Listening to the thunderous cries of "Long live the Emperor!" around him, Emperor Yuanchu felt his heart open wide and his entire body relax.
His spirits soared, as though he were drifting upon the clouds.
When was the last time he had felt so exhilarated?
It seemed to have been during his coronation ceremony.
"My dear ministers, rise."
"Today, I have received an auspicious omen, and it is also thanks to all your contributions."
Emperor Yuanchu beamed with delight, the corners of his lips lifting slightly as the gloom from Wenyuan Pavilion was swept away.
"Your Highness the Ninth Prince, where was this auspicious rice discovered?"
The Left Prime Minister rose, lifting his eyelids slightly as he asked.
His tone sounded calm, as though he were merely handling official business.
Yet Fang Heng still caught a trace of suspicion and reproach in it.
Quite a few important court ministers also heard the hidden meaning in the Left Prime Minister's words.
The Ninth Prince had never displayed any talent. Yet after joining the Seed Selection Department, he had found rice with such astonishing yield in barely more than a month. It was difficult not to arouse suspicion.
Could it be...
It had better not be...
Related to those traitors and rebels from the Path of God Worship.
As though he had not heard the hidden barb in the Left Prime Minister's words, Fang Heng remained calm and cupped his hands toward Emperor Yuanchu.
"Father Emperor, this auspicious rice was not actually discovered by your son."
These startling words stunned not only Emperor Yuanchu.
Even the Left Prime Minister, Right Prime Minister, Martial Prime Minister, and every important court minister present were all taken aback.
Before anyone could recover their senses, Fang Heng began to explain in a measured manner.
"This auspicious rice was obtained by your son in a dream."
Obtained in a dream?
This...
Was strange!
Truly strange!
Fang Heng's explanation stirred everyone's curiosity.
Emperor Yuanchu looked over. Understanding his meaning, Fang Heng nodded and continued.
"In my dream, your son saw the sacred beast Qilin. The sacred beast Qilin bestowed upon your son the method for cultivating this rice, and it also said..."
Fang Heng paused, drew a deep breath, and spoke with sonorous force amid the astonished and peculiar gazes of the crowd.
"It also said that the Sacred Emperor had emerged, moving Heaven and Earth, which was why it had used your son's hand to bestow this auspicious omen."
"When the Sacred Emperor emerges, auspicious omens appear!"
"Your son boldly begs Father Emperor to grant this rice the name Sacred Emperor Rice."
Sacred Emperor Rice!
Everyone immediately sucked in a cold breath.
That flattery had to be backed by three centuries of skill.
Eunuch Su, standing nearby, was even more startled inwardly.
Fortunately, the Ninth Prince was a Dragon Descendant. Otherwise, would his rice bowl not have been snatched away?
Emperor Yuanchu was overjoyed.
When the Sacred Emperor emerged, auspicious omens appeared!
Those six words had struck directly at his heart.
The Martial Prime Minister's expression was exaggeratedly astonished.
He seemed not to have expected that the Ninth Prince's skill at flattering others would leave even Eunuch Su and the Left Prime Minister eating dust.
The Sacred Emperor Rice would spread throughout the realm.
Then, in future generations, whenever anyone mentioned Sacred Emperor Rice, who would not know Emperor Yuanchu's name?
Emperor Yuanchu's name would remain in the annals of history alongside Sacred Emperor Rice, enduring forever without decay.
The Left Prime Minister's mood sank slightly as he realized Fang Heng would not be easy to deal with.
Fortunately, Consort Ning was not from one of the Ten Great Dao Courts. Otherwise, there would be another treacherous sycophant like the Second Prince.
Sacred Emperor Rice!
Sacred Emperor Rice!
Sacred Emperor Rice!
After reveling in ecstasy for a long while, Emperor Yuanchu finally came back to his senses and nodded in satisfaction.
"The Ninth Prince has presented the auspicious Sacred Emperor Rice and rendered great service to the state."
"Enfeoff him as a Prince of a Commandery, with a fief of ten thousand households."
"As for the specific title and fief, let the Ministry of Rites draft them."
"Your son kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's grace."
Fang Heng's heart surged, and the corners of his lips rose slightly, too difficult to suppress even compared to an AK.
A Prince of a Commandery!
He had finally been enfeoffed as a prince!
His hard work at the Seed Selection Department over the past month had not been in vain.
The Great Qian imperial clan had its own rules.
