mtl008 Chapter 140 For the sake of Jin Kingdom, must we find a way to win over Wuming?!
Chapter 140 For the sake of Jin Kingdom, must we find a way to win over Wuming?!
Before Qiao Songqing could stop him, he had already put the food in his mouth.
"We don't even know if it's edible yet, Ziyu, you've already taken a bite!"
Qiao Songqing lowered his voice and spoke in a tone that only the two of them could hear, his voice tinged with lingering fear.
Then, seeing that he was unharmed and even had a smug look on his face, he cursed inwardly.
However, when he looked up and met someone's gaze, the color in his eyes turned deep.
Seeing that the two men were unharmed, the group thought that His Majesty would not do anything without ulterior motives, and besides, he couldn't possibly kill them all.
After hesitating for a moment, they ate it too.
"So sweet." This was the sentiment expressed by the group.
When Zhao Taifu saw the surprise in their eyes after they finished eating, he wanted to laugh, but he managed to suppress it.
"How are you all?" He chuckled inwardly, but didn't forget to ask them how they felt.
The expressions on their faces varied, but having attained such high positions, they naturally understood the situation immediately and had already weighed the pros and cons in their minds.
"This refined sugar is even better than the sugar produced in Fulin!"
"It's not just good; in my opinion, it's incomparable," the prime minister added from the side.
As soon as the Prime Minister finished speaking, the other colleagues nodded repeatedly, but their hearts were already churning with turmoil.
The ministers below, who had never tasted white sugar before, were all surprised. How could the prime minister and others change their expressions so quickly? This refined sugar tastes so good?
They actually said that it couldn't be compared to the refined sugar from the Kingdom of Fulin.
It's a pity I can't taste the refined sugar.
However, judging by the color and hue alone, it's not much prettier than other candies.
"Your Majesty, where did this refined sugar come from? This old minister has never seen it before!" The Grand Tutor couldn't help but ask the emperor on the dragon throne excitedly.
On the other side, the Three Ministers' Secretary's heart pounded like a drum, and a surge of excitement swept through his entire body. He could already imagine...
The emperor was naturally very excited, just as his heart had never been at peace ever since he first learned of this candy.
"Haha, this refined sugar was naturally made by the newly appointed top scholar, Lang Sinian."
At this moment, everyone opened their eyes wide and turned to look at Lance, who had been sitting in the corner since they came in, like a transparent person who had been ignored by everyone.
“Lance Nian, come forward.”
Lans Nian walked out with composure and dignity, meeting everyone's gaze. The crowd was somewhat dazed when they saw him.
This young man possessed a refined and elegant demeanor. Despite wearing official robes, he exuded a scholarly air. His long, clear eyebrows and eyes reminded one of their own youthful vigor, just like the young man standing before them.
Lance Nian clasped his hands together in front of his chest, bowed his head, and made a gesture of respect to the person at the head of the table.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." He was about to kneel when he was stopped by the emperor on the dragon throne.
"No need for formalities. I invited you to come forward so that you could explain the process of making fine sugar to our ministers in front of the palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lance Nian obeyed and did not kneel down.
However, his expression remained unchanged.
He declared loudly in the main hall: "The method of making this refined sugar was naturally not my idea. I learned it from reading Wu Ming's 'The Little Chef of the Jin Dynasty,' and followed the story to make it."
As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers behind him began to sway and whisper among themselves.
Some people can't even believe it.
"I have read this storybook. It's full of fantastical tales, and many things are unrealistic. The delicious food described in it is probably just something they imagined and made up. How can you take it seriously?"
"Hey, Lord Huang, you're mistaken! How could it be something made up so casually! Please explain how the hot pots and honeycomb briquettes in Bianjing are made. They're all made using methods written in storybooks. How can you not believe it?!"
"I heard from the storybook that chili peppers and corn have been found overseas, and some restaurants and eateries are already using chili peppers in their cooking. The taste is really good."
What this gentleman said is quite right. Recently, chili peppers have become very popular in Bianjing. Many restaurants use chili peppers to stir-fry dishes, which greatly enhances the flavor. Many officials love to go to restaurants and taverns with others after court.
"I never expected this book to be so, so..." The minister on the other side thought for a long time but couldn't come up with any words of praise.
"Your Majesty, perhaps it is just a coincidence."
"Whether it's a coincidence or not, you should all take this matter seriously, as it concerns the treasury and future of the Jin Dynasty!" Grand Tutor Zhao said sternly.
The ministers immediately fell silent.
"Grand Tutor Zhao is right. This matter is of utmost importance. The method of making this refined sugar must not be spread around again. We must firmly grasp this technique to prevent it from being learned by those with ulterior motives or by other countries."
"Oh? Does the Grand Tutor have some brilliant idea?"
Judging from the Grand Tutor's expression, he seemed to have already made up his mind.
"No matter who this Wuming is, we must bring 'him' under the control of the court, by any means necessary." Even imprisonment is acceptable; this person must not be released.
The Grand Tutor didn't say the last sentence directly, but everyone present was a shrewd and calculating person, so how could they not understand his meaning?
Upon hearing his remarks, the Crown Prince, Bai Zunyue, the Prime Minister, the Grand Tutor, and others all frowned, and even Lan Sinian, who was standing to the side, unconsciously frowned as well.
The Crown Prince understood that this was the safest method. If the Emperor really intended to do this, Ye Yuwu would likely not be able to escape. So he raised his eyes and glanced at the Emperor on the dragon throne.
The emperor sitting on the dragon throne was enigmatic and difficult to understand; no one knew what he was thinking.
"In my opinion, we must not alert the enemy. Putting aside whether it is a coincidence or not, this 'Wuming' is now a subject of the Jin Dynasty. Do you all remember that he promoted the development of coal? He probably also wants to make the Jin Dynasty better. But you actually want to imprison him in the court. Isn't that an insult to his literature? If we really do that, I fear that 'he' will never be able to write anything that benefits the people, the court, or the Jin Dynasty again. How can you bear the consequences? An opportunity to bring prosperity to the Jin Dynasty?!"
His Highness the Crown Prince suddenly stood up and, looking at the ministers below, delivered his impassioned speech.
Everyone was so impressed by the Crown Prince's eloquent and insightful words that they were speechless.
After all, no one has the confidence to take control of the nation's destiny, let alone create things that benefit the people like Wuming.
So this last sentence left them speechless, and the Grand Tutor's face visibly darkened.
The Grand Tutor and the Prime Minister's brows relaxed upon hearing the Crown Prince's words.
"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is right. We cannot gamble!"
"Then what should Grand Tutor Zhao do?" The emperor placed one hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, the cold armrest suppressing his agitated heart.