Chapter 276: The Emperor's Expectation (4K)

Imperial Garden

Zhang Jian wore a vermilion fourth-rank official's robe, his complexion fair, his fingers long and slender; though having attained mastery in Dao arts, his divine radiance was now fully restrained within, yet an air of spiritual elegance still shone through his bearing.

"Your subject Zhang Daosheng pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

Upon seeing Emperor Jingwu, Zhang Jian bowed, and the emperor, in high spirits, waved his hand and spoke eagerly.

"Master Zhang, dispense with the formalities—come, tell me, how did you research this thing! Can it be mass-produced?!"

This is what Emperor Jingwu most wants to know right now!

Hearing this, Zhang Jian's expression remained unchanged as he briefly mentioned the countless seed selections and optimizations he had undertaken over the past three or four years.

Finally, he touched upon yield.

Zhang Jian gave an extremely conservative answer.

"About one thousand catties per mu, and if conditions permit, over two thousand catties!"

In fact, in the era I recall, with advanced production techniques and suitable conditions, a yield of ten thousand catties per mu was achievable.

But the Great Qian not only lacks mature composting technology, it also completely lacks temperature regulation technology.

Moreover, pest control, fertilization, and management—everything essentially starts from zero; being able to produce one or two thousand catties is already the utmost limit.

"A yield of one thousand catties per mu, Master Zhang—is this truly the case?"

Emperor Jingwu could not help but rise to his feet, his eyes gleaming.

He is not ignorant of farming; on the contrary, he has personally gone incognito to visit the countryside, and now the other five grains and miscellaneous cereals cultivated in Great Qian yield at most three or four hundred catties per mu.

If this tomato can yield a thousand catties, is it not two or three times that of other crops?

Zhang Jian nodded.

"Your subject tested planting one mu of tomatoes in a field in the suburbs, and multiple harvests may even exceed two thousand catties!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu was overjoyed beyond expectation.

"Master Zhang, you are truly a benefactor of the people of Great Qian; with this crop, countless commoners could be fed!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian shook his head and poured a basin of cold water.

"Your Majesty, although this tomato has a high yield per mu, it cannot replace staple food!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu's expression froze; he gazed at Zhang Jian, pondered briefly, then said.

"Master Zhang, is it because of storage problems?"

Emperor Jingwu knows that for melons, fruits, and similar crops, storage is time-limited, except for a few that can remain well-preserved.

Zhang Jian nodded.

"First, tomatoes are difficult to store; second, their energy content is insufficient to sustain normal life functions, so they must be supplemented with staple food!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu furrowed his brow—this somewhat exceeded his expectations, and his excited mood calmed down.

Since it cannot directly represent staple food, its value obviously needs to be discounted!

Emperor Jingwu still refused to give up, asking:

"Master Zhang, can this problem be solved?"

"Your Majesty, every crop has its unique value and cannot be easily altered in essence! Nor can one create something from nothing!"

Zhang Jian felt somewhat helpless!

Creating something from nothing is the domain of void creation!

Emperor Jingwu felt a slight regret, yet his face still showed unreserved praise for Zhang Jian.

"Master Zhang, your investigation of things and extension of knowledge is indeed the art of governing the world and benefiting the people; no matter what, the emergence of this great tomato will greatly benefit the populace, and perhaps because of your tomato, those suffering from hunger and cold may gain another thread of hope!"

"Qian Ai Qing said Your Majesty's merit is boundless; but I say, Master Zhang, your deed is truly boundless in merit!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian clasped his hands.

"Your Majesty flatters me!"

Emperor Jingwu's eyes now shone with brightness, and he said.

"Master Zhang, since you can improve including leeks, scallions, ginger, and even today's tomato seeds, then, can you also improve the five grains and miscellaneous cereals that serve as staple food for the people of Great Qian?"

At this moment, his eyes shone with intense earnestness.

Indeed, if Zhang Jian could achieve this, he would surely be honored as a sage of the age, and this emperor would certainly leave his name in history.

