Chapter 456 Shen Lanxi's Solution to the Grain Seed Problem!
Now that things have come to this, countless eyes are waiting for him to make a statement, and perhaps the two traitors far away in Shu and Ganzhou are also waiting to see him make a fool of himself.
Thinking of this, Emperor Renxiao felt his blood surge again.
"Zhou Yunhui cannot be allowed to live. Find someone to make things look good; we cannot tarnish the royal family's reputation!"
Wang Bao: "Yes!"
The following day, news spread from the Dali Temple that Shen Shuniang's son had insulted the princess, committing treason and being imprisoned in death row, to be executed in the autumn. The Zhang family, including three clans, was exiled to Dongchuan!
Immediately afterwards, news came from the Duke of Huguo's mansion that the princess was filled with shame and indignation. After hearing with her own ears the punishment of the traitor, she dismissed everyone and hanged herself in her room with a white silk ribbon.
Since her eldest son was arrested, Shen Shuniang has been kneeling at the gate of the Duke of Huguo's mansion.
The gates of the Duke of Huguo's mansion remained tightly shut, and no matter how much she cried and pleaded, no one came out. After the verdict was handed down, the officials from the Dali Temple came to arrest her.
The sound of weeping was deafening at the gate of the Duke's mansion. Before long, Shen Shuniang and her child were bound in chains and taken away.
Everyone in the Shen family was sitting in the main hall; even the ailing old lady was carried out.
An imperial edict was secretly delivered from the palace, bestowing honors upon Shen Yuanxin, allowing Shen Congwen to enter the court, and lifting the ban on male members of the Shen family from taking the imperial examinations. It was also stated that all sons of the Shen family could participate in the next imperial examination!
The imperial edict contained not a single word of criticism; it was clearly intended to appease the people.
After all, it was a royal princess who committed the disgraceful act.
The Shen family members harbored resentment towards the royal family, but dared not utter a single word of it; they could only respectfully accept the imperial decree.
"The princess died in the Shen family. Eldest son, go to court tomorrow and ask how the funeral should be held."
Madam Shen mustered her strength and said one sentence.
The death of a princess brought benefits to their household, but it was pitiful that her daughter was implicated by that wicked beast and had to suffer the pain of exile.
She knew Dongchuan all too well. Without help or backing, she wouldn't be able to survive there.
Madam Shen covered her face and began to cry.
“Mother, Shen Shuniang has already severed ties with our family. This time, her son has committed such a disgraceful act. It is already a great fortune that our Shen family has not been implicated. Don’t be too sad,” Shen Congyi advised coldly.
Shen Congwen: "Mother, I will have someone make arrangements to ensure that your family arrives in Dongchuan safely."
Old Madam Shen cried even harder, gasping for breath, looking as if she was about to faint again.
She was overthinking things. She only thought about how harsh and cold Dongchuan was, but forgot that the road to Dongchuan was not safe either, and her daughter's family might not even survive to reach Dongchuan.
"Grandmother, please don't cry. If others hear this, they might think we're dissatisfied with His Majesty's arrangements," Shen Yuantang said, glancing around with great apprehension.
The others also realized what was happening and quickly tried to dissuade him.
"Mother, you haven't implicated us and have even bestowed rewards upon us; that's already an act of kindness."
"We can't let word get out that we're unhappy with the arrangements!"
Shen Congwen was able to enter the court again, and he completely changed his previous dejected state, beginning to seriously study the ways of being an official.
"At this time, our whole family must be careful with our words and actions."
"If anyone asks how the princess died, you must insist that she committed suicide out of shame and indignation."
As for whether it was suicide, the whole family knows the answer.
The palace eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict left the edict without even reading it aloud and went to the princess's residence.
After the eunuch left, news spread that the princess had committed suicide.
It can only be said that the royal family values face but disregards familial ties.
If they can kill their own daughter without hesitation, what chance do they have against unrelated people like them?
