Chapter 448 Shen Lanxi takes on the heavy responsibility of raising grain and fodder!

Shen Lanxi was furious and immediately retorted sarcastically, "You've probably been waiting for this opportunity to frame me for a long time!"

The three regents were upright and looked unwilling to associate with Shen Lanxi.

Wu Yanzhi sneered: "Lord Shen is indeed sharp-eyed and quick-witted, but I wonder if he can avert the trouble you've caused."

Shen Lanxi said angrily, "It's just next year's grain supplies. Is it really worth you disregarding the prestige of my Great Zhou?"

The old Grand Tutor sneered, "You make it sound nice, but only someone like you who doesn't understand the hardships of ordinary people could say that food is unimportant."

Liu Mingxin stood with his hands behind his back, looking arrogant.

"She's not just saying nice things. Lord Shen is so powerful, he must have a way to get food without making friends with the Yue Kingdom."

The old Grand Tutor scoffed, "If she can procure the grain, I, your old minister, will resign and retire to my hometown immediately!"

Wu Yanzhi quickly advised, "Grand Tutor, don't act rashly. Anyone can say nice things, but the key is to see real, tangible grain."

Liu Mingxin: "Lord Shen, if you can find a way to obtain the grain, this old minister will kowtow to you and admit my mistake in front of all the civil and military officials!"

Wu Yanzhi secretly fanned the flames: "Lord Liu, there's no need for this. Everyone knows that provisions are of paramount importance right now. If Shen Lanxi could get them, we wouldn't be so polite to a small country."

Looking at his arguing ministers, Emperor Renxiao felt utterly exhausted.

Just as he was about to stop the argument, he heard that the three old foxes had already fallen for each other's tricks.

"It's just grain, isn't it? If I can get it, you'd better remember what you said!"

None of the three regents took it seriously.

"Of course, if you can get us the supplies, we three will respect you!" Wu Yanzhi said casually, his tone full of disdain.

"Very well, Your Majesty will be my witness. If I fail to procure grain next year, I will be stripped of all my official rank and never step out of my residence again!"

"Good!" These were exactly the words Shen Lanxi wanted to hear from the three ministers who were to be promoted to the position.

Emperor Renxiao had reservations. He needed Shen Lanxi now, so how could he let the others become too powerful?

"Lanxi, since you've already made that boast, I won't stop you."

"But provisions are of utmost importance. I have ordered the Six Ministries and Nine Ministers to cooperate fully with you. If you can obtain provisions, you are free to allocate them under my command."

The three regents' expressions changed slightly.

"This concerns the honor of our Great Zhou Dynasty. The three regents will certainly set aside their prejudices and do their utmost to help!"

His Majesty has already spoken, so they can only agree. We'll see if they really need our help!

The issue of provisions was shifted to Shen Lanxi through a bet. However, the problem of the post station remained unresolved.

"Lanxi, from now on, you will be in charge of preparing next year's provisions. Leave the affairs of the post stations to Prince Zhennan!"

When Shen Lanxi heard Emperor Renxiao say this, she knew that he was going to make two preparations.

"Your subject receives the imperial decree!"

...

An hour later, news of Shen Lanxi's bet with the three regents spread among the people.

The news reached the mouths of peddlers and laborers, and then, through their mouths, reached the mouths of traveling merchants from other places. And through the mouths of merchants, it quickly spread from the capital to all parts of the country.

In less than half a month, almost the entire Great Zhou knew that Shen Lanxi had single-handedly shouldered the heavy responsibility of raising grain and fodder.

Some were disdainful, some were skeptical, some were pessimistic, and some responded with a pessimistic attitude.

No one believed that Shen Lanxi could raise enough provisions; they all thought that her final fate would be to be confined to a secluded mansion.

On the other hand, Zhou Ruyuan, under the instruction of Emperor Renxiao, first attempted peace talks, and if those failed, he would consider other options.

