Chapter 84
After the grand Duck Feast, the capital city of Jing Country was renewed with a fresh spirit.
Even the less affluent commoners would visit teahouses to listen to storytellers narrate the delicious tale of the roasted duck.
Students and scholars, in particular, greeted each other with questions like, "Have you tasted the roasted duck?" and "Have you heard the poetry about the Duck Banquet?"...
At the court, ministers savored the taste of the roasted duck for several days. Whenever they encountered Liu Runnian, the on-duty official at the Ministry of Works, they would pause to chat with him briefly.
—When can we buy stuffed ducks at the market?
—When can they be mass-produced?
Everyone longed to taste that delicacy again.
"Go, go, get to your posts!" The Minister of Works had now abandoned his previous resistance and protected Liu Runnian like a mother hen, "Don't disturb Liu the Worker while he's working and researching."
"Make way for Liu the Worker to think about efficient methods in this well-ventilated and comfortable space!"
"Alright, clear the path, Liu the Worker needs to observe life and let his thoughts wander."
Minister Chen had now become Liu Runnian's guardian.
After several days of this, Liu Runnian felt rather abashed, "Minister Chen, you need not go to such lengths."
Minister Chen raised his hand to stop him, "You are now the duck-raising hero praised by the people, and a pillar of my Ministry of Works!"
"Runnian, I used to advise the Emperor against you joining the Ministry of Works. Please do not take it to heart."
Minister Chen let out a sigh, "As someone who entered officialdom through the imperial examination, I wanted to follow the old ways. I was being rather narrow-minded."
"But after seeing the sturdy chicks and ducklings hatched by your team, and these stuffed ducks larger than ordinary ducks, I realized... Heaven sends talented people without discrimination!"
"Your methods work, and the people remember your goodness. The people don't care whether one is a Imperial Scholar or a Civil Service Degree Holder."
Minister Chen had also tasted the Duck Feast that day.
He witnessed the commoners kneeling to thank the Emperor, tears of gratitude flowing as they savored the duck meat. Minister Chen felt more moved than when he worked at the Six Ministries—that is what it means to be an official beloved by the people.
"Now that the methods for stuffing ducks are taking shape," Minister Chen looked approvingly at Liu Runnian, clad in the sixth-rank official robe, "It would be a waste to have such talent merely promoting the stuffed duck project."
"Your abilities should be applied to researching new things."
As Minister Chen spoke, he looked expectantly at Liu Runnian, "Concubine Liu is your sister. Runnian, how about I hand over the efficient silk weaving methods that Concubine Liu has been researching?"
Liu Runnian was taken aback.
His sister was also researching improved silk weaving?
After a moment's thought, Liu Runnian's brow furrowed.
His sister must have heard Little Princess's suggestions.
He immediately broke into a sweat.
Little Princess, even if she were a reincarnated celestial, had taken on too much!
The little girl, not even three months old, had already guided her mother, her uncle, her grandfather, and her Imperial Father...
Little Princess must be exhausted too, right?
The more Liu Runnian thought about it, the more concerned he became for Little Princess. Even if he could only help a little, he would do his utmost for Little Princess's sake!
He could not let the little girl exhaust her efforts in vain!
Whatever Little Princess had in mind, he, her uncle, would undoubtedly help her achieve it!
So that when she grows up, she can live happily as the Little Princess of Jing Country.
With these thoughts, Liu Runnian readily agreed, "This official will go to the Imperial Sewing Office outside the palace to discuss with Concubine Liu."
"This official will give his all to make improvements to silk weaving!"
Watching Liu Runnian's retreating figure, Minister Chen took a sip of tea and sighed.
Ah, the Liu family members are truly dedicated.
Even for something as simple as silk weaving, he's willing to give his all.
No wonder they get promoted and raised in rank so quickly.
Minister Chen marveled.
...
At the Imperial Sewing Office in the capital.
"Sister, your silk-reeling machine... did you get the idea from Little Princess's..."
