With a million soldiers, the empress begged me not to rebel

This dog official pacified the barbarians without hiding anything from me.

He also actively petitioned for benefits. Doesn't that mean he is plotting rebellion?

It’s not impossible to ban the account “Zhi Fo”.

Chen Qingwan said with a forced smile:

"Lord Lu truly cares about the people. In that case, I...will wait and see how Lord Lu governs this vast...mansion."

Before he finished speaking, there was a sudden commotion in the distance.

A group of ragged, skinny victims.

Like sharks smelling blood, they swarmed in.

Their target was the several carts full of food carried by Lu Yan and his group.

An old woman knelt tremblingly in front of Lu Yan and begged:

"Master, please give us something to eat! We haven't eaten for several days..."

Other victims also knelt down, and the cries and pleas filled the air.

The scene was chaotic.

Seeing this, Chen Qingwan was secretly happy.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

She wanted to see what Lu Yan was up to.

Lu Yan looked at the group of poor disaster victims in front of him, feeling mixed emotions.

Although he has a sharp tongue, he is not heartless.

"Stop crying!"

Lu Yan shouted loudly, his voice like a bell, shocking everyone.

He turned around and told Lu Fei:

"Distribute the food and have the brothers maintain order to prevent a stampede."

Lu Fei took the order and left, and the soldiers began to distribute food in an orderly manner.

After receiving the food, the victims were all moved to tears and kowtowed to Lu Yan to express their gratitude.

Chen Qingwan thought to herself.

Buying people's hearts? Humph!

"Master Lu really has a kind heart."

Chen Qingwan said sarcastically.

"But if you do this, aren't you afraid of raising a tiger that will become a threat?"

"What if something happens to them?" Lu Yan raised his eyebrows.

He looked at Chen Qingwan with a smile.

"Miss Chen, you don't think I'm afraid of these disaster victims, do you?"

Chen Qingwan was speechless for a moment and didn't know how to answer.

Lu Yan continued:

"These people became disaster victims not because they are bad by nature, but because they were left with nowhere else to go due to natural or man-made disasters."

"As long as we give them a bite to eat and keep them alive, they will naturally be grateful."

"On the contrary, if we ignore them, they are likely to take risks and do something illegal."

"Wouldn't it be even more troublesome then?"

Chen Qingwan sneered in her heart. This Lu Yan was really good at speaking.

"Lord Lu, your opinion is profound." Chen Qingwan said perfunctorily.

"However, I have something important to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

Lu Yan cupped his hands and said, "Goodbye, Miss Chen. I won't see you off."

Chen Qingwan left with Qiao'er and a group of guards.

On the way, Chen Qingwan had a gloomy face and said nothing.

Qiao'er asked cautiously:

"Miss, what's wrong with you?"

Chen Qingwan snorted coldly:

"This Lu Yan is indeed a scheming person!"

"Why do you say that, Miss?" Qiao'er was puzzled.

"He deliberately distributed porridge to the disaster victims to win their hearts and gain a good reputation."

Chen Qingwan said with gritted teeth.

"Humph, I can't let him succeed!"

"So what are you going to do, young lady?"

"Qiao'er, pass the order down and have Li Dazhuang lead as many disaster victims as possible to the capital for assistance. I want to see how Lu Yan fights with the imperial court!"

Qiao'er took the order and left.

Chen Qingwan looked at the convoy going away with a sneer on her lips.

Lu Yan, let’s wait and see!

After several days and nights of travel, the bumpy carriage finally stopped.

Chen Qingwan lifted the car curtain, and a wave of heat mixed with a foul smell hit her in the face, almost making her suffocate.

"Cough cough cough... What's that smell? It stinks!"

Qiao'er also wrinkled her nose, looking disgusted:

"Your Majesty, the smell of the capital is really getting more and more addictive."

After several days and nights of travel, Chen Qingwan was exhausted.

At this moment, I just want to go back to the palace, take a hot bath and have a good sleep.

But the scene before her made her heart sink.

The capital city, the center of the Datong Dynasty, is now like a huge garbage dump.

This is a world of difference from Shannan County!

Chen Qingwan couldn't help but think of the days in Shannan County.

Wide, flat streets, streetlights lighting up the streets at night...

The streets are always clean and there is even a parking lot for horse-drawn carriages.

why?

Why is there such a big difference among the same Datong land?

Chen Qingwan's heart was full of questions and confusion.

Shannan County is just a small county town.

Under Lu Yan's governance, everything is well organized and prosperous.

But in this capital city, right under the feet of the emperor, sewage is flowing everywhere and the stench is overwhelming.

Some people even urinate and defecate in the streets without any sense of shame.

After returning to the palace, Chen Qingwan immediately ordered the palace maids to prepare hot water for bathing.

Only after soaking in the steaming hot tub did she feel a little more comfortable.

"Qiao'er, tell me, how did Lu Yan do it?"

Chen Qingwan closed her eyes, and Lu Yan's face, which looked annoying but confident, appeared in her mind.

"What did your Majesty say?"

Qiao'er asked in confusion while helping Chen Qingwan rub her back.

"Shannan County, how did he manage Shannan County so well?"

Chen Qingwan repeated it.

Qiao'er thought for a moment and said:

"I heard that Lord Lu has implemented some new policies in Shannan County, encouraging commercial development, building water conservancy projects, and reducing taxes..."

"I know all this." Chen Qingwan interrupted her impatiently.

"But other officials are also doing these things. Why is he the only one who has achieved results?"

Qiao'er was speechless for a moment, she couldn't understand it.

"Perhaps...perhaps it's because Lord Lu is smarter?"

Qiao'er said tentatively.

"Smart?" Chen Qingwan sneered.

"Can intelligence transform a poor county into the prosperous place it is today?"

"Do you think I'm... a fool?"

Qiao'er didn't dare to speak anymore and silently helped Chen Qingwan rub her back.

Chen Qingwan soaked in the bathtub for a long time until the water temperature became cold.

After changing into clean clothes, she felt a lot more relaxed.

"Qiao'er, go get some of the goods we brought from Shannan County."

Chen Qingwan ordered.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Qiao'er responded and left.

After a while, Qiao'er came in with a bunch of things.

Chen Qingwan picked up a piece of porcelain and looked at it carefully.

This porcelain is as white as jade, smooth and delicate.

There are also exquisite patterns painted on it, and you can tell at a glance that it is worth a lot of money.

"How much can these things sell for in Beijing?" Chen Qingwan asked.

Qiao'er thought for a moment and said:

"I estimate that it can be increased at least tenfold."

"Ten times?" Chen Qingwan raised her eyebrows.

"Such huge profits?"

"Yes, miss." Qiao'er nodded affirmatively.

"These things are rare in the capital, and the dignitaries will definitely be vying for them."

"Tomorrow you will arrange for someone to open a store on the most prosperous street in the capital, and call it 'Shannan Department Store'."

"Let's see if these things can be sold for ten times the price you said."