Chapter 105: The Report

As the two were speaking, Zhao Tang galloped over on horseback. "Your Highness... I have urgent matters to report!"

"You're not trying to stop me from using the land, are you?"

"Yes!"

Zhao Tang clasped his hands respectfully. "The Ministry of Revenue has allocated one thousand shi of hemp to Hongnong County this year. We should focus on planting hemp, not grains!"

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"Your Highness, please show mercy..."

"Get in the carriage; let's have a proper talk," Li Zhi gestured to the coachman to stop.

"Very well!"

Without hesitation, Zhao Tang climbed aboard.

Luo Tong was already inside.

His eyes fixed intently on Zhao Tang, as if he wanted to devour him.

"My lord, greetings to you, young lord!" Zhao Tang recalled being severely reprimanded by Li Zhi at the county office yesterday. Could it be happening again today?

"Please, no need for formalities!"

"Have a seat!" Li Zhi made room for Zhao Tang and sat beside Luo Tong.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Zhao Tang clasped his hands again. "I just received orders from the Ministry of Revenue. They want Hongnong County to focus on hemp cultivation, with a quota of one thousand shi. What does Your Highness think?"

"Is one thousand shi of hemp a large amount? How many counties are in Hongnong?" Before Li Zhi could reply, Luo Tong frowned and said, "How dare you obstruct us! Are you itching for trouble?"

"Uh!"

Zhao Tang looked embarrassed.

"Ahem..." Li Zhi said, "Lord Zhao, I will handle the Ministry of Revenue on this matter. Don’t worry. Not only will my county grow grains, but the others will as well! If anything goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility!"

"What!"

Zhao Tang thought he must have misheard.

He came here to persuade Li Zhi, yet now he's the one being persuaded?

"Hahaha..." Luo Tong squeezed Zhao Tang's arm, laughing. "Lord Zhao, you heard correctly! Grain is far more important than hemp. How could we abandon grain to grow hemp? The Ministry must be mistaken!"

"This..." Zhao Tang urged, "Your Highness, Young Lord, the Ministry’s quota..."

As the top scorer in the imperial examinations and now the county magistrate, Zhao Tang dared not oppose the Ministry. If trouble arose, Li Zhi could walk away unscathed, but Zhao Tang could not.

His life and career were at stake; he was unwilling to take the risk.

"Nonsense about quotas!"

"You’re so afraid of the Ministry, but not afraid of me?"

Li Zhi grabbed him and issued a stern warning.

But it was of no use.

Zhao Tang was determined to plant hemp.

Li Zhi snapped, "If you dare plant hemp, I’ll deal with you!"

"Your Highness, shall I intervene?" Luo Tong still held Zhao Tang’s arm tightly; with a little pressure, Zhao Tang’s arm would surely break.

"No, no..."

Zhao Tang shrank back, trying to free himself from Luo Tong.

But his strength was too weak; struggling only made Luo Tong grip tighter. He begged, "Your Highness, Young Lord, let’s discuss this calmly—no need for violence!"

"Haha!"

"You brat... typical scoundrel!" Luo Tong gave him a small lesson and then released him.

Zhao Tang winced in pain and dared not speak further.

The carriage moved swiftly.

In no time, they arrived at the land designated for enclosure.

Luo Tong led the laborers into the fields to clear weeds, haul wood for building greenhouses, and fence off an area covering a mile in all directions.

Li Zhi and Zhao Tang remained in the carriage.

"Lord Zhao, you should know my temper. Once I set my mind on something, not even the Emperor can stop me, let alone you! Just listen to me obediently, and I guarantee your promotion and wealth!"

"Heh..."

Zhao Tang sneered coldly.

"Promotion? Wealth? What does that have to do with me? I just want to do the task assigned by above properly—no great success, but no failure either."

"Admirable ambition!" Li Zhi nodded. "There aren’t many old-fashioned officials like you these days. Lord Zhao, I won’t waste time—just one question: Will you cooperate? If not, I’ll... make you cooperate! Of course, you can report to the Three Departments and Six Ministries, but tell me, which department dares to challenge me?"

*Sigh!*

Zhao Tang rolled his eyes.

"Forget it... facing Your Highness, half my life is already gone!" He bitterly regretted coming here, knowing how troublesome the little devil Li Zhi was.

It was all those officials in the Ministry of Personnel.

They had said Hongnong was prosperous and economically developed—a cushy post.

Yet here he was, stuck with this little devil.

"Do you agree, sir?"

"How dare I disagree? I just want to know what exactly Your Highness intends to do." Even now, Zhao Tang couldn’t understand why a prince like Li Zhi would come to Hongnong County just to farm.

It seemed impossible!

"The less you know, the better... just cooperate with me. I swear by my imperial title, when the day of glory comes, your share will be assured!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Tang was left with nothing but helplessness.

He didn’t dare to dream of glory, only hoping the court wouldn’t blame him.

...

The enclosed land stretched a mile in all directions.

Mountains bordered the left side.

To the right ran the Protective Capital River.

After surveying the terrain, Li Zhi exclaimed, "This is truly a land bestowed by Heaven! I will turn this entire area into an agricultural experimental base..."

After his passionate speech,

Both Luo Tong and Zhao Tang were stunned.

"What is His Highness talking about? I don’t understand a word," Zhao Tang said blankly.

"Don’t say you, even I... only half understand!" Luo Tong had followed Li Zhi for quite some time, and every time new terms appeared, he was at a loss.

"You two fools!"

Li Zhi was too lazy to explain.

He immediately ordered the work to begin.

...

According to plan, after clearing weeds, plowing, and building fences, they constructed sturdy greenhouses with wood.

Several days later, with Li Zhi continually guiding them,

County Magistrate Zhao Tang admired him deeply, "Your Highness, you’re so young—how do you know so much?"

"Just a matter of habit!" Luo Tong chuckled.

Li Zhi had already amazed him countless times.

What they saw now was just a small part.

"Your Highness... Your Highness..." A group of Imperial Guards arrived at the agricultural base, looking anxious.

"What is it?"

The captain dismounted and saluted, "Reporting to Your Highness, the Empress requests your return to the palace!"

"Understood."

By now, he had been away from court for quite some time.

It was time to return and pay a visit.

Li Zhi entrusted the base to Zhao Tang and Wu Yong, instructing them to continue building greenhouses and to plant sweet potatoes and rice in the ground. The detailed procedures were written down and handed to Wu Yong.

As long as he wasn’t an idiot,

He would understand.

"Luo Tong, gather the Golden Blade Guards—we’re heading back to the palace!"

"Yes!"

Hongnong was not far from Chang’an.

The carriage sped at full pace and arrived half a day later.

The Hall of Liyuan.

Inside the grand hall,

Empress Zhangsun was bustling about with a group of palace maids.

A huge table was spread with many snacks and delicacies.

Upon seeing Li Zhi return,

Empress Zhangsun exclaimed joyfully, "Zhi’er, come quickly..."

"Mother, what are you busy with?"

"Today is your birthday. Your mother is celebrating it for you!"

...

No wonder he wasn’t scolded for being away so long—it was a birthday celebration.