I support the army through farming and business.

Chapter 195 Locust Plague Warning
"The peony in the courtyard is wild and without character, the lotus in the pond is pure and sentimental. Only the peony is the true national beauty, and the capital city is moved when the flower blooms."

As Zheng read the poem on the peony-patterned paper, she felt that the words were exquisite and deeply touching. Her desire to buy peony dew reached its peak at this moment, and even her favorite plum blossoms paled in comparison.

"If the young mistress likes it, just buy a bottle," the maid advised. "It's just a bottle of peony dew; our Zheng family can afford it."

"Just a bottle of peony dew?" Madam Zheng laughed in exasperation. "Do you know how much silver the prominent families of Jiangnan spent to obtain the entry permit for this peony dew auction?"

According to the rules of Flower Fairy Dew, only those who have purchased all eighteen kinds of Flower Dew are eligible to participate in the auction.

One bottle of floral dew costs 1,000 taels, so eighteen bottles would cost 18,000 taels. Even so, many families still couldn't buy it!

The maid had never left the inner quarters. Although she had heard that the Flower Fairy Dew was extremely popular, she did not know that it was so popular.

Granny Zheng waved away the maids, "Young Madam, would you like to go and see what's going on?"

Zheng shook her head. Even if she went, she couldn't buy it; just watching it dry would only make her more upset.

Granny Zheng sighed. The peony flower dew given by Princess Zhaoshan was presented to her mother-in-law by the eldest young mistress. Naturally, the eldest young mistress had to avoid using the same flower dew as her mother-in-law.

"What should we do with this peony-patterned stationery?" Granny Zheng's gaze fell on the exquisite stationery. In recent days, many ladies and young women who were on good terms with the Ming and Zheng families had come to ask for peony-patterned stationery. Even the eldest young mistress's mother had written to inquire about it.

"It's not scarcity that's the problem, but inequality. It's not appropriate to give the peony paper to anyone," Zheng said, putting the peony paper in her dressing box. "I'll keep it for myself as a keepsake."

On July 15th, Huaxianlu will be closed for one day to prepare for the evening's auction.

That night, a nobleman carrying a peony-patterned letter arrived at Flower Fairy Dew in a fragrant carriage to bid on the nine bottles of peony flower dew being auctioned there.

Different varieties of peony dew, such as Wei Zi, Mo Yu, and Er Qiao, were auctioned off one after another, with prices rising steadily. The last bottle of Yao Huang peony dew even sold for a high price of 50,000 taels of silver.

Qian Yuzhi's hand trembled as she brought down the gavel.

The peony flower dew was delivered to room number one in the earth section amidst great anticipation.

"Who is so bold as to dare to compete with the Princess Consort of Wei's family?"

"Who else? Naturally, it's the Wu family, the salt merchants."

"How dare a mere merchant like myself?"

"Merchants wouldn't dare, but merchants who have daughters who are favored concubines of the Crown Prince would naturally dare."

Since Emperor Sheng'an fell seriously ill, the conflict between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince has become increasingly prominent, to the point that even a superficial peace could not be maintained.

The story of Wu's daughter bringing a million-dollar dowry into the Crown Prince's residence is still talked about by the people of Jiangnan.

"I heard that the Wu family woman was not only favored by the Crown Prince, but also valued by the Crown Princess. As soon as she became pregnant, the Crown Princess advised her to be promoted to the rank of Liangdi."

In Room Number One of the Heavenly Class, Zhou's mother, the wife of Prince Wei, smashed a teacup.

"Bah! This lowly merchant family of Wu dares to slap the face of my Zhou family! They've really got a death wish!"

"Mother! What should we do?" Miss Zhou nearly tore the handkerchief in her hand to shreds. "It's my eldest sister's birthday soon, and I've already said I'd give her a unique birthday gift!"

Now that the Wu family has taken her things, where is she supposed to put her face?

"We'll have to figure out a birthday gift later," Madam Zhou said through gritted teeth. Everyone knows that the Wu family won the bid for the peony flower dew. They can use any means to seize it, but they can't use it openly. What's the use of stealing it?

