Half a Spoiler Chapter 171

“…”

Censor-in-Chief Song indeed raised a very important question.

Even though Chi Yi had already been through quite a lot, she still found this matter rather tricky.

Chi Yi said, “The State Preceptor is naturally loyal to the throne and devoted to the realm…”

But at that point, she hesitated – there were different kinds of loyalty and devotion, and what they were discussing now was clearly somewhat out of the ordinary.

Song Wenshu smiled and said, “I am old now. This matter will have to rely on all of you for your diligent efforts.”

As a junior, Chi Yi gave a slight bow and said solemnly, “I will do my utmost to relieve Her Majesty’s burdens and troubles.”

While her trusted aides were busy outside, making discreet inquiries and testing the waters with carefully worded statements, the Emperor herself felt her spirits had improved considerably. She began drafting the curriculum for arithmetic lessons and personally compiled a set of mathematics textbooks, ordering the Marquess of Fengsu and the Marquess of Dujiang to start studying.

The arithmetic textbooks for those two princes had been the responsibility of Lu Zhongmao. But the elderly scholar, upon hearing of this matter, nearly forced herself out of a sickbed to come and start from the very basics alongside them.

In addition, the Emperor had the craftsmen modify the carriage wheels by adding an extra layer of rubber on the outside. However, the filling material was not air but water, intended to serve as a shock absorber.

Court officials knew the Emperor had always been quite interested in such matters, but they hadn’t expected her to be this passionate about it.

Of course, they couldn’t understand that previously, Wen Yanran had held herself to the standard of a tyrant. So even when she had ideas for improving tools, she had to be restrained and subtle to avoid accidentally unlocking some unexpected technological advancement. Now that her goal had shifted to becoming a wise and benevolent ruler, her actions were naturally different from before.

She specially ordered people to collect commonly used farming tools from the southern regions, personally tried her hand at plowing, and worked alongside the craftsmen of the Imperial Household to make various adjustments.

Wang Qishi specifically came to persuade her. “The hundreds of officials in the court each have their own duties. Your Majesty is the Sovereign. Even if you value agriculture, you need not personally tend to this matter. It would be unfortunate if it ended up delaying state affairs…”

Wen Yanran smiled. “No delay – it’s already done.”

Wang Qishi: “…”

Wen Yanran said, “I plan to have it tested first on the official fields. If it proves suitable, it can be gradually promoted.” Then she added, “Minister Wang, do you have any other matters to report today?”

Wang Qishi bowed. “Your Majesty has just arrived in Taikang. It would be fitting to hold a sacrificial ceremony.”

Wen Yanran nodded. “Let the State Preceptor be in charge of this matter.” She glanced at the minister before her, her gaze sharpening slightly. “Is there something amiss?”

Wang Qishi felt sweat forming on his brow. He bowed and said, “…Your Majesty is absolutely right. The State Preceptor is the foremost Daoist official in the realm and the head of Tianfu Palace. He is certainly capable of shouldering this important task.”

Wen Yanran gave him a long, deep look. After a while, she slowly uttered an “Mm.”

She had been on the throne for a long time now. During court audiences, even when her ministers concealed something in their words, she could generally guess what was on their minds. But this time, the feeling was rather subtle – Wang Qishi seemed to be hinting at something, yet she found it difficult to tell exactly what…

After Wang Qishi withdrew, Wen Yanran reflected on what had just happened and felt that it must have something to do with Wen Jingmei. She then summoned Xiu Zhui, the attendant on duty that day. “The State Preceptor is also new to the south and is currently staying at Qingnan Palace. Go on my behalf to see how he is settling in there and whether he lacks anything at hand. Then draw up a list and send him some supplies.”

Xiu Zhui was an attendant trained by Zhang Luo, always clever and quick-witted. But when she responded today, she seemed half a beat slow – pausing for a moment before bowing her head and assenting.

Wen Yanran: “…?”

Now that she had reached the [When Dreams Illuminate Reality] stage, could it be that even the people around her were suffering from delayed reactions as a result?

Wen Yanran suddenly realized that many key figures had been dreaming for days on end after the [Data Deployment] and were in a daze. She figured she had guessed the reason for her ministers’ recent strange expressions. She ordered the Chief Imperial Physician to brew extra batches of calming herbal decoctions and distribute them. Then she added, “The duties of prayers and divination fall under the State Preceptor’s purview, but he too has only just arrived. There are countless affairs in the palace to keep him busy for quite some time. Inform everyone not to trouble him with too many visits.”

