Wang Chengen and Han Zhong—one the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court, the other the Commander of the Jinyiwei—were usually masters of keeping a straight face no matter the situation.
But now, as they stared at the sprouting potato in Chongzhen-di’s hand and heard the words “inedible, but can be planted,” their composure completely shattered.
What did it mean that sprouted ones were poisonous and couldn’t be eaten, yet they were supposed to plant them?
What on earth was this thing?
[Scared me to death! Thank goodness Chongzhen doesn’t seem to want to eat it. Otherwise, my good days would be over before they even began, and the country would be doomed.]
Catching Lin Yuan’s timid expression out of the corner of his eye, Chongzhen felt an inexplicable sense of delight.
He handed the potato to Wang Chengen.
“Since this object is an auspicious sign, we must handle it with the utmost care. Han Zhong, find the farmer who grew this. Reward him with silver and grant him the title of ‘Nongshi Lang.’ Bring him to Jingcheng immediately for service.”
“As for the remaining potatoes, send them to the Agricultural Affairs Institute and keep them under strict guard. As for the planting method…”
Chongzhen paused here, clasped his hands behind his back and paced back and forth. He then casually picked up an unsprouted potato, rubbing it back and forth with his thumb.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the inner thoughts of that “Tianji” palace maid.
Sure enough, the complaints arrived, albeit a bit late.
[Plant? Unbelievable. What do these ancients know about cutting and propagating? Sprouted ones need to be cut into pieces, making sure each piece has an eye. The cut surfaces should be dipped in plant ash to prevent rot, dried, and only then planted. Otherwise, if you just bury them directly and they rot, it’ll be a complete joke.]
[Ah, but these ancients probably don’t know how to cook potatoes properly either. What a waste of those good ones left. Braised pork ribs with potatoes, braised beef brisket with potatoes, mixing the gravy with rice… Even a god wouldn’t trade that!]
[Wait, no. The Ming Dynasty probably forbids eating beef. Pork will have to do then.]
Chongzhen’s expression remained unchanged as he silently memorized the key points in his mind.
Cut into pieces, eyes, plant ash, prevent rot, dry before planting.
After listening, Chongzhen cleared his throat and continued.
“Convey Our oral decree to the Agricultural Affairs Institute: cut all sprouted potatoes into pieces, ensuring each piece has an eye. Apply plant ash to the cut surfaces, place them in a ventilated area to dry, and only then plant them.”
Wang Chengen: ??
He opened his mouth, wanting to ask how His Majesty had become so knowledgeable about agriculture, but meeting Chongzhen’s profound and inscrutable gaze, he closed it again.
How could he casually inquire into the affairs of the Son of Heaven?
“This old servant obeys the decree.”
“Additionally,” Chongzhen added nonchalantly, “select two of the best-looking ones and send them to the Yushanfang. Have them braised with… pork. Use plenty of sauces and spices, braise until there’s a rich broth, and serve it for the evening meal.”
Wang Chengen was now utterly dumbfounded.
Why was His Majesty acting so strangely today?
[Holy crap! Are we really getting braised pork with potatoes?!]
[Did Chongzhen install surveillance in my brain? How is this so precise? Impossible… an ancient person… I’m a transmigrator! It must be a coincidence!]
Lin Yuan desperately tried to reassure herself, but her little face remained deathly pale.
Chongzhen, watching her look as if she might faint at any moment, found it immensely amusing.
The decree conferring honors upon Bi Ziyan was issued swiftly. Within a few days, the newly appointed Neige Shoufu requested an audience.
As soon as this elderly minister, past sixty, entered, he began to pour out his grievances.
“Your Majesty! These past few days, I have inspected the national treasury. It’s empty… completely empty!”
Bi Ziyan fell to his knees with a thud, tears streaming down his aged face.
“Your Majesty! Forget the three million taels of military funds for Liaodong, I fear we won’t even be able to pay the salaries of the capital officials next month! This old minister is incompetent, I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”
[Oh dear, here it comes. The new finance chief has taken office and discovered that the company’s liquid assets are down to double digits.]
[To be fair, old Bi is in a tough spot. The massive pit Wen Tiren dug is now his to fill. Even the cleverest housewife can’t cook without rice—this is a classic case of taking the blame.]
