Chapter Eighteen: Abundant Rewards
In just two days, the matter of the refined salt spread throughout Yingtian Prefecture.
Everyone knew about it, everyone was aware.
It became the hottest topic in every street and alley!
Even in the court, while Zhu Yuanzhang was absent, the ministers were all discussing the issue.
“I’m telling you, a group of merchants from the Western Regions have been selling premium refined salt at the market these past two days. My steward happened to see it and bought a pound to take home! The salt is superb—pure white with no impurities. The dishes made with it have wonderful color, aroma, and taste! The only downside is the price!”
“I know that. Our household also bought some. It cost ten taels! That’s an entire month’s salary gone!”
“Ten taels? I heard the price has already risen to twenty taels!”
“Twenty taels? Who would still buy it then?”
“Of course there are buyers! I heard they’re buying hundreds of pounds at a time! The manager of the Lü family’s grain shop bought thirteen hundred pounds in one go! All the servants at home are talking about it now!”
“Good grief, buying so much? They must be rich! Far richer than us officials in court…”
In reality, court officials’ salaries were not high—a top-ranking official earned just over a thousand taels a year.
Lower-ranking officials earned far less.
Now hearing that some could spend twenty to thirty thousand taels on salt at once, everyone revealed looks of envy.
“His Majesty has arrived…”
A voice from Yun Qi rang out, and everyone immediately closed their mouths, bowed their heads, and stood respectfully in their places.
After a few breaths, they cupped their hands and said, “Long live the Emperor, long live, long live forever!”
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on your first appearance in court. Reward: three extra years of life!]
Upon receiving the system reward, Zhu Xiongying couldn’t help but laugh aloud.
Had he known this earlier, he would have had Old Zhu bring him here sooner!
A single visit granted three years of life—what was there to worry about?
“Hehehe…”
The ministers were surprised to hear the laughter of a child.
Wasn’t the usual phrase supposed to be “All ministers, please rise”?
“Hm?”
Several ministers standing at the front looked up curiously and saw that the dragon robe-clad Zhu Yuanzhang was holding a child in his arms.
The child’s face was fair and delicate, laughing happily.
“His Imperial Great-Grandson?”
“It really is His Imperial Great-Grandson!”
“Why is the Great-Grandson at court? And in His Majesty’s arms, no less?”
As the crown prince personally appointed by Old Zhu, many ministers had met the great-grandson.
Only the young Karamis and some newly appointed officials did not recognize him.
Then, Old Zhu sat down on the dragon throne holding the little one, startling those below.
“How can the Great-Grandson be attending court?”
“No idea! Historically, no imperial grandsons have ever participated in morning court sessions! If dozens of grandsons showed up, where would we ministers stand?”
“What use is an imperial grandson attending court? What do they understand?”
“His Majesty brought the grandson here, that’s one thing, but letting him sit on the dragon throne? Is that throne for anyone to sit on?”
“Alas! What a breach of protocol…”
At this scene, many officials expressed their dissatisfaction.
However, they dared only whisper to one another and did not speak up in admonishment.
Li Shanchang, Duke of Han, nearly seventy years old with gray hair and beard, had risen with Old Zhu during the rebellion.
Having made many meritorious contributions, he was ranked foremost among the lords and held considerable influence.
He spoke what others dared not: “Your Majesty, this is improper according to ritual and law!”
The little one, hearing this, deliberately blinked his big eyes and put on a pitiful expression. “Grandpa Emperor, perhaps… I should leave then!”
Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised. “Oh? Why so obedient today? Just a few days ago, you were asking when I and Biao’er would pass away so you could inherit the throne!”
“Cough… cough…”
That one sentence nearly made the ministers present fall to their knees.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for shocking the ministers. Reward: Strength +10]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for shocking the ministers. Reward: Charisma +10]
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for shocking the ministers. Reward: life extended by ten days, five days, three days…]
The system kept announcing rewards.
It seemed to have drawn a portion of rewards from each minister.
Only, the rewards differed according to their rank.
“Your Majesty, the Great-Grandson is still very young. I, the old minister, believe he is not yet suitable for court attendance! He should first study in the Eastern Palace, then enter the main hall for learning!”
Hearing this, Li Shantang frowned even deeper.
He had a very unfavorable impression of this suddenly appearing little fellow.
“Not suitable for court? Why am I, the Great-Grandson, not suitable for court?”
It was Zhu Xiongying’s first time at such an important occasion; he had planned to behave well.
But encountering an old stubborn man, he would not hold back!
He strode up to Li Shanchang and grabbed a handful of his gray beard.
Li gasped in pain, “Ouch… it hurts… it hurts!”
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for pranking Li Shanchang. Reward: life extended by one month!]
“Hmph! Old man, if you don’t say something reasonable today, I’ll pull out every hair of your beard!”
He tossed out this threat, folding his hands behind his back and watching Li’s pained expression.
“Your Majesty, did you see that?”
Li Shanchang bowed and complained to Old Zhu.
But Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head aside, pretending to discuss something with Yun Qi, deliberately ignoring him.
Li Shanchang had no choice but to present his argument: “That dragon throne belongs exclusively to Your Majesty and represents Your Majesty’s dignity. How can just anyone sit on it at will?”
“Isn’t the dragon throne for the emperor?”
Zhu Xiongying tilted his head and asked only that.
“Yes!”
Li Shanchang nodded.
“Then will my father be the emperor someday?”
Li looked toward the crown prince and nodded, “Naturally!”
The crown prince was diligent, devoted to the people, and assisted His Majesty in governing the state properly.
There was no doubt that the crown prince would inherit the throne.
“I am the Great-Grandson personally appointed by Grandpa Emperor. When my father passes away, will the throne be mine?”
Hearing the child’s words, Zhu Biao helplessly covered his face.
Pass away!
Pass away!
Why did it sound like he wouldn’t live long at all in this child’s mouth?
“The Crown Prince is in his prime, vigorous and strong…”
“Stop with the useless talk! Just tell me if the throne will be mine in the future!”
“Uh… if the Great-Grandson and Crown Prince are equally upright and do not stray from the right path, then naturally the throne will belong to the Great-Grandson!”
“That settles it! Since the throne will be mine sooner or later, what’s wrong with sitting on it now?”
With that, Zhu Xiongying silenced Li Shanchang completely.
Among the military generals present, many clad in armor gave thumbs up in approval.
The little one was especially familiar with several of them.
They should be the original body’s two uncles, Chang Mao and Chang Sheng.
The muscular and fierce-looking leader was likely the original body’s uncle by marriage, Duke of Liang, Lan Yu!
These military men were more adept with weapons than words.
When Li Shanchang first spoke, they wanted to stand up for the little Great-Grandson.
But lacking eloquence, they couldn’t find the right words.
Unexpectedly, the Great-Grandson not only defended himself but also silenced the chatterbox Li Shanchang, airing their grievances for them!