Chapter 71 Come Visit
Although Zhu Zhanji looked unreliable, he was decisive and efficient in doing things. In just half a month, he was able to invite officials from the six ministries.
Zhu Yuhuan was very surprised when he first found out, but after knowing who Zhu Zhanji invited, he understood why it went so smoothly.
Zhu Zhanji invited officials of lower ranks from the Six Ministries and the Hanlin Academy. Most of these people cared about the reputation of the prince Zhu Zhanji and were afraid that they would anger Zhu Zhanji, the future emperor's brother, because of their low official positions.
Most other high-ranking officials declined, citing their busy schedules. The original warming of the chambers had been facilitated by the Crown Prince, prompting officials to rush in and take advantage of the opportunity, ensuring its smooth operation. But what was Zhu Yuhuan's status? Considering her age, who would even take her seriously? As for Zhu Zhanji, they naturally had to honor the Crown Prince, so they allowed lower-ranking officials to go.
To ease the food burden in the southeast, the Emperor sent the Crown Prince to Yingtian to prepare for his return. It seemed he wouldn't stay in Shuntian for long. What was the point of improving people's livelihoods there? Ultimately, the south was responsible for the lion's share of the Ming's food and money needs, so any improvements in the north would be futile.
Zhu Zhanji noticed that his niece seemed a little disappointed. He bent down and put his arm around Zhu Yuhuan's shoulders, saying with a smile, "Niece, it's good to have someone come. Be content."
Zhu Yuhuan almost couldn't help but complain about Zhu Zhanji. He said so many nice things beforehand, but why did he try to fool her when inspecting the goods?
She actually thought Zhu Zhanji's confident look was based on solid foundation...
Zhu Yuhuan said quietly, "So these are the only people in the Six Departments."
"Although most of them are just clerks and don't even have a proper rank, they are still members of the Six Ministries. Niece, you can't say that your uncle is lying to you." Zhu Zhanji said, and then he comforted her, "Although their positions are lower, they can still be considered as invited. At least there is no problem on the surface. Your uncle has done his job very well—"
Zhu Yuhuan held his forehead in silence for a long time before speaking: "I really have nothing to say this time..."
Zhu Zhanji said seriously, "First of all, Uncle Wu didn't lie to you. Are all the people here? Secondly, what's the most important thing for us to do? Of course, it's to make sure these things come in handy!"
Zhu Yuhuan finally couldn't help but say, "But these officials shouldn't have much say in the six ministries, right? Even if they really understood the purpose of these things, they wouldn't be able to persuade the ministers and assistant ministers of the six ministries..."
"But consider another point. These are young men who have just entered officialdom. They're more passionate about serving their country than anyone else. If they can understand the importance of this farm cart, it would be much better than having a bunch of high-ranking officials who don't care and just give you a pass." Zhu Zhanji said as a matter of course, "What was the Shangshu before? He was also a minor official! One day they will be in power. Then, will they still worry about your products having no place to use them?"
Zhu Yuhuan choked and said, "But time waits for no one. Even if we can make even the smallest change, our hard work won't be in vain. But if we delay even a little bit, there will be endless troubles."
Zhu Zhanji sighed and said, "Niece, you're good in every way except that you're too impatient." He added sternly, "This country is vast, and there's a lot to do. Your Majesty and the officials alike must address each task one by one. Expecting to win everyone over to your side overnight is impossible, even if you're right. This is a matter of state, not a game of family."
Zhu Yuhuan looked at him for a moment, then turned away silently without saying a word.
State affairs and family affairs were a mess. She was like a person hiking in the desert, with no end in sight wherever she went.
Normally, Zhu Yuhuan could still comfort herself. She was already so much more comfortable than others, so why should she care about these trivial matters? Isn't the purpose of life to be free and easy? Anyway, they had never entered Beijing in history. Since they couldn't take her life, why should she care so much?
As for the future so far away that she can't reach it? After I die, who cares about the flood? Besides, she is not even the emperor.
Zhu Zhanji was slightly taken aback, thinking that his words were too harsh. He hurriedly comforted Zhu Yuhuan from behind, "Huanhuan, you are still young. There are some things you will understand when you grow up. Besides, true gold is not afraid of fire. This farm cart is so convenient and beneficial to people's livelihood. When everyone understands its function, they will naturally understand your painstaking efforts... How about Fifth Uncle bring you some snacks from outside the palace next time? Do you like sweet or salty food?"
