The emperor himself set the policy question: how to prevent and control disasters and provide relief to disaster victims.
These are the problems we are facing now. Disasters occur frequently these days and there are more and more refugees, which is causing headaches for the court.
When the students from Xiliang received the policy essay, their eyes widened. Wasn't this the topic that Princess Qingping often discussed with them on the way back to Beijing?
This time he won without any effort.
This group of Xiliang students were well prepared and their opponents frequently encountered problems, so thirteen of them were selected, including several members of the Mu family. Although they were ranked at the bottom, it didn’t matter; being on the list meant victory.
This made everyone very happy. They just waited until after the palace examination to have a banquet to celebrate.
Mu Zicheng is a calm person, but his hands were shaking when he saw the policy paper. What a coincidence.
There was a wave of refugees in Xiliang, which was eventually resolved perfectly thanks to Mu Wanqing's skillful handling.
He is also one of the participants and has considerable practical experience.
He thought for a while, and finally picked up the pen and started writing, writing as if inspired by God.
Although he is not a talented person, he has a big sister.
Mu Wanqing's vision was far beyond this era, and Mu Zicheng, who was influenced by her, was naturally also carried away.
The first is to establish a Civil Affairs Bureau, which will be responsible for disaster relief, pensions and resettlement, assistance to vulnerable groups, and maintaining social stability.
Second, local governments reported to the court as soon as possible and opened granaries for disaster relief. Every government office had to build a granary and material warehouse in preparation for unexpected earthquakes.
The third is to reduce taxes and restore people's livelihood. The third is to build water conservancy projects to reduce the number of floods. The fourth is to publicize self-help methods to the people when disaster strikes to avoid more casualties...
As for the refugees, they will be provided with work-for-relief services, which will not only prevent them from developing the bad habit of gaining something without working, but will also allow them to support their families with their own hands and be self-reliant.
He wrote many sentences in a very eloquent manner, speaking freely and with full enthusiasm, and did not notice that there was someone standing behind him.
The emperor was just walking around casually. Wherever he went, the candidates were a little nervous, so he would not stay for long. However, when he saw the contents of Mu Zicheng's test paper, he could not help but take another look.
One look, two looks, and he looked intently.
The words are meaningful, the insights are unique, and there is practical experience. The writing is clear and logical, which makes people's eyes open and excited.
He is worthy of being Mu Wanqing’s brother.
The other officials saw this scene and looked at each other with complicated emotions.
The Mu family is going to produce another official. The feng shui of the Mu family is really good.
But they didn't dare to do anything too much. Even the Prime Minister had a bad ending, so how could they be spared?
Mu Zicheng finished writing the test questions, checked them carefully, and put down his brush only after making sure there were no problems.
A big hand reached out and took the test paper away. Mu Zicheng was caught off guard and was shocked. Is it not time yet?
He looked up suddenly, oh my, it was the emperor.
He quickly stood up and saluted.
The emperor waved his hand and swaggered away with his test paper.
Mu Zicheng looked at his sister in confusion. Mu Wanqing saw everything and smiled at him. Mu Zicheng felt relieved immediately.
The emperor returned to his seat and read it carefully over and over again, applauding the wonderful ideas in it.
"Princess Qingping, have you ever resettled a group of refugees?"
Mu Wanqing raised her eyebrows, "Not just one wave, I got a hundred thousand people, which made the King of Jin, ah, Xiao Shuren crazy."
The emperor couldn't help but laugh, "The concept of a Civil Affairs Bureau is very interesting. Does Xiliang have one?"
"No." Mu Wanqing lowered her voice. "How could Xiliang dare to set up a department without the order of the court? In recent years, the government and the people have worked together to develop the economy and industry and commerce. The lives of the people have gradually improved, and Renjitang has taken in widows, orphans, disabled people and other vulnerable groups, and the situation is relatively harmonious."
It is the court's right to establish a department.
The emperor nodded slightly. She seemed lawless, but in fact she had a good sense of propriety and handled things just right.
“Where does Renjitang’s money come from?”
"The government allocates part of the funds, and social assistance allocates part of the funds. Rich people like to do charity."
The emperor's mouth twitched. Why did these words sound so strange coming from her mouth?
"You should be the richest man in Xiliang. How much did you donate?"
