Chapter 75 Hand in hand to Qingqiu Pavilion
Farmers only have to take care of a few acres of land all year round and have to rely on the weather for their livelihood. Sometimes a few more days of sunshine or a few more days of rain can ruin the year's harvest.
It so happened that there was a little more rain this year, but the overall impact was not that big, with the yield per acre only slightly less than last year.
Unfortunately, most of the villages near the capital used fertilizers this year, and the harvest from the year before last was not good enough compared to this year. As a result, the Li family's harvest this year is even worse than the year before.
This blow is no different from adding insult to injury.
The head of the Li family stood in the farmhouse with the most fertile land in his family, looking at the withered ears of wheat in the fields. He remembered that he had asked his servants to spy on the fields of the Cui and Chen families. The servants said that the crops were growing well and there would be a good harvest in autumn. The worry on the head of the Li family's face deepened.
The gap between one aristocratic family and another is sometimes widened little by little, just as the saying goes, dripping water wears away a stone, a little bit adds up to a lot. Looking at the current situation, let alone ten years, within five years, at least in terms of food, the other families will be able to crush the Li family.
Moreover, as for subsequent development, the excess grain can be sold, and the money earned can be invested in other businesses to generate profits.
So over time, the Li family is at risk of being left behind in all aspects.
The condition of the head of the Li family had just stabilized. Seeing the current situation, his heart sank and his face looked extremely ugly.
After returning home, he told his eldest son about his worries. Li Chu said, "Dad, don't worry. I have already thought of a solution. This year, His Majesty is watching us more closely, so we will be more honest and not use fertilizer. Next year, I will transfer some of our family's land to relatives with different surnames. Then we can use fertilizer. Even if His Majesty wants to punish us, we will have a reason to deal with it."
Hearing this, Patriarch Li's expression softened a lot: "Chu'er, you are really smart. This is indeed a good idea."
Li Chu said: "Actually this method is not difficult. Father has done something similar before. It's just that you have been too worried recently and didn't think of it for a while."
The head of the Li family sighed and said, "I dreamed of your brother again last night. He told me that he was in so much pain. He hated me so much. He hated me for pushing him out to take the blame and causing him to die without a complete body."
Li Chu was disdainful in his heart: If you miss him so much, then just go and die and accompany him.
However, on the surface, Li Chu still comforted him softly, "Dad, you think too much. My brother is so smart, how could he hate his family? If he wants to blame someone, he will only blame those who want him to take the blame. Why did Ao'er die in a foreign land when they did the same thing, but their children are still alive and well?"
As he spoke, a strong hatred emerged in Li Chu's eyes, as if he was really feeling sorry for Li Aoming.
The head of the Li family looked at his eldest son who was in grief and anger, and said helplessly, "Who said that we are insignificant and cannot defeat them?"
Li Chu cautiously probed: "Even if we can't defeat them, there will always be someone who can deal with them."
Patriarch Li looked at him and said, "I understand what you mean, but I don't agree. We are allies with the other two families. If we suddenly change our alliance, I'm afraid we will not please either side. In the end, we will become a knife in the hands of others and will be discarded after use."
"My son was impulsive at the time and didn't think it through." Li Chu concealed the expression in his eyes.
Patriarch Li shook his head and said, "I don't blame you. I know you want to avenge Ao'er, but you can't be impatient. One day we will get the chance."
"Thank you for your teaching, father." Li Chu looked humble.
After returning to his mother's yard, the disguise on Li Chu's face completely disappeared. The mother and son sat together. The mother frowned and said, "I thought that after Li Ao's death, they would be seriously injured by this illness. I didn't expect that the old man and that woman would actually recover. It's really a disaster that will last for thousands of years."
The mother and son planned that if the head of the Li family fell ill and could never get up again, they could take over the Li family smoothly.
It's a pity that Patriarch Li has recovered from his illness and looks quite strong. He probably won't die in a short time.
Li Ao's mother has slowly come out of her grief in recent days. After all, her son is dead, and she has to find a new way out for herself.
