Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 741 - 738: Winning People’s Hearts_1

She remembered that Xiao Rongyan once said, Yanwo relied on the Guanghe Canal to become fertile land. When Yan built the Guanghe Canal years ago, they lacked manpower and financial resources. Mr. Sima Sheng, a water conservancy expert, worried about floods harming the people. So, during the construction of the canal, there was precise planning. The Guanghe Canal only had water during the flood period of the Niuliang River and it was abundant. However, using this method to build the Guanghe Canal could only last for twenty years at most.

To ensure the benefits of the Guanghe Canal for eternity, it was necessary to renovate and extend it to the Long River after twenty years.

If Bai Qingyan could persuade the Crown Prince to reconstruct the Guanghe Canal and connect it to the Long River, thus transforming Yanwo back into fertile land, and then have Shen Tianzhi manage it, it would be tantamount to holding the granary in their hands.

If Bai Qingyan remembered correctly, after the Spring Imperial Examination, it would be time for the officials’ evaluation.

"Three years’ examination, three assessments, promotion or demotion clear as day..." Bai Qingyan moved the lampshade aside, burned the letter Ji Tingyu had sent back, "Our Bai family has reached this point now. We can place our people in the various grain routes, granaries, and good fields."

Bai Jinxiu tightened her palms. Her eldest sister had soldiers in hand and was about to control key routes and granaries. There was no need to state her intentions explicitly. Bai Jinxiu and Bai Qingyan had understood each other well over the years.

The Jin Imperial Family was muddled, treating the people like grass and dogs. The king was unjust, and the Crown Prince was not capable. It was time to rebel!

Hearing the sound of Shen Qingzhu choking and pounding his chest outside the screen, Bai Qingyan looked outside the screen: "Have someone bring another pot of tea for Qingzhu. It seems he’s choked!"

Shen Qingzhu choked uncomfortably, pounded his chest hard, burped and felt much better, and hurriedly saluted: "No need, Eldest Young Lady. I am fine now..."

"You must have delivered the letter without rest day and night. Go to the warm chamber and sleep for a while. I will have the small kitchen prepare a bowl of hot noodle soup for you. Eat it and then sleep a bit more!" Bai Qingyan said.

Shen Qingzhu, indeed tired and hungry, nodded. Just as he was about to rest in the warm chamber, he remembered Mrs. Dong’s instructions before departure. After saluting Bai Qingyan, he said: "Eldest Young Lady, Madam asked me to tell you, if you get injured again this time, don’t return to Shuoyang City to see her."

Bai Qingyan: "..."

Originally stern-faced, Bai Jinxiu saw her elder sister’s stunned expression and raised her hand to her lips, laughing softly: "These words sound like what Third Aunt usually says to the fourth brother. I didn’t expect Aunt would also have Qingzhu bring such words to you!"

Later, when the kitchen brought the hot noodle soup for Shen Qingzhu, he couldn’t be awakened.

Bai Qingyan wrote a letter and ordered the Bai family guards to deliver it to Shen Tianzhi, the Governor of Shuoyang. She then went to see Shen Qingzhu, tucked him in, and instructed the entire Qinghui Courtyard to move quietly and not disturb Shen Qingzhu’s rest.

The news of the Crown Princess Consort giving birth to the Emperor’s grandson had already spread among the noble families in Dadu City. To avoid unnecessary visitors disturbing the Crown Princess Consort’s rest, the Crown Prince specially sent people to inform the Crown Princess Consort’s family. Their family members could visit, but they shouldn’t bring others.

The Crown Princess Consort’s mother received the message and went to the Crown Prince’s residence early today.

Others couldn’t go to visit the Crown Prince’s residence, so they naturally thought of Bai Qingyan, whom the Crown Prince valued. As Bai Qingyan and Fu Ruoxi mentioned last night, today there were many visitors to Bai Mansion. The Second Madam, Mrs. Liu, was busy entertaining guests in the front courtyard.

To show his regard for Bai Qingyan, the Crown Prince returned home to change clothes after the morning court session, visited the Crown Princess Consort and the baby prince, and then sent Quan Yu with valuable supplements to visit Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan.

Hearing that the Crown Prince came to visit, Bai Qingyan, dragging her sick body, got up to welcome him at the gate of Princess of Zhen’s mansion. This... everyone saw clearly Bai Qingyan’s pale face and frail figure like she’d fall if the wind blew. Then they understood... the Princess of Zhen had indeed been seriously injured this time.

The Crown Prince hurriedly helped Bai Qingyan up and entered the main hall with her.

This morning, the Crown Prince had already requested the Emperor... to let Fu Ruoxi take the position of Patrol Camp’s commander. The court officials all praised the Crown Prince for his magnanimity.

The Crown Prince told Bai Qingyan about this and felt satisfied hearing her praise. However, before the Crown Prince could enjoy this for long, Bai Qingyan said: "Does the Crown Prince know about the snow disaster in Yanwo this year?"

The Crown Prince’s hand paused while holding the teacup, he put it down and nodded: "I didn’t expect Princess of Zhen to know this as well. During the New Year, I already received the report. But due to the critical situation of the war in Daliang, and the successive outbreak of epidemics in Huayang City and Qinhuai City, many people left Yanwo due to the great famine last year, even after King Liang’s disaster relief, not many returned. I thought it best to set it aside for now."

Bai Qingyan pursed her lips and got up to salute the Crown Prince.

"Why be so courteous in front of me?" The Crown Prince hurriedly said, "Sit down quickly!"

After Bai Qingyan nodded and sat down, she said: "There are many affairs in the Jin Kingdom this year. I know the state treasury is hard to support, so I originally planned to purchase some grain... to send to Huayang City and Qinhuai City. Although it’s just a drop in the bucket, it is my small effort to show loyalty to Your Highness! Now, considering the snow disaster in Yanwo, how about I purchase a batch of grain in the name of the Crown Prince to send to Yanwo? It would be good to win the people’s hearts for the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince was moved, thinking how Bai Qingyan was willing to spend money to win the people’s hearts for him: "How can I let you do that? I will handle it!"

Waiting for the Crown Prince to handle it could take forever.

Bai Qingyan smiled: "This is my humble effort. I hope the Crown Prince won’t refuse. Besides, the current Governor of Yanwo may not be competent. Otherwise, why was there another disaster this year without early prevention? It’s time for a replacement. Now, the Governor of Shuoyang, Shen Tianzhi... I see some potential in him. But he has been in the position for years; it’s unclear why. Now, with the officials’ evaluation and reassignment, why not let him clean up this mess and see what he can do."

The Crown Prince pondered if the Governor of Shuoyang, Shen Tianzhi, had offended Bai Qingyan. Otherwise, why did Bai Qingyan want to send Shen Tianzhi to the heavily afflicted Yanwo?

"Since Princess of Zhen thinks this person is capable, let’s transfer him to Yanwo," the Crown Prince agreed with a smile.

"There’s also the Guanghe Canal. No matter how difficult the state treasury is, it must be repaired. Yanwo has always been a prime location for our Jin Kingdom’s grain production, fertile lands. Such a good place cannot be lost!" Bai Qingyan looked firmly at the Crown Prince, "Crown Prince can discuss with Elder Fang and Mr. Qin to recruit the people or the army to start repairing the canal, otherwise... we risk another flood disaster. Our Jin Kingdom will lose fertile lands and reduce the income of the state treasury, not to mention the financial and national power spent on disaster relief!"

The Crown Prince nodded.