Conferring a Princedom, Starting Today

Listening to the overwhelming cheers of "Long live!" washing over him, Emperor Yuanchu felt utterly refreshed and at ease.

His spirits soared, as if he were floating on clouds.

When was the last time he felt such exhilaration?

It seemed it was during his enthronement ceremony.

"All my beloved ministers, you may rise."

"The auspicious sign I received today is also thanks to your contributions."

Emperor Yuanchu was greatly pleased, a slight smile gracing his lips, dispelling the gloom he had felt earlier in the Wenyuan Pavilion.

"Ninth Prince, may I ask where this auspicious rice was discovered?"

The Left Prime Minister rose, his eyelids slightly lifting as he inquired.

His tone seemed calm, as if he were simply conducting official business.

However, Fang Heng still detected a hint of suspicion and reproach.

Many other high-ranking court officials also caught the Left Prime Minister's unspoken meaning.

The Ninth Prince had never shown any talent, yet after joining the Seed Selection Department, in just over a month, he had found rice with such astonishing yields per mu. It was hard not to be suspicious.

Could it be...

It better not be...

...related to those rebellious traitors from the God-Worshipping Sect.

Fang Heng seemed oblivious to the Left Prime Minister's hidden meaning, his expression calm as he cupped his hands in greeting to Emperor Yuanchu.

"Father Emperor, actually, this auspicious rice was not discovered by your son."

This astonishing remark not only stunned Emperor Yuanchu.

Even the Left Prime Minister, the Right Prime Minister, the Martial Prime Minister, and all the high-ranking court officials present were dumbfounded.

Before anyone could recover, Fang Heng began to explain in a measured tone.

"This auspicious rice was obtained by your son in a dream."

Obtained in a dream?

This...

How unusual!

Truly unusual!

Fang Heng's explanation piqued everyone's curiosity.

Emperor Yuanchu looked at him, and Fang Heng, understanding, nodded and continued.

"In my dream, your son saw the sacred beast Qilin. The sacred beast Qilin granted your son the method to cultivate this rice, and it also said..."

Fang Heng paused, took a deep breath, and then, under everyone's astonished and strange gazes, spoke with conviction.

"It also said that this is because a Sacred Emperor has appeared, moving heaven and earth, and it was through your son's hands that this auspicious sign was bestowed."

"Sacred Emperor appears, auspicious sign manifests!"

"Your son dares to humbly request Father Emperor to bestow upon this rice the name Sacred Emperor Rice."

Sacred Emperor Rice!

Everyone gasped in unison.

This flattery, it must have had three hundred years of cultivation!

Eunuch Su, standing to the side, was even more startled.

Fortunately, the Ninth Prince is a Dragon Descendant. Otherwise, wouldn't my own livelihood be taken?

Emperor Yuanchu was even more delighted.

Sacred Emperor appears, auspicious sign manifests!

These six words resonated deeply with him.

The Martial Prime Minister's expression was exaggeratedly surprised.

He seemed to not have expected that the Ninth Prince's flattery skills surpassed even those of Eunuch Su and the Left Prime Minister.

If Sacred Emperor Rice spread throughout the land...

Then in future generations, whenever Sacred Emperor Rice was mentioned, who wouldn't know the name of Emperor Yuanchu?

Emperor Yuanchu's name would be etched in history alongside Sacred Emperor Rice, eternally immortal.

The Left Prime Minister's mood sank slightly, realizing that Fang Heng was not easy to deal with.

Fortunately, Consort Ning is not from one of the Ten Great Dao Courts, otherwise, this would be another treacherous character like the Second Prince.

Sacred Emperor Rice!

Sacred Emperor Rice!

Sacred Emperor Rice!

After a lengthy moment of intense satisfaction, Emperor Yuanchu finally came back to his senses and nodded contentedly.

"The Ninth Prince has presented the auspicious Sacred Emperor Rice, rendering a great service to the nation."

"He shall be enfeoffed as a Prince of a Commandery, with an income of ten thousand households."

"As for the specific title and income, the Ministry of Rites shall draft the details."

"Your son humbly thanks Your Imperial Majesty for your grace."

Fang Heng's heart swelled with emotion, a slight smile playing on his lips, harder to suppress than an AK-47's recoil.

A Prince of a Commandery!

He was finally enfeoffed as a prince!

