Wu Wanning looked utterly bewildered.
Gu Shen’an, however, stared at the golden tuber in Rongyao’s hand and asked, “A drought?”
“That’s right. This crop is extremely drought-resistant. One mu of land can yield thirty shi!” Rongyao replied.
Gu Shen’an’s eyes darkened. “Thirty shi?”
Rongyao smiled at him. “That’s right, thirty shi. Once boiled until soft, it’s sweet and starchy. Though it isn’t as refined as rice or wheat flour, it can at least fill an empty stomach.”
Gu Shen’an stared in a daze at the golden tubers in Rongyao’s arms. “In the event of a disaster, this truly could save the lives of an entire city, just as Your Highness said.”
“Exactly!”
“Are you really saying it yields thirty shi?” Wu Wanning exclaimed. “I’ve heard that wheat and millet planted in the fields produce no more than two shi per mu at most! Thirty shi? How could such a huge lump possibly yield that much?”
Hongyu spoke up from the side. “Princess planted half a mu last year and harvested fifteen shi. How could it be fake?”
Wu Wanning still looked incredulous.
Rongyao pointed at the pile of golden tubers on the ground and said, “It’s just a pity that although this crop is highly productive, it doesn’t store well. If people ate nothing but this every day, they’d grow thin. If only there were a grain that was even more drought-resistant and productive.”
Gu Shen’an’s eyes flickered. “One day, Your Highness will find it.”
“I think so too! This world is so vast. There must be places we haven’t visited, and surely there are better crops somewhere out there.”
Wu Wanning nodded vigorously in agreement. “If Rongrong says she can find one, then she definitely will!”
“Yes,” Gu Shen’an said. “Her Highness will accomplish it.”
After obtaining the golden tubers, the group did not linger.
They boarded a carriage and returned to the capital.
Rongyao and Gu Shen’an returned to the imperial palace together, while Wu Wanning went back to her maternal grandfather’s family.
Following behind Rongyao, Gu Shen’an carried the box of golden tubers and delivered it to the Palace of Eternal Joy.
Rongyao excitedly counted the tubers. Then she stood up and said to Gu Shen’an, “Would you like to come with me and offer these to Father?”
Gu Shen’an gently shook his head. Looking at the smile on Rongyao’s face, he asked, “Does Your Highness wish for the people of Great Zhou to live in peace and prosperity?”
Rongyao raised her head and answered, “Of course. Don’t you?”
A smile appeared on Gu Shen’an’s refined face. “I understand now.”
Rongyao asked in confusion, “Understand what?”
“Princess Fuxi will become the most exalted princess in all of history.”
Rongyao blinked at him, unable to understand what he meant.
Gu Shen’an did not explain. He simply turned and left.
Rongyao watched his retreating figure and shook her head.
Gu Shen’an had always been like this. Whatever. At least she knew that he was a truly wonderful person.
She lowered her head and looked at the box brimming with golden tubers, her fighting spirit soaring.
With this crop, she refused to believe that anyone would still go hungry!
She was going to the Wenyuan Pavilion right now to present this treasure to her father!
…
At that very moment, several senior officials were arguing fiercely inside the Wenyuan Pavilion.
“The Imperial Astronomical Bureau has already said that this year will likely bring another severe drought! How can we undertake a major construction project at a time like this?”
“Precisely because a drought is expected, we must dig canals and divert water into the fields!”
“This would waste both manpower and money. How can it possibly be done? The people are already suffering terribly. If you make them dig another river, you’ll be driving them to their deaths!”
“If we want them to live more prosperous lives in the future, how can they avoid enduring some hardship first?”
“That is utter sophistry!”
The Minister of Personnel, Feng Zhiyi, and the Minister of Works, Han Xuan, continued arguing without pause.
Several other grand secretaries, along with the Minister of Revenue and the Vice Minister of Revenue, stood nearby.
They were discussing how to deal with the drought.
Because of last year’s drought, the harvest had been poor and the rivers had nearly dried up. The people in several northern prefectures and counties were suffering miserably.
Just yesterday, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had observed the stars and predicted that this year would likely bring another drought, particularly in Yuzhou, Hezhou, Duzhou, and other regions.
The officials were now debating how to overcome the crisis.
Feng Zhiyi, the Minister of Personnel, advocated repairing the waterways before the drought arrived and channeling water from the south to several northern prefectures.
Han Xuan, the Minister of Works, believed that such a project would exhaust both the people and the treasury, cutting off the people’s only means of survival.
The ministers had split into three factions.
Those in favor spoke of the benefits of constructing the waterways, while those opposed listed the disadvantages.
A few others remained silent, watching as the officials argued until their faces flushed with anger.
Among them, Grand Secretary Zhang Jianming sat with a frown. He had not spoken a word for a long time.
The newly appointed Vice Minister of Revenue, Cui Yeping, stole a few glances at the senior officials around him but did not dare to join in. Both sides had valid arguments, and anything he said would be refuted. Even the emperor was merely watching the spectacle. As an insignificant figure, it was better for him not to speak.
“Enough!”
The emperor’s voice rang out, and the hall instantly fell silent.
The emperor looked toward Grand Secretary Zhang Jianming. “Grand Secretary, you have not spoken this entire time. Have you reached a conclusion?”
Grand Secretary Zhang Jianming raised his arms in salute. “This old minister believes that the most important matter at present is not repairing the waterways, but ensuring that the people have enough to eat and do not suffer from hunger!”
“The canals are being dug precisely to divert water to the northern lands,” the Minister of Personnel argued. “With water, the crops can survive. Without it, even if the harvest is not completely lost, what little is gathered will certainly not be enough to keep the people alive.”
“Your Majesty, Princess Fuxi requests an audience.”
The doors suddenly opened, and Wang Zhong, the emperor’s most trusted eunuch, entered with his body bent low.
Dantai Ji rubbed his brow and glanced outside. Clearly, he had not expected his daughter to come at a time like this.
When the newly appointed Vice Minister of Revenue, Cui Yeping, heard the words “Princess Fuxi,” he immediately lifted his head in delight.
Then, as if remembering something, he glanced around worriedly.
Yaoyao had come at such a time. The senior officials would probably accuse his Yaoyao of being unreasonable, willful, and reckless again.
Dantai Ji looked at the displeased officials in the hall and coughed lightly. “If there is nothing urgent, tell the princess to return for now.”
Wang Zhong hesitated for a moment before saying, “The princess says she has a treasure that can save the people and wishes to present it to Your Majesty.”
Dantai Ji froze.
The frowning, dissatisfied officials were also left bewildered.
Dantai Ji said, “The various ministers have all expressed their views just now. You must be thirsty after speaking for so long. Sit down and have some tea to soothe your throats. It is Princess Fuxi’s birthday today, and she has come to give her father a treasure. Whether that treasure is good or bad, it represents her filial affection. Surely you can be a little more forgiving?”
The Grand Secretary frowned but said nothing.
Several of the other officials seemed ready to object. They exchanged glances, but when no one spoke, they ultimately fell silent.
“Wang Zhong, give the ministers seats.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The officials sat to the side and began drinking tea.
Rongyao then entered the Wenyuan Pavilion.
She was carrying a small box in her arms.
The box was not particularly exquisite. In fact, it even had traces of dirt on it.
Princess Fuxi wore a sweet smile as she strode forward. Even when she reached the steps of the hall, she could not bear to set down the box in her arms. She simply hugged it and gave the emperor a somewhat improper bow.
With the exception of Cui Yeping, whose eyes were nearly disappearing into his smile, all the officials revealed disapproving expressions.
