spend time

With the food sent by Nanyang County, the people of Yan County quickly calmed down. What was even more exciting was that Yan County, which had not seen rain for a long time, had rained for two days. The drooping seedlings in the fields suddenly came to life under the watering of the rain.

As an imperial envoy, Zheng Chen would occasionally go for a walk around the fields. After the rain, he went for a walk and looked at the upright green corn stalks and the winding sweet potato vines on the ground. He couldn't help but feel refreshed: "Is this the new grain from Nanyang County?"

"Yes!" County Magistrate Liu was filled with joy, and he reached out to touch the corn leaves, just like touching his beloved child. "The yield of new grain in Nanyang County is extremely high, and one mu of land can yield more than a thousand kilograms of grain. This is the first year that we planted in Yan County, and we missed the right time, so we are replanting, and the yield is definitely not that high. Once we get through this year, we will plant according to the right time next year."

Zheng Chen was silent for a moment, then asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time: "Who actually grows the new grain in Nanyang County?"

Last year, Jiang Shaohua reported to the emperor that Nanyang County had grown a new type of grain with a high yield. But he avoided mentioning where the new grain came from and who cultivated it.

This year, the new grain from Nanyang County shines brightly. In the north, which is suffering from drought and locust plagues and extreme food shortages, corn and sweet potatoes are extremely precious.

Who actually grew the new food?
When did Jiang Shaohua have such a capable minister under his command?

Who is this guy?
County Magistrate Liu was stunned by the question: "I have never been to Nanyang and know almost nothing about Nanyang County."

Doctor Jiao certainly didn't know. He laughed softly and said, "Nanyang County has already fully promoted the cultivation of new grains. The people who cultivated the grains are not well-known outside of Nanyang County, but the people in Nanyang County must know about it."

So, why not just ask Yu Chong and you’ll know?

Zheng Chen nodded slightly. After returning to the county governor's mansion, he sent someone to invite Yu Chong to talk.

Zheng Chen was well versed in the art of asking questions. He first greeted people with a smile, chatted for a while, and then calmly turned the topic to the new grain.

Yu Chong looked rough, but he was actually very smart and answered carefully. He said what he could say, but pretended not to know what he couldn't say or shouldn't say.

Zheng Chen asked in circles for a long time, and when he saw Yu Chong pretending to be deaf and dumb, he felt a little unhappy. He suddenly said, "In fact, even if General Yu didn't tell me, I can guess who the hero who grew the new grain is. I went to Nanyang and met him three years ago. The person who grew the new grain is Cui Du."

A trace of astonishment flashed across Yu Chong's eyes.

It was indeed Cui Du.

It turned out to be him.

Zheng Chen's emotions suddenly surged, and a young boy's face flashed through his mind.

Who could have imagined that an insignificant young man back then would now be a great contributor to the Nanyang Palace, and even a meritorious official to the entire Daliang.

Daliang is based on farming. A person who can grow high-yield new crops and feed countless people deserves to be granted a title of nobility according to his merits.

"So Young Master Zheng knows Master Cui." Yu Chong's voice rang out: "If that's the case, there's no need for me to hide anything. That's right, it was Master Cui who planted the new grain."

"Also, the new-style plow presented to the court that day was also made by Master Cui."

These things were not secrets in Nanyang County, and all the officials in the Nanyang Palace knew about them. Yu Chong always regarded himself as a minister of the Nanyang Palace, and he often had correspondence with Song Yuan, so he naturally knew about these things.

Zheng Chen raised his eyebrows and said in an ambiguous voice, "Master Cui has made many great contributions. Why doesn't the princess submit a memorial to commend him?"

Yu Chong responded, "The princess naturally has her own ideas and plans. These are not something I can ask about. You may as well ask the princess in person in the future."

Zheng Chen hit a snag and snorted in his heart, but remained expressionless: "Of course." After Yu Chong left, Zheng Chen's face suddenly darkened.

In the past, he had always been wary of Wang Jin. After all, Wang Jin was Jiang Shaohua's husband in his previous life, and a husband and wife are bound by love. Not to mention, Jiang Shaohua had given birth to a son for Wang Jin.

Unexpectedly, his real opponent was not Wang Silang, but Cui Du, who had been staying in the farm in Nanyang County and busy farming.

Jiang Shaohua refused to stay in the capital and tried every means to return to Nanyang. He even told Princess Baohua and others that he would marry a son-in-law in the future. Could it be that the candidate for the son-in-law is Cui Du?
As soon as he thought of this, the fire of jealousy suddenly burned fiercely, as if burning his chest.

Zheng Chen's expression changed constantly. Suddenly he stood up and went to the study, picked up his pen and started writing. He finished the work in one go.

After writing the letter, Zheng Chen was silent for a long time, then reached out and tore the letter to pieces.

Now, he was not qualified to be jealous and question. Moreover, with Jiang Shaohua's current prestige and power, he could just ignore him. If he showed his jealous look, he would only look pitiful and ridiculous.

Zheng Chen slowly ground the ink, spread out the paper again, and wrote another letter. This time, his tone was much gentler, like a greeting from an old friend.

The next day, Yu Chong led the Nanyang army, which had rested for a few days, and set off back to Nanyang.

When he left, many people lined the streets to see him off.

These people, who had received the new grain from Nanyang County, had the confidence and hope to survive. Smiles appeared on their skinny and sallow faces, and their eyes sparkled.

Yu Chong saw this and felt relieved.

Zheng Chen personally escorted Yu Chong out of the gate of Yan County, and then handed a letter to Yu Chong: "This is my letter to the princess, please pass it on to me, General Yu."

Yu Chong had a handwritten letter from the governor Liu, so he didn't mind taking one more. He took the letter with a smile and put it in his arms. After bowing and saying goodbye, he rode away at full speed.

Zheng Chen watched the Nanyang army leave and stayed there for a long time.

……

During this period of time, Jiang Shaohua inspected the Nanyang military camp of the personal guard camp, and then inspected Xi'e County, Wan County, Luyang County, etc. In Xi'e County, Jiang Shaohua severely punished Zhao Zhubu, who embezzled grain.

The news spread like wildfire throughout Nanyang County. For a time, everyone was in awe and became much more cautious in their work.

During subsequent inspections, Jiang Shaohua uncovered several officials who performed their duties incompetently, embezzled money, or neglected their duties, and dismissed them from office without mercy.

Chen Changshi was a little frightened by such a thunderous move, and said in private: "The princess's methods were relatively mild before, why is she so tough and powerful all of a sudden?"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "If you only show favor and appease others, and lack reverence in your heart, you will dare to do small things in private. This princess wants to warn them that the officialdom of Daliang will not work in Nanyang County. If you want to be my subject, you must abide by my rules."

Fearing power but cherishing virtue, in short, is bullying the weak and fearing the strong. The princess wants to show her edge and shock people, so as to avoid causing greater chaos in the future.

Chen Zhuo thought for a moment and said, "From now on, the princess will let me handle this kind of thing. As the left chief official, I should share the princess' worries."

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "There's no need for Chen Changshi to take the blame for me. I just want everyone to know how powerful I am." (End of this chapter)