Chapter 113

Chapter 113

Meng Die's good fortune seemed never-ending. This year, the manor had planted an abundant crop of watermelons. Starting from the seventh lunar month, they ripened one after another. Xing Huang eagerly went to the manor to select the best melons. Not only did she assemble a team of melon selectors, but she also collaborated with Month Lotus to create several delightful watermelon desserts.

These watermelon-based sweets, unlike the exorbitantly priced cream cakes of old, were now more affordable, though still not exactly budget-friendly. Common merchants and officials could now afford them, no longer restricting these delicacies to the exclusive domain of the elite aristocrats and wealthiest gentry.

Naturally, those who tasted these treats sang their praises. In this era, sweet foods were scarce, and dairy products even more so. The combination of the two produced a synergistic effect that far surpassed the sum of its parts. The watermelon, when paired with these desserts, quickly became a household name in the capital within just a couple of days.

Despite the abundance of watermelons on the manor, the food enthusiasts in the city were overly enthusiastic, causing the watermelons to sell out swiftly. The disappointment was palpable among the masses, and some of the top-ranking officials and wealthy gentry secretly blamed Meng Die. They believed that the watermelon desserts should never have been discounted, as it led to their unavailability.

As the folks in the capital city sighed in disappointment, a hundred-odd-man squad, accompanied by a string of carts, halted in a county town some thirty miles away from the imperial city. The majority of the group consisted of robust young men, with only a few elders among them. Under the scorching sun, these elders unslung the water pouches at their waists to soothe their throats.

Twenty-something Tan Cheng approached one of the elders. "Uncle-grandfather, let's take a break."

Tan Yan glanced at the sun, his expression revealing obvious hesitation.

Tan Cheng hurriedly added, "Humans can endure it, but what about the melons? Even with straw mats covering them, they'll still get baked under this blazing sun."

Upon hearing the mention of melons, Tan Yan discussed with the other elders and finally nodded. The convoy found a shady spot to rest. The well-disciplined team members split into groups: some munching on dry bread and sipping salty water, while others fetched water to nourish the mules and horses.

After a brief respite, those who hadn't eaten started to do so, while those who had finished eating went to fetch water. They carefully sprinkled it onto the carriage to cool it down.

Tan Yan managed to eat a little and then cautiously lifted the straw mat on the carriage. Seeing the still-green gourd skin inside, he sighed in relief. "We've worked hard today. If we travel a bit further tonight, we'll reach the capital by tomorrow morning."

Tan Cheng's gaze turned towards the direction of the capital. "Great-Uncle, with the city being so vast, do you think we'll be able to find the Minister's residence?"

This question seemed to flip a switch. The previously quiet group instantly became lively, filled with chatter.

"Our provincial governor and county magistrate both offered to send people to accompany us on our journey. We should have agreed back then."

"What are we agreeing to? The Prefect and County Magistrates will be swamped, their subordinates stretched to the limit. We shouldn't add to their burden. Besides, it's not just our villages growing watermelons. If they send someone to monitor us, should they also send guards for the other villages' caravans?"

There was a moment of silence, and then the conversation shifted.

"Will these watermelons sell?"

"Yes, will the people in the capital even recognize our produce?"

"When the watermelons first ripened, our village cut one open. I had a taste, and it was delicious."

"What's the point of us finding it delicious? People in the capital have had every delicacy under the sun. Would they truly appreciate our watermelons?"

The group fell silent again, mainly because the price of the watermelon was not low. The cost of transporting them from Ganzhou to the capital, including the provisions and accommodations for the journey, would all be factored into the price. This meant that each watermelon had to be sold for at least one tael of silver to break even. Their county magistrate had set an even higher price of two taels. Considering this, they were unwilling to purchase them.

With that money, they could buy any kind of meat they desired. Watermelons were just full of water and could be consumed in a few bites. If they were in the buyers' shoes, they definitely wouldn't spend their money on watermelons. At this thought, everyone's spirits dampened.

"You're overthinking it. Think about where these watermelon seeds came from? They were given to us by the governor's daughter, the one who discovered the sweet potato. If she says these are good, they must be."

