The princess's reward (5,000-word chapter)

"Are you looking for a government loan?"

Back at the Daoist Fang Weiyan saw the message Su Qingyun had left for him on his phone.

Upon seeing this news, Fang Weiyan thought about it and didn't think it was a big deal.

Although Su Qingyun is a wealthy woman, she probably doesn't have much experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

Moreover, the roots he brought back were quite special, and their medicinal effects were unusual, which could easily attract the attention of some people.

However, with government support, there shouldn't be any major problems in the future.

Furthermore, the Old Zhan that Su Qingyun mentioned is someone who researches medicine, and it seems he's also planning to come and assist Su Qingyun.

With the other party's status and capabilities in charge, Su Qingyun's pharmaceutical company should be fine.

"Here's the stuff. You can handle it as you see fit."

In the message, Su Qingyun also discussed the matter of keeping the information confidential with Fang Weiyan.

Seeing that Su Qingyun had made all the arrangements, Fang Weiyan felt even more at ease.

That's all that matters.

After replying to Su Qingyun's message, I noticed that Su Qingyun didn't reply, so I guessed she was busy.

Seeing this, Fang Weiyan added some incense and candles to the Daoist temple, and then returned to Pingjiang City.

Pingjiang City.

More than half a month has passed since Fang Weiyan last provided disaster relief.

After more than half a month, the refugees from other counties had mostly moved to Pingjiang City.

However, with so many people, Pingjiang City quickly became somewhat crowded.

There was clearly not enough housing in the city, and many refugees were able to live in places like teahouses.

With so many refugees gathered, Fang Weiyan quickly instructed the constables to keep a close watch on them and ensure that the refugees' personal hygiene was properly maintained.

In refugee settlements like these, large-scale outbreaks of disease can easily occur due to hygiene issues.

The number of refugees in the city is increasing, but fortunately, we have the coarse grains we bought earlier, so we don't have to worry about food.

Besides grain, Fang Weiyan began to have the road leading to Linbei County built.

The vegetables in the fields of Pingshui City are not yet fully planted, while the vegetables in Linbei County have already begun to be harvested in abundance.

Fang Weiyan planned to transport some vegetables from Linbei County to Pingshui City.

In Fang Weiyan's opinion, if conditions permit, it's worthwhile to improve the living conditions here.

The number of refugees has increased, and so has the consumption of food.

Fortunately, with the arrival of these refugees, the construction of Pingjiang City began to accelerate.

In addition, there were many artisans mixed in with the refugees.

Soon after these artisans arrived, they heard that artisans were treated well here, and they immediately identified themselves.

In this way, Fang Weiyan now has more than a thousand craftsmen under his command.

There are currently about 89,600 households in the entire Pingjiang City, and the number is still increasing.

Many refugees who had fled here, after gaining a little foothold, began to contact their relatives and friends, urging them to come here as well.

Since the local prefect doesn't check travel permits and there's always food to eat, why not come?

"This cement is practically free; it's almost gone again..."

Fang Weiyan looked at the accounts brought by the clerk in charge of the warehouse, glanced through them, and was speechless.

Fang Weiyan stopped buying food and such, but this cement felt like a bottomless pit.

By now, Fang Weiyan only had about a million yuan left, most of which had been spent on buying cement.

That's normal, though. If the entire Pingjiang City needed to be built, his several million dollars wouldn't even make a ripple.

Forget it, I'll just use the koi fish to make some money later...

Fang Weiyan thought about it and decided that he could only rely on the koi fish to make some money for now.

Su Qingyun wants to build a pharmaceutical factory, but first she needs to develop the drug, and then she needs to find volunteers to conduct drug experiments and clinical trials.

In short, going through all these procedures will probably take at least a year.

After all, clinical trials require intervals of one or two months for efficacy testing and other checks.

This is only possible because drug research and development is progressing relatively quickly.

Once the drugs were available on the shelves, Fang Weiyan wondered if he would actually still be short of money at that time.

No, he was researching this drug with the goal of enhancing national strength, so he shouldn't focus all his attention on money.

According to Fang Weiyan's speculation, the level of medical advancement should be able to enhance national strength.

