After my inner voice was eavesdropped, I became the favorite of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 88

If such a good road was built in a prosperous place like Jinling, it would be justified, after all, it was for the sake of the royal family's face. But this is on the border, where the two countries meet, and there are constant wars. Merchants avoid it, and ordinary people also stay away, fearing that they will be affected by the war. In such a desolate place, building such a highway is a waste of resources, isn't it?
Qianlong had no idea that this was an asphalt road. The asphalt used in road construction was a byproduct of industrial oil refining. It was recycled and did not cost much. But building roads was a must. If you want to develop the economy, you have to build roads first. Although this road looks desolate now, it will definitely become an important channel for economic exchange when the north and the south are unified.

Qianlong was so conflicted, just like the netizens in later generations who saw the subway built in the wilderness, wondering if the funds were wasted. He was full of contradictions and struggles, as if he was full of uncertainty about the future of this road. But who knows what will happen in a few years? High-rise buildings will rise from the ground, and the wasteland will become a prosperous city. The foresight of this road will be revealed.

It doesn't matter if it looks desolate now. The right thing to do is to repair the road while the land price is cheap. If we wait until it becomes prosperous in the future to build the road and requisition land for demolition, that would be another unnecessary expense. Qianlong sighed and shook his head, as if trying to convince himself to accept this fact. He asked the team to continue moving forward, with determination and determination in his eyes.

The carriage was driving steadily on the asphalt road. The road surface was smooth and reflective like a mirror, and it also had a slight luster, just like the silky smoothness of chocolate in later generations. Qianlong had ridden in many carriages in his life, but he had never felt so comfortable as he did now. He sat in the carriage, feeling the bumps and vibrations of the road being completely absorbed, as if he was in a stable world.

Thinking this way, no matter how much money this road costs, I have to build a few more roads like this when I return! Qianlong made a secret decision in his heart, as if he had seen the prosperous city and unimpeded traffic in the future.

The parade team moved forward. Qianlong opened the curtains and looked at the scenery outside. He felt particularly comfortable. He admired the scenery along the way and felt the wonders of nature and the wisdom of mankind. This wide asphalt road is not only a passage to the unknown world, but also a broad road to prosperity and strength. Qianlong was full of expectations and longings, as if he had seen the future of the Great Yan Kingdom.

After walking a few miles, Li Qingge and Qianlong's party gradually saw a peaceful and tranquil rural landscape. Villages began to appear on the roadside. Those simple houses with blue tiles and white walls looked particularly warm in the afterglow of the setting sun. The smoke from cooking rose up and intertwined with the mountain mist in the distance, as if it was the most gentle brushstroke of nature, adding a bit of life to this picture.

The farmland is like a green ocean, stretching as far as the eye can see. On the edge of the field, several farmers are busy. They carry hoes on their shoulders, which is a trace of time and their deepest connection with this land. The farmers' faces are covered with sweat, but their smiles are like the sunshine in spring, warm and bright. They chat while working, laughing constantly, and that laughter is full of love for life and expectations for the future. Their eyes are bright, as if they are filled with beautiful visions of the future, which is a firm belief in life and endless attachment to this land.

Emperor Qianlong was quite touched when he saw this scene. He usually held a high position and was used to the feeling of being high above. He always felt that he and his grandfather, Emperor Kangxi, had created the Kangxi and Qianlong prosperous era. That prosperous scene was unprecedented, even the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty and the Kaiyuan prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty could not compare to it. However, when he saw these farmers today, he realized that under his governance, many ordinary people still had a hard time. They always had sad faces and no brilliance in their eyes, as if they had lost hope and could only muddle through like the monks in the temple. However, among these grassroots people, there were also such scenes full of vitality and vigor, which made him feel both surprised and ashamed.

Looking at the farmers' clothes, although they were not gorgeous, they were all very clean and brightly colored. Some of the farmers were older than Qianlong's grandfather, but they worked harder than the young men of the Qing Dynasty. They sweated profusely, but never tired of it, as if they were watering hope with sweat. This scene made Qianlong wonder if his previous outlook on life was wrong. Perhaps, the real prosperity is not those tall buildings and magnificent palaces, but the smiles on the faces of these people and the hope in their hearts.

