Read Novel Full Chapter 259
Chapter 259: Zeng Ziqian’s Trouble-Making Again!!!
“Did you really bring a few pigs?” The first question from the old man to his grandson upon their reunion was this.
Zeng Sanlang had anticipated the reaction in the capital and grinned widely.
Old Master Zeng didn’t think that sending pigs was meant to highlight his granddaughter-in-law’s achievements. He just reminded him, “Tributes must be presented to the court on New Year’s Day. You’ve attracted quite a lot of envy this year, and the censors have been idle lately. They’re keeping a close eye on you.”
Sending live pigs into the court could, if one were determined to make it fit, be labeled as disrespectful to the emperor and a breach of court decorum. However, judging by the old man’s smiling face, he clearly wasn’t worried.
—
New Year’s Day was the first day of the lunar calendar, a time when all officials in the capital were required to attend. The number of officials in the capital was not yet full, just over a hundred. This New Year’s Day was particularly special. Besides the capital’s officials, there were over three hundred provincial governors. By the time the morning court began, the Ministry of Revenue had already displayed the tributes from various provinces along the sides of the hall. Before the court session began, the over four hundred officials entered the palace, walking through the rows of tributes.
With the people suffering and the emperor having established principles for local tributes, no one took the offering lightly. Therefore, Shezhou’s pigs, which had been hurriedly brought to the palace early in the morning after being disturbed from their dreams, were particularly conspicuous among the hundreds of other tributes.
The officials didn’t need signs to know that these were Shezhou’s tributes. They couldn’t help but laugh as they passed by the six large wooden crates, eagerly anticipating the spectacle of Shezhou’s tribute.
With over three hundred provinces, each took turns presenting their tributes. Every time a province presented its tributes, servants carried them into the hall. Ginseng, deer antlers, brocade, and silk were common, but everyone was waiting to see Shezhou’s tribute. Even the emperor, who had heard about Shezhou’s tribute, was eager to see if the pigs were as unusual as reported.
As the tribute from Shezhou was announced, the officials, who had been solemnly holding their tablets, couldn’t contain their laughter, shaking their shoulders and chuckling. Zeng Ziqian stepped forward, his attendants entering the hall behind him. The sound of grunting pigs could already be heard from behind.
The court officials couldn’t hold back anymore. What had started as suppressed laughter turned into a burst of laughter.
As Old Master Zeng had predicted, a censor quickly appeared, accusing Zeng Ziqian of a more colorful offense than expected. However, the emperor was in high spirits, laughing and saying that it was a day for tributes, so why couldn’t live pigs be offered as local tributes? He waved his hand, indicating the pigs.
“These tributes are quite fresh,” the emperor said.
Zeng Ziqian dared to respond, thanking him and saying, “The six pigs I brought do indeed have unique characteristics.”
The officials laughed again. The emperor, known for his decisiveness in battle but renowned for his affability towards his subjects, was curious. Someone jokingly asked, “What’s so special about pigs? Are they like the Wang family of the Western Jin, fed with human milk?”
Zeng Ziqian glanced at the joking official and replied, “Master Lin, you jest. The people of Shezhou can only afford to eat beans and rice this autumn. As a local official, I dare not indulge in extravagance. The unique aspect of these pigs is…”
He left them in suspense and asked the Ministry of Revenue official to read out the tribute list.
The Ministry of Revenue official, well aware of the uniqueness of the pigs, suppressed his smile and read from the scroll:
“In the fourth year of Wuding, the tribute from Shezhou: Four castrated pigs aged seven months, two breeding pigs aged seven months, 200 pounds of artificially grown yam, 60 pounds of vermicelli from Daxing Village, 60 jars of fermented bean curd from Daxing Village, 60 jars of dried meat from Daxing Village, and 60 jars of meat floss from Daxing Village.”
The mention of Daxing Village didn’t immediately register with the others. But when they heard about the meat floss and dried meat, the emperor’s eyes showed a barely perceptible smile.
Indeed, Zeng Sanlang!
But what about the vermicelli and fermented bean curd?
The thought quickly passed. What was more interesting now was the reaction of the officials.
