A family with three widows, after severing ties with relatives, she became wealthy and married into

Chapter 170 The Achievements of Tian 2 Girl

After the hot pot broth and ingredients were served, the Prefect and the Magistrate were quickly captivated by the delicious taste.

"I've long heard that Baishi County has many novel foods."

"I'm so glad to finally see you today!"

"It truly lives up to its reputation."

Tian Tian stood outside the door and could hear the conversation inside.

She had originally planned to leave after saying goodbye, but before she left, Li Huaiyuan asked her to wait outside. His words implied that he wanted to recommend her to the prefect, so that if she wanted to expand her business in the future, it would be more convenient to have the prefect's protection.

Since Li Huaiyuan was willing to make the introduction, she certainly couldn't refuse his kindness.

The prefect put down his chopsticks and said obsequiously, "These foods are merely for culinary enjoyment and offer no benefit to the people's livelihood."

"The high-yield rice varieties from Baishi County are truly the best."

"As local officials, we should focus on promoting high-yield rice varieties."

After saying this, he subconsciously looked at Ling Yao.

But Ling Yao was only focused on eating hot pot... completely ignoring what he said.

“Your Excellency is mistaken,” Li Huaiyuan disagreed with the prefect’s words. “Although restaurants, teahouses, and hot pot shops are merely for the enjoyment of the palate.”

"But if a shop is done well, what happens behind the scenes..."

"But it concerns the livelihoods of many people."

“Take this hot pot restaurant for example, after it opened, it hired nearly a hundred employees.”

"Behind these hundred workers are a hundred ordinary people's homes."

"With this wage, the livelihoods of ordinary people will be greatly improved."

The prefect was somewhat puzzled, not so much by Li Huaiyuan's explanation, but rather...

"The waiters working in the restaurant only earn twenty or thirty coins a month, while the wages in the prefectural city are slightly higher, but still only thirty or forty coins..."

With such a meager daily wage, how can one say that one's livelihood is good?

"It's more reliable to grow rice at home."

Li Huaiyuan sighed, "If it weren't for this high-yield rice variety that yields 1,200 catties per mu, the young and strong would all be farming at home, and the harvest would only be about 300 catties. With that, how could we possibly make a living if we had to pay taxes?"

Li Huaiyuan supported Tian Tian and her team in expanding and strengthening their shop.

He both agreed and disagreed with the prefect's statement about the enjoyment of food and drink.

For wealthy people with money, novel dishes like those from Fulai Restaurant, Baishi Tea House, and Baishi Hot Pot were a treat for the palate.

But for ordinary people, it means having another place to work.

"Miss Tian Er hired nearly a hundred workers, and their daily wages were one hundred coins."

"With this wage, the livelihoods of the hundreds of families behind this will be greatly changed."

"And because the shop is thriving, it's paying more taxes..."

The prefect nodded repeatedly, "Yes, what Lord Li said makes sense."

But deep down, he was unconvinced...

No matter how good a shop's business is, how much tax can it pay?

Moreover, it's difficult to calculate how much business a shop does in a year.

Furthermore, even the current emperor values ​​farmland and grain taxes more than merchants...

“However, we came to Baishi County this time mainly to consider high-yield rice varieties…” The prefect looked at Ling Yao.

Although Ling Yao listened to what Li Huaiyuan and the prefect were saying, but...

They were still focused on eating hot pot.

Of the four types of hot pot bases, his favorite is still the spicy hot pot base.

It's truly fresh, fragrant, spicy, and incredibly refreshing.

Li Huaiyuan said, "Does Your Excellency know that the owner of the Baishi Hot Pot Shop and... the owner of the high-yield rice seed are the same person?"

The prefect blinked. The same person?

The owner of Baishi Hot Pot Shop is that... Miss Tian Er from earlier.

The owner of the high-yield rice variety is the same person.

The owner of that high-yield rice variety was also that Miss Tian Er.

The prefect turned and glanced at Ling Yao again, his mind already racing...

"This... although the high-yield rice variety originated from Miss Tian Er, but..."

"But it also depends on Lord Li's wisdom."

"This official..." The prefect couldn't understand Li Huaiyuan's thoughts and hesitated, unsure how to answer.

Upon seeing this, the prefectural magistrate spoke with great obsequiousness, "Yes, this high-yield rice variety is entirely due to Lord Li's wisdom."

"Once you return to the government office, you will certainly report to His Majesty... Lord Li's achievements..."

The prefectural judge chimed in, "Indeed, Lord Li can rest assured."

"Next year, when Lord Li's term expires, he will surely be promoted."

The three of them had discussed this on their way here.

Li Huaiyuan came from the capital to this remote county as magistrate precisely to silence the gossips in the capital.

Once his three-year term is up, the Li family in Beijing will definitely try every means to transfer him back to the capital.

That high-yield rice variety is the best reason.

Their visits to inspect the area and subsequent petitions to the imperial court were merely icing on the cake.

As long as they handle this matter well, Li Huaiyuan will always give them credit.

In the future, they will be considered to have connections in the capital.

Li Huaiyuan frowned. Was that what he meant?

The prefect secretly observed Li Huaiyuan and noticed that Li Huaiyuan frowned.

He angrily retorted, "Nonsense!"

The prefectural magistrate and the vice-prefect were taken aback...

"Although... this high-yield rice variety is indeed thanks to Lord Li's wisdom."

The prefect carefully observed Li Huaiyuan's expression, while also glancing at Ling Yao out of the corner of his eye.

"But! The person who discovered this high-yield rice variety was that Miss Tian Er!"

"Even if we were to report to the imperial court, we should mention Miss Tian's achievements first."

Li Huaiyuan's lips curled up slightly.

but...

Ling Yao, who had been engrossed in eating, finally looked up.

He glanced at the prefect and nodded slightly.

The prefect slowly exhaled...

Did he make the right bet?

“Your Excellency, the hot pot at Baishi Hot Pot is delicious. Please enjoy it first. As for the rice seeds… let’s talk about them when we go to the fields this afternoon,” Ling Yao said.

The prefect readily agreed, "Yes, young master is right."

He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of vegetables...

I rolled it in the bowl before putting it in my mouth.

“Hmm...this hot pot is delicious,” he exclaimed.

It's spicy and flavorful, so delicious!

The prefectural magistrate and the vice-prefect exchanged glances...

Looking at the food in the bowl, I lost my appetite.

Li Huaiyuan originally intended to introduce Tian Tian to the prefect.

But after Ling Yao said that, he couldn't bring up the matter of rice seeds again.

They ate enthusiastically for more than half an hour before finally putting down their chopsticks, still wanting more.

"The sun is past its zenith now, why don't we go to the fields now?" The prefect was eager to go.

The document written by Li Huaiyuan stated that the high-yield rice variety could yield up to 1,200 jin per mu!

He felt that was an exaggeration!

Previously, he was thinking about how to deceive the imperial court and cover up the lie for Li Huaiyuan.

Now... with this person here, he suddenly felt... perhaps that high-yield rice variety really could yield 1,200 jin per mu.

Well, even if there isn't...

Li Huaiyuan said yes, and this person didn't refute it, so...

It should be!

Yes, it's possible!!