RPAGF Chapter 237 Have you let it go?
Chapter 237 Have you let it go?
"Manager Shen is a businessman; he also has to consider his own interests." The advisor's analysis was very objective.
“But Miss Tian doesn’t accept money to teach people how to farm. She is wholeheartedly for the people. As long as you sincerely apologize, Miss Tian will definitely forgive and forget.”
The magistrate of Wan County wasn't entirely sure. "Really?"
To keep the magistrate focused, the advisor nodded repeatedly, "It's true, Miss Tian is a righteous person who would not hold a grudge against you for offering up such high-yield rice seeds."
Magistrate Wan pondered for a moment, then nodded heavily. "Alright, then immediately send someone to inquire where Miss Tian and Magistrate Li are now."
*
Magistrate Wan visited Manager Shen's estate again.
The advisor was also somewhat embarrassed.
After inquiring for three days, they learned that Miss Tian and Lord Li were both at Manager Shen's estate.
Moreover, for several days in a row, Miss Tian and the others did not come out.
“Magistrate Wan, our Manager Shen is not receiving guests today. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by your visit.” The manor’s steward politely declined Magistrate Wan’s offer.
Magistrate Wan hurriedly said, "Steward, please inform them again that I have come today to apologize to Miss Tian and hope that she can see me."
The butler's pupils flickered...
The shopkeeper simply said that if Magistrate Wan wanted to see him, he would refuse directly.
But it didn't say what Magistrate Wan should say if he wanted to see Miss Tian, or that he should apologize to her.
After thinking for a moment, the shopkeeper cupped his hands and said, "Please wait a moment, sir."
"Apologize to me?" Tian Tian was in the field, where the rice had been planted for five days and had already sprouted some small buds.
The butler nodded. "Our manager said that this matter should be reported to the young lady, and she can decide for herself."
Tian Tian chuckled. Shen Zhian was letting her decide for herself whether or not to sympathize with the people of Xiushui County...
If you are not understanding, you can simply choose not to go see Magistrate Wan.
If you are understanding, then go and see what the magistrate of Wan County has to say.
The people are innocent...
Tian Tian understood the situation, so she smoothed her clothes and said, "Please trouble the housekeeper to bring him in."
The steward quickly led the magistrate of Wan County to the estate. "Please wait a moment, sir."
As soon as the steward left, the clerk couldn't help but remind Magistrate Wan again, "Sir, whatever Miss Tian says in a moment... please don't get excited."
The magistrate of Wan County cleared his throat and nodded.
When Empress Li heard the news, she accompanied Tian Tian inside. As soon as they arrived, Magistrate Wan and his advisor stood up.
"Miss Tian!" The two bowed.
They assumed that Empress Li, who was standing behind Tian Tian, was someone close to Tian Tian or Li Huaiyuan.
Tian Tian first asked Empress Li to sit down, and then looked at Magistrate Wan.
“Magistrate Wan, what is there to apologize for between us? Tian Tian doesn’t understand, please enlighten me, Magistrate Wan.”
Magistrate Wan did not sit down, but bowed slightly. "Miss Tian, I have misunderstood."
"The high-yield rice seeds brought by the young lady are a blessing for the people of Xiushui County."
"It was my ignorance, please forgive me, young lady."
"Please, young lady, for the sake of the people, forgive me and forgive my past grievances... and lead us to plant rice."
Tian Tian was surprised; how could things have changed so much in just a few days?
Seeing the relieved expression on the face of the clerk beside the magistrate of Wan County, she understood somewhat.
This magistrate of Wan County has a strategist by his side.
"The magistrate of Wan County only settled for this because Manager Shen wanted to relocate the tea shop..."
The magistrate of Wan County shook his head repeatedly.
At this moment, the clerk stepped forward and said, "Miss Tian, you have misunderstood. We adults did not know that your rice yield was so high."
"After all... the yield of rice per mu used to be only a little over 300 jin."
"The people work hard all year round, and after paying taxes and storing grain, there is not much left."
