Chapter 446

Chapter 446

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Side Story: The Sea Voyage (End)

Despite her initial focus on yam rib soup and Dongpo pork when she first started experimenting with food in Leping, it doesn’t mean she can’t handle spicy food.

Considering that currently, only ginger, dogwood, and mustard are used to add spiciness to dishes, the real deal of spiciness has only just appeared before her. Thinking about the recipe improvements that could follow with the introduction of chili peppers, Qiao Yan feels that the food she had before was utterly bland.

Now that chili peppers are within reach, of course, she wants to enjoy them as soon as possible.

The Emperor personally tasting it, isn’t that a form of research and inspection?

When the imperial chef received the Emperor’s command, he thought it was just about having a lamb hot pot. But when he received the next command and the chili peppers delivered to him, he was dumbfounded.

As he followed the instructions to stir-fry green onions, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers in melted beef fat, a series of earth-shattering coughs erupted outside the imperial kitchen.

For the people of Da Yong who haven’t experienced the baptism of chili peppers, this stuff is just too intense.

The only remaining chef, wearing a mask in advance, maintained his composure with years of cooking experience.

But when the spicy hot pot was taken away from the imperial kitchen, he couldn’t help but ask, “If something happens to His Majesty after eating that, would it be our responsibility or General Gan’s?”

The junior disciple, with eyes red from the spiciness, responded with a silent expression.

If Gan Ning knew that the red fruit meant for research ended up directly on the dining table and might even lead to him being held accountable, he might… well, he might feel quite helpless.

But in any case, Gan Ning, feeling that he had successfully completed the sea voyage mission, was already asleep in the official residence in Chang’an, completely unaware of the stir his gift had caused.

Because in the palace, just as Qiao Yan was about to dip a few slices of meat into the spicy pot, she heard that the heads of the three departments had arrived.

Seeing the joint arrival of these officials after approval, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but rub her forehead and asked, “I’m just trying something new to eat, do you all have to make such a big deal out of it?”

But perhaps it’s not entirely their fault for making such a fuss.

The spicy hot pot, which Qiao Yan finds delicious, probably looks like a dark culinary experiment to everyone else, especially with the pungent smell in the air, making it seem like some foreign explosive food.

On the temporary grill outside the hall, fresh lamb was also coated with chili powder, emitting an unusual smell.

If it weren’t for Qiao Yan’s healthy appearance and the imperial physician on standby, these officials might have snatched the food away.

But the Emperor, oblivious to their concerns, pointed to the seats opposite her high table and asked, “Want to sit down and try some?”

“Your Majesty…”

Qiao Yan raised her hand to stop Cheng Yu, saying, “Even if you don’t say it, I can guess what you’re thinking. It’s nothing more than telling me to take care of myself and not engage in such dangerous actions.”

Five years into her reign, not only does she have no romantic partner, but the lack of an heir is the most critical issue.

With last year’s changes in the imperial examination system and the official reforms causing a stir, if something were to happen to her, no one could guarantee that the Da Yong court wouldn’t fall into chaos overnight.

Perhaps installing Qiao Lan or Qiao Ting as the Emperor could temporarily stabilize the situation, but for the officials who followed Qiao Yan to pacify the realm, having someone else from the Qiao family inherit the throne is entirely different from having Qiao Yan’s own offspring do so.

Their Majesty is already twenty-seven years old.

The turmoil over the three departments and six ministries system was suppressed due to the clear achievements in territorial expansion, but the concern for the Emperor’s health is indeed growing day by day.

But the current situation is really…

As the saying goes, the Emperor is not anxious, but the eunuchs are.

Of course, those present here are the heads of the Secretariat, Chancellery, and Department of State Affairs, not eunuchs.

The replacement of the Three Lords and Nine Ministers system with the three departments and six ministries system was inevitable in Qiao Yan’s view.

The division of powers and coordination among the three departments and six ministries, if managed properly in personnel selection and imperial control, undoubtedly has irreplaceable advantages for the operation of various departments and the strengthening of imperial power.

Last year, she adjusted the positions of the Three Lords and Nine Ministers, appointing them as heads of the three departments and six ministries, even breaking the principle of establishing new without abolishing the old, not retaining the honorary titles of the Nine Ministers, only keeping the position of Zongzheng to manage internal royal affairs, with Qiao Zhen holding the position for future appointments.

