After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

In the Fengtian Hall, the Hongzhi Emperor held two memorials.

Grand Secretary Liu Jian and Minister of Rites Zhang Sheng stood with their hands at their sides.

After a long while, the Hongzhi Emperor asked doubtfully, "Is the Northern Yuan willing to resume paying tribute?"

Liu Jian nodded slightly and said, "Since the border town was placed under martial law, supplies on the grasslands have become even more scarce. If they don't pay tribute, they can only wait to die."

The Hongzhi Emperor certainly understood this principle; what he didn't understand was why the Tatar prince had suddenly changed his attitude.

Over the years, the Northern Yuan's power has been expanding, with the Huoshai tribe even entering the Hetao region.

The Ming army spent countless sums of money and grain to defend the area north of the Great Wall, but with little effect.

Because the Mongols came on horseback, looted and ran, making it impossible to guard against them!

Left with no other option, the Ming Dynasty had to shrink its defenses and hold fast to the Great Wall.

The Ming Dynasty and the Northern Yuan were sworn enemies, and their conflicts had continued for more than a hundred years. Now that the Tatars were powerful, all the officials in the court believed that a war between the two sides was inevitable. Just at this time, the Northern Yuan envoys came to the capital to discuss the tribute matters.

This is quite puzzling. Has the Tatars really given in?

Or is there some conspiracy hidden here?

Knowing the Hongzhi Emperor's doubts, Liu Jian said, "I think that since the other side has sent an envoy, we should meet with him and take the opportunity to probe his intentions."

The Hongzhi Emperor picked up another memorial, which was a military deployment plan discussed by the cabinet, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue. When he read it, he found that it would require 18 million shi of grain and about 5 million taels of silver, which would almost empty the national treasury.

No matter how you look at it, negotiating is still the more worthwhile option.

He slowly raised his head and asked, "Who do you think is suitable to negotiate?"

Liu Jian said, "Your Majesty, the Northern Yuan sent the Tatar Crown Prince Tulubolot. After much consideration, we believe it would be more appropriate for His Highness the Crown Prince to represent them."

"The Crown Prince?"

The Hongzhi Emperor chuckled and said, "He's only twelve years old, how could he possibly understand negotiation?"

Zhang Sheng said, "Your Majesty is unaware that Turubolot is only sixteen years old. According to etiquette, he should be received by the Crown Prince or a vassal king. However, Your Majesty, please rest assured that we will accompany him."

The Hongzhi Emperor asked, "What has the Crown Prince been doing lately?"

Liu Jian and Zhang Sheng exchanged a glance but neither spoke.

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at Xiao Jing: "Speak!"

Xiao Jing had no choice but to tell the truth: "Your Highness has been repairing the latrines these past few days."

The Hongzhi Emperor was speechless for a moment, then immediately said, "Issue my imperial decree, ordering the Crown Prince to meet with the Northern Yuan envoys to discuss the matter of tribute!"

"As you command!"

Xiao Jing responded and bowed before leaving.

On the East Palace side, the construction of the biogas digester is progressing smoothly.

The greatest contributor to this was not Wang Shouren, but Liu Jin.

Because the suppliers Liu Jin negotiated with not only offered low prices but also delivered goods very quickly.

As a result, the original budget was significantly reduced, and even Liu Jin's pockets were bulging.

He was a grateful person, and when no one was looking, he secretly slipped Yang Shen a fifty-tael silver note.

Yang Shen asked, puzzled, "What does Eunuch Liu mean by this?"

Liu Jin smiled broadly and said, "Thanks to Yang's guidance, those merchants treat our family with the utmost respect, as if they were seeing their own father. This is all thanks to their filial piety towards our family."

"This...this is too much trouble!"

Yang Shen accepted the silver note and continued, "We're all working for the Crown Prince, so there's no need to be so formal in the future!"

"Ahem!"

Just then, a coughing sound came from behind.

Yang Shen hurriedly stuffed the silver note into his pocket, then turned around to look. It turned out to be Xiao Jing, the Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Upon seeing Xiao Jing, Liu Jin immediately became meek and submissive, lowering his head and daring not to speak.

Yang Shen stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and asked, "What brings Eunuch Xiao to the Eastern Palace?"

With a smile, Xiao Jing spoke slowly and deliberately, "His Majesty sent me to deliver a royal decree. May I ask where His Highness the Crown Prince is?"

Yang Shen replied, "The Ministry of Works is renovating the latrines, and His Highness is supervising the work."

Xiao Jing frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "How did the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty end up getting so hung up on the latrine?"

However, given his status, he couldn't say anything, so he said to Liu Jin, "Liu Jin, go and invite His Highness over."

Liu Jin hurriedly ran off, and returned a moment later, panting.

"Eunuch Xiao... His Highness said the project is nearing completion, and he's very busy and can't spare the time!"

Xiao Jing said, "Did you tell His Highness that I am here to convey His Majesty's imperial edict?"

Liu Jin, panting, said, "His Highness...His Highness said you may go!"

Xiao Jing felt a wave of nausea as he imagined the scene of the cesspool exploding.

He turned to Yang Shen and said, "Yang Shen, please tell His Highness later that the envoys from the Northern Yuan have come to pay tribute and will discuss trade matters at the Court of State Ceremonial tomorrow. Please ask His Highness to represent the Ming Dynasty in receiving them."