If that's the case, and this medicine can cure those terminal illnesses, Huaxia's national strength should increase accordingly.

We can bring the medicine over here later, which will also help boost our national strength.

"The number of constables has been expanded to one thousand. Hmm, that's not bad."

Fang Weiyan then looked at the other booklets.

After inspecting everything, Fang Weiyan got up to go check out the construction site.

Before Fang Weiyan could even get up and leave, a constable rushed in, "Sir, someone from Yan City wants to see you."

"Someone from Yanhuai City has arrived? Who could it be?"

Regarding the last time the disaster relief effort crossed the border, Fang Weiyan remembered that the Emperor had already given a reply, saying that Qian's work was quite good.

Later, it seems someone even impeached him.

During the impeachment, all sorts of accusations were leveled against him, saying that he was just a minor prefect, how could he possibly have money for disaster relief, and that he was exploiting the people and using their hard-earned money for political purposes.

So that the emperor would think he was a good minister.

After all, so many disaster victims were reported from various prefectures. Where would Fang Weiyan, a newly appointed prefect, find so much money and grain to provide disaster relief?

In addition, they also learned that Fang Weiyan had spent tens of thousands of taels of silver to buy grain.

As a result, these impeachments became increasingly fierce.

In the end, even the Emperor Kaide became somewhat suspicious and harbored some doubts.

He wondered if he had misjudged Fang Weiyan. Was Fang Weiyan actually colluding with certain officials, which was why he had obtained so much silver?

Or has Fang Weiyan truly amassed wealth by exploiting the people?

In this situation, Princess Jin'an stepped forward and explained that she had given Fang Weiyan Fang Weiyan a box of jewelry before his departure.

That's why Fang Weiyan had so much silver.

With this explanation, Emperor Kaide's doubts were dispelled.

Although Fang Weiyan was in Pingjiang City, he had heard some of this news.

"Please come in."

Upon hearing this, Fang Weiyan instructed the yamen runners to invite the person in.

A moment later, the person was brought in, and when Fang Weiyan looked over, he was surprised to see that it was Qiao'er.

Princess Jin'an's maidservant, traveled all the way to Pingjiang City?

Fang Weiyan was also taken aback when he saw this scene. "Why is Miss Qiao'er here?"

"Qiao'er greets Your Excellency, Prefect."

Qiao'er looked at Fang Weiyan, bowed, and then waved her hand before someone brought her a small box.

Qiao'er stepped forward, opened the box, and pointed to it, saying softly, "This is a garment specially sewn for you by Princess Jin'an. It is made of Merfolk Gauze, impervious to water and fire, and can withstand swords."

"What merit or ability do I possess..."

Fang Weiyan was flattered upon hearing this. That little princess could actually sew clothes?

They even sewed one especially for him.

"The princess said that the rumors circulating in the court have hurt you somewhat, and that you should not hold a grudge."

Qiao'er bowed slightly and said.

This was because they felt that some of the previous impeachments in the court had gone too far, and they were afraid that Fang Weiyan would worry, so they came to comfort him.

Furthermore, Fang Weiyan disaster relief efforts have eliminated the unstable factor of popular uprising, so he should be given even more reassurance.

It must be said that Princess Jin'an did a really good job with this move.

Merfolk Gauze...

I'd heard about this Merfolk Gauze before, and now I've finally seen it.

Fang Weiyan glanced into the box and saw a scholar's long robe with a silvery-white tinge, softly folded together.

Although I haven't touched it yet, I can already feel the softness of this long robe.

"Your Highness, I thank you for your generous gift."

Fang Weiyan bowed slightly and spoke.

Qiao'er nodded, then prepared to turn and leave.

She wouldn't normally need to come to deliver these items, but in order to express Princess Jin'an's intention to win over Fang Weiyan, she was asked to come here personally to present these treasures.

Seeing that Qiao'er was about to leave, Fang Weiyan pondered for a moment, then called out to her.

"Qiao'er wait a moment, Miss Qiao'er. I also have something I wish to present to Your Highness."