"That's right, yesterday when we rested at the teahouse, I overheard someone saying she's like a goddess of fortune come down to earth,"

"Exactly, exactly, especially since Minister Meng is still in the capital; he will surely find a way to help us."

"With Minister Meng on our side, we have nothing to fear when we arrive in the city."

They cheered each other up with these words and, once the sun wasn't as scorching, resumed their journey. Along the way, Tan Cheng invited the elders to rest in the carriage, but they declined, not wanting to overburden the animals. They preferred to endure the hardship themselves.

Primarily, these animals did not belong to them; collectively, their villages couldn't afford more than five oxen. These mules and horses were rented from a carriage house with the county magistrate personally vouching for them, so they had to be used with great care.

Travelling in the dark for much of the night, they finally, as they had hoped, entered the grand gates of the capital the following morning. As instructed by their county magistrate before their departure, they lifted the straw mats covering the carriage, revealing the lush green watermelons inside.

Tan Yan and the other elders felt somewhat bewildered. They had visited the capital in their youth, but back then, the roads weren't so wide, and there weren't as many people around. Where on earth was this Minister of Rites' residence? They considered asking someone for directions, but upon observing the clean attire of passersby and comparing it to their own clothes, with dirt forever trapped between their fingers, they immediately lost the courage to open their mouths.

While they hesitated, someone else didn't. A young shopkeeper, dressed in a silk shirt, nearly had his eyes turn green when he spotted the green-skinned watermelons in the cart. Could this be a watermelon? He had once managed to snatch one from a dessert stall and had seen uncut, giant watermelons inside a house.

"Old sir, where are you from? And what's in that cart? It looks rather peculiar yet appealing."

Tan Yan observed the man's clean, presentable clothing and neat face, shrinking back slightly before mustering up the courage with a heavy accent. "We're from Ganzhou. The cart holds watermelons."

To be honest, the young shopkeeper hadn't quite caught the origin of the travelers, but he had clearly heard the word "watermelon." His eyes instantly lit up. Watermelon — was it the watermelon he was thinking of?

"Old sir, what's the inside of your watermelon like?"

Seeing that the man was amiable, Tan Yan gained some confidence: "The inner part has red flesh, which is sweet. The outer part with white flesh isn't sweet, but it can be used to wrap dumplings."

The young shopkeeper's eyes glimmered with greed, now certain that this was indeed the watermelon he sought. "How much are you selling this watermelon for?"

Tan Yan hesitated, fidgeting with his clothes, but finally decided to follow the county magistrate's advice: "Two taels of silver each."

The young shopkeeper's eyes widened in shock, his voice involuntarily rising: "How much?"

Tan Yan shrank back, realizing his price might be too steep. Should he lower it? But the county magistrate had repeatedly instructed them before their departure to sell each melon for two taels of silver. If he reduced the price, what would happen to the other villages that came to sell their melons?

Seeing the buyer's silence, the young vendor grew anxious and raised his voice again, asking insistently, "Two taels of silver, for one?"

Tan Yan nodded solemnly.

Joy spread across the man's face. Goodness gracious, he had stumbled upon a stroke of luck today! He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out two pieces of broken silver, handing them to Tan Yan. "Pick me out two."

Stunned into silence, Tan Yan was unable to react. It was Tan Cheng's younger generation who sprang into action, promptly selecting two round, plump watermelons for the customer.

The young merchant carried a large watermelon in each arm, striding briskly homeward with a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear, revealing his pearly whites.

Many people had been eavesdropping on their transaction; they clearly heard that each watermelon was priced at two taels of silver. Upon seeing the young merchant take away two enormous watermelons, a crowd swarmed around him instantly, surrounding the convoy like a swarm of bees.

"I'll take one watermelon."

"Give me two."

"Five... no, twenty, please!"

The crowd instantly glared at the man, but upon seeing him accompanied by a few servants, they all fell silent. Swiftly, they handed the silver to Tan Yan and hastily grabbed a watermelon before running away. If news of this bargain spread, they wouldn't be able to buy such cheap watermelons anymore.

Tan Yan's group had entered the city gates in the morning, and by noon, all the several hundred large watermelons they brought were sold out. Each person's arms were filled with silver.