Listening to Lin Yuan’s inner commentary, Chongzhen rubbed his temples in frustration.
This was indeed his greatest worry at the moment.
Although Wen Tiren had been brought down, that old fox had prepared multiple escape routes, transferring most of his wealth long ago. The silver seized during the confiscation of his property was nothing more than a drop in the bucket.
“Rise, my loyal minister,” Chongzhen’s voice was weary. “I understand your difficulties.”
Bi Ziyan remained kneeling, continuing his tearful plea.
“Your Majesty, refugees are scattered everywhere, the borders are in crisis, and every corner demands silver! Yet the national treasury is so empty that even rats refuse to enter. What are we to do?”
[What to do? Increase revenue and reduce expenditure. Old Bi, aren’t you good at saving money?]
[As for increasing revenue… with so many corrupt officials across the Da Ming dynasty, why not pick a few to confiscate their properties? Take that Libu Shilang Wang Hua, for example. He’s hailed as a leader of the upright faction, but in reality, the silver in his hometown cellar is so plentiful it’s practically growing mold—no less than five hundred thousand taels! His son also runs a silk shop in Jiangnan, monopolizing the market like a money-making machine.]
[And then there’s that Gongbu Yuanwailang, Liu Jiancheng. He started as a purchased official and is shrewd as they come. Half the repair funds for the imperial estates outside Jingcheng have ended up in his private pockets, with the accounts cleverly doctored.]
As Bi Ziyan poured out his grievances, Lin Yuan mentally cataloged the unofficial histories of the Ming dynasty she had read, purely for her own amusement.
Yet, these thoughts fell on Chongzhen’s ears like a timely rain.
Though his court was rotten to the core, he now knew where to recover the missing silver.
“Minister Bi,” Chongzhen spoke slowly.
“Your servant is here,” Bi Ziyan looked up, his face streaked with tears and confusion.
“I am giving you a secret edict.”
Chongzhen gazed at Bi Ziyan, lightly tapping his fingers on the imperial desk.
“I command the Jinyiwei and Dongchang to assist you. Immediately seal the residences and hometown properties of Libu Shilang Wang Hua and Gongbu Yuanwailang Liu Jiancheng. Dig three feet deep if you must, and leave no cellar unchecked!”
Bi Ziyan was utterly shocked.
“Your Majesty, Minister Wang has long been known for his integrity, he is a pillar of the court…”
“Integrity?” Chongzhen sneered.
“I suspect it’s built on piles of account books.”
He stood up, echoing Lin Yuan’s inner thoughts.
“Additionally, send men urgently to Jiangnan to identify and seal all the silk shops his son operates. Bring every single account book back to me.”
Bi Ziyan was now completely bewildered.
Your Majesty… how is this possible? Living deep within the palace, how could he know about Minister Wang’s son running silk shops in Jiangnan? He hadn’t even heard of it.
Ignoring Bi Ziyan’s confusion, Chongzhen continued.
“And as for Gongbu Yuanwailang Liu Jiancheng, thoroughly investigate all accounts under his name! I want to see just how much repair funds his greed has swallowed.”
A series of commands were issued, precise, ruthless, without a hint of hesitation.
Bi Ziyan went from bewildered, to shocked, and finally to deep reverence.
This is what an emperor truly is…
This young emperor seated upon the Longyi, where was the stubbornness and self-righteousness of the rumors?! This was clearly someone who could perceive the smallest detail!
So His Majesty had long silently taken control of everything, merely waiting for the right moment!
“This old minister obeys the decree.”
Bi Ziyan heavily kowtowed, his voice now filled with much more confidence.
In these troubled times, with such a wise ruler, how could Da Ming lack a future?
Watching Bi Ziyan’s excited departing figure, Lin Yuan shrank in the corner, trembling.
[Did the boss take the wrong medicine today? How is he hitting the mark every time? Is this still the historically incompetent Chongzhen-di?]
[Could this be the Dihuang Xianshu? Putting on one face in public, another behind the scenes, deceiving people, lulling them into lowering their guard. So terrifying! Indeed, staying close to the emperor is like staying close to a tiger!]