From cute to empress

Chapter 134: Sunny and Windy

Golden sunlight bathes the fields, and a gentle breeze carries the fragrance of rice. This year marks another bumper harvest. Looking at this bountiful harvest scene before my eyes, the faces of the people are filled with happy smiles, and my heart, like the golden waves of wheat, is filled with joy.

"Your Majesty, this year's harvest is the best in history! This is all thanks to Your Majesty!" Craftsman Li said excitedly, his dark face full of gratitude.

I smiled and shook my head. "This is the result of everyone's hard work and the result of everyone's efforts."

My gaze passed over the crowd, landing on a group of children playing nearby. Their innocent smiles and clear, bright eyes filled me with hope and vitality. Yet, a bitter feeling welled up in my heart. How many of these children could actually learn to read? How many of them would have the chance to change their fate?

"Youcai, what do you think we should do to give these children the opportunity to change their destiny like you?" I turned to look at Zhen Youcai beside me. His eyes always followed me, gentle and firm.

He pondered for a moment, then shook my hand and said firmly, "Your Majesty, we can build a school so that all children can have the opportunity to read and learn knowledge!"

My eyes lit up. Yes, education is the key to changing one's destiny! I nodded vigorously. "Okay! We will start preparing immediately and build a school so that all children can have the opportunity to receive an education!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Craftsman Li knelt down excitedly, with hope glittering in his eyes.

I quickly helped him up. "Craftsman Li, you are experienced and knowledgeable about architectural design. We're counting on you to build this school!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will do my best to build the most comfortable and beautiful school for the children!" Craftsman Li promised, patting his chest.

"Your Majesty, I suggest that the location of the school should be close to a water source, and the environment should be quiet and peaceful, which will be more conducive to children's learning." Zhen Youcai added.

"Okay, let's do as you say." I happily agreed. "I'll leave this matter to you and Craftsman Li. Just let me know if you need any resources. We must complete the construction of the school!"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty!" the two responded in unison.

Watching them leave with such confidence, I was filled with anticipation. I believed that the establishment of this school would bring new hope and a new future to this country... However, at this moment, a discordant voice suddenly rang out, "Your Majesty, building a school is a waste of money and manpower. It is truly inappropriate!"

I turned and saw a middle-aged man in a brocade robe, portly and with a large head and ears, approaching with a haughty air. I recognized him; he was the famously wealthy local landlord, Mr. Zhao, known for his miserliness and greed. He was the first to speak out against the school's construction.

I suppressed my displeasure and asked calmly, "What do you think, Landlord Zhao?"

Landlord Zhao said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty, the people are already working hard farming and paying taxes, so how can they afford to send their children to school? Besides, what's the point of learning to read and write? They'll all have to come back to farming anyway. In my opinion, it's best not to build this school!"

His words were echoed by some people around him. Most of these people were short-sighted and only cared about immediate interests. They did not see the importance of education at all.

I was about to open my mouth to retort when Craftsman Li stood up. He pointed at the workers leveling the land in the distance and shouted, "Landlord Zhao, you're wrong! Look at those workers. Which one of them isn't working so hard for their children, to give them a good life? They all hope that their children can learn to read and write, so that they won't have to rely on hard labor like them in the future!"

"Yes, yes!" Wang, the migrant worker, also came over with a few other workers. He smiled naively and said, "We are uneducated people and have suffered a lot. I don't want my son to follow my path! I will sell everything I have to support his education!"

Wang the migrant worker's words resonated with the people around him, and they expressed their support for building a school to enable their children to read and learn.

Seeing this scene, my heart was filled with joy. Although the people are not well educated, they have hearts that are eager for knowledge and a desire to change their destiny!

I was about to speak when Craftsman Li came over quickly. He excitedly unfolded the blueprint in his hand and said, "Your Majesty, look, this is the school I designed. What do you think?"

I took the blueprint and saw a unique courtyard. Its layout was intricate and well-organized, imbued with the grandeur of an imperial garden and the graceful beauty of a Jiangnan water village. The courtyard, with its rockery, flowing water, pavilions, and towers, was ingeniously laid out, creating a beautiful and practical courtyard filled with a cultural atmosphere.

"Great! That's fantastic!" I couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. "Craftsman Li, you're truly amazing! This school will surely become a paradise for children to learn and grow!"

"Your Majesty, thank you for your praise. This is what I should do," said Craftsman Li modestly. "I have already chosen a location. It's on that open space in the south of the city. It has a quiet environment, surrounded by mountains and water, and is the perfect place for children to study and live."

