The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 12: The System's Gift - Potatoes?

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received a system gift: 1,000 jin of special potatoes!]

The mechanical voice that suddenly rang in his mind made Zhu Xiong Ying's expression freeze for a moment.

then.

His Highness, the most revered Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, desperately suppressed his inner elation!
A thousand pounds of potatoes!

If this were in later generations, it would cost a little over a thousand yuan, making it a common item on ordinary people's dining tables.

But this is the Ming Dynasty.
In feudal dynasties, the people were docile, and there was only one situation in which they would rebel.

That is... not having enough to eat!

All the 'uprisings' at the end of dynasties were, in essence, simply because the common people could no longer make a living.

To put it simply, let's take Zhu Xiong Ying's grandfather, Zhu Yuan Zhang.

Isn't it because his family couldn't make ends meet and starved to death that he went out to make a living and eventually joined the Red Turban Army?

With potatoes, as long as they are widely cultivated, the people of the Ming Dynasty will no longer have to worry about starving!

Zhu Xiong Ying clenched his fists tightly, and a hint of excitement flickered in his eyes.

If this thing wasn't a system reward, but an offering from an ordinary citizen, then Zhu Xiong Ying would grit his teeth and try to get him a hereditary duke title!

Those who provide food and clothing for the people will achieve sainthood through their merits!

"Retreat!"

Zhu Xiong Ying flicked his sleeve and then quickly stood up.

He didn't even bother to listen to the shouts of the officials, and simply left the Fengtian Hall.

The civil and military officials, who had been "manipulated" by the Crown Prince today, all looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Teacher, this is His Highness the Crown Prince."

Hu Weiyong's expression tightened, and he moved closer to Li Shanchang, wanting to say something.

Unexpectedly, the Left Chancellor of the Ming Dynasty's Secretariat did not listen to him. Instead, he turned to face his fellow officials and forced a smile.
"Fellow colleagues, His Highness the Crown Prince is astute and insightful as he saw through Yang Xian's deception. This is truly a blessing for our Great Ming!"

"Gentlemen, during the Crown Prince's regency, I ask that you each perform your duties diligently and not slack off in the slightest."

"otherwise."

Li Shanchang paused slightly, then said no more and turned to walk out of Fengtian Hall.

In the imperial court, there is always room for maneuver before words are fully spoken.

Li Shanchang was the first to express his opinion, requiring all civil and military officials to perform their duties. Even if this matter reached the ears of Emperor Hongwu, Li Shanchang would be worthy of the title of "doing his best".

Hu Weiyong quickly followed.

Xu Da looked at the officials, whose expressions varied. Some were fearful, some were deep in thought, and some were genuinely happy that the Ming Dynasty had a worthy successor.

Then, without changing his expression, this great war god of the Ming Dynasty patted Liang Guogong Lan Yu on the shoulder and walked out of Fengtian Hall.

By killing Yang Xian today, His Highness the Crown Prince has certainly established his authority, but has he been too ostentatious?

Inside the Wenhua Hall, the furnishings are simple and ancient, and the purple smoke of sandalwood rises gently.

However, unlike other emperors who hung calligraphy and paintings to display their status, this Wenhua Hall had a long sword hanging inside.

This sword is named Yingtian, and there is a poem that Zhu Yuanzhang thought was well written: "Having killed a million soldiers in Jiangnan, the blood on the sword at my waist is still fresh! The old monk does not recognize the hero, but keeps asking my name."

This clearly demonstrates just how domineering this emperor who revived the Han people truly was.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat upright in the main seat, a thought forming in her mind: 'Distribute some of the rewards!'

As soon as Zhu Xiong Ying had a thought, a dozen or so 'golden yellow' things appeared on the table, each one plump and even covered with a little dirt.

It was a full three inches bigger than the potatoes commonly seen in later generations!
"Is this the improved version of the specialty potato?"

Looking at the things on the table, Zhu Xiong Ying really wished she could pick them up and kiss them.

In Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes, none of the beauties and treasures in the world could compare to these potatoes!

"Yu Huatian." Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Yu Huatian and said, "Instruct the hawk spies of the Western Depot to cook this and bring it to me."

Zhu Xiong Ying is now extremely cautious about food.

For some reason, it was just a gut feeling that the deaths of himself and his father in the history books were somewhat suspicious.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Huatian responded very respectfully, then took a potato and handed it to a falcon scout from the Western Depot.

Watching the spies from the Western Depot retreat, Zhu Xiong Ying took a deep breath and did not rush to flip through the memorial.

He was reflecting on his first court session today and the power dynamics of the various factions.

On the surface, the court was dominated by the scholar-official faction led by Li Shanchang, and together with them were those aristocratic families that had never declined throughout the dynasties.

The Huaixi generals, led by Lan Yu, were relatively close to him, but they were also capable of causing trouble.

There were also veteran officials like Xu Da, who were the backbone of the Ming Dynasty court.

The entire court was a tangled mess, with the six ministries in disarray. If it weren't for his imperial grandfather's awe-inspiring power throughout China, he might not have been able to keep things under control.

"I have a headache!"

"It's really exhausting to do this without any foundation!"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head helplessly.

His father had strong connections in the imperial court, but Zhu Xiong Ying himself was indeed lacking in those connections now.

Just then, a spy from the Western Depot entered the Wenhua Hall, handed a secret report to Yu Huatian, bowed, and turned to leave.

Yu Huatian opened the secret report and then respectfully presented it, saying:
"Your Highness, the Western Depot reports that Hu Weiyong, the Vice Chancellor of the Secretariat, went to the residence of the Duke of Han after court and held a secret meeting with the Left Chancellor, Li Shanchang."

Zhu Xiong Ying opened the secret report, his brows furrowed.

It seems that while my show of force today may have intimidated the ministers, these old foxes are not like dough to be easily manipulated!
Each harbors their own ulterior motives!

This was Zhu Xiong Ying's assessment of these old foxes.

"understood."

Zhu Xiong Ying calmly instructed, "The Western Depot needs to expand as soon as possible. A hundred people are still too few, and it will be difficult to obtain confidential intelligence quickly."

"The expenses for expanding the Western Depot can be drawn from my private treasury."

"To supervise all officials and inspect the realm—this is the duty of your Western Depot."

"Your Western Depot is responsible for the areas that the Embroidered Uniform Guard can manage."

"Where the Embroidered Uniform Guard cannot reach, your Western Depot must take even greater responsibility!"

"do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Huatian's expression immediately hardened, and he replied in a deep voice, "Your Highness's command is that even if swords are pointed at mountains of knives and seas of fire, the Western Depot will still clear the way!"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded in satisfaction.

He never doubted the West Depot's loyalty.

"Your Highness, this dish is ready."

Just then, a spy from the Western Depot carried boiled potatoes into the Wenhua Hall and placed them on Zhu Xiong Ying's desk.

The aroma of the glutinous rice and its golden color are enough to make anyone's mouth water!

Potatoes are used as both food and vegetables, and have a soft, sweet, and glutinous taste.

If my own grandfather knew about potatoes, he would definitely give this evaluation: high yield, good taste, and damn filling!

After a long day of work, Zhu Xiong Ying temporarily put aside the petty squabbles in the court, picked up a spoon, and prepared to try it.

And at this moment,
Yu Huatian, who was standing behind him, suddenly tensed up and said in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, someone is coming!"

(End of this chapter)