Eagle-eyed and wolf-watching

Chapter 1753 Untitled
Hearing Zhao Yingjie say this, Ye Mingsheng felt even more that this Taogang prefect was really lacking in political wisdom and only had some petty cleverness.

Why should I eat this dockside worker's meal?
Is it because you're hungry and want to eat?

Of course not! The main purpose of me tasting this dockworker's meal in front of these people is to put on a show, to let these government officials and workers see how down-to-earth I am, to personally experience the life of dockworkers, and then to publicize it in the newspapers so that I can create a persona of someone who loves the people and cares about them, thereby countering the rumors that are unfavorable to me!

Although I'm speechless at Zhao Yingjie's political acumen, it conveniently provides Ye Mingsheng with a villain candidate.

The most common way to highlight the greatness of the protagonist in a story is through contrast. By depicting an evil villain, the protagonist can be made more vivid and memorable.

Thinking of this, Ye Mingsheng asked calmly:
"You've prepared a banquet? Where is the banquet held?"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng ask this, Zhao Yingjie genuinely thought Ye Mingsheng was hungry, and then, in front of everyone, said:

"This is Hai Zhen Ge, a local restaurant in Taogang. They have the freshest seafood in Taogang, and this time they've even hired a renowned chef to prepare a special feast for Your Majesty, allowing you to taste the local flavors of Taogang..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng snorted coldly and angrily rebuked:
"Fine, you Zhao Yingjie! Open your dog eyes and take a look at what these workers are eating!"

"Look at these steamed buns, and these radishes and cabbages! How can you have the nerve to eat and drink like this? Do you have any conscience? Have you really fed your conscience to the dogs?"

Upon hearing Ye Mingsheng's sudden rebuke, Zhao Yingjie, who had been feeling quite self-satisfied, immediately froze on the spot. At this moment, Ma Runchuan, the provincial governor of Shandong, was the first to react and led the other party members to kneel down. Only then did Zhao Yingjie belatedly follow suit and kneel down.

At this moment, hundreds of workers waiting for their meals were moved to tears when they saw Ye Mingsheng angrily rebuking these corrupt officials for their work meals. Ye Mingsheng then rebuked them:

“I often tell you to treat the workers well, to treat the workers well, but how have you all done this? Look at this stuff, could you even eat it yourselves?”

After saying that, Ye Mingsheng personally served Zhao Yingjie a bowl of radish and cabbage, and placed two pieces of black steamed bun in front of him, saying:
Have you ever eaten these things?

Looking at the simple and crude food in front of him, Zhao Yingjie couldn't help but shake his head. Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng directly questioned him:

"Speak up if you've eaten or not! Don't be a mute!"

Faced with Ye Mingsheng's coercion, Zhao Yingjie had no choice but to speak:
"Your Majesty, I have never eaten it!"

"Look at your stomach, you've never eaten before! Would you like to try what they taste like?"

Although Zhao Yingjie desperately wanted to say he didn't want to try it, he knew that if he did, Ye Mingsheng would probably tear him to pieces...

So at this moment, Zhao Yingjie had only one choice: to pick up his chopsticks and eat the dock work meal that Ye Mingsheng had just prepared for him.

Although he wanted to control his expression and not anger Ye Mingsheng, the dockside meals were simply too unpalatable for him as the prefect. He felt like vomiting after only a few bites, but he couldn't vomit in front of Ye Mingsheng, so he could only force himself to swallow it, which made him feel very uncomfortable.

After a cup of tea, Zhao Yingjie finally managed to finish all the food Ye Mingsheng had prepared for him. Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng asked:
"How do you think it tastes?"

Faced with this question, Zhao Yingjie hesitated greatly. For a prefect accustomed to being served delicacies, the dockside meal he had just eaten was utter garbage. However, under Ye Mingsheng's watchful gaze, he naturally couldn't express his true feelings. But then again, he couldn't lie and say the food was delicious. So, after a moment's hesitation, he could only say:
"The food tastes alright!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng sneered and said:

"The food tastes alright? So this is more to your liking. How about you eat this for the rest of your life?"

