Now that I am the village head personally appointed by the emperor, although I may have some real power, I don't need to be too humble.
Eunuch Zhang smiled and nodded, praising, "It's well-used! Guzhuangkou, where the Lady of Yongning lives, is truly a land of outstanding people and beautiful women. Not only has it produced such a beautiful person as you, but even the food is top-notch! This peach blossom wine is absolutely divine!"
Gu Lili almost burst out laughing when she heard Zhang Gonggong's praise.
This was the first time I had ever heard someone compliment my beauty.
Sure enough, if someone is in a certain position, there will naturally be plenty of people trying to flatter them.
Zhang Gonggong said that he really wasn't flattering anyone, and that he was being wrongly accused.
The Gu Lili before me was dressed in a light blue outfit, which made her complexion appear even whiter.
Her big eyes blinked brightly. Although she was only thirteen or fourteen years old, it was already clear that she would grow up to be a beauty.
Gu Lili rarely looks in the mirror. Recently, she has been eating better, and her face has become fuller.
In addition, with the high-end skincare products she bought from her own space, her skin is now completely different from when she first transmigrated.
"You flatter me, Eunuch Zhang! If you like the peach blossom wine, why not take some back to the capital?" Gu Lili asked.
Gu Lili and her friends finished their homemade peach blossom wine today, but Gu Lili can buy some more from her spatial storage.
The peach blossom wine they brewed just happens to be one that doesn't keep for very long.
When Zhang Gonggong heard what Gu Lili said, the smile in his eyes widened even more.
He found the wine quite good; having served the Emperor for so many years, he understood the Emperor's preferences.
If this wine were offered to the Emperor, he would surely be delighted.
With a smile, Eunuch Zhang said, "Then I'll have to trouble Princess Yongning."
While Magistrate Yang and the village head were enjoying the scenery by the stream, Eunuch Zhang was led around by the county magistrate and the village headman. Gu Lili then turned around to prepare something to give to Eunuch Zhang.
This plague was brought by that freezing rain. According to Eunuch Zhang, his prescription saved many people.
Therefore, there must be many other places that will also experience reduced grain production this year, just like them.
Food is the most important thing for people. A reduction in grain production will definitely cause unrest and turmoil among the people.
Gu Lili had studied history before, and she knew that during famines, the whole country would be in chaos.
So when Gu Lili bought wine from the system, she also bought some sweet potatoes.
She planned to have Eunuch Zhang present the sweet potato to the Emperor so that the Emperor would recommend it.
Sweet potatoes are not only easy to grow, but they are also filling and high-yielding.
Gu Lili only went into the kitchen for a short while, and when she came out, she was already carrying a lot of sweet potatoes.
Gu Lili specially bought peach blossom wine with very simple and rustic packaging so that it wouldn't arouse suspicion.
Actually, there was another reason why Gu Lili was so eager to give Zhang Gonggong peach blossom wine.
She figured that such delicious wine would surely be presented to the Emperor by Eunuch Zhang to curry favor.
If even the Emperor thinks this tastes good, then their peach blossom wine must be incredibly popular.
Alcohol is the same as modern alcohol, and having celebrities endorse it has the same effect.
Moreover, the cost that Gu Lili has to pay is much lower than that of hiring a celebrity, or even negligible.
Gu Erniu, who was waiting outside the door, was already used to it and helped Gu Lili move the things to Zhang Gonggong and the others.
“Father-in-law, these are sweet potatoes that my siblings and I found in the mountains. Father brought them back before, saying they are grain from the border region, very high-yielding, and can help us fight off famine. Please help me present these to the Emperor as a way of repaying the Emperor for bestowing upon me the title of Township Head,” Gu Lili said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Zhang was almost amused by Gu Lili's words.
Having served in this position for so many years, this is the first time I've ever heard of someone wanting to repay the Emperor's kindness.
However, seeing the unassuming sweet potato in Gu Lili's hand, Eunuch Zhang still solemnly nodded and accepted it.
This concerns the people's livelihood. If what Gu Lili said is true, then this sweet potato will surely please the Emperor even more than peach blossom wine.
The village head and Grandpa Zhang chatted happily for a short while, and in just a quarter of an hour, they became close friends.
Although this eunuch was someone close to the emperor, he had no airs whatsoever.
The village head also prepared many local specialties for Grandpa Zhang.
Because Eunuch Zhang had to rush back to Beijing, he did not stay any longer.
After accepting the gifts, he went straight back to Beijing.
Watching Eunuch Zhang leave, Magistrate Yang also prepared to get up and take his leave.
"Your Excellency, please wait!" Gu Lili quickly called out.
He was able to obtain the title of Lord of Yongning Township because of Magistrate Yang.
Gu Lili has always been one to repay kindness with kindness and to avenge wrongs with wrongs.
Magistrate Yang turned around and looked at Gu Lili with curiosity, saying, "I wonder if Princess Yongning has something to say to me?"
Now Gu Lili has become a seventh-rank village head, while Magistrate Yang is still only a ninth-rank magistrate.
Therefore, it is necessary to bow in front of Gu Lili now.
That's why Gu Lili wanted to repay Magistrate Yang.
If Magistrate Yang had kept the prescription for himself, he would have been promoted and made a fortune right now, but he didn't.
Moreover, he himself only provided the prescription; it was Magistrate Yang who actually put the prescription into practice.
Gu Lili felt that Magistrate Yang's contributions far outweighed her own.
Gu Lili took out the two hundred taels of gold that the Emperor had just bestowed upon her and said, "Magistrate Yang, I am able to be granted the title of Township Head today, all thanks to you. I don't know how to repay you, so I hope you will accept these two hundred taels of gold."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Yang quickly waved his hand and said, "Princess, the prescription is yours to begin with. I am an official appointed by the imperial court and receive a salary from the court. It is only right that I do anything for the people. Please accept this gold!"
From the day Magistrate Yang took office, he secretly vowed in his heart that he must be a public official who serves the country and its people.
Only in this way can one avoid disappointing the emperor's expectations and the salary the court has given him.
In his eyes, everything he does is his duty.
The fact that Gu Lili was granted the title of Township Lady by the Emperor was something Magistrate Yang had not expected.
However, he was genuinely happy for this little girl.
Gu Lili felt somewhat ashamed by Magistrate Yang's words. If she really handed over the gold in her hand to Magistrate Yang, it would indeed be an insult to his noble character.
Gu Lili said with some guilt, "Magistrate, it was my fault. I shouldn't have insulted you with this stench of money."
"Haha, Your Excellency is too kind. But if Your Excellency really wants to give me something, could you also give me a few bottles of peach blossom wine?" Magistrate Yang said jokingly, noticing the discrepancy.
This wine is really delicious; I think my wife will really enjoy it.
When Gu Lili gave it to Eunuch Zhang just now, he wanted to ask for it back, but he didn't know how to ask.
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