Chapter 112 The Prince Who Failed to Revolt
The prefect here visited for the third time, but Zhang Xiaojia was still nowhere to be seen.
But she hosted a banquet for the prefect's wife.
When Xu Ru arrived, she saw Princess Jing wearing a dark blue military uniform and a black robe.
She saluted respectfully: "Princess Jing, long live the king."
Zhang Xiaojia smiled and said, "No need to be polite, please sit down."
Zhang Xiaojia personally poured a cup of hot tea for Xu Ru. Amidst the fragrant aroma, she whispered, "Madam Xu, do you know why I invited you here alone?"
Xu Ru took the teacup with both hands, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes: "I am stupid, please explain clearly, Princess."
"Just call me County Lady." Zhang Xiaojia smiled and shook her head, her fingers gently stroking the edge of the teacup. "I heard that your father, Mr. Xu, once wrote 'A Discrimination against Falsehoods in Neo-Confucianism,' refuting the Cheng and Zhu doctrines of 'preserving Heavenly Principles and eliminating human desires.'"
Xu Ru's fingers trembled slightly, and she almost spilled her tea: "The county lady actually knew about my father's clumsy work..."
"More than that." Zhang Xiaojia took out an exquisitely bound book from under the desk. "I asked someone to find it from Jiangnan. I have read it three times." She opened the pages, which were covered with dense annotations.
Xu Ru's eyes were slightly red: "If my father knew that someone in the Central Plains valued his hard work so much..."
"That's why I can't see the prefect." Zhang Xiaojia suddenly changed the subject. "This is the emperor's kingdom, and the prefect's government. Although I have the title of fiefdom, I only care about cultivating my land." She pointed to the canal under construction outside the window. "Like this water conservancy project, I only care about when it will be completed, not how many laborers are conscripted. As long as the laborers are paid on time, that's all I care about."
Xu Ru thought thoughtfully: "The county lady is afraid..."
"Are you afraid people will accuse me of meddling in government?" Zhang Xiaojia chuckled. "Yes and no. But if I meet with the prefect, someone in the court tomorrow will say that Prince Jing and his wife are planning to establish a new government in the Northeast. I don't want to put the Emperor in a difficult position." She pushed a plate of pastries in front of Xu Ru. "So I'd like to invite Madam Xu to come visit more often and talk about the local customs and practices. After all, some things are more real when heard from within the boudoir than in court."
Xu Ru smiled knowingly: "I understand. Speaking of which, the girl from the Li family in the west of the city invented a wool comb the other day..."
Outside the window, Ryuji is supervising the construction of the canal.
He looked at the brightly lit flower hall and couldn't help shaking his head - the county lady was not avoiding suspicion at all, she was clearly opening up a second front.
Xu Ru's father had many students and old friends all over the north, and the ladies' casual conversations could often predict the direction of the wind earlier than official documents.
That night, Zhang Xiaojia wrote in a letter to the emperor: "Today, I was chatting with the wife of the prefect. I learned that the local women are good at weaving. I remembered that Eunuch De once said that the palace was short of good woolen materials..." Between the lines,
He also honestly mentioned that Xu Ru's father was once a leader in the literary world of the Liao Dynasty, and also mentioned the movements of the northern gentry hidden in those "gossips".
Ten years ago, she promised the emperor that she would never deceive or betray him.
It's just that sometimes I'm a little selfish.
It was already dusk when Xu Ru returned to the mansion. Prefect Zhao Mingde was in his study reviewing official documents. Upon seeing her enter, he quickly put down his brush and stepped forward to greet her. "Madam, are you back? And what did the princess say?"
Xu Ru took off her cloak, her eyes gleaming with a strange light. "Husband, we were all wrong." She pulled her husband to sit down. "The Princess of Lin'an is not arrogant, she is trying to avoid suspicion."
Zhao Mingde frowned: "What do you mean?"
"She specifically took out her father's book, 'Neo-Confucianism: A Defence of Falsehood,' which was filled with his own annotations." Xu Ru's voice trembled slightly. "The county lady said that if she met her husband, someone in the court would definitely criticize Prince Jing for establishing a new family in the northeast."
