Feng Zexuan smilingly led the group to the best seats in the restaurant.
Xiao Juechen sat down, his gaze sweeping over the vividly realistic dishes on the wall, and said directly:
“Bring me one of everything on the menu.”
【System, this old emperor really is treating my shop like the imperial kitchen!】
【Host, unleash your full skills and conquer him with food!】
【Of course! Let him see what “the wisdom of the people” tastes like!】
Feng Zexuan rolled up her sleeves and went straight into the kitchen.
Although there were already professional chefs in charge, for such a big guest she had to personally oversee things.
Moments later, she came out carrying a steaming tray.
On it were three baked potatoes, their skins slightly wrinkled and golden-brown, releasing a pure, roasted aroma that hit the senses instantly.
“Our signature dish—slow-roasted potatoes. Please enjoy.”
She placed the plate down and handed them three silver spoons.
Xiao Juechen looked at the plain-looking potatoes.
Rough, wrinkled, completely unadorned—compared to the palace’s dragon-carved delicacies, they looked almost shabby.
But he still picked up the spoon, scooped a piece, and put it in his mouth.
Hot. Soft.
The roasted aroma of the skin and the natural sweetness inside exploded on his tongue.
The simplest flavor brought the most overwhelming impact.
Xiao Juechen’s eyes lit up.
He kept eating without pause, finishing quickly.
Prime Minister Lin was even more absorbed, nodding repeatedly.
“So simple, so pure—this is the true taste of food!”
Feng Huan’an silently finished his potato, then stared at his empty plate with lingering regret.
Then he raised two fingers toward Feng Zexuan.
【Heh, looks like dad’s hooked—he wants two more!】
Feng Zexuan suppressed a smile and signaled to the kitchen.
Soon after, fries, mashed potato salad, and spicy shredded potatoes were served.
All three ate to their hearts’ content.
Xiao Juechen put down his chopsticks and sighed:
“If this crop can truly yield three thousand jin per mu, it would be a blessing to the Great Xia.”
Seeing the moment was right, Feng Zexuan bowed slightly and smiled:
“Your Majesty, words alone are meaningless—seeing is believing.”
“The experimental field in the outskirts is being harvested today. If you are interested, why not witness it yourself?”
“See for yourself whether this ‘three thousand jin yield’ is real?”
Xiao Juechen paused, exchanging glances with the Prime Minister and Feng Huan’an.
All three showed a flicker of interest.
【Heh heh heh, the emperor’s hooked!】
【Host, this plan is too deep!】
【First use food to numb them, then strike while the iron is hot!】
“What scheme? This is called teaching according to ability—and according to the person!”
“And getting the emperor to personally dig potatoes? Just imagining it is legendary!”
Xiao Juechen caught two key phrases from her thoughts.
“Legendary tale?”
“A wise ruler?”
A strange anticipation rose in his heart.
“Alright, let’s go take a look!”
Outskirts — Ministry of Agriculture Experimental Field
Lush green potato vines stretched across the fields, full of vitality.
In stark contrast, the wheat field beside them looked sparse and weak.
“These are potato plants,” Feng Zexuan said, pointing at the green field.
“It’s harvest time now.”
She fetched three hoes from the tool shed and handed them to the three men.
“Come on, experience the joy of a farmer’s harvest!”
She even deliberately handed the lightest one to Xiao Juechen.
“Your Majesty, you go first?”
Xiao Juechen weighed the hoe.
It was heavier than he expected.
As an emperor pampered for decades, he was now supposed to dig in the fields under the blazing sun?
【Host, look at his conflicted face—does he not want to work?】
【Doesn’t matter. We’re already here—he has to dig!】
【Let him experience the hardship of the people!】
Xiao Juechen looked at Feng Zexuan’s bright eyes, then at the delicious food from earlier.
Forget it.
Rare chance to leave the palace—consider it… observing the people’s livelihood.
He took a deep breath, rolled up his sleeves, and stepped forward like a farmer.
Nearby agricultural officials stared in shock.
That… was His Majesty?
The emperor was going to work the fields?!
Xiao Juechen stood before a strong potato plant.
He raised the hoe and struck down hard.
Thud!
The blade hit something solid.
He pried the soil apart—and froze.
Everyone froze with him.
A whole cluster—dozens of potatoes of various sizes—hung tightly together on the roots.
Golden. Perfect. A symbol of harvest.
“This… this many?” Xiao Juechen’s voice trembled.
“One plant produces this much?”
He crouched down and lifted the cluster.
At least seven or eight jin.
Every single potato was plump, smooth, and flawless.
“Your Majesty, this is only average size,” Feng Zexuan said with a smile.
“Look over there—some plants yield over ten jin each.”
【Host, look! The Prime Minister and your dad can’t hold back anymore!】
【Go! Let them loose!】
Prime Minister Lin and Feng Huan’an immediately grabbed hoes and rushed into the field.
“I’ll try too!”
“Let me dig one!”
The two high officials swung their hoes clumsily.
“Hahaha! Huan’an, look at mine—it’s bigger than yours!”
Prime Minister Lin proudly held up a cluster of over twenty potatoes.
“Don’t rush, mine isn’t small either!” Feng Huan’an replied.
He counted—eighteen!
Xiao Juechen watched them, then suddenly laughed.
He dug again… and again.
Each time, he grew more skilled, more excited.
Every harvest brought a burst of joyful exclamation.
The field was filled with laughter and energy.
The agricultural officials watching were stunned.
Were these really the emperor and his ministers?
They looked like village farmers enjoying themselves.
【Hahaha, I’m dying!】
【The emperor looks like a rich kid digging potatoes for the first time!】
【Prime Minister Lin has mud on his beard and doesn’t care!】
【My dad is even worse—squatting there counting potatoes like a child!】
【System, take a photo! This is a once-in-history scene!】
【Photo captured, Host!】
After the harvest, Feng Zexuan personally taught them how to plant potatoes.
“Cut them like this—each piece must have an eye bud.”
“Dip in wood ash to prevent rot and provide nutrients.”
“Then bury them in soil and cover lightly.”
Xiao Juechen listened carefully, cutting a potato with great focus.
He buried a piece into the soil himself.
Patting it down gently.
As the seed disappeared into the earth, he seemed to see the future of Great Xia.
No more famine.
No more empty homes.
Children no longer crying from hunger.
Elders no longer sighing without food.
This… was the prosperous age he desired.
On the Return Carriage
All three remained silent.
But it was not suppression—it was afterglow from excitement.
Near the palace gates, Xiao Juechen suddenly slapped his thigh.
“Pass my decree!”
His voice was firm and powerful:
“Under the Ministry of Agriculture, establish a new department—the Agricultural Affairs Division—ranked sixth grade!”
“Allocate one hundred thousand taels of silver as startup funds!”
“Reward those who contribute to promotion generously!”
He turned to Feng Zexuan:
“General Zhenbei, do you have anyone suitable to lead this division?”
Feng Zexuan immediately cupped her hands:
“I recommend the Qiao brothers from Yanmen Pass.”
“Without them, these potatoes would not exist today.”
“They are diligent, experienced, and pure-hearted—perfect candidates.”
Xiao Juechen recalled the handsome brothers from the court banquet and nodded.
“Approved!”
“Qiao Da is appointed Director of the Agricultural Affairs Division. Qiao Er as deputy!”
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