With his granddaughter's reputation at stake, both Huo Ying and Wei Shouyi would take diligent care, and there was no worry about the child's life being endangered.
"I think it's a good plan. After the New Year, we'll send him to keep Zheng the Madman company."
Then, Yue Fuguang said to Yu Chongshan and Yu Shuchun with a smile, "Grandfather, Second Uncle, my overseas friend previously sent me a travelogue. It mentions a foreign method for training soldiers, which I find quite novel.
Grandfather, what do you think about giving the book to Lord Huo and the others in the Ministry of War to study? Perhaps by learning from it, we could train a powerful army for Dayan."
Yu Chongshan immediately beamed, "There's such a book? Then it certainly should be shown to Lord Huo and the Ministry of War. If it's useful, it will be Fuguang's merit.
You haven't attended court in the past few days, so you might not know. His Majesty, now that the national treasury has some savings, is planning to establish a new army.
If your method is useful, that would be excellent!"
"His Majesty is establishing a new army?" Yue Fuguang hadn't expected Emperor Mingxi to act so swiftly. It seemed he had the funds and couldn't even wait until after the New Year to start preparations.
"Lord Wei uncovered several corrupt officials this year, filling the national treasury considerably. Not only have the arrears for various departments been repaid, but there's also a significant surplus. That's why the court has the silver to build a new army."
As he spoke, he also took out a box from his robe, saying, "This is the deed for the land you won. Your grandfather has taken care of everything for you."
Yue Fuguang was surprised at how quickly Dayan had acted. "Our deed... will those families acknowledge it?"
Yu Chongshan said with a laugh, "Isn't there still the wager? Keep it all together. If they dare not acknowledge it? Then let the whole world see their untrustworthy faces."
Yue Fuguang nodded. As long as there was no follow-up trouble, it was fine. She had the least patience for such matters.
"Grandfather, please also help me find a few people knowledgeable in agriculture. I want to plant something new on this land."
"Good, your grandfather will find them for you, ensuring it won't delay your spring planting. Regarding those farming tool drawings you provided earlier, I've also spoken with Minister Lu. They'll make a batch for you first."
Yu Zhongchun also added, "Fuguang, what do you want to plant on that land? Do you need your father to send a steward to help oversee it?"
Yue Fuguang quickly nodded. "Yes, please. Father, remember to find a capable steward. I want to plant cotton there. My friend said they would send me a batch of cotton seeds in spring. That place seems quite suitable for growing such a crop."
This was the benefit of relying on family! She only had to make the request, and each family member contributed a little to get things done for her. She hardly needed to worry about finding people to handle the tasks. Her grandfather had even thought of the farming tools for her.
"What kind of flower is cotton? Does your grandfather need to find you a gardener?"
"Uh, Grandfather, to be precise, cotton is not a flower."
She mysteriously leaned closer to the old man and said, "Cotton isn't for eating. It's a crop that, like silk thread or hemp, can be woven into cloth, and also like reed catkins or fur, can be used to stuff clothing for warmth.
Cloth woven from cotton is more durable than silk, softer than hemp clothing. Stuffed into clothes like fur or reed catkins, it provides excellent warmth in winter, and it's much cheaper than fur, so even common people can afford it."
As for cotton's other uses, she wouldn't mention them for now. These points alone were enough to earn the high regard of Emperor Mingxi and his ministers. She could just sit back and wait to collect her points.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the eyes of the Yu family men lit up. Yu Zhongchun said, "Fuguang, can this thing only be grown on your land?
That place is near the border of three states, it's not safe. This thing sounds so precious, your father feels it's unsafe to keep it there."
Yu Chongshan also nodded. "What your father says is right. This thing is a boon for Dayan, or rather, for all under heaven. We must be cautious."
"It can be grown elsewhere, but the climate there should produce better quality." Ajiang's long-staple cotton was one of Xia Country's finest cottons.
"I see." Yu Chongshan frowned. "No, since Fuguang wants to plant it there, then we'll plant it there. I will petition His Majesty to have the border garrison send a detachment to station nearby and guard this life-saving cotton."
Yue Fuguang chuckled inwardly. Her grandfather was truly a good grandfather, following her script perfectly. She then said, "Grandfather, when you go to speak with His Majesty, tell him that once the new army is trained, they can be stationed there for training and guard my land. I'll cover three-tenths of their military expenses."
If they use my silver, they'll have to heed my deployments. That place won't just grow cotton. It wouldn't be too much for the army to do some garrison farming or land reclamation, right?
It might not achieve complete self-sufficiency, but it could save a portion of the grain supply.
When she said she would bear three-tenths of the military expenses, apart from Yu's Second Aunt, the rest of the family didn't react too strongly.
This month alone, the Crown Prince had brought over two hundred thousand taels of silver to Fuguang, all from the dividends on glass purchases by the various foreign envoys.
And that didn't even include future pre-orders. She could afford this. If she were really short on cash, wasn't the family still here?
The old man stood tall and firm because he had savings. Hmm... more than His Majesty used to have!
Yu Shuchun chimed in as well, "Isn't Fuguang planning to present the new military training methods to the Ministry of War? Let your second brother go along to learn them. Once he's mastered them, he can be sent to oversee your land for you."
Yue Fuguang silently gave her second uncle points for his quick thinking, though she still wore a hesitant expression. "But second brother isn't that young anymore. Shouldn't he stay home and prepare for marriage?"
Yu Shuchun, the biological father, waved a hand dismissively. "Your eldest brother's marriage hasn't even been settled yet. How can a younger brother jump ahead of his elder brother to marry first? That would be most improper."
Yu's Second Aunt couldn't bear the thought of her only son suffering hardships in the army and was about to plead for him, but before she could speak, her husband cut her off. "My dear, a doting mother ruins a son. Boming is no longer a child, yet he's less steady than his third and fourth brothers, not to mention his poor scholarly achievements. If we don't send him to the army, do you want your son to remain a commoner with no official rank his whole life?"
Although their family could secure a minor clerk position for their son when he came of age, with a sister like Fuguang, if his own son turned out too useless, wouldn't it be a waste of this golden opportunity others could only dream of?
Yu Boming, who had already eaten his fill, was so startled by his father's words that he let out a hiccup.
He had been home for less than a day. Just look at this table full of stir-fried dishes! Was his good life, which he hadn't even enjoyed for a single day, ending so abruptly?
"Father, I... I think I can study. Study at home." And eat at home!
"I don't care what you think; I care what I think!" Yu Shuchun glared. "Your old man thinks you need military training, so you're going. Who's going to keep an eye on your sister's land if not our own family?"
He then pointed at the dishes on the table. "All these were thought up by your sister. As an elder brother who's enjoyed so many of your sister's good creations, shouldn't you strive even harder?"
It was only proper to train well and work hard for his sister. They were all one family; his son couldn't be the only one dragging his feet.
Yue Fuguang maintained a calm facade, but inwardly she was extremely embarrassed. This whole table of food was paid for by her grandparents' silver—she herself was still living off their generosity!
But seeing everyone at the table nodding in agreement, she... she chose to remain silent.
Seizing the opportunity, the Old Madame Yu said, "Since Second Son is sending the second boy to the army, he won't be spending many days at the estate in the coming years. The people in his courtyard should also be sorted out. Just keep a few for cleaning and watching the place."
