Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 1426: The Merits Are Sharp

Chapter 1426: Chapter 1426: The Merits Are Sharp

Chang Lian’s message reached the capital, and the capital had already received urgent reports from two provinces, with the grain supplies in both provinces being nearly exhausted.

Zhou Shuren was worried for his son and also troubled by the shortage of medicinal materials, as the Emperor needed medicine for troops preparing for war, and the flood-affected areas also needed medicinal supplies, both were matters of life and death.

The Emperor is the one who gives orders, but it is the ministers who are in a tough position.

Zhou Shuren had a headache about Silver, and the Gold had not been transported back to the capital yet; purchasing medicinal materials required Silver.

Upon returning home, Zhou Shuren said, "Ah, with the south suffering from floods and a decrease in grain, the Grassland Tribes must be taking delight in our misfortunes!"

"They take delight in our misfortunes now, but there will be a time when they’re the ones crying."

With the shortage of grain, the Grassland Tribes shouldn’t expect to be able to buy any; when the time comes, they will truly be the ones crying.

"This year’s abnormal weather has led to a reduction in grain production, coupled with the floods, our country will face grain shortages. The Grassland Tribes, for their ambitions and survival, will make the inevitable war even more brutal."

The changes in the global environment impact the overall situation. He had already sent people to inquire with merchants from various countries; several nearby countries with good grain production have all seen their yields reduced to some extent due to the weather, only varying in degree.

Zhulan asked, "The south lacks medicine, and the war also needs healing medicine for saving lives. Have you thought of any solutions?"

Zhou Shuren’s facial creases deepened, "Now all the medicine merchants have raised their prices and purchasing medicinal materials requires a significant amount of Silver Coin. The national treasury is being very careful with its Silver, and we really can’t afford to spend too much. Currently, the discussed solution is to reallocate medicinal materials from other provinces."

Zhulan said, "This year we won’t sell any of our family’s grain reserves."

"Alright, if there’s indeed a need, our family will donate a batch of grain."

"Good."

In the face of major issues, neither of them was one to fret over Silver.

In Qiizhou Province, Chang Lian returned home late, saw the light in the house, and said, "I told you no need to wait for me, why haven’t you gone to sleep yet?"

Lady Dong stood up to help her husband change out of his official robes, "I can’t settle down unless you’re home."

Since her husband’s legs and feet were not convenient, she always feared inadvertently causing secondary harm. Her heart had been anxious ever since her husband went to the government office.

Chang Lian’s stomach grumbled, and Lady Dong asked with concern, "Haven’t you eaten?"

"Mmm, the Magistrate didn’t eat, so none of us did."

Lady Dong said, "I had the kitchen make chicken soup for you. It’s just right to have with some noodles. You should eat up before resting."

Chang Lian smiled, "To still be able to eat chicken now, my wife really knows how to manage our life."

"My habit of stockpiling things was learned from my mother!"

Chang Lian thought about the medicinal supplies in his own home and, feeling guilty, he touched his nose. His wife had stockpiled quite a bit of medicinal materials, and each year his parents would also send some over; there was truly no shortage of medicinal materials in his home. He had secretly tipped off the Magistrate.

The Magistrate was an upright official and mentioned that he couldn’t accept too many medicinal materials. He wanted to give some less valuable ones to the Magistrate privately, and as expected, the Magistrate declined and told him not to worry.

If it was someone else who had said this, he would think over it carefully. But he trusted what the Magistrate said.

As a result, he donated a large amount of medicinal materials, leaving only what was needed at home. Even so, the medicinal materials he donated did not garner much attention.

Chang Lian never wanted to stand out, staying in the middle was just fine.

The next day at Zhou’s residence, Zhulan received a letter from Ming Rui and said to Qing Xue, "He has finally started the journey back to the capital."

Qing Xue smiled, "Lady Gu, the wife of Sir Liu, must be terribly happy."

Zhulan laughed out loud, "Indeed."

Lady Gu had been visiting very often these days, deeply worried for her son.

Zhulan put away the letter, now only their son had yet to return home.

