The old farmer really was a loyal and generous soul. Not only did he bring Prince Nolan and Serena Feng into the city, but once he’d asked where they were headed, he insisted on delivering them straight to their destination.
Serena kept trying to politely decline, but the old farmer just laughed and said, "Miss, this isn’t the Capital—you won’t find any fancy carriages here. Don’t look down on my ox cart! It’s still a hundred times better than walking."
Serena couldn’t help laughing and crying at the same time. "Sir, you’re too kind! We’re grateful, really—we’d never dream of turning up our noses. We’re just embarrassed, is all. It’s almost dark, and if you drive us out, you’ll be heading home even later."
"It’s no trouble," the old farmer said, grinning. "The roads here are wide—walking the main street at night, you won’t bump into a soul." As he spoke, he couldn’t help praising the Emperor again.
Compared to the people of the Jiangnan region, the border city folk were even more grateful for the Emperor’s kindness.
Jiangnan was already prosperous—people there never had to worry about food or clothes. The reforms Prince Nolan brought only made their lives a little better, and even then, the difference was subtle. But here at the border, things were totally different...
Before this, border city folk couldn’t fill their bellies or keep warm. Every day was a struggle just to dig up enough to eat. In years of famine, people starved to death by the dozens; even in normal times, poor villages in the hills with barren fields had to sell their sons and daughters for grain.
You couldn’t blame parents for being ruthless—it was just impossible to survive. Selling their children meant slavery, yes, but at least they wouldn’t starve to death here, and the family could finally catch a breath.
Ever since Prince Nolan took the throne, so many policies have favored the poor—especially folks here at the border. They might not be as wealthy as those in Jiangnan, but they’re more content, more truly happy.
Now they can eat their fill, no more selling sons and daughters. If they work hard, they can even save up some grain, and maybe have a bit of meat for New Year’s. This kind of life—they never even dared dream of it before.