After thinking it over, Fang Weiyan Fang Weiyan felt he should return the favor. He felt embarrassed to continue accepting benefits from Emperor Jin'an and Emperor Kaide in the future.

Both of them treated him very well, and Fang Weiyan has always been one to remember the kindness shown to him.

After telling Qiao'er to wait where she was, Fang Weiyan went to the backyard and counted out 80,000 taels of silver.

Then, Fang Weiyan had the silver moved out.

It's just money. Anyway, Fang Weiyan has ways to make money, so he can at least repay some of the favors owed to Princess Jin'an and the other woman.

With that thought in mind, Fang Weiyan immediately moved the 80,000 taels of silver to the front of the yamen.

Then he opened the boxes one by one in front of Qiao'er, letting her see them clearly.

Qiao'er was stunned when she saw so much silver. Where did Fang Weiyan get so much silver?

"Sir, this is..."

Qiao'er stared at Fang Weiyan, momentarily lost in thought.

"Previously, I saved the Dragon King's son, and the Dragon King, grateful for my kindness in saving his son, rewarded me with a considerable amount of silver."

Fang Weiyan pointed to the silver in front of him and said something.

In any case, we can't tell Emperor Kaide that this was obtained from confiscating property.

After all, if someone confiscates a property, it should belong to the imperial court and be handed over to the government.

Princess Jin'an had previously helped Fang Weiyan out of a predicament in the court, saying that all of Fang Weiyan's money came from her.

But Princess Jin'an should have known better; the box of gold and silver jewelry she gave her didn't amount to tens of thousands of coins.

Fang Weiyan took out the money now partly to thank the other party, and partly to let them know that it was all given by the Dragon King.

Anyway, they can't possibly find the Dragon King to find out the truth, so whatever Fang Weiyan says, everyone else has to believe him.

The little black fish, still standing to the side, blinked upon hearing this, wondering when his father had given Fang Weiyan any money.

He was puzzled, but he didn't say anything.

"I see. So this silver is for Her Highness the Princess?"

Qiao'er glanced at the boxes of silver in front of her, then looked at Fang Weiyan.

So much silver! Fang Weiyan just gave it away like that? Does he really not care about money at all?

"Yes, Your Highness treats me so well. I have nothing of value but these gold and silver items."

Fang Weiyan nodded, and then had someone close the box again.

Upon hearing this, Qiao'er looked at Fang Weiyan carefully several times, then nodded and had someone carry the box away.

Fang Weiyan escorted the other person to the city gate, and then watched them leave.

"The money was just given away like that."

Watching the other person leave, and thinking about the money he had just spent, Fang Weiyan didn't feel much heartache.

The main problem is that this money came too easily.

Since it was all silver, Fang Weiyan didn't really feel anything. Fang Weiyan would probably feel a little heartache if it were gold.

Seeing that Qiao'er's figure had disappeared, Fang Weiyan turned around and walked towards Pingjiang City, seeing that the roads were full of potholes.

Some areas are almost finished, but most are not.

The woodcutters continued to transport timber towards the city.

The timber was all freshly felled, thick trees, which were then transported into the city one by one.

A large toilet had already been built nearby, constructed entirely of cement and small Shitou; there were simply too many people in the city.

To prevent people from relieving themselves indiscriminately, the construction of toilets was a project that started from the very beginning.

"My benefactor, my father did not offer you any silver in gratitude."

Seeing that Qiao'er and the others had already gone far away, Wu Ruichu finally asked a question out of confusion.

Upon hearing this, Fang Weiyan looked down at the other person and said, "From now on, just say this to everyone, understand?"

Wu Ruichu somewhat puzzled, but seeing Fang Weiyan say this, he nodded.

Since his benefactor has said so, he should just do it; why think so much?

Back at the yamen, Fang Weiyan picked up the long robe sewn by Princess Jin'an and put it on.

I must say, it fits quite well.

This Merfolk Gauze feels incredibly soft to the touch, almost as if it has no thickness in the middle.

Remembering what the other person said about being impervious to water and fire, Fang Weiyan couldn't help but pick up a fire and test it.

Ordinary firewood certainly can't ignite this Merfolk Gauze. I wonder if a welding Merfolk Gauze could ignite it?

