Chapter 121: Shocking the Court

Human psychology was like a tangled mess upon closer inspection; who could truly explain it?

With the Zhang Brothers leading the way, there was a genuine urge to try this rare melon.

You see, the Zhang Brothers had eaten it and even cried—what a strange and baffling thing.

However, someone bought a melon and hurried into the palace, carrying it all the way to the Grand Secretariat.

This person was Director Yang Zhong of the Ministry of Revenue.

By association, he was a disciple of Xie Qian.

Wasn’t this melon considered an Auspicious Omen? Otherwise, how could a melon grow in the middle of winter?

So his intentions differed from others.

While others bought the melon to eat, he intended to present it to Lord Xie.

This served both to announce glad tidings and to offer Lord Xie a novel taste, subtly implying a touch of flattery without leaving any trace.

Outside the Grand Secretariat, after announcing his arrival, he quickly entered Xie Qian’s Duty Room.

Court had just adjourned, and there were many memorials requiring Draft Comments; it was the busiest time in the Grand Secretariat.

When Xie Qian heard that Yang Zhong had come, he paid little attention and continued reading the memorials on his desk.

Yang Zhong bowed and said, “Your disciple pays respects to Esteemed Mentor.”

Xie Qian did not look up, but his eyes, fixed on the memorial, turned slightly severe, and his voice sounded low and steady, “Here, do not call me Esteemed Mentor.”

“Yes, Lord Xie.” Yang Zhong smiled and said, “This humble official comes with glad tidings.”

“Oh?” Only then did Xie Qian reluctantly lift his gaze from the memorial.

He raised his eyes and saw that Yang Zhong was holding something, but Yang Zhong’s official robe had long sleeves that covered the melon, making it unclear what the object was.

He asked, “What matter is this?”

“Please take a look, Lord Xie,” Yang Zhong said as he raised the Watermelon with both hands.

“Hmm?” Xie Qian was baffled.

Wasn’t this just a Watermelon? What was so special about it?

Just as he was lost in thought, Yang Zhong spoke, “This is a newly grown Watermelon…”

Suddenly—it felt as if a heavy hammer struck Xie Qian’s heart.

His face immediately fell.

A Watermelon was certainly not unusual in itself.

But… at this time of year, how could one possibly grow?

Xie Qian was from Yuyao, born into a family of landlords and gentry, with thousands of acres of paddy fields back home; he knew agricultural seasons very well.

Xie Qian expressed surprise, “Has Jiangnan already produced melons at this time? Isn’t it too early? Was it delivered overnight?”

“No,” Yang Zhong shook his head, “It grew right in the fields of Shuntian Prefecture.”

Xie Qian’s heart jolted.

He abruptly stood up, carelessly setting down the brush he was using for Draft Comments.

The brush still had wet ink and landed on a memorial, instantly smudging it, but Xie Qian paid no heed.

He hurried to Yang Zhong, placed a hand on the Watermelon, and felt its distinct coolness spreading into his palm.

Indeed… it was a Watermelon, as genuine as could be.

Staring at the Watermelon, Xie Qian seemed somewhat dazed, “Shuntian Prefecture can grow melons at this time?”

Yang Zhong did not provide him with an answer.

A complex gleam slowly entered Xie Qian’s eyes.

He immediately called out, “Someone, invite Lord Liu and Lord Li.”

Within moments, the three Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat were seated, and six eyes were fixed intently on the melon on the table.

“Is it real?” Liu Jian looked up and glanced at Xie Qian.

It was too unbelievable, completely defying common sense.

Although various regions occasionally reported Auspicious Omens—such as the discovery of a qilin somewhere, or pumpkins growing on fruit trees, all kinds of bizarre claims—during the reign of the Chenghua Emperor, since the late Emperor had a passion for such matters, reports of strange and peculiar omens were countless and too many to list.

But the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat had seen it all.

Though they remained silent, they knew these were fabrications, attempts by some to gain favor; they merely listened and did not take them seriously.

However…

Now, Liu Jian and the other two had only shock in their eyes, because this melon was not just mentioned in a memorial—it was truly right in front of them.

“Could it be some sorcerer’s trickery?” Li Dongyang pondered thoughtfully.

Xie Qian was more straightforward, “What’s so difficult about it? Cut it open and we’ll know if it’s real or fake. Bring a knife.”

A Clerk nearby quickly brought a knife and deftly sliced the melon open, revealing the bright red flesh inside.

Indeed… it was a real Watermelon, definitely not an illusion.

Liu Jian grew even more puzzled.

He stepped forward, sniffed it, and said, “It really is no different from a Watermelon.”

“Shall we taste it?” Even the wise Li Dongyang was somewhat unable to comprehend.

He had broad knowledge and had heard of many strange things, but seldom witnessed them with his own eyes.

Now, this melon before them truly was… eye-opening.

“Right, we’ll know if it’s real after tasting it,” Xie Qian decisively said, “I will try it first. If there’s no issue, Lord Liu and Lord Li can eat afterward.”

Xie Qian spoke rather bluntly.

To be honest, the Xie family was originally a powerful clan.

But after the Little Ice Age, with several years of long winters, from Shanhai Pass to Xuanfu, and from Xuanfu to Shandong and Huaibei, most lands were covered in continuous heavy snow.

Fertile soil turned into frozen ground; even with money, it was hard to get any fruits or vegetables.

Now, seeing this melon, his appetite was indeed stirred.

