Chapter 41: Selecting a Chief Minister so that one can have a daughter or son as soon as possible.
Upon hearing this, the ministers each held their own opinions.
"The Grand Canal is the foundation of the nation, and it is the lifeline between the north and south. How can it be lightly abandoned?"
"However, Your Highness the King of Qin is right. Sea transport has many advantages and is indeed superior to river transport."
"The drawbacks are numerous! If sea transport encounters storms, not one in ten will survive. Moreover, many people rely on canal transport for their livelihood. If we rashly switch to sea transport, it may trigger a popular uprising... What should we do then?"
Yuan Yan listened to the arguments among the officials around her and had a solution in mind. However, knowing that she couldn't reveal too much given her current situation, she remained silent.
"In my opinion, since it is difficult to determine the advantages and disadvantages of sea transport, let's allocate some of the grain to try sea transport, combining river and sea transport, and then see the results."
Yuan Yan's words made sense, and Yuan Hao also favored maritime transport.
After much deliberation, the emperor and his ministers made a decision and appointed a group of officials to be in charge of maritime transport.
Yuan Yan then proactively recommended someone to be the escort patrol inspector.
“Your Majesty, when I was inspecting grain in Chuzhou, I met a minor official surnamed Tian. He was upright and honest, and what was even more commendable was that he had a heart for the people.”
"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me the privilege of making an exception and promoting this person to the position of escort and supervision."
Yuan Yan was referring to Tian Guangliang, a minor official in Chuzhou. Without his help during the grain inspection, she wouldn't have been able to find out the whereabouts of the account books so quickly.
Although the position of escort inspector is not of high rank, it carries the responsibility of supervising and escorting goods. A person of integrity and uprightness is required, and Tian Guangliang is well-suited for this role in all aspects.
After hearing Yuan Yan's account, Yuan Hao developed a certain appreciation for Tian Guangliang and thus granted the favor.
After the agreement to open up maritime transport was reached, a minister raised the issue of revising the laws.
Because the laws and regulations of this dynasty had not been revised for many years, the articles were cumbersome, and the sentencing was somewhat inappropriate, Yuan Hao had long had the idea of revising the laws. He ordered Yu Changde, an official of the Ministry of Justice, Cui Mingwei, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Shangguan Fu, a Hanlin Academician, and others to revise the "Huangde Laws and Regulations".
However, when it came to appointing the commander-in-chief, Yuan Hao looked at Yuan Yan.
"Prince Yuan Yan of Qin is hereby appointed to oversee the revision of the law, and to work with the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Secretariat to conduct a thorough examination and revision."
"Your subject obeys the order." Yuan Yan kowtowed and expressed his gratitude.
After court, Yuan Jing went to see his maternal grandmother, Lord Sun.
“Grandmother, the Empress Dowager praised the Prince of Qin so highly in court today. Is there any other meaning behind it? I feel uneasy watching this.”
Sun Shijun comforted her, saying, "Your Highness is the legitimate son of Feng Qing, and has a noble status. How can the Prince of Qin be compared to Your Highness?"
"Your Highness's current plan is to marry as soon as possible and gain the support of the court officials. In this way, I can also ask His Majesty to establish a Crown Princess and determine the heir apparent."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Jing pondered, "Grandmother, who do you think I should choose as my husband?"
The thought of marrying Zhengqing reminded her of Lu Lingyue, who was snatched away by Yuan Yan on their wedding day, and she felt a pang of resentment.
A handsome young master from a prestigious family, renowned for his talent and possessing unparalleled beauty, was abducted by Yuan Yan on his wedding day.
The hatred of having her husband stolen was something Yuan Jing couldn't help but feel deep in her heart.
“I have already inquired about them. The eldest son of Liu Qian, the Minister of Revenue, is the perfect candidate in terms of family background and virtue. There is also Cui Hongnan, the Prefect of Cizhou, and the grandson of the Duke of Xin… all of them are outstanding ladies from noble families, excelling in virtue, speech, appearance, and ability, and are suitable to be ministers. Your Highness may choose from among them,” Sun Shijun suggested.
