From cute to empress

Chapter 248 The Dawn of Agricultural Innovation

There was a commotion outside the palace gate, and I knew he was back...

I practically ran out, and from afar I saw that familiar figure, tall and straight, as reliable as ever. He was riding atop a tall horse, a look of triumph on his face, and in his hand, tightly clutched a jade pendant. It was... the token of love I had given him.

"What a talent!" I couldn't contain my excitement and shouted out loud.

Hearing my voice, he jerked his head up, our eyes meeting, the joy in his eyes nearly overflowing. He dismounted, strode quickly to my front, knelt on one knee, and held the jade pendant high in his hands.

"You are a talented minister. I have fulfilled my mission and returned triumphantly!"

His voice was loud and resolute, echoing throughout the palace. Looking at him, I couldn't help but feel tears welling up in my eyes. During this time, he had traveled to the frontier to quell the war for the sake of his country and the people. The hardships he had endured were unimaginable.

I reached out to help him up, held his hand tightly, felt the warmth of his palm, and my heart was filled with joy and peace of mind.

"You've worked hard, it's good to be back."

He shook his head and looked at me affectionately. "It is my honor to serve Your Majesty and Daxia."

That evening, the palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, and there was singing and dancing. A grand celebration banquet was held in Zhen Youcai's honor. Civil and military officials gathered together to celebrate this historic moment.

I sat high on the dragon throne, looking at the high-spirited Zhen Youcai below the stage, my heart filled with pride and honor. He is not only my lover, but also a hero of Daxia.

"My dear ministers," I raised my glass and looked around, "Today, let us raise our glasses together to toast General Zhen's triumphant return and the prosperity of Daxia. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" everyone shouted in unison and drank it all in one gulp.

After the banquet, I asked Zhen Youcai to stay. The moonlight shone through the window lattice, casting a faint glow on our embrace.

"Youcai," I snuggled in his arms and asked softly, "Are you still leaving now that you're back?"

He stroked my long hair and said softly, "This border pacification took quite a while, and it worried you. Now that the war has subsided, I will naturally stay by your side and never leave you again."

My heart warmed and I hugged him tightly.

"Your Majesty, General Zhen," said Tian Laonong and a man in a green shirt, walking in and breaking the silence, "I have something to report."

I looked up and recognized that the man in blue was the doctor of agronomy who had been recommended to me before. I couldn't help but feel curious.

"Old Farmer Tian, ​​you came here so late at night, but what's the important matter?"

Tian Laonong smiled and said, "Your Majesty, this old man and this doctor of agronomy would like to report to Your Majesty and the General on the latest progress of the agricultural innovation project..."

Youcai and I looked at each other and smiled, motioning for Laonong Tian to continue.

"Thanks to Your Majesty, the new type of rice that I and the agronomy doctor have researched has yielded a bumper harvest this year!" Old Farmer Tian's face flushed with excitement, his dark face wrinkled, and his smile resembled a blooming chrysanthemum. "The yield has more than doubled! What's more, the new rice tastes even better than previous varieties!"

The doctor of agronomy also nodded and added, "Your Majesty, General Zhen, this new type of rice not only has a high yield and good taste, but is also drought-resistant and more suitable for our Daxia climate. I believe that if it is promoted, it will definitely benefit the people!"

"Great! Great!" I clapped my hands, my delight evident. I've always hoped to improve agricultural productivity so that people could have enough to eat. Seeing their achievements now, I'm incredibly pleased.

Youcai also looked at them with approval, "You have worked hard and made great contributions to Daxia!" He was well aware of the importance of agriculture to a country. During this border war, the supply of food and grass was a major problem. If the rear was not stable, he would not have been able to quell the war so quickly.

"It is our duty to share the worries of Your Majesty and bring benefits to the people!" said Laonong Tian and Doctor of Agronomy in unison.

The atmosphere at the celebration banquet that evening was extremely warm. Youcai and I sat side by side in the high seats, accepting the congratulations of the civil and military officials.

"Your Majesty, I offer you a toast!" A wealthy businessman, dressed in finery and full of energy, approached us, raised his glass, and smiled broadly. "I have heard the reports from Mr. Tian and the agronomist today, and I am extremely excited about the achievements of the new rice. I am willing to contribute to the agricultural development of Daxia and increase investment in agricultural innovation!"

I recognize this wealthy businessman. He is a nationally famous agricultural businessman named Zhao Fu. He is smart and capable and owns thousands of acres of fertile land.

"Boss Zhao is very thoughtful. I appreciate your support." I raised my glass and clinked it lightly with his.

"Your Majesty, I am your humble servant..." At this moment, a middle-aged man in official uniform walked out. I recognized him as the magistrate of the neighboring county. During this period, officials from all over the country came to congratulate him, and I just wanted to make my acquaintance.

