Chapter 590: Conferment (1)

Editor: Atlas Studios

When the Harvest Grain Store laid out the corn seeds for sale, the price was only 12 copper coins. Those who could afford it would buy it with money; those who could not afford it would owe it on credit and sign a contract with the

Harvest Grain Store.

However, to buy seeds, one had to show their title deed and household registration. They were only allowed to buy a certain quantity of seeds according to the amount of land stated on their title deed. Each family were only allowed to buy seeds for land up to 20 acres.

Large households were still prevalent in the countryside. For generations, they lived together and did not split up. However, in order to buy seeds, many households began to split up and become small households before going to buy seeds with their household registration and title deed.

When operations in her grain store in Lin’an City smoothed out and the system was gradually perfected, Mu Yangling got people to open branches in Shaoxing Prefecture, Longxing Prefecture, and other places. She was practically opening one grain store in each prefecture. After the first trade caravan arrived, Mu Yangling1 s trade caravan would return to the city once every three days. Every time, they would transport no less than 15 carts of grain seeds back.

Even Mu Yangling could not help but click her tongue. “How many seeds has

Big Brother accumulated?”

Qi Haoran said proudly, “This was prepared last year and was just waiting to be used after we conquered Great Zhou. Originally, we wanted to let the Imperial Court distribute the grain seeds, but there were too many drawbacks. We were also afraid that those officials would collude with the gentry and deliberately destroy the seeds. Anyway, since you were going to open a grain store, might as well let you pick up this bargain.”

Mu Yangling snorted and said, “I did pay for it, okay?”

Qi Haoran smacked his lips and said, “Not yet though.

Mu Yangling kicked him, and Qi Haoran quickly jumped away.

Mu Yangling had only paid two-thirds of the money for the seeds. The rest had to be saved for emergencies, so she could only owe the remaining amount on credit temporarily.

“Is Madam Mu planning to plant corn all over the south of the Yangtze River? An old gentleman said angrily, “Corn is just foreign coarse grain. How can it compare to wheat and rice? General, you’re really muddle-headed!”

His words sounded dignified, but everyone knew that they were only furious because Mu Yangling had infringed on their interests.

It was true that corn could not replace wheat and rice, but in this chaotic world, it could temporarily help the people tide through difficult times.

When the other grain merchants saw that Mu Yangling wanted to open grain stores all over the country, they had no choice but to lower the price of corn seeds. At the same time, everyone understood that Mu Yangling could not take out so many seeds alone. At the end of the day, she could only do this on such a scale because of Qi Xiuyuan’s support.

Amidst this bustle, the summer harvest in Jiangnan ended and it was time for

Qi Xiuyuan to officially ascend the throne.

On the 18th of June, Qi Xiuyuan officially issued an edict announcing that the state title was Great Qi, and the era name was Taikang. This year was the first year of Taikang. He ordered the various governments to appease the refugees and settle them down locally. If there were too many refugees, they could migrate and be settled down elsewhere. He also issued an edict to grant tax exemption for three years.

After Qi Xiuyuan ascended the throne, what he had to do next was to confer titles based on meritorious service.

Qi Haoran was conferred the title of Prince Rong, while Rong Xuan and Fan Zijin were respectively conferred the titles of “Duke of Defense” and “Duke of Peaceful State”. Even Mu Shi was conferred the title of Grade 2 General.

The civil officials had many opinions about the conferment. They could overlook the conferment of Qi Haoran and Rong Xuan, but how was Fan Zijin deserving of the title?

However, the generals were very satisfied and had no objections to Fan Zijin s conferment. Qi Xiuyuan directly picked one of the generals to answer the civil officials’ question.

The general looked at them with disdain and said, “The Qi family army’s military salary and rations were all provided by the Duke of Peaceful State. Not to mention a duke, he is even deserving of the title of a Prince.”

Shocked, the civil officials all turned to look at Fan Siwen.