After walking a few more miles, the scenery on the roadside changed again. A golden rice field came into view, and the rice ears were heavy and full, almost bending the stalks. In the sun, the rice fields seemed to be coated with a layer of golden brilliance, shining with the joy of a good harvest. The farmers were harvesting rice under the scorching sun, sweating profusely. Their waists could not straighten up, but their faces were smiling like flowers. It was a satisfied smile, a kind of gratitude for life. It turned out that this year was another bumper year, and Her Majesty the Queen also issued an order to reduce taxes at the beginning of the year, so that more money could be made from selling grain. There was more food than could be eaten, and it could be sold at a good price. Who wouldn't be happy with a stable livelihood?
Qianlong was so surprised when he saw the heavy rice grains that he stopped walking. He stared with his eyes wide open, as if he couldn't believe what he saw. Yongqi, Ji Xiaolan, Fu Erkang and others also stared with their eyes wide open, speechless. Oh! There is such a high-yield rice in the world! If we talk about the yield, it's hard to believe your eyes. The heavy rice ears seem to be a gift from nature and a reward for the hard work of these farmers.

"This is immortal rice! Real immortal rice!" Qianlong exclaimed, and couldn't help getting off the car. He walked to the wide and flat asphalt road unknowingly, and then stepped into the rice field. The asphalt road was shiny black, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding green, as if it was a broad road leading to the future. Qianlong reached out and touched the rice ears, and the heavy feeling was beyond his imagination. The rice grains were full and hard, as if they were the essence of the earth, condensed with the nourishment of countless sunshine and rain. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes and touched it with his own hands, he really couldn't believe that there was such a high-yield rice in the world.

At this time, an old farmer came over with a sickle. He was wearing coarse clothes, his face was full of traces of time, but his eyes were extremely sharp. He shouted: "What are you doing? Do you want to steal my food?" His voice was full of anger and dissatisfaction, as if he was strongly condemning those who got something for nothing. The other farmers also turned their heads to look at him, their eyes full of vigilance and hostility. The farmers all knew how hard and difficult it was to farm, so they hated waste and theft. Seeing that Qianlong was well-dressed but kept staring at the rice ears, they suspected that he was a thief.

Falcon got angry when he heard this. His eyes widened and he argued loudly: "What nonsense are you talking about! Who stole your food? You dare to disrespect our master. Aren't you afraid of death?" His voice was full of threats and intimidation, as if he wanted to overwhelm the other party with power. However, the old farmer was not afraid at all. He said coldly: "You broke into my field without permission and your attitude is so arrogant. I will report you to the government!" His voice was firm and powerful, as if he was defending his dignity and rights. It turned out that Her Majesty the Queen legislated to advocate equal rights. If the rights of the people were violated, they could stand up and defend them themselves.

Seeing this, Qianlong hurriedly explained: "Old man, you misunderstood. We are not here to steal grain. We are just attracted by the sight of the harvest and want to come and see it." His voice was full of sincerity and apology, as if he was apologizing to the other party. After listening to Qianlong's explanation, the old farmer's expression eased a little, but he still said with some vigilance: "Then you can take a look, but don't touch my grain." After that, he turned around and continued to harvest rice.

Qianlong looked at the old farmer's back, and his heart was filled with emotion. He realized that although he was an emperor, he could not really understand the lives and feelings of the people. He needed to understand this land and the people on this land more deeply in order to better govern the country. So he decided to move on and explore more unknown worlds and unknown people's hearts.

At first, the villagers happily received the land allocated by the state. The joy was like the warm sunshine in spring, spreading throughout the village. On the ridges of the fields, people laughed and congratulated each other, as if they saw the beautiful scenery of a good harvest in the future. However, there were always a few troublesome guys in the village. They were like a group of restless crows, always stirring up waves on the calm lake. At the slightest sign of trouble, they were ready to take action and threatened to go to court, trying to get some benefits from it.

The yamen runners were very clear-headed. They were dressed in black, holding long guns, and stood majestically in the court. Whenever a troublemaker was brought to the court, the yamen runners would handle the case according to the law, arresting those who should be arrested and sentencing those who should be sentenced, without any leniency. After several rounds of this, everyone had a growing respect for the law. Now, not only those illiterate farmers, but even little kids knew that they had to stand up to defend their rights when they were bullied. The law was like a towering mountain, protecting every law-abiding person.