"Okay, I'll do as you say!" I said happily. "Just let me know if you need anything. I'll fully support you!"

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will do my best to complete the school as soon as possible!" Craftsman Li promised, patting his chest.

I nodded, my eyes swept across the crowd, and finally landed on Landlord Zhao. I saw that his face was ashen, and he said nothing. I smiled faintly and said, "Landlord Zhao, look..." I nodded, my eyes swept across the crowd, and finally landed on Landlord Zhao. I saw that his face was ashen, and he said nothing. I smiled faintly and said, "Landlord Zhao, look, the people are so enthusiastic, they all hope that the school will be built as soon as possible, and the children are eager to learn to read and write. You have also watched them grow up, aren't you moved at all?"

The people around him also looked at Landlord Zhao, their eyes filled with expectation and pressure. Landlord Zhao obviously didn't expect me to throw the topic at him. He was stunned for a moment, his eyes flickering, and he stammered, unable to speak.

"Landlord Zhao, I know you are very wealthy, and donating some silver to build a school is just a drop in the bucket for you. But have you ever thought that if this money can help children change their destiny, it will be a great thing to accumulate virtue?" My tone was gentle, but every word was sonorous and touched his heart.

Landlord Zhao's face flushed and paled. He looked at the expectant eyes of the people around him, then at my determined gaze. Finally, he sighed and said, "Your Majesty has taught me this. I am ashamed! I will go back and donate some books and stationery to contribute my humble contribution to the construction of the school!"

I nodded with relief. "I'm glad that Landlord Zhao understands this. I believe your kindness will be rewarded."

After Landlord Zhao left, the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Seizing the opportunity, I addressed Magistrate Sun and County Gentleman Zhou: "Mr. Sun, Mr. Zhou, you are the leaders of this local government. The well-being of the people rests in your hands. I hope you will actively promote the significance of the school and mobilize more people to participate in education, so that every child can have the opportunity to learn to read and change their destiny!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured. We will do our best!" Magistrate Sun and Mr. Zhou promised in unison.

Looking at the hopeful faces before me, a warm feeling welled up in my heart. I believed that as long as we worked together, we would be able to overcome all difficulties, build this school, and sow the seeds of hope for this country! However, just as we were full of longing, Craftsman Li suddenly ran over, his face full of anxiety, and he said in a hurried tone: "Your Majesty, this is not good..."

Craftsman Li was sweating profusely, looking anxious and breathless as he said, "Your Majesty, we are running out of wood...we are out of wood!"

My heart skipped a beat, and my originally relaxed and joyful mood was instantly overshadowed. "How can it not be enough? Didn't I calculate it beforehand?"

"Your Majesty," Craftsman Li wiped his sweat and explained, "The previously estimated amount of timber was sufficient, but...but the recent heavy rains have washed away the road leading to the mountain, and the timber cannot be transported down..."

I immediately understood that the wood used to build the school was taken from the royal forest, and the mountain road leading to the forest was rugged and difficult to travel. A heavy rain was enough to cause a landslide and block traffic.

"What should we do now?" Magistrate Sun, standing nearby, was also anxious. "Construction is about to begin, and we can't let the timber problem delay the project!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, what should we do?" Mr. Zhou also looked troubled.

I looked around and saw that the originally happy faces of the people were now covered with a layer of worry. Although they didn't understand engineering construction, they also understood that without wood, the school could not be built.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. Building the school is for the people and for the future of the country. I must not back down at this moment! "General Zhen," I turned to look at Zhen Youcai, who had been silent the whole time. "You are in charge of border defense and should be familiar with the conditions in various places. Where else can we raise wood?"

Zhen Youcai stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent task is to send people to repair the mountain roads and restore the timber supply as soon as possible. At the same time, I can personally visit the surrounding counties to see if I can raise some timber to alleviate the immediate crisis."

"Okay!" I made a quick decision. "Then I'll trouble you, General Zhen! Also, Magistrate Sun, you'll be responsible for organizing the manpower and repairing the mountain road as quickly as possible. And Squire Zhou, you'll be responsible for comforting the people, explaining the situation, and asking them to be patient."

"We obey your order!" the three responded in unison.

I nodded and said with a firm gaze, "Building a school will benefit the country and the people, and its contributions will last for generations to come! I believe that as long as we work together, we will be able to overcome the current difficulties!"

In order to raise funds and supplies, Zhen Youcai and I decided to split up and visit various places in person to seek support.