Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 877 Spring River Banquet

In springtime, the Qujiang River ripples gently, reflecting the willows along its banks like wisps of smoke.

Inside the palace gardens, the waterside pavilions were brightly lit and decorated. The four gates of the royal gardens were wide open, but instead of the usual splendor, they were adorned with plain silk and bamboo strips, exuding a simple and elegant charm.

This was the "Spring Feast" hosted by the Crown Prince's Palace. Due to Xia Lin's strict order of one or two taels of silver, the extravagance of the palace banquets in the past was changed, and the banquets instead won with seasonal ingenuity.

The Imperial Kitchen pulled out all the stops: the shepherd's purse wonton soup was clear and the filling was tender; the cold-dressed shepherd's purse was refreshing and appetizing; the pan-fried small river fish was crispy and delicious; and even the ordinary spring leek scrambled eggs were fragrant because the cooking time was just right.

The tableware is all made of plain white porcelain and natural bamboo and wood, which, against the backdrop of the vibrant spring in the garden, has a unique and refreshing charm.

Li Zhi, dressed in an apricot-yellow casual robe, stood before the palace to personally greet them. Months of training had softened his youthful naiveté, adding a touch of composure to his features. Xiao Wu stood quietly beside him, dressed in a light green dress, with only a plain silver hairpin in her hair, clean and neat. Her gaze calmly swept over the banquet arrangements, occasionally offering a few quiet suggestions.

Guests arrived one after another.

Pei Wan remained elegant, but her dress was made of a rare, soft, rain-washed sky-blue silk, its sheen subtly shimmering as she moved, silently revealing her refined figure. Cui Lin, dressed in a delicate pale yellow, walked lightly, her smile radiant, seemingly trying to outshine even the most vibrant spring colors.

Wei Tong, on the other hand, was dressed in a neat palace gown modified from Hu clothing, which made her look heroic and dignified. She clasped her hands in greeting, appearing open and generous.

When the officials and their relatives entered, their expressions varied, some curious, some scrutinizing, and some even watching the spectacle. Changsun Wuji walked with several prime ministers, his face calm, but when he saw the plain tableware, his lips tightened almost imperceptibly.

At the beginning of the banquet, Li Zhi raised his cup and, following the words Xiao Wu had prepared, said loudly: "Spring brings sunshine and all things revive. Today, we gather with you all at Qujiang to taste the flavors of spring, to experience the hardships of farming, to appreciate the grace of Heaven, and to pray for a bountiful year. This simple wine and food are just a token of our appreciation. Please."

These words subtly elevated frugality to the level of compassion, and many officials who were not from Guanzhong nodded in agreement upon hearing them.

However, outside the palace banquet, there was another lively scene on the banks of Qujiang Pool.

The banquet, set up as suggested by Xiao Wu, was now bustling with activity. Under the long bamboo shed, hundreds of square tables and benches were set up; though simple, they were spotless.

The same standard of one tael of silver, when spread across the banquet for hundreds of people, costs only a few dozen coins per person. Yet, the banquet offers dishes from the same source as those served in the imperial palace, such as shepherd's purse wontons, steamed buns made from mixed grains, fresh fish from the river, unlimited spring wine, and various snacks. Each table even has a small dish of seasonal fresh fruit.

The news had already spread, and ordinary people in Chang'an, as long as they were dressed neatly, could come here to enjoy a "royal spring banquet".

At first, people were a little reserved and skeptical, but when the hot and fragrant food was served, their reservations turned into surprise.

"These wontons are so fresh!" An old man squinted as he sipped the clear soup, his wrinkled face smoothing out.

"Mom, this pancake is delicious!" A young boy held a steamed multigrain pancake, his face covered in crumbs, which drew laughter from those around him.

Women dressed in coarse cloth gathered around a table, whispering among themselves: "I heard that the noble ladies in the palace eat this too!"

"His Highness the Crown Prince is so benevolent; he truly cares for us common people..."

"That's right, they put on such a grand show for just one tael of silver, and they're even thinking of us..."

Laughter and cheerful voices, the clinking of bowls and chopsticks, and children playing blended with the spring breeze and willow catkins by the pond, creating a vibrant and simple atmosphere full of life.

Several clever palace eunuchs moved among them, serving tea and water, listening to the people's opinions, and occasionally overhearing their genuine views on agriculture and market prices, which they silently noted down.

Within the palace grounds, the melodious sounds of string and bamboo instruments rose up. It was not the grand court music of the past, but the clear and melodious pipa and bamboo flute playing light folk tunes. The music drifted over the palace walls and blended surprisingly well with the noise of the banquet.