Among the three departments, Cheng Yu was appointed as the head of the Secretariat.

With the Western Regions Protectorate reclaimed for over a year, Lu Yuan was recalled to court to take the position of head of the Chancellery, with Lu Su transferred to Liangzhou as Governor, Fu Gan as Western Regions Protector, and Cai Zhaoji transferred from the Minor Palace to the Chancellery as Deputy Head, continuing to oversee book printing and monthly compilation.

Xi Zhicai was recalled from Bingzhou to serve as the head of the Department of State Affairs, with Xun Yu as his deputy, and Pang Tong transferred from Xuzhou to Bingzhou as Governor.

The Secretariat drafts decisions, the Chancellery reviews and approves, and the Department of State Affairs oversees the six ministries for execution.

These are the three departments.

The heads of the three departments are all chancellors, with the political affairs hall located in the Chancellery.

In fact, Xi Zhicai is not the best candidate for the head of the Department of State Affairs, but with the three departments and six ministries newly established and Minister of Works Huang Wan “retiring,” someone close to Qiao Yan had to fill the position.

Fortunately, with Xun Yu’s assistance, he won’t be overwhelmed by mundane affairs.

Zhuge Liang, who also has the potential for this position but is still young, was transferred from Deputy Governor of Jizhou to Governor of Jizhou by Qiao Yan’s decree, waiting to be recalled to court after a few years of experience.

Moreover, Xi Zhicai’s tendency not to overreach in this position ensures that the six ministries operate more directly under the Emperor’s authority.

Under the Department of State Affairs, Qiao Ting serves as the head of the Ministry of Justice, with Chen Qun, Xun Yue, and Lu Yu as deputies.

Ma Jun temporarily serves as the head of the Ministry of Works, with Huang Yueying assisting, but it’s clear that someone like Ma Jun, more skilled in invention, is better suited for behind-the-scenes research rather than public office. Since the official reforms, Huang Yueying has been the one managing the Ministry of Works. A power transition is expected within half a year.

The head of the Ministry of War, responsible for military officer selection and troop registry, unsurprisingly goes to Zhao Yun.

Qiao Lan takes over the Ministry of Rites, handling imperial examinations, vassal states, and foreign relations.

Qin Yu, previously the Grand Minister of Agriculture, takes charge of land, household registration, and taxation as the head of the Ministry of Revenue.

The Ministry of Personnel is also somewhat special.

Chen Ji, who previously served as the Grand Herald and was involved in the selection of scholars and examination questions, was appointed as the head of the Ministry of Personnel.

But don’t forget, although Chen Ji remains healthy under the care of Chiyang Medical Academy’s physicians, he is over seventy.

In his original plan, seeing Chen Qun firmly established in the Da Yong court, he should retire like Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, and Zhao Qi. But unexpectedly, Qiao Yan assigned him this position.

However, when Chen Ji saw his deputy’s identity, he understood Qiao Yan’s decision.

After Zhuge Liang became Governor of Jizhou, Xu Shu was recalled from Jizhou.

To avoid too many commoners holding high positions in the three departments and six ministries, which could cause dissatisfaction among officials, and to prevent sisters and mothers from each heading a ministry, Chen Ji was brought in as a shield.

Like Ma Jun, who might soon retire as the head of the Ministry of Works to become the head of the Academy of Sciences, Chen Ji will likely only serve as the head of the Ministry of Personnel for two years before handing over the position to Xu Shu. This arrangement won’t overburden him, which is quite appropriate.

The reform turmoil of the three departments and six ministries hasn’t completely subsided by the first month of the sixth year of Yuanzhao.

But with Gan Ning and Lu Meng returning from their sea voyage with substantial gains, the discussion shifted from the division of powers to the sea voyage’s harvest.

However, what Cheng Yu, Lu Yuan, and Xi Zhicai didn’t expect was that today, instead of just being summoned by the Emperor to discuss the allocation and promotion of new species from the sea voyage, the eunuch in charge couldn’t handle the spicy hot pot and urgently reported to the heads of the three departments, hoping they could advise the Emperor based on their long-standing relationship.

Throughout history, there have been emperors and lords who died from their own recklessness. Although their Majesty rarely falls ill and once gathered her first army with her horseback archery skills, what if?

Gan Ning and others’ sea voyage lasted five months, a period long enough to make one completely unfamiliar with the new continent’s species.