"You can work as a tea farmer under Manager Shen. As long as you are hardworking and pay your taxes, you can save at least ten taels of silver a year."
"Our adults are only concerned for the people, which is why we have a misunderstanding with Miss Tian."
The clerk smiled obsequiously, "However, after my master learned that the young lady's rice seeds could yield 1,600 catties per mu, he was determined to get the people to grow rice."
"As for the tea shop, let Manager Shen do as he pleases; we can't force him."
Upon hearing these words, Tian Tian couldn't help but glance at the advisor again.
What I didn't know before, but found out later...
It's just a pretext.
As for Manager Shen, not forcing him is the best approach.
“Since Magistrate Wan is wholeheartedly devoted to the people, Tian Tian is naturally willing to grant his request.”
"Please rest assured, sir. In a month, those who wish to grow rice can come here to collect their rice seedlings."
Magistrate Wan was overjoyed, "Thank you, young lady."
The advisor then retreated behind Magistrate Wan, not trying to steal any credit.
*
After making the appointment with Magistrate Wan, Tian Tian, Li Huaiyuan, and Empress Li bid farewell to Shen Zhian and went to Songxi County.
The magistrate of Songxi County was very cooperative, and the matter of cultivating rice seedlings was quickly settled.
Before leaving, Tian Tian found Qian Fulai.
Qian Fulai had changed from his previous handsome appearance to a disheveled and haggard one.
Upon seeing Tian Tian, he was so excited that he almost knelt down.
"Sweetie...help me..."
Tian Tian simply stepped aside to avoid him. "You've been out for two months and still haven't settled on a shop. You still have the nerve to ask for help?"
Qian Fulai quickly moved around to her side, "You can't say that. Haven't the other counties already been decided?"
"Now it's just Songxi County and Xiushui County."
When Xiushui County was mentioned, he became deflated again, saying, "Xiushui County can't be found..."
"Songxi County is also hard to find, but we've made some progress recently."
He raised an eyebrow with a smug look on his face.
Tian Tian looked him up and down and said, "Now that you've made some progress, you should tidy yourself up. This appearance... might scare people away."
Qian Fulai dismissed it, saying, "That's impossible."
Tian Tian rolled her eyes, unaware that her words today would actually come back to haunt her.
*
Qian Fulai arranged to meet the shop owner and Tian Tian together.
Tian Tian was dressed neatly and her face was clean.
Qian Fulai listened to Tian Tian and tidied himself up, transforming into a refreshing young man once again.
The two followed the broker to the shop for sale. It was a three-story shop, larger in both width and depth than the White Stone Hot Pot shop.
The location is also good.
Tian Tian took a liking to it at first sight.
Qian Fulai moved closer to her. "So? This shop is pretty good, isn't it?"
"But this shop isn't cheap."
Tian Tian listened and nodded. Such a big shop must not be cheap.
But no matter the price, she wanted to buy it.
Soon, the shop owner arrived.
That was a graceful young lady, who walked in with her maid.
When the young lady saw Qian Fulai, she smiled gently.
But when he saw Tian Tian, his expression suddenly changed.
Tian Tian was puzzled, but she didn't say anything.
The broker approached Miss Rong and said, "Miss Rong, this is the young master who wants to buy the shop, Qian Fulai."
There is a restaurant called Fulai in Baishi County.
"Fulai Restaurant is very famous in Baishi County, and it has many novel dishes..." the broker whispered in Miss Rong's ear.
Miss Rong glanced at Qian Fulai, her eyes filled with shyness.
She covered her lips with a handkerchief and asked, "Then...did you tell him my request?"
The broker shook his head awkwardly, then whispered something to Miss Rong.
After hearing this, Miss Rong looked up at Tian Tian and said, "She's just an ugly girl. I think Young Master Qian knows what to choose."
Tian Tian was taken aback.
Ugly Duckling?! Who?
Her?
Qian Fulai was also stunned.
Buying a shop... Why are you talking about this?
The maidservant beside Miss Rong raised her chin and approached Qian Fulai, saying, "Young Master Qian."
Qian Fulai stood up. "Please enlighten me, young lady."