During the banquet, a member of the royal family suggested with a smile that the ladies from each family showcase their talents, intending to push Pei, Cui, and Wei to the forefront.

Before Li Zhi could respond, Xiao Wu calmly took over the conversation, cleverly steer the topic toward agriculture, sericulture, crafts, and practical matters concerning people's livelihoods. He suggested that people freely discuss policies that would benefit the people's livelihoods, and that the Crown Prince would certainly reward them handsomely.

Upon hearing this, those who were expecting to witness the contest between the noble ladies fell silent, while some officials and young scholars who were dedicated to practical learning had their eyes light up and began to ponder.

Midway through the banquet, a palace attendant brought out the grand finale: stir-fried pufferfish slices in vinegar.

The fish meat was translucent white, as thin as a cicada's wing, and paired with tender green spring chives, it was quite a sight to behold. Changsun Wuji, however, raised his hand to stop him, saying calmly, "Pufferfish is delicious but poisonous, and its price is not cheap. I'm afraid it doesn't fit today's purpose."

As soon as he finished speaking, silence fell over the surroundings. The questioning extended beyond security; it raised even greater doubts about the Crown Prince's genuine concern for the people's hardships.

Xiao Wu spoke again, his voice clear and calm. He began by saying that the kitchen was run by a family that had specialized in treating pufferfish for three generations, with rigorous procedures and triple poison testing by the Imperial Medical Bureau to dispel any safety concerns.

Then, changing the subject, he listed some data: "Last year, pufferfish cost 100 coins per catty, but this spring, due to the trial of a new fishing method, the price has dropped to 40 coins. The cost of this meal is less than 500 coins, which is only a dozen coins per meal, not even as much as a plate of roasted meat."

She looked at Changsun Wuji, her tone respectful yet sharp: "Your Highness's appreciation of spring is about seasonality and novelty, not about preciousness. This item was chosen for two reasons: first, it is in season, and second, to showcase that if done properly, things that were once expensive can become accessible to ordinary people. Your Highness often says that a ruler should think about how to transform delicacies into everyday food, rather than rigidly adhering to common foods and merely talking about frugality. What does Your Excellency think?"

His words were reasonable, well-founded, and insightful, leaving Changsun Wuji speechless for a moment, his face darkening slightly.

Li Zhi raised his cup at the opportune moment and gently defused the situation: "Your Excellency's caution is a sign of maturity. If you do not like this, please remove it. Someone, bring Your Excellency a warm spring soup instead."

This not only saved face for the other party but also demonstrated the demeanor of a crown prince.

After these two incidents, no one dared to underestimate the Crown Prince anymore, and they were all deeply impressed by the ever-composed Miss Wu. The banquet continued in a delicate balance. Li Zhi's gaze occasionally swept across the palace walls, as if he could faintly hear the lively chatter from the banquet outside, and his heart gradually calmed down. Miss Wu's strategy was beginning to show results.

The "Spring Feast" in the palace gardens gradually subsided, while the banquet by the Qujiang Pool became increasingly vibrant. Due to the limited capacity of the gardens, people outside were eager to queue up to enter, and those inside naturally did not have much time to occupy seats. However, they were not in a hurry to leave. Instead, they lingered on the grass, enjoying the spring sunshine, chatting, or relaxing and taking a short rest, creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

The warm sunshine shone on people, and the air was filled with the aroma of food and the fragrance of grass.

After a few cups of light spring wine, the atmosphere at the table became increasingly lively. An old farmer, holding a steamed bun made from mixed grains, remarked to his neighbor on the timely spring rains that had resulted in thriving wheat seedlings. A peddler, while eating wontons, recounted his travels and observations, praising the recent dredging of a certain canal by the imperial court. Several young men who looked like scholars sat around a table, actually discussing in hushed tones the possibility of improving waterwheels, based on the topic of "agriculture, sericulture, and craftsmanship" raised by His Highness the Crown Prince.

An official from the Crown Prince's palace was ordered to come out and observe the people's conditions. He happened to overhear the scholars' discussion, so he stopped to listen and occasionally interjected with a few questions, his attitude humble.

The scholars were initially nervous when they saw that the official was from the palace, but seeing that he was approachable, they gradually relaxed and began to share their thoughts.

The official listened attentively and even took out a small notebook from his sleeve to jot down a few notes, which attracted the attention of the surrounding people. Their eyes revealed surprise and a little pride. The people sent by His Highness the Crown Prince actually valued the words of these commoners so much!
The palace musicians seemed to sense the liveliness outside, and the music they played became increasingly light and lively, even incorporating a couple of popular folk tunes. This prompted several bold children at the banquet to sing along, their innocent voices blending into the music, adding a touch of childlike charm.

