Chapter 274 Abundant Harvest
"Come on, let's get down to business first. There are so many treasures, we need to pick them quickly, weigh them, measure them, and record the data. We won't be able to do without this when we promote planting in the future."
Without hesitation, Jiang Huan rolled up her sleeves and directed the palace servants beside her, who were equally astonished.
The greenhouse gradually became bustling with activity. Jiang Huan personally took charge, placing the picked tomatoes into baskets, then picking up a measuring tape: "The first tomato plant, two feet one and a half inches tall..."
He Ling immediately lowered her head and wrote furiously, repeating to herself, "Two feet and one and a half inches tall... I've got it!"
“The number of fruits… Let me count, one, two, three… nine! Good heavens!” Jiang Huan was surprised even after counting them herself.
Nine?
He Ling paused, almost puncturing the booklet, and looked up with wide eyes.
"This output is incredible!" She quickly wrote it down, her hands trembling slightly.
Jiang Huan then randomly selected several tomatoes to measure their diameter and weigh them, and reported the data one by one.
He Ling took notes quickly, occasionally letting out a low gasp of surprise.
After nearly an hour of work, all the tomatoes and watermelons were finally harvested and measured.
He Ling looked at the densely packed data in the booklet, let out a long sigh, rubbed her sore wrists, but her eyes were bright and sparkling.
"Your Majesty, remember this well. If our harvest were in modern times, we'd be lucky to become great men!"
Jiang Huan took the record book and carefully flipped through it, feeling a great sense of satisfaction welling up inside her.
It really worked.
They brought these common modern crops to this era and grew them so well!
"He Ling, you stay here, I'll go find the Emperor first."
She closed the booklet, her voice rising slightly with excitement.
"I have to let him see these treasures with his own eyes!"
Her eyes were bright, as if she held the key to a bright future.
Jiang Huan was in a good mood as she walked toward the Imperial Study.
Until they bumped into an official who was about to go in to report on his duties, under the outer corridor of the palace.
The man was around forty years old, with a thin face, wearing the official robes of a fourth-rank official, holding the title of Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and was a member of the Empress Dowager's faction.
When Zhou Shaoqing saw Jiang Huan, he stopped abruptly and frowned.
His junior official nervously reminded him, "Sir, this is Consort Zhuang..."
Consort Zhuang?
The Empress Dowager was stripped of power and neglected because of this vixen who brought disaster to the country and the people and used despicable means.
Ah, look at the mud spots on this palace dress, and look at these crooked hairpins. Where is the elegance and nobility that a concubine should have?
The Emperor has truly been bewitched. Tired of delicacies, he has condescended to eat such rustic, rotten vegetables. It is truly unbecoming of him!
But given his status, no matter how disdainful he was, he dared not overlook it.
He then gave a perfunctory bow, his tone laced with sarcasm: "So it's Consort Zhuang. What brings you here instead of enjoying flowers and tea in the inner palace?"
Jiang Huan paused, raising an eyebrow slightly.
She didn't know this person, and the moment they met, he started making sarcastic remarks like a sour cucumber come to mind; he must have some serious illness.
Despite her heartfelt feelings, she smiled innocently and said, "You flatter me, sir. I do have some small matters to discuss with His Majesty, but you seem to be in a hurry, so there must be important state affairs at hand. Please go ahead."
She stepped aside to make way, her graceful demeanor making the other person appear petty in comparison.
Zhou Shaoqing snorted, straightened his official robes, raised his head and went in first, thinking to himself that what serious business could a concubine possibly have?
Jiang Huan followed him in at a leisurely pace.
Inside the Imperial Study, Huo Lin was reviewing memorials.
Zhou Shaoqing immediately bowed, and secretly glanced at Jiang Huan, before launching into a long, detailed account of a certain sacrificial ceremony, including the rules of music and dance, nitpicking and making everyone drowsy.
Huo Lin frowned slightly.
[It's all these empty formalities again. I really want to throw all these idiots the Empress Dowager let in into the altar and burn them.]
He listened patiently for a while longer, and finally interrupted the minister sharply just before he was about to launch into another rambling speech.
"It's all the same old routine. Go find your teacher to recite your lessons. I don't have the time for that."
"How about we talk about something new? I've heard that the budget for this sacrificial ceremony has exceeded the limit by 30%, and the price of incense and candles is twice the market price."
"Minister Zhou asked for so much money, these incense sticks must have something special about them, could they be spiritually connected?"
Zhou Shaoqing was speechless for a moment, sweating profusely as he said, "Your Majesty is wise; all the tributes used were of the highest quality..."
"Top-grade tribute?" Huo Lin sneered, tossing out a memorial listing the crimes.
"I'm afraid these offerings aren't for the gods and ancestors, but rather to be moved into your storeroom!"
Zhou Shaoqing was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly: "I am innocent! I had no such intention!"
Huo Lin ignored him and turned his gaze to Jiang Huan, his tone softening.
"You've arrived."
Jiang Huan then stepped forward, took out the record book, and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, the new crops that He Ling and I tried to plant in the palace have been successfully harvested. This is a detailed record. Please take a look."
Huo Lin took the booklet and opened it, seeing the crop names, descriptions of their characteristics, and the unexpectedly high number of fruits and estimated yield.
His pupils dilated slightly: "Good, excellent! This is a great achievement that benefits the country and its people."
These crops, called tomatoes and watermelons, have strange names, but their yields are surprisingly reliable!
Zhou Shaoqing remained kneeling on the spot, his head bowed as low as it could go.
