sjar Chapter 261 Take it from the people and use it for the people
Chapter 261 Take it from the people and use it for the people
Chapter 261, Taking from the people and using for the people
He was secretly furious, but he couldn't show it on his face.
Tian Tian slightly raised her eyes, looking ahead, completely ignoring the discussions on both sides.
"Although the spring plowing was successful, it was merely a local agricultural matter and hardly worthy of the title of Princess." Another official's tone revealed a hint of dissatisfaction.
“That’s right. All the people in the world farm. Should they all be rewarded?” another official chimed in.
"If His Majesty wishes to reward her, he could simply grant her some gold, silver, and land. Why make an exception and bestow upon her the title of Princess?"
Tian Tian sneered inwardly, stood firmly in the hall, her voice warm yet powerful, "Fufeng greets Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, Fufeng has a question for you gentlemen."
The officials, who had been discussing amongst themselves, paused slightly.
Ling Jun, seated high above, smiled and nodded. "Ask away."
Tian Tian smiled at him, then slowly swept her gaze over the crowd, a slight smile playing on her lips. Though her tone was unhurried, it carried an undeniable sharpness.
"What you gentlemen just said has left me with some doubts."
Tian Tian continued, "On the battlefield, those who lead troops to kill the enemy can be ennobled; in the imperial court, those who govern the country can become prime ministers. Compared with this, farming may seem insignificant, but without farming, how can we support an army and stabilize the country?"
Her voice echoed in the hall, exuding an air of neither servility nor arrogance, leaving the officials who had wanted to refute her speechless for a moment.
Before they could speak, Tian Tian continued, "Today, Fufeng asks a question: without sufficient food supplies, how can the government function? Without the stability of the people's livelihood, how can the country survive?"
Everyone fell silent for a moment. Tian Tian’s words, though spoken slowly and deliberately, hit the nail on the head.
“Moreover,” she raised her eyes slightly, her tone changing, “the Emperor bestowed upon me the title of Princess not only because my land yields a bountiful harvest, but because I can ensure a bountiful harvest for all the people of Daqi!”
She looked at Ling Jun and solemnly said, "Your Majesty, Fufeng is willing to provide the court with high-yield rice seeds to be distributed throughout the country, so as to increase grain production, enrich the people, reduce famine in years of disaster, and strengthen the foundation of our Great Qi Kingdom!"
There was silence in the hall.
Ling Yao was thrilled, and his eyes shone with pride. This was the woman he had been longing for.
Many officials lowered their heads in thought, and the initial doubts gradually subsided.
Tian Tian is right. The foundation of a nation lies in its people's livelihood, and food is the key to sustaining everything.
Her achievements are far more than what can be measured by simply bestowing upon her the title of princess.
Ling Jun smiled slightly and finally spoke, his tone calm yet authoritative, "Do any of you have any objections?"
At this time, an old man came forward.
"emperor."
“Princess Fufeng makes a good point, but…”
"The princess is now a royal princess, and her every move outside represents the face of the royal family."
"But I've heard that she opened a shop as soon as she arrived in the capital..."
"He often shows his face in the shop, which is really...unbecoming."
After the old man finished speaking, someone immediately echoed, "Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Qi is right."
Grand Tutor Qi?!
Is this old man Grand Tutor Qi?
Looking over, Tian Tian thought that in her mind, someone who could become a Grand Tutor had to be at least someone like Mr. Su Bing.
But Grand Tutor Qi... was not like an ordinary scholar at all; his eyes... concealed ambition.
"Then this princess really needs to learn from Grand Tutor Qi."
Tian Tian looked directly at Grand Tutor Qi and said, "The Qi family doesn't show their faces in the shop, but they own just as many properties outside."
"What about Jinxiufang, Ruyixiufang, Xingyun..."
The gambling den was called Xingyun Gambling Den.
"Princess Fufeng! You mustn't speak nonsense!!" Grand Tutor Qi was surprised that Tian Tian would directly announce her family's businesses in the hall.
The other businesses are actually fine, but that gambling den...
It's something that can't be brought to the public eye.
Tian Tian smiled and didn't continue reporting.
But she didn't stop talking, "Grand Tutor Qi, do you know that my rice seed yields 1,600 catties per mu, which is more than five times the yield of the current Daqi rice seed?"
"If we calculate based on the current price of 20 coins per pound of rice seeds, I should sell them for 100 coins per pound."
"And from now on, I will provide Daqi with nearly a million catties of rice seeds every year for free, which is equivalent to 100,000 taels of silver!!"
"This is enough to show that the money I earned from opening the shop was ultimately used for the benefit of the people. This is what is meant by taking from the people and using it for the people."
"I, this princess, will have a clear conscience no matter what shop I open!"
"But what about the Qi family's assets..."
