Good crop seeds often undergo several generations of selection; they cannot be simply dug up from the wild, brought back, and planted on a large scale.

His agricultural science team has made significant achievements, but due to the inability to plant on a large scale, it is naturally impossible to cultivate or recycle seeds on a large scale.

He took Lin Wan'er to the greenhouse and gave her a brief tour of the crops inside.

“This is called green bean. We have a lot of it in Daqing, but the varieties are all problematic. Not only is the taste sour and astringent, but the yield is also low. The green bean I cultivated is not only easy to grow, but also has a high yield and tastes good.”

"This is called a potato. It's normal that you don't recognize it. It doesn't exist in the Daqing Dynasty now. I just cultivated it. It's very drought-resistant and heat-resistant, and it's also very easy to cultivate."

...

After the visit, he asked the agricultural research institute team to prepare a farm-style meal.

They combined education with entertainment, explaining the benefits of the food to Lin Wan'er while she ate.

Lin Wan'er secretly kept it in mind, and after returning to the capital, she told Wu Lanxi everything in detail.

She even took out some green beans and potatoes that Tang Huan had given her.

"Your Majesty, Lord Tang has been very generous this time. He not only gave us more than 20 catties of white sugar, but also gave us this grain for free. He said that as long as we are willing, he can sell us seeds at a low price and provide a cultivation team for free, and personally go to Kuizhou to plant the grain."

After hearing Lin Wan'er's words, Wu Lanxi was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes: "He really said that?"

"It seems I misunderstood him. I thought he was just a greedy and unscrupulous businessman, but I never expected that he would also have a selfless moment!"

"Alright, Wan'er, you go and prepare for the tea sale first. As for grain seeds and such, I need to keep Cui Renshi calm and see what their investigation has to say."

After seeing Lin Wan'er off, Wu Lanxi took a deep breath and suddenly felt that Kuizhou was saved.

No, it's not just Kuizhou.

If Tang Huan wasn't exaggerating, then the crops he described really did have such good results when planted.

That day, all the people of the world will be saved!

Just as she was thinking about these things, a young eunuch suddenly came to report: "Your Majesty, Xie Wu, the Prefect of Yingzhou, requests an audience."

Hmph, it's finally here.

Wu Lanxi's face darkened: "Summon them!"

Soon, Xie Wu hurriedly entered the imperial study and knelt down, saying, "Long live the Emperor!"

Wu Lanxi narrowed her eyes and said calmly, "Rise."

Xie Wu stood up, feeling uneasy.

Why would His Majesty summon him alone for no reason?

Although he is the governor of a prefecture, there's nothing much to discuss with His Majesty about Yingzhou lately.

"Minister Xie, I ask you, why has the tax revenue of Yingzhou been decreasing over the past two years? Especially Qihuai County under your jurisdiction, which has not paid any taxes for five consecutive years. What is going on?"

It turns out they were asking about taxes.

No wonder.

I heard that Youzhou and Kuizhou are suffering from famine, and the national treasury cannot spare a single penny. His Majesty is at a loss and can only resort to reprimanding his subordinates.

Xie Wu didn't take it seriously and directly replied in an official tone, "Your Majesty, it's not that we don't want to pay taxes, but there are constant natural and man-made disasters. The local people can't even afford to eat. The government has used all the silver and grain it has for disaster relief. Where would we find spare money to pay taxes?"

“Take Qihuai County for example. It is surrounded by wasteland, and there is no way to cultivate it. The people have either starved to death or fled to other places. There are less than two thousand people left. Your Majesty, I really can’t bear to ask them for taxes anymore.”

Wu Lanxi remained silent.

starve?

Fleeing?

Less than two thousand people?

Seeing Xie Wu's pained expression, Wu Lanxi gritted her teeth. If I hadn't just been to Qihuai County, I would have almost believed your nonsense.

"Thank you, Wu!"

Suddenly, she shouted angrily.

Xie Wu trembled with fear and knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, what are your instructions?"

Wu Lanxi narrowed her eyes: "I will ask you one more time, is Qihuai County really as poor as you say?"

Xie Wu replied without hesitation, "Yes, how could I dare to deceive Your Majesty? Qihuai County is a desolate place, and anyone who goes there is doomed. Many officials in the capital know this!"

"Oh."

Wu Lanxi was furious, but she forcibly suppressed her anger.

"Then I ask, who is the magistrate of Qihuai County?"

Xie Wu swallowed hard, his heart filled with growing suspicion. What was wrong with His Majesty? Why was he suddenly fixated on Qihuai County?

What is there to ask in a small, run-down county town?

But he didn't have time to think too much, so he could only bite the bullet and say, "The magistrate of Qihuai County is named Tang Huan. He is young and it is his first time serving as an official. He has been in office for five years, but he has not brought any changes to Qihuai County. It is still poor."

Good, good, good!

It would be one thing to lie to her once, but to lie to her so blatantly, time and time again, is unacceptable.

They can even make up the most outrageous nonsense!

Wu Lanxi could no longer contain herself: "Xie Wu, do you know that I recently went on an incognito visit?"

Xie Wu nodded quickly: "I know, I know."

But after answering, he felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

Wait a moment!

What's the meaning?

Your Majesty wouldn't be saying that she once visited Yingzhou incognito, and even went to Qihuai County, would you?

He suddenly looked up at Wu Lanxi, only to see that her beautiful face was filled with rage!

"His Majesty……"

"I just visited Qihuai County a few days ago. The city walls there are even more impressive than those of my palace. The people there live a more prosperous life than those in the capital. The population there is at least tens of thousands! And you actually tell me that they are too poor to pay taxes? Do you think I'm a fool?!"

boom!

These words were like a bolt from the blue for Xie Wu.

He was so terrified he wet himself: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! Your Majesty, spare my life!"

"Forgive me? Spare my life? You openly deceived the emperor, a crime punishable by death. Moreover, I gave you several chances, yet you deceived me every single time. What are you thinking!"

Xie Wu immediately prostrated himself on the ground and wailed, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I was forced into this situation. That Tang Huan is not human. He forced me to sign a contract of servitude, and my wife is his sworn sister. I really had no choice."

Wu Lanxi had already anticipated that Xie Wu would lie to her before she even called him.

I never expected him to remain so composed.

That's when he finally lost his temper.

Seeing him weeping bitterly, looking as if he was about to wet himself in fear, he calmed down a bit and began to threaten him again.

"Explain to me in detail what exactly happened! If you dare to omit even the slightest detail, I will sentence you to the grave crime of disrespect and deceiving the emperor, and your entire family will be executed! Speak!"

Xie Wu knew he couldn't escape, so he could only nod vigorously: "Yes, yes, this sinner will confess now, confess everything."