“This shop is part of our young lady’s dowry. Our Rong family can give the shop to Young Master Qian, as long as… Young Master Qian becomes our Rong family’s son-in-law.”
Qian Fulai and Tian Tian were both stunned!
The maid was particularly proud, "Our young lady is a famous beauty in Songxi County, much better than this unkempt girl next to you."
"Young Master Qian, you should think this through carefully."
Tian Tian was furious and kept repeating this...
"Selling a shop is selling a shop, selling people is selling people!"
"Please make sure you ladies understand the difference before you speak."
Ugly, ugly, ugly!!
What's ugly about her?!
It's just... a bit simple!
Qian Fulai was also annoyed. He stood up and shouted, "Nonsense!!"
*
A month later, it was time to transplant the rice seedlings, and Tian Tian got up very early.
Unexpectedly, Empress Li also appeared with dark circles under her eyes.
"Madam Li, you really don't need to follow me around every day." Tian Tian truly couldn't understand what the Empress was trying to do...
"Sweetie, aren't we going to plant rice seedlings today?"
Empress Li completely ignored her words, saying, "I'm curious, I want to go and see..."
Tian Tian had no choice but to let her have her way.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Qian Fulai again.
Ever since she met Miss Rong, Tian Tian has paid little attention to Qian Fulai.
Because the moment she saw him, she remembered Miss Rong's words.
"Sweetie..." Qian Fulai smiled obsequiously, but only received a glare in return.
Upon arriving at the outskirts of the city, Tian Tian stood by the edge of the paddy field, watching Zhang Fusheng lead people to transplant rice seedlings.
Behind her, each village sent people.
Each village had several oxcarts and villagers carrying bamboo baskets.
Among them were people from Qingliu Village. The person sent was Tian Changqing, who was followed only by Zhou Hai in an oxcart. The rest of the people were villagers, all of whom were very familiar faces.
Some belong to the Guo family, and some to the Feng family.
They set off before dawn today.
They didn't dare to say much when they got here, for fear of attracting Tian Tian's attention and causing her to change her mind and not give them the seedlings.
Tian Tian looked at Tian Changqing and nodded to him.
Unlike his father, Tian Changqing still took good care of Tian Jinghe at the county school, even though some things had happened between them and Tian Bonian.
“Tian Changqing succeeded his father as the village chief of Qingliu Village,” Li Huaiyuan said from the side.
So that's how it is... No wonder Tian Changqing brought people to collect the rice seedlings today.
"Let's start with Sanguan Village, the furthest one." The rice seedlings were dug up and the distribution began.
Starting with the farthest village, the number of seedlings is allocated according to the area counted for the entire village.
Stacks of rice seedlings were loaded onto the oxcart, and after the cart was full, some water was sprayed on it.
Then they started piling the food into the villagers' bamboo baskets...
Sanguan Village is the furthest away, and it needs a considerable amount of rice seedlings.
They didn't have enough men, so in the end they had to have the yamen runners drive horse-drawn carriages to help deliver the goods.
"Second Miss, if you don't have enough people, we have carriages," a merchant from out of town shouted from outside the crowd.
Their carriages were parked in parking spaces in the suburbs.
Tian Tian refused their kindness.
"Thank you, shopkeepers. Then Tian Er will not be polite."
"Anyone who lends out a carriage today can collect a gift box from my Baishi Teahouse!!"
"Second Miss, you're too kind. It was nothing more than a small favor."
Empress Li was filled with pride as she watched Tian Tian interact with everyone.
With the help of these merchants' horse-drawn carts, rice seedlings from various villages were gradually transported out...
They soon arrived at Qingliu Village.
"Qingliu Village!" Tian Tian called out to them.
The villagers of Qingliu Village approached Tian Tian with their heads down, looking like thieves caught doing something wrong.
"Tian Tian." Tian Changqing nodded to her. "Thank you for your hard work."
"Uncle Changqing, congratulations on becoming the village chief," Tian Tian said.
Tian Changqing smiled sheepishly, "My father's health is not good, and everyone recommended me. I had no choice."