Anyone who could achieve this would gain merit no less than that of the ancient agricultural emperor.

And as the Son of Heaven, as the leader, if he could achieve this, he could certainly raise the emperor's prestige to the utmost, and with this prestige, in the future, clarify the court, accomplish reform, and proceed smoothly.

Zhang Jian nodded.

"Your Majesty, give your subject some time, and your subject will surely accomplish this!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jingwu could not help but rise, walk to Zhang Jian's front, his eyes shining with joy, and said.

"Good, Master Zhang, if you can accomplish this, not to mention the position of Three Dukes, even being enfeoffed with a fief, I would not grudge it!"

Zhang Jian gazed at Emperor Jingwu, full of anticipation and hope, and inwardly sighed.

He does not share Emperor Jingwu's optimism; his vision is broader, and he has seen much of rise and fall.

He knows that even if he completes the selection and improvement of the five grains' seeds, changes inefficient farming methods, and hopes to fill the people's bellies, it may not necessarily eliminate poverty and hunger.

In fact, even if one is full, there will still be disputes and suffering.

Human desire is endless.

And the fundamental contradiction of Great Qian's land has not been resolved, so it is impossible to eliminate poverty and hunger.

But all things must have a beginning and an end.

What he must do now is first complete the task at hand, accumulate connections, and wait for the day when the opportunity arrives, then take over.

Wait until this江山 changes its master.

What the emperors of Great Qian throughout history could not achieve, others may not necessarily fail to achieve.

As for the emperor's appointment and wish-granting, Zhang Jian also didn't care about it.

Because according to his current progress, give him some time, sooner or later he will be able to rise to the position of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, taking charge of the court.

After drawing a big pie for Zhang Jian, Emperor Jingwu was happy for a while, but eventually calmed down and then gave Zhang Jian some actual benefits.

After Zhang Jian left, he immediately began drafting several imperial edicts one after another!

"Promoted to Deputy Minister of the Directorate of Education, Grand Scholar of the Literary and Martial Academy Zhang Jian is appointed as Assistant Minister of the Lesser Treasury, still concurrently holding the post of Minister of the Grand Agriculture Ministry, bearing the rank of junior third grade!"

Besides that, Emperor Jingwu waved his brush and issued two more imperial edicts, bestowing upon Zhang Jian's mother, wife, and the two Lady Zhang Qis respectively the title of Lady of Virtue of the third grade.

"The edict says: Accumulating virtue and goodness in the gate of virtue, extending blessings to descendants, the military headquarters strategized merits, bestowing special grace upon ancestors. The family name shall grow great..."

In the mansion of the top scholar, at this time Emperor Jingwu personally sent a special envoy from the palace to the top scholar's mansion to proclaim the edict, not only bestowing the title of honor, but also allowing him to hold this decree to meet the empress in the future, directly enter the palace, participate in many palace banquets in the inner court, and also enjoy the emoluments, tally sticks, etc. that come with the rank of third-grade official.

After finishing reading the edict, Zhang Jian had people send Liang Shiwu away, of course, before leaving, naturally there was also no lack of a small red envelope.

Seeing this red envelope, Liang Shiwu's originally smiling face became even more delighted.

"Husband, is this the treasure of the edict?"

Gazing at the edict in her hand, Qi Yuhua, with her big belly, also had a look of surprise in her beautiful eyes.

Seeing Qi Yuhua's delighted expression, Zhang Jian shook his head and said.

"Look at your little ambition, a third-grade edict title just sent the two of you packing!"

Emperor Jingwu is even more stingy than imagined.

He improved so many seeds, especially this big tomato coming into the world, which will greatly help Emperor Jingwu stabilize the situation, this merit is no less than a great victory, being ennobled and made a minister is enough.

As a result, Emperor Jingwu was stingy, only helping him rise one rank in office, giving him two third-grade edict titles.

This is actually not rare.

In the court, senior ministers, similar to him these purple and red officials, the court originally should have bestowed edict titles to show favor and honor.

After exchanging a few laughs with Qi Yuhua, Zhang Jian actually knew that his actions had already aroused Emperor Jingwu's vigilance.

