Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 378: The Human Heart (Part 1)

It’s hard to leave one’s homeland. If life could be sustained there, who would be willing to abandon their roots and settle in a completely unfamiliar place?

The two elderly individuals were somewhat dazed. One of them rashly asked, "Is what the Commandery Princess said true? Is there really an imperial envoy in Yan County?"

The other reacted much more quickly, decisively responding, "We barely escaped, and now that we’ve come to Nanyang, we can survive. Nanyang is our home now; we’re not going back to Yan County."

The first one also came to realization, echoing repeatedly, "Absolutely right. We are now people of Nanyang and aren’t going anywhere."

The court’s inaction deeply hurt the hearts of the Northern Land citizens. In these two elders’ minds, they simply couldn’t trust the imperial envoy sent by the court; the Commandery Princess was more reliable.

Jiang Shaohua saw through the elders’ thoughts and smiled slightly, "Good, as long as you stay, you will all be citizens of Nanyang County. With me here, I will surely let you live in peace and be free from worry about food and clothing."

The elder was moved to tears once again.

Several ignorant children, their eyes clear and bright. Chen Jinyu smilingly took out a package of dried meat and distributed it among the children. The children were delighted with the dried meat, eagerly stuffing it into their mouths.

Jiang Shaohua wandered through the refugees’ village for half a day and then went to the barren fields.

There weren’t many refugees in Wuyin County, and only over two thousand mu of barren land had been opened up. County Magistrate Gao had already made every effort to raise resources, yet few refugees could use wooden plows and oxen; most of them labored to turn the earth with iron hoes.

Jiang Shaohua slightly furrowed her brows and turned to instruct Ma Yaosong, "Immediately convey my message back to the Prince Mansion and ask Shen Gongzheng to allocate some new plows to be sent to Wuyin County. Also, write a letter to Bi Yang, requesting County Magistrate Ma send some oxen over."

The Prince Mansion’s workshop was busy day and night, ensuring the Personal Guard Camp had enough armor and weapons, while also supplying Nanyang Army. The speed of producing new plows was naturally much slower, with stock quantity greatly insufficient. It was only the Commandery Princess who could easily allocate new plows from the workshop.

As for the oxen, every county was short on them. Even the most affluent like Ye County and Bowan County couldn’t possibly have oxen in every household. It’s excellent if two or three families share one ox.

Only Biyang County had expansive pastures where warhorses were raised, along with large quantities of cattle and sheep. To "borrow" oxen, naturally, borrowing from Biyang County was most suitable.

Ma Yaosong immediately bowed and took the order, then quickly went to write letters and make arrangements.

The best part was that the Eagle Guards from the Eagle Guard Camp had already brought trained Eagles to the Prince Mansion and various counties. After repeated training, the Eagles could finally be put to use.

In the past, it took two to three days to send a letter to the Prince Mansion, a round trip of five to six days. This time, however, the reply from the Prince Mansion was received within half a day.

"Commandery Princess, the Eagles have indeed delivered the message quickly." Ma Yaosong reported with an expression of delight, "The reply from the Prince Mansion has arrived."

The reply was rolled into a scroll and tucked into a special small bamboo tube.

Jiang Shaohua was also filled with joy, took the bamboo tube, opened it, poured out a small scroll, and unfolded it. As expected, it was a letter from Shen Gongzheng.

The workshop still had thirty new plows, all of which would be sent immediately.

"From now on, when the Commandery Princess inspects outside, communication will be extremely convenient." Chen Jinyu’s eyes lit up, and his tone was full of excitement.

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "Saved us several days of time and spared us the hurried back and forth riding. It’s indeed very good."

Ma Yaosong chuckled softly, "Now it’s fixed-point communication. Maybe, after a few more years of training, the Eagles might fly north for long distances, delivering messages to Tang’s Grain Shop. What the Commandery Princess says today can be heard by Commander Qin and Commander Meng at the Personal Guard Camp by evening."

Jiang Shaohua’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

The Da Liang Official Road was still well-maintained, with official roads connecting even the most remote state and county places. But relying on swift horses to deliver messages was time-consuming and labor-intensive, severely depleting warhorses. If a communication channel primarily using Eagles could truly be established, it would be an unprecedented change.

This matter is, of course, extremely difficult. Jiang Shaohua thought and then smiled, "I will personally write a letter to Li Tianxi, asking him to try it out."

Four days later, fifty new plows arrived at Wuyin County.

Two more days passed, and thirty oxen were delivered.

County Magistrate Gao was so happy that his mouth could barely contain his grin. As expected, having thick skin brings many benefits. With so many new plows and oxen, opening up barren land became much easier for the refugees.

County Magistrate Gao pondered on how to distribute the plows and oxen, and Ma Yaosong couldn’t help but remind, "This is the Commandery Princess’s blessing to the refugees; in my opinion, it’s more appropriate for the Commandery Princess to personally distribute them."

The not-so-quick-thinking County Magistrate Gao suddenly realized, repeatedly agreeing, "Ma’s consideration is comprehensive. I’ll have someone convey the message to the refugees’ village, ask them to gather together and express their gratitude to the Commandery Princess."

That’s exactly right!

The Commandery Princess wants to win hearts, and this is a great opportunity.

Ma Yaosong, satisfied, went to report the matter to the Commandery Princess. Upon hearing it, Jiang Shaohua knew what was happening and casually laughed, "County Magistrate Gao is straightforward and not very flexible. Did you privately remind him?"

Ma Yaosong replied with a smile, "Nothing escapes the Commandery Princess’s discerning eyes."

Ma Yaosong, though not old, was extremely flexible in handling affairs and especially skilled in understanding her intentions and acting accordingly.

Jiang Shaohua laughed, praised Ma, and without needing to choose any auspicious day, took new plows and oxen to the refugees’ village that afternoon.

The group of refugees, upon seeing the brand new plows, were thrilled. Seeing the sturdy oxen, their eyes shone even brighter. Unable to contain themselves emotionally, they excitedly crowded together and whispered.

"Heavens! Are these really for us?"

"In the past, my family had wooden plows, but they’re far heavier than these new plows. I’ve heard the new plows from Nanyang County are light and easy to use."

"Look at those oxen, each one stronger than the last. I dreamed of having an ox, but unfortunately, I could never afford one. I never imagined, fleeing here, being sheltered by Nanyang County, the Commandery Princess even giving us oxen..."

Suddenly, someone began to cry.

In that cry, there was gratitude, relief, but mostly certainty and joy for the future. With a Commandery Princess who treats the people so well, they need not worry about the future. From now on, they would resolutely stay in Nanyang County, becoming the Commandery Princess’s citizens.

Tears are most infectious. One leads to a second and a third, and soon it spread throughout. Hundreds of people from Yan County knelt together, scrambling to bow to the Commandery Princess.

"Everyone, please stand up."

Seeing this scene, Jiang Shaohua felt emotionally stirred and her voice grew ever gentler, "There are fifty new plows, one for every two households. There are thirty oxen, one for every four families. No one should fight over them; here is the household register, and distribution will be according to the names on the list."

"Once things get better in the future, everyone’s days will get better and better."