All the effort he'd poured into the Seed Selection Department over the past month hadn't been in vain.

Within the Great Qian imperial clan, there was a strict system.

Princes were not enfeoffed without merit.

Only princes who had rendered 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-lowest princely rank, it was still a princely title.

Compared to those princes who hadn't been enfeoffed, Fang Heng had advanced ahead.

The Eighth Prince, two years Fang Heng's senior, was still just a prince and had yet to be enfeoffed.

Today, Fang Heng had taken the lead, becoming a Prince of a Commandery.

Besides the princely title, there was also...

Cultivated Sacred Emperor Rice, Destiny/Luck +10000 points!

Enfeoffed as Prince of a Commandery, Destiny/Luck +10000 points!

Twenty thousand points of Destiny/Luck were Fang Heng's greatest gain.

Enough for Fang Heng to refine two golden Fate Attributes.

Cultivating Sacred Emperor Rice was like baking a larger cake, and it brought him Destiny/Luck.

And as Sacred Emperor Rice was promoted, it would continuously bring Fang Heng more Destiny/Luck.

This was equivalent to a cash cow.

Promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was a difficult and arduous task.

Many people believed that once the common folk heard about Sacred Emperor Rice, they would rush to switch to cultivating it.

In reality, the exact opposite was true.

Not only would the common folk not rush to switch, but they would even resist.

It was the gentry and landowners who were very keen on cultivating new crop varieties.

Because gentry and landowners owned vast amounts of land, setting aside one or two plots to grow new crops was something they could easily afford.

Cultivating new crops wasn't an overnight success.

It could lead to poor harvests or even total crop failure, perhaps due to the seeds or cultivation techniques.

For gentry and landowners, it just meant missing a few meals of meat.

But for ordinary folk, it could mean selling their children.

Therefore, ordinary folk would initially be very resistant to new crops.

Until...

They saw their neighbors prospering and getting rich from cultivating new crops, only then would they have the motivation to switch.

Fang Heng presenting the Sacred Emperor Rice was his plan to "borrow a chicken to lay eggs."

He intended to use the imperial court to promote Sacred Emperor Rice.

As Sacred Emperor Rice was promoted, he would continuously gain Destiny/Luck.

As for being enfeoffed as a Prince of a Commandery, that was akin to getting a larger slice of the cake.

A prince with a princely title and a prince without one were not on the same level.

Today, with the emergence of Sacred Emperor Rice, the biggest beneficiary was undoubtedly Fang Heng.

Next in line was Liu Song, the Minister of Agriculture.

At least, Liu Song believed this to be the case.

Liu Song stepped forward, cupped his hands, and addressed Emperor Yuanchu.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the promotion of Sacred Emperor Rice is an urgent matter."

"Your subject volunteers to take on this mission, to travel to the provinces and promote Sacred Emperor Rice."

"If there's even one of the Great Qian's seventy-two commanderies that hasn't planted Sacred Emperor Rice, then this old subject will not return to the central government."

When Liu Song volunteered, his heart was surging with an uncontrollable excitement.

Promoting Sacred Emperor Rice—this was an opportunity to achieve lasting merit and have his name recorded in history for generations.

Compared to the backstabbing and deceit in the central government, how could it possibly compare to going out into the provinces to promote Sacred Emperor Rice?

For Liu Song, he didn't want to stay in Yujing City for another moment.

He wished he could sprout wings and fly to the provinces immediately.

In his view, he was the only suitable candidate to promote Sacred Emperor Rice.

After all, promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was inherently the Ministry of Agriculture's responsibility.

As the Minister of Agriculture, he was the most appropriate person for the task.

Surely, the Left Prime Minister couldn't be the one to promote it.

If the Left Prime Minister were to snatch away the opportunity to promote Sacred Emperor Rice, his faction would be disheartened.

Who else but me could promote Sacred Emperor Rice?

Yan Ziqian, the Minister of Revenue, was also somewhat tempted.

This was clearly an opportunity to be remembered in history, and he coveted it as well.

He glanced at the Right Prime Minister, who subtly shook his head.

The unspoken message was:

You can't win this one!

The Left Prime Minister's influence was too strong.

And promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was the Ministry of Agriculture's affair.

How could one possibly contend for it?