Firstly, because he is young but already reached the third rank, prematurely ennobled, with no further ennoblement possible in the future.

Secondly, he is worried that Zhang Jian will take this opportunity to bribe the people's hearts, threatening the foundation of the Great Qian rule.

At this time, Qi Yuhua, with her big belly, seeing Zhang Jian's expression, immediately smiled softly and said: "Yes, my husband has vast divine powers, but I am very precious, because this is what my husband earned for our family..."

She is tender as water, always good at soothing people's hearts.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian's face showed a hint of a smile.

He put one arm around Qi Yuhua's round body, casually sending a strand of mana into her abdomen, feeling the subtle beating of the fetal heart, his eyes showing some joy.

Qi Yuhua put away the edict treasure in her hand, at this moment thinking, she couldn't help but ask.

"Husband, Chang'an is already eight years old, do you have any arrangements for her?"

When mentioning Zhang Chang'an, Zhang Jian's mouth corner twitched into a slight smile.

Zhang Chang'an is his eldest daughter, his affection for Zhang Chang'an even surpasses that for Zhang Yi and Zhang Zhao.

The little girl has been lively and quick-witted since childhood.

She takes after her little aunt, Empress Xiao Qi.

Regarding her arrangements, Zhang Jian has some hesitation, on one hand hoping she becomes an ordinary person, on the other hand benefiting from his and Qi Yuhua's excellent bloodline, Zhang Chang'an likewise possesses the qualifications for cultivation, and her qualifications are even above those of his brother Zhang Zhao.

Several Daoists of the Dongguan Observatory have already walked around the gate several times, eyeing it with envy.

But Zhang Jian does not want to put all his eggs in one basket.

"Wife, what do you think?"

Qi Yuhua glanced at Zhang Jian, thought for a moment, and then said.

"Husband, I asked Chang'an, Chang'an mentioned that she wants to study the arts like her two elder brothers, to cultivate abilities, to be free and unfettered!"

Zhang Jian glanced at Qi Yuhua, his eyes fluctuating.

Being free and unfettered, this should probably be Qi Yuhua's obsession, or perhaps her obsession from before she left the boudoir.

Zhang Jian has heard Qi Yuhua mention her past fears, very afraid of being like her elder sister, marrying a nobleman who is splendid on the outside but rotten within, suffering endless torment.

Zhang Jian thought for a moment, and then said.

"After a while, she will have another opportunity, and then we shall see her own fortune!"

Zhang Jian's eyes fluctuated.

After staying in Haojing City for a long time, he actually discovered many secrets, among which some places contain some cultivation opportunities or cultivation methods.

Most of these cultivation opportunities are due to the passage of time, buried by the dust of the world.

Only a few with exceptionally good fortune can find them.

But these cannot escape the notice of Zhang Jian, whose yang spirit and divine consciousness have coalesced.

Even if he has not actively emitted yang spirit divine consciousness, the substantiated yang spirit can still perceive some different changes, identify the value of some treasures.

……

And at this time, in the court of the Great Qian, because of Qian Bian's shout, many civil and military officials also couldn't help but turn their gazes to the Grand Agriculture Ministry.

Since ancient times, whenever an 'auspicious sign' appears, the court inside and outside will be stirred up.

Emperor Jingwu is different from previous emperors, not a emperor who loves grand achievements and fame, he does not like people presenting all kinds of chaotic auspicious signs, he is more pragmatic.

Civil and military officials generally know this, no one dares to randomly fabricate auspicious signs to try to curry favor.

When everyone was waiting to see the jokes of the Grand Agriculture Ministry's upper and lower levels, but on the second day's morning court, Emperor Jingwu's series of ennoblements and rewards actually shocked the officials greatly.

What was eye-popping was that this time, not only did Qian Bian, the Assistant Minister of the Grand Agriculture Ministry, receive additional ennoblement, but Zhang Jian was promoted again, rising to the rank of junior third grade Assistant Minister of the Lesser Treasury.