Miss Zhou's eyes reddened with anger.

Mrs. Zhou lovingly hugged her daughter and patiently comforted her until the auction ended before leaving.

Three days later, news reached Qian Yuzhi that the young master of the Wu family had accidentally fallen into a pleasure boat and drowned.

"How could this be?" Although Qian Yuzhi had not been in Jiangnan for long, she knew the situation of the wealthy families in Suzhou very well. "The young master of the Wu family was good at swimming, how could he have drowned in the river?"

The female shop assistant who came to report was unaware, but, "the Wu family has already hung up white banners."

"Let's go to the Wu family."

When Qian Yuzhi arrived, the Wu family home was covered with white banners, and Madam Wu was wailing uncontrollably while holding the coffin made of Phoebe zhennan wood. "Mr. Wu, please accept my condolences."

After offering incense and comforting Madam Wu for a few moments, Qian Yuzhi hurriedly left for the Ming residence.

Zheng didn't hide anything, saying, "It was the Zhou family who did it."

Qian Yuzhi was startled, "The maternal family of the Princess Consort of Wei?"

Zheng nodded. The Zhou family was far too audacious, killing a person so easily.

“The King of Wei and the Crown Prince have a long-standing feud, and this incident will likely only add fuel to the fire,” Zheng instructed. “Hua Lu Fang should keep a low profile during this period.”

"Little understands."

Upon receiving the news, Qian Yuzhi immediately wrote a letter and sent it back to Wuwei by fast horse.

After reading the letter, Tang Zhao, who was searching for groundwater to drill a well, felt as if a herd of alpacas was galloping through his mind.

She was just selling flower dew to make a little money, how did that become the fuse for the struggle between the King of Wei and the Crown Prince?
Is there any reason?
Tang Zhao was indignant, but this feudal society was so unreasonable that he had no choice but to order Qian Yuzhi to live a life of hiding while secretly making money.

Qian Yuzhi: ...

Tang Zhao took off his large straw hat and wiped the sweat from his face with his dusty hands. "Is there enough water for irrigating the fields?"

Song Kai's face was flushed from the scorching sun. "It's barely enough."

Tang Zhao helped him sit under the shade of a tree and continued to listen to him say, "Fortunately, the Princess insisted that 90% of the land in Wuwei is planted with drought-resistant soybeans and potatoes, which do not require much water. The newly dug wells are enough to meet the irrigation needs and the daily needs of the people."

That's good. Tang Zhao fanned herself with her straw hat. This year's production is definitely going to be reduced, but luckily she was prepared.

[Ding! Locust Plague Warning: A locust plague is expected in Luoyang and areas to the north after January. Please take precautions.]

Tang Zhao:. . . .

Tang Zhao's straw hat fell to the ground.

Song Kai asked in surprise, "Princess?"

"Uncle Kai," Tang Zhao said with a bitter expression, "do you know how to prevent locusts?"

Locusts! Song Kai was shocked. "Your Highness, did you see locust eggs in the ground?"

He went to the fields every day, but he never found it.

Tang Zhao shook his head.

Song Kai breathed a sigh of relief, "Princess, don't frighten this old servant. Insect plagues are more terrible than droughts and floods. Once the locusts have passed, nothing will be left."

"If not in Wuwei, what about Lanzhou?"

“It’s not in Lanzhou either,” Song Kai said. “This old servant just went to Mingxia Village a few days ago, and everything in the fields is normal.”

"If not in the Northwest, what about Qin Prefecture?"

Song Kai was speechless.

"If not in Qin Prefecture, then what about Yu Prefecture, Jin Prefecture, and Luoyang?" Tang Zhao's face was ashen. "If locusts break out in any of these places, how can the Northwest escape?"

"But, but we haven't received any news yet!" Song Kai comforted him. "With such a big insect plague, which official would dare to cover it up?"

That's because they think their heads are too tough.

Tang Zhao silently stared at Song Kai.

Song Kai felt uneasy under their gaze and immediately stood up, saying, "This old servant will take some men to check."