Looking at the empty cart and the silver in their hands, Tan Yan and many others couldn't help but shed tears. Apart from Linze County, most places in their border region were impoverished. Even Linze County had its destitute areas, such as the villages they came from. The land there was hard, dry, and infertile, resulting in poor crop yields every year and consequent hunger.

County magistrates came and went, but none could come up with a solution to help them. Last year, they heard that sweet potatoes could be cultivated in the border region. It was like celebrating the New Year for every household; everyone was smiling, and there was finally hope for a better future.

However, reality was harsh. Sweet potato seeds were scarce, and many people were vying for them. When would it be their village's turn? At this time, County Magistrate Meng suggested they plant watermelons, saying they could be sold in the capital. After discussing, Tan Yan and the other village heads agreed to cultivate watermelons. Though they verbally consented, they were uncertain deep down, even preparing themselves for the worst-case scenario.

"Old Sir, what's the matter with you? Has something happened?" The two bailiffs approached and asked gently.

Tan Yan wiped away his tears and waved his hands repeatedly. "Nothing, nothing. We're just too happy. All the goods we brought have been sold, completely sold out."

It took the bailiffs a few repetitions to understand Tan Yan's words. Those around them chimed in, explaining that they had come to sell watermelons and managed to sell several hundred large ones in just a short span of two hours.

Watermelons? The bailiff's eyes lit up, but then he deflated as he looked at the empty cart. "Old Sir, do you have any more watermelons?"

Tan Yan waved his hands again. "None left, none left. There is another harvest in the village, but it will take some time before we can bring them here."

The bailiffs' faces fell; it seemed they still had to wait a while.

Tan Cheng, emboldened, interjected, "Our villages set out early. In another two or three days, the caravans from other villages should arrive too."

"Really?" The crowd that had dispersed before now swarmed around again.

After a laborious exchange, both parties finally grasped the general situation. Tan Yan and his group learned why the watermelons were selling so well.

It turned out that the daughter of their current prefect, and the niece of their county magistrate, had also grown watermelons. She had turned them into desserts and sold them at an exorbitant price (by their standards). Yet, everyone in the capital was raving about how delicious they were, and it had even become a point of pride to have tasted her watermelon dessert. Recently, it had run out of stock, leaving people wistful. When their "affordable" watermelons arrived in the capital, they were promptly snatched up like hotcakes.

The onlookers also learned the origins of these people – they came from Ganzhou, under the jurisdiction of Meng Die's biological father. This year, under the guidance of Governor Meng and County Magistrate Meng, many villages had planted large watermelons. Now that the harvest was in, they had come to the capital to sell them.

Some quick-witted spectators, savoring the taste, couldn't help but spit out in disdain, "Ah! We've been duped again! We thought Meng Die had a change of heart and wanted to treat everyone with a sweet delicacy, but it turns out she's just advertising her wares beforehand. Indeed, Meng Die is still that cunning and profit-driven woman with a hundred tricks up her sleeve."

However, one thing was certain! The watermelons were truly delicious!

Carts upon carts of Ganzhou watermelons arrived in the capital, and the wealthy families eagerly supported their sale. Take the Marquis Yongyi's residence as an example; with dozens of masters big and small, even they could not afford to provide each person with a twenty-two taels of silver cream cake every day. But a two-tael watermelon was certainly within their means.

At the height of summer and the beginning of autumn, when the heat was at its peak, watermelons were perfect for relieving the scorching temperatures. Their delightful taste was a refreshing alternative to sour plum soup and similar beverages. In fact, the cost of these alternatives was not much cheaper than a watermelon. With their delectable flavor and freshness, the people of the capital were more than happy to support the watermelon sellers.

Nanny Fan had heard many stories about melons while she was out and shared them with Meng Die when she returned. "Second Lady, back when we were still in our estate, people always said that if an official cares for the people, they will remember his kindness forever. They even mentioned how the folks from Gongcheng still pay their respects to Lord Ren's residence whenever they come to the capital. I used to think it was exaggerated, but now, I truly believe it."

Meng Die gazed at Nurse Fan with a mixture of emotions.

