Chapter 225: Treasure Everywhere
Chapter 225: Treasure Everywhere
The two Imperial Uncles claimed it did not taste good, but judging by the way they wolfed it down, everyone understood.
At this moment, their doubts vanished.
Now, both Emperor Hongzhi and the Hundred Officials felt hungry.
Was it truly edible?
Look at how happily the Zhang Brothers ate.
Emperor Hongzhi did not care much about the taste. What mattered was whether it could serve as food, and beyond that, the nature of this food.
He had so many questions, but seeing the Zhang Brothers devour everything like a whirlwind, Emperor Hongzhi really wanted to slap them.
He could not hold back any longer. He stood up and stepped down from his throne.
“Enough! Step back!”
He shouted at the Zhang Brothers.
It was embarrassing. Honestly, Emperor Hongzhi felt truly ashamed.
If not for his wife Empress Zhang, he would have killed these two brothers many times. Enduring until now showed Emperor Hongzhi’s temper was not that bad.
Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling immediately looked wronged.
They knew the good times were over.
Burping, Zhang Heling looked resentful. Though his stomach could still take more, the brothers feared their brother-in-law a little. So they obediently retreated with their big bellies.
Emperor Hongzhi then realized he had overreacted. The Son of Heaven should maintain dignity, especially on such a formal occasion.
But today… he could not care less.
It was like how the usually calm Zhang Mao dared to barge into the Hall of Prudent Cultivation earlier.
Emperor Hongzhi walked over and looked at a bowl of Sweet Potato Congee. Up close, a pleasant aroma wafted over.
Upon closer inspection, the congee was watery, but with golden Sweet Potatoes, it looked quite presentable.
However…
Emperor Hongzhi glanced back at his ministers. The Hundred Officials were restless; if not for etiquette, they might have rushed forward.
Everyone patiently craned their necks, eager to see what this thing looked like.
Liu Jian felt anxious. He wished he could rush to Fang Jifan immediately to find out.
Xie Qian was more impatient, but his eyesight was poor and he could not see the Sweet Potato clearly from afar. He stared intently at Emperor Hongzhi’s face, trying to glean clues.
Li Dongyang, the Minister of Revenue, usually deep and reserved, was now stomping his feet in urgency.
“Bring a Brocade Stool and chopsticks.”
Looking would not reveal much. Emperor Hongzhi decided to taste it himself.
The Eunuch brought the Brocade Stool, and Emperor Hongzhi sat by the large stove.
Fang Jifan personally took a new bowl, ladled congee from the pot, and deliberately scooped extra Sweet Potato pieces to show off.
“Your Majesty…” Xiao Jing on duty looked nervous. He stepped behind Emperor Hongzhi and said, “Should we test it to ensure it is not poisonous?”
Emperor Hongzhi glanced at him, then at Fang Jifan, and then at the ragged, mud-stained people from the Military Agricultural Colony behind him…
He remained silent for a moment, then said, “This man is Zhang Xin, right?”
Zhang Xin appeared very timid and quickly replied, “I am Zhang Xin.”
“And him!” Emperor Hongzhi pointed at another Commandant. “This Commandant, I should have seen him before. The Imperial Forest Guard protects the palace and escorts me! These people all came from the palace. But look at them now. Since going to the Western Hills for Military Farming, they have endured wind and sun daily. I remember they used to have smooth skin, wore fish-scale uniforms, carried Long Blades, and looked imposing. Now… Ah… why test it? They would not harm me. Even if this fruit cannot be food or is unpalatable, based on this alone, even if they are low-ranking, they are pillars of the Great Ming, my trusted aides…”
Meaning, mind your own business.
Xiao Jing felt snubbed and fell silent.
But Zhang Xin and the others were moved to tears. They had become pillars and trusted aides.
Actually, no one likes to suffer. But suffering itself is not the worst; what is truly bad is when no one sees your hardship, you are forgotten, or even disliked.
Then, Emperor Hongzhi looked at Fang Jifan again. “And Fang Jifan, he has a Brain Illness, yet he worked hard for the imperial court and contributed greatly. If I do not trust them, who in this world can I trust?”
Finally, it was his turn. Fang Jifan was deeply moved. When his name was not called earlier, he thought he was overlooked, but he was saved for last.
Picking up the bowl and chopsticks, Emperor Hongzhi did not hesitate. He first picked a peeled, boiled Sweet Potato and gently put it in his mouth.
As it entered his mouth, a sweet sensation instantly stimulated his taste buds.