Tian Tian didn't need to say anything more; all the ministers present knew perfectly well what was going on.
The Qi family's Xingyun Gambling House has already harmed many people through its blatant gambling, and it has also secretly used abduction, deception, and blackmail to drive countless people to their deaths.
Ling Jun secretly praised Tian Tian in his heart.
This girl is so talkative and outspoken.
Of all the people in the imperial court, only she dared to speak to the Qi family like that.
If her words get out...
The people will be even more enthusiastic about her shop, because, in her words, she takes from the people and uses it for the people. But in reality, the people all know that she takes the money from the rich, but uses it for the benefit of ordinary people.
And the Qi family's shop...
I'm afraid that in the future...
Tian Tian looked up and saw Ling Jun's smile.
"Fufeng, you're absolutely right!!"
Ling Jun praised.
"Minister of Revenue, send out a hundred men to be under the command of Princess Fufeng from now on, and let her teach them how to cultivate rice."
The Minister of Revenue stepped forward and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Fufeng, next year's spring plowing will depend on you." Ling Jun entrusted this heavy responsibility to Tian Tian.
Tian Tian cupped her hands in greeting, "Your Majesty can rest assured."
Grand Tutor Qi, unwilling to give up, spoke again, "Your Majesty, since Princess Fufeng is so devoted to the people... I've heard she has many novel vegetable seeds. Why not take them out and distribute them to the people..."
You're going to be selfless? Then give it all away.
“No problem.” Tian Tian didn’t turn her head. “When… when Grand Tutor Qi hands over all his wealth to the court, this princess will definitely offer up all those vegetable seeds.”
"Grand Tutor Qi can't just demand things of others and not of himself, can he?"
Grand Tutor Qi found himself completely blocked, and his chest heaved with anger!
Seeing this, the other ministers dared not raise any questions, fearing that Tian Tian would ask them to hand over their family assets as well.
*
Lu Tao, Liu San Niang, and the others took a nap, and when they woke up, the Empress was already waiting for them in the main hall.
"Miss."
"Come, let's have breakfast together," Empress Li said, inviting everyone to sit down.
"Tian Tian's trip should be over by now. I've already sent someone to pick her up."
"Let's eat first..."
When Tian Tian and Ling Yao arrived, everyone had just started eating.
"Sweetie, you're here. Sit here with me." Empress Li was so focused on Tian Tian that she completely forgot about her son.
Ling Yao sat down on her other side helplessly. "Mother, after breakfast, I will send Tian Tian back to the manor."
He remembered that when Sweetie entered the palace just now, her eyes were bloodshot and she looked exhausted.
"Alright, you take Tian Tian back to rest. The two ladies, Xiang'er, Youyou, and Jinghe will stay with me."
Tian Tian was indeed hungry. She ate a pastry and drank some tea before speaking, "Your Majesty, I have something to tell you..."
She looked at Ling Yao, "Your Highness, I will leave the palace later."
"I'll wait for you." Ling Yao obediently listened.
After breakfast, everyone moved to the courtyard to bask in the sun.
Empress Li then asked Tian Tian what was wrong.
Tian Tian told her her idea, and to her surprise, Empress Li immediately agreed.
"That two cents... I don't care if I don't take it." Empress Li waved her hand. "I just love to join in the fun."
She especially loves lively places when she goes out of the palace.
Moreover, Tian Tian had promised her that she could mix the color of the lip rouge.
“No way!” Tian Tian shook her head firmly. “I’ve already made a deal with the Wan family’s daughter. I’ll take 50% of the profits, she’ll take 30%, and Your Majesty will take 20%.
"Mother, since that's the case, you should agree."
Empress Li nodded with secret delight, "Yes, then I agree."
"In that case, why don't you suggest a name for our shop, Your Highness?" Tian Tian suggested.
Empress Li began to ponder it seriously...
"Cosmetics...cosmetics..."
"A beautiful face..."
"Jiaoyan Pavilion?"
"Hey, Sweetie, how about Jiaoyan Pavilion?"
Tian Tian thought it was feasible. After all, when women use makeup, don't they want their faces to look more beautiful?
Let's call it Jiaoyan Pavilion.
"Someone, bring me a writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."
Empress Li stood up, full of interest, "I must write the signboard for this Jiaoyan Pavilion myself."
The palace servants quickly prepared the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.
Empress Li stood before the desk, her slender fingers holding a purple-tipped brush, concentrating her mind and spirit.
Today she wore a moon-white phoenix-patterned casual dress with pale pink peonies embroidered on the cuffs, and a subtle fragrance wafted out as she moved her wrist.
With a light touch of the brush, the ink spreads across the paper.
Her handwriting is elegant and graceful, with the turns and twists of the strokes carrying a unique feminine softness, yet also subtly conveying a royal air.
