Starting from a Small Manor in the Border Town

The current emperor is approaching middle age and is anxious to have a son; The powerful aristocratic families and court officials are busy seeking folk remedies for bearing children, searching for fertile beauties, and scheming for greater wealth and status through alliances; The wealthy magnates of Jiangnan are busy exploiting the people's resources and grooming their descendants to study and become officials; Last year, Longxi suffered a great flood, and this year it faces a severe drought, with countless commoners perishing. The relief grain and supplies have vanished—only the hay remains; In the northwestern frontier, foreign tribes also suffered disasters last year, leading to cons...