Luck entry, starting from the Nine Dragons' succession

Chapter 19 The Ninth Prince Presents Auspiciousness (Two in One)

Wenyuan Pavilion, Council of State Hall.

The wind outside the hall was bitingly cold, but inside the hall it was warm as spring.

The three prime ministers and seven ministers gathered together to review the memorials of all officials.

According to Daqian custom, memorials from all officials would go through the hands of the three ministers.

The three ministers drafted a bill, gave their suggestions, and then submitted it to the emperor for approval.

If the emperor is not satisfied with the suggestions in the draft, he can send it back to the three ministers for a new draft.

The atmosphere in the council hall today was solemn, and everyone present had a serious expression.

It’s because what we are discussing is disaster relief.

There was a severe drought in the northwest this summer, and no harvest was achieved.

After the winter, millions of people were displaced and became refugees.

Such a large number of refugees far exceeds the ability of the local county government to handle them.

With the instigation of the local county government, they all gathered near Yujing City.

"Everyone, three hundred and fifty-two refugees froze to death outside the city last night."

"With so many people freezing to death, what was Chen Siqi doing? How did he manage to become the prefect of Yujing Prefecture?"

"If he can't be the prefect of Yujing Prefecture, then someone else should come up."

The right prime minister's thick eyebrows knitted together, and his square face was filled with anger.

His words were so sharp that it seemed as if he was going to replace the prefect of Yujing Prefecture.

"Jing Xing, stay calm and don't be impatient."

"There are over a million refugees gathered outside Yujing City. It's difficult for the Yujing prefect to handle them all on his own."

"Siqi made some mistakes, but we can't blame him too much."

"I think we should just deduct three months' salary."

The left prime minister stroked his beard and spoke to excuse Chen Fuyin.

The left prime minister and the right prime minister were arguing over the position of the prefect of Yujing Prefecture.

Wu Xiang Shen Changfeng watched the two people arguing coldly, smiling without saying a word.

He was no longer surprised by the quarrels between the Left Prime Minister and the Right Prime Minister.

According to the rules, memorials from all officials must go through the hands of the three ministers and receive suggestions.

But in fact, the military minister Shen Changfeng only cared about military affairs.

As for other matters, he treated them as nothing and turned a deaf ear to them.

The governor of Yujing seemed to have failed to provide disaster relief, which led to the refugees freezing to death.

In fact, it involves a fight for the throne, which is extremely fierce.

Chen Siqi has recently become close to the prince.

The Left Prime Minister is the Crown Prince's biggest supporter.

In terms of attitude, it is inevitable to lean towards Chen Siqi.

The right prime minister secretly supports the second prince, so naturally he will hold on to Chen Siqi's weaknesses.

The four ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of War and Ministry of Agriculture all spoke up for Chen Siqi.

On the other hand, on the right prime minister's side, only the Minister of Revenue stood firmly on the right prime minister's side.

The two ministers of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Works had ambiguous attitudes and did not show any obvious inclination.

"Prime Minister Shen, what do you think about this matter?"

The Right Prime Minister paused and looked towards Shen Changfeng.

"I'm a rough guy. I don't know anything except fighting."

"Right Prime Minister, you're asking the wrong person."

Shen Changfeng laughed and acted as if he hadn't said anything.

As said!

This statement is consistent with Shen Changfeng's style.

The right prime minister looked disappointed and sighed in his heart.

The left prime minister sat quietly on the Diaoyutai, smiling without saying a word, as if he had anticipated this scene.

Seeing that Chen Siqi couldn't be helped, the Right Prime Minister stopped dwelling on this issue and continued to dwell on it.

"Outside Yujing City, the number of refugees is increasing. We must come up with a set of rules."

"The victims outside Yujing City need at least one million dan of grain for disaster relief."

"Even if we don't have 10 million dan of grain in the entire northwest, we won't be able to resolve this drought at all."

After the Right Prime Minister finished speaking, everyone present fell silent.

Ten million shi of grain is already a very conservative estimate.

