Chapter 1554: Chapter 1554: Tacit Understanding Between Monarch and Minister

Jiang Ping left the Hou Residence and went to the Ministry of Revenue. Since he returned, apart from the Hou Residence, he hadn’t gone anywhere else, fearing to be remembered. Even when he arrived at the Ministry of Revenue, he let the young servant go in while he hid in the carriage waiting for his grandfather to come out.

Zhou Shuren came out quickly. Once on the carriage, his grandson didn’t speak, so he guessed, “Your grandfather selfishly doesn’t want you brothers to be in danger, but your grandfather supports you.”

Although his grandson was fooled into it, he had to admit that what his grandson was doing was extremely important. Take this piece of information, for instance; it allowed the Imperial court to prepare in advance, thereby reducing casualties, indirectly saving many lives!

Jiang Ping’s eyes turned red, “Grandfather, we will return safely.”

Zhou Shuren smiled and patted his grandson’s head, “Your grandfather is proud of you.”

Jiang Ping’s eyes widened. In their younger generation’s hearts, their grandfather was like a god. He and Jiang An were twins; they couldn’t pursue officialdom. Despite growing up in wealth, they were more eager for their grandfather’s attention and recognition. Otherwise, they wouldn’t repeatedly pretend to be each other just to gain attention, all for the grandfather to say that he and Jiang An were smart?

Inside the carriage, Zhou Shuren shared his experiences on undercover work. Ahem, where did the experience come from? All from watching television dramas. He had forgotten most of it, only recalling those that made a deep impression. Some Jiang Ping knew from their closed training for missions, while others amazed him. Who would have thought it could be like this?

Jiang Ping’s eyes sparkled until his grandfather stopped talking.

Zhou Shuren coughed, “Your grandfather doesn’t know much either; you need to explore more on your own.”

“This is already enough. Thank you, grandfather. If it weren’t for us brothers, you wouldn’t even think about these amid your busyness. Grandfather, we won’t let you down.”

Zhou Shuren’s heart skipped a beat, “Don’t rush blindly forward; staying alive is what counts. Your grandfather doesn’t wish to receive news of your sacrifice for the country.”

With a nasal tone, Jiang Ping replied, “Mm, we will be careful.”

Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but laugh at Jiang Ping. The twins looked alike, and neither wanted to call the other brother, addressing each other by name.

After Zhou Shuren got off the carriage and watched it leave, he sighed, watching the child he watched grow up!

Jinyan stepped forward, “Mr. Hou, it’s cold outside.”

Only then did Zhou Shuren withdraw his gaze, slowly walking back towards the government office, “The country is still not strong enough.”

Jinyan was taken aback, not strong enough? He felt that people’s lives were already very happy now, and he couldn’t even imagine living in such times.

After Jiang Ping left, it took several days for Zhou Shuren and Zhulan to regain their spirits.

It happened to be a break from the Academy, so Zhulan and Ming Rui invited Lin Qing to the estate together.

Zhulan and Lin Qing sat together, and Lin Qing was somewhat reserved. Zhulan took the initiative to start a conversation, “Next year, Ming Rui will take the Scholar exam.”

Lin Qing’s pale cheeks flushed red. She knew her grandmother and mother had talked about it, “Mm, Ming Rui will definitely pass.”

“You have confidence in Ming Rui.”

This time, Lin Qing wasn’t shy. She raised her head, her tone firm, “He is Ming Rui, the grandson of the Zhou family. He will not let anyone down.”

Zhulan laughed, “Everyone also has you.”

Lin Qing’s ears turned red, “I, I believe in Ming Rui.”

Zhulan quite liked Lin Qing. Ran Wan was generous, Lau Jia was meticulous, and Lin Qing was purer. This was related to the environment of her upbringing. The Qi Clan was from a noble family, Ran Wan was a legitimate daughter and was taught to be generous from a young age, while the Lin family was an Imperial Censor family, and Lin Qing saw the truth since childhood.

Zhulan held Lin Qing’s hand; the girl had Ming Rui in her mind and heart, “You’re very good.”

Ming Rui needed someone who wholeheartedly had him in mind, and Lin Qing was too suitable for Ming Rui.

While chatting, they arrived at the estate. Ming Rui got off the carriage first, helping his grandmother down, then extended a hand to assist his fiancée. With a blushing face, Lin Qing placed her hand on his, “Thank you.”

Ming Rui, “Between you and me, there’s no need to say thanks.”

Lin Qing nodded lightly.

The maid behind wanted to cover her face, thinking how fortunate her mistress was to marry into Marquis Zhou’s household, where her future husband would not take concubines. Otherwise, with the way her mistress was so devoted, she would be bullied to death elsewhere.

Zhulan went to see the children in class. Before reaching the classroom, she heard knocking sounds and knew what was happening. It was a woodworking class, and those in this class were selected to later join the shipyard.

Ming Rui accompanied his grandmother to each classroom, watching the children study earnestly.

After leaving the classroom, Ming Rui said, “Grandmother, some more orphans have recently been taken in. What do you think about having some selected by the doctors to learn medical skills?”

“Why did you think of this idea?”

Ming Rui said, “There are doctors on the estate, and villagers nearby know and come over. They don’t dare go into the capital for treatment but trust the estate’s doctors. I thought about selecting some kids to learn medical skills so they can support themselves and help villagers with minor ailments.”

Zhulan thought of the Imperial Orphanage, where the children meant for the Medical Department served the nobility more. “Since you proposed it, you arrange it.”

Ming Rui was surprised, “You’re entrusting it to your grandson?”

“Can’t you do it?”

Ming Rui composed himself, “I can, and I’ll do it well.”

Zhulan, “Grandmother is waiting to see the results.”

A folk orphanage is still better rooted for the people.

Lin Qing suddenly tugged on her fiancé’s sleeve, “You’re the best.”

Ming Rui was stunned, then a gentle warmth spread across his eyes, “Mm.”

He rarely heard anyone say he was the best. He had an elder brother who was well-known in the capital, and a second brother who was even more remarkable, but no one said the third son of the Zhou family was exceptional; it was more about luck and good looks.

Zhulan’s hearing was sharp, and she smiled, indeed, Lin Qing was really suitable for Ming Rui.

In the Palace, Zhou Shuren perused the demands of various countries. Even though he was mentally prepared, his face darkened, “Ha, they really dare to make such demands.”

They requested an entire province’s grain production, and it’s from a major grain-producing province!

The Emperor had already expressed his anger, “Either buying it with silver or exchanging for it.”

Zhou Shuren, “With no grain, I don’t even know where to source provisions for war.”

The Emperor, “Whether or not to sell the grain is the problem. Selling it makes it seem like our country has grain in abundance, but the Dongbei border is still unstable. If we don’t sell it, they might unite out of desperation, which would be even more troublesome.”

Zhou Shuren understood that if they weren’t deterred, it would only get worse. “What is your Majesty’s intention?”

He didn’t want to give any suggestions anyway.

The Emperor tapped his finger on the table, “Trade for supplies. Absolutely no selling of grain. We must trade but with skill, especially for our country’s scarce resources, with emphasis on metals. Gunpowder weapon production must be expanded.”

Zhou Shuren’s heart skipped, “And coal.”

Why dig from our territory? Let’s keep our resources, trading for foreign ones instead with less manpower required and coal to use, brilliant!

The Emperor and Zhou Shuren exchanged a glance and smiled at each other. Doing so, they realized they could trade for quite a lot.