Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

The folded document that Prince Chun handed over is now in Gao Quan Hong's hands.

Gao Quan Hong stared wide-eyed as he looked at the folded paper several times.

Your Majesty, I have submitted a memorial stating: "I am suffering from a serious illness and am not fit to attend court. I request permission to go to Ping'an County to recuperate. My return date is uncertain. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

Suffering from a serious illness? Uncertain return date?

Gao Quan Hong's head was full of question marks.

He had seen Prince Chun a few days ago. At that time, Prince Chun was carrying the young prince on his back and playing with him. He wasn't even out of breath. He looked incredibly healthy.

What's going on here?

Looking up, the crowd was sparse; the number of people attending the court session seemed even smaller than yesterday.

"Who has asked for leave again? Where is Minister of Personnel Wang Shoucheng? Hurry up and go forward to inform him!"

After the question was asked, no one spoke for a long time.

A somber atmosphere enveloped the entire hall.

Gao Quan Hong sensed something was wrong and looked around, but couldn't find Wang Shoucheng anywhere.

"Where is Wang Shoucheng?"

"Where is Wang Shoucheng?!" He slammed the folding paper on the table, his eyes blazing with fury.

After a long silence, an official stepped forward shakily: "Your Excellency, Lord Wang is not here. He should... should ask for leave..."

???

Gao Quan Hong's eyes widened even more.

Did he hear that right?

"What did you say??"

"Lord Wang must have... taken leave..." The official was on the verge of tears.

I've taken leave!!!

This isn't asking for leave; it's clearly going against him. They don't respect him at all.

Of the six ministers, four did not attend court, along with a general and a prince.

Half the court, no, most of the court, followed Pei Yuan.

I'm absolutely furious!

Gao Quan Hong's hands were clenched tightly, his face was pale and ashen, he was clearly furious.

"Dismiss the court!" he shouted, waving his sleeve.

What's the point of attending this morning's court session?

"Eunuch Gao, we cannot adjourn the court. There has been a great flood in the east, a rebellion has broken out in the north, and there are also barbarians causing trouble on the border. These matters were reported yesterday, but none of them have been resolved."

An old minister rushed out; his hair was completely white, and he was devoted to the country and its people.

This veteran official, named He Song, was a senior official who served three reigns and wielded considerable influence within the cabinet.

Gao Quan Hong suppressed his anger: "When there's a flood, we control it; when there's a righteous army, we suppress it; when the barbarians rebel, we subdue them. What's there to discuss?"

"Flood control requires money, soldiers need to be paid, and fighting wars requires generals. These six departments need to cooperate. Things need to be discussed together. It's not something that can be done just by saying we'll do it."

"I can see it all. Minister Pei and the other ministers fell ill because of His Majesty's beauty pageant. In my opinion, such a wasteful and burdensome affair as the beauty pageant should be abandoned. The national treasury's money should be used for more important matters!"

"If the people are forced into rebellion, and the barbarians or rebel armies invade the capital, even if His Majesty selects tens of thousands of beauties, he will not be able to enjoy them. Even you, Eunuch Gao, will be beheaded!"

He Song poured his heart and soul into every word he wrote, showing his deep concern for the imperial court.

Gao Quan Hong gritted his teeth, his face contorted with bulging veins.

Although he was angry, he knew that the old minister was right.

He didn't have any grand ambitions in life, just eating, drinking, having fun, and enjoying the feeling of being admired by everyone.

He usually didn't concern himself with these important military and national affairs. Pei Yuan and others would discuss them, draft memorials, and send them to the palace, where he would simply stamp them. Therefore, although the emperor didn't interfere in affairs, he handled all matters of the court perfectly.

His responsibilities mainly involved eating, drinking, and having fun, such as repairing palaces, holding beauty pageants, and coming up with new games.

He always managed to reap many benefits whenever he did something for the emperor.

If the emperor falls and the country collapses, he will not only be unable to enjoy happiness, but he will most likely meet a bad end.

"Too many officials have requested leave today, making it difficult to hold a meeting," Gao Quan Hong said through gritted teeth. "These matters can be discussed another day."

"As for the beauty pageant, I will discuss it with Your Majesty."

After saying that, Gao Quan Hong flicked his sleeves and left.

It's clear that he was both frustrated and angry.

Hearing this, He Song breathed a long sigh of relief.

The beauty pageant issue is finally resolved.

He didn't completely mess up the task assigned by the Grand Secretary.

......

Meanwhile, Shen Qing's grilled sausages were still selling like hotcakes.

"I want a crispy sausage."

"Starch sausage, starch sausage, I want to try starch sausage!"

"Madam Shen, can we make a deal? I mean, I want one-third pure meat sausage, one-third cartilage sausage, and one-third starch sausage."

"..."

With more people, many inexplicable demands arise.

For example, she could have her cut the intestine into thirds, thirds, and thirds.

Shen Qing could only shake her head at this; her knife couldn't cut with such precision, and if she cut too much or too little, it would be troublesome.

Besides, you have to reskewer it after cutting it, and sausages aren't fried chicken, so you can't just put them back together.

"Madam Shen, I'd like a pure meat sausage. Could you cut it into three pieces? They don't have to be the same length." Suddenly, a chubby man said.

He spoke with anticipation in his eyes.

"If it's just cut into three pieces...that's fine," Shen Qing agreed.

This request seems quite easy to fulfill.

Perhaps the man wanted to eat one piece himself and leave two for his family.

Snap snap snap, three pieces in no time, Shen Qing even thoughtfully wrapped them in oil paper.

"Here you go."

The fat man chuckled as he took it and sniffed it with a look of fascination.

"I'd like a crispy sausage, cut into three pieces, the length doesn't matter," a clear female voice rang out.

Shen Qing: ? (Snip)

"Please wait a moment."

It's cut.

Next, an elderly man with a white beard said, "I'd like a serving of starch sausage, cut into..."

"Three segments, right? The length doesn't matter?"

"Yes, yes, yes, Madam Shen, you are so clever."

Shen Qing curled her lip. Goodness, it was hard not to guess.

Click click click, the starch sausage is sliced ​​too.

The old man took the oil paper package and walked to the side. The fat man and the girl from before quickly walked up to the old man.

"First, we'll divide the sausages into pure meat sausages. Play rock-paper-scissors, and the winner gets the longest one!"

"Rock, paper, scissors... Ah! I'm the best!!" The girl jumped up with joy.

The old man and the fat man then went through another round to decide who would get the pure meat sausage.

"Then comes the cartilage sausage..."

"Rock, paper, scissors..."

"..."

After a fierce competition, the three people successfully obtained a piece of pure meat sausage, a piece of cartilage sausage, and a piece of starch sausage.

Everyone else was stunned: You can do that?

They would have done the same thing if I had told you earlier.

For just one cent, you can enjoy three different types of grilled sausages – what a steal!

"Who wants to fight me!"

"We're just one person short, let's go all out!"

"Let's divide it among the three of us using rock-paper-scissors!"

"..."