After Rongyue entered the hall alone, Zhao Hua led the others to finish the rest of the grand ceremony procedures.
When the rituals were over, Zhao Hua ordered Yun Shan to hand an account book to the head silkworm breeder.
After looking through the account book, the silkworm breeder's face revealed surprise,
"This...this is the income details of all mulberry growers in the capital last year, recorded very thoroughly."
Zhao Hua gently said, "This concubine has seen the account book. The total income of the capital's mulberry growers last year was about 30,000 taels of silver. Since the silkworm plague this year has caused damage to the mulberry growers, this concubine would like to ask, have you privately calculated how much income you can have this year?"
The silkworm breeder said bitterly, "It is estimated to be less than 30 percent of last year..."
After hearing this, Zhao Hua casually said,
"Then this concubine will take out ten years of the queen's salary to subsidize you."
At this remark, everyone was stunned, and the buzz of discussion rose one after another.
"The queen's ten years of salary is enough to have 20,000 taels of silver! Privately counting, although we have suffered a disaster, but our income has still increased!"
"That's right! No one can predict such a natural disaster, but the Queen is willing to take out ten years of her salary for us! I remember that during the previous famine, only the Emperor opened the national treasury for disaster relief, but the former Queen did not show any intention at all..."
"Speak softly, do you want to die! But it is true, the Emperor cares about the world, and now the Queen also has the heart of a Bodhisattva who cares about the common people. Our days ahead will be blessed!"
"..."
These comments were all admiration and praise, but Zhao Hua did not listen to any of them, only busy finishing her words,
"However, there is no free lunch in this world. I subsidized you, but if you don't work, the farmers will see you get money for nothing, and it will inevitably cause some complaints. So I will provide this silver, but you can't be idle."
She took the map of mountains and rivers handed over by Xiao Fuzi and unfolded it.
The people saw that a piece of vacant land near the suburbs of the capital was circled out.
Someone immediately said, "This wasteland is near my house. I saw that the weeds on it were all cleared some days ago, and the land was re-tilled. I thought some rich family wanted to build a house here."
Xiao Fuzi smiled and explained, "Someone is rich, but not to build a house, but to share this wealth with you."
He bowed respectfully to Zhao Hua, and then said loudly to the commoners,
"The Queen is benevolent. She has discussed with the Emperor and reclaimed a piece of vacant land in the outskirts of the capital, specifically for the mulberry growers to plant mulberry trees. What the Queen just said about not letting you be idle is to have you work together to plant mulberry trees here, take good care of them, and gain more through more work."
In this way,
not only the income problem of mulberry growers was solved, but also their future income was increased unconsciously, and agricultural taxes in the future could be raised.
This wonderful plan of triple benefits seemed to benefit everyone except Zhao Hua.
The people all love Guanyin,
not because of her solemn dharma form, but because she can relieve suffering and distress, and sacrifice herself for others.
People are selfish,
if someone else's sacrifice can fulfill themselves, who would not be happy to see such a sacrifice?
So at this moment, almost all the silkworm breeders knelt in front of Zhao Hua, kowtowed to her repeatedly to thank her grace, and they all looked extremely delighted.
Yun Fei observed from the side, she couldn't help muttering,
"Ten years of salary? Is the Queen crazy? With the support from our maternal families, plus the salary, the little silver we get every month is barely enough. The Queen took out ten years of salary all at once, her maternal family probably doesn't have much oil and water to support her. How tight will the days in the harem be for her in the future?"
Consort Yin glanced at her and disdainfully said,
"You'd better mind your own business. The Queen is seeking the well-being of the people of the world. The Queen's benevolence is the Emperor's benevolence. This move stabilizes the people's hearts and also gives the Emperor face. Besides, what does ten years of salary count for? The Emperor dotes on the Queen so much, how could he bear to let her live in such difficulties?"
Consort Yin saw through this matter clearly.
Zhao Hua's move was to win face for Xiao Jingheng, and also to win a reputation for herself as virtuous and wise.
What Xiao Jingheng cared most about was the face of the imperial clan and the people's evaluation of him as the emperor.
If he knew about Zhao Hua's move, he would probably rush to thank her, how could he let her pay out of her own pocket?
Yun Fei realized it now, and said reluctantly,
"She really knows how to handle things. Look at those commoners, they are so excited that they can't wait to build a shrine for her on the spot. I see that in the future, the silkworm worship ceremony will no longer worship any Silkworm Ancestor, just worship her directly!"
While she was mocking Zhao Hua maliciously behind her back,
suddenly she caught sight of the bustle in the crowd, as if Jiang Deshun was rushing over limping,
"Jiang Deshun? Why did he come at this time?"
Jiang Deshun squeezed through the crowded people and came to Zhao Hua.
Seeing his livid face, Zhao Hua frowned and asked,
"What's the matter?"
But Jiang Deshun didn't even care about proper manners,
he moved close to Zhao Hua's side, and said in a low, solemn voice,
"Queen, please return to the palace quickly. Something big has happened in the palace!"