On this day, the sun was shining brightly and the breeze was not dry. Qianlong and his entourage, dressed in gorgeous clothes and riding tall horses, slowly walked into the village. Their exquisite clothing formed a sharp contrast with the villagers' coarse linen clothes. What was even more eye-catching was that they still had the strange-looking pigtails on their heads that had long been eliminated by the Great Yan Kingdom. The appearance of this group of people immediately attracted the attention of the villagers.

An old farmer was carrying a hoe and walking from the field. He had dark skin and wrinkles all over his face, but his eyes were extremely sharp. When he saw Qianlong and his group, he began to think: These people must have sneaked in from the north. Hey, what's so great about the nobles in the north? In our Da Yan territory, even a dragon has to coil up and a tiger has to lie down. Thinking of this, the old farmer stood up straight and went to meet them without any fear.

"You...you guys..." Erkang was so angry that his face turned red and his neck became thick. He cursed with trembling fingers, "You are a bunch of unruly people! A bunch of unruly people!" As a member of the royal family, when had he ever been treated like this? However, the old farmer didn't even raise his eyelids, and laughed in his heart: This year's harvest is good, I'm in a good mood, and I don't bother to argue with you. If it was when we were transplanting rice, I would have made you taste the muddy water in the field. Humph! What the hell! I spit on you!
The old farmer's attitude made Yongqi, Xiaoyanzi and the others frown and shake their heads. Yongqi sighed, "It's true that poor and bad places produce unruly people!" Xiaoyanzi also agreed, "That's right, a farmer dares to be so arrogant, it's simply against the sky." As royal family members, when have they ever seen such rude people?
However, Qianlong did not notice this. He was immersed in the amazing yield of super rice and did not notice the old farmer's "disrespect" at all. He stared at the heavy rice ears, the golden rice grains gleaming brightly in the sun, as if showing him the joy of a good harvest. He murmured to himself, "Did you grow this rice?" His voice was full of amazement and curiosity.

The old farmer was unhappy when he heard this. He glared at Qianlong and said unhappily, "Of course I planted it. This land belongs to my family. If it wasn't planted by me, how could it be planted by someone else?" His words were full of pride and satisfaction, as if he was showing Qianlong the fruits of his labor.

Qianlong did not mind the old farmer's attitude. He continued to ask: "How can this rice grow so well? How do you control the depth when planting? What is the secret of breeding? How much fertilizer was used?" His questions were like a machine gun, and it was obvious that he was very interested in this high-yield rice.

The old farmer replied: "This rice seed was given by Her Majesty the Queen. After I got it, I planted it in the usual way, but I didn't expect it to grow like this. It's not that I'm good at farming, it's really that Her Majesty the Queen's rice seeds are good, and every household has a high yield." His words were full of gratitude and respect for Her Majesty the Queen, as if he was telling Qianlong a magical story.

"What? The Queen of Dayan..." Qianlong was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped. He originally thought that Li Qingge only knew how to fight, but he didn't expect that he was also a good hand in agriculture and could cultivate such high-yield rice. His heart was filled with shock and amazement, as if he was witnessing the birth of a miracle.

Seeing Qianlong so surprised, the old farmer was even more proud. His gratitude was beyond words, and he said with reverence: "Yes, Her Majesty the Queen is simply the reincarnation of a goddess, she knows everything. Only she can cultivate such a good seed. In the past, I worked very hard to plant, but I could only harvest 200 to 300 kilograms per mu. Now that I plant this super hybrid rice, the yield per mu can reach 1,600 to 1,700 kilograms. This high yield means that the people of Dayan no longer have to worry about going hungry." His voice was full of excitement and joy, as if he was showing Qianlong a bright future.

Qianlong asked again: "How much of this rice can be harvested per acre?" His words were full of anticipation and curiosity, as if he was confirming an incredible fact with the old farmer.