"Brother, there are a few parts where I did listen to Little Princess's suggestions, but others at the Ministry of Works couldn't replicate the results."
Liu Runnian and Concubine Liu were both startled when they met.
They had realized the same thing.
Liu Runnian took a deep breath, "Tell me again what Little Princess said about silk weaving techniques."
"And show me the sketches you drew before..."
Concubine Liu nodded and immediately complied.
Then, biting her lip, she turned back and said, "Brother, Cheng Qian and I suspect that Little Princess's suggestions have a limit."
Liu Runnian was alarmed.
Concubine Liu lowered her voice worriedly, "Cheng Qian and I both heard Little Princess mention something about... points... She has to spend points to redeem..."
"Brother, we can't all rely on Little Princess."
"We have to rely on ourselves too. Little Princess's celestial powers may have a limit!"
Liu Runnian was surprised but quickly nodded solemnly, "Sister, it's good that you have this awareness. I intended to tell you..."
"Little Princess has to guide you, guide Cheng Qian, ponder the national strength of Jing Country... and our incompetent father, and her own incompetent father..."
Concubine Liu's mouth twitched at the thought, just imagining how exhausted her daughter must be!
"Brother, I know, we need to rely on ourselves too. Today, I'll send you two cartloads of books on silk weaving that I've collected."
Liu Runnian was taken aback.
What?
How many books?
Two cartloads!?
He hated reading the most!
Liu Runnian's face turned green, but he still clutched his chest and gritted his teeth, "Alright, I'll read."
For Little Princess's sake, for her to have a good life in the future, for the people of Jing Country to have abundant food and clothing, he, her uncle, would read!
"Yes, let me tell you Little Princess's suggestions about silk weaving techniques. Listen carefully..."
*
【Borrowing and lending must be equal.】
【The calculation of income and expenditure is as follows...】
In the Emperor's study.
After drinking her fill of milk, Xiao Chuchu lay comfortably in Xiao Yunzhou's embrace, basking in the sun.
As she sunbathed, she flipped through the new accounting skills book in her mind.
【Accounting vouchers must include business details (including quantity, unit price, amount, etc.), relevant personnel (department heads, staff) signatures and seals.】
【Invoices and other supporting documents must be attached...】
Xiao Yunzhou's eyes were glazed over as he listened.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
The celestial accounting methods were so profound!
He strained to understand a small portion with immense effort.
But even that small portion was extremely useful!
"Wei Zheng, go, summon the Minister and Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue."
"And call the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister too."
Wei Zheng was dumbfounded.
The Emperor had just dealt with the Ministry of Works, and now he was moving on to the Ministry of Revenue?
This shift was too abrupt!
He gave a nod of approval from the bottom of his heart to the Ministry of Revenue, and soon went out to carry out the order.
Not long after, Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue came, his middle-aged portly belly protruding, followed by two Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Revenue.
The four Grand Secretaries also arrived, all looking puzzled.
Upon seeing the Emperor, Minister Jiang rubbed his hands together, "Your Majesty, could it be that you have figured it out? Are you planning to send Liu Runnian to work at the exchange workshop with Wu Yun Country?"
"Your subject has long said that a talent like Liu Runnian is well-suited for our Ministry of Revenue."
Minister Jiang's face was ruddy, evidently benefiting from his regular nourishing supplements.
Wei Zheng gave him a glance and shook his head sympathetically in his heart.
Sure enough, the next moment, Xiao Yunzhou posed a question.
"Ministry of Revenue, tell us, how many taels of silver are in surplus in the national treasury this year?"
Minister Jiang was taken aback, caught off guard by the sudden question.
As he was pondering, he was soon left dumbfounded by a barrage of questions from Xiao Yunzhou!
"What is the total cash inflow and outflow for the national treasury this year, and what are the major sources of revenue and expenditure..."
"What are the net profits of Jing Country's major industries?"
"What are the investment returns?"
What?
What was that?
Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Revenue opened his mouth, but stood there like a wooden chicken.
What on earth was the Emperor talking about?!