He was racking his brains trying to think of how to comfort Zhu Yuhuan, but Zhu Yuhuan had already turned around, clenched his fists, and vowed, "Since that's the case, I'm going to make sure they see the power of agricultural vehicles and understand what it means to develop a country through science and technology! I'm going to make those who haven't seen it with their own eyes today regret it!"
Seeing that her enthusiasm had not diminished at all, but had become even more resolute, Zhu Zhanji ignored the strange words she had just said and said with a mixture of laughter and tears, "I thought you had given up..."
Zhu Yuhuan didn't take it seriously and said, "Fifth Uncle, you're right. You can't become fat in one bite..."
Zhu Zhanji quickly covered his mouth and said, "Don't talk about Fatty."
Zhu Yuhuan struggled for a long time before changing his tone. "It's not a day's cold, and some things are hard to change overnight. I understand that. The country is huge, and there are many things to do. I'll do little by little, and the world will change little by little. There will always be a day when that happens."
Zhu Zhanji was a little confused and asked casually, "Which day?"
Zhu Yuhuan held his chin with one hand and said, "One day."
With the cooperation of Zhu Yuhuan and Zhu Zhanji, the uncle and nephew, the officials from the six ministries finally got to witness the new agricultural tools that were praised by His Majesty.
Zhu Yuhuan divided the craftsmen into several groups. Those who were eloquent were responsible for introducing the agricultural tools, while the other group was responsible for personally using and demonstrating them so that the officials could understand how to use them.
Although these officials did not hold high positions, some of them came from prominent families, and the rest were mostly born in families where they had no worries about food and clothing. Naturally, they did not know much about farming. If no one patiently explained it to them, they would probably find it difficult to understand the importance of the farm cart.
In addition, Zhu Yuhuan asked some eunuchs to simply demonstrate how to make the parts needed for farm carts, to show that these things can not only be used for simple farm work, but also have greater uses.
Just by seeing that most of them looked cautious and did not dare to show too much emotion, Zhu Yuhuan could vaguely sense how the officials above them viewed these agricultural tools that had been produced with great difficulty.
After all, the most important thing nowadays, both inside and outside the government, is the relocation. No one is willing to divide their attention on other trivial matters. These things are nothing more than tricks and are not even state affairs. They can be dealt with. The important thing is the choice of the capital.
Although Zhu Yuhuan was somewhat annoyed, he also knew that there was nothing he could do about it. Fortunately, Zeng Heling was there, and Zhu Yuhuan became closer to the tutor whose ancestor had written the book "He Pu".
At least there is one person here who is willing to understand.
Zeng Heling saw that Zhu Yuhuan seemed a little disappointed and said comfortingly: "In fact, the princess is still young, there is no need to rush."
Zhu Yuhuan sighed and said with some sadness, "If everyone thinks it's a good idea, I can ask the emperor to expand this courtyard. The current land is a bit insufficient."
Although Hu Shanwei's yard is well-equipped, it is not big enough and it always feels a bit cramped when there are too many people.
Zeng Heling was startled when he heard her words, and uttered a puzzled "Ah!" But then he realized that there were many colleagues around him, so he hurriedly asked respectfully, "I don't understand what you mean. Please enlighten me, Princess."
"This piece of land is just for demonstration purposes, not for planting." Zhu Yuhuan said as a matter of course: "It's not enough to just move a farm cart. It would be great if it could grow edible rice on the land it cultivates. That would be truly amazing."
"I see..." Zeng Heling understood, then said, "Rice and wheat in the north are slow to ripen. Twice a year is considered a good year blessed by God. I'm afraid the princess will have to wait a little longer."
"That's secondary..." Zhu Yuhuan tilted his head slightly and said, "Farm vehicles and farm tools are just icing on the cake. The success of the harvest depends not only on the weather but also on the seeds."
"Seeds?" Zeng Heling knew a little about this and said, "Select the seeds by washing them with clean water. The princess must have read about this in books."
Zhu Yuhuan waved his hand and said, "Good seeds can be cultivated. For example, some ears of grain are heavier, and the seeds produced from them are often of better quality. And wouldn't better quality seeds produce heavier ears of grain?"
