Chapter 3.07 – Think of a way to chase him out of the palace

Editor: Mimishijie

Proofreader: Penguinstel

After a few days, the results of Wang Jun’s case finally came out.

After reading the report, Xiang Han frowned. There was indeed a person directing Wang Jun from behind the scenes, causing him to suspect the Little Emperor. However, even Wang Jun himself was unclear about the other person’s identity.

Xiang Han knew that it was Prince Liang’s men but had no evidence, making it difficult for him to act. Moreover, he had many people in the Northwest Army.

Coincidentally, Zhao Ze came to appeal on Wang Jun’s behalf but after hearing Xiang Han’s words, he was surprised. Turned out, the Little Emperor was quite knowledgeable regarding court affairs and the army, much more than he had expected.

Regaining his wits, he quickly replied, “The Old Marquis is already over forty and has fought countless battles for Da Ji. Wang Jun followed his father from the time he was fourteen, he is a truly valuable soldier, although he has made mistakes in the past and offended His Majesty. However, he had been deceived by people with ill-intentions. A few days ago, this minister paid him a visit, he has already acknowledged his mistakes…”

“Enough,” Xiang Han interrupted him with a wave of his hand, “Zhen understands what you are trying to say, but the fact remains that he tried to stab Zhen in front of everybody. Even if Zhen agrees to pardon him, the court will definitely not let him go.”

“This minister understands, but still pleads with Your Majesty to have mercy and give him a chance.”

“Oh, what kind of chance?” Xiang Han asked.

Zhao Ze, “Since Your Majesty also believes that the assassination attempt is linked to Prince Liang and suspects the Northwest army is filled with his men, Your Majesty can beat him at his own game. Let Wang Jun fake his death and pretend to side with Prince Liang…”

Xiang Han thought for a moment before he said, “I need to see Wang Jun.”

Wang Jun was quickly brought before him, his expression lifeless. He already knew that the person controlling him from behind the scenes did not bode well, but when he thought of his father’s death and how he could not find any evidence, he still chose to believe that person in a moment of despair.

But he never expected that evidence to be fabricated, intentionally leading him in the wrong direction. When he thought of the assassination attempt that day, he could only feel regret. He regretted burdening his family and hated himself for being unable to execute revenge.

Using his spiritual force, Xiang Han interrogated him once over and confirmed there was nothing wrong before he said, “Zhen will give you a chance to prove yourself on behalf of Minister Zhao’s sincere pleas.”

Wang Jun instantly froze, as if unable to believe his own ears. Zhao Ze also silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as Wang Jun froze, Xiang Han continued, “Zhen will sentence you to decapitation. From now on, you will take on another identity and head towards the Northwest, your mission is to find those that Prince Liang planted there and help Zhen regain control of the Northwest Army. As for your family, they will also be exiled to the northwest.

Wang Jun was still frozen on the spot as if he had finally gone stupid.

Xiang Han looked at Zhao Ze suspiciously and asked, “Can he really lead his troops?”

Zhao Ze ruthlessly kicked Wang Jun, hating iron for not becoming steel, “You are still not thanking His Majesty for his mercy?”

Wang Jun finally regained his senses and prostrated himself on the ground, his forehead knocking loudly against the floor, “thump, thump.” He was too agitated, “This criminal thanks His Majesty’s magnanimity. This criminal will always remember Your Majesty’s edict and carry it out with the utmost effort. From now on, this life belongs to Your Majesty.’ 

He had thought that the only choice awaiting him was death, while his family would be implicated as well. However, he never expected that His Majesty not only spared him but even allowed him to join the army. At this moment, Wang Jun wanted nothing more than to knock his head against the ground until there was a hole to express his gratitude and loyalty.

Xiang Head’s head hurt just from hearing it and quickly allowed Zhao Ze to bring him away. Too scary, if he continued to kowtow any further, there might really be a hole.

Settling the matter with Wang Jun, Xiang Han could not help but ask, “Such a thing won’t happen with the prime minister, right?”

The prime minister was also a high-ranking official. Rumour had it that he choked to death while eating. Xiang Han really had to give it to Prince Liang.

Zhao Ze thought for a moment and said, “Prime Minister Sun and his wife are extremely affectionate. Until now, they only have one daughter.”

“What’s her name?” Xiang Han asked.

He vaguely recalled after the original host wedded, he had a concubine from Prime Minister Sun’s family.

“Sun Meng Yao.” Zhao Ze looked at him strangely.

“Arrange for her to be married as soon as possible,” Xiang Han was a little afraid.

