In the dead of winter, memorials sent to the capital from various provinces were often delayed on the road. Coupled with the imperial court being sealed for the New Year, many affairs had piled up.
Meng Hechuan's memorial was not expedited, so by the time Emperor Xiao Chengjing saw it, it was already the fourth day after the court reopened.
When he read Meng Hechuan's account of growing vegetables in the north during the bitter winter, he was so astonished that he read the full three pages of detailed explanations over and over again, only stopping when his eyes blurred and his head spun.
Xiao Chengjing leaned back against the dragon throne, his eyes narrowed, his mind full of uncertainty.
Off-season planting—how did a commoner woman come up with such an idea?
Pass my decree: summon Prime Minister Gu Qishan, Minister of Works Ou Shinian, and Hanlin Academy Scholar Fei Yanzhang for an immediate audience.
Ou Shinian gripped the edges of the paper tightly, his eyes narrowed and his brow twitching.
Your Majesty, who came up with this method?
Xiao Chengjing handed the memorial to the three men. It is still that commoner woman, Song Jinzhao. The Anyang Prefecture was already eating greenhouse vegetables before the New Year.
Reading Meng Hechuan's words of praise for Song Jinzhao in the memorial, Prime Minister Gu Qishan looked somewhat dazed.
If this method is popularized, it will greatly alleviate the problem of winter food shortages. If it can be planted in the north, it will definitely work in the south.
Ou Shinian said excitedly, Not only that, but the winter climate in the south is warmer than in the north. The yield will only be higher, and the cost will be lower than in the north.
Xiao Chengjing's heart trembled. He looked toward the Hanlin Academy Scholar Fei Yanzhang and asked, Beloved Subject Fei, the Hanlin Academy has a vast collection of books. Have you ever seen any relevant books on greenhouse planting like this?
Fei Yanzhang cupped his hands. To reply to Your Majesty, this humble subject has read extensively through ancient texts and has never seen this method. The ideas of this woman named Song Jinzhao are truly extraordinary.
Xiao Chengjing rested his arm on the dragon head of his throne. What is even more rare is that she took the initiative to offer this method to the imperial court. Meng Hechuan requested a reward for this woman in his memorial, but I do not know what to bestow upon her.
Ou Shinian let out a very soft sigh.
Even though Song Jinzhao's construction of the waterwheel had caused him to be fined a year's salary, it was truly a great pity that such a talent could not enter the Ministry of Works to serve the court.
It was such a shame that she was a woman.
Prime Minister Gu Qishan suggested, Song Jinzhao comes from a farming family and is of poor background. This humble subject believes that rewarding her with some gold and silver would be best.
The Prime Minister is mistaken. Meng Hechuan mentioned in the memorial that Song Jinzhao could earn tens of thousands of taels of silver in profit by selling greenhouse vegetables. By dedicating this method to the court, she essentially cut off her own path to wealth, which shows she does not care about gold and silver.
Xiao Chengjing felt this made sense. How does Beloved Subject Fei think I should reward her?
Fei Yanzhang replied, To Song Jinzhao, being able to serve Your Majesty is something no amount of gold and silver can buy. This woman has talent but comes from a humble background. This humble subject believes Your Majesty could elevate her status, for example, by conferring upon her the title of Lady of the County.
Gu Qishan immediately stepped forward to object. Your Majesty, this humble subject thinks this is inappropriate. Song Jinzhao is of low commoner status. Conferring the title of Lady of the County would be too heavy an imperial grace. It would be better to reward her with an inscribed plaque to show imperial favor, which would also bring glory to her family's door.
Fei Yanzhang rolled his eyes at him, speechless. It is precisely because of her poor background that she needs to be granted a title. Your Majesty has already bestowed a plaque upon her for the merit of the waterwheel; there is no need to bestow another. Based on the merits Song Jinzhao has established, she is absolutely worthy of a mere title of Lady of the County.
Seeing the two arguing endlessly, Xiao Chengjing looked toward the Minister of Works. Beloved Subject Ou, who of the two do you think makes more sense?
Ou Shinian, who was repeatedly reading the instruction manual, was suddenly caught in a dilemma.
His gaze accidentally fell on the palace maids serving in the hall, and a flash of inspiration hit his mind.
