Chapter 1354: If I Want to, Nothing Can Hide From Him
Editor: Henyee Translations
After concluding his meditation, the Emperor was in the process of attending to his personal matters when he learned that the Crown Prince was awaiting an audience outside. Consequently, he instructed someone to usher the Crown Prince in.
While he may have been disinterested in the intricacies of governance, it didn’t imply that he was indifferent to everything. In fact, he maintained a firm grip on military power. The key figures within the Imperial Army were his trusted confidants, and the ministers overseeing the six ministries were often at odds with each other. Additionally, control over the capital’s defense lay in the hands of his loyal aides.
As for significant military and political matters within the intermediate court, he had individuals who would report to him when he had the time.
A shadowy cadre of guards, shrouded in secrecy and anonymity, was under his mand. He had little inclination to monitor the activities of the princes, a task he deemed beneath his concern. His knowledge was instinctual; if he wanted to learn more, nothing could evade his awareness.
The Crown Prince entered the pavilion with a basket of potatoes and greeted the Emperor respectfully.
The Emperor, unbothered by customary protocol, had just pleted his meditation, leaving him feeling a tad stiff. He lounged against the bed in a loose Daoist robe, his hair tied up with a sandalwood hairpin, cascading down his back. He bore little resemblance to a monarch of a nation.
Waving his hand dismissively, he instructed the Crown Prince to rise and promptly noticed the basket at his side. His eyes narrowed with curiosity. “What have you brought? It seems unfamiliar to me.”
“Father, I only came across this item yesterday. It’s called a potato, and it’s quite extraordinary!”
Seated, the Crown Prince elaborated on the details, sharing his findings and observations with a smile.
The Emperor, equally intrigued, directed a young eunuch to examine the potatoes more closely and prepare several dishes for sampling. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement and mild skepticism. “You’ve never deceived me before, and I trust you, but can these potatoes truly be so bountiful? I have my doubts.”
“Wisdom indeed resides with Father.” The Crown Prince beamed and continued, “Initially, I shared your skepticism. However, I personally visited the field and randomly selected a few plants. We immediately unearthed them, and I must say, they exceeded my expectations. It’s true! This small basket of potatoes originated from just one plant. Father, they are remarkably high-yielding!”
The Emperor beamed with joy, his eyes burning with enthusiasm as he declared, “If that’s the case, it will be a boon for the Great Qin Empire, a blessing for me!”
“I share your sentiments!”
Clearly in high spirits, the Emperor continued, “In that case, stay for lunch today. When the potatoes are served, enjoy them with me.”
The Crown Prince was elated and respectfully accepted the invitation.
It was truly heartwarming. It had been a considerable while since the father and son had dined together and discussed family matters that didn’t revolve around military affairs.
Before long, lunch was served.
Despite his dedication to cultivation—where Daoists refrained from consuming meat and fish—and the Emperor’s preference for mostly vegetarian fare, these vegetarian dishes were crafted with extraordinary care.
Take, for instance, the stewed tofu. The broth used for simmering the tofu wasn’t just any ordinary soup. It was concocted from a blend of fresh Crucian carp, dried shellfish, jade pillars, top-tier abalone, rare wild mushrooms, well-fed old hens, pig bones, and other exquisite ingredients. Following a series of meticulous steps, it was refined into a luxurious broth resembling milk. This premium broth was then added to a casserole and simmered gently over a small wind stove to render the tofu tender and imbued with the delectable essence.
To plete the dish, the tofu and broth were ladled into a bowl, garnished with a sprinkling of finely chopped green onions. It appeared deceptively simple, but few would guess the laborious effort required to craft such an unassuming bowl of stewed tofu.
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