The Story of a Destitute Noblewoman Farming

Under the leadership of Prefect Zhao, the people of Hezhou Prefecture returned to normal life. The county magistrates of several surrounding counties also conducted investigations one by one and cleaned out those who were wavering, oppressing the people, and plundering the people's wealth.

The Regent was somewhat surprised to hear that Hezhou Prefecture had been taken over by the Northwest Army and that his own people had not gained any advantage at all. However, more and more things surprised him even more.

All the provincial capitals from the northwest to Hezhou were brought under the jurisdiction of the Northwest Army. At this point, the Northwest Army and the Regent's army were divided into two parts, east and west.

Since General Qiu's military book and the cooperation of the Qiu family, the Tatars were beaten back by He Yue. In addition, they were busy returning to graze their livestock and had no time to learn how to farm the land of Daqi. The people there had been killed by them long ago, and there was not much left, and there was not enough labor to farm.

Therefore, before the end of spring, the Tatars were forced to retreat and leave the territory of Daqi, and He Yue's men reoccupied the lands that had been ravaged by the Tatars.

Upon hearing that the Tatars had withdrawn, the people in the north who were suffering were the happiest. They had been enslaved and driven by the Tatars, but now, they could finally become Daqi people again.

"It's over, it's over. He Yue actually managed to repel the Tatars. All the food and silver I sent to him before has gone to waste. I've become a laughing stock in the eyes of others."

When the regent heard the news, his face turned pale. He had always conveyed to his ministers that the Tatars were invincible, but now, the Tatars were not only defeated but also driven away. In order to raise food, he had offended too many people. If it weren't for He Yue, he could at least occupy most of the land in the south and compete for the world.

However, he was one step behind and was about to ascend the throne in Luozhou when he heard the news.

The dragon robe hastily made by his subordinates now became his death warrant.

"Your Majesty, do you still want to ascend the throne? We still have half of the land and a chance to make a comeback. If you fall, won't all your hard work over the years be in vain?"

"Fight? What else can I fight for? The young emperor is a man of integrity, and he dared to die for his country. Yong'an, and he has the young emperor's support and He Yue's army. I have calculated everything, but I didn't expect the young emperor to be so ruthless and actually pass the throne to a woman. He did this on purpose to anger me.

Back then, both the Queen Mother and he wanted to rule the country themselves, but I refused to give him the chance. He wanted to establish a queen, but I stopped him and didn't allow powerful ministers to marry their daughters to him. They wanted to have more children and let their mothers become queens, but I refused to do that. I didn't allow him the chance to have children.

Later, he set his sights on other royal families. I called all of them over and asked them to support me. Those who obey me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish. My hands are stained with the blood of my people, and I killed my brother's children just to sit on that supreme position where no one can hold me back.

But he actually let a woman easily get the position I had wanted for half my life. I won't accept it. I won't fall. I want to ascend the throne. I want to sit in the supreme position. I want those people to willingly bow down to me. I won't compromise.

Change my clothes for me and pass on the decree: I will hold a coronation ceremony in Luozhou the day after tomorrow. I will ascend the throne!"

When he said this, his eyes were red and his fingers were clenched tightly. He had gone crazy for the throne. If his nephew would not give it to him, then he would take it with his own hands.

The news that the Regent was going to ascend the throne reached Chongshui County, and everyone was gritting their teeth. Such a bad person actually wanted to be the emperor. If he really became the emperor, would everyone have a way to survive? Fortunately, they were not in the area under the jurisdiction of the Regent now, otherwise, who knows what would happen.

"Cousin, General He wrote to me, asking me to go to the northwest to ascend the throne. I also have to personally mourn for my mother and my brother, and I will leave in half a month." The princess told Lu Linlang the news.

"Then I will go and prepare the Princess's luggage. It will take a month to travel from here to the northwest by carriage. The Princess is worth a fortune, and nothing can go wrong. If the Princess has any further instructions, I will go and prepare them for her."

When Lu Linlang heard this, she felt relieved, but she was worried that the princess would think she was eager for her to leave, so she could only ask carefully.

"Cousin, you don't have to be so cautious. Although we are not sisters, the days I spent here are the happiest in my life. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to meet you. I have learned a lot here and also made many sincere friends and partners.

I know the awe and worry in your heart, but don't worry, you will always be different from others. Even if we are not in the same place, I will often write letters to talk to my cousin.

The experiences of the past few months have made me realize that there are so many disaster victims in this world and so many innocent people are suffering. My sadness is of no use and will only become a weakness for the enemy to defeat me.

Although I am not qualified to be the ruler of a country yet, I will work hard and learn from the teacher so that the people can live better and better under my rule and the territory of Daqi can be completely restored.

I know, cousin, what you are most worried about are your family, friends and the food on the farms. I also know that you want to research more powerful seeds. Don't worry, the world is still uncertain, and staying in Chongshui is the best choice for you. I won't force you.

However, Qiu Lin is very powerful, so I want to take him with me. I also want to ask my cousin for help. Please write me a list of crops that are suitable for growing in the northwest and some methods to increase grain production. After I take it there, I can ensure that the people there can have enough food and clothing.

Also, I plan to take a copy of the method for making refined salt to the northwest. Once General He finds the salt-producing lake you mentioned, I'll be able to let the people have better salt."

The princess played the emotional card at first, but later she couldn't stop herself and kept talking about the wonderful treasures here at Lu Linlang, and she wanted to take a piece of everything away.

Lu Linlang guessed this would happen. The princess would ask very carefully about every item she saw before leaving. These things were beneficial to the country and the people, so she would definitely want to take them away.

"Don't worry, Princess. I've already sorted everything out and will bring it to you for your review shortly. The method for making refined salt should be handled by the state, but I have a few small suggestions for your approval."

"Really? Tell me quickly." When it came to business, both of them stopped being shy and started discussing.

"In the past, officials would sell salt to salt merchants, who would then make the real money. However, they would also find ways to pocket the money themselves, leaving very little money for the national treasury. This only enriched the salt merchants but harmed the people.

So I thought that if the bulk wholesale sales of salt were brought under the management of the imperial court and a special workshop was set up, every sale of salt would be recorded truthfully.

In this way, the costs and profits can be clearly determined, and the profits after deducting the costs will be managed by the national treasury. The responsible officials and the salt producers below can appropriately increase their salaries and wages, and can also recruit more people to work for the court, allowing more people to make money.

Furthermore, the retail price of salt in each region should be fixed within a certain range, and salt prices should not be arbitrarily raised. The profits they can make should be reduced. This will prevent the situation in the past where all the money was taken away by salt merchants, and the lives of the people who make salt were miserable.

Lu Linlang wanted to suggest setting up a state-owned enterprise that specializes in selling salt, rather than wholesale salt to salt merchants at low prices. However, people at that time did not have the concept of modern state-owned enterprises, so she could only give a rough explanation.

"Okay, this method is interesting. I will discuss it with other ministers when we get to the northwest."