Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 522: Self-Interest (Part 1)
Givers are soft-mouthed; takers are short-handed. This is an eternal truth.
Jiang Shaohua offered two hundred thousand shi of military provisions to the border army and also took charge of transporting and delivering the rations. Such generosity and loyalty even silenced those officials who were previously dissatisfied with the Nanyang County Princess overseeing the Six Ministries. Prime Minister Wang, in front of all the ministers, bowed and cupped his hands to Jiang Shaohua: "On behalf of the hundred thousand border troops, I thank the Princess."
In recent times, Jiang Shaohua and Prime Minister Wang’s relationship had greatly improved. Hearing this, she smiled and said, "Prime Minister Wang, please rise quickly. In Nanyang County, we have plenty of grain. This year’s autumn harvest was bountiful, so offering some surplus to the court is only right."
Nanyang County is not only abundant in food but is also rich in military power, with iron mines, horse farms, and a constant influx of refugees boosting the population. The fame of the Northern Land’s Bright Pearl had long spread throughout Da Liang, and all of the court officials were well aware.
Indeed, the Commandery Princess’s actions are truly open-hearted. In all honesty, if it were me, even with an abundance of food, I might not be willing to part with so much for military provisions.
Minister Zhang, Minister Dai, and others secretly pondered in their hearts. No matter what, regarding this matter, the entire court owes a debt of gratitude to the Nanyang County Princess.
After the court session, Emperor Taihe left Jiang Shaohua to speak with him: "Cousin Shaohua’s generosity has relieved the urgent crisis for this brother. Many thanks, cousin."
Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "Cousin, saying this makes us seem distant. My surname is Jiang, I am Princess Jiang. Everything I have comes from cousin’s grace and support. My offering of military provisions is nothing at all."
Hearts are made of flesh, and the young Emperor Taihe has a particularly soft heart. Recently, Jiang Shaohua had exhausted all efforts to stabilize the court, overseeing the Six Ministries, suppressing the ministers, with no personal agenda, and showing complete loyalty. Emperor Taihe could see this clearly and couldn’t remain unmoved.
He gazed deeply at Jiang Shaohua: "Between siblings, there’s no need for such courteous words. In short, I am fully aware of every single thing you have done. As long as I reign, no one shall dare to touch your Nanyang County. I guarantee you a lifetime of honor and wealth."
Jiang Shaohua immediately bowed and thanked the Emperor for his grace, her gratitude evident, but her heart remained as cold as ice and snow.
Everything she wanted needed to be in her own hands, not dependent on others.
What others can give, they can also take back. She no longer wished for anyone to sway her destiny.
Jiang Shaohua still needed to continue inspecting the Ministry of Revenue. Soon, she took her leave. Emperor Taihe instructed Wang She Ren to see her off. Wang Jin silently escorted Jiang Shaohua out of the palace, stopping at the palace gates to whisper, "With so much military provisions offered, Nanyang County wouldn’t be short of grain, would it?"
The concern in Wang Jin’s words was clear.
Jiang Shaohua calmly replied: "Thank you, Mr. Wang, for your concern. Elder Changning has been cultivating and improving grain seeds, and over the past two years, many wastelands in the Fourteen Counties of Nanyang have been cultivated, with enough grain to feed the populace for two to three years."
Wang Jin couldn’t help but admire: "The Princess, with Elder Changning’s assistance, is like a tiger with wings." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Indeed! Nanyang County had to support two hundred thousand people, the Personal Guard Camp, the Nanyang Army, and it also needed to expand its influence through selling grain seeds. All of these required ample and high-quality grain. One could say that half of this credit went to Cui Du.
When mentioning Cui Du, Jiang Shaohua’s previously cold face softened, and a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes: "Mr. Wang is right, Nanyang County owes its current prosperity to Elder Changning."
"The Clommandery Princess and Elder Changning have already arranged their engagement, they are betrothed." Wang Jin, tolerating the slight bitterness in his heart, smiled and said: "Elder Changning’s affection and loyalty to the Princess are evident to all. I wish the Princess and Elder Changning a lifetime of happiness together."
