Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Divided Loyalties (Part 1)
Jiang Shaohua gazed at the numbers in the booklet, her eyes soft as water: "Cui Du, you have made outstanding contributions to Nanyang County."
"What do you want? Just say it!"
Cui Du thought seriously for a moment and quickly smiled: "I have food, drink, and shelter now, doing what I love every day, so I really can’t think of anything I’m lacking. How about this, I’ll keep the princess’s promise in mind, and when I think of something, I’ll tell the princess."
Jiang Shaohua smiled sweetly: "Okay."
Chief Historian Chen coughed and laughed: "Mr. Cui has cultivated a high-yield crop, which is a great joy for Nanyang County. Should the Commandery Princess write a memorial to report to the court?"
The court is currently troubled by drought and poor harvests in the northern counties, with the Prime Minister Faction and Empress Dowager Faction arguing incessantly. If Nanyang County were to present the high-yield drought-resistant crop at this time, it would certainly have profound political implications. The Empress Dowager Faction could overwhelm the Prime Minister Faction in one swoop.
However, doing so has many drawbacks... it depends on how the Commandery Princess chooses.
Jiang Shaohua was silent for a moment, then said decisively: "No."
"If we submit a memorial, we must offer all the new grains to the court, which would then distribute and promote the grain seeds. At that point, Nanyang County would lose its initiative."
"Furthermore, doing this would draw too much attention. Nanyang County would then become the focus of the court, becoming a thorn in the side of the Prime Minister Faction. This would be extremely detrimental to Nanyang County’s development."
"Matters have priorities, and relationships have distances. As the Commandery Princess of Nanyang, my first responsibility is to care for the people of Nanyang. After a year or two, when Nanyang County has promoted the new grain and has surplus seeds, it won’t be too late to present it to the court."
Chen Zhuo secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
As Chief Historian, it was his duty to advise and propose solutions. Now that the Commandery Princess has made her decision, they will follow her lead.
Chief Historian Feng, being an honest person, chimed in: "The Commandery Princess is right. We’ve worked hard to cultivate new grain, and our people haven’t yet benefited. Why should the court be prioritized?"
"The new grain should be given, but only after Nanyang County has stored enough grain and is not lacking in seeds in two years."
All the officials nodded in agreement.
No one is a saint. When there are good things, naturally they should first benefit one’s own people.
Having made up her mind, Jiang Shaohua no longer hesitated and said with a smile: "Let’s not publicize the matter of the new grain. Everyone, please keep your mouths sealed tightly."
All the officials agreed in unison.
Jiang Shaohua smiled and asked Cui Du: "Are the sweet potatoes also soon to be harvested?"
Cui Du smiled and nodded: "In half a month, they can be harvested. The Commandery Princess has toured the Fourteen Counties and has not rested for a day. During this period, it’s best to return to the Prince Mansion first! Then come in half a month."
Speaking of which, Jiang Shaohua had not returned to the Prince Mansion for nearly half a year. A Commandery Princess, spending all day rushing around like this, is rare in the whole world.
Jiang Shaohua said with a smile: "Okay, I will return to the Prince Mansion today. You’ve stayed at the field manor for half a year, also return to the Prince Mansion and rest for a few days."
Cui Du, however, said: "It’s the first year planting sweet potatoes, and the fields can’t be left unattended. With half a month to harvest, at this critical junction, I must stay here."
Chief Historian Chen laughed and chimed in: "Busy with the sweet potato harvest, the Commandery Princess will give Mr. Cui a long vacation to rest well for half a month."
"No need, no need." Cui Du refused without hesitation: "Resting for three to five days is sufficient. Next, I have to cultivate seedlings and promote them to the Fourteen Counties, with many tedious tasks, everything depends on me."
This hardworking and diligent attitude is almost comparable to Shen Gongzheng, enough to make Chief Clerk Wen and Yang Shi ashamed.
Jiang Shaohua gazed at the weary-looking Cui Du and softly said: "Thank you for your hard work."
Cui Du grinned: "I’m young and strong, not tired at all."
At this moment, in this scene, any words seem light and weak.
Jiang Shaohua did not say anything further, only giving Cui Du a slight smile.
...
That evening, Jiang Shaohua and her entourage hurried back to Nanyang Prince Mansion.
For over half a month, all the officials had put aside their duties to accompany the Commandery Princess at the manor for the new grain harvest. The vast Prince Mansion seemed somewhat empty and cold.
Today, everyone gathered around the Commandery Princess to return home, and Lu Xuan, beaming, led the group to greet them.
Once the waist bends down, it becomes difficult to straighten again. Lu Xuan initially felt aggrieved, but now gradually accustomed, he felt no discomfort bowing his head to his daughter.
Jiang Shaohua, in a great mood, found her father much more pleasing to the eye, smiling as she said: "Father, it’s been several months since we last met, how have you been?"
Lu Xuan was pleasantly surprised and laughed repeatedly: "I’ve had nothing to worry about in the Prince Mansion, eating well, sleeping well, everything is good. But I’ve been worried about the Commandery Princess’s hard work outside."
Jiang Shaohua pursed her lips and smiled, energetically entering the Prince Mansion.
Lu Xuan immediately followed, asking about well-being.
Lu Cong, observing this, did not feel out of place.
That evening, the mansion held a welcoming banquet. Since getting drunk early in the year, Jiang Shaohua refused to touch alcohol again, though the officials enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
Lu Xuan heard from the officials about the high-yield crop grown at the manor and was quite pleased.
He kept silent at the banquet, but as it ended, he signaled to Lu Sheren.
Lu Cong nodded slightly.
...
A stick of incense later, Lu Xuan and Lu Cong entered the study.
"Cousin has been the Commandery Princess Attendant, inspecting the Fourteen Counties and military camp with the Commandery Princess, it’s been hard work these months, you’ve become darker and thinner."
Lu Xuan sat down and glanced at his cousin, jokingly teasing.
Lu Cong bitterly laughed and ridiculed himself: "Don’t mention it. I’m not as good as the young housekeepers Chen Sheren and Ma. They travel by horseback, accompanying the Commandery Princess everywhere. I sometimes need to ride in a carriage, and my responses aren’t quick enough. It’s quite embarrassing."
Lu Xuan was somewhat surprised: "Cousin must be joking! That young Chen Jinyu, only got the housekeeper position because of Chief Historian Chen’s influence. Ma Yaosong is similar; the Commandery Princess employs him for County Magistrate Ma’s sake. How could you not match them!"
Lu Cong sighed deeply: "I thought the same at first. After half a year, I’ve come to recognize my abilities and understand the Commandery Princess."
"The Commandery Princess uses people without regard for seniority or scholarly achievements or how they performed in the Imperial Examination. She employs loyal, diligent, and capable people, like County Magistrate Cai. Even young magistrates from prominent families like County Magistrate Cui, who are quite conscientious, can’t make the Commandery Princess look at them differently."
"I, a criminal, was recommended by the Prince Consort to become an attendant. I have no basis to compete with Chen Sheren and Ma."
"Moreover, the two young attendants are really capable. Chen Sheren is skilled at understanding the Commandery Princess’s thoughts, can accompany closely, and speak on behalf of the Commandery Princess in inconvenient situations. Ma acts smoothly, is humble and thorough. I am not as good."
"I’m ashamed to say I have been wholeheartedly studying for half a year and still haven’t taken on actual duties."
Lu Xuan: "..."