The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 492: The Wind Rises and the Waves Swell (6)_1

Chapter 492: Chapter 492: The Wind Rises and the Waves Swell (6)_1

"You unfilial son want to be the death of me." General Luo’s dignity was compromised in front of everyone by his own son, his anger causing his beard to bristle. If they hadn’t been guests at the Li Residence, Luo Yan would’ve most likely been given a good beating. "Can’t you just do something sensible for once?"

"Sensible?" Luo Yan looked at General Luo with amusement, then casually replied, "How about I help the prince streamline the grain trade?"

The mention of grain was too sensitive, and immediately, the lively chatter in the room ceased.

Li Jiesong’s legs wouldn’t stop shaking. Why did they have to bring up the grain trade? He was scared that his secret activities would be discovered by Chu Suifeng’s people. If that would stir up a big mess, even if Chu Suifeng spares his life for the sake of their relatives in the Marquis Residence, he wouldn’t escape punishment for his crimes. He didn’t want to spend his life in jail.

"Not a bad idea." Chu Suifeng responded lightly.

"I heard that the Prince’s estate has already started experimental planting of rice and wheat. I wonder if the Prince could bring us along for the ride next year? I have the fields the Prince generously bestowed upon me, and I wouldn’t mind asking the Prince for a little favor." Shao Liufeng said with a smile.

"Your Highness, I, too, have some fields, but as a blunt man, I have no idea how to manage them. Your Highness mustn’t play favorites. If you are going to teach the scholars how to farm, please don’t forget about me." Wa Jie hastily stood up, cupped his fists and said to Chu Suifeng.

With both scholars and warriors asking, many others followed suit and began asking for advice.

After hearing this, Marquis Li felt slightly startled and increasingly like an outsider. Despite being new arrivals, it was clear to those present that these men were devoted followers of the Prince, including Mei Hanqing who had come from the Imperial Court.

That the prince could extend his reach into the imperial court was a clear affront to the Emperor. It wouldn’t take long for the court to understand Mei Hanqing and others were not spies, but there to aid Chu Suifeng in the Northern Land. It made one wonder about their reaction.

Of course, the underlying implications of this talent migration event were worth pondering.

The Prince severing the court’s provision, choosing self-sufficiency for the Northern Land, seemed like a poor move at first glance. But those with discernment would realize that the real winner here was the Prince himself.

The Northern Land is frigid, but vast. Its total land area likely exceeds that of Jiangnan and the Capital combined by several folds. The court once believed the resource poor Northern Land, with its year-long low crop yield, would forever depend on them.

Now with the North not only able to produce wheat, but also rice, and reportedly with veryhigh yield per acre, even higher than in Jiangnan. Although the downside is that they can only grow one crop per year, the vast expanse of the Northern Land can easily cover the shortfall in frequency of plantings.

With its agricultural self-sufficiency plus business brought by Lin Family, the North is bound to undergo earth-shaking changes. What then, for Chu Suifeng, king of the North?

As a possibility occurred to him, Marquis Li felt a chill down his spine. If the prince declared himself emperor, how would the court, or the Tatars in the North, react? Considering the potential future of the North being under attack from both sides, Marquis Li felt cold sweat run down his back.

"Next year, if you wish to plant rice and wheat, you can learn from either my estate or the Queen’s," Chu Suifeng answered with a light smile.