On his first day of court, Shen Congwen was stopped by Wang Bao as soon as he reached the palace gate.
"How can Your Excellency, who is not at home presiding over the princess's funeral, still have the mind to attend court?"
"Everyone knows that the princess committed suicide to preserve her reputation, setting a good example for women. Your household cannot allow the princess to leave in such a shabby manner!"
Having made his point, Wang Bao turned and walked away with a stiff face.
Shen Congwen carefully pondered the meaning behind the words. After returning home, he immediately dealt with the women in the room and then began to hold a grand funeral for Zhou Yunhui.
Since returning to his residence, Shen Yuanxin has locked himself in his room and refused to come out. Shen Congwen then ordered him to remain under house arrest.
Shen Yuanxin did not appear until the princess's funeral, his face gaunt and looking as if he had aged ten years.
Five days later, the small cabinet.
"The request to establish a crown prince was suppressed. The officials who submitted the memorial were quietly dealt with."
The results of the test are in: His Majesty is unwilling to appoint a crown prince.
"His Majesty is in good health. Let's discuss the matter of establishing a crown prince later!"
All three regents nodded.
While dealing with these events, the Yue Kingdom envoys left discreetly.
Most of the mass graves in the mountains and forests are now waiting for the free grain seeds that Shen Lanxi mentioned. This morning at the court session, the people from the Ministry of Revenue were the first to make trouble.
"Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has yet to see a single grain of the grain that Lord Shen promised."
The Ministry of Works official then added, "Lord Shen previously ordered us to improve the farm tools, but no one has come to receive them."
An official from the Ministry of Rites said, "If we wait any longer, we will completely miss the farming season. Where will we get the surplus grain to support the surrounding areas next year?"
Ministry of Personnel: "We only see the officials on loan go out, but we don't see them return. Our Ministry of Personnel also has to deal with government affairs, so we ask Lord Shen to return them."
Ministry of War: "I agree!"
Ministry of Justice: "I agree!"
Shen Lanxi had previously removed a large number of people from their department, leaving them with no one to rely on, and the government office was almost empty.
Emperor Renxiao ordered someone to summon Shen Lanxi.
"The words you made in front of the Yue Kingdom's envoy are still fresh in my mind, as are all the officials."
Shen Lanxi dropped a bombshell: "I have already reached a friendly agreement with the envoys of the Yue Kingdom. They will provide the seeds, and our Great Zhou will be responsible for teaching them how to plant mulberry trees, raise silkworms, reel silk, and weave hemp. This exchange of benefits will result in a win-win situation for both countries!"
The main hall was completely quiet!
People from the Ministry of Revenue were the first to object.
“Silkworm breeding and cloth weaving are important sources of income for our Great Zhou. How can we teach them to other countries? Shen Lanxi, you have harmed the interests of our Great Zhou in order to achieve your goals. Your heart is despicable!”
Shen Lanxi smiled sarcastically: "You're the one who deserves to be killed. Even if my Great Zhou doesn't openly teach it, wouldn't they find other ways to obtain it?"
“Our Great Zhou has a large population and vast territory, which has both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to manage and there are always loopholes, unlike a small country where as long as the city gates are guarded and the outflow of grain can be cut off.”
That's what they said, but how could they tolerate Chen Lanxi being so arrogant?
“Shen Lanxi, you only care about the present and not the future. You are ruining the foundation of our Great Zhou!” A person from the Ministry of Works jumped out to accuse him.
Shen Lanxi: "I ensure that the people of Great Zhou have enough to eat and don't go hungry. As long as they are alive and well, the foundation of Great Zhou will remain. What's the use of holding onto silkworm rearing and silk reeling techniques if they all starve to death!"
"Or do you people in the Ministry of Works think that grain is not as important as cloth?"
The officials from the Ministry of Works were rendered speechless by the questioning and could only turn to Emperor Renxiao.
"Your Majesty, I beg you to make a decision. Shen Lanxi has utterly betrayed her ancestors and should be severely punished!"
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