The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 76: Citrus

Chapter 76: Citrus

“The commoners have gathered at the government office entrance and are causing a disturbance.”

Zhang Keqian went to the military camp to find people knowledgeable about fruit tree cultivation, leaving a portion of the team here to study the red apple trees and attempt to transplant them to the Great Jin, while the rest continued searching for traces of the Women’s Army.

“The apples have been delivered. Congratulations, Host, you have obtained one lottery draw opportunity. Would you like to use it?”

For the first time ever, the stingy system was actually giving away a lottery chance!

Xu Ying became interested. “Use it.”

After a moment, the system spun out the result: Large Citrus*2.

“Detected synthesizable fragments. Synthesize?”

“Synthesize.”

The system glowed as if about to explode, finally bursting out a golden card. “Due to the specificity of the item, it has been converted into special funds.” The Host may use these to purchase citrus.”

Xu Ying initially wanted to complain that she could just use the lottery money to buy them directlywhy convert it into special funds? But when she took a closer look and counted the zeros at the end, her eyes widened instantly and she jumped up on the spot.

“With this much money, are you sure you didn’t malfunction?” Xu Ying was highly suspicious.

If this could only be used to buy citrus, this amount would last her several lifetimesthere must be something strange going on.

After a moment, the system stated: “Rechecked. Verified correct after inspection.”

Suddenly achieving citrus freedom, Xu Ying felt infinitely comforted looking at that string of numbers.

The sum was too large. Xu Ying called Zhang Yu over and handed him a portion. “With three consecutive years of drought, citrus has been overstocked. This year’s situation is likely just as difficult. Use this money to subsidize the fruit farmers. Say that I love eating citrus and we’ll purchase at around the usual market price first, then increase it when prices rise. You personally supervise thisI don’t trust anyone else.”

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred immediately upon hearing thisHer Majesty said she only trusted him!

His heart surging with emotion, Zhang Yu excitedly accepted the heavy responsibility and declared solemnly, “I will not fail this mission.”

But when Zhang Yu actually saw the dozens of crates of silver coins piled up in Xu Ying’s treasury, he was truly startled. Her Majesty was always crying poverty, yet it turned out she practiced extreme frugality, saving money for the people. Zhang Yu was sincerely impressed.

Zhang Yu suddenly felt the weight on his shoulders grow heavier, his responsibility greater. No wonder Her Majesty didn’t ask anyone else, only himthis was all money she had painstakingly saved through thrift. Not a single coin could be wasted; it must truly reach the people’s hands.

The emperor’s fondness for citrus and the government’s large-scale purchases first resolved the initial unsold stock. Once merchants caught wind of the business opportunity and began buying extensively, the overstock problem could be greatly alleviated.

As more merchants joined in, demand outstripped supply, and prices gradually rose. With citrus selling well at high prices, cultivation would increase the following year. Following price fluctuation patterns and with official control, prices could gradually return to a normal, stable state.

As soon as Zhang Yu spread the news about purchasing citrus nationwide, the previously neglected fruit suddenly became hot. Merchants scrambled to buy citrus everywhere.

But the fruit farmers weren’t particularly interested in dealing with merchants, preferring to wait for the emperor’s representatives. Not only was it more secure, but if the citrus they grew could be eaten by Her Majesty, its value would skyrocketthey might even earn the coveted title of “Tribute Citrus.”

The merchant gritted his teeth and doubled his purchase of all the local citrus fruits, driving up their prices. By the time the imperial officials arrived, citrus prices had skyrocketed, but Zhang Yu still bought them all. With heavy commercial taxes, more than half of the merchants’ earnings would return to the state treasury.

While everyone was bustling with citrus sales, one place remained somberWuxing. During the Spring Festival, Xu Ying had demoted Pingzhou Prefect Huang Tuto here to plant citrus trees. He could only leave Wuxing County once the citrus trees were successfully cultivated.

Staring at the sea of green in the orchard, Huang Tuto sighed deeply, fearing his remaining years would be wasted in Wuxing.

As Huang lamented, a minor official came running from behind, wiping sweat from his forehead while bending over to catch his breath. “Your Honor, it’s terrible! The commoners have gathered at the government office demanding an explanation!”

“They said… although last year’s harvest was small, at least there were citrus fruits on the trees. But since you arrived, the trees won’t even bear fruit! If you don’t give them answers, they’ll go to the inspector and file a complaint before the Emperor in the capital!Initially, seeing others unable to sell their citrus, Wuxing residents had comforted themselves, glad that their trees bore no fruit this year. But when citrus prices suddenly soared to astronomical levels, they could no longer sit still. The newly appointed Magistrate Huang Tuto had led them in citrus cultivation, yet the trees produced nothingwho would compensate their losses?

Huang shrank back in fear. Being demoted to Wuxing was already an act of imperial mercy. If this matter reached the Emperor, he would likely lose his official position!

“Who says there’s no fruit? Look there!” Huang angrily pointed at the sparse yellow spots among the orange trees, stubbornly insisting, “They’re just small and fewconcentrated essence rather than quantity!”

The official grimaced and cautiously replied, “Your Honor, our citrus tastes too bitter. People won’t even take them for free.”

Huang glared fiercely at him, making the official shrink his neck and mutter weakly, “But it’s the truth…”

“We must suppress this matter.”

Huang clasped his hands, pacing anxiously. But with barely an edible orange to be found on the trees and the imperial inspector present in Wuxing, suppression was impossible. Frustrated, Huang suddenly squatted on the ground, utterly dejected.

Abruptly, Huang had a brilliant idea. He snapped his head up, staring at the fruitless citrus trees with a strange gleam in his eyes, making the nearby official tremble nervously.

All eyes were on the Winter Examination. With ample time this year, various regions had begun preparation and registration early. Just days after the imperial decree was issued, names were submitted. Local officials prayed for more successful candidates to burnish their administrative achievements.

Xu Lang was responsible for finalizing the candidate list, while Xu Ying prepared the examination questions. This year she wanted changesshifting the focus toward practical governance to recruit strong-willed talents. When she forced them to change their views, it would inevitably provoke their discontent.

With both dissatisfaction and talent, they would naturally resist remaining subordinate, making things much more convenient.

For the final question, Xu Ying designed an open-ended testself-evaluation.

Simply writing something would earn points, but it would help Xu Ying eliminate candidates during interviews.

While Xu Lang reviewed examination qualifications, her maid Jinchuan brewed tea nearby. Noticing Xu Lang’s expression, Jinchuan’s eyes flickered as she recalled her master’s instructions.

Jinchuan pretended to go refill tea while tidying up, complaining as she worked: “Your Highness, you are clearly the elder sister, yet His Majesty only assigns you these trivial matters. Important court affairs are all given to Zhang Yu and his lotit shows such lack of trust in you!”

Marking checks beside the approved names, Xu Lang paused slightly upon hearing Jinchuan’s words. Her brush stilled as she slowly looked up, her expression blank and voice steady with little fluctuation: “What did you say?”

Not detecting any anger on Xu Lang’s face, Jinchuan felt a surge of delightthese sisters were truly estranged in spirit despite their apparent harmony. Seizing the opportunity, she pressed further: “In this humble maid’s heart, Your Highness is nobly born and brilliantly wise, second to none. Yet His Majesty employs Sun Zhuo and Sun Wanyunall sorts of riffraff now attend courtwhile granting you no official position whatsoever.”

Xu Lang set down her brush and stood, icy cold gathering in her eyes as she slowly walked outward.

In the long corridor, guards stood rigidly at attention. Xu Lang paused absently, gazing distantly at the miniature hills and artificial rocks beyond the corridor. Her lips pressed tighter, a slight twitch flickering across her cheek.

Oblivious, Jinchuan followed Xu Lang outside, though she consciously lowered her voice to continue: “Your Highness has worked tirelessly for His Majesty’s affairsyou fully deserve to be appointed as Grand Secretariat. I truly don’t understand His Majesty’s thinking. This humble maid feels it’s so unfair to you…”

With a sudden swish, Xu Lang could endure no more. She drew the sword from a guard’s waist and slashed fiercely at Jinchuan’s neck. Hot blood instantly gushed forth, splattering across Xu Lang’s face.

Jinchuan collapsed abruptly, eyes wide, unable to speak another word. She never expected Xu Lang would suddenly turn on her, and by the time she realized, it was too late.

“Anyone who attempts to sow discord between me and His Majesty shall be slain by my sword,” Xu Lang declared coldly, narrowing her eyes as a fierce glint emerged, revealing her true nature.

Her earlier restraint had been her considering how to deal with Jinchuan.

Disposing of her secretly would only invite others to follow. The best solution was to make an example of her, ensuring no one would dare imitate such blatant attempts at sowing discord.

But having her beaten to death on the spot might frighten Xu Ying, who had always been terrified of palace punishments and couldn’t sleep after hearing punished servants’ screams.

With Azure Wave Study nearby, the sounds of Jinchuan’s execution would surely carry there.

After brief consideration, Xu Lang decided to handle it herself.

She closed her eyes, wiped the blood from her face, and spoke evenly: “Take the body away. Clean this bloodstain quickly and discreetly. Be careful not to let His Majesty know.”

The guards on duty, startled by what had just occurred, were jolted back to awareness by Xu Lang’s voice. Trembling slightly, they hurried forward to carry away the corpse.

Xu Lang had hot water brought to her room for bathing and changing, determined to wash away the scent of blood and change into fresh clothes to ensure Xu Ying would notice nothing amiss.

Fortunately, she hadn’t acted impulsively and killed Jinchuan indoors earlierotherwise, blood splattered on the Winter Examination roster she was reviewing would have forced her to rewrite it.

Finally signing the document, Xu Lang took the roster to Azure Wave Study to see Xu Ying. Before entering, she rubbed the corners of her mouth into a smile, stepped across the threshold, and said: “Your Majesty, I have finished reviewing the preliminary Winter Examination registration list. Please take a look.”

“Place it here, I’ll review it shortly.” Xu Ying nodded, her gaze fixed on the memorial as she gestured toward her desk. Amid her busyness, she noticed Xu Lang’s slightly damp hair and casually asked, “Fourth Sister, have you bathed?”

Xu Lang’s smile stiffened momentarily before she chuckled, “Yes, the weather is rather chilly. I took advantage of the sunny spell outside to wash up. Surely Your Majesty wouldn’t accuse me of wasting firewood and water?”

Xu Ying let out an exasperated laugh and chided mildly, “I haven’t sunk to the point of rationing my own sister’s bathwater.”

Xu Lang’s lips twitched as her eyes drifted away, deliberately changing the subject: “Your Majesty, you must examine the Winter Examination roster carefully. There are several unexpected candidates.”