The emperor understood his own brother very well. As soon as he saw his expression, he knew that he had finally persuaded him this time.

So he struck while the iron was hot and said, "I remember you said that the reason why we discovered Prince Cheng and his men hiding in the mountains this time was because you sent people to Rongxi Village to check on the Ye family's crops?

"I knew that even though you said you didn't care about anything, you actually cared about the people of Da Qi.

"How about this? I'll leave this year's autumn harvest to you."

After these words were spoken, Prince Rui and Mrs. Ye were both a little embarrassed.

Prince Rui doesn't really care about the people of the world. It's obvious that he only cares about the Ye family because of Qing Dynasty.

However, Prince Rui was quick-witted and took the opportunity to explain the matter clearly.

"Royal brother, actually, if I have to thank anyone for this matter, I have to thank the little girl Qingtian.

"I had only heard that the Ye family's crops were doing very well, but were nearly destroyed by people from the neighboring village, so I sent a few people from my own farm to help.

"Later, I learned that the Ye family's crops are truly exceptional. They're taller than those of any other family in the village, and the ears of grain are exceptionally large. Even Mr. Zhan from the Ministry of Agriculture has moved into their field and built a shed to live there. He keeps an eye on the crops and records all sorts of data every day. Perhaps they'll truly become the grain king of the capital region this year!"

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, the emperor became really interested.

Ever since the previous dynasty moved the capital from the south to present-day Shuntian Prefecture, the imperial court had to transport grain from the south every year at the expense of the people.

If grain production around the capital can be increased, it will definitely be a great thing that benefits the country and the people.

After leaving Prince Rui's mansion and returning to the palace, the emperor casually instructed Wang Wei, "Tell everyone below to keep an eye on the crops of the Old Ye family in Rongxi Village. I heard their crops are growing exceptionally well this year."

The emperor just said it casually. On the one hand, he really hoped that the per-acre yield around the capital could be improved. On the other hand, because Prince Rui was concerned about it, he, as his elder brother, also expressed his concern.

But no matter what the reason, since the emperor said so, Wang Wei naturally had to take this matter as a top priority.

Wang Wei was the closest person to the emperor, so even if he wanted to pass on a message, he couldn't go to a minor official.

So this message was quickly conveyed to Wen Zhenghai, the Grand Minister of Agriculture.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture was a second-rank official, so it was naturally impossible for him to know every detail of the affairs below.

But when he heard the emperor specifically mention the Ye family in Rongxi Village, he naturally had to quickly call his men to inquire about the situation.

But the people below were also confused after hearing it.

Everyone looked at each other for a long while, and finally someone who knew a little about Qingxi Village said, "Master Wen, I do know a little about Rongxi Village."

Wen Zhenghai looked up and saw that it was a governor in the department.

He looked familiar, but couldn't place the name.

Wen Zhenghai then said, "What's your name? Come up and tell me in detail."

"In reply to Master Wen's words, I, Shi Haicheng, know a little bit about Rongxi Village.

"This village is a small village under the jurisdiction of Fengle County, and the villagers live in poverty.

“It’s a bit remote over there, and the land conditions aren’t particularly good.

"I've never heard of their grain production before, but their peanuts are of good quality and are sold to major oil mills in the capital every year."

Compared with other people who knew nothing about anything, this person could at least explain the situation in Rongxi Village in detail, and instantly won Wen Zhenghai's praise.

Others can only watch and feel jealous in their hearts.

Who made them not even know where Rongxi Village is!

Only people with this ability can get this opportunity, which is something others cannot envy.

"Then do you know that there is a Ye family in Rongxi Village? What's the situation?" Wen Zhenghai continued to ask.

The fact that the Ye family's crops had even reached the emperor's ears showed that they were either extremely good, or there were some unknown channels.

But no matter what, since the emperor asked Wang Wei to ask, he must understand the matter clearly.

Otherwise, if one day during court, the emperor suddenly asked about it, and I, the Minister of Agriculture, knew nothing about it, it would be hard to say whether I could keep the black hat on my head.

Even if he could keep his official position, it would leave a very bad impression in front of the emperor.

Shi Haicheng was a little embarrassed when he heard this: "Reporting to Lord Wen, here in Fengle County, Ye is a common surname. More than half of the families in the entire county have the surname Ye.

"If we only talk about the Ye family, I really don't know which family it is."

However, Shi Haicheng not only has solid business skills, but is also very good at seizing opportunities.

After he finished speaking, without waiting for Wen Zhenghai to speak, he said, "I am willing to leave for Rongxi Village immediately, clarify the matter as soon as possible, and report back to you, my Lord."

Wen Zhenghai was very happy to see him on his way. He nodded and praised him, "Very good. If everyone below you could do things as well as you, I wouldn't have to work so hard to ask questions."

But before Wen Zhenghai finished speaking, someone in the crowd behind him suddenly said, "Master Wen, I know the situation of the Ye family."

This person was none other than Zhan Changsheng, the Shanglin magistrate who had been to Rongxi Village before.

Wen Zhenghai couldn't even remember Shi Haicheng's name, let alone a minor official like Zhan Changsheng.

Zhan Changsheng then came up and introduced himself: "Sir Wen, I am Zhan Changsheng, the Shanglin County Magistrate.

“The Ye family from Rongxi Village that the emperor mentioned, I’ve dealt with them before.

“The Emperor once personally praised Ye Qingchen, the eldest son of the Ye family.

“The Ye family’s crops are growing well now, and our Agriculture Department is not completely unaware of this. In fact, we have already sent people to Rongxi Village to conduct an on-site inspection.

"Now, Mr. Zhan from our Sino-Agriculture Department has already moved to Rongxi Village and lives directly on the Ye family's land, guarding the Ye family's crops!"

Although Wen Zhenghai didn't know much about some of his subordinates, he still had some impression of this stubborn old man when he mentioned Mr. Zhan.

He suddenly thought: "Your last name is also Zhan, so you and Mr. Zhan..."

"Mr. Zhan and I are from the same clan."

"So that's how it is. No wonder you know so much." Wen Zhenghai nodded and finally felt happy.

In the past, if he heard that Mr. Zhan had gone to live in someone else's field again, he would have been very scared.

But the situation today is completely different.

Is the Ye family’s farmland just ordinary farmland?

That was the farmland that even the emperor took the initiative to ask about!

The people from his own Ministry of Agriculture had already moved to the land and settled there early on.

What does this show? It shows that the Ministry of Agriculture has done its job well!

At this moment, Wen Zhenghai seemed to see the golden road to meritorious service and promotion slowly unfolding under his feet.