Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 1234: Chapter 1144: Lady Prime Minister 82

The reason the Emperor suddenly decided to go out on a micro visit was because of a conversation he had with the Empress.

Since childhood, the Empress had traveled extensively with her father, Mr. Nameless, which gave her a different perspective from most women. She had witnessed firsthand the real life of the common people and was well aware of their suffering.

Thus, every year during the winter, the Empress, in the name of the Emperor, would take out money from her private treasury to set up porridge stands, ensuring that those having a hard time could receive a bowl of porridge to drink daily.

Over the years, the Empress consistently carried out this endeavor, always keeping her achievements and fame hidden, thereby bringing a lot of good reputation to the Emperor among the common people. It was for such reasons that the Emperor greatly favored the Empress, as she was highly emotionally intelligent.

Last night during dinner, the Emperor mentioned that during his micro visit, he noticed the common people’s life was pretty good.

The Empress naturally didn’t want to contradict the Emperor, saying that what he saw were those living in the Capital City and wouldn’t be oppressed by corrupt officials, experiencing the best life among the commoners.

Saying such discouraging words would certainly not please anyone, especially considering the Emperor had always been highly esteemed and flattered.

Even if the Emperor is a wise monarch who can listen to honest advice, it does not mean he enjoys hearing it in the harem as well.

Therefore, the Empress first praised the Emperor for his effective governance, ensuring the common people live affluent lives without worries of food and clothing, a rarity among wise monarchs.

Then she excitedly suggested the Emperor visit rural villages during his next micro visit, further elaborating on the rural scenery she saw with her father during her childhood.

Although there currently is no rural scenery amidst the icy world, the magnificent scene of thawing ice and snowfall across vast expanses has its unique appeal. If fortunate enough to encounter the wild charm of white snow and red plums, it would add a touch of elegance.

Finally, the Emperor, thus coaxed by the Empress, eagerly called upon General An and Yin Shuangshuang to plan another micro visit.

The main goal is to see if the common people’s living conditions have improved, while incidentally searching for the red plums in the wild.

The Emperor even brought along tea sets and tea leaves, intending to savor tea and appreciate flowers under the red plum tree, acting as a refined scholarly gentleman.

As for Yin Shuangshuang, if her health permits, she too harbors some romantic thoughts amidst the silver-covered world with blooming red plums—a stunning contrast.

However, with her fragile health now, if it weren’t the Emperor calling her, Yin Shuangshuang would just turn around and leave.

With such freezing weather that could kill a nosebleed bubble, is she being asked to freeze outside? What white snow and red plums—when shivering in the cold, who has the mood to watch?

The most crucial point is accompanying the Emperor; even if frozen like a dog, one must maintain elegance like an Immortal, or else it would be a disgrace to the Emperor—purely a suffering trip.

But there’s no choice, the Emperor has the privilege of indulging, regardless of Yin Shuangshuang’s feelings; she can only smile and say, ”It’s an honor to accompany the Emperor, who’s concerned about the common people, to such cold weather for a micro visit.”

The Emperor, blissfully unaware, remarked that when there’s fortune, he would not forget Yin Shuangshuang, his trusted advisor. Yin Shuangshuang thought the Emperor should better forget her for such fortunes in the future.

Fortunately, during travel, the warm sedan is available, although it’s a bit bumpy, it’s tolerable, and Yin Shuangshuang prays the Emperor never finds any wild red plum. Savoring tea under red plum trees must be cold, and she does not wish to endure the chill.

Although the Emperor is playful, he indeed cares about the common people; this outing primarily aims to observe how the people’s life is progressing. Thus, the Emperor’s first stop was to inspect villages where snow houses were built.

The outing was utterly discreet; even guards were few—with no one aware, this party of more than ten people was the Emperor on a micro visit, preventing local officials from receiving news and pretending beforehand.

Several villages with snow houses aren’t far from the Capital City, just a short distance away, a vast expanse of white snow mounds could be seen—these are snow houses.

A group swarmed into the village, catching villagers’ attention, especially given their attire appearing as Noble in the eyes of the villagers.

At that time, the common people were timid and dared not approach those clearly of a different level; hence, despite the group’s noticeable presence, no villager dared come close—only glancing from afar before attending to their affairs.

Because of the snow houses, their houses are dilapidated and drafty; the villagers chose to reside in the snow houses.

Snow houses are low and narrow, unsuitable for dwelling, thus the common people’s life barely amounts to not dying from cold.

Living in snow houses also has a problem; the villagers’ houses are already dilapidated, uninhabited for long collapse faster.

When the weather warms, snow houses become uninhabitable, and if their houses collapse too, they’ll truly have no place to live—although the warmer weather won’t freeze them to death, it’s somewhat better than now.

Villagers evidently considered this; every household is busy preparing, although winter is not apt for house-building, it’s nonetheless important to prepare materials.

For instance, soil for making bricks, wood for making beams and pillars—after spring planting ends, every household can take time to repair their homes.

By Yin Shuangshuang’s standards, the villagers’ lives weren’t too difficult, but for the Emperor, this impact was somewhat significant.

In the Capital City, the Emperor saw common people wearing clothes with few patches; everyone’s spirit was high, at least not too skinny.

But look at the villagers here, living in low, dilapidated houses, wearing clothes patched over patches, even seemingly not clothes but ragged strips over their body, in the Emperor’s view—how can such garments keep warm?

This is not far from the Capital City; however, people’s living conditions differ greatly.

The Emperor could hardly understand; he always thought the common people under his reign might not live luxuriously, but at least have enough food and clothing.

Actually, this is the problem of the aristocratic families; previously, Yin Shuangshuang mentioned to Mr. Nameless that the national taxes are divided: three parts to the National Treasury, seven parts to the aristocratic family.

Since the aristocratic family can gain such benefits from taxes, the Emperor’s tax reduction policies were repeatedly obstructed by them.

Because the National Treasury’s silver was too little, the Emperor had no confidence to forcefully reduce taxes; this matter had been procrastinated indefinitely.

Whenever a disaster hit a region, as long as local aristocratic families spoke out, the Emperor’s tax reduction Holy Decree became futile, yet taxes were still collected from the people beneath, unbeknownst to the Emperor who assumed taxes had been waived.

Since ascending the throne, the Emperor hasn’t lacked in initiating policies benefiting the nation and people, yet these policies were either strongly opposed by aristocratic families or obstructed by officials from aristocratic descent.

”I will reform again!” Leaving the village, the Emperor remained silent for a long time before suddenly declaring.