Chapter 223 [VIP]

After a short two-day rest, Chen Qingyan and Chen Jing went to the Ministry of Personnel to report on their duties.

Both of them were a little nervous during the journey. Chen Jing didn't know where he would be assigned, and if it was too far, he wondered if his body could handle it. Chen Qingyan was afraid that the matter of the grain supplies would be leaked.

The two had just arrived at the Ministry of Personnel and hadn't even seen Lord Liu when they were summoned to the palace. They then took a carriage to Xuanwu Street, and after a thorough inspection at the palace gate, they were allowed to enter.

Chen Jing had been serving in various positions outside the capital for many years and had not entered the palace since. He was quite excited to meet the emperor. As he walked, he quietly smoothed his sleeves and tidied his beard and collar.

Chen Qingyan was slightly better off. In previous years, when he was on duty at the Hanlin Academy, he often had the opportunity to enter the palace to meet the emperor, so he was not very excited, but more worried.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, the two arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where the Emperor rested. A eunuch went in first to report, and soon after, word came out that they could enter. The two then followed one after the other into the hall.

Upon entering the room, one must first kneel and kowtow. After completing the grand ceremony, the Emperor's voice came from above: "Rise."

The two quickly stood up from the ground and stood awkwardly to the side.

"When did Zhenghe return?"

Chen Jing was startled when he suddenly heard the emperor call him by his courtesy name. He bowed and stepped forward, saying, "Your humble servant went to the capital the day before yesterday, rested for a day, and then went to the Ministry of Personnel to report on my duties."

"Yes, I have read all the memorials you submitted. You have worked hard in Yanzhou these past few years."

"Your Majesty, I am humbled. It is my honor to share Your Majesty's burdens. I dare not complain of hardship!"

"This time you're back, stay in Kyoto and don't leave. The position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is vacant now that he retired before the New Year. Go and take over to help me manage it."

The sudden good news left Chen Jing dumbfounded. He had been waiting for this for over twenty years, and just when he was about to give up, the emperor actually kept him in the capital and promoted him to the fourth-rank position of Minister of the Court of Judicial Review! He was so excited that he forgot to express his gratitude.

It wasn't until Chen Qingyan coughed lightly that he realized what was happening. He immediately knelt down and kowtowed to express his gratitude, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your appreciation. I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations, uphold justice, and clear the name of the people!"

Emperor Wuping waved for him to stand up, then turned to Chen Qingyan and said, “I have heard about the Liangzhou matter from Marquis Zhongyong. You sent eight thousand shi of grain during the crisis, helping them get out of trouble and defend Liangzhou. I am very pleased.”

"I dare not take credit. It was the generals and soldiers who risked their lives to defend the city. I only did my bit."

The Emperor tapped the memorial from Shanzhou in his palm. “But I’m curious, where did you get these eight thousand shi of grain? I remember that Shanzhou’s tax grain was already transported to the border several months ago.”

As expected, the question was about grain supplies. Chen Qingyan was prepared and calmly replied, "Your Majesty, three years ago, Shanzhou certainly couldn't have produced this life-saving grain. However, in the past two years, due to planting reforms, Shanzhou's grain production has increased more than threefold. In the past, it was difficult to collect grain taxes, but since last year, we have almost guaranteed tax revenue."

When ordinary people have surplus grain, they will sell it. I have purchased some in advance to keep as emergency grain for planting, in case of natural disasters causing crop failure.

It was not unprecedented for Shanzhou to retain seeds from its prefectures; other prefectures would also retain a portion of their tax grain for seed production. However, due to the war this year, Shanzhou handed over all its tax grain. "These grains were collected by him later."

This explanation was acceptable, and the Emperor simply nodded and praised him, saying, "You've put your heart into it. The development of Shanzhou in recent years is evident to all, and your husband has also contributed a lot."

Chen Qingyan's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but clench his fists. Why did the Emperor suddenly mention Aying?