Meanwhile, inside the palace gardens and pavilions, the atmosphere eased somewhat due to the faint signs of life emanating from outside.

Seeing that the time was ripe, Li Zhi ordered his eunuchs to read aloud the key points of several practical agricultural and industrial policies presented by the officials and scholars at the banquet. Although there were only a few points, such as the increased efficiency of the curved plow promoted in a certain area and the more labor-saving loom improved by craftsmen in another place, they were all practical suggestions.

After the message was read aloud, Li Zhi personally poured himself a cup of wine, then walked out of the courtyard wall to personally greet the person who had offered the advice, and on the spot bestowed upon him practical items such as writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone as a reward.

Although it was not a large reward, its significance was extraordinary.

The recipients were overjoyed and quickly rose to express their gratitude. The surrounding people were even more respectful and cheered for the Crown Prince. For a moment, heaven and earth rejoiced, and the atmosphere was incredibly lively, perfectly reflecting the spring scenery of Qujiang.

Cui Lin felt a pang of unease as she watched this scene.

Her talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting seemed to have lost their purpose at this moment. Pei Wan listened quietly with her eyes lowered, lost in thought.

Only Wei Tong disregarded all etiquette and followed the Crown Prince out to play with ordinary people under the guise of being his bodyguard. She teased cats, dogs, and children, displaying the proper demeanor for her age to the fullest.

Changsun Wuji silently drank his wine, his gaze occasionally sweeping towards the direction outside the hall. Listening to the hustle and bustle of the city, and then looking at the officials inside the hall who were being rewarded for their practical suggestions, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He sensed a force subtly altering the rules, and the source of this force seemed to come not only from the unfathomable Marshal Xia, but also from the very act of "sharing joy with the people."

As the banquet drew to a close, the Imperial Kitchen served the final dessert: a cake made from freshly picked elm seeds mixed with millet flour, garnished with a few red dates just delivered from a farm in the Western Regions. It was called "Spring Money Cake," meaning "surplus money" or "good fortune."

These simple yet fitting snacks brought a perfect end to this unique palace banquet.

Li Zhi raised his glass in final farewell to thank all the guests for their presence. His gaze was clear and firm as he looked through the palace gates toward the Qujiang Pool where willow catkins fluttered in the breeze. His voice was gentle yet powerful: “Today’s banquet is not for the sake of food and drink, but to appreciate the spirit of spring and understand the sentiments of the people. I wish to share the taste of spring with you all, and with all the people of the world, and to look forward to a bountiful year.”

As the banquet ended, the guests gradually departed. Many couldn't help but glance back at the still bustling banquet area as they walked out of the palace gates.

The palace banquet ended, but the continuous feast would last for three days. The laughter and joy there, carrying the fragrance of the earth and the vitality of life, weighed heavily on the hearts of these people in their fine clothes.

Li Zhi and Xiao Wu stood side by side in front of the hall, watching the crowd disperse.

"Senior sister, we owe you so much for today," Li Zhi said softly.

Xiao Wu shook his head slightly, his gaze still calm: "It is Your Highness's benevolence that has led to this action. The people's hearts are like water, and today's banquet is to establish Your Highness's resolve."

As the spring breeze blew by, just as Li Zhi was about to speak, he suddenly caught sight of his father sitting at the banquet, bragging to an old farmer...

"Oh dear... Father..." Li Zhi rubbed his forehead: "How dangerous this place must be! What if someone tries to harm him..."

"Master? Your Highness, don't worry. Master has always been the same. Let him be. By the way, that Wei family girl is extremely cute. I like her very much."

"Is that so... Senior Sister thinks so too?"

"Yes, in my opinion, she is the only choice for the Crown Princess."

"Senior sister!" Li Zhi frowned. "I told you, I don't want anyone but you."

Xiao Wu smiled and shook his head, helping Li Zhi straighten his clothes: "These titles are not important to me. You must not lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small things."

"You're the real boss! This entire country can't compare to my senior sister's even a fraction!"

A crisp slap landed on Li Zhi's face. He looked up in surprise, only to be met with Xiao Wu's angry gaze: "Senior Sister..."

"If you utter such pathetic words again, I will immediately return to Jiangnan to live a life of quiet contemplation and Buddhist practice." After saying this, Xiao Wu turned and left.

Li Zhi covered his face, looking aggrieved, and didn't dare to chase after him. He could only stand there and wait for his father...
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Brothers, I'm burnt out. It's been ten hours since 8 AM, and I haven't stopped except to poop and eat. My eyes are blurry. About 15,000 units, right? Burnt out, burned out.

(End of this chapter)