Chapter 40: Straightforward Boy Wei Zheng

Seeing Wei Zheng looking dejected, Li Chengqian looked at Chen Yan with admiration and silently gave him a thumbs‑up.

Brother Zi An…… truly a divine being.

He actually left Wei Zheng, who even the Father Emperor finds a constant headache, speechless.

Truly a model for us!

Wei Zheng inhaled deeply and said coldly, "Since the Marquis of Weinan said the pig‑raising method cannot be announced 'for now', I'm very curious—when does the Marquis of Weinan think the appropriate time will be?"

"Could it be that the Marquis of Weinan already has a solution?"

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Not to hide from Lord Wei, I actually have a bit of an idea, but …"

Everyone present perked up, eager to hear what solution he might have for the difficulty of promoting the pig‑raising method.

From the method of salt production to the current pig‑raising method, and the earlier insights that forced their acknowledgment, all indicate that this young man before us is no ordinary youth.

Zhangsun Wujie and Fang Xuanling now also dare not underestimate Chen Yan.

Even Wei Zheng unconsciously lightened his breathing.

However, Chen Yan changed tack, lazily saying, "I'm just a yellow‑mouth child; how could I dare to rashly judge state affairs?"

"I won't bring out these trivial ideas to embarrass myself before an official like you."

Wei Zheng: "......"

Others: "......"

Empress Changsun smiled faintly.

When Chen Yan first emerged from Dali Temple Prison to appear before Li Shimin, before he could say more than a few words, Li Shimin immediately ordered his beheading.

At that time Empress Changsun understood that the boy held grudges deeply.

Unless his mind is fully at ease, he will never easily let Wei Zheng go.

This time, Wei Zheng really hit a steel plate.

"......"

"You......"

"What do you think you are? Sitting in my chair, drinking my tea, breathing the air of my house—do you still think you're right?"

Wei Zheng, furious, stood up on the spot, raised his hand, and trembled as he pointed at Chen Yan.

He had only uttered a single word before Chen Yan interrupted with a flurry of attacks.

Fang Xuanling, seeing the situation, hurried out to smooth things over: "Both of you, say a few fewer words; don't let a minor dispute delay the main business."

Chen Yan calmly sipped his tea, saying nothing.

Wei Zheng angrily said, "Duke of Liang, it's not that I wish to delay the main business, but this kid is truly infuriating. I asked him what solution he had, and he said, said …"

"What did he say?" Fang Xuanling, irritated, replied, "You earlier called him a yellow‑mouth child rashly judging state affairs, and now you ask him, and he says he no longer does so."

"Is that wrong?"

Wei Zheng choked a bit; he had indeed said that sentence.

Fang Xuanling sighed, bowed courteously toward Chen Yan, and said, "Earlier His Majesty praised the Marquis of Weinan for his great righteousness, willing to bring forth the immensely important salt‑production method to benefit the people; I, Fang, also hold deep respect."

"The pig‑raising method is equally important, concerning the common folk; I, Fang, am foolish and truly have no good solution. If the Marquis of Weinan has any lofty insight, could you kindly impart it?"

"Fang, I am immensely grateful!"

Look, look—now that's the art of speaking.

He not only praised his great righteousness, highlighted the importance of the pig‑raising method, demeaned himself, and elevated him.

Who wouldn't feel at ease hearing that?

Chen Yan laughed and waved his hand: "Duke of Liang, you speak heavily; I'm just a kid with a few ideas. If the Duke is willing, I will speak all I know, leave nothing unsaid."

"Very well, I, Fang, will listen attentively."

Fang Xuanling bowed again, then fell silent.

Wei Zheng, seeing this, snorted coldly, but finally sat down.

The others, watching, let out a quiet laugh.

Chen Yan did not delay; after a moment he said, "How to put it—actually the pig‑raising method cannot be rolled out on a large scale all at once, because the people do not understand."

"For things the people don't understand, especially those who have endured so much hardship, they will only resist, not accept."

"Since we must promote the pig‑raising method, we must first find a way to spark the people's interest in pork, arouse their curiosity, let them learn on their own, then gradually have them accept it, and finally make it commonplace!"

Everyone present, after listening and pondering carefully, found it very reasonable.

Rather than exhausting effort to explain the benefits to the people, it's better to spark their curiosity and let them discover it themselves.

In this way, not only does the difficulty of promotion disappear, but the people's acceptance of pork greatly increases.

Much better than laboriously shouting about it oneself.

Li Chengqian hurriedly asked, "Then how can we spark the people's interest, make them curious about pork, and then have them learn about it?"

Chen Yan smiled, "Actually it's simple; I wonder why the Crown Prince is curious about my family's pork, even wants to come see the pigs we raise?"

With that remark, Li Shimin, Empress Changsun, and three court ministers all wore looks of sudden enlightenment.

Obviously, they understood Chen Yan's meaning.

Li Chengqian also caught on, "So, the Marquis of Weinan means we should first find a way for the people to eat pork; then, naturally, they'll become interested in pork."

"No need to exert effort to … promote?"

"Exactly." Chen Yan nodded, "However, this approach is hard to achieve in a short time, so I said the pig‑raising method 'for now' cannot be promoted outwardly."

Li Chengqian and the three court ministers fell into contemplation upon hearing this.

Now that the reasons and the method are known, the remaining issue to consider is how to get the people to eat pork.

Wei Zheng thought the problem was actually easy to solve.

In the past, pork, because of its off‑flavor, the Meritorious Nobles outright despised eating, but the common folk are different.

They had even reached the point of eating each other's children; who would still care about whether it's noisy or not?

As long as we first raise a batch of pigs, then give them to the people to eat, and gradually inform the people that castrated pork is tasty and easy to raise.

The problem is solved.

Wei Zheng immediately stood up, "Your Majesty, if that's the case, I humbly request Your Majesty to order the construction of a large pig-raising site, following the Marquis of Weinan's method to raise fat pigs."

"Then next year, we will slaughter the fat pigs, give the meat to the people, and at the same time, transmit the pig-raising method to the people."

"At that time, the people will naturally understand that pork is delicious and easy to raise."

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji frowned upon hearing this, yet remained silent.

Li Shimin pondered for a moment, lifted his gaze to look at Chen Yan, "Zi An, what do you think?"

"I think it's not good." Chen Yan shook his head honestly.

Wei Zheng became anxious, "Why?"

"Before, you clearly said we should let the people eat pork first; how could this be wrong?"

Chen Yan was speechless.

To say Wei Zheng is indeed a good official, his sleeves are clean, his life is quite frugal, and he always cares for the people under heaven.

But how can he be so stupid sometimes?

Earlier I said it so clearly, how could he still think about promoting the pig-raising method?

Chen Yan sighed, and began to explain to him...

"......"