Emperor Wuping noticed his nervousness and laughed, "Don't worry, I didn't mean anything by it. I read your husband's book 'Qi Nong Geng Shu' three years ago. The contents were very interesting. I heard that the second volume is also finished?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes."

"Take some time to send me a copy of this book, and let me see what kind of extraordinary book it is that has caused such a dramatic change in Shanzhou in just three years."

Chen Qingyan dared not spare the time, "This humble official will send the book over as soon as I get back!"

After a brief chat, the Emperor dismissed them. As Chen Qingyan stepped out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and was greeted by a cold wind, he realized that his back was completely soaked.

Chen Jing was alright; he was still basking in the joy of staying in the capital and hurried back to tell his family the good news!

After leaving the palace, the two had to go to the Ministry of Personnel to get their appointment certificates. Chen Qingyan was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue as a fifth-rank official, which was half a rank lower than that of a vice prefect, but it was a transfer into one of the six ministries. Many officials wanted to get in but couldn't!

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, after Chen Qingyan and Chen Jing left, a figure emerged from behind a screen and said, "Your Majesty, there is progress on the matter of your investigation in Shanzhou."

"Bring it here."

The man handed over a handwritten letter. Emperor Wuping unfolded the letter and read it carefully. After a while, his brows relaxed and a smile appeared on his face. "Alright, there's no need to investigate this matter any further. You may leave."

"Your subordinate obeys."

"Wang Ying, oh Wang Ying, it's a pity you're a boy."

The letter did not concern the grain supply in Liangzhou, but rather an investigation into the book "Qi Nong Geng Shu" (The Art of Farming in Qi). When the Grand Minister of Agriculture presented the book, he had assumed it was written by an elderly man skilled in agriculture. However, upon further inquiry, he discovered it was actually written by a young man, which greatly surprised him.

However, the book contained mostly theoretical content with little practical application, and Emperor Wuping was unsure whether it would be useful. Later, due to the complexities of state affairs, he gradually forgot about it.

Unexpectedly, his second book, "Qi Nong Geng Shu," also solved the tax problem in Shanzhou. This made the emperor even more curious about him, so he sent someone to Shanzhou to investigate whether the book was actually written by him or by someone else.

Unexpectedly, the investigation revealed that it really was Wang Lang who wrote it. This man also ran a farm shop in Shanzhou, dealing in seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers, which indirectly confirmed Chen Qingyan's claim about hoarding seeds. Whether the grain was hoarded to sell or for emergency use, it came in handy this time, making it a significant achievement.

Emperor Wuping pondered for a moment and said, "Summon someone from the Hanlin Academy to come and draft an edict for me."

"yes."

Chen Qingyan took the plaque home. He was to report to the Ministry of Revenue the next day, but there was no joy on his face because the Emperor's sudden mention of Wang Ying made him feel uneasy.

Upon seeing Wang Ying, she quickly pulled him aside and recounted the whole story.

"I don't know how the Emperor found out that you wrote this book, 'Qi Nong Geng Shu', and he even asked me for a copy. Oh right, I have to go and deliver the book to the Emperor!" I almost forgot about that.

Wang Ying quickly took out several brand-new books from the experimental field and handed them to Chen Qingyan, feeling extremely nervous herself. "We haven't done anything out of line, His Majesty won't blame us, will he?"

"I don't know, let me send the book over first."

While Chen Qingyan was holding the book and waiting for Chen Ju to hitch up the carriage, the imperial edict from the palace arrived!

Neither of them had ever seen anything like this before, and they were so frightened that their legs went weak and they both knelt down in the courtyard.

By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

Chen Qingyan has rendered a great service in relieving the siege of Liangzhou, and is hereby awarded one hundred taels of gold and five hundred taels of silver. Her husband, Wang, is skilled in agriculture and has made meritorious contributions to educating the people, and is hereby awarded the rank of Sixth-Rank Lady, and rewarded with a bolt of brocade, a pair of jade pendants, and one hundred taels of gold.

