"Drive." A high-pitched voice is particularly clear in the early mornings of autumn and winter. On the streets of Kyoto, when everyone is sleeping soundly, only vendors set up their stalls in the cold wind early in the morning.
A fast horse galloped past and arrived in front of the majestic and magnificent palace. He took out his token and the gatekeeper immediately opened the door to let him through.
Before dusk appeared, many officials wearing various court uniforms were already standing in front of the Wenhua Hall, where hundreds of officials discussed government affairs, discussing in low voices the political affairs that would be mentioned in the morning court meeting.
"Go to court, announce the entry of hundreds of officials into the palace." A high-pitched voice sounded in the cold wind, and hundreds of officials entered the Wenhua Palace one after another.
What puzzled all the officials was that the emperor seemed particularly happy today. All the officials looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that they would not be criticized today.
"If you have something to do, please leave the court." The eunuch stood beside the emperor and sang loudly.
They stood at the head of the two rows holding jade tablets on both sides and did not speak. However, after a while, the minister of the Ministry of Industry came forward to report the repairs of the palace and the royal temple. Then, the censor impeached someone for taking a concubine as his wife and a legitimate concubine.
No matter who is guilty, who will commit evil, bully the good and bully the evil, who will offend the superior and despise the imperial power...
After reporting the trivial matter, the Minister of Rites came out with a jade scepter, saying that the envoys from the Brunei Kingdom in the Western Regions came to congratulate him, and other reception matters. However, everyone knows that there is another important point, and the envoys from the Brunei Kingdom in the Western Regions
The one-year appointment is related to the state of the Southern Dynasty. What is happening to the cotton now?
"My lord, I have something to report." Liang Hanting, the minister of Sinong Temple, came out.
"Precisely." The emperor's face was as usual, but his eyebrows were raised, and the smile that seemed to be absent at the corner of his mouth was thought-provoking.
The left prime minister glanced at the right prime minister. The two disliked each other, snorted, and turned away.
Liang Siqing couldn't stop being happy. He took out the folding paper from his sleeve and held it up and said: "God bless our Great Southern Kingdom. Your Majesty is mighty. Our Great Southern Country is a great and prosperous country with abundant talents. Far from being able to bully the small country of Brunei. Your Majesty,
Your Majesty and others have lived up to the Emperor's high expectations, and all cotton pilot projects have successfully grown cotton."
As soon as this statement came out, the whole court was stunned and whispered to each other, extremely excited. In this way, the bet with Brunei was won by the Southern Kingdom.
The emperor took the fold from the eunuch, looked at the contents of the fold, the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes became deeper, and said three good words in a row, and said happily: "Thank you for your hard work, the small country of Brunei dared to humiliate me with cotton."
The southern country is barren and uninhabited, but now that cotton has been grown, Brunei is asking for its own disgrace."
"Long live my emperor, long live the emperor." All the officials knelt down and shouted.
“Cotton will make our country take a step further. Cotton can keep out the cold, can be woven into cloth, and can be used as medical cotton. Cotton seeds can also be fried into oil. Brunei’s move is really good, and it will lead our country to prosperity with its own hands.
"The emperor said excitedly.
"Your Majesty is wise." They all applauded again.
"Come here, bring the cotton." The emperor ordered and said, "Let the ministers also see why cotton is so useful." "No."
A few young eunuchs quickly brought the white cotton on a tray and turned it around one by one. Feeling the softness of the cotton and the warmth in their hands, all the officials were amazed and whispered to each other.
"Your Majesty, the yield of cotton per acre is about 500 kilograms. I think it should be promoted immediately and allowed to be planted by the people of our southern country. In this way, everyone can wear cotton clothes, and our border officers will not be afraid of the cold winter." Everyone has seen the cotton.
Later, Liang Siqing held a jade tablet and said: "The people can also make more progress."
"Haha, what Aiqing said is true, but the yield of cotton per acre is far more than 500 kilograms." The emperor put his hands on his knees and laughed, looking at the eunuch aside: "Gao Bao, read the Qingzhou excerpt to all the ministers.
.”
"Nuo." Gao Bao took out the fold from his sleeve and said in a sharp voice: "My emperor is here..."
Zheng Zhifu's excerpt from Qingzhou is rich in rhetoric. He does not rush to praise the emperor, but also writes Tian Minyan's words on that day. What's more important is that in addition to the yield of 600 kilograms per mu, in the future cotton varieties will be improved, and with experience in serving them properly, the cotton per acre will be improved.
The output will only get higher and higher.
The officials' mouths twitched when they heard this flattery, but when they saw the emperor's smiling face, they all acted as if this was the right thing to do.
"What do you think?" After Gao Bao finished reading, the emperor asked again.
"My emperor is mighty and majestic, and I bow to you. Long live my emperor." The right minister was the first to kneel down and sang loudly.
The right minister has already knelt down, how can the others not kneel down? At that moment, they all knelt down again.
