The Great Ming Demon Pill: Your Majesty, please address me as the Crown Prince!

Chapter 55 Zhu Zhanji: He's using all my words!

A brief silence fell over the hall.

On the side of the table, Zhu Yi leaned close to Zhu Zhanjun's ear and whispered angrily:

"Class monitor, this Prince Harley looks respectful, but the questions he asks are damn tricky!"

"If you can't cut or melt it, how will you know if it's mixed with silver?"

"This is clearly a deliberate attempt to cause trouble!"

Liu Zhong squeezed in and whispered, "That's right! I've long heard that the Khali Kingdom considers itself a great power, and while they outwardly acknowledge our Great Ming, they're secretly unwilling to submit. This time, they've come to pay tribute on the surface, but secretly they want to challenge our Great Ming."

Zheng Yu chewed on a raisin and mumbled, "I think he deserves a beating! If you, class monitor, went up there, you'd make sure he's speechless."

Zhu Zhanjun ignored them, his dark eyes fixed on the Ulubo before the imperial steps, then glanced at Zhu Di, who sat calmly on the throne, and knew what was going on.

Ulugh Beg's request for advice was a complete fabrication; it was clearly a diplomatic confrontation.

It's true that the Kingdom of Halie wanted to engage in trade, but it also wanted to demonstrate its own importance and didn't want to appear completely dependent on the Ming Dynasty.

If the Ming Dynasty officials were stumped by the problem of "verifying silver with gold Buddha," it would not necessarily affect the overall trade situation, but it would inevitably damage the reputation of the Celestial Empire and make the Western Regions feel that although the Ming Dynasty was wealthy, it had no outstanding talents.

In this way, the Kingdom of Harley will be able to gain the upper hand in terms of momentum.

The clashes between major powers are quite subtle and complex.

Sure enough, hushed discussions began to rise from the main hall.

Among the civil officials, several elderly ministers with graying beards and hair stroked their beards and shook their heads, clearly not very knowledgeable about such craftsmanship.

The military officers stared at each other blankly. Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo and Duke Zhu Yong of Chengguo exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

Damn it, isn't this just making things difficult for them?

Yang Rong and Huang Huai sat not far below Zhu Di.

Yang Rong said in a low voice, "This question seems simple, but it actually contains hidden tricks. It requires not only an understanding of the properties of metal and stone, but also ingenuity and clever methods... I'm afraid there aren't many officials in the court who are proficient in this."

Huang Huai sighed softly, "If we are stumped by this prince from the Western Regions, it will not look good if word gets out. Although His Majesty remains calm, he must be displeased."

Yang Rong pondered for a moment.

"If Yao Gong were here, perhaps he could find a solution."

Huang Huai smiled bitterly.

The Yao Gong that Yang Rong mentioned is the famous Yao Guangxiao.

However, Yao Guangxiao now spends his days in the temple writing scriptures, occasionally visiting the Eastern Palace, and basically never appears in the public eye.

Even if we send someone to invite them now, it's too late.

On the throne, Zhu Di lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon chair with his fingertips, his gaze slowly sweeping over the ministers below.

Seeing that no one answered, he remained expressionless, but felt somewhat displeased.

At this moment, with envoys from all directions gathered under the watchful eyes of everyone, any hesitation or embarrassment would be magnified.

The Kingdom of Khalid sent envoys this time, employing both soft and hard tactics.

This is what great power rivalry looks like.

There are never any absolute friends.

If even such a small problem cannot be solved, how can the Ming Dynasty have the face to claim itself as the Celestial Empire in front of all the surrounding countries?

Zhu Di picked up his wine cup and took a sip.

A short while later.

The atmosphere inside the hall gradually became somewhat stagnant.

Haji Muhammad stood silently with his eyes downcast.

Ulugh Beg remained bowed, his attitude respectful, but his eyes secretly swept over the Ming officials, observing their reactions, before he smiled.

"Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, this question from your humble servant may be too difficult, and I have troubled you wise men."

"When I was in Khali, I often heard merchants say that the Ming Dynasty was a superior country, rich in resources and prosperous in people, with its civil and military achievements surpassing all others in the world, and with countless talented and extraordinary people, hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

"Therefore, I dared to inquire about this minor craftsmanship, originally thinking that in Your Majesty's presence, in this Hall of Literary Brilliance where so many talents gather, there must be a master who could easily demonstrate it and enlighten me... Alas, it seems that I was just being presumptuous."

"These kinds of questions are perhaps not the forte of the Central Plains, which is why you gentlemen have not yet touched upon them."

"This is all my fault, disturbing Your Majesty and the gentlemen's enjoyment. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Although Ulugh Beg's tone remained respectful, no one present was stupid; they could easily tell that he was mocking the Ming Dynasty for having no one capable.

Upon hearing this, many of the courtiers in the hall changed their expressions.

On the throne, Zhu Di's smile faded, and his eyes darkened.

He couldn't help but glare at the group of civil officials with some displeasure.

Damn it, they're all such good actors on a normal day, always spouting Confucian and Mencian doctrines, why are they all so quiet now?

Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi sat to the lower left of Zhu Di, his face somewhat grim.

Prince Zhu Gaoxu of Han and Prince Zhu Gaosui of Zhao looked on with resentment.

If it weren't for the occasion, the two of them would have fought with that damned Ulugh Beg.

Among the civil officials, Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Huang Huai, Hu Guang, and others exchanged glances, all seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.

Yang Rong stroked his beard and pondered, his mind racing to see if there were any similar records in ancient books, while Huang Huai frowned, clearly finding it a difficult situation as well.

Other important officials, such as Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji, also had solemn expressions and exchanged opinions with their colleagues in hushed tones, but all shook their heads.

In a side seat, Zhu Zhanji's handsome face showed a serious expression.

As the eldest grandson of the emperor, he naturally knew that there could be no mistakes on such an occasion.

He felt a wave of frustration.

If only I could step forward at this moment and shout, "You arrogant brat! Your trivial questions are not worth mentioning!"

Isn't that just showing off perfectly?

Wouldn't the Emperor spoil him rotten?

"A mere debate over gold and silver is hardly worth mentioning!"

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out in the hall.

Zhu Zhanji: "???"

Oh no, did he blurt out his true feelings?

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he subconsciously rejected it.

wrong!