The old farmer said proudly, "Inferior land can yield 1,500 kilograms, and good land can yield 1,800 kilograms. There is another family in my neighboring village who harvested more than 2,000 kilograms per acre. The news spread to all the neighbors and they became a model for everyone to learn from. Although I am not as good as them, I can also harvest 1,600 to 1,700 kilograms per acre." His voice was full of pride and showing off, as if he was showing Qianlong the fruits of his labor and the joy of the harvest.

When these words came out, with a little bit of boasting, Qianlong and others were stunned. Oh my God! The yield per mu is more than 1,500 kilograms, this is simply unheard of! Although I saw the bumper harvest of rice with my own eyes, it was still shocking to hear the exact number. Qianlong's heart was full of excitement and joy. He seemed to see a whole new world, a world full of hope and possibility. He thought that if this kind of rice could be widely planted in the north, wouldn't the tax revenue of the treasury go up by the somersault? You know, agricultural tax is the lifeblood of the feudal dynasty's finances! Such high-yield rice is undoubtedly a blessing for the Great Yan Kingdom and the whole world.

In the vast fields, the golden rice ears swayed in the wind, like a golden ocean, sparkling and beautiful. The farmers welcomed an unprecedented bumper harvest, their faces were filled with joy and satisfaction, and it was a kind of happiness radiating from the bottom of their hearts. The country's tax revenue also followed the wave of the harvest, rising rapidly, the treasury was full, and the people were happy. From then on, they no longer had to worry about not having enough money in their pockets, and their lives had more hope and hope.

Among the jubilant crowd, there was an old gardener. He was wearing coarse cloth and a bamboo hat. His face was covered with traces of time, but his eyes were shining with a strange light. He said with deep emotion: "Our Queen really loves us ordinary people like her own children. This is why we have today's good harvest and good life. Look at this golden rice field. Every grain of rice carries the kindness of Her Majesty!"

He paused, looking into the distance, as if he had traveled through time and space and returned to those difficult days. "It's a pity that there is no train here, otherwise I would have to go to Jinling City to see Her Majesty in person, kowtow to her and thank her for her kindness. Even if I die, I will be satisfied."

"Your Majesty the Queen of Dayan...is it really that good?" someone nearby asked curiously, with a hint of doubt and yearning in his tone.

The old gardener's face showed admiration when he heard this. He waved the hoe in his hand excitedly, "Of course! Her Majesty is a rare kind person in the world. Other emperors in power always indulge those corrupt officials to oppress the people, making us miserable. But our Majesty is different. She not only distributes land to us so that we have enough food and warm clothes, but also legislates to protect our rights, letting us know that people must live with dignity and are not slaves at the mercy of others..."

At this point, the old gardener's eyes became moist. He seemed to see the kind face of Her Majesty the Queen, and his heart was filled with gratitude.

Several farmers who had just finished harvesting rice and were taking a rest after drinking water also joined in praising Queen Li Qingge. They were full of praise, their faces filled with respect and gratitude for the queen.

"Speaking of the Queen's kindness, we can't finish talking about it for three days and three nights. Although we farmers don't understand the great principles, we know how to be grateful and repay kindness." A dark-skinned, burly farmer said, his voice was hoarse and powerful, full of sincerity. "Yes! Whoever is good to us, we know it in our hearts. The Queen's kindness is heavier than Mount Tai and deeper than the sea!" Another farmer echoed, the water cup in his hand trembling slightly, obviously moved by this deep affection.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to repay your majesty's kindness in this lifetime. I can only set up an immortality tablet for her at home, burn incense every morning and evening, and pray to God to bless her with longevity, safety and health." An elderly farmer said with emotion, his eyes full of piety and awe.

"I want to laugh when I think of what those foolish officials said in the past, like 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' and 'It is against the will of heaven for women to interfere in politics'. It's all nonsense!" said a young farmer indignantly, his face filled with admiration and respect for Her Majesty the Queen.

"That's absolutely right! Our Queen is much better as an emperor than any previous emperor!" another farmer echoed, his voice full of pride and honor.

"Don't talk about those profound principles. The one who loves the people and treats them as his own family is the real wise ruler!" a middle-aged farmer concluded. As soon as he finished speaking, warm applause and cheers rang out all around him.

The farmers praised Queen Li Qingge one after another, and the whole field was filled with their laughter. This respect and gratitude for the queen, like a spring breeze, blew across the entire Great Yan Kingdom and spread her good reputation.

