Hu Hengqiu read the letter to the emperor. In this letter, Chu Qing elaborated on the local farmers' predictions about the disaster.

It also described the measures taken by local farmers, mainly to cultivate "enemies" of locusts, and that the drought was not conducive to drowning the eggs by irrigation.

Chu Qing also asked if he could suggest localities organize manpower to dig ditches to divert water so that farmers can irrigate their fields, organize breeding "experts" to teach good breeding methods, mobilize the enthusiasm of the people, etc.

at last……

"Chu Qing, has he learned how to complain? He has made great progress!" The emperor made this comment after hearing the end.

Thinking of the secret report Buqun brought, about those pieces——

Under the guise of Chu Qing, local officials ordered the people to breed and specified the quantity, which made the people resentful;

Local officials hoped that Chuqing would approve the cultivation of cotton in areas designated by them;

Because Chu Qing was afraid of exceeding the scope of his authority, he was timid in giving disaster warnings to officials in various places.

There was a sarcastic smile on the emperor's lips when he spoke.

Hu Hengqiu couldn't guess whether the emperor's smile was mocking Chu Qing for complaining "out of favor and arrogance", or whether he was mocking the half-covered greed of those officials.

Yes, Chu Qing thought he was self-taught and gave Yibin Gaozhifu a very "green tea" injection, but in front of people like the emperor and Hu Hengqiu, who had more eyes than pores, he just complained outright.

Hu Hengqiu hesitated to say a kind word for Chu Qing in front of the emperor, but the emperor said: "Forcing a peasant woman to compete with others for scheming is too much!"

"Hey, Your Majesty!" Hu Hengqiu felt relieved.

It's hard to find such an obedient subordinate. He's much easier to do than Bai Hua. Your Majesty, please don't scare me away!

In the hearts of the emperor and Hu Hengqiu, they really did not despise Chu Qing. They just stated that Chu Qing was of low origin. To be precise, they did not despise women.

The higher one stands, the more one understands women's minds and their ambitions are no worse than men's. Therefore, women's status is suppressed more and more, and virtue and talent are pitted against each other in the female group, and "a woman's lack of talent is a virtue" is deliberately taken out of context.

Just like "a gentleman is far away from the kitchen" and "only women and villains are difficult to raise" are taken out of context to explain for their own interests.

As the saying goes, there is no room for two tigers in one mountain, but there is no distinction between male and female tigers.

In the palace alone, women's minds and ambitions are more vividly displayed.

The women in the palace formed cliques, "controlled the population", deceived the superiors and deceived the inferiors, whether it was for themselves or for the family, the competition for interests was reflected at all levels, and finally it was summarized at the emperor's pillow.

Only people who lack educational resources, because they have been "brainwashed" by the ruling class, coupled with the hardship of survival and lack of opportunities for education, will truly look down on women and belittle women.

"Let's put these things aside for now. The most important thing at hand is the locust plague." The emperor said, lighting the letter in Hu Hengqiu's hand.

Hu Hengqiu simply spread the letter in front of the emperor, pointed to the first half and said: "Your Majesty, you see, Chu Qing visited the local farmers and said that they can dig out locust eggs by inserting their hands into the soil a palm deep."

The emperor nodded: "She mentioned her prediction in the last letter, and immediately sent a second letter saying the old farmer's prediction, which shows that she has good intentions."

Hu Hengqiu said nothing, but he groaned in his heart: Hum, Your Majesty, this means that I have read the letter in front of you, otherwise the "alarmist words" in the second letter would have to come out of my mouth!

"Raising chickens and ducks serves the country and the family!" The emperor sighed: "But, can the common people afford to raise so many chickens and ducks?"

Hu Hengqiu reported: "There are a lot of complaints, saying that Mr. Mian 'doesn't know how expensive firewood and rice are when he is not a family'. Every family does not have much food, and people don't have enough to eat. The price of food is so high, and chickens and ducks have to be fed."

Hearing that grain prices were high, the emperor looked at Hu Hengqiu, hoping that he would make it clearer.

Years ago, the price of rice was ten cents per catty. Even if it increased after the festival, it would probably be around thirteen cents per catty, which means one hundred and thirty cents per bucket of rice.

It is said that this price is relatively normal, at least the price of rice in Kyoto is not even 150 fen.

Hu Hengqiu submitted another secret report, saying: "This is an urgent letter from Deputy Wang Qianhu of the Yibin Mansion Office. It says..."

