The Yang family used to live a good life. The three brothers used the money they had spent on buying Yang's property to start their own families.
Later, after Yang gave birth to a child, she would still give her monthly allowance to her mother, and she also had the Cao family as her backing.
They did some work themselves and lived a much better life than most people. Moreover, the Yang family later gave them money to open a shop, so they were content with their modest wealth.
Now the three brothers fight at the drop of a hat, and before long the Yang family has fallen into ruin.
As for Yang Guangmao, it is said that one day when he was at the home of a prostitute, the prostitute's lover broke in and beat him up.
If your manhood is damaged, you may never be able to have sex again in this lifetime.
Yang's life was not easy either; that very night, she was sent to a nunnery by the Cao family.
Before she could even adjust, she was shaken awake early the next morning by two burly women.
He threw her a steamed bun and forced her to fetch water to wash clothes, dig the ground to plant vegetables, and even cook for herself. She was busy all day long. When she finally stopped, he forced her to recite Buddhist scriptures.
Yang cried almost from morning till night. If she dared not work, she would be beaten. She hadn't worked for more than ten years, and now she was living the life she had in her childhood.
However, she would never have the chance to escape this kind of life again.
The Imperial Palace, the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Emperor Ying Hao was dressed in a black casual robe, with dragon patterns embroidered in gold thread, which made the clothes look solemn and exquisite, and every stitch revealed the superb skills of the embroiderers.
He rested his forehead on his hand, looking slightly tired.
"Your Majesty, it's time for your afternoon nap."
"My lord, how can I possibly rest?"
When he was the crown prince, he didn't understand why his father insisted on making such a big fuss about the salt smuggling case. As the crown prince, he didn't know how many of his subordinates would be affected by the case.
Unfortunately, I left in such a hurry that many things were left unfinished.
Only after becoming emperor did he realize that many things really required ruthless measures and a clean sweep.
He was too foolish before. After ascending the throne, he thought he could do it better than his father. But on his first day in court, he was held back by the ministers from all sides. He couldn't outmaneuver those old foxes.
Before you know it, you've dug countless pits for him.
If he made a mistake, he would be scolded by his superiors, who would openly mock and ridicule him. However, he was indeed wrong and had no way to fight back.
As for the salt smuggling case, it was nothing more than a half-hearted attempt; those treacherous officials and villains could never be completely eradicated.
The profits from illegal salt trade are so huge that it's impossible to stop it.
But this is unacceptable. The national treasury is empty. Salt and iron are vital national assets, and smuggling salt is like cutting into its flesh!
He was also constrained by the court, and had to be more careful in his political affairs to avoid making mistakes again.
"Your Majesty, you rise early and retire late; you should take better care of your health. There are always endless affairs of state to attend to."
Zhou Daban had served the emperor since he was a child, so the emperor was quite pleased with what he said.
"Then I'll listen to my elder brother and take a nap."
Ying Hao got up and prepared to go to the inner room, with Zhou Daban following beside him with a happy expression.
"Your Majesty, the Prefect of Ning'an Prefecture has an urgent report!"
"Bring it here."
Suddenly, a young eunuch rushed in from outside the palace. The emperor stopped in his tracks, turned around, and returned to his seat.
Zhou Daban stepped forward, took the envelope from the eunuch, and presented it to the emperor with both hands.
There were two letters, clearly added later. Ying Hao took them, tore them open in a few quick glances, and began reading them.
"Okay, okay!"
Ying Hao laughed heartily. Zhou Daban stood to the side, looking on with curiosity. It had been quite some time since the Emperor had ascended the throne that he had been so happy.
"Your Majesty is so happy, there must be good news. Congratulations, Your Majesty!"
"You old codger, you must have some good news."
In Shao County, under Ning'an Prefecture, someone came up with a method for breeding seeds to germinate early. Combined with rice transplanting, the crops have now been harvested, and the yield has not been affected.
They have now begun planting a second crop, and there is also a method for regenerating rice.
When harvesting, don't cut all the rice stalks; leave most of them and continue to care for and nurture them. Perhaps you can harvest another crop!
Ying Hao was overjoyed; this was truly the happiest thing that had happened to him since he ascended the throne.
"If these methods could be implemented throughout the country, it would be a blessing for all the people! It would mean an extra season of harvest, which shows that His Majesty is blessed by the heavens and protected by the heavens, which is why such good news has come!"
Ying Hao was delighted by Zhou Daban's flattery. He wholeheartedly agreed. Why did this method have to come at the same time as him? Wasn't it because he was blessed by heaven and was the emperor favored by heaven?
"Furthermore, this family also offered a prescription, according to the prefect of Ning'an Prefecture."
"Being able to turn these soybeans into delicious food is a good thing for the people. Daban, tell the kitchen to make arrangements. Today I want to taste this soybean dish. If it's truly as he says, I'll definitely announce it to the whole country."
Ying Hao was very excited and immediately pulled out a stack of papers and handed them to Zhou Daban.
"The recipe and cooking method are included. Tell them to go and figure it out."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Seeing the emperor so happy, Zhou Daban was also very pleased. He accepted the prescription with a smile and went to make the arrangements himself.
Ying Hao paced around the palace a few times, unable to fall asleep!
The prefect really helped him a lot with the grain.
If this recipe were to be spread, the people of the world would surely be grateful for his kindness, and with this as a foundation, it would be easier for his own people to rise to power.
"Guards! Summon the Minister of Revenue, the Minister of Works, the Director of the Water Conservancy Bureau, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and the Elder of the Imperial Clan."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, everyone arrived at the outer study of the Hall of Diligent Governance.
They had already discussed it on the way here, but couldn't figure out what it was about. They were all summoned in the middle of the day, and even the Grand Master of Ceremonies hadn't received the news. The Minister of Agriculture and the Director of Water Conservancy had come. It seemed to be an agricultural matter, but what major event could there be at this time of year?
As soon as Ying Hao entered, the group stopped their discussion and bowed to him.
According to the rules of this dynasty, officials do not need to kneel, and this applies to the emperor as well. They only need to cup their hands and bow slightly to show respect.
Seeing Ying Hao's smiling face, everyone understood that he wasn't there to be scolded.
"Please be seated, everyone. I have invited you all here today because I have some good news to share with you."
Ying Hao waved his hand, and a eunuch presented a letter for everyone to read.
It did take quite a bit of time to read through everything, but Ying Hao wasn't in a hurry and calmly began to enjoy his tea and snacks.
"Your Majesty! This is wonderful news, an incredibly wonderful news!"
"With His Majesty's birthday approaching, such joyous news has arrived. His Majesty is truly blessed."
"Your Majesty, these breeding methods, transplanting methods, and ratooning rice are extremely important. They must be made public so that they can be implemented throughout the country."
"The Minister of Revenue is right. The most important matters for a nation are sacrifice and war."
The most important part of this ritual is praying for a bountiful harvest. Your Majesty, I am willing to be the first to apply this method to the imperial ancestral fields. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission.”
"Haha, Elder Zong, the reason I summoned you here today is precisely for this matter, and how could I possibly refuse?"
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