“…We shall abide by Your Majesty’s decree.”

For some reason, Xiu Zhui’s response this time seemed even slower than the last.

Wen Yanran paused briefly, then set aside the memorial in her hand and stood up. “Never mind. I shall go see the State Preceptor myself.”

As the Sovereign, Wen Yanran could leave whenever she wished. She promptly took her attendants and headed toward Qingnan Palace. On the way, Chi Yi – who had been handling affairs at the outer court – rushed over upon hearing the news.

“Were you not on duty inside the palace today?”

In her reply, Chi Yi did not blink once, her expression composed and solemn. She bowed with folded hands and said, “I came up through the inner court. Compared to matters of the outer court, it is only right to prioritize attending to Your Majesty.”

Wen Yanran gave her a glance, nodded, and smiled. “You’ve also been busy for quite some days. Since you’re back today, you may stay at Gantang Palace for the time being.”

Gantang Palace was the name of her bedchamber in the secondary capital.

When the Emperor arrived, Wen Jingmei naturally came forward to pay his respects. His expression seemed little different from usual, except that when he noticed the Emperor’s gaze fall upon him, he slightly lowered his eyes, avoiding looking directly at the sovereign.

Wen Yanran said, “Once Qingnan Palace is tidied up, prepare a few sets of outdoor clothing and come out with me.”

Wen Jingmei paused. “…What does Your Majesty mean?”

Wen Yanran raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t I already tell you on the boat that I would take you out for a stroll?”

Upon hearing this, Wen Jingmei looked momentarily stunned, then showed a look of sudden realization, as if he had just now registered what was said.

For a State Preceptor who had always been attuned to the Emperor’s intentions, this was by no means a common occurrence.

Wen Yanran did not press the matter further. She simply smiled and said, “The canal has been extended all the way to Qing Province, with Inspector Du personally overseeing the work. I intend to go there for an inspection. Once we arrive, you and I can even carry stones on the riverbanks ourselves to truly experience the hardships of the common people.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than the room fell into a strange silence.

For some reason, the Daoist officials from Tianfu Palace all wore expressions as if they had something to say but were holding back, filled with deep uncertainty along the lines of, “Are those recent rumors in the palace actually true or not?”

The State Preceptor said nothing. The Emperor said nothing. The Daoist officials on both sides and the inner attendants grew quieter and quieter. In the end, it was a small incident outside the window that broke the strange atmosphere.

Qingnan Palace had been built in the southern style, with its chambers situated near a pond. Just at that moment, a very small frog emerged from the water, hopped onto a garden rock, opened its mouth in the direction of Wen Yanran, and went: “Gurmp.”

The Emperor of the Great Zhou fell silent for a moment, then inquired of those beside her, “…Did it just call out to me?”

Chi Yi wore a polite and perfectly standard smile. “Your Majesty’s perception is exceptionally keen.”

Wen Yanran: “?”

The screenshots from the system didn’t include much related to Chi Yi. She could only tell that in any branch of the story, as long as Chi Yi held power, she could always keep the Emperor very pleased. But based on what had just happened, Wen Yanran had reason to suspect that the players in the comment section might have fooled her a second time…

Although her close attendants had behaved somewhat subtly, none of them delayed the preparations for the trip. Wen Yanran did not travel incognito to Qing Province. Instead, she took her imperial retinue to the capital of Yu Province, which was not far from Qing Province. Only then did she change into a more practical set of clothes and head toward the Qing Province canal.

Wen Jingmei had been rather worried about the Emperor’s safety. Fortunately, Chi Yi was also a prudent person and allocated three hundred elite imperial guards to escort and protect them along the way. But what truly put everyone at ease was –

The sound of hooves grew closer, and a familiar silhouette gradually came into sharp focus. A Qingyi general with wheat-colored skin and features more pronounced than those of the Central Plains people rode swiftly toward the Emperor of the Great Zhou. When she was about fifty paces away, she dismounted cleanly and nimbly, then knelt on the spot before the Emperor, who had traveled incognito. Word by word, she declared, “Your humble servant Xiao Xichi pays homage to Your Majesty.”