"I will listen to my maternal grandmother," Yuan Jing agreed.
Not long after she parted ways with Lord Sun, she sent her servants to visit Yuan Xiao, who was under house arrest.
Upon meeting Yuan Xiao, Yuan Jing recounted Yuan Yan's performance in court that day.
"Third Princess, do you think Second Princess seems much smarter than before?"
Yuan Jing recalled Yuan Yan's suggestion to open up maritime trade routes.
She spoke eloquently about the advantages one by one, taking the opportunity to show off her face in front of the Empress Dowager. Yuan Jing felt uneasy and uneasy listening to her.
"And then there's the matter of the grain transport. I never expected that Yuan Yan would actually be able to obtain the account books from the officials of Chuzhou... This is far beyond my expectations."
Yuan Jing frowned.
"What's the big deal? Eldest sister, why do you need to boost others' morale and diminish your own?" To everyone's surprise, Yuan Xiao didn't care at all and instead sneered.
“I had already found out about it. The whereabouts of the account book was leaked by a minor official in Chuzhou… Yuan Yan has no ability whatsoever. She just happened to stumble upon the minor official who informed on her.”
"As for sea transport, you yourself said that whether it can be launched is still up in the air. If it fails, it will be Yuan Yan's fault, so what's there to brag about?" Yuan Xiao said disdainfully.
Yuan Jing was somewhat swayed by her words, and his initial apprehension eased slightly.
"Lately, things have been going wrong, so I can't help but think a bit more. However, what my third sister said makes sense. Maritime transport has affected the benefits of river transport, and there are quite a few officials who oppose it. It seems that it won't be so easy to get started."
...
Let's go back to Yuan Yan.
After the court session, she did not rush to leave, but spent some time alone with her mother, the Empress.
"Your Majesty, I still have some stolen silver from officials in Chuzhou. I intended to present it to you as evidence after I returned, but then... that incident happened, and it was delayed." The delay Yuan Yan mentioned was naturally referring to the assassination attempt.
"Now I will have the silver brought over," she said sincerely.
Yuan Hao thought Yuan Yan had stayed behind for some important matter, but he didn't expect it to be about money, so he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yan'er has done a good job in inspecting the grain this time, so you can keep this small amount of silver for yourself. It's just a small thing, and the Empress Dowager wouldn't ask you for it."
The amount of silver bribed by Chuzhou officials was negligible compared to the large sums of ill-gotten gains.
Although Yuan Hao looked down on this small amount of silver, he felt quite pleased to hear Yuan Yan's truthful report.
With a wave of his hand, he rewarded Yuan Yan with the silver.
In this way, the money was considered legitimate. Combined with the gold and silver bestowed by the Empress Dowager, Yuan Yan suddenly became quite wealthy.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Yuan Yan bowed again in gratitude.
...
When the news spread that Yuan Yan had been granted the title of Prince of Qin, everyone in the Prince's residence was overjoyed.
"Young Master, His Highness's recent inspection of grain supplies resulted in the punishment of many corrupt officials, a truly great deed. Not only has His Majesty rewarded him, but even the common people outside are praising him!"
Hengwu told Lu Lingyue what she had heard outside the courtyard.
Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyue paused in her work. Listening to Hengwu's story, a strange feeling welled up in her heart.
Yuan Yan seems to have changed. In the past, she only loved archery and horsemanship, practicing martial arts and shooting, and never cared about such matters of people's livelihood.
Not to mention investigating corrupt officials and recovering the embezzled funds.
“She’s been a little different lately,” Lu Lingyue said softly, lowering her eyelashes.
Hengwu asked, "Then, young master, do you think this difference is good or bad?"
"...Being more composed than before is certainly a good thing."
Lu Lingyue felt a little admiration for Yuan Yan's actions, but she showed no emotion on her face and maintained the same expression.
Hengwu was still trying to find ways to get closer to her young master and His Highness.