Zhao Ze sunk into silence and after thinking for a moment, he said, “Your Majesty, this sort of matter… isn’t something a minister like myself can interfere with, right?”

Xiang Han did not care and threw a fit, “Then Minister Zhao can think of a way to arrange for her to be wedded.”

Zhao Ze, “…”

After the matter of Wang Jun had been dealt with, Xiang Han frequently called Luo Bai over to accompany him.

Zhao Ze had just helped Sun Meng Yao settle her life’s biggest affair and when he heard the news, his heart instantly felt gloomy. After deep contemplation, he decided that Luo Bai could not remain. He had to think of a way to chase him out of the palace.

On a certain day, Xiang Han and Luo Bai were studying the Luo Family’s recipe passed down in his family.

Xiang Han had his eyes on the various food products made from corn, sweet potatoes and potatoes. For a long while, his gaze did not shift.

With Luo Bai’s effort, Xiang Han had tasted all the dishes in the recipe book apart from those few due to the lack of ingredients. He had not eaten them for a long time and was starting to miss them.

[Little Nine, do those ingredients exist in this world? Will, there be a problem if I brought them into Da Ji?] He could not help asking.

System, [They do. Since this is merely a virtual world, there shouldn’t be any problems.]

Xiang Han’s eyes instantly lit up and he turned to look at Luo Bai.

Luo Bai shivered. An ill sense of foreboding had suddenly overwhelmed him.

“Little Bai, do you want to find those ingredients, ah?” Xiang Han smiled at him and asked.

Was there any chef who did not want to search for rare ingredients? Luo Bai didn’t even think and immediately nodded, “I want to.”

Xiang Han firmly slapped his shoulders and happily said, “Very good. Zhen knows that Minister Zhao shares the same sentiment, saving Zhen a lot of worries.”

Luo Bai, “Er…” So His Majesty also wanted to go and look for those ingredients?

Coincidentally, Zhao Ze had requested an audience and when he entered, he heard that sentence. He immediately looked at Luo Bai with neither a hot nor cold gaze, bowing as he greeted, “The minister greets His Majesty.”

Luo Bai saw him and was instantly frightened back a few steps, putting as much distance as he could between Xiang Han and himself.

Xiang Han knew he was afraid of Zhao Ze and simply waved his hands, “Alright, this matter ends here. You may return first.”

Luo Bai sighed in relief, escaping as quickly as a hare.

Xiang Han was helpless. Throwing aside the recipe book, he gestured for Zhao Ze to come forward. “Minister Zhao, come over. Zhen has something to discuss with you.”

Zhao Ze walked over and when his gaze fell on the recipe, he was slightly confused.

Xiang Han pointed to the various cuisines and said excitedly, “Minister Zhao, take a look at these ingredients. From what I heard, the yield is higher than even wheat and rice. If we are able to import them into Da Ji and popularize them to the citizens on a large scale, won’t that mean that more people will be able to fill their stomachs?

Xiang Han believed that he was not doing this merely for the sake of satisfying his cravings and he continued to talk nonsense. According to the story plot, in just a few years, Da Ji will experience a large scale fire. First, there was a drought, then a flood, followed by a wide-spread epidemic…

This was around the time Prince Liang started to “clean up” the current monarch, citing reasons such as the original host was tyrannical and therefore, caused so many natural disasters. His words met with enormous support, allowing him to win over the hearts of many civilians.

After Xiang Han arrived, he made up his mind the never let Prince Liang have the chance to carve out a piece of the sky for himself. Apart from the matter of irrigation, he also had to solve the problem of food shortage. As for medicine, he had long told the royal physician to begin storing them.

Zhao Ze finally took a closer look at the recipe and said, “According to this book, the crop yield is indeed shocking, but such is only in theory and never seen before. In the event that it is not true…”

“Cough, cough. Minister Zhao, this is for the good of the nation and its people. No matter how it turns out, it is worth a shot.” Xiang Han coughed lightly and reminded him.

Zhao Ze couldn’t help but smile, the gaze he used to look at the Little Emperor grew warmer and his voice had also become gentler, “Your Majesty truly loves the people like his own child, never forgetting their sufferings for a second. This minister is ashamed.”

After praising him, he continued, “This minister will illustrate these items and send for the servants to look for them.”

“No need, no need.” Xiang Han immediately waved his hand and said, “From what Minister Luo said, his ancestors had once said these ingredients do not exist in Da Ji. Therefore…Zhen wants to send people out to sea to look for them.”