Nanny Fan's face was radiant with joy. "When those folks from Ganzhou finish selling their watermelons, they all bow in the direction of our Marquis Manor and give thanks to Second Madam."

Meng Die hesitated. Unlike Sweet Cabbage, who acted purely out of self-interest, Meng Die had initially introduced watermelons not just because of her own greed, but also with the genuine intention of helping the common folk earn more money through cultivating them. "That wouldn't do. It's too much. I didn't do anything significant."

Nanny Fan was displeased. "How can you say she didn't do anything? As the saying goes, cutting off someone's means of livelihood is akin to killing their parents. Second Madam has given them a path to wealth, isn't that like becoming their savior?"

Meng Die was left speechless, realizing for the first time that Nurse Fan had quite the gift for words.

Xing Huang burst into laughter. Nurse Fan continued smugly, "I even took the trouble to inquire from Manager Yue. He said that in Ganzhou, nine out of ten households are impoverished, often struggling to have enough food. Now that they've earned a considerable amount of silver from growing watermelons, they can buy ample grain on their journey back and ensure a full stomach this year. They're overjoyed, especially in those villages where the watermelons were exceptionally good. Some are even planning to purchase cloth for new clothes."

Meng Die's eyes curved in a warm smile. Being able to eat well and wear new clothes – that was the essence of living a fulfilling life.

After the 15th of August, the sea merchants gradually returned. Meng Die's factory warehouse was filled with over twenty thousand silk rugs. Lu Wei inspected the inventory twice daily, ensuring no issues arose. Fan Hong also hired six guards from a security agency to patrol the factory walls at night.

One day, Nurse Fan entered with a radiant expression, delivering the news to Meng Die: "Second Lady, Qiu Ji is back."

"Aah?" Meng Die was taken aback. "Qiu Ji's returned? Didn't he leave in the spring this year? Shouldn't he be coming back next spring? Why has he returned now?"

Nanny Fan sat down. "He did leave in the spring. He said he came back early to deliver the good news promptly to Second Lady. That silk carpet was snatched up like crazy the moment he brought it back. Many offered high prices to buy it from him. But he said he followed Second Lady's instructions and sold each one for only forty taels, without raising the price at will. He even mentioned that no matter if it were a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand, or a hundred thousand silk carpets, they would all sell out."

A smile tugged at Meng Die's lips. "He hurried back regardless of his health, worried that I might give the silk carpets to someone else, leaving none for him when he returns next year."

Nanny Fan smiled, pursing her lips. "Not only did he come back himself this time, but he also brought his wife along."

Meng Die was even happier. "He's quite perceptive."

Nanny Fan replied, "Indeed. Tamu and Li Teer have set an example for him; how could he not follow in their footsteps?"

Meng Die pondered for a moment. "Since she's here, we can't let her visit go to waste. When you return today, inquire with Qiu Ji if his wife is available in the morning two days from now. Invite her to come and sit with me. We can chat, and I can learn about the customs and landscapes abroad."

"Ai."

That evening, Nanny Fan conveyed the message that Qiu Ji eagerly confirmed his wife's availability. She would pay a visit in the morning two days hence.

Upon receiving this news, Meng Die picked up her pen and wrote a somewhat informal petition, essentially relaying a message to the Empress about Qiu Ji's return and their planned meeting with his wife the following morning.

Having completed the memorial, Meng Die allowed the ink to dry before handing it over to Hulu: "Tomorrow morning, present this with my signet and have it delivered to the palace."

"Humbly understood."

The Empress's quarters did not receive many memorials, and her servants were astute. Upon seeing Meng Die's document, they promptly presented it to the Empress. Upon unfolding it, she was delighted and immediately dispatched a eunuch to invite the Emperor to visit that evening.

The Emperor had just concluded his court session. All other matters had been discussed, yet he was still locked in a dispute with the Ministry of Finance over accounts. They had recently sorted out the financial records of several provinces around the capital from the previous month. Though the mess was alarming, there was fortunately no major corruption involved, which offered some solace to the Emperor.

However, just after the eighteenth day of this month, a bombshell was dropped on him. The Ministry of Finance oversaw the empire's finances, with four main annual expenditures: salaries and rewards for all officials, and military pay across the territories. While these expenses varied annually, the discrepancies were generally minor. Though the accounts didn't perfectly align, errors were more common than corruption.