"His Highness has received a reward today and must be very happy. Why don't you take the initiative to find His Highness and have a word with him?"
"I have something to say, but I don't know if I should... Although those two male servants were rude, what they said made some sense."
“Your Highness is now nearing the age to marry a proper husband. If you could obtain a daughter or son before your proper husband enters the household, you would have someone to rely on in the future. Wouldn’t that be much better than sitting idly in the courtyard all day?” he advised earnestly.
Hengwu had her reasons for saying that.
Since the young master entered the Prince's residence, the Lu family, in order to sever ties with His Highness, has practically ignored him, acting as if the Lu family no longer has this son, and forbidding anyone in the residence from mentioning Lu Lingyue. Even when the lord wanted to send someone to visit the young master, the head of the family stopped him, and he could only send a private letter.
The young master's former close friends could no longer associate with him due to their difference in social status.
Before he was married, Lu Lingyue was always a guest of honor, no matter where he was. But now, as a lowly and unknown servant in the Prince's mansion, he wasn't even entitled to a seat at the banquets of those noblemen and high-ranking officials. The invitations that used to pour in like snowflakes had all vanished.
Lu Lingyue was well aware of his awkward situation. Therefore, even though Yuan Yan did not restrict Lu Lingyue's movements, he never left the palace again. He lived a secluded life, almost never leaving the courtyard.
If this continues, he will surely fall ill from the accumulated depression. Hengwu was genuinely worried about the young master, which is why she offered this advice.
"Hengwu, please stop talking. There is no way I would ask her for favor."
However, Lu Lingyue knew that Yuan Yan did not want to have a daughter with him, and that Hengwu's words were impossible in this lifetime. Therefore, she turned a deaf ear and remained unmoved, refusing to listen to Hengwu no matter what she said.
Having no other choice, Hengwu could only send the prince a jade ruyi and other items in the name of the young master as a congratulatory gift.
After Yuan Yan returned to his residence, he saw the jade ruyi that the servants had brought and casually asked, "Who sent this?"
"Your Highness, this jade ruyi was sent by Lu Shifu's courtyard as a congratulatory gift for Your Highness," the servant relayed.
[Host, has Lu Lingyue changed her ways? She actually sent you something... Could it be that she wants to make up with you?] the system asked in surprise.
"Forget it. With his cold and aloof demeanor all day long, it's definitely not his idea to send him the jade ruyi. It's more likely that a servant did it on their own."
Yuan Yan saw through it at a glance, picked up the jade ruyi, played with it for a while, and then ordered his servants to put it away.
"Your Highness, shall we have Attendant Lu serve you tonight?" the steward asked as he stepped forward.
It was assumed that, as was customary, His Highness would have Attendant Lu accompany him tonight. However, to everyone's surprise, Yuan Yan refused without a second thought after the eunuch's question.
"No need."
Today in court, the Empress appointed her to oversee the revision of laws, but Yuan Yan had no knowledge of the laws of the Phoenix Kingdom, and the original owner's memories contained few legal provisions. In order to avoid making mistakes while carrying out her duties, Yuan Yan decided to familiarize herself with the laws of this dynasty first.
So she activated the system and asked it to retrieve the relevant information so she could read and study it first.
...
In the following days, sea transport was put on a trial basis, and preparations were underway for various matters.
Tian Guangliang was quite surprised to receive the news that he had been promoted ahead of schedule in Chuzhou.
Having served as a clerk for many years, she was prepared to remain in that position until old age.
Unexpectedly, a sudden appointment propelled Tian Guangliang to become a transport inspector, responsible for supervising the transport of goods by sea.
Upon learning that it was His Highness the Prince of Qin who had recommended her before His Majesty, Tian Guangliang was moved to tears. He immediately wrote a letter expressing his gratitude to Yuan Yan for recognizing his talent.
Therefore, Tian Guangliang studied the maritime strategy proposed by His Highness the Prince of Qin all night long, vowing to make achievements in this official position after taking office and not to disappoint His Highness the Prince of Qin's appreciation.
At night, the system suddenly beeped.
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