What would he say next? I exchanged glances with Youcai, a faint sense of anticipation rising in my heart...

"Your Majesty, I am also willing to follow Boss Zhao's example and vigorously promote new technologies in my jurisdiction to benefit the farmers!" The magistrate of the neighboring county said with a bow, his tone sincere and not hypocritical.

I was a little surprised, but also very happy. When the new agricultural technology was first promoted, there was resistance from both the government and the people. Some officials were complacent, and some farmers were afraid of change. This county magistrate had previously been a member of the opposition, but now he has changed his mind.

"Good! It's a blessing for the people that you have this intention!" I nodded with a smile, and there was a bit more appreciation in my eyes when I looked at him.

"This is all thanks to Your Majesty and General Zhen! I was stupid before and have offended many people. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!" The county magistrate said as he was about to kneel down to apologize.

"It is a great honor to admit one's mistakes and then improve. Please get up quickly!" I quickly signaled the guards to help him up.

At this moment, a simple figure squeezed through the crowd, walked to the center of the hall, and knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to General Zhen!" She was a middle-aged peasant woman, dressed simply, with rough hands, but her eyes were extremely bright.

"Get up, you are..." I motioned her to get up, but I saw that she was holding a cloth bag in her hand, which seemed to contain something.

"I've come to thank Your Majesty and the General!" the peasant woman said, opening the cloth bag to reveal the golden rice inside. The plump grains gleamed alluringly in the light. "This is rice I grew using a new method. This year we've had a bumper harvest, more than enough for my family to eat! I brought some here especially to present to Your Majesty and the General. Thank you for making life better for the people!"

"This..." I was speechless for a moment. Looking at this simple peasant woman in front of me, a warm feeling welled up in my heart. This piece of rice may be insignificant, but it is her most sincere gift.

Youcai stood up, took the cloth bag, and solemnly put it aside. "Auntie, we appreciate your kindness. Please stand up quickly!"

The peasant woman slowly stood up, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. "Seeing that His Majesty and the General have returned safely, and that everyone can have enough to eat, I feel relieved..."

The music was melodious and the singing and dancing were in full swing. I looked around and saw many smiling faces filled with happiness, and my heart was filled with great satisfaction.

"Let's go out for a walk." I gently pulled Youcai's sleeve, wanting to escape from this noisy hall and feel the tranquility of the night.

"Okay." Youcai looked at me gently, took my hand, and walked out of the hall together...

The night was cool as water, the moonlight was silver, and the garden outside the palace was serene and peaceful. Holding hands with Youcai, we strolled along the flower-scented path, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

"Youcai, are you leaving again after you come back this time?" I snuggled up to him and asked softly, with a hint of dependence in my tone that was hard to conceal.

"Silly boy, of course I'm not leaving." Youcai looked down at me, his eyes filled with a gentle smile. "The border has been secured, and it's time for me to spend some time with Her Majesty the Empress."

I chuckled softly and reached out to gently hit his chest. "Who needs your company? When you're not around, I can manage the country perfectly on my own!"

"Yes, yes, my Majesty is the most powerful." Youcai smiled and hugged me in his arms, his tone full of doting, "But, from now on, let's walk the road together, okay?"

I looked up, gazed into his deep eyes, and nodded solemnly. Yes, we've been through so much together, from our initial encounter, to fighting side by side, to our current mutual support. Our love, like this new agricultural technology, is full of vitality and hope, and will surely bear even more abundant fruit.

"Youcai, tell me, what else can we do for the people?" I looked up into the distance, my eyes deep and firm.

"Your Majesty's concern for the people is a blessing to you," Youcai praised. "I heard that the doctor of agronomy has recently been researching a new crop. It's said that its yield is even higher than rice, but..."

"Just what?" I asked eagerly, with a hint of curiosity and anticipation in my heart.

"It's just that this crop has high requirements for soil, and we haven't found a suitable place to grow it yet," Youcai explained.

I pondered for a moment, and the words the agronomy doctor had said to me came to mind. Suddenly, an idea came to my mind. "I remember there's a piece of wasteland outside the city. The land is fertile, but it has been abandoned. Perhaps..."

"Your Majesty wants to..." Youcai immediately understood what I meant, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

I nodded solemnly and said, "Tomorrow morning, you will accompany me to see the wasteland."

"Okay." Youcai agreed happily, and his grip on my hand unconsciously tightened a little.

The moonlight is like water, gently sprinkling on us. The night breeze brings bursts of floral fragrance. Everything is so beautiful.

The next day, I brought the agronomy doctor and Youcai with me to the wasteland outside the city...