Another significant expense was disaster relief, which was a fluid expenditure that varied from year to year, or even from one crisis to another. Fortunately, Ruan Pengfei, aware of the potential for fraud, closely monitored these funds, ensuring no major mishaps occurred.

Lastly, there were the construction projects, including the restoration of the imperial palace, the building of princes' and princesses' mansions, royal mausoleums, the city walls and streets in the capital, and so on.

Meng Die had once mentioned that construction projects were most susceptible to corruption, and indeed, it happened. An assistant minister of the Ministry of Works, a fifth-rank official, embezzled six hundred thousand taels of silver. To put that into perspective, a marquis household would typically spend around fifty to sixty thousand taels in a year. Six hundred thousand taels could sustain such a household for a decade. Crucially, he was only a minor official, making his theft an example of a small fish swallowing an enormous sum.

The emperor lost his temper for the first time since ascending the throne, lashing out at the Minister of Works with a barrage of criticism.

The minister's face was contorted with distress. He couldn't entirely blame himself for this situation. While he was indeed the Minister of Works, his responsibilities focused on overseeing the general direction of construction projects. Matters like financial budgets were managed by specialists, matters he knew nothing about.

It could only be said that the emperor had made a mistake from the very beginning when selecting the Minister of Works; he should have chosen someone proficient in accounting.

After scolding the Minister of Works, the emperor also engaged in deep self-reflection. He couldn't entirely blame the minister. As he pondered, his thoughts turned to the accounting methods employed by the Ministry of Revenue. There was a saying, "A niece resembles her uncle," couldn't this logic be reversed?

Thus, Meng Changsong, Meng Die's third uncle, who had originally been assigned to the Ministry of Rites upon returning to the capital, was suddenly transferred to the Ministry of Works with a stroke of the emperor's pen. Immediately, he became part of the team working overtime to audit all the ministry's construction accounts.

Meng Changsong: -_-||

Events proved that the emperor's reverse reasoning was correct. Meng Changsong's auditing skills were indeed on par with those professionals in the Ministry of Revenue, and after a brief adjustment period, he even surpassed them. This filled the emperor with great satisfaction; his discerning eye for talent had been spot on.

Today, the Empress requested an audience, and the Emperor promptly agreed. However, perhaps due to the recent intense events, he didn't ask anyone else to accompany him, leaving them to their duties while he left in full view, leaving behind a trail of shattered expectations.

After their evening meal, the Empress shared the matter with her husband. The Emperor pondered for a moment, "What does Su Xin think about this?"

The Empress's face bloomed with a gentle smile, "I was considering sending someone to listen to what that woman from overseas has to say. Meng Die must have had a similar intention when she conveyed the news."

The Emperor nodded, "Send someone from your side, and I will also dispatch Lin Chu. It will be an educational experience for him."

With their plans settled, Lin Chu and Chang Lu, a constant attendant by the Empress's side, received the message that very night.

On the day of the audience with Qiu Ji's wife, Lin Chu and Chang Lu left the palace early and hurried straight to Marquis Yongyi's residence. They paid their respects to Meng Die, who then seated them in a chamber adjacent to the main hall. Hulu served them cream cakes, tea, and sweet treats, allowing them to enjoy their snacks while listening to the proceedings. The entire journey proved to be a delightful experience for them.

Lina, Qiu Ji's wife, arrived at the second gate of the marquis's mansion just before dawn. Hulu personally greeted her, assisting her down from the carriage. Seeing Hulu's composed demeanor and elegant bearing, Lina was visibly taken aback.

Hulu bowed respectfully, taking the lead: "Greetings, Lady. Please come this way. Our Second Lady is awaiting you in the main hall."

Hulu spoke slowly and enunciated each word clearly. Lina understood and, despite the language barrier, politely replied, "Thank you for your trouble."

As they walked, Lina was astounded by the architecture, which was entirely different from what she knew in her own country. Nevertheless, it was breathtakingly beautiful. No wonder her husband always praised the Great Yi Dynasty as a wonderful place – it truly was.