Chapter 524: Gao Yiye Arrived
Get a glimpse of "The Great Ming in the Box" Chapter 519: With the eminent monks of Pujiao Temple guaranteeing the deals, Zhao Sheng’s work became far... Continue the adventure now!
With the eminent monks of Pujiao Temple guaranteeing the deals, Zhao Sheng’s work became far easier. Before many days had passed, numerous cotton farmers had signed contracts with him.Then, a vigorous “New Agriculture Movement” commenced.
They improved the soil, conducted winter plowing, winter irrigation, and applied winter fertilizers.
The rural areas west of Puzhou City were all scenes of joyous vigor.
Regrettably, the villages to the east were another matter.
The Deity’s sight had not yet expanded to that side; it remained entirely without rain.
The cotton farmers in the east, observing the situation west of the city, felt inwardly devastated. However, unknown to them, after the cotton farmers of western Puzhou were saved, countless tiny points of light rose from them, slowly infusing the box. Thus, the box’s vision gradually began to widen.
Before long, the east also fell within Li Daoxuan’s sight.
Four Sea Dragon Kings, come!
In this way, all of Puzhou began to receive the Deity’s boon. Rain came, the land flourished with vitality, and the cotton farmers roused their utmost diligence, preparing feverishly.
It was at that moment…
A grand war vessel from Gaojia Village docked at Yongji Ferry Dock. Clad in white garments adorned with red decorative bands and bedecked with various jewels, appearing dignified and luxurious, Gao Yiye leaped down from the ship and set foot upon the soil of Shanxi.
Accompanying her ashore were the two young ladies, Qiu Ju and Dong Xue, who served as her private secretaries, as well as Zheng Gouzi, her bodyguard.
The moment the group stepped off the ship, Ground Rabbit sprang forth with a flash, roaring with laughter, “Gouzi! Gouzi! You’re finally here. Felt like something was missing without you.”
Zheng Gouzi replied irritably, “First, greet the Saint Lady!”
“Aiya, no need for such formality,” giggled Gao Yiye. “I’m not one for strict ceremony.”
Ground Rabbit retorted, “See there, Gouzi? The Saint Lady herself doesn’t care!”
Zheng Gouzi then chuckled as well.
Ground Rabbit asked, “So, what brings the Saint Lady to Shanxi this time?”
Gao Yiye pouted her small mouth slightly. “The Deity said that Puzhou City is rich in cotton, a renowned cotton-producing region of the Central Plains. We need to firmly grasp the cotton resources here, establish large-scale cotton cultivation bases, and relocate the accompanying textile industry here too.”
Ground Rabbit exclaimed, “Eh? But Gaojia Village never lacks cotton! The cotton in the village treasury — you can just keep taking it and it never runs out!”
Hearing “village treasury” and “taking” mentioned, Gao Yiye flushed slightly red! The Deity had always known she was secretly taking cotton from the treasury. And as the management of village resources became stricter, every item moving in and out was tracked in increasing detail; both Thirty-Two and Tan Liwen had discovered her little cotton raids.
But knowing was one thing — no one blamed her.
Thirty-Two would quietly report to the Deity the quantities of cotton missing, and the Deity would secretly grant a little extra to cover what Gao Yiye had taken, ensuring the treasury’s accounts balanced.
Everyone conspired to dote on her!
This did cause her a mild blush of embarrassment.
Standing behind her, however, Qiu Ju’s willow-thin eyebrows arched sharply as she scolded Ground Rabbit: “The cotton in the village treasury is all granted by the Deity! Relying long-term on cotton bestowed from him for our textile industry is deeply unhealthy. The Deity said we must achieve self-sufficiency in cotton going forward, to spare him the trouble of having to move it down from the heavens. That’s why Puzhou is so vital.”
Ground Rabbit stuck out his tongue. “Ah, I see! So that’s why the Saint Lady is coming — for cotton farming and textiles?”
Gao Yiye laughed. “Not me doing it — I don’t know anything about that. It’s Qiu Ju who’s in charge. I’m just accompanying her this time.”
Among the four secretaries purchased back in Chengcheng County — Chunhong was now at the Gaojia Village fabric shop, organizing support for the women jointly running the shop and managing the various enterprises the women had developed.
Xiayu was in Chengcheng County town, organizing the women in Chengcheng embroidery work, using exquisite embroidery art to profit from the wealthy nobles of Xi’an.
Now Qiu Ju, too, was stepping out to manage a major enterprise.
Gao Yiye had long since become friends with all four secretaries. How could she not come to show support when Qiu Ju was venturing out to manage important business?
Zheng Gouzi grinned at Ground Rabbit. “Since the Saint Lady has arrived, you should return to duty as her guard. Come, come, let’s stick together again, brothers.”
Ground Rabbit gave a hearty laugh and stood beside Zheng Gouzi. The two men positioned themselves one step behind Gao Yiye, one on her left, one on her right, assuming their protective roles.
Thus, Gao Yiye walked ahead, followed by the two young secretaries like maids, trailed by a hundred fully armed guardsmen. The sight they made walking along the street was even more intimidating than Zhao Sheng’s entourage.
When people saw Zhao Sheng, they thought he was a wealthy lord from the countryside; he rode in a soft sedan chair, which only fit the stature of a rural squire.
But seeing Gao Yiye’s imposing formation, one would instinctively feel she was a wife of a high-ranking official far beyond the level of any local landlord or petty official.
When she arrived at Puzhou City with her large retinue, Governor Qiu Qianfan was startled. As a subordinate reported the arrival of this woman, Qiu Qianfan rushed out from the governor’s office. He hid himself at a distance to observe, then watched in utter confusion: “Who is this woman? From where did she suddenly appear? That useless follower of Xing Honglang… what’s the one called Rabbit?… why is he acting as her guard? After Xing Honglang accepted imperial amnesty, he’s considered a military officer for the court! How utterly inappropriate for him to be guarding a woman!”
His subordinate murmured cautiously, “If she’s the wife of a superior official far above, that explains it… Judging by the scale of her arrival, she must command the status of at least a second-rank errand, no — a first-rank imperial errand…”
Qiu Qianfan pondered deeply. Wasn’t that precisely so? Could she be anything other than a holder of a prestigious imperial honor?
He hastily straightened his official garments and emerged from his hiding spot to approach Gao Yiye. “Ah, honored Mistress, greetings! I am Qiu Qianfan, Governor of Puzhou. Dare I inquire, you are…?”
Gao Yiye smiled gently. “This little girl is of the Li clan, from Longxi.”
“Li clan of Longxi?”
The four words momentarily stunned Qiu Qianfan. Impossible? Could it be that Li family? Were there still descendants of that house? Couldn’t be! Yet observing her imposing display… it suggested otherwise.
He cast a look at Ground Rabbit, seeking explanation.
Ground Rabbit grinned. “The Li clan does long-term business with our Boss Xing… ah, pardon me, General Xing. They are our vital business partner in Shaanxi. She’s traveling to Puzhou to relax, take some leisure, and incidentally conduct some business. General Xing thus ordered me to accompany her.”
Qiu Qianfan showed sudden understanding. “Ah, so that’s it.”
Ground Rabbit continued: “Didn’t you, Honored Governor, urge our General Xing to establish various workshops, conduct more business, and hire more displaced folk? All these tasks now rest on the capable shoulders of the Shaanxi Li clan.”
Qiu Qianfan now fully grasped it: All along, the god of wealth himself had arrived.