Mu Wanqing smiled and said, "I pay half of the taxes, and donate 10% of the profits to Renjitang and 10% to the school every year, so it's just a facade."
So don't target her.
She doesn't want to be slaughtered like a fat pig, so she wants to lead everyone to common prosperity.
Emperor: ...Even if it's only 30%, we are still rich enough to rival a country.
“How long can instant noodles and self-heating rice be stored?”
Mu Wanqing's eyes fell on the test paper. Was this a preparation for stockpiling food?
Food should be stockpiled, and some convenience foods should also be stockpiled for emergencies.
"Two years for instant noodles, and half a year for self-heating rice." Mu Wanqing paused, "I'm asking someone to develop canned food. This can be stored for a long time."
"Canned food?" This was a new term. The emperor was very interested in it, and the officials around him also pricked up their ears.
It is undeniable that no one can match Mu Wanqing when it comes to making money.
Mu Wanqing casually cited a few examples, "For example, the fruits in the south are plentiful and delicious, but because of inconvenient transportation, they are difficult to preserve and can only rot in the fields. After being canned, they can be sold all over the country, and even to other countries in exchange for a large amount of gold, silver, jewelry, cattle and sheep. This is a good business with huge profits."
"There are so many fish, shrimps and crabs in the sea. People living by the sea are sick of eating them. Seafood is too difficult to preserve. Canned fish can be used by everyone to taste. Seafood is also rich in nutrition."
"For example, there are many cattle and sheep on the grassland. They are not valuable locally, but they are inedible in other places. After being canned, they can be shipped out. We can do this by exchanging canned fruits and canned fish for cattle and sheep and making them into canned food."
Canned food isn’t as delicious as fresh food, but it’s better than nothing.
Everyone was stunned. How could this be possible? She could come up with such a novel idea casually.
If this can be done, it will drive the development of those impoverished areas.
These do not occupy farmland and are worthless local specialties. Turning these into industries...
Everyone's eyes lit up and they looked at Mu Wanqing with admiration.
Even the officials who disliked her the most admitted that she had a good brain.
It is extremely difficult for others to make money, but for her, it is as easy as waving her hand.
People are just different.
An idea flashed through Mu Wanqing's mind, "Speaking of seafood, it can not only be made into canned fish, but also made into condiments, such as oyster sauce and soy sauce, which are very delicious when added to dishes."
“It can also be made into seafood sauce, a must-have for home and travel.”
Well, she casually added a few more ways to make money.
"In this way, we can revitalize the economies of various regions, promote consumption, and boost domestic demand. The country will have money, and the people will have money too. This is perfect. This is a peaceful and prosperous era, right?"
The emperor's heart was moved as he listened to her. In the blueprint she described, he seemed to see the arrival of a prosperous era.
“What is domestic demand?”
Mu Wanqing hesitated for a moment and gave a brief explanation, "Domestic demand refers to domestic demand. Consumption plus investment plus court expenditure is total demand, in other words, the national economy."
"Foreign demand refers to the needs of foreign countries. We sell things to them to make a lot of money and make the country rich and the people strong."
The officials were in a commotion. Their blood boiled with excitement at what she said.
Mu Wanqing spoke casually, but they listened so attentively that they didn't even notice that the palace examination was over.
It was not until the eunuch came to remind him that the emperor suppressed his inner excitement, "Princess Qingping, please write these carefully and submit a memorial."
"good."
The tribute students submitted their papers at the East Corner Gate, and after walking out of the palace, they immediately surrounded Mu Zicheng.
"Brother Mu, is Princess Qingping really your sister?"
"Is that beautiful woman the Princess of Qingping County?"
Mu Zicheng had been extremely low-key before. He never went out for social events or participated in any literary gatherings, so the other candidates were not familiar with him.
But, now he is famous.
"It's my sister. She's super awesome."
Everyone can see this. The person who can attend such an occasion with the emperor is not an ordinary person.
Moreover, she was the only female among all the officials, and she shone brightly in the crowd.
"She is already a second-rank official at such a young age, in charge of the national household registration and finance. She is so amazing." Gongshi's eyes were full of envy. "When she spoke, I saw that the officials and the emperor listened very carefully. I don't know what she said."
It was a bit far away, so no one could hear clearly, but the expressions could still be seen.
