An Jing spoke the truth: "I don’t know how to make paper, but I know what raw materials can be used to produce white paper."
Xiao Changyi said, "That’s enough." In Xiyun Kingdom, many people knew the process of making paper but struggled to identify what materials could produce white paper, as they were constantly searching.
Only then did An Jing continue: "In my original world, there was a type of paper called Xuan paper, and it was known as the ’king of papers, with a lifespan of a thousand years.’ It was white, not only easy to preserve but also resistant to aging, colorfast, and long-lasting. My grandfather used to give me that type of paper to practice calligraphy on. The raw materials for Xuan paper consist only of the bark of the Green Tania Tree and straw. If the Emperor of Xiyun has people use these two materials to make white paper, it will definitely be very profitable. Then, the money can be used to replenish the national treasury. Since the treasury would fund it, there would be no need to take the road of raising taxes, making life difficult for merchants and farmers."
Xiao Changyi nodded: "If white paper is truly produced, indeed there will be no need to take the road of raising taxes."
After a pause, he added, "The old man and Chengyu are both troubled by this matter. When do you think you could tell them this solution, so they might try to make it?"
An Jing replied, "You should say it. As a woman, they definitely won’t like me meddling in such national affairs." It was a written rule in the harem not to engage in politics, and naturally, she should not do so either.
Xiao Changyi insisted: "You say it."
An Jing frowned: "Aren’t you afraid they won’t like me?"
Xiao Changyi answered: "They have the capacity to accept people. If it is a method that benefits the country, its lands, and its people, they will not care whether you are a man or a woman."
Raising her eyebrows in amusement, An Jing teased: "That’s rare, you rate them so highly."
Xiao Changyi did not respond.
An Jing also stopped teasing and got up from his legs, then pulled him up as well: "Let’s go and tell them, to save them the trouble. The day after tomorrow is the Emperor of Xiyun’s birthday; he cannot be troubled by state affairs on that day."
The Emperor of Xiyun truly beloved her husband. She naturally treated the Emperor of Xiyun as she would her own father, given his committed role as a foster father.
The Emperor of Xiyun and Su Chengyu were still in the Imperial Study Room, both with faces full of worry. If not for the extreme emptiness of the national treasury, they would definitely not consider raising taxes.
When Su Chengyu saw An Jing and Xiao Changyi arrive, he greeted them politely, addressing Xiao Changyi and An Jing as Imperial Brother and Sister-in-Law, but his tone was somewhat listless, clearly showing his suppressed mood.
It was rare for the Emperor of Xiyun not to greet Xiao Changyi with a smile; instead, he just sat on the Dragon Chair, furrowing his old brows, staring at one memorial after another requesting tax increases on the desk.
Xiao Changyi, holding An Jing’s hand, approached the Emperor of Xiyun and said expressionlessly: "Old man, my wife has thought of a way to solve the national treasury’s deficit."
Without even looking at Xiao Changyi, the Emperor of Xiyun replied weakly: "What good methods could she, a woman, have? Alright, alright, Yi Er. I’m feeling bothered right now, please let me be."
Hearing the Emperor of Xiyun’s words, Xiao Changyi immediately prepared to leave with An Jing.
But it was Su Chengyu who hastily grabbed hold of Xiao Changyi, not allowing him to leave with An Jing.
Su Chengyu, while unceremoniously holding back Xiao Changyi trying to leave, urgently said to the Emperor of Xiyun, who was still seated at the desk: "Father Emperor, have you forgotten about the grain rice and terraced fields? Those were all thanks to Sister-in-Law. Since Brother Yi said Sister-in-Law has a method, she must truly have thought of a better solution than raising taxes. Father Emperor, do not underestimate Sister-in-Law and miss out on a valuable strategy."