Chapter 865: Promulgating a New Deal
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
When the various princes invaded the capital and started the war, Luo Jin’an quickly returned to help Lan Ruozhu. The enemies were no match for Luo Jin’an and the thirty-six stratagems.
Baili Jinghua had also found her parents, and her father, General Baili, helped in the war. They were invincible together with Lan Ruozhu’s generals.
Moreover, Fiery Blue Academy had nurtured a group of outstanding individuals in just a few months. They had performed well and played crucial roles in this war.
After becoming the emperor, Lan Ruozhu gave out titles and rewards to those who helped in the war. He only appointed people based on their merits, and the Imperial Court thrived.
Previously, the Imperial Exams would only occur once every three years. After taking office as emperor, Lan Ruozhu would host the exams once a year. That way, he could select talents much quicker and inject new blood into the court. It also encouraged many students to study hard.
Su Binglan used her outstanding students from Blue Mountain Academy to conduct interviews and edit stories for the newspaper. Whenever a new issue came out, many commoners would queue up to buy it.
Su Binglan could also print newspapers quickly by using her printing factory’s technology. Still, printing thousands of copies each time was not enough. She looked at those queueing up and considered opening even more printing factories. She would also need to expand the newspaper offices.
Luo Jin’an said, “It’s the same whether people know me as Luo Jin’an or Wei
Jin’an. I’m happy as long as I know I’m a member of the Wei family.”
Su Binglan nodded, saying, “Let’s visit your family’s manor and take a look.”
When Lan Ruozhu unsealed the Wei Manor, Su Binglan sent some people over to clean up the weeds and tidy up the place. She also found some surviving Wei family members and returned them to the manor.
Luo Jin’an had not returned to the manor since it was sealed. He was afraid to see the sealed door or even think of his relatives. However, everything became lively again when Lan Ruozhu became the emperor.
The people’s lives were now full of prosperity and enthusiasm. The number of people shopping on the streets increased, and everyone walked around with brilliant smiles. The new policies had brought about such positive changes.
Lan Ruozhu even implemented new policies that were highly beneficial to the people. He reduced their taxes and encouraged land reclamation. Those who joined the army and their families could also enjoy other benefits.
Many of the factories Su Binglan opened prioritized hiring the soldiers’ family members. Moreover, she honored those who had sacrificed their lives to win the war by including their names in the newspapers.
Lan Ruozhu also encouraged merchants to set up factories and hire workers. However, the merchants had to treat their workers with kindness. He then set up report and suggestion boxes everywhere for the commoners to use.
Lan Ruozhu entrusted his guards to collect the suggestions or reports and sort out the contents. He would not let the government officials interfere with the reports, and the guards would ensure the Imperial Court knew the truth.
Lan Ruozhu had effectively ended corruption.
Meanwhile, Su Binglan established and managed Lan Ruozhu’s newspaper office. The latter also sought public opinion and carried out his supervision duties.
Chu Country improved overall but still had many things to do. The commoners knew the emperor’s new policies benefited everyone. Lan Ruozhu had already gained the people’s favor in the past. With these new policies, the people loved him even more.
The people wished for Lan Ruozhu to become the emperor, and he finally did. He even vindicated the families and officials who had been Wffonged in the past. The newspapers continued to report on these matters to show the people the truth.
Su Binglan and Luo Jin’an could hear the commoners’ conversations as they strolled the streets. Everyone showed their gratitude to the new emperor because he unified the people immediately after taking the throne.
Since he possessed a mighty army, there would not be any more wars within Chu Country. Everyone knew they no longer had to worry about civil wars, either. The people could now take a breather and live good lives.
Soon, the couple arrived at Wei Manor. Luo Jin’an was in a daze when he saw the unsealed door and guards standing outside as they used to back in the day.
It was as if he had entered a time machine and returned to when the Weis’ residence was in its prime, Luo Jin’an thought the place would be dilapidated, but he saw people walking around in the manor.
‘Everything looks the same as when I was a child!’
It was the first good thing he had seen since returning from the border to his old house.
Su Binglan looked at her husband and said, “Come on, let’s go in and look around.’
She pulled his arm and led him in as she spoke. At that moment, Luo Jin’an felt highly nostalgic. He did not fear war but feared returning to a familiar place without his family.
However, he felt a warmth in his palm when his emotions surged. He then looked beside him and saw his wife. She was now the closest person to his family.
Luo Jin’an smiled, saying, “All right, let’s head in.”
When the couple walked through the door, Luo Jin’an realized the courtyard was the same as when he was a child. The servants there came and went. Some were cleaning, while the others carried trays to the courtyard.
Luo Jin’an trembled, thinking he was hallucinating. Not only were there no weeds anywhere, but the place was also spotless. The flowers in the surroundings were beautiful and well-trimmed, too. Even the old tree bloomed with peaches.
He remembered eating the peaches straight from the tree after returning from the border.
The servants in the courtyard heard the noise and saw Luo Jin’an at the door. “Everyone! Young Master Jin’an has returned!”
The old butler and nannies became teary-eyed when they saw Luo Jin’an. The elders could not help but cry. Everyone immediately recognized Luo Jin’an when they saw him.
The elders were thrilled and excited when they discovered that he was still alive..