The Emperor asked, “What kind of small brush is that? Let me see.”

Qin Fang felt a bit embarrassed. “Well… my luggage is still on the horse at the city gate; everything is over there.”

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. “That’s convenient; have Du Er go get it.”

After thinking of something, the Emperor added, “Xiao Chizi.”

Grand Eunuch Chi answered from outside, “Your servant is here.”

The Emperor said, “Prepare a room in the side hall for General Qin to stay.”

He then turned to Qin Fang, “Qin Fang, during this time, I’ll show you a good show.”

Regardless of who the other party was or what their motives were, since the matter had already arisen, it wouldn’t be long before their true colors would be revealed.

Since that was the case, Qin Fang shouldn’t be out and about; after all, although no one in the capital had seen Qin Fang, those who had been to Yunxiang County had definitely seen him.

Hearing the Emperor say this, Qin Fang felt a bit pleased. “As you command.”

The Emperor watched his joyful demeanor and felt in good spirits. “Now, tell me about the horse farm.”

He set the proposal aside; he was too lazy to read it.

Based on Qin Fang’s rambling, he could guess that the proposal would be even more long-winded.

Next, Qin Fang began talking about the horse farm.

He started with land requisitioning, explaining that local land belonged to the court and the country, and this land could be requisitioned without requiring money, but he needed a decree from the Emperor; otherwise, Magistrate Yang would never allow Qin Fang to requisition the land.

At the same time, the costs of raising warhorses were considerable.

However, each soldier in the military camp could adopt a horse.

Since there were no battles in Yunxiang County, the soldiers spent their days training.

When the fields were busy, they would go to work in the fields, but not everyone was needed there.

So, they could join in raising horses.

If each soldier successfully raised five foals, he could be promoted from infantry to cavalry, meaning he would have a horse.

Qin Fang derived this idea from how soldiers raised poultry; they ate the eggs produced by the poultry they raised themselves.

Thus, the logic for raising horses was the same.

Qin Fang spoke extensively about these matters, radiating a confident demeanor.

Even though he seemed out of place in many aspects of the capital, in practical matters, no one there took things as seriously as he did.

From Qin Fang’s plan, the Emperor could see that he had thoroughly considered all aspects, which is why he came to present his petition.

There was a lot of idle land in the country.

Or rather, there were many mountains that could be utilized.

These mountains were unappealing to those who could afford to buy them, and those who couldn’t afford them wouldn’t buy them either, so many remained vacant.

It was indeed a good idea for Qin Fang to requisition them to build a horse farm.

However, while considering Qin Fang’s plan, the Emperor also thought of something.

Since Qin Fang was requisitioning the mountains for the court, there would be no rent.

But what if these lands were rented by those who couldn’t afford to buy them?

Wouldn’t that be an additional source of income for the country?

One or two people’s rent might not be noticeable, but what about nationwide?

Suddenly, the Emperor thought of a business opportunity.

To be able to rule as an emperor, one’s intelligence was naturally not something ordinary people could compare to; in modern times, he would definitely be a top student.

So, the Emperor thought of a way to earn money to enrich the national treasury.

Looking at the whole country, who was the biggest landlord?

It had to be the Emperor.

Those local landlords could rent their land to the common folk to make money; why couldn’t he?

The two discussed how Du Xingran had retrieved Qin Fang’s luggage.

Qin Fang took out a toothbrush and toothpaste from his luggage.

Both were made when he was at the border.

The toothbrush was made from wool taken from the sheep raised for making pastries at the border, and the toothpaste was made by Yang Haiyan herself.

As Qin Fang’s official status rose, the number of people in his family gradually increased; Yang Haiyan had long stopped using commercial toothpaste and toothbrushes.

The Emperor looked at the two wooden boxes.

One box was square, containing the paste-like toothpaste, while the other box was rectangular, designed for the toothbrush.

“This is the brush and toothpaste for cleaning teeth?”

The Emperor looked on with curiosity, finding the small items rather intriguing.

Qin Fang replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. My wife thought that ‘small brush’ didn’t sound very nice, so she named the brush for cleaning teeth ‘toothbrush.’ And since the paste is used to clean teeth and has a paste-like consistency, she called it ‘toothpaste.'”

The Emperor remarked, “Toothpaste and toothbrush, quite fitting. So, how are they used?”

Qin Fang offered, “Allow me to demonstrate, Your Majesty.”

He scooped a bit of toothpaste onto the toothbrush with a clean wooden spoon and began brushing his teeth.

After finishing, he rinsed his mouth with water. “Done,” he said.

After thinking for a moment, Qin Fang added, “How about I write a letter and have my wife send a new set of toiletries for Your Majesty to try? I left in such a hurry because of urgent matters, but I had originally planned to bring several gifts for Your Majesty.”

Upon hearing that he was supposed to receive a gift, the Emperor felt slightly miffed that it had been delayed by recent events.

However, as the ruler, he couldn’t just openly accept gifts from his subjects.

