At the same time, Xunyang has encountered new opportunities in its continued development.
Some overseas merchants, having heard of Xunyang's reputation, came here with exotic treasures and unique skills, hoping to conduct trade with Xunyang.
Zheng Hanying quickly wrote a letter and reported the matter to the capital.
Upon receiving the letter, Chen Xiao realized that this was a great opportunity to expand national trade and promote national prestige, so he summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures.
The controversy surrounding the marriage has been temporarily overshadowed by this new national priority.
In the court, Chen Xiao clearly explained the Xunyang trade to the ministers: "The new Xunyang is a blessing for our court. If handled properly, it can fill the national treasury and make the people rich and the country strong."
The ministers nodded in agreement and expressed their opinions.
After discussion, Chen Xiao decided to send someone familiar with trade to Xunyang to properly contact overseas merchants, draft fair and mutually beneficial trade terms, and ensure the interests of the Night Dynasty are protected.
At the same time, the Ministry of Works was instructed to expedite preparations to build a trading venue in Xunyang to facilitate trade.
He also ordered the Ministry of Rites to prepare a grand ceremony to welcome foreign guests and to demonstrate the elegance and enthusiasm of the Night Dynasty.
In the inner palace, Xu Ruyu no longer mentioned marriage, but secretly kept track of the situation of some virtuous and capable people, intending to present them to Chen Xiao when the time was right.
He was well aware of Chen Xiao's aversion to marriage, but he also hoped to share the burden for His Majesty.
Chen Xiao then threw himself into the trade affairs, working tirelessly day and night.
She knew that this was a crucial step for Yechao to reach a wider world, and it could not be lost.
In the midst of her busy life, she would occasionally think about her modern life, a completely different world where marriage is free and diverse.
But now that she is in the Night Dynasty, she must be responsible for its future.
Several months later, the trade in Xunyang progressed smoothly.
Overseas business travelers were quite satisfied with Yechao's efficiency and sincerity, and the two sides signed many trade agreements.
In the markets of Xunyang, a dazzling array of foreign goods began to appear, astonishing the locals. The specialties of Yechao were also taken overseas by merchants and travelers, and their reputation gradually spread.
In the imperial court, the ministers praised Chen Xiao's decision, and the discussion about the marriage gradually faded away.
Looking at the prosperous scene, Chen Xiao felt gratified.
However, she also understands that the road ahead is still long, and whether it is national development or personal emotional fulfillment, she needs to continue to explore and move forward.
She stood by the window of the Hall of Diligent Governance, gazing into the distance with a firm and profound look in her eyes, awaiting the arrival of the next challenge and opportunity.
Xunyang.
During this period, Zheng Hanying and his son Zheng Pianran worked together to rectify the decadent atmosphere in their family and the officialdom of Xunyang.
Zheng Hanying knew that some members of his family, relying on the power of the Zheng family, were running rampant in Xunyang and oppressing the people. The corruption in Xunyang's officialdom was also colluding with unscrupulous members of the family. If this was not eradicated, the reputation of the Zheng family and the peace of the people of Xunyang would be ruined.
Zheng Hanying took the lead, secretly gathering loyal and upright members of the family and listing the misdeeds of the family members who had committed evil deeds, with irrefutable evidence.
In the ancestral hall, he stood tall and rebuked those who had made mistakes in public. Ignoring the pleas and obstruction of some elders in the family, he resolutely punished them according to the family rules, either expelling them from the family or ordering them to repent and make amends for their mistakes.
His incorruptibility instilled fear in many in his family, but it also gave hope to upright people.
Zheng Pianran, on the other hand, started with the officialdom. He conducted investigations both openly and covertly, beginning with some minor cases and following the clues to gradually uncover the large web of corruption in Xunyang's officialdom.
Zheng Pianran showed no mercy to corrupt officials, regardless of their rank or the strength of their backers; once the facts were verified, they were arrested immediately.
The prisons in Xunyang were suddenly filled with once-powerful officials.
In the process of purging the bad elements in the family, the father and son also encountered many difficulties.
The family was divided, the official forces were fighting back, and there was even covert pressure from certain forces in the capital.
But the father and son supported each other and did not back down.
Zheng Hanying used the prestige of his family elders to stabilize the family, while Zheng Pianran relied on the power and wisdom of the governor to deal with the challenges of officialdom.
After months of hard work, the bad elements in the family were basically eliminated, and the officialdom in Xunyang was also completely renewed.
The people were pleasantly surprised to find that taxes had become fair and reasonable, grievances had been redressed, and public security had greatly improved.
Zheng Hanying felt gratified as her family gradually got back on track; Zheng Pianran looked at the new look of Xunyang and was full of confidence in the future.
They knew this was just the beginning, and that a long-term mechanism needed to be established to prevent the family and officialdom from falling into darkness again, so that Xunyang could continue to develop on the path of integrity and become a model of local governance in the Night Dynasty.
In the streets and alleys of Xunyang City, the people were talking about the actions of Zheng Hanying and his son Zheng Pianran, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude.
"Prefect Zheng and Governor Zheng are truly upright and just officials! In the past, those arrogant young masters of the Zheng family ran rampant in the city, seizing farmland and robbing people's property. We dared not speak out against them. Now, the Prefect himself has personally dealt with those scoundrels and restored peace to Xunyang." An elderly man with gray hair leaned on his cane and said excitedly to the people around him.
"It's not just a family matter. Look at the officialdom in Xunyang now. Before, those corrupt officials would add layers of extra charges when collecting our taxes. You had to bribe them to get anything done, or they'd drag their feet. Now that Prefect Zheng has taken office and joined forces with Lord Zheng, those corrupt officials have all fallen from grace. Our lives can finally look forward. Taxes have been reduced, and the government offices are more efficient. These are truly good officials who care about us common people!" A young man chimed in, his face beaming with smiles.
"I heard they had a tough time during the crackdown. Some family members opposed them, and some officials wanted to bring them down. But they remained unmoved and insisted on bringing the bad guys to justice. We should thank them properly. If it weren't for them, how could Xunyang have such a good life now?" A woman holding her child said, her eyes full of gratitude.
The people spontaneously erected longevity tablets for Zheng Hanying and Zheng Pianran in the city, and people went there every day to pray for them, asking Heaven to bless these two good officials to live to a ripe old age and continue to protect the peace of Xunyang.
They also threw themselves into the construction of Xunyang more actively. Their former laziness and resentment disappeared, replaced by their aspirations and enthusiasm for a better future.
Shops opened one after another on the streets, creating a lively atmosphere, while farmers in the fields hummed tunes as they worked diligently, presenting a vibrant scene throughout Xunyang.
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