Chapter 585: Chapter 240: My Son is a Treacherous Minister (End)_3
If it had been a few days earlier, He Xi would have likely retorted directly.
But recently, his mother had taken to verbally attacking him at any given moment, and she occasionally hit him too.
He Xi had, instead, grown a bit more reverent.
The person before him was no other than his widowed mother, who had raised him with immense hardship.
Even if He Xi had the nature of an ungrateful wretch, he would calmly consider the pros and cons.
If he weren’t filial enough and incurred his mom’s displeasure, and she made a fuss about it...
Well, with the accusation of being "disrespectful," not to mention holding an official post, he feared he might even be criminally charged.
It was still the same story—if his mother had continued to depend on him, being compliant and cautious as always, He Xi wouldn’t worry at all about her causing trouble.
But now... his mother seemed different, and He Xi had no confidence that if he angered her, what she might do!
Moreover, the imperial decree atop his mother’s head, bestowing the title of Lady of Chaste and Virtuous, was too dazzling to ignore.
The decree wasn’t granted because of him but because the Saint appreciated her respectable character, considering her a role model for women of the age to grant her special grace.
Okay, although everyone understood that Ms. Hetian’s decree was also thanks to her daughter-in-law, Princess An Kang,
the official conclusion was that Ms. Hetian didn’t rely on her son but was recognized for her own sacrifices and contributions.
In such a situation, He Xi no longer felt the assurance of "you still depend on me" towards his mother.
With his mother becoming "uncontrollable" and himself not feeling as self-assured, he dared not be too presumptuous and had no choice but to become a truly filial son.
"Mom, I didn’t!"
He Xi rubbed the back of his head with a sense of grievance, muttering under his breath.
"That’s good! Humph, this Secret Manual wasn’t easy to come by, and cost a significant amount of money, so hurry and find a farm, look for some experienced farmers, and have them follow it closely!"
"Those people always mock our He Family as being mere farmers, so let’s earn some real political achievements through cultivation!"
"My son, as long as you grow high-yielding crops, not only will the nobles look at you with new respect, but those shameless people who say you relied on connections will have to shut their mouths!"
"We, though born into a poor family, have our talents. You may have married a good wife, but you have abilities of your own!"
As a seasoned Scam Second Generation, He Tiantian was an expert at riling people up and brainwashing them with fervent pep talks.
She said a bunch and truly managed to ignite He Xi’s fighting spirit.
Yes, what did it matter if others looked down on him? As long as he produced tangible results, they would have to shut up!
In the past, he had studied hard to prove himself, and now, working hard in his official post was for the same reason!
Only... was this Secret Manual really reliable?
But another voice in his mind quickly assured him: Reliable or not, why not give it a try to find out?
His mother also said to begin with a trial on a farm, asking the old farmers to keep detailed records.
Crops grew in the field; their quality, whether increased or decreased yield, would be visibly evident, making it impossible to falsify.
Just as He Xi was pumped with enthusiasm, ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work, He Tiantian threw in another comment out of the blue—
"Of course, it’s also true that our He Family married a daughter-in-law of noble birth who holds the Saint’s favor. Your promotion also owes a part to An Kang’s contribution!"
"Ding! He Xi’s hatred value +1!"
Mom, ah, keeping silent on certain matters would allow the family to live in harmony and happiness.
No matter how crazily He Xi internally ranted, he was coaxed and compelled by his mother to go and farm.
As a newcomer Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Revenue, He Xi had no say in its affairs.
Without the work on the farm, he would probably be frustrated and plotting.
He would have followed the original storyline, scheming for power and position in the Ministry of Revenue, conspiring, forming factions, and being corrupt.
He would also have willingly become the Saint’s tool, targeting the Guo family, Duke Wei Mansion, and even his own wife with one cut after another.
In the end, he would have become a notorious official, infamous for his greed and treachery.
But now—
With the noble families controlling the Ministry of Revenue and him, a newcomer from a poor family, being sidelined, He Xi wasn’t too upset.
He went straight to a farm under An Kang’s name to experiment.
Of course, the process of farming was lengthy, and it could take months to see any result.
Fortunately, the booklet provided by He Tiantian didn’t only have techniques to increase yield per acre but also methods for raising chickens and pigs.
He Xi even obtained technology for sun-drying sea salt, which alone solidified his footing in the Ministry of Revenue.
Unknowingly, He Xi had deviated from his path, turning from a scheming official only after power into a practical, working official.
Of course, because of differing political views and backgrounds, there were still those in the court who accused He Xi of being a corrupt official competing with the people for profit.
But, this corrupt official was not like the others. He Tiantian believed future generations would render a fairer judgment...