In the shade of trees not far away, Emperor Qianlong and his entourage listened quietly to the farmers' discussion, with surprise and shock on their faces. Emperor Qianlong felt mixed emotions, as if he had been soaked in lemons, sour and with an indescribable taste. As an emperor, he was majestic and the whole world had to submit to him. But at this moment, he envied Queen Li Qingge's respect and love from the bottom of the people's hearts.

Yongqi, Fu Erkang, Xiaoyanzi and others also stood there like statues, their eyes full of admiration and yearning for Queen Li Qingge. Ji Xiaolan and other ministers accompanying her were so surprised that they were speechless. They secretly wondered in their hearts, what charm did this Queen of Great Yan have that made the people love and support her so much?
It was very rare in history for common people to spontaneously set up a longevity tablet for the king. Ji Xiaolan thought to himself that the literati were self-righteous and would be very happy if they could get an umbrella for all the people. The Queen of Dayan was not only popular among the people, but also made the people willingly pray for her longevity. Even the emperor would envy her for this honor.

As an emperor, you only need to govern the country and manage officials from a high position. There is no need to get too close to the people. But this Queen of Dayan can be so loved and supported by the people. This is really an unprecedented wonder! The emperor has already called himself long live, why is he still asking for immortality? This matter of the longevity tablet is simply an unprecedented wonder!
Emperor Qianlong thought to himself, maybe this is a true wise ruler! He looked at the golden rice fields and the jubilant crowd, and an inexplicable feeling of emotion welled up in his heart. He seemed to see the future of the Great Yan Kingdom. Under the leadership of Queen Li Qingge, the country will be more prosperous and peaceful.

On the vast land shrouded in the joy of the harvest, the sun shines gently, as if even the clouds in the sky are dyed with a bit of golden color. Is this a privilege only enjoyed by officials? At this moment, Emperor Qianlong is sitting in a luxuriously decorated carriage, with pastoral scenery passing by quickly outside the window, but his mood is like being thrown into a basket of rotten lemons, sour and astringent, the taste is surging in his chest, bubbling. Beside him, Ji Xiaolan and other ministers are sitting or standing, with different expressions, but they can't hide the sour emotions. But even if they feel mixed feelings, they have to admit that Li Qingge's deeds are indeed extraordinary, like bright stars, which makes people admire them.

Let's not talk about how the farmers spread the word of mouth and praised Li Qingge's benevolent policies like the sound of nature. The feat of super hybrid rice alone is enough for her to leave a strong mark in the history of youth and become a legend that will be remembered forever by future generations. You know, under the shackles of the feudal monarchy, the small peasant economy is like the blood of the country, nourishing every living thing on this land. The rice bowl of the people is a big deal. The prosperity of the country, in the final analysis, depends on the foundation of agriculture. Now, once this super hybrid rice is promoted, it is like a spring breeze, nourishing thousands of farmlands. The people no longer have to worry about the days of hunger. This merit has not only benefited the present, but also planted a field of hope for future generations, which will benefit future generations.

In the heart of Emperor Qianlong, he always admired his grandfather, Emperor Kangxi. Emperor Kangxi pacified the Three Feudatories, recovered Taiwan, and resisted the Russian Empire. His achievements were as brilliant as the sun and the moon. Qianlong often boasted that he was "the greatest emperor of all time", and his admiration was beyond words. However, facing Li Qingge's super rice, Kangxi's great achievements seemed a little dim. Qianlong couldn't help but sigh. It was a complex emotion, with both nostalgia for his ancestors and shock at reality. Then, he waved his hand gently and urged the convoy: "Hurry up, hurry up!" Although the words were light, they revealed an indescribable determination.

As the carriage slowly moved forward, Qianlong and his entourage went deeper into the south, and the scene before them became more prosperous. On the fertile land, the golden rice waves rolled like a golden ocean. The public security situation was even more amazing. There was almost no trace of bandits. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment. The faces of the people were filled with satisfied smiles, wearing clean and tidy clothes without patches or holes. This was enough to show that under the governance of Dayan, the people not only had enough food, but also wore warm clothes, and their lives had made a qualitative leap.