Upon hearing Ye Mingsheng's question, a hint of panic finally flashed across Zhao Yingjie's face, and he quickly begged for mercy:

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! I will definitely treat the workers well from now on and improve their meals..."

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingsheng said in a deep voice:

"You don't have to eat these things for the rest of your life, but many workers have to eat these things for the rest of their lives!"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng say this, Zhao Yingjie felt very wronged. In his opinion, these dockworkers should eat these things. He had already been very good to them, even letting them eat radishes and cabbage. Moreover, considering that they were doing hard labor, he allowed them to eat their fill so they wouldn't have to work on an empty stomach. This was already a great blessing!
How can Your Majesty be so harsh on yourself over such food issues?

Although he felt wronged, Zhao Yingjie quickly realized what was happening and hid his grievances, instead showing a remorseful expression. Seeing this, Ye Mingsheng immediately punished him:
"Zhao Yingjie, didn't you just say these things tasted alright? If you think they're alright, then I'll treat you to my heart's content and let you eat your fill!"

"For the next month, starting today, you will only be able to eat this, except for water. You will eat whatever these dockworkers eat!"

Upon hearing Ye Mingsheng's words, Zhao Yingjie's vision blurred and he nearly fell to the ground. As the prefect of Taogang, he was a man who couldn't live without meat and wine, and the meat had to be carefully prepared by a famous chef, or at least aged in an ancient cellar. Now, he was being asked to eat black bread with this group of poor bastards. Wasn't this going to kill him?
Although he was very unwilling, as the old saying goes, both thunder and rain are imperial favors. In front of Emperor Ye Mingsheng, he had no room to refuse. The only thing he could do was to accept the imperial decree and express his gratitude!

"Chen Zhao Yingjie obeys the decree! Many thanks to Your Majesty for your divine grace..."

Although Zhao Yunjie verbally accepted the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude, Ye Mingsheng, seeing the utterly dejected look on the face of the Tao Gang prefect, knew exactly what he was thinking and immediately said:
"Zhao Yingjie, look at your belly, it's like a woman's ten months of pregnancy. For this month, just treat it as a time to nourish your body, eat lightly, and let your belly get rid of the grease and take care of itself!"

"Furthermore, I must warn you upfront: if you eat anything other than these work meals during this month, that would be disobeying orders!"

"You are the Prefect of Taogang! A fifth-rank official. I don't need to tell you the consequences of disobeying an imperial edict, do I?"

Hearing Ye Mingsheng's words and feeling the coldness in Ye Mingsheng's eyes, Zhao Yunjie trembled and said, "Your Majesty, I will obey your decree! Your Majesty, I will obey your decree!"

After punishing Zhao Yingjie, Ye Mingsheng noticed a significant change in the way the surrounding workers looked at him.

Previously, their eyes were filled with awe and fear when they looked at him, but now they look at him with love and respect.

Ye Mingsheng was very satisfied with this change in expression. This was the effect he wanted. Today's events would spread like wildfire, and with the help of the newspaper's media coverage, the rumors about him should soon be debunked.

With this in mind, Ye Mingsheng waved goodbye to the workers with satisfaction, then led his entourage away from the dock, preparing to inspect the military port that afternoon…

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Yijing Palace
Dozens of concubines gathered in the warm pavilion of Furen Palace. As the saying goes, three women make a drama, and these dozens of women together created more than a dozen dramas. Everyone chattered and talked, making the entire warm pavilion lively and bustling.

Just as everyone was getting more and more excited, a voice came from outside the warm pavilion.

"Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

Upon hearing this voice, the concubines who had been talking incessantly immediately stood up respectfully. Under their watchful eyes, An Miaoyi, supported by Ye Cuishi, entered the warm pavilion surrounded by a group of palace maids and nannies.

Upon seeing the arrival of the guests, the five imperial concubines in the warm pavilion—Murong Qingwu, Bai Yuanyuan, Shen Yutong, Pei Zhixiu, and Jinyu—immediately took the lead and bowed in unison, saying:

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager! May Your Majesty the Empress enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

Looking at her dozens of daughters-in-law in the warm pavilion, Madam Ye Cui nodded with a smile and said:
"Everyone, please sit down!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for offering me a seat!"