He had just been mocking the other party, and in the blink of an eye, the other party presented him with a brand-new product that could be described as auspicious.
That slap in the face really hurts.
Huo Lin carefully reviewed the records, becoming increasingly pleased with them. He nodded approvingly at Jiang Huan, then glanced coldly at Zhou Shaoqing.
"You heard everything? Consort Zhuang's actions are to show you what the truth is! Don't you understand what's important and what's not?"
Zhou Shaoqing immediately broke out in a cold sweat: "Your subject... Your subject knows his crime..."
"Get out and reflect on your actions! I will have someone thoroughly investigate the accounts of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices!" Huo Lin waved his hand impatiently.
Zhou Shaoqing scrambled out of the room.
The imperial study fell silent. Huo Lin held the record book with obvious delight, his eyes filled with pride as he looked at Jiang Huan.
She always manages to surprise me, so I should give her a surprise in return.
The following day at court, Huo Lin issued an imperial edict.
He generously rewarded the Xu family for Xu Zhengqing's extensive knowledge, meritorious teaching, and upright family traditions.
Furthermore, Xu Zhengqing was personally appointed to preside over the imperial examinations the following spring, taking on the important task of selecting scholars from across the land. This was an immense trust and honor bestowed upon him.
At the same time, he promoted Xu Xiuyuan, exceptionally elevating him to the position of Junior Grand Master of the Palace, suddenly brightening his future prospects.
This decree caused a slight ripple in the imperial court.
No one dared to object to Xu Zhengqing's reward and appointment, as his qualifications and reputation certainly deserved it.
However, officials from the Empress Dowager's faction still stepped forward to promote Xu Xiuyuan despite the unusual circumstances.
"Your Majesty's promotion of a promising young talent is a good thing, but Xu Xiuyuan is still inexperienced. Suddenly promoting him to such an important position is against the norm. Moreover, the Xu family is favored too much, which is likely to cause controversy, Your Majesty."
His words were full of criticism, pointing to the emperor's favoritism and violation of the rules.
The atmosphere in the court became heavy, and many officials held their breath, secretly observing the emperor's reaction.
Huo Lin was not angry; instead, a cold smile appeared on his lips.
"Wang Degui, read aloud to all of you the pages in the record book that Consort Zhuang presented yesterday, the ones about the new crop harvest."
"Yes," Wang Degui replied with a bow, took out the booklet that Jiang Huan had sent yesterday, and read it aloud.
"A new crop, tomatoes. One plant can produce dozens of fruits, and it can be planted in all four seasons."
"Newly planted melons and fruits, watermelons. A single melon can weigh tens of kilograms, and is sweet and juicy, making it a perfect summer treat."
The court officials were all incredulous; they had never even heard of these two crops, let alone seen them.
The minister who had just spoken changed his expression, his face stiffening and looking somewhat comical.
Huo Lin looked at the minister: "Just now you said that Xu Xiuyuan's promotion was against the norm? That the favor shown to him was too great and would easily attract criticism?"
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp: "Then let me ask you, if Consort Zhuang's cultivation of such a high-yield crop could be promoted throughout the land, how many people could be saved? How much could the national treasury be increased? Is such an achievement a blessing or a curse for the country and its people?"
"The Xu family has raised such a granddaughter and presented such an auspicious and virtuous seed. I admire their family tradition and employ their talent. What is wrong with that?"
The minister was speechless, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.
Faced with such enormous achievements that could significantly impact the national economy and people's livelihood, his doubts seem so pale and laughable.
He knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty is wise, Consort Zhuang has rendered great service to the country, and Your Majesty's rewards and punishments are fair and just, which is truly a blessing for the world!"
Other officials who had previously harbored some ulterior motives also lowered their heads, deeply shocked.
Huo Lin glanced coldly at the minister kneeling on the ground, but did not tell him to get up. His gaze swept over the assembled officials.
"Who else thinks I've shown too much favor to the Xu family?"
However, there are always some pedantic people.
An elderly member of the imperial clan stepped forward, trembling. He first acknowledged the merits, then changed the subject: "However... Consort Zhuang has been in the palace for quite some time, yet she has not been able to produce an heir for His Majesty."
Huo Lin's face instantly darkened, his icy gaze sweeping across the court, which fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone held their breath and watched.
Huo Lin remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice devoid of emotion.
"I'm not even in a hurry about the imperial heir, yet you ministers are getting anxious for me? Does any of you have an ancestral secret recipe for conceiving a son that can guarantee I'll have a healthy baby boy?"
When asked this question, the old clansman opened his mouth, unsure how to answer.
If there's no secret recipe, then why are you rushing me?
But if I were to reveal that I have a secret recipe, wouldn't that be courting death?
Huo Lin looked at his embarrassed appearance and the little voice in his heart snorted smugly.
Having children is his and Jiang Huan's business. Why are these old men worrying about it? They should use that time to think about how to increase the income of the people.
Huo Lin waved his hand: "Alright, alright, I know what I'm doing, there's no need to discuss it further."
The old clansman was speechless and retreated awkwardly.
The court assembly continued, and several ministers stepped forward to report on other government affairs. Huo Lin sat upright, but as he listened, his mind wandered.
Whether he has children or not, he really doesn't care.
But thinking about it, it's not so bad when a little baby crawls up and tugs at his clothes while he's reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study.
Wait, won't the baby's crying at night keep her from sleeping?
No, no, then let's not have this baby...
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