Read Novel Full Chapter 828 - 6: Turning Sea Salt into Good Salt (3)
Chapter 828: Chapter 6: Turning Sea Salt into Good Salt (3)
"Your Highness, I believe that under your leadership, Lingnan will transform from a place of poverty to a homeland where the people feel at ease." Not only is Your Highness wise, but you also care deeply for the people. He firmly believes that under Your Highness’s governance, Lingnan will only get better and better.
"Sir, let’s work hard together." Now that we’re here, there’s no going back, so we must continue to press on. "Sir, if there are any areas that need improvement, please compile them together, then discuss them with Wen Daoji and let me know."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Sir, draft a plan for the revamping of Swamp Prefecture’s hostel first." Zhao Yao was unfamiliar with hostels, so he wanted to see Mr. Xiao’s suggestions. If there were any omissions, he could refer to the post office from the world of the dream of Zhao Yao.
"I will write it tonight." The matter of the hostel could not be delayed; he would not sleep tonight to get it organized.
Zhao Yao nearly forgot a very important matter but luckily remembered just in time.
"Sir, you must handle the matters of the imperial examination before the year’s end. From now on, the Lingnan imperial examinations will be hosted by the Ministry of Rites."
"What?" Mr. Xiao was startled, "The Ministry of Rites also manages the imperial examination?"
"Of course." Seeing the surprised expression on Mr. Xiao’s face, Zhao Yao appeared somewhat peculiar, "Did I not mention this before?"
Mr. Xiao lightly shook his head, "No, this is the first time I’m hearing this from you."
Zhao Yao raised his hand and tapped his forehead, "My mind! I actually forgot such an important thing."
"Your Highness, is it appropriate to entrust the critical matter of the imperial examination to the Ministry of Rites?" Holding the imperial examination is to select talents for the court; Mr. Xiao believed it should be entrusted to the Ministry of Personnel. "Your Highness, the imperial examination should be managed by the Ministry of Personnel."
"The Ministry of Personnel?" Hearing Mr. Xiao’s suggestion, Zhao Yao was puzzled, but soon he understood Mr. Xiao’s reasoning, "Sir, you think the imperial examination is to select officials for the court, and since officials are managed by the Ministry of Personnel, you believe the imperial examination should also be managed by them."
"Yes."
"Sir, in that case, the imperial examination would then be dictated by the Ministry of Personnel."
Mr. Xiao hadn’t thought of this point, but hearing Zhao Yao’s words now, he realized it would indeed be inappropriate to have the Ministry of Personnel handle the imperial examination.
"Sir, I appointed you as the Minister of Rites firstly because you’re well-versed in propriety and music, and secondly because you’re well-read and of noble character. Entrusting the imperial examination to you puts my mind at ease."
Mr. Xiao was deeply moved by Zhao Yao’s trust and value in him.
"I will never betray Your Highness’s trust."
"Sir, by February next year, you need to be ready for the county examination and prefectural examination." If not prepared, next year’s county and prefectural examinations would be too late to handle.
"Yes, Your Highness, we will make every effort to hold the county and academic examinations successfully." Just as Mr. Xiao finished speaking, he suddenly thought of other areas in Lingnan and asked with confusion, "Your Highness, what about the imperial examinations in other areas?"
"There are very few people participating in the Lingnan imperial examination. As far as I know, only three prefectures participate." Taichuan Prefecture, Shaoshan Prefecture, and Duanzhou Prefecture. Taichuan Prefecture is the capital city of Lingnan, while Shaoshan Prefecture and Duanzhou Prefecture are managed by the sons of Grandmaster Liu and Prime Minister He, respectively. Therefore, these three prefectures are better off and have students participating in the imperial examination. As for the other prefectures, there isn’t a single student participating. Next year’s imperial examination must include Swamp Prefecture."
"The examinations in Taichuan Prefecture, Shaoshan Prefecture, and Duanzhou Prefecture will proceed as usual. Sir, you are in charge of arranging the imperial examination in Swamp Prefecture." Zhao Yao expressed his relief, "Fortunately, the provincial examination is three years away, or we would be overwhelmed next year. Had I known there were so many issues in Lingnan, I would have investigated the testimonies of officials in each prefecture a few years ago and let Father handle them. This way, when I arrived in Lingnan, many troubles could have been avoided."
