Fortunately, in the following ten years, the Great Zhou Dynasty had the government-raised funds and national funds proposed by Su Yiren, and the Ministry of Revenue also cleared the national treasury, which made the entire Great Zhou treasury operate smoothly.
Even if localized, small-scale natural disasters occur, the national treasury can provide timely support and liquidity.
However, the Ministry of Revenue's Agriculture Department has been studying the grain varieties that once yielded a thousand catties per mu, hoping to grow high-yield grains again.
Unfortunately, nothing came of it.
Some officials also asked the emperor how the grain seeds were obtained back then.
The emperor believed it was a stroke of luck that he had received help from a remarkable person, which resolved the crisis in the southern border.
Unexpectedly, things have turned out differently now...
Could it be that Her Majesty the Empress also received help from a remarkable person?
Not only can it yield a thousand catties per mu, but in the prosperous Jiangnan region, it can even reach two thousand catties per mu?!
Some officials began to question the Empress's intentions in presenting the grain seeds, wondering if she was trying to gain influence over the court.
At this moment, the Grand Preceptor, who had not attended court for a long time, suddenly appeared.
He burst into laughter as soon as he stepped into the palace gate, "Last night I observed the celestial phenomena and found that the Phoenix Star next to the Imperial Star was shining brightly. I knew then that the best fortune for the Great Zhou Dynasty was about to arrive! With the Emperor and Empress joining hands, we will surely create another century of prosperity for the Great Zhou!"
Officials: ...
Their expressions were all indescribable.
Can we please stop this self-promotion and self-praise during the morning court session?
Nowadays, who in the world doesn't know that the emperor and empress are both disciples taught by the Grand Preceptor?
Just by looking at how the country's fortunes improved after the crown prince, who was clearly unlucky, ascended the throne, and how Su Youchen, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, was promoted six ranks in three years, it's clear that the Grand Preceptor's disciples are all extraordinary.
Even though the Empress was the Imperial Advisor's disciple, she was still a woman, and no one had ever imagined that she could achieve anything.
Who would have thought that the Empress would not act unless she had to, and that her act would involve such an astonishing amount of grain seeds?
What exactly does she want to do?
For a moment, all the officials looked at the Imperial Preceptor and the Emperor and Empress with a strange sense of speculation.
Fortunately, Su Youchen was not in court.
If they were there, all four of them would have to endure the baptism of this eerie gaze.
The most bizarre look was the gaze directed at Chu Heng.
Chu Heng remained silent for a moment before speaking, "My dear ministers, there is no need to panic or speculate. The Empress's actions are merely out of compassion for the suffering of the people of our Great Zhou, and the fact that our border soldiers have never had enough to eat. That is why she has brought out the grain seeds that she has painstakingly researched for many years. Moreover, the Empress's actions are not intended to benefit herself alone, but rather to benefit the entire world in the name of the Emperor and Empress. Even if the people are loyal to her, they are loyal to me. The Empress has absolutely no ulterior motives."
His words were so blunt that the assembled officials looked at each other in bewilderment, unsure whether they should voice their last remaining doubts.
Wu Wang laughed again, "I've said it before, my disciple, the Empress, is a lucky star. It's hard for others to even share in her good fortune. Now that she's offering her grain seeds to benefit the world, what are you all hesitating for?!"
At this moment, an imperial censor finally stepped forward, speaking with righteous indignation, "Your Majesty, Grand Preceptor, our Great Zhou Dynasty has never allowed the empress to interfere in politics. If Her Majesty the Empress had obtained these excellent grain seeds earlier, why didn't she use them to benefit the people? Or perhaps she could have presented them directly to Your Majesty? Why must she broadcast this throughout the world in the name of the Emperor and Empress? It is easier to dam a river than to suppress the people's voices. This humble servant cannot help but believe that Her Majesty the Empress's actions are smack of trying to win over the hearts of the people!"
Chu Heng stared intently, narrowed his eyes, and sat up straight. "So it's Lord Zheng from the Duke of Ying's mansion."
You Ran was closest to him and immediately sensed a sudden change in his aura.
The gentle and peaceful feeling she had previously experienced had vanished, replaced by a cold and terrifying aura.
You Ran noticed that all the officials in the court, except for her own master, had shrunk in stature, as if they were quite used to Chu Heng's change in aura.
Perhaps this is his usual powerful aura.
Imperial Censor Zheng's legs immediately trembled, and he knelt down with a thud, his head hitting the floor tiles. His voice trembled as he asked, "Your Majesty, does the Empress also intend to attend court every day?"
Chu Heng slowly uttered in a cold voice, "Why not?"
"Your Majesty!" Imperial Censor Zheng's voice was filled with immense fear.
You Ran felt the occasional glances from the hundreds of heads below, all seemingly carrying a condemnation of "beauty ruining the country." She then used her sleeve to cover her eyes, pinched his fingertips, smiled slightly, and said, "Everyone, there's no need to panic. I've never been interested in ruling the country; otherwise, I wouldn't have run away from the Crown Prince for five years out of spite."
The ministers were all speechless; it was indeed so.
You Ran continued, "But now, the Emperor and I are husband and wife, and we are responsible for the people of the world. So I thought that we should share good things with the people. Agriculture is the foundation of the Great Zhou. If these grain seeds can be spread throughout the five lakes and four wastelands of the Great Zhou as quickly as possible, the people will be rich and well-fed, and there may even be surplus grain to sell to the Western Barbarians and Southern Yue, so as to relieve the suffering of war on the border of our Great Zhou."
"I do have ulterior motives in wanting to spread this message in the name of the Emperor and Empress. Firstly, if the names of the Emperor and Empress become known throughout the land, the Emperor would have to think twice before abandoning his wife who has shared his hardships, wouldn't he?"
The ministers: ...
Wait, did you change the topic so quickly? We're a little out of sync!
"Secondly, as you all know, I am skilled in medicine. Although Renji Medical Hall is a comprehensive medical hall, it is known for its specialization in treating pediatric diseases for young women. In the future, I also want to open a special pediatric clinic for young women to encourage them to learn medicine and treat illnesses. If I am well-known and set an example, wouldn't it be twice as effective to carry out this task?"
The expressions on the ministers' faces softened.
"Thirdly, my mother has already set a good example. My actions are also intended to achieve great things for the world as a woman, to tell the people that women can also hold up half the sky. If women can step out of the inner palace and get involved in all walks of life, they may very well achieve something great. Isn't this a good thing for our Great Zhou?"
The ministers all showed expressions of shock.
It's hard to imagine my own weak and helpless wives and concubines leaving the mansion to work with men!
Ye An, from the Ministry of Revenue, stroked his beard and stepped forward. "Your Majesty the Empress is right. Your mother, Lady Su, remains the only female official in our court. She has advised the Ministry of Revenue for so many years, and you all know how many predicaments she has resolved. This old minister wholeheartedly supports Your Majesty's decision to assume the regency!"
"I second that proposal—" Chief Minister Lin immediately stood up to support his granddaughter.
"I second that proposal—" Lu Ning, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, also stepped forward.
"I second that proposal—" Several other ministers also stepped forward.
Chu Heng slightly subdued his aura, clearly somewhat satisfied.
You Ran waved her hand helplessly, "There's no need for me to rule from behind the curtain; I find it too troublesome."
The ministers: ...
You Ran continued, "I will only request to attend court when there is something urgent to discuss with the Emperor. We can discuss the matter directly."
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