After a few jokes, Bai Lu finally asked about the reason for being summoned.
Zhao Jiaqi’s smile faded. “You’re going to the capital this time to sign a contract with Huangfu Xi. From now on, our businesses will cooperate with him. We had a sixty-forty split before, so prepare the contract in advance!”
Hearing that all their businesses were to cooperate with the Emperor, she couldn't smile anymore, and was worried. “None of the royal family are good people. I’m afraid we’ll lose out by cooperating with him. Besides, our businesses are so stable, why involve the royal family?”
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head slightly. “You can’t say that. Regardless of whether the royal family is good or bad, they won’t do anything excessive when it comes to profit.”
“Secondly, our businesses are too widely distributed and difficult to manage. By cooperating with Huangfu Xi, we can just earn money and save ourselves the trouble. In the future, you will mainly focus on export trade, earning money from abroad, where the bulk of the profits lie!”
Bai Lu pondered for a moment and felt that this was a better outcome. However, she had been bullied by royalty before, so she didn’t have a good impression of them. It was a case of being bitten once by a snake and fearing a well rope for ten years.
“Alright, I’ll go home and pack, then head to the capital. I’ll also see if there are any manors or good land for sale, and buy some more to grow in greenhouses during winter!”
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled. This person’s mind was indeed sharp. Yun Country had a poor harvest this year, and some people would definitely sell their manors to get through the hard times. Her trip to the capital would surely bring about another great undertaking!
“Go ahead and do it. If you are bullied in the capital, mention the Regent. The Prince’s manor will always support you. If Huangfu Xi refuses to fulfill the agreed-upon matters, then refuse to sign the contract. This time, Zhang Heng will lead five thousand elite soldiers to escort you!”
Bai Lu was happy to hear that Zhang Heng would be accompanying her this time, her eyes narrowing into slits. “Thank you, madam, for your consideration!”
“This trip with Zhang Heng won’t be easy. After finishing your business, you can travel with Zhang Heng. You two don’t need to rush back; take some time to relax. Perhaps a happy mood might even lead to a pregnancy!”
Bai Lu had been pregnant once in the past few years, but she had a miscarriage, and after that, she was unable to conceive. Although Zhang Heng didn’t mention it again, he was still somewhat disheartened.
Bai Lu was her capable assistant, and naturally, she hoped her family life was harmonious. Only then could she better complete her tasks!
“We’ve been trying for years, but with little success. We’ve decided to adopt one!”
When this topic came up, Bai Lu had a gut full of complaints. They had consulted Old Judge Qi Xuan, and he said there were no problems, but they just couldn’t conceive. Who knew where the issue lay!
Bai Lu was silent for a moment, then suddenly remembered something. “Madam, General Xiao Ce, who is guarding the border, and Zhang Heng are both gone. Then there will be no commander here. If…”
“My husband has already appointed Gao Wenbin as acting general. The emperors of the other countries have just left, so there will be no war for the time being. Also, with Jun Jun here to carry her pregnancy and Zong Han accompanying her, the inner city will not be in chaos!”
The couple had already made their plans long ago, so this time they could travel with peace of mind!
It was a pity, however, that her parents were homebodies and refused to go. Her elder brother and sister-in-law were too busy with her nephew’s business affairs, so they had no time at all.
Yu Meng had gone to the military camp for training, and the two children claimed to be guarding the house, so this trip was once again just for the couple.
After all matters were clarified, under Bai Lu’s watch, a line of carriages slowly departed from the Prince’s manor!
Leaving the inner city, Zhao Jiaqi didn’t want to sit in the carriage anymore. She wanted to see the autumn scenery and whether it was as beautiful as in the paintings.
Fan Zehao had chosen a gentle white horse for her. Watching her sit steadily on it, with a happy smile on her face, he suddenly felt his chest filled with immense happiness.
“Wife, where is our first stop?”
This trip was to the Axi tribe. As for which route to take, they hadn’t discussed it carefully at all; it was all up to his wife’s mood!
Zhao Jiaqi held the reins, smacked her lips. If there was anyone in Yun Country she cared about most, it was Old Man Chen from Shangmen Village, but he had sacrificed himself so that the people of Hedong Prefecture could live a good life.
This was a thorn, deeply embedded in her heart, impossible to forget!
“To Shangmen Village in Jianghe Town, Hedong Prefecture!”
Hearing Shangmen Village, Fan Zehao instantly thought of Old Man Chen’s dying face and fell silent.
Over the years, they had sent gifts to Chen Yusheng every year, but Old Man Chen was gone, and no amount of gifts could be eaten by him.
As compensation, they could only compensate his only son, Chen Yusheng!
The group turned around and headed directly towards Hedong Prefecture. As it was autumn, the harvest season, along the roads around the inner city, they could still see people busy harvesting, and even some persimmon trees were already bearing fruit, signifying a rich harvest!
However, the further east they went, the cooler the scenery became!
“The prosperity of the past is gone. It will take at least another year or two to recover its vitality!” Looking at the desolate fields, Fan Zehao said with heartache!
Zhao Jiaqi nodded slowly. “Don’t just look at one or two years; it has set back Yun Country’s economy by at least five years. However, it’s not too late since Huangfu Xi has corrected his mistakes in time. As long as we work harder in the future, catching up will just be a matter of time.”
Fan Zehao snorted, “I just feel sorry for your past efforts. To make the common people live well, you spared no expense in contributing the planting methods for high-yield grain, but now look at these barren fields; even my heart chills.”
Knowing that he was speaking up for her, Zhao Jiaqi comforted him with a smile. “This is all due to the drought. But at least in the past few years, there have been no reports of people starving to death, and every household has been prosperous. Once this drought passes, these fields won’t be barren. Don’t worry, your efforts will be rewarded.”
At that time, she hadn’t expected any reward for her efforts. She simply didn’t want farmers who tilled the land for a living to not even have enough to eat. It was just that the subsequent developments were beyond her control.
Through leveling up and defeating monsters, her identity had also risen and fallen: village woman, general’s wife, Marquisate of the Town, Empress, Empress Dowager, Regent’s wife, and also the mother-in-law of an emperor. Heh… sometimes even she herself was bewildered!
The two in front were discussing where to stop and rest, when Huangfu Xian, who was behind them, called out, “This is my fiefdom. Why don’t we travel a bit further to my mansion?”
Fan Zehao frowned and thought for a moment. After passing another town was his jurisdiction. Although it was far from Hedong Prefecture, it was closer to Shangmen Village, which was under Hedong Prefecture’s jurisdiction.
“Wife, what do you think!”
Zhao Jiaqi turned her head to look at Huangfu Xian. Seeing his eyes darting around and not daring to look at her, the corners of her mouth curled up.
Some people and some things needed to be resolved, but if some people wanted to be scolded, she wouldn’t stop them!