Chapter 217

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

Qi Chen stayed in Dongchang Prefecture for about a month, and by the time the group set off again, the original Prefect of Dongchang Prefecture, Sun Zhizhou, had already been replaced by Wu Zhizhou.

This made no difference to Shen Yao; the only thing worth mentioning was that Wu Zhizhou was advanced in years, and although he had no offspring of his own, he had raised a nephew of good character.

Coincidentally, this nephew named Wu Tong had some connection with Shen Ying.

It wasn't a traditional hero-saving-the-beauty scenario, just an ordinary acquaintance; they got the chance to know each other because of an accident.

"Mother, do you think Wu Tong is a good person? Daughter feels he's a bit rigid and inflexible."

Shen Ying raised her eyebrows, her youthful expression charming and playful; while speaking to Shen Yao, her eyes roamed everywhere.

Shen Yao smiled, pointing at Shen Ying's appearance of saying one thing but meaning another, and shook her head helplessly, "You... trying to play mind games with Mother, Mother doesn't know you? Clearly you're satisfied in your heart."

Shen Ying:...

With a *ceng* sound, Shen Ying's cheeks flushed a shameful red, a beautiful, eye-catching rouge pink.

"Mother"

Shen Ying stomped her tiptoes, a bit coquettish, but more the bashfulness of a young girl not knowing how to answer.

Shen Yao patted Shen Ying's shoulder, "Wu Zhizhou was personally selected by the Prince.

As Wu Zhizhou's nephew, and having been brought along and taught by Wu Zhizhou year-round, if you truly have other intentions, getting to know him more would be quite good."

At the very least you won't lose out; even if it doesn't work out, Shen Ying loses nothing more.

Picking up the teacup at her side and bringing it to her lips to taste, Shen Yao then listed several good households in Dongchang Prefecture separately.

Among them were some Qi Chen mentioned, and some she and the System researched together.

What can be guaranteed is that these people's character and family background are within the range they can consider; even if there truly are scum hiding inside putting on an act, they are ruthless people with great perseverance.

Generally this kind of person can endure quite well; endure for a lifetime, and it no longer counts as putting on an act.

After all, judge by deeds not heart; as long as their actions cause no harm, how can one control what people think in their hearts.

After hearing the not-too-long personnel list from her birth mother's mouth, Shen Ying pondered for a moment, and still placed Wu Tong at the top.

For no other reason; based on Wu Zhizhou alone, it is enough to make Wu Tong stand out among them.

Although Wu Zhizhou and Wu Tong are not biological father and son, in families with many offspring, the father-son relationship is often not as reliable as the uncle-nephew relationship.

"Mother, I understand your thoughts; later I'll ask Eldest Brother to help test him out."

If Wu Tong's character truly has no major issues, choosing him has no downside for her.

Don't think Shen Ying isn't a match for Wu Tong; just relying on Shen Yao and Qi Haochen's connection is enough to make Wu Zhizhou nod in agreement.

Qi Chen is their legitimate Superior; he married the next Head of the Family's own Elder Sister; what is there to be unwilling about.

The distance from Dongchang Prefecture to Guangping Prefecture is not short; one must also detour around the Changzhou Prefecture border in between.

It took a good half month or more; a large group arrived at Guangping Prefecture in grand procession.

Contrasted with Dongchang Prefecture's roughness, Guangping Prefecture presented an entirely new scene.

The reason is that Guangping Prefecture borders the sea; the sea salt industry here is highly developed, and the salt supply for the common people of the surrounding prefectures all originates from Guangping Prefecture.

Before it was granted to Qi Chen, the sea salt here was entirely controlled by local forces; they paid a fixed tax to the Court each year, and all the remaining profit went into their own pockets.

Because Qi State has been unstable these years, the common people's demand for sea salt is not low; every household likes to stock up extra, fearing they won't be able to eat if something happens.

Without salt to supplement, the human body cannot muster strength, so salt, like grain, is an essential supply for the common people.

This leads to salt prices occasionally running high during disaster years.

The profit generated therein, one can only say it makes anyone who sees it covetous.

Qi Chen also belongs to the covetous type; now that Guangping Prefecture has been assigned to his territory, this sea salt industry naturally must be reclaimed by Qi Chen.

As for the local forces of Guangping Prefecture being dissatisfied? They can choose to pack up their families and leave directly; Qi Chen, who considers himself very democratic, only wants the sea salt business.

"Wang Fei Niangniang, these are all congratulatory gifts sent by the officials of Guangping Prefecture.

The Prince had the slaves carry them to the Prince's Mansion, to be handled and arranged by Wang Fei Niangniang."

The steward was as perceptive as ever, no wonder he has served by Qi Chen's side for many years; just this exquisite thoughtfulness inspires admiration.

Holding a handkerchief in her hand, Shen Yao gripped it and fiddled with it back and forth, "All of these? Including what's in the crates?"

Quite a lot; piled full, filling the entire grand hall, and that's not counting the several stacks outside.

The steward smiled, wiped his temples, nodded in agreement, and mentioned in passing that the crates contained Guangping Prefecture specialties.

Guangping Prefecture borders the sea; what could the specialties be? Naturally related to the sea.

Waving her hand to send the steward back to report, Shen Yao had the maidservants open the crates one by one.

