The first to speak was the Minister of Revenue, who was nearly sixty years old and whose mother was over eighty.
"Minister Su, you are exaggerating. Later, Zhou Daban will have several copies made and sent to you all."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty's grace is boundless."
The group thanked them in unison.
"The soy milk and tofu pudding taste really good, but sugar is expensive, so people probably won't spend their money on it."
After drinking it, the Grand Minister of Agriculture raised an objection, saying that if this recipe could only be passed down among wealthy families, it might not be entirely a good thing.
He was born into a commoner family; it's not surprising that someone with power and influence would do anything.
Don't assume that ordinary people can grow soybeans and sell them to nobles. In places where no one can see them and where the sun doesn't shine, forced buying and selling is commonplace, and ordinary people may not necessarily make money.
"My lords, you are overthinking this. Soy milk and tofu pudding are just byproducts of making tofu. The imperial chefs are still making the rest."
"That's good."
"Haha, the Grand Minister of Agriculture has the people at heart."
Ying Hao was very satisfied with the Grand Minister of Agriculture's reaction.
"We still need to discuss this trial area. The Grand Minister of Agriculture will have to put in more effort."
"The two ministers and the supervisor should also give me their opinions. We will decide on this matter in court tomorrow."
Ying Hao wasn't worried that anyone would obstruct this matter at tomorrow's morning court session. If anyone dared to say no, the people of the world would drown him with their spit.
That's why he was so excited when he first heard the news.
At this moment, he was already mentally planning how to ensure his people would benefit from this situation.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Daze Prefecture is worth a try; its terrain is open..."
During this time, the Minister of Personnel was also summoned.
The group chatted about local customs and practices, how to conduct trials, court procedures, and personnel allocation, and the conversation continued until dusk.
Overall, things were indeed going well. Of course, there might be some changes in the court tomorrow, but Ying Hao was not worried. He was a veteran of two reigns and had many disciples, but he was a neutral figure who would listen to whoever was right.
The Minister of Personnel was in charge of personnel changes and was a powerful department; he often clashed with the Minister.
However, the key point of this matter is that it is under the supervision of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, who is also a clean official in the court. When the Ministry of Personnel wanted to arrange someone, the Grand Minister of Agriculture directly said that if any sycophantic people came, they would definitely be kicked out by him.
With these words in place, even those in the Ministry of Personnel would have to think twice. They must understand that this is for the benefit of the people. If they are kicked out, the day this matter is completed will be the day they are disgraced. They will inevitably be nailed to the pillar of shame.
Besides, who wouldn't want to be remembered in history? If this succeeds, it will surely be recorded in the annals of history.
"Your Majesty, it's time for your meal."
The imperial chefs had already prepared the meal, which was already laid out in the side hall.
"I've heard that today's feast is tofu. My beloved ministers, please join me in tasting this tofu."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the banquet."
Ying Hao got up and led several ministers to a side hall for their meal.
"This tofu has been used in so many dishes?!"
More than twenty dishes were laid out, and this was the result of the imperial chefs holding back, as Ying Hao never ate much for dinner.
The sight of the dishes on the table made everyone's mouths water. When Ying Hao picked up his chopsticks, the others also started to pick up food, and for a moment, only the sound of eating could be heard.
They are all high-ranking officials after all, and they understand the principle of not speaking while eating or sleeping.
Only the occasional sigh of satisfaction and the look of approval on everyone's faces could convey their true satisfaction.
After the meal, the eunuchs served hot tea, and only then did the old man sigh with emotion.
"Thanks to His Majesty's banquet, I was able to taste such delicious food. The imperial chef's skills are indeed superb."
“Every dish tastes incredibly fresh. The tofu is so tender and melts in your mouth. If this were made public nationwide, people would have even more delicious food on their tables.”
"Indeed, eating too many soybeans is not good for people. Your Majesty, this matter can be announced to the court tomorrow."
"If it's to be made public, the Li family can't get around it."
Elder Zong mentioned it at the opportune moment.
“Of course,” Ying Hao paused for a moment, “Since the Li family has already taken responsibility for the salt smuggling case, and now that they have made two contributions, they should naturally be rewarded. So…”
Let's balance his merits and demerits and restore his civilian status.
"Your Majesty is wise."
"I request Your Majesty to grant Li the title of Nine-Lives Agricultural Official. I need to have him participate in agricultural trials in various regions. It would be inconvenient for an ordinary person to travel around to different villages and counties."
The Grand Minister of Agriculture also spoke up. Since this method was proposed by the Li family, they must be the ones who understand it best. If someone without a title or rank were summoned, they might be assigned to farm by lower-ranking officials. However, if the Li family members are also officials of a certain rank, this can be avoided. After all, when they go down to the lower ranks, they mostly deal with officials of lower rank, and a ninth rank is enough.
"allow."
The Grand Minister of Agriculture's words make sense, and Ying Hao should accept them readily, since his merits and demerits cancel each other out and he still comes out on top.
Morning next day.
The Grand Minister of Agriculture then stepped forward to speak on the emperor's instructions.
The moment Ying Hao mentioned the breeding method, transplanting technique, and ratooning rice, the room erupted in uproar. Just as Ying Hao had predicted, no one dared to disrupt something that brought benefits to the people.
The subsequent personnel arrangements were hotly debated, with everyone wanting a piece of the pie.
Unfortunately, Ying Hao had already discussed and decided on this matter with several important officials yesterday, and the Grand Minister of Agriculture also declared that those who were only there to gain experience would not dare to squeeze in anymore.
In the end, the chosen candidate turned out to be almost identical to the one they had decided on the day before.
After finishing this matter, he brought out the tofu again.
"The Li family of Shao County not only came up with a way to increase crop yields, but also made soybeans into a delicious dish, and presented the recipe along with it."
Yesterday, I and several other officials tasted it, and the imperial physicians also investigated it overnight. This substance is harmless and easy to digest, making it best for the elderly and children.
Not only that, but it will produce more tofu than soybeans. This is truly wonderful; I have decided to announce its benefits throughout the country.
"Your Majesty is wise."
"Li was convicted of smuggling salt and the first offender has been executed. Li was also exiled. Today, he presents these two methods that benefit the world and the people, which shows Li's repentance. I am very pleased."
Today, the crimes of the Li family are pardoned. Their merits and demerits cancel each other out, and past responsibilities will not be pursued further. The Li family will be restored to commoner status, and their descendants may enter officialdom.
Furthermore, Li Xuhai was appointed as a ninth-rank agricultural official, placed under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, to assist in the trial implementation of production-increasing methods.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Ying Hao was very satisfied with this court meeting. After the meeting, he wrote four characters, "Unwavering in our original aspiration," and ordered the person who issued the decree to take them to the Li family.
In the hope that the Li family will not forget their original intention and will bring him more surprises.
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