She set up her clothing workshop outside the trade city, intending to do business. Shops with promising futures would open in the inner city, and if new styles of clothes sold well, she would mass-produce them for the Zongsheng Kingdom.
This way, she and Li Ben wouldn't conflict. She hadn't expected this man to be so cunning and suspicious. If he didn't say another word, how could she bring up cooperation? So be it.
In the afternoon, Chen You, the Prefect of the inner city, arrived.
He stood in the front hall, bowing. This was the second time he had seen the legendary Princess Consort, whom he had only glimpsed once when she disembarked.
She had gained some weight since her arrival, likely due to pregnancy.
"Prefect Chen, please don't be nervous. I've summoned you today to ask about the common people!"
Chen You nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Princess Consort. Ask what you will, and I will answer truthfully without reservation."
Zhao Jiaqi was pleased with his words and asked without ceremony, "As the Prefect of the inner city, you should be aware of its affairs, right?"
Chen You, being quite knowledgeable about this matter, immediately replied, "I am."
"Then how many prefectures are there in the inner city, how many counties in each prefecture, how many villages in each county town, how many people in each village, how much arable land is there? What is currently being planted in the fields? How are the common people living? Do the children in the villages attend private schools?"
The barrage of questions completely stunned Chen You.
Chen You hadn't expected the Princess Consort to be so detailed. His palms were sweating with nervousness.
"The inner city is rather unique; there is only one prefecture. The Prefect's yamen is on East Street, and the Inner City Prefectural Office is on West Street!"
Zhao Jiaqi looked at him, not responding. She had been here for several months and already knew there was only one prefecture in the inner city.
What she wanted now were specific details. She gestured slightly to Chen You. "Continue!"
Chen You swallowed and continued, "The prefecture governs nine county towns. The number of villages under each county town varies, as does the population of the villagers. As for the crops planted... most are sweet potatoes and the like. A small portion also plant corn."
"Farmers with spare money send their children to town or village private schools. As for the common people's lives, they are better than before. Most can eat their fill and stay warm, thanks to the Princess Consort!"
After hearing his lengthy explanation, she only understood that one prefecture governed nine county towns. The rest was useless.
"I want accurate numbers, not approximate, vague answers!" Zhao Jiaqi sighed inwardly.
What did the local officials do all day?
They didn't even know the population of each county town under their jurisdiction?
"I'll give you two days. Go down and investigate the matters I just asked about. Do not miss a single item, not even a single household. Crucially, ascertain the population of each village and each household and submit a detailed list. If you cannot accomplish this, I will recommend to the Prince that a clearer-headed Prefect be appointed!"
Chen You's face turned pale. He quickly replied, "Your subordinate will go and investigate immediately. Your subordinate takes his leave."
Things were not looking good. He dared not linger any longer. After speaking, he received the Princess Consort's nod to leave and hurried away.
Watching his flustered steps, Zhao Jiaqi sighed again. It seemed these officials lived too leisurely lives, with no pressure, content to just get by.
Just as she was contemplating whether to inspect all five prefectures of the fiefdom, Steward Wang entered with the coachman.
Without a word, the coachman immediately knelt before Zhao Jiaqi, kowtowing and weeping with snot and tears.
He cried with such sorrow as if his mother had died, leaving her completely bewildered!
The steward said, "Princess Consort, this old servant has investigated the matter. This coachman's family was starving. The Prince's estate often had leftover food. He felt it a waste to throw it away, so he mentioned this to the cook. The cook, seeing his plight, secretly kept the leftover food for him. Only he and the cook knew about this; others were unaware, hence the misunderstanding that he was stealing food from the estate."
So that was it. It wasn't a serious offense, but it did violate the estate's rules.
"He shall be given five strokes of the cane as a disciplinary measure. Do not repeat this offense!"
Although she sympathized with him, rewards and punishments must be clear. Otherwise, if the young servants committed minor offenses, it would be difficult to handle later.
The coachman had expected to lose his job. To his surprise, it was only five strokes of the cane. He felt a slight sense of relief. "Thank you, Princess Consort, for your mercy. This humble servant will repay you with his life in the future!"
She rubbed her aching forehead and waved him away. "You may go now. You will receive your punishment this evening!"
Do chores like an ox or horse? She didn't even know what she would be reincarnated as in her next life!
After the coachman left, she specifically instructed the steward, "When he receives his punishment tonight, tell them to strike lightly. Make it look severe, but not too painful. It's just to scare the other servants in the estate. Be sure not to injure him; they are all pitiable people!"
Steward Wang bowed. "This old servant understands. However, should this coachman be replaced?"
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head. She wouldn't dismiss him for such a minor matter. As she said, he was trying to feed his large family by taking leftover food.
If he lost his job, not only would he lose his wages, but his family would have one less mouth to feed, making things even worse.
"Steward, inquire among the young servants, maids, and nannies in the estate about how many people are in similar situations to the coachman. Please compile a list!"
Steward Wang immediately understood that the Princess Consort was preparing to care for those servants. He reminded her, "Princess Consort, being kind to them is the master's benevolence. However, if their expectations are raised, it will be difficult to handle in the future!"
Zhao Jiaqi pursed her lips and smiled, looking at Steward Wang with his eyes shining. She said, "Then it will be up to your discerning eyes, Steward, to see if any ungrateful people are kept in the estate!"
He chuckled sheepishly. The master's high trust in him made him happy, and he would dedicate himself to managing the estate's affairs with all his heart from now on.
"This old servant will not disappoint the master!"
A capable steward indeed relieved her of many worries.
In the afternoon, news of the Princess Consort's questioning of Prefect Chen spread like wildfire. Within just two days, all other prefects and sub-prefects knew about it. They even began sending people to investigate in secret, fearing that the Princess Consort might impulsively summon them.