He replied, “No need for the gifts, but… since you left in such a rush, I’m sure Lady Bingyun is worried. Why not write her a letter to put her at ease?” Smart as you are, just include the toiletries in the letter.

Qin Fang immediately knelt in gratitude, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration.”

The Emperor added, “But since you’re in the capital and cannot appear publicly, I’ll find someone to deliver the letter for you.”

At that moment, Du Xingran’s eyes lit up. “Your Majesty, I would be honored to serve!”

Perhaps when he reached Yunxiang County, he could also request a set of toiletries from Lady Bingyun himself.

Having examined Qin Fang’s set closely, Du Xingran was quite eager to get one.

The Emperor glanced at him, easily seeing through his intentions.

Still, Du Xingran was a suitable candidate for the task.

After all, the Du and Qin families had ties, so communication would be easy.

The Emperor nodded, “Take sick leave, then.”

Although Du Xingran held the rank of captain, as a well-off young noble, his duties were mostly lighthearted affairs.

Taking time off was quite common, and he frequently used illness as an excuse.

This time, however, the real reason for his leave couldn’t be revealed, so he applied for sick leave.

In fact, whenever wealthy young nobles took leave, it was almost always due to “illness.”

Du Xingran took Qin Fang’s letter and left the palace, heading straight back to the Du residence.

After discussing with his father, the next morning, a servant from the Du family officially filed his sick leave request.

Meanwhile, Du Xingran set out in his wife’s carriage, leaving the capital.

He was supposedly ill, while his wife was off at the temple praying for his recovery, so Du Xingran secretly hid inside the carriage.

Three days later, after a grueling journey, much like a race between life and death, Du Xingran finally arrived in Yunxiang County.

Upon arrival, he was stunned.

Yunxiang County was nothing like he had imagined.

Many common folk were busily working near the city gate.

What on earth were they doing?

At this point, it had been five or six days since Qin Fang had left Yunxiang County, and the county was already under construction, repairing the roads.

Du Xingran dismounted from his horse, looking bewildered at the bustling activity near the city gate.

Was this… supposed to be a remote and impoverished place?

How could such a place be so lively?

Approaching an old man, Du Xingran asked, “Sir, may I ask what all these people are doing? Everyone seems so busy.”

The old man glanced at Du Xingran, “You’re not from Yunxiang County, are you? An outsider?” If he were a local, he would have known.

The General’s residence was funding road repairs for Yunxiang County with money from the Emperor.

Even though there wasn’t a fixed salary for the workers, meals were provided, so many of the idle townsfolk came to help, whether for a full stomach or out of loyalty to the Emperor.

The only people unaware of this would be outsiders.

Du Xingran nodded, “You’re right, I’m not from here. I’m visiting relatives in Yunxiang County. My sister married someone here. By the way, my sister’s name is Yang Haiyan, and she married your city’s general. Could you tell me how to get to the General’s residence?”

Upon hearing that Du Xingran was a relative of the General’s family, the old man eagerly began sharing everything he knew.

Truth be told, Du Xingran found the old man’s words somewhat overwhelming, especially when he learned that the General’s residence was funding the road construction.

The whole idea astonished him—this sort of initiative was something a pampered noble like him from the capital could never relate to.

Meanwhile, Yang Haiyan had no idea a guest had arrived at her home.

She was busy in the carpentry workshop, overseeing the carving of a statue.

The carpenter she was working with was the most skilled in Yunxiang County, and he was carving the statue for her free of charge. He had been working on it for several days now.

The statue was nine feet tall—about three meters—and he couldn’t do it alone, so other skilled carvers from Yunxiang County were helping.

Why were all these craftsmen carving for Yang Haiyan free of charge?

Not because of her status, but because the statue was of the Emperor himself.

Who would dare ask for payment for carving the Emperor’s likeness?

All the best sculptors in Yunxiang County had gathered and worked tirelessly for five days and nights to complete the statue of the Emperor.

However, they were now faced with a problem.

The lead sculptor, Old Xu, asked, “Madam, should we carve the Emperor’s face?”

Yang Haiyan didn’t know what the Emperor looked like, so she couldn’t have the face carved. “No, the Emperor is the rightful Son of Heaven, and not someone we mere mortals can depict.”

This reasoning was enough to pass muster.

Old Xu thought about it and agreed. “In that case…”

“Madam… Madam…” At that moment, someone called out from outside. “General’s wife, you have a visitor.”

It was the old man from the city gate construction site, bringing none other than Du Xingran.

He had taken Du Xingran to the General’s residence, but since the General’s wife was at the carpentry workshop, he brought him there instead.

A visitor?

Yang Haiyan stepped outside and saw the well-dressed, aristocratic Du Xingran beside the old man, but she didn’t recognize him.

Before Yang Haiyan could say anything, Du Xingran spoke first, “Are you Bingyun, my sister-in-law? I’m Du Xingran, the second son of the Du family.”