Upon hearing this, Zhong Ping became anxious, "What should we do?"
“What’s the panic?” An Qingyun said dismissively. “We haven’t done anything wrong. So what if the Emperor is displeased? Court officials aren’t palace servants who can only survive by relying on the Emperor’s favor. As long as we are loyal to our duties, even if the Emperor is displeased, he won’t punish us.”
"real?"
“Of course,” An Qingyun said confidently, “otherwise, why didn’t His Majesty reprimand us today?”
"Too!"
The people in the Imperial Study were completely unaware of the two's complaints.
After mentally estimating the time, Qi Yong immediately ordered tea and snacks to be prepared. "Madam, Grand Secretary Liu, please have something to eat first."
"I never thought I'd have the chance to have tea and snacks in the Imperial Study," Liu An rubbed his face. "It's so unsettling, like I'm standing on a cloud."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan couldn't help but rub her forehead. "Does Minister Liu feel that I have mistreated you in the past?"
"This old minister would never dare," Liu An quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "I was just expressing some grievances; Your Majesty need not take them to heart."
“That’s good,” Ji Xuan nodded and continued, “Eat quickly, and we’ll continue our discussion after we’ve finished.”
"Yes, ma'am."
Jiang Nuan was really hungry, and Ji Xuan started eating immediately after she finished speaking.
After drinking a cup of tea, the three of them rinsed their mouths with the tea at the same time.
"Five hundred thousand catties of grain, that's only five catties per 100,000 people. Even if we drink porridge every day, it will only last for six or seven days. In addition, we need to discuss disaster relief. Minister Liu, do you have any suggestions?"
"On the way here, the lady told me that while food is important, we should also pay attention to epidemics and post-disaster reconstruction. I wholeheartedly agree, especially post-disaster reconstruction. It provides shelter for the affected people, which will surely win over the hearts of the people in Shu and reduce the number of displaced people."
“That makes sense,” Ji Xuan said helplessly, “but everything requires food support.”
In short, without food, you can't move an inch.
Seeing this, after hesitating for a long time, Jiang Nuan finally decided to speak up, "If we can find a way to bring forward the grain harvest time, could it alleviate the pressure on grain supplies?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan's eyes deepened. "How much time can Madam shorten?"
"By putting in all our efforts, we can compress it to within ten days."
Upon hearing this, Liu An's breath hitched. "Two months shortened to ten days?"
"Um."
Jiang Nuan didn't offer much explanation.
Too much talk leads to mistakes; the less you reveal such absurd things, the better.
“It will definitely alleviate the problem,” Liu An’s tone became enthusiastic. “With an extra month and a half, we can harvest a crop of vegetables, which will at least fill our stomachs.”
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Moreover, the land of Shu is rich in water and soil. As long as they recover from this crisis, they will find a way on their own. This month and a half is truly crucial."
“What Liu Qing said makes sense,” Ji Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. “If Madam really accomplishes this, the whole country will remember Madam’s contribution.”
“That’s not important,” Jiang Nuan sighed. “It’s good that I was able to help.”
The well water in this space has grown to its current state thanks to the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty. This time, the help is simply taking from the people and using it for the people.
However, with such a large demand, it's uncertain whether the well water will dry up completely.
Honestly, I'm very reluctant to part with it. Although this water can't exactly bring the dead back to life, it's comparable to a top-quality tonic, and it can even give plants and animals a sense of spirituality.
She couldn't bring herself to disregard the lives of hundreds of thousands of people for her own selfish reasons.
Moreover, she had a vague feeling that if she ignored it, she would definitely regret it later.
“Good,” Ji Xuan said with a rising tone. “I have instructed Qi Yong and Liu An to cooperate fully. You can tell them if you need anything.”
After saying that, he turned to the two women and said, "You two will cooperate unconditionally with the Lady Protector of the Nation. Any request you make will be fulfilled. I grant you the authority to act as you see fit."
"This servant obeys!"
After Liu An escorted Jiang Nuan back, the astonishment on his face had not yet faded. "Madam, such a miraculous event must come at a great price?"
He always felt that his wife had been preoccupied ever since she left the palace.
"Liu An," Jiang Nuan looked up, "do you remember what I said a few days ago?"
"What's wrong?" Liu An asked tentatively after realizing what was happening. "Are you feeling uneasy?"
“Yes,” Jiang Nuan nodded gently, “To be honest, after hearing the news from Shu, this unease dissipated by more than half.”
She paused, stopped, and said seriously, "Be careful in the Northwest lately; something might happen there."
After pondering for so long, Jiang Nuan had a hunch, especially after reviewing the data analysis of the last twenty years, she couldn't help but have this idea.
On the surface, the Great Zhou Dynasty is stable. However, in the past decade, it has suffered from frequent natural disasters, a declining population, and a continuous drop in grain production. Its control over its territories has gradually decreased, and its relations with neighboring countries have become increasingly strained.
Like a ship patched up everywhere, riddled with holes, it's just a storm away from sinking to the bottom of the sea.
“If it’s true,” Liu An’s expression turned serious, “the Great Zhou is indeed beset by internal and external troubles at this moment.”
“The current situation is already considered good,” Jiang Nuan said with a serious expression. “First Shandong, then Hebei, then Sichuan, and then Gandan in the northwest, which is eyeing us covetously. Don’t you feel anything?”
"Natural disasters and man-made calamities have struck one after another. This is..." Liu An's face was filled with horror, "...a sign of the downfall of the nation!"
"Shh," Jiang Nuan put her index finger to her lips, "Some things are better left unsaid."
"Understood," Liu An glanced around warily, and only relaxed slightly after seeing no one. "Madam, let's go back quickly and talk about it when we get back."
"Um!"
After the two returned, Jiang Nuan immediately made a list containing hundreds of medicinal herbs, as well as various strange and unusual items, such as cinnabar and mica.
Apart from a few essential needs, the rest are merely a smokescreen to conceal the existence of the space.
“Madam,” Liu An said, his unease growing as he received the list, “is there really no other price to pay for refining such miraculous potions?”
“Yes, there are,” Jiang Nuan said with a pained expression. “Forget about that. You should get on with your business as soon as possible and put it to use on the ground. Only when we have harvested the grain can we feel at ease.”
"But Madam..."
"I'm fine," Jiang Nuan waved her hand. "If the skin is gone, where will the hair attach? Let's clean up this mess first."
“Madam, your virtue is truly noble,” Liu An said, becoming respectful. “You possess the demeanor of an immortal, which we mortals cannot compare to.”
“It’s not as great as you make it out to be, stop flattering me,” Jiang Nuan chuckled at her words. “Let’s go, business is more important.”
Liu An hesitated for a moment, but finally gritted his teeth and took his leave, saying, "Madam, I shall take my leave now."
Although he didn't say it, Liu An didn't let it go.
I made up my mind that whatever the consequences, I would share them with them.
"Um!"
After guessing Liu An's thoughts, Jiang Nuan smiled gently.
Even if the well water in the space really dries up, she can bear the consequences.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com