After choosing an enlightenment teacher for Zhao Min, Zhao Yingluo did not have a moment of leisure. A big plan for the autumn harvest has quietly unfolded in her heart. As a conventional purchase and storage item, corn is important but not the most critical this year. Her eyes had already been fixed on the vast white cotton field. "Pass this to Chen Fu, the Minister of Household Affairs, and Jiang Laosi, the minister of affairs." Zhao Yingluo gave the order, and the servants acted quickly. Not long after, the two important ministers knelt down and worshiped in the imperial study. "There has been abundant rain this year. How is the cotton growing?" Zhao Yingluo got straight to the point and asked directly about the cotton harvest. Chen Fu smiled slightly and replied: "Your Highness, the cotton growth this year is gratifying, and the harvest is expected to far exceed previous years." Jiang Laosi also nodded in agreement: "It is indeed true, Your Highness Princess. This year's autumn is clear and crisp, which is very conducive to the growth of cotton. The numbers reported from various places show that cotton production will increase significantly." After hearing this, Zhao Yingluo frowned slightly: "A bumper cotton harvest is certainly a good thing, but how to ensure that the cotton can be fully used is a big problem." The two important ministers looked at each other and understood the princess's concerns. Cotton is an important military material, and the amount collected every year is limited.
Now that there is a huge harvest, how to balance the needs of military and civilian use is indeed a problem. Chen Fu pondered for a moment and said tentatively: "Your Highness, I think we can relax the control on cotton appropriately while ensuring military demand. Allowing free trade among the people will not only ensure the cost of the army, but also benefit the people." .” Zhao Yingluo nodded slightly after hearing this: "This plan is very good. But how to operate it needs to be discussed in detail." She turned to Jiang Laosi: "What do you think of this?" Jiang Laosi pondered: "Your Royal Highness, I think you can set up different grades and standards when collecting cotton. High-quality cotton will be given priority to the army, while inferior cotton can be used for civilian use. At the same time, farmers can also be encouraged to plant more high-quality cotton. , to improve overall cotton quality.” Zhao Yingluo's eyes lit up after hearing this: "This is a great plan! In this way, it can not only ensure that the needs of the army are met, but also promote the development of the cotton industry." She immediately ordered: "Just act according to this plan. You two Close cooperation is needed to ensure the smooth progress of this year’s autumn harvest.” The two important ministers agreed in unison. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, with the bright moon in the sky, the entire city of Kaifeng seemed to be enveloped in an atmosphere of joy and celebration. On both sides of the street, red lanterns were hung high, complementing the bright moonlight, illuminating a prosperous scene. Tributes were placed in front of every house, people gathered or dispersed, laughter and laughter arose one after another, and the joy of harvest permeated every corner of Kaifeng City. In this bustling night, Her Royal Highness Princess Zhao Yingluo, who rarely had any free time, felt a strong interest in her heart. She decided to disguise herself as a man again, take her personal maids Xia He and Dong Xue, and take a carriage to the East Market for a stroll. As the carriage drove slowly, Zhao Yingluo admired the prosperous scene along the way through the carriage window, and couldn't help but sigh at the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. Soon, the carriage arrived at Dongshi. At this time, the sun had just set, but the lights in the East Market were brightly lit, just like daytime. Both sides of the street are lined with a dazzling array of merchandise, from jewelry to silk cloth, from porcelain and antiques to books, calligraphy and paintings. The sounds of hawking, bargaining, and occasional laughter and cheers formed a lively symphony. Zhao Yingluo led Xia He and Dong Xue through the crowd, curiously looking at the surrounding products and performances. Sometimes she stopped to admire an old man's calligraphy performance, and sometimes she stepped forward to watch a group of children juggling and playing. There was always a happy smile on her face, and she seemed to be infected by the festive atmosphere. Just then, she heard someone greeting her: "Mr. Zhao, long time no see!" When she looked back, it was Wanyan Zongyi and his sister. Wanyan Yan was dressed in red like fire, which made her charming face look even more charming. Wanyan Zongyi, on the other hand, is dressed in green clothes and has a graceful demeanor, like a good young master. Zhao Yingluo was stunned for a moment, then realized what she was doing, smiled and said, "It's Brother Wanyan and Miss Yan'er, thank you so much for meeting me!" She was secretly glad that she was disguising herself as a man today, otherwise in this large public, I'm afraid, Will cause unnecessary trouble. Wanyanyan looked Zhao Yingluo up and down and said coquettishly: "Mr. Zhao, since you took me to Kaifeng, I haven't been seen for several months. It's not easy to meet me today, so you have to stay with us brother and sister." She said There was a hint of resentment in his tone, as if he was blaming Zhao Yingluo for his neglect. Zhao Yingluo knew she was wrong and quickly apologized and said with a smile: "Miss Yan'er, don't blame me. There are really too many things to do these days and I can't get away. Since we met today, I naturally want to accompany you well." After saying that, she turned around. He told Xia He and Dong Xue: "You two go for a walk first, there is no need to follow me." Xia He and Dong Xue looked at each other and smiled, responded obediently, then turned around and merged into the crowd. Seeing this, Wanyan Yan happily took Zhao Yingluo's arm and said sweetly: "Mr. Zhao, let's go too!" After saying that, he pulled her towards the busiest place in Dongcheng. Wanyan Zongyi couldn't help but feel a ripple in his heart when he saw his sister and Zhao Yingluo being so intimate. He sighed secretly, knowing that his feelings for Zhao Yingluo were destined to be buried deep in his heart. He shook his head, put aside these distracting thoughts, and followed quickly. The four of them wandered around the East Market for a long time, seeing all kinds of sideshows and weird products. Wanyan Yan is like a curious child, full of curiosity and interest in everything. And Zhao Yingluo also rarely relaxed and enjoyed this rare leisure time. However, just when they were ready to return home, something unexpected happened like a sudden rain. Several assassins disguised as jugglers had been lurking in the crowd. Now they saw the right moment and suddenly attacked. One of the assassins was seen with a strong figure, like a ghost, ducking to the side of Wanyan Zongyi, and the long sword in his hand flashed with cold light, and stabbed directly into his left chest. Wanyan Zongyi was caught off guard and was stabbed by the assassin's sword. Blood immediately stained his green clothes.
He groaned and staggered back, a look of pain on his face. Another assassin took the opportunity to rush towards Zhao Yingluo, with a sharp murderous intent in his hand, aiming straight for her throat. Zhao Yingluo was horrified. Although she had learned some self-defense techniques, she had no power to fight back against such a professional assassin. She managed to dodge the assassin's first sword, but when she saw that she could no longer dodge the second sword, she felt despair in her heart and her mind went blank. "It's over!" This thought flashed through Zhao Yingluo's mind, and she was even ready to close her eyes and wait for death. However, at this critical moment, a black shadow shot out of the darkness like lightning and crashed directly into the assassin. There was only a muffled sound of "bang", and the assassin was knocked out by the black shadow and fell heavily to the ground. The sword in his hand also flew out. Zhao Yingluo took a closer look and saw that the dark shadow was none other than Wen Boyuan, the commander of the Imperial City Division! He was dressed in black and had a stern look on his face. He was looking around vigilantly to make sure there were no other assassins lurking. "Your Highness, my subordinate was late, so you were shocked!" Wen Boyuan walked quickly to Zhao Yingluo and apologized in a low voice. Zhao Yingluo had recovered from her panic. She looked at Wen Boyuan with a hint of gratitude in her eyes. She knew that if Wen Boyuan hadn't come to the rescue in time, she might have died at the hands of the assassin.