The group had been running around all day. As the sun set, the sky was stained with a gorgeous sunset glow. They felt a little tired. They saw a county town from afar and decided to stay overnight. Although the county town is small, under the vigorous promotion of Li Qingge, the large-scale infrastructure policy is in full swing, and the economic strength has been significantly improved. The entire county town has become brand new. Those low and dilapidated houses were demolished and replaced by new buildings rising from the ground. On both sides of the spacious and bright streets, street lights soared into the sky, illuminating every corner of the night. The green belt in the middle is even more ingenious, with flowers, plants and trees scattered in an orderly manner, and the scenery is novel and unique, and beautiful.

After nightfall, the county town is brightly lit, just like daytime. The lights of high-rise buildings flicker, and rickshaws, bicycles, and the latest electric donkeys shuttle back and forth on the streets. Although these modern means of transportation have not yet been fully popularized, they are enough to show how prosperous this place is. There is a constant flow of people coming and going on the streets, and shops are next to each other, which is very lively. There are even more people in front of the snack stalls, with constant laughter and joy. Men, women, young and old are immersed in this joy and enjoying the beauty of life.

Emperor Qianlong and his entourage walked on the street, feeling the rare tranquility and prosperity. In their hearts, they admired Li Qingge's ability to govern the country and had infinite visions for the future. Li Qingge used her wisdom and courage to create a new era for the Great Yan Kingdom, an era where the people lived and worked in peace and the country prospered. All of this will become the most dazzling chapter in the long river of history.

Oh, the hot dried mustard greens pancakes just out of the oven, with a few greasy spots on the golden crust, seeming to wink at passers-by, tempting every passing stomach. "Come and buy it, it will be gone if you are late!" The vendor's shouting was a bit hurried, but not without enthusiasm, like a cool breeze in summer, blowing through the heart.

Not far away, "Look here, cotton candy, sweet and beautiful, you will miss it if you miss it!" A vendor in colorful clothes was skillfully turning the wooden stick in his hand, and strands of sugar filaments gradually twisted into a fluffy cloud, pink and blue, very beautiful. Children gathered around, their eyes sparkling with anticipation, as if the cotton candy was not only food, but also a childhood dream.

"Fruit salad, freshly cut and sold, tastes amazing, no charge if not sweet!" An old lady's voice was loud and crisp. Her stall was filled with all kinds of fruits, red apples, yellow bananas, green watermelons... colorful, like paint on a palette, dazzling. The knife in her hand rose and fell quickly, and pieces of fruit fell into the bowl, and then poured special sauce on it. The freshness and sweetness seemed to instantly dispel all fatigue.

"We also have steamed bread, which is cheap and affordable, only one penny each!" An old man sat in front of a simple stall, his voice gentle and steady, the steamed bread in his hand was golden and tempting, exuding a faint fragrance of grain. It was some simple but warm food, which reminded people of the taste of home, simple but satisfying.

The sounds of hawking are heard one after another in the streets, making it very lively. The air is filled with the strong smell of fireworks, and everyone's face is filled with smiles, which shows a love for life and cherishment for ordinary days.

This scene made Qianlong, Xiaoyanzi and the others stunned, as if they had traveled back to ancient times, or stepped into a whole new world. Their eyes were full of surprise and curiosity, and the shock in their hearts was simply indescribable. Qianlong frowned slightly. He had never seen such a prosperous small county town. The bustle and noise even exceeded some markets in the capital.

"Is this... is this really just a small county town?" Qianlong was so surprised that his face changed. He couldn't believe that such a small place could be so prosperous. It was even more lively than the capital. He looked through the crowd, trying to find the source of this prosperity, but he only saw smiling faces, busy figures, and endless laughter.

Ji Xiaolan couldn't help but sigh: "This scene is just like the heyday of the Tang Dynasty!" He thought of Du Fu's poem describing the heyday of the Kaiyuan era, and an inexplicable excitement surged in his heart. He looked at Qianlong with eyes full of expectation, as if to say: "Look, this is the prosperous scene you have always longed for."