Fang Weiyan rubbed the Merfolk Gauze, feeling a little curious.

The welding torch can reach temperatures of two thousand degrees. If this Merfolk Gauze can withstand such a high temperature, then it must be quite remarkable.

Fang Weiyan had a bonfire lit, and once it was burning, he hung his long robe over the fire to dry it.

After the flames had been heating the robe for a while, Fang Weiyan touched the area that had been heated with his hand.

It still feels cool to the touch.

"Does it have an insulating effect?"

Fang Weiyan sensed this and poured water onto the Merfolk Gauze, wanting to test whether it could insulate against heat.

What are you doing, my benefactor?

Wu Ruichu tilted his head slightly, looking at Fang Weiyan's actions with some confusion.

"I'm testing whether this Merfolk Gauze can insulate against heat."

Fang Weiyan replied upon hearing this.

"Of course! This is mermaid Merfolk Gauze woven by Merfolk; it can certainly block ordinary fire."

Upon Wu Ruichu immediately responded.

"You know about Merfolk Gauze?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Weiyan looked at Wu Ruichu.

"I've heard of it, but I've never seen it," Wu Ruichu nodded.

At this moment, she couldn't help but curiously touch the Merfolk Gauze in front of her.

He had indeed heard of it before, but had never seen it, since the Wu River was too far from where the Merfolk Gauze) roamed.

Seeing that Wu Ruichu already said so, Fang Weiyan put away the Merfolk Gauze and put it back on.

The water that had just been poured onto the long robe left no trace on it after Fang Weiyan poured it away.

I have to say, this thing is quite amazing.

If there were more of this kind of Merfolk Gauze, it could be used to make fire suits.

I'll test how well this clothing protects against swords and knives when I have the chance later.

The shrines in the Daoist temple seem to have absorbed a lot of Incense Offerings lately; I'll bring them over to the City God tonight so he can absorb some more.

The city is becoming increasingly populated, and the more people there are, the more likely it is to attract the attention of demons.

We need to make the City God stronger.

"By the way, have you ever heard your father mention any members of the Jiang Kingdom's royal family who have become Underworld Administration?"

Fang Weiyan suddenly thought of something and turned to Wu Ruichu ask.

He didn't seem to have heard of any member of the Jiang Kingdom's royal family becoming Underworld Administration.

"How could you ask such a question, sir? Members of the royal family cannot become the Underworld Administration. What if someone covets the throne? This has happened many times before. Whenever a member of the royal family became the Underworld Administration, those dynasties were overthrown within a year."

Wu Ruichu heard Fang Weiyan's words.

Fang Weiyan has been in this world for some time, but he is not really clear about what's going on here.

Hearing this, he patiently asked.

Wu Ruichu spoke his mind, telling Fang Weiyan what he knew.

In the past, it wasn't just the royal family; even the reigning emperors would abdicate and become Underworld Administration. However, later, these emperors cultivated to the Transformation Stage and then sought to regain control of the imperial power.

However, this directly aroused the dissatisfaction of the current emperor.

Thus, the vast dynasty fell apart.

Such incidents continued to occur, finally making many people realize that this was absolutely unacceptable.

From then on, members of the royal family were no longer allowed to travel to the Underworld Administration.

Even if such a thing existed, those in power would not allow the people to offer Incense Offerings and would let it die out naturally.

"What about the Human Sovereign?"

What the other party is referring to is probably a dynasty without Human Sovereign. What would a dynasty with Human Sovereign be like?

"The Human Sovereign relies on the dynasty to establish himself, and the dynasty's strength determines its lifespan. Therefore, in some Human Sovereign prince to intentionally weaken the dynasty's strength in order to ascend to the throne as quickly as possible."

"That's what my father told me before."

Before Wu Ruichu, he liked to listen to stories about people in the human world, and he heard quite a lot of such stories.

Is the lifespan of the Human Sovereign linked to the strength of the nation...?

But aside from national strength, it seems we could also consume some spirit medicine, right?

Just like the spirit medicine in Divine Farmer Valley, but Fang Weiyan doesn't have the strength right now, nor can he even think about taking those spirit medicine.