Chapter 608: Chapter 608: Confrontation, Probe_1

Over the past two years, rumors about Wei Ruo’s superior medical skills had reached the Capital City after he personally cured Prince Rui and thus prevented his untimely death. Not only that, Prince Rui’s wife had given birth to a child.

Wei Ruo did not immediately reply but watched Fan Chengxu with a scrutinizing gaze.

Continuing to fan himself, Fan Chengxu said, “Queen Rui, the empire is teetering and faced with internal and external threats. Not us aristocracy, but the common people, are suffering the most.”

“Now, the governor of Jiangzhe, Mr. Yuan, who presented the Emperor with new strains of rice and wheat along with a crop called sweet potato, also handed in a paper about agricultural techniques to educate the people. Yet, why is it that only Jiangzhe, where Yuan resides, and your Jiliao region have seen an increase in grain yields and enhanced living conditions for the people, while other regions are still plagued by famine and rampant banditry?”

Wei Ruo frowned, but before she could say anything, Fan Chengxu answered his own question: “It’s because of the internal strife plaguing the court. Everyone’s energy has been spent on internal disputes, and the Emperor’s decrees hardly reach the local levels.”

Continuing, Fan Chengxu said, “When Yingying and I first arrived in Jiliao, we were surprised to see prosperity everywhere: renovated houses, broad and bright roads, and most importantly, the joyful smiles and vibrant energy on people’s faces.”

“I know you contributed to this, but I also believe your abilities can only help a small group of people. Doing business and running a country are two different things. The one who has truly enabled the people of Jiliao to live like this must be someone else.”

Without undermining Wei Ruo’s abilities, Fan Chengxu shared his speculation, understanding that her strengths do not lie in governing people.

Speaking up for Wei Ruo, Xie Ying said, “Don’t be so sure. Who says Ruoruo isn’t capable? She’s very capable!”

Teasing her, Fan Chengxu asked, “Are you, Queen Rui?”

Wei Ruo neither confirmed nor denied.

What Fan Chengxu said was right. The person with that kind of ability is not her, but her second brother. She only has a variety of high-yield crop seeds provided by her own space and the corresponding planting techniques.

However, she doesn’t know how to govern a country, how to implement policies effectively, or how to manage the people. These require a tremendous amount of expertise, which lie outside of her proficiencies.

She can successfully run a small household or a business, but governance is another matter.

Therefore, when the cultivation of potatoes expanded, she turned to her second brother for help.

It was then that her second brother started intervening in the administration of Jiliao, turned the local officials into his own tools, and created the current situation.

But Wei Ruo was still not ready to reveal the truth to Fan Chengxu.

Although they have been in touch for several years and he has been a good business partner, that doesn’t mean Wei Ruo can fully trust him.

Whether it’s the Fan family or Fan Chengxu himself, they’re both unpredictable.

Wei Ruo asked Fan Chengxu, “What kind of answer do you want from me?”

Fan Chengxu replied, “Queen Rui, if King Jing had ascended the throne three years ago, maybe he could have been a good Emperor. But now, three years later, he won’t be. Despite our mediocre relationship, I’ve clearly seen his changes over the past two years. The mere act of regicide shows me he has indeed changed. I don’t know whether it’s the result of the Daxing Emperor’s suppression or some other event, but he’s much more addicted to power and brutally coldhearted.”

Wei Ruo agreed with part of Fan Chengxu’s assessment.

In the original work, Chu Lan was a competent Emperor with a strong will, but now… Wei Ruo was not sure.

However, judging from his actions over the past three years, he has indeed diverged from his original character.

He is no longer the gifted strategist he once was; he is exhausted from political infighting. He didn’t properly handle the Daxing Emperor’s assignment to suppress the peasant uprising and used it as a platform for his power struggle.

Yet, was it up to her to speculate whether Chu Lan would be a good Emperor after his ascension? She thought that, in her unique position, she was not qualified to do that.

Therefore, Wei Ruo replied, “Maybe he walked a bloody and cruel path on his way to the throne, but once he ascends, he might genuinely become a good Emperor.”

Chuckling, Fan Chengxu said, “King Jing now controls the Capital City by military force, holding in his hands both the Imperial Army and the Armed Forces Department. It’s not because he’s won people’s hearts. We both know this, and so does he. Thus, before becoming a good Emperor, he’s more likely to eliminate dissidents, conduct a major purge, consolidate imperial power, and ensure his throne is secure. Queen Rui, do you know how long this will last, how many people will die in the process, how many years of suffering the common people will have to endure, and whether you can escape this ordeal?”

Wei Ruo asked, “If he’s not a good Emperor, then what? Is there anyone else who can replace him? King Yu? Or maybe King Qin?”

“After witnessing the current state of Jiliao, I have a third answer. What do you think, Queen Rui?”

Smiling, Fan Chengxu’s eyes shone with the same cunning intelligence as always.

Replying, Wei Ruo said, “I didn’t know that Boss Fan, who’s always avoided politics and only cared about making money, had such a heart for the world.”

“Only when the world is peaceful can money be made, business be done, and my ambitions be fulfilled. Queen Rui, haven’t you continued to do business with me since you took over Doctor Xu’s business? You should know how tough doing business has been these years. On the other hand, you and Prince Rui’s work in Jiliao shows your concern for the world,” Fan Chengxu replied.

“I just want to live a good life. When I can, I help others out, but that doesn’t mean I have grand ambitions,” Wei Ruo replied.

“Then how do you explain the orphanages and relief centers in Jiliao?” Fan Chengxu pressed.

“Those actions are just to improve my own life. I want a better life, but if the common people are starving and there’s no basic agriculture or industry to underpin it, there’s no foundation for trade, and I couldn’t possibly live well. This isn’t about caring for the world; it’s about my own interests from start to finish,” Wei Ruo retorted.

Seeing this, Fan Chengxu laughed even harder, “So you really are him, Mr. Xu.”

Before today, Fan Chengxu’s contact with “Queen Rui” had only been through letters, so he could not fully confirm the relationship between Wei Ruo and Xu Heyou, whom he knew.

After today’s direct confrontation, he got a clear answer.