolve, "How would we know it cannot be done without trying? Your humble official wishes to give it a try."
Gu Zhongxun was so infuriated that he was left speechless. His lips parted and closed, but he ultimately swallowed his words.
Young people had ambitions higher than the sky; it was only right to let them suffer a few more setbacks.
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was full of warning.
"Suining Prefecture borders the alien tribes of the Southwest. The recent bandit suppression caused too much of a stir, and it will inevitably make them feel anxious."
"The situation in the Southwest concerns the safety of the entire realm. Whatever you do, you must be extremely cautious."
Song Qiming's expression changed, instantly becoming dejected.
He raised his sleeve to wipe the corners of his eyes, endlessly pouring out his grievances to Gu Zhongxun, his voice even taking on a slight whimper.
"Your humble official doesn't want to risk his own life either, but the prefectural yamen's storehouse is completely empty. Not only can we not produce a single tael of silver, but we also owe the local merchants three thousand taels. Your humble official has truly been driven to a dead end."
Seeing him in such a state, Gu Zhongxun felt it was inappropriate to scold him, yet he had no desire to comfort him either.
He said in a deep voice, "Just this once, and not to be repeated. As long as the alien tribes in the Southwest do not start a war, you may do as you wish regarding the matters in the memorial."
After all, it was only that little bit of silver; once it was used up, it would be gone.
Song Qiming gritted his teeth and lowered his tone.
He deliberately stuttered his words, putting on a pitiful appearance.
"Could Your Excellency perhaps give your humble official a few pounds of potato seeds? I promise to have the yamen runners stand guard day and night to ensure they are absolutely not stolen by the people of the Southwest alien tribes."
Looking at his bowed head and submissive demeanor, Gu Zhongxun felt as if he were seeing his own grandson sadly admitting to a mistake. For a moment, his heart couldn't help but soften a bit.
"The potato seeds sent by the imperial court have already been planted. What do you expect me to give you?"
Song Qiming abruptly raised his head, his pupils astonishingly bright.
"It doesn't matter if they were just planted. Even if they have sprouted, they can still be dug up. Your humble official has transplanted them before."
Remembering that the potato seeds were originally presented to the imperial court by County Princess Linghui, Gu Zhongxun's anger completely dissipated.
With Song Qiming trusting him so much, coupled with the fact that he had accepted a bribe and thus owed him a favor, he could no longer find it in himself to refuse.
"You can go and dig up one acre's worth yourself. And cause less trouble for me in the future."
Song Qiming nodded rapidly, bowing and cupping his hands toward Gu Zhongxun, the gratitude in his eyes practically overflowing.
"Thank you, Your Excellency. Your humble official will definitely do his utmost to govern Suining Prefecture and share your burdens in all matters."
To be able to obtain an acre's worth of potatoes made this whole act worthwhile. It had not been a waste of the several hours he spent racking his brains last night; he had rehearsed it multiple times alone.
