After rebirth, I became a treacherous minister Black Moonlight

Chapter 488: The First Round, a Crush

King Jin suspected that he had heard it wrong.

Where is the written test? Shouldn't it be about the Four Books and Five Classics, policy essays and calligraphy? Why did it become farming?

Being an emperor is not like farming!
Not to mention the Prince of Jin, even his five younger brothers and many court ministers were stunned.

King Ming looked at Lu Zhaoyan and asked in a low voice: "What's the situation?"

Lu Zhaoyan whispered, "How should I know? When has anyone ever guessed what my father was thinking?"

It's not that he didn't secretly ask someone to find out the test questions, but unfortunately the three dukes and nine ministers who came out of the imperial study were too tight-lipped and none of them leaked the secret.

However, he was not as surprised as Prince Jin.

If I play by the rules, I would no longer be my father.

King Ming asked worriedly, "Second brother, is your son capable? He looks like a pretty boy, can he farm?"

Lu Zhaoyan gave him a death stare: "Who are you talking about?"

Prince Ming touched his nose angrily, took two steps to the other side, and bumped into the fifth prince, Prince Fu.

Prince Fu said, "Sixth brother, be careful."

The fifth prince, Prince Fu, is the son of Concubine Jiang Hui. Ever since Concubine Jiang Hui and the Prince's Palace had a common thorn in their side, Concubine Hu, the relationship between Prince Fu and the Prince's Palace has improved.

Ming Wang rolled his eyes and said, "Fifth brother, let's make a bet."

Prince Fu said sternly, "You haven't paid off the gambling debt you owed me last time, and I haven't even told my father yet."

King Ming silently returned to Lu Zhaoyan's side.

Lu Zhaoyan glared at him.

Ming Wang: "I am a pretty boy."

After returning to his seat, he looked at the Prince of Jin, Prince of Rui, and Prince of Fu across from him: "Hey, second brother, their faces don't look very good either. It seems that they didn't expect that the emperor would use farming as the subject of the written test."

Mr. Ziwu and Gongsun Yanming were also here today, standing beside several princes, ranking at the top of all civil and military officials.

The two looked at each other, their eyes met for a moment, Mr. Ziwu snorted coldly, and Gongsun Yanming looked away.

Mr. Ziwu has lived in seclusion for many years and is good at farming. It is no wonder that he came up with this idea.

But the specific test questions were decided by Emperor Liang.

So, how will Your Majesty set the questions?

Eunuch Yu opened a scroll filled with test questions and read: "First question, what are the five grains?"

Lu Qi and Lu Yuan were standing in the center of the Golden Palace. As soon as Eunuch Yu finished speaking, he blurted out, "Rice, wheat, millet, beans, and sorghum."

Prince Jin's expression relaxed.

Eunuch Yu looked at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan said: "Oh, my answer is the same as his."

"Chi~"

Among the officials, some could not help but laugh.

Eunuch Yu looked at the scroll and said, "It is indeed rice, wheat, millet, beans, and sorghum."

At this time, an official spoke up: "The prince answered first. Your Highness, are you sure it's not cheating?"

King Ming narrowed his eyes and said, "Old man, a lackey of the Hu family."

Prince Fu said, “Yes.”

King Ming: Didn’t I tell you that we are not familiar with each other?

Eunuch Yu then read out, "The second question: When should the grains be planted?"

Lu Qi said calmly: "Millet is planted in spring, wheat is planted in spring and autumn, rice is planted in spring and summer, and millet and beans are planted in summer."

King Jin's heart was finally at ease.

I thought my son was just full of knowledge, but I never expected that he was so knowledgeable that he even knew how to farm.

Ming Wang frowned and said, "This is not good. This kid really knows a lot. Second brother, how can he know all this?"

Of course Lu Zhaoyan understood why. Some time ago, in order to invite Mr. Ziwu to come down the mountain, he specially took out an agricultural book for Lu Qi to read by lamplight at night.

These must be what I learned that night.

He is really shooting himself in the foot.

Eunuch Yu looked at Lu Yuan again.

Lu Yuan replied calmly: "Oh, still the same as him."

There was an uproar in the court.

The first time was just an accident, but the second time was such blatant "plagiarism". He didn't even repeat the prince's answer, but just said "the same as him".

This is even more shameful than just filling in the gaps!

Everyone looked at Emperor Liang sitting on the dragon throne.

Emperor Liang frowned slightly, and the emperor's majesty made everyone feel a little breathless.

King Jin spoke up: "Qi'er, you are the younger brother, you should learn to be humble and yield. Next time, don't snatch your elder brother's opportunity again."

What a good sentence! Don't rush to answer. The emperor's eldest grandson is a fool. If you let him answer first, won't he be exposed immediately?
Lu Qi said: "Yes, son knows."

He turned to Lu Yuan and said, "Brother, you answer the next question first."

