Chapter 466 Trade Governor
The joyous atmosphere of the Prince of Xiaoyao's wedding had not yet dissipated when a fast-paced report from the frontier arrived in the capital on the autumn wind.
The successful implementation of the military farming system on the border, with soldiers combining farming and combat, not only solved part of the military food problem but also made the border garrison more stable.
At the same time, trade markets established with various tribes in the northern desert began to flourish. Silk, tea, and porcelain from the Central Plains were exchanged with cattle, sheep, furs, and fine horses from the northern desert. The tense atmosphere of the past was replaced by the bustling market noise, and the border gradually showed signs of stability.
After the court session, Huo Lin was in a great mood, and even the lengthy memorials that he usually found most troublesome became much more palatable.
When he returned to Weiyang Palace, Jiang Huan was at the entrance of the small kitchen instructing the maids on the menu for dinner. Her profile looked particularly gentle in the autumn sunlight.
"What's wrong? Why are you so happy? Did something good happen?"
Huo Lin stepped forward, naturally took her hand, and led her to sit down on the couch by the window.
“It is indeed good news. Your second brother’s report from the frontier has arrived. The military farms and trade markets are both showing great progress, and the frontier is gradually stabilizing.”
He briefly recounted the good news, emphasizing Xu Zhiyuan's talent and achievements.
[Quickly praise me! Quickly praise me for my discerning eye! Tell them I have the foresight to have chosen my second brother!]
[If it weren't for my strong opposition in supporting the military settlements and trade, we wouldn't be where we are today. Of course, my second brother has also lived up to expectations!]
Hearing his eager plea for praise, Jiang Huan smiled and readily complied.
"It is because His Majesty knows how to recognize and appoint capable people, and my second brother has lived up to expectations. It is also because His Majesty has made good arrangements." Although she said this, she was also genuinely proud of her second brother.
Huo Lin narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up, clearly extremely pleased.
However, although the trade has begun, a capable person is still needed to oversee the overall situation in order to ensure its long-term prosperity.
A few days later, Huo Lin issued another decree, appointing Prince Huo Yunxing as the Governor-General of Border Trade, in charge of all border trade affairs.
When the imperial decree reached the Prince of Xiaoyao's residence, Huo Yunxing almost lost his footing upon hearing it.
"What? Does that mean I have to be stationed at the border permanently? I just got married!" His handsome face fell, and he looked at Ayina beside him with a mournful expression.
Ayina's blue eyes widened, and she flicked her whip in a mock strike: "What? Is Your Highness reluctant to leave the gentle embrace of the capital, or do you feel that the sands of our northern deserts are unworthy of your noble status?"
"No, no!" Huo Yunxing quickly waved his hand, leaning closer with a fawning smile. "I just couldn't bear to part with you. The journey to the border is long and arduous. We're newlyweds; how could we be separated like this?"
Ayina raised her chin slightly, gave a soft hum, but a hint of a smile appeared in the corner of her eyes: "Who wants to be separated from you? This princess will naturally go with you. Border trade is related to the livelihood of my northern desert, and this princess can go back to supervise it."
Huo Yunxing was taken aback, then overjoyed: "Go together? That's wonderful, wonderful! I will definitely make the border trade thrive!"
He could almost see himself riding alongside a beautiful woman across the vast grasslands, jointly developing border trade—a carefree future.
When the news reached the Department of Agriculture, He Ling was recording data on a newly cultivated batch of drought-resistant wheat varieties.
Hearing of the successful border settlements and the flourishing trade, she proudly puffed out her chest, knowing that her promotion of high-yield crops and some of her farming suggestions contributed to this success.
But amidst the joy, a complex mix of emotions, like a quietly arriving autumn mist, gradually filled my heart.
A stable border and smooth trade are undoubtedly good things, but she felt a strange emptiness in a certain part of her heart.
She put down her charcoal pencil, looked at the lush green wheat seedlings in front of her, and suddenly became lost in thought.
That day, Jiang Huan, remembering He Ling's contribution and thinking about their friendship as fellow strangers, spent a long time tinkering in the small kitchen and personally prepared a table of delicious food.
Golden and crispy fried chicken cutlets, braised lion's head meatballs with rich broth, refreshing stir-fried cabbage with vinegar... and a pot of sweet wine she tried making from fruit.
When He Ling was invited to the side hall of Weiyang Palace and saw this table of dishes, her mouth almost watered.
"Your Majesty, you are truly my own sister!" She threw herself at the table without any regard for her image, took a deep breath, and the familiar yet distant fragrance inexplicably brought tears to her eyes.
Jiang Huan smiled and gestured for the servants to leave, then pulled out a chair for her: "Come and sit down. I haven't cooked anything since I started teaching the small kitchen. Come and try some."
He Ling didn't bother with formalities at all. She sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and went straight for the fried chicken cutlet.
With a crispy crack, the outer layer was crispy, while the inside was tender and juicy. Although it lacked the complex seasonings of modern times, the simple salty and savory flavor and the subtle numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns moved her to tears.
She ate with gusto, her cheeks bulging, saying, "Mmm, this is the taste! Although the ingredients are a little different, it feels just right. Your Majesty, your cooking is truly excellent."
"Eat slowly, no one will take it from you." Jiang Huan smiled and poured her some sweet wine: "This is something I tried to make with wild grapes and a few kinds of sweet fruits. I filtered it several times, so the taste may be a little bland, but it shouldn't be astringent."
The sweet wine has a refreshing fruity aroma and a mellow flavor.
The two ate and drank, chatting about trivial matters, talking about their children, and complaining about the rules in the palace. He Ling excitedly talked about the progress of her new crop experiment.
Alcohol slowly soothed my nerves and also opened the door to the deepest part of my heart.
He Ling's alcohol tolerance was clearly not very high. After a few cups of sweet wine, her face turned rosy and she became more and more talkative.
She waved the chicken bone, boasting triumphantly, "Hiccup, just you wait... wait until my new batch of wheat seeds is ready, the yield per mu will be even higher, and our Great Liang will never have another famine. I, He Ling, will also... will also be a figure who goes down in history, hehe..."
Jiang Huan listened with a smile and served her some food: "Yes, yes, you're the best."
After drinking two more glasses, He Ling's waving arms slowly drooped down.
She put down her chopsticks, her eyes somewhat unfocused as she gazed at the flickering candlelight on the table, its warm glow seeming to melt away something solid.
Suddenly, out of the blue, she said, "Your Majesty, this braised lion's head meatballs today taste just like my mom's... She always complains that I'm fat, but she always makes this for me, saying that studying is too much for my brain and I need to eat more."
She shook her increasingly heavy head, trying to dispel the drunkenness and the rising bitterness, but her gaze became more and more unfocused.
"Actually, it's pretty good here. I have a career, friends, the emperor doesn't bother me, and I'm quite happy farming..."
As she spoke, her voice gradually choked up. Suddenly, she reached out and hugged Jiang Huan tightly, burying her face in her shoulder. Tears instantly soaked a small patch of her clothes.
"But... Waaah... Your Majesty, I miss home so much! I miss my parents, I miss that milk tea shop downstairs where there's always a line, I miss my phone..."
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