The opportune timing and favorable conditions were all on the side of the Minister of Agriculture.

Emperor Yuanchu's eyes flickered slightly, and he said blandly, "The promotion of Sacred Emperor Rice concerns the National Destiny."

"My dear ministers, submit your proposals."

Emperor Yuanchu's seemingly light words were like an invisible, colossal hand, stirring up a storm in everyone's hearts.

Submit proposals?

On the surface, it seemed he was simply asking the high-ranking court officials to discuss who should be chosen to promote Sacred Emperor Rice.

But everyone present was an old fox; how could they not understand Emperor Yuanchu's hidden meaning?

The Minister of Agriculture was clearly the most suitable person.

Yet, instead of issuing a direct order, he wanted everyone to deliberate.

The unspoken message was: Liu Song isn't suitable; find someone else.

Liu Song's mood instantly plummeted, his aged body trembled slightly, and his vision blurred.

It was as if Emperor Yuanchu's single sentence had just pulled out his spine.

All the vitality and spirit in his body visibly withered away.

As for the others, they thought even more deeply.

Why did Emperor Yuanchu want everyone to deliberate?

Was it simply because he thought Liu Song was unsuitable?

Or was he targeting the Crown Prince?

Perhaps he didn't want the credit for promoting Sacred Emperor Rice to fall to the Crown Prince's faction.

The Right Prime Minister and the Minister of Revenue exchanged glances, their eyes flashing, both seeing an opportunity.

Besides Liu Song, several other ministers were also tempted.

Promoting Sacred Emperor Rice was not only a great achievement.

Once successful, returning to the central government would inevitably lead to further advancement.

Further advancement? Wouldn't that mean a prime ministership?

Fang Heng witnessed the entire process, sighing inwardly.

This was the power of imperial authority.

No wonder so many people were obsessed with it.

Emperor Yuanchu hadn't even stated his position directly, merely asking everyone to deliberate, and the situation completely turned around.

With a single word, he brought a dignified Minister of Agriculture crashing down from the clouds.

"The specific candidates will be limited to officials of the third rank and above."

Emperor Yuanchu said with a laugh.

He looked like a cricket owner watching a cricket fight.

Fang Heng stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Father, there's one more thing your son needs to report."

"What is it?"

"Sacred Emperor Rice is different from other rice varieties."

"If the seeds of Sacred Emperor Rice are used to plant fields, the Sacred Emperor Rice will degenerate, its yield per mu will decrease, and it will be no different from ordinary rice."

As soon as Fang Heng said this, Emperor Yuanchu's eyes lit up, bursting with two brilliant rays of light.

The three prime ministers and the various ministers also showed expressions of astonishment.

Their jaws seemed as if they were about to drop to the floor in surprise.

"Ninth Prince, do you mean that to maintain a yield of seven hundred catties per mu for Sacred Emperor Rice, seeds need to be purchased from you?" The Left Prime Minister forcefully suppressed the shock in his heart, his expression barely holding together, as he quickly asked.

"Left Prime Minister, that's not quite right."

"The seeds are to be purchased from the imperial court."

"Sacred Emperor Rice isn't something that belongs solely to this prince."

Fang Heng understood the profits embedded in seed transactions better than anyone.

For agricultural powerhouses like Argentina, their soybean industry was choked and had its lifeline seized by American seed companies.

If they didn't use genetically modified seeds from American companies, their soybean yield would be low, leading to losses.

But if they did use genetically modified seeds from American companies, their lifeline would be in the American companies' hands.

Not only would most of the profits be siphoned off, but Argentina would also be forced to act like a dog.

If asked to bite, they wouldn't dare bare their teeth.

Even China's cotton industry in the northwest once faced a similar threat.

The seeds of Sacred Emperor Rice were of immense importance.

Fang Heng could not possibly monopolize them.

Trying to keep everything for himself would lead to a severe beating.

Especially before possessing overwhelming power.

Therefore, Fang Heng didn't try to negotiate; he decisively gifted the method for cultivating Sacred Emperor Rice seeds to the imperial court.

How to cultivate them, how much to cultivate, and at what price to sell them—all would be decided by the imperial court.

The distribution and pricing of these seeds contained profits that were by no means less than the Sacred Emperor Rice itself.

Emperor Yuanchu was overjoyed, and his gaze towards Fang Heng grew increasingly gentle; the more he looked, the more he liked him.