He stepped forward and said, Song Jinzhao is currently at a marriageable age. The most important thing in a woman's life is to marry a good husband. Why doesn't Your Majesty issue an edict to graciously bestow a marriage upon her?
Not only did Gu Qishan and Fei Yanzhang fail to react, but even the Emperor was stunned.
To think he would actually consider playing matchmaker!
Xiao Chengjing asked, Since you have brought it up, do you have a suitable candidate in mind?
Ou Shinian said, his face glowing red, There are many young and talented men in the Ministry of Works who are not yet married. Song Jinzhao is good at ingenious ideas, so she would surely share their interests. Your Majesty can choose from among them. This humble subject thinks it couldn't be better.
...
All was completely silent. The three of them were shocked by Ou Shinian's shamelessness.
He wanted to rake every benefit into his own pockets. He had truly made a good suggestion.
If it weren't for the fact that Ou Shinian was already over fifty, married with children, and even had grandchildren, he probably would have wanted to step up himself.
At this moment, a eunuch walked in from outside the door. Your Majesty, the Duke of Qing requests an audience outside.
Xiao Chengjing waved his hand and sat down. Let him in.
After entering, Chu Liuyun walked to the middle of the imperial study, knelt down, and bowed.
Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble subject has returned to the capital from the garrison rotation at the western suburbs camp, and has come specifically to present the military report.
The head eunuch handed the military report to the Emperor.
Rise, my beloved subject. This winter rotation has been hard on you. The Lantern Festival is in two days, so I grant you three days of leave to rest well at home.
Chu Liuyun kowtowed in gratitude. Thank you for Your Majesty's profound grace.
Xiao Chengjing looked at the rising Chu Liuyun and suddenly remembered that he and Song Jinzhao should know each other.
Thus, he waved his hand, signaling the eunuch to take the memorial over for him to see.
Beloved Subject Chu, this is the memorial sent by the Prefect of Anyang.
Gu Qishan suggested rewarding Song Jinzhao with gold and silver; Fei Yanzhang believes she should be conferred the title of Lady of the County; Ou Shinian wants me to issue a marriage edict to pick a good husband for her. You are acquainted with Song Jinzhao. Which reward do you think is best?
After reading the memorial, Chu Liuyun could not help but secretly admire her.
As a commoner woman, to be able to repeatedly establish merits that made the Emperor consider how to reward her—there were not many women in the world who could achieve this through their own abilities. She could be considered the first.
To reply to Your Majesty, this humble subject once sent people to investigate Song Jinzhao's background. Her father was crushed to death by a falling rock while building the canal. Upon hearing the sudden bad news, her mother gave birth prematurely to a son and then passed away as well. At that time, Song Jinzhao was only fourteen.
Besides this newborn brother, she also had a younger brother and sister who were only ten years old. The Song family was poor and had already divided their household. Her two uncles could not afford to raise four children, so they wanted to adopt out her premature brother to a wealthy family in the village to bring them a son, and send her sister to be a child bride to ward off bad luck for someone else.
Song Jinzhao was unwilling. In front of her grandparents, she swore an oath that she would raise her three younger siblings herself, and that she would not marry until her brother Song Qiming was married and had a family.
Three years have passed, and Song Qiming is now only thirteen. The marriage bestowal mentioned by Minister Ou is truly inappropriate.
The Emperor was stunned, his breathing unconsciously becoming lighter.
I never asked about Song Jinzhao's family background in detail. I did not expect it to be like this.
Chu Liuyun smiled and said, Your Majesty need not dwell on it too much. After her parents passed away, Song Jinzhao started taking risks by going up the mountain to hunt for money. By the time this humble subject left the border, she had already set up a stall in Xining City and started a business. Although her life was not wealthy, she did not lack food or clothing.
Gu Qishan spoke with deep sincerity, a faint smile on his face.
The Duke of Qing is ill-informed. The Song family has not only moved to Anyang Prefecture now, but they have also bought shops and estates, earning gold every day. Even Song Qiming has passed the exams to become a scholar and has taken Ye Liangyu as his teacher. The Song family has long since broken free from their destitute circumstances of the past.
"Oh?" Chu Liuyun raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect Song Jinzhao's younger brother to be so promising. It's only been a few years, and he has already passed the imperial exams to become a scholar?"
The Emperor furrowed his brows in surprise. "Who did you just say Song Qiming took as his master?"
