The envoys from the Prince of Jin's Palace left, leaving behind a pile of gold, silver, jewelry and banknotes.
Mu Wanqing personally took inventory and found that all the items added up to more than 500,000 taels. Of course, the jewelry was also appraised.
She and Miss Du were busy, one counting the money and the other entering it into the account, having a lot of fun.
Miss Du was very happy. "We got one million taels of silver. We achieved our goal ahead of schedule."
"This is just a small part. Taking over Xucheng and Qinzhou is the big part."
"You are right. Xucheng has iron ore, which is something that money cannot buy."
Iron is a strictly controlled product and has always been in the hands of the imperial court. It was seized by the Jin Palace during a riot and now it has fallen into the hands of Xiliang. One can only say that things have changed.
Mu Wanqing still remembered the scene when she wanted an iron pot but couldn't get one on the road of exile, and couldn't help but smile.
You can make weapons or some useful farm tools.
For example, the curved plow is a magical tool for farming that can increase crop yields.
The plow frame can be made of wood, but the plowshare must be made of iron.
Thinking of this, she took out the four treasures of the study that she carried with her and tried hard to recall the structural diagram of the curved plow.
According to Lu Guimeng's "Lei Si Jing", the curved plow consists of the following parts: plowshare, plowboard, plow bottom, hoe, shovel, plowhead, plowshaft, plowshaft, plow tip, plow stalk, plow stalk and plow disc. Note (1)
She was so absorbed in writing that no one dared to approach her, and the scene was unusually quiet.
Mu Jinyao looked at her from afar. Mu Wanqing looked particularly beautiful with her focused and serious expression. Her long eyelashes flickered slightly and her profile was as beautiful as a painting.
After an unknown amount of time, Mu Wanqing finally moved, put down the pen, and rubbed her eyebrows.
She is like this all the time. When inspiration strikes her, she quickly writes down any good ideas so as not to forget them.
Miss Du came over curiously, "What is this?"
Mu Wanqing introduced with a smile, "The curved plow is small and flexible, and can increase the speed of tilling the land several times."
Miss Du's eyes lit up, "Great, let's have someone make it and try it out first."
Although she was born into a noble family, she was not an ignorant lady. She knew well that life was not easy for common people and she also knew the importance of farming.
Food is the people’s first necessity.
Mu Jinyao stared at the drawing blankly, "Did you come up with this on your own?"
Mu Wanqing paused and shook her head slightly, "I saw this in a book before, it should be useful."
As they were talking, the guard came running over and said, "County Lady, Miss, Lord Sun invites you two to enter the city."
Mu Wanqing nodded slightly and led her men into the city.
A notice to reassure the people has been posted at the gate of the government office, Xucheng has been officially incorporated into Xiliang, and all land deeds have been declared invalid. The land will be owned by the government. Each family will be allocated land based on their household registration, and everyone will have a share, but transfer and sale are not allowed, and the rent for the land must be paid directly to the government.
When this announcement came out, the whole city was in an uproar, and poor people ran over like crazy to inquire about the news.
After receiving the accurate news, they couldn't help but cry for joy and expressed their gratitude to the Xiliang officials. They thought that God had opened his eyes and the savior had finally come.
People can survive as long as they have land, and the taxes are not high, they only need to pay half, which is much better than before.
In the past, they rented land from landlords, and they could not support their families after working hard for a year, as the rent was terribly high.
The land distribution was carried out in a grand manner and everyone was smiling.
Of course, one family is happy while the other is sad.
Rich businessmen and powerful families were naturally unhappy when their land was confiscated. Some considered themselves unlucky, while others questioned the situation.
The government said that they had agreed not to kill you or confiscate your property, and to let you come and go freely, and they have done what they promised.
If you are not convinced, then leave.
To be honest, Xiliang is considered a moderate faction. They usually just rob people, and whoever gets their turn will just consider themselves unlucky.
Xiliang only wants the land, and not breaking into the house to rob the wealth is already a special favor. And you still come here to talk nonsense, do you deserve a beating?
In this way, most of the wealthy businessmen and powerful families left, and a group of former officials also fled.
Mu Wanqing urgently transferred a group of officials from Liangcheng. She was a good administrator and issued decrees one by one, being busy but not chaotic.
With the help of Miss Du and Mu Zicheng, everything is in order.
Everyone is so busy that most people just get together and have a meal together.
Sun Tongzhi immediately led his troops to take over the iron mine. After a fight, he successfully took the iron mine.
He also seized a nearby weapons workshop and obtained a batch of finished swords, which made him very happy.
"County Lady, the curved plow has been built. Do you think it looks like this?"
Mu Wanqing's eyes lit up and she carefully inspected it. "Yes, let's go, let's do the experiment."
Sun Tongzhi was a little worried. "It's so cold now, the ground is frozen, where can I try it?"
"Come with me." Mu Wanqing led a group of people to a farm, which she had bought from a wealthy businessman before. The wealthy businessman ran away with his family and cleared out all his assets by half selling or giving away.
She built a simple greenhouse and was planning to grow some vegetables.
The temperature in the greenhouse is OK, and it is irrigated with water.
She called over a few farmers and explained to them how to use the new farm tools.
The farmers' eyes became brighter and brighter, and they couldn't wait to try it out.
"Let me try."
Everyone watched the farmer pushing the pears to the field, and soon an acre of land was plowed.
The farmer did not feel tired at all, and shouted happily, "County Lady, this plow is so useful, it works so fast, and it is effortless. I can do it alone."
