The abandoned concubine who transmigrated woke up shouting "Long live the widow!"

Wanyan Junhui's words interrupted the Grand Preceptor Fei Yuan's thoughts. He composed himself and said, "Seventh Prince, what are your thoughts after seeing those crops?"

"First, we not only need to buy grain seeds, but also their planting techniques to ensure that our grain seeds can be grown into grain. That's one thing. Secondly, I also want the materials for building greenhouses so that we can grow vegetables in winter."

The Imperial Advisor laughed. He hadn't expected the Seventh Prince to have such a bold idea. "Seventh Prince, haven't you noticed? Their Prince Qin listens especially to Princess Zhan. Our people have investigated and found that although Prince Qin holds no real position, he manages the salt industry in Bei Ye."

Wanyan Junhui said, "I know this. Most of the salt mines in Beiye originally belonged to the Qin family, which is why he managed them. But Grand Preceptor, what does this have to do with what I'm saying?"

"What I mean is that even someone like her can be so obedient to Princess Zhan, so think about what conditions we need to offer for Princess Zhan to agree to your request!" the Grand Preceptor said.

“We accepted the price they offered for salt, and we also agreed to sell them grain for twelve coins a pound. Isn’t that enough? Weren’t these all their proposals?” Wanyan Junhui said matter-of-factly.

"But you've added quite a few conditions! Do you think Princess Zhan will accept them willingly? Besides, they haven't even offered a price for the seeds yet! I'm not worried about the planting techniques, but I doubt they'll easily sell us the materials for the greenhouses. We've seen only one village with these greenhouses along the way through Bei Ye, which means they're unique to Princess Zhan. I think it will be very difficult to negotiate a deal!"

Wanyan Junhui hesitated after hearing the Grand Preceptor's words, but he was also very unwilling. If they could bring back many good things, as well as good planting and brewing techniques from their trip to Beiye, his status in front of his father would be much higher and more secure in the future.

Therefore, he didn't want to give up easily. He believed that anything was possible, and he needed to think carefully about what to do next.

Meanwhile, Doctor Baili returned to Yue'an Palace. The Emperor Emeritus had just woken up from his afternoon nap; he had spent the morning ice skating with the children.

There was a small artificial lake in Yue'an Palace. Eunuch Xi had the eunuchs make several wooden sleds, which the four children loved. They played on them for so long in the morning that they ate lunch later than usual.

"You're back?" The Emperor Emeritus was drinking tea.

"Hmm!" Since returning to the capital, Physician Baili has been living in Yue'an Palace.

The young eunuch also served tea to Doctor Baili. Doctor Baili picked up the teacup and was about to drink it when he met the Emperor Emeritus's gaze, so he put the teacup down again.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Can't you wait until I have a couple of sips of tea before we talk?"

"Tell me quickly, what are your thoughts after seeing the greenhouses in that estate?" the Emperor Emeritus asked.

"What are your thoughts? I'm just amazed! What caught my attention was that thing called plastic sheeting. It's heat-insulating yet allows light to pass through. With that, growing vegetables in winter won't be difficult at all." Doctor Baili finished speaking before taking two sips of tea.

"that's it?"

"Of course, that's not all. There are also crops. I've been to many places in the past three years and haven't seen these kinds of crops. I heard from Liu Sinong that the potatoes were harvested a few days ago. One greenhouse alone yielded nearly two thousand catties, and that's only half an acre!"

The Emperor Emeritus squinted to confirm, "Did you hear that clearly? It really is true that half an acre yielded nearly two thousand catties. Why didn't anyone report it? Wouldn't that mean an acre would yield more than three thousand catties? Ah Zhan, that stuff can be harvested in 60 days!"

Baili Zhan nodded. "Yes, Liu Sinong said so. As for why no one came to report it, I don't know. The soybeans and sweet potatoes will be ready for harvest soon. With these crops, the people's lives will be much better in the future."

The retired emperor didn't speak, but took a sip of tea and then said, "You've been back for so long, how are the things I asked you to prepare coming along?"

Baili Zhan's eyebrows twitched. "Your Majesty, Jingxue's medical skills are superb. I... I'm a little hesitant to try it. What if she finds out?"

"Aren't you known as a miracle doctor? Can't you do it without anyone noticing? Wasn't it a waste of my time to call you back?" The Emperor Emeritus habitually lost his temper.

“I can provide whatever you need, but if it’s discovered, I’ll put all the blame on you.”

"You've gotten so capable, haven't you?" The Emperor Emeritus stared at Baili Zhan with wide eyes.

“If it were someone else, I would definitely be confident, but Princess Zhan… I really don’t. Besides, the Prince Zhan would resent me. I’m not sure. How about I test Princess Zhan’s medical skills?” Baili Zhan said tentatively.

The retired emperor exhaled. "Hmph! What can I do? You all have your own abilities, one by one. Alright, you may go and rest!"

"I haven't finished my tea yet! I've been so thirsty the whole way here!"

"Then you can drink it yourself! I'm going to play with the children; seeing you annoys me!" The Emperor Emeritus stood up and strode away.

Baili Zhan shrugged, chuckled, and actually started drinking his tea.

That evening, after finishing his meal, Hu Yucheng went to his study. He felt uneasy no matter what he thought about, so he ordered a carriage to be prepared and went to the Prime Minister's residence.

Upon meeting, Prime Minister Zou looked at Hu Yucheng, whose face was pale, and asked, "What's wrong? I heard you went to Princess Zhan's estate today, and she was being arrogant again?"

Hu Yucheng shook his head. "She didn't, but the greenhouses on that estate were truly astounding!"

Prime Minister Zou dismissed it, saying, "It's just planting some crops and vegetables. It's just a publicity stunt. You can grow vegetables too if you build a house and heat it up."

"No, brother-in-law, the potatoes they grow can yield several thousand kilograms per mu!" Hu Yucheng said dejectedly.

"Nonsense! How could that be? There has never been a crop with such a high yield per acre in history. Is she exaggerating? Did you see it with your own eyes?"

Hu Yucheng hesitated a bit when asked this question. "When we went there, another batch of potatoes had already been planted. Liu He said that this guy has never come back since he went to that estate, so I only found out today."

Prime Minister Zou looked at Hu Yucheng and asked, "What brings you here today?"

“Brother-in-law, we can’t let that Princess Consort of Zhan continue to be so arrogant. Now that Consort Li has been deposed, no one dares to marry my Shu’er, and we are losing our voice in the court. I came here to ask you, brother-in-law, if you have any thoughts on this?” Hu Yucheng asked.

"Me? Hmph! My idea is that even if we can't salvage our situation, we won't let her have it easy. I don't believe she'd have anything to brag about without those crops!" Prime Minister Zou said sinisterly.

Hu Yucheng immediately understood what Prime Minister Zou meant and nodded, "Brother-in-law, you're right! Destroy all that rubbish of hers."

Prime Minister Zou raised his eyebrows. "The New Year is almost here, let's give her a 'fire to bring good fortune' ceremony, hmph!"

"Good idea!" Hu Yucheng also sneered.