He didn't quit his job at the county school.
Balancing both tasks was tiring for him.
However, he will do his best.
"I will keep everyone in line from now on and won't let them bother you."
Tian Tian smiled but didn't say anything.
The Tian family has already been exiled, and the other villagers have nothing to do with her.
So she didn't really care.
"Uncle Changqing, if you ever need my help in the future, just come to me."
Tian Changqing grinned.
Tian Tian's words should be considered... a sign of letting go.
"Move quickly." Tian Changqing led the villagers to start moving the rice seedlings.
The villagers of Qingliu Village began to move the rice seedlings with both their hands and feet, helping each other. Even Zhou Hai changed his usual lazy ways.
It seems that under Tian Changqing's leadership, the villagers' temperament has also changed.
"Next, Willow Village."
Watching Tian Tian directing the people among them, the people were filled with gratitude towards her...
Empress Li was deeply moved.
Seeing this, she suddenly understood why Yao'er was fond of Tian Tian.
This little girl... is glowing!
Under the sunlight, Tian Tian is like a savior fairy; she is sacred and solemn...
Empress Li felt utterly inferior to her!
For over twenty years, she has been empress, enjoying wealth and luxury...
She asked herself honestly, and realized that she had never done anything for the people.
When the Ministry of Revenue did not collect enough tax grain, the emperor complained about the officials' inefficiency. She comforted the emperor and asked him to be understanding of the officials.
But he never thought of asking the emperor to have any sympathy for the people.
If the people can't grow enough grain to feed themselves, how can they pay their grain taxes?
Empress Li sighed, recalling the letter Li Huaiyuan had written to the Emperor alone at the end of last year.
The letter specifically mentioned the grain tax in Baishi County. Just those thirty households and their hundred mu of paddy fields paid fifty to sixty thousand jin of grain tax.
This year...
Eight thousand five hundred mu of rice paddies.
Baishi County is estimated to be able to pay 5.4 million jin of taxable grain!
This is what Baishi County should be like.
The entire Yunzhou Prefecture must have at least fifty million catties!
This was previously the amount of tax grain that would take five or six prefectures to collect.
Empress Li dared not even think about what would happen if the entire Great Qi region were planted with this rice...
From that day forward, the emperor would no longer have to worry about the soldiers on the border not having enough food, no longer have to worry about the empty treasury, and no longer have to worry about natural disasters and man-made calamities causing the people to have no harvest.
At this moment, in Empress Li's eyes, Tian Tian was like a golden...God of Wealth.
She glanced at Li Huaiyuan, who was standing on the edge of the field, giving orders but doing nothing, and gently pushed him into the field.
“Aunt…” Li Huaiyuan’s eyes widened.
"You...you can't let a young girl like Tian Tian be in charge here. As the county magistrate, these are your responsibilities."
"How dare you!"
Empress Li pulled Tian Tian out of the field.
She bent down and wiped Tian Tian's calves with her handkerchief. "Oh, Tian Tian, you don't need to do these things yourself..."
"Let them do it..."
Tian Tian stepped back, "No need, Madam, you don't need to do that, I'll wipe it myself."
"It's alright, it's alright." Empress Li insisted, even squatting down, gently pulling Tian Tian with one hand while wiping her gently with the other.
Tian Tian couldn't move, so they had no choice but to let her be...
Tian Xiang, who was standing nearby, and Li Huaiyuan, who was in the field, were both shocked by this scene.
"Quickly put on your shoes and socks." Empress Li personally helped Tian Tian put on her shoes.
Tian Tian simply couldn't compete with her... "Thank you, Madam."
"No need to thank me, no need to thank me." Empress Li finally let go of Tian Tian's hem, smoothed it a few times to make sure it was smooth before straightening up.
"Since Yao'er isn't here, it's only right that I take care of you."
As Empress Li spoke, Asada Tsukasa raised an eyebrow...
Tian Tian smiled helplessly.
This empress... isn't she a bit too enthusiastic?
She was so afraid that her son wouldn't be able to find a wife...