If every grain of food can be used for the victims, there will naturally be enough.

But this is absolutely impossible.

How could the people below not take action?
Even if the Shangshu serves as an imperial envoy, the "loss" will only be smaller.

"Ziqian, how much grain is left in the treasury?"

The Left Prime Minister asked, turning to look at the Minister of Revenue.

The grain in the warehouse is under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Revenue.

The Minister of Revenue knew best how much grain the court could mobilize.

Minister of Revenue Yan Ziqian had a bitter look on his face and looked helpless.

"Excluding the winter grain for Yujing Prefecture, the national treasury only has 500,000 dan of grain available."

"Is this all the food?"

"Five hundred thousand koku, what is that enough for?"

The words of the Minister of Revenue poured cold water on everyone.

The sound of discussion rang out in the council hall.

Five hundred thousand dan of grain could not even provide relief to the refugees outside Yujing City.

Not to mention the millions of refugees throughout the northwest.

"Ziqian, what's going on? Why is there so little food in the imperial court?"

Without waiting for the left prime minister to ask for an explanation, the right prime minister took the initiative and asked, giving his "little brother" a chance to explain.

"Your Excellency, the Northwest has been hit by a severe drought this year. The court exempted the region from taxes, but not a single cent has been collected."

"And two years ago, the East China Sea aquatic creatures invaded, and Shandong Province suffered devastating losses."

"Your Majesty has granted three years of tax exemption to Jiaodong, Langya, and Linzi counties, and will not begin collecting taxes until next year."

"These three counties are a major source of tax revenue. Without their tax revenue, the imperial court would be in dire financial straits."

The Minister of Revenue complained bitterly, not because he was not good at managing money, but because he collected little and spent much.

Being able to barely balance income and expenditure is the result of working hard day and night.

"Everyone, how are we going to get the food needed for disaster relief? You all need to come up with a solution."

"Anyway, the Ministry of Revenue can only provide 50 dan of grain at most, no more."

"Even if you sell the Ministry of Revenue, you still won't be able to raise enough food for disaster relief."

After listening to the report from the Minister of Revenue, the Left Prime Minister pondered for a moment.

"Raise taxes."

"Left Prime Minister, I object."

"The imperial government's taxes are already heavy enough. If they increase them further, I'm afraid the government will force the people to revolt."

The Minister of Rites, who had been silent before, suddenly jumped out and spoke righteously.

He looked righteous, as if saying.

If taxes are raised again, Daqian will be finished.

When Wu Xiang saw the Minister of Rites jump out to object, he just felt funny.

The Minister of Rites was from Jiangnan.

The imperial court wanted to increase taxes, and Jiangnan, a major tax-paying area, would naturally be the first to be affected.

Let the common people in the south of the Yangtze River suffer a little, and save the poor people in the northwest.

This method was used several times during the reign of Left Prime Minister Qin Mobai.

"Shouzheng, if taxes are not increased, what do you think will happen?"

The left prime minister had a tense expression and seemed to have dissatisfaction in his eyes as he questioned the Minister of Rites.

"This……"

The Minister of Rites showed an embarrassment on his face.

Seeing that the Minister of Rites was at a loss for a moment, the Right Prime Minister gave the Minister of Revenue a look, and the Minister of Revenue immediately understood.

"We might as well borrow another 10 million dan of grain from Shennong Valley."

Shennong Valley, one of the ten great Taoist temples.

It is famous for its plant cultivation and alchemy.

Where is there the most food?
It’s not the Daqian court, it’s definitely Shennong Valley.

It was not unprecedented for the imperial court to lend grain to Shennong Valley.

To this day, it still owes Shennong Valley 7 million shi of grain.

"No!"

"How can the imperial court borrow money from Shennong Valley?"

"If this gets out, the whole world will laugh at me."

The left prime minister refused with righteous indignation.

His attitude was so firm that he didn't give the Minister of Revenue any chance to defend himself.

Wu Xiang watched the whole show and shook his head slightly.

The left prime minister refused to lend money with righteous words.

