Qin Zheng ended up staying in the Xuzhou camp.

As for the contract Chu Chengji mentioned, she couldn’t find it for a while.

When she asked Chu Chengji what he had written, he refused to say, so she had to give up.

The military doctor advised Chu Chengji to rest, so besides taking care of his daily life, Qin Zheng also helped with the mundane political affairs.

Only matters concerning military strategy were personally reviewed by Chu Chengji.

Occasionally, when Qin Zheng wasn’t familiar with the basic situation in Xuzhou and couldn’t come up with accurate solutions, she would ask Chu Chengji directly.

One day, when she saw a report about the abundant tax revenue in Xuzhou’s treasury, her brows furrowed tightly:

“With Xuzhou’s vast land and large population, why is the land tax lower than that of Qingzhou? There are many markets in the city, yet the commercial tax collected is so low?” She looked at Chu Chengji. “Apart from salt, iron, and tea, the government’s income comes from taxes. If this continues, I’m afraid the Xuzhou treasury won’t be able to cope with military needs.”

Land tax is the tax collected by the government from landowners.

The military’s grain and the relief grain stored in government granaries are all collected through this tax.

Commercial taxes are similar to modern-day taxes paid by merchants to the government.

Xuzhou has a developed transportation network and can be said to be the trading center of the Jianghuai region.

Merchants from both the north and south come here to trade goods, bringing a constant stream of wealth to Xuzhou.

But now, both land taxes and commercial taxes are significantly lower than they should be in Xuzhou, which worried Qin Zheng.

Chu Chengji leaned against the bed, with two soft pillows behind him and holding a book in his hand, in a relaxed posture.

To avoid putting pressure on his wound, the snow-white collar of his inner garment was slightly open, revealing his attractive clavicle and a strip of bandage wrapped around his shoulder and neck.

His black hair was casually scattered, with one strand falling right where he was wrapping the bandage, accentuating his handsome face with a touch of elegance.

He reached out his long arm to pull Qin Zheng closer, resting his chin on her shoulder, and raised her hand holding the report a little higher to see the contents clearly.

His tone was slightly lazy:

“Xuzhou is located in a strategic location with constant wars. The trade between the north and south used to be frequent, but in recent years, due to the war, the number of merchants has decreased. I ordered a reduction in taxes to encourage merchants to return to Xuzhou for business.”

This explained the low commercial taxes.

Qin Zheng’s fair fingers continued to point at the report. “Is the low land tax also because the land is left uncultivated due to the war?”

Chu Chengji pinched the finger that was swaying back and forth in his line of sight and said calmly, “War is one of the reasons. The terrain of Xuzhou is not as flat as Qingzhou’s, and without rivers passing through, farming and irrigation are not as good as in Qingzhou.”

Qin Zheng listened attentively, gaining a basic understanding of Xuzhou’s economic sources.

Qingzhou, located near the river and on flat terrain, could vigorously develop agriculture and rely on the Yuan River to drive trade through shipping.

However, Xuzhou’s terrain is not suitable for promoting agriculture.

Chu Chengji intended to continue to play the role of a transportation hub, forming a trade center after the war as a meeting point for goods from the north and south.

The current problem lies in the fact that trade in Xuzhou has declined due to the war.

Although Chu Chengji has reduced taxes, the effects are unlikely to be seen in the short term.

The headache is that if the people can’t afford to eat, and the government can’t collect grains, and a place becomes too poor to even afford food, who would be foolish enough to come here for business, let alone talk about developing trade and replenishing the treasury?

After thinking for a moment, Qin Zheng said, “This year, all the fields in Qingzhou have been cultivated, and the new grains harvested can assist Xuzhou.

However, within Xuzhou’s borders, in addition to slowly revitalizing north-south trade, agriculture should at least be self-sufficient next year.”

“I see that Xuzhou has changed the land tax from the original ‘one-fifteenth tax’ to ‘one-thirtieth tax.’ One mu of land only needs to pay half a dou of grain to the government.

Although the tax burden has been reduced, the issues of farmland and seeds remain.

It’s possible that people with land are unwilling to cultivate it, and those willing to cultivate have no land.

The government could consider uniformly allocating farmland and crop seeds and providing plow oxen for free for three years.”

Chu Chengji listened to her analysis with approval.

He raised a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. “You seem quite familiar with handling these matters now.”

