Chapter 510 Gift
Perhaps because his birthday is approaching, the emperor, who has been ill for a long time, has become much more energetic recently.
On the day of the birthday banquet, the emperor was radiant with joy as he looked at the gifts presented by officials from all over the country.
"Can this rice really yield 800 kilograms per mu?"
The emperor took the plump rice ears with trembling hands, his eyes full of disbelief.
Zheng Qinghe stood there, completely unfazed by the questioning and fear. Instead, he confidently pulled out a memorial from his pocket. "Your Majesty, it is indeed true. This rice has been cultivated on a trial basis in Annan County for three years. Thanks to the efforts of Annan County officials and citizens, the yield has increased from an initial 600 kilograms to a current 800 kilograms."
"If this type of rice could be grown in fertile regions like Jiangnan, the yield could potentially increase by 30%. Here are our research and experimental records from the past three years. Your Majesty, please review them."
The memorial was very thick, almost as heavy as a brick.
But for the first time, the emperor did not show any disdain. Instead, he beckoned over several ministers and the crown prince, and they all studied and watched it together.
Zheng Qinghe was afraid that they wouldn't understand, so he explained it to them.
After all, it uses many statistical tables and various symbols.
As he explained, everyone became more and more frightened.
This is indeed a good thing.
If it can be planted on a large scale across the country, then Dagan will no longer be afraid of any natural or man-made disasters.
The Ministry of Revenue no longer feared being asked by the Ministry of War to prepare grain and fodder, nor did it fear being asked by other departments to provide disaster relief grain. It could even use grain to trade with other countries for resources they lacked.
The Minister of Revenue's hands trembled. He looked at Zheng Qinghe with shining eyes. "Master Zheng!"
He was about to say something. The emperor raised his arm. "Lord Zheng, is there any flaw in this high-yield grain?"
As expected of the emperor, he grasped the key point right away.
"It's basically flawless, easy to grow and maintain, the plant is sturdy and drought-resistant. The only drawback is that the taste might not be that great."
Is a bad taste a disadvantage?
No one would choose starvation over something not so tasty, right?
So this is not a shortcoming at all in the eyes of everyone.
"Hahaha, Lord Zheng is truly a pillar of our country! Reward!"
No one had any objection to the emperor's reward. Even the speculators kept their mouths shut because it did not do them any harm.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Qinghe knelt straight down. "Your Majesty, our Juzhou Prefecture's tribute is not yet complete!"
Then, he waved his hand, and his servant brought out several memorials as thick as bricks.
"Your Majesty, this book records the five-year ecological farming plan of Juzhou Prefecture!"
"This book records the future blueprint for the development of Dagan's handicraft industry."
"This book records the impact of universal education on Dagan!"
"This book explains the importance of women working away from home to a family!"
"These are the main things that all our officials and people in Juzhou have done over the past three years. Juzhou, especially Annan County, has undergone tremendous changes during these three years."
"Everyone there can read. Even a fifty-year-old woman can write her name correctly. Five factories have been built in the county town, and most of the people there work there, earning a regular monthly income."
"In the past three years, Annan County has reclaimed a total of 1,382 mu of wasteland, taken in 21,050 refugees, and added approximately 9,800 people to its population."
"Taxes have increased by a total of 80,000 taels of silver."
"Your Majesty, these things behind me may not contain pearls, agates, corals, or jade, but they are the result of the joint efforts of all the officials and people in Juzhou City. Your Majesty, please inspect them!"
Every time Zheng Qinghe said something, the banquet hall grew quieter, and the emperor's face lit up a little brighter.
He couldn't even wait for the eunuchs to bring the things up, but instead walked down from the platform tremblingly and looked at the things in the boxes again and again. Zheng Qinghe followed beside him and explained carefully.
"Good, good, good. My dear, you are truly a good official who serves the country and the people! I will reward you handsomely! Tell me, what do you want? As long as it's not this dragon robe I'm wearing, I can satisfy you!"
Everyone in the audience was shocked, and their eyes were filled with jealousy and envy when they looked at Zheng Qinghe.
The Zheng family is about to soar to heaven!
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness. Juzhou's achievements today are not the result of this humble servant's efforts alone, but rather the joint efforts of all the officials and people of Juzhou Prefecture. However, there is one person whose contribution is particularly great, and I hope Your Majesty will give him a special reward!"
"Oh? Who is this person?"
"Your Majesty, do you still remember the movable type printing technique presented to you by the Prince two years ago?"
The emperor thought for a moment. "I have some recollection. Ah Li said it was a woman who had figured it out, and I gave her a reward."
As people age, their memories tend to deteriorate. Fortunately, the prince remembered and reminded them. "You gave that girl the title of county lady."
"Yes, yes, yes. My dear minister, you mentioned this matter. Could it be that all these things are related to that county lady?"
There were so many county lords in Dagan, and so many titles, that he couldn't remember them all at once. He just had a vague impression that Jiang Luli had asked him several times about that woman.
Hmm? Speaking of which, why didn't I see Jiang Luli today? Didn't they say he was almost fully recovered?
He was about to ask about Jiang Luli's whereabouts when Zheng Qinghe pulled out another memorial. "Your Majesty! This county lady is truly a beautiful and intelligent person."
"Her name is Gu Jiayue. She opened a school in Annan County, teaching thousands of children for free. To date, she has produced hundreds of students and dozens of scholars. Last year, when the plague broke out, she took in thousands of orphans who had been betrayed by their parents, providing them with food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. She also helped the villagers become prosperous. The ideas for hybrid rice, as well as various planting, breeding, and even factory-running tips, were all hers."
"Without her, Juzhou wouldn't have been able to develop so quickly!"
The emperor took the memorial and looked at it carefully.
The more I look at it, the more I am shocked. There is such a wonderful woman in the world!
No!
There are three more such amazing women!
The emperor turned his gaze to a girl who was sitting next to the queen and eating hard.
This person is also a genius. The shotgun she recently developed is simply a magical item!
But he is too ambitious and actually wants a woman to be an official. It is difficult to control him.
Oh, what a headache.
There was also a woman a little further away, who was wearing a red outfit even when attending a banquet like this. She was the first female general in their Dagan Army, and she had made many contributions in the previous Battle of Yanshan.
This woman is not a worry-free person either. She actually wants to divorce her husband and even wants to establish a women's army! She is really rebellious!
When the emperor looked at her, he felt that everything in front of his eyes became darker and darker.
The last one who made people feel least worried was probably Gu Wangshu, the eldest daughter of the Xuande Marquis's Mansion. She just liked to cure illnesses and save people on the streets.
Compared with the previous two people, this one does not seem so contrary to Tiangang.
Now, another Gu Jiayue has appeared. She looks even more capable than the previous three.
He couldn't help but think of the empress of the previous dynasty.
Is this great weather going to change?
"Then, my dear, what do you think I should give this young lady as a reward? Or should I also make her a princess?"
As for princesses, who would complain about having too many daughters? Especially such capable ones?
As the son of the Grand Tutor, Zheng Qinghe naturally knew the Emperor's character. "Your Majesty, this young lady is used to a free and unfettered life. I'm afraid she wouldn't be able to adapt to Kyoto. I asked her before I came here, and she said that if Your Majesty would show me favor, I could give her a name for the academy."
"Oh? Just a word? That will satisfy her wish."
"As for you and the other officials in Juzhou City, I will decide on the specific rewards after discussing it with the Crown Prince."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! But I have a favor to ask. I beg Your Majesty's permission!"
"explain!"
"I would like to exchange the reward for an imperial decree granting marriage!"
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