Every stroke resembles a meticulously drawn eyebrow, and every line is like a carefully outlined lip.
The three characters "娇颜阁" gradually took shape, and the last stroke fell, like a beautiful woman turning her head, her eyes shining brightly.
Empress Li examined the calligraphy with satisfaction, imagining the plaque hanging in front of the cosmetics shop...
She gently blew away the ink, a slight smile playing on her lips, as if she could already see the noble ladies of the capital lingering beneath this plaque.
"Sweetie, how are you?"
Tian Tian accepted the words written by Empress Li with both hands, her eyes sparkling with surprise.
She carefully examined the elegant and graceful handwriting on the paper and couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Majesty's handwriting is truly exquisite!"
“这&39；娇&39；字起笔如柳叶轻拂，转折处似美人回眸；&39；颜&39；字端庄秀丽，恰似娘娘凤仪；&39；阁&39；字收笔如燕尾轻点，灵动非常。”
"Once this plaque is hung up in the shop, all our cosmetics and face powder will benefit, and their value will increase exponentially!"
As Tian Tian spoke, she winked playfully, making Empress Li smile.
She immediately summoned the palace servants and sent the calligraphy to the palace craftsmen to be made into a plaque.
"Make three," Tian Tian reminded.
The Wan family has three shops.
"Three?!" Empress Li exclaimed in surprise. "So... Sweetie is planning to open three stores at the same time?"
Tian Tian nodded heavily, "Yes, we'll open all three shops together."
"Okay, then let's make three plaques."
Empress Li instructed the palace servants, "Tell them to hurry up and put in as much effort as possible."
"Yes, ma'am."
The palace servants relayed the message to the craftsmen, who, upon hearing that the Empress was opening a shop, were filled with enthusiasm and energy!
This is something later.
*
Tian Tian ultimately couldn't hold on any longer. After finishing her business with the Empress, she went to rest in a side hall.
I slept straight through until the afternoon.
Ling Yao and the others waited outside, having prepared and kept the food warm.
Tian Tian slept soundly, and when she woke up, she was so disoriented that she didn't know where she was...
She only snapped out of her daze when Ling Yao's voice rang out.
"Sweetie, you're awake?" Ling Yao asked cautiously after hearing the noise inside.
Tian Tian snapped out of her daze, a fleeting look of melancholy crossing her face. She was still in this world...
"I'm awake," she replied somewhat listlessly.
After putting on her clothes and coming out, she saw Ling Yao looking expectant.
For some reason, seeing his face dispelled the inexplicable loneliness she felt.
"I've prepared a meal for you. Do you want to eat now, or wait a while?" Ling Yao observed her expression.
Tian Tian rubbed her eyes. "Let's eat later."
Following Ling Yao to the table, she poured herself a cup of tea. "Where are my mother and the others?"
"The Empress Dowager was in high spirits and took the two ladies and sisters to admire the plum blossoms."
Tian Tian moved her head and suddenly remembered something he had mentioned in his previous letter.
"Didn't Your Highness say you had something important to discuss with me?"
"What is it?" Tian Tian put down her teacup and stared at Ling Yao, waiting.
Ling Yao had something he wanted to talk to Tian Tian about; he had been thinking about it a lot while waiting for her to wake up.
But right now, he was truly unprepared.
"what..."
Ling Yao immediately avoided looking Tian Tian in the eye, looking away from her gaze...
"I.."
Tian Tian blinked. "Forgot?"
Without thinking much, she reached for the food on the table and said, "I'll think about it when I remember."
She was genuinely hungry, and the dejection she felt upon waking had vanished, so she happily began to enjoy her meal.
Seeing her like this, Ling Yao was even more at a loss for words.
And so... he just watched her finish her meal with a good appetite.
"Have you remembered?" Tian Tian put down her rice bowl with satisfaction.
Ling Yao took a deep breath, "I..."
"Sweetie, recently, Father and Mother have been thinking about my...marriage."
I want to ask you...
He closed his eyes and asked in one breath, "Would you be my Crown Princess?"
Tian Tian was wiping the grease from the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief when she heard his words, and she almost stuck the handkerchief up her nostril.
She looked up in surprise. Was he asking so directly?
Now that he had asked the question, Ling Yao was no longer as uneasy as before.
His voice was a little strained, yet exceptionally gentle.
"Back in Baishi County, I fell in love with you, but because I kept it a secret from you, I never dared to cross the line."
"Now, I can finally express my feelings to you..."
"Sweetie, you..."
"Are you willing?"
He gazed at Tian Tian, who had bright eyes and white teeth, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly, and his hands, hidden in his sleeves, were already damp with a thin layer of sweat.
Would you be willing to be my Crown Princess?