Zeng Heling was choked by her repetitive words and couldn't come to his senses for a long time. Finally, someone nearby said, "Princess, do you mean to cultivate better seeds?"
The two of them turned around together and looked towards the source of the sound. Not far away stood an official in a green robe. Although he looked about the same age as Zhu Zhanji, he was tall and slender, and his movements were calm and measured. He did not seem to care too much about Zhu Yuhuan's status as a princess.
Zhu Yuhuan couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, not caring about the other people around him, and subconsciously looked at the other person carefully.
Zeng Heling was unaware of Zhu Yuhuan's actions and simply said, "I'm glad you're here, Tingyi." He then quickly stepped forward, grabbed his sleeve, and said, "Princess, this is the Yu Secretary I mentioned earlier, Yu Qian Yu Tingyi."
After he finished speaking, he nudged Yu Qian, indicating that he should pay his respects to Princess Shunde.
Not only was the princess herself favored, but for lowly officials like them, being favored by the princess meant an opportunity to gain access to the crown prince. Zeng Heling had not been particularly familiar with Yu Qian, but through this opportunity to approach him, he gained a new understanding of him.
Although Yu Qian was not well-known and his results in the imperial examination were slightly inferior, he was a man of real talent and knowledge, and was rigorous and meticulous in his conduct. Such a person would surely have a bright future in officialdom, and it would be a good thing to be able to make friends with him.
"I have seen the princess."
Zhu Yuhuan fell silent after hearing the words from the other side, staring at the official robe on his body in a daze.
Zhu Yuhuan originally had a deep memory of the Battle of Tumu, which was likely to happen many years later. However, that was a long time in the future, and Zhu Yuhuan was just constantly reminding herself of this. When Yu Qian stood opposite her, Zhu Yuhuan finally had a clear sense of the coming of the Battle of Tumu.
Twenty-four years later, this insignificant ninth-rank official will risk his life to protect the Ming Dynasty. Thirty-five years later, his life will come to an end... The distant future has materialized into reality at this moment.
Zhu Yuhuan came back to his senses, and seeing that no one else was around, he spoke up, "I've read your article. It's very well written."
Yu Qian was surprised to find that Zhu Yuhuan's first words were these. He then recalled Zeng Heling, who was a reader at the Hanlin Academy and who compiled a variety of articles. Zhu Yuhuan also followed the daily lectures and studies, so it was inevitable that he had read these articles.
Yu Qian said, "Your Excellency, you are too kind."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Father also read the article, so he didn't present it to Scholar Yang."
Now it was Zeng Heling's turn to be shocked. He asked in disbelief, "Has His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also seen it..." He then realized that his tone had been inappropriate and hurriedly asked weakly, "Princess, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince didn't say anything, did he?"
Even the crown prince went to Yingtian, which shows that migrating south is the general trend. It is normal for the father and son to be of one mind, but it is different for these ministers. A careless word may bring about a catastrophe.
Not to mention that these articles are not just a matter of a simple sentence, but evidence against Your Majesty's will.
Zhu Yuhuan thought about it and said, "I didn't say anything."
At that time, Zhu Zhanji did not express his own opinions, but as the crown prince, he did not directly express his opposition, which implicitly revealed Zhu Zhanji's inner thoughts.
——Zhu Zhanji was also dissatisfied with the policy of moving back to Yingtian, but as the crown prince, he could not openly oppose the will of His Majesty, so he could only choose to remain silent.
Zeng Heling had no idea what Zhu Yuhuan was thinking, he just felt sweating profusely. He turned his head to look at Yu Qian beside him, and seeing that his expression had not changed, he couldn't help but admire him a little.
Fortunately, Yu Qian was able to remain calm despite such a matter that could have damaged his official career.
Compared to what had already happened, Zhu Yuhuan continued, "Just now, Secretary Yu mentioned the issue of seeds. I do think that by artificially cultivating seeds, we might be able to increase rice yields."
Yu Qian pondered for a moment and said, "I don't know much about farming... But although the farm cart is convenient, seed breeding and selection are indeed the fundamental solution. Seeds vary from place to place. If we can combine it with the farm cart as the princess suggested, it will indeed be a good thing for farmers."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "That's exactly it."
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