Upon hearing “castrated pigs,” the officials who had been laughing heartily suddenly looked puzzled. The officials standing closer turned their attention to the six pigs, stretching their necks to see better.
Four castrated pigs, two breeding pigs.
The six pigs were arranged in three rows, with the four castrated pigs in the first and third rows. The officials, once they understood the differences, felt a chill. Some even spoke out angrily: “Zeng Ziqian, what kind of fetish is this?”
Castrating pigs for no reason? Real men couldn’t stand this!
Zeng Ziqian looked at the old official in his fifties, whom he didn’t recognize but assumed was a new official appointed after the emperor’s entry into the capital. He smiled and said, “This official hasn’t listened carefully to the Ministry of Revenue’s list. Four castrated pigs and two breeding pigs aged seven months—please take another look at these six pigs.”
The old official hadn’t grasped the point yet. “What does this have to do with castrating the pigs?”
The emperor raised an eyebrow, noting that this official wasn’t very perceptive.
Li Yu, having caught on, cleared his throat and suggested, “Lord Liu, all six pigs are seven months old. Look at the size difference between the castrated and breeding pigs.”
Lord Liu and other officials who hadn’t reacted before quickly looked at the six pigs. Even without economic knowledge, it was clear that the four castrated pigs and the two uncastrated pigs were quite different in size.
Some officials, who had been waiting to see the spectacle, suddenly realized—Zeng Ziqian had caused trouble again!
The emperor observed the reactions of the officials and asked, “Does anyone know the weight of a seven-month-old pig?”
His question left over four hundred officials stumped, including both capital officials and provincial officials. They either looked at each other or bowed their heads. Only a few among them, mostly former commoners who had rebelled against Da Qian and later joined Da Qi, had any clue.
In the court, officials are generally from prominent families or scholarly backgrounds, with very few coming from humble beginnings. Among the civil officials, especially, there’s a notable lack of those who rose from the lower classes. The high-ranking families wouldn’t even consider eating pork, let alone knowing what a pig looks like at various stages of growth.
Furthermore, even if someone knew, the farm work is usually done by tenants and servants, so they rarely get involved. Thus, no one could answer the emperor’s question immediately.
The emperor surveyed the room: “Forget the capital officials for now. Let’s hear from the provincial governors. The livelihood of the people depends on you. Does anyone know?”
The court was silent. After a moment, a governor stepped forward: “I may be able to provide some insight.”
“Governor of Mei Prefecture, Lu Jiang?”
“Yes.”
“Speak.”
With the emperor’s prompt, Lu Jiang began to speak modestly but with clarity. He explained that he had purchased livestock from the lower gentry and distributed it among the people. After observing the pigs, he reported that the approximate weight of seven-month-old pigs was around eighty pounds for those kept less well and around one hundred pounds for those kept better.
The other governors in the hall were regretting their situation, overshadowed by both Shezhou’s and Mei Prefecture’s governors.
The officials in the capital were considering their future and the emperor’s favor, while a few close confidants of the emperor had noted Lu Jiang’s reported weights. Xu Yuan, the head of the Ministry of Revenue, asked the Ministry of Revenue’s official responsible for the tributes: “How much did the six pigs sent by Governor Zeng weigh?”
The weights had been recorded when the pigs were inspected. The official replied: “The two boars weighed 110 pounds and 115 pounds respectively. The four castrated pigs ranged between 190 and 200 pounds.”
The court was in an uproar.
For those who could enter the court, especially those appointed in the new dynasty, they were either accomplished or talented, but none were foolish. The difference of seventy or eighty pounds between castrated and non-castrated pigs was significant.
Seventy or eighty pounds!
Even though slightly older pigs often have a strong odor that people dislike, it’s still significant for the common people.
Xu Yuan was somewhat excited: “Governor Zeng, are these four pigs truly seven months old?”
Zeng Ziqian smiled: “How could I deceive Your Majesty?”
Indeed.
