My palace is full of female protagonists.

The flames of war on the frontier continued to burn, and every urgent report was like a burning flame, scorching every corner of the palace.

"Your Majesty, a third letter from the Empress has arrived from the border today," Xiao Kuangzi reported softly, holding the heavy stack of envelopes in his hands, his eyes revealing a hint of worry.

The Empress's letters arrived three times a day, each word filled with worry and helplessness regarding the border war. She not only personally led the troops into battle, but also kept her three thousand elite Imperial Guards with her. This army was both her source of strength and an inescapable shackle of responsibility. According to ancient custom, every movement of the Imperial Guards had to be reported to the palace urgently, otherwise they would be suspected of being mercenaries from another kingdom.

Xiao Kuangzi carefully opened a letter and read it aloud in his clear, melodious voice: "Medicines are in dire need of the frontier, and provisions are insufficient for even a month's needs. Your Majesty, I am deeply worried..." The Empress's letter repeatedly mentioned the scarcity of medicine and provisions. That meager month's worth of provisions seemed like a countdown to the army's survival, making every bite of food exceptionally precious. Faced with this predicament, the Empress tried to remain calm, but the melancholy between the lines was difficult to conceal.

Recalling the custom of planting peanuts after the Double Ninth Festival, Zhao Chengyu couldn't help but have a thought: perhaps peanuts could be the key to saving the army from dire straits.

Zhao Chengyu knew that red-skinned peanuts had relatively high nutritional value among peanuts. If they could be cultivated on a large scale domestically, it would provide an extra crop, fertilize the soil, and make spring planting much easier. An extra crop would increase farmers' income, and grain merchants would sell their stored grain at low prices to buy peanuts, thus solving the border's food supply problem and providing ample rations for the soldiers, enhancing their fighting capacity.

On the day of court, Zhao Chengyu summoned the Minister of Agriculture and several ministers of public works to the main hall. Upon entering, everyone was filled with trepidation, expecting the emperor to once again unleash his fury over the poor agricultural situation. However, to everyone's surprise, Zhao Chengyu uttered no words of reproach. Instead, in a gentle yet firm tone, he proposed a plan to cultivate peanuts.

The atmosphere in the main hall suddenly became tense due to the opposition of the Grand Minister of Agriculture. The Grand Minister of Agriculture looked solemn and bluntly raised his doubts: "Your Majesty, peanuts are merely a snack for ordinary people in their spare time. They cannot be used as a staple food to fill their stomachs, nor can they be made into high-end banquet dishes. If farmers are allowed to grow them on a large scale, we may face the dilemma of market saturation and no one buying them."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's eyes flashed with a thoughtful expression. He then turned to the ministers in the hall and asked gently, "So, how do you, my esteemed ministers, usually eat peanuts?"

A high-ranking official stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, my family often stir-fries peanuts in an earthenware pot, sprinkles them with a little salt, and serves them as a side dish with wine, which has a unique flavor."

Another official added, "In my hometown, there is a custom of making peanut brittle on the night of Qixi Festival to celebrate the festival. It has a fragrant and crispy taste."

At this moment, an official standing to the side couldn't help but interject: "My family often boils peanuts. Although the taste is so-so, it is simple and easy to obtain. It is nice to change things up once in a while."

Zhao Chengyu nodded slightly, seemingly unsurprised by the answers. He then changed the subject and pressed further, "So, have any of you tried cooking meat with peanuts?"

Upon hearing this, the officials in the hall exchanged bewildered glances, clearly finding the question beyond their comprehension. After a moment of silence, a high-ranking official hesitated before asking, "Your Majesty, this... isn't boiling meat with peanuts a terrible waste of such fine meat?"

Zhao Chengyu smiled and shook his head, patiently explaining, "Not at all. Boiling peanuts with meat is not only not a waste, but it complements each other perfectly. Especially when using fatty meat and red-skinned peanuts to cook together, after an hour and a half of slow simmering, the peanuts absorb the essence of the meat broth and become as sweet and tender as the meat. And the peanuts themselves are rich in oil, which adds a unique aroma to the dish, making the whole dish even more delicious."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Not to mention, peanuts can also be pressed to extract oil, which is refreshing and can significantly enhance the taste of vegetarian dishes. Even boiled peanuts in their shells, with just a little salt or spices, can become a satisfying dish. As for red-skinned peanuts, eating twenty raw peanuts a day can help relieve chronic stomach discomfort, according to doctors."

