Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 363 The Cost of Showing Off_1

Chapter 363: Chapter 363 The Cost of Showing Off_1

Lizhou Province, Zhulan had finished writing her reply, she wasn’t in a hurry to find a fast horse to send it back, planning to prepare some food and necessities to send back together.

In the past month, the family had often been purchasing items. Lizhou City, being close to the border, had seen fewer foreign merchants since the recent battle, but there were still some—ahem—just not many who were willing to come since Lizhou City was too poor.

Zhulan had purchased a good amount of food such as dried fruits and dates in Chuanzhou Province, but because the quality of furs was not good this month, she had refrained from buying them.

Zhulan called Liu Ya to summon Steward Ding, handing over the letter to him, "Also pack up some dried fruits and dates for the Armed Escort Agency to deliver."

Steward Ding, taking the letter, asked, "Does the lady have any other instructions?"

Zhulan took out the list she had written, her heart aching at the large sum of Silver Coin, "Certainly, take the young servants Dong Zhi and Xiao Han to Chuanzhou to buy tea sets, bowls, dishes and some flowers according to this list."

Steward Ding glanced at the list, noting the not inconsiderable number of items to purchase, "After I send off the letter, I will depart with Dong Zhi and Xiao Han."

"Mhm."

Steward Ding, with the letter in hand, left the courtyard. Despite being busier than before, he didn’t feel tired at all. Who could have imagined that he, once a steward in a Graduate’s family, would leap to become the steward of a prefect’s household? When he had been sold, he had despaired, thinking he would end up in a merchant’s house and be forced to grovel for life. Yet unexpectedly, fortune had found him just around the corner.

The brokers who once scolded him were now respectfully addressing him as "Mr. Ding" and even apologizing for earlier offences.

It was a pity that their flattery was useless. Recalling how the broker’s master personally visited, Ding thought it served them right to harbor ulterior motives. After all, the lord really cared for the lady of the house. He quickly realized that in this household, the lady’s words were even more effective than the lord’s!

In the capital, Zhou Shuren’s official report had also reached the Emperor’s hands, not alone but accompanied by even more detailed reports from Spies.

The Emperor lay leisurely on a heated brick bed, first reading through Zhou Shuren’s report.

Zhou Shuren’s report was entirely to the point, starting with how much Silver had been spent on the journey, how much grain and seeds had been bought, what had been done upon arriving in Lizhou, from distributing the initial batch of grain to fixing roads and digging ponds, and then writing about agriculture, including the distribution of chickens and pigs. The most ink was spent on discussing the apple trees, outlining the plan to create Apple Town.

After reading Zhou’s report, the Emperor picked up the Spy’s report, which ignored the initial flattery to focus on the essentials, and provided a more detailed account. It not only detailed what Zhou Shuren had done and included the accounts but also Zhou’s itinerary, describing precisely where he had gone and who he had met.

The hefty report was all about Zhou Shuren.

After comparing both reports, the Emperor tossed them to the Crown Prince, "Take a look, our Mr. Zhou has not only stabilized Lizhou City but also plans to make it a prosperous state!"

He was truly looking forward to it; indeed, he could start anticipating the future tax revenues from Lizhou City, happy about his good judgment. Out of so many people, he had his eye on Zhou Shuren alone.

Having perused everything, the Crown Prince noticed the key point, "Father, was it not Mr. Zhou’s wife who first planted the fruit trees?"

The Emperor beamed, "Don’t underestimate women. Our Mr. Zhou’s wife is quite adept at handling Silver. Those three residences in Pinggang were purchased by Mr. Zhou’s wife for 1,800 taels, and now their value has more than quadrupled. Son, let me tell you, never underestimate any woman. Even I am afraid when your mother gets fierce."

Just thinking about those residences now his, the Emperor felt immensely satisfied, having for the first time rewarded residences that brought in a return in Silver!

The Crown Prince, "...."

Was this the same person his wise and virtuous mother spoke of? His mother was clearly a gentle and loving person!

With an expression that said ’my son, you wouldn’t understand’, the Emperor continued, remembering how he’d skirted along the walls when the Queen got angry, "Alright, revise Mr. Zhou’s report as you know how to."

The Crown Prince nodded, understanding. The Emperor despised reports filled with superfluous words. After repeatedly asking for conciseness, and instead getting more verbosity, the Emperor could grit his teeth with annoyance. Naturally, he hoped the ministers would feel the same pain. Whenever it was time to read reports from the localities, the Emperor couldn’t help but add his own surplus of words. According to the Emperor’s reasoning, if the ministers didn’t listen, then let them all suffer a bit. After all, the Emperor sat while the ministers stood to listen!

The Crown Prince thought to himself that he, too, stood while listening. He mentally noted the ministers’ tendency for wordiness and also reflected on the joy Zhou’s reports brought him. It was not only the Emperor who favored Zhou; he too was quite fond of him.

In Lizhou City, Zhou Shuren came home for the first time in a while still before daybreak, with dinner not even prepared yet.

Zhulan waited for Zhou to change into regular clothes and then shared the contents of the letter. Zhou grunted in acknowledgment and then said no more.

Zhulan knew it would be like this, noticing Zhou’s furrowed brow, "Are you facing some difficulties?"

Zhou Shuren, motioning Zhulan to sit down, replied, "Not exactly difficulties, it’s just that when you mentioned Mingyun and Rongchuan, I remembered the Academy. There are still Graduates and Scholars in Lizhou City, it’s just that people are struggling even to eat, who has Silver to spare for studying? Some scholarly families, even if they get back on their feet, it would take years, and the students’ education would be delayed."

If next year only a few people pass the Scholar or Graduate exams, Lizhou will become renowned for that as well.

Zhulan, "So you want to start an Academy?"

Zhou Shuren shook his head, "No, the Prefecture City has official schools, it’s just that the Lizhou City school currently has but a few students. I am thinking of allocating ink, paper, and Silver from the government office, recruiting some literate young men who have not yet passed the Scholar exams and other students to copy books."

Zhulan could see there was more to it than concern for the students, "The books you’re thinking of copying are rare finds in the market, aren’t they?"

Zhou Shuren, with a gleam in his eye, felt understood by Zhulan, "Exactly, I was telling you, our Deputy Magistrate Mr. Chen comes from a family with deep scholarly roots, and they have quite a few rare books at home. You see, the rarer the book, the higher the price. Once the copying is done, we could have them sold in bookshops in different Prefecture Cities. The Silver earned, after deducting expenses for ink, paper, and labor, could all be used for the students’ education, such as subsidizing their stationary supplies, and yes, even the expenses for food, accommodation, and travel during exams. It’s a win-win!"

Zhulan mused that Zhou Shuren must have been planning this for a while, "It’s impressive that you still remember Mr. Chen’s library amidst your busy schedule."

Zhou Shuren, "Who let him brag about which books he’s read sporadically, as if putting me beneath him in his studies soothes his ego? I’ve maintained a smile for many days now, but I’ve finally found an opportunity to turn the tables on him. What do you think of this idea?"

Zhulan, "...It’s good, but how will you persuade Mr. Chen to part with his books?"