Qingjiang Prefecture had only one prefectural city. The situation within the prefecture was similar to the inner city. Because the land here was barren, crops did not yield much. After paying the annual grain tax, what was left was just enough for subsistence. Given this situation, most families farmed less land and almost all the men went to the town's dockyards to work as laborers.
After Liu Qingfeng finished speaking, he paused. Seeing that the Princess Consort did not ask any questions but listened attentively, he became bolder.
"It would have been better a few years ago, as there were no wars then. After this tribulation, more than half of Qingjiang Prefecture's population has left. Those who remain are mostly the old, weak, and infirm, with few young and strong individuals."
"There have been cases of people returning home in recent months. The total population of Qingjiang Prefecture is only a little over thirteen thousand people, with more than forty thousand mu of cultivated land. The remaining wasteland is left uncultivated, lying desolate."
Zhao Jiaqi nodded slightly, having a general idea of the matter. "Since that's the case, have you asked the villagers if they are willing to rent out their land?"
Liu Qingfeng nodded. "Of course, they are willing. Ever since they learned that the Princess Consort wanted to rent land, every household has been reclaiming wasteland. They are waiting for the Princess Consort to rent land so they can cultivate more mu and earn more silver. Even though the yield from wasteland will be significantly reduced, I have warned the county magistrates and town heads, but it had no effect. The common people are still doing their own thing."
As long as the farmers' enthusiasm could be stimulated, even if the harvest was less, it didn't matter.
If the first season yielded little, the second season would yield more. Moreover, she was professionally trained in agriculture and was not afraid of dealing with newly reclaimed wasteland.
"It's alright, let them cultivate. I will rent whatever they cultivate, no matter how much!" Zhao Jiaqi took a contract with clearly written clauses and handed it to Qiufeng beside her.
The latter handed it to Liu Qingfeng. "This is the contract I've written. Later, I will send people to Qingjiang Prefecture to deliver the rent in person and sign the contract. You must cooperate with all your might. If there's anything you can't resolve, find Prefect Xiao."
Xiao Qinghe, hearing his name mentioned, quickly chimed in. "Yes, your humble servant will definitely cooperate well with Prefect Liu."
"Mm, I will await your good news."
What couldn't be accomplished in the inner city was achieved in Qingjiang Prefecture. Could this be considered that when one tries to cultivate flowers, they don't bloom, but when one plants willows without intention, they thrive.
As the two officials in official robes left, Zong Han happened to see them. He looked towards the front hall. At this time, Fan Zehao was in the prison interrogating the merchants. The person receiving these two should be that cunning woman, Zhao Jiaqi.
He turned his feet and went to the front hall.
He immediately saw the stacks of thick papers on the Eight Immortals table. His brow furrowed slightly. "You're not staying put to care for your pregnancy, yet you're looking at such troublesome things."
As he spoke, his hand reached for the papers with writing on them. Zhao Jiaqi didn't stop him, as it wasn't confidential. Let him read.
Skimming through them, Zong Han briefly finished reading the contents. It was all information about the common people, and it was quite detailed.
He put the papers down, not understanding what this woman was trying to do. He asked curiously, "You are a dignified Princess Consort, yet you don't live a life of ease and comfort. Why are you always fussing about? What are you trying to achieve?"
"I'm doing it for my own happiness!"
"Is it that simple?" Zong Han clearly didn't believe her words.
Zhao Jiaqi retorted, "Or else?"
Did she really have to reveal her entire plan?
She wasn't stupid; she hadn't forgotten that he was the emperor of the neighboring country.
Zong Han, having been rebuffed, pouted and left.
Preparations for the opening of the Trade City were still underway. Xiao Ce, who had been missing for three days, returned, bringing many people and some collected evidence. He suddenly appeared at the Prince's mansion.
Pinging saw the bustling crowd and her brow furrowed tightly. She blocked his path. "Official Xiao, where did you get these people from?"
"These are all important individuals. Is His Highness at the mansion?"
Pinging shook her head. "He's not here. I think he went to find the Prefect!"
Hearing this, Xiao Ce turned and led his men away. He came in a hurry and left in a hurry. Seeing Xiao Ce's somber expression, she felt that something important was bound to happen. She turned her feet and went directly to her elder sister-in-law.
"Sister-in-law, I'm talking to you. Why aren't you reacting?"
Zhao Jiaqi, who was making children's clothes, felt a headache from being shaken. She looked up and glanced helplessly at the careless woman.
"His Highness is a grown man. He has discretion in what he does. Why should I worry about it? Besides, it's just a group of people who have arrived, not anything unspeakable."
Although she said so, her mind was thinking: A group of important people have arrived. How important must they be?
Recalling that her husband was dissatisfied with Qian Lai's judgment a few days ago, she guessed that they were preparing to deal with Qian Lai and the Ji family. These important people were likely key figures who could bring down the Ji family and the Prefect.
It was good to get rid of the rotten elements early, leaving the enfeoffed lands clear and bright.
Her guess was soon confirmed. Wangcai returned shortly after to report on the events at the yamen.
Wangcai bowed. "Princess Consort, His Highness will not be back for lunch. He is currently interrogating Qian Lai. He has asked the Princess Consort not to worry."
Worry?
Worry about what? She was still angry; she didn't have time to worry about him.
"I understand!" Wangcai waited for the Princess Consort to say something so he could return with a report, but after waiting for a while, he saw no instructions from the Princess Consort.
He froze for a moment and finally left dejectedly. He wondered how he should reply when the Prince asked him later.
In the afternoon, outside the Prince's mansion, a woman claiming to be Madam Liu rushed to the door, saying she had important matters to discuss with the Princess Consort.
The housekeeper found this person somewhat familiar. She introduced herself again, and he immediately remembered that she was Bai Jie, the wife of Liu Runming.
"Please wait. Allow this old servant to go in and inform her!"
Steward Wang asked the maids to serve Madam Liu well, while he personally went to the Princess Consort's courtyard to report.
"Your Highness, Madam Bai Jie, wife of Liu Runming of the Liu family, one of the Four Great Families, has arrived. She says she has an urgent matter to discuss with the Princess Consort and is currently waiting in the front hall!"
Madam Liu Runming? Why was she here now?
Could it be related to today's interrogation of Qian Lai and the investigation of the Ji family?
"Please invite her over." Zhao Jiaqi did not dare to be careless.
She asked the housekeeper to bring the person directly to her courtyard. It would be more convenient to talk here, and it would be less likely for news to leak.
Soon, Bai Jie was brought in by the housekeeper. She was alone, without any maids. Just as Zhao Jiaqi was wondering, she saw Bai Jie about to curtsy, but Zhao Jiaqi stopped her.
"No need for ceremony, Madam Liu, please be seated."
Bai Jie softly said thank you and sat on the chair beside her. She scanned the room discreetly, which Zhao Jiaqi noticed.
She smiled. "Madam Liu, please speak your mind. The maids by my side are very reliable."
Having her unspoken concern pointed out by the Princess Consort, Bai Jie did not show any embarrassment, but her expression relaxed. "Your Highness, my husband sent me to inform you. Ji Shiyi somehow got wind that His Highness planned to arrest him and had found evidence of his corruption and bribery. Before fleeing, he went to the Liu mansion and asked my husband to be his inside informant and monitor His Highness's movements!"
Ji Shiyi has fled?