The Daily Life of Farming and Raising Children in Ancient Mountain Residences

Chapter 260: Rewarded with Titles

When an emperor gains a huge advantage from commoners, especially when they willingly offer something for the benefit of the empire, and that offering proves to be of great use, what does the emperor do?

He looks to compensate.

Sang Luo’s paper-making technique could not be publicly disclosed. The emperor had previously struggled to find an opportunity to reward her, but now that opportunity presented itself, and the idea of compensation naturally arose.

The last topic before the afternoon court session ended was brought up by the emperor himself: “Let us discuss how to reward Sang Luo of Daxing Mansion.”

This was where the civil officials excelled. Immediately, opinions were voiced. Some suggested commendations, some suggested monetary rewards. The emperor listened to several officials’ suggestions, which included land, silk, and cloth. He only smiled and did not comment. Instead, he turned to Zeng Ziqian: “You are the governor of Shezhou and know best about Sang Luo’s contributions. What do you suggest?”

Zeng Ziqian, no fool, understood the emperor’s intention immediately from the mention of “contributions.” He quickly considered the emperor’s desired extent of reward and then stepped forward. He extolled Sang Luo’s achievements with elegant phrases, from the curved plow to the yam cultivation and the pig-rearing technique. Then he shifted to the main point: “In my humble opinion, the achievements of Sang Luo this year, especially the curved plow and the pig-rearing method, are of such significance to our Da Qi that a reward of silver, silk, and land is not sufficient to reflect the emperor’s grace. I dare to suggest a noble title instead. For a woman, the lowest rank, that of a County Lady, would be appropriate. What does Your Majesty think?”

A title!

Granting a title to a common peasant woman???

The court officials were stunned. Even Li Yu and the emperor’s closest aides were momentarily speechless.

The emperor was making a suggestion, and Zeng Ziqian was audacious enough to propose it?

This was very different from when the Fan family was granted the third-rank title. The Fan family was of high birth, and importantly, her husband was Zeng Ziqian. A wife’s elevation in status was common for officials’ spouses.

But what is a County Lady? Princesses and County Princesses are typically royal family members, while County Ladies and Country Ladies are daughters of meritorious subjects. In the newly established Da Qi, there were many new nobility, but none of the daughters or sisters of these meritorious subjects had been granted titles yet.

In other words, Da Qi had no County Ladies or Country Ladies yet!

And now, a peasant woman, who introduced a pig-rearing method, was proposed to be made a County Lady?

Before the emperor could speak, an official jumped up: “I object!”

“Titles and ranks have traditionally been granted based on military achievements. Granting the title of County Lady for just improving a plow or a pig-rearing method would make our Da Qi a laughingstock. It’s too trivial for a commoner to be granted a title so easily; Mr. Zeng’s suggestion is too frivolous!”

Zeng Ziqian retorted: “Which part is so easy? Is creating the curved plow easy, or is it easier for our Da Qi’s people to rear a pig and gain nearly a hundred pounds of meat every year?”

A heated argument broke out in the court. The emperor watched for a while and then tilted his chin: “Xue Qing, what do you think? Is it appropriate to grant Sang Luo the title of County Lady?”

The few officials who had not yet voiced their opinions twitched their eyelids when the emperor called on Xue Yan.

Xue Yan, though silent until now, had no hesitation once called upon. He stepped forward and said: “I support Mr. Zeng’s proposal. National affairs are about reward and punishment. Although Sang Luo is a commoner with no high officials in her family, she has devoted herself to agriculture and has made significant contributions to the court within a year. Even without military achievements, her contributions benefit the state and the people. I believe she deserves the title of County Lady, and this is the most appropriate reward at this time.”

“Oh?” The emperor raised his eyebrows slightly. “What makes it the most appropriate?”

“The new dynasty is in its early days, and many things need rebuilding. Your Majesty is currently in great need of talented individuals. Granting a title to Sang Luo, a commoner who has made significant contributions, shows that you value talent. There is no need to worry about finding talented individuals.”

Before the emperor could point anyone else, the Left Chancellor stepped forward: “In ancient times, bones were sold for a high price. I believe Master Xue’s words are very accurate. I also propose granting Sang Luo the title of County Lady.”

“I agree!”

“I agree!”

……

With several high-ranking officials voicing their agreement, many others followed suit.

The emperor was satisfied.

“Very well, just as my officials have suggested, I decree that Sang Luo of Shezhou be granted the title of Fifth-Rank County Lady.”

A document was drafted to formalize the decree. For this tribute, Shezhou’s offerings were genuinely useful to the people. The yams would be planted in the royal farm in the spring. The pig-rearing method brought by Zeng Ziqian would be promoted in the surrounding provinces and counties starting tomorrow.

After the court session ended, the emperor, in excellent spirits, returned to his study. On the way, he instructed Cen Xi to have all the offerings from Shezhou, except for the pigs and yams, sent to his study for him to examine.

He had been curious about the fermented tofu and the vermicelli, and how they were eaten.

When the items were delivered, he washed his hands and opened a jar of fresh meat jerky.

Cen Xi noticed the meat jerky and thought about the newly appointed County Lady.

Indeed, his previous guess was correct.

Daxing Mansion was impressive.

Thinking of this, the emperor generously handed him a jar of meat jerky: “The taste is good; this jar is your reward.”

Cen Xi thanked him quickly.

