Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved
Chapter 304: The Eternal Emperor, A Name in History

Chapter 304: Chapter 304: The Eternal Emperor, A Name in History

The Emperor’s visit this time was an incognito one, not alarming outsiders.

Entering through the main gate of the Prince Mansion, Murong Jiu led the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Qi straight toward the Glazed Greenhouse.

Upon seeing the vast greenhouse, both the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Qi showed astonishment.

"What is this?"

Murong Jiu, smiling introduced, "This is the Glazed Greenhouse, capable of cultivating fruits and vegetables out of their season. It was devised by a few elder Peasant Officials invited by your son, and unexpectedly, it was indeed a success."

Inside the Glazed Pavilion, Peasant Official Lady Jing and others, having been informed of His Holy Visit, were kneeling outside.

Right after Jun Yuyan had returned to the mansion, still in his court attire and slightly limping, he hurried over.

"This son pays his respects to father Emperor and mother Consort!"

"You’ve returned just in time, Xiao Jiu said you all would give Us a surprise. We are very curious. Lead the way."

The Emperor said with a smile. It was apparent that he was indeed in a good mood after stepping out, but he was still cautious, with as many as six Imperial Bodyguards by his side, first having Jun Yuyan enter the Glazed Greenhouse to ward off any possible ambush.

Jun Yuyan chuckled lightly, "Originally, your son planned to reveal this surprise to Father Emperor later. I didn’t expect Ah Jiu to suddenly bring father Emperor and mother Consort here, catching me unprepared."

Murong Jiu said, "It’s a coincidence, Prince. Today, Consort Qin invited me to the palace, right? Just in time to see father Emperor, whose gloom and recurring cold worry me, I thought of letting father Emperor stroll outside to lighten his heart, hence the surprise was advanced for you."

"Indeed, Ah Jiu is thoughtful."

The Emperor laughed, "Xiao Jiu is indeed thoughtful. Stepping out of the palace has really broadened my mood."

Imperial Noble Consort Qi followed with a laugh, "Both of these children are indeed filial."

As Jun Yuyan led the way, two more Imperial Bodyguards entered first before the Emperor stepped in.

Then came Imperial Noble Consort Qi, with Murong Jiu trailing at the end.

Upon entering, the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Qi were amazed by the sight in front of them; their vision filled with verdant green plants bearing heavy, unfamiliar fruits.

"What are these red and green things?"

"This is persimmon, which can be eaten raw or cooked; this is chili, used as a spice; these are green beans; this is corn; this is white fleeceflower root..."

Jun Yuyan expertly introduced each and every crop in the Glazed Greenhouse to the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Qi.

Lady Jing, carrying a plate of washed and cut persimmons, walked in, and Murong Jiu took a piece, took a bite to show the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Qi, "This persimmon is sour, sweet, crisp, and refreshing to eat, but only the ripe red persimmons are edible."

The two had never seen persimmons before and, as they were already sliced, both reached out to try some.

The taste was truly unlike anything they had ever eaten, very distinctive.

"You can also dip it in white sugar to eat."

Jun Yuyan took a piece and dipped it in white sugar to eat.

"Mmm! Your Majesty, it’s even tastier with white sugar!"

As Imperial Noble Consort Qi had a sweet tooth, she ate a piece and felt this way of eating suited her taste better.

The Emperor tasted some too and nodded in praise, unable to resist eating a few more pieces.

He had not been feeling well and had only had a bit of gruel in the morning. He hadn’t felt hungry, but after using this persimmon as an appetizer, he started feeling a bit hungry again.

Murong Jiu laughed, "Father Emperor, don’t eat too much. Persimmons eaten raw are a bit cold in nature. In a little while, we’ll cook them for you along with sweet potatoes and corn, all crops from overseas, and prepare a full overseas banquet for you."

The Emperor, hearing this, eagerly agreed.

