Regarding the issue of upgrades, Zhao Jiaqi provided the answer.
"Upgrading means that this water gate can also be renovated, for example, for power generation, or by utilizing this water gate, perhaps fish ponds can be built, or some seafood products can be developed, and so on."
"If you choose to upgrade this package, then how we upgrade, we will guide you through the upgrade. It's that simple."
What is power generation?
Both Helian Zhicheng and Baili Kai'en pondered this question. However, seeing that the Princess Consort did not seem inclined to explain, they assumed it must be something extraordinary, which was why she was keeping it from them.
At their fastest pace, both men chose the second option, opting for the upgraded package.
Unknowingly, they had also learned many new terms. Although they understood them only vaguely, it was enough to make them feel proud.
"I'll choose the second one."
"Me too!" Baili Kai'en quickly added, "Princess Consort, please tell us, what is the annual fee?"
Helian Zhicheng also pricked up his ears, his gaze fixed on her. In truth, he felt quite embarrassed. With his Empress by his side, staring at another woman like this was indeed awkward.
But Zhao Jiaqi felt no awkwardness. Why be embarrassed when there was money to be made?
Adhering to the principle of "If I'm not embarrassed, then who is?", Zhao Jiaqi stated a figure: "Fifty thousand taels of silver per year for maintenance. Furthermore, the installation fee is separate, but estimated to be around ten thousand taels of silver. This installation fee is a one-time charge."
Upon hearing fifty thousand taels annually, the two men's spirits immediately lifted. They had expected the Princess Consort to demand an exorbitant sum, perhaps hundreds or thousands of taels of gold, only to find that she was not trying to swindle them at all.
The two burly men felt a pang of shame. Honestly, their magnanimity could not compare to this woman before them.
Helian Zhicheng immediately promised, "Tomorrow, I will send someone back to retrieve bank notes and deliver them to you. The total is sixty thousand taels. Once the bank notes arrive, we can sign the contract. What do you think, Princess Consort?"
Zhao Jiaqi smiled and nodded at Ding Beiliao, "Agreed!"
Baili Kai'en also decided to participate. For the first time, the three of them were in complete agreement, and they exchanged happy smiles.
At noon, Zhao Jiaqi received a letter from Fan Zehao.
She unfolded the letter and read it at a glance. After finishing, Zhao Jiaqi's face contorted with rage, her ferocious features a mixture of blue and black.
She slammed the letter onto the table with a heavy thud and roared, "Well done, Prime Minister Leng! Well done, Leng Han! I didn't kill you, yet you are still frolicking so merrily. Do you truly think I am easy to bully!"
The loud noise from the room alerted the guard outside. Seeing the Princess Consort's anger, he frowned slightly and stepped forward, picking up the letter from the table to examine it closely.
"Princess Consort, this Prime Minister probably doesn't know what death tastes like, to be so audacious."
Zhao Jiaqi suppressed her anger and slowly sat down in a chair, her fingers clenched into fists as she forcefully calmed her emotions.
"You are correct. Since this Prime Minister doesn't know the taste of death, then you shall make him taste it well and thoroughly experience it. And you must not let him die too quickly."
The guard's eyes narrowed into slits of happiness, his bloodthirsty gaze shining with an unusual brilliance. "Then how should General Leng be dealt with?"
Zhao Jiaqi couldn't be bothered with Leng Han. He was ungrateful for the minor punishment and was determined to seek his own demise; there was nothing she could do.
"Do whatever you please. I will not interfere!"
The guard saw that the Princess Consort was truly angry, and her rage was uncontainable. His heart jolted. "Should we exterminate all the members of the Leng family, root and branch?"
Zhao Jiaqi pondered for a moment. She was not a bloodthirsty person. If she were to exterminate them all, it would inevitably lead to a river of blood, which would not bring her peace of mind.
"No need. Leng Han is the only one of consequence in the Leng family. Deal with him as you see fit. As long as he doesn't cause trouble again, that will be sufficient. As for the other members of the Leng household, let them be."
Although she did not kill needlessly, it did not mean she would not kill. Anyone who touched her bottom line would face death.
Receiving the Princess Consort's command, the guard eagerly left the study. That afternoon, the people dispatched by the guard hurried towards the capital.
The rest of them headed to Zijing Town to apprehend Leng Han.
The days passed by uneventfully for three days, and both emperors arrived with bank notes to sign contracts with her. Zhao Jiaqi was not surprised that the bank notes were secured within these three days.
In this region, there was a type of bird called an eagle, which flew swiftly and at high altitudes. Such specially trained eagles could evade ground hunters.
In the study, Zhao Jiaqi signed contracts separately with the two emperors. That same day, Zhao Jiaqi dispatched the artisans responsible for the water gates to both countries to assist them in completing the project.
In this regard, Zhao Jiaqi distributed the ten thousand taels of silver to the artisans. From now on, they would be responsible for such matters, and this was considered their compensation.
With one hundred thousand taels of silver in hand, Zhao Jiaqi immediately prepared to spend it. She would not keep a single cent.
Zhao Jiaqi summoned the prefect and instructed him to tally the number of citizens affected by the disaster, especially the affected farmlands. This was the foundation of people's livelihoods. If the common people couldn't eat, it would be a significant problem.
Under the leadership of herself and her husband, they did not want to see a situation where the common people couldn't eat or dress warmly. Although they had money in their pockets now, Zhao Jiaqi was stubborn; as long as they could help, she didn't want the people to have to spend money.
She had also been a villager and knew how difficult it was to save money. A single natural disaster could turn it to dust, forcing them to tighten their belts and continue saving.
Upon hearing that the Princess Consort intended to begin disaster relief and reconstruction, the prefect's spirits immediately soared, and he hurried away in the light rain.
The heavy rain had lasted for nearly four days, and now it had become a light drizzle. Fortunately, the floodwaters had been discharged in time, and no major disaster had occurred, but humans inevitably suffered some losses in the face of such calamities.
After two days of light rain, the sky finally cleared, and the sun emerged, dazzlingly bright. Perhaps because everyone had not seen the sun in a long time, all the servants in the Prince's mansion stood in the courtyard, basking in the sunlight, especially feeling the warmth of the sun on their bodies.
The air was damp, and even the bedding at night was moist. As soon as the sun appeared, the servants busied themselves with drying their quilts.
Throughout the noon, everyone was busy, some washing clothes, others drying quilts, and still others repairing leaking houses within the mansion.
This vivid and lively scene was etched into Duan Yao's eyes. She envied it greatly, seeing it as the life of ordinary people who had endured hardship.
Unlike in the imperial palace, where she had to manage all the trivial matters, from food and clothing to the monthly wages of palace maids and eunuchs. The mere thought of it was a headache.
Duan Yao said to Helian Zhicheng beside her, "Jinli is no longer small. It's time for him to marry a Crown Princess. After he gets married, let him become the Emperor. Then, we two can live a simple and peaceful life like the Princess Consort."
Helian Zhicheng patted the hand of the woman beside him and sighed softly, "The person in our son's heart is likely difficult to marry."
Duan Yao's mind was filled with questions, and she did not understand what he meant by his words.
After all, who in this world would not like to be the Crown Princess, the future Empress?