Winter of the thirteenth year of the reign of Emperor Qianlong
After several years of implementation, the new policy is showing results.
The imperial examination system gradually replaced hereditary recommendation, allowing scholars from humble backgrounds to enter officialdom and distinguish themselves.
New officials have been appointed in various prefectures and counties. They are young, energetic, and unafraid of powerful families, changing the stagnant state of the officialdom of the past.
At the same time, the imperial court's control over local areas became increasingly solid.
Lu Nancheng was overjoyed and adopted Lu Jingze's suggestion, ordering officials from all over the country to return to the capital regularly to report on their work. Those with outstanding performance would be promoted or transferred, ensuring that the capable were placed in their positions.
On this day, in the study of Prince Jing's mansion, Wang Xiuxiu was looking through the reports submitted from various places when she suddenly exclaimed "Eh!"
"What's wrong?" Lu Jingze put down his teacup and looked up at her.
Wang Xiuxiu pointed to one of the memorials and said with a smile, "Luo Qiyou!"
Lu Jingze's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained unchanged: "Oh? What did he do?"
"During his tenure, he rectified official corruption, surveyed land, and promoted new agricultural tools, which increased local tax revenue by 30%," Wang Xiuxiu exclaimed. "What's even more remarkable is that in his policy proposals, he put forward the strategy of 'using commerce to supplement agriculture,' suggesting that the court establish government-run commercial firms in various places, which could both regulate the supply of goods and increase tax revenue, achieving two goals at once."
Lu Jingze gave a faint "hmm" and didn't reply.
Wang Xiuxiu didn't notice his odd behavior and continued flipping through the pages. She then laughed and said, "There's another one here who's equally famous! He's not bad either. Although he's not as outstanding as Luo Qiyou, he's quite capable in governing the area."
She closed the memorial and sighed, "Back in the academy, the two of them were already very ambitious, and they have certainly not disappointed us now."
Lu Jingze tapped his fingertips lightly on the table and suddenly said, "His Majesty has issued an edict summoning Luo Qiyou back to the capital ahead of schedule to report on his duties."
"What?" Wang Xiuxiu was taken aback, then her eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Lu Jingze said calmly, "I only received the news today and haven't had a chance to say anything yet."
Wang Xiuxiu looked at him suspiciously: "Really?"
Lu Jingze remained expressionless: "Of course."
Wang Xiuxiu snorted and muttered, "I think you did it on purpose."
Lu Jingze raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean by 'deliberately'?"
"You deliberately didn't tell me!" Wang Xiuxiu pouted. "Are you afraid that if I see him, I'll be reminded of what happened before?"
Lu Jingze's gaze darkened, but he did not deny it.
Seeing this, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Lu Jingze, how old are you? Why are you still jealous of this old stuff?"
Lu Jingze snorted and reached out to pinch her cheek: "Who told you to almost risk your life for him back then?"
Wang Xiuxiu slapped his hand away and laughed, "That was so many years ago! Now I only have eyes for you and in my heart, why are you still bothered by these things?"
Lu Jingze stared at her for a long time, then suddenly sighed, pulled her into his arms, and whispered, "I'm not holding a grudge, I just... don't want you to remember those bad memories again."
Wang Xiuxiu leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and said softly, "It's all in the past. Now Brother Luo is a pillar of the court, and you are my husband. The past is like smoke, why bring it up again?"
Lu Jingze tightened his arms, rested his chin on the top of her head, and said in a low voice, "Then when you see him, I have to be there."
Wang Xiuxiu chuckled: "Alright, alright, you jealous prince."
---
Three days later, Luo Qiyou entered the palace to meet the emperor.
In the hall, Emperor Lu Nancheng looked at the young officials bowing respectfully below and nodded with satisfaction.
"Rise, Minister Luo."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Luo Qiyou stood up and bowed his head.
He now wears an indigo official robe, his posture is upright, his face is handsome, and the sharpness of his youth has been replaced by a sense of composure and restraint.
Lu Nancheng smiled and said, "I am already aware of your achievements during your tenure, which greatly pleases me."
Luo Qiyou cupped his hands and said, "I dare not take credit. It is all thanks to Your Majesty's wise new policies that I have been able to make a difference."
Lu Nancheng laughed heartily: "You are too modest, my dear minister."
He paused, then said, "I have observed that your policy of 'using commerce to supplement agriculture' in your essay is quite insightful. Would you be willing to elaborate on it?"
Luo Qiyou calmly replied, “Your Majesty, I believe that agriculture is the foundation of the nation and commerce is its lifeblood. Currently, the products of various regions are unevenly distributed. If we could establish government-run trading companies in prefectures and counties to facilitate the exchange of goods, it would not only stabilize prices but also increase tax revenue, which would benefit both the nation and its people.”
Lu Nancheng nodded repeatedly, "Your thoughts coincide with hers."
Just as Lu Nancheng was about to ask another question, a palace attendant came to report: "His Highness Prince Jing, accompanied by his concubine, requests an audience."
"Announce."
A short while later, Lu Jingze and Wang Xiuxiu entered side by side.
Luo Qiyou turned and bowed, his gaze pausing slightly when it met Wang Xiuxiu's, before returning to normal.
"Your subject pays respects to His Highness Prince Jing and His Highness the Consort."
Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar face before her, Wang Xiuxiu was filled with mixed emotions, but she only smiled slightly.
Lu Jingze stood beside her, his gaze sweeping lightly over Luo Qiyou, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Lord Luo, your charm is even greater than before."
Luo Qiyou replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Highness flatters me."
Lu Nancheng looked at the three of them with great interest, and suddenly smiled and said, "Since Jingze and Xiuxiu are here, why don't we listen to Luo Aiqing's insightful opinion?"
Wang Xiuxiu smiled and said, "Your Majesty has given the order, and I will obey."
Lu Jingze nodded in agreement: "Your subject is all ears."
Luo Qiyou took a deep breath, composed himself, and began to elaborate on his political views.
The sun shone brightly outside the hall, and a gentle breeze carried a faint fragrance of flowers.
As Wang Xiuxiu listened to his eloquent speech, she felt as if she had returned to Nanshu Lane in Yongzhou many years ago, where that spirited young man had also spoken of his ambitions with such high spirits.
But now, things have changed, and they have all gone down different paths.
She quietly turned her head and glanced at Lu Jingze beside her.
The man seemed to sense something, lowered his eyes to meet her gaze, his eyes filled with unwavering tenderness.
Wang Xiuxiu smiled and gently took his hand.
—The past cannot be retrieved, but the future is still promising.
It's good as it is now.
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