The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1643 - 1637: Deliberate

Gu Changqing sighed, "If you were a man, you’d surely become a prime minister and be granted a lordship, surpassing your cousins by far. What a pity—"

Wang Yongzhu remained calm, "Even though I’m a woman, I don’t feel inferior to men. It’s just the current societal norm doesn’t allow women to excel too much, lest it makes men feel ashamed."

"Moreover, truly capable people, regardless of gender, can always live better and stand taller than others at any time."

"Besides, I have no interest in becoming an official. I feel this way is better. Doing things I enjoy, earning lots of silver coin, living openly and clearly. If I were to enter the court as an official, I fear I wouldn’t be able to do this!"

The more it was so, the more Gu Changqing felt it was a pity.

Understanding so clearly indeed exceeds most people in the court.

So, he stopped dwelling on this topic and instead brought up today’s court assembly.

Just as Song Hong anticipated, in this morning’s court session, right from the start, the Imperial Censor jumped out, questioning if His Majesty’s rewarding of the Heir’s Wife of Duke of Weiguo was excessive?

Even if she saved the lives of the Empress and the Ninth Prince, wasn’t the title "Lady Dingguo" too much?

It’s known that only those who make extraordinarily significant contributions to the state can earn such a title.

With the Imperial Censor leading, naturally various factions with their own motives emerged.

Some supported the Imperial Censor, claiming the Emperor excessively favored the Song Family.

Others opposed the Imperial Censor, arguing, is saving the lives of the Empress and Prince not a major contribution? Aren’t you too dismissive of the Empress and Ninth Prince’s lives? What are your intentions?

There were also those muddying the waters, simply stating that the Emperor’s reward naturally had reason, but it’s merely a title for Lady Grant, merely allocating some court stipends, which doesn’t impact the bigger court picture, so why nitpick?

Of course, there were those who remained neutral without any opinion.

For a while, the court was as chaotic as a marketplace.

Song Hong was scolded harshly by the Imperial Censor; originally it was the Emperor’s decree, but in the mouths of these Censors, it became Song Hong’s fault.

People speculated he exploited the Emperor’s trust, asking the Emperor for such face for the Song Family.

Song Hong was metaphorically hit by a falling pan from the sky, leaving him thoroughly confused.

If it weren’t for the Emperor presiding above, he would’ve wanted to shake the Imperial Censor awake, are you blind in the eyes or the heart? Does he have such great power that the Emperor always obliges him? Why bother being Duke Weiguo? He might as well be sealed as King of a Different Surname by His Majesty, wouldn’t that be more profitable?

Why not ask for a boon for his son, isn’t that the norm?

Does he need to fuss for half a day just to petition an ultimately useless title for his daughter-in-law, just a name sounding nice as Lady Grant?

He wouldn’t do such a thing even if he were brainless!

Anyone with clear sight could see, this truly had little to do with Song Hong.

However, everyone had their own factions, and even if they understood, for their own interests, they naturally had to hold Song Hong accountable.

Especially the Wang Family of Duke Qiguo and the Ruan Family faction.

Song Hong wasn’t a pushover, naturally, there were those behind him defending and arguing.

In the end, the disputes almost escalated to physical fights. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

At this point, the Emperor stepped forward, tossing a document down to be read aloud.

This document, naturally, was Song Chongjin’s submission on wheat yield increase.

The document stated after three years of experimentation, yield per acre increased significantly.

It caused a sensation, astonishing all the officials.

To know, even in this prosperous era of Great Chu, ordinary citizens, in good years with favorable weather, merely manage seven or eight tenths of satiation, already extremely rare.

If faced with poor years or natural disasters, wandering about in destitution and refugee migration are common.

If what’s said in the document stands true, in the future people will have enough to eat, and Great Chu’s national strength could increase substantially.

Compared to such matters benefiting state and populace, the earlier petty disputes over a First-Rank Enjoin Lady title are insignificant!

Some began to think how to benefit from this event, planning to let their sons gain advantage and prestige.

Once the document was read, everyone unanimously tossed the previous matters aside, resting rolled up sleeves, taking a deep breath, gearing up for the next round.

Discussion ranged from civilian livelihood to national interest to the Emperor’s prestige, analyzed thoroughly from all angles.

Ultimately summarized in one word, it’s a huge blessing, a good thing!

It’s the fortune of Chu State! The fortune of the people! The fortune of His Majesty! A sign of a prosperous age!

There were those bootlickers claiming it to be heaven’s recognition and blessing for the Emperor, indicating he is an unparalleled wise ruler.

Among the sober suggested, is this true? Could it be someone’s boastful ruse?

More raised the question, who submitted this document? Where’s the territory? Hearing is false, seeing is believing: should the court dispatch people to verify in person?

Upon confirmation, let the Minister of Agriculture send people to study and experiment, verify accuracy, then promote nationwide! Benefit the people and nation!

Gu Changqing, silently listening all along without making any comment, raised his brow knowing today’s main event had arrived.

Sure enough, the Emperor scanned the room before nodding slightly, indicating to the person beside him to read the final part of the document.

Hearing it was submitted by Song Chongjin, Prefect of Chicheng County, suddenly the court fell silent as a graveyard, the civil and military officials as if having their throats squeezed, unable to utter a sound.

Only then did the Emperor speak slowly, "Chicheng County Prefect Song Chongjin reports, this method was developed by his wife, Wife of the Heir of Duke of Weiguo, within a manor purchased in suburban Chicheng County during her term, tested for three years to success."

"This time the Wife of the Heir of Duke of Weiguo came to the capital solely to offer this beneficial method for the nation and people, also coincidentally saving the lives of the Empress and Ninth Prince. Is such merit unworthy of the title Lady Dingguo?"

This statement was like a resounding slap across the faces of the opposing officials.

Even if they had shameless intentions, all sorts of plans in mind, they couldn’t claim that Wang Yongzhu didn’t deserve this merit.

Not to mention the merit of saving the Empress and Ninth Prince’s lives, just the wheat yield increase method alone sufficed for the title Lady Dingguo.

This wasn’t an excessive reward; it was genuinely deserved!

For a while, apart from the Emperor’s voice, no one dared speak in the court.

And some regained their senses, realizing the Emperor did this deliberately to teach them a lesson.

Suddenly, feeling tense inside, they sheepishly lowered their heads.