Chapter 1158: Stockpiling Grain (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
"Really not?"
Shen Tang's expression darkened slightly as she confirmed with Qin Li again.
If Xu Wenzhu doesn't even know Qin Li, he's truly remarkable.
Qin Li noticed something amiss in Shen Tang's tone and expression, and hesitated whether to bring up the matter of marrying into the family. After much thought, he still mentioned it, using tactful language: "Wen Zhu seems to have something on his mind lately."
"What's on your mind? What's on your mind?"
"Marriages among the clan's children."
Upon hearing this, Shen Tang knew that this matter had come to fruition, and said in a deep voice, "Marriage among the clan's members? Hmph, could this clan member be Xu Wenshi? What is Xu Wenzhu thinking? Doesn't he know that forcing a marriage won't be happy?"
Xu Jie not only forced him, but also tried to twist him out of shape.
He thought Gong Xichou was someone easy to bully.
Qin Li carefully listened and noticed something unusual.
So the emperor and his minister began to reconcile the accounts.
I didn't realize it until I saw the pair, and I was shocked.
Qin Li: "Isn't it that Xu Wenshi is fond of Gongxi Chou?"
Shen Tang: "Wasn't it Xu Wenzhu who forced Xu Wenshi to marry into the family?"
The emperor and his minister fell into a long and strange silence, looking at each other with confusion on their faces.
Qin Li's information came from Xu Jie, who confirmed it repeatedly, even stating it was accurate. Shen Tang's information, on the other hand, was extracted from Xu Quan and that bizarre family letter; it was written in black and white and couldn't possibly be wrong. So what were these brothers up to?
People tend to laugh for no reason when they feel awkward.
Shen Tang ruffled her hair, both amused and exasperated, and asked, "I don't know what the letter Xu Wenzhu received said, but why would he have such an absurd misunderstanding? I admit he's an enlightened patriarch, but isn't he a little too enlightened?"
How terrified was Xu Quan?
Qin Li was also speechless with emotion.
However, Xu Jie knew a few reasons why he believed it so deeply: "Xu Wenshi has admired Gongxi Chou for more than ten years. He imitates Gongxi Chou's appearance, attire, and behavior. I heard from Wen Zhu that he even started a 'Gongxi Chou Conservation Association.' What kind of president is a general in that? He spends all his time off on this, spending money, manpower, and energy on it. Now it has tens of thousands of members!"
To put it bluntly—
We can't even recruit that many soldiers.
Recruiting soldiers and buying horses costs money, so these members joined voluntarily.
In his younger years, Xu Jie could comfort himself by saying that his cousin admired him as a role model. But now that the country was stable, he wanted to settle his cousin's marriage. Military generals might die in battle at any time; settling down and continuing the family line was the priority. As a result, he brought it up once, twice, three times... but Xu Quan rejected it all with the same reason.
When asked to marry him, he claimed he wanted to remain a virgin in order to emulate his idol.
The path to the pinnacle of martial arts lies in mastering the skills of a virgin!
"If all else fails, we can adopt a nephew from my elder brother. As long as he and his wife are willing." Xu Quan had no intention of starting a family or having children; adoption would solve many problems. After saying this, Xu Quan was beaten.
Until the letter from home dealt Xu Jie a devastating blow.
He then learned that there was another reason why his cousin refused to get married.
Xu Jieren was about to break.
Looking back, everything seems to have a traceable pattern.
Shen Tang rubbed his throbbing forehead, almost speechless: "The 'Gong Xi Chou Conservation Association' you mentioned was initially established by Xu Wenshi and a few wandering knights who admired Gong Xi Chou, with the aim of encouraging each other in their cultivation. After hearing about it, I felt it had great potential. Young people need to be more martial-minded in order to form combat power, and Gong Xi Chou's example can be promoted."
Qin Li: "..."
Is he hallucinating?
Shen Tang's next words shattered his hopes.
He hadn't misheard; Shen Tang was also a member of this peculiar "Gongxi Chou Conservation Association." At first, she thought it was quite fun, so she invested, took a part in it, explained the operational procedures, and left the rest to Xu Quan to figure out. Xu Quan knew this group could attract more like-minded people who idolized their idols, and he was energized. When the group was small, they held team-building activities every few days.
As the scale grew, they started experimenting with other tricks.
Shen Tang also made a lot of money by taking advantage of Gong Xi Chou.
Of course, the majority of the profits will stay in the club as funding, providing targeted assistance to every ambitious martial arts student, helping them learn Gong Xichou's core spirit of being stronger, cooler, and more awesome—fighting without hesitation. As for related merchandise, that's easy money.
The matching hair accessories and clothing are all very basic.
They also release various co-branded products from time to time.
Talented members would even write scripts for Gong Xichou, then hire official opera troupes to perform them, selling the remaining tickets for a considerable price. Before they knew it, the club had expanded so much. Shen Tang selected many promising talents from among them.
