The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1076: Chapter 1052: Prestige in Chaotic Times 120

After arranging Ms. Luo’s matters, Anning returned and began preparing for Le Yang’s wedding.

Initially, Xiao Yuan intended for Le Yang and Dong Da to marry in the autumn, but due to the delay caused by the war, it was winter before all preparations were completed, and Le Yang was married off grandly.

After Le Yang’s departure, Xiao Yuan and Anning truly settled down.

They were not in a hurry to attack Da Qi in Jiangbei but intended to rest and recuperate, to allow the people to recuperate.

The floods in Jiangnan combined with the pandemic caused many deaths, and now many places in Jiangnan are still chaotic, needing proper governance.

Throughout this winter, Xiao Yuan was very busy.

He was busy mobilizing people to build roads.

Extending the cement roads from Southern Yi to Suzhou.

Having suffered from the floods, the people of Jiangnan are struggling, with no money in hand and no grain at home; if no one manages them this winter, many might starve or freeze to death.

It was precisely because Xiao Yuan wanted to aid these people that he vigorously promoted road construction.

Any of the people willing to follow the road construction would be paid wages, and some would receive grain and salt, among other things.

Consequently, many people from difficult backgrounds signed up to build roads.

Xiao Yuan subsidized the people, allowing them to get by, while also undertaking infrastructure construction.

This winter, Anning sent people into the countryside to promote the good grain varieties from Southern Yi, ensuring that the people would be willing to plant these varieties brought in from Southern Yi by the coming spring.

At the same time, Anning planned to have some people plant sweet potatoes and potatoes.

This winter, both were so busy that the days seemed to pass unnoticed, as time flowed like water, and before they realized it, the year had passed.

By spring, thanks to good propaganda work, the people of Jiangnan were very willing to plant the grain varieties brought in from Southern Yi.

Anning had certain areas plant double-season rice, others plant wheat, and other areas plant sweet potatoes and potatoes.

Spring in Jiangnan meant that besides farming, the people were raising silkworms. After the spring plowing, Anning had people build some weaving workshops specifically for weaving superior silk.

Anning herself created a type of Flash Silk and some Xia Guang silk, instructing a group of weavers to specialize in weaving these to sell in Da Qi.

The women of Da Qi love luxury, fancying those radiant and brightly colored garments.

Both Xia Guang silk and Flash Silk met the aesthetics of Da Qi women perfectly; once sent over, they were eagerly snapped up by many of the local noble ladies and girls.

Besides infrastructure construction, Xiao Yuan also energetically promoted officials.

The personnel brought from Southern Yi were inadequate, so Xiao Yuan opened special examinations, selecting some knowledgeable literati from Jiangnan to be appointed as officials in various places.

Mei Boqing’s disciple, Zhang He, also took part in this imperial examination; he passed, and was appointed to serve as an official in Liu Zhou.

Thus, until this winter, the entire situation in Jiangnan had drastically changed.

New officials settled in various government posts, stabilizing the disorder.

Furthermore, the high-yield crops planted in the spring yielded harvests in autumn, allowing many households in Jiangnan to have their granaries full, no longer worrying about starvation.

In Jiangbei, Da Qi struggled because of the lack of the grain reservoir that Jiangnan represented; the crops planted were simply insufficient for consumption, the wealthy families were somewhat better off, but ordinary households began to struggle with getting enough to eat.

Consequently, the grain prices in Da Qi soared.

Anning seized the opportunity to transport some grain to Da Qi, making a considerable profit in the process.

Xiao Yuan’s other sons were conferred the title of Commandery Prince, yet Xiao Ying remained a mere Prince, not having been titled.

However, since last year, whether in royal court meetings or when receiving ministers, Xiao Yuan always brought Xiao Ying along, allowing him to listen and observe, to watch closely; sometimes, he would ask Xiao Ying’s opinion, letting him express his views on certain matters.

The courtier in Jing Dynasty could see clearly that Xiao Yuan had not titled Xiao Ying because he intended for him to become Crown Prince.

Xiao Ying was indeed a diligent child, learning much from staying by Xiao Yuan’s side.

This time, Anning’s grain shipment to Da Qi left Xiao Ying quite puzzled.

One day, Xiao Yuan handed some memos to Xiao Ying, asking him to help review them.

After Xiao Ying finished reviewing and handed them back to Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yuan looked over them again: ”Well reviewed, proceed as instructed.”

Xiao Ying accepted with a smile, then asked Xiao Yuan, ”Father Emperor, it’s good for us that Jiangbei is short on grain, after all, the more chaotic Jiangbei becomes, the better our future prospects. But why does Queen Mother send grain to Jiangbei at this time? Your son cannot comprehend this.”

Xiao Yuan smiled, ”Go and ask your Queen Mother.”

Xiao Ying refrained from further questioning and continued looking over some reports with Xiao Yuan. At dinner, he paid respects to Anning and then asked Anning the same question.

Anning first let Xiao Ying eat, then had the servants leave, before sitting opposite him to talk.

”Do you think that with Jiangbei in chaos, the people resenting the government, when the situation becomes desperate, they would rise in revolt, and we could act opportunistically, claiming Daqi with minimal cost?”

Xiao Ying nodded, ”I think so, though I cannot understand why Queen Mother would sell grain to Jiangbei.”

Anning took a sip of water, ”Ying’er, what do you think is most important in governance?”

Xiao Ying thought for a long time, ”It’s balance, it’s stability.”

Anning smiled, ”That’s significant, indeed, a ruler must balance all relationships, ensure martial and civil affairs are balanced, ensure the balance among ministers, maintain the balance between officials and merchants, and ensure the people’s tranquility. That’s how a nation develops, but it’s not the core.”

Xiao Ying stood up, ”I await Queen Mother’s guidance.”

Anning softly said, ”Balancing interests is a technique, not a way; the art of ruling lies in people management.”

Huh?

Xiao Ying was puzzled.

Anning smiled, ”Territory is vital, but talent is paramount. If a piece of land is barren, what’s the use? Governing the realm demands prioritizing people. If chaos ensued in Jiangbei, countless citizens would die of starvation by the time we attacked; by then, entire villages and towns might be deserted. What could be done? Both I and your Father Emperor have long viewed Da Qi as a possession; eventually, its lands will belong to us. If so, Da Qi’s people are our people too. Can a ruler tolerate his people going hungry?”

Anning spoke clearly, Xiao Ying understood well.

His comprehension startled him.

He withdrew a few steps and knelt, ”Thank you, Queen Mother, for your lesson. I was mistaken, overly proud lately, having forgotten past lessons from Queen Mother. This is my fault.”

”Rise.”

Anning sighed, ”Ying’er, go back and read some more history books, look at how previous founders governed, reflect on what they did well, see the areas they fell short, learn how to improve. When you’ve seen clearly and thought thoroughly, speak with your Father Emperor about your thoughts.”

”Yes,” replied Xiao Ying, ”it’s late, Queen Mother, please rest. I take my leave.”