"Your Majesty, I should think that it is appropriate to reward meritorious ministers to show our emperor's gift and benefit all people." Ye Dehong, the Minister of Rites, added: "We should also show Brunei that we are full of talents in the Southern Dynasty."
"I second the proposal." Liang Siqing came out.
"I second the proposal."
One after another, many officials came out and bowed their heads to support the proposal.
"Ye Qing's family."
"I'm here."
"To pass on my decree, envoys from Brunei came to congratulate me, King Xuanxian returned to the palace, and the Qing family from various cotton planting experimental sites came to Beijing to attend the royal banquet of Brunei. Reward..." The decrees were issued one by one.
After going down, the news soon spread out of the court and spread to all parties.
After retreating from the court, the officials walked out of the Wenhua Palace one after another, all talking about the new product cotton. Some of them were shrewd and walked out of the palace quickly. The Prime Minister looked at it, and it seemed that they would be involved in buying the geothermal court again.
"Master Liu." Liang Siqing called to Liu Ming, Yin of Shuntian Prefecture in front.
Liu Ming turned around and saw Mr. Liang. He smiled and cupped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Liang, for your political achievements this year."
Liang Siqing smiled so much that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes wrinkled up, and said: "The same is true for Mr. Liu. He has served as the governor of Shuntian Prefecture for three years, and it is time to return to the capital. I heard that Mr. Dali Siqing has retired... In the future,
I hope Master Liu will take good care of this official."
"You and I are officials in the same court, and we are all common people in the world. We should take care of each other." Liu Ming's eyes flashed and he stroked his beard. The two of them exchanged a tacit look and walked out of the palace together.
"Master Liu, I heard my wife say a few days ago that Mrs. Liu once accompanied the old lady to take care of her health in Qingzhou. Does she seem to recognize the Tian family?" Liang Siqing said with a smile: "I don't know what kind of family the Tian family is. They are so capable. From the rice fields
From raising fish to growing potatoes and then to cotton, it really puts me to shame. No wonder the emperor appreciates it so much. Such talented farmers are really a blessing to me in the Southern Dynasty."
Liu Ming's eyes flashed and he said with a smile: "It's a coincidence that Madam has lived in Qingping for a year and has some friendship with the Natian family. Although she is from a farmer's background, her ideas are indeed fantastic."
"You really need to get to know such a talented person well. How can you understand that the foundation of the country is the food economy. Only by increasing food production can the country be peaceful and the people be safe." Liang Siqing chuckled.
"Since the emperor has summoned me to the palace, I think I might have a chance to get to know you a little bit."
"Extremely yes, extremely yes."
When Liu Ming returned to Liu Mansion, he first went to the Pine Courtyard to greet the old lady, and then walked to the main courtyard.
"The master is back." In the main courtyard, the maid opened the curtain and called in.
Ms. Liu immediately came up to meet her and bowed to Liu Mingfu: "Good morning, sir."
"Madam, get up quickly." Liu Ming immediately helped her up.
"Father, greetings." Liu Ruyu, who was following Mrs. Liu, also said hello. She raised her head and looked at her father with admiration in her eyes.
"Have you completed your studies?" Liu Ming hummed. He was not pleased with Mrs. Liu's kindness. His face was a bit rigid, but deep in his eyes, there was a feeling of pampering and hope.
Liu Ruyu is the only legitimate son of the Liu family, and he cannot ignore her.
"Father, the child has practiced boxing and completed his studies before coming to greet his mother. He plans to have breakfast before going to study." Liu Ruyu said respectfully.
"Yes." Liu Ming nodded and said: "Now that the weather is getting colder, practicing boxing is important, but don't catch a cold because of your greed. Focus on your studies. Later, you can follow me to the study to take the exam for my father.
It’s a test of how well you’ve learned your homework.”
"Yes, father." Liu Ruyu heard her father's concern and raised the corner of her mouth slightly.
"Master, please don't talk about him. Since he practiced the Five Animals Opera, his health has improved a lot. Yu'er has a sense of propriety." Mrs. Liu smiled and handed over a hot handkerchief for Liu Ming to wipe his hands and face.
Liu Ming glanced at Liu Ruyu, who was tall and rosy, and didn't say anything. He just said, "Let's set out breakfast." After a pause, he added, "Yu'er can use it too."
"Yes, father."
The rule of eating and sleeping without talking is always taken very seriously in wealthy families. The Liu family is the same. The three members of the family ate quietly without making any sound.
Liu Ming glanced at Mrs. Liu and suddenly said: "Madam, do you still have contact with the Tian family in Taiping Town?"
Ms. Liu was stunned for a moment, then said: "Of course there is. A few days ago, the Tian family girl brought a cart of earthenware instruments, saying that they were produced in her own village. The master suddenly asked about this. Could it be that there is something wrong with the Tian family?"
"Madam, you know that the Tian family has made great achievements. They have grown cotton that Brunei said could not be grown in Southern China. The emperor was overjoyed and rewarded him heavily. He also announced that the girl from the Tian family and her father would come to Beijing to have an audience."
