Chapter 1386 - 1305: Visiting and Offering Comfort

The next day, Fu Tinghan did not go to the fields. Princess Hongnong had already gotten the answer she wanted, and did not come either. However, Ji Yuan, Ming Yu, Zhao Ming, Xun Fan, and other ministers were summoned.

A group of elderly ministers followed Zhao Hanzhang, plowing, weeding, setting rows, sowing seeds, fertilizing, and then covering the soil.

Zhao Hanzhang yoked an ox and plowed herself. After finishing, she patted the panting ox and then switched to another ox to set the rows. Ji Yuan and the others followed behind to weed, loosen the soil, sow seeds, and fertilize.

Even those with high status like Zhao Ming and Xun Fan knew how to farm, let alone Ji Yuan and Ming Yu.

Officials from the previous dynasty might not have been familiar with farming, but nearly all officials of this dynasty have done it, especially with Zhao Hanzhang’s annual focus on agriculture.

As officials of the court, they naturally hoped for the prosperity of the country and the people.

Zhao Hanzhang finished setting the rows and looked back to see that she had plowed fifteen rows ahead of them.

She untied the rope, patted the ox on the back, letting it graze, and swaggered over to talk to them.

"Zhao Qing, how does your family usually set the rows?"

While placing the wheat seeds, Zhao Ming replied, "Similarly, but before switching to the improved plow, we needed someone to lead the ox from the front. It’s hard to control the ox and plow by oneself."

Zhao Hanzhang: "So the improved plow can at least replace one laborer. Do tenant farmers also plow like this?"

Zhao Ming, not an official detached from reality, shook his head and said, "They mostly use human power to pull the plow. Generally, plowing and setting rows require three laborers, and they are far less enduring than working oxen."

Ji Yuan and others nodded in agreement.

Zhao Hanzhang: "So an ox can replace at least two laborers."

"Now, the population is small. Even if a child is born, it takes at least sixteen years for them to grow up to be able to plow, while it takes only three years for an ox to be ready for plowing."

The ministers: "..."

Ji Yuan: "The cattle and horse farms under Your Majesty’s name are unwilling to hand over to the state treasury..."

"How many cattle and horses can those few farms produce?" Zhao Hanzhang interrupted him, "The world is so vast, and the people are so scattered. It is impossible to rely on ranches to supply the people with oxen they need."

Xun Fan pondered with lowered eyes, buried the wheat seeds with his foot, and said, "The people are family-centric, next comes clans, then villages, and only then to the county government. To quickly popularize oxen, arrangements should be made at the county and below."

"Indeed," Zhao Hanzhang praised: "Grand Tutor Xun sees it clearly. The few cattle and horse farms under my name, the annual de-barned cattle, mules, and horses, scattered out, is just a drop in the ocean. The propagation speed has been extremely slow for so many years, so we have taken the wrong path."

Ji Yuan: "Your Majesty wants to encourage the people to raise their own cattle?"

Zhao Hanzhang nodded.

Zhao Ming: "But the people are poor, how can they afford to raise cattle and horses?"

"Therefore, I intend to establish cattle banks in each county as an industry belonging to the court." Zhao Hanzhang said, "Cattle banks not only buy and sell cattle but also offer credit and leasing. I’ve looked over the accounts, relying solely on the large cattle farms is too slow. I have decided to open the cattle market, and the court will subsidize legitimate dealers who trade in working cattle and mules."

Zhao Ming perceptively asked: "What is considered legitimate?"

Zhao Hanzhang: "Naturally, when the sale price of working cattle falls within the range set by the court."

Zhao Hanzhang spent a day planting a plot of wheat with the ministers and confirmed a new policy for the cattle market, to be announced after the holidays.

The next day, Zhao Hanzhang, along with Mrs. Wang and Chen Si Niang, first went to Yushan Hall, bringing warmth to the children by the field’s edge. Zhao Hanzhang also went down to the fields to harvest rice with them, encouraging them to study hard and live diligently, to serve the country and realize their aspirations and ambitions when they grow up.

They even had lunch with the children, which they made themselves. Mrs. Wang personally rolled the dough, mixed the filling, and made dumplings with them.

The children ate dumplings personally made by the Empress Dowager of the current dynasty, and the officials of Yushan Hall were so elated they nearly fainted.

Chen Si Niang, the national director of Yushan Hall, specifically introduced Wang Hufeng to the officials.

Although Zhao Hanzhang did not explicitly state it, Chen Si Niang, being her confidant, had realized that in the future, Yushan Hall will be jointly managed by the court and the Imperial Family.

The Imperial Family’s portion will be handed over to the inner court, which means it will be managed by the Empress Dowager, and under the Empress Dowager will be Wang Hufeng.

The Empress Dowager’s management is quite casual, meaning that she would be partnering with Wang Hufeng in the future, representing the court, while Wang Hufeng represents the inner court.

With the Empress Dowager handling charitable affairs, it is far better than the court or Zhao Hanzhang taking the lead.

After inspections, Mrs. Wang was deeply moved, her fingers flying as she deftly pinched dumplings, filling up a tray quickly. When leaving, she was reluctant to part with the children.

The children were also reluctant, standing at the gate of Yushan Hall, waving vigorously to her and Zhao Hanzhang, constantly calling "Madam, Madam..."

They liked Zhao Hanzhang very much, admiring and respecting her, but felt closer to Mrs. Wang.

Only when they were far away did Mrs. Wang retract her gaze, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, "Whenever there are festivals or disasters, I always let Qing Gu deliver things. I thought their days had improved, yet they’re still so impoverished. Many children don’t even have a pair of cloth shoes, only straw sandals."

Zhao Hanzhang reached out, held her hand, patted it without saying anything.

Mrs. Wang then said, "I should bring people to make shoes for them, and also send them some fabric. I noticed their clothes are quite thin, and with winter approaching, we need to prepare some winter clothing."

Zhao Hanzhang agreed.

In the afternoon, they visited the rural areas around Luoyang.

This time, Zhao Hanzhang’s trip wasn’t for inspection, but to showcase the Empress Dowager’s majesty, so they notified in advance.

Upon arrival, not only did the village chiefs bring a large crowd of people, but County Magistrate Zhao Zheng was also present.

Zhao Hanzhang personally supported Mrs. Wang out of the carriage. The mother and daughter jointly visited and expressed their regards to the widowed elderly and disabled retired soldiers in several nearby villages.

After they left, the eyes of the elderly and adults were filled with excitement and admiration, "To have a daughter like Zhao Hanzhang." Never has this nursery rhyme resonated so closely with their hearts.

So they turned to the girls in their families and said, "You must study hard, learn well. If you can learn just a fraction of Her Majesty’s skills in the future, you’ll bring glory to your ancestors, and your mother will also gain honor."

This event was recorded in the capital gazette and other major newspapers for spread. Local governments and scholars across the regions witnessed Zhao Hanzhang’s efforts in caring for the autumn harvest as an act of love for the people, and students in schools also used this to promote to the local people.

But at this moment, the brainwaves of the people successfully connected with Zhao Hanzhang’s.

They nodded in agreement with those officials and students while discussing privately, "The people living around the Capital City have such good lives. Not only can they see the emperor, but also the Empress Dowager."

"The Empress Dowager is truly blessed to have given birth to Her Majesty..." At this point in the conversation, they look at their own children, heart suddenly stirs, as if their daughter is slightly cleverer than their son. The teacher in school praises the daughter three times for every one time he praises the son.

If their daughter could become a high official in the future, could she also bring favor to her family like the emperor does?