In ancient times, hunting was divided into four categories according to the season: spring hunting was for searching, summer hunting was for hunting young animals, autumn hunting was for hunting, and winter hunting was for hunting.
Spring is the breeding season for animals, and non-pregnant animals can be hunted in a planned manner.
Summer and autumn are the peak seasons for crop growth and harvest, and animals that would destroy crops can be hunted.
In winter, all things are dormant, so hunting can be carried out.
Chu Yun hooked his arm around He Zhengchu's shoulders, looking dejected. "We're not allowed to hunt freely during the Spring Hunt. It's boring!"
Chai Shibo ran over with a grin on his face. "I've made an appointment with Brother Five and Brother Six. You two should come with us!"
"Prince Ning, you guys go ahead. I'll have Zhengchu bring a barbecue stove so we can grill some meat later."
Chai Shibo licked his lips. "Did you bring enough barbecue seasoning? Do you have any dried fish left?"
He Zhengchu replied, "We're running out of seasoning and dried fish!"
Chai Shibo pointed at Chu Yun and said, "You are such a thief. You let us go into the mountains so that you and Zhengchu can steal some food." There were not many people left and they certainly couldn't invite many people along, so they could only steal some.
Chu Yun's plan was exposed, so he simply admitted, "So what? You went to Zhengchu's house several times before to ask for seasonings and dried fish. Don't think I don't know."
Chai Shibo was furious. "When did I not ask you to come along when I needed seasonings and dried fish? Chu Yun, you are so shameless!"
He Zhengchu hurried to stop the fight, "Alright, stop arguing. Prince Ning, please go quickly. Brother Chu and I will wait for you to come back and grill you."
"I don't trust you. Either you two come with me, or I won't go either."
Chu Yun was so angry that he jumped up and down, "You are so unreasonable. If you don't go, His Majesty will definitely know."
He Zhengchu discussed with Chu Yun, "How about we go together, take a walk and come back quickly."
This is the only way! Chu Yun pulled He Zhengchu, "Let's not go with him!"
Chai Shilun, who happened to be passing by, heard Chu Yun's last words, walked over with a big laugh and asked, "What happened? Did you have a fight? Chu Yun, do you want to be in a group with me?"
Several people quickly bowed and greeted.
Chu Yun was always smooth-talking. "Prince Jin, I dare not be in the same group with you. I am not good at riding and shooting to begin with. If I am in the same group with you, won't I look even worse?"
"Eighth brother is here this year too!"
Chu Yun shook his head quickly, "Then I won't go either. The Eighth Prince doesn't know how to ride or shoot. There are so many people coming to the Spring Hunt. If people knew that I only picked on those who can't ride or shoot, I would be laughed to death."
It’s not that Chai Shiqin doesn’t know how to do it at all, it’s just that his aptitude is too poor. Even after years of learning, he still can’t shoot the target accurately.
Chai Shilun looked displeased and was about to tease Chu Yun when he heard Chai Shirong shout to Chai Shiqin, "Eighth brother, join me in the group."
Chai Shilun, Chu Yun, and the others were all surprised. Chai Shirong had always looked down on Chai Shiqin, so why would he take the initiative to invite him? The sun rose from the west?
Chai Shiqin pointed at Chai Shilun and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I have asked my second brother to take me with him."
Chai Shirong did not take Chai Shilun seriously, "Second brother, I will not bother you with my eighth brother anymore."
Chai Shilun narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with coldness. "Why is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince so kind today?"
"What do you mean by that? Eighth brother is my biological brother. Shouldn't I take care of him?"
"Hmph! Whether it's out of consideration for family affection or for personal gain, only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince knows." After saying that, Chai Shilun ignored everyone and left with his guards.
Chai Shibo was afraid that Chai Shirong would get angry, so he pulled Chu Yun and He Zhengchu, hurriedly saluted Chai Shirong, and quickly slipped away.
Chai Shirong looked at Chai Shilun viciously, "Sooner or later, I will make you pay the price."
