Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
This batch of harvested rice still had to be planted as rice. The new batch of harvested rice was abundant. Perhaps because it was served well, the yield was higher than the rice that Shen Congjun secretly planted last time. Clearly, it was enough to be distributed to various places for testing.
Rong Yan had prepared a fair and open distribution method. The Emperor only modified it slightly and felt that it was very feasible.
After looking at the rice seeds, he was pleasantly surprised.
The Third Prince said that the genius doctor who had taken the initiative to go to the army to help treat the injured had been researching patent medicine recently and had already made small achievements. The chances of success were very high.
The memorandum specifically listed the advantages of patent medicine-cheap, convenient, and timely.
To the commoners, medicine that used to cost hundreds of copper coins or even a few taels of silver could be bought at less than 30% of the price now. Moreover, they could consume it directly without boiling it themselves.
Moreover, most people could not bear to spend money to see a doctor. They had to wait until they were seriously ill before going to see a doctor. In this way, their bodies would be severely damaged, and the cost of buying medicine would definitely increase.
If they could take medicine in time when they felt uncomfortable, they could naturally prevent the possibility of a small illness from becoming a serious illness. This way, the health and assets of the people could be guaranteed. It would be the best of both worlds.
âFather, do you think my suggestion is feasible?â
The Emperor felt that it was feasible. It was very feasible. It was simply too feasible.
Back then, he had heard that that divine doctorâs medical skills were outstanding. He wanted the genius doctor to come to the capital to improve the Imperial Hospitalâs standards. Unexpectedly, he left on his own halfway. As expected of someone from the Genius Doctor Valley. He had a personality.
Even he, the Emperor, had heard of the reputation of the Genius Doctor Valley.
In life, no one could escape birth, aging, illness, and death. However, if they could live a few more years and suffer less illness, why not?
It was already a pleasant surprise that the Emperor did not expect. Unexpectedly, Rong Yan had something else to report.
ââThereâs a Book Houseâ?â Interesting.
The Emperor, who was filled with anticipation, only wanted to end this boring morning court assembly as soon as possible and have a good chat with Rong Yan about the patent medicine and the book house. Because he was thinking about something happy, his tense expression relaxed. When the officials saw this, they immediately felt that they could make a new one today.
Hence, someone went forward and said loudly, âI have something to report.â
The Emperorâs good mood was gone. âSpeak.â
âI want to report the Third Princeâs ulterior motives and form an alliance for personal gain!â
Rong Yan was as still as a mountain and did not even twitch his eyebrows, but the official was still in high spirits. âYour Majesty, the evidence is conclusive that the Third Prince opened a bookstore in Xijiang County to buy peopleâs hearts!â
âYour Majesty, who doesnât know that the Imperial Court attaches great importance to the first scientific examination after the battle with the Southern Barbarians? Third Princeâs actions are obviously to rope in the students in advanceâ¦â
âFurthermore, the Third Prince has been very close to General Xiao recently. Itâs said that he goes to the Generalâs Residence every day. His Majesty hates cliques the most. General Xiao has just obtained the Tiger Talisman, but the Third Prince canât wait to do this. I think itâs inappropriate!â
The Emperorâs mood changed from annoyance to consideration, so he let this person finish speaking.
Rong Yan then asked, âOfficial Ge, is this the first time youâve heard that I have a close relationship with the Generalâs Residence?â
âOfficial, you can go out and ask around. How many Chef Guâs meals have I eaten since I was young?â
He actually didnât deny it?
Xiao Ran obtaining the Tiger Talisman meant that she would regain control of Great Xiaâs military power. Now, many people were eyeing her, but they didnât dare to make a move rashly. They saw that Rong Yan didnât know how to avoid arousing suspicion, so they took advantage of him. Who knew that he would admit it so openly?
Fortunately, this was not the main point today.
âHow do you want to explain the book house, Your Highness?â
âItâs rumored that thereâs something strange about the book house in Xijiang County. It doesnât sell books or the Four Treasures of the Study. Itâs only for people to study for free. Not long ago, we even found treasonous comments from it!â
The more he spoke, the more enthusiastic he became. âCould it be that Your Highness wants to befriend those scholars before the imperial examination begins so that you can make plans for the future?â
What was the Emperorâs biggest taboo?
Naturally, it was a taboo for others to covet his position. This logic has been the same since ancient times.
Why was His Majesty dissatisfied with the Crown Prince a few days ago? Wasnât it because the Crown Princeâs reputation was too famous and had touched His Majestyâs taboo? Since the previous matter couldnât be changed, he would find someone who went overboard and let him take the brunt of the storm and be a shield for the Crown Prince.
In that case, His Majestyâs anger would only be directed at the Third Prince⦠Eh?
With this thought in mind, Official Ge realized that not only was the Emperor not angry, but he was also staring at him.
W- what s going on? Whats going on?
The Emperorâs expression was calm and his tone was emotionless, but his eyes were filled with incomprehensible disappointment.
âIs dear Official Ge very free usually? If youâre really free, why donât you think about how to promote new rice seeds in the future, how to benefit the people, how to use the iron ore that Xiongnu gave to Great Xia, how to share my burdens and lessen trouble for me?â
Official Ge was already breaking out in cold sweat, but he had a mission and had no choice but to finish speaking.
âAs the ancients say, honest words are unpleasant to the ears. For the sake of Great Xia, even if I have to offend the Third Prince, I have to ask againâthe boss of that bookhouse is very mysterious. His name is still unknown and heâs mysterious and sneaky. If he doesnât have a guilty conscience, why would the Third Prince do such a thing?â
He felt that at this point, even if the Emperor did not demote the Third Prince to a commoner, his merits would be offset. Even with his military work at the border, he would never have the chance to become a stumbling block to the Crown Prince in the future.
But why didnât His Majesty show any signs of anger towards the Third Prince?
In his confusion, he heard the Emperor say, âThatâs because I own that book house.â
The Third Prince mentioned in the memorandum that âThereâs a Book Houseâ was beneficial for more people to have the chance to study, but it would also affect some privileged people and merchants, or be interfered with by someone with ulterior motives. Hence, in order to benefit more scholars and avoid forming cliques and causing trouble, he hoped that the book house could be under the Emperorâs name.
This way, the scholars nurtured by âThereâs a Book Houseâ would be the Emperorâs subjects in the future and would no longer have to worry about partisanship.
It had to be said that the Third Princeâs concerns were really true. Look, before the bookhouse was popularized, people came looking for trouble.
Amidst Official Geâs shocked speechlessness, the Emperor told everyone, âNot only do I want to set up a book house in Xijiang County, but I also want to open it in the Imperial Capital. Official Ge, what do you think?â
Official Ge did not dare. Official Ge wanted the Emperor to treat him as a fart now.
The Emperor asked the others, âIs there anything else you want to say?â
Without waiting for the ministers to answer, he waved his hand impatiently. âLeave the court if thereâs nothing else.â
Even if thereâs anything, hold it in.
Fortunately, the officials understood his hidden lines and tactfully remained silent.
The Emperor immediately asked Eunuch De to pick up Rong Yan and continue chatting. At this moment, Prime Minister Yan was chatting privately with a few trusted aides.
âAlthough Official Ge was abandoned in the first place, what happened today is too coincidental.â
âDid he ever mention the source?â
Everyone shook their heads. âWe just received an anonymous letter. After
verifying it, I realized that it was as I thought.. I didnât expectâ¦â