Princes who had rendered no merit could not be enfeoffed.
Only princes who had performed great service could be granted a princely title.
Princely ranks were divided into three grades: Prince of the First Rank, Heir Prince, and Prince of a Commandery.
Even if Prince of a Commandery was the third grade of princely title, it was still a princely title.
Compared to those princes who had yet to be enfeoffed, Fang Heng had taken the lead.
The Eighth Prince, who was two years older than Fang Heng, was still merely a prince and had not yet been enfeoffed.
Today, Fang Heng had taken the first step and become a Prince of a Commandery.
Beyond the princely title, there was also...
Cultivating Sacred Emperor Rice, National Destiny +10,000 points!
Enfeoffed as a Prince of a Commandery, National Destiny +10,000 points!
The twenty thousand points of National Destiny were Fang Heng's greatest gain.
It was enough for Fang Heng to refine two golden destinies.
Cultivating Sacred Emperor Rice was making the cake bigger, allowing him to gain National Destiny.
Moreover, as Sacred Emperor Rice spread, it would continuously send National Destiny to Fang Heng.
It was equivalent to a cash cow.
Promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was a difficult and arduous task.
Many people believed that once the common folk learned of Sacred Emperor Rice, they would rush to switch to planting it.
In truth, the exact opposite was true.
Not only would the common folk not rush to switch, they might even resist it.
Instead, the local gentry and landowners were extremely keen on planting newly developed crops.
This was because the gentry and landowners controlled vast tracts of land. They could easily spare one or two plots to plant new crops.
Growing new crops was not something accomplished overnight.
Whether due to seeds or cultivation techniques, it could lead to poor harvests or even total crop failure.
To the local gentry and landowners, it merely meant eating meat for a few fewer meals.
But for ordinary commoners, it could mean being driven to sell their sons and daughters.
Therefore, commoners were often extremely resistant to new crops at the beginning.
Until...
They saw their neighbors plant the new crop, reap a bountiful harvest, and grow wealthy. Only then would they be motivated to switch.
By presenting Sacred Emperor Rice, Fang Heng intended to borrow a chicken to lay eggs.
He would use the court to promote Sacred Emperor Rice.
As Sacred Emperor Rice spread, he would continuously obtain National Destiny.
As for being enfeoffed as a Prince of a Commandery, that meant receiving a larger share of the cake.
A prince with a princely title and one without one were not the same thing at all.
With Sacred Emperor Rice appearing today, Fang Heng was undoubtedly the greatest beneficiary.
Next came Liu Song, Minister of Agriculture.
At the very least, Liu Song believed so.
Liu Song stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said to Emperor Yuanchu.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, promoting Sacred Emperor Rice cannot be delayed."
"This minister volunteers to accept the assignment and go to the provinces to promote Sacred Emperor Rice."
"Among Great Qian's Seventy-Two Commanderies, so long as even one commandery has not planted Sacred Emperor Rice, this old minister shall not return to the central court."
As Liu Song volunteered, his heart surged so fiercely that he could scarcely restrain it.
Promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was an opportunity to render merit for a thousand autumns and leave one's name in history.
How could scheming and deceiving one another at the central court compare to going out into the provinces to promote Sacred Emperor Rice?
For Liu Song, he did not wish to remain in Yujing City for even another moment.
He only wished he could grow wings and fly to the provinces at once.
In his view, no one but himself could be chosen to promote Sacred Emperor Rice.
Promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was originally the Ministry of Agriculture's responsibility.
As Minister of Agriculture, he was the perfect candidate.
Surely they would not send the Left Prime Minister to promote it.
If the Left Prime Minister tried to snatch the chance to promote Sacred Emperor Rice, the junior members of the Left Prime Minister's faction would surely be left disheartened.
For the promotion of Sacred Emperor Rice, who but me?
Yan Ziqian, Minister of Revenue, was also somewhat tempted.
This was clearly an opportunity to leave his name in history, and he coveted it as well.
He looked toward the Right Prime Minister, only to see him shake his head discreetly.
The unspoken meaning was.
They could not compete for it!
The Left Prime Minister's power was too great.
Furthermore, promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was the Ministry of Agriculture's responsibility.
How could they compete?
Both timing and advantage lay with the Minister of Agriculture.
Emperor Yuanchu's eyes shifted slightly, his gaze flickering twice before he said blandly.
"The promotion of Sacred Emperor Rice concerns the National Destiny."
