Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 530 The First Person to Eat Crabs
Chen Ce explained to Zhu Houzhao the uses of many of these crops. Zhu Houzhao tried some of them and found them tasted good, but he had not tried some of them yet.

Chen Ce told him about some cooking methods and eating methods of corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes, and then said to him: "Your Highness, you should introduce these crops to the officials and the emperor, and then promote them among the people of Ming Dynasty. Whether the people eat them themselves or sell them to neighboring countries, it is a good choice to increase the economic income of farmers."

Zhu Houzhao asked Chen Ce: "Why don't you tell your father and the officials?"

Chen Ce smiled bitterly and said, "As for me, I won't go. It's troublesome. Besides, these things that benefit the country and the people should be discovered and promoted by you, the crown prince. Only then can the people be grateful to you, the crown prince."

Zhu Houzhao knew that Chen Ce had been impeached too many times recently, and the civil servants did not want to see Chen Ce continue to be in the limelight. It was not that the little brother was afraid of them, but he really did not want to cause these unnecessary troubles.

But the younger brother certainly hopes to increase his reputation through the crops brought from these voyages.

"Okay." Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "I understand."

Chen Ce smiled and said, "Okay, then I won't bother you anymore, let's go back to the palace."

"Ah."

When we walked out of the Taicang granary, it was freezing cold and heavy snow was falling from the sky unexpectedly.

Chen Ce escorted Zhu Houzhao to the Forbidden City. The entire Forbidden City was covered in silver, and the empty square outside the Forbidden City was covered with snow.

Zhu Houzhao entered the Meridian Gate and looked back. He saw a young man in a blue shirt and cotton jacket standing on the empty Meridian Gate Square, stepping on the snow, with his back to the entire Forbidden City, walking slowly into the distance.

That figure looks desolate and lonely. He is using his whole life to protect the Ming Dynasty!

Zhu Houzhao took a deep breath, then stepped into the palace with Liu Jin, whose eyes were red.

Today's court meeting was about to end, but Zhu Houzhao's sudden arrival caused the court meeting in Fengtian Hall to be delayed for a while.

"Father."

When Zhu Houzhao appeared in the Fengtian Hall, all officials focused their attention on the prince.

"I have seen all the crops brought back from the West. Many of them can be preserved and they taste very good."

"I personally asked the eunuch to taste it."

Zhu Houzhao did not forget to add that these were all told to him by Chen Ce.

Otherwise, no one would dare to eat those crops casually. These upright civil servants cherish their lives more than anyone else.

Emperor Hongzhi sighed slightly. Chen Ce should have been the one to report these matters today, but he handed it to Zhu Houzhao because he didn't want to continue to show up in the court, nor did he want to take any credit and arouse envy.

Letting Zhu Houzhao do these things will increase his prestige in the hearts of officials and people all over the world. Chen Ce, this kid, is really thoughtful.

Not only Emperor Hongzhi knew about these things, but high-level officials such as the cabinet and the six ministries were also aware of them.

Those crops were brought back by Chen Ce during his voyage to the West, but this time all the credit was given to Zhu Houzhao, thus enhancing the prestige of Zhu Houzhao, the crown prince, in the hearts of the people and officials.

Fame and reputation are not worth mentioning in his eyes. He always tolerates everyone and everything in this world with the broadest mind and the most tolerant attitude towards the world!
Emperor Hongzhi was stunned for a moment before he said, "Oh? What crops are there?" Zhu Houzhao had already followed Chen Ce's instructions and asked the Shangshenjian to bring up the cooked corn, sweet potato porridge, roasted potatoes, fried shredded potatoes, fried and boiled peanuts.

Looking at the dazzling array of steaming foods, the taste buds of all officials were stimulated.

All these foods were brought back from overseas, and they had never seen them before. However, today's half-day court meeting had already made them hungry.

"Father, I have asked the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor to prepare these dishes. Please allow us to have them."

Emperor Hongzhi nodded and said, "Yes, that's right."

But the embarrassing thing is that no official present dared to eat it on their own initiative. It is normal to be afraid of these unknown things.

Fortunately, the Zhang brothers had already eaten a lot in Taicang, and they were not afraid of death. They took the sweet potato porridge from the eunuch and drank it up. Then they picked up a plate of shredded green peppers and potatoes and stuffed them into their mouths. They ate it so deliciously!

Well, that’s pretty good. Chen Ce behaved like a decent person this time and didn’t cheat them. Tell me, these shredded potatoes are really delicious. I love them!
And the peanuts are crunchy and very fragrant. It would be even better if there was some wine...

"Is there any wine?" the Zhang brothers asked Zhu Houzhao.

Zhu Houzhao: "..."

You really think of Fengtian Palace as your own home, don’t you? Zhu Houzhao said angrily, “No!”

Seeing that the Zhang brothers had been eating for such a long time and still showed no signs of death, all the officials finally stopped refusing and took the food from the eunuchs' hands and began to eat elegantly.

At first they were still observing the etiquette, but later on the only sounds in the hall were the snorting of people eating and drinking porridge.

Li Dongyang wiped his mouth, bowed to Emperor Hongzhi and said: "Your Majesty! This crop... is delicious! It is filling! It is enough to promote its cultivation among the people!"

After finishing his speech, he did not forget to compliment Zhu Houzhao, saying: "Your Highness the Crown Prince has discovered this crop that benefits the country and the people. It is truly a blessing for the Ming Dynasty. In ancient times, the grain gods bestowed food upon mankind. Today, the Crown Prince's actions are worthy of being recorded in history!"

It has to be you, Li Dongyang... Only then did all the officials react and began to follow Li Dongyang in licking Zhu Houzhao.

Emperor Hongzhi was overjoyed, his face beaming with joy, but he also said modestly that the prince was still young and would need all of you to work together to assist him in the future.

"Father, these crops can not only be grown to feed our stomachs, but can also be traded to neighboring countries in the future to increase farmers' income."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly fell into silence!

Previously, their thinking was rigid, and they always thought that after the emergence of new crops and new food, the first thing to do was to solve the problem of food and clothing in the country. However, they did not know that the people of the Ming Dynasty had basically achieved food and clothing.

Then, having these new crops can naturally be used for other purposes, such as trading with neighboring countries!
After Zhu Houzhao's suggestion, all officials suddenly realized that this way, wouldn't it be a good way to increase the farmers' economic income?
Since the voyages to the West, the Ming Dynasty has established a system of overseas trade. So why not grow these crops and trade with neighboring countries to improve the economic income and living standards of the people of the Ming Dynasty?
Li Dongyang cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, this remark is a wake-up call for me. Your Majesty is wise, and with this son of the unicorn, the Ming Dynasty will have a wise ruler in the future!"

All the officials followed Li Dongyang to congratulate Emperor Hongzhi.

The Zhang brothers pouted in the crowd, thinking, weren't these things told to the prince by that kid Chen Ce?

If Chen Ce had brought up these issues, you would have been so damn rude and would have impeached him. What a bunch of shameless guys!
(End of this chapter)