Jun Yuyan said:

"Father, actually these crops only enrich the cuisine of Great Yan. Only sweet potatoes, potatoes, and corn are fundamental to the livelihood of the people of Great Yan. Your son knows that everyone outside is saying that he is foolishly making the people plant crops just to make Xiao Jiu smile. However, you, Father, have not blamed me, because you believe in me. I dare not disappoint you. It’s fortunate that Ah Jiu has invited you here to cheer you up. I just wanted you to see for yourself how productive the potatoes and sweet potatoes are."

As he spoke, he picked up a hoe and personally began to dig up the grown potatoes and sweet potatoes.

The Emperor felt somewhat uneasy; in fact, he had not sought out Jun Yuyan, but was merely waiting for his illness to improve so that he could personally attend court and then, in the presence of all the officials, question him for his actions.

He knew that Jun Yuyan had managed the governmental affairs very well and there was no fault to be found. Had it not been for the Third Prince’s hand, which had not fully recovered its ability to write, he would have never allowed Jun Yuyan to act in his stead, thus he asked the Fourth Prince to come back to assist.

When the time came to question him, pointing out this matter would naturally leave the officials unable to speak in favor of Jun Yuyan and would also erase his prior achievements.

Due to his slight unease, the Emperor did not respond to Jun Yuyan’s words but merely watched curiously as Jun Yuyan hoed the ground.

It was not long before he dug out clumps of earth of various sizes and shapes. To the Emperor’s surprise, from just one plant, he had dug out over a dozen fruits!

"This, this is the potato you mentioned? One plant can produce this many?"

The Emperor asked in surprise.

Imperial Noble Consort Qi asked, "They look like stones. Can they be eaten?"

Murong Jiu clapped her hands, and Lady Jing came over with both cooked potatoes and sweet potatoes.

She broke the potatoes and sweet potatoes in half, and the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Qi did not expect that beneath their ugly exteriors they were clean and plump, emitting a unique fragrance.

"These two crops are both very filling. Please, Father and Mother, have a taste,"

she said, and then she herself broke off a piece and put it in her mouth.

The Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort Qi followed suit and tasted them.

"This sweet potato does taste somewhat sweet, and the potato has its own unique flavor. Just as Xiao Jiu said, a small piece has a significant filling effect,"

the Emperor mused aloud.

Meanwhile, Jun Yuyan had already dug up some sweet potatoes, which were larger than the potatoes, and their yield was quite surprising.

If this productivity could be maintained, one acre could indeed yield a thousand pounds or even more.

The more he thought, the more excited the Emperor became, his complexion turning ruddy.

How could he not be happy?

If these crops were widely adopted, all his subjects could have full stomachs, making him an emperor for the ages, forever noted in history as a great sovereign!

No one could stop the spread of these crops!

"Very good, very good, very good! Yu Yan, Xiao Jiu, well done both of you. I support Xiao Jiu’s development of sea merchants, it was indeed correct. You two have brought me so many crops, benefiting the people of Great Yan. I am very pleased, and there will be great rewards!"

Imperial Noble Consort Qi showed joy.

Jun Yuyan said, "It is our duty to alleviate Father’s worries."

The Emperor joyfully said, "Truly, you have given me a great surprise!"

Seizing this opportunity, Murong Jiu interjected:

"Unfortunately, we have only obtained these crops in limited quantities. Even the farmlands outside the capital city are not fully planted. We can only keep the seeds from this year’s fruits to continue expanding cultivation year by year. However, while it’s essential the people eat their fill, they also need warmth. White Fleeceflower Root from the Western Regions is easier to obtain than seeds from overseas. Now is the perfect time to cultivate these seeds. If Consort Qin could help by having the Western Region Prince send some seeds back, that would be cause for universal celebration."

Jun Yuyan said, "That’s not proper, Ah Jiu. Why would the Western Region Prince willingly send the seeds?"

Murong Jiu replied, "Why not? Isn’t the Western Regions a vassal state of our Great Yan now? All under heaven is the Emperor’s land, and all who live within its bounds are his servants. Only when Great Yan is strong can it protect its vassal states from foreign invasions!"