Plant a seed

"Husband..."

Seeing Zhao Xiyao hurrying toward him, Gao Yuan knew what she was worried about. Though she was a woman, his Grand Princess wife was more concerned about the state and the people than most of the male members of the imperial clan.

Pulling the woman, who looked ready to burst into tears, into his arms, Gao Yuan comforted her softly,

"Don't worry too much. For now, aside from that rebel army in the Northwest, the rest are just a disorganized rabble. With Great Qian's foundations, as long as we handle it carefully, there should be no problem."

Gao Yuan wasn't just saying this to comfort her. Throughout history, peasant uprisings had never truly succeeded because of their fundamental limitations.

The greatest achievement in history was likely just driving the Chongzhen Emperor to his death on Meishan Hill.

After listening to Gao Yuan's detailed analysis of the limitations of peasant uprisings, Zhao Xiyao's mood indeed improved significantly, though she still huddled in Gao Yuan's arms, sobbing softly.

"They are all compatriots of the same clan, why must they..."

"Because they don't have enough to eat, they want to change the status quo. Because they are ignorant, they are easily incited."

The woman blinked her large eyes and looked at her husband.

"So that's why you've been vigorously promoting schools."

"Yes, education is a plan for a hundred years; we must persist. So, you must never feel stingy about spending money in this area."

Since education was mentioned, Gao Yuan spoke of his own ideas.

"Actually, education isn't just for training officials. In the future, it can also cultivate talents in various fields. Since we came to the Southwest and opened schools, we've already raised many children. I think next we should develop higher education;"

"In addition to teaching them the classics and music, we should also develop vocational education to train farmers, craftsmen, physicians, musicians, and so on."

"Train craftsmen? Isn't that a 'Lowly Status' occupation?"

Gao Yuan knew this was the current reality. Changing it required hard work and couldn't be achieved overnight.

"I want to abolish the 'Lowly Status' of these people and encourage them to conduct more research in their areas of expertise. Think about it: the utensils we use, the weapons for war, the armor—which of these can exist without craftsmen?"

Zhao Xiyao nodded thoughtfully. After a long time, she raised her head and looked at her husband with firm eyes.

"There are some things I haven't fully grasped yet, but since you've decided on it, Husband, I will support you."

With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for!

With Zhao Xiyao's support, Gao Yuan's ideas were quickly put into implementation.

The twentieth day of the twelfth month in the third year of the era name era of Great Qian was a day that many would remember.

On this day, the Zhennan Eldest Princess Residence, along with the Military Governor offices of Diannan Circuit and Zhongnan Circuit, jointly issued an official document:

The 'Lowly Status' was abolished. Those with former Lowly Status could go to the government offices to re-register as commoners. At the same time, it was announced that inventions and creations by commoners and craftsmen would be registered to grant them patent rights.

The notice also explained patent rights: for a certain period, an inventor could hold ownership of their special skill. Whether it was the government or others, anyone wishing to use it had to pay a patent royalty or a buyout fee.

In truth, not many people cared about the patent rights that followed; Gao Yuan was merely sowing a seed for the time being. However, the abolition of the 'Lowly Status' made many people rejoice.

Just like the New Year, the commoners celebrated with great joy, even setting off the firecrackers prepared for the Spring Festival ahead of time.

A carriage traveled along the street. Inside, Gao Yuan opened the window to look outside, then turned to look at the women with a smug expression.

"I told you my decision wasn't wrong. Look how happy the people are."

Zheng Wan rubbed her temples and said with a look of helplessness,

"The commoners are happy, but those scholars have been making a fuss for several days now."

Song Yao's little face was also puffed up like a bun.

"Yes, those scholars all say that what craftsmen and musicians do are just 'ingenious but useless' tricks. They say abolishing the Lowly Status goes against ancestral rules and insults refined culture."

Gao Yuan stretched comfortably, leaning against Zheng Wan's plump thighs while enjoying the woman's massage.

"Just tell them that this matter was my arbitrary decision. If they have any complaints, tell them to come find me to argue their case."

Mu Qing couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, her small hand even giving Gao Yuan a playful thump.

"Husband is so wicked. With their frail arms and legs, how would they dare come argue with you?"

"Exactly, Husband, you really are wicked."

Gao Yuan grinned, revealing a row of white teeth.

"Hehe, don't you already know whether I'm wicked or not?"

After a while, they reached their destination. The group got out of the carriage and walked into a shop.

"This is the firm opened by the young lady of the Yang Family. Some of the rare items in the city lately have been sold from here."

Gao Yuan had also occasionally noticed some new items being used at home, so he wanted to come take a look. If they really were invented by Yang Xin, he planned to encourage her to be among the first beneficiaries of patent rights.

The manager of the firm was naturally a confidant of the Yang Family and had seen Gao Yuan before. Seeing them, he hurried forward to greet them.

"This humble one greets Her Highness the Grand Princess, the Commandery Duke, and the Mesdames."

Gao Yuan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

"We're just here for a casual look. Go about your business; I'll call you if I need anything."

Despite his words, the manager didn't dare truly leave Gao Yuan and his party alone. Fearing he might disturb them, he sent someone back to inform Yang Xin while following from a distance.

In truth, the novel items sold here were new to Zhao Xiyao and the others, but they were nothing special to Gao Yuan.

For example, toothbrushes made of animal hair, toothpaste made from a mixture of bamboo charcoal and fine salt, and of course, the scented soaps that the women loved.

Gao Yuan looked through them one by one, clicking his tongue in wonder inwardly.

"This Yang Xin is quite the inventive genius to come up with so many good things. Tsk, tsk. Maybe when the Institute of Engineering opens, I should trick her into becoming a Director or Dean?"

Coming to a cabinet, Gao Yuan reached out to open it, but the manager quickly hurried over.

"Please forgive me, Commandery Duke, but these are my master's private items."

Gao Yuan quickly withdrew his hand.

"It was my intrusion."

Just then, Yang Xin, dressed in a goose-yellow jacket and skirt, hurried in. Her bangs were stuck to her fair skin with sweat.

"I greet Her Highness the Grand Princess and Commandery Duke Gao. I didn't know you were gracing us with your presence..."

Women always seemed to have endless things to say when they got together. The simple pleasantries lasted a long time, leaving poor Gao Yuan to sit aside and drink tea helplessly.

However, Gao Yuan felt a gaze steal a glance at him. He didn't know which woman was so impatient, but he'd have to 'interrogate' her properly when they got back tonight.

While Gao Yuan couldn't join the conversation, he became the main force when it came to paying. After their chattering discussion, the women bought a pile of things, and the one to pay was naturally the only man present.

On the way back, Gao Yuan didn't say a word, sitting in the corner looking quite aggrieved.

The women naturally knew what was wrong with him. They pretended not to see and chatted happily the whole way, though they cast teasing glances at him from time to time.

Plain and leisurely times are always short, like a small interlude in a dull life.

The last few days of the third year of era name passed, and the fourth year soon arrived.

On the first day of the New Year, while Gao Yuan was still in the land of gentle dreams, there was a knock on his door.

It's hard not to have some morning grumpiness when woken up, and Gao Yuan was no exception. Gently setting down the beauty in his arms, he threw on some clothes and walked to the outer room to open the door.

The female soldier was startled to see Gao Yuan's displeased face and took a small step back before gathering her courage to speak.

"Reporting to the Commandery Duke, General Xia Luqi has arrived and is waiting at the Governor's Office."

For Xia Luqi to arrive so early on New Year's Day, something big must have happened. Gao Yuan sobered up immediately.

"Go ahead first. I'll change my clothes."

"Understood!"