Poverty Alleviation in Qin: A Sky-High Review of "I Am the Female Prime Minister of All Time&qu

The following afternoon.

Empress Lü hesitated for a long time at the entrance of the county government, carrying a food box, but dared not go forward.

She had specially changed into a pale yellow dress today, her long hair was neatly combed, and a pair of small jade pendants adorned her ears.

This was a birthday gift from her mother, which she cherishes and rarely wears.

Before leaving the house, Lü Zhi looked at herself repeatedly in the bronze mirror, feeling that something was not quite right, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

"Miss, let's go inside. We've been standing here for ages."

Lü Zhi took a deep breath and stepped onto the stone steps of the county court.

The gatekeeper hurriedly stepped forward to announce the arrival of the guards, and a moment later someone led the way, passing through the front yard, around the courtroom, and straight to the back yard.

The warm sun shone brightly under the eaves, and Song was sitting on a wooden chair, flipping through documents.

Lü Zhi stepped forward quickly and bowed slightly: "Lord Song."

Song also looked up upon hearing the sound.

Is this Empress Lü Zhi?

The girl didn't notice the other person's gaze. Instead, she handed the food box forward and said softly, "My father said that the books you gave me yesterday were too valuable. Since we don't have anything nice to give you in return, I made some pastries and embroidered a sachet to express my gratitude."

"The items are crude, I hope you won't find them offensive."

Song took the food box and opened it. The pastries inside were exquisite, small, and tempting in color, making one's mouth water just by looking at them.

The most eye-catching item is a large red sachet embroidered with elegant orchids. The stitches are fine and neat, clearly showing that a lot of thought and effort was put into its creation.

"You're too kind. Those books are just gathering dust here. If you're willing to read them and can absorb their meaning, then they'll be truly useful."

"I'll accept the snacks, please thank Master Lü for me."

Empress Lü lowered her eyes and softly replied, "Yes."

I had planned to leave after giving the thank-you gift, but my feet felt like they were nailed to the ground, and I couldn't move an inch.

He kept his thoughts to himself, turning them over and over in his mind.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally spoke: "Sir, may I ask you something?"

"Ask away."

Lü Zhi pursed her lips: "What is your opinion on women's education, sir?"

Song glanced at her, somewhat surprised: "How do you want to look? Sit down, lie down, or even crawl—whatever's comfortable for you."

Before she could finish speaking, Lü Zhi was momentarily stunned.

Seeing her dazed expression, Song couldn't help but laugh and said, "Studying doesn't discriminate between men and women. We're all the same; we can all develop brains and learn. Why should only men be able to study, and not women?"

"Books are good things, not a burden. Reading is a good thing for both men and women, there's nothing wrong with it."

At this point, she tilted her head slightly: "You suddenly asked this because you're worried that word will get out that I sent you the book, and people will gossip about it?"

Lü Zhi first shook her head slightly, then nodded hesitantly, her voice weak: "My father never stops me from studying, but most people outside follow the rules, and I'm afraid of what others will say, which might implicate my father."

Upon hearing this, Song smiled nonchalantly: "What's the trouble? Just focus on your book and ignore what others are doing."

Lü Zhi couldn't help but burst out laughing.

After laughing, he realized he had been rude and quickly covered his mouth with his sleeve, but his shoulders still couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"What are you laughing at? The words may be crude, but the principle is sound."

Looking at Song Ye's matter-of-fact face, Lü Zhi carefully considered her words and said, "Lord Xiao's words... are truly amusing."

Just as Song was about to say a few more words, Zhang Liang walked in, cupped his hands, and reported: "Sir, the irrigation canal in the east of the city has reached its narrowest section. The foreman requests your presence to inspect it."

"Okay, I'll go right away." Song also stood up, turned to Lü Zhi with a smile and said, "I have to go out to attend to official business. Please make yourself at home. Come and exchange the book whenever you're done reading, don't be shy."

Lü Zhi quickly stood up: "My lord, please attend to your business first. I'll head back now."

"No rush, it's fine to sit a little longer." As Song walked out, he called out, "Old Zhao, pour Miss Lü a bowl of water."

Before the words were even finished, the person had already walked around the screen wall, and the sound of their footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Sunlight slanted down from the eaves and fell on the empty chair.

"Miss Lü, please have some water." Old Zhao brought over a bowl of warm water, smiling very kindly.

"Thank you." Lü Zhi took the bowl, but did not leave immediately. Instead, she looked around.

The yard wasn't big; a rusty shovel was piled in the corner, and two old clothes were hanging on a rope. There wasn't a single valuable item inside or outside the house.

The head of a county, despite his stature, lived in a more modest dwelling than that of ordinary people.

It seems that Lord Song's heart is entirely devoted to the people.

Throughout the late autumn, Song spent almost every day working on repairing the irrigation canal.

She led the people to completely clear the ditch in the east of the city, which had been blocked for several years.

The mud was knee-deep and stank. Without saying a word, Song Ye rolled up his trousers and jumped in. Xiao He couldn't stop him.

People from both sides of the strait stood on the edge of the field to watch, clicking their tongues in amazement.

This guy doesn't look like a high and mighty county magistrate at all! He's more capable than a bricklayer!

Several dry wells in the west of the city were also dug deeper, and the spring water that had been dormant for a long time began to bubble up again. The waterwheels for irrigating the fields creaked and turned, and the land that had been dry for several years finally drank its fill of water again.

The damaged dikes along the river have all been reinforced and rebuilt. The stones are neatly stacked, and the gaps are filled with rammed earth, making them as sturdy as city walls.

Wang Bo squatted on the embankment for a long time, then raised his hand and patted it hard. He turned to Song Ye and sighed, "Sir, this embankment can last for a hundred years."

Song stood on the riverbank, covered in mud, and said, "A hundred years? I won't live to see that."

"Your Excellency will surely live to be a hundred!" The young people around them cheered.

Song simply waved his hand, smiling but not replying.

All water conservancy projects in Peixian County were successfully completed before the first snowfall of winter.

The people all know how their lives have gradually improved.

When it was time to deliver the grain, not a single household in the county was in arrears. Many people even packed extra grain, insisting on sending it to the official granary.

Xiao He couldn't stop him, so he turned to Song Ye and complained.

"Take them all, keep good records, and reduce the rent for the villagers next year."

Xiao He agreed immediately, but inwardly he thought to himself: "My lord is trying to turn Pei County into a paradise on earth!"

Winter goes and spring comes; the willows on the riverbank sprout new buds, and the swallows return as scheduled.

New green shoots quietly emerged from beneath the withered grass on the field ridges.

Spring plowing for the new year has arrived as scheduled.