The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1677 - 1671: A Joyous Occasion

Wang Yongzhu nodded slightly: "Whichever method you find suitable, use that one!"

She was indeed quite agreeable.

For Wang Yongzhu, truly, she could afford to give away these few thousand jin of wheat, and she was willing to.

However, the current situation did not allow her to be so generous.

To put it plainly, if she really donated a few thousand jin of wheat seeds to the Imperial Court, it would be a significant achievement.

What would the Emperor use to reward her?

There were many officials in the court, and it was unknown how many looked unfavorably upon Duke Weiguo. Moreover, with Song Chongjin now only a Prefect of Chicheng County, once the trade route was opened and he was in charge, it would stir a hornet’s nest.

This was a piece of fat meat that everyone coveted; how could one allow Song Chongjin to gain such merit alone?

By then, those people, for their own sake and for the sake of their descendants, would probably surround like wild dogs to tear apart.

By maneuvering things a bit, let the people know this method of increasing production was something she experimented with, and the wheat seeds were donated by her.

Such a good thing, ordinary people would only be endlessly grateful upon knowing, perhaps even chanting hymns of gratitude daily.

Then, at the right opportunity, present it before the Emperor.

In an era with an Emperor, subordinates’ prestige surpassing the Emperor’s is not a good thing.

Especially Duke Weiguo, Song Hong, who once held military power, even though he has returned it now, if there’s a desire to convict, there’s no shortage of excuses.

If truly nothing criminal can be found, could it be that Duke Weiguo has no skeletons in the closet? Can it withstand close scrutiny?

Moreover, even if there’s truly nothing, if the Emperor becomes suspicious, there’s plenty of ways to create issues.

By then, once the Emperor has a thought, those below will perceptively carry out his intentions, no need for the Emperor to say much; they would allege Song Chongjin and herself of vying with the Emperor for honors!

This is a crime as monumental as heaven itself! By then, one would be unable to argue otherwise.

If you claim you aren’t vying with the Emperor for credit, these people will then ask you, since you aren’t vying for credit, why boast about your merits among the populace?

Therefore, Wang Yongzhu would rather let people think she covets wealth, lacks ambition, and is a typical woman interested only in petty gains than let the Emperor grow suspicious.

Since ancient times, how many virtuous ministers and famous generals have met tragic ends due to suspicion?

She’s not foolish, why seek her own demise?

At the moment, she made her stance clear, as long as she isn’t taken advantage of financially or food-wise, it’s fine.

She didn’t need to bother herself with these junior officials; had it not been for Guo Mian’s obvious malice, she wouldn’t have been angered.

Seeing those officials looking at each other, seemingly disbelieving.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t bother speaking much with them, simply waved them to go make preparations.

Transporting such a large amount of grain back to the Capital City isn’t a simple task; laborers need to be hired, and ships arranged.

Unsure if the official ships that brought them here have returned yet; if not, that’s good, the guards can just escort them and the grain back.

This requires asking Song Chongjin, as he arranged it initially, she hadn’t managed it.

Where did those officials dare make eye contact with Wang Yongzhu? When told to leave, they didn’t even dare make a peep and quickly scurried out.

Not a single person dared ask Guo Mian a single question, fearing asking might drag them into accompanying Guo Mian, which wouldn’t be worth it.

Wang Yongzhu thought for a moment, had someone ask Song Chongjin where the official ships and soldiers that brought them to Chicheng City are now.

Soon, someone came back reporting that the officials are stationed at an inn in Linshui City, asking if Madam needed any instructions.

Wang Yongzhu understood and dismissed the person.

During the evening, when Song Chongjin returned, naturally, Wang Yongzhu discussed with him how to send away the officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and the grain.

Song Chongjin had long anticipated this; regardless of those official ships and the many guards, to say it’s to protect Wang Yongzhu, with his own men, and at least the guards and personal soldiers from the Duke’s Mansion, they wouldn’t need to use the Imperial soldiers.

But since the Emperor arranged it this way, he must have his reasons.

Seeing the officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Song Chongjin understood, perhaps the Emperor wanted the safe transport of these wheat seeds back to the Capital City.

This matter is best not meddled in by others.

Thus, when he arranged for those soldiers to temporarily stay at the inn in Linshui City, they agreed readily, which reassured him even more.

This arrangement was easier; he could have someone send a message to those soldiers tomorrow, telling them to prepare a day in advance.

On this end, loading the several thousand jin of grain onto carts to transport to Linshui City might take another two days.

They would need to organize carts and laborers to accomplish it.

This coordination isn’t a problem here as this area frequently transports military grain, so arrangements can easily be made.

For the Ministry of Agriculture’s affairs, as long as these officials and the grain are safely sent onto the ships, it no longer concerns them.

As for Guo Mian, hearing Wang Yongzhu’s handling, naturally, Song Chongjin had no objections.

Not only that, but he also wrote a memorial overnight, reporting Guo Mian’s malevolent intentions, and wrote a secret letter back to the Duke’s Mansion, asking Song Hong to investigate the Guo Family’s background and their backers.

This matter obviously wasn’t just directed at Song Chongjin but also at the Duke’s Mansion.

Before meeting Guo Mian, he had never met anyone from the Guo Family; back in the Capital City, except for classmates, he rarely interacted with colleagues; where would enmities arise?

After thinking it over, it could only be Song Hong who incurred their wrath.

As for how Song Hong, after receiving the letter, investigated the Guo Family’s background and countered them, that’s a later story.

Within a few months, the Guo Family, not a nameless or ordinary household, was out of favor with the Emperor due to Song Hong’s machinations, losing its influence and prominence.

As for Wang Yongzhu, after sending away the Ministry of Agriculture’s officials and the wheat seeds, she finally felt relieved.

Finally had time to visit and meet with friendly ladies.

Lady Shen had long wished to visit Wang Yongzhu, but due to Wang Yongzhu’s busy schedule, she had held back.

Once Wang Yongzhu had free time, given their good relations, Lady Shen was the first to hurry over. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Upon seeing Lady Shen, Wang Yongzhu immediately noticed her slightly protruding belly. Looking again at Lady Shen, with a rosy complexion, her face had rounded, and compared to before she left, lacking the hint of worry between her brows, now seemed more peaceful and gentle.

She couldn’t help but reveal a teasing smile.

Seeing Wang Yongzhu’s smile, Lady Shen immediately felt bashful. Back when Wang Yongzhu left, she had offered many words of advice to her; less than half a year later, upon reunion, she was already pregnant.

Recalling her previous quarrels with Wu Zhongbao seemed like a long time ago now.

Unable to suppress a shy, tentative comment: "Please don’t make fun of me——"

Wang Yongzhu quickly stifled her laugh, helped her seat: "I won’t make fun of you, this is good news! Congratulations are in order!"