The emperor had already moved on to inspecting other new items.

……

Outside Taiji Hall, the court session had ended, and a group of officials left the palace.

On this day, Shezhou was again the biggest winner. Those who had previously mocked Zeng Ziqian, thinking he would receive no reward, now avoided him from a distance. It was far from no reward; this time, he was granted the title of County Lady. Though the rank was low, it was still a noble title!

Moreover, Zeng Ziqian’s future prospects were evident; the emperor’s satisfaction was clear, and a promotion after the three-year term was almost a certainty. Even the governor of Meizhou left a good impression on the emperor.

Zeng Ziqian simply smiled and waited for his grandfather as they left the palace together.

He did not stay in the capital long, resting only one day before returning to Shezhou with the envoy.

……

When the envoy arrived at Daxing Mansion on the 17th of the twelfth lunar month, it was the end of the year, and farming had ceased, so everyone was relatively free.

The twins were now almost three and a half months old. They were not as tiny as when they were first born. Sang Luo had cared for them meticulously; the two little ones had gradually opened their eyes and could babble. Especially A Yao, who would laugh with a smile when amused, was very endearing.

Shen Lie had made a pushcart cradle according to Sang Luo’s designs during the spare time after his daily lessons. When the weather was good, the two little ones could be pushed out to bask in the sun and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Mansion.

When the Shen family’s pushcart came out, Lu Erlang and Chen Dashan made one for their own children, so Sang Luo could also go out without being tied down completely. On sunny winter days, she, along with Feng Liuniang, Zhou Ge, and others, often took the children out.

Of course, they spent most of their time outside the Shen family’s door, as there were often children reading, whether it was Shen Ning or Xu Wenyin acting as little teachers.

The four little ones loved the excitement the most. A Yao, who couldn’t yet sit up, would lie in the pushcart, waving her hands happily and babbling away, while even the usually quiet Qian Bao would perk up his ears and watch with wide, lively eyes.

At this time, Nanny Zhong arrived with the news that the court had a reward. The envoy had arrived at the governor’s residence and would come here in half an hour.

Upon hearing this, Shen Ning immediately stopped his lessons, put down his bamboo slips, and left the pavilion: “An envoy? Is there another imperial decree?”

Nanny Zhong smiled widely: “Yes.”

This time, there was no need to borrow a fragrance table from the Xu family. The Shen family had everything prepared, and they were experienced. Sang Luo handed the children over to Shen Ning and, with the help of Qin Fangniang, Wei Lingzhen, and others who were also basking in the sun, began to make arrangements. She also asked Nanny Zhong about the envoy and prepared the red envelopes for the rewards in advance.

Shen Lie and Shen An were called from their studies by the governor’s residence for the same reason as before—to receive the decree.

It was not cabbage!

Twice in a year.

Not only were the teachers and classmates stunned, but Shen Lie and Shen An were also dumbfounded. However, they knew they couldn’t delay, so they quickly took leave from their teachers and returned home. When they arrived at Daxing Mansion, due to the pomp of the envoy, many neighboring villagers squeezed into the Mansion to watch the excitement.

At the end of the fifth year of crossing time, Sang Luo received the imperial decree for the second time. This time, the envoy was a palace attendant, not a special envoy. She guessed it was for the pig-rearing method reward and thought it might be silver, silk, or land. What she didn’t expect was that she was made a Da Qi County Lady?!!

The decree from the Emperor of Heaven stated, after a series of praises, “Fifth-Rank County Lady”?

Everyone in the Shen family, except for the two babies still in the pushcart, was stunned.

The decree also mentioned that she would not receive a fief but would receive an annual salary of 40 taels of silver and 40 kilograms of rice, and the emperor also granted her a County Lady’s residence in the capital?

The decree and ceremonial attire were presented to her. Sang Luo was still in a daze, her heart racing. The onlookers, including Mrs. Chen and others, were astonished, their mouths hanging open as if they could fit an egg inside.

The palace attendant who delivered the decree reminded her with a smile: “County Lady, please accept and thank the emperor.”

Sang Luo came to her senses, hurriedly accepting the decree and thanking the emperor. She received the ceremonial attire from the palace attendant. Shen Lie promptly handed a prepared red envelope to the lead palace attendant, while Shen An attended to the other attendants.

The palace attendants, already instructed by Cen Xi, were courteous to the Shen family. After receiving the red envelopes, they smiled and said, “The County Lady’s residence still needs some repairs and adjustments. When the County Lady comes to the capital, you can go to the Ministry of Revenue for the final arrangements.”

Sang Luo thanked them. She didn’t even know how Shen Lie managed to entertain and see off the guests. She pinched her cheek, looked at Shen Ning, and asked, “Am I really a County Lady?”

Shen Ning was even more stunned: “Sister-in-law, pinch me.”

Sang Luo was about to pinch him when Mrs. Chen and others came in. Xu Wenyin helped pinch her, and she pinched Shen Ning with one hand and herself with the other: “This isn’t a dream…”

Shen Lie sent the guests away. The couple placed the decree on display and stared at each other in the south room, then both burst into light laughter.

Shen Lie said with a smirk: “Congratulations, my lady.”

The news of Sang Luo being granted the title of County Lady spread like wildfire around Shezhou. The common people realized that if one truly devoted themselves to studying agriculture and pig-rearing and made real progress, they too could be granted a title and achieve wealth!