Xu Yuan realized he had asked a redundant question and shifted to ask: “Are there specific requirements for castrating pigs? Can any pig be castrated? Do injured pigs get sick and die? Also, I noticed that the non-castrated pigs you provided are heavier by over ten pounds compared to those from Mei Prefecture. Are there any special methods for raising them?”
He posed a series of questions.
Zeng Ziqian was waiting for someone to ask and answered accordingly. Then he addressed the emperor: “The local tributes from Shezhou, as you must have heard, include many items from Daxing Village. In fact, not only the fermented bean curd, vermicelli, meat floss, and dried meat, but also the yam cultivation method, castrated pig method, and pig farming techniques all come from the Sang family of Daxing Village.”
Li Yu recalled the Sang family: “Are you referring to the Sang family that donated the curved plow?”
“Exactly,” Zeng Ziqian smiled and continued, “The Sang family pays great attention to agriculture and research. They use vetch for soil rotation, and feed the pigs with vetch mixed with a small amount of bran or bean dregs, which accelerates their growth compared to other feed.”
“They also developed the castrated pig method themselves before reporting it to the authorities. I feared it might be a coincidence, but my wife brought some unmarketed sows to Shezhou, raising several piglets and using this method for experimentation. It proved effective. Now, surrounding farmers in Daxing Village follow this method. I believe that with similar raising methods, castrated pigs at seven to eight months can gain over ninety pounds of white meat compared to non-castrated ones. This method should be brought to the capital, tested here, and then promoted throughout Da Qi.”
The emperor was already smiling broadly. He walked down a few steps and circled the castrated pigs: “These pigs are excellent! Silk and satin, and rare and precious items, only go into my private collection, but the castrated pig method and yam cultivation method benefit the people of Da Qi. The curved plow and Shezhou’s tribute are the best tributes I’ve received this year.”
Zeng Ziqian bowed: “There is one more thing. According to the Sang family, the meat of these castrated pigs is exceptionally tender, and the usual odor that people dislike is gone. The Sang family slaughtered an eight-month-old castrated pig, and to ensure the quality for Your Majesty, my wife borrowed a six-month-old castrated pig and had it slaughtered. The meat was indeed superior, as described.”
“Is that so?” Not only the emperor but also many officials were intrigued. The emperor looked at the six pigs and told the Ministry of Revenue’s official: “Have these six pigs taken away. Keep four well, and immediately slaughter two of the castrated pigs. It’s getting late, so today I invite all officials to a feast to taste this exceptional pork.”
The Ministry of Revenue’s official agreed. The six pigs spent half a day in the Da Qi imperial palace before being respectfully taken away by the attendants. Their fate was about to change.
The morning court session in Da Qi lasted until the afternoon. A group of officials, who had once disliked pork, enjoyed a pork feast. They were eager to find out if the meat truly lived up to Zeng Ziqian’s claims. They ate with courage, and indeed, the unpleasant taste they disliked was gone.
Those who had laughed at Zeng Ziqian a few days ago were now savoring the sweet, tender, and distinctly different red-braised pork. They saw the emperor smiling, and Zeng Ziqian, a mere provincial governor, was honored by the emperor’s side.
The curved plow, castrated pig method, and yam cultivation.
In the fourth year of Wuding, Zeng Ziqian had completely overshadowed the entire Da Qi officialdom.
The civil and military officials all had the same thought: Who exactly are the Sang family of Daxing Village? Why hasn’t such a person emerged under their command?
Impressed.
Truly impressed!
So impressed with Zeng Ziqian’s luck that I feel like kneeling!
……
The emperor, enjoying the red-braised pork, was in high spirits. After years of battles, he wasn’t as delicate as those civil officials. He had eaten pork often, but this was the first time he realized it could be this delicious.
As he ate, his mind was still on the economy and the people’s livelihood. He thought about how such delicious pork could be on every commoner’s table. He considered that raising pigs for eight months could yield over 230 pounds of white meat, enough to provide over twenty loads of manure for fertilizing fields.
He also reflected on how the paper mills set up in several provinces were helping the court by earning silver for the treasury. He truly felt that Sang Luo was a blessing sent to Da Qi by the heavens.
Sang Luo, Sang Luo, how should I reward you this time?