Time is the fairest painter.
It uses the years as its pen and the landscape as its scroll, silently depicting the changes of an era.
Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.
The Great Xiao Dynasty, which once teetered on the brink of war and power struggles, is now a place of peace and prosperity.
The capital city, right under the emperor's nose, was even more prosperous and magnificent.
On the wide, bluestone-paved streets, carriages and horses thronged, and people flowed in great numbers. Caravans from the north and south brought rare and exotic treasures from all corners of the world; enthusiastic shouts emanated from the shops lining the streets. Children laughed and chased each other through the crowds; the sweet aroma of candied hawthorns and the smoky fragrance of roasted sweet potatoes mingled in the air, creating the most simple yet touching atmosphere of this prosperous time.
Inside the teahouse, a storyteller was speaking with great enthusiasm, recounting the legendary tale of how the current emperor, in his incognito visit, outwitted corrupt officials in Jiangnan.
Inside the tavern, scholars and poets were engaged in lively discussions, praising the Empress for her timeless virtue of overcoming opposition to establish the "Royal Girls' School," enabling women to study and enter officialdom.
Meanwhile, in the fields, farmers beam with genuine, satisfied smiles as they gaze upon the heavy ears of rice.
Besides the Emperor and Empress, they were also grateful to a figure who had been imbued with countless legendary tales by the common people—the Crown Prince, Prince Xiao Tuan.
In the capital city today, if you were to ask who His Highness the Crown Prince is, even a three-year-old child could probably recount several of his "miracles".
There are rumors that His Highness the Crown Prince is the reincarnation of Shennong, and was born with the "abilities of Shennong".
It was he who personally led agricultural officials to improve the "Champa rice" in the south, tripling its yield and allowing countless people to completely say goodbye to hunger.
It was he who traveled thousands of miles from the frigid far north to find the cold-resistant "rye," which was then widely promoted on the northern border, solving the food problem for the soldiers guarding the frontier.
What's more, at the age of sixteen, the Crown Prince personally established an unprecedented institution—the "Royal Academy of Sciences"—at the suggestion of the Empress.
This mysterious academy of sciences does not study classics, history, philosophy, or literature, nor does it discuss metaphysical articles.
They only study one problem.
This is a question that concerns everyone from royalty and nobility to ordinary people.
How can we ensure that the people of the Great Depression not only have enough to eat, but also eat well?
It is said that the Academy of Sciences gathers all the world's famous chefs, agronomists, and even literary figures with a deep understanding of ingredients. Their daily task is to research various cuisines and improve various ingredients in ever-changing ways.
The precise cooking techniques for Dongpo pork, the optimal Sichuan peppercorn ratio for Mapo tofu, and even how to make northern apples as sweet as southern lychees...
In short, there's nothing they won't study that's related to "eating".
Therefore, this talented and gentle prince, in addition to the reputation of "Shennong Prince" among the people, also has a more down-to-earth and deeply rooted nickname...
——“Gourmet Prince”!
...
Unlike the folk tales filled with everyday life, the atmosphere in the East Palace's study at this moment was rather... tense.
The Crown Prince, Prince Xiao Tuan, was rubbing his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.
He just turned sixteen this year.
He was dressed in a black robe embroidered with a four-clawed golden dragon, with a tall and straight figure and a handsome face. His phoenix eyes were exactly like his father's, but because he always had a smile on his face, they lacked the coldness of an emperor and instead had a gentle warmth that made people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.
At this moment, however, the usually gentle Crown Prince's expression carried a hint of helplessness and... weariness that was incongruous with his age.
Standing before him were two elderly ministers, both with white hair and beards, who held significant influence in the Great Xiao court.
One of them was the Minister of Revenue, Lord Zhang.
One of them was Minister of Works, Lord Li.
These two officials are usually prudent, mature, and pillars of the nation who never show their emotions.
But now, they're like two sulking children, glaring at each other and neither willing to give in.
"Minister Li! What do you mean by that?!" Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Revenue was furious, his face flushed red. "Every penny of the money allocated by my Ministry of Revenue for the Yellow River dike repair project is accounted for! How can you say that my Ministry of Revenue has embezzled funds from your Ministry of Works?!"
"Hmph! Accounts are dead, but people are alive!" Minister of Works Li retorted without backing down, scoffing, "Why did the originally ordered 'three-in-one soil' turn into ordinary mud downstream? If it wasn't for embezzling silver and using inferior materials, did the 'three-in-one soil' grow legs and run away on its own?!"
"You...you're spouting nonsense!"
"I'm arguing based on reason!"
It seemed that the two ministers were about to have a full-blown fight in the study of the Eastern Palace.
Xiao Tuan sighed.
He knew that both of these officials were loyal and upright ministers who served the country well, but they were both a bit... stubborn when it came to politics.
If it were someone else in this situation, they would probably be completely overwhelmed and not know how to resolve it.
However, Xiao Tuan simply raised his gentle phoenix eyes and calmly looked at the two ministers who were arguing.
In his view, everything in the world was no different from what ordinary people saw.
Only...
Some strange things will appear on people's heads.
Like right now.
He saw that above the head of Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Revenue, who was trembling with anger, was a bowl of... steaming crucian carp soup.
The soup was milky white, and sprinkled with a few bright green scallions. It was clear that it had been carefully simmered for a long time.
Above the head of the furious Minister of Works, Li, floated a pot of... simple and elegant fine wine.
Beside the wine pot, there was even an exquisite wine cup.
Upon seeing these two items, a look of understanding flashed in Xiao Tuan's eyes.
His abilities have undergone a dramatic transformation as he has aged.
When he was a child, he could only see the "food" that others wanted to eat most at that moment.
Now, at sixteen, what he can see has long since transcended the realm of "appetite".
What he can see is... a person's deepest "desire" or, most profound "obsession".
For example, the bowl of crucian carp soup on Lord Zhang's head.
It represents more than just "wanting to drink soup".
It represents... Lord Zhang's deep worry and concern for his wife, who was bedridden and had a poor appetite.
And the wine jug above Lord Li's head.
It represents more than just "wanting to drink".
It represents... his deep regret and resentment at losing a pot of his treasured "Bamboo Leaf Green" tea yesterday, when he lost to a close friend in the game of chess by a single move.
Having seen through all this, in Xiao Tuan's view, the argument before him was no longer an irreconcilable political conflict, but rather... the venting and dissatisfaction of two "poor" old men.
well……
Xiao Tuan sighed inwardly.
Being an emperor is really difficult.
It's even harder to be an emperor who can see through everyone's "secrets".
He felt that he not only had to handle state affairs, but also had to take on the role of "psychological counselor" for all the civil and military officials.
"My lords."
He finally spoke, slowly.
His gentle yet authoritative voice instantly silenced the two arguing ministers.
“Lord Zhang,” Xiao Tuan’s gaze first fell on the Minister of Revenue, his voice carrying a hint of concern, “I have heard that your wife’s cold seems to have worsened recently?”
Lord Zhang was taken aback, clearly not expecting His Highness the Crown Prince to suddenly ask about this. He nodded subconsciously, a hint of worry flashing across his face: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Indeed. Recently, my wife... has lost her appetite, alas..."
Xiao Tuan smiled gently and said, "I have already ordered the Imperial Hospital to send a batch of newly presented 'golden bird's nest' to your residence. In addition, I have heard that there is a folk remedy that uses crucian carp to make soup, supplemented with a few warm and nourishing medicinal herbs. It has a remarkable effect on the spleen and stomach of people who are recovering from a cold. Lord Zhang, you may wish to give it a try."
These words left Lord Zhang speechless, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart that was hard to describe.
He never expected that his wife's minor illness would be so concerning to His Highness the Crown Prince! He even thought of folk remedies for him!
What a divine grace this is!
In an instant, the raging anger he felt over political matters was extinguished by half by this warm current of emotion.
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Tuan's gaze turned to Minister Li of the Ministry of Works.
His smile remained unchanged: "Lord Li."
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is here." Even Lord Li was somewhat taken aback by this sudden "appeasement" offensive.
"I heard that you played a game of chess with the chess master Wang yesterday?" Xiao Tuan asked.
Lord Li's old face flushed red instantly, and he coughed awkwardly, "Yes...yes. Your subject is inferior in skill and has lost by a mere half a point."
Xiao Tuan smiled, took out a thread-bound ancient book from the bookshelf behind him, and handed it over.
"Recently, I came across a rare chess manual by the 'Chess Immortal' of the previous dynasty, and I was worried that there was no one to study it with. So I'm giving this manual to you, sir. I hope you can win back that pot of 'Bamboo Leaf Green' liquor as soon as possible."
With a loud "boom!"
Lord Li felt as if a huge firework had exploded in his mind!
Chess...the rarest copy of the Chess Master's work?!
That is the sacred object that all chess lovers dream of!
He... he just gave it to me like that?!
Moreover, how could His Highness... how could he know that I lost a pot of "Bamboo Leaf Green" beer?!
Lord Li held the chess manual, which exuded the fragrance of ink, so excited that his hands began to tremble. His eyes, as he looked at Commander Xiao, were filled with shock, admiration, and... deep awe!
Your Highness, you are truly a divine being!
In an instant, the boundless pride he felt because of the "three-in-one soil" was completely shattered by this "unique chess manual."
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