Chapter 509 Shennong Bureau

According to Fan Hong and others, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn not only have high yields and are durable in storage, but can also be used as staple foods. Sweet potato vines are also a treasure, edible not only for humans but also for livestock.

Listening to their description, everyone looked at the mahogany box with increasingly heated eyes. If the seeds were not so precious, they would have tasted them first.

Xiao Jingfan struck while the iron was hot. After consulting with his ministers, he designated two areas, one in the south and one in the north, as the Shennong Offices, specializing in potato, sweet potato, and corn cultivation. He also ordered local governments to post notices recruiting farmers with at least thirty years of farming experience. The offices would provide them with food and lodging, as well as a monthly salary. If they performed well, they could be awarded an official position.

The farmers didn't care about whether the objects were magical or not. They only cared about the fact that they were provided with food and shelter, and they would get money. Immediately, many experienced old farmers prepared dry food and rushed to the Shennong Office with their bags.

Some people don't believe such a good thing can happen. If you can be rewarded with an official position just by farming, then why bother spending money on studying? You might as well just farm!

They guard their own land, watch coldly, and wait for those who rush to jump into the pit to regret it, so that they can laugh at them.

At the Shennong Bureau, the farmers who came were all given a piece of land after their identities were verified.

Now that the corn planting season has passed, potatoes and sweet potatoes can still be planted.

So, the farmers were divided into two groups, some responsible for planting potatoes and some responsible for planting sweet potatoes.

The crew members who had learned planting methods from the natives acted as teachers, informing them of the habits of potatoes and sweet potatoes, and teaching them all the planting methods they had learned, so that the farmers would not be in the dark and waste precious seeds.

Next, the farmers are free to do what they want. As long as they can grow something, they will be rewarded, and those who grow the best can be awarded an official title.

Although there will be no fine if the crops cannot be grown, if someone intends to pretend to eat and drink for free and get money, the government will not be lenient and will teach that person a lesson that he will never forget.

Half a month later, the first batch of potatoes and sweet potatoes were planted.

While the Chuliu requisition system was closely monitoring the situation of the Shennong Bureau, a piece of bad news came that Prince Cheng, who was recuperating in the palace, died on the ninth day of July.

The emperor ordered a proper burial, and Princess Cheng and her entourage were demoted to commoners, and were not allowed to set foot in the capital for the rest of their lives.

At the end of July, the Goryeo emperor died suddenly, and Princess Nian'en ascended the throne over other princes.

The news shocked everyone.

It is said that the former Prime Minister knelt in front of the palace gate and destroyed his own eyes in repentance.

[Tsk tsk, belated affection is worse than a dog's, and you're even hurting yourself. What? Expecting the real princess to change her mind? He's the emperor now, how many obedient male favorites does he need? Is it because you're old or because you're blind?]

[I even suggested that the emperor give him the name Nian'en. What? He's always remembering your kindness in locking him up in a dark room and killing him?]

Please, I'm not sparing your life because I still have feelings for you. I'm just letting you see that the person you bullied is now standing at a height you can't even reach even if you stand on tiptoe. You can regret it for the rest of your life.

Chu Liuzheng took a bite of the sweet mooncake. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, while others were admiring the moon, she was gossiping.

[As soon as Princess Jin ascended the throne, she immediately changed the rule that prohibited women from holding official positions. From then on, Korean women could serve as officials in the court just like men.]

[Ah, the fish in Miss Zhu's pond are fighting, and it's a three-way brawl. How foolish! Even if you kill Miss Zhu, she won't even look at you. Who told you to stand against the Queen?]

[The Queen is planning to confer an official title on Miss Zhu. It seems Miss Zhu really doesn't plan to return.]

[Oh, the princess finally had enough fun. I heard that the treasure ship returned, not only bringing back three sacred objects, but also many things that were not available in Dasheng. She can't wait to return home and even brought her childhood sweetheart back with her.]

