I became the tyrant's only belief.

Chapter 509 Shennong Bureau

According to Fan Hong and others, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn not only have high yields and are easy to store, but can also be used as staple foods to satisfy hunger. Sweet potato vines are also a treasure, as they can be eaten by both humans and livestock.

As they listened to their descriptions, everyone's eyes burned with desire as they looked at the mahogany box. If the seeds weren't so precious, they would have wanted to try them at least once.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Xiao Jingfan, after discussing with his ministers, designated two areas, one in the south and one in the north, as the Shennong Bureau, specifically for researching the cultivation of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn. He also ordered local governments to post notices recruiting farmers with more than thirty years of farming experience to work at the Shennong Bureau, providing them with food and lodging, a monthly stipend, and rewards for good performance.

The farmers didn't care about any divine objects; all they knew was that food, lodging, and money were provided. Immediately, many experienced farmers prepared their provisions, carried their bundles, and headed to the Shennong Office.

Some people didn't believe such a good thing could happen. They thought, "If you can be rewarded with an official position just by farming, then why bother spending money on studying? Everyone should just go farm!"

They stayed put, watching coldly as those eager to jump into the pit regretted their actions, then they could laugh at them mercilessly.

At the Shennong Bureau, the farmers who arrived were all assigned a plot of land after their identities were verified.

Now that the corn planting season has passed, potatoes and sweet potatoes can still be tried.

So the farmers were divided into two groups, some responsible for planting potatoes and others for planting sweet potatoes.

The crew members, who had learned planting methods from the natives, acted as teachers, explaining the characteristics of potatoes and sweet potatoes and imparting all the planting methods they had learned, so that the farmers would not be completely clueless and waste precious seeds.

Next, the farmers are free to experiment. As long as they can grow the crops, they will be rewarded, and the best grower will be granted an official position.

Although there is no penalty for failing to grow the crops, if anyone tries to take advantage of this and pretends to freeload and get money, the government will not be lenient and will give that person a lesson they will never forget.

Two weeks later, the first batch of potatoes and sweet potatoes were planted.

While the Chu Liu Recruitment System was closely monitoring the situation at the Shennong Bureau, a piece of bad news arrived: Prince Cheng, who was receiving medical treatment at the imperial palace, passed away on the ninth day of the seventh month.

The emperor ordered that the princess be buried properly, and that Princess Cheng and her entourage be demoted to commoners and forbidden from ever setting foot in the capital again.

At the end of July, the Goryeo emperor died suddenly, and Princess Nyeon-eun overpowered all the princes to ascend the throne.

The news shocked the entire region.

It is said that the former Chief Councilor knelt before the palace gates and gouged out his own eyes as a sign of repentance.

[Tsk tsk, belated affection is more despicable than a dog's, and he even resorts to self-harm. What? Expecting the real princess to change her mind? She's the emperor now, she can have as many obedient male concubines as she wants. Is she after your age or your blindness?]

[They even suggested the emperor bestow upon him the name Nian'en, so that he'd always remember the kindness of being locked in a dark room and driven to extinction?]

Please, I spared your life not because I still have feelings for you, but simply to show you that the person you once bullied has now reached a height you can't even reach on tiptoe. You can spend the rest of your life regretting it.

Chu Liuzheng took a bite of the sweet mooncake. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, while others were admiring the moon, she was browsing gossip.

[Upon ascending the throne, Princess Jin immediately changed the rule that women could not hold official positions, allowing Goryeo women to serve in the court just like men.]

[Oh dear, the fish in Miss Zhu's fishpond are fighting, and it's a three-way brawl! What a fool they are! Even if you killed them all, Miss Zhu wouldn't even give you a second glance. Who told you to take the wrong side and oppose the Empress?]

The Empress is preparing to bestow an official title upon Miss Zhu; it seems Miss Zhu truly has no intention of returning.

[Oh, Princess, you've finally had your fill of fun! I heard the treasure ship returned, bringing back not only three divine artifacts but also many things that Da Sheng didn't have. You can't wait to go back home, and you even brought your childhood sweetheart back with you.]

