Thinking about it this way, Nangong Qing understood what the Imperial Preceptor meant by "harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity" earlier.
The Emperor wanted to give Su Luo a big reward all at once, since she was a lucky star. How could he give her small favors every time?
The only way is to make her make a great contribution, reward her handsomely, and make everyone convinced of her worth.
"So that's how it is. Father and the Imperial Advisor mean that we have enough food and warm clothes this year."
Upon learning this news, Northern Liang had no choice but to either suffer defeat or surrender and seek peace.
"Because of Su Luo, we possess these things. Because of these things, our dynasty may be able to force Northern Liang to surrender without firing a single shot."
“That’s right. At this time, I’m waging a psychological war against Beiliang. Third brother, only I, you and the Grand Preceptor know about this. So when the time comes, I will reward this Lady Su severely.”
The most important thing is the affairs of the country. Only when the war ends can the people truly live a good life.
"Yes! Your Majesty, I was rash. Please rest early, Father. I will take my leave."
With his worries settled, Nangong Qing focused on running Fumanlou. Although he cared about politics, he didn't need to get too involved. He would work when his father needed him, and otherwise he would stay idle.
A single palace banquet spread the rumors about chili peppers throughout the capital, and the rumors grew so intense that they were almost said to be something that only existed in heaven.
Later, it was discovered that chili peppers could also be found at the newly opened Fumanlou restaurant in Beijing, which quickly became one of the top restaurants in the city.
People flocked to the restaurant, but Fu Man Lou only sold fifteen servings of dishes made with chili peppers a day.
However, after trying other dishes at Fu Man Lou, I was surprised to find that the taste was absolutely unique in Beijing.
As expected, there's a reason why it's expensive; from now on, they'll only want to eat dishes made by Fu Man Lou.
Ah Xu sat at the upstairs window watching the three long queues, his mouth watering.
One has to admire the wealth of the people in the capital; it's all money!
Inside Fu Man Lou, a table laden with delicious food sat before Nangong Qing, and sitting with him was a young man of similar age.
"I heard that when the Third Prince was in Anchang Prefecture, he used my name to order around my money shop."
Nangong Qing opened his fan and fanned himself to cool off in the slightly warm air.
"Then I have to thank you, Young Master Shen, for the jade pendant you gave me. Without this jade pendant, which symbolizes your Shen family's status as imperial merchants, how could I possibly mobilize the people in your bank?"
Shen Yuan, the only son of the Shen family, is a royal merchant and is considered to have the highest status among merchants.
Merchants are considered lowly and cannot be noticed by high-ranking officials, but thanks to Nangong Qing's kindness, they became friends.
“I won’t hold the matter of Anchangzhou against you, but as soon as you returned to the capital, you opened this restaurant. Aren’t you trying to steal my business?”
"All the wealthy families in the capital are eating here. I might as well turn my restaurant into a charitable institution."
Nangong Qing chuckled smugly: "You, Young Master Shen, care about this little bit of business? Your Shen family's business guild can earn more than a restaurant with just a raise of its eyebrows."
"That seems to be true!"
Nangong Qing invited him to try their Fumanlou specialties, as well as several dishes made with chili peppers.
Shen Yuan nodded repeatedly, praising as he ate, "This is chili pepper! No wonder it's so popular. It tastes really good."
These boneless chicken feet are delicious too; no wonder those old foxes don't go to my restaurant anymore.
"Hmm, this is not bad either. If it were me, I wouldn't go to my family's restaurant to eat like this."
Not only did he eat there, but Shen Yuan also went so far as to belittle his own restaurant, calling it worthless.
Only after he had eaten his fill did Shen Yuan sit down, rubbing his full belly, and teasing Nangong Qingdao.
"Your Highness, you've been playing with me for so long, but the little business acumen you've learned is far from enough. If it weren't for the high-quality food at your restaurant, I could have made it go out of business in the capital at any time."
"A swindler!"
Nangong Qing pointed at Shen Yuan with her fan, and the two of them laughed at the same time.
Shen Yuan only made this kind of joke in front of Nangong Qing.
Although he has this ability, he will not reveal it to others.
"By the way, what have you been up to lately? I've been back for so long, and you're only now coming to see me."
People in high positions rarely have true friends, and officials and wealthy families don't associate closely with them, especially merchants.
The businessmen, driven by profit, flattered him, feigned friendship, and stabbed him in the back.
"Over the past six months, I have been procuring a batch of fabric from all over the country. This fabric is needed by the imperial court. If it is made into clothing and bedding, it will be enough to clothe hundreds of thousands of people."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Qing immediately thought of what the Imperial Advisor and his father had told him. They were telling Shen Yuan to prepare the fabric early, just waiting for Su Luo's cotton.
"Since it was ordered by the imperial court to prepare this, it must be useful. Just prepare it with peace of mind."
Shen Yuan wasn't stupid; such a large quantity of cloth could only be used for the army.
"Of course!"
"We haven't seen each other in so long, let's not talk about this anymore, let's drink!"
Shen Yuan raised his wine cup to Nangong Qing.
"Okay, let's drink!"
...
On the other side, Du Xiuyuan was also restless on his way home from the Imperial Hospital. Several imperial physicians who were on good terms with him insisted on coming to his house for a free meal.
"Doctor Du, we heard you have chili peppers at home. Where did you get them? If you don't tell us, we'll have to go to your house to eat them. We can't get any from Fu Man Lou."
Du Xiuyuan shook his head and said, "It can't be said, it can't be said, hahaha..."
These days, my master has been sending chili peppers to Beijing. When he sends them to Fumanlou, he also sends some to him. Although each time it's only four or five catties, it's enough for the whole family.
"Why can't we say that? Tell us quickly, where did you buy the chili peppers?"
The other two doctors from the Imperial Medical Academy held onto Du Xiuyuan tightly, refusing to let him leave.
"They don't sell them in the capital. My master sent them to me, so you can forget about it."
Du Xiuyuan's master and the others had heard that when he went on a trip with the Third Prince, he took a young woman as his teacher.
He even learned medicine from this young lady. When the entire Imperial Medical Academy found out, they laughed at Du Xiuyuan for a long time, treating him as a joke.
Even now, people still criticize him and use his story to make jokes.
"It's good to have a mentor. Although I can't tell what kind of medical skills you learned from her, she sent you chili peppers to eat, which is really kind of her."
He hasn't had a chance to use the unparalleled medical skills Su Luo taught him yet, but there will always be a time when he amazes them, and then he won't need to explain to them one by one.
"If you don't let me go, none of you will be able to eat chili peppers at my house."
Upon hearing this, Du Xiuyuan's two friends immediately let go of him.
This means they're allowed to come along and freeload off him.
"Alright, alright... Old Du, we'll help you up, let's go..."
Du Xiuyuan had no choice but to be carried onto the carriage by his two friends.
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