As they sat at the table with Qiao Yan, looking at the spicy hot pot with a layer of red oil, they still had some reservations.

“You can rest assured, I won’t joke with my own life,” Qiao Yan said, picking up a slice of lamb and dipping it into the boiling pot.

Even with her full combat and physical stats, it doesn’t mean she can act recklessly. She knows well that after over a decade of local flavors…








The food made her stomach not adapt so quickly to the real taste of chili.

So the pot of soup in front of her, though seemingly boiling with red oil, had a moderate level of spiciness.

She didn’t resort to any fatal operations like using ice water to cool the spiciness. The drink on the table was just a mild, cooling herbal tea.

The three were still hesitating when Qiao Yan, using her chopsticks, picked up some lamb and potato slices and placed them in the empty bowls in front of them.

“Try it?”

They dared not refuse a gift from an elder, let alone from the Son of Heaven.

But thinking of its origin, even Xi Zhicai, who once used gourmet records to lure his friend to Leping, couldn’t help but put on a look of determination before putting it in his mouth.

When the authentic spicy flavor spread across his tongue, his eyes lit up.

“Even if this flavor were truly poisonous, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

As soon as he said this, Qiao Yan gave him a look, but it didn’t stop this gourmet from reaching for the potato slice. Compared to the lamb that was quickly fished out of the pot, the potato had soaked in the spicy broth for a longer time, making it more flavorful.

This time, he felt a bit overwhelmed by the spiciness.

But it was winter, and in the short time he had been inside, his hands hadn’t even warmed up yet. This bite was like a miraculous elixir.

Xi Zhicai couldn’t help but praise, “I think this could have miraculous effects on rheumatism. When will Your Majesty distribute the seeds for planting? I’d like to buy some.”

This spicy heat was the perfect thing to drive away the winter chill.

On his way to advise, Xi Zhicai had thought of all the arguments he should use.

But now…

Qiao Yan watched with amusement as one of her three prime ministers put the potato slices into the pot and placed the meat plate brought by the attendant in the middle, all while wearing an expression that seemed to say, “Since Your Majesty has set an example by eating first, why should I hesitate?”

She replied, “Compared to this red fruit, I think the potato should be promoted first.”

After five months at sea, the potatoes planted on the ship, under the care of Gan Ning and others, had just completed a growth cycle.

The nutrients the potatoes could absorb on the ship were limited, so they couldn’t prove high yields, but they were just right for this year’s planting.

Chili was mostly for flavoring, but the appearance of potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes was almost a miracle for the people who valued food above all else.

As the emperor promoting these things, Qiao Yan could reap more than just domestic stability.

The rubber brought back by Gan Ning and Lu Meng was an unexpected bonus.

Before Gan Ning returned, she had been worried that their limited perspective might cause them to miss some crucial things. Fortunately, the existence of civilizations across the ocean had made the selection of beneficial local species clear to Gan Ning and his team.

Perhaps the only regret was that they didn’t bring back the tomatoes, which were still growing in the mountains and tasted like wild, sour fruit.

But with the beginning of such long voyages, these species that hadn’t yet made it to the Central Plains would eventually have their chance.

No rush, no rush.

Seeing the three of them become serious at her mention of “promoting potatoes first,” she changed the topic to avoid turning this hotpot meal into a court meeting. “We’ll discuss the specifics at tomorrow’s morning court. If we must talk about something today, let’s say—”

“If this red fruit is such a good thing, what if I make it the pattern for next year’s Victory Coin…”

At this question, Xi Zhicai coughed, almost choking on the potato he had just swallowed.

This, well, probably not.

It was unclear when it started, but a niche way to make money emerged among the people: forging the Victory Coins distributed by Qiao Yan to her subordinates with different materials and selling them, as if to share in the blessings bestowed by the Son of Heaven.

If next year’s coin featured a chili, these folk coins would likely follow suit.

What would that make the emperor look like?

Couldn’t we just say it’s for a prosperous and fiery future?

But as Xi Zhicai thought this, he turned to the pot and angrily said, “Did you guys fish out the meat I just put in too quickly? Who took my meat!”

These people have no martial ethics!

——————

The ones with manners were Gan Ning and Lu Meng, who had just returned from a sea voyage, tanned and weathered.

