Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 391: Differences (Part 2)

The Commandery Princess should really look in the mirror to see herself at this moment; her dark eyes are almost glowing.

Chief Historian Chen smiled and remarked with a double entendre, "I certainly trust Mr. Cui’s character. However, Mr. Cui is very talented, and if someone from the court wants to poach him, or if the Emperor directly summons him to the Capital City to serve, it could be a hassle."

"To completely resolve these hassles, we need to give Mr. Cui an identity and reason to remain in Nanyang County forever."

Jiang Shaohua: "..."

Jiang Shaohua looked at Chief Historian Chen and smiled helplessly, "Chief Historian Chen, there are still two months until the New Year. After the New Year, I’ll only be fourteen; it’s too early to talk about this."

Chief Historian Chen stroked his beard and chuckled, "I am merely reminding the Commandery Princess, nothing else. Please don’t misunderstand."

The reminders were not few.

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "I have it in mind."

Chief Historian Chen smiled with satisfaction, cupped his hands in farewell, and then went to see Fourth Young Master Wang, conveying the command from the Commandery Princess: "The hero who grows new grain is at the field manor. The Commandery Princess is going to inspect the field manor, and Wang She Ren can accompany her."

Wang Jin, hearing that he could accompany the Commandery Princess, perked up instantly, "Thank you, Commandery Princess, and thank you, Chief Historian Chen."

Doctor Tan, upon hearing this, insisted on going to the field manor as well.

In the past two years, the new grain from Nanyang County had shone too brightly. After personally witnessing the harvest of corn and sweet potatoes, Doctor Tan was also very curious about this hidden talent. Of course, Doctor Tan had a private intention of recruiting him as well.

If such talent could be recruited under Prime Minister Wang’s command, it would certainly be a great enhancement.

Jiang Shaohua knew Doctor Tan wanted to go along and smiled wryly, but did not stop him.

When setting out, there was a slightly awkward issue again.

Jiang Shaohua wore martial attire, riding Hua Ma, looking gallant and heroic. Her trusted Maid and a group of trusted aides also rode horses.

Doctor Tan shamelessly got on a carriage. Wang Jin, being young and self-conscious, especially in front of his beloved, couldn’t bear to lose face and also mounted a fine horse.

Fortunately, the field manor wasn’t far, only a half-day’s journey. Given Wang Jin’s stamina, he could endure half a day.

Jiang Shaohua glanced around and casually asked, "A half-day ride to the field manor, Wang She Ren, can you endure riding?"

Wang Jin immediately smiled and said, "A half-day’s travel is no problem, thank you for your concern, Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua nodded slightly and took the lead, urging her horse forward.

Just then, Wang Jin noticed there was another large, colorful striped beast on the other side of the Commandery Princess.

"Is this the Commandery Princess’s pet tiger?" Wang Jin blurted out.

Jiang Shaohua casually laughed, "It’s called Little Flower. I’ve had it for more than two years. In another year or two, Little Flower will be fully grown."

Upon hearing its name, Little Flower happily raised its head and called out.

The horses had long been accustomed to Little Flower’s sound, but Wang Jin’s fine horse was startled, raising its right hoof. Luckily, the personal soldiers quickly intervened to calm the horse’s agitation.

Jiang Shaohua turned her head with a smile, looking at the blushing, quite embarrassed Fourth Young Master Wang, "Wang She Ren should ride the carriage with Doctor Tan! If we delay any longer, we’ll miss lunch."

Wang Jin, his handsome face flushed, responded and went to the carriage. He guessed he wouldn’t have the face to make a sound all journey.

Doctor Tan, being experienced, pretended not to notice Fourth Young Master Wang’s awkwardness and embarrassment, chatting about the sights of Nanyang County along the way. Wang Jin listened absentmindedly, occasionally peering outside.

Doctor Tan followed Wang Jin’s gaze outside, thinking that such a beautiful and heroic young lady would have captivated him as well in his youth. No wonder Fourth Young Master Wang insisted on coming to Nanyang County despite Prime Minister Wang’s objections...

By noon, the sun was high in the sky, shining brightly.

The field manor was already in sight. Endless farmland came into view, where farmers worked in groups of threes and fives. A faint scent of soil mixed with the freshness of winter wheat wafted in on the breeze.

Wang Jin’s eyes lit up as he leaned his head out of the carriage window, eagerly remarking to Doctor Tan, "This is all excellent farmland. Look over there, see how well the winter wheat is growing."

Wang Jin, who had grown up pampered and untouched by worldly concerns, had left the luxurious Capital City this year to the North for half a year, witnessing true hardship. He had seen more agriculture than before and recognized winter wheat at a glance.

Doctor Tan, priding himself on his civil servant demeanor, remained calm and steady, but responded deliberately, "Nanyang County has capable officials skilled in agriculture, who’ve cultivated high-yield new crops. This winter wheat grows better than elsewhere."

"The increasing weight of Nanyang County Princess in the court is fundamentally due to this."

As Doctor Tan spoke, he gave Wang Jin a meaningful look, "Today at the field manor, we will meet this talent. Fourth Young Master might consider befriending them."

Wang Jin caught an unusual hint, his brow slightly twitching, "Doctor Tan surely isn’t thinking of poaching from the Commandery Princess!"

"Fourth Young Master’s words aren’t quite right." Doctor Tan leisurely laughed, "A wise bird chooses a tree to perch on; a mere Nanyang County, no matter the accomplishments, can only hold a fifth-rank Left or Right Chief Historian at most. Talented officials deserve a broader world and a better future."

"Perhaps, what this talent has been waiting for all along, is precisely such an opportunity."

Wang Jin frowned and straightforwardly said, "This must not be done. No matter what this official thinks or does, poaching is wrong. The Commandery Princess will certainly promote and utilize them, or actively recommend them to the court. In short, we cannot and should not intervene."

This honest temper of Fourth Young Master Wang is quite different from the Prime Minister!

Doctor Tan dryly laughed, "I was just joking; no need for you to take it to heart, Fourth Young Master."

Wang Jin, knowing Doctor Tan’s nature, added another reminder, "Today, Doctor Tan and I will stay together."

This was to prevent him from privately trying to recruit the talent.

Doctor Tan twitched his lips and nodded in agreement.

The carriage suddenly came to a stop.

"The Commandery Princess has dismounted ahead, requesting Wang She Ren and Doctor Tan to dismount as well."

Wang Jin promptly smiled and responded, efficiently getting off the carriage. Once standing, he was stunned by the sight before him, "What’s this?"

Doctor Tan dismounted and was also taken aback, "Why is there a patch of white shelves here?"

Jiang Shaohua maintained her calm demeanor and smiled slightly, "These shelves grow all sorts of vegetables, many out-of-season fruits, and newly cultivated good varieties."

Wang Jin’s curiosity was piqued, "It’s already winter, the weather is cold, can vegetables and fruits still be grown?"

Doctor Tan was focused on something else, "May I come in for a look?"

Jiang Shaohua laughed, "Since you’re here, of course, we should take a thorough look." Turning her head, she gave an order, "Go invite Cui Du over."

Cui Du?

It seems this is the great talent behind the new grain cultivation.

Doctor Tan and Wang Jin exchanged a glance.