Qin Zheng glanced at him. “After all, I’ve been studying with Lord Song for so long. I’ve heard them discuss strategies for farming in Qingzhou and resettling refugees in Xuzhou, which can be emulated.”

But Chu Chengji said, “The urban refugees, those without skills, have already been settled by Lu Ze into surrounding villages for farming. Most of the remaining ones have a skill. I’m keeping them because they’re useful.”

Qin Zheng guessed that he intended to use these people to develop trade in Xuzhou.

She furrowed her brows again. “You said that trade between the north and south of Xuzhou is hindered by the war. It will take ages for merchants to come here for business after the turmoil in Xuzhou settles. Keeping these craftsmen in the city now will only add burden.”

Chu Chengji glanced at her and said leisurely, “Merchants from various places will come to Xuzhou soon.”

Seeing disbelief written all over her face, Chu Chengji said with a hint of amusement, “Do you want to bet?”

Qin Zheng acknowledged his strategic prowess in warfare, but when it came to the natural development of economic trade, even if Huaiyang Wang was defeated, it would take some time for the news to spread.

How could merchants come to Xuzhou immediately for business?

She raised her head and asked, “Bet on what?”

Because of this action, some of her intentionally laid-down black hair drifted apart, revealing a faint red mark on her neck, and her slightly swollen lips carried a hint of redness.

Despite her serious expression, her eyes were pure and contained no impurities.

Chu Chengji’s eyes were cool as he leaned in and whispered something in her ear.

Qin Zheng’s face gradually flushed red, and she turned to glare at him. “Can’t you be serious when you’re injured?”

Chu Chengji focused on the main point. “Although it’s not impossible now, but are you suggesting… after I recover?”

Qin Zheng glared at him fiercely and left the rest of the documents for him. “You read them yourself!”

Watching her angrily leaving the tent, Chu Chengji couldn’t help but laugh.

She still has such a thin skin.

Wucheng.

As the sun set, the remnants of the red sun covered half of the sky.

A staff officer reported the news brought back by the scout: “The former Crown Prince Chu is indeed critically injured, and the former Crown Princess Chu hurriedly went to Xuzhou city with a physician the night last night. Young Master, attacking Qingzhou now is a rare opportunity!”

Shen Yanzhi sat in front of the table, his features hidden in the dark. “Who is guarding Qingzhou now?”

The staff officer replied with joy, “Dong Cheng is nothing to fear, and Song Heqing, an old scholar, is just a civil official. They won’t be able to stop the young master’s army.”

Shen Yanzhi raised his eyes, his gaze fierce and cold. “Then attack Qingzhou.”

She hurried to Xuzhou with a physician overnight. Was she so afraid that Chu Chengji would die?

She clenched the purse tightly in her hand, the frayed edges scratching against her palm, unable to ease the burning pain that seemed to be corroding her heart.

After the staff officer left, Chen Qin entered with a bowl of medicine. “Master, it’s time to take your medicine.”

Shen Yanzhi coughed twice, covering his lips, his face as pale as snow, but his eyes contained endless hostility. “How are the arrangements on Li Xin’s side?”

Chen Qin replied, “After the eunuch in charge switched allegiance to Li Xin, he has accepted benefits from various parties.

Although he is Li Xin’s man, you have the account books of his bribes.

Once you expose him to Li Xin, with Li Xin’s suspicious nature, he won’t spare him.

Now he can only board our ship. He has been using the chopsticks coated with poisoned lacquer, which he always uses. Before long, Li Xin will be ‘stricken’ and bedridden.”

Li Xin was excessively cautious.

Anything that entered his mouth was first tested by eunuchs for poison.

So Shen Yanzhi had ordered a pair of chopsticks coated with poison.

The chief eunuch by Li Xin’s side was omnipotent in the palace, and he could easily replace Li Xin’s chopsticks without being noticed.

Shen Yanzhi sneered. “I heard that Duke Wen has been confined to ponder his mistakes?”

After the defeat in Minzhou, Li Xin used this as an opportunity to suppress the Shen family, demoting Shen Chan from Noble Consort to concubine.

But the court always emphasized the balance of power.

Without the Shen family helping Li Xin, pointing out targets for him, and taking all the blame, Li Xin naturally had to promote new favorites.

At the same time, the daughter of Duke Wen gave birth to a son, so Li Xin appointed the daughter of Duke Wen as Noble Consort, beginning to favor Duke Wen.