"My dear ministers, submit your proposals."
Though Emperor Yuanchu's words sounded light, they were like an invisible pair of giant hands stirring raging waves in everyone's hearts.
Submit proposals?
On the surface, he was merely asking the important court ministers to discuss who should be chosen to promote Sacred Emperor Rice.
But everyone present was an ancient fox. How could they fail to understand Emperor Yuanchu's hidden meaning?
The Minister of Agriculture was clearly the most suitable candidate.
Yet instead of issuing an order directly, he wanted everyone to discuss it.
The unspoken meaning was—Liu Song would not do. Replace him with someone else.
Liu Song's heart instantly sank to the abyss. His aged body trembled slightly, and his vision darkened.
It was as though Emperor Yuanchu's single sentence had pulled out his spine.
The vigor of his entire body visibly withered away.
As for the others, they thought even further ahead.
Why did Emperor Yuanchu want everyone to discuss it?
Did he simply believe Liu Song was unsuitable?
Or was he targeting the Crown Prince?
The credit for promoting Sacred Emperor Rice could not be allowed to fall into the Crown Prince's faction.
The Right Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue exchanged glances, their eyes flickering as both saw an opportunity.
Apart from Liu Song, several other ministers also began to stir.
Promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was not merely a great merit.
Once they succeeded and returned to the central court, they would certainly advance another step.
And one step further—would that not mean becoming a prime minister?
Fang Heng watched the entire process unfold, sighing inwardly.
This was the power of imperial authority.
No wonder so many people were obsessed with it.
Emperor Yuanchu had not even stated his position outright. He had merely asked everyone to discuss it, yet he had completely reversed the situation.
With one sentence, he had knocked the dignified Minister of Agriculture down from the clouds.
"The specific candidates shall be selected from those of third rank and above."
Emperor Yuanchu said with a smile.
It was as though the owner of crickets were watching a cricket-fighting match.
Fang Heng stepped forward and cupped his hands.
"Father Emperor, there is one more matter this son wishes to report."
"What is it?"
"Sacred Emperor Rice differs from ordinary rice."
"If Sacred Emperor Rice seeds are used to plant the fields, the Sacred Emperor Rice will degenerate, and its yield per mu will fall, becoming no different from ordinary rice."
The moment Fang Heng said this, Emperor Yuanchu's eyes lit up, bursting with two dazzling rays of brilliance.
The Three Prime Ministers and the various ministers also revealed astonished expressions.
It was as if their jaws were about to drop to the ground in shock.
"Ninth Prince, do you mean that if we wish to maintain Sacred Emperor Rice's yield of seven hundred jin per mu, we must purchase seeds from you?"
The Left Prime Minister forcibly suppressed the shock in his heart. His expression nearly cracked as he hurriedly asked.
"Left Prime Minister, that is not quite right."
"The seeds are to be purchased from the imperial court."
"Sacred Emperor Rice is not the property of this prince alone."
Fang Heng understood better than anyone the profits contained in the seed trade.
In agricultural powers such as Argentina, its soybean industry had its throat gripped and lifeline pinched by American seed companies.
If it did not use genetically modified seeds from American companies, soybean yields would be low and it would suffer losses.
If it used genetically modified seeds from American companies, its lifeline would be gripped by those companies.
Not only would they siphon away most of the profits.
They would also make Argentina act like a dog.
If they told it to bite someone, it would not even dare bare its fangs.
Even the cotton industry in northwest China had once faced this very threat.
The seeds of Sacred Emperor Rice were of immense importance.
They were absolutely not something Fang Heng could swallow by himself.
Eating alone would earn one a vicious beating.
Especially before one possessed overwhelming strength.
Therefore, Fang Heng did not hesitate. He decisively gifted the method of cultivating Sacred Emperor Rice seeds to the imperial court.
How to cultivate them, how many to cultivate, and at what price to sell them.
All of that would be decided by the imperial court.
How they would be distributed and priced—the benefits involved were not the slightest bit less than those of Sacred Emperor Rice itself.
Emperor Yuanchu was even more overjoyed. The way he looked at Fang Heng grew gentler and gentler, and the more he looked, the more pleased he became.
Capable, eloquent, aware of when to advance and retreat, and understanding of gains and losses.
Even if he achieved nothing in cultivation, he still had the makings of a capable minister who could govern an age.
Worthy indeed of being my seed!
"Announce it to the realm: Sacred Emperor Rice seeds are to be exchanged for grain."
