Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

The emperor read the best papers and said, "Chai En's essay is the best." Ye Heng also looked at it. "Indeed. He took the exam once and didn't get the first place. Now he's taking the exam again." The emperor said, "Not bad, full marks." The dukes looked at it and unanimously approved Chai En and Chai Xiangyu as the first top scorer in the liberal arts. The emperor wrote in red ink. First place, the first top scorer in the liberal arts in Dayan in a certain year. Hengheng got the third place, and the second place was from another prefecture. Ye Heng took the list of names and saw that all 36 children from Taohua Village were on the list. "Good!" Ye Heng said after everyone present had looked at it. "A total of 39 people from Taohua Village took the exam this time, and all of them made the list." The emperor listened and said, "That's nothing! I'm not surprised. They were taught by the same teacher as me, so the difference is not much. Award!" Ye Heng said, "Yes."

Three days later, the list was posted. The Chai family sent someone to read it early. The messenger arrived early, and the morning was filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, and the blast of firecrackers. The Ministry of Personnel sent the good news to the various hometowns. That was a later event, and Taohua Village would only know about it much later. The Chai family held a banquet to celebrate! The emperor's reward was also sent to the Chai family to be distributed among the people. One hundred taels of gold, a set of pens, inkstones, paper, and inkstones. The children all knew what was going on. It was given by the emperor, and also by a classmate. It was a token of affection!

The top 200 martial arts candidates were all left in the capital by Ye Heng for further arrangements.

The exams were held every three years. Ye Heng decided to hold the military examinations every year. The emperor agreed and wrote an imperial edict to announce to all military men that those who were both civil and military would be given priority.

The capital was bustling with activity, and Guoguo's business was booming! Guoguo began to visit various shops again, checking for omissions and replenishing their stock!

High-end winter clothing is on the market! Xia Hua is busy as hell, while Chai Zhen stays home with his daughter. He doesn't have to attend court every day; he only goes when the Emperor calls. He usually works on his land and drinks tea. The Dukes often gather at Chai's house for drinks, tea, and fruit snacks. A joyful time in his old age.

After a busy period, Ye Heng and Guo Guo discussed opening a salt field near Antai Prefecture in the west. Chai Zhen suggested calling Chai Xin and Chai Dong from their hometown to manage it. Guo Guo said, "Sure! It's more reliable when it's used by our own family." Ye Heng also said, "Okay, I'll assign two people with strong martial arts skills to protect it." Guo Guo acted decisively and said, "Let's set off tonight. It will be cold in a few days." Ye Heng had no objection, "Okay." Chai Zhen said, "It's still good to be young. You can do things as soon as you say and leave as soon as you say." Guo Guo said, "Grandpa, you are still young. You should go back to your hometown and take a look." "Okay. I haven't been back for many years. I'll go back with you to see my old friend."

At midnight, Ye Heng set off in his carriage. All five children were in the space, four lying down, while Huang Bao watched over his younger siblings. Guo Guo and his great-grandfather sat in the carriage. Ye Heng called for the city gates to be opened, and the soldiers, recognizing the prince, opened them. After Ye Heng's carriage left, the gates closed again.

After walking a short distance, the three of them got off the carriage and got on a plane. Guoguo said, "Grandpa, you haven't ridden a plane before!" Chai Zhen nodded. Ye Heng said, "Grandpa, I drive very steadily." "I know you've learned how to drive!" Ye Heng said happily, "Yes, I've been driving these last few times."

"Sir, let's buy a few trucks. The escort leaders are always out for us and they are too tired. Having a few trucks will make delivery faster, and even transporting military supplies will be very fast. One thing is that the road must be good! It must be spacious and flat." Ye Heng said, "Why don't we buy one or two and try it first?" Guoguo said, "Okay. Let's take the shortcut first. Go to places with big roads." Ye Heng thought for a while and said, "When we come back, let the emperor give an order to build roads first where they are needed or where the distance is long. Or, build big roads mainly in prefectures, counties, and state capitals, and then build roads where there are official roads. It will also be faster." Guoguo said, "That's fine. In this way, I can open a few more shops." Chai Zhen said, "Guoguo, the child is young, don't get tired." Guoguo said, "I only command people to help me manage. I only train management talents. Just check it every once in a while, or ask someone to check it for me.