The Yue Kingdom envoy, now having a way out, immediately stepped down and began serious negotiations with Zhou Ruyuan.

Before we knew it, Emperor Renxiao's birthday arrived.

He was very satisfied with the outcome of the peace talks with the Moon Kingdom.

All the conflicts were suppressed.

On the day of the birthday banquet, the entire capital city rejoiced. Emperor Renxiao's health had also improved considerably, and he smiled as he toasted and exchanged drinks with the civil and military officials.

Singing and dancing filled the air, accompanied by the sounds of string and wind instruments. It was a scene of peace and tranquility.

Little did they know that behind this scene, Wei Dongzhu had been arresting suspicious people for a whole day.

The day after the birthday banquet, Wei Dongzhu reported the events of the previous day to Emperor Renxiao.

"Your Majesty, while I was on duty yesterday, I discovered many suspicious individuals, some of whom were even colluding with foreign tribes."

Emperor Renxiao had just taken the elixir, and his face was flushed and his complexion was very rosy.

"Can we find out who those foreigners are?"

Wei Dongzhu named several countries, but Emperor Renxiao did not take it seriously when he saw that Yue Kingdom was not among them.

"Investigate this matter secretly. Those traitors have been plotting rebellion for quite some time now. Fortunately, Minister Wei stopped them for me!"

Wei Dongzhu: "This is my duty, I dare not take credit for it!"

Emperor Renxiao blinked his somewhat cloudy eyes, and after thinking for a moment, said, "Now is not the time to make things difficult for them. Don't let them escape. After finding out, just pretend you know. Let them leave the territory of my Great Zhou safely!"

Wei Dongzhu understood and immediately went to do it.

Emperor Renxiao did not intend to let the two traitors off easily.

This matter needs further consideration.

"Tell the Prince of Zhennan to stall these two traitors for as long as possible! If they insist on seeing me, find an excuse to send them away!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will go and deliver the message immediately!"

Shen Lanxi was relieved of her duties of receiving the envoys and had two days of leisure.

Upon returning to the mansion, he intended to convene a meeting with everyone, but no sooner had he arrived home than he was summoned by the old lady.

"Lanxi, what about your fifth aunt's cousin and Liang Xinyi's daughter?"

Shen Lanxi frowned: "Why haven't the two aunts left yet?"

Shen Shuniang and Shen Huiniang, who were named, looked displeased.

Who would dare to speak so disrespectfully of their elders? Shen Lanxi is utterly unfilial.

"They live far away, and I don't know when they will come again, or if I will ever have the chance to see them again, so I stayed a few more days."

Shen Lanxi coldly glanced at her two aunts: "Since they've already made up their minds, Grandmother, you can handle things as you see fit."

Shen Shuniang's face lit up with joy, and she said somewhat smugly, "Lanxi, on the day your cousin gets married, there will definitely be a grand banquet in the mansion. Invite all your acquaintances to come and have a drink with us!"

Shen Lanxi looked at her with a half-smile: "What does my aunt's son's wedding have to do with my Duke of Huguo's mansion? If you want to hold a banquet, do it at your home. It's not worth holding a banquet for a concubine's daughter of the Shen family. Just let the family members have a simple reunion dinner together!"

Shen Shuniang froze, her smile distorted.

"How could it not be related to the Duke of Huguo's mansion? My aunt's home is far away, so naturally the banquet will be held at the Duke of Huguo's mansion."

Shen Lanxi frowned and said coldly, "Does my Shen family have a legitimate daughter who marries into a family?"

Shen Shuniang immediately lost face.

“Lanxi, my son is your cousin, your grandmother’s own grandson,”

Shen Lanxi scoffed, "So what? I've never heard of a grandson using his mother's family's land to hold a wedding banquet. It's not like your Jiangnan region has no descendants left."

"Even if the family line has ended, they should still be able to find another house outside to marry into the Shen family, not occupy my Shen family's land!"