Capable, articulate, knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding what to take and what to give up.

Even if he achieved nothing in cultivation, he was still the makings of a capable minister in a time of peace.

He truly is my son!

"Proclaim to all under heaven that Sacred Emperor Rice seeds can be exchanged for grain."

"Yan Ziqian, I'll leave this matter to you."

Emperor Yuanchu spoke with strong conviction.

Yan Ziqian, the Minister of Revenue, immediately accepted the order.

Proclaim to all under heaven?

Was he telling the common folk?

Of course not, he was telling the aristocratic families.

Want to get Sacred Emperor Rice seeds first?

Provide grain and help the imperial court resolve the great drought in the northwest.

Yan Ziqian looked at Fang Heng with a very complex expression.

Just one rice plant had completely shifted the balance of power in this disaster relief effort!

Emperor Yuanchu walked over to Fang Heng, patted his shoulder, and smiled broadly.

"Heng'er, you've brought your father a great surprise."

"Sixteen years have passed in a blink of an eye, and you've truly come into your own."

"Some time ago, your mother came to ask for a position for you in the Seed Selection Department. Your father was still worried you wouldn't do well and would disgrace the imperial family."

"What you've done today is even more outstanding than what your imperial father anticipated."

"I don't even know how to reward you."

"It's all thanks to Imperial Father's wise guidance over the years that your son is who he is today."

"Being named a Prince of a Commandery has always been your son's fervent wish. Your son dares not ask for more rewards."

Fang Heng spoke humbly, but his words, both overt and subtle, conveyed one clear message:

My ability to cultivate the Sacred Emperor Rice is entirely due to your efforts, Imperial Father.

The greatest credit belongs to you, Imperial Father.

Your son, bathed in imperial grace, has achieved what he has today.

As for rewards?

The achievement of the Sacred Emperor Rice can certainly be openly discussed.

It's legitimate and indisputable.

Being named a Prince of a Commandery is well-deserved.

However, how the Sacred Emperor Rice is distributed, and the benefits derived from it, are matters that must remain discreet.

They cannot be openly rewarded.

Emperor Yuanchu's smile grew wider as he listened to Fang Heng.

His satisfaction with Fang Heng intensified, and he praised him with three consecutive "good"s.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"Go into the palace and see your imperial mother. Tell her the good news."

Eunuch Su watched the scene before him, his heart secretly startled.

It seemed that from now on, the Ninth Prince could not be overlooked.

Eunuch Su knew Emperor Yuanchu's temperament intimately.

What seemed like casual family talk was, in fact, more valuable than being named a Prince of a Commandery.

What did it mean to be "in the Emperor's heart"?

This was precisely what it meant to be "in the Emperor's heart"!

Not bestowing a reward was the greatest reward.

Jingyang Palace.

Noble Consort Zhuang, the Crown Prince's birth mother.

After the Empress went into secluded cultivation, she temporarily assumed the Empress's authority, managing the imperial harem and subtly projecting the air of a "mistress of the imperial harem."

Today, Noble Consort Zhuang hosted a banquet for the consorts of the Six Palaces.

All concubines, imperial concubines, and beauties were present, no one daring to disrespect Noble Consort Zhuang.

In the garden, graceful and enchanting figures competed in beauty, a truly stunning sight.

Even the flowers in the garden were outshone.

Noble Consort Zhuang wore a purple palace gown, alluring and charming, exuding elegance and nobility, adorned with glistening jewels.

"Dear sisters, the severe drought in the Northwest has caused His Majesty great worry."

"Though we in the imperial harem cannot interfere in governance, we must still share His Majesty's burdens."

"My invitation to you all today is with the hope that you, my sisters, can contribute your efforts to alleviate the Northwest drought."

The concubines present, upon hearing Noble Consort Zhuang's words, felt a stir in their hearts.

Though not explicitly stated, they understood Noble Consort Zhuang's intention.

It was to donate money for disaster relief.

Of course, the credit for the disaster relief would naturally fall to Noble Consort Zhuang, as the initiator.

It had nothing to do with anyone else.

Using others' money for disaster relief, Noble Consort Zhuang played the game very skillfully.

The other concubines harbored considerable resentment.

Why should their money be used to benefit Noble Consort Zhuang?

