vrcanaries Chapter 421 A Play That Only the Prefect Didn't Understand
Chapter 421 A Play That Only the Prefect Didn't Understand
Lu Jing was overwhelmed with emotion and stood up to raise her glass as well, "This humble woman also wishes Your Highness a long and happy life with your beloved."
As she spoke, she poked Gu Xixi from below.
Mu Nanzhao had already picked up his wine glass and drunk it all in one gulp. He smiled slightly and said, "Thank you. I hope you can take my good wishes with you."
He said this while looking at Gu Xixi.
Jiang Mingyuan also drank, but remained silent.
The three men each had their own agendas, along with Prefect Xu, who was completely unaware of the situation.
Prefect Xu was still thinking with a sigh when the prince actually smiled and thanked a commoner girl.
He is truly courteous to scholars and his temper is not as bad as rumored.
At this moment, Gu Xixi finally put down her chopsticks and stood up, holding her teacup with both hands.
"I think the prince's genuine emotions are much more interesting than the stories circulating in the streets."
"This humble woman is not skilled at drinking alcohol, so I will offer tea instead of wine to Your Highness."
Mu Nanzhao also stood up under the astonished gaze of Prefect Xu.
"I am very pleased that Mr. Gu thinks this way."
The two smiled at each other and each drank the water and wine in their cups.
Prefect Xu was shocked. Even if the Regent Prince didn't like to put on airs, this approachable manner was a bit... excessive, wasn't it?
Jiang Mingyuan gave a self-deprecating bitter smile, lowered his eyes, poured himself a drink, and drank three cups of wine in a row.
Lu Jing pinched her thigh excitedly, otherwise she was afraid she would burst out laughing.
Prefect Xu didn't pay attention to the reactions of others; his gaze darted back and forth between Mu Nanzhao and Gu Xixi several times.
A bold guess suddenly arose in my mind.
Prefect Xu stared wide-eyed, his heart filled with disbelief.
But the more this was the case, the more he wanted to find out the answer.
After hesitating for a long time, Prefect Xu finally smiled and said, "I think Your Highness and Boss Gu hit it off immediately."
"Could it be that the two of you have known each other before?"
Mu Nanzhao said calmly, "Indeed, as Lord Xu said, this is the first time I have met Boss Gu."
Gu Xixi smiled and said, "If it weren't for the good fortune I had with the Prefect today, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet Your Highness."
Prefect Xu nodded, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Oh, yes, that's true."
He breathed a sigh of relief, but was inexplicably disappointed.
It seems that this Mr. Gu just happens to share the same surname.
Jiang Mingyuan, of course, did not forget his most important task.
He drank alone in silence, quickly composed himself, and then mentioned the tea garden to Prefect Xu.
Gu Xixi had been waiting for this moment all night.
She then went on to elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages of the tea garden's location, the planting plan, personnel recruitment, tea production and varieties, and plans for future business development.
Prefect Xu had already reviewed the proposal in advance, and he listened very attentively.
He would ask his own questions from time to time.
As the local official in charge, Jiang Mingyuan naturally had to participate in the conversation.
This conversation lasted for half an hour.
The prefect Xu did not raise any further questions, and judging from his expression, he seemed quite satisfied.
After all, there are many benefits to successfully establishing such a large tea plantation.
It goes without saying how profitable the tea business is.
If the title of "Northwest's No. 1 Tea Garden" becomes a prestigious brand in the future, it will be a valuable asset for officials.
Local government offices receive a substantial increase in public funds each year, which also stimulates other tax revenues.
After the tea plantation is established, workers will be needed so that people who lack land can earn a living through their labor.
In summary, it's like having both substance and appearance.
Prefect Xu said, "I cannot agree to this matter immediately."
"We'll have to discuss it with my colleagues tomorrow before making a decision."
He paused, then smiled and said, "In the prosperous Jiangnan region, silk and tea have always accounted for the largest share of tax revenue."
"I never imagined that tea trees could be grown in our harsh and barren Northwest."
Gu Xixi knew he was already interested, but he still had doubts about whether the tea trees could be successfully planted.
She looked at Lü Jing.
Lü Jing understood, said goodbye to everyone at the table, and left first.
After a while, she came back with a whole round Fu tea cake in her hand.
Gu Xixi said, "This is Fu brick tea that I made at home last year."
"If Your Excellency does not mind, you may share your opinion with the other officials tomorrow."
Prefect Xu accepted the tea cakes and smiled knowingly.
This Mr. Gu is indeed clever; he could see where his concerns lay.
Nothing is more convincing than presenting the facts directly.
They returned to the post station that evening.
Lu Jingcai finally voiced her doubts, "Doesn't the boss have a... foolproof pass?"
Whenever business is discussed, Lü Jing refers to Gu Xixi as "boss" to distinguish it from their daily life.
Gu Xixi also told Lü Jing the truth about the gold medal bestowed by the emperor on the way back to the Northwest.
Gu Xixi smiled and asked in return, "Do you think I should just shove the gold medal right in front of Prefect Xu and tell him that he must cooperate with me and do whatever I say?"
“Hmm…” Lu Jing frowned and pondered, “Doing it this way doesn’t seem quite right.”
Gu Xixi said, "I will naturally do my best to do what I am supposed to do."
"We can't just rely on this gold medal."
“Think about it, what if the tea plantation plan itself is not feasible, for example, if officials are not satisfied with a certain detail of the public-private partnership, but have to comply with me because of the gold medal?”
"If the tea plantation ultimately failed to succeed, does that mean I wasted my time and effort in winning this prestigious award?"
Lu Jing seemed thoughtful. "So even if you have such great power, you can't always think about relying on it."
"You still have to do what you're supposed to do yourself."
Gu Xixi nodded, "That's necessary."
She said earnestly, "We farmers have no way of making fakes."
"Whether it's good or bad, success or failure, it will all be revealed to the world with each season's harvest."
Lü Jing nodded solemnly.
After a moment, she asked again, "Then in what situations should we use this brand?"
Gu Xixi said calmly, "If someone deliberately stirs up trouble, makes trouble out of nothing, or makes unfounded objections, I cannot accept that at all."
"Or perhaps the situation is urgent, or it concerns survival."
Lü Jing agreed, "Yes! Good steel should be used where it's most needed."
"If you bring up trivial matters like flies every time, they will seem worthless after a while."
Gu Xixi got up and took off her clothes. "Go to sleep early. We need to wait for the results of the government's discussion tomorrow."
"If we are summoned for questioning again, we need to be well-rested."
After washing up, the two lay side by side on the bed.
After some time, Lü Jing, perhaps too excited tonight, found it difficult to fall asleep.
She asked softly, "Xixi, are you asleep?"
Hearing Gu Xixi give a muffled "hmm," Lü Jing immediately turned to face her.
"Since you're not asleep, let's chat."
"Your regent has finally returned to the Northwest. I wonder how long he will stay this time?"
Will he come home with you?
Gu Xixi closed her eyes, not wanting to answer.
In the end, he still said, "I don't know, maybe not, maybe not."
"He's always been so easygoing; there's no need to rack your brains to figure him out."
"Besides... I haven't planned to get married yet."
Gu Xixi's voice grew softer and softer, gradually giving way to even, shallow breathing.
She's really asleep now.