Completely oblivious to this, Fan Siwen felt bitter. He had always looked down on his son’s role as a merchant, so he had never bothered with his matters. In addition, Fan Zijin always went elsewhere to deal with his business matters and was often not at home. How could Fan Siwen know that his son had done such a great thing in private?

It was inevitable that the general’s words would offend the Emperor. Unexpectedly, Qi Xiuyuan nodded and said, “Zijin can indeed be appointed to a higher rank. But since the new dynasty has just been established, there are many opportunities for you people to make contributions.”

In other words, Qi Xiuyuan was deliberately suppressing Fan Zijin’s contributions so that he could be conferred a higher title when he made further contributions in the future. Wasn’t this the same as Qi Haoran’s situation?

This meant that Fan Zijin would at least become a Prince in the future, and Qi Haoran would undoubtedly be a King.

This made the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs regret his decision to reject Fan Zijin’s marriage proposal previously.

After conferring the meritorious officials, it was time for the Emperor to confer his relatives. At this moment, the ministers and their families stared at the Emperor excitedly.

At present, Madam Wu and her two sons were still living in the Qi Residence. Since the Emperor had yet to reveal the intention to confer any title to Qi Shaosheng and Qi Shaotai, everyone was eager to see the Emperor’s attitude towards them.

Madam Wu and the others’ hearts skipped a beat. This conferment would affect their future status, so they had to take it seriously.

Even Little Madam Wu, who had never interacted much with Mu Yangling, recently often came to visit her, wanting to get some information from her and Qi Haoran.

Mu Yangling was a little annoyed, but she couldn’t flare up. She could only say that she didn’t know.

However, Little Madam Wu did not believe it, for it was no secret that Qi Haoran doted on Mu Yangling, and the Emperor in turn favored Qi Haoran the most.

It would be strange if Mu Yangling didn’t know. Therefore, Little Madam Wu came to report every morning on time.

Today was no exception. Mu Yangling had just walked to the entrance of the courtyard with Little Bear’s hand in hers when she bumped into Little Madam Wu.

Before Little Madam Wu could speak, Mu Yangling said, “Third Sister-in-law, did you come over to play? What a coincidence. I’ m going out with Little Bear, so I can’t entertain you.”

Not at all embarrassed, Little Madam Wu asked with a smile, “Where are you guys planning to go? I’ll come along so that I can help you take care of Little Bear on the way.”

Mu Yangling refused. “Thank you, Third Sister-in-law, but we’re going to the palace to visit Sister-in-law. If you want to go with me, you have to hand over a token and put in a request to see her first.”

Little Madam Wu’s expression couldn’t help but stiffen. Seeing that Mu Yangling was about to leave with the child, she quickly went forward and held her hand. “Sister-in-law, I haven’t seen Eldest Sister-in-law in a long time. Why don’t I go to the palace with you to visit her?”

“You’ve already submitted a request?”

“Why go to such trouble when we’re sisters-in-law? Besides, didn t Eldest Sister-in-law give you a token? We can save a lot of effort by going in with your token.”

Feeling impatient, Mu Yangling stopped in her tracks. “Third Sister-in-law, I can only use that token myself. I can’t bring anyone in. Although we’re sisters- in-law, Eldest Sister-in-law’s status is different now since she’ll be conferred the title of Empress soon. The royal family has strict rules and is most particular about such things, so I’m sorry, but I can’t bring you in.” Little Madam Wu’s face was a little ashen, for she did not expect Mu Yangling to be so straightforward. Just as she was about to leave in anger, Mu Yangling added, “Third Sister-in-law, I know you’re here to find out some things, but I really don’t know. Fourth Master never spoke to me about this, and I’m unwilling to ask him. Therefore, if you’re here to ask about the conferment, you don’t have to look for me anymore. I don’t have the news you want.’

Little Madam Wu looked at her with a dark expression. “Madam Mu, aren’t you afraid that others will say that you’re heartless? We’re family after all. Why aren’t you willing to help with such a small matter?”

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