No sooner had the words been spoken than a high-ranking official stepped forward, his expression excited, and said, “Your Majesty is absolutely right! Red-skinned peanuts do indeed grow in my hometown, but they are mostly wild and few people cultivate them on a large scale. I have also heard physicians mention that eating a moderate amount of red-skinned peanuts daily is indeed beneficial for stomach ailments. If their cultivation could be promoted, it would not only alleviate the urgent need for food supplies on the frontier but also benefit the health of the people—truly a win-win situation!”

The Grand Minister of Agriculture patted his chin and said, "If we can refine it into edible oil, it could become a major condiment."

Zhao Chengyu shook his head and said, "Peanut oil is not a condiment. It complements lard perfectly and is not considered meat. It can be consumed by those who practice spiritual cultivation and can make vegetarian dishes more delicious. It is an edible oil that can be promoted nationwide."

Upon hearing this, a chorus of agreement immediately erupted in the hall.

Upon hearing this, Si Nong was first surprised, then fell into deep thought, and said, "If that's the case, it is indeed worth planting on a large scale."

Zhao Chengyu slapped his thigh and said, "Alright, we'll discuss the uses of peanuts after court. Xiao Kuangzi, go and tell the palace purchasing department to bring in several loads of different varieties of peanuts. I want to see them after court. Don't ask for a high price!"

Xiao Kuang immediately accepted the order and sent someone to relay the message.

Zhao Chengyu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sharp, his tone carrying an undeniable authority: "Grand Minister of Agriculture, since you are here today, let's discuss the procurement of goods for the palace in more detail. Why is it that, from what I've heard and seen, the prices of items needed in the palace are more than double those in the common people's homes? Is there some unknown reason behind this?"

Upon hearing this, the Grand Minister of Agriculture's expression changed drastically, his knees buckled, and he knelt down with a thud. All the officials in the hall except for the two prime ministers followed suit, and in an instant, the hall was filled with kneeling officials, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Zhao Chengyu's gaze swept over the crowd and landed directly on Prime Minister Su. His tone was somewhat mocking: "Prime Minister Su, you are an important minister in the court. Let me ask you, how much silver does it cost for your household to buy a load of radishes?"

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Su looked troubled and stammered, "Your Majesty, I have never liked the taste of radishes. My wife handles all the household purchases, and I have not interfered."

Zhao Chengyu chuckled lightly, but there was no hint of pleasure in his laughter: "Oh? I see. Prime Minister Su keeps many concubines of noble birth at home, yet he knows nothing about his wife's shopping. Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

Prime Minister Su hurriedly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and explained, "Your Majesty is wise. It is not that I do not care about the lady, but it is simply that I have rarely interfered in matters of the inner quarters."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's face darkened. He suddenly grabbed the hat of a guard beside him and swung it, sending it flying towards Prime Minister Su like an arrow. Prime Minister Su couldn't dodge in time and was struck by the hat. He lost his balance, staggered a few steps, and fell to the ground. Although he quickly protected his head with his hands, his ankle was still hit by the hard edge of the hat, producing a clear sound of bone colliding with a hard object. The hall fell silent instantly.

Zhao Chengyu stood up, strode up to Prime Minister Su, and roared, "You are the Prime Minister of a nation! You should be knowledgeable in all aspects of life, from astronomy to geography; you should be able to fight on the battlefield with unerring accuracy. Yet, you don't even know the price of radishes at home. How can you manage the officials in charge of agriculture and justice? How can you ensure that the army has sufficient food supplies?"

After speaking, Zhao Chengyu turned his gaze to Prime Minister Gao. Prime Minister Gao's heart alarmed, and he quickly cupped his hands in a bow and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Although I am involved in the procurement of military provisions for the border regions, the details of procurement within the palace are indeed not my area of ​​expertise."

