Zeng Weiyang failed to bear a son, leaving Consort Jian greatly disappointed and placing her last hope on Ai Sha's womb.
The Empress, however, was indifferent. Even if Ai Sha bore a son, at most it would mean Situ Jun had an heir, and a mere infant would not be able to shake her son's position. What was troublesome now was that illegitimate child, Situ Yan.
She had thought he was content to stay out of worldly affairs, but who would have guessed the Emperor's sudden stroke of genius.
While he was unwell and unable to handle state affairs, taking the Crown Prince away and entrusting the regency to that bastard was as obvious as a hidden motive. The Empress paced twice in Changning Hall and sent for Duke Cao to enter the palace.
She had to find a solution, or the Crown Prince would surely be deposed.
Meanwhile, Situ Yan, deeply feared by the Empress, was in the imperial study receiving Xing Qian. As the intelligence indicated, Xing Qian was only twenty-two, lean yet sturdy, with dark skin, appearing to be a diligent farmer in the countryside.
Xing Qian had met Emperor Changwu before, but this was his first time meeting Situ Yan. However, it made no difference to him; these were all exalted figures. He performed the ritual kowtow to Situ Yan with due courtesy and was then granted a seat by Situ Yan: "Don't be nervous, I just want to chat. Li Wang, serve Master Xing a cup of tea."
Li Wang personally served him tea.
Hmm? Was the treatment a bit too good? Xing Qian was bewildered. Even if Prince Rui wanted to win him over, a mere Jinshi, he didn't need to be this polite, did he?
And this was in the imperial study, no less.
Before he could figure it out, Prince Rui began to speak: "Master Xing, don't be anxious. Let's just have a casual chat. How many people are in your family, Master Xing?"
"My parents and two elder brothers. My two elder brothers are already married and have set up their own households."
"Your two brothers moved out?"
"Yes, they will be supporting our parents in the future."
It wasn't uncommon for younger sons to live with their parents in the countryside. Situ Yan continued to ask, "How many mu of land do you have?"
"When my brothers set up their households, they each received five mu. Coupled with the four mu my father holds, that makes a total of nine mu."
"Fertile land?"
"Not exactly fertile, but not poor land either."
Situ Yan had little concept of land and asked, "Are nine mu enough to eat your fill? Can it support raising a scholar?"
Xing Qian replied, "With nine mu of land in the countryside, we can eat meat every meal. However, it's certainly not enough to support a scholar. But my father is strong, good at hunting, and knows some medicinal herbs. Though it's tight, it was enough to get me through my studies with a little left over."
Actually, he had also dug up herbs to sell for money during his journey to the imperial examinations.
"Oh, that's good. What about your parents when you become an official in the capital in the future?"
"I've already written home to invite my parents to the capital."
"I heard a minister in the Ministry of Personnel took a liking to you and wanted to betroth his daughter to you. Why did you refuse? Do you already have a fiancée?"
Speaking of this, Xing Qian became dejected: "I dare not deceive Your Highness. My family is poor. Miss Zou's hairpin alone is worth over a hundred taels of silver. I truly cannot afford such a marriage."
Situ Yan: ...
Why did this experience sound so familiar? He chuckled, "You simpleton, Minister Zou appreciates you. If you become his son-in-law, he will naturally promote you. Once you achieve success, why would you worry about not being able to support a wife and daughters?"
"My father said, 'Eat what you can afford.' He told me not to covet things beyond my reach."
"You are quite obedient. After ten years of arduous study, you were assigned to the Imperial Academy as a tutor. Do you have any regrets?"
Xing Qian was taken aback and suddenly understood. If he couldn't seize the opportunity today, he might truly end up being a tutor at the Imperial Academy for life. He quickly knelt down, "Your Highness, teaching and nurturing people is also a virtuous deed. I dare not have regrets. However, my ambition does not lie here. May I ask Your Highness to make other arrangements?"
Situ Yan appreciated such directness: "Oh, tell me, what do you wish to do?"
"If possible, I wish to return to my ancestral home and serve as a county magistrate. Although a county magistrate is a minor position, they are the parents of the county, sufficient for me to exert my ambitions."
"What kind of ambition requires you to return to your ancestral home to exert it?"
Xing Qian was a little embarrassed: "It's not that it must be my ancestral home, but the local officials have more influence. Your Highness, I have compared the grain yields of various types of land, and I hope to increase the grain production of a county."
Situ Yan sat up straight: "Master Xing, such grand words are not to be spoken lightly?"
"I will do my best to try."
Situ Yan had previously only cared about warfare and legal cases, but after spending more than half a year assisting Emperor Changwu with memorials, he had come to understand the importance of grain. Although Da Yin claimed to have abundant food and clothing, many people were still eating coarse grains and husks, and in times of disaster...
Alas, it was best not to mention it.
Now, someone suddenly said they wanted to increase grain production. Even if there was only a slim chance, it was worth trying. So, he pondered for a moment and said, "The Third Prince is currently preparing for the spring plowing. You will assist him in his duties."
Huh? Was it that easy?
Although Xing Qian was surprised, he still happily kowtowed, "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Don't thank me. If you don't achieve results after a long time, I will not let you off lightly. Go back and prepare a plan and submit it. Li Wang, please summon the Third Prince."
Situ Yan sent Xing Qian away and then called for Situ Feng. The two brothers discussed the grain production increase plan behind closed doors for a long time, and it was roughly finalized.