Within Great Wei's Capital.
Evening had arrived.
The grand banquet had ended. Inside Yangxin Hall, the ministers of the Six Ministries and the Nine Dukes were discussing affairs of state.
The Female Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, quietly watching them.
"Minister Xu, have you truly suppressed the demonic thought within you?"
Ji Ling spoke, looking at Xu Qingxiao with concern as she asked.
At Ji Ling's question, Xu Qingxiao answered calmly.
"Your Majesty, I am no longer in danger."
His calm reply allowed everyone to breathe a slight sigh of relief.
Then Xu Qingxiao continued.
"Your Majesty, during the six months I was away, I personally inspected Great Wei's various prefectures. The benefits of waterwheels have now spread throughout the country. Together with Your Majesty's three-year tax exemption, the common people now have ample food and clothing."
"I believe we can begin implementing the Nation-Pacifying Strategy."
Xu Qingxiao spoke. Altogether, he had been away for half a year.
During part of those six months, Xu Qingxiao had visited prefectural seats across the country to see how the common people were living.
Ever since Great Wei had fully introduced waterwheels a year ago, its grain harvests had been abundant. Coupled with the Female Emperor's three-year tax exemption, people everywhere had enjoyed tangible benefits.
Previously, households had hardly any surplus grain. Now every household had plenty, and it was not merely because of the waterwheels.
The rise in Great Wei's national fortune had also brought benefits. Fertile fields were everywhere, and varieties of triple-season rice had even been discovered. Grain yields were three times what they had been before.
With barren fields brought into cultivation, Great Wei's people were positively beaming.
Every household had considerable grain to spare. Although grain prices had been suppressed throughout this period, people who had lived