Zhao Chengyu's cold laugh echoed in the empty hall, his gaze like a sharp blade piercing Gao Chengxiang's heart. "Prime Minister Gao, you are known for your keen insight, even able to discern the Empress's emotional fluctuations. How come you suddenly become so 'ignorant' when it comes to matters concerning the very foundation of the nation, such as palace procurement? This is far too suspicious!"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Prime Minister Gao's forehead. He knew he could no longer evade the question, so he slowly knelt down, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, it is clear that matters within the palace have always been managed by the Imperial Household Department. Although I am the Prime Minister, I dare not interfere lightly. Our duty is to assist Your Majesty in governing the country, not to meddle in the trivial matters of the inner palace."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Chengyu's sneer deepened: "What a fine 'dare not interfere'! In ancient times, Qin Shi Huang honored Lü Buwei as his 'Uncle,' regarding him as a closest and most trusted confidant. Today, I, Zhao Chengyu, find that one of my two prime ministers is indifferent to the people's suffering, while the other is well-versed in the affairs of the harem but blind to the grand plans of the nation. Have you ever considered whether anyone in this court still respects me as the emperor? Does anyone still care about the people of the land?"

His voice echoed throughout the hall, each word like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of everyone present. Upon seeing this, Prime Minister Su immediately knelt down, his body trembling slightly, clearly intimidated by the Emperor's wrath. The officials outside the hall, hearing the commotion, followed suit, and in an instant, the entire palace, inside and out, was filled with kneeling figures.

After venting his anger, Zhao Chengyu took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He knew that as the ruler of a country, he could not solve problems with a momentary rage. So, he slowly spoke and made a new request: "From today onwards, I require all officials throughout the country, regardless of rank, to write a policy essay entitled 'Thoughts on the Revitalization of Hometown Agriculture.' I want you to go deep into the fields, understand the hardships and needs of farmers, and think about how to revitalize agriculture in your hometowns and contribute to the nation's granary. Those who write poorly will be dismissed, and those who write well will be promoted three ranks!"

These words caused an uproar both inside and outside the hall. The officials exchanged bewildered glances, feeling immense pressure and an unprecedented sense of mission. They knew this was not merely a simple writing assignment, but a test of their abilities and loyalty by the Emperor. Failure to write well could result in dismissal, or even execution. Even if the Emperor spared their lives, those who had previously clashed with them would not let them off the hook if they lost their official positions.

Thus, a vigorous "agricultural revitalization strategy" movement, driven by Zhao Chengyu, quickly swept across the entire country. Officials left their offices and went deep into the countryside, some even pretending to eat, live, and work with farmers.

The traditional peanut oil extraction process, though not as complex as modern technology, embodies the wisdom and craftsmanship of our ancestors. During his junior high school years, Zhao Chengyu, driven by a deep interest in traditional techniques, studied this craft in depth, and the steps and key points remain vivid in his memory. He recalls that the key to traditional oil extraction lies in several crucial steps: selecting raw materials, roasting, and pressing. Each step requires meticulous operation to obtain high-quality peanut oil. While some rudimentary oil extraction methods existed in that era, the oil yield was often unsatisfactory. Relying on his memory and adapting to the realities of the time, Zhao Chengyu made numerous attempts and improvements, finally succeeding in increasing the oil yield to 30-50%. This achievement not only brought him immense joy but also subtly shifted the political winds in the imperial court.

As the proposal to plant peanuts in the fall spread widely, officials began to respond enthusiastically. They realized that this was not only a measure that would benefit the country and its people, but also an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate their governing abilities and accumulate political achievements. As a result, the once empty fields were quickly replaced by peanut fields after the autumn harvest, and everywhere was filled with the hope and joy of a bountiful harvest.

With the expansion of peanut planting areas, related industries have also flourished. The demand for oil pressing tools such as graphite and large pots has surged, making these industries extremely busy. Farm officials are incredibly busy, not only inspecting and guiding operations in the fields but also building peanut oil pressing workshops to meet the ever-increasing demand for oil.

However, just as Zhao Chengyu was feeling gratified by these positive changes, a new problem quietly emerged—a mountain of policy essays was troubling him. Officials, eager to leave a lasting impression on the emperor or to compensate for any perceived shortcomings, were pouring their hearts into writing articles outlining their insights and plans for revitalizing their hometown's agriculture. The sheer volume and variety of these essays presented a significant challenge for Zhao Chengyu: how to efficiently and impartially review them.

He couldn't help but smile wryly, muttering to himself, "Haven't I just gotten myself into big trouble?" Just then, Zhao Chengyu suddenly looked at Xiao Kuangzi, a sly smile on his face, as if he had come up with some mischievous idea. Seeing this, Xiao Kuangzi responded with a helpless wry smile, seemingly already guessing what might happen next.