If this goes unchecked, I'm afraid that in the future, within a hundred miles around Jing County, it might predominantly shift to flower cultivation.
By then, every household will face a grain shortage, which won't be a minor issue.
Even if grain can be bought, what happens if prices soar because they rely solely on purchasing?
Either the common people won't be able to afford grain, leading to widespread chaos.
Or the grain production shrinks year by year to the point where the Imperial Court takes notice. Remember, the current court still prioritizes agriculture, and most of the people toil all year just to get by and fill their bellies. If the court discovers that due to Hongxiu Tianxiang, people aren't growing grain but flowers and grass, it would definitely not bode well.
Even if Hongxiu Tianxiang is backed by the Empress, I'm afraid it won't work.
It might even be used as leverage against the Empress.