Realizing that the court dynamics had changed dramatically in the year and a half they were away, and to avoid any trouble, Gan Ning greeted Xi Zhicai as he lazily walked into court.

He hadn’t met this man before.

But from his official robes, he could tell his high status and infer his identity.

Though often joked about as the typical “boss gets promoted, I get rich” figure, no one could underestimate someone who had held down Bingzhou for Qiao Yan for years.

But Gan Ning couldn’t shake the feeling that as Xi Zhicai passed by, he caught a familiar spicy scent.

However, he soon had no time to dwell on it.

As he entered the court hall, he became the protagonist of the reward ceremony.

No, more accurately, all those who participated in the sea voyage.

Because the first words from their increasingly majestic emperor were: “Crossing the vast ocean, risking life and death for the sake of our people, is a heroic feat that should be recorded in history, regardless of whether the foreign species can take root in our land. I intend to carve a maritime voyage scene on the monument in Xuanyuan Pavilion, following the depiction of crossing the Xuandu Mountains, so that future generations may remember.”

Worth it!

At this moment, Gan Ning’s heart was filled with only these two words.

Before they dispersed yesterday, the emperor had instructed him to prepare to introduce the crops brought back from overseas to the court officials. He had rehearsed his speech this morning, but now, all those well-rehearsed words were swept aside by this commendation.

Moreover, this was just the emperor’s first statement.

She continued, “Xingba and Ziming have exhausted themselves in this voyage, fulfilling their duties with utmost loyalty. Take the potato, for example—it grew on the ship and will surely thrive on our land. With this, barren lands may yield high crops, offering hope to save countless lives. For this achievement alone, they deserve a place in Xuanyuan Pavilion. Does anyone object?”

In the face of such a daring feat and astonishing harvest, who could possibly object?

Moreover, just as the implementation of the Three Departments and Six Ministries system was unquestionable under this powerful emperor, so were the rewards for Gan Ning and Lu Meng.

Beyond being listed in Xuanyuan Pavilion, official positions and marquis titles were the real rewards for these maritime heroes.

Gan Ning’s former title of Louchuan General was merely a miscellaneous title, but now he was promoted to Front General and enfeoffed as Marquis of Wugong.

Lu Meng’s title of Henghai Commandant was promoted to Henghai General, and he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yunyang.

The title Marquis of Wugong sounded like a commendation for Gan Ning’s bravery, but in fact, like Marquis of Yunyang, it was a title within the passes.

Yunyang and Wugong belonged to the left and right regions of Guanzhong, respectively, marking their fiefs.

Compared to crops that could yield a thousand catties per acre, the marquis titles were not excessive rewards. But for Gan Ning, who had yet to see potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes take effect in the Central Plains, it was a great encouragement.

For someone who loved pomp and circumstance, Marquis of Wugong was a perfect title!

He could hardly remember how he described his exploration process in front of these crops.

He only remembered that after he returned to his position, the emperor began assigning the destinations for these crops.

Potatoes and sweet potatoes would first be cultivated near Guanzhong. If they thrived, they would be sent to the black soil of Suizhou.

The plant named the rubber tree by the emperor could only survive in hot climates, so it would be sent to Jiaozhou for cultivation. Surely Shi Xie of Jiaozhou wouldn’t mind taking on such a task.

The rubber brought back by the ship was directly handed over to the Ministry of Works for research.

As for oil crops like sunflowers and peanuts, they had to be treated cautiously, given their existing sesame crops.

In these times of oil scarcity, every source was significant.

…

“And then there are the foreigners from overseas.”

Qiao Yan looked at Gan Ning with appreciation.

Gan Ning might be a bit unruly in small matters, but in significant affairs, he was utterly diligent.

This voyage to the new continent showcased the grandeur of a great nation.

“Invite them to the court. I want to hear about their civilization. Perhaps there are things we can learn from.”

When the envoy from the new continent appeared before everyone, the focused expression on Qiao Yan’s face sent a silent signal to all present—

While they were still caught up in changes to official positions, their emperor had already stepped into the age of maritime exploration.

And that was bound to be an even more spectacular era!

Author’s Note:

(Side Story 2 ends)

The next chapter begins with a discussion of later generations, starting with the second-generation empress.

[Forum: Anyone want to talk about Emperor Yong Taizong?]

See you tomorrow at 9:30 AM.