"Yes, it’s a good thing the provincial examination is in three years and that there are very few students participating in the Lingnan imperial examination." Referring to the few students participating, Mr. Xiao was full of concern, "Your Highness, the low number of students from Lingnan is not a good sign. Did you forget about our earlier discussion on creating free schools?"
"Of course, I haven’t forgotten. However, it won’t be possible this year. It can be implemented in the second half of next year."
Hearing this promising response from Zhao Yao, Mr. Xiao was visibly pleased and excitedly exclaimed, "Your Highness, really?"
"Sir, when have I ever deceived you?" In addition to establishing free schools, there would also be libraries, Jisheng Hall, nursing homes, etc. "However, sir, you are aware of the current situation in Lingnan. Even if I establish free schools next year, I doubt many students will enroll initially. It will likely take a considerable amount of time."
"Your Highness, we must proceed step by step, and I believe that eventually, many children will attend free schools." Mr. Xiao was very optimistic, "I believe that in ten or twenty years, Lingnan will not only become a prosperous land but also a place rich in cultural heritage."
"Then I shall rely on your good words, Mr. Xiao."
Mr. Xiao spoke about a few more matters, and by the time he finished, it was already noon. Zhao Yao invited him to stay for lunch, but Mr. Xiao said he had numerous things to attend to and needed to return to the government first.
When He Lianfang saw Zhao Yao appear in the dining hall today, he feigned a look of surprise.
"Well, what a rare visit from Prince Han today!"
Hearing the sarcastic tone in He Lianfang’s voice, Zhao Yao smiled at him in a placating manner, "Second Uncle, haven’t I been busy?"
"What have you been busy with these days?" He Lianfang asked, "Have you ordered someone to brew my wine?"
"I have already found a master brewer, it should be ready for brewing in a few days." After washing his hands with soap, Zhao Yao took the handkerchief handed over by Tong Xi, dried his hands, and then sat down opposite He Lianfang. "In these past few days, I’ve visited every corner of Swamp Prefecture, selecting a few prime locations. One for a farm, one for a factory, one for a secret military base, and one..."
After hearing Zhao Yao’s plans, He Lianfang was astonished, "How many buildings are you planning to construct?"
"Many, very many." Zhao Yao continued, "Oh, I also examined the marshlands. I nearly fell in, but thankfully, I reacted quickly."
"What were you doing in those dangerous marshlands?"
"Naturally, I was inspecting the marsh." Zhao Yao said while eating, "When I decided to set the Prince Mansion in Swamp Prefecture, it was partly because it is by the sea, but primarily because of the marshlands. These marshlands are indeed valuable resources."
"The marshlands are valuable resources?" He Lianfang thought Zhao Yao’s idea was absurd.
"Second Uncle, when utilized properly, the marshlands are truly valuable. However, for now, I don’t have the energy or the personnel to manage it." Zhao Yao calculated, "By the year after next, we might be able to do something about it." There aren’t enough people; next year, maybe we can employ some of the exiled criminals serving their sentences for labor.
Though He Lianfang couldn’t understand how marshlands could be valuable, he trusted Zhao Yao. This young man always had a knack for turning useless things into treasures.
"I’ve also inspected the docks, gone to the coast, and even sailed out to sea." In recent days, Zhao Yao had visited quite a few places, "Second Uncle, next I’m planning to turn sea salt into refined salt."
"You plan to turn sea salt into refined salt? Do you have a method?"
"Yes, and the salt produced won’t be inferior to the salt we eat in the capital." Zhao Yao said with a mischievous grin, "The best part is, as long as the sea doesn’t dry up, we can continuously produce salt. By then, we can reduce the salt prices in the Great Zhou substantially, and those salt merchants, aristocratic families, and officials will be taken by surprise."
Upon hearing this, He Lianfang’s expression turned serious, "Can you truly transform sea salt into refined salt?"
With great confidence, Zhao Yao replied, "Yes, I can start doing it tomorrow."
He Lianfang gasped in shock.