"Yan Ziqian, I leave this matter to you."
Emperor Yuanchu's words struck the ground like iron.
Yan Ziqian, Minister of Revenue, immediately accepted the order.
Announce it to the realm?
Was that meant to tell the mud-legged peasants?
Of course not. It was meant to tell the great aristocratic clans.
Wanted priority access to Sacred Emperor Rice seeds?
Hand over grain and help the imperial court resolve the great drought in the northwest.
Yan Ziqian's gaze toward Fang Heng was exceedingly complicated.
A single stalk of rice had turned the tide between attack and defense in this disaster relief effort!
Emperor Yuanchu walked to Fang Heng's side, patted his shoulder, and smiled broadly.
"Heng'er, you have brought Father Emperor an enormous surprise."
"In the blink of an eye, sixteen years have passed, and you have already become accomplished."
"Some time ago, your mother consort came to seek a position in the Seed Selection Department for you. Father Emperor was still worried that you would not do well and would disgrace the imperial family."
"What you have done today is even more outstanding than Father Emperor expected."
"I do not even know how I should reward you."
"It is all thanks to Father Emperor's daily guidance that this son has what he has today."
"Being granted a princedom has long been this son's wish. This son dares not ask for further rewards."
Fang Heng spoke humbly, but all his words conveyed a single meaning.
The fact that I could cultivate Sacred Emperor Rice was all Father Emperor's credit.
The foremost merit belonged to Father Emperor.
This son had bathed in imperial grace, and only then had he become what he was today.
As for rewards?
The merit of Sacred Emperor Rice was something that could be openly discussed.
It was aboveboard and beyond dispute.
Being made a Prince of a Commandery was thoroughly deserved.
But how Sacred Emperor Rice would be allocated, and the profits involved, were matters that could only be discussed beneath the table.
It was unsuitable to bestow rewards for them openly.
After hearing Fang Heng's words, Emperor Yuanchu's smile grew even broader.
He became increasingly satisfied with Fang Heng and praised him with three successive good's.
"Good! Good! Good!"
"Enter the palace and see your mother consort. Tell her the good news."
Watching the scene before him, Eunuch Su was secretly startled.
It seemed that from now on, the Ninth Prince could not be neglected.
Eunuch Su understood Emperor Yuanchu's temperament like the back of his hand.
Though it seemed like mere family chatter, it was worth more than being granted the title of Prince of a Commandery.
What did it mean to be held in the emperor's heart?
This was what it meant to be held in the emperor's heart!
No reward was the greatest reward.
Jingyang Palace.
Noble Consort Zhuang, the Crown Prince's birth mother.
After the Empress entered seclusion, she temporarily took charge of the Empress's authority and governed the harem, faintly carrying the air of "mistress of the harem."
Today, Noble Consort Zhuang hosted a banquet for the consorts of the six palaces.
Concubines, imperial concubines, and beauties were all present. Not one dared refuse Noble Consort Zhuang face.
In the garden, graceful figures swayed, competing in beauty, a sight too lovely to behold.
Even the hundred flowers in the garden were overshadowed by their splendor.
Noble Consort Zhuang wore a purple palace gown. She was bewitchingly lovely, noble and graceful, glittering with pearls and jewels.
"My sisters, the great drought in the northwest has left His Majesty deeply troubled."
"Though we of the harem cannot interfere in state affairs, we should still help share His Majesty's burdens."
"I have invited you all here today in the hope that you sisters can contribute your strength toward the great drought in the northwest."
After hearing Noble Consort Zhuang's words, the consorts present stirred inwardly.
Though she had not said it outright, they understood Noble Consort Zhuang's meaning.
She wanted them to donate money for disaster relief.
Naturally, the credit for the relief effort would fall upon Noble Consort Zhuang, the one who had initiated it.
It would have nothing to do with anyone else.
Using other people's silver for disaster relief was something Noble Consort Zhuang did with great skill.
The other consorts harbored considerable resentment.
Why should their silver make Noble Consort Zhuang a wedding dress?
Yet because of Noble Consort Zhuang's power, not one dared step forward to sing a different tune.
After all, sharing His Majesty's burdens was political correctness.
If they came out in opposition and Noble Consort Zhuang pinned a label on them, they would surely be left battered to the bone.
Perhaps Noble Consort Zhuang might even whisper a little pillow talk and have them consigned to the Cold Palace. That was not impossible.
