Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 361: Jealous Flames

With the grain sent from Nanyang County, the people’s hearts in Yan County quickly stabilized. Even more exhilarating was the fact that, after a long dry spell, Yan County received two days of rain. The drooping seedlings in the fields suddenly revived under the nourishment of the rainfall.

As the imperial envoy, Zheng Chen occasionally strolled along the field edges. After the rain, he took a walk, observing the straight, green corn stalks and the sprawling sweet potato vines on the ground, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of spirit: "Is this the new grain from Nanyang County?"

"Yes!" Prefectural Governor Liu beamed with joy, extending his hand to touch the corn leaves as if caressing a beloved child: "The new grain from Nanyang County has a very high yield, with one mu of land producing over a thousand jin of grain. This year is our first year planting in Yan County, and we missed the right timing, so it was just replanting, and the yield definitely won’t be that high. Once we get through this year, next year we’ll plant according to the season."

Zheng Chen paused for a moment of silence, then asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time: "Who exactly cultivated the new grain in Nanyang County?"

Last year, Jiang Shaohua reported that Nanyang County had cultivated a high-yield new grain. As for where this new grain seed came from and who developed it, it was deliberately avoided.

This year, the new grain from Nanyang County shone brightly, and in the severe drought and locust disaster-stricken North, corn and sweet potatoes were extremely precious.

Who exactly cultivated this new grain?

When did someone of such ability emerge under Jiang Shaohua’s command?

Who is this person?

Prefectural Governor Liu was bewildered by the question: "I have never been to Nanyang and know almost nothing about Nanyang County." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Doctor Jiao, of course, didn’t know either. He chuckled softly: "Nanyang County has already fully promoted the new grain cultivation. The person who bred the grain seeds is not well-known outside Nanyang County, but the people there must know."

So, wouldn’t it be enough to ask Yu Chong?

Zheng Chen nodded slightly. After returning to the governor’s mansion, he sent someone to ask Yu Chong to come and talk.

Zheng Chen was skilled in the art of questioning, first engaging in casual conversation with a smile, gradually steering the topic towards the new grain without revealing his intentions.

Yu Chong, although appearing brash, was actually quick-witted and careful in his responses. He spoke on what he could, and for the things he shouldn’t say, he claimed ignorance.

Zheng Chen went in circles with his questioning for a long time, and seeing Yu Chong acting deaf and dumb, he became somewhat displeased. Suddenly, he said, "Actually, even if General Yu doesn’t say it, I can still guess who the hero behind the new grain cultivation is. Three years ago, I met him in Nanyang. The person who cultivated the new grain is Cui Du."

Yu Chong’s eyes flashed with a hint of astonishment.

So it really is Cui Du.

It truly is him.

Zheng Chen’s emotions surged abruptly, and an image of a young, tender face flashed through his mind.

Who could have imagined that a once insignificant young man would now be a major contributor to the Nanyang Prince Mansion and arguably a hero of the entire Da Liang.

Da Liang is founded on agriculture. A person who can cultivate high-yield new grain, who can help numerous commoners fill their stomachs, certainly deserves to be rewarded with titles and ranks.

"So, Young Master Zheng knows Mr. Cui," Yu Chong’s voice arose: "Since that is the case, I need not conceal it anymore. Yes, the one who cultivated the new grain indeed is Mr. Cui."

"Moreover, the new style plow presented to the court also came from Mr. Cui."

These things aren’t a secret in Nanyang County. Everyone in the Nanyang Prince Mansion knows it. Yu Chong, who considers himself a loyal minister of the Nanyang Prince Mansion, often exchanges letters with Song Yuan, naturally knows all about it.

Zheng Chen raised an eyebrow and made a non-committal sound: "Mr. Cui has made significant contributions, so why hasn’t the Commandery Princess submitted a memorial to commend him?"

Yu Chong responded, "The Commandery Princess naturally has her reasons and plans. These aren’t things I’m in a position to discuss. Perhaps the Young Master could personally ask the Commandery Princess in the future."

Zheng Chen inwardly snorted coldly at the deflection, but kept his face expressionless: "Of course."

After Yu Chong left, Zheng Chen suddenly turned sullen.

He had always been wary of Wang Jin. After all, Wang Jin was Jiang Shaohua’s husband in a past life, and their bond from being married is not something anyone can overlook. Moreover, Jiang Shaohua even bore a son for Wang Jin.

Unexpectedly, his real rival wasn’t Wang the Fourth, but the person who had been quietly tending the fields in Nanyang County’s manor, Cui Du.

Jiang Shaohua refused to stay in Capital City, doing everything possible to return to Nanyang, and she once mentioned to Princess Bao Hua and others her intention to take a son-in-law in the future. Could it be that the choice for her son-in-law is Cui Du?

At this thought, jealousy flared up, burning fiercely as if scorching his chest.

Zheng Chen’s expression fluctuated, and he suddenly got up to the study, picked up a pen, and swiftly wrote something down.

After finishing the letter, Zheng Chen was silent for a long time, then reached out and tore it into shreds.

Right now, he had no standing to inquire out of jealousy. Moreover, given Jiang Shaohua’s current prestige and influence, she wouldn’t even bother to pay attention to him. Appearing as a jealous man would only make him seem pathetic and ridiculous.

Zheng Chen slowly ground the ink, spread out new paper, and wrote another letter. This time, the tone was much more amicable, akin to a greeting from an old friend.

The next day, Yu Chong led the Nanyang Army, which had rested for a few days, back to Nanyang.

As they left, many commoners lined the roads to see them off.

These people had received the new grain from Nanyang County and now had the hope and strength to survive. Smiles appeared on their thin, sallow faces, with light shining in their eyes.

Yu Chong saw this and also felt comforted.

Zheng Chen personally escorted Yu Chong out of Yan County’s city gates and handed him a letter: "This is my letter to the Commandery Princess; would General Yu kindly deliver it?"

Yu Chong, who had a personal letter from Prefectural Governor Liu, didn’t mind carrying one more letter. He accepted it with a smile, tucking it into his breast. After saluting goodbye, he rode away swiftly.

Zheng Chen watched the Nanyang Army leave, standing still at the same spot for a long time.

...

During this period, Jiang Shaohua inspected the Personal Guard Camp and Nanyang Army Camp, followed by tours of Xi’e County, Wan County, Luyang County, and others. In Xi’e County, Jiang Shaohua severely punished Chief Clerk Zhao for embezzling grain.

This incident spread through Nanyang County like wildfire, and everyone felt a chill in their hearts, becoming much more cautious in their duties.

During the subsequent inspections, Jiang Shaohua identified a few officials who were ineffective, embezzling, or negligent, and they were dismissed without mercy.

Such thunderous measures even startled Chief Historian Chen, who privately advised: "Previously, the Commandery Princess’s methods were considered moderate. Why the sudden shift to such resolute toughness?"

Jiang Shaohua replied calmly: "Constantly bestowing favors and acting leniently breeds a lack of reverence, leading them to dare to commit minor acts secretly. This is my way of warning them: the practices of the Da Liang officialdom won’t work in Nanyang County. To be my subordinates, they must abide by my rules."

To instill fear and respect, in essence, is to deter softness and prevent laxity. The Commandery Princess shows her edge to deter and maintain control, to avoid bigger turmoil in the future.

Chen Zhuo pondered and said, "In the future, matters like this should be entrusted to me, so I can help relieve the Commandery Princess of worries as the Left Chief Historian."

Jiang Shaohua smiled: "There’s no need for Chief Historian Chen to take the blame for me. I want everyone to know my prowess."