Prince Ming was so nervous that he grabbed Prince Fu's arm and said, "Don't agree, don't agree, don't agree... You are just playing tricks on me..."

Prince Fu: "Sixth brother."

Ming Wang: "Let him answer first, let him answer first!"

Prince Fu sighed.

Lu Yuan curled his lips and smiled: "Okay."

Ming Wang looked ashen: "It's over. I can't hide it anymore."

Eunuch Yu said to Xiao Dezi outside the Jinluan Palace: "Bring it up."

Xiao Dezi and another young eunuch carried a table full of crops, some fresh and some wilted, into the Golden Throne Hall and placed them in front of the two imperial grandchildren.

The officials looked at each other, not understanding what this meant.

Eunuch Yu said, "The third question is to identify crops."

Lu Qi's gaze remained unchanged as he looked at Lu Yuan.

The King of Qi said with a smile, "My nephew, we agreed that you would answer this question first. Are you waiting for Qi'er to give you the answer again?"

Lu Yuan walked forward a few steps nonchalantly, picked up the crops on the table one by one, and listed them one by one: "Pumpkin, winter melon, green onion, shallot, leek, garlic sprouts, coriander."

As he spoke, he took out a very inconspicuous ear from under the garlic sprouts and said, "An ear of wheat."

Emperor Liang's frown suddenly relaxed a little.

This piece of wheat ear seemed to have been mixed in unintentionally, but in fact he had someone put it in there on purpose.

It seems to have nothing to do with those crops, but only those who truly cherish food will notice this precious ear of wheat.

This time, it was Eunuch Yu's turn to ask Lu Qi.

Lu Qi said, "Since Big Brother has already answered, I won't answer. Big Brother wins this question."

Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows and said, "I won by my own ability, do I need you to give in?"

All the officials shook their heads. How arrogant! Too arrogant!

"It's not over yet."

Lu Yuan bent down and opened the drawer of the table.

Everyone was shocked.

There is something else going on inside the table?

"Salt and fennel."

Lu Qi said.

Eunuch Yu asked, "What are the uses of salt and fennel?"

Lu Qi replied: "For cooking."

Eunuch Yu looked at Lu Yuan.

When everyone was waiting for Lu Yuan to say "same as him" again, Lu Yuan suddenly spoke confidently: "Salt can replenish physical strength, disinfect wounds, and can also be used as salt to prevent food from rotting. Fennel is added to grains to keep away insects and ants. It would be even better if there is chalk, which can prevent moisture and is very necessary in the south."

Everyone was shocked and looked at the Minister of Agriculture at the same time.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture nodded approvingly: "Your Highness Changsun is right."

Lu Zhaoyan sighed and said sadly, "I remember one year when there was a flood in the south, my father sent people to provide disaster relief, but he never expected that all the grain in the granary was infested with worms and mold."

Everyone fell silent.

The flood that year caused huge losses in the southwest. Many people were displaced and contracted diseases from eating moldy food, which made the disaster even worse.

If the officials in charge of disaster relief at the time had understood this, perhaps such a tragedy would not have happened.

How many lives...

Although the court officials stood in different camps, not all of them were selfish.

They also hope that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and that Liang State will have a peaceful sea and a calm river, so that their official careers can go further. The King of Jin said: "Qi'er, you don't have to be so modest."

Prince Ming said sarcastically, "Winning is what you deserve, losing is what you give in. In terms of shamelessness, I think your Jin Palace is better."

Prince Fu again: "Yes."

Ming Wang: I don’t need your approval!
Emperor Liang waved his hand and the competition continued.

Eunuch Yu looked at the test questions on the imperial edict and said to everyone, "Question five."

He winked at Xiao Dezi.

Xiao Dezi hurried out of the Golden Palace again.

This time, he neither carried a table nor a basket, but pushed a cart of sacks in.

Everyone looked at the tightly tied sack in confusion, wondering what crops were inside.

Eunuch Yu said, "Open it."

There were five sacks in total.

Xiao Dezi opened the first one.

Lu Qi hurriedly said, "White flour."

Eunuch Yu: "How much is the flour?"

Lu Qi: "Six coins per pound."

Xiao Dezi went to open the second one.

Lu Qi was quick to respond: "Corn flour, five cents a pound."

"Rice, nine cents a pound."

"rice……"

"wheat……"

Lu Qi recognized them one by one and told them their prices. The Minister of Agriculture nodded every time he mentioned one.

It can be seen that he was completely right.

This is very rare for a grandson of the emperor.

You know, many officials in the court don’t know the prices of these millets and flour.

Prince Ming was very anxious: "Second brother, why is your son silent? Wasn't he very powerful just now? He, he, he, don't say he was just fooling around just now!"

Prince Fu said, "Sixth brother, don't be so nervous."

Ming Wangdao: "How can I not be nervous? I made a bet with someone. If he loses, I will lose a lot!"

