After hoeing for several days, His Highness Prince Qi finally collapsed from exhaustion on the afternoon of the fourth day.
"Sister-in-law, I can't take it anymore, why don't you find someone else?"
He Youyou glanced at the pile of farm tools on the ground: "No need, that's enough."
Is that enough?
King Qi couldn't help but wonder: Could it have been enough already? You didn't tell me, did you?
He Youyou didn't notice the strangeness in his expression.
He simply picked up the hoe from the ground and held it out to him.
"Your Highness, what do you think of this hoe?"
King Qi pointed to the crack on the hoe and boasted, "I have been working so hard these past few days, sparing no effort. Look, I've even worn out the hoe."
He Youyou didn't answer, but turned around and borrowed a hoe from the old farmer next to her.
"Your Highness, what do you think of this one?"
The old farmer's hoe was thick and solid, with the iron part gleaming faintly at the edge.
King Qi looked at it but couldn't see anything special: "This is just a hoe. The blade looks quite shiny. Is there anything different about it?"
He Youyou placed the two hoes together: "Your Highness, please look. The one you are using has chipped after only three days, while this one is still in perfect condition after three days."
"He...he doesn't work as hard as I do!"
He Youyou said helplessly, "Your Highness, others have hoeed five acres of land in three days, while you have only hoeed half an acre in three days..."
How dare you say that someone isn't working hard enough?
"Then... then why is that?"
"Because the hoe the old man is using is forged. But your hoe, Your Highness, is cast."
"..."
“Such sharp tools can only be made sharp, durable, and tough by being forged through countless hammerings. However, the farm tools produced in the Prince’s workshop are all made by casting, and cast iron is brittle and easily broken, resulting in extremely rapid wear and tear.”
King Qi chuckled: "Fan Zhu, isn't it because it's fast and convenient..."
"You've made things easier for yourself, but you've made life harder for the people. The soil in the north is hard, unlike the soft soil in the south. Farm tools made from cast iron break down quickly. And ironware is expensive, so the cost of purchasing it is high for the people. Doesn't that just add to their burden?"
"Then... what do you suggest we do?"
"If you ask me, we need to improve quality and reduce costs."
King Qi shook his head: "Sister-in-law, you make it sound so easy, but you can't have both. If all the farm tools have to be forged, it will consume more fuel and more labor. If they are sold at higher prices, will anyone buy them?"
"Costs can be reduced elsewhere."
"for example?"
"Inventory costs, tax costs, and administrative expenses."
King Qi, Zhao Changyi, looked bewildered.
He Youyou didn't mind his blank state.
"Your Highness, please rest assured, I will have a professional team to help you plan. We are not in a hurry, let's take it one step at a time."
King Qi breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
She shakily stretched out her blistered hand: "Sister-in-law, can I rest now?"
He Youyou was about to nod when she suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves on the road in the distance.
The sound attracted everyone's attention.
Everyone looked in that direction.
A horse-drawn carriage came approaching from afar.
Several horses were escorting the carriage.
The rider on horseback called out to them from afar, "Is that His Highness Prince Qi over there?"
King Qi was overjoyed.
Judging from its style, this carriage came from the palace.
"It is indeed I, the King!"
As he answered the man, he smiled at He Youyou and said, "Sister-in-law, this is someone from the palace. The Emperor must have something to discuss with me. Palace matters are important, so let's stop here for today and stop hoeing."
He Youyou listened, but didn't say anything.
In no time, the group had arrived.
The mounted guards dismounted, the carriage stopped, and two eunuchs stepped out.
Holding a scroll of imperial edict: "Your Highness Prince Qi, please receive this edict."
Everyone present immediately knelt down.
The imperial edict mainly conveyed the following meanings:
The Emperor was pleased to hear that the King of Qi had recently taken the lead in experiencing farming firsthand.
This year is a year in which the imperial court is vigorously promoting land reclamation. The emperor also wants to set an example by personally going to the fields, so that people of the world can understand the emperor's emphasis on agriculture.
However, he was too busy with court affairs to get away from it.
Therefore, His Majesty decided to appoint the King of Qi to "act on behalf of Heaven in managing agriculture".
After reading the imperial edict, the eunuch beamed and praised, "In ancient times, there were famous ministers who 'patronized the emperor on behalf of the emperor,' and now there is the Prince of Qi who 'serves the farmers on behalf of the emperor.' This will surely be a story that will be passed down through the ages!"
As he spoke, he took an item from the sandalwood tray in another person's hand and personally handed it to the King of Qi.
A bright yellow gold medal with four large characters inscribed on it: "Representing the Emperor in Plowing the Fields".
King Qi was almost in tears.
He has always liked gold.
Except for those with these four characters printed on them.
The King of Qi accepted the gold medal with his blistered hands: "Your Excellency, I accept this decree, but I have matters to attend to these few days, so I'll postpone it for now and continue in a few days..."
"Hey, how can it be a few days later? His Majesty wants to see Prince Qi personally plowing the fields today. That's why he specially arranged for a court painter to come with me here to paint Your Highness's heroic figure and spread it to the world."
King Qi turned his head and looked—
Sure enough, a young painter emerged from the carriage, carrying a painting box on his back.
In the short time it took to say a few words, the small table was already set up, and they were laying a sheet of drawing paper on it.
After laying out the paper, he quickly set out the brush and ink.
The artist said respectfully, "Your Highness, I am ready. You may begin."
King Qi: I…
He looked at He Youyou with pleading eyes...
He Youyou slowly started eating sunflower seeds.
He glanced again at his fourth brother, Zhao Changqing…
His Highness the King of Yue was reaching out his hand to catch the sunflower seed shells for her.
The eunuchs urged again, "Your Highness, hurry up! We servants are waiting to finish the painting and go back to report. If we are late, we cannot bear the Emperor's wrath."
King Qi had no choice but to put away the gold medal and, with a heavy heart, pick up the hoe.
"Thunder and rain, all are the emperor's grace."
This is my fate.
Accept your fate.
Soon, the painting reached the imperial court.
"King Qi personally plows the fields on behalf of the emperor".
The Minister of Personnel ordered that the painting be printed in large quantities and distributed to prefectural offices throughout the country.
This was used to demonstrate the imperial court's determination to encourage agriculture.
Those below have been pondering the Emperor's will every day, but now that the Emperor's will is laid bare and clearly laid out before you, what is there left to not understand?
Local officials across the country followed suit, picking up hoes and going down to the fields to get up close and personal with farmers.
This will be a bonus point in the next Hajj assessment.
Poor King Qi, he was so exhausted that he couldn't get up for several days.
I was lying in bed when He Youyou came again.
Zhao Changqing followed.
His fourth brother personally dragged him out of bed: "Come on, Youyou is looking for you."
With tears welling up in his eyes, King Qi tugged at Zhao Changqing's sleeve: "Brother, my dear brother, please tell your wife to let your younger brother rest for a few more days."
"You should be grateful she needs you; she doesn't need me at all. Now get out of here!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