Some people were so jealous, "Brother Mu, what does it feel like to have such a powerful sister? Does it feel stressful?"
Mu Zicheng seemed not to hear it, and smiled innocently, "I'm so happy, I can eat meat if I listen to my sister."
Everyone: ...
At the ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations, under the watchful eyes of all officials, Mu Zicheng was awarded the first place in the first class, or the top scholar.
The second place was a dark-faced man in his forties, and the third place was the suave and romantic son of Duke Cheng'en.
Mu Wanqing saw it and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. She won the bet, ten times the payoff, ten thousand times a hundred thousand, not bad.
When the officials were appointed, the second and third place winners both entered the Hanlin Academy, but the first place winner was appointed as the director of the Xiliang Kapok Promotion Office.
The Mumian Tizhusi was the newest government office, with four Tizhusi set up across the country under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue.
Everyone was stunned. Normally, the top scorer would be appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, a sixth-rank position. The second and third place winners would be appointed as editors in the Hanlin Academy, a seventh-rank position.
But it doesn't make sense that Mu Zicheng would become an official in the local area.
Moreover, the director of the Kapok Administration Department was of the fifth rank, but local officials were half a rank lower than officials in Beijing. Was this considered a promotion in name only and a demotion in reality? Or was it to avoid the taboo of brothers and sisters serving in the same court?
But no matter what, this matter has become a foregone conclusion.
Everyone's eyes were focused only on Mu Zicheng, but they did not notice the other imperial edicts. The names of the Mu family members were on the appointment orders of the other three Kapok Promotion Offices.
They are not the main officers and are not conspicuous.
When Mu Wanqing saw them off, she gave each of them a set of planting secrets and promised that she would send them experienced farmers and technicians.
He also found several legal advisors with good character and ability to assist them in their official duties.
Okay, with Mu Wanqing's support, they are heading towards the future with full confidence.
There was nothing to worry about Mu Zicheng returning to Xiliang. Mu Wanqing prepared a bunch of things for him to bring to his parents.
"Sister, I am really worried about leaving you alone in the capital."
Mu Wanqing said calmly, "I have 2,000 Qingping troops."
She is the person with the most private armed forces, and of course, she has reported this to the emperor.
Mu Zicheng: ...Okay, he forgot.
Du Shaoxuan will also go back with us this time, Xiliang cannot do without him.
His face was full of reluctance, "Wanqing, you must be careful in everything. If you have any difficulties, go to the Queen Mother. I have already informed her."
Mu Wanqing pursed her lips and said, "Got it. Tell Master Du my regards. The names are already on the gifts. Just send them out accordingly."
"Okay, you..." Du Shaoxuan looked at her eagerly, "Nothing else to say?"
Mu Wanqing looked at his eager eyes and felt a little soft in her heart, "Have a good trip."
Du Shaoxuan was extremely disappointed, "Mu Wanqing, you are such a heartless woman."
Mu Wanqing took out a brocade box and said with a smile, "It seems that this farewell gift cannot be given away..."
Du Shaoxuan snatched the brocade box away and said, "It's mine."
Mu Wanqing's mouth twitched, what a childish guy.
Du Shaoxuan's heart was filled with sadness and sorrow. "I will write you a letter every day, and you must reply in time."
"Every day? I think one letter a month is enough." Anyway, Mu Wanqing doesn't have that much free time.
"What do you care about me?"
Mu Wanqing indulged helplessly, "Alright, do whatever you want. It's getting late, let's go quickly, or we'll have to sleep outdoors."
Du Shaoxuan hesitated for a long time, then suddenly opened his arms and hugged Mu Wanqing, and Mu Wanqing's body stiffened.
"Du Shaoxuan."
Du Shaoxuan whispered in her ear, "I'll wait for you, always and forever."
It was not until Mu Zicheng came over to pull him that Du Shaoxuan had to let go. He turned over and mounted the horse. He looked at her deeply, raised the whip, and galloped away.
Mu Wanqing watched the convoy gradually disappear from her sight, feeling lost and sighing softly. She hated separation the most.
She was depressed for two days, but soon her busy work absorbed all her attention.
"County Lady, tomorrow is the school's military training performance. Everything is ready and parents have received invitations. Don't forget to attend on time."
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