In the past, there were professionals who managed finances, also known as auditing, and their primary responsibility was to examine a country's finances. "I'll set up a department like this, specifically to manage the finances of all my shops. I'll be in charge of all the money coming in and out." Ye Heng heard this and said, "That's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?" Guo Guo said, "You could set up an audit department in the Great Yan Kingdom specifically for this purpose, managing the nation's economic lifeline and bringing the economy under national control." Ye Heng thought it was a good idea, but it would be difficult to implement. Local officials wouldn't be easy to manage! But he wanted to try. Guo Guo added, "Another option is to have inspectors conduct regular checks in prefectures and counties. The concern is about duplicate account books, but of course, they can be uncovered. Corruption and bribery in economic affairs have never been eradicated, so we need to strengthen controls!" Ye Heng said, "The Great Yan Kingdom must have people in this field who can check account books and have the knowledge to do so." Guo Guo smiled. "That!" Guo Guo shook her head. "The children in our village all learn about it. My academy has specialized courses! Economics and financial management." "I didn't expect it! You are so young, but you are doing great things quietly! Well, when you come back, I will recruit talents. There are talented people in this imperial examination." Guoguo thought that it would be strange if the candidates from other academies could audit, and they would select talents in the examination at that time!

As they were talking, they arrived at the outskirts of Taohua Village. Ye Heng reminded, "Sit tight, the plane is about to land!" Ye Heng slowly piloted the plane down. When the plane stopped, he opened the cabin door and the three of them walked out. Guoguo put the plane into the space, released the carriage, and Guoguo went in to see the child. Ye Heng said, "Come in." The three of them got in the carriage and entered the space together. Guoguo and Ye Heng fed the child and changed his diaper. Chai Zhen went to cook. Huangbao said, "Mom, Huangbao didn't sleep. He is watching over his younger brothers and sisters." "Okay, Mom thanks Huangbao." The little guy was very happy.

He wasn't much taller than his siblings, just a little bit! He was just stronger than them; he could walk and eat on his own. He ate egg custard, of course, but he still ate the same meals the adults ate—hey, you know—just with some complementary foods. Guoguo listened to her son's chatter with a smile while she fed the younger one. Her milk could feed two children at once, while the other two were on formula. Next time, the other two would get her milk, while these two would get formula.

The children ate their fill and went back to sleep. Chai Zhen prepared millet porridge, made with spiritual spring water. There were also steamed buns ready to heat up in the refrigerator. Chai Zhen stir-fried some vegetables and said, "Have some when we get home." Ye Heng said, "That's good. Grandpa, eat." Ye Heng fed Huangbao first, then ate his own meal. Guoguo washed the dishes.

After dinner, everyone left the space and Ye Heng drove back to the village.

Sun Gui saw, "The prince is back." Ye Heng called out, "Uncle Sun, ask me to do the bidding. I'm your son-in-law." Sun Gui said, "Okay. Go home and have some rest. I'll follow." Ye Heng said, "Okay, Uncle Sun, get busy." Sun Gui said, "Yes, it's the autumn harvest, it's just begun. It's a great harvest." "Good, as long as the people have enough to eat!"

The carriage returned to the Chai family and drove inside. After getting off the carriage, Guoguo went into her room first and let the four little ones out. Wang Min and Fu Zhaoxia followed in. "Guoguo, do you want to feed the children now?" Wang Min asked. Guoguo said, "They just ate and are asleep. Let's go out to eat." Jiale called the two girls over, "You keep an eye on them. Call me when they wake up." "Yes, master." Guoguo went to the living room to eat.

Ye Heng said, "After dinner, you should take a nap. Great Grandfather, you should also take a nap. We'll do things later." Chai Zhen said, "Okay. I'll listen to you."