The corn was simply plucked from the cob, and a bunch of courtiers rushed forward, peeling off the husks and then clumsily rubbing the kernels together...
In the potato field, plows parted the furrows, and countless people rushed in to pick up potatoes.
Li Zhensheng's head ached from looking at it, so he instructed the manager to flip through it a second time. Because there were so many people, some potatoes had been trampled back into the soil...
In this chaotic manner, it took a full hour before the corn kernels and potatoes were finally weighed.
Needless to say, the verified high productivity figures excited everyone.
An old minister knelt on the ground and wailed loudly.
Some people rolled around with corn stalks, while others started eating potatoes raw...
Old Master Liu was a cunning old fox who had been in officialdom for many years. Liu Zhiheng was quite familiar with this kind of scene. At this moment, he pretended to be extremely excited, but in reality, he was making a few complaints in his heart from time to time.
Back then, when these people took the imperial examinations, they weren't tested on their writing skills, but rather on their acting abilities, right?
That's crying so exaggeratedly, snot is running down her face!
And what's with that guy who ate the potato and then the potato vine? Can he even bite it?
Li Zhensheng and Li Laosi had little experience with this. They exchanged a glance and hid behind the Marquis. The Marquis's cold face could subdue all evil spirits and heretics in the world!
Sure enough, the ministers, perhaps overacting, became momentarily confused and even tried to pull the Marquis into tears.
But before they could get close, the cold and austere aura surrounding the Marquis froze them in their tracks. They quickly turned away to find others to "cooperate" with and continue to express their excitement and joy!
The Emperor was truly delighted!
Although he had known about it for a long time and had sent his secret guards to keep an eye on the area for a year, he still couldn't help but feel excited when hundreds of acres of high-yield grain actually appeared in front of him!
These two new grains solved Tianwu's urgent problem.
Originally, the imperial court and the people had moved to Jiangnan, but only half the land was left to feed all the people of Tianwu, which was simply not enough. He and his civil and military officials were extremely worried.
Especially for the emperor, who lost half of the country under his rule and was already etched on the pillar of shame, if he could not reclaim Jiangbei, he would be a figure reviled by the people for thousands of years to come!
The appearance of these two new grains is truly an auspicious sign that Heaven still favors Tianwu!
He, the emperor, has not been forgotten by Heaven; his precarious position will once again be as solid as a rock!
"Auspicious omens descend from heaven, protecting Tianwu!" The emperor cheered loudly, holding an ear of corn in one hand and a large potato in the other.
The performance of all the officials finally reached a unified stage: they all knelt down, kowtowed to the emperor, and shouted loudly!
"Auspicious omens descend from the heavens, protecting Tianwu!"
"Auspicious omens descend from the heavens, protecting Tianwu!"
For a time, the sounds echoed throughout the fields!
The Emperor asked again, "Where is Li Zhensheng? Where is Liu Zhiheng?"
Li Zhensheng and Liu Zhiheng immediately crawled forward on their knees, kowtowing and replying, "You humble subjects are here!"
The Emperor said, "The Marquis of Xinting reported that one of you obtained such a high-yield new grain from the Tibetan monks in Quanzhou, and the other worked hard to cultivate the land, which led to this bumper harvest and such auspicious omens! I will reward you handsomely. Do you have any requests? Just say them!"
Liu Zhiheng chuckled and replied, "Your Majesty, my father often says that I am good for nothing, that I have loved money since childhood and am not cut out for studying. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to grant me a nominal position so that I can occasionally attend court with my father. This way, I can finally shed the label of 'idiot'! My father will then naturally be unable to scold me anymore!"
His words were so humorous that everyone, who had been extremely excited and moved to tears, almost burst into laughter.
Old Master Liu, in particular, rushed forward and almost gritted his teeth as he scolded his son, "How dare you bring a family joke to the Emperor? Besides, you've only farmed a few acres of land, what merit have you made, yet you have the audacity to ask for an official position!"
The Emperor waved his hand and laughed, "Lord Liu, you are mistaken. To ensure a high yield of new grain next year, we really need someone to guide the planting."
After saying this, he loudly proclaimed, "Liu Zhiheng, listen to my decree: I hereby appoint you as a fourth-rank official, to serve in the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and to assist the Department in promoting the planting of new grains next year."
"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty!" Liu Zhiheng was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude.
When he got up, he even raised his chin at Old Master Liu, and his smug look made everyone laugh.
The Emperor then looked at Li Zhensheng, "Li Zhensheng, the new grain has been bestowed upon us, and you deserve the most credit. Is there anything you desire? Just tell me!"
Li Zhensheng kowtowed and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, my background is mysterious. I left home many years ago. As the eldest son, I failed to fulfill my filial duty to my mother and protect my younger brother. I have always felt guilty and unable to eat or sleep properly."
"Now, thanks to the Emperor's great fortune, I have had this fortunate opportunity to obtain a high yield of grain. I wish to use this meager contribution to ask for an imperial title for my elderly mother and a nominal position for my second brother."
"Firstly, my mother is old and no longer has to be bullied because of her lowly status. Secondly, it would also compensate my younger brother for having to give up his dream of studying because I disappeared and he had to shoulder the burden of supporting the family."
"From now on, when I'm out and about, I won't have to worry about my family at all."
The emperor and his ministers were stunned. With such a great opportunity and such an outstanding achievement, Li Zhensheng could have easily secured a hereditary dukedom for himself.
But he demanded an imperial title for his mother and official positions for his brothers, without thinking of himself at all...
This person is just too loyal and devoted!
Some officials, in particular, recalled the infighting within their own families and were incredibly envious of the Li family's unity and harmony, and even more envious of the Li family having such an eldest son.
The Emperor personally helped Li Zhensheng to his feet and said, "As I just said, I will grant you any request you may have. Since you have asked for these two things, I will bestow upon your mother the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady and grant your second son the title of Earl of Zhongshan, a hereditary title!"
The title of First-Rank Imperial Lady is the highest rank for women. Although it is rare, there are seven or eight in Tianwu, so it is not particularly rare.
Moreover, they are usually elderly women who receive a small salary and are treated with respect when they go out.
When life ends, this glory will be gone.
But a count is different; he has a salary, a hundred guards, can attend grand court assemblies, and can submit memorials that reach the emperor directly.
To put it simply, this is an official position without specific duties, but one that allows one to express opinions at any time and influence the court!
With this title, the Li family was able to fully integrate into the elite class of Tianwu.
What's more, this title is hereditary and can be passed down without fail!
As long as the Li family doesn't rebel or usurp the throne, they can pass this title down from generation to generation!
Others might be indifferent, at most envying or jealous of the Li family's extraordinary encounter.
But Marquis Dingbei couldn't hold back any longer, even though he had never directly clashed with the Li family.
But whether it was his ex-wife with whom he had divorced, his brother-in-law from the Jiao family who had been stripped of his official position, or the Liu family who had always opposed him, the Marquis of Xinting was constantly suppressing him and making him unable to lift his head.
Which one of them isn't on good terms with the Li family, with countless connections?
It's unclear whether it would be detrimental to him if the Li family gained power, but it certainly wouldn't be beneficial!
Marquis Dingbei immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Li family are merely refugees; isn't this reward too generous?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com