Xiaoyanzi was so excited that she jumped up and down. She held Ziwei's hand and shuttled through the crowd like a child. "Wow! This place is just like a fairyland, so prosperous as if in a dream!" Her voice was crisp and pleasant, full of curiosity and love for this world. Ziwei also exclaimed: "It's so beautiful! So grand! Such prosperity, is it really not a dream? Erkang, tell me, this is not a dream, is it?" She held Erkang's hand tightly, as if she was afraid that all this would suddenly disappear.

Erkang sniffed the air, which was a unique scent mixed with various snacks, familiar yet strange. "It's not a dream, it's real. The prosperity here is even greater than that of the capital." His words were full of certainty and pride, as if he had contributed to this prosperity.

Yongqi also sighed, "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that there is such a prosperous place in the world. People say 'There is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below', but I think this place can't even compare to Suzhou and Hangzhou." His eyes swept across the streets. Those exquisite stalls, busy vendors, and those smiling people all made him feel an unprecedented shock.

Qianlong shook his head. He had been to Suzhou and Hangzhou. Although they were also prosperous, they were still inferior to here. Especially those street lamps, they were hung high on both sides of the street, making the night as bright as the day. Those lights were soft and warm, as if they could illuminate every corner of people's hearts. There was no such scene in Suzhou and Hangzhou. Although the night there was also beautiful, it was more of a quiet and peaceful feeling, while here it was very lively and full of vitality.

"What a nice smell! What a nice smell!..." Xiaoyanzi was drooling at the aroma of the snack stand. She pulled Yongqi and ran to the nearest stand. It was a small stand selling barbecue. The aroma of meat was so delicious that it made people salivate. Yongqi followed with a smile. He knew that Xiaoyanzi was a foodie and had an irresistible attraction to food.

Erkang and Ziwei also hurriedly followed, they did not want to miss any opportunity to taste the food. In this prosperous small county, they seemed to have found the long-lost happiness and freedom, the ease and pleasure, which they could hardly feel in the palace.

Finally, even Qianlong couldn't resist the temptation. He ate all the way from the beginning to the end of the street. The snacks were novel and varied. Each one of them was eye-catching and praised. His stomach gradually became full, but the satisfaction made him unable to stop. Alas! These folk snacks are really delicious, even more surprising than the delicacies in the palace.

However, what shocked Qianlong the most was not the novelty and variety of these snacks, but the colorful iced drinks. They were placed in transparent glass bottles, red, green, yellow... colorful, like a rainbow in summer, making people fall in love with them at first sight. Qianlong picked up a cup and tasted it, and the cool feeling instantly swept over his body, as if even his heart was cooled. The drink not only looked tempting, but also tasted refreshing and thirst-quenching, which made him look at the wisdom and innovation of the people with new eyes. He secretly thought: "Such prosperity and wisdom may be the hope for the future of this country."

In a corner of this small town, the summer sun is as hot as molten gold, and the shadows of trees on both sides of the street are swaying, but it is difficult to resist the rolling heat wave. However, in this hot summer, there is a small stall selling cold drinks, which seems to be a touch of clear spring in the hot summer, attracting pedestrians to stop.

The owner of the stall is a kind-looking, smiling lady, wearing a simple blue cloth dress and a bamboo hat, with a few strands of sweat-soaked hair hanging on her forehead, but she is still energetic. On her stall, there are several exquisite wooden barrels filled with various kinds of fruit juices, and the most surprising thing is that these juices are all iced.

You know, in this hot summer, using ice is a luxury. Even in the palace, you have to spend a lot of money to enjoy cold drinks in the summer. In the Forbidden City, every winter, a large pool is dug in the Imperial River, filled with clean water, and allowed to freeze naturally. The ice has to be frozen for three days and three nights before it can be made into large ice cubes, which are then carefully stored in the cellar for use in the summer. When it comes to ice cubes for making cold drinks, they are even more particular. They must be specially made with spring water from Yuquan Mountain, and the price is shockingly high.

The ice cellar was specially built, dug deep underground, with thick and solid walls, and covered with several layers of cotton wool and husks, for fear that a trace of heat would get in and melt the ice. From ice harvesting, ice making, ice transportation to ice storage, the money spent on this whole process is simply an astronomical figure. Moreover, even with such careful production, the remaining ice cubes at the end are less than one-third of the original. Therefore, except for the royal nobles and those super-rich families, ordinary people can't afford this treatment.