Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 725 - 561 Cotton
Gu Chengyu glanced at this person, who seemed to be around thirty-seven or eight, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, appearing rather honest.
However, those smiling eyes made one feel that his temperament might not match his appearance.
"So it is County Magistrate Li. No need for formalities, County Magistrate Li!"
Gu Chengyu rested one hand on his back, wearing a gentle smile, but giving County Magistrate Li an invisible sense of pressure.
Li Yong’s expression turned serious; this person is not to be underestimated! He has been an official for six years, originally serving as a county magistrate in a remote area, living a very impoverished life.
Now, he has been reassigned to Qinghe County in Jingyuan Prefecture. Though his rank did not rise, Jingyuan Prefecture is much better than those remote areas.
Besides, Qinghe County has a small dock. Although it’s not comparable to Jiangnan, the people’s lives are not very harsh.
"I didn’t know Your Excellency had returned home. It was my failure not to personally greet you!"
Li Yong actually wanted to visit yesterday, but his confidant advised that since Mr. Gu did not reveal his identity along the way, it must mean he was eager to return home.
He suggested waiting another day until Mr. Gu had visited with his family and packed his belongings, then bring gifts to pay a visit, avoiding any impropriety. Hearing this, Li Yong found it very reasonable.
He rose early today to pay his respects, only to find that Gu Chengyu left even earlier to visit friends.
Since he came, he had to see him before leaving. Otherwise, he would lose face, and making Mr. Gu feel that he is being disregarded would be unjust.
"County Magistrate Li need not worry. It was my urgency to return home that I did not inform you!" Gu Chengyu made a gesture of invitation to County Magistrate Li as he reached the door of his house.
After they entered, the villagers began discussing excitedly.
"Old Gu Family’s fifth son really holds a higher position than the county magistrate! Look at how the county magistrate bows and nods to Old Gu Family’s fifth son."
A villager remarked with emotion as he watched the two enter.
The person beside him quickly nudged him, "Stop talking like that, it’s not for us to say! They are court officials, do you know the crime of wanton discussion of imperial officials?"
"Yes, yes! We really shouldn’t speak like that. I worked for a few months outside, and these officials are indeed powerful! No matter how arrogant those wealthy lords are, when they meet an official, they don’t even dare to breathe loudly!"
"That’s right! Why else would everyone be desperate to succeed in the imperial examinations, if not to become an official?"
"The Gu Family is really on the rise, just look at how impressive Old Gu Family’s fifth son is!"
"Stop calling him Old Gu Family’s fifth son! He is already an official, didn’t you see the county magistrate calling him Mr. Gu?"
Gu Chengyu invited County Magistrate Li to the outer study to sit down, where Zhu Pang was already waiting.
After all, with a local authority visiting, while he is still a commoner, he must pay his respects.
Moreover, with Gu Chengyu previously not at home, wasn’t it up to him to help with receiving guests?
"I heard that Mr. Gu has been promoted to Attendant at the Hanlin Academy within a month. My congratulations, Your Excellency!"
County Magistrate Li had already learned of Gu Chengyu’s promotion, as it was he who brought people to announce Mrs. Lv’s imperial decree.
"The Emperor’s grace is boundless; my promotion was sheer luck!" Gu Chengyu responded in official polite terms to County Magistrate Li.
As soon as Gu Chengyu saw this person, he knew he was a seasoned officialdom veteran.
He had long since understood County Magistrate Li’s background. Originally, he was the magistrate of Qianqu County under Qingfeng Prefecture near the border and was just transferred to Qinghe County in Jingyuan Prefecture this year.
One can imagine the difficulties of life in Qingfeng Prefecture, located near the border. Being transferred to Jingyuan Prefecture was already an achievement for Li Yong.
Li Yong’s background, like Gu Chengyu’s, was from a farming family; but Gu Chengyu had the fortune of having Teacher Liang Zhirui, whereas Li Yong was not so lucky. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
It was through perseverance and diligence that he managed to stand his ground in Qingfeng Prefecture.
"That is because you, Your Excellency, have earned the Emperor’s favor. In our Dayan Dynasty, there’s never been someone so young becoming a Champion Scholar. I have read your poetry, Your Excellency, and it rivals Zijian of the ancient times."
Li Yong had already intended to seize this opportunity. Held in such esteem by the Emperor, Gu Chengyu’s future is limitless.
It’s unclear what faction Mr. Gu belongs to; he must try to find out more.
If he can indeed align himself with Gu Chengyu, who knows, he might get promoted in three years.
"County Magistrate Li is too kind, I am nowhere close to deserving such praise as being compared to Zijian!"
Gu Chengyu easily saw through Li Yong’s intentions of wanting to join his ranks.
Gu Chengyu was not averse to such alliances. Forming coalitions and standing united is not unusual in officialdom.
The Emperor is aging, and he has to plan for himself. Having a faction is a wise choice.
However, it is uncertain what kind of person Li Yong truly is. If he were unscrupulous, using him would be risky.
Furthermore, his current official position is not high enough to make absorbing Li Yong into his faction feasible.
Gu Chengyu entertained Li Yong’s flattery while making plans in his mind.
In just a few moments, Gu Chengyu decided to wait and see for now.
At least he must understand Li Yong’s character first. If he can rise another rank within three years, then these issues will no longer be a concern.
"I heard that County Magistrate Li previously served in Qianqu County of Fengqing Prefecture, which is near the border and the conditions are harsh, yet you did a lot of practical work for the people," Gu Chengyu said.
Gu Chengyu was not speaking blindly; he had indeed done some inquiries earlier.
This County Magistrate Li had a good reputation locally and was unlikely to be corrupt.
At this point, Li Yong sighed with knitted brows, "The lives of the people there are hard! The land is barren, and the people can hardly meet their basic needs."
Gu Chengyu and Zhu Pang fell silent at this, as it was a fact that grain could not be grown. However, wasn’t Fengqing Prefecture capable of growing cotton?
"County Magistrate Li, isn’t the land in Fengqing Prefecture suitable for growing cotton?"
The main area for cotton planting was still in and around Fengqing Prefecture. Transporting cotton from Fengqing Prefecture increased costs, so cotton was not cheap.
Moreover, after consulting many materials, Gu Chengyu found that cotton yields were not high, and they needed to prevent pests.
Additionally, seeds were not easy to obtain, and a lot of manual labor was required, which was a problem needing resolution.
Throughout history, the deprived have always been the common people.
Regardless of how cotton and cotton cloth sold expensively in other states, the people of Fengqing Prefecture still couldn’t fill their bellies relying on cotton.
Merchant acquisition prices for cotton weren’t high, due to the considerable costs of transporting it from Fengqing Prefecture to other states.
Cotton yields were low, and the fields were taxed just like they were for growing grain. Even after paying the tax, what’s left can only stave off hunger.
But growing cotton in Fengqing Prefecture is abundant, yet cannot satisfy hunger. Growing grain yields no produce, and even paying the land tax would be difficult.
Seeing Li Yong’s concerned expression that did not seem falsified, Gu Chengyu perceived him as an official who considered the people’s sake.
However, his own career took precedence, and anyone with the capability to leave would likely do so rather than continue serving there.