Chen Qin nodded. “Indeed, in your name as the Crown Prince, you privately gave gifts to the powerful figures in the court.

Li Xin suspected the Crown Prince of having rebellious intentions and publicly reprimanded him several times in court.

Everyone could see that the Crown Prince has no hope of succeeding to the throne.

You had the people under the Crown Prince’s command pretend to defect to Duke Wen’s faction.

Now Li Xin suspects Duke Wen of forming cliques and suppresses Duke Wen’s faction fiercely.”

Shen Yanzhi’s eyes showed mockery. “Li Xin regards power as his lifeblood. Just ascended to the throne, how could he tolerate others coveting it? The plan is already in place. Let’s wait for his demise.”

The Crown Prince had the infamous reputation of desecrating imperial tombs, neither excelling in literature nor in martial arts.

Neither, Civil nor military officials would support such a monarch who was scorned by the people.

Li Xin’s two adult sons had already been deposed, and among the underage princes, only Duke Wen’s faction was powerful.

Shen Yanzhi’s scheme caused Li Xin to suppress Duke Wen, secretly attracting many courtiers.

When Li Xin succumbed to the poison, Shen Chan would return to the palace, and this country would change hands.

Shen Yanzhi stood up, pacing to the window.

The last rays of the setting sun disappeared into the distant mountains.

In the faint red glow, his complexion was no longer the pale, cold white.

The curve of his lips as they lifted was quite charming. “The Crown Prince is of no use anymore. Before we march to Qingzhou, let’s use his blood to sacrifice the flag.”

Chen Qin was shocked by his words and couldn’t recover for a while.

When Shen Yanzhi glanced at him, he hurriedly bowed his head, his back already drenched in sweat.

An imperial envoy, carrying the imperial decree, barged into the Crown Prince’s residence, only to find a scene of debauchery, with the Crown Prince and a group of concubines sprawled together, drunk and unconscious.

The envoy was so angry that he returned to the capital overnight and reported to Li Xin.

Li Xin was furious and smashed a jade cup at court, reprimanding the Crown Prince.

The confidant was a frequent visitor to the Crown Prince’s residence, but he noticed something unusual— all the maids and guards had been replaced.

He immediately realized that the Crown Prince might have been detained.

With Shen Yanzhi holding military power, the confidant didn’t dare to openly express his doubts.

Instead, he secretly investigated.

Using the pretext of delivering beautiful women to the Crown Prince, he learned the whereabouts of the Crown Prince’s confinement and summoned the Crown Prince’s former subordinates,

Intending to dig a tunnel to rescue the Crown Prince.

When news of the plan to use the Crown Prince’s blood to sacrifice the flag reached the confidant’s ears, he was terrified.

He ordered his men to dig the tunnel day and night until they finally rescued the Crown Prince.

After having his tongue cut out and being tortured for many days, the Crown Prince couldn’t speak.

It was only through pen and paper that he wrote down why Shen Yanzhi had detained him.

Knowing what Shen Yanzhi had done under his name, the Crown Prince wished he could devour Shen Yanzhi’s flesh and blood.

With no tongue, he knew that vying for the throne was hopeless.

His only thought was to revenge against Shen Yanzhi.

Shen Yanzhi needed the help of Yuanqing to attack Qingzhou.

In order to rupture the alliance between the An family and Shen Yanzhi, he had his confidant deliver his handwritten letter to the An family.

When the An family learned that it was Shen Yanzhi who had ordered them to be captured as hostages, it was another scene of dogs biting dogs.

The Crown prince’s confidant went to the An residence with the prince’s letter.

After explaining the purpose, he was received by Miss An Ruoyan.

“Mother is feeling unwell, so I’m here to meet you on behalf of her,” An Ruoyan smiled gently. “May I ask what brings you here, sir?”

The confidant hurriedly bowed. “I dare not, I dare not. I admire General An’s courage and righteousness. I cannot bear to see General An being used by a villain. I have come to deliver a message.”

An Ruoyan’s face showed a perfect blend of confusion. “Sir, what do you mean?”

The confidant handed over the letter from the Crown Prince. “Miss An, please read this letter.”

After reading it, tears welled up in An Ruoyan’s eyes. “I thought that person surnamed Shen was trying to save my An family from a crisis, but it turns out he was the one who came up with the poisonous plan from the beginning!”

