Hearing this, Deng Wei couldn't help laughing and explained,
"Sir, you have misunderstood. I am not from a noble family, I am just an ordinary commoner."
"ah?"
Yang Qing was slightly stunned and couldn't help but ask,
"Then...then how did you enter the palace and serve as a long-term official?"
"Sir, I don't know. The prince has always been a man of merit and does not care about his background."
"As long as there are talented people, he will reuse them."
"In addition to me, there are many colleagues from humble backgrounds who have been appointed by the prince."
"There is a saying that often hangs on the lips of the prince: it is not a shame to be born in a humble family; only one who can bend and stretch can be a husband!"
When talking about Ji Lie, Deng Wei's expression was full of awe and love!
The Great Xia Dynasty placed great emphasis on family status, and children from poor families had no chance of getting ahead.
Yang Qing is also a poor boy, and no one knows this better than him!
And the reason why he is what he is today is not just because of his talent.
It was even more because his teacher was a great scholar of the time and came from a famous family.
But even so, Yang Qing can only achieve the position of censor, and it is difficult to go further!
Ji Lie, who was born into a noble family, does not discriminate against children from poor families like the rich and powerful do. On the contrary, he values talents more!
It’s really valuable!
At this moment, Shen Wu on the side suddenly said curiously,
"Speaking of which, why is Youzhou City so clean without seeing any refugees?"
When he said this, Yang Qing also reacted.
From Luodu to Youdi, you can see ragged and skinny refugees everywhere in the counties along the way.
But the streets of Youzhou City are extremely clean.
Not to mention refugees, not even a beggar!
"There were indeed many refugees in the city before, but the prince has a kind heart."
"Not only do we provide them with farmland to cultivate, we also provide them with food and accommodation to prevent them from being displaced!"
Deng Wei said with a smile.
"I see!"
Yang Qing suddenly realized!
Unexpectedly, Ji Lie was not only a meritocracy, but also loved the people like a son.
This made Yang Qing think highly of Ji Lie!
While the few people were talking, they had already left Youzhou City and arrived at Gaolaozhuang outside the city.
After subsequent repairs and reinforcements, Gaolaozhuang now occupies a vast area and is surrounded by turrets. It no longer looks like a village courtyard, but more like a dock.
"This place is called Gao Laozhuang, and most of the palace's properties are located here."
Deng Wei led Yang Qing and Shen Wu to the gate of the villa.
"This is an important part of the royal palace, and no one else can come near it!"
Several brave and strong guards guarded the door.
When they saw Deng Wei and others approaching, they shouted to stop and acted as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
Shen Wu's heart tightened and he quickly stood in front of Yang Qing.
"Don't be nervous, you two!"
Deng Wei smiled at them and said calmly,
"I am the chief official of the prince's palace, and on the prince's order, I take these two people into Gaolaozhuang."
"Here is the prince's order and my token!"
As he spoke, he took out Ji Lie's order and the token representing his identity from his arms!
After careful inspection, several guards saluted Deng Wei and the others,
"Please come in!"
As the courtyard door slowly opened, Deng Wei and the others walked inside.
"May I ask Chief Deng, are the soldiers at the door the guards of the palace?"
Yang Qing pretended to be casual and authentic.
"Not really."
Deng Wei shook his head and smiled,
"They are just ordinary guards."
Yang Qing and Shen Wu were immediately surprised.
The guard guarding the door has a tall and straight posture and a sharp breath.
The imperial guards of the Luodu Palace were no more than that.
Unexpectedly, he was just an ordinary guard, not even a palace guard!
At this moment, the three of them passed through the guard's barracks and arrived at the school grounds.
The guards are currently being trained by Zhang Changde on the school field.
They lined up on the school field with clear flags, guns and knives, and they were orderly and dignified.
Except for the battle flag that was blown by the wind, nearly a thousand people stood there, but there was no abnormal sound at all.
Seeing this scene, both Yang Qing and Shen Wu looked shocked!
Although Yang Qing is a civil servant, he is also proficient in military affairs as he was born in the Netherland.
Just from the energy displayed by these guards, he could tell that this was an elite army!
No wonder the soldiers guarding the gate are all extraordinary, together with the guards of the palace, they are all so majestic!
"I didn't expect Commander Zhang to have such talent in training troops!"
Shen Wu couldn't help but sigh.
"Master Shen misunderstood!"
Deng Wei on the side laughed and said,
"General Zhang's method of training troops was actually taught by the prince."
"ah?"
Yang Qing and Shen Wu were dumbfounded and could hardly believe their ears.
Ji Lie is only a teenager, how can he know how to train soldiers?
Looking at the strong guards, Yang Qing was shocked and also quite puzzled.
As a vassal king, Ji Lie secretly raised so many guards, which was beyond the rules of etiquette and tantamount to treason.
But he just showed it to himself openly, what exactly did he want to do?
With such doubts, the two of them followed Deng Wei and visited the craftsmen's workshop and winery in the village!
By the time the visit was over, Yang Qing already had an understanding of the situation in the palace.
"I wonder where the prince is?"
Yang Qing asked impatiently. He wanted to meet Ji Lie and find out what kind of medicine Ji Lie was selling in his gourd!
"Sir, please come with me!"
Deng Wei led Yang Qing and Chen Wu towards the main courtyard of Zhuangzi.
In the main courtyard, Ji Lie was standing in front of a plow, talking to Lu Ban.
Seeing Yang Qing, Deng Ai and others arriving, he first nodded and then said to Lu Ban beside him,
"Did you remember what Gu just said?"
"Report to the prince, all my subordinates will remember it!"
"That's good, you can improve this thing according to Gu's method!"
Ji Lie ordered.
"I've met the prince!"
Yang Qing saluted, looked at the plow in Lu Ban's arms, and said curiously,
"What is your prince doing?"
"The plows used by the common people were too inefficient, so they invented a tool called the curved shaft plow."
Ji Lie explained with a smile,
"If you use this material for farming, the efficiency can be increased three times!"
As soon as these words came out, Yang Qing, Deng Wei and others were all moved by it!
"If this is true, it is really a good thing that benefits the country and the people!"
Yang Qing sighed, then changed the subject,
"I just didn't expect that the prince is not only proficient in military training, but also has a lot of experience in farming!"
“Farming is related to the people’s livelihood, so it’s natural to be involved in it.”
Ji Lie smiled slightly and led Yang Qing and the others to the study nearby.
After everyone sat down, Ji Lie picked up the tea and said softly,
"Sir, I must have visited the properties under the Wangfu's name. Do you have any comments?"
Yang Qing thought carefully and gave an eight-word evaluation.
"Thriving and full of vitality!"