Mu Wanqing let out a long breath, as long as it works.
After trying it several times and confirming that it was stable, Sun Tongzhi said, "County Lady, the curved plow is so useful, why not make more and sell it to the people of Xiliang at a reasonable price."
Mu Wanqing nodded slightly, "Okay. By the way, we need to submit a memorial to the court, and promote it nationwide."
Miss Du was a little envious, "You have one more contribution. I wonder how the emperor will reward you this time?"
As he was speaking, his attendant ran in, "County Lady, Sir, something big has happened."
Everyone was shocked, "Where did the fight start again?"
"The emperor has abdicated..." The attendant threw a bomb down.
Mu Wanqing's face changed. Abdicate? Something happened in the palace?
Miss Du had the strongest reaction. "Ah, then who is in power? The prince?"
Her first reaction was that the prince led his troops to force the palace!
She was extremely nervous because the prince was her cousin and they would rise and fall together with the Du family.
The attendant said hurriedly, "The crown prince has ascended the throne and become the new emperor, and the reign title has been changed to Zhengkang."
Miss Du covered her pounding heart and breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was a normal abdication.
Mu Wanqing also felt relieved. Very good, the prince became the final winner, and it was time for those princes to give up.
I'll send you a letter of congratulations shortly!
During this rare free moment, Mu Wanqing called Mu Jinyao over and asked directly, "Tell me, how did you convince the emperor?"
Mu Jinyao has been sitting in the government office these days, watching Mu Wanqing from a close distance.
She saw Mu Wanqing overpowering a group of officials and giving orders, she also saw her busy work, and she also saw her measured and calm side.
She suddenly understood how Mu Wanqing could reach such a high position.
"I told the emperor that the prince of Jin had long been rebellious and used his power to control many officials for his own use. He has people in all six ministries."
Mu Wanqing never expected this to be the reason. "So, you reported these people?"
Mu Jinyao shook his head slightly, "I don't know much, but Doctor He of the Ministry of War and Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Personnel have been secretly in close contact with him, and I have noticed it."
"Minister of Personnel? This means he is entering the center of power." Mu Wanqing could imagine how furious the emperor was at that time. "Prince Jin's hand is so long, how can the emperor tolerate him?"
The capital city naturally underwent a purge.
Mu Jinyao felt a little regretful, "Unfortunately, I didn't get the other lists."
This was also the reason why she defected, because she was afraid that the Prince of Jin would find out about this one day...
Listening to her frankly telling all this, Mu Wanqing had a strange feeling, "Why did you do this? In the beginning, it was you who chose the Prince of Jin."
Logically speaking, women of this era were educated to be loyal and faithful, and the woman who became the prince of Jin would follow him through life and death.
Mu Jinyao's expression was extremely complicated. "He looks as gentle as jade, kind and generous, but he is actually the coldest person. He uses everyone and has no sincerity at all..."
Her voice paused, and the smile on her face was uglier than crying. "Once...he even wanted me to accompany a guest."
In her previous life, she was fought over by men and lingered around with different men. This was the thing she hated most in her life.
In order to attract talents, the Prince of Jin did not hesitate to send his woman out to entertain guests, which touched her bottom line.
Although she tried to avoid it, once it happened the first time, there would be a second time.
She never wanted to make the same mistake again.
From then on, she became completely sober and realized that men could not be trusted.
What do you love most? Things that you can throw away at any time.
Mu Wanqing's face changed. That bastard was even more despicable than she had imagined.
"What are your plans for the future?"
Mu Jinyao looked bewildered. "I... am quite confused. I don't know what to do. My face is the root of trouble. No matter where I go, there is no peace. I just don't have the ability to protect myself."
She knew it would be better to destroy this face, but why? Was it her fault?
She looked at Mu Wanqing eagerly, "Tell me, what should I do?"
Mu Wanqing's mind raced, and she quickly gave an answer, "There are two choices. One is to find a man who can protect you, marry him, and lock him up in the backyard without leaving the house."
It was hard to find a man who could protect her. A low-ranking official couldn't do that, and how could a high-ranking official marry a woman who was a traitor? Even Na couldn't do that.
"Second, people like me can survive in the world not by their looks but by their talents."
Mu Jinyao was silent for a while, "I don't have your ability, so I can't learn from you."
She knows herself well and she can never become Mu Wanqing.
There is only one Mu Wanqing in this world.
"Then you choose one." Mu Wanqing would not introduce a man to her, she had to find a way on her own.
Mu Jinyao thought again and again, "No, I don't want to tie my honor and disgrace to a man. He can let me live or die if he wants me to. I don't want that."
Mu Wanqing raised her eyebrows, "You want to follow me?"
"I know you don't like our eldest wife, but..." Mu Jinyao's face turned red, and she was embarrassed. "Just think of it as helping a woman who has nowhere else to go."
An idea flashed through Mu Wanqing's mind. Her eyes rolled around and she began to talk nonsense, "Do you want to win the respect of the world? Do you want to stand in front of the world with an open mind? Do you want all men to be polite to you?"
Mu Jinyao nodded without hesitation, "I do."
Who doesn’t want that? We all dream of being respected by others.
Mu Wanqing looked very serious. "Then I will show you a way. It will be very difficult and hard, and will take a lot of time and energy, but it will make you win the love of countless people..."
She paused. "Maybe even go down in history."
Mu Jinyao's heart was pounding and her blood was boiling. "What is it?"
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Note (1) From Lu Guimeng’s Leisi Jing
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