Chapter 866 - 869: Credit
Chapter 866: Chapter 869: Credit
Tang Qingdong was now a scholar, so naturally, no one could force him.
However, living in this world meant dealing with social obligations, making this trip truly unavoidable.
Rather than staying at home and burdening his parents with entertaining guests, it was better to bite the bullet and make the trip. That way, he would have a proper explanation when he returned. Besides, setting aside everyone else, even he was somewhat curious.
"You’re too honest. You aren’t the first married daughters to return home. You know, to avoid trouble, those families have kept all their returning daughters locked up at home," Liu Liu said.
Gu Lehua immediately caught the underlying meaning. She happily hugged her mother’s arm. "Mother, then you should lock us up too!
"It’s perfect timing since I brought my husband and children back with me."
Even though she frequently visited her maiden home, opportunities to stay overnight were few and far between. Now that she had a completely legitimate excuse, she couldn’t let it slip by.
Tang Qingdong stood by, utterly speechless.
Liu Liu smiled and tapped Gu Lehua on the forehead. "You think this is good news? Aren’t you afraid of getting dragged into this?"
Gu Lehua replied, "Mother, I’m not stupid. When we entered the village, everyone was smiling. There can only be good things going on; it’s impossible for it to be anything bad.
"Besides, with Aunt Yuanfeng’s disastrous example as a warning, no matter how foolish I might be, I wouldn’t actively court death."
Although she was a bit selfish and self-centered, she wasn’t stupid.
Liu Liu sighed. "Your aunt has actually done a good deed for once. Since you know what’s at stake, just stay obediently at home."
Because of Gu Yuanfeng, the married daughters who returned this time didn’t hide their intentions and openly stated their reasons for visiting.
To be safe, the Clan Leader simply let everyone stay, and the villagers also reduced their outings. Little did he know that his intense caution was making some people tear their hair out in anxiety.
Gaoling Village’s isolation allowed Jin Qianqian to enjoy a period of carefree freedom. She didn’t have to worry about a thing all day. When she had free time, she would gossip with the other wives in the family or hide in the study to write and draw.
Gu Wenheng’s days in Shangjing were not nearly as leisurely. The commotion from Gaoling Village had eventually reached Shangjing.
Many people were highly curious. Besides the families of the dispatched Agricultural Officers, quite a few people were also trying to pry information out of Gu Wenheng. Unfortunately for them, the Emperor had long issued a gag order. Until the actual harvest results were out, no one was allowed to breathe a word.
Everyone was carefully snooping around. They had also noticed that the Holy Emperor had been in a particularly excellent mood lately. He was exceptionally amiable in court, especially towards Mr. Gu.
Many felt dissatisfied. Gu Wenheng was continuously enjoying the Emperor’s favor, receiving rewards, and being highly valued. Would the imperial court eventually degenerate into his one-man show?
Gu Wenheng sensed that many people were ostracizing him, but his expression remained unchanged. He proceeded at his own pace, slowly implementing his reorganizations.
He wondered what the Supreme Emperor had said to the Holy Emperor. Both monarchs were displaying infinite tolerance towards him. As long as he proposed a reform, they would push it through regardless of the immense pressure. Not knowing if this favorable situation would change in the future, Gu Wenheng seized the opportunity to submit numerous proposals in quick succession.
His relentless activity successfully diverted everyone’s attention away from Gaoling Village and back to the imperial court. For the trio of monarchs and minister who shared this massive secret, this was undoubtedly a relief. After all, besides blocking the prying eyes within the court, they also had to guard against foreign spies.
Gu Wenheng was currently in his mourning period. Even though the Emperor had recalled him to service, many people were still particular about traditions and did not send banquet invitations to the Gu family. Gu Wenheng felt this suited his intentions perfectly. Every day, apart from attending court and going to the Ministry of Revenue, he stayed happily holed up in his estate.
Reading the letters sent to the capital, Hua Zhang was absolutely elated.