However, constrained by Noble Consort Zhuang's power, no one dared to speak out against her.

After all, sharing His Majesty's burdens was politically correct.

To speak out against her and be branded by Noble Consort Zhuang would surely lead to severe repercussions.

It wasn't impossible that Noble Consort Zhuang might even whisper a few words to the Emperor, resulting in them being banished to the cold palace.

"Noble Consort Sister is right. Although we are women, we cannot stand by idly."

"This 50,000 liang silver note is my contribution to easing His Majesty's burdens."

Consort Min smiled, and without a second thought, responded to Noble Consort Zhuang's initiative.

No one was surprised to see Consort Min be the first to step forward.

Who in the palace didn't know that Consort Min was Noble Consort Zhuang's person?

"Consort Ning, I hear your Lu Family does a booming business, with mountains of gold and silver piled up at home. Are you not planning to help His Majesty?"

Consort Min gave a slight smile, looking provocatively at Consort Ning.

Consort Ning's delicate brows twitched. She knew Consort Min was targeting her.

Fortunately, she was well-prepared for today's situation.

"Sister Min is joking. My father and brothers do a small business; there are no mountains of gold and silver.

"We're just barely scraping by, like everyone else.

"I'm not as wealthy as you, Sister Min, to casually offer a 50,000 liang silver note."

"What? Is Sister Ning not planning to help His Majesty?"

Consort Min's voice was sharp and shrill, laced with mockery and sarcasm, cornering Consort Ning.

"Sister Min is joking. As His Majesty's consort, of course, I must help His Majesty.

"I don't have as much silver as you, Sister, so I can only donate this jade pendant His Majesty bestowed upon me, to help him."

With that, Consort Ning took out a jade pendant bestowed by Emperor Yuanchu.

This move completely stumped Consort Min and Noble Consort Zhuang.

The value of Consort Ning's jade pendant, of course, couldn't compare to 50,000 liang of silver notes.

But it was bestowed by Emperor Yuanchu, making its significance immense.

Who would dare compare mere gold and silver to an imperial gift?

Consort Ning's lips curved slightly upward, and she continued.

"Sister Min, are you only using these gold and silver items to help His Majesty?

"Your sincerity is lacking!"

Consort Min's face darkened, becoming terribly grim.

Seeing Consort Min at a disadvantage, Noble Consort Zhuang quickly stepped in to intervene.

"Consort Ning, as an elder sister, you should be more considerate of your younger sisters.

"It's already quite difficult for Consort Min to produce 50,000 liang.

"Although these gold and silver items are not as precious as an imperial jade pendant, they are still a gesture of goodwill."

Noble Consort Zhuang's words defused Consort Ning's offensive.

Being on Noble Consort Zhuang's territory, Consort Ning naturally wouldn't stubbornly offend her to the death, so she gave Noble Consort Zhuang face.

"Noble Consort Sister is right.

"It was my oversight."

Seeing Consort Ning back down, Noble Consort Zhuang knew she wasn't easy to deal with and didn't press the attack.

Her gaze shifted to the other consorts.

Just then, a thunderous chorus of "Congratulations, Your Majesty!" echoed from outside.

Upon reaching Jingyang Palace, many of the beauties showed expressions of surprise.

Noble Consort Zhuang waved her hand, saying calmly, "Go outside and see what's happening."

In the rear garden, there was also hushed whispering.

Everyone was curious about what joyful event had caused all the civil and military officials to 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 directly interjected, feeling a bad premonition.

"I heard it's rice yielding seven hundred jin per mu.

"It has solved the problem of the great drought in the Northwest.

"His Majesty is greatly pleased and has even conferred a princely title upon His Highness the Ninth Prince."

Jingyang Palace, rear garden.

The atmosphere was silent for a moment.

It was the calm before a storm, the air so thick it seemed water could be wrung from it.

Silence fell for a moment.

Consort Shu broke the quiet.

"Congratulations, elder sister. The Ninth Prince has been made a Prince of a Commandery."

"Congratulations, Consort Ning!"

"Consort Ning, you truly raised a fine son."

Words of congratulation echoed throughout the back garden, one after another, in an endless stream.

Noble Consort Zhuang watched the scene, her expression shifting darkly.

It was as if, at this moment, Jingyang Palace had become Consort Ning's domain.