Chapter 256: Chapter 256

"Greetings to the Commandery Princess!"

Tang Youyin restrained his excited emotions and knelt down to perform a full obeisance.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and said, "Clerk Tang, please rise."

The clerk before her was the eldest son of Grandmaster Tang Wu. The Tang Family started their livelihood by trading grain. The men in the family were educated from a young age, and from age twelve, they began traveling across the country with elders. Tang Youyin was no exception; he ran the trade routes for several years, though he had little talent for business, he was exceptionally adept at accounting. Grandmaster Tang Wu came up with the idea of recommending him to take up a position in the Household Department of the West E County Government.

From a mere clerk in the Household Department to the overseeing clerk of the department, it took only five years. His background played a significant role, but Tang Youyin indeed possessed true skills and capabilities.

Jiang Shaohua inspected several counties annually, and naturally, she had met this Clerk Tang of West E County and had a favorable impression of him. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have easily invited him to work in the Prince Mansion.

Tang Youyin solemnly expressed gratitude before cautiously lowering his head after rising, not daring to meet the eyes of the Commandery Princess.

Jiang Shaohua noted his behavior and nodded inwardly. She had met several members of the Tang Family, such as Tang Qi, who was considered sharp and capable. The Tang Youyin before her might not be the outstanding member of the Tang Family, but his cautious meticulousness was rare. This content belongs to N()velFire.net

"The Tang Family plans to transport grain to the Northern Provinces for sale. What is your view on this matter?" Jiang Shaohua asked seemingly casually with a smile.

Tang Youyin understood that the Commandery Princess was testing him, so he dared not be negligent and quickly focused his attention to answer: "Replying to the Commandery Princess, this humble servant..."

Jiang Shaohua interrupted gently: "As you are now working in the Prince Mansion’s Household Department, you may simply refer to yourself as a minister."

"Yes," Tang Youyin felt another wave of excitement: "Minister believes that promoting new grains under the guise of selling grain is feasible."

"However, this matter cannot be rushed and must be approached gradually. Firstly, the Tang Family’s manpower is limited; secondly, the north is rife with bandits, so the Personal Guard Camp should not excessively split forces. The grain shipping and selling teams should be divided into three groups at most."

"Additionally, soil and climate vary across regions. The bountiful new grain from Nanyang County may struggle to grow well elsewhere if relying solely on charts, so the Commandery Princess should be mentally prepared."

The insight Tang Youyin exhibited was impressive enough to earn regard from both Chen Zhuo and Feng Wenming.

Jiang Shaohua smiled lightly: "I’ve already considered all that. You are not wrong; the likelihood of success for this undertaking is less than fifty percent. However, as long as new grains can be widely adopted, and the people can be provided for, taking some risks is worthwhile."

Tang Youyin revealed admiration and clasped his hands: "The Commandery Princess is benevolent and noble, caring for the people; minister is greatly impressed."

Nanyang County has the military resources to self-defend and stores enough grain to withstand famine. The Commandery Princess could easily remain indifferent and live leisurely behind closed doors.

Yet the Commandery Princess chose a different path. Such vision and courage, such perspective and ambition, are truly exceptional.

Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "Starting today, you’ll work in the Household Department of the Prince Mansion. For now, follow Chief Historian Feng, and after three to five years, once you can stand alone, I will secure an official position for you in the Ministry of Revenue."

There is a distinction between clerks and official officials. Transitioning from a mere clerk to a court official with rank is a dream that he can only aspire to.

Tang Youyin’s eyes gleamed with enthusiasm and he responded forcefully: "Minister will earnestly work diligently, and will not let the Commandery Princess down."

Jiang Shaohua nodded with a smile and said to Feng Wenming, "Chief Historian Feng, I leave Clerk Tang in your care."

To get Grandmaster Tang Wu to serve wholeheartedly, real benefits must be offered. Just like grandfather did with the Ma Family in the past, balancing kindness and severity.

Feng Wenming understood and responded with a bow.

Feng Wenming led Tang Youyin into the Household Department of the Prince Mansion. This department has always been the busiest place in the mansion, with, aside from Chief Historian Feng, six clerks. Recently, with taxes just collected in the autumn, grain needed to be exchanged, and accounts piled up like mountains. The six clerks were busy non-stop.

Listening to the familiar sound of abacuses, Tang Youyin’s eyes glimmered, and his right hand fingers twitched slightly.

"This is the grain warehouse account book for the Fourteen Counties," a thick account book was placed before Tang Youyin: "You will first audit all the accounts and record all discrepancies."

In the study, Chen Zhuo sighed to the Commandery Princess, "Minister really couldn’t have imagined that the court would be unwilling to promote new grains."

Jiang Shaohua sneered slightly: "That’s Prime Minister Wang’s selfish nature. The new grains were presented by me, Nanyang County Princess; if they were promoted widely, so many states and counties in the north would owe gratitude to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. And being part of the Empress Dowager Faction means the Empress Dowager Faction would gain significant advantage through this matter."

"Prime Minister Wang cannot tolerate losing control, so he suppresses it wholeheartedly. As for Lady Empress Dowager, due to the Emperor’s stroke, her mind is disturbed, leaving no time to consider the lives of the people."

In essence, it’s too much personal greed.

Chen Zhuo furrowed his brows slightly and looked at the Commandery Princess: "Promoting new grains under the guise of selling grain is indeed a great idea. Commandery Princess has everything arranged perfectly, leaving minister nothing to add. However, minister must remind Commandery Princess that everyone at court is cunning as foxes. This matter can only be concealed for a while, it won’t be long before Prime Minister Wang and Lady Empress Dowager know."

"At that time, Prime Minister Wang would certainly become more wary of the Commandery Princess. Even Lady Empress Dowager might not be pleased with the Commandery Princess’s initiative."

Simply put, good deeds may not yield good results, and efforts may not gain favor.

Jiang Shaohua raised an eyebrow, revealing dominance in her calm voice: "I only do what I believe is right. How they think is their problem."

The determination and persistence beneath the dominance is extraordinarily akin to Prince Nanyang... No, it should be that she surpasses him.

Chen Zhuo felt both satisfied and complicated, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Minister will first write several letters to the Capital City. In case this matter escalates, there will be people speaking for us at court."

Indeed, Chief Historian Chen’s actions are reliable, always trustworthy.

"Thank you for your efforts, Uncle Chen," Jiang Shaohua naturally switched to a more intimate address: "Regarding Lady Empress Dowager, I will write to explain myself."

Upon completing official matters, Jiang Shaohua smilingly asked about Chen Haoran’s marriage: "Uncle Chen, during your trip to Jingzhou, did you meet Governor Xue?"

Upon mentioning this, Chief Historian Chen smiled brightly: "Minister visited Governor Xue on the first day. We discussed official matters first and did not bring up the marriage."

"Governor Xue invited minister to stay for a short time at the Inspector Mansion and asked Miss Xue Liu to meet with minister once. That Miss Xue Liu is indeed a lovely lady, well-versed in poetry and books, with an outstanding temperament; she truly is a good girl. Minister mentioned the marriage when leaving."

"Governor Xue did not agree immediately, saying he would consider it for a period."

Jiang Shaohua understood with a smile: "When the man proposes, the woman cannot agree immediately. After some time, Chief Historian Chen can visit again."

For the sake of his grandson’s marriage, Chief Historian Chen laughed and agreed without feeling the burden.