It wasn’t long before Lady Zhao came in with a smile, "Mother, Ming Rui has started his journey home."

"Now you can rest easy."

"Yes, Mother. I am considering arranging Yu Die’s betrothal after Ming Rui’s return, what do you think?"

Zhulan replied, "Of course, it will be perfect timing for Ming Rui to personally assess Young Master Liu."

Lady Zhao felt sympathy for her future son-in-law; she knew her son’s temperament all too well. Once back, he would certainly target Liu Yuanbo where it hurt most.

Lady Zhao then said, "I’ll have my husband speak to Sir Liu about it."

She was embarrassed to discuss it with Lady Gu, unable to bring herself to speak, despite the care Lady Gu had shown her during her illness.

Two days later, Wen Erye was stripped of his official title, and the Wen family finally quieted down.

Upon hearing the news, Zhulan thought that the Emperor had trimmed the Wen family down enough, and it was unlikely he would touch them again soon. The Zhou family would also need to keep a low profile as a result.

Zhulan thought of Ming Rui’s contributions. Saving the Emperor was no small feat, and the gold mine only drew more attention. With the Wen family quieted down, her grandson was implicated!

In the Palace, the Emperor with hands behind his back, asked, "Are you sure you want nothing at all, my faithful minister?"

Zhou Shuren replied, "Yes. Your Majesty would have thought to continue mining anyway; I dare not claim credit."

The Emperor laughed, "I thought you might want some gold."

Zhou Shuren bowed his head, "I love wealth but only take what I am entitled to. I would not covet that which does not belong to me."

The Emperor wasn’t testing Zhou Shuren; he genuinely wanted to reward him, yet Zhou Shuren directly refused. "If all my subjects were like Shuren, I could truly rest easy," said the Emperor.

Zhou Shuren sneered inwardly, knowing that if everyone were like him, the Emperor would only grow more suspicious and paranoid.

The Emperor gestured, "Rise, Shuren."

Zhou Shuren was also reluctant to kneel; the older he got, the less he knelt, as it was uncomfortable for his knees, "Yes."

Playing with a String of Pearls, the Emperor said, "Your grandson is still a commoner, and his merits will be attributed to your son."

Zhou Shuren cursed the Wen family’s ancestors in his mind. If the second wife of the Wen family had not stirred up trouble, the Emperor would have waited for the Crown Prince to return to the capital instead of dealing decisively with her.

Now that the second wife of the Wen family had lost her official status, there was no chance for their future rise. The Emperor had been severe this time, and the Wen family, hurt to the bone, was subdued, making the Zhou and Shangguan families noticeable by contrast.

Thinking of it made Zhou Shuren angry. The great honors had to be sacrificed painfully. He knelt again, "Ming Rui’s protection of the Crown Prince was his duty. The gold mine would not have been excavated without the Emperor’s decree; Ming Rui wouldn’t dare claim merit for discovering an empty mine."

The Emperor’s gaze was profound, "Are you speaking truthfully?"

Zhou Shuren raised his hand to swear, "I speak nothing but the truth."

His words were sincere, though his heart ached.

The Emperor said softly, "You know that your second son’s official career is limited. This is an opportunity. Missing it may mean no more chances in the future."

Zhou Shuren had already analyzed this with his son, who was nearly hateful of the second Wen household. Silently preaching to himself that adversity brings blessings, Zhou family had to be more inconspicuous now that Wen family had been humbled, "I understand. However, my son is spirited, and he will earn his opportunities through his own abilities."

The Emperor personally helped Zhou Shuren to his feet, "I am clear on your thoughts, my dear subject."

Zhou Shuren cursed the Wen family inwardly but had to keep a smile on his face; it was an unbearable burden!

After Zhou Shuren left, the Emperor rose to meet with his father.

The Retired Emperor smiled, "Zhou Shuren deeply understands the way of balance. This is good, the Zhou family will be a sharp sword in Your Majesty’s hands."

The Emperor also smiled, "Zhou Shuren must be in agony."

The Retired Emperor laughed heartily, "Indeed, I wonder how he curses the Wen family in his heart!"