Zhao Ze’s brows instantly froze, his tone growing heavy, “Your Majesty, are you intending to lift the ban on sea trade?”

Afterwards, he added, “There are often pirates causing trouble at the coastal prefecture. Once this ban is lifted, I’m afraid…” 

To lift the ban on sea trade, the court would surely oppose him and cause a big fuss. By the time it is settled, who knows how many months and years have passed.

Xiang Han waved his hand and said, “It’s only sending a few ships out.” Then, he continued, “Minister Zhao, think about it. Once these food items are brought in, how many civilians will no longer have to go hungry?”

Zhao Ze thought for a while before asking, “Your Majesty, who are you intending to send off? Is it Luo Bai?”

“Ah? He’s too weak, Zhen is thinking…”

“This Minister understands. Your Majesty does not need to worry, this minister will help Your Majesty achieve your goals.” Saying so, he retreated.

Xiang Han, “Ah…” 

Minister Zhao, are you seriously thinking of sending Little Bai out to sea? He’s too weak, he’d probably die out there!

At first, Zhao Ze thought that going out to sea to look for new crops was not practical. But the Emperor seemed to be extremely hopeful and moreover, he would be able to kick that annoying Luo Bai out of the palace. It seems that helping His Majesty out a little wasn’t too bad.

Also, like what His Majesty said, what if they really found it? This was something that could benefit tens of thousands of common folks.

After Zhao Ze returned home, he went to his study and discussed it with Teacher Zhao till night time. In the beginning, Teacher Zhao was extremely against the idea. During the Great Ancestor’s era, it wasn’t as if Da Ji had never sent their people out to sea. However, none of them came back. It was simply too dangerous.

Under Zhao Ze’s heartfelt persuasion and logic, with the addition of the Emperor’s concern of the civilian’s sufferings, Teacher Zhao was eventually pushed to board their pirate ship.

The next day, with Teacher Zhao’s support, those below could not make trouble for long before they reluctantly agreed with Xiang Han’s suggestion.

Having obtained the money from the Ministry of Finances, Xiang Han immediately got his System to construct a blueprint and began to build a ship. For a long journey, the ships in Da Ji were simply not good enough.

After half a month of preparation, Xiang Han finally sent Luo Bai off tearfully.

Originally, Xiang Han had not intended to send Luo Bai on this journey. Firstly, he was too weak and secondly, once he left, who would cook for him?

However, in order to join this expedition, Luo Bai especially endured half a year of tough training with the marines. Moreover, Zhao Ze persuaded him to let him off and thus, Xiang Han could only wave him goodbye.

From the side, Zhao Ze watched as Xiang Han could not bear for the ship to leave and his heart felt strangely uncomfortable. He went forward to console him, “Your Majesty need not worry. With the most elite marines guarding the ship, it will be hard for them to run into trouble.”

“But they’re marines, not the navy, ah. Also, there is no one to bake biscuits for Zhen anymore.” Xiang Han was utterly depressed.

Zhao Ze choked when he heard this.

Xiang Han shook his head and said, “Zhen thought about it, when the marines reach the sea, they’ll definitely not be able to adapt immediately. Since our ships risk being attacked by pirates, why don’t we train a navy?”

Without the threat of pirates, he would be able to go out to the sea to play freely. Things like deep-fried crab, cough cough, would even make him salivate.

Zhao Ze was silent for a while before speaking, “Your Majesty, the Northwest is at war while the Northeast is experiencing instability. The country’s treasury…”

Xiang Han heard this and sighed, “Looks like we can only wait for Minister Luo to return. If he is able to bring back any new crops, the country’s treasury will definitely be replenished. When there is money…” He can do whatever he wants to.

Zhao Ze did not expect the Little Emperor to regard Luo Bai so highly and could not help gritting his teeth, “Your Majesty, this minister will definitely help you fulfil your wishes.”

So, there was no need to place all your hopes on Little Bai. Was a maritime expedition something easy? Are new types of crops so easily found? Be more practical! 

Xiang Han saw his solemn expression and felt confused. He only wanted to go to the sea-side and catch some crabs. Why was Minister Zhao so serious?

***

The author has something to say:

Xiang Han: This story can be called the foodie emperor’s country.

Zhao Ze: It should be called, the main wife is fighting the mistress.

Cough cough, just now when writing the part where the Xiang Han said, “Zhao Ze’s fingers are quite long,” my brain suddenly short-circuited and thought that the little gong said, “this minister’s fingers aren’t only long, they can also reach very deep…” Cough cough cough, am I really beyond saving? /hides face