The head of the Li family was much older than her. Once the head of the Li family died, her sixth sense told her that the mistress and the young master Li would never let him go.
Recently, she frequently called the head of the Li family to her courtyard in the name of Li Ao, with the purpose of giving birth to another child. The head of the Li family agreed because of her pity for losing her son and because he loved her.
Not to mention whether they can still have children, if Auntie really gives birth to a second child, then her and Li Chu's status will probably return to their original position.
Li Chu took a sip of tea and said, "Don't worry, mother. They can't turn the tables. The old man has already promised me to transfer the land. When the land falls into our hands, he won't be able to take it back."
While transferring the land, Li Chu would also transfer other properties. Even if the head of the Li family really had a son in his old age, Li Chu could ensure that not a penny would be left for the child.
After hearing his words, the mother finally laughed and said, "My son is really smart. In fact, we should thank His Majesty. If His Majesty had not forbidden us to use fertilizers at home, we would not have been able to get things from the old man so easily."
Li Chu smiled meaningfully: "Your Majesty, I should thank you very much."
After a while, the corn was harvested. Looking at the weight of the corn after hulling, Zong Zhengxiao smiled with satisfaction. Da Sheng really had another high-yield and high-quality variety.
At the same time, Ji Shizi also handed in a booklet recording the growth of corn, which contained the summary of Ji Shizi's hard work over the past six months: for example, the suitable dryness and humidity for corn, the pulling and supplementing of corn seedlings after germination, the appropriate amount of fertilizer, as well as the diseases that have occurred and their solutions, etc.
At the end, he even introduced several ways to eat corn: stew it in soup or grill it when it is tender, grind it into flour and steam it when it is old, all of which are very filling.
After reading the booklet, Zong Zhengxiao gave him a credit and asked him what reward he wanted. He still asked for a reserved spot for a cream cake.
His mother's birthday is in a few days. Cream cake is the most popular in Beijing right now, and his mother also likes to eat it, so no reward can compare to this.
Moreover, Prince Ji knew clearly that even if he did not ask for it, His Majesty was a man who clearly distinguished between rewards and punishments, and he would not lose any of the rewards he deserved.
For example, Zong Zhengxiao said that this booklet serves as a guide to growing corn. Regardless of whether other content will be added in the future, its first author will always be Ji Xie, and his name will go down in history along with this booklet.
To be recorded in history is the lifelong wish of many officials. Just by writing a book recording his observations on corn, he fulfilled a long-cherished wish that others might not be able to fulfill in decades.
In the future, his reputation will probably be even more famous than his father's.
When Ji Xie thought of this, he couldn't help but feel happy. Once when he went back home, he accidentally let the secret slip and was beaten up by his father.
Duke Ji: "You little bastard, your father is not dead yet, and you are already thinking of climbing over his head."
Although Duke Ji said this, he could not conceal the pride he had for his son.
The butcher's son, who was once looked down upon by everyone, has now become the emperor's favorite and has the opportunity to become famous throughout the world. Their Ji family has become prosperous, and when he dies in the future, he will have the face to meet his ancestors in the underworld.
In autumn, there was a bumper harvest of grain. The people who used fertilizers were all grinning from ear to ear. They kept some food for the next year and sold the rest in the city. Their pockets, which had been empty for the year, were finally filled.
"Dad, I want to eat the milk biscuits from Cloud Bakery."
While selling grain, Zhao Laoer brought his wife and daughter into the city, intending to use the money to buy his daughter some hair flowers, and then go to the cloth shop to buy some cotton cloth to make her a new winter coat.
The daughter saw that her parents were happy and knew that the grain was selling well, so she whispered her request.
She is usually a good child. Knowing that her family is poor, she seldom asks for anything on her own initiative.
She had tasted milk biscuits only once. She picked raspberries and shared them with the children of a wealthy family in the village. The child gave her the biscuit, which was only as big as her little finger. She held it in her mouth for a long time and was reluctant to swallow it.
She still remembers that feeling.