"Elder Sister Noble Consort is right. Though we are women, we cannot simply stand by with folded arms."
"These fifty thousand taels in silver notes shall count as my contribution toward sharing His Majesty's burdens."
Consort Min smiled sweetly and, without another word, responded to Noble Consort Zhuang's proposal.
Seeing Consort Min step forward first, no one was surprised.
Who in this palace did not know that Consort Min belonged to Noble Consort Zhuang's faction?
"Consort Ning, I hear your Lu Family's business is flourishing, with mountains of gold and silver piled in your home. Do you not intend to share His Majesty's burdens?"
Consort Min gave a faint smile and looked provocatively at Consort Ning.
Consort Ning's delicate brows rose. She had known Consort Min would target her.
Fortunately, she had long prepared for today's situation.
"Consort Min, you jest. My father and brothers only conduct a little business; where would we find mountains of gold and silver?"
"Like every other family, we barely make enough to get by."
"I am not as wealthy and generous as you, Consort Min. The moment you make a move, it is fifty thousand taels in silver notes."
"What? Elder Sister Consort Ning, do you not intend to share His Majesty's burdens?"
Consort Min's voice was shrill, carrying a trace of mockery and ridicule as she forced Consort Ning into a dead end.
"Consort Min, you jest. As one of His Majesty's consorts, of course I must share His Majesty's burdens."
"I do not have as much silver as you do, so I can only donate this jade pendant bestowed by His Majesty to share His Majesty's burdens."
As she spoke, Consort Ning took out a jade pendant granted by Emperor Yuanchu.
This move directly left Consort Min and Noble Consort Zhuang at a loss.
In terms of value, Consort Ning's jade pendant naturally could not compare to fifty thousand taels in silver notes.
But it had been bestowed by Emperor Yuanchu, and its significance was immense.
Who would dare compare mere gold and silver with an imperial-bestowed jade pendant?
The corners of Consort Ning's lips lifted slightly as she continued.
"Consort Min, could it be that you use only these yellow and white trinkets to share His Majesty's burdens?"
"Your heart is not sincere!"
Consort Min's face darkened, turning terrifyingly ugly.
Seeing Consort Min suffer a loss, Noble Consort Zhuang hurriedly stepped forward to favor her side.
"Consort Ning, as the elder sister, you should show more consideration toward your younger sisters."
"For Consort Min to produce fifty thousand taels is already no easy matter."
"Though these yellow and white trinkets cannot compare to the preciousness of an imperial-bestowed jade pendant, they are still a token of her heart."
Noble Consort Zhuang's words defused Consort Ning's offensive.
Consort Ning was in Noble Consort Zhuang's territory, so naturally she would not stubbornly offend her to the bitter end. She simply gave Noble Consort Zhuang some face.
"Elder Sister Noble Consort is right."
"It was this younger sister's oversight."
Seeing Consort Ning lower her head, Noble Consort Zhuang knew she was not easy to deal with and did not press the attack.
Her gaze turned toward the other consorts.
Just then, a thunderous chorus of "Congratulations to Your Majesty!" sounded from outside.
When it reached Jingyang Palace, the many beauties revealed astonished expressions.
Noble Consort Zhuang waved her hand and said calmly.
"Go outside and see what has happened."
Whispers also rose through the rear garden.
They wondered what joyous event had made the civil and military officials congratulate Emperor Yuanchu.
Before long, a eunuch returned to report.
"Reporting to Your Ladyship, the Ninth Prince has presented an auspicious omen to His Majesty."
"What auspicious omen?"
Consort Min immediately interrupted to ask, a bad feeling rising in her heart.
"I heard it is rice that yields seven hundred jin per mu."
"It has resolved the problem of the great drought in the northwest."
"His Majesty was overjoyed, and he even granted the Ninth Prince a princedom."
Jingyang Palace, rear garden.
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
It was the calm before a raging storm; the air itself seemed heavy enough to wring water from.
A moment of silence passed.
Consort Shu broke the stillness.
"Congratulations, Sister. His Highness the Ninth Prince has been granted a princely title."
"Congratulations, Sister Consort Ning!"
"Sister Consort Ning, you truly gave birth to a fine son."
Voices of congratulations rose and fell throughout the rear garden, one after another without end.
Noble Consort Zhuang watched the scene, her expression dark and uncertain.
It was as though, in that very moment, Jingyang Palace had become Consort Ning's domain.
Before you continue