Wen Yanran laughed heartily and personally stepped forward to help her to her feet. “It has been far too long since I last saw you, General Xiao.”

An audience before the Emperor was supposed to be respectful and solemn. Yet when Xiao Xichi stood up and his gaze met the Emperor’s, she couldn’t help but smile naturally. With sincere tone, she said, “Though I have been in the south, not a single day has passed in these past six years that I have not thought of Your Majesty.”

Wen Yanran said, “Now that I’ve come to the south, I’ll be staying for at least two years. And with the canal now open, it will be much more convenient whether I come to you or you come to me.”

Xiao Xichi couldn’t help but smile. “It would be better if I went to Your Majesty. Although the Qingyi tribesmen have devoted most of their efforts to archery and horsemanship, we have lived in the south for quite some time now and are no strangers to waterways. That would spare Your Majesty the ordeal of the dragon boat.”

Wen Yanran: “…” Had news of her seasickness already spread all the way to Qingyi?

Truly, without practice, one has no right to speak. There were serious problems with over-referencing other people’s ruinous extravagance. Even if she were still aiming for the standard of a tyrant, those grandiose dragon boat projects would have foundered on the simple fact that she couldn’t stay on a large vessel for long…

The young emperor shifted her gaze from Xiao Xichi to Chi Yi and the others, and smiled. “It seems the Imperial Medical Bureau has never forgotten to find a seasickness remedy for me. They are indeed devoted to their duties.”

Zhang Luo chuckled and said, “Your Majesty’s discernment is as sharp as a torch.”

Drawing on the past affair of the gu sickness, the Imperial Medical Bureau realized that the southern natives had considerable experience in sailing and wanted to collect some medicinal formulas from the south. Unfortunately, although many formulas had now been gathered, it was still uncertain whether they would actually be useful to the Emperor.

After meeting with Xiao Xichi, Wen Yanran and her party went directly to a local government office to rest. She did not reveal her identity as the emperor, and with the deliberate guidance of the inner attendants, the local officials came to believe that the “Noble Person of Jianping” staying in the office was likely one of the two princes.

Xiao Xichi had specifically requested leave to come, intending to stay by the Emperor’s side for several days. That evening, she even shared a room with the Emperor, discussing various matters concerning the southern regions.

“The rulers of the southern coastal states are not skilled in governance.”

Such an assessment from another general might not be entirely trustworthy, but Xiao Xichi was someone who could fight on horseback and strategize on foot – equally adept at warfare and administration. If she said this, she naturally had her reasons.

Wen Yanran nodded slightly. “I think so too. The output of sugar has been considerable in recent years, which shows that there isn’t much arable land left on the southern coastal side.”

Xiao Xichi said, “Take Luonan, for example. It’s not that no one there saw the signs, but they simply couldn’t turn the tide.”

Sugarcane is a perennial crop with high initial investment, only breaking even after the first year or two. Once the local powerful families and wealthy clans had tasted the profits, it was utterly impossible for them to abandon those already-obtained gains for the sake of the nation’s future.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s expression turned slightly sharp. Then, after a moment, she smiled again and said, “Since they cannot treat their people well, they have no right to complain when the locals flee to Zhou territory. The migration of refugees inward has always been prone to disputes, but now that I have come to Taikang, I will stand behind you.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xichi suddenly understood. By doing this, the Emperor was clearly planning to shift the central region of the Great Zhou somewhat southward.

There was vast expanses of land here. Once developed, the national power of the Great Zhou would surely grow ever stronger. To achieve this goal, a large population was needed to fill the area.

At present, the population had two main sources. One was the various laborers who had been relocated here to dig the canal – many ministers belatedly realized something that had not actually been part of the Emperor’s plan: many of the able-bodied men originally brought here for canal construction came from powerful local families. If they remained in this area, they could just happen to support the basic local administration. The other source was the southern coastal region.

Given Xiao Xichi’s abilities, defeating the southern coastal states would take practically no effort. But holding onto those territories long-term would be much more difficult. However, by using economic incentives to attract the common people of Luonan to migrate voluntarily into Zhou territory, Her Majesty was essentially removing the fuel from the fire. Without a sufficient population in those areas, the local powerful families could no longer be considered powerful families, and then the administrative status of vassal states like Luonan could gradually be eliminated.

The two of them talked privately for a while before each retiring to sleep.