Deputy Wang Qianhu of the Yibin Mansion Office was also bold and careful. Seeing that Chu Qing had the ability to communicate directly with the boss of the Secret Investigation Department, he simply lined up and came to Chu Qing's side.

Chu Qing handed the letter to him, and he also typed an encrypted and urgent report, which was delivered to Hu Hengqiu along with Chu Qing's letter.

Haha, take a gamble.

Hu Hengqiu pointed to one of the pages and read: “Chu Qing did not order people to breed, but suggested breeding;

But the order issued by the government was rather vague, saying that the cotton officer ordered each household to raise fifty chickens and ducks, which caused complaints from the people, and..."

Hu Hengqiu looked at the emperor's expression and said cautiously: "In recent days, an organization called the 'Yibin Chamber of Commerce' has appeared to control the price of food in the entire city, leaving only one food shop to supply a limited supply of affordable food every day;

However, the grain supplied at a low price has also been raised. It has increased to 250 wen per dou of rice. The daily supply is no more than a hundred dou of rice, and it is old grain from Yibin's warehouse.

This practice of limited-edition panic buying has caused panic among the people, and has led to widespread complaints about raising chickens and ducks."

The so-called affordable price in Yibin Prefecture is nearly twice as high as in Kyoto!

"Even if the locust plague does not occur, if the drought does not end, food prices in Kyoto will rise." The emperor said.

Hu Hengqiu shut up.

The emperor's mind is not on the prefecture now, but on the price of food. Otherwise, he can sit on whatever chair he wants to think about!

Hu Hengqiu was willing to help Chu Qing get out of trouble.

Since she arrived in Yibin Mansion at the beginning of the year, she has been suppressing bandits and planting cotton. She was supposed to end her work and change places a month ago, but she was blocked by local officials.

But the emperor is now focused on the coming disaster and won't accept his words!

Chu Qing, you always have a way anyway. No one can starve you to death, so just stay there with peace of mind.

Hu Hengqiu is also considered a good person. At least he knows how to fight for Chu Qing. Although he doesn't have much strength, he has an attitude, which is good.

Some people don't think so. Because their "sincere attitude" has not achieved benefits for their daughters, they are ready to show their strength.

Here's the thing -

The residence of the Minister of Industry.

Zheng Chunqiu could hardly drink the tea anymore.

During this period, Mrs. Zheng visited Baijiaxing three times, but was driven back by Baijiaxing's "polite nails".

This time, Zheng Xiaorou had to be sent home to "take care of his illness" on the grounds that Zheng Chunqiu "occasionally felt cold".

The purpose was to let Zheng Xiaorou bring Baijiaxing back to the Zheng family, and Zheng Chunqiu wanted to talk to him personally about Zheng Xiaoxian's marriage.

How could we know that all the families have the same attitude: "Two people for the rest of your life!"

Who are you lying to?

What man doesn’t want to be hugged from one side to the other and sleep with him?

What kind of love are you pretending to be? Even a lowly person like you who has no father, no mother and no education deserves it!

Zheng Chunqiu suppressed the anger that was about to burst out and said in a slow voice as much as possible: "Xian son-in-law, your mother and I are very pleased that you are devoted to Xiaorou;

However, a real man should focus on building a career. Since he has to concentrate on building a career, Xiaorou may not be able to take care of you all by himself;

Xian'er has been smart since she was a child and has some talents, so she can help you better;

While I am still in the position of Minister, I can find some work for you. It is not against the law to have one wife and one concubine. You must also work hard to make progress..."

Look, I'm talking to myself, I'm going to take the concubine for Baijiaxing.

This is a good deal, one wife and one concubine, corresponding to the treatment that can only be obtained by a seventh- or eighth-grade official.

When Zheng Chunqiu said this, he must have been promoted to an official position. If he wanted his daughter to live a good life, naturally she could not be at the eighth rank, but at least the seventh rank.

Zheng Xiaorou was listening beside her, biting her cheeks so hard that she felt numb.

She was both angry and scared.

I am angry because of my father and stepmother's evil intentions, and I am afraid that my husband cannot resist the temptation.

No matter how well Bai Jiaxing did under Chu Qing, Chu Qing might not be able to get him an official position, but his father could!

My stepsister is also a thoughtful person. If her husband agrees to her father's request, wouldn't she follow her mother's old path?

On the other side of the screen, Zheng Xiaoxian held the handkerchief tightly and kept saying in her mind: "Hurry up and agree! My father has promised to find an official position for you, what else do you want?!"


Chapter completed!