During the Spring Festival this year, Cangwu City was filled with a festive atmosphere, with lights and decorations on the streets and alleys, and laughter in every household.
People's faces were filled with happy smiles. All this was thanks to the series of people-friendly policies adopted by their empress after she ascended the throne.
After ascending the throne, the empress vigorously developed business opportunities and actively encouraged the people to participate in various commercial activities, which led to economic prosperity and a significant improvement in people's living standards. In just one year, the people realized their dream of having enough food and clothing.
Furthermore, the empress attached great importance to agricultural production. She issued a two-year tax exemption, and all farmers could receive free grain seeds.
In addition, the government also installed water wheels in each village, which greatly improved irrigation efficiency and significantly increased grain production. The villagers of Shangjin Kingdom had so much grain that their warehouses could not hold it all, and they were truly blessed.
In order to improve the cultural quality of the people, the empress also established many free schools to give more children the opportunity to receive education.
Under such policies, people live and work in peace and contentment, and their days are getting better day by day.
Even more exciting was the news of victory from the front: the allied forces had been completely defeated by the Shang and Jin armies, and the eight vassal states had officially been incorporated into the Shang and Jin territories. This news made the entire country cheer.
Some time ago, the Ministry of Personnel selected many talented people from various schools. Yesterday, these people were sent to the eight newly incorporated places to be responsible for local governance and development.
Song Chengjiao and Jiang Shiwei stood on the street of Cangwu City, looking at the prosperous scene in front of them, their eyes widened in surprise.
They couldn't help but recall the scene in the court that day and felt extremely ashamed of their ignorance at that time.
Jiang Shiwei never thought that Jin Linlin was so talented in governing the country. The governance level of Shangjin Kingdom simply surpassed any other country.
Not only that, the Shangjin Kingdom also successfully conquered eight vassal states. It seems that it won’t be long before Jin Linlin will unify the world and become the master of the world.
Jiang Shiwei couldn't help but feel sorry for her father-in-law. His wish to restore the country was probably difficult to achieve.
Song Chengjiao, who was standing by, became more and more jealous after hearing all the legends about Jin Linlin. Even his eyes turned red with anger.
"I heard your second brother led his troops to attack the State of Yan, but Yan is the territory of your third brother and sister-in-law! These traitors and villains should have originally belonged to our Song family! Your second sister-in-law, that bitch, shamelessly occupies a high position, but she has no intention of restoring the country!"
Song Chengjiao became more and more excited as he spoke, his face full of anger.
Jiang Shiwei stood aside. Although she disagreed with Song Chengjiao's words, she did not dare to refute him.
Jin Linlin asked her to divorce Song Chengjiao, but she didn't dare and didn't want to divorce. She just wanted to take her child back to Mobei with him.
Song Chengjiao looked at the men and women on the street with a look of obvious disdain on his face, and snorted coldly:
"Look at this! Women should stay in the backyard and take care of their husbands and children. They still talk about gender equality, but women can actually hold official positions. How shameless! How can they show themselves in public?"
He talked incessantly, criticizing this and that, completely unaware that they were surrounded by people.
A young man spoke first:
"Sir, you can't speak like that. Her Majesty the Empress is implementing new policies that are making our lives better and better. Gender equality has given many women the opportunity to display their talents. This is a great thing."
The people around him chimed in, accusing Song Chengjiao of being ungrateful. Song Chengjiao, his face flushed with shame, roared:
"You fools have been deceived by the empress. How can a woman rule a country?"
At this time, an old man walked out of the crowd and said slowly:
"Sir, look at Cangwu City and the lives of our people. If it weren't for the empress's wisdom, how could we have such prosperity today? If you continue to slander us like this, don't blame us for being rude."
Song Chengjiao wanted to argue, but Jiang Shiwei quickly pulled him back and whispered:
"Let's go before we provoke public outrage."
Song Chengjiao snorted coldly, shook off her hand, and forced his way out of the crowd. Jiang Shiwei had no choice but to follow closely behind.
Along the way, Song Chengjiao was still cursing, and Jiang Shiwei was full of worries. He didn't know how to restrain himself in other people's territory, not knowing that it was as easy for others to step on him to death as it was to step on an ant.
In the private room on the second floor of Xiangmanlou, Jin Linlin stared at the backs of the two people walking away and couldn't help but shook her head slightly.
Cao Jiao, who was sitting opposite her, was so weak and powerless because Jin Linlin had fed her cartilage tablets before. She could only maintain her sitting posture with difficulty and needed a palace maid to support her from behind.
Jin Linlin picked up the wine glass, took a sip of the fruit wine and sighed:
"I've already advised her to divorce. Given Jiang Zhixu's character, he would definitely treat her well and support her for the rest of her life. But she just likes staying in that sea of suffering and doesn't want to come out."
"She's still as stupid as before. What's so good about that man? She has to be him. Women here can all become officials, but she's still stuck in the old ways and has no future."
Cao Jiao looked at Jin Linlin suspiciously and asked:
"Why did they come to Cangwu City?"
Jin Linlin put down her wine glass:
"The King of Mobei wishes to restore his kingdom, so he begs me to send troops to aid him."
After hearing this, Cao Jiao showed a strange look on her face and glanced at Jin Linlin:
"This King of Mobei has a truly bold idea! So what kind of promise did he make to you?"
Jin Linlin suddenly remembered that when she was in Kyoto, she and Cao Jiao often went out together to chat and gossip in the restaurant. However, now, things have changed.
She calmed down and replied:
"After the matter is accomplished, he will make me king and let Song Chengjiao's son marry Nianchu."
Cao Jiao couldn't help but burst into laughter after hearing this. "This King of Mobei is truly delusional! Doesn't he understand the current situation? Does he think you'd care about his empty promises?"
Jin Linlin raised the corner of her mouth, revealing a mocking smile:
"He's certainly miscalculated. My goal now is to unify the world. How could I send troops for his petty gains?"
"So how are you going to deal with this? His son is so clueless, and yet you let him do what he wants. That's not like you!"
Cao Jiao was implying her with great irony, being so cruel to her.
Jin Linlin put down her wine glass, her eyes firm:
"I will send a message to the King of Mobei, telling him to give up the idea of restoring his country. If he behaves himself, I will not make things difficult for them. If he still persists, don't blame me for being rude."
As she was speaking, a secret guard came hurriedly and whispered something in Jin Linlin's ear. Jin Linlin's face changed slightly:
"It seems that the King of Mobei can't wait any longer and has contacted other forces privately." After saying that, Jin Linlin stood up and looked at the bustling streets outside the window.
"I advise you to be careful! If you take it out on Nian Chu, you'll see how it ends."
Jin Linlin turned her head and glanced at her, full of sarcasm:
"Do you think I'm going to stumble over the same stone twice?"
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