Chapter 461 - 462: Farm Tools

Chapter 461: Chapter 462: Farm Tools

The next day’s court session was obviously much quieter. After some trivial local matters were settled, everyone stood there silently.

"Present your memorials, or court is dismissed."

Le San watched the officials below with contempt. ’The moment their own interests are threatened, they stop being so aggressive.’

Hua Shunming didn’t even deign to spare them a glance. He rose and immediately headed for the harem.

At this moment, Empress Zhou was in a side hall of the harem, summoning the young ladies of prominent families.

"Where are the daughters of Minister Chen?"

Chen Ziyan gripped her older sister Chen Zitong’s hand, and the two sisters nervously stepped forward to perform a Fuli.

"Your features are quite proper. You do indeed have the bearing of a royal princess.

Nanny Xu, over the next few days, have them thoroughly instructed in palace etiquette. After all, when they leave here, they will represent our Royal Family. There is no room for error."

"Yes." As the Empress’s confidante, Nanny Xu naturally understood the meaning behind her mistress’s words.

Although the two sisters were already trembling with fear, the other well-bred young ladies around them felt nothing but relief.

But then, Empress Zhou casually selected several more young ladies. "They are all good children. Nanny Xu, I’ll have to trouble you a bit more."

Just then, a eunuch announced from afar, "The Holy Emperor arrives!"

Empress Zhou quickly rose and led the young women in paying their respects.

Hua Shunming helped Empress Zhou to the main seat by her arm, then said nonchalantly, "You may rise."

"You have worked hard these past few days, Empress."

"It is my honor to share the Holy Emperor’s burdens," Empress Zhou replied. "I am certain that the young ladies from these families feel the same as I do, and will do their part for our Rong Dynasty."

Hua Shunming nodded in appreciation. "I see that the concubines in the harem have all become much healthier lately. I hear the Imperial Hospital has even grown idle.

This is all to the Empress’s credit. I hope that Our future princesses will also have strong constitutions. Even if they go to that bitter, cold land, they must be able to live well. Only then will the Empress’s and my profound care for them not be in vain."

The young ladies below all trembled. They were no longer ignorant children. Now they only hoped their families could find a way to get them out of the palace as soon as possible.

Empress Zhou glanced at them. "I trust all you young ladies are more than willing to share the Holy Emperor’s burdens.

I will teach them how to become proper royal princesses."

This conversation between the Emperor and Empress was relayed outside the palace in less than a quarter-hour.

***

Ancient Wen Heng now had a deeper understanding of these great aristocratic families. Even in a bitter, cold borderland like this, Zhou Shixiong had managed to send him two full cartloads of grain seeds just four days after the snow melted.

Although it seemed like a lot, it was ultimately just a drop in the bucket. It was only enough to meet the needs of the reclaimed wasteland for now.

The rest of the shipment would arrive in another two days, but this was already impressively fast.

During the long winter, they had already mass-produced plows, harrows, waterwheels, and other tools. They had even braved the severe cold to test them in several villages.

These efficiency-improving tools immediately won the approval of the veteran farmers. With them, they could clear the land faster and save a great deal of effort in irrigation.

Moreover, Mr. Gu had personally taught them how to build irrigation ditches. This would save them a great deal of manpower for their farm work in the future.

The moment the snow melted, everyone, unable to contain their excitement, went to the fields to try out the new tools.

With the help of a draft ox, they could prepare several mu of land in just a single day.

Even relying entirely on manpower, it was much easier than before.

This was something they wouldn’t have even dared to dream of in the past.

Good news travels fast. Without Ancient Wen Heng needing to publicize it, the few county magistrates who had yet to show their faces all appeared at the government office at the same time.

Ancient Wen Heng had already investigated these county magistrates. Though each had their flaws, they were at least serviceable for now and seemed conscientious enough toward the common folk.

He didn’t make things difficult for them and had He Gaofei take them to see the new farm tools.

After making the arrangements, Ancient Wen Heng went with his guards to the reclaimed lands.

The bandits captured earlier had suffered through the harsh winter. Of the more than three hundred, only about one hundred had survived.

Upon seeing him arrive, Mountain Leader and his men immediately glared at him with eyes full of hatred.

Qi, at Ancient Wen Heng’s side, snatched the whip from a constable’s hand and lashed out. ’It’s because of these bandits that my young master has that long scar on his face. I finally got the chance to come with him today; I have to vent some of this anger.’

Ancient Wen Heng only glanced once, then began to survey this stretch of wasteland.

Looking at the reclaimed area, Ancient Wen Heng was still a bit dissatisfied. Pointing to a place nearby still full of weeds, he said, "Remember to have them clear those areas in the next two days."

"You won’t be smug for long! Our Prince will surely come for us as soon as spring arrives.

You’ve killed so many of our men. When the time comes, you’ll surely lose your official’s post.

If you know what’s good for you, release us quickly. Maybe I’ll even leave you a complete corpse."

Ancient Wen Heng paid no mind to Mountain Leader’s ranting, as the man was already being disciplined.

As Qi’s whip fell upon him again and again, his threats eventually turned into nothing but agonized wails.

Ancient Wen Heng found a spot, squatted down, and picked up a clod of earth. "This won’t do. These clods must all be broken up. Since they don’t know how to farm, teach them well."

The constable hastily agreed, his heart swelling with even more admiration for Ancient Wen Heng. ’When have any of the officials before ever cared about the lives of us common folk?

Mr. Gu had only just taken office, and he not only captured the bandit leaders and put them to hard labor, but also brought more convenient farm tools for all the people.

This year in Lu City, as long as we put in the effort, we won’t have to worry about going hungry.

With something to look forward to, people aren’t walking around with long faces all the time anymore.

Just like me,’ he thought, ’sometimes I can’t help but laugh out loud just looking at these reclaimed fields.’

As Ancient Wen Heng was about to pass him, Tian Er violently rattled his chains and scrambled forward. "Aren’t you afraid? After killing so many of us, when the time comes for a reckoning, your one life won’t be enough to atone!"

Ancient Wen Heng said, "A mere buffoon, and you think so highly of yourself?

I suppose you don’t know, do you? The signed confessions you provided are already on their way to the imperial court. With the crimes you’ve committed, not even your Prince could clear your names, even if he came in person."

Tian Er retorted, "That was a forced confession! You beat it out of us!"

"I can’t be bothered to argue with you. You know perfectly well whether you’re guilty or not. Now hurry up and finish clearing today’s plot of land. If you slack off... well, who’s to say you’ll live long enough to see the arrival of your so-called Prince."