Volume One, Chapter 16: Someone Behind

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”
“I beg Your Majesty to calm your anger!”

Even the Left and Right Prime Ministers knelt on the ground at this moment.

“The treasury is nearly empty. If this continues, the nation will be lost. Suppose the states of Qi and Chu invade, and we have no funds to wage war—what use are you all? You keep a bunch of good-for-nothing drunkards and gluttons. No matter how many people you have, if they’re as useless as dead weight, won’t they just be the enemy’s next victims? What good are you?”

Gong Yuyan sneered coldly.

She had been troubled by this matter for some time.

After Li Xian enlightened her, she understood one thing clearly: this policy must be implemented first. The arrow was already on the bowstring, and it had to be released!

Today was the perfect opportunity.

Rather than attacking a particular clan, changing the broader policies of the Great Qian Dynasty would be more effective.

“Stop kneeling. Everyone, stand up.”

Gong Yuyan said calmly.

The ministers below lowered their heads and glanced at each other. Only when they saw the two prime ministers stand did the others dare to rise as well.

Seeing this scene, Gong Yuyan slowly clenched her fist, then quickly relaxed it.

She needed to proceed step by step.

“Let me say it once more: after today, I intend to implement this policy to alleviate the treasury crisis of our Great Qian. Ministers, does anyone oppose?”

Her voice echoed through the hall, and no one dared to speak.

“Left Prime Minister, Right Prime Minister.”

Gong Yuyan singled them out, as if determined to hear their stance.

The Left Prime Minister cupped his hands, bowed respectfully, and said, “Your Majesty’s policy aligns with the times. It is a wise measure, and I wholeheartedly support it.”

The Right Prime Minister muttered silently, “Old fox,” before also bowing and saying, “Your Majesty, this policy indeed eases the pressing crisis of Great Qian. Previously, I was shortsighted and confused, but now I see its necessity clearly. I have no objection.”

With the most powerful ministers in agreement, the other officials quietly had no dissent.

As for those officials outside the clans, they looked at Gong Yuyan with excitement.

Today, she finally showed the demeanor of a wise ruler.

With time, how could Great Qian not prosper?

Yet the road ahead remained long and arduous.

“Since my ascension, five years have passed with no improvement. The conflicts with Qi and Chu have intensified, and the situation is uncertain. Since all of you are here today, I plan to take advantage of this occasion to implement a second beneficial policy…”

The Empress’s words caused the pupils of the two prime ministers to contract sharply.

If she didn’t act, it was one thing. But once she moved, it was swift and decisive.

The first policy had just been announced, and now a second was ready?

All the ministers were trembling inside, fearing the Empress might suddenly target them.

The eunuch cleared his throat and continued loudly, “By the grace of Your Majesty’s sacred authority and immense benevolence, today we honor the two great vassal states of Great Qian, whose loyalty and protection have maintained our borders for over a century, deserving of recognition. Therefore, from today onward, Great Qian shall confer rewards upon these two vassal states…”

The Policy of Grace!

Another decree.

But this time, it targeted the two major vassal states, which eased the worries of the clan members.

However, the officials serving these vassal states felt a chill in their hearts, compelled to kneel and give thanks for the favor. The Empress was still in a fierce mood, and they did not dare provoke her wrath.

Especially Left Prime Minister Lin Shian, who looked up at the Empress with a flicker of hesitation and confusion in his eyes.

This was unlike the Empress’s usual style!

Her style was straightforward and direct, charging ahead without hesitation.

If she wanted to deal with someone, she did so openly—how could she be so subtle, praising and criticizing in disguise?

This was not her characteristic at all!

Could it be... the Empress had a capable advisor behind the scenes?

...

Several days later, at Li Family Village.

Li Xian still had no knowledge of what had transpired at court.

He looked at his daughter, Gong Xinyi, who had just received another letter, and curiously asked, “What did your mother say this time?”

Gong Xinyi stuck out her tongue playfully and said, “Daddy, actually Mom really wants to make money, but she thinks papermaking is too slow. Daddy, do you have any faster ways to earn money?”

Make money?

Li Xian raised an eyebrow.

Could it be that his thrifty wife was reluctant to part with the formula for Xuan paper?

Were they really that short on funds?

Making money in ancient times wasn’t difficult...

After hesitating for a moment, Li Xian smiled and said, “You’ve come to the right person. There are ways, but first, you have to give your dear father a kiss, then I’ll tell you.”

Upon hearing this, Gong Xinyi immediately leaned in and planted several kisses on Li Xian’s face.

Only then did Li Xian, satisfied, take a sheet of paper and write down a few bold characters: Method for Improving Porcelain.

Not long after, Gong Yuyan, who had seen Li Xian’s letter, grew increasingly complicated in her thoughts. She thought again of the unassuming young man from Li Family Village.

He was truly no ordinary person—a rare talent among men.

But why did he willingly remain in such a small village?

Biting her lip, the Empress summoned Qing Wei and said gravely, “Follow the steps in the letter to produce finished porcelain. Show it to me afterward. We can then establish the Great Qian Porcelain Workshop. Papermaking and porcelain production will be advanced simultaneously. No crafts or formulas will be sold; only trade will be conducted.”

At this stage, Gong Yuyan no longer doubted Li Xian’s abilities.

She wanted to swiftly establish a money-making institution under her direct control instead of always depending on the Ministry of Revenue’s approval. This way, even if disasters like snow calamities occurred, Great Qian would not be hindered.

“As you command.”

Qing Wei was about to leave but paused.

The Empress looked at Qing Wei, curious about what she wanted to say.

“Your Majesty, even if the finished product that records the techniques of blue-and-white porcelain emerges, he already possesses current strategies that prove he is undoubtedly a capable person. Why not issue a decree to have him serve Your Majesty? He could even become Your Majesty’s strategist, which would greatly multiply your effectiveness!”

Qing Wei spoke earnestly to the Empress.

“But then, who would take care of Yiyi?”

The Empress countered.

Qing Wei was speechless.

Indeed, the little princess was more important.

And Li Xian, for now, probably prioritized caring for his daughter.

“What if he grows suspicious?”

Qing Wei raised another question.

Gong Yuyan shook her head lightly and said calmly, “He won’t guess. At least, this process will be long. As for his thoughts, I will not interfere. Correspondence by letters is quite good. I hope he will continue to surprise me.”

Qing Wei said no more and took her leave.

...

A week later, the Great Qian Papermaking Workshop and Porcelain Workshop were officially established and thrived in production!

These two workshops were institutions solely owned by the Empress, with Qing Wei appointed as the chief overseer. No one inside was allowed to leave; anyone attempting to do so would face execution.

As for Li Xian, he was still unaware that his thrifty wife had decisively launched the papermaking and porcelain industries.

He merely looked over the hundred acres of fertile land before him, a trace of reluctance in his eyes.

“Sir, do you have something on your mind?”

Xiao An approached and asked gently.