Wang Jin had the demeanor of a true gentleman, always praising Cui Du publicly and privately, never demeaning his rival. In this aspect, he was far superior to Zheng Chen.
Jiang Shaohua smiled, said a gentle farewell, and turned to leave.
Wang Jin stood in place, watching her depart before returning to Zhaohai Palace. Emperor Taihe had already consumed his medicinal soup and was taking a nap, while several secretaries gathered in the duty room, sorting through documents and casually chatting.
Li Boyuan suddenly sighed: "The Commandery Princess is truly generous."
"Isn’t she?" Jiang Yi also sighed: "If it were me, donating three to five thousand shi of military food for some fame would suffice. Offering two hundred thousand shi of grain is like emptying one’s family funds."
This level of courage was truly admirable.
Zheng Chen’s eyes glinted, and he calmly said: "This shows that Nanyang County’s foundation is rather solid. Two hundred thousand shi of military provisions is indeed a substantial amount, but it hasn’t compromised Nanyang County’s core."
Wang Jin cast a glance at Zheng Chen, who was boastful: "Since Secretary Zheng speaks so grandly, why not learn from the Commandery Princess and have the Zheng Family donate a batch of military provisions."
Zheng Chen retorted with a cold laugh: "The Wang Family is the first noble family of Da Liang, with influence spanning across Jiangnan, a grand and prosperous family. Our Zheng Family is far inferior. Even if military provisions were to be donated, the Wang Family should lead first."
Mentioning Jiangnan at that moment was naturally a jab at Wang Yi’s massive silver-gathering in Jiangnan, which ultimately led to his betrayal by the Jiangnan officials and the end of his official career.
Wang Jin, not easy to provoke, immediately retorted: "Minister Zheng has been meticulously managing the Ministry of War, presumably with considerable gains. Surely, it shouldn’t be impossible to spare some grain for donation."
Zheng Chen’s eyebrows twitched, his eyes igniting with anger.
Li Boyuan quickly smoothed things over: "We’ve received quite a few memorials in today’s court assembly, let’s all review them quickly, then select the critical ones to present to the Emperor. Come, come, let’s get busy."
Wang Jin and Zheng Chen exchanged glances, each emitting a cold snort.
...
When Emperor Taihe awoke from his nap, he reviewed the memorials for half an hour before Empress Dowager Li arrived.
Empress Dowager Li held her son’s hand, expressing concern and care before lowering her voice to say: "I heard that the border army is preparing for war, and Jiang Shaohua has donated two hundred thousand shi of military provisions?"
Emperor Taihe gave a nod: "Cousin Shaohua is concerned with the court and eases my worries in every way."
Empress Dowager Li’s eyes moved slightly, and she lowered her voice: "To speak of two hundred thousand shi of military provisions shows the wealth of Nanyang County."
Emperor Taihe listened, sensing something off in the tone, his brows furrowing slightly.
Indeed, Empress Dowager Li continued in a low voice: "I was thinking, if Nanyang County could be reclaimed for the court, there would be a continuous supply of grain in the future..."
Emperor Taihe was amused by anger: "Nanyang County was given as a vassal territory to Prince Nanyang by my great-grandfather, managed for decades and passed down to cousin. Cousin has surpassed her predecessors, and now, Nanyang County is not only the Bright Pearl of the Northern Land but renowned far and wide."
"However, no matter how great Nanyang County is, it is still cousin Shaohua’s vassal territory. Mother, what is your aim in saying such absurd words?"
"Could there be a petty person sowing discord in private, causing mother to have some inappropriate thoughts?"
Empress Dowager Li, slightly embarrassed, coughed and said: "That is not the case, I was just musing privately. His Majesty could issue an edict, exchanging Jiang Shaohua’s vassal territory for one, perhaps in Jiangnan, or closer to the Capital City, within two or three days’ journey. This would also make it convenient for Jiang Shaohua to enter the capital at any time, wouldn’t it?"
