Jiang Wanwen knew Yu Wei was no fool. During his days at Yongning Wangfu, he must have gathered all the necessary information.
In the eyes of the world, she and the three children were already dead, killed by the Shengyang Wangshi. Moreover, Jiang Wanwen believed Yu Wei had witnessed firsthand the attitudes of Fu Xuanrui and Xiao Jiaru towards them.
Even without the late Wangye’s instruction to follow the Wangfei in case of any mishap, the fact that the Wangfei had ensured the servants’ escape routes while fleeing urgently was enough to earn Yu Wei’s unwavering loyalty. “This humble servant understands your meaning, and wishes to follow you, master.”
The idea of taking the Maishenqi and living as an ordinary commoner had never crossed Yu Wei’s mind.
During Shengshi, ordinary people couldn’t necessarily live peaceful lives, let alone in these Luanshi.
He had always believed that relying on a powerful patron was the only way to ensure both safety and quality of life.
Unlike commoners who could be bullied by anyone and couldn’t protect any valuable possessions they might acquire.
Seeing Yu Wei’s resolute determination to follow her, Jiang Wanwen happily instructed Ruhua to retrieve the Maishenqi for Yu Wei’s family.
She also had Ruhua give Yu Wei one hundred taels of reward silver, as if repurchasing his family of three, and provided them with settlement rations.
Looking at Yu Wei, Jiang Wanwen recalled the other servants from the Wangfu and asked, “How are the others from the Wangfu faring?”
Yu Wei replied respectfully, “Rest assured, master. This humble servant has arranged everything according to your instructions. Now we just wait for them to find us.”
“I’ve left people in Yongning Cheng too. If anyone goes looking at the Wangfu, they’ll be directed to find you in Chengshui.”
“Though some might still inevitably be tracked down.”
Hearing Yu Wei’s report, Jiang Wanwen and Fu Xuanming felt relieved. Having a chance to escape was what mattered most.
Jiang Wanwen trusted Yu Wei’s account, knowing that such lies would eventually be exposed.
Her frustration from dealing with that fool Xiao Jiaru earlier vanished. Finally, she had someone who could help her purchase laborers for farming.
“You’ll continue serving as Zongguan here with me, managing both the front and rear courtyards. Your wife will work in the kitchen as before, and your daughter shall attend to the Junzhu.”
“I grant you five mu of medium-grade fertile land here. Your family may farm it for generations, but if you ever wish to sell it, you may only sell it back to me.”
“Take your family to choose your living quarters first. Return for your assignments after you’ve settled in.”
Upon hearing these arrangements, Yu Wei immediately pulled his wife and daughter to express gratitude. “This humble servant thanks you, master.”
After Yu Zongguan withdrew, Fu Xuanzhao noticed her mother’s visibly improved mood and couldn’t resist teasing, “Is mother this happy just because Yu Zongguan has arrived?”
Jiang Wanwen smiled and nodded. “Of course. Right now I lack not only guards but also farm laborers. I can’t possibly go out personally to find and purchase people to work the fields, can I?”
Jiang Wanwen had always believed that specialized matters like these were best handled by professionals like Yu Zongguan who were experienced in managing people.
Fu Xuanzhao nodded in agreement upon hearing his mother consort’s words—it truly was unsafe for her to venture out personally. With his sworn brother away purchasing grain, having a capable person handle these matters was indeed the best choice.
Seeing that there was nothing more requiring his mother consort’s attention, Fu Xuanming accompanied her and his younger sister through the meal before taking Fu Xuanchen along with him.
Fu Xuanming felt he had numerous tasks ahead. He needed to quickly organize the hired commoners to construct the residence his mother desired, then direct them to build a warehouse in a concealed location at the mountain’s base.
He further envisioned these workers using stones to erect a perimeter wall along the foothills of the two mountains, installing traps beyond the wall, and digging a moat within the enclosed area.
His reasoning was simple: since his mother consort intended to reside here long-term, he would transform this place into a secure stronghold.
Fu Xuanming burned with restless energy as he contemplated these plans.
After settling his wife and daughter, Yu Wei promptly reported to Jiang Wanwen for assignments. Learning that all this land belonged to his mistress ignited fierce excitement within him, and he eagerly rolled up his sleeves for the work ahead.
Properly cultivating these over forty thousand mu of land would more than suffice to sustain their people.
In these chaotic times, one could scarcely imagine a better life than having both security and abundant provisions.
Clutching the box containing silver, Yu Wei hurried to Chengshui County to procure laborers.
Jiang Wanwen dispatched ten guards to accompany Yu Wei, ensuring his safety.
These guards were formerly the shadow guards under Zhong Yuancheng’s command. Of those who had traveled separately, approximately two hundred had arrived recently, many bringing their families along.
Jiang Wanwen had no intention of keeping them as shadow guards anymore, instead bringing them into open service.
They would initially serve as her personal guards. When the time was ripe, those willing to pursue military careers would be placed in her eldest son’s army.
In truth, Jiang Wanwen didn’t plan to keep her sons Fu Xuanming and Fu Xuanchen by her side indefinitely either—when appropriate, they too would be sent for military training.
Her daughter would remain with her, learning to manage the guards and gradually taking up business operations. She would grow into a princess possessing both wealth and martial prowess—self-reliant and beyond anyone’s manipulation.
Having frequently accompanied the prince to his fiefdom in the past, Yu Wei was thoroughly familiar with local conditions. Procuring laborers was a simple task he executed with practiced ease.
He acquired only a small number of people in Chengshui County, specifically selecting those who came with their families.
He also gathered some refugees—those who had fled surrounding prefectures but avoided official registration, preferring to sell themselves into servitude as wandering laborers.
After all, in times like these, being ordinary commoners meant not only paying various taxes but also providing able-bodied men for military conscription and corvée labor. Serving as retainers in wealthy merchant households or noble estates offered far greater stability.
The sole advantage of such people was their affordability. Yu Wei believed a good servant should save their master money within reasonable limits.
As for potential spies among them—they were merely being purchased for farming. After half a year of supervised labor, they’d lack the energy for any mischief.
Moreover, once the loyal retainers from Sheng Yang Wangfu arrived, these field workers would have no access to their masters and could never stir significant trouble.
Yu Wei gathered people from here and there, eventually assembling over five hundred individuals, most of whom were women with children. There were very few able-bodied men, as most had gone off to war.
During this time, it was mainly women, children, and the elderly who worked the land, tending to the fields and such.
Jiang Wanwen had no objections to this arrangement. As long as there were people to farm the land and follow orders, it was sufficient. Under the circumstances, even if she had wanted to be selective, there was no room for choice.