Beautiful coral ornaments, exquisite jade hair ornaments, and full, precious pearls placed separately in boxes.

Shen Yao scanned them, and could only marvel that the people of Guangping Prefecture truly have money; the good things they took out to pay respect were dazzling; it seems they've been stuffing their pockets for years.

Qi Chen shared the same thought as Shen Yao; when resting at night, Qi Chen felt he had been too lenient with these people.

Good fellow, eating, drinking, and taking in his house for so long; they really need to have another good talk.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao extended her soft hand and patted Qi Chen's chest, "Why must the Prince get angry with them; once they leave Guangping Prefecture, where else can they go?"

All crows under heaven are black; Qi Chen is already among the whiter ones.

Shen Yao doesn't feel there's anything wrong with black-eating-black at all; everyone relies on their own ability to make a living; if you allow those landlords and rich households to exploit the common people, why not allow Qi Chen to exploit those landlords and rich households? There's no such logic.

Hearing Shen Yao's words, Qi Chen tilted his head and thought, then felt that cleaning up these people wasn't urgent for the moment.

Humming twice, Qi Chen said his brothers' fiefdoms were three shades darker than his Changzhou Prefecture; if those landlords and rich households dared run over there, they'd best prepare to bleed heavily.

"This Prince only wants to recover some interest first—over the years it won't cause skin-and-bone injury—but those brothers of mine," regardless of all those rules and regulations, catching one sheep to fleece is a common occurrence.

As for whether doing this would kill the chicken to get the egg and affect the stability of the entire fiefdom, those landlords and rich households are not at all the part that can shake the foundation, because these people are fundamentally completely different from millions of commoners.

And as long as these people aren't pushed too hard, they won't develop rebellious psychology; a life long steeped in pearls and silks has already worn down the sharp edges they carry.

The first lesson Qi Chen learned after leaving the Imperial Palace was how to manipulate the middle class of the fiefdom.

These people are neither comparable to those above nor lacking compared to those below—they are the best targets of oppression for imperial power.

Shen Yao had discussed with the system whether Qi State acting this way would have an unstable foundation.

In the end she concluded that for at least several decades there could still be music, dance, and peace.

After all, the lowest commoners are still around; these people in the middle can't reach up and don't dare strike down hard, so they can only stiflingly endure being caught in the middle.

As for how long this anger must be endured before they can turn the tables and take charge? It depends on when the Qi State Imperial Family collapses.

For now, they must endure a few more years; at least Shen Yao thinks she won't live to see it in her lifetime.

……

"Mother Consort, these people are truly detestable, daring to toy with me."

Qi Haochen ran into the room with small quick steps, tap tap tap, followed by the servants attending him.

Shen Yao was holding a delicate kettle, watering the flowers and grass in the small courtyard.

In the blink of an eye, another three years passed.

Qi Haochen was already six years old and formally moved to the front courtyard to begin his studies.

Shen Yao's eldest son Shen Cheng married and started a family, and her second daughter Shen Ying also married smoothly.

They were all carefully chosen matches; regardless of family background or conduct, both were quite good.

At least in Shen Yao's view, both of their marriages brought them quite good returns.

"Chen'er, why are you running so fast? Who provoked you again?"

To provoke Qi Haochen within the territory of Changzhou—that's truly more troublesome than provoking Qi Chen.

Qi Haochen wrinkled his nose and hummed twice; ignoring the other servants, he threw himself around Shen Yao's legs on his own to complain of his grievances.

Shen Yao casually handed the kettle in her hand to the maid standing to one side, then took a handkerchief to wipe her hands, before leading Qi Haochen into the room to rest.

"It's nothing but a small matter; in the future you'll have to live in a place like Jingcheng, that right-and-wrong place," Shen Yao touched Qi Haochen's tied-up little hair bun, speaking very casually.

Qi Haochen puffed his cheeks, saying he was angry, but from the moment he entered the hall he quickly recovered the calm he should have.

A little brat of only a few years old can have such strong emotional control—one has to say his innate talent is considerable.

"Mother Consort, my son isn't angry; I just think they're too stupid."

Even if he thinks the possibility of inheriting the great lineage in the future isn't great, he doesn't need to show it so obviously—does he take us for stupid people? Just this, and he can still be a strategist for his Father King.

Shen Yao turned her head to glance out the window, confirming no one was eavesdropping around, then spoke softly, "They're only human after all; compared to others, whether in age or power, you don't hold an obvious advantage."

Your Father King may control the land of three prefectures, but how can this place compare to the wealthy Jiangnan?

The Emperor's order this time, having all the Princes' Heirs live in Jingcheng—what the purpose is goes without saying.

The Emperor's offspring have all died; the state foundation cannot lack an heir, so one can only be chosen from these imperial clan relatives who have branched out.

Qi Haochen is Qi Chen's son, and Qi Chen is the Emperor's half-brother from the same father.

After the New Year, Qi Haochen will be sent by Qi Chen to live in Jingcheng.

Compared to other people's offspring, Qi Chen has only this single sprout, Qi Haochen, and unfortunately the sprout is still too young.

"Chen'er, this return to Jingcheng, Mother Consort and Father King cannot stay with you for long; everything must rely on yourself."

At least as things stand now, Qi Haochen belongs to the middling sort—neither outstanding nor at the bottom; such an impression is mixed for him, depending on how Qi Haochen himself thinks.