In terms of timing, he still cannot escape the struggle for succession.

The second prince's mother is the Holy Maiden of Shennong Valley.

Borrowing money from Shennong Valley means that Shennong Valley has greater influence on the court.

This is something that the princelings, led by the Left Prime Minister, absolutely cannot accept.

So far, apart from the Crown Prince, the Second Prince is the only prince to be canonized as a prince.

It can be said that the second prince is the crown prince's biggest rival.

In the court, the second prince's party, headed by the right prime minister, also frequently competed with the crown prince.

There were constant quarrels in the council hall.

There was a huge argument over the two methods of raising taxes and borrowing, and no one could convince anyone else.

"Your Majesty is here!"

Eunuch Su's shrill voice rang out. The Council Hall, which had just been roiling with arguments, suddenly fell silent, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

"My lord, I would like to pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"My dear ministers, please stand up."

Emperor Yuanchu sat on the main seat and glanced at everyone present.

"Do you have a plan for disaster relief?"

"I am incompetent, please punish me, Your Majesty."

"Punishment?" Emperor Yuanchu's tone suddenly rose eight degrees, and his eyes became cold.

"Is it punishment I want?"

"What I want is to share my worries!"

"Among all the nobles, is there no one who can share my worries?"

Bang!
Emperor Yuanchu kicked the table hard, turning it over to the ground.

In the Council Hall, all the civil and military officials were silent.

Raise taxes and borrow money.

Emperor Yuanchu had known these two methods for a long time.

It's just that all of you gentlemen have selfish motives, which is why you are arguing with each other.

In addition to these two methods, there is actually a third method.

Ten million dan of grain may seem like a lot to be distributed among the aristocratic families.

But the amount of grain in the hands of the aristocratic families was far more than 10 million shi.

However, no one dared to make this suggestion.

Because they really have food at home.

Besides, it is common to be reluctant to sell in disaster years.

Outside Wenyuan Pavilion.

The young eunuch lowered his voice and reported something to Eunuch Su.

After Eunuch Su heard this, two rays of light flashed in his eyes.

"Is it true that the yield per mu is 700 kilograms?"

"Godfather, I saw it with my own eyes, how dare I lie to you."

"The Ninth Prince also said that there are still ten acres of land on the farm that have not been harvested, waiting for Your Majesty to come and watch the ceremony."

"Got it. Go back and have the Ninth Prince prepare to receive the emperor."

After sending the young eunuch away, Eunuch Su touched the rice in the pottery jar and murmured to himself.

"The yield per mu is 700 kilograms. That's incredible!"

Eunuch Su knew very well what a rice yield of 700 kilograms per mu meant to Daqian.

It means that there is endless food.

This means that more troops can be supported.

It means that His Majesty can finally realize his ambitions.

After saying that, Eunuch Su walked into Wenyuan Pavilion holding a pottery jar in his hand.

"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty."

Eunuch Su's joyful tone was out of tune with the solemn atmosphere in the council hall.

"Where does happiness come from?"

Emperor Yuanchu glanced at Eunuch Su, curious about what his companion was up to.

"Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince presents an auspicious gift."

"That's why I can't wait to congratulate you, Your Majesty."

"Xiangrui?"

Emperor Yuanchu was stunned for a moment, and when he saw the rice in Eunuch Su's hands, his confusion became more intense.

"Your Majesty, the Ninth Prince heard that you have been working tirelessly day and night to address the disaster in the northwest, and has specially sent this auspicious message to alleviate your worries."

"Heng'er sent it?"

"What's so special about this rice? How can it be called auspicious?"

Emperor Yuanchu asked in a low voice, touching the rough shell of the rice, with some vague guesses in his mind.

Heng'er worked in the seed selection department for some time.

At this time, rice was delivered.

Could it be that some kind of high-yield rice has been discovered?
"Your Majesty, according to the Ninth Prince, this rice yields 700 kilograms per mu."

"Is this true?"

Emperor Yuanchu was a little out of control, and there were waves of shock in his deep eyes.

