My Emperor Father Can Read Minds

Chapter 314: The Famous Names on the Merit Stele

Where was Dong Sheng, suddenly recalled by Wei Yu?

He was in Huzhou.

Speaking of which, ever since meeting with His Majesty and clarifying the path he would take in the future, before leaving the capital, Dong Sheng had already planned the "travel" route together with Zhou Qingfang.

After all, as hardworking officials determined to travel all over Great Wei and personally practice the perfection of the law, they naturally wanted to choose typical places along their future route.

Of course, this was what novices think at first because of lack of experience—they intended to select typical, representative, and controversial locations. But when the time actually comes, who still follows the plan strictly? Plans cannot keep up with changes; wherever there is injustice, that’s where they head.

Because this was their first time as officials under the Censorate, apart from the highest authority of the Censorate, no one really knew what Dong Sheng and Zhou Qingfang were doing. At most, two more names had been added to the roster of Ministry of Personnel officials. If not paying special attention, no one would notice them at all.

Since they were completely different kinds of “stationed” officials—who needed to travel extensively—when Dong Sheng and Zhou Qingfang set off, they did not bring any family members. At most, each had a strong young servant accompanying them.

Although there were some tasks they could do themselves, it was necessary to have a capable servant in case something happened along the way.

Not for any other reason, but because Ninth Highness had just distributed relief aid in Huzhou—such a post-disaster reconstruction area was well worth visiting to see how disaster relief work was carried out!

The two had already been in Huzhou for half a month.

During this half month, they had honestly followed the previous relief team's route, heading east.

Along the road, they passed deserted villages, visited bustling small towns, saw villagers repairing roads and building houses, and also saw the Merit Stele carved outside the city's moat…

There were so many places worthy of stopping and reflecting in this disaster reconstruction area.

Walking and stopping from time to time, they both felt from the mouths of the locals and witnessed the traces left by the previous relief team. The gratitude that people expressed from their hearts was something even strangers could deeply empathize with.

Outside the city of Qian Commandery, Dong Sheng stood on a busy walkway, looking up at a huge stone stele not far away for a long while.

The stele was entirely black, square, roughly about one zhang high and six chi wide. The surface of the stele was polished smooth, with carved ornate patterns on the edges, immediately giving a feeling of solemnity and dignity.

Yet all this outward decoration was just superficial. What truly amazed people were the intricately carved individual names in various sizes on it!

This was the Merit Stele, created by the Imperial Court at the time of disaster relief, leaving behind marks of charity from those who donated to help the people.

Almost everyone who passed by the Merit Stele would glance at it—some with envy, others with gratitude.

Having a stele erected and engraved by the Imperial Court was, in the past hundred years, something that could be passed down as a glorious personal achievement.

Who wouldn’t be envious?

Zhou Qingfang stood beside, shaking his head in admiration. "This is the fourth Merit Stele I’ve seen along the way. This one is bigger than the others; it seems there are many people in Qian Commandery who donated and did good deeds."

In response, Dong Sheng neither agreed nor disagreed, saying softly, "Perhaps."

If it weren’t for His Highness suggesting it, how would these people have willingly contributed money and goods to aid the disaster victims?

They were after only a false reputation.

But whether it was done for show or a true compassionate heart, the names engraved on the stele were indeed those who had concretely donated.

A gentleman judges deeds, not the heart. There are no perfect people in this world.

Some things need not be over-analyzed.

The topmost name on the stele was engraved somewhat larger than the rest—it was the largest and most prestigious name Zhou Qingfang had ever seen.

He was a little nearsighted and couldn’t see it clearly, but curiosity got the better of him and he stepped closer to take a look.

"This name?"

Standing beneath the stele and seeing the top two characters clearly, Zhou Qingfang couldn’t help but laugh.

He turned around and called Dong Sheng over, "Brother Dong, come quickly and have a look. The first name is quite interesting."

Dong Sheng remained silent and did not move. He only looked deeply over at him.

Just because Zhou Qingfang had poor eyesight didn’t mean Dong Sheng did.

The characters that needed approaching to be seen clearly? Dong Sheng could see them perfectly clearly from where he stood!

What were the two big characters in the first row?

—Wang Jiu!

Does that sound familiar?

If these two characters were separate or heard in another place, Dong Sheng might not have been so quiet.

But who could forget that the affable Ninth Wise King had used this exact name to deceive him?!

Huzhou, Qian Commandery, places His Highness the Wise King had come and gone from.

Though their contact was limited, Dong Sheng had no doubt that the Wang Jiu engraved on the Merit Stele was the very same Wang Jiu.

People who have been deceived always have some inexplicable intuition.

No conclusive proof, but by intuition, this was none other than Ninth Highness himself!!

Secretly using the name Wang Jiu to donate funds—Dong Sheng didn’t want to delve into His Highness the Wise King’s original intention for doing so, but well, even with minimum thinking, the reason was clear…

After understanding the “malicious intent” behind His Highness the Wise King’s action, Dong Sheng didn’t really want to get closer.

Not because of rejection, but simply because he feared that if he went closer to the name Wang Jiu, he might get deceived by His Highness again…

Better safe than sorry—being cautious is always necessary.

Zhou Qingfang was still chattering beneath the stele, "I don’t know which family gave the name. To be first on the list, they must be powerful and prosperous. Why not choose a better name…"

Fearing he would say something reckless that Ninth Highness might hear about later, Dong Sheng rubbed his forehead and stopped him.

"Alright, Brother Zhou. Those who are engraved on this Merit Stele are all good people who helped the Imperial Court in times of trouble. Now that we’re here, let’s not forget our real duty."

Hearing this, Zhou Qingfang also fell silent.

After all, he wasn’t one to talk excessively. At most, he just felt that the name Wang Jiu was too plain and perfunctory, somewhat out of place overwhelming a list of cultured names.

Zhou Qingfang remarked, "True, but Qian Commandery seems livelier than the previous cities."

During just this short moment outside the city, Zhou Qingfang noticed many people dragging carts in and out of the city gate.

Many looked unwell, as if suffering from illnesses, but they also carried a vitality that shouldn’t belong to the sick.

Curious indeed.

Dong Sheng gazed at the people going in and out of the city gate, his eyes deep.

"Brother Zhou, perhaps you should inquire more from the people."

After all, the Imperial Court’s relief team had stayed in Qian Commandery’s city for quite some time. The free medical consultations at the city gate remained well praised by many locals until now.

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