books44 Chapter 377 Dayong's Visit
Chapter 377 Dayong's Visit
“Lord Li, I know what you’re thinking, but Yue’er is right. This is indeed not very suitable. Instant noodles are too expensive, and we can’t afford them right now.”
"My lord, I understand. I was being too concerned." Lord Li forced a smile. He was indeed anxious. Instant noodles are made from pure white flour. Where would he find so much flour?
"It's good that you understand, Lord Li. Nowadays, the people of our Great Zhou have no problem with food and clothing. Although the soldiers live a simple life, they will not go hungry. Perhaps your idea will be realized soon. Lord Li, don't worry." Xiao Qinian still couldn't bear to remind him.
"What you say is true, sir. I believe it will come true in the future." He had witnessed the changes in the Great Zhou Dynasty over the past few years. He would never have dared to believe it before. It's true that life is better now, and people dare to dream of anything.
After thinking it through, Lord Li stopped worrying about it.
He rose and bid farewell to Xiao Qinian: "I have caused you much trouble today, so I will take my leave now."
Xiao Qinian also stood up: "Lord Li, please stay for a simple meal and try the food at our residence."
"Thank you, sir, but I still have some official business to attend to, so I'll head back now." Lord Li quickly waved goodbye. He had already been very kind of the sir not to blame him for pestering him to come back today, so he had no face to stay for dinner.
"Then please take care, Lord Li." Xiao Qinian did not try to keep him any longer and saw him to the door.
After seeing Lord Li off, Xiao Qinian looked at Xiao Siyue and asked about the trip to the estate that day.
"Yue'er, did everything go smoothly today?"
"Everything went well today. We planted a total of fifty acres of land. After planting, the weather was perfect, and it even rained. The seeds will sprout soon," Xiao Siyue replied with a smile. After what happened with Lord Li, Xiao Siyue was even more looking forward to the wheat harvest. She would be even happier if the system could send her some high-yield rice seeds next time.
"Fifty acres? Yue'er guesses that these seeds might yield a certain amount per acre?" This was what he was most concerned about.
Xiao Siyue actually knew this, and it was something she cared about most every time she received the seeds.
"Father, if nothing unexpected happens, the yield per mu should reach five to six shi." Five to six shi, although not comparable to the yield of modern wheat, is not far off, all thanks to the excellent seeds.
"Five to six shi, five to six shi..." Xiao Qinian had long guessed that the yield would not be low, but he was still very excited when he heard this number. The current wheat yield is only a little over one shi, which is several times higher.
If all the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty planted this wheat in the future, they would never have to worry about food shortages again, and their lives would be improved by several levels.
Thinking of this, Xiao Qinian's eyes lit up. These seeds absolutely could not be harmed; he had to have them carefully protected.
"Yue'er, I'll send people to guard the seeds and protect them well. Tell the people over there."
"Father, there's no need for that. I've already spoken to Steward Liu, and he'll keep a close eye on things."
"Father is still a little worried." No matter what, food is the most important thing, as it concerns the survival of the people.
"Then, Father, please don't make a big fuss. That will only attract more attention." Xiao Siyue understood Xiao Qinian's nervousness and had no choice but to agree.
Xiao Qinian nodded, his heart still unable to calm down for a long time.
His joy was palpable, but then he suddenly remembered what had happened at the morning court session, and his joy was slightly dampened.
"Yue'er, His Majesty said at the morning court today that a banquet will be held in the palace in five days, and the families of officials will also be attending. You should make preparations as well."
"Why is there a banquet all of a sudden? It doesn't seem to be a special occasion." Xiao Siyue wondered. There weren't many banquets in the palace. Emperor Zhou was not an emperor who liked excitement and extravagance. Banquets were usually held on New Year's Eve or the Empress Dowager's birthday. Even his own birthday was rarely celebrated.
Another one is that if something great happens to the country, nothing seems to happen five days later.
"This banquet is mainly to welcome people from the Dayong Dynasty." Xiao Qinian frowned, his tone not very pleasant.
"Dayong people?" Xiao Siyue immediately thought of the time when she was chased by Dayong spies. She didn't expect these people to come to Da Zhou openly this time. Could it be that they have some kind of conspiracy?
"Yes, the Dayong Dynasty sent an envoy to say that they want to have friendly exchanges with our Great Zhou." Xiao Qinian couldn't help but laugh as he said this.
Although there has been no war between the two countries in recent years, their relationship is not good, and is even somewhat hostile. The soldiers of Dayong have been harassing the border, but it has not reached the point of war. It is just annoying.
Not to mention that in recent years, Dayong has been relentlessly planting spies in Dazhou to steal information from Dazhou. Although they haven't actually gained anything, it's been incredibly annoying.
What they're really up to this time is obvious to everyone. To call it a friendly exchange is just laughable.
However, since their Great Zhou Dynasty lacked the ability to strike decisively, they could not take the initiative and had to endure it for the time being.
"But Father, I remember that the Dayong Dynasty is not close to us, is it? It takes five days to get there?"
"Heh." Xiao Qinian chuckled coldly twice.
Alright, I see. They probably set off a long time ago and are probably already within the territory of the Great Zhou. Isn't the management of the Great Zhou officials a bit too poor?
"Father, do you know who these people from the Great Zhou are?" Since it's about communication, they can't just be some insignificant lackeys.
"It is the Crown Prince and the Third Prince of Dayong, and a princess."
The Crown Prince and the Prince of Da Yong, the Emperor of Da Yong is really bold. Isn't he afraid that his two sons will die in another country? Or are they simply out of favor?
But why is there a princess? Could it be for a political marriage? She knows that the status of women in Dayong is even lower than that in Dazhou, and women there hardly have any opportunities to go out.
The princess's sudden trip to another country couldn't possibly be explained as an exchange with the prince; the most likely explanation is a marriage alliance.
Alas, perhaps it wasn't as I guessed. That princess might be very capable, and Emperor Dayong had put aside his differences between men and women.
Thinking about it this way, she was actually looking forward to the palace banquet in a few days. She had never been to the palace before and wondered if it would be the same as what she saw in modern times.
"Father, I understand, I will prepare well." Actually, these family members were just there for the fun of it all; the main thing was to see the important figures.
However, as Xiao Qinian's daughter, she couldn't afford to make a mistake and embarrass her father. It seemed she had to go back to her nanny to review palace etiquette.