Seeing that the situation had turned in his favor, the confidant was overjoyed and quickly said, “The situation is urgent. Miss An, you should inform your father as soon as possible.”

With tears in her eyes, An Ruoyan said, “What you say is true.”

She then handed over a silver ticket as a token of gratitude.

The confidant thought about the need for money on the road when bringing the Crown Prince back to Bianjing and pretended to refuse before accepting it. “Miss An’s kindness is hard to refuse, so I will respectfully accept.”

An Ruoyan still looked grateful. “You’re too kind, sir.”

Then, she called a servant. “You, escort the sir out.”

The servant was tall and strong, appearing to be skilled in martial arts.

The confidant didn’t suspect anything and followed the servant out of the room.

After a short while, a scream came from outside.

Moments later, the servant returned and reported, with a few drops of blood splattered on his face, “Miss, the person has been taken care of.”

An Ruoyan replied calmly, “Hmm,” her demeanor completely different from her previous gentle appearance.

She picked up the letter from the Crown Prince and burned it directly on the candlestick.

The servant’s pupils twitched slightly, and he asked, “Miss, don’t you plan to inform Madam about this matter?”

The candlelight reflected in An Ruoyan’s eyes, resembling wildfire engulfing dry grass. “There’s no need. The rise of the An and Chen families depends on this move.

Breaking ties with the Shen family now would only result in severe damage.

By helping the Shen family seize power first, we can replace them later.”

The servant asked, “Should we inform Young Master Shen about the Current Crown Prince’s escape?”

An Ruoyan sneered, “Are you suggesting that I tell Shen Yanzhi that my family knows about his initial plot against my father?”

Wasn’t that just asking Shen Yanzhi to be on guard against the An family?

The servant slapped himself in the face. “I am foolish and dull.”

During her time in Xu Prefecture, Qin Zheng delved into the archives of tax records and legal documents related to agriculture and commerce in Xu Prefecture over the years,

Trying to understand why Cheng Ji was so confident that a large number of merchants would come to Xu Prefecture in a short time.

She intuitively felt that she could find the answers in these dry data and legal documents.

Cheng Ji, seeing her immersed in the sea of ​​books, handed over the task of revising the “Labour Code” to her.

The “Labour Code” of this era included the types, management, service, taxation, and household registration of craftsmen, which was cumbersome and important.

Improving the “Labour Code” would systematize the management of craftsmen.

With the army expanding its territory on the front lines, the agricultural and handicraft industries in the rear could operate, creating a continuous stream of wealth to supply the army.

Qin Zheng was an engineering enthusiast in her previous life.

In this life, not only could she not escape her fate as an engineering enthusiast, but she also had to study politics and law with blurred vision.

Cheng Ji’s wound took several days to heal, and the wound finally began to scab over.

Qin Zheng happened to be giving him medicine one day when Chen Daoxi came to report military intelligence.

When she entered the tent, she heard a sentence, “This journey is dangerous. Your Highness is injured. It’s better to choose another general to lead the troops…”

Chu Chengji casually said, “It’s nothing.”

Seeing Qin Zheng return, he said to Chen Daoxi, “You may leave now.”

Chen Daoxi left, but the worried expression lingeree in her face, causing her to be distracted when reading.

Chu Chengji noticed several times that she was absent-minded, holding her chin with one hand and staring blankly.

He gently tapped her forehead with the scroll he was holding. “You’re not focused on your reading.”

Qin Zheng snapped out of it and turned to him. “Are you planning to personally lead the troops back to Qingzhou?”

Chu Chengji said, “There are rumors in the army that I am seriously injured and in danger. If I go back, I can boost morale and crush the Chen army in one fell swoop.”

Qin Zheng knew she couldn’t help much in military matters, but when she thought of his injury, she still felt uneasy.

Because he had tampered with the prescription before, strengthening the medicinal properties to speed up his recovery,

Qin Zheng was afraid he had done the same this time.

To avoid alarming him, she quietly began to investigate the medicines he used every day.

The medicines he took orally were confirmed by the military doctor, and she personally brewed them before giving them to Chu Chengji.

The external medicines were also made under her supervision with the help of the military doctor’s apprentice.

The military doctor didn’t say anything, but he felt proud of Qin Zheng’s sudden concern.

His beard was even raised up for several days in a row.

If he hadn’t exaggerated