"Father, are you saying that Yan'er and the others are coming to Kyoto?" Liu Ruyu interjected in surprise after hearing the news.
Mrs. Liu saw Liu Ming's eyebrows frowning, and said in a deep voice: "Yu'er, how can you interrupt what the adults are talking about?" This child always misses the Tian family, and when he hears that it is about the Tian family, he forgets his usual rules.
Liu Ruyu knew that this move was inappropriate, so she stood up hurriedly and said: "Father, the child is wrong."
"Don't do it again next time." Liu Ming also heard that his son had written letters to the Tian family's children, so he said calmly.
"yes."
Seeing this, Mrs. Liu breathed a sigh of relief, changed the subject with a smile and said, "I have long seen that the Tian family has good fortune. I don't know, but the Tian family girl is spiritual, and her behavior is really better than that of the young ladies here in Beijing."
There is still work to be done. There are also two sons from the Tian family. Hey, they were just enlightened last year. Master, I know that a few days ago, the girl from the Tian family sent a letter to report that her eldest brother, the eldest son, has passed the Tongsheng test. "
Liu Ming listened, stroking his beard and nodded: "It seems that there are some outstanding ones. I heard that they are also on good terms with Prince Xian?"
Mrs. Liu's eyes flashed, she glanced at her husband carefully and said, "Yes, Miss Tian and Prince Xian are very familiar with each other. I see that Prince Xian also values the Tian family very much."
A strange look flashed in Liu Ming's eyes. Prince Xian, who had always been aloof and arrogant, actually valued a peasant girl? He pondered for a moment, and when he saw his son's eyes shining brightly, he said, "If all the children of the Tian family are outstanding, Yu'er will come and go."
It’s okay, we are all of the same age, and progress can only be achieved through exchanges in studies.” After a pause, he said, “Since Madam also values the Tian family’s family tradition, it doesn’t hurt to have more contacts, just make friends as best friends.”
Mrs. Liu was stunned for a moment, then said: "Yes, sir."
At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps outside, and someone ran over in a panic, arguing about something outside.
Seeing the displeasure on Liu Ming's face, Mrs. Liu couldn't help but change her face, and her face became darkened, and she shouted: "Who is out there, how can you act in such a panic?" She then winked at Aunt Zheng beside her.
After Nanny Zheng went out, she quickly turned around, glanced at Liu Ming and said, "It's the maid next to Wan Yi Niang. She said that the second young master couldn't stop crying. Maybe he was sick. Please come over and take a look."
Ms. Liu's eyes flashed with a stern look, she pursed her lips and looked at Liu Ming.
"When you are sick, you should call the imperial doctor. What can I tell if I am not an imperial doctor? How can I be so noisy?" Liu Ming put down his chopsticks and said to Mrs. Liu with a stern face: "Madam, I will leave the inner house to you.
It’s because my husband trusts you, and the peace of the official family is the most important. The censor will always keep a watchful eye on you. If there is a girl who does not obey the rules and does not obey the discipline, she will be sold directly or beaten to death."
"Master, I have taken note of it." Ms. Liu immediately stood up and said respectfully.
Liu Ming also finished eating, hummed, and said to Liu Ruyu: "Yu'er, follow me to the study."
Mrs. Liu sent the two of them out, and Wan Yiniang's maid was kneeling in the corridor. Perhaps after hearing Liu Ming's words, her pretty face turned pale with fright, and she crouched down and did not dare to say a word.
Mrs. Liu waited until Liu Ming and his son left the courtyard door, then looked at the maid, sneered, and said to the maid next to her: "Take this lady's post and ask Dr. Zhang to come and treat the second young master." Then she turned back.
house.
Seeing her sitting on the couch with a sullen face, Aunt Zheng personally put a cup of hot tea into her hand and whispered: "Why do you need to be like her, madam? What if you give birth to a son? The master is the most disciplined. Now,
It’s not like I didn’t take a closer look.”
Mrs. Liu snorted and sneered: "She uses her child as a lever to win favors every day. You see, the child is weakened by her torture. There will be times in the future when she will regret it. She always says openly or secretly that I want to harm her mother and son. I
If she really wants to harm them, how can she still give birth to this child? She is so brainless."
"Madam, why should you pay attention to her? The master is sensible, just let her do what she wants." Aunt Zheng advised lightly: "He is just a bastard. Now the young master is in good health and he is eleventh this year.
The old lady is in severe pain again, how can that bastard be able to turn the world upside down?"
Mentioning her precious son's body, Ms. Liu's tense face relaxed, and she finally felt a little more comfortable, and said: "Thanks for what Yan Yatou said, otherwise Yu'er... Well, let's not talk about this anymore, I will always remember this
It's kindness. Looking at what the master just said, the Tian family has great fortune. You go and prepare more gifts in return. By the way, the inkstone that was sent to the Li family last time is also sent to Brother He Rui."
Aunt Zheng was shocked. The inkstone was so precious that Madam was willing to give it away. It seemed that the Tian family would not be able to treat it lightly in the future.
