Chapter 793: Must Inherit Its Virtue

Translator: Atlas Studios    Editor: Atlas Studios

It wasn’t appropriate for Lord Li to speak rashly. After his initial nervousness, he secretly glanced at King Yue Fei and began to ponder about the relationship between King Yue Fei and Princess Shaoyi. Suddenly, he thought of another rumor.

Princess Shaoyi received a remnant recipe for incense medicine that had been sent into the country from overseas. After research, it was made into a very powerful ointment to relieve her cousin Zhou Linghuai’s leg disease.

The ointment worked well and had a miraculous effect on blood circulation. Princess Shaoyi had also developed a Tianze Incense Pill. The two complemented each other and nourished one internally and externally, causing Zhou Linghuai’s leg disease to improve.

Cousin Zhou was on good terms with King Yue Fei. There was a divine doctor in front of King Yue Fei who was proficient in acupuncture. With three methods, he actually cured Zhou Linghuai’s leg.

After that, he used this method to treat King Yue Fei’s leg.

This was why King Yue Fei had asked the Imperial Court for credit for Princess Shaoyi.

After that, the matter of Princess Shaoyi planting sweet potatoes caused an uproar in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and her limelight even surpassed King Yue Fei’s.

When King Yue Fei did his patrols and inspected the various areas of the North, everyone finally realized that King Yue Fei’s leg had recovered, and the news spread.

However, it was also Princess Shaoyi’s credit that King Yue Fei’s leg could be cured. The person who was discussed the most outside was still Princess Shaoyi.

Not to mention whether King Yue Fei really admired Princess Shaoyi, there was no doubt that the two of them were very close.

Lord Li did not reply, and Yu Youyao did not care. “On my way here from Quanzhou, I passed by many prefectures and provinces. A large number of refugees surged in, causing frequent riots in many places. Although King Yue Fei set up a camp outside the city to accommodate the refugees who had fled from various places, all the matters of settling the refugees were handled by the government. Lord Li has contributed greatly.”

Lord Li hurriedly said, “This is my duty. I don’t dare to take credit.”

The government would only provide relief to the refugees under their rule. Those refugees who had fled were not under their responsibility, so of course they could be left alone.

He did not want to take in refugees either. There were so many people waiting to eat. Who could manage them?

However, King Yue Fei had spoken and even sent troops over to help the government suppress the refugees. Even the food for the refugees was provided by King Yue Fei. He had to manage it even if he did not want to.

“Lord Li indeed cares about the commoners.” Yu Youyao smiled and praised him. “In the current world, there are not many good officials like Lord Li who are dedicated to the people.”

Not only did Lord Li not feel happy to be praised, but he also felt even more terrified. He immediately did not even dare to say anything.

Yu Youyao flattered Lord Li a few times before cutting to the chase. “As far as I know, there are already 130,000 refugees outside the city. The number of refugees is still increasing day by day. We’re about to enter spring farming, but a large number of refugees don’t have farmland or work to do. They can’t fill their stomachs and support their families. King Yue Fei has used military supplies to help the refugees. There are millions of refugees in the entire North. I don’t think that we can withstand the consumption no matter how much food there is.”

This was also something that Lord Li was worried about. “Princess, you’re right. The number of refugees is increasing day by day. Once the food is exhausted and a large number of refugees gather outside the city, they will definitely cause trouble.”

There were too many people, and the government couldn’t suppress them.

He was not worried about the lives of the refugees, but he was worried about his own safety.

Yu Youyao had investigated Lord Li and knew that he was not a good official who was dedicated to the people. He had colluded with the four families and had done many dirty and lawless things.

However, this person was quite tactful. As long as it was beneficial, he could be controlled.

She continued to flatter Lord Li. “Lord Li is dedicated to the people. I don’t think he wants to see the tragic state of riots outside the city, starvation, and corpses for thousands of miles.”

What could Lord Li say? He could only suffer in silence. As he broke out in a cold sweat, he agreed.

If Princess Shaoyi had directly mentioned that she wanted to take a share of the loot, he could still be as fierce as a tiger. He could also be helpless. With snot and tears on his face, he could complain to Princess Shaoyi and do his best to fool her regarding this matter.

However, Princess Shaoyi directly flattered him, making him helpless.

Yu Youyao said, “Lord Li, you should know that I’m the daughter of an external minister, but I’ve received the emperor’s grace and was conferred the title of Princess Shaoyi. The word ‘Yi’ implies virtue from the heart. Since I’ve been conferred the title of ‘Yi’, I must inherit its virtue. Therefore, King Yue Fei wants to promote the planting of sweet potatoes in the North. I’ve been invited by King Yue Fei to come over and help. I hope that the sweet potatoes can ease the disaster in the North.”

This was also an excuse to the public.

She was the one who had succeeded in planting the sweet potatoes. Only she knew the details best. King Yue Fei wanted to plant sweet potatoes in the entire North to relieve the disaster in the North. It concerned thousands of people in the North, so anyone had to be careful.

It was reasonable to invite Princess Shaoyi over to help.

Princess Shaoyi had received the emperor’s grace and was willing to do her best for the Imperial Court. Therefore, it was only logical for her to travel all the way to the North.

After hearing this, Lord Li was already drenched in sweat. “Princess, you’re righteous.”

Why could the North still maintain the current stable situation?

It wasn’t all because King Yue Fei was powerful, but because sweet potatoes could let the refugees live.

Last year, because the sweet potatoes were officially planted for the first time, there were limited vines available for cutting. Therefore, the scale of planting was mostly concentrated in the Xiangping area.

The sweet potatoes in this county had alleviated the drought in the entire North and saved more than two million refugees. She deserved to be conferred the title of Princess Shaoyi by the Imperial Court.

(Note: In ancient times, a county was equivalent to a city in present times. China only issued the policy of changing a county to a city after the reform and opening up. Xiangping is the first county in Liaodong. It covers a large area and is equivalent to a provincial capital.)

Since the refugees had food, they naturally behaved themselves.

Sweet potatoes produced a high yield. They were drought-resistant and filled the stomach, making people hunger-resistant.

The importance of sweet potatoes to drought was obvious.

Princess Shaoyi had come to the North out of righteousness. She was not a Buddha at all. She was clearly a golden Buddha. How could the four families act rashly?

Even if he offended Princess Shaoyi, he had to ask the thousands of commoners in the North for their permission.

Yu Youyao chuckled. “After arriving at Liancheng, I found out that there were many forests and little farmland in the area. Even if there were sweet potatoes, there wasn’t enough farmland, so there is insufficient food production. This isn’t a long-term solution. I think Lord Li is also in a difficult position.”

Lord Li did not want to speak, but he had no choice. “Princess, you’re right.”

Yin Huaixi’s lips curled up slightly, feeling that it was very interesting.

As soon as Lord Li walked into the house, he was completely led by the nose by her. He was helpless and fell into a passive position from the beginning. He could only be controlled.

Yu Youyao did not comment. “I have an idea. I wonder if Lord Li is willing to listen to me?”

Lord Li did not want to hear it, but he had to. The corners of his mouth twitched dryly, and his smile looked uglier than if he had been crying. “Princess, please, please speak.”