The spring sunshine shines through the glazed tile roof onto the main hall of Kaifeng City, but it is difficult to dispel the solemn atmosphere in the court hall. Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair, her eyes swept over the faces of the ministers, and finally landed on the letter handed over by the left prime minister Lu Yihao. "Prime Minister Zuo, is what you said true?" Zhao Yingluo's voice revealed a hint of worry. "Back to your highness, Princess, there has been little snowfall this winter, the land has been dry since the beginning of spring, and the wheat seedlings have turned yellow due to lack of water. This is true." Lu Yihao replied respectfully. Zhao Yingluo frowned slightly. She knew what this drought meant to the farmers in the Song Dynasty. Farming is the foundation of society. If food production is reduced, it will not only affect people's livelihood, but also trigger a series of social problems. "Your Highness, I believe that remedial measures should be taken as soon as possible." Lu Yihao continued, "It's just that although the Ministry of Household Control controls the population and land, the officials in charge of farming are not familiar with farming, and it is difficult to effectively guide farmers in farming." Zhao Yingluo nodded, she had already realized this problem. Although the Ministry of Household Management nominally manages agricultural affairs, in fact, its understanding of farming technology is very limited and it is difficult for it to be qualified for this important task. "Then according to Prime Minister Zuo's opinion, what should we do?" Zhao Yingluo asked. "Your Royal Highness, I believe that a special Ministry of Agriculture should be established to manage agricultural affairs." Lu Yihao expressed his suggestion, "The Ministry of Agriculture is independent of the Ministry of Household Affairs and is responsible for all matters related to agriculture." Zhao Yingluo's eyes lit up when she heard this. She felt that this suggestion was very feasible. However, she also knew that this proposal would be opposed by some conservative ministers. After a moment, Qin Hui stood up, with a hint of coldness in his voice: "Your Royal Highness, I believe that we should follow the ancestral system and there is no need to set up new departments. The Ministry of Household Affairs has always been responsible for managing agricultural affairs. Although it is somewhat difficult, as long as we strengthen supervision , we will definitely be able to overcome this difficulty.”
Huang Qianshan followed closely and echoed: "What Mr. Qin said is absolutely true. The establishment of new departments will only disrupt the existing order and is not conducive to the stability of the country." She stared at Qin Hui and Huang Qianshan with burning eyes: "You two adults really think about the country. I just don't know if you can still be so calm and composed when people starve to death due to food shortages?" Qin Hui and Huang Qianshan were left speechless by Zhao Yingluo's questions, and their faces turned blue and white. Zhao Yingluo looked at Qin Hui and others and couldn't help but sneer in her heart. She knew that the reason why these people opposed the establishment of the Ministry of Agriculture was not really to maintain the ancestral system, but because they were worried that the establishment of the new department would weaken their power. "Master Qin, Master Huang." Zhao Yingluo spoke slowly, "Do you know what agricultural affairs the Ministry of Household Affairs also manages in addition to taxes? Do you also know whether the officials who manage agricultural affairs truly understand farming technology?" Qin Hui and Huang Qianshan were speechless when asked by Zhao Yingluo. Although they managed the household department, their understanding of farming technology was indeed very limited. "What Her Royal Highness the Princess said is absolutely true." Upon seeing this, Zhu Shengfei stood up to support Zhao Yingluo, "I think it is very necessary to establish the Ministry of Agriculture. Only in this way can we better guide farmers to cultivate and increase food production." "Since the ministers have different opinions, let me make the decision." Zhao Yingluo's voice revealed a hint of firmness, "I have decided to establish the Ministry of Agriculture to take charge of all matters related to agriculture. Left Prime Minister Lu Yihao is responsible for establishing the Ministry of Agriculture thing." Lu Yihao heard this and took the order. He knew that he had a heavy responsibility, but he also believed that with the support of Zhao Yingluo, he would be able to successfully open the Ministry of Agriculture. "As for the candidate for the Ministry of Agriculture," Zhao Yingluo pondered for a moment and then looked at Zhu Shengfei, "Master Zhu has lived in Jiangnan for a long time, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?" Zhu Shengfei smiled slightly when he heard this. He had long expected that Zhao Yingluo would ask this question. He took a step forward and bowed and said, "Back to Your Highness, Princess, I do have someone in mind." "Oh? Master Zhu, please tell me who it is?" Zhao Yingluo asked eagerly. She knew finding the right person would be critical to opening the Department of Agriculture. "This man's name is Chen Fu, courtesy name Uncle Wen, and he is from Zhenzhou." Zhu Shengfei said slowly, "He is familiar with farming and has a deep understanding of farming techniques. Moreover, he is also proficient in the Six Classics and hundreds of schools of thought. He is very knowledgeable about Shi Lao He also has in-depth research on the studies of Huangdi and Shennong. He has outstanding talents and will definitely be qualified for the post of Minister of Agriculture." Zhao Yingluo heard a flash of joy in her eyes. She felt that she had finally found a suitable candidate, so she immediately ordered to summon Chen Fu and asked Lu Yihao to start the matter of opening the Ministry of Agriculture. The atmosphere in the court became a little subtle because of Zhao Yingluo's decision. Although Qin Hui, Huang Qianshan and others were dissatisfied, they did not dare to say anything. They knew that the Ministry of Agriculture was established at Zhao Yingluo's insistence. And they can only accept this reality and start thinking about how to deal with how the establishment of this new department will weaken their authority. The sun shines on the fields outside Kaifeng City, and a piece of golden wheat sways in the wind, seeming to express a desire for water. Zhao Yingluo stood at the edge of the field, looking at the Bianhe River and the busy farmers in the distance, her heart full of expectations and worries.
"Your Highness, this is the farmland on the outskirts of Kaifeng." Jiang Laosi pointed to the wheat field in front of him and said, "Now is the time when the wheat is turning green, and the lack of water is not good." Zhao Yingluo nodded. She knew how much drought would affect crops. She looked at the busy figures of the farmers and couldn't help but sigh at their hard work and difficulty. "Jiang Laosi, you did a good job." Zhao Yingluo looked at the orderly watering team and said, "These farmers all obey your command." Jiang Laosi smiled honestly: "Your Highness Princess, thank you. The villain is just doing his best to help everyone get through the difficulties." At this moment, the sound of horse hooves came, and an army of 200,000 troops from the suburbs of Kaifeng rushed to the scene under the leadership of the general. They lined up neatly and with great momentum, which shocked the officials present. "Your Royal Highness, the general has been ordered to lead the army to assist the farmers in watering." The general stepped forward and saluted. Zhao Yingluo nodded with satisfaction: "Very good. You came at just the right time. Let's start now and help the farmers water this wheat field as soon as possible." Following Zhao Yingluo's order, the troops took off their armors, put on their farm uniforms, and joined in the watering process. They moved quickly and orderly, as if they had undergone rigorous training. The officials who saw this scene were even more stunned. They never expected that these normally majestic soldiers would do such strenuous work. "Your Highness Princess, this..." Qin Hui and Huang Qianshan looked at each other with a look of reluctance on their faces, "Farm work is the business of farmers. As officials of the imperial court, we still have a lot of things to deal with." Zhao Yingluo frowned when she heard this. She looked at Qin Hui and Huang Qianshan and said, "As the Minister of Household Affairs and the Assistant Minister, you should set an example! If you are not willing to do farm work, don't become an official."