Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 75 Daming Company Gives Out Benefits (5.4K words updated today~ That's progress!)
The eunuchs entered in a single file, their footsteps light and quick. Before long, they had laid out a variety of dishes on three long sandalwood tables placed side by side in the hall.

Each dish is securely covered with an exquisite silver lid.

Gao Shiming stood beside the throne and softly called out, "Lift the lid."

At a command, the eunuchs standing by the table all moved at once, silently lifting the silver covers one by one, holding them in their hands, bowing and retreating.

In an instant, all the delicacies in the hall finally revealed their true appearance.

"Changqiu, let's have a meal."

Zhu Youjian took Zhou Yu's hand and sat down in the main seat.

Looking around, one sees a dazzling array of dishes, soups, desserts, teas, and wines, with everything imaginable.

Peppered vinegar shrimp, roast goose, roasted sheep's head and trotters, goose meat slices, salted mustard sheep's tripe platter, garlic vinegar white blood soup, five-flavor steamed chicken, mutton bones with broth... there are more than thirty kinds in total.

However, Zhu Youjian and Zhou Yu each picked up their chopsticks a few times, but found it rather unappetizing.

Except for the first few days after his ascension to the throne, when they were still somewhat intrigued by the palace cuisine, they had completely lost interest in it afterward.

This imperial cuisine, though seemingly luxurious, has a fatal flaw.

The Imperial Kitchen was not close to the Qianqing Palace. It took about half an hour for a dish to be prepared, passed around from the pot to the next level, and finally placed on the emperor's table.

Even though it was kept warm with hot water below and covered with a silver lid above, the perfect cooking time for eating was ultimately missed.

"Your Majesty, this dish... doesn't seem as good as the one the chefs at Prince Xin's residence used to make," Zhou Yu complained softly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youjian couldn't help but smile. The kitchen of the Prince Xin's residence was right in the backyard; once the food was cooked, it was just a short walk away, naturally incomparable to the elaborate formalities of the imperial palace.

Just as he was about to say something, he caught a glimpse of a plate of steamed crabs, golden-red in color, placed in the corner.

Before he could speak, the young eunuch standing beside him had already followed his gaze and cleverly brought over the plate of crabs, carefully placing it in front of the emperor.

Gao Shiming stepped forward at the opportune moment and introduced with a smile: "Your Majesty, these are Chengyang Lake crabs that were just delivered to the capital from Southern Zhili yesterday. Now that the autumn air is crisp and clear, it is the perfect time for the crabs to be plump and full of roe, and they are at their sweetest."

Just as Zhu Youjian was about to make a move, Zhou Yu preempted him.

She picked up a crab, skillfully opened its shell, removed the crab's heart, broke off its legs, and used them as skewers to easily extract the crab meat.

She then picked up a silver stick and placed the crab roe and crab meat into a small white jade dish, which she then pushed in front of Zhu Youjian.

"This is a flavor from my hometown. I haven't tasted it for so long since I came to the capital." There was a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Zhu Youjian took a bite, and the taste was not much different from that of later generations.

He looked at the pile of crab meat on the plate, then at the dazzling array of dishes on the table, and suddenly asked, "Gao Shiming."

"The minister is here."

"I wish to send ten of these lake crabs to each of the three Grand Secretaries and the Duke of Ying's residence. Is there any precedent for this?"

Gao Shiming smiled broadly and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's benevolence in caring for your subjects is a virtue of a wise ruler. How can it be said to be against etiquette?"

"Back in the day, when Mr. Zhang Taiyue had a stomachache, Emperor Wanli even personally made him a bowl of spicy noodles."

Zhu Youjian's lips twitched involuntarily.

Stomach ache... Sending spicy noodles? Are you sure this is a favor, or just a naughty kid getting revenge on the teacher?

He suppressed his urge to complain, looked seriously into Gao Shiming's eyes, and said, "In that case, let's have someone deliver it while it's still light."

"Your Majesty, I obey." Gao Shiming understood immediately and bowed in response. "I imagine that tomorrow morning, the news of Your Majesty's compassion for your subjects will be widely known throughout the capital." Zhu Youjian nodded, already accustomed to Gao Shiming's keen insight.

The meal was quickly finished. Gao Shiming waved for the eunuchs to remove the almost untouched food and then personally served two cups of freshly brewed chrysanthemum tea.

Zhu Youjian rinsed his mouth, took a sip of tea, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke.

"Of these dishes, the Empress and I consume only one or two tenths, which is far too wasteful. Moreover, most of them are meat and oily, which are not good for our health."

He put down his teacup, his voice not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"By imperial decree, starting tomorrow, only eight dishes are permitted, with a focus on light and healthy preparations."

Gao Shiming quickly bowed and agreed: "Your Majesty is wise. Such a frugal act will surely be praised by the world and admired by all people."

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Zhou Yu, his gaze softening considerably.

"Changqiu, go back and compile a list of the birth dates and times of the three cabinet ministers and the Duke of Yingguo. In the future, on their birthdays, find some of the finest tributes from the palace storeroom and bestow them upon them."

He paused, then added, "The newly appointed Minister of Personnel, Yang Jingchen, will also be included. If there are any more new additions to this list, I will inform you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu nodded solemnly and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly handle this matter well."

Zhu Youjian then looked at Gao Shiming: "Also, have Wang Tiqian make a copy of any news about ministers or nobles falling ill, and send it to the Empress so that she can make arrangements for the distribution of rewards in my name."

"The minister obeys the order."

Zhu Youjian smiled to himself.

Birthday gifts, disease care...aren't these the same tactics that later internet giants used to win people's hearts?

It costs only scraps and effort, but it gives those who work hard for us more bragging rights in front of other workers, creating the illusion that "the company treats me well."

People are not worried about scarcity, but about inequality.

Excuse me, but today, I am here to personally create this inequality!
He's even thinking further ahead.

Once the country is more stable and the finances improve, it wouldn't be unreasonable to establish a retirement pension and professional title system for these civil servants.

On the one hand, it was used to reward those who had done good deeds; on the other hand, it was also a means of controlling them.

At that time, who would dare to abandon me and beg for retirement at the drop of a hat? You can leave, but your retirement benefits will be wiped out!
As for these palace tributes, he couldn't possibly eat or use them all by himself. Rather than letting them gather dust in the storeroom and waiting to be stolen by the eunuchs, he might as well take them out and do them a favor.

As thoughts flashed through his mind, Zhu Youjian picked up his teacup and drank the rest of the chrysanthemum tea in one gulp, feeling completely refreshed.

He then instructed Gao Shiming: "Have the Palace Attendants clean up the Zhaohe Hall in the West Garden, and have the Inner Palace Attendants build two rows of guardhouses next to the hall. I... will occasionally stay in the West Garden for a few days later."

(P.S. The Wanshou Palace of the Jiajing Emperor was burned down during the Wanli Emperor's reign, so it's no longer habitable. This Zhaohe Hall was renovated in the 32nd year of the Wanli Emperor's reign, so it should still be habitable... right?)
"Your subject obeys." Gao Shiming bowed and quietly withdrew.

It was only at this point that Zhu Youjian belatedly realized what was happening.

its not right……

Didn't we already agree that I'd leave work early today to get some rest?
How did I end up adding extra work to my schedule again?
He shook his head helplessly and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Never mind, let's finish today's work today.

He turned his head and saw Zhou Yu secretly blowing bubbles into her teacup, looking rather bored. He smiled and reached out his hand to her.

"Come, Changqiu, accompany me to take a look at those official gazettes."

(End of this chapter)