After hearing their daughter's words, the couple looked at each other, smiled, picked up their child and walked towards the bakery.
"Okay, whatever you want to eat today, Dad will buy it for you."
"Great, Mom and Dad are the best!" Juaner lay on her father's shoulder and clapped her hands in joy.
The bakery is located on the most prosperous street in the capital. Normally, Zhao Laoer and his friends would not come here easily. The ordinary commercial district is enough for their daily shopping. In their impression, this is a place only city people can come.
Sure enough, when they arrived, they found that all the customers coming and going at the door of the bakery were dressed neatly and cleanly. Even the servants and maids who ran errands wore clothes that were several times better than theirs.
Considering that they were going into the city, they changed into their most decent clothes, but in front of this group of glamorous city people, they still looked gray and obviously like country people.
After Juan'er came over, she saw these people who were richer than the rich people in the village, and she became nervous for a moment.
She and her mother both grabbed their father's sleeves, looking a little timid.
Zhao Laoer was also a little panicked, but as the pillar of the family, he still pretended to be calm and whispered to comfort him: "We are here to buy things, not thieves, don't be afraid."
Moreover, he had heard from the villagers that the shop assistants in the shops related to the emperor were very tolerant and gentle, and would not look down on them just because they were from the village.
Zhao Laoer believed in the emperor, and last year, amid everyone's astonishment and anticipation for a laugh, he applied fertilizer to all the land in his home. This was undoubtedly a big risk, but the result did not disappoint him.
Thinking of those people who laughed at him not long ago and their envious eyes when they saw his family's granary was full of food, Zhao Laoer could not help but straighten his back and his face showed a little more confidence.
When the family of three was queuing, they heard the people in front of them say that the plaques above the doors of the bakery and milk tea shop were given by the emperor himself, and the words were also written by the emperor. It is said that if you pass through the door, you will be able to get the dragon's energy and bring good luck.
After hearing this, Zhao Laoer and his wife had the same idea as the others before them, thinking that if they could just go in and out a few times, they would be considered to have the emperor's protection.
But Juan'er is different. Ever since the crops started growing in the fields, her father has been talking to her every day, saying that it is all thanks to the emperor that their family's crops grow so well. Juan'er must remember that the current emperor is the best emperor.
After the harvest, his father said this more often.
Juan'er understood that the reason she could come to the bakery to buy biscuits today was because of the fertilizer given by the emperor.
The emperor is more powerful than the gods in the temple.
Thinking this in her heart, when they lined up to the store door, Juan'er put her hands together and bowed to the signboard, just like her mother took her to the temple to pray for blessings. She said in a soft voice: "I hope the emperor will bless me and my parents to be healthy, have a good harvest every year, and have milk biscuits to eat every day."
Her action was certainly out of place in the crowd. Although the adults said they wanted to get some dragon energy, they would not worship a sign so openly. It was really a bit embarrassing.
But children don’t think so much and just do whatever they think of.
Juan'er realized that everyone was looking at her, thinking that she had done something wrong, and quickly hid her face in her father's arms.
The originally noisy doorway suddenly fell into an eerie silence. Zhao Laoer and his wife didn't know what to do and wanted to just turn around and run away with their child.
At this moment, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly came from the store: "Whose little girl is this? She is so sweet."
A man in snow-white clothes walked out. His stunning appearance stunned Zhao Laoer and his wife. In their decades of life, this was the first time they had seen such a handsome man.
Juan'er was more direct. She hid in her father's arms, stared at Rong Yin with wide eyes, and asked subconsciously: "Brother, you are so handsome. Are you a god from heaven?"
"Hahahaha..." Rong Yin laughed, "What I said just now was right. You are such a sweet girl. Do you eat candy every day at home?"
Seeing Rong Yin's kindness, Juan'er became bolder and replied, "Sweet candies are expensive. Juan'er doesn't eat them every day."
"Is that so? Then I'll treat Juan'er to all-you-can-eat sweet snacks today, okay?"
When these words were spoken, Zhao Laoer's family of three were stunned and didn't know how to react.
