CHAPTER 189: CHAPTER 189: FILIAL TRIBUTE

The letter from Empress Dowager Zheng, sent urgently from eight hundred miles away, reached Nanyang County in just eight days, arriving at the Nanyang Prince Mansion.

In fact, before Empress Dowager Zheng’s letter arrived, Jiang Shaohua had already received news from the Capital City ahead of time.

Her grandfather, Prince Nanyang, had spent a large amount of silver to form good relations in the court. Now that Prince Nanyang had passed, the connections and benevolence he left behind still existed, and Chief Historian Chen had been secretly maintaining these networks. News concerning the movements in the court was always the fastest.

"Chief Historian Chen, this is a letter from the Empress Dowager," Jiang Shaohua remarked with an ambiguous smile, handing the letter to Chen Zhuo.

Chen Zhuo quickly glanced over the letter: "As expected, it is a request for the blueprints."

Jiang Shaohua raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Of course, the blueprints should be given. Not only given, but given swiftly and generously. There are ready-made blueprints in the workshop, prepare ten copies to send. Also, send forty of the newly designed plows from our Nanyang County workshop to the Capital City."

"This way, there’s no need to haggle or bicker with the Ministry of Industry. We can directly send the samples and blueprints to various states for imitation."

Chen Zhuo greatly admired this idea: "The Commandery Princess’s move is indeed brilliant."

Nanyang County needs the protection of Empress Dowager Zheng, so it is necessary to please her. A golden Buddha was given as a gift, so there is no harm in sending blueprints and new plows.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and nodded, then picked up a brush to write a reply, using affectionate and fond terms, fully displaying a young girl’s devotion and respect for her elder.

...

This letter, along with ten copies of the blueprints and forty new plows, was sent to the Capital City.

The round trip took no more than half a month.

Empress Dowager Zheng received Jiang Shaohua’s reply and was more than pleased. After reading it, her brow relaxed: "This girl Shaohua is indeed clever and perceptive. She sent ten copies of the blueprints and forty samples."

Mr. Zhao promptly chimed in with a smile: "The Commandery Princess understands what the Empress Dowager desires and is eager to meet the Empress Dowager’s needs."

Mr. Zhao was quite learned from a young age and indeed knew how to speak well.

The Empress Dowager had one less worry and, with Mr. Zhao’s good humor, remarked with a smile: "In a few years, I must find a good husband for her."

Mr. Zhao quickly responded with a smile: "With the Empress Dowager as a matchmaker, the Commandery Princess is sure to find a satisfactory husband. I dare venture, when I write to the Commandery Princess to convey my respects, I’ll have to share this good news with her to bring her a smile."

Empress Dowager Zheng smiled again.

At the Duke An’s Mansion, Duke An received the ten copies of blueprints and forty new plows, and he too was pleasantly surprised: "The Nanyang County Princess is truly open-handed. These forty new plows are like giving coal in the snow."

"Someone, quickly go to the Hanlin Academy and invite five Hanlin Scholars to come to the Zheng Mansion to replicate the blueprints."

Zheng Chen, who was resting at home today, witnessed this scene and was secretly astonished.

When did Jiang Shaohua gain such capable people under her?

In the past, there was never news about any new plows from Nanyang County... Wait! Suddenly, a young face flashed in Zheng Chen’s mind.

Could it be that the blueprints for these new plows were the work of Cui Du? Is that why Jiang Shaohua always defends him? Is Cui Du working on the manor genuinely capable?

"Zixian," the delighted Duke An looked at his son with a smile, "This Nanyang County Princess is truly exceptional. Just based on her actions this time, she is already praiseworthy."

Listening to his father’s praise of Jiang Shaohua, a secret pride rose in Zheng Chen’s heart: "The Commandery Princess is indeed extraordinary."

Duke An glanced at his son, seemingly sensing something: "Last month, when you went to Nanyang County, you met the Commandery Princess in person. What do you think of her?"

Zheng Chen paused for a moment, then responded decisively: "The Commandery Princess is skilled, intelligent, and decisive. She is bound to achieve great things in the future."

Duke An chuckled silently, with a hint of disagreement in his voice: "You’re exaggerating. A ten-year-old girl, even if she’s talented and meticulous, what great things can she achieve? She is the only Commandery Princess with real territorial power in Da Liang. If she can hold onto Nanyang County in this lifetime, it would be a blessing."

That is indeed the case.

Women, limited by their status, cannot enter official circles. Power struggles are the affairs of men. Even Empress Dowager Zheng cannot interfere directly in state affairs, she can only draw in courtiers through the Zheng family to meddle in politics. Whatever Jiang Shaohua accomplishes on the land of Nanyang County is limited to that.

Zheng Chen calmed his mind and softly reminded Duke An: "Prime Minister Wang’s faction is numerous with many loyal followers. A slight hint will have someone unexpectedly step forward. Father must be more cautious in court."

Duke An sighed: "In the court, I tread on thin ice. There are only a few people that can be relied upon. It’s a pity that you are still too young, and must wait a few more years before you can be of great use."

Zheng Chen also felt helpless: "I too wish to hurry and grow up."

Trapped in this twelve-year-old body, he can’t say what he wants nor do what he wishes.

However, time does not bow to one’s will.

Duke An whispered: "When you’re in the Upper Study Room, stay close to the Crown Prince. Don’t let Wang the Fourth get ahead."

Li Boyuan is straightforward and lacks cunning. The Heir of Prince Gaoliang, Jiang Yi, although an imperial descendant, has an awkward status and is not favored in the palace, so he can be ignored.

Zheng Chen’s true opponent is Prime Minister Wang’s youngest son, Wang Jin.

Zheng Chen’s gaze flickered, recalling the day in his past life when Wang Jin fell off his horse and died.

That day, he was in high spirits, drinking a pot of wine alone in the Zheng Mansion.

In this life, Wang Jin no longer has the chance to be his rival in love. However, his dislike for Wang Jin has not diminished one bit.

"Father," Zheng Chen murmured, "The Crown Prince has a gentle disposition and is very lenient towards me and Wang the Fourth. Ultimately, the competition between Wang the Fourth and I is actually the competition between you and the Prime Minister’s followers, between Empress Dowager Zheng and Prime Minister Wang. Whichever side gains the upper hand will naturally have the upper hand in front of the Crown Prince."

This is the cruel and ruthless reality.

Duke An was left speechless.

father and son faced each other in silence.

After a long while, Duke An finally said, "In any case, be careful with your words and actions in the palace."

...

The five Hanlin Scholars skilled in painting and sketching stayed at the Zheng Mansion for half a month, replicating up to three hundred copies of the blueprints. These blueprints, along with the new plows, were sent to each state, to be further distributed to the counties by the inspectors.

The court also officially issued a decree instructing each state and county to manufacture the new plows according to the samples and blueprints and promote their use.

The financial resources of each state and county varied. Some, after testing the samples, began promoting them, while others were so impoverished that they could barely afford food, let alone this project. There were also officials who were lax and careless. Furthermore, some were lackeys under Prime Minister Wang’s faction, deliberately shelving the matter to please the Prime Minister.

These were not concerns for Jiang Shaohua.

She had done everything she could. How it was promoted was a matter for Emperor Taikang and Empress Dowager Zheng, not her concern.

Months passed in the blink of an eye, and before anyone knew it, it was midwinter’s December.

"Commandery Princess, Commander Song has sent a letter!"