All of this is due to the seed-soaking technique developed by Lady Hui, which eradicates disease, promotes germination, and establishes seedbeds... resulting in such a bountiful rice harvest... Lady Hui, from inventing agricultural tools... to developing earthen pits, and now this seed-soaking technique that ensures high yields, is wholeheartedly devoted to the people and relieves the burdens of our Great Yin Dynasty... Therefore, as a Fifth-Rank Lady, I hereby bestow upon her one hundred taels of gold, one hundred bolts of silk, one hundred acres of fertile land, a gold hairpin with pearls... and a Fifth-Rank Lady's seal... So be it!"
Lord Liang raised his head, his face full of disbelief. What! This Lady Hui had actually jumped from the seventh rank to the fifth rank. He had worked diligently in this official position for more than ten years and had only been promoted to the sixth rank. In order to climb higher, he did not hesitate to send troops to plunder and suppress Linjia Village.
However, now is not the time for him to dwell on this. Lady Hui is now a fifth-rank official and has an official seal, which means that Lady Hui has the right to directly submit memorials and remonstrances to the Emperor.
Few ladies in the entire court possessed such a status. Most importantly, the imperial edict was delivered by Eunuch Qi, who served the Emperor. This proved that Lady Hui had gained the Emperor's favor, far surpassing a lowly seventh-rank lady. She would write a memorial impeaching him and have Eunuch Qi take it back; then he would be finished!
Thinking of this, Lord Liang's face grew increasingly pale, and he suddenly felt terrified.
At this moment, Song Anxin was extremely happy. Who wouldn't like a promotion, especially one that involved a two-level promotion?
She respectfully accepted the imperial edict, bowed in the direction of the capital, and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor! Long live the Emperor!"
The people kneeling below, except for Lord Liang's group, were all overjoyed. Aunt Lin had actually been promoted again! Good heavens! A fifth-rank official! That's higher than the county magistrate. That corrupt official shouldn't be able to bully Aunt Lin's family anymore.
Unexpectedly, the joy was not over yet. After Song Anxin received the imperial edict, Eunuch Qi received another imperial edict from a young eunuch.
Is Lin Fengnian from Linjia Village here?
Everyone looked up, completely bewildered. Lin Fengnian, kneeling below, quickly said:
"This humble citizen is here."
"Lin Fengnian, hear the decree!" Eunuch Qi opened the imperial edict: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Lin Fengnian, a resident of Linjia Village in Ningdu County, has led Linjia Village in improving and implementing various fertilizer and water systems... and researching new methods of rice cultivation... making Linjia Village's rice yield per mu the highest in the entire dynasty... Therefore, he is hereby exceptionally granted the title of Eighth-Rank Agricultural Commissioner, bestowed with official robes and hat, and awarded one hundred mu of fertile land... It is hoped that Lin Fengnian will continue to cultivate agriculture diligently and continuously refine his skills... to share the burdens of our Great Yin Dynasty. This is the imperial decree!"
Lin Fengnian knelt there, completely stunned. His mouth was agape, and he looked utterly shocked.
He... he's become an official!?
Not only Lin Fengnian, but everyone kneeling below was also shocked.
Lord Liang felt even more resentful. How could it be so easy for the Hui Ru family members to get promoted? Why did he have to suffer like this?
Eunuch Qi said with a smile, "Minister Lin, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and accept the imperial decree."
Lin Fengnian then realized what was happening, and trembling, he crawled over to receive the imperial decree. He then imitated his mother by kneeling and bowing towards the capital, banging his head several times: "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your great grace! Long live the Emperor!"
After reading the imperial edict, Eunuch Qi smiled and said, "Alright, the imperial edict has been read. Everyone, please rise."
The villagers then came to their senses and burst into a loud cheer.
"Ah!... Fengnian, you've become an official! You've actually become an official! Oh my, how happy Erzhu and his parents-in-law will be in heaven to see this!"
Sister-in-law Lin was so excited and happy that tears welled up in her eyes.
"Our Linjia Village actually produced two officials! Wow, our Linjia Village is really doing well! Our ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke..."
Lin Lizheng was so happy that he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet.
"Your Majesty is wise, Your Majesty is wise... I never imagined that we peasants could become officials through farming! A bumper harvest, you are truly amazing..."
"......."
Lin Fengnian was surrounded by his family and villagers, and he couldn't hide his joy.
Song Anxin's lips also turned up. Feng Nian usually studied farming diligently, experimented with various methods, and carefully recorded and compared them. This official position was earned by Feng Nian through his own abilities. She was genuinely happy for Feng Nian, even happier than if she herself had been promoted.
Grandpa Qi was also infected by the villagers' joy, and his smile widened as he said, "Congratulations to Lady Hui and Minister Lin! Your Lin Family Village really produces capable people!"
Magistrate Yan stepped forward and laughed heartily, "That's right, Lady Hui. Congratulations on your promotion, and congratulations on the addition of another official to your family. Lady Hui's sons are all quite capable."
Eunuch Qi exclaimed in surprise, "This Lin Nongshi is actually the son of Lady Huiyi!" Then he said with an expression of understanding, "No wonder, no wonder. Lady Huiyi is so young and talented, and her son is so outstanding. He will surely serve the Great Yin Dynasty for a long time and bring more benefits to the people. I will go back and tell His Majesty. His Majesty will be very happy."
The memorials submitted only discussed achievements without specifically mentioning relationships.
Song Anxin said modestly, "Eunuch Qi, you flatter me. I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's bestowal of such honors upon my family. Eunuch Qi has come all the way from the capital, and you must be tired from your journey. If you and everyone else don't mind, why don't you stay for a meal at my house and rest for the night before setting off again?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Lizheng came over and said, "Yes, we are going to hold a big banquet. This is a double celebration for you and Fengnian, who are both being promoted. This Eunuch Qi, thank you for coming all the way to our Lin Family Village to announce this good news. You must stay so we can properly entertain you. And you must stay as well, Magistrate."
Lin Lizheng was so excited that he completely forgot his fear of officials and only wanted to entertain them well.
Having spent so long in the palace, it was rare to see someone so warm and simple. He smiled and said, "This must be the village head of Linjia Village. Your village is so united that you have achieved the highest yield per mu in the entire Li Dynasty. The Emperor has naturally not forgotten you and has rewarded your village with a thousand mu of land."
"Yes, Linjia Village has also contributed this time. I will send someone to allocate land to your village shortly," said Magistrate Yan.
Lin Li was feeling shocked again. What?! Their village also received a reward? Wow, their village must be the first village in the entire dynasty to be rewarded by the emperor.
Lin Lizheng suddenly felt unsteady on his feet, and the villagers were even more excited when they heard this.
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