Among all the eunuchs, the highest in status was the Grand Steward.
The Grand Steward commanded all the eunuchs, and in terms of status and treatment, he was almost comparable to a third-rank official!
This position was too important for Chu Chen. At the very least, he would no longer be harassed by petty individuals.
For instance, the carpenters in the Imperial Manufactory. If he held the position of Grand Steward, would those people dare to be insincere in front of him?
The news of Chu Chen's promotion to Grand Steward instantly spread throughout the entire imperial palace.
In just three days, from a lowly eunuch to the Grand Steward in charge of all eunuchs, such a promotion speed was no exaggeration to call it riding a rocket.
At least, before Chu Chen, there had never been such a precedent.
After all, it was not easy for ordinary third-rank officials to see His Majesty at other times, except during court assemblies.
But the Grand Steward lived in the palace, which meant he could basically meet the Emperor every day.
The imperial favor he received was on a different level.
Not to mention, His Majesty had publicly stated that Chu Chen should report any achievements directly to her.
The number of people who received such favor could be counted on one hand.
At the same time, Chu Chen's achievements, along with his promotion, spread throughout the entire imperial palace.
Upon hearing this news, most people's first reaction was disbelief.
To increase the grain output of the Yunyue Kingdom by three times next year, how could this sound like anything but nonsense?
While they dared not speak out on the surface, they were all discussing in private whether this little eunuch Chu Chen had used some sorcery to bewitch His Majesty.
Chu Chen was completely unaware of this. He once again initiated a new life simulation.
The previous parts were naturally skipped.
[The Empress Dowager began to vigorously promote waterwheels and curved-shaft plows nationwide, but the promotion methods were too forceful, and the common people were very resistant.]
Chu Chen frowned slightly.
Both waterwheels and curved-shaft plows required a certain amount of money to manufacture.
Curved-shaft plows were relatively easier, but manufacturing waterwheels required significant expenditure.
For areas with more farmland, the waterwheels naturally had to be larger.
However, waterwheels were entirely wooden structures and had to be submerged in water for extended periods. To build them larger, the requirements for timber would be somewhat high.
This would naturally increase the cost.
It was clear that during the promotion process, these costs would be transferred to the common people.
[Due to the appearance of waterwheels and curved-shaft plows, the burden on the common people became heavier, and many people became displaced. They could not even wait for the harvest next year.]
[Chivalrous individuals in the populace believed that you were disrupting the court and deceiving His Majesty, and they resolved to punish the wicked and remove the corrupt, to clear the sovereign, and restore peace to the realm.]
[While you were out of the palace on official business, dozens of chivalrous individuals took the opportunity to launch an attack. You fought and fled, returning to the imperial palace.]
[To quell public outrage, the Empress Dowager had no choice but to execute you at the age of twenty-two.]
However, it was not over yet.
[The following year, the areas that adopted waterwheels and curved-shaft plows achieved a bumper harvest. Only then did the common people remember your kindness, and you were vindicated, shining brightly in the long river of history!]
"Shine brightly for what?" Chu Chen couldn't help but retort. "Who would want to be famous for eternity in such a way?"
Looking at the simulation results, Chu Chen couldn't help but let out a mocking smile.
"That's right. His Majesty the Emperor would never be wrong. Even if something went wrong, it was because he was misled by others."
"It seems I am just a disposable tool for the Empress Dowager. When it's time to quell public outrage, I'll be discarded without hesitation."
Complaints aside, Chu Chen still had to find a way to break through this predicament.
After finally escaping the influence of Princess Xinyue, he died at the hands of the Empress Dowager. Chu Chen absolutely could not accept this.
Judging by the simulator's indication, if he didn't hurry to find a solution, he would perish within three to five months at most.
However, looking at the simulation results, Chu Chen always felt something was amiss.
Even if he had angered the populace, the results would be seen by the next autumn harvest.
Could it be that the Empress Dowager couldn't tolerate him for even these few months?
There must be a trick to this!
Glancing at the reward for this simulation, Chu Chen chose [Eloquent].
This skill would greatly increase his chances of persuading people.
After obtaining this skill, Chu Chen did not hesitate and immediately met the Empress Dowager.
Relying on his already good eloquence, combined with the newly acquired eloquence, Chu Chen successfully persuaded the Empress Dowager to temporarily refrain from forcefully promoting waterwheels nationwide.
With the curved-shaft plows in place, grain output could be significantly increased next year. Waterwheels, which were very costly, could be postponed until next year when the national strength was slightly stronger, before proceeding with their promotion.
"Too much is as bad as too little..."
In the imperial bedchamber, the Empress Dowager murmured to herself.
"I didn't expect this little eunuch to be quite talented. His casual remarks were full of golden phrases."
Saying this, the Empress Dowager shook her head almost imperceptibly.
"Although he has the world in his heart and a compassionate soul, he is a eunuch. What a pity..."
The Empress Dowager finally accepted Chu Chen's suggestion. The court would provide compensation to the common people who exchanged their old plows for new ones.
In other words, the common people could exchange their old straight-shaft plows for a small amount of money to get the new Yanzai plows.
Yanzai was the Empress Dowager's reign title, and the Yanzai plow was the so-called curved-shaft plow.
At the same time, the court also encouraged the common people to reclaim wasteland. For the wasteland reclaimed with Yanzai plows, the court's tax revenue would be halved, valid for three years.
In addition, there were many related measures. In summary, they were all aimed at encouraging the common people to reclaim wasteland and thereby promote new farming tools.
Although these measures seemed simple, each one addressed the root of the problem, showcasing Chu Chen's extraordinary governing ability.
Looking at the measures Chu Chen had summarized in his hand, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for his talent.
His governing skill was far superior to that of the current prime minister.
"However, he is, after all, a eunuch..."
The Empress Dowager fell into a dilemma.
On the other side, in the Imperial Manufactory, Qin Dachang was trembling.
He grabbed Xue Yun's arm: "Lord Xue, what should we do?"
"Didn't you say that little eunuch knew nothing? How did it turn out like this?"
Qin Dachang said with a mournful face: "Now that he's the Grand Steward, what if he seeks revenge on me?"
"Lord Xue, you must help me!"
"I did everything according to your instructions!"
"Get lost." Xue Yun kicked Qin Dachang mercilessly in the chest.