After everyone was seated, Madam Ye Cui did not rush to explain the purpose of gathering everyone together, but instead asked with great interest:
What have you all been up to lately?

Upon hearing Ye Cuishi's question, Consort Rou Chen Rou'er immediately stood up and said:
"I have been diligently studying Buddhism in my room lately!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Ye Cui looked at Chen Rou'er and asked:
You said you've been studying Buddhism lately?

"Yes!"

"So what Buddhist scriptures do you read?"

The Avatamsaka Sutra...

Hearing the name Avatamsaka Sutra, Ye Cui seemed somewhat surprised. Seeing Chen Rou'er's confident demeanor, Ye Cui decided to test her and immediately asked:
“In the land of Buddha, five-colored stems grow; one flower is a world, one leaf is a Tathagata.”

"Just as a lotus flower does not cling to water, and the sun and moon do not reside in the sky, Consort Rou, do you know what this means?"

Hearing that Madam Ye Cui was testing her, Chen Rou'er was a little nervous. After thinking quickly, she replied:

"The Pure Land of Buddha nurtures colorful flowers, each flower containing a complete universe, and each leaf a Buddha! The lotus grows in the mud yet remains pure and undefiled, and the sun and moon move eternally without ceasing!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Ye nodded slightly and asked again:

"This passage is a well-known one from the Avatamsaka Sutra. Consort Rou, what insights do you have about it?"

"The universe is the body of Buddha, all things are interconnected and integrated, a speck of dust reflects the Dharma realm, cultivation is the Middle Way: one must be as pure as a lotus, unstained by worldly dust, and as constantly diligent as the sun and moon, to reach the state of unobstructed understanding of principle and practice, and freedom from bondage!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a smug look appeared on Chen Rou'er's face. Since Ye Mingsheng went out to inspect, she was a little lost at first without a goal and didn't know what to do. But she quickly found her goal again!
Looking at the entire palace, the one with the most say is undoubtedly Emperor Ye Mingsheng, followed by Empress Dowager Ye Cuishi, who seems to live a secluded life and devote herself to Buddhism, and finally Empress An Miaoyi, who actually manages the affairs of the palace.

When Chen Rou'er first entered the palace, she relied on family connections to gain favor with An Miaoyi. However, this young girl, though young, was quite ambitious. Relying on her youth and beauty, she was unwilling to remain unknown in the palace, so she took the initiative and launched a fierce attack on Ye Mingsheng. Although Ye Mingsheng appreciated her proactive attitude, it aroused An Miaoyi's resentment…

Previously, when Ye Mingsheng was in the palace, Chen Rou'er relied on Ye Mingsheng's protection and was not afraid of An Miaoyi. However, after Ye Mingsheng left the palace to go on an inspection tour, things changed. The Inner Court began to deliberately or unintentionally pick on Chen Rou'er, which made Chen Rou'er look bad. Chen Rou'er thought that this was An Miaoyi's revenge against her.

Fortunately, Chen Rou'er was a concubine after all, so the Inner Court could only punish those around her, but dared not disrespect Chen Rou'er herself.

However, these things were enough for Chen Rou'er to silently remember them in her heart.

Chen Rou'er was determined to give Ye Mingsheng a good talking-to when he returned, telling him how that old woman An Miaoyi had bullied her.

However, before that, in order to make her life in the palace more comfortable, Chen Rou'er wanted to find another patron, and this patron was undoubtedly Ye Cui Shi. Chen Rou'er knew that Ye Cui Shi was a Buddhist, so she wanted to use this as a breakthrough to get on good terms with Ye Cui Shi.

Despite having such thoughts, Chen Rou'er herself knew nothing about Buddhism. However, in order to gain Ye Cui's favor, Chen Rou'er used her financial power to spend a lot of money to buy the catalog of Buddhist scriptures that Ye Cui was studying recently. Then she also invited nuns to give her lectures so that she could understand the meaning of these scriptures.

The relentless memorization day and night had truly exhausted Chen Rou'er, but now, feeling the astonished gazes of everyone in the warm pavilion, she felt all her efforts were worthwhile...
(End of this chapter)