Prince Fu was stunned: "Who did you bet with again?"

And your mother.

Forget it, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that he bet 10,000 taels!
Although Concubine Jiang Hui disliked Concubine Hu, she was not a person who acted on impulse. In her opinion, Lu Qi had a greater chance of winning in the literary competition.

This doesn't mean she supports Lu Qi.

She will still make things difficult for Concubine Hu and Prince Jin's Mansion.

She just wouldn't mess with silver.

"I'd rather he couldn't answer it."

Lu Zhaoyan whispered.

"Second brother, what nonsense are you talking about?"

King Ming was shocked by the flash of sadness in his second brother's eyes.

His second brother has always been indifferent and rarely bothered by things.

But just now, my second brother seemed to be in great grief.

He didn't dare to speak for a moment.

Lu Qi's predictions about the nine bags of grain came true.

Lu Qi thought about the last bag.

Just as he was stunned, Lu Yuan spoke: "Rice seeds."

Eunuch Yu asked, "How much is this bag of rice seeds worth?"

Lu Qi stared at the bag of rice seeds closely and roughly estimated that there were about 100 kilograms of them. Rice seeds were much more expensive than rice.

However, he indeed had not paid attention to the price of rice seeds.

This is the only question I am unsure about today.

One can only guess.

He glanced at Lu Yuan.

Seeing that Lu Yuan remained silent and just twisted the rice seeds with his fingers, Lu Yuan had already lost so many questions, and he didn't answer before himself, which only showed that he didn't know the price of rice seeds either.

Next, it depends on luck.

He said seriously: "One tael of silver."

Everyone looked at the Minister of Agriculture.

The Minister of Agriculture nodded and said, "Rice seeds at the market are indeed about the same price."

King Jin's joy was beyond words.

All questions have been answered.

His son undoubtedly won.

Although he didn't know why that idiot Lu Yuan let him get two advantages, anyone who is not blind can see that his son is far better than him.

Unexpectedly, Eunuch Yu did not rush to announce the result, but looked at Lu Yuan: "Your Highness, what is your answer?"

Lu Yuan put the seeds in his hand back into the sack, clapped his hands, and said, "It's worthless!"

Everyone was stunned.

King Jin frowned.

Lu Qi was also puzzled: "What did you say?"

Eunuch Yu asked, "Your Highness, are you sure... it's worthless?"

"Yeah, sure."

Lu Yuan raised his eyebrows and said to Eunuch Yu, "How can ripe seeds be valuable? If anyone sells me this kind of seeds, not only will I not pay for it, I will also beat him up!"

The Minister of Agriculture hurried over to the cart, reached out his hand and grabbed a handful of seeds, twisted them carefully, and said excitedly: "They are really cooked! They are boiled seeds!"

Lu Qi's expression changed.

All the officials who had supported Lu Qi just now were all dumbfounded at this moment.

No wonder His Royal Highness Chang Sun said nothing. He was identifying the quality of the seeds.

At this moment, everyone remembered one thing at the same time.

Even after the disaster, many farmlands were flooded and the seeds were gone. Emperor Liang, who was then the King of Qin, purchased rice seeds from neighboring countries at high prices for the livelihood of the people.

As a result, I was tricked by a black-hearted merchant and bought the boiled seeds.

The people had no harvest, famine struck, and everyone was living in misery. The southwest almost did not survive that disaster.

Afterwards, it took Southwest five full years to recover its vitality.

Everyone looked at Lu Yuan and Lu Qi again.

The expressions of many people have changed.

Lu Qi is indeed knowledgeable, but at this moment all this seems more like empty talk.

Although Lu Yuan answered briefly, every word hit the nail on the head.

More importantly, during the whole process, he kept touching the crops stained with soil with his hands without a trace of disgust, and his movements were so skillful as if he had done it countless times.

This is the person who truly understands farming.

He knew the sufferings of the people and he did not just talk about it, but put it into practice.

Ming Wang was stunned and said, "No, second brother, how come your son knows so much? Has he ever farmed? Has he ever been cheated by others?"

King Ming couldn't understand it. Sister Xiaobai didn't look like she was poor, so would she let her son go farming?

Forget it, don’t think about it anymore, as long as I win, that’s enough.

His ten thousand taels were saved!
Although the prince's camp was not strong, its pride at this moment was beyond compare.

They are also taking a gamble.

Fortunately, His Royal Highness Changsun did not disappoint us!

Lu Zhaoyan didn't say anything, just looked at his son with a complicated expression.

While everyone is celebrating his brilliance, he is feeling sorry for his past.

Eunuch Yu closed the scroll, turned around and saluted Emperor Liang: "Your Majesty, do you want to continue the farming test?"

Emperor Liang stood up and said in a dignified manner: "No need for that. The first test is farming. Lu Linyuan wins!"

First round, crushing victory! Please vote~