[Oh my, after waiting for several years, lovers are finally going to meet! ]

Chu Liuzheng was genuinely happy for the Crybaby Princess. She took a sip of the sweet-scented osmanthus wine, the rich aroma of the wine blending with the fragrance of the sweet-scented osmanthus tasted quite good.

With her chin supported by one hand, she squinted her eyes and looked at the emperor peeling crabs with his own hands across the table.

After several years of persistent weight-gaining plans, the emperor finally had some extra flesh on his face, and his skin looked more plump, making people unable to take their eyes off him.

[Speaking of which, my bet with the Tyrant has been going on for four years now, isn't it? There's only a little over a year left. Time flies.]

After taking another sip of osmanthus wine, Chu Liuzheng was just about to peel a crab when a plate of peeled crab meat and crab roe was placed in front of her.

She blinked her eyes, picked up some with chopsticks, dipped it in vinegar and ate it.

Zhou Yuande handed the emperor a hot towel to wipe his hands.

Xiao Jingfan wiped his hands while reminding: "Crabs are cold in nature, so don't eat too much."

That means, just eat the two he peeled.

"Hmm." Chu Liuzheng responded while holding the crab meat in his mouth.

The moon is round, the crab meat is sweet, and the osmanthus wine is delicious. This Mid-Autumn Festival is pretty good.

*

Before the Frost Descent, the potatoes and sweet potatoes in the Shennong Bureau were all harvested. Although not as much as expected, they were much better than other crops. After planting, they basically did not require much care, with little effort and great rewards. The results were really gratifying.

After summarizing the lessons learned, the officials of the Shennong Bureau sent a batch of harvested potatoes and sweet potatoes to the palace along with a memorial to report the good news to the emperor, and the rest were left for planting next year.

The emperor was very pleased and rewarded the officials of the Shennong Bureau and the farmers who grew potatoes and sweet potatoes.

As for the potatoes and sweet potatoes sent into the palace, the emperor first sent a small basket to the Wanshou Palace and another small basket to the Princess's Mansion, and the rest were left to Chu Liuzheng to deal with.

Chu Liuzheng finally ate the shredded potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes he had been longing for. The stewed beef with potatoes was very much loved by the emperor, and the sweet potato porridge was also good.

The emperor enjoyed the meal, but he did not forget his ministers who had worked hard for him.

He ordered the Shennong Bureau to send some more potatoes and sweet potatoes without affecting next year's farming, and to reward his ministers. The quantity decreased according to the grade, so that all the ministers could taste them and facilitate the promotion of planting in the future.

It is said that potatoes and sweet potatoes were unanimously praised by all officials, but the emperor's rewards were too small and not enough to eat.

*

The snow fell later this year than last year. Chu Liuzheng walked out of Chongshan Hall on the snow and heard the news on the way that Shao Liyi, who had been ill since the beginning of winter, had passed away.

She was stunned, stood there, staring at the snowflakes floating outside the umbrella for a long time, and a smile slowly appeared at the corner of her lips.

[Ah, you're leaving now, quite fast. One less concubine. The tyrant will have trouble keeping his ears to himself.]

"Let's go." She turned around and called Chen Xing and Si Yue to go to the imperial kitchen, saying as she walked, "We'll have hot pot tonight." Let's celebrate with the crying princess!

When Shao Liyi died of illness, the emperor issued an edict to posthumously confer the title of Zhaorong on her and buried her according to the rites for a concubine.

Many people lamented that since the emperor favored Chu Liuzheng alone, he has turned a blind eye to all the concubines in the harem. Only when a concubine passed away could a hint of warmth be seen in the emperor's decree.

Chu Liuzheng took people to the memorial tablet and lit a stick of incense.

[I wish you freedom, and I hope your childhood sweetheart can save you some tears.]

Two days later, a red-painted carriage drove out of the city gate amidst the traffic.

The hooded woman opened the window, leaned halfway out, and looked back.

When she came, she saw the majestic city gate and her heart was filled with fear and despair.

Now, the corners of her lips are slightly raised, and her eyes are full of hope for life.

(End of this chapter)