RWNEFE -Chapter 456 Shen Lanxi’s Solution to the Grain Seed Problem!

At this point, countless eyes were waiting to see how the emperor would respond. Perhaps the two rebel leaders far away in Shu and Qian Prefecture were also waiting to laugh at him.

Thinking of this, Emperor Renxiao felt another surge of anger and agitation.

“Zhou Yun­sui cannot be kept alive. Find someone to handle it properly—do not damage the royal family’s dignity.”

“Yes,” Wang Bao replied.

The next day, news spread from the Court of Judicial Review: Shen Shuniang’s son had insulted the princess and committed the crime of rebellion. He was thrown into the death row prison, to be executed after autumn. The three clans of the Zhang family were exiled to Dongchuan.

Immediately afterward, word came from the Duke Protector’s residence that the princess, overcome with shame, had dismissed everyone after hearing the criminal’s sentence and hanged herself with a white silk sash in her room.

Ever since her eldest son had been arrested, Shen Shuniang had been kneeling at the gate of the Duke Protector’s residence.

The gates remained tightly shut; no matter how she cried and begged, no one came out. Once the verdict was announced, officials from the Court of Judicial Review came to take people away.

Wailing filled the air outside the residence. Before long, Shen Shuniang and her children were bound in chains and taken away.

All members of the Shen family gathered in the main hall. Even the ailing Old Madam Shen was carried out.

A decree from the palace arrived quietly. It bestowed rewards upon Shen Yuanxin, allowed Shen Congwen to reenter official service, and lifted the ban preventing the Shen family’s men from participating in the imperial examinations. It was explicitly stated that at the next examination, all young men of the Shen family could participate.

There was not a single word of reproach in the decree—clearly, it was meant as appeasement.

After all, the scandal had been caused by a princess of the imperial family.

Though the Shen family harbored resentment toward the royal house, they did not dare show it in the slightest and could only respectfully accept the decree.

“The princess died in our residence. Eldest, tomorrow when you attend court, ask how the funeral rites should be handled,” Old Madam Shen said, forcing herself to speak.

A princess had died, yet the household had also received benefits. The one she pitied was her own daughter, who had been implicated by that wretch and now had to suffer exile.

She knew all too well what kind of place Dongchuan was. Without help or connections, survival there was nearly impossible.

Old Madam Shen covered her face and began to weep.

“Mother, Shen Shuniang had already severed ties with our family. Now that her son committed such a disgrace, the fact that it didn’t implicate the Shen family is already great fortune. Do not grieve too much,” Shen Congyi said coldly.

Shen Congwen added, “Mother, I will have people make arrangements. They will surely reach Dongchuan safely.”

Old Madam Shen cried even harder, gasping for breath, as if she might faint again.

She had only thought about the harshness of Dongchuan and forgotten that the journey there was also dangerous. Her daughter’s family might not even survive the road.

“Grandmother, please stop crying. If others hear, they might think we are dissatisfied with His Majesty’s decision,” Shen Yuantang said cautiously, glancing around.

The others understood as well and hurried to persuade her.

“Mother, we were not implicated and even received rewards—that is already imperial grace.”

“We must not let word spread that we are dissatisfied.”

Now that Shen Congwen could return to court, he cast off his previous dejection and began seriously studying the ways of officialdom.

“At a time like this, our entire family must be cautious in word and deed.”

“If anyone asks how the princess died, you must insist that she took her own life out of shame.”

As for whether she truly had done so, the whole family knew the truth.

The eunuch who had delivered the imperial decree had not even read it aloud before going directly to the place where the princess was staying.

After he left, news spread that the princess had killed herself.

It could only be said that the royal family cared about saving face but had little regard for familial affection.

If even a biological daughter could be killed without hesitation, what were unrelated people like them worth?

On Shen Congwen’s first day back at court, he had just reached the palace gate when Wang Bao stopped him.

“Sir, instead of presiding over the princess’s funeral at home, how do you still have the heart to attend court?”

“Everyone knows the princess took her life to preserve her chastity and can serve as a model for women. Your residence must not let her funeral be too shabby.”

Having made his point, Wang Bao turned and left with a stern face.

Shen Congwen carefully pondered the meaning behind those words. After returning home, he immediately dismissed the concubines in his household and began to organize a grand funeral for Zhou Yun­sui.

Since returning home, Shen Yuanxin had locked himself in his room and refused to come out. Shen Congwen then ordered him confined to his quarters.

Only during the princess’s funeral did Shen Yuanxin appear, haggard and looking ten years older.

Five days later, in the Small Cabinet:

“The matter of requesting the establishment of a crown prince has been suppressed. The officials who submitted the memorials were quietly dealt with.”

The result of the test was clear—the emperor was unwilling to appoint a crown prince.

“His Majesty is in good health. The matter of establishing a crown prince can be discussed later.”

All three regent ministers nodded.

While these events were being handled, the envoys from Yue State departed quietly.

Now, most of the mountain regions and burial grounds were waiting for the free grain seeds Shen Lanxi had promised. During court that day, the Ministry of Revenue was the first to raise objections.

“Your Majesty, the grain seeds that Minister Shen promised—we in the Ministry of Revenue have yet to see even a single one.”

Officials from the Ministry of Works followed: “Previously, Minister Shen ordered us to improve agricultural tools, yet no one has come to take delivery.”

An official from the Ministry of Rites said, “If this continues much longer, we will completely miss the farming season. Where will next year’s surplus grain come from to support the realm?”

The Ministry of Personnel added, “We see officials being seconded out, but none returning. Our ministry also has affairs to manage—please have Minister Shen return them.”

The Ministry of War said, “The same applies to us.”

The Ministry of Justice said, “The same applies to us.”

Shen Lanxi had previously drawn a large number of personnel from their departments, leaving them short-handed to the point that their offices were nearly empty.

Emperor Renxiao ordered Shen Lanxi to be summoned.

“The words you spoke before the Yue envoys—I and all the officials still remember them clearly.”

Shen Lanxi dropped a bombshell: “I have already reached a friendly agreement with the Yue envoys. They will provide the grain seeds, and Great Zhou will teach them sericulture and the techniques of raising silkworms, reeling silk, and weaving hemp. Through this exchange of benefits, both nations will achieve a win-win outcome.”

The grand hall fell silent.

The Ministry of Revenue was the first to object.

“Sericulture and weaving are important sources of wealth for Great Zhou. How can we teach them to a foreign nation? Shen Lanxi, in order to achieve your goal, you are harming Great Zhou’s interests—your intentions are punishable!”

Shen Lanxi sneered. “You are the one whose intentions are punishable. Even if Great Zhou does not openly teach them, do you think they will not find other ways to obtain the knowledge?”

“Great Zhou has a vast population and territory. That brings both advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantage is that it is difficult to manage, and there are always loopholes. It is not like a small country—guard the city gates strictly, and you can completely prevent grain seeds from flowing out.”

What she said made sense, but the officials could not tolerate her arrogance.

“Shen Lanxi, you only care about the present and not the future. You are destroying the very foundation of Great Zhou!” an official from the Ministry of Works accused.

Shen Lanxi replied, “I am ensuring that the people of Great Zhou have grain to eat and do not starve. As long as they live well, the foundation of Great Zhou will remain. But if they all starve to death, what use is it to cling to sericulture techniques?”

“Or do you people from the Ministry of Works think grain is less important than cloth?”

The official from the Ministry of Works was left speechless and could only turn to the emperor.

“Your Majesty, please make a decision. Shen Lanxi has forgotten her ancestors and betrayed her roots—please punish her severely!”