The new dishes launched by Zhaixinglou have attracted many customers. There are many wealthy people in the capital who are curious, and the new dishes are not expensive. For a time, Zhaixinglou was praised as the best in the world.
Zhao Zhe came not to try something new, but because he had someone bring the remaining six hundred taels of gold. Tao Wanniang glanced at the box and thought, well, she probably couldn't move it herself.
"Your Majesty, although this is what I deserve, I am a little flustered that it has all been given to me so suddenly," Tao Wanniang said, glancing at Zhao Zhe as she handed over the letter.
"Are you planning to send me to Youzhou again?" Tao Wanniang asked tentatively when Zhao Zhe did not reply for a moment. "The Zhaixing Tower there is still under construction. If I go now, it will probably be completed by the time I get there."
“No, Sister Tao doesn’t need to leave the capital anytime soon. If other Zhaixing Towers in other places need someone to inspect them, Sister Tao can find someone else,” Zhao Zhe said. “Sister Tao, you’re really a hidden talent!”
Tao Wanniang was taken aback, seemingly not quite understanding Zhao Zhe's meaning.
"According to the memorial from the Ministry of Revenue, the grain in Sister Tao's fields is not only of excellent quality but also has a high yield. If it could be planted by the people of Dayue, the famine of the past would not have occurred again." Zhao Zhe looked at Tao Wanniang, "Sister Tao, how do you have such excellent rice seeds?"
“Your Majesty, these rice seeds are ones that I saved from farming before. But even if I had these seeds back then, I couldn’t grow them because of the drought and lack of water!” Tao Wanniang said casually. “But it’s strange, we really couldn’t grow such good ones in our hometown.”
"You mean this millet doesn't grow this well back in your hometown?" Zhao Zhe asked.
“Yes, if we could get four or five hundred catties per mu in Lingjia Village, we could survive for a few years even in a drought!” Tao Wanniang said. “It’s only because the land in the capital is fertile and there is enough rain that we can grow such good millet!”
Zhao Zhe knew nothing about farming, and he couldn't tell whether Tao Wan's mother's explanation was right or wrong.
"Where did those potatoes, tomatoes, and cauliflower come from?"
“Youzhou!” Tao Wanniang replied very frankly, “There are many people in Youzhou who sell things imported from other tribes. I bought a lot of seeds, and I have eaten the products that grow from them myself.”
That's it? Zhao Zhe was quite skeptical. Tao Wanniang seemed like a smart person. Could she really die from eating things she didn't know about?
“Your Majesty, I am a countrywoman and have experienced famine.” Tao Wanniang continued, seeing Zhao Zhe’s frown. “In the past, when there was famine, we first found food in the river and then in the mountains. Whether we recognized it or not, we would starve to death if we didn’t eat it.”
"Generally speaking, I know which foods won't cause any problems. And let me tell you, these tomatoes taste really good," Tao Wanniang said confidently. "How about I prepare a few new dishes for His Majesty?"
"You're so confident that I can eat this new dish too?" Zhao Zhe chuckled. How dare you be so reckless as to put something in his mouth?
"Your Majesty, I'm sure thousands of people have tried my new dishes. They're really good. We run a restaurant and welcome guests from all directions. Of course, we wouldn't serve anything with problems."
Tao Wanniang spoke with great confidence. These things were novel here, but she knew that in other dimensions, they were just ordinary and commonplace!
Zhao Zhe was moved by Tao Wanniang's confidence, or rather, he wanted these things to be promoted to the whole people, and he wanted his people to have more food.
"Then... let's serve the food!"
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" the eunuch immediately advised. "Shouldn't we be more cautious about something we've never even heard of before?"
“Then you guys eat first!” Zhao Zhe said decisively.
Tao Wanniang smiled secretly and left. Oh no, she forgot the gold!
Tao Wanniang put a lot of effort into preparing the dishes for the Emperor, ensuring that Zhao Zhe would enjoy them to his heart's content.
When the dishes were served, Tao Wanniang was also present. After all, they were new dishes, and she had to act as if she were in charge. Watching the head eunuch tasting the dishes before Zhao Zhe picked up his chopsticks, Tao Wanniang remained very calm.
Upon tasting the tomato fish, the eunuch immediately showed an expression of amazement. How could the sour taste be so delicious?
And this so-called cauliflower, isn't it really a flower? It looks so strange yet beautiful, and it's so crunchy!
And these potatoes, why are they called potatoes? They're different from beans, they're soft and tender when you eat them, mmm...
"Hong Gui, are you planning to eat all these dishes of mine for yourself?" Zhao Zhe teased, seeing the chief eunuch engrossed in eating.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" The head eunuch's hand trembled as he immediately spoke.
Tao Wanniang didn't laugh out loud; she was thinking about how she could get that huge box of gold out of the house.
"Sister Tao, it seems this stuff is indeed delicious. In that case, I'd like to ask if it's permissible for the people to grow it?" Zhao Zhe asked calmly as he ate his food.
They want her grain, and now they want her vegetables. Tao Wanniang is a little angry. They should at least give her some consideration first!
"Your Majesty's compassion for the people is a blessing, and I am not a stingy person. However, I have a suggestion," Tao Wanniang said. "Your Majesty could have people plant a certain type of my grain and vegetables in the royal gardens first. After Your Majesty's people have learned the planting technique, it can then be promoted on a small scale. Wouldn't that be better?"
"Sister Tao is right. I'll need your guidance then," Zhao Zhe nodded. "Also, since you're so generous, have you decided what reward you'd like?"
"Hehe!" Tao Wanniang chuckled. "A reward is only a reward given by the Emperor. If a common woman were to ask for it, wouldn't that be considered taking something?"
"Let me think about it. Would you like to be promoted and given a higher rank?" Zhao Zhe asked calmly.
Tao Wanniang was taken aback. Why would a woman like her want an official position?
"Your Majesty, please don't! I am but a humble woman, it is not appropriate for me." Tao Wanniang didn't care about being coy anymore. "I love money, I like houses and fertile fields alike."
"Not pretending anymore?" Zhao Zhe laughed. "Sister Tao, as long as you benefit my people, I will not treat you unfairly."
"His Majesty loves his country and his people, which is a blessing to the nation. I am just doing my bit," Tao Wanniang said modestly. "This has made my trip to Youzhou worthwhile. Ah, those foreign tribes, only I have the courage. It seems I have gained a great advantage!"
"Sister Tao is truly courageous!" Zhao Zhe exclaimed. Tao Wanniang is indeed a remarkable woman!
"This humble woman will not disturb Your Majesty's meal any longer. Um... could this gentleman please help me carry this box?" Tao Wanniang still couldn't let go of the gold.
"Yes!" Zhao Zhe replied, and Tao Wanniang immediately thanked him, then led the people to move the box to the room where Bai Yumei was.
"Thank you very much, sir!" Tao Wanniang politely slipped a gold ingot to the guard who had helped her, then smiled and watched him leave.
"Sister Tao, is it gold again?" Bai Yumei was numb to it; this wasn't the first time.
"Of course, it's gold!" Tao Wanniang smiled radiantly; her wealth... had increased dramatically once again!
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