The two knelt down and kowtowed to express their gratitude. For a moment, they were more surprised than nervous. The emperor had actually given them a title and even bestowed upon Wang Ying the title of Anren!

Chen Qingyan accepted the imperial edict and helped Wang Ying to her feet.

The eunuch who came to deliver the message smiled and congratulated the two, saying, "His Majesty also instructed me to come and fetch a book."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qingyan quickly handed over the books he was holding, saying, "Thank you for making this trip, sir."

"It's alright. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Even after the person who bestowed the reward left, the couple were still in a daze. Wang Ying stretched out her arm and said, "Pinch me."

"What are you doing?"

"Fine, I'll pinch you then." He twisted hard, causing Chen Qingyan to howl in pain. "I'm not dreaming. It seems the Emperor didn't blame us and even gave us rewards. We've passed this hurdle!"

Wang Ying had her servants move the rewards into the house, and naturally hid all the gold and silver in the experimental fields. This money not only made up for what she had spent before, but also left her with a considerable amount more.

The brocade bestowed upon me is even better than the one Old Master Liang gave me before. The subtle patterns on it shimmer brilliantly in the sunlight. It is truly a fine piece!

The jade pendant is of average quality, but it was bestowed upon me by the Emperor, so it has extraordinary significance!

Not long after, Elder Liang returned from Chen Jing's place and also learned about the rewards and honors bestowed upon Chen Qingyan and Wang Ying.

The old man stroked his beard and said, "It seems that His Majesty has taken a liking to the book that A-Ying wrote. Perhaps it will be of great use in the future."

Wang Ying said, "That's great. If we can pass on the methods of improving seeds and composting, then people all over the world will no longer have to go hungry."

Liang Boqing nodded with a smile, but in his heart he felt regretful. It was a pity that Aying was a boy. With his talent, if he were a man, he could at least get a minor official position in the Ministry of Agriculture.

Today is a day of double celebration, and Wang Ying decided to celebrate together. She specially asked someone to book a restaurant, and invited not only her fourth uncle's family, but also Lin Sui and Lord Hou.

After the war, Li Mu was summoned to the capital, so he did not go on the trip to Jizhou. Only Lin Sui and Qing'er went back with everyone else.

That evening, as the whole family sat together, Wang Ying discovered that the Marquis's right hand was missing half of its length...

He was just learning to eat with his left hand and could only use a spoon. Lin Sui was there to pick up food for him and took very good care of him.

Seeing everyone looking at his hands with concern in their eyes, Li Mu couldn't help but laugh. "Don't look at me like that, everyone. It's making me feel embarrassed."

Chen Qingyan sat down beside him, frowning, and said, "When I left Liangzhou, your hand was fine, how did it become like this in just a few months..."

Li Mu said, "After you left, I went with the soldiers who came to support us to pursue the remnants of the Turkic army. On the way, we encountered a brave general from the right wing of Jieli Khan. I accidentally injured my right hand while fighting with him."

This was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune, as many soldiers perished in this battle.

"However, His Majesty took pity on my hand injury and transferred me back to the capital to take charge of the city guards, so I don't have to go to the border anymore."

Previously, the city guards were controlled by powerful families. However, after the Liangzhou incident, these families moved south, and the power returned to the emperor's hands. Naturally, it was impossible for them to relinquish it. Li Mu, as a loyal minister, was perfectly suited for this position.

While feeling sorry for her, Lin Sui was mostly happy. Staying in Kyoto meant she wouldn't have to live in fear anymore, which could be considered a blessing in disguise.

Seeing that everyone was in low spirits, Wang Ying quickly changed the subject, "Fourth Uncle has finally gotten his wish and can stay in Kyoto."

Liang Boqing was even happier than Chen Jing, saying, "This is what they mean by 'the flowers you plant with care may not bloom, but the willows you plant without intention may thrive.'"

The family raised their glasses in celebration, kicking off their life in Beijing in a lively and joyful atmosphere.

A note from the author: