In the future, when the nobles from the capital come to Dongshan County, the people arranged by Princess Yongning, together with the local fishermen, will take them out to sea on a calm night to catch squid with lights.
This practice can not only create more wealth for Dongshan County but also supplement the income of ordinary people. The emperor was naturally satisfied and, following the old precedent, allowed Princess Yongning to take care of it.
As it was getting late, after experiencing the fun of sea - fishing for squid, the emperor, in high spirits, ordered his men to put away the fishing gear and go ashore to rest.
However, as the emperor of the country, who was busy handling state affairs every day, still constantly cared about this remote border town of Dongshan County and whole - heartedly sought a better life for the common people. Naturally, the magistrate of Dongshan County was extremely respectful and grateful. He wished he could sacrifice himself to repay the emperor.
After much thought, he was determined to find a proper and decent treasure to present to the emperor.
The people of Dongshan County had long heard about the emperor's deeds of punishing the evil and promoting the good during his southern tour. They regarded him as a wise king who would stand up for the people. Now that the magistrate of Dongshan County had ordered them to search for all the rare and interesting things in Dongshan to make the emperor smile, they did their best without complaint.
Li Ying and the emperor's entourage were naturally unaware of these things. But the next morning, after breakfast, when the emperor led the group on a tour of the streets in Dongshan County, the magistrate led several highly respected scholars of Dongshan and knelt down respectfully in front of the emperor.
"Your Majesty!"
"The people have heard of Your Majesty's deeds of punishing the evil and upholding justice on the way. Everyone is extremely grateful. Although Dongshan County is small, the people still want to do their best to show their admiration for Your Majesty!"
The leading magistrate of Dongshan County stepped forward three steps. He held a red - wood tray in his hand. When he lifted the cover, there was a huge, bright - red coral inside.
"Your Majesty, this was accidentally obtained by the people of Dongshan when they were fishing at sea. It is said that red coral is a precious treasure that brings good fortune. I dare not keep it for myself. Today, I present this object to Your Majesty!"
Li Ying, following in the crowd, quietly looked up. She saw that the red coral was indeed extremely large, and its color was as bright as a phoenix rising from the ashes, very eye - catching.
Even the emperor, who was used to seeing all kinds of gold and jade in the world, couldn't help but praise it as "rare".
Moreover, since it was a gift from the people, a testament to his virtue, the emperor was even more overjoyed. He waved his hand, signaling the palace servants to take it and store it in the palace.
He looked at the submissive magistrate of Dongshan County with satisfaction and said with a smile, "You are a dedicated official."
The magistrate of Dongshan County didn't dare to say much and hung his head nervously.
Seeing that the presentation of the coral had won the emperor's favor, the magistrate of Dongshan County couldn't help but start to calculate.
If he could find another red coral, no, two, three! And present these red corals to Queen Pei and the Empress Dowager, the emperor would surely be overjoyed, and wouldn't he have a chance of promotion!
Although the current red coral was accidentally obtained by the people, if he mobilized all the manpower in Dongshan, why worry about not finding more! Even if they were not as large as this one, they would still be better than nothing.
The people obeyed the order and left. As the saying goes, there are always brave men under a generous reward. They all wracked their brains, thinking that if they could find red coral, they would be rewarded by the magistrate.
However, red coral is precious. How could it be something easy to find?
The magistrate of Dongshan County accompanied the emperor and waited anxiously for a day. But the news sent by his personal attendant was always "no result after a thorough search". A look of embarrassment appeared on his face.
Li Ying was good at observing people's expressions and had already quietly noticed his uneasiness.
Just as she was feeling puzzled, she heard the personal attendant of the magistrate of Dongshan County report quietly that there were large areas of oyster - covered reefs on the shallows. They were rough and uneven, very obstructive, and inconvenient for the people to go into the water to search for coral.
The magistrate of Dongshan County didn't take it seriously. He just casually ordered everyone to smash those oyster reefs.
Firstly, it was for the search of red coral. Secondly, the emperor was going to inspect the coastal defense. As a subject, he had to level these oyster reefs as soon as possible so as not to block the emperor's way.
Li Ying accidentally heard their conversation clearly. At this moment, she couldn't help but frown tightly.
She was walking closely beside Princess Yongning. Naturally, such an expression couldn't escape the princess's eyes.
"A Ying, have you noticed something inappropriate?"
Since the princess asked, Li Ying didn't avoid it anymore. She nodded and calmly replied, "I think it's really inappropriate to damage those oyster reefs."
Although her voice was not high, the emperor was always closely watching her every move. At this moment, he naturally raised his eyebrows and asked with great interest, "What's inappropriate?"
He didn't really care about the red coral. One was enough for him.
But he thought that if Dongshan County was to develop the project of catching squid with lights in the future, it would be necessary to clean up all the rough reefs and gravel on the beach. So the magistrate's action seemed reasonable.
Li Ying stepped forward and saluted everyone.
This action might anger the magistrate of Dongshan County, but since it was related to the long - term development of Dongshan County, she really couldn't keep silent.
"Your Majesty, the red coral you obtained is from the coral reef, which is formed by the accumulation of the skeletons of thousands of coral polyps in the sea. It is indeed a peerless and rare treasure."
"But do you know that if thousands of oysters stack on the reefs to form those 'oyster reefs' that look rough and ugly, although they seem ordinary, they actually have an important role that cannot be underestimated?"
It was the first time for everyone to hear the term "oyster reef", so they were all a bit confused.
The magistrate of Dongshan County was even more puzzled. He whispered, "It's just a pile of oyster shells. They look ugly. If you're not careful, they will scratch your skin and limbs, causing blood to flow. What use can such things have!"
He thought that this woman named Li was clearly jealous that he had won the emperor's favor and stolen her limelight, so she deliberately made things difficult for him!
Li Ying saw his anger but didn't care. She just stared steadily at the emperor and Princess Yongning's entourage and continued to explain in a deep voice.
"The magistrate is right. There are indeed only oyster shells on the oyster reefs. They are plain - looking and not elegant."
"But the oysters attached to the oyster reefs can absorb a large amount of suspended matter in the sea. A small oyster reef can have an excellent effect on purifying the water quality of the surrounding sea area!"
"Secondly, the gaps between the oyster shells can also provide a peaceful habitat for many marine organisms..."
Before she finished speaking, the magistrate of Dongshan County sneered, "Humph, the things that can live in the gaps between the oyster shells are as tiny as hairs and useless. Why do we need to take such good care of them? It's just womanish kindness!"