Afterwards, Liu Hong discussed with everyone present some preparations for the next few years.
This included comprehensive and meticulous prevention and planning for various water conservancy projects, the development of the Guanzhong region, military defense in the north, governance, people's livelihood, economy, and various possible disasters.
Before they knew it, it was almost noon. Xiao Hong led a group of palace maids carrying food boxes to the outside of Deyang Palace once again.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has ordered a lady-in-waiting to bring you and your ministers food!"
"Hmm! Let them in, I'm feeling a bit hungry too!"
Liu Hong smiled and nodded. Then, he had a large round table, which he had specially commissioned, brought over and placed inside the Deyang Hall. He then sat down with Chen Fan and the others around the table.
Looking at the round table in front of them, everyone couldn't help but admire it. Everyone felt that this way of eating seemed to bring people closer together more easily than the previous separate seating arrangement.
Then, led by Xiao Hong, a group of palace maids placed a series of exquisite dishes prepared by the palace chefs in front of Chen Fan and the others, while Liu Hong was presented with three home-style dishes.
The sharp-eyed Cao Song immediately noticed the three dishes in front of the emperor, one of which was a dish that his wife had started preparing early that morning.
Seeing this, Cao Song couldn't help but reveal a strange smile, while Song Feng, not far away, glanced at the dish made by his wife without showing any emotion, feeling quite proud of himself.
Looking at the exquisite dishes on the table, Liu Hong said with a smile, "This was carefully prepared by the Empress Dowager for you all, so you mustn't waste it!"
Then, at Liu Hong's invitation, everyone chuckled and relaxed, beginning to savor the rare delicacies in front of them.
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, and the palace maids had cleared the round table, Liu Hong nodded to Song Dian, who understood and then walked towards the back hall.
Before long, a dozen eunuchs, led by Song Dian, entered the hall carrying trays. On the trays was a teacup with wisps of white steam rising from it, and a strange fragrance wafted over.
Upon smelling the aroma of tea, Cao Song's eyes lit up. He looked at the teacups on the tray and swallowed hard. Xun Shuang took a sniff of the fragrance in the air and showed a nostalgic expression.
"This is called fragrant tea. Why don't you all try it?"
Seeing the curious looks on Chen Fan and the others' faces, Liu Hong smiled and then waved his hand. The eunuchs then placed cups of fragrant tea in front of everyone.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"
Cao Song immediately took the teacup, brought it to his lips, gently blew away the rising steam, took a small sip, and then revealed an expression of extreme enjoyment.
"Tsk~, that feels good!"
After a sip of hot tea, Cao Song felt incredibly refreshed.
Then everyone followed Cao Song's example and took a sip of tea together.
"Your Majesty, this is truly wonderful!"
Chen Fan's eyes lit up after taking a sip of the fragrant tea.
"Indeed, it's a good product!"
The others also praised it highly. It has to be said that this was the first time they had tasted this kind of tea. The taste was indeed unforgettable. They had lived their whole lives and this was the first time they had ever tasted this.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Liu Hong smiled. Tea has a certain digestive effect, and since everyone had just finished eating, a cup of tea would naturally make the taste far superior to usual.
"Your Majesty, may I ask where this fragrant tea comes from?"
After finishing the cup, Chen Fan, looking as if he hadn't had enough, began to inquire about the origin of the fragrant tea. The others also looked at the emperor, after all, it would be a real pity if such a fine thing could not be enjoyed every day.
Liu Hong laughed and said, "This item was made by me when I was in the Marquis's residence. It is only available every spring! It has never been seen anywhere else."
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but show expressions of disappointment.
"Then, Your Majesty, may I ask where you are here...!"
Situ Hu Guang looked at Liu Hong with anticipation. He had decided to put aside his pride. While everyone looked at Hu Guang with gratitude, they also looked at Liu Hong with anticipation.
"Hehe~ If you gentlemen like, I have some more here. When you leave, you may wish to take some back for your family and friends to enjoy together!"
Seeing the group of high-ranking officials in the court, all of them looking like children begging for candy, Liu Hong couldn't help but laugh.
"Song Dian, go and fetch those tea leaves, and give one can to each of you!"
"promise!"
"Your Majesty, we thank you for your generous gift!"
After everyone expressed their gratitude, they carefully picked up their respective tea canisters and examined them closely, treating them as precious treasures and overjoyed.
Seeing how much everyone present loved tea, Liu Hong smiled subtly.
Thinking of the distilled liquor and refined salt that Zhang Qian, a powerful figure from Hejian, had recently presented as tribute, Liu Hong felt it was time to make his move.
Then Liu Hong looked at Song Dian beside him and said with a smile, "Go and bring out the other two items as well, and give one to each of you!"
"promise!!"
There are more good things??
Upon hearing this, everyone put down their tea canisters and watched Song Dian's departing figure with curiosity.
Soon, Song Dian led about ten eunuchs into the Deyang Palace once again. Each of them carried a tray with a wine jar the size of a human head and an exquisite wooden box on it.
"Gentlemen, why don't you open them and take a look? What do you think of these two items?"
Seeing everyone looking at the wine jar and the wooden box in front of them with curiosity, Liu Hong's lips curled up slightly, and he gestured for everyone to open them.
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