He took a small bite; the juice spread in his mouth.

After a long while, he finally let out a deep breath, “This melon is quite sweet and delicious.”

“Let me try,” Li Dongyang said with a smile.

The three each took a piece of the melon and tasted it.

Outside, the cold was biting, but inside, smokeless coal warmed the room to a spring-like temperature, even slightly dry.

Now, eating the sweet Watermelon brought an indescribable feeling of coolness.

In just a short while, the melon was completely finished.

Liu Jian, in good spirits, looked pleasantly at Yang Zhong beside him and asked, “Where did this melon come from?”

Yang Zhong promptly replied, “It’s from the Crown Prince and Fang Jifan…”

Upon hearing this… Liu Jian’s expression suddenly changed.

Although news of the Crown Prince growing melons had been suppressed, the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat knew a little inside information.

Originally, His Majesty was deeply worried about this matter, but who would have thought that the Crown Prince and Fang Jifan actually managed to grow melons.

In such weather, they grew melons.

Liu Jian’s face was already filled with astonishment.

Xie Qian and Li Dongyang also clearly stopped smiling and began to treat the matter seriously.

In winter, heavy snow fell everywhere, and the cold was piercing, especially after the strange weather phenomena appeared; the winter was exceptionally long.

In such conditions, countless lands in the north had to lie fallow. Why? What could grow in the snow?

This meant nearly half a year of abandoned fields.

Although the imperial court’s grain supply currently relied mainly on the major production areas in Jiangnan, such large-scale land abandonment still led to a great crisis for the Great Ming.

Emperor Hongzhi and the Grand Secretariat were barely managing, but this was not a long-term solution.

Yet… the Crown Prince and Fang Jifan actually managed to grow melons during this long winter.

If that were possible, could other things be grown as well?

Although the supply through the Grand Canal prevented starvation in the Capital or the entire Northern Region, this did not mean that the lack of abundant fruits and vegetables wouldn’t cause problems.

What if countless idle lands could yield melons and fruits?

Then… the entire Northern Region’s consumption of grain would decrease because people would have more choices and wouldn’t rely solely on grain to stave off hunger.

In this era, agriculture was the foundation.

Once large areas of land lay idle, it meant reduced production from the fields.

Reduced production meant many people would go hungry.

The issues of famine victims and Refugees caused by hunger had always been a persistent and troublesome problem for the imperial court.

In recent years, there were many Refugees in the north, and the court simply couldn’t settle them all.

Thinking of this, Liu Jian’s heart skipped a beat, and a keen light shone in his eyes.

If it were truly possible to grow food in winter, what a great blessing it would be.

He couldn’t help but take a sharp breath.

At the same time, Xie Qian and Li Dongyang also clearly realized this problem.

The three looked at each other.

After a brief silence, Liu Jian took a deep breath and said, “Notify the Office of Transmission to report on our behalf. I, along with Lord Xie and Lord Li, request an immediate audience with His Majesty.”

Understanding each other perfectly, the three quickly composed themselves.

This matter was too significant, so much so that Liu Jian appeared exceptionally agitated.

If he hadn’t seen the melon with his own eyes and tasted it himself, Liu Jian would never have believed such an unfounded matter was real.

Summoning his energy, he, along with Li Dongyang and Xie Qian, braved the cold wind and left the Grand Secretariat, striding quickly toward the Warm Pavilion.

Liu Jian walked so urgently that the wide sleeves of his Imperially Bestowed Unicorn Robe were lifted by the cold wind, making it somewhat difficult for him to advance, as if he might be blown over by the wind at any moment.

But his face was stern, filled with gravity, though his thoughts were a chaotic mess.

Could melons really be grown in winter? Could this method be extended?

And the Crown Prince and Fang Jifan… when these two got together, if they weren’t causing trouble, how did they manage to grow melons?

If this were truly possible, then… wouldn’t… the Northern Region become like Jiangnan?

Of course, even if it wasn’t that dramatic, as long as something could be grown and eaten, countless lives could be saved.

Food was the paramount need of the people.

The common folk could endure hardship and cold, but if you didn’t give them food, that would become the root of chaos.

Behind him, Xie Qian and Li Dongyang also wore expressions of shock as they followed quickly.

When they reached the Warm Pavilion, Emperor Hongzhi was seated behind the imperial throne, wearing only an informal crown and a narrow-sleeved round-collared robe with a coiled dragon design.

At that moment, he was holding a brush, deep in thought about something.

Learning that Liu Jian and the other two requested an audience, he seemed surprised.

After the Court Conference, he had already summoned the three Grand Secretaries in the Grand Secretariat, and they had just taken their leave—how could they be back so soon?

As the three entered, before they could bow, Emperor Hongzhi smiled slightly and said, “There is no need for formalities. Come, bestow seats.”

His expression was calm and composed, but when his eyes fell on the expressions of Liu Jian and the others, he paused slightly, feeling somewhat startled inside.

Why did the three ministers look so grave?

Had something happened?

In the past, even after His Majesty said there was no need for formalities, Liu Jian and the others would still solemnly perform the grand bow.

But today, it seemed Liu Jian had even overlooked this.

After the Eunuchs brought Brocade Stools, Liu Jian sat down and immediately said, “Your Majesty, is the Crown Prince and Fang Jifan growing melons at the House of the Crown Prince?”

They were getting straight to the point, completely different from usual.

In the past, discussions between the monarch and his ministers would never be so direct.