Oh my, after waiting for so many years, the lovers are finally going to meet!

Chu Liuzheng was genuinely happy for the crybaby princess. She picked up the osmanthus wine and took a sip; the rich aroma of the wine mixed with the fragrance of osmanthus was quite pleasant.

With her chin resting on her hand, she squinted as she studied the emperor across the table as he peeled a crab with his own hands.

After several years of persistent efforts to gain weight, the emperor's face finally had a bit more flesh, and his skin became increasingly plump, captivating all who looked at him. [Speaking of which, my bet with the tyrant has been going on for four years now, with just over a year left. Time really flies.]

After taking another sip of osmanthus wine, Chu Liuzheng was about to peel a crab when a plate of peeled crab meat and crab roe was placed in front of her.

She blinked, picked up a piece with her chopsticks, dipped it in vinegar, and ate it.

Zhou Yuande handed the emperor a hot towel to wipe his hands.

While wiping his hands, Xiao Jingfan reminded him, "Crabs are cold in nature and should not be eaten in large quantities."

That means you should eat the two he peeled.

"Mmm," Chu Liuzheng responded with a mouthful of crab meat.

The moon was round, the crab meat was sweet, and the osmanthus wine was delicious. This Mid-Autumn Festival was not bad.

*
Before the Frost's Descent solar term, the potatoes and sweet potatoes at Shennong Temple were all harvested. Although not as many as expected, they were still much better than other crops. Moreover, they did not require much care after being planted, resulting in a small investment and a large harvest, which was truly gratifying.

After summarizing their experiences and lessons learned, the officials of the Shennong Bureau sent a batch of harvested potatoes and sweet potatoes to the palace along with a memorial to the emperor to report the good news. The rest would be kept for planting the following year.

The emperor was overjoyed, and the officials of the Shennong Bureau and the farmers who grew the potatoes and sweet potatoes were all rewarded.

As for the potatoes and sweet potatoes sent to the palace, the emperor first sent a small basket to the Wanshou Palace, then a small basket to the Princess's residence, and left the rest to Chu Liuzheng to handle.

Chu Liuzheng finally got to eat the shredded potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes he had been longing for, while the braised beef with potatoes was a favorite of the emperor, and the sweet potato porridge was also quite good.

The emperor enjoyed his meal, but he didn't forget his loyal ministers who had served him with utmost dedication.

He ordered the Shennong Bureau to send over more potatoes and sweet potatoes without affecting next year's planting, as a reward to his officials. The quantity decreased according to rank, so that all officials could taste them and facilitate the promotion of their cultivation in the future.

It is said that potatoes and sweet potatoes received unanimous praise from the officials, but the emperor gave them too few, not enough to eat.

*
The snow fell later this year than last year. Chu Liuzheng walked out of Chongshan Palace through the snow and heard news on the way: Shaoliyi, who had been ill since the beginning of winter, had passed away.

She paused, stood there, staring at the snowflakes fluttering outside the umbrella for a long time, and then a smile slowly crept onto her lips.

[Oh dear, they're gone already? Quite quickly. Another concubine gone; the tyrant's ears are about to be disturbed.]

"Let's go." She turned and beckoned Chenxing and Siyue to head towards the imperial kitchen, saying as they walked, "We're having hot pot tonight." Let's celebrate for the crybaby princess!
When Consort Shaoli passed away, the emperor issued an edict posthumously conferring upon her the title of Zhaorong and ordering her burial according to the rites for a concubine.

Many people lamented that ever since the emperor began to favor Chu Liuzheng, he had turned a blind eye to all the concubines in the harem, and only when a concubine passed away could one glimpse a trace of warmth in the emperor's decrees.

Chu Liuzheng led his men to the memorial tablet and offered incense.

[Wishing you freedom, and hoping your childhood sweetheart will bring you fewer tears.]

Two days later, a red-painted carriage drove out of the city gate amidst the flow of traffic.

The hooded woman opened the window and leaned halfway out to look back.

When she arrived, she saw the majestic city gate and was filled with fear and despair.

Now, her lips curve into a slight smile, and her eyes are full of hope for life.

(End of this chapter)