Zhao Mingde stroked his beard thoughtfully: "So she only sees you..."
"Exactly!" Xu Ru held her husband's hand. "The county lady said she would only focus on farming and canal construction and would never interfere in government affairs. Husband, do you know what she asked me today?" She lowered her voice. "She was asking about the wool comb invented by the young lady from the Li family in the west of the city. She said she wanted to hire her as an instructor at the Textile Bureau."
Zhao Mingde stood up suddenly: "Li family? Isn't that..." He suddenly stopped, remembering that the Li family was the largest wool merchant in the north and had in-laws with many ministers in the court.
Xu Ru whispered, "The county lady also mentioned that she most respected my father's knowledge, saying that 'preserving Heaven's principles and eliminating human desires' is a fallacy." Tears welled in her eyes. "Husband, my father's books have been banned in the Liao Dynasty for ten years... and now..."
Zhao Mingde paced back and forth in the room, then suddenly stopped. "Madam, please come back tomorrow to visit us, bringing some freshly pickled vegetables." A gleam in his eyes flashed. "By the way, tell the county lady that the thirty-six surnames of the north will gather at Laojun Temple in three days."
Xu Ru nodded in understanding, then hesitated and said, "But will this..."
"That's all right." Zhao Mingde chuckled. "Didn't the county lady say that? She only cares about farming and doesn't worry about government affairs. As for the ladies' idle chatter... who cares?"
Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaojia was writing a letter to the emperor under the lamp. When she wrote about Xu Ru's father, her pen paused, and she recalled that snowy night ten years ago when she, the emperor, and He Fei were arguing. After the quarrel, the emperor said that he trusted them both and that as long as they didn't betray him, his trust would remain unchanged.
She took a deep breath and continued, "Xu Ru's daughter is well-spoken. Although her father once served in Liao, his learning is pure and profound, quite different from the Cheng-Zhu school. I, your sister, boldly ask the Emperor to lift the ban on his works, perhaps they can help educate the scholars of the north..."
After writing, she gently blew the ink dry, her lips curled up slightly. This letter would be sent to the capital tomorrow along with thirty carts of wool—the finest wool, specifically for making winter clothes for the Emperor and his mother.
In April, on the Northeast Plain, newly sown spring wheat was already sprouting tender green buds. Standing on the ridge of a field, Zhang Xiaojia gazed at the endless wheat fields before him, a smile unconsciously rising at the corners of his mouth.
"County Master, all 500 acres of wasteland have been reclaimed." Long Er came over with the account book in hand, a rare smile on his face, "Ten days ahead of schedule."
Zhang Xiaojia took the account book and ran his fingertips over the densely packed numbers: "How are the tenants feeling?"
"Everyone is rushing to sign long-term contracts." Long Er lowered his voice, "Especially the Li family's farms. I heard that the county lord promised them 30% of the harvest, so even the elderly and children are going to the fields."
Zhang Xiaojia chuckled and looked at the farmers working in the fields in the distance.
"Long Er, continue recruiting people to open up wasteland. By the end of May, we estimate that we will have opened up 5 million mu of land for soybean planting."
Long Er: “Yes”
As they were talking, the sound of horse hooves could be heard in the distance. Xu Ru came in with two maids, carrying food boxes.
"Thank you for your hard work, County Lady." Xu Rufu bowed and took out a few exquisite side dishes from the food box. "This is the pickled cabbage and pork stew I made myself. I'll give it to you to try."
Zhang Xiaojia took the chopsticks and took a bite. Her eyes lit up immediately. "Excellent cooking! Even better than the Zuixianlou in Beijing." She pulled Xu Ru to sit down. "I just happened to have something to discuss with you."
A trace of vigilance flashed in Xu Ru's eyes: "Please speak, County Master."
"I want to build a school west of Zhuangzi." Zhang Xiaojia pointed to a vacant lot in the distance. "Please ask your father to come out of seclusion to give lectures, specializing in 'Distinguishing Falsehoods from the Study of Principle'."
Xu Ru clenched the handkerchief in her hand: "This... My father is old..."