And the upper and lower levels of the Grand Agriculture Ministry also received generous bestowals of gold, silver, money, and silk, many imperial gifts dazzling to the eye, making people dazzled.

Even the Prime Minister Li Yan was surprised by this, he noticed that this time Emperor Jingwu's ennoblement of the Grand Agriculture Ministry's personnel completely bypassed him, this Prime Minister, otherwise usually when ennobling officials, or selecting outstanding ones, they would discuss with him this Prime Minister one or two.

However, when the Assistant Minister of the Grand Agriculture Ministry, in front of the civil and military officials, raised up many "auspicious signs," the entire court immediately boiled over.

This boiling over spread from the court and countryside to the inside and outside of Haojing City.

…

At the Minister of Justice's residence, Wang Xiao and his adoptive relatives from the Wang family were all gathered before a small basket of tomatoes.

"Madam, Xiao'er, you may all try some—this was bestowed by His Majesty!"

Wang Yan wore a dark purple court robe; at this moment, the Minister of Justice's eyes flickered with a hint of a smile.

This entire basket of large tomatoes was a gift from the Son of Heaven.

At court that morning, all officials of third rank and above had received some; he himself had already tasted them personally, and these large tomatoes were indeed sweet in flavor, not inferior to the various melons and fruits sold at the market, although they had a somewhat 'strange taste,' yet they were sufficient to fill one's belly.

"Is this not the large tomato cultivated by your esteemed teacher?"

Gazing at the basket of bright red fruit before him, Wang Xiao's expression showed a hint of surprise.

He was not unfamiliar with this large tomato; over the past few months, he had frequently visited the Ministry of Agriculture, knew something about the good things there, and had even participated in watering and fertilizing.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan was greatly astonished.

"Xiao'er, do you know what this is?"

Wang Xiao nodded and said with a smile: "This fruit is the result of my esteemed teacher's years of research, utilizing some extraordinary methods to cultivate it!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan nodded.

"At court this morning, your esteemed teacher certainly made a splash; His Majesty has already decided to promote this crop, and the officials all say that if it truly yields a thousand jin per mu, it could alleviate the people's famine!"

"If it truly comes to pass, it would be merit without measure!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiao frowned slightly; Zhang Jian had indeed told him plainly that this thing could only temporarily stave off hunger, not solve famine.

Moreover, to truly resolve famine, one must still seek solutions from staple grains and legumes.

Is someone trying to kill him with praise?

This thought flashed through Wang Xiao's mind, but he immediately shook his head; at this critical juncture, no one would be so foolish—perhaps it was merely a case of misinformation spreading.

The thought passed through his mind, and a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes as he said:

"This is also what our Zhang school excels at; the master has mentioned that to establish a peaceful and prosperous age, we scholars who excel at creation and pursue fundamentals are indispensable!"

"Only through constant innovation can we generate an endless source of momentum!"

Wang Yan heard this and smiled without speaking; he was not a supporter of the 'Zhang school,' but he did not oppose Wang Xiao's becoming a disciple of Zhang Jian—not because he valued the 'Zhang school,' but because he valued Zhang Jian himself.

At such a young age, attaining the position of Vice Minister, future ennoblement and appointment as premier are inevitable.

He may even hope to become a regional power broker, wielding unilateral authority over court and countryside.

Wang Xiao is his eldest legitimate son and the future head of the Wang family; drawing close to such a court official of limitless prospects brings great benefit to the Wang family's future.

Naturally, the Wang family are also secret supporters of Zhang Jian.

Not only Wang Xiao, but among the Zhang school, there are no shortage of scions from great clans who share similar aims and have come to study under Zhang Jian.

…

Within the capital city of Haojing, Zhang Jian had at this moment come to the docks.

After contemplating the profound mysteries of the Heaven and Earth True Intent for a period of time, Zhang Jian still had not grasped its essence.

Recently, a trade gathering will be held in the Dragon Palace of the Grand Canal; hearing that each gathering sees various ancient scriptures appear, he is preparing to go try his luck.