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

Tulu suddenly stood up, looking like he was ready to fight Yang Shen to the death.

Seeing this, Li Chun ordered his men, the Imperial Guards, to step forward and block Yang Shen's path.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense, as if a major battle was about to break out.

"Commander Li, don't be nervous, we're just discussing a matter."

Yang Shen gently pushed Li Chun away and said, "I have no intention of belittling you. I just feel that if the Eternal Heaven really brings down calamity for such a trivial matter, then this deity's magnanimity is rather... well, it seems not magnanimous enough."

Akunda's face darkened; he had already realized that the young man was eloquent and deliberately muddying the waters.

"Hmph! How could you mortals presume to fathom the will of the Eternal Heaven? The successive explosions in the palace's latrines are merely a warning, letting you know that if you do not repent, calamity will fall upon those who are destined to be afflicted!"

He then glanced at Zhu Houzhao and said with a sneer, "Perhaps next time it won't just be the latrine."

He was already ugly, with a withered face, and this smile made him even more terrifying.

Zhu Houzhao's eyes lit up as he listened, showing no fear whatsoever, but rather finding it extremely exciting!

"Fine! You say the Eternal Heaven has sent down calamity? I simply don't believe it!"

Zhang Sheng advised, "How can you take talk of ghosts and gods seriously? Your Highness, don't stoop to the level of a foreign envoy."

Zhu Houzhao ignored him and shouted, "You keep talking about the Eternal Heaven and divine punishment, as if you're so powerful, but in the end, it's all about the latrine? It seems your Eternal Heaven isn't all that great!"

Akunda, enraged, laughed coldly: "You ignorant brat, you don't know your place!"

"Whether the sky is high or the earth is thick, you'll only know by trying!"

Zhu Houzhao raised his head and said contemptuously, "I'll tell you now, those so-called divine punishments have become a force under the control of my Great Ming! The little power of your Eternal Heaven has been tamed by me!"

"Taming the Eternal Heaven? Hahaha..."

Akunda laughed as if he had heard the most absurd joke, then said, "Crown Prince, Minister Zhang, do you know what serious consequences these remarks will bring?"

Zhang Sheng was also a little embarrassed. Arguing is one thing, but this boast was a bit too much.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Houzhao became even more enthusiastic, looking at Yang Shen: "Yang, tell them, is this what happened?"

Yang Shen sighed inwardly; it seemed he could no longer remain uninvolved.

He stepped forward and said, "Your Highness is right. The strange phenomena that have recently occurred in the palace are not divine punishment, but rather the result of Your Highness's research into the principles of things and the pursuit of knowledge. You have accidentally discovered the way of the universe and applied it. The so-called explosion of the latrine was merely Your Highness drawing upon the earth's energy to test your abilities, and it is not a calamity."

"Nonsense! Utterly absurd!"

Tulu scoffed repeatedly, saying, "Use the earth's energy? You can control the energy of heaven and earth? If you're so capable, show me how!"

Zhu Houzhao immediately retorted, "How about I put you under control?"

Turu scoffed, "If that's possible, then you can do whatever you want!"

"good!"

Zhu Houzhao became even more emboldened and said, "I'll show you whether you dare to put it in writing!"

Turu laughed heartily, then said, "What if not?"

"you say!"

"If you truly possess the power to tame the heavens, I will agree to your conditions! If not, then please, Great Ming, agree to our conditions!"

"A promise is a promise!"

"What's done is done!"

The two of them quickly settled the matter after exchanging a few words.

Zhang Sheng was extremely anxious and tried to interject several times, but couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Only after the two had finished speaking did he hurriedly say, "Such an important matter cannot be treated lightly! We must report to His Majesty for a decision!"

Tulu looked at Zhu Houzhao with disdain: "The Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty has already spoken; does he intend to go back on his word?"

Zhu Houzhao, who was easily provoked, immediately declared, "My word is my bond; it's settled then!"

Turu nodded in satisfaction: "Alright, please demonstrate!"

Zhu Houzhao said, "This won't do. Come with me, I'll show you something!"

Turu and Akunda exchanged a glance, then got up and followed.

Zhu Houzhao led his entourage back to the Eastern Palace in a menacing manner.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control, Zhang Sheng panicked. He glanced up and saw Yang Shen, and quickly followed him.

"Yang, you're getting close to the Crown Prince, go and try to persuade him!"

Yang Shen, however, remained calm and said, "Minister Zhang, please don't be hasty. The Crown Prince has his own plans!"

Zhang Sheng inwardly groaned. The Crown Prince was just a figurehead; the one who was actually negotiating was him!

Now, how do we end this situation? How do we explain it to His Majesty?

Upon arriving at the Meridian Gate, he quickly pulled over a eunuch and gave him a few words of advice.

Seeing the situation before him, the young eunuch dared not delay and ran towards the Qianqing Palace with small, quick steps.

When they arrived at the courtyard of the East Palace, Wang Shouren had already been waiting for a long time.

"Your Highness, the biogas digester is now fully completed. Please inspect it!"

Zhu Houzhao looked at the newly built biogas digester and said proudly, "Come and see, this is the new biogas collection point I built!"

Turu circled the latrine and scoffed, "It's just a sturdier latrine they built, isn't it?"

Zhu Houzhao ignored him and ordered, "Wang Guanzheng, take me to light the fire!"

"yes!"

Wang Shouren led everyone to the kitchen following the buried pipe.

Everyone could tell at a glance that the stove was newly built, but strangely, there was no fire opening!

Turu burst into laughter and said, "Your Highness, what are you going to show me? A newly built stove?"

Zhu Houzhao confidently declared, "This stove is used to absorb the earth's energy!"

"How do you absorb it? Do you think it's absorbed through steam rising from the ground, which you then use to start a fire and cook?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

"How would I know? I... what are you talking about?"

Tulu was completely bewildered and almost got himself into trouble.

Akunda stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, does our agreement still stand?"

Zhu Houzhao tilted his head and said, "Of course it counts!"

"Alright!"

A sinister smile crept across Akunda's withered face as he said menacingly, "How can this stove possibly tame the heavens? If you can't prove it today, the negotiations will proceed according to our demands!"

Zhu Houzhao countered, "The object that gathers energy is right before our eyes, can't you see it?"

Akunda looked at the stove in front of him and said, "There's not even a fire pit. What's the use of this stove?"

"I'll show you!"

Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and ordered, "Wang Guanzheng, light the fire!"

"yes!"

Wang Shouren was already prepared and carefully turned on the valve.

He then took out a tinderbox and, under everyone's watchful eyes, slowly approached the stove.

Zhu Houzhao looked on with anticipation; this was something he had built himself!

Wang Shouren was a little nervous. He brought the tinder to the stove opening, but the flame he expected did not appear.

Turu and Akunda exchanged a glance, both seeing absurdity in each other's eyes.

I had long heard that this Crown Prince was notoriously unruly, and seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved.

If we can seize this opportunity to expand the variety and quantity of goods traded in the border market, things will be much better in the future.

I thought this negotiation would be incredibly difficult, but it turned out to be so easy!

Wang Shouren remained in a half-squatting position, and after a long time, there was still no response.

The officials whispered amongst themselves, while Zhang Sheng shook his head and sighed inwardly.

Although the crown prince was unruly, as a regent, I had an inescapable responsibility.

Just then, a sharp and high-pitched voice suddenly came from outside the door—

"His Majesty has arrived!"