Chapter 755 - 757: Courtiers
Chapter 755: Chapter 757: Courtiers
"I’m not afraid of you laughing at me, Mrs. Gu." Knowing that some things couldn’t be hidden, Mrs. Wu openly admitted it. "My current sister-in-law on my maiden side is still a bit dense. I was afraid the child would be wronged by her side, so I took matters into my own hands.
"Please rest assured, Mrs. Gu. I will teach Tian’er everything I know about managing the inner courtyard without holding anything back.
"Fortunately, the child is quite promising and learns everything quickly. She’s already able to help me manage the mansion’s affairs."
As for those in the mansion who refused to be disciplined, under her suppression, they didn’t dare to speak out.
Those two dishonest illegitimate daughters had made a scene in front of the master before, but what was the result? Weren’t they suppressed by her in the end?
"That’s very good," Jin Qianqian nodded with a smile. "However, young girls should still be lively. Don’t push her too hard; some things can be learned slowly."
"I knew you’d dote on that girl, Mrs. Gu. As expected of people who will eventually become a family—your heart is already biased toward her." Mrs. Wu teased, "With a sister-in-law like you guiding our Tian’er in the future, we won’t have to worry."
"Since you’re here today, there’s another matter I need to discuss with you." Jin Qianqian thought of the conversation Gu Wenheng had with Gu Yi during the New Year.
"We’re already so familiar with each other. If there’s anything, just say it straight."
Jin Qianqian said, "I previously asked a master to pick an auspicious date for the wedding. There are two very good days, but they are quite far apart. One is the day before Li Xia, and the other is in the winter month."
Jin Qianqian looked at Mrs. Wu. "You are the child’s biological aunt. I’m disclosing this to you first so that when we send the dates to the Hou Family in a couple of days, you can help them deliberate."
"And what are your thoughts, Mrs. Gu?" Mrs. Wu knew there must be a difference between the two, so she asked.
Jin Qianqian explained, "Before Li Xia would be a bit rushed. Gu Yi has to return to Dao City immediately for the prefectural exam.
"If it’s in the winter month..."
Jin Qianqian didn’t state it explicitly, but Mrs. Wu understood. If he could add a Scholar title to his name, the marriage would look much better.
Although she leaned toward the later date, she couldn’t really make the decision. "As an aunt, I can only drop hints from the sidelines. But I suppose my brother will have his own ideas."
Jin Qianqian was not surprised by her answer. "That’s exactly how it should be. It’s just that because we are well acquainted, I brought it up to you.
"I just hope their future days together will be harmonious and fulfilling."
"With your auspicious blessings, their future won’t be bad at all." Mrs. Wu valued this marriage more and more.
Although Mrs. Gu had handed the soap business to her brother, Mrs. Wu’s own dowry shops had also profited as a result.
Furthermore, binding the Wu family tightly to Gu Wenheng’s ship meant that excellent performance reviews in the coming years were practically guaranteed.
Those who had made sour remarks before were probably dying of envy behind her back right now.
It was a pity that even if they wanted to arrange another marriage now, Mr. Gu wouldn’t accept it.
He had stated that his remaining nephews were still young, needed more tempering, and wouldn’t be considered for marriage until a few years later.
`「Time gradually passed amidst Gu Wenheng’s busy schedule.」`
In less than a year, the entire Yi Province had added over a million acres of rice paddies, and the number was still constantly increasing.
Land was the lifeblood of the common people. Gu Wenheng had merely relaxed the regulations a bit, and the local people scrambled to increase their own fields.
Fields were the people’s very foundation. Moreover, the government office was working very efficiently now; as long as they reclaimed the land, the land deeds were issued very quickly.
With a tax exemption for the first three years, the harvests from these lands during this period would be enough to improve their lives. Even if some unforeseen event occurred in the future, they wouldn’t be afraid.
With hope in their lives, the commoners no longer clung blindly to every single Copper Coin in their hands. When they went out to the streets, they would also buy a piece of cloth or some goods for their children and elders.
This created a virtuous cycle, and the entire Yi Province was slowly brimming with vitality.
These changes were subtle, but when accumulated, they were incredibly obvious.
Holding the memorial sent from Yi Province, Hua Shunming repeatedly voiced his approval.
"This is exactly the kind of official the people need," Hua Shunming said, handing the memorial to Le San to pass down for the courtiers to read. "Take a look. You all spout long-winded speeches in the royal court all day long, but what I need are officials who actually do practical things."
As Hua Shunming’s political power grew increasingly stable, he became even less polite when rebuking these old courtiers.
"Every day you clamor for me to allocate funds to various regions. If they can achieve this level of success, as long as they dare to sign a military pledge, I would even be willing to open my private treasury!"
The courtiers below passed the memorial around, their expressions turning somewhat wooden.
This Gu Wenheng really had some remarkable skills. If things continued like this, once his term was up, who knew how many ranks he would be promoted.
The only one who breathed a sigh of relief was Zhou Shicong from the Ministry of Revenue. With Gu Wenheng achieving such a massive feat, the departments constantly stretching their hands out to him for funding should finally shut their mouths now. They wanted Silver? Fine, as long as they could guarantee they would reach this kind of height.
Hua Shunming said, "In this short period of less than a year, Gu Aiqing has added so many fertile fields to my empire.
"If there were a few more officials like Gu Aiqing, why would I ever need to worry about the prosperity of the nation?"
This was the Emperor’s greatest praise for an official. Even if the courtiers below felt dissatisfied, they didn’t dare to speak up at this moment.
"Who was it that previously asked me to allocate funds to certain regions? Come out and let me hear it. If giving the same amount of Silver can yield results like this, then I will grant it."
The courtiers below fell completely silent.
The eunuchs and palace maids standing nearby were equally speechless.
Even people at the bottom like them knew that this achievement couldn’t be easily replicated. The Holy Emperor was deliberately making things difficult for the courtiers again.
What made the courtiers feel even more exasperated was that they couldn’t find a single word to refute him, nor did they have the courage to take on such a massive guarantee.
Sitting on the dragon throne, Hua Shunming was already calculating in his heart how long it would be before Gu Wenheng’s term ended, and what position he should arrange for this man next.
Thousands of miles away, Gu Wenheng suddenly felt his back tighten. He stood up and stretched his limbs. "Looks like I really need to start exercising."
`「At the Shangjing Wu’an Hou Mansion.」`
Having suffered on his sickbed for a long time, Marquis Wu’an passed away on the second day after Bai Jinglie returned to the capital.
Those who received the obituary felt a complex mix of emotions.
"Even though Old Marquis Wu’an was always so critical of his eldest son on a normal basis, he still held onto his last breath, waiting for the Princely Heir to return before finally letting go." Xiao Liwei sighed before continuing, "With all the commotion they caused before, what was the point of it all?"
Cao Xiangqian remained silent.
Yu Ligao said, "Why did we hear a completely different version? Didn’t they say that Prince Bai came back and angered him to death? Where did you hear this tale of a loving father and a filial son?"
"Ah, isn’t that how it is?" Xiao Liwei asked. "Many people are talking about it. Out of sheer filial piety, Prince Bai traveled day and night from Lu City, allowing him to see Marquis Bai one last time."