The conservative numbers calculated by the Agricultural Officers dispatched this time were slightly higher than what Gu Wenheng’s second son had previously reported. These subordinates were shrewd; they always left a margin for error in their reports. When the actual harvest came, the numbers would definitely be even better.
"Imperial Father, harvest time is approaching. Who do you think we should send over?" Hua Zhang asked.
Since they were going to make the news public this time, it had to be done with great fanfare.
"I am thinking of making the trip personally," Hua Shunming said, looking at the Emperor. This sudden statement gave the Emperor quite a fright.
Hua Zhang quickly replied, "Imperial Father, the journey will be extremely bumpy. Let’s send other ministers instead!"
Although he wanted to broadcast the news to the entire world, Hua Zhang didn’t want to risk the old emperor’s health. If any accidents happened on the road, a joyous occasion would turn into a tragedy.
Hua Shunming argued, "I have been taking the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Physicians lately, and they say my health is steadily improving.
"I have spent almost my entire life inside the Imperial Palace. I want to go out and see my lands and empire."
Leaving the palace had almost become an obsession for Hua Shunming. Ever since he learned about the appearance of the new crop, he had been brimming with renewed vigor.
Hua Zhang consulted the Imperial Physicians every day about the Supreme Emperor’s pulse. It was true that his health had improved, but they still couldn’t risk such a massive undertaking.
"Let’s consult the Imperial Physicians again. If all the Imperial Physicians at the Imperial Hospital agree, we can make arrangements then." Hua Zhang didn’t object directly, smoothly tossing the hot potato to the Imperial Hospital.
The Imperial Hospital was rendered utterly speechless. None of them had necks sturdy enough to risk losing their heads over this!
Receiving a covert hint from the Emperor, the Imperial Hospital unleashed a barrage of lengthy medical jargon. Just as the two monarchs were thoroughly bewildered and about to lose their tempers, the physicians finally concluded, "It is strictly forbidden."
Hua Shunming grabbed the teacup next to him and threw it right at them. "Get out!"
He wondered if all that bitter medicine he had choked down recently was completely useless.
"Please, Supreme Emperor, you must keep your dragon heart cheerful..." a physician pleaded.
"Cheerful? I can’t be cheerful just looking at you! Get out! All of you, get out!"
At this point, even Hua Zhang didn’t dare to stay any longer. "I just remembered I still have some memorials to read. Please take care of your health, Imperial Father."
They all ran away faster than rabbits, leaving Le San behind in stunned silence. They were the ones who stoked the fire, yet he was the one left to clean up the mess.
After this incident, Hua Zhang didn’t dare discuss the matter further with the Supreme Emperor. He directly appointed Yu Ligao and Xiao Liwei to go over and transport the seeds back.
It was only then that the heavily guarded secret finally leaked out.
Everyone looked at Gu Wenheng with even more veiled expressions. This was a monumental, heaven-defying achievement! Was Gu Wenheng trying to leave no path for the other courtiers to survive? The Holy Emperor already valued him highly enough. After this incident, who would ever be able to touch a single hair on his head?
Gu Wenheng met the crowd’s scrutinizing gazes with a calm smile. Although seeing his expression made their teeth itch with frustration, no one stepped forward to ask for trouble. Standing at the crest of the storm, no one wanted to stick their neck out.
Right now, everyone was much more concerned about the crop seeds that were about to be transported back. They couldn’t snatch away the credit anymore, but they could still fight for a share of the seeds. Every family owned at least a farm or two. If they could secure a portion of this first batch, the income from their estates would surely double for at least the next year or two.
The moment Gu Wenheng stepped out of the morning court session, he was enthusiastically surrounded by the crowd.
"Mr. Gu, the weather looks quite nice today. Why don’t the few of us Chiefs of Staff sit down together and discuss the newly issued decrees?" Li Laifu, who had taken over the Ministry of Justice, rubbed his hands together. He had been pushed forward by the others to speak first.
The other ministers immediately nodded in unison. "Exactly! There are still some things we don’t quite understand and would like to ask for your guidance."