Chapter 429 Harvest
As autumn reached its midpoint, the people began their harvest.
But this year's harvest was not satisfactory.
The harvested grain was 20% less than in previous years.
However, the State of Jin resumed taxation this year.
His Majesty is compassionate towards the people, and taxes are not high.
However, the tax rate is only one-forty percent.
The taxes were much lighter than during the chaotic war.
At harvest time, farmers in various places who grew sweet potatoes harvested their crops at the same time as them.
And the harvest was a perfect 100%.
These farmers generously gave some of their sweet potatoes to neighboring farmers.
The people were amazed that the sweet potatoes matured in such a short time and that the harvest was so good.
They were even more surprised after they went back and tasted the sweet potatoes.
This stuff actually tastes pretty good, and it's quite filling.
Not only that, but it also alarmed the Ministry of Agriculture.
Many officials from the Ministry of Agriculture personally visited the areas where sweet potatoes were grown to conduct inspections.
After multiple investigations, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Revenue jointly issued an announcement.
Sweet potatoes can be included in taxation.
After this announcement was made, the sweet potato farmers were overjoyed.
Every farmer who grows sweet potatoes is overjoyed to take their harvested sweet potatoes to pay their taxes.
Just when the people were very envious, these farmers who grew sweet potatoes actually replanted them.
In a village near the capital, two brothers who initially wanted to grow sweet potatoes to please the princess of the state were happily running around in the fields every day.
Taxation is a major issue for ordinary people.
The sweet potato harvest was plentiful and could even offset taxes.
Many people have already started asking the two brothers about them.
At first, the two were reluctant to talk about it.
Finally, the tenant farmer organized a few banquets for the two brothers.
The two brothers were happy to share this with everyone.
The older brother said, “You don’t know, sweet potatoes are not only easy to grow, but they can also be harvested twice a year. You’ve seen us planting them these past few days, right? After we fertilize them, we can harvest them again next spring. Moreover, sweet potatoes are a rare commodity these days, and we can sell the extras. If you don’t mind the hard work, you can plant some in your own fields like we brothers do.”
The younger brother quickly said, "But these seeds were hard-earned by us brothers. We can teach you how to plant them, but if you want these seeds..."
The younger brother rubbed his hands together as he spoke.
The tenant farmer leader heard that although the seeds cost money, it was only a few coins.
If this can solve everyone's livelihood problems, then it would be totally worth it.
After discussing it, everyone bought some sweet potato seeds from the brothers.
For a time, a wave of sweet potato cultivation swept through many parts of the State of Jin.
Qin Jinzhi nestled on the Empress's soft couch.
The emperor and empress sat beside her.
The emperor was overjoyed; after so many years, the national treasury had finally become much fuller.
The three of them opened the account books submitted by the Ministry of Revenue.
Qin Jinzhi removed the account book from her face and looked at the emperor.
"Grandfather."
The emperor turned to look at her with a delighted expression, "What are you doing?"
Qin Jinzhi moved closer to him and said, "Now that your national treasury is so full, shouldn't you support the army yourself?"
The emperor's smile vanished in an instant. "What do you mean by abundant? The national treasury is practically empty! There are just too many places in Jin that need money these days. This amount is just a drop in the ocean. My dear grandson, don't say such frightening things."
So, if each person ate just one bite of food, they would eat him out of house and home.
Qin Jinzhi looked at the Empress speechlessly, "Grandmother, this old man is so stingy, how did you manage to marry him?"
The emperor immediately turned around and slapped her calf.
The Empress opened the account book sent by the Ministry of Revenue. "The harvest of these crops is quite good. In addition, according to the observations of the Imperial Observatory, there may be a drought next. If sweet potatoes are widely promoted, they can solve many livelihood problems. My dear grandson has made a great contribution. You should reward him well."
Qin Jinzhi sat up. "Reward me one million taels!"
The emperor pretended not to hear and looked at the empress, "Or should I grant her the title of princess right now?"
The Empress looked at the Emperor, "Does Qin Ye's life bother you?"
The emperor pursed his lips. "So, what kind of reward should we give?"
Qin Jinzhi leaned close to his ear and said, "I want money!"
The emperor slowly turned his head to the other side and looked at Eunuch Hong.
“Hong Dequan, tell me, what should I reward my precious grandson with?”
Hong Dequan looked at the emperor with a miserable expression, "Your Majesty, this old servant doesn't understand either."
Qin Jinzhi thrust her face towards the emperor again, "Grandfather, I want money! Money!"
The emperor turned to the empress, "What should we reward them with?"
Qin Jinzhi rolled her eyes in anger, snatched the account book from the emperor's hand, and huddled back inside.
At this moment, Caihuan, who was beside the Empress, walked in.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience."
The Empress nodded. "Let him in."
Qin Jinzhi didn't move after hearing this, but nestled behind the two of them and opened the account book.
The crown prince walked in from outside.
Xiao Can and Xiao Piao followed behind him.
The brother and sister were somewhat dazed when they saw Qin Jinzhi, who was leisurely nestled behind the emperor and empress.
Compared to all the children in this palace.
The imperial harem was more like Qin Jinzhi's home.
Qin Jinzhi was the only one who was not bound by etiquette and dogma from a young age.
Only Qin Jinzhi could be so carefree and at ease.
Or rather, the Emperor's grandfather and grandmother only granted Qin Jinzhi this qualification.
The Crown Prince said, "Father, Mother, Can'er and Piao'er miss you very much. It's not so convenient for them to come to the palace. I'm not too busy with official duties today, so I brought them to visit you."
After Xiao Chengqian finished speaking, he looked at Qin Jinzhi behind the Emperor and Empress and smiled, "Jinzhi is here too. Perfect. You three siblings haven't had a proper conversation in a long time. Today, we can finally be considered a family reunion."
Xiao Can and Xiao Piao stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty; greetings, Your Majesty."
The two men looked at Qin Jinzhi with different expressions.
But Qin Jinzhi acted as if she didn't see the two of them.
His gaze remained fixed on the ledger in his hands.
The Empress said, "My dear children, it's a rare treat that you've all come to my place today. Let's have a meal together."
"yes."
The emperor spoke up: "Perfect timing, Chengqian, tell me about the affairs of the past few days."
The crown prince's gaze fell on Qin Jinzhi.
At this moment, Qin Jinzhi called out, "Granny Li!"
Granny Li came out from the inner room. "Princess, what brings you here?"
Qin Jinzhi got up and sat down on the edge of the couch. "Don't make that fruit soup today, let's make something else, Granny."
She mentioned that the fruit soup was delicious, and Granny Li made it for her every meal.
I've really had enough to eat!
After listening, Granny Li pondered for a moment and said, "Then shall I stew a savory soup for the princess today?"
Qin Jinzhi nodded. "Call me when it's time to eat. I'm going to catch up on some sleep."
Upon hearing Qin Jinzhi's words, Caihuan immediately knelt down to the side and put her shoes on.
Qin Jinzhi looked at the Crown Prince and said, "Jinzhi will not disturb Uncle's report on state affairs any longer."
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