Returning home, Zhao Jiaqi relayed what she had discussed with Zong Han to Fan Zehao without omitting anything. Fan Zehao nodded, "Tomorrow you will accompany me to the palace. I will attend court, and you will wait outside the Imperial Study. After the morning session, I will inform the Emperor!"
"Mm!"
Zhao Jiaqi spent the entire night pondering how best to speak to the Emperor the next day, filled with anxiety.
The following day, standing outside the Imperial Study, it took a while before she saw a golden sedan chair being carried from a distance, with Fan Zehao walking beside it.
Seeing the Emperor emerge from the sedan chair, assisted by Wang Zhanlin, Zhao Jiaqi quickly bowed, "Your subject’s wife pays her respects to Your Majesty, Your Majesty…"
Huangfu Jin Tao waved his hand, "Rise, let us speak inside!"
The Imperial Study.
The Emperor, seated high on the dragon throne, listened intently to Zhao Jiaqi's words.
He did not doubt the loyalty of Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi to the Yun Kingdom, but he suspected that Zong Han might be playing new tricks.
"Your Majesty, this subject's wife has something to say, though I am unsure if it should be spoken!"
Huangfu Jin Tao looked up at her and nodded, "Speak, and you shall be pardoned!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Jiaqi curtsied, carefully choosing her words, and slowly began, "The main reason Zongsheng Kingdom is plundering our Yun Kingdom's cities is the dire predicament they face due to their barren land and insufficient grain. If we can help them improve their land, and their people have enough to eat and wear, who would still wish to go to war and disrupt this hard-won peace?"
Seeing the Emperor's brow slightly relax, she continued, "If I were Zong Han, even if Yun Kingdom did not teach me how to cultivate high-yield crops on barren land, I would abduct some people from Xikou Village, promising them high official positions and generous stipends, enticing them to teach the people of Zongsheng Kingdom how to farm. At that time…"
At that time, Zong Han would not owe the Yun Emperor a favor!
However, Zhao Jiaqi did not voice these words. She believed that someone as intelligent as the Emperor would surely understand this hidden motive.
Huangfu Jin Tao pondered for a long time and said weakly, "You two… return for now. Allow me to consider it further!"
Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi exchanged a glance, bowed, and said, "Yes, your subject and your subject's wife take our leave."
The two respectfully withdrew from the Imperial Study.
The next day, during the morning court, the Emperor brought up the matter for discussion, seeking the opinions of his ministers.
As a result, the ministers unanimously, and with unprecedented unity, rejected the proposal.
Huangfu Jin Tao scanned these officials, then turned his gaze to the silent Fan Zehao, asking, "Lord Fan, what are your thoughts?"
Asking him?
"I agree!" This suggestion came from his wife, how could he possibly object? He immediately offered the sole dissenting opinion.
The Minister of Revenue wanted to say something, but a sharp glance from Fan Zehao silenced him, and he retreated back into his seat.
He dared not forget that this Prince was eccentric and his words could even make the Emperor back down, so arguing with them would be like child's play!
He decided it was better to remain quiet. Since many opposed the idea, his single dissenting voice would not make much difference.
With Fan Zehao's agreement, no one in the entire hall dared to object.
Not only the Emperor, but even the Crown Prince was astonished. He cast a peripheral glance around the hall; the ministers all hung their heads, their eyes focused on their noses, and their noses on their mouths. Not a single one dared to step forward to block his words.
Huangfu Yi Fan coughed a few times, bearing the oppressive aura of his father, and said, "Father, your son believes this matter is not appropriate. If we truly teach them how to cultivate the land, will they not launch another war against us once they master the techniques?"
"Indeed, the Crown Prince is correct. Your subject concurs!"
"Your subject concurs!"
A string of people echoed the Crown Prince's words, standing up in a rush.
Fan Zehao scoffed and retorted, "As if they wouldn't attack us if we didn't help them farm!"
The Crown Prince immediately replied, "If they gather enough provisions, wouldn't their chances of attacking us increase?"
"The Crown Prince is too naive. As the saying goes, 'the barefoot are not afraid of those wearing shoes.'" Fan Zehao finished speaking and lowered his head again, imitating the civil officials, keeping his eyes on his nose and his nose on his mouth.
The entire hall was a scene of conflicting arguments, making it impossible to discern which side was in the right!
At this moment, the Emperor's head throbbed even more painfully.
"Court is dismissed. We shall continue the discussion tomorrow." The Emperor uttered these words, angrily flicked his sleeves, and left.
This clearly indicated that if a conclusion could not be reached, the discussion would continue!
After the court session, the Crown Prince blocked Fan Zehao's path, "Brother Zehao, why do you agree? Can you provide a reasonable explanation?"
"Since you can still call me 'brother,' I will not hide it from you. This matter was proposed by my wife. If you want an explanation, go ask her. She will give you the answer!"
A series of ellipsis appeared above Huangfu Yi Fan's forehead…
He was completely bewildered. Without further ado, he mounted his horse and rode alongside Fan Zehao, returning to the Zhen Guo Prince's mansion.
Zhao Jiaqi, upon learning that the Crown Prince had come because of yesterday's matter, smiled and welcomed him into the study.
The Crown Prince, anxious, had barely sat down when he urgently asked, "Sister-in-law, why did you propose such an idea? Are you unaware that if we nourish the enemy country, they might turn around and bite us?"
He spoke so bluntly, clearly regarding Zhao Jiaqi as an ordinary woman.
She chuckled and retorted, "Do you mean to say that our country was able to reclaim lost cities because we had more grain than them, is that how we won?"
"No, that's not what I mean, I mean… I mean…" What could he say?
Huangfu Yi Fan's mind suddenly went blank. He stood there foolishly, only snapping back to his senses after a long while, his face flushing and paling.
"Since the Crown Prince is willing to condescend and call me Sister-in-law, I will tell you truthfully how I thought about it!"
She decided not to play coy any longer, lest she anger the future Emperor, which would be a considerable loss.
"We can help them develop agriculture, and at the same time, we can absorb their advanced smelting technology. As far as I know, their weaponry is finely crafted and slightly superior to ours. Every country has its strengths; why should we be so insular?"
Seeing Huangfu Yi Fan listening intently, Zhao Jiaqi spoke further about matters beneficial to national development.
Finally, she gave him a reassuring pill, "Regarding farming, Your Highness can rest assured. If I can make barren land yield high-yield crops, I am even more confident in cultivating better and higher-yield grains on fertile land. No one can reveal all their cards at once, and neither can I. Given this, what else do you have to worry about?"
Her unconventional thinking brightened the Crown Prince's eyes and refreshed his perspective. It was a thought he had never considered, always believing that holding onto the best things was the safest approach.
"Sister-in-law's ideas are unique and make sense. I was indeed foolish." Foolish enough to be inferior to a woman's breadth of mind and vision.
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and shook her head. These ideas were not her own; she had merely drawn upon her experiences from her past life.