Chai Shiqin also looked at Chai Shilun. He didn't want to be in the same group with Chai Shirong, but he was angry but dared not say anything.
Chai Shirong noticed Chai Shiqin's gaze and, unable to suppress his anger, kicked Chai Shiqin hard. "What are you looking at? I told you to follow me, and I'm wronging you?"
Chai Shiqin stumbled a few steps and quickly bowed to apologize, "Shiqin dare not!"
"I don't think you dare!" Then he turned and left.
Chai Shiqin looked down at the footprints on his new brocade robe expressionlessly, patted them twice, neither lightly nor heavily, and then followed.
With Emperor Jianning around, most people had to go into the mountains. If they hunted a pregnant animal and it was exposed, it would easily cause trouble. However, it was often difficult to tell whether an animal was pregnant or not.
Therefore, spring hunting is more like a formality: everyone goes to the mountains to hunt lean animals, kills a few, and then returns.
Emperor Jianning also returned to his palace in Dongqi Mountain early and held a banquet in the evening to entertain his ministers.
Chai Shibo complained to Chai Shiyan next to him that the food was not tasty, and then asked Chai Shijing through Chai Shiyan, "Sixth brother, do you have the seasoning for Miss Kang's barbecue?"
Chai Shijing smiled and nodded, "Yes, I brought some over and will send it to you later."
Chai Shibo was so happy that his voice became louder, "That's great, Sixth Brother, don't forget!" He could make an appointment with Chu Yun and He Zhengchu to go barbecue in the evening.
Chai Shirong asked, "Seventh brother, what's so great? Tell us so we can be happy."
Emperor Jianning also looked at Chai Shibo with interest.
Chai Shibo chuckled twice, "Father, I hunted a buck and want to roast it tonight. I asked Sixth Brother for some seasoning."
Chai Shirong asked again, "What kind of seasoning is so good that you have to go out of your way to ask for it?"
"It was given to Sixth Brother by Miss Kang. It's specially used for barbecue."
It's Kang Yueran again! Chai Shirong wanted to bite his teeth. "Sixth brother, Miss Kang didn't come to the capital. Is she doing something important that will benefit the people?"
Chai Shijing lowered his eyebrows and smiled, "She is planting tea in Anzhou and is very busy!"
Emperor Jianning asked doubtfully, "Is Anzhou's climate suitable for growing tea?"
"I don't know either, but Miss Kang said it's okay."
If the planting is successful, Kang Yueran will have made another contribution.
Chai Shirong couldn't help but want to make things difficult for Kang Yueran, "Sixth brother, the colored porcelain made by Miss Kang is very exquisite. Why don't you persuade her to hand over the firing method to the Imperial Household Department so that she can make colored porcelain for our father. This can be regarded as a filial act on your part."
Before Chai Shijing could answer, Emperor Jianning's face turned cold and he said, "You are advising the sixth son to be filial, but where is your filial piety?" He is the emperor, not a robber. He cannot ask anyone to hand in a prescription just because he likes it.
Duke Lu cursed Chai Shirong inwardly, then quickly tried to make amends for him, "Your Majesty, Miss Kang's colored porcelain is truly unique. Why not list it as tribute porcelain and order the Minister of the Imperial Household to purchase it? What do you think, Your Majesty?"
Emperor Jianning really liked colored porcelain, "Yes!"
"Anzhou is far away, and the colored porcelain is fragile. Why not send someone to Anzhou to draw the design of the colored porcelain, and then have the emperor decide on it before ordering Miss Kang to make it?"
Procurement costs money, and Duke Lu's method can save money. "Then let the Minister of the Treasury select a few people to go to Anzhou."
Duke Lu pretended to look at Chai Shiqin calmly, "Your Majesty, how about asking the Eighth Prince to go?"
Chai Shiqin was not very talented, but he was very hardworking and had good calligraphy and painting skills.
He immediately stood up and knelt in the middle, "Father, I am willing to go and share your worries."
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