"Even if the Ninth Prince had a hundred guts, he wouldn't dare to deceive Your Majesty."

"That's true. Heng'er has always been a good man."

The rice yield is 700 kilograms per mu.

The most crucial thing is that it was presented to the Yuan Dynasty emperor when he was worried about disaster relief.

It deserves the word "auspicious".

In the council hall, the nobles heard that the rice sent by the ninth prince could yield 700 kilograms per mu.

They all showed incredible and unbelievable expressions.

Is it possible to produce 700 kilograms per mu?
This is equivalent to doubling the yield per mu!

If you tell this to others, even a three-year-old child won't believe it.

But why would the Ninth Prince tell such an obvious lie?
Aren’t you afraid of His Majesty’s wrath and punishment?

Everyone was muttering in their hearts.

The left prime minister stepped forward and said with a bow.

"Your Majesty, this matter needs to be thoroughly investigated and no conclusion can be made rashly."

"Your Majesty, the yield per mu has doubled. This is too alarming and must be taken seriously."

"Your Majesty, please summon the Ninth Prince and confront him face to face to avoid any misunderstandings that would bring disgrace to the imperial court."

After hearing the advice from the dignitaries, Emperor Yuanchu suddenly came to his senses and realized the absurdity of doubling the yield per mu.

I almost broke out in a cold sweat on my back.

However, he was still very confident about Fang Heng's personality.

He didn't believe that Fang Heng dared to deceive the king.

At this time, Eunuch Su said something.

"Your Majesty, according to the Ninth Prince, there are still ten acres of rice in the Seed Selection Department's farm that have not yet been harvested, waiting for Your Majesty to attend the ceremony."

Everyone present was stunned when they heard this.

Even the expression of disbelief on his face became more intense.

An idea emerged in the minds of many people.

Ninth Prince, you are really playing big.

If this goes wrong, it won't be as simple as a salary deduction.

unless……

Is it...

Has the yield per mu really doubled?
"it is good!"

"Go to the Seed Selection Department."

"My dear ministers, follow me to the Seed Selection Department."

"Look at this auspicious sign. Is the yield per mu really 700 kilograms?"

"Go to the Seed Selection Department!"

As Eunuch Su's voice sounded, Emperor Yuanchu left Wenyuan Pavilion.

The high-ranking officials and other assistant officials also went to the Seed Selection Office, intending to see with their own eyes whether the auspicious sign was real.

……

Seed Selection Department, Grange.

"My son, I pay my respects to my father."

"Hello, gentlemen."

"Heng'er, stand up."

"Is this the rice field that produces 700 kilograms per mu?"

Emperor Yuanchu looked at the rice fields, which were golden in color.

The breeze blows, like a golden ocean.

Just by looking at the quality of the rice in the rice field, Emperor Yuanchu was already 70% convinced that the yield per mu would be 700 kilograms.

This scene of bountiful harvest cannot deceive anyone.

Even if the yield per mu is not 700 kilograms, it is definitely far higher than the current rice yield per mu.

"Harvest!"

Fang Heng waved to Tian Sheng and others.

Tian Sheng and others felt their blood boiling.

Harvesting rice in front of His Majesty and the other nobles.

This is a blessing that I have been asking for in eight lifetimes.

With this skill, you will be able to achieve great success.

Maybe, you can even win the emperor's favor.

The officials in the Seed Selection Department are full of energy and enthusiasm, with smiles on their faces that are even happier than those of real farmers.

Soon, the ten acres of rice fields were harvested in front of Emperor Yuanchu and other nobles.

So many martial arts and Taoist masters are watching.

No one can cheat.

"Your Majesty, the total rice harvest is 7,100 kilograms."

"The average yield per mu is 710 kilograms."

"Congratulations to your majesty, congratulations to your majesty."

"Auspiciousness descends from heaven!"

Fang Heng was the first to kneel down, congratulating Emperor Yuanchu and calling it an auspicious sign.

Other officials and eunuchs followed suit.

The sound of "Long live" was like a tsunami.

(End of this chapter)