This is much more convenient and precise than official talent selection.
Qin Li listened as if he were hearing a book from heaven.
Shen Tang dropped another bombshell: "Some young people see how well the 'Gong Xi Chou Conservation Association' is doing and try to copy it by setting up other conservation associations. Gong Su is quite popular too."
However, the composition of these organizations is quite complex.
The members recruited by Xu Wenshi were all warmongers with strong martial spirit, eager to be as arrogant as Gong Xichou. Other members did not learn the essence, but instead wrote fan fiction on their own.
Some of them are quite unsettling.
Inspired by the concept of "the five elements lacking virtue," these fanfictions even included elements of non-human beings, demons, and monsters. They were clever enough not to name names, but their characters' personalities and appearances allowed readers to deduce their identities. Shen Tang was amazed.
They've all written it; what are future generations supposed to write?
So far, they haven't even danced in front of the real person.
Otherwise, one can't even imagine the chaos that would ensue in the private quarters of the officials.
Qin Li's intuition told him that his lord had not yet revealed important information, but he did not ask further and planned to investigate privately. The emperor and his minister exchanged information and learned that it was a misunderstanding, and both breathed a sigh of relief. Shen Tang said, "It's good that it was a misunderstanding; Wen Shi was almost scared to tears."
Qin Li chuckled and said, "Wen Zhu really did cry."
With this matter resolved, Qin Li became concerned about another issue.
When will Your Majesty be able to return to the throne?
Shen Tang couldn't give a definite time either: "Although we used our strong army to subjugate the Northern Desert and the Gao Kingdom, we only conquered their borders, not their hearts. Only by letting them live a more stable and better life than before will they stop missing the past."
"It could take a long time or a short time, it's hard to say."
Before this, Wang Du Fengluo still relied on Qin Li for his care.
"You'll have to work hard these days, Gong Su." Work makes people look haggard, and Qin Li has lost a lot of weight since the last time we met. Shen Tang patted his hand tenderly, "I had someone send Gong Su a gift, made to my memory, but who knew you'd lost so much weight."
"It's no trouble to endure some hardship if it helps to stabilize the rear for our lord."
He didn't ask what the gift was.
The surprise comes when you open the gift.
Shen Tang shared her joy at being debt-free with Qin Li, who was greatly surprised. Had Xun Zhen reduced his power?
Xun Zhen's power did not diminish, but a wealthy man descended from the sky.
Qin Li was stunned.
"Could this High Priest of Jimo be...?"
Shen Tang fiddled with the ring on her finger: "Hanzhang said he came for me, and I don't doubt his sincerity, but I'm a little puzzled—is he sure I'm someone he believes in and follows? I just feel that this windfall came too easily and casually..."
She was well aware of the importance of her disguise to the Gongxi clan, and she had no doubt about Ji Moqiu's determination to offer her everything; the Gongxi clan's ancestral assets were enormous—far exceeding even a tenth or a twelfth of what Shen Tang had managed in Kangguo for so many years.
The better it was, the more unreal it felt to her.
Compared to this kind of unfounded following, she felt more secure in Qi Shan and the others' submission—the relationship between ruler and subject was one of mutual demands, and Shen Tang clearly knew that she had to do this to make their relationship unbreakable. Ji Moqiu was different; he had no ulterior motives, which only made her uneasy, and she even considered betraying him.
He should go to his God, not her.
Qin Li said, "Why not?"
Shen Tang looked at Qin Li in surprise: "What?"
Qin Li said, "Although I do not know the details, I cannot bear to hear Your Majesty belittle yourself. In this world, in Kang State, there are countless people who have never met Your Majesty but have longed for you simply by hearing about your deeds. The people are devoted to you, and Ji Moqiu is one of them. He may also have his reasons for being devoted, but Your Majesty is unaware of them."
He said with utmost seriousness, "If there truly are gods in this world, Your Majesty, you are their incarnation, I have no doubt about it!"
Loving the Lord is as simple as breathing.
It's only natural for Ji Moqiu to follow him, and this windfall is also destined by the master. What's there to be conflicted about?
Even someone as thick-skinned as Shen Tang blushed after being teased like that.
Qin Li then asked a crucial question.
With so much money donated by Qiu Xian of Jimo, surely it can't all be used to pay off debts?
Shen Tang said, "No, there's still quite a bit left."
The national treasury and Shen Tang's private coffers were suddenly filled to overflowing.
Qin Li nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this.
"As long as the national treasury is full, that's good."
Perfect timing! Projects that have been stalled for a year or two can finally apply for budgets, especially those related to the Bureau of Astronomy. Qin Li is not only the Minister of Rites but also holds a concurrent position at the Bureau of Astronomy. The Bureau of Astronomy is also responsible for monitoring weather changes in various regions within the Kang Kingdom and accurately issuing warnings and prevention messages for various disasters. To ensure efficiency, it cannot be used in conjunction with the postal system; Qin Li wants to establish a separate delivery channel and needs funding.
