Wu Lanxi and Lin Wan'er exchanged a glance: "Let's go join in the fun."

When the two of them came downstairs, Manager Yao's painting was already hanging in the lobby.

The painting itself is unremarkable; it's just a landscape painting.

The artist was somewhat famous, but he left behind many paintings, so his works are not very valuable.

Twenty taels of silver is a very ordinary market price.

However, it was clear that the people in the lobby were not there for the painting, but for Tang Huan's poem!

So after quickly glancing at the painting, Wu Lanxi immediately found the place to inscribe the poem.

Upon closer inspection, I was first struck by the beauty of Tang Huan's handwriting.

Surprisingly, this seemingly irresponsible and unreliable minor official had actually mastered excellent handwriting.

Looking at the poem again, and reading it silently in my heart, I was even more amazed.

"Yao Yun was about to set sail when he suddenly heard singing on the shore. The Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, but it cannot compare to the affection Sun Cai showed me."

Yao Yun is Manager Yao.

Sun Cai was none other than that scholar, Sun Xiucai.

In an effort to reconcile the two, Tang Huan actually included their names in a poem.

Moreover, it is written so vividly, figuratively, and naturally!

At first glance, this poem may not seem ornate, and may even appear somewhat simple, but the more you read it, the more you can appreciate its remarkable flavor.

The more you read, the more you appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of the writing.

Such poetic talent is truly extraordinary.

"I'll offer one hundred taels!"

"One hundred and fifty taels!"

Three hundred taels!

...

Soon, people in the hall began to place their bids.

Moreover, bidders kept coming in droves.

As long as you acquire this painting for less than one thousand taels of silver, you're guaranteed to make a profit, and it will be easy to resell.

Only when the price soars to over a thousand taels of silver should one be cautious and carefully consider the matter.

As Lin Wan'er listened to the bidding around her, she bit her lip in quiet anxiety.

Such poetic talent is rare, not to mention the Four Great Talents of the capital, you can't find many like him even in the entire Great Qing Dynasty!

If she had known this would happen, she would have brought more money with her when she left home.

Such a fine poem, and such beautiful calligraphy! If you take it back to the capital, it could easily fetch at least two thousand taels of silver!

She wasn't the only one who thought this way; Wu Lanxi did too.

However, Wu Lanxi quickly calmed her restless heart.

Firstly, she is the emperor. Once she returns to the capital, getting a poem from Tang Huan would be easy. At worst, she could just issue an imperial edict and have him write it.

Secondly, the main reason for her incognito visit was that everyone in the country was complaining of poverty and unable to pay taxes, leaving the national treasury empty, which made it impossible to do many things.

She simply didn't believe what was written in the memorial, so she came out to see for herself.

Along the way, we found that many places were indeed as described in the memorials: poor and backward, with numb and indifferent expressions on the faces of the people, who could not even speak properly.

Until she arrived in Qihuai County!

After a few days of wandering around, she even felt that this place was more lively and bustling than the capital city.

The local people all have smiles on their faces, and they seem clever, lively, and speak fluently.

It's like living in another world.

It can be said that Qihuai County was the biggest gain from her incognito visit!

"Wan'er, let's go."

Wu Lan gave a greeting and then walked towards the door.

Lin Wan'er said reluctantly, "Miss, don't you want to see how much silver this painting sold for in the end?"

"Whether we sell a lot or a little is none of our business. All I need to know is that Tang Huan has this talent."

Back at the inn, Wu Lanxi was unable to calm down for a long time.

It's not that Daqing lacks talented people; it's just that even talented people are afraid of the cliquish civil and military officials in the capital and dare not offer any advice or suggestions.

If this continues, what future can Daqing possibly have?

And all of this had to be blamed on her, the young emperor!

It was as if everything was her fault for not knowing how to govern!

She was unwilling to accept it.

Even Lin Wan'er couldn't help but sigh, "That Tang Huan can write poetry, manage Qihuai County so well, and do business. He's so capable. It's a pity that he's only a minor county magistrate."

Wu Lanxi said, "No one is paving the way for him. The more talented he is, the more dangerous it will be for him if he goes to the capital."

The tallest tree in the forest will surely be felled by the wind!

"I think he's very clever. He's so good at swindling and cheating. If he really goes to the capital, it's hard to say who will bully whom."

Wu Lanxi couldn't help but chuckle at her words.

That smile was truly breathtaking, even Lin Wan'er was stunned: "Your Majesty, you look so beautiful when you smile."

But she became emperor at the age of sixteen, and in the five years since, she has only smiled a handful of times.

Upon hearing this, Wu Lanxi sighed softly, "Looking good doesn't put food on the table. Wan'er, get ready. Tomorrow morning we'll go to the county government office to find Tang Huan and sign the contract."

Lin Wan'er was taken aback: "Your Majesty, you've decided to buy his sugar?"

"Yes, let's take out all the silver we brought and buy as much as we can. Let's try it out when we get back to the capital. If it really sells as well as he says, it can help alleviate our urgent need for funds."

As for Tang Huan!

Wu Lanxi narrowed her eyes. After returning to the capital, she would thoroughly investigate the problems in Yingzhou and Qihuai County.

Why have you been feigning poverty and hiding your true situation for so many years?

If she had no other options, she would definitely want to bring such a talented person to her side and have him work for her.

Early the next morning.

Tang Huan was still fast asleep when a cold little hand suddenly slipped into the blanket and then into his clothes.

"Wow!"

He was instantly jolted awake by the cold. When he opened his eyes, he saw Xue'e lying next to him with a mischievous grin: "My lord, wake up."

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