Until a passerby reminded her with a jealous tone: "Little girl, why don't you thank this brother quickly, he is the owner of this bakery."
The couple woke up as if from a dream, and were so frightened that they immediately knelt down to thank the nobleman. Rong Yin quickly helped them up and said with a smile: "I am not an official, why should I kneel down? It just so happens that I feel that I have a destiny with this girl, and I happen to own such a restaurant, so I will treat her to something to celebrate our meeting today."
Everyone knew Rong Yin was easy to talk to, so someone joked, "Boss, I come here every day, so why don't we have any affinity?"
Rong Yin smiled and said, "Let's wait another five hundred years. Maybe then we will be destined to meet again."
Amid the laughter of the crowd, Rong Yin brought Juan'er and her parents to the private room upstairs that he and Zong Zhengxiao occupied, and served them snacks and milk tea.
Juan'er sat with her parents, facing a table full of delicacies that they had only heard of but never seen. It would be a lie to say they were not greedy, but they did not dare to touch them.
Rong Yin pushed the milk tea snacks in front of them and said with a smile: "Actually, saying that I have a connection with Juan'er is just an excuse. I think you should be villagers around the capital, and I found that you have good intentions towards the current emperor, so I want to find out something from you. These snacks are the reward for the information you gave me."
Zhao Laoer summoned up his courage and asked, "What do you want to know?"
Rong Yin said, "I want to know how the fertilizer is used in your village and nearby villages. For example, how many people use it, what the effect is, and what people think of the fertilizer and His Majesty. Just tell me the truth."
Speaking of his expertise, Zhao Laoer's panic instantly faded away. He said, "Last year, when the fertilizer first came out, the villagers were indeed reluctant to use it. But later, the higher-ups asked the village chief to promote it. In addition, everyone had tasted the free ice cream sent by His Majesty, and believed that His Majesty would not harm us, so more people used it, and all my land was used."
Afterwards, Zhao Lao Er told everyone how well the crops grew with the fertilizers, how much grain they harvested, and how everyone thanked God and the emperor while harvesting the grain.
Zhao Laoer's wife added, "Not only our village has decided to use fertilizer on every plot of land next year, several nearby villages have this plan, thanks to your majesty for teaching us how to make compost. I heard that the crops on the land that didn't use fertilizer this year have decreased. Fortunately, my family used it, otherwise we would have gone hungry again this year."
Juan'er said bitterly, "I'm hungry and feel uncomfortable."
Rong Yin had also experienced the feeling of not having enough to eat when he was a child. He reached out and touched Juan'er's head, saying, "Our emperor is a good emperor who cares for the people. With him around, the future of Dasheng will definitely get better and better, and there will be fewer and fewer hungry people."
Zhao Laoer said: "I believe the emperor can do it."
After asking what he wanted to know, Rong Yin realized that his presence here would only disturb their eating, so he stood up and made an excuse to leave. He said to them, "You can eat as much as you want. If you can't finish these things, you will have to throw them away. It will be a waste."
This is of course a lie. Nowadays, there is no food that is wasted. If people don't eat it, then livestock, cats and dogs will be wasted.
However, Juan'er and her parents were timid and did not doubt Rongyin's words at all. As soon as Rongyin left, the three of them started eating to their heart's content, determined not to let such good food go to waste.
After a while, Rong Yin came back and the family of three had already eaten their fill, but there was still some food left on the table.
Juan'er held a piece of intact bread and asked quietly, "Boss, can I take this bread home? I want to give it to my grandparents. They have never eaten something so delicious."
"Of course you can. You're a good and filial child." He looked at Zhao Laoer and his wife and said, "If you don't mind, you can pack up the leftovers on the table and take them home. But the temperature is still quite high now, so don't keep them for too long. It's best to eat them within tomorrow, otherwise they will spoil easily and it's not good for your health."
This was their leftovers, how could they reject it? The couple quickly pulled Juan'er to thank Rongyin.