Now that the national treasury is full, Xun Hanzhang can't possibly hold himself back, can he?
Having served as his subject for many years, Shen Tang knew Qin Li's plan at a glance and smiled, "We have plenty of money, but there are many places to spend it. Before others realize what's going on, you should go and finalize things with him. If he still makes things difficult for the Imperial Observatory, I'll plead on his behalf for you."
With too many monks and too little porridge, people still have to fight for it.
Everything has a priority level.
While the Imperial Observatory plays a vital role, Kang State wouldn't face major chaos for two or three years without it. However, other regions would see the consequences of financial difficulties within months. Xun Zhen would naturally prioritize the most urgent needs, only addressing the Imperial Observatory when resources were more abundant. Besides, the Imperial Observatory wasn't without resources; the official postal system could be used, albeit slowly—it would suffice as a workaround. Qin Li understood this, but with the emperor's backing, he felt emboldened.
Qin Li cupped his hands and said, "Yes."
"Another thing is to search for rice seeds in the capital."
"Rice seeds?"
This item is not common in Kangguo; it can only be found in small quantities in the southern parts of Kangguo, though production is low. In recent years, Kangguo's economy has improved, and merchants have been traveling to the southern countries to purchase it.
Rice produced in various southern regions also varies; some grains are long and soft, while others are short and round, with a firmer texture. Imports are limited and are generally supplied to wealthier households with better economic conditions.
The common people in the city still mainly relied on millet.
Why does the Lord suddenly want rice seeds?
Could it be that they intend to improve it and then promote it domestically?
Shen Tang's next words cleared up Qin Li's doubts: "Yes, collect as many varieties as possible, and try to select plump rice seeds to send to the front line. I sent someone to infiltrate the Southwest Continent, where I borrowed a piece of land to plant this crop and store up some grain."
Store up grain, build high walls, and delay declaring yourself king.
A trick doesn't have to be old, as long as it works.
As long as the rice yield is sufficient, it's not impossible to counter the Cui clan. For powerful families, survival and continuation are paramount. Faced with absolute interests, how long can the alliance between Qi and the Cui clan last? She was also planning to add something extra.
Qin Li: "Without soldiers to protect us, what should we do?"
Even if you grow them, someone else will steal them.
Shen Tang smiled and said, "I have a brilliant plan."
Qin Li didn't ask any more questions.
Shen Tang mentally checked if there was anything else she hadn't explained: "Oh, right, Gong Su, there's one more thing I need your help with. In the next few days, send people to take stock of all the children in the territory, and report to the county or town with the most children in that order."
Are there any age restrictions?
"Regardless of gender, twelve years of age and under."
Qin Li nodded and noted it down: "Your subject obeys."
"Isn't Gong Su curious about what I need these for?"
Qin Li noticed that Shen Tang's eyebrows and eyes were relaxed with a smile, which was obviously a happy event, and asked obediently, "May I ask for clarification, Your Majesty?"
"I plan to distribute pagoda-shaped sugars according to region."
"Pagoda-shaped sugar?"
"This item can prevent and treat the Jiaoqu (a type of insect), and it can greatly reduce the risk of infant mortality. Once it's available to all children of the appropriate age, we'll expand the scope to the elderly within the territory, and finally to the middle-aged and young adults." Normally, it wouldn't be that fast, but this world has the power of words. Given the efficiency of Qi Miao and Lin Feng, we might see the finished product in a month or two. Shen Tang needs to prepare for a large-scale rollout in advance to avoid being caught off guard later.
Qin Li clapped his hands and smiled: "Excellent!"
After explaining everything, Shen Tang logged out of DingTalk.
She closed her eyes to get through the discomfort of alternating illusions, and when she opened them again, she was back to normal. She got up to check on Qi Miao's progress.
When Ji Moqiu returned, he brought back seeds of Artemisia annua.
The seeds were handed over to Qi Miao, who was responsible for everything.
Shen Tang lifted the tent curtain without informing anyone.
The people inside the tent subconsciously turned their heads to look over, each still holding their original positions. Shen Tang glanced at them and put them down.
Take a deep breath and suppress your nausea.
He raised his hand and lifted the curtain again.
Good, it's not my imagination.
What are you doing?
Inside the spacious tent, a dozen or so shirtless soldiers were kneeling on the ground, while five or six men and women dressed as military doctors also saluted.
Shen Tang was completely numb.
Did she just see someone eating roundworms?
The army has run out of ammunition and food?
Shen Tang rubbed his throbbing forehead. Qi Miao, who had heard the commotion inside the tent, rushed out. Seeing the situation, she knew her lord was upset and quickly explained that they were testing the effects of the artemisia.
A brave and fearless warrior, unafraid of insect diseases, is naturally the best test subject.
|ω`)
How did you all do on your exams today?
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