Yang Shen asked, "Is it appropriate for Your Highness to handle such an important matter?"

Xiao Jing then said, "The other party's representative is the Crown Prince of Northern Yuan, Tulubolot, who is only sixteen years old. After discussion between the Ministry of Rites and the Cabinet, it was deemed more appropriate for the Crown Prince to represent them."

Yang Shen understood; the person who had come was Dayan Khan's son.

It would have been inappropriate for the Hongzhi Emperor to personally receive him, as their statuses were not equal.

Sending Zhu Houzhao would indeed be reasonable, but Zhu Houzhao is only twelve years old!

There's a difference between sixteen and twelve years old. If they can't reach an agreement and start fighting, the one who gets hurt will suffer.

Xiao Jing seemed to see through Yang Shen's thoughts and said, "Yang Shen, don't worry. Tomorrow, the main person in charge of the negotiations will be Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Rites. Your Highness is just there to make a show of things."

Yang Shen nodded and said, "Please rest assured, Eunuch Xiao, I will definitely convey your message."

After Xiao Jing left, Wang Shouren rushed over.

"Yang, the study companion! Yang, the study companion!"

Yang Shen asked, "What is the matter, Wang Guanzheng?"

Wang Shouren said, "When the pipeline was laid, the mortar cracked and could not be sealed."

Yang Shen lowered his head in deep thought. In this era without cement, sealing the pipes was indeed a problem.

However, it's not a big problem, because there was a solution as early as the Qin Dynasty.

"Regular clay won't work; add glutinous rice and tung oil!"

Wang Shouren thought for a moment and said, "We can give it a try, but glutinous rice and tung oil are not cheap. If it's feasible, we'll need to increase the budget!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Shen turned to Liu Jin and said, "Don't worry, with Eunuch Liu here, money won't be a problem!"

Liu Jin raised his head triumphantly and said, "Don't worry, Wang Guanzheng, I'll go to the market right away and find a shop that sells glutinous rice and tung oil."

Wang Shouren nodded and hurriedly left.

Liu Jin also bid farewell to Yang Shen and left the palace for West Market Street.

Glutinous rice and tung oil were not valuable commodities, and a seller was found quickly.

The shopkeeper's surname was Ma, he was in his forties, and his triangular eyes revealed his shrewdness.

The negotiation went smoothly. When Manager Ma heard that he was supplying goods to the Crown Prince's Palace, he not only took the initiative to lower the price, but also gave Liu Jin a few local specialties before leaving.

Liu Jin was naturally very satisfied and said, "From now on, you will be in charge of supplying all the materials needed by the Crown Prince's Palace."

Shopkeeper Ma bowed and scraped, saying, "Thank you for your patronage, Eunuch Liu. Rest assured, all the goods in my shop are of the highest quality, and the prices are absolutely the lowest on the market. If you find anything cheaper, I won't charge you a single penny!"

Liu Jin raised an eyebrow: "You said it yourself. If we find a cheaper product, don't blame us for asking you for money!"

Shopkeeper Ma quickly replied, "Don't worry, it's an honor for our shop to supply the palace. We would never dare to be dishonest!"

Liu Jin responded and said, "I have to go back to report. Hurry up and have the servants deliver the things over there."

"I'll go arrange it right away, please have a cup of tea!"

"No time, I'll save it for next time!"

"Um... Eunuch Liu!"

Manager Ma looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Liu Jin sensed something was amiss and asked, "Speak your mind!"

Manager Ma lowered his voice and said, "Please forgive my meddling, Shangguan, but... I've heard that strange things have been happening in the palace lately. It seems someone offended the god of the latrines, and the god has sent down divine punishment..."

Liu Jin's expression changed, and he said, "Asking about palace matters recklessly, do you have a death wish?"

Manager Ma turned pale with fright and said, "I was ignorant, please forgive me, sir!"

As he spoke, he took out a few more local specialty products and stuffed them into Liu Jin's hand.

"This is just a warning. If you behave this way again, you'll lose your head!"

Liu Jin, considering the local specialties, didn't argue further and left in a huff.

Manager Ma came out to see him off, and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Liu Jin walk away.

The fear on his face vanished, replaced by a smile.

He gave instructions to his assistant and then went to the backyard, where someone was already waiting.

This man had a round face, a full beard, wore a felt hat, and was dressed in fur, which was typical of Mongolians.

After exchanging a few words, the Mongolian hurriedly left and arrived at the post station in the west of the city.

The Northern Yuan envoys have arrived in the capital, led by Tulu, the eldest son of Dayan Khan, with the Grand Preceptor Akunda accompanying them.

Upon receiving the information from the secret agent, Tulu excitedly said, "Grand Preceptor, we have found out that the Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace has indeed been experiencing strange phenomena such as latrine explosions for several days. According to rumors, someone must have offended the god of latrines."

Akunda remained calm and said, "What god of the latrine? They're clearly using excrement to mock us, angering the Eternal Heaven. This is a warning from the Eternal Heaven!"

Tulu asked, "What does the Grand Preceptor plan to do?"

After a moment's thought, Akunda said, "Tomorrow, during the negotiations between the two countries, I will ask a deity to possess me and convey the will of the Eternal Heaven. If they remain obstinate, there will be even more divine punishment in the future!"

"I will definitely avenge my shame tomorrow!"

Tulu was filled with rage at the thought of the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of excrement.

In tomorrow's negotiations, we must at least salvage some face.