After seeing off the family of three, Rong Yin returned to the palace in a carriage, followed by a series of secret guards who concealed their whereabouts.
There was no other way. He didn't want to be stuck in the palace every day, so he acted coquettishly and asked Zong Zheng Xiao to let him out of the palace.
But Zong Zheng Xiao was too busy and didn't always have time to accompany him out, so in order to avoid the same kind of kidnapping that happened before, Zong Zheng Xiao sent a group of guards to protect him secretly.
In the evening, Rong Yin told Zong Zhengxiao what happened today.
Rong Yin said, "When I saw the little girl paying respect to the plaque you wrote, I was very moved. This shows that your status in her heart is as high as that of a god. These are the results of your love for the people. Your efforts have not been in vain. I am happy for you."
Zong Zheng embraced Rong Yin, but his expression was not as happy as he was. He looked at Rong Yin and said, "Ah Yin, you are the one that the people should believe in like a god. Fertilizer, ice, and paper are all things you brought. I took your reputation."
"You're having wild thoughts again." Rong Yin deliberately put on a fierce face, "Didn't I say this before? If I hadn't met you, even if I knew a lot of knowledge, it would be useless and might even bring me death. It's you who trust me unconditionally and are willing to adopt my suggestions. I don't like standing at the forefront and becoming the target of everyone's criticism, because with your protection I can live my life in peace. If you say such sad words again, I will ignore you for a month."
Zong Zhengxiao looked disappointed: "You are so good, but the people don't know it."
"It's enough for you to know it." Rong Yin said, "I don't want to be a celebrity. I don't want everyone in the world to know my name."
"Can……"
Rong Yin covered his mouth with her hand, a little angry: "My words don't work, right? If you continue to talk about this topic, you will go to sleep in the same bed with classmate Xiao Ai tonight."
Zong Zhengxiao held Rong Yin's hand and forced a smile, "Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. Your birthday is in a few days. What gift do you want?"
In the past, they would just give each other gifts on their birthdays. As the emperor, Zong Zhengxiao did not like to make a fuss about his birthday. After all, Da Sheng's current situation was not good enough for him to be extravagant. At most, he would give himself a day off.
"Hmm..." Rong Yin stroked his chin and thought. Suddenly his eyes lit up and he said, "You can accompany me to play outside the palace for a day. I'll choose the location and you are not allowed to object. How about that?"
Zong Zhengxiao, who didn't know what would happen that day, smiled gently: "You are the birthday star, I will listen to you."
On Rong Yin's birthday, everything started off smoothly. The two of them had breakfast together, took a walk by the lake, went shopping, and bought a lot of snacks and gadgets.
It was not until Rong Yin led Zong Zhengxiao to the door of Qingqiu Pavilion that he realized the seriousness of the matter.
Zong Zhengxiao looked at him with a sharp gaze: "Are you sure you want to come in here?"
Rong Yin raised his chin and said, "You promised me, so follow my instructions today."
Zong Zhengxiao said, "It's not that I forbid you to go in, I just want to know what you want to do here?"
"Go see some pretty girls, what else can you do?"
Zong Zhengxiao looked unhappy: "Say it again."
Rong Yin quickly begged for mercy: "Hey, I was just kidding. I just wanted to go in and listen to some music. What? It's my birthday, and you can't let me indulge myself a little?"
"You'd better just listen to the music." Zong Zhengxiao held Rong Yin's hand and walked inside.
As soon as the two of them entered, the boss came up to them holding a handkerchief. The smile on his face hadn't yet fully bloomed, but when he saw the two of them holding hands tightly, he froze.
The guests of Qingqiu Pavilion include men and women, young and old, and the boss has seen all kinds of weird people, but this is the first time he has seen two men holding hands and coming to such a place.
However, the boss's professionalism made her smile quickly and she asked politely, "Do you two know any girls? Or do you want me to introduce them to you?"
Rong Yin felt a little embarrassed and tried to pull her hand away, but Zong Zheng Xiao refused to let go.
He could only smile dryly and reply: "I'm looking for Miss Ningyue."
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