Chapter 104: The Helper
“Damn!” Li Zhi sensed something was wrong and hurriedly took action.
Before Yuchi Baolin’s astonished eyes, the two of them swept the dining table clean.
“Full… so full…”
“Comfortable!”
Li Zhi instructed Yuchi Baolin to manage Yunhai Tower following the model of the capital’s restaurants. Then he pulled Luo Tong back to the residence. “That kid Yuchi Baolin is promising. In just a few days, he’s learned cooking quite well. If he continues to study diligently, his achievements won’t be any less than Cheng Chubi’s.”
“That means Your Highness will have an assistant!” Luo Tong said.
“Yes.”
“I’m confident leaving Yunhai Tower in Baolin’s hands!” Li Zhi chuckled sharply, already pondering future plans. Since Zhao Tang had been beaten, he dared not be disrespectful anymore. Wu Yong, the county government steward, handled all the trivial affairs in Hongnong County, so Li Zhi didn’t need to deal with them personally. He could focus wholeheartedly on developing Hongnong’s economy and agriculture.
“The economy depends on the capital’s merchants’ guild and the newly opened distillery; the prosperity of agriculture hinges on rice and sweet potatoes!”
“Luo Tong!”
“Yes!”
Li Zhi glanced at the sky. “It’s getting late. Tomorrow early morning, we’ll go to the southern outskirts to prepare for building greenhouses and plant the sweet potatoes and rice.”
Greenhouses?
That was a fresh term.
Luo Tong asked curiously, “Your Highness, what exactly is a greenhouse?”
“A greenhouse…” Li Zhi teased, “You’ll see tomorrow. I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like it in your whole life!”
“Hmph!”
Luo Tong had seen much of the world. What hasn’t he seen? He wasn’t particularly interested in some greenhouse.
Night fell.
The stars sparkled brilliantly.
The weather was cool.
Li Zhi lay in the backyard, admiring the moon.
He couldn’t help but recite a poem: “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight—each one falls…”
“Wonderful poetry, wonderful!” Wu Yong appeared with a map of Hongnong County. “Your Highness, the blueprints you requested—I have brought them.”
Luo Tong held the lamp nearby.
Li Zhi picked up a brush and circled several spots on the map. “You know these places well, right?”
“Yes! They’re all south of the county town…”
“I want to use these lands to grow grain. That shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
The county’s official farmland was decided by the prefectural government. Wu Yong, newly appointed and yet to coordinate with Zhao Tang, said, “Your Highness, perhaps you should ask Lord Zhao about it?”
“Lord Zhao? Which Lord Zhao?”
“The newly appointed prefect of Hongnong, Lord Zhao Tang. He oversees all official farmland in the prefecture. If he approves, everything will be fine.”
For most people, gaining the new prefect’s consent would be difficult. But who was Li Zhi? If Zhao Tang dared to utter a single refusal, Li Zhi would dare to slap him!
Such a ruthless man…
Zhao Tang had no choice but to be cautious and obedient.
“Ha! Zhao Tang, huh?” Li Zhi laughed. “No need to bother with him; we’ll start work directly!”
“Your Highness, it’s better to send someone to inform Zhao Tang, so no one can talk behind our backs. After all, all official farmland in Hongnong Prefecture is under his jurisdiction. If the court has specific quotas, he might refuse!”
“I have my own plan. Don’t worry!” Li Zhi handed the map to Wu Yong. “Send people to mark the land…”
“Yes, Your servant will obey!”
After Wu Yong left,
Luo Tong put down the lamp and sat opposite Li Zhi. “There aren’t many sweet potatoes or rice. How can Your Highness be sure they’ll withstand the famine triggered by the noble families?”
“That’s because these two crops have astonishing yields. Don’t you know?”
“These sweet potatoes were originally planted in the backyard of Lizheng Palace. I picked them myself, so how could I not know? But has Your Highness studied the noble families? How well do you understand their strength?”
Luo Tong was unusually serious.
His face was calm yet tinged with worry.
Li Zhi smiled gently. “You still don’t trust me? The noble families control over seventy percent of the nation’s grain; that’s true. But don’t forget, grain prices depend on the market! And market economy depends on money! As long as I have abundant funds and the capacity to cope with some famine, I can oppose the noble families!”
“Is that so?” Luo Tong was utterly bewildered.
He felt that the Crown Prince was becoming more and more formidable.
“Haha… It’s fine if you don’t understand. Just follow me, and everything will become clear!” Li Zhi patted his shoulder like a wise scholar.
Luo Tong pondered.
Though confused,
he inexplicably felt confident seeing Li Zhi.
…
The next morning.
A thick fog descended.
The world was shrouded in white.
Laborers on the southern outskirts were ready to head to the fields.
Li Zhi and Luo Tong drove up in a carriage.
“Are the steamed buns ready?”
“Yes, all in the bags in the back!”
The carriage stopped at the camp’s gate.
The standing laborers warmly approached upon seeing Li Zhi. “Greetings, Your Highness!”
“No need for formalities…”
“Quick, bring out those two bundles in the back. They’re all food. Distribute them to everyone!” Li Zhi jumped down and lifted the carriage curtain.
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
The two bags of steamed buns brought great joy.
Carrying them into the camp,
Luo Tong glanced and chuckled, “Just two bags of steamed buns—are they worth being this happy?”
“Hehe… Don’t underestimate those two bags. They may seem insignificant and cheap, but they fully express our care for the laborers. Naturally, they’re delighted and will work harder! Besides, those willing to do labor are the poor folk. Helping even a little is like doing a good deed each day!”
They entered the camp.
Just as the buns were handed out,
everyone sat on the grass, devouring them greedily,
praising how delicious they were.
“Your Highness has arrived…”
Wherever Li Zhi passed, the common people respectfully bowed.
“Take your time eating, don’t rush!”
As a prince showing such concern for the people, how could they not be moved? Many eyes welled with tears, longing to kowtow in gratitude.
After the buns were finished,
five hundred laborers picked up hoes and various farming tools and followed Li Zhi to mark the land.
Along the way, Li Zhi explained the knowledge about greenhouses.
Everyone listened attentively, but their faces were still puzzled.
“Looks like I have to do it myself!”
Li Zhi was exasperated.
It was just building a few sheds and insulation facilities—why was it so difficult?
“Your Highness, Your Highness…”
Suddenly, Li Zhi heard someone calling.
“That’s Zhao Tang!”
Luo Tong looked back.
Zhao Tang rode a horse, rushing over anxiously.
“What’s he here for?”
“Could it be that Wu Yong went to the prefectural office to tattle on the laborers?” Li Zhi thought instantly.
Only he, Luo Tong, and Wu Yong knew about the greenhouse project.
Luo Tong wouldn’t leak the news; only Wu Yong remained suspect.
“Hmph!”
Luo Tong turned back. “So what if he’s here? We won’t bow to him! I want to see if that petty prefect dares to stop us.”