"A monthly salary of one hundred taels," Zhang Xiaojia said casually. "I accept students from the thirty-six surnames of the North." She picked up a piece of pork belly and said, "Of course, we'll also accept intelligent women like Miss Li. It doesn't matter whether you're male or female. Women in the Liao Dynasty weren't allowed to hold official positions, but women in our Great Zhou can. We can serve in the imperial court. However, if a woman serves in the imperial court, her husband can't become a scholar."
Xu Ru's breathing became noticeably faster. Her father had been banned from teaching for ten years by the Liao court, and now he was able to reopen his lecture hall in the Central Plains, teaching his own masterpiece...
"I... thank the county lady on behalf of my father." Xu Ru's voice trembled slightly. "But the court..."
Zhang Xiaojia smiled and pulled a letter from her sleeve. "What a coincidence! I just received the emperor's approval yesterday." She unfolded the letter, which was stamped with a vermilion imperial seal. "Xu Ru's knowledge is pure and clear. He is allowed to open a school and teach students."
Xu Ru's tears finally fell. She bowed deeply to the east, her forehead almost touching the dirt on the ridge of the field: "Your Majesty, your grace..."
"Don't be so quick to thank me." Zhang Xiaojia helped her up, a cunning glint in his eyes. "Your father has to promise me one thing - on the first day of every month, you have to write a lecture note for my brother."
Xu Ru was stunned at first, then suddenly realized. This meant that her father's teachings would reach the ears of the gods! She nodded solemnly, "My father will do his best."
That evening, Zhang Xiaojia wrote in his diary: "On April 18th, the wheat seedlings sprouted. Xu Ru agreed to give lectures, and 37 sons of northern gentry signed up. I'm recruiting people to open up the wasteland and plant soybeans by the end of May."
Zhang Xiaojia smiled slightly and added a sentence at the end of her diary: "The seeds have been planted, and we just have to wait for the autumn harvest."
On a morning in early June, Zhang Xiaojia was squatting in a wheat field, checking the growth of her interplanted corn seedlings, when she suddenly heard the hurried clatter of horses' hooves behind her. She looked back and saw a cavalry unit galloping towards them. The young general in the lead dismounted, his armor gleaming brightly in the morning sun.
"Mother!" He Lin rushed to the edge of the field in two steps, but suddenly stopped three feet away from Zhang Xiaojia and saluted politely, "Your son greets you, mother."
Zhang Xiaojia's hoe fell to the ground with a clang. She didn't care about the dirt on her hands and hugged her son in her arms: "You little rascal! You've only come to see me after three months!" Her voice was choked with sobs.
He Lin's armor rubbed his face from being hugged, but he smiled with his eyes curved: "My son is here." He pointed to the convoy behind him, "He brought gifts with him."
In the sunlight, dozens of craftsmen were unloading large pieces of crystal clear glass from a carriage. Zhang Xiaojia narrowed his eyes: "This is..."
"Sunroom," He Lin said proudly, "This is a modified version of the one Mom had in the capital. I don't have the money Dad has, so I could only build half a glass house." He pointed to another team of craftsmen digging the earth, "They're digging a pond over there, drawing water from the mountain hot springs, and planting lotus flowers. Mom, you love lotus flowers the most."
Zhang Xiaojia felt warm in his heart, but he deliberately put on a stern face: "Why are you doing all this fancy stuff? Have you finished your military affairs?"
"Everything has been arranged." He Lin leaned in and whispered, "My son brought three hundred soldiers with him this time." He blinked, "They are all good farmers and will help mother open up the wasteland."
She took her son's arm and said, "Come on, take me to see your sun room."
"Mother," He Lin suddenly lowered his voice, "the thirty-six clans of the North have jointly submitted a petition requesting that your fiefdom be expanded to include the entire Liao Dynasty."
Zhang Xiaojia spilled half of the fish food in his hand: "Does your father know?"
"Dad is on the front line in Tibet and hasn't heard about it yet." He Lin's eyes flashed with cunning, "But the emperor has approved it."
Zhang Xiaojia turned his head abruptly: "When did it happen?"
He Lin chuckled, "The Emperor said that since my sister is so good at farming, why not let her farm the entire Liao Dynasty?"
The koi fish in the pond leaped out of the water, their splashes wetting the hem of Zhang Xiaojia's skirt. She was oblivious, gazing at the endless wheat fields in the distance, and whispered, "This really is... there's no end to the land to be planted."
That night, Zhang Xiaojia added a line to her diary: "On the third day of the sixth lunar month, Lin'er arrived, bringing sunshine and a lotus pond. The heart of the north is home, and the emperor's grace is immense. But..." She paused, the tip of her pen spreading a dot of ink on the paper, "The bigger the land, the more we must remember why we came here in the first place. Brother, you don't plan to ask your sister to reclaim the wasteland in the Liao Dynasty before returning to Kyoto, do you? We agreed that after He Fei finishes the battle, I will stay here for a maximum of five years. I will return this place to you, and you will return Lin'an to me. What do you mean? I don't want it. I've become ugly. I want beautiful clothes. He Fei and I will go to Jiangnan together. You are the one who can let me live a life of luxury, glory and wealth, and just have fun. Why are there so many things to do now?"
Inside the Golden Throne Hall, the Minister of Revenue nearly stabbed his tablet to the ground. "Your Majesty! The Princess of Lin'an has reclaimed tens of millions of acres of wasteland in the Liao Dynasty, established a private school, and maintained close ties with the Thirty-Six Clans of the North. This is clearly an attempt to..."
"My dear minister," the emperor slowly opened the sandalwood box on his desk and took out a wax-stained letter. "You might want to take a look at this first."
The prime minister took the letter, his aged fingers sweeping across the familiar cursive script, then paused at a certain point: "...I, your sister, will not forget the five-year agreement. Once the water conservancy project is completed and the warehouses are well stocked, I will return the government to the court and return to Lin'an to enjoy the flowers..." He looked up suddenly, his voice trembling: "Your Majesty, is this the county lady's agreement to return the government in five years?"
The emperor nodded and smiled: "That's right. Jia Jia always includes this contract in every letter home, take a look--" He unfolded the letter, and at the end was a crooked little man holding a flag that read "Run away in five years."
The court erupted in an uproar. The Chief Censor leaned in for a closer look and burst out laughing. "This girl even drew the contract like a joke!" He pointed to the inscription next to the figurine and read: "The first year is clearing land and planting wheat, the second year is raising pigs, the third year is raising horses, the fourth year is raising sheep, the fifth year...what's the meaning of the bathtub?"
"She said she wanted to soak in the hot springs in the fifth year while waiting for me to take her back to the capital." The emperor couldn't help laughing. "She even specifically noted 'the hot springs must be jasmine-scented.'"
The tense atmosphere suddenly dissipated. The Minister of War came over to take a look and said, "Wow, this fourth year's painting of a flock of sheep, each one is wearing a pearl necklace?"
"She bargained with me," the emperor said, tapping the dragon table with his fingers. "She said if she could raise 100,000 sheep, she would be rewarded with a bushel of South China Sea pearls."
The Prime Minister stroked his beard and sighed, "I finally understand why the county lady wanted to improve the wool comb - it was so that when she retired in five years, she could enjoy a carefree life with real money."
"That's exactly what happened." The emperor unfolded a map sent from the northeast, its inky lines outlining the crisscrossing fields. "Please look, my lords! The contracts for these newly reclaimed fields all state that they will be transferred to the Ministry of Revenue after five years. The teachers in the academy all receive imperial salaries, and the Textile Bureau has even signed a profit-sharing agreement with the Ministry of the Interior."
The Minister of Revenue blushed slightly. "So, the County Lady only needs five years, and the rest of the time she's just helping the court?"
"It's still the most luxurious one." The Three Officials Envoy shook out the account book he brought with him. "Wool alone has brought in 300,000 taels of silver into the Ministry of Finance this year. Not to mention the 10 million mu of newly reclaimed official farmland—"
Amidst the court officials' whispers, the emperor suddenly threw out a bright yellow edict: "Propagate my decree: upon the expiration of the five-year term of the Lin'an County Princess, she shall be granted an additional fiefdom in the three prefectures of Jiangnan." A cunning glint flashed in his eyes. "This will save her from writing letters every day complaining about her poverty and how she can't afford rouge because she's tanned."
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