People in later times might be used to the taste of Sweet Potatoes, especially in an era of diverse foods, so they might not find it delicious.
But for Emperor Hongzhi tasting it for the first time, the flavor… he was slightly stunned.
The taste… was beyond his expectations.
It was slightly sweet and surprisingly delicious.
Everyone watched Emperor Hongzhi, hoping to find answers on his face.
But Emperor Hongzhi remained expressionless. Under everyone’s gaze, he calmly took a sip of the congee. The warm congee entered his stomach. Different from previous congee, this one, mixed with Sweet Potato, was sweet and much more tasty than plain congee.
Of course, Emperor Hongzhi had seen much and tasted many things, so he was not overly impressed.
But this was enough to make Emperor Hongzhi alert. Ordinary people would be satisfied just having millet congee to fill their stomachs.
The texture of millet was very poor. After the Wang San incident, Emperor Hongzhi had ordered someone to make millet congee to see what Wang San usually ate. Even with the best millet bought by Eunuchs, the taste was still terrible.
But this Sweet Potato… Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes lit up.
Of course, taste and flavor were not the main point.
There was not much rice in the congee. What he most wanted to know was whether it could fill the stomach.
So, he quickly finished the small bowl of congee.
Normally, he ate slowly, but today he was eager to see the results. So he devoured it rapidly, burped, and felt a bit full.
Fang Jifan smiled and peeled a roasted Sweet Potato, offering it. “Your Majesty, this one tastes even better.”
“Really?” Emperor Hongzhi glanced and unceremoniously took it.
When Fang Jifan peeled it, he intentionally left some skin at the bottom for Emperor Hongzhi to hold. Grasping it, Emperor Hongzhi’s well-maintained hands were immediately stained with black ash.
Xiao Jing nearby grew anxious.
But Emperor Hongzhi was amused. He did not mind. With anticipation, he gently tasted the roasted Sweet Potato. Hmm… the flavor was richer than the Sweet Potato Congee. The flesh was soft, fragrant, and sweet!
Ordinary people rarely ate sugar, as it was a luxury.
But this Sweet Potato…
Emperor Hongzhi’s face turned serious. He suppressed his excitement. “This red…”
“Sweet Potato.” Fang Jifan felt uneasy. The Emperor had tasted all delicacies. If he found the taste poor, the merit would be reduced. If he disliked it, that would be a disaster.
“Yes, Sweet Potato.” Emperor Hongzhi stared at Fang Jifan. Before clarifying some matters, he dared not rejoice fully!
He feared there might be some catch!
So he asked seriously, “The yield was thirty dan per mu?”
Fang Jifan understood Emperor Hongzhi’s thoughts and said, “Deputy Hundred-Household Commander Zhang Xin and the Commandants and Enlisted Soldiers cultivated carefully. The yield was indeed thirty dan per mu. I believe for ordinary people, twenty dan per mu would be achievable.”
Actually, even ten dan would save countless lives.
Emperor Hongzhi glanced at Zhang Mao, knowing Fang Jifan likely did not lie. He thought for a moment and asked, “How is this stored?”
Fang Jifan said, “Just dig a cellar. Ordinary farmers already have cellars. Even if they dig new ones, it is just some labor. I think if Sweet Potato is promoted, Your Majesty could issue an Imperial Decree temporarily exempting half a month of Corvée Labor, allowing people to dig cellars during slack farming seasons.”
It seemed slightly more troublesome than building granaries, but not by much.
Emperor Hongzhi nodded, feeling greatly relieved.
“Besides…” Fang Jifan composed himself and continued, “If the Sweet Potato is dried, it can become sweet potato dried strips, usable as dry rations. If ground into powder, it becomes like flour and can make various foods. Actually… if there is a surplus, it can feed livestock…”
It was treasure everywhere.
Fang Jifan continued, “And…”
As he spoke, he magically pulled a Sweet Potato vine from his sleeve, with many leaves attached, and waved it before Emperor Hongzhi. “These leaves can also be cooked as vegetables. They taste quite good. The vine can also feed livestock.”
Emperor Hongzhi was stunned.
It sounded like the Sweet Potato was a miraculous gift from heaven.
No, miraculous pills only grant one person longevity, but this Sweet Potato could save millions, maybe tens of millions.
Suddenly, Emperor